Just Relaxin’ on the Wonder – Nowhere, Nothing, Nada. - Complete! and Final Thoughts

[mvf-m11c]

That is neat that you got to go on the "Art of the Theme Ship tour" and hear all about the interesting things about the ship.

Very nice picture with Daisy.

The food at Til we meet again looked very nice and appetizing.

 

[afwdwfan]

These masks were made near the shipyard where the ships were built. The imagineers liked the idea of decorating Palo with them. So they went to order the masks and there was something to the story about the store keeper telling them to go next door to the “Paper store” and have a look around while they prepared the masks. It turned out that the same merchant who owned the mask store also owned the paper store. By the end of it all the menus, and leather covers for the menus for the restaurant were ordered from the same merchant.

Wow! That merchant has perfected Disney's "exit through the gift shop" business model and turned it against them!

This is a shot of the Pantages back in the day. Thanks to Disney it was restored in all it’s grandeur as a stage show theater for the opening of the Lion King in LA. Now it is a thriving location for all sorts of traveling productions. We see several musicals here each year, in fact we were just there to see If/Then.

Cool!

We stopped outside Flounder’s Reef, and she explained about how they had never envisioned that anyone would bring infants aboard the ship, but evidently they get quite a few babies between 6 months and 3 years old.

I really don't get this. As far as I can remember Disney has marketed their cruise line as being family friendly and something you can all do together... yet they didn't expect kids under 3????

We went down to the Walt Disney Theater and I don’t remember what we talked about there, but she did mention that the picture of Walt in Preludes has been altered (this picture is from earlier in the TR) but if you look at his hand in the foreground, a cigarette has been photoshopped out of the picture.

I just don't get this. I realize they're trying to "protect his image" or whatever, but Walt was a chain smoker. I don't smoke, nor do I care to, but that doesn't make him a bad person or me any better. Back then, a lot of people smoked. It is what it is. I just don't like the concept of trying to whitewash history and hide the things that we're less proud of. It is part of who he was and a big part of Disney's history. Chances are, if he wasn't a smoker, he'd have been around to see WDW open.

I thought I knew what to expect, and was all set to order the same thing I had last time, but much to my surprise, they had completely changed the menu!

Well done, Disney, well done. Throwing a kink into the plans of an experienced cruiser.

My dish was the surprise of the entire cruise. It was new to the menu. Tandoori Lamb Duo. There are plenty of Crew Members on the ships of Indian Descent, and I have heard that often times, when vegans are cruising, if there is no option on the menu, the chefs will sometimes make them some amazing Indian food from home recipes. I guess finally they decided to put something on the menu, though this was definitely not vegan! I love Indian food, and this dish was so tasty! I ordered another serving of the Raita, and ate every bite on my plate!

I'm glad that you found a new dish that was a hit!

 

[IowaTater]

I wanted a picture in my Dalek Dress

I love the Dalek dress and the Iron Man one too. I think at one time they also had them at Hot Topic.

I went to the Cove Café and got something I saw on @dizneet’s TR, a shot of espresso mixed with vanilla ice cream. It was a very hot day, and for me it really hit the spot.

Ohh, that sounds soo good. I'm a sucker for chilled coffee beverages.

For her Primi Platti, Fran went with one of my favorites, the Lobster Mascarpone Ravioli. She let me have a couple bites.

That looks fantastic!

After our Palo Brunch we had a Chocolate Tasting. Why does it always seem to work out that way? I rushed off to get us some seats while Fran settled up the bill. These were the different spirits that we would be tasting today along with chocolate.

After seeing your Navigator for the day, I was hoping you two were going to this tasting. Do you remember how much the "nominal" fee was?

And then I got my last DotD for the Cruise.

Thank you for posting a pic of the ingredients. That drink sounds right up my alley.

Thank you for taking us along on your cruise! It's definitely making me rethink my hesitation about taking one.

 

[pkondz]

but at this point I now have three different trip reports going

I can barely keep up with one!

and it's a little crazy to keep track of it.

No kidding!

Please feel free to join me here for the new adventures!

Got it saved, but haven't made it over yet.

We were on our way back to the room to get packing, but first some shots on our way back to the room. Notice how peaceful and empty that this room is, and it’s not unusual for the Wonder.

Where is everybody? On shore excursion?

Fran urged me to take the “Art of the Theme Ship tour”

nice. I wouldn't mind doing that.

