We are only taking a little "trial" cruise for our first ever experiment with cruising. Our cruise is the shortest Disney cruise, which includes three nights on the ship, a stop in Nassau for a day and then another day stop in Castaway Cay, Disney's private island paradise, and then back to Florida. We don't plan to leave the ship in Nassau, but instead enjoy some spa time and a lovely lunch at Triton's.
The ship looks fantastic - I love the classy vintage style of the Disney ships. (We will be on the Disney Wonder) The stateroom is a decent, comfortable size of about 300 sq feet. We booked a deluxe stateroom with a veranda for a beautiful ocean view - and I imagine sitting out there in the morning, in the warmth of the sun, relaxing and enjoying coffee (delivered to me by room service) while watching the sunshine sparkle on the waves & daydreaming about the fun to come during the day. Peaceful & heavenly!
Here's my view...... *I hope!*
And then maybe another day.....as we near Castaway Cay......
And when we aren't sitting on our private veranda...love that word lol....we could be lounging near one of the three pools, playing fun games, luxuriating in the spa, going to the movies, enjoying Disney shows, there is so much going on it's going to be difficult to choose which activity involve ourselves in....but somehow I think spa and lounging with a cocktail will win over ping pong or Family Feud.
There are shore excursions in Nassau and in Castaway Cay. We just plan to stay on the ship in Nassau and enjoy having it "to ourselves" while everybody else is out playing at Atlantis or touring the island. We booked Palo for dinner that evening. Palo is rumored to be terrific and a must do on the ship, so we are really looking forward to that dining experience. In Castaway Cay we may opt to snorkel, bike around the island, take a glass bottom boat tour, rent water craft, enjoy a bbq, lounge on an adult only beach.....not sure how we're going to decide what to do for 8 hours. There is just too much! This island looks just like a postcard tropical paradise. Much better than Gilligan's Island. I wouldn't mind being stranded here. I picture myself having to be dragged back to the ship kicking and screaming and not wanting to leave this magical paradise of an island.
Castaway Cay photos.......
And on Castaway Cay they have a stingray "adventure"....just looking at this was making my skin crawl...I'll be taking a pass on this one....but I hear they are smart and surprisingly gentle and trainable.
Extra fun on one of the nights at sea includes a pirate deck party. There is a huge buffet (I hear a CHOCOLATE buffet!) and then fireworks! I think DCL is the only cruise line that shoots fireworks off. It sounds like people have fun dressing for the pirate theme.... I think I'll have too much junk crammed in my luggage for any pirate gear, though. I am NOT a practical packer. I will be on overload...a pirate costume is not on my priority list haha....but then again, maybe I'll feel under dressed for the occasion? Hmmm....something to consider.
The thing that bums me out is having to be off the ship sooooo darn early on embarkation day. WOW I think we have to be out of there by 730 am. But you know what? It won't be the end for us.....we are headed back to WDW for a stay at our happy place, the Grand Floridian.
I'll be back here posting in about a month with new photos of my own and more info and comments on how we either LOVED or didn't *I hope we do* the Disney cruise. There is nothing like first hand experience. I have books and people giving me advice, but it will be most interesting to see how it goes. I'm sure I'll think of something else to blog about between now and then, though.....like my crazy, ever changing, always evolving, but maybe finally finished plans for our summer vacation.....or a "tour" of a Disney hotel or restaurant. But I am looking forward to coming back with some fun photos to share & experiences to write about of our time on the Disney Wonder.
DCL has some terrific deals out now for select cruises. Also, Florida residents get a terrific discount on DCL cruises. Maybe time to think about a little 4 night Bahama/Castaway Cay getaway?
Itineraries, Rates & Dates
Disney Cruise Line® offers unbelievable experiences you won't find anywhere else. Through the wonder that is Disney, guests are transported on a journey of never-ending enchantment where excitement coexists with rejuvenation, serenity lives with adventure and escape is the destination.
