Thanks for all the info- I booked! [Disney Cruise Planning Questrions]

[ntongan]

Thanks for all that offered input- We booked on the Nov 1 4-day Wonder cruise.

So now the questions for those that could help.

Since I will be traveling with my kids, (9-turning 10 on the cruise, and 11 y.o.) and most dinners I plan on eating with them, will we still be able to see whatever show exists? I would like to squeeze in Palo if possible, is there any night when the kids do dinner in the Oceaneer Lab?

On the excursions to Nassau, how wonderful is the waterslide park? Worth the price tag? (My kids have been to Great Adventure and loved the waterslides there)

The dolphin experience, Blue Lagoon vs Atlantis? One I saw in old posts is a 30 minute with swim, the other just you sit next to them? Are there any pros or cons to the swim-how rough are the dolphins for the swim and how proficent of a swimmer do you have to be?

Castaway Cay, how is the para sailing? And the giant what looks like a water ski boat? Should I bring my own sand toys? Wetsuits? Flotation vests? Do they have helmets for the bike riding?

How are the personal trainers on the cruise?

The one thing I learned on the last cruise on CP was that even though an excursion sounds interesting, it isn't always the best for kids. Mine had more fun just on the beaches, plus one day snorkeling in Bonaire and the hotel pool, then in virtually any of the "experience" or "history" trips--silly me thinking they would like the tour of Grenada. But they loved the 4wd adventure on Aruba and the trip to the Ostrich farm. And swimming in Megan's bay.

Also, we are stuck with the late seating for dinner -is that not a bad thing re the evening shows and the kids club? Is there a way to change that?

So if anyone has some time to answer my questions, thank you! (I'm so excited!!)

[stitchrulz]

Okay so I can help with a few things...

1. The kids get fed meals if they are in any of the kids' clubs at meal times. They usually eat a buffet with macaroni, chicken nuggets, and some other popular kid's food. Also, it's usually a buffet, most of the time at Topsiders (the buffet restaurant on deck 10ish).

2. The para-sailing at Castaway Cay is awesome!!!! I first did it when I was about nine. It was very scary at first, but then I was mesmerized by the view. The water is so crystal clear, that you can see flocks of stingrays on the bottom. Be warned - they will often "dunk" people into the water on the way back down to the boat. I got up to my neck one time. But it's fun!!

3. They do have bike helmets at Castaway Cay. The bike trail is very fun. You don't have to worry about life vests or water tricycles- they can be rented, I believe. I also think that you can get sand toys on the island or possibly before you get off the ship.

4. The late dinner time works just as well as the early. I always did early because I usually don't eat as late as the late seating. There are always at least two showings of the theatrical productions - one before dinner for the late people and one after dinner for the early people. I believe that the kids clubs usually eat dinner somewhere around the middle of the early dinner seating. I'm not sure if you can switch the time, but I would just ask every chance you get if you would like to switch.

I'm no help with Nassau, I haven't been there in years...

[ntongan]

Thanks for the input!

A couple of more questions please re the 4-day Wonder .

Re Castaway Cay

Snorkeling on Castaway Cay, is it worth it? Is the equipment decent?

Renting a tube, snorkel gear and bike together? Do you really use the tubes ir is it one more thing to schlep? Then if you go biking, do you have to worry about someone stealing your tube or equipment while you bike?

Re Nassau?

If we go on the dolphin gig in the am, is it still worth it to go to Aquaventure in the afternoon?

Re Aquaventure I read on one site that someone's child fell off an individual tube and the lifeguard didn't even go in to try to right her, she kept going under and swallowing water and the parent and child were terrified. Are they really that lax about lifeguarding there ? Since I will have my two kids with me, do they have three man rafts for Aquaventure?

Are there any afternoon trips that anyone would recommend?

Re the personal training?
Has anyone used them? Are they knowledgeable or is it just someone in rotation on a cruise job?

Thanks in advance

[ntongan]

anyone? please?

[WheresMickey]

Originally Posted by ntongan

Thanks for the input!

A couple of more questions please re the 4-day Wonder .

Re Castaway Cay

Snorkeling on Castaway Cay, is it worth it? Is the equipment decent?

Renting a tube, snorkel gear and bike together? Do you really use the tubes ir is it one more thing to schlep? Then if you go biking, do you have to worry about someone stealing your tube or equipment while you bike?


Re the personal training?
Has anyone used them? Are they knowledgeable or is it just someone in rotation on a cruise job?

Thanks in advance

As for renting the package, we booked the whole package but did not use the inner tube. We only used the snorkle gear and biking. We just ran out of time. The package is only about $5 cheaper than renting each item separtly. There is so many chairs at the beach that you can leave your stuff there and it will be there later. You should no be worried about anyone stealing your stuff.

As for the personal trainer on the cruise. They are train professional.

[Earkid]

I have a friend who signed up for a personal training session and wished she hadn't. She said that it was mostly a pitch for selling more training sessions, vitamins, etc. Very little training occurred during the session. She was so frustrated she actually went to Guest Services to complain and received a refund.

Never been to Nassau so I can't comment on that.

[ntongan]

Thanks so much for the responses- definitely helpful.

You guys rock!