So they went to order the masks and there was something to the story about the store keeper telling them to go next door to the “Paper store” and have a look around while they prepared the masks. It turned out that the same merchant who owned the mask store also owned the paper store. By the end of it all the menus, and leather covers for the menus for the restaurant were ordered from the same merchant.

Smart!

This theater is reminiscent of the Carthay Circle Theater where Snow White Premiered.

I recognize it from photos and videos I've seen of it.

We stopped outside Flounder’s Reef, and she explained about how they had never envisioned that anyone would bring infants aboard the ship

Really?? Do they not know their own customers?

And then we reached the Atrium, she explained that Deck 3 has a very high ceiling, Deck 4 has a fairly normal sized ceiling, somewhat high, but Deck 5 has a slightly lower ceiling, and that’s not only to help the forced perspective in the Atrium, but also to make the kids feel a little better. They are more comfortable in spaces where they feel bigger and taller, so the ceiling height is on purpose.

Cool. On many levels.


(See what I did there?)

if you look at his hand in the foreground, a cigarette has been photoshopped out of the picture.

Yeah, I can see how come they'd do that.
Still. It is who he was.

Everyone who had played Bingo before on the ship was evidently there! I didn’t win anything this time, but we had fun.

Too many people. Go back when it's empty.

Once thing about photographs on the Wonder is that the last day the PP Photographers aren’t out any more.

Why? That seems like a good time to get folks who've been procrastinating.

And a snack since it was at least four more hours until dinner.

Sensible.

While we had a great time, we were ready to get off the ship, otherwise it would have been 14 more days and we would be getting off the ship in Galveston!

Would that really have been so bad?

I started off with the Tomato Caprese (big surprise!)

Okay! Okay! I'll get one!

We both ordered the Lobster Bisque. It was good, but I let Fran finish mine, she really likes Lobster Bisque, I’m OK with it, but not a huge fan.

Not sure if I've ever had it.
Seems to me I must have, but...

Fran got the Baked Filet of Beef Wellington, she really likes this dish and gets it any time it is on a menu.

Oh... just... Yum!

My dish was the surprise of the entire cruise. It was new to the menu. Tandoori Lamb Duo.

That looks good too! But I think I'll stick to the Wellington.

And then it was sad, we went back to our lovely spacious room for the last time.

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Loved the Palo brunch update! I so plan on going all out when we go in February. No holding back for us either LOL

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Just catching up after getting home and picked up a virs and of course jet lag. Had a great trip though. Sorry we missed you.

Loved your halloween outfits! The Ghost Host is fab and Fran brilliant! Nice photos with characters. Cheeky those girls with Mickey!

I did not expect Cabo to look like that thanks for photos.

Yeah re Palo's love that place looks like you made some good food choices. Not that there is any bad.

I like that they still do towel animals on the cruise. They stopped doing them at resorts which I understand re the cost and timings. Rather keep the cost down.

Lovely photo of you and Fran at Palo.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Notice how peaceful and empty that this room is, and it’s not unusual for the Wonder.

I love the ship when it is like this.

After I did some packing, Fran urged me to take the “Art of the Theme Ship tour” which I have wanted to try for quite some time.

I am glad that you got to do this. I loved it when I did mine.

Evidently this is a very Art Nouveau style sculpture, the reason that they replaced the one on the Magic is because that ship is Art Deco, and the new Chandelier is supposedly more in the Art Deco style.

Well, hopefully that means that they will leave this alone when they do the big dry dock in summer.

That menu has changed quite a bit. I had to smile. With the exception of the lobster bisque, Fran chose all my go to dishes on that menu.

Corinna

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hmm. I thought I had commented on your update but it seems like I didn't!

You're doing a great job capturing the ship looking empty!
That's a great tour around the ship and I love the masks!

Food porn has gotten me hungry.....again!
Last full day is always sad.

 

[franandaj]

That is neat that you got to go on the "Art of the Theme Ship tour" and hear all about the interesting things about the ship.

Very nice picture with Daisy.

The food at Til we meet again looked very nice and appetizing.

I'm glad that I finally did the tour, it was very interesting. The food was excellent that last night.

Wow! That merchant has perfected Disney's "exit through the gift shop" business model and turned it against them!

That's a great way to look at it!

I really don't get this. As far as I can remember Disney has marketed their cruise line as being family friendly and something you can all do together... yet they didn't expect kids under 3????

The way she put it was that no cruise line in history had anything whatsoever to offer kids and until Disney came along the cruise market was 99% adult oriented. Everyone in the cruise market told them they were crazy and that no one was interested in cruising with kids and that it was a stupid idea. Now many of the ships buit today have kids clubs and teen areas.

