After the excitement of seeing the Disney Wonder docked right outside our hotel, all we wanted to do was get started. Of course, all the people from the previous cruise needed to get off, the entire ship cleaned and readied and tons of goods put on board before that could happen.
We had bell services take away our bags and hoped to see them again one day, then took the elevator down to the cruise level a half hour before our 'official' arrival time. Don't be alarmed by the crowd. Even though this was our view as far as the eye could see, the line moved rapidly and was well organized.
Two ships were boarding that day from Canada Place, but no worries ending up in the wrong line. At various points in the line documents need to be seen so it's best to have them all ready to go, passports open, health form filled out and the like.
Finally, the proper boarding group was called and off we went to be welcomed aboard by the crew.
As is usual, they start feeding you right away and before you know it the staterooms are ready.
The Adventures Away party is a fun time on the top decks, with characters cavorting around, the cruise director and other crew highlighting what will occur during the cruise and the first drink of the day is available. Yea!
The countdown to depart raises the excitement and then the ship horn, playing 'When You Wish Upon A Star' is played and excitement is in the air.
And then, we're off!
Before you know it, it's time to eat again and you begin your dining rotation. They give you a little card explaining all this, but it is also printed on the bottom of the cruise card in a bit of a code, along with your dining time and table number. For example, our rotation was PTAPTAP. So 'P' stands for Parrot Cay, 'T' for Tritons and 'A' for Animator's Palette.
The first show of the cruise is "All Aboard!", and is an overview of shows to come. If you dine at 5:45 you attend the 8:30 show and if you have late dining at 8:15, you attend the 6:15 show.
As usual, the first day aboard was exciting, and the evening view stunning. An appropriate beginning to a great vacation!
We had bell services take away our bags and hoped to see them again one day, then took the elevator down to the cruise level a half hour before our 'official' arrival time. Don't be alarmed by the crowd. Even though this was our view as far as the eye could see, the line moved rapidly and was well organized.
Finally, the proper boarding group was called and off we went to be welcomed aboard by the crew.
As is usual, they start feeding you right away and before you know it the staterooms are ready.
Bags do not arrive until later, so just spend time to look around the ship a bit and see all the people admiring the ship from the shore, wishing they were aboard too.
The television plays a loop about the lifeboat drill. You do not take your lifejackets to this, but it's good to check to make sure they are in the closet. At the appointed time everyone heads to their stations, the location of which is printed on your cruise card, roll is taken and the drill done and over in quick time.
Now, let the vacation begin!
The Adventures Away party is a fun time on the top decks, with characters cavorting around, the cruise director and other crew highlighting what will occur during the cruise and the first drink of the day is available. Yea!
And then, we're off!
Before you know it, it's time to eat again and you begin your dining rotation. They give you a little card explaining all this, but it is also printed on the bottom of the cruise card in a bit of a code, along with your dining time and table number. For example, our rotation was PTAPTAP. So 'P' stands for Parrot Cay, 'T' for Tritons and 'A' for Animator's Palette.
The first show of the cruise is "All Aboard!", and is an overview of shows to come. If you dine at 5:45 you attend the 8:30 show and if you have late dining at 8:15, you attend the 6:15 show.
As usual, the first day aboard was exciting, and the evening view stunning. An appropriate beginning to a great vacation!