What to Expect
Written: Oct 22 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A high quality cruise experience.
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: Disney Wonder is a good cruise for families who want to take the kids on a cruise with them.
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| alien10999's Full Review: Disney Wonder |
Onboard Experience:
If you love all things Disney, and even if you don't, this is the ship for you. There are more Disney characters, per capita, aboard this ship than found at the theme park. Mickey adorns everything including the two red funnels (one funnel is purely for show) and throughout the vessel's interior, from the wrought iron grilling in the atrium to the bedspreads and wallpaper in your cabin. Leaving port, the ship's horn sounds "When You Wish Upon A Star" instead of the traditional blast. Cute, but not for everyone. But Disney aside, this is a stunning ship, with innovative dining programs and non-stop activities for adults and families. Cabins are huge and beautifully decorated. Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, has a list of activities as long as your arm and arguably provides the best private island experience of any cruise line.
There are plenty of activities for adults, children and families. Since their introduction, Disney has expanded their roster of activities for adults and now on the 7 night cruises includes Adults Only lifestyle and enrichment courses with guest lecturers, wine tastings, cooking classes and a champagne brunch. Disney now provides a cruise experience for people from all walks of life and is "Family Oriented" in more ways than one.
Décor:
A combination of elegant fabrics, wood, hand-woven carpets and furnishings with Disney logos throughout. Art deco in style, these ships are elegantly decorated in adult-only areas while carrying fantasy motifs in family and children’s lounges.
Public Rooms:
Passengers enter the ship’s stunning atrium lobby, with wrought-iron railings on decks above. The room’s centerpiece is a large bronze statue of Mickey dressed as a 19th century mariner. Family lounges are the most popular at night. Studio Sea finds parents and kids boogie-ing together and the Walt Disney Theater features Broadway-style Disney productions. PG-rated Disney movies are found in the Buena Vista Theater. Adult-only areas are sophisticated and elegant, but little used during my cruise. The piano bar Sessions is art deco in style, with large circular windows and cozy leather chairs. Country, western and rock music is featured at Rockin’ D Bar every evening and the adjacent Beat Street has comedy. There are two large boutiques, selling Disney merchandise, of course.
Cuisine:
All-American and Continental fare that is well prepared and likely to suit most palates. Lunch in the dining rooms (open seating) surpassed the buffet served in the casual Lido restaurant. From all accounts, Disney's cuisine has shown marked improvement since the ships were introduced and now rivals that of Princess. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and pizza are available until 6 pm and late nights snacks are served in the Adults Only lounges. Room service is available 24 hours. The Adult Only Restaurant, Palo, serves exceptional Italian Cuisine in a refined and elegant atmosphere. Food and service were very good all around, with Parrot cay being the only "weak link" that is in need of improvement.
Service:
An upbeat staff, as one would expect from Disney. You may recognize many of the staff and crew from Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean. High marks in children’s areas, where the young energetic group tirelessly coordinates character appearances and photo opportunities
Restaurants:
Disney ships offer innovative dining options: each evening passengers rotate to a new restaurant with a different theme. Parrot’s Cay is tropical while Lumiere’s is elegant art deco. The most creative restaurant is Animator’s Palate, where the room gradually changes from black and white to color during the course of a meal. Palo, an alternative adults-only restaurant, is chic and elegant, but it is tough to get a reservation. For best results, make your reservation soon after boarding and choose a time either early in the evening (6-630 pm or 845-930 pm). Palo is one of the best dining experiences at sea with food and service that is truly exceptional. Those seeking a casual luncheon menu can opt for the self-service Topsider Buffet which frequently has long lines, especially on embarkation day. Limited 24-hour room service is also available.
Entertainment:
I was surprised and disappointed at the quality of Disney’s Broadway-style productions. Performers in family lounges, however, were above average and had everyone participating. The adult-only nightclubs were well attended and include a wonderful Piano Bar, a lively Jazz Club and comedians that were hysterical without being risqué or off color. Family areas were much better attended at night. Studio Sea is one of the liveliest spots aboard Disney Magic, a dance club where parents and children boogied together.
Cabins:
Disney ships have exceptional cabins with several innovative features. Standard amenities in all staterooms include color TV with CNN and Disney PG movies, a bath and a half, hair dryer and good storage space for a short cruise; standard cabins can hold three or four passengers. Standard inside and outside staterooms are a generous 173 sq. feet, while those with private balconies measure 253 sq. feet. Disney’s suites are popular: at 291 sq. feet they comfortably hold four or five people. One-bedroom suites are 591 sq. feet while deluxe suites have two bedrooms and private concierge service
Fitness/Spa:
Sports fans will love the ESPN Sports Box, located in a fake funnel, with live sporting broadcasts featured on TV screens throughout. There are three pools, one adults-only and kids will love the long water slide. The Vista Spa and Salon has hydrotherapy and all the massage, beauty treatments, operated by Steiner's of London. Fitness-oriented passengers will love the gym, with more equipment than you find in most hometown facilities. Additional sports activities include basketball, paddle tennis, volleyball. There is a quarter-mile separate track for jogging.
Attire:
These are casual ships and recommended evening attire is pants and shirt for men, skirt or pants for women with the exception of the Captain's Dinner aboard the Disney Magic where formal attire (Dress or Gown for women and Dark Suit or Tux for men).
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
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Epinions.com ID:
alien10999
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 2 members
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