Wonder is still Wonderful! (12/22 review)

[PattiPB]

We hadn’t been on a Disney cruise since 2011, despite cruising at least once per year (Four this year alone!!!) since 2004. We most frequently use Carnival for cost and convenience on the west coast, but used Holland America for the first time this past summer to Alaska. We were very anxious to get back on the Wonder for our fourth Disney cruise, and left the adult kids behind for a parents only cruise as a couple to celebrate our 32nd anniversary! 

Here are all the details I think might help you planning your Disney cruise from San Diego, CA!

 

Transportation

We drove from Las Vegas to San Diego the day before the cruise, and met up with lifelong friends for dinner. We ate in Little Italy—literally a block from the port—at Civico. It was a phenomenal dinner, and really got us ready for cruise dining. Months ago, we reserved parking at BRIC South, which is the underground parking right at the port. It was $98 for the six days, which I thought was an absolute bargain. Make sure you reserve very early, as it was sold out by August for our December cruise.

 

Embarkation 

Not impressed, Disney, not impressed. They had unmarked lines outside the port building by 10:30 that were hard to follow, and impossible to distinguish which line was yours. We found the, literally, one person out there to ask what line we should wait in, and were thrilled she directed us to the correct line. Dropping off the bags, however, was nowhere near the lines, and was not marked or announced at all. We found it accidentally, as it was located past the lines, across the alley from the port itself. 

We had an 11:30 Port Arrival Time, and headed out of the blazing sun into the building at right about 11:30. Once inside, we had logical and well marked Disney-style lines and we wound from one line to the next through a much more effortless embarkation process. After fully checking in, we sat down as they announced boarding for group 1 and 2. As boarding group 6, we had about fifteen minutes to wait. Note: After boarding group 5, it went immediately to “Boarding all groups”, so listen carefully if you have 6 or above!

The next time I looked at my watch, I was sitting in the buffet cracking open some crab legs, and it was 12:30. Not a bad time, considering the chaos.

 

Cabin

We are usually balcony people. For a quick weekender, I can do an inside to save some money, but for anything longer, we need natural light. For this one, we met in the middle and got an oceanview on deck 2. It was perfect! Cabin 2588 was between the midship and aft elevators, and was quiet and peaceful and well located for all of our eating and visiting the clubs. We used the aft elevator for Cabana, and the forward for the adult area. Everything was in perfect working order, and we were happy to be back to twice a day visits from our steward. The split bathroom in Disney cruises is another reason we didn’t do an inside, as we were thrilled to have that second space to get ready. 

 

Merrytime specific activities

This 5-night cruise was a different length of time, probably due to Disney wanting to schedule Christmas and New Year’s cruises specifically. So, we benefited from a longer itinerary at a very convenient time for us. Our cruise was Sunday to Friday, December 18-23, which got us home just in time for the holiday festivities with our family. A few Merrytime specific highlights:

• Lighting the Christmas tree - The first night Mickey lit the huge tree, and it stayed lit the entire cruise. Mickey and the gang came down, sang a few songs with the crowd, and did a lovely countdown. I really enjoyed this activity.

• Visiting Santa and Mr. Claus - We did a great picture with them in front of the Christmas tree, and it was fun watching them interact with all of the kids. They did a few of these throughout the week, so don’t panic if you miss the first one.

• Storytime with Mrs. Claus - This was very popular with the kids, and happened several times during the week. It was in front of the tree and quite pleasant.

• “Gingerbread” house - This was also in the atrium, and provided a great backdrop for pictures with and without characters. Definitely visit this area.

• Holiday crafts - This activity was offered several times during the week, both for adults only and all ages. We didn’t do this, so I can’t comment on the crafts, but we looked in and it was hopping!

• Characters dressed for the holidays - We have spectacular pictures of us in our jammies with the characters. They were NOT, however, always in holiday or winter clothes, so if you are looking for “regular” pictures, you will absolutely have that opportunity. 

 

Characters

We are adults who love characters…and dislike lines! The longest line for a character was for holiday Mickey, and it was thirty minutes exactly. That is because I specifically wanted that picture, so I asked the handler where to stand, so I wasn’t in line for the current character, but was first for Mickey. The shortest line was walking right up to not one but TWO princesses by the Christmas tree (Rapunzel and Tiana). 

The entire visiting characters process was smooth, well-organized and loads of fun. It was well-labeled in the Navigator App with times and locations, and the characters were extremely punctual all week. They always had handlers who could double as photographers, so we got tons of great pictures, and they were perfectly in character.

