Monday, May 29, 2017
Cruise day!! Yay!!
I was up by 5:15am or so as I was still adjusting to the new time zone. My mother and I had talked the night before that if we were up early we might try to walk down to the seawall to see the Wonder pull into port. Mom woke up a few minutes after me, just as I started to read my book. I was tired, but knew this opportunity may never come again, so we dressed quickly and headed out, hoping we had not missed her arrival yet.
We walked quickly as there were very few people out and about yet. As we approached Canada Place we could see the Wonder had not yet arrived yet. We waited patiently and at about 6:10am we saw her come under the Lions Gate Bridge (we went under the bridge at approximately the same time on our way back into port the following Monday as well).
View attachment 242852
View attachment 242853
View attachment 242855
It was a very exciting thing to see the ship arrive, as I knew we would board a few short hours later. Mom and I watched as the captain turned and backed the ship into port and then watched as the dock workers and the crew on ship readied for disembarkation.
It was getting late and we had promised to bring donuts back for the boys for breakfast, so we headed back towards the condo, stopping at the Digital Orca and the Olympic Flame that were just around the corner.
View attachment 242856
After arriving back at the condo, breakfast was served, the last load of laundry started and final packing completed. We were ready by 9:30am or so, but there was no need to rush out as our boarding time started at noon. The owner of the condo had offered the previous day to come get us at 11am and drive us down to the port. It was so generous of him and saved us the aggravation of rolling the suitcases 15 minutes on the busy city streets. We passed the time by playing a few games.
Right at 11am, Mom, DS9 and I went with the luggage on the first trip to the port. Arrival was simple as there were lots of workers directing us exactly where to go. Our host dropped us off and a porter whisked away our bags. Our host went back to get DH, DS6 and Dad and brought them back to the Pan Pacific entrance, where we went to meet them.
We looked around the port for a few minutes at the ship and then decided it was close enough to 12pm to get started with the check-in process.
I had read so many trip reports that I knew what to expect, but it was still a new process for us. Thankfully there were lots of cruise CMs in port to help point the way whenever we had a question.
The line for finalizing the kid’s club registration was pretty short as well, so we took care of that too.
My only disappointment was that we missed the cutoff to take pictures with Mickey prior to boarding. Apparently he had to get back to the ship to get ready to depart. Luckily we got a picture with him later in the week.
View attachment 242857
Once onboard we knew we wanted to get lunch. It was around 12:45pm or so by this time. We tried to go to Triton’s but they were full, so we headed up to Cabanas. It was a little hectic up there, but we did get a window table for all 6 of us, and everyone had a nice lunch while we watched the seaplanes land and take-off.
View attachment 242858
By the time we were done with lunch, it was 1:30pm and we could head to the rooms. My immediate family was in 5514 in a 9A Ocean View (1 large porthole) and my parents were across the hall in 5509 in an 11B.
No room pictures to share as you can see them elsewhere online, but both rooms were as described with everything in working order. The couches were not very comfy, but I assume they are the same throughout the ships. We used ours a few hours during the week for happy hour in the room while enjoying the view. Definitely not a deal breaker for me. DS6 loved sleeping in the top bunk too!
Here is what we did for our door decorations. I have to admit, I agonized over these a bit. It was something I could start planning right away after we booked the cruise and I would change my mid from time to time as the months went on. I am happy with the way they turned out. We were on a short hallway since level 5 doesn’t have a lot of rooms, so I am not sure they were seen by many, but they certainly helped us identify our room each day and they will be great souvenirs for us to hang on our refrigerator as a reminder of the trip.
View attachment 242859
View attachment 242860
The boys saw the slide and pools as we left Cabanas after lunch and were itching to go. We had a bit of time before the lifeboat drill, so we dropped our carry-ons in the room and took the boys up to deck 9 to ride the slide and swim.
View attachment 242861
The boys rode the slide twice I think and decided to go float in the pool and watch Princess and the Frog which was on funnel vision. The rest of just chilled at a table nearby enjoying the sunshine.
Once they closed the pools in preparation for the lifeboat drill, we took the kids back down to 5 to change back into their clothes. Two of our suitcases were outside our door, with the hope that the third would arrive soon.
At some point during the late afternoon, our stateroom host- Jervie- introduced himself to us and asked if we needed anything. We told him about our missing suitcase and he recommended we alert guest services. We wouldn’t see Jervie again for days, but he took very good care of us and always had our room serviced quickly after we left for breakfast and turned down for dinner.
It was lifeboat drill time and this is one of the things I was worried about for DS9. I had called Disney’s Cruise Line Special Services number prior to sailing to ask a few questions as DS9 does not like loud noises. I had read they could make special accommodations during the life boat drill, but decided after talking to the person on the line, that DS9 would be just fine as long as we brought his noise cancelling headphones. I was also told that if he had issues during the drill to just let the CM in charge know and he/she would allow one of the adults to accompany him away from the drill. We warned DS9 what was going to happen in advance. He kept his headphones on the whole time and thankfully there was no issue.
After the lifeboat drill we headed up to 10 to get a spot for the sail away party. I was excited for this after seeing pictures of it in others’ trip reports, but I was disappointed that it was more about watching the entertainment staff dance and not more about the characters. I stayed a few songs and then the ship began to move, so we started roaming to take pictures. The crowds up front as we approached the Lions Gate Bridge were insane. I recommend waking up early on the day you pull back into Vancouver (be up there around 5:45am) to take all the pictures you want going under the bridge with no one in your way.
We had time for a quick happy hour down in the room before heading off to our first dinner in Animator’s Palate. Thankfully our last suitcase showed up right before dinner as well.
Next is dinner....