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Indulge in a magnificent weekend cruise great for both first-timers and those who love to sail to Nassau and Castaway Cay. |
| 4-Night Bahamian Cruise |
Enjoy fun-filled visits to Nassau and Castaway Cay with a relaxing day at sea. |
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In 2010, the Disney Wonder® is going to cruise for even more Caribbean fun, on special 5-night itineraries. One featuring two stops at Castaway Cay and another featuring a visit to Key West. |
| 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise |
Experience St. Maarten - an island that is half-French, half-Dutch and full of fun. Then head to St. Thomas, famous for duty-free shopping or choose to take a Port Adventure to the island of St. John. After this stop, there's an incredible day at sea and then a day at Disney's Castaway Cay. |
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Set sail for the exotic ports of Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel with a day at Castaway Cay. |
| 15-Night Panama Canal Cruise |
The 2011 Western-bound sails to Castaway Cay and Aruba in the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal and to the Mexican ports of Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas. |
| 7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise |
The Disney Wonder® is again sailing for more unforgettable adventures in 2011, along the California coast, along the Mexican Riviera and through the Panama Canal. |
| 6-Night Los Angeles to Vancouver Cruise |
Guests depart from Los Angeles, California and travel north to Vancouver, Canada, with stops in San Francisco, California and Victoria, Canada plus 2 enchanting days at sea. |
| 7-Night Alaska Cruise |
Every year, for Disney Cruise Line® there's always new magic on the horizon. And in 2011, for the first time ever, that includes a voyage to the breathtaking shores of Alaska. |
| 14-Night Transatlantic Cruise |
In 2010 and 2011, set sail on a transatlantic cruise from Florida to Spain with visits to Castaway Cay, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. |
| 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise |
| 10-Night Mediterranean Cruise |
Set sail from Barcelona, Spain and experience legendary visits to Malta, Tunisia, Italy, Corsica and France. |
| 11-Night Mediterranean Cruise |
Sail from Barcelona, Spain and experience legendary visits to Malta, Tunisia, Italy, Corsica and France. |
| 12-Night Northern European Capitals Cruise |
Sail from Dover, England to visit incredible seaside capital cities in Norway, Denmark, Finland or Estonia, Sweden, Germany and on to Russia. |
| 2010 and 2011 Holiday Cruises |
Experience the holidays as Disney Cruise Line® celebrates the splendor of the season with special 10- and 11-night itineraries. Of course each of the different itineraries is loaded with a variety of shore excursions and something fun for everybody aboard For more info on Disney Cruises and Itineraries contact us at TravelWithTheMagic.com |
Deck Activities...
Be a good sport with deck activities where you can work up a sweat or just have fun. Get your competive juices flowing on the Wide World of Sports Deck, run laps on the terrific track around Deck 4, score big with shuffleboard, play ping pong at tables conveniently situated around the family pool areas, and outscore opponents in awesome arcade games at Quarter Masters.
Pools.....
Delight in three sparkling pools with the Disney touch. Bring the entire clan to Goofy's Pool, with its giant picture of Goofy on the bottom and two extra-large hot tubs. Play with the little ones in Mickey's Pool, with its two wading pools and a super slide. Or take some personal time at the adults-only Quiet Cove Pool with its two whirlpool spas and poolside bar and cafe.
Spa.....
Step into a world-class spa to relax your mind and cleanse your body with marvelous treatments. Experience the perfect workout, followed by pure relaxation. Visit a fitness facility with over a dozen cardiovascular and weight machines and invigorating training sessions in aerobics, yoga and total body shaping. And don't forget our top-notch salon for hair styling, make-up, manicures and more!
Spa.....
Step into a world-class spa to relax your mind and cleanse your body with marvelous treatments. Experience the perfect workout, followed by pure relaxation. Visit a fitness facility with over a dozen cardiovascular and weight machines and invigorating training sessions in aerobics, yoga and total body shaping. And don't forget our top-notch salon for hair styling, make-up, manicures and more!
Studio Sea....
Get ready for action in this family club that looks like a television soundstage — with lots of TV monitors, director's chairs, film cans and all the bustling activity you'd expect. Get set to take the stage or just sit back and enjoy the activities that always add up to pure fun, Disney style!
The Stack....
Meet on your own terms in this personal space on the Disney Magic®. Teens (ages 14-17) cruise in style in this place packed with music, movies, video games, big-screen plasma TVs, a lounge area, dance floor, Internet café and teen-only activities into the wee hours. And the counselors are always cool. Are you a teen? Then you can make this vacation what you want it to be — at the Stack.Aloft....
Discover the ultimate hangout on the Disney Wonder®: a teen-only (ages 13-17) world where you can relax by yourself or with friends, escape with music or a movie, sing and dance, or talk and play. With big-screen plasma TVs, video games, a lounge area, Internet cafe and more, here's a place where the counselors are cool and you can just be yourself.Ocean Quest....on the Disney Magic
Show 'em you're a nautical natural and "steer" the cruise ship in and out of ports around the world! In this scaled replica of the ship's bridge, sit in a captain's chair surrounded by LCD screen "windows" that let you look out over the actual bridge via live video feed. This is also the perfect place for kids ages 11-13 to "chill" as they play video games, create arts and crafts, or watch a movie on one of many plasma screen televisions.Oceaneer Lab....
Explore a world beyond the imagination for kids ages 8-12 on the Disney Wonder® and for kids ages 8-10 on the Disney Magic®. Discover a giant video wall with wireless controllers, private listening rooms with state-of-the-art equipment, flat-screen computers loaded with "family-rated" software, animation programs and activities you won't find anywhere else. Be guided by Disney counselors who know how to facilitate fun. And Moms and Dads can always stay in touch with the provided pagers..
Oceaneer Club....
Welcome to a place like no other, where kids ages 3-7 find new friends and fun. Delight in programs run by trained counselors who know how to inspire the imagination. See why no one brings adventures on the high seas to life like Disney with activities tied to kids' favorite Disney Characters and stories. And Moms and Dads can always stay in touch with the provided pagers.
And there IS a nursery for infants so parents can have some alone time.
More Disney Cruise Line information
The Disney Dream Coming in 2011
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Yes....there I will be.......sitting on my little pier...not wanting to leave Castaway Cay........