There were lots of characters, including five princesses, the key 8 main characters, Stitch, some Marvel dudes, Captain Sparrow, but the only “villains” were Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. That last grouping (Sparrow and the villains) were only out on Pirates Night. The rest were available at least two days. 

The last night of the cruise is “Til We Meet Again” which is a goodbye event with the characters. It is kind of late for the little ones, but so very worth it, because it includes the vast majority of the characters, and they are just milling around taking pictures for the last time. It lasts for 15 minutes, then they all line up and sing a goodbye song. It’ll make you a little weepy, but it’s a wonderful end to the cruise. 

 

Crowds

Our cruise was sold out well in advance. I don’t know if they held back any “Covid cabins”, but I believe our total passengers was just over 1900. I think a lot of schools were still in session, because we didn’t seem overrun with kids. 

We didn’t really wait for anything the entire week.

The sea days definitely saw more people at Cabana for breakfast and lunch, but we were able to easily find a table every time we were there. The shops were insane the first night, but empty the rest of the week. Guest services seemed quite busy at the beginning and end of the cruise, but we visited mid-cruise around 10 pm and walked right up. 

Short answer: What crowds?

 

Food

So many choices. So many options. So few meals in a 6-day period!!! Let’s break it down:

• Breakfast - The buffet was very good and had many different choices. We usually avoid the buffet at breakfast, but it was very good, and had an omelet station for a fresh option. We ate in the dining room (Triton’s) several times and it had a fairly limited menu, but I was able to get my pineapple juice! Both were great choices—do what is more convenient for you.

• Lunch options - We did not do the dining room for lunch at all. This is the meal we really enjoy the offerings on the Lido deck, and there are several:

  • Cabana - unlimited jumbo shrimp and crab legs. Every day. It was absolutely fantastic. They also had wonderful offerings on the line, and I enjoyed different meats from the carving station every day.

  • Boiler Bites - made a great cheeseburger and fries, in addition to other “fast food” types options.

  • Daisy’s Deli - had good sandwiches and salads without waiting in the Cabana line. They also had great fruit at that location.

  • Shawarma - you heard me right. Want an absolutely great lunch with zero wait for freshly made meals? Don’t overlook this tiny, tasty spot!

  • Cove Cafe - has complimentary sweet treats every day, all day. I had my fill of rice krispie treats and cranberry bliss bars!

• Dinner options - We enjoyed all three restaurants we rotated through. We can’t really settle on a favorite, because they were equally impressive and tasty. We never did the Cabana option for dinner, or Palo. Without going into each different restaurant—you need some spontaneity in your cruise—suffice to say we were blown away every night by both the locations and the menu. We did not have anything that wasn’t clean-your-plate fantastic, and we ordered multiples at times so we could try a few different things. 

• Room service - We used this option every day. In the morning, it was our “wake up call” at 7 am with coffee. Since we had second dinner seating, we had a 4:30 snack of a cheese plate, some salad and wings. Don’t forget the item not on the menu—order those Mickey bars for you and the kids!!!

 

Activities

We are experienced cruisers who went back to Disney for the relaxation, and the details that make the “Disney difference” worth the premium price for us. We didn’t care about the lack of the casino, and didn’t even consider playing Bingo. We aren’t trivia people, but man were those crowded when we looked in. Here are the things that we really loved:

• Sail a wave party - This was the beginning of the cruise, and had the characters out and dancing for the first time. It was high energy and fun, with an ending I can still hear in my dreams.

• Animation classes - This was high on our list, and we really enjoyed drawing the characters. We do this at the theme parks, too, because it’s so much fun and gives us a good laugh.

• Pirate night - We didn’t bring any pirate clothes, but really enjoyed the pirate-specific menu that night. We got great spots for the Pirates in the Caribbean deck party, and were rewarded with incredible views of all of the characters (especially Mickey!!!) and the fireworks. There is something so awesome about watching fireworks in the open ocean.

• Happy Hours!!! - This was great for us! The different bars had different Happy Hours in the morning, afternoon and late at night. We went to each of the different bars and tried signature drinks for each specific menu, at 30% off! They had these Happy Hours every day, and we found the times convenient for our dining rotation.

 

Signature shows

We absolutely are show people, and nothing is better than Disney shows that showcase different movies that we know and love! We lined up very early every night for the show. I got in the line and sweet husband found the bar with the Happy Hour at that time! When I got in line 45 minutes before showtime, I definitely wasn’t alone. In retrospect, with just two people and not terribly picky about seats, I could have just showed up when the doors opened thirty minutes before showtime and been perfectly happy. Frankly, there were seats in the wings right up to showtime, but I would not have been satisfied with those.  I still went early…it’s who I am. If you have a large group or really specific seating requirements, do the 45 minute thing.

As for the shows themselves: Pure disney magic. Do. Not. Miss.

 

Ports

Experienced cruisers, remember. Live by the west coast, remember. These ports, uninterested.

• Ensenada - Had a lovely walk around the port area. We were the only ship in port, so most of the stores weren’t even open! Back on deck in a lounge chair in two hours.

• Cabo - Took the tender without a wait at about 9:30 am. Didn’t want to make the effort for a beach day, but that is what I would suggest to anyone visiting Cabo. We took a long walk all through the port area, and settled on a marina-side bar that promised $5 mojitos. They also had great food. Worth getting off the ship for the walk and lunch. Back on the ship by 1 pm.

 

Disembarkation

This train wreck was entirely my own fault. We had assigned breakfast at 8:30—I absolutely love how Disney does this on the last day. So stress-free  and relaxing. 

Then, we got right on line—the very long line—to disembark. Normally, we are among the last people off of a ship, but with Christmas breathing down my neck, I wanted to disembark. 

And we waited.

We waited to disembark, then we waited to go through Customs. If we had just hung out on the ship, it would have been much more pleasant. 

 

Overall

Disney Cruise Line, how I’d missed you! My adult kids—how I really missed them this time!!!! While onboard, I purchased a “placeholder” reservation to take another Disney cruise within two years, and I’ve already chosen our family cruise in 2024.

So, yeah, the premium price is worth it. The value for price is still there for the Disney product, and I can’t wait to get back on board. While I freely admit everything isn’t “sunshine and rainbows perfect” on a Disney Cruise, it’s pretty darned incredible. More than enough magic to have me clamoring for more. Just give yourself over to the magic of the experience, and you’ll be hooked for life. Like me. 

[DAllenTCY]

Thank you for posting your trip.  I have just a few comments if you care to reply.

 

Embarkation 

Not impressed, Disney, not impressed. They had unmarked lines outside the port building by 10:30 that were hard to follow, and impossible to distinguish which line was yours. We found the, literally, one person out there to ask what line we should wait in, and were thrilled she directed us to the correct line. Dropping off the bags, however, was nowhere near the lines, and was not marked or announced at all. We found it accidentally, as it was located past the lines, across the alley from the port itself. 

We had an 11:30 Port Arrival Time, and headed out of the blazing sun into the building at right about 11:30.

 

You arrived one hour early....so why would you expect port personnel be available at that hour?

 

Dropping off luggage is after your security clearance.  Why would you expect to drop off bags without anyone knowing who you are and whether you are sailing this day?

 

Disney Cruise Line and this port take a very hard line on security... as do port employees.

 

David

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PattiPB]

I did arrive early…and sat across the street at Starbucks watching the crowds grow. We went over at 11 to line up for 11:30 PAT. 

 

In every cruise at every port, I have dropped luggage before any security clearance.  In San Diego, I was not asked for any proof to go around the side of the building to drop luggage. No Checkin doc, no identification necessary, and no one checked our luggage tags.

[gometros]

11 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Thank you for posting your trip.  I have just a few comments if you care to reply.

 

Embarkation 

Not impressed, Disney, not impressed. They had unmarked lines outside the port building by 10:30 that were hard to follow, and impossible to distinguish which line was yours. We found the, literally, one person out there to ask what line we should wait in, and were thrilled she directed us to the correct line. Dropping off the bags, however, was nowhere near the lines, and was not marked or announced at all. We found it accidentally, as it was located past the lines, across the alley from the port itself. 

We had an 11:30 Port Arrival Time, and headed out of the blazing sun into the building at right about 11:30.

 

You arrived one hour early....so why would you expect port personnel be available at that hour?

 

Dropping off luggage is after your security clearance.  Why would you expect to drop off bags without anyone knowing who you are and whether you are sailing this day?

 

Disney Cruise Line and this port take a very hard line on security... as do port employees.

 

David

 

In the OP's defense, we had the same experience when we sailed out of Vancouver to Hawaii back in April. They were still doing Covid testing and there were multiple lines for the various times, all outside. It was very confusing. And it rained later in the morning, so I believe a lot of guests were stuck waiting in the rain. I don't think they do ports other than their home port of Port Canaveral as well.

Edited December 27, 2022 by gometros

[PattiPB]

This was definitely the first time I've cruised out of a port that wasn't well-equipped to handle the passenger load. 

[DAllenTCY]

There are security guards at the entry gate.

 

Their job is to allow only those sailing to enter.

 

If there was a lapse, it was unusual and unacceptable.

 

David