Disney's first dip I to the cruise line business didn't go so well. They licensed their name to be used with The Big Red Boat, and it was awful. It went to trashy ports, the ships were old and dirty and I don't think it went over with families, so I guess they were cautious when they built their own ships. But when Disney was in charge of quality control, the families came in droves.

I just don't get this. I realize they're trying to "protect his image" or whatever, but Walt was a chain smoker. I don't smoke, nor do I care to, but that doesn't make him a bad person or me any better. Back then, a lot of people smoked. It is what it is. I just don't like the concept of trying to whitewash history and hide the things that we're less proud of. It is part of who he was and a big part of Disney's history. Chances are, if he wasn't a smoker, he'd have been around to see WDW open.

Disney likes to sanitize everything and cover up anything folks might find distasteful. Who else calls vomit "protein spills"?

Well done, Disney, well done. Throwing a kink into the plans of an experienced cruiser.

But a tasty one.

I love the Dalek dress and the Iron Man one too. I think at one time they also had them at Hot Topic.

Thanks! I can't wait until February when it starts to warm back up here and I can wear sleeveless clothes like these again! Yesterday I had to purchase cold weather dress up clothes since my next two cruises will take place in climates that will be the same temperature as the frigid weather we are experiencing currently. I mean I'm considering wearing a JACKET?

Ohh, that sounds soo good. I'm a sucker for chilled coffee beverages.

When it warms up again I'll have to find a place that makes something similar.

That looks fantastic!

I'm going back to that one next time I'm in Palo. It was a much better choice.

After seeing your Navigator for the day, I was hoping you two were going to this tasting. Do you remember how much the "nominal" fee was?

The fee for this one was $35. Most of the other tastings are $20.

Thank you for posting a pic of the ingredients. That drink sounds right up my alley.

Thank you for taking us along on your cruise! It's definitely making me rethink my hesitation about taking one.

You really should try one someday. I would recommend the Wonder for sure!

 

[franandaj]

I can barely keep up with one!

Two is fine, three drives me bonkers.

Got it saved, but haven't made it over yet.

Well I'm glad you finally did make it over.

Where is everybody? On shore excursion?

Actually this was a sea day. Not sure where they all were, but it was so peaceful.

nice. I wouldn't mind doing that.

It was very informative.

I recognize it from photos and videos I've seen of it.

Yup. It's gone now. Only found in California Adverture.

Really?? Do they not know their own customers?

I think they were listening to the Cruise industry who thought children on a cruise ship was a dumb idea. I think cruising used to be seen as something that empty nesters did once the kids were gone. No one in their wildest dreams thought that DCL was going to take off. They laughed when Disney said they would create a "family friendly" cruise line. Guess they proved them wrong.

Cool. On many levels.


(See what I did there?)

Yeah, I can see how come they'd do that.
Still. It is who he was.

Yeah, but if they can spin something with a sugar coating they will. They like to cover up anything (even if they did it back when) that doesn't seem totally PC and kosher nowawdays. Heck when an animator was hired at the Studios back in the day one of the things that was standard issue at the desks was ashtrays!

Too many people. Go back when it's empty.

This was our last change to play on this ship!

Why? That seems like a good time to get folks who've been procrastinating.

Something to do with collecting up all the images and preparing the CDs so that they will be ready for everyone who preordered the packages.

Sensible.

And it had been about six hours since we last ate!

Would that really have been so bad?

Well we would have missed our puddy tats.

Okay! Okay! I'll get one!

Better wait until tomatoes are in season. They're much better then. Although are tomatoes ever in season in Canada? Can you grow them there?

Not sure if I've ever had it.
Seems to me I must have, but...

Wow! This is one menu item that almost always sways us to choose a restaurant, but then Soup is one of Fran's favorite courses.

Oh... just... Yum!

That looks good too! But I think I'll stick to the Wellington.

That's your choice, I almost always choose the lamb. To each their own!

Loved the Palo brunch update! I so plan on going all out when we go in February. No holding back for us either LOL

That's the way to do it, especially when you won't be back for six months or more!

Just catching up after getting home and picked up a virs and of course jet lag. Had a great trip though. Sorry we missed you.

Sorry we missed you too.

Loved your halloween outfits! The Ghost Host is fab and Fran brilliant! Nice photos with characters. Cheeky those girls with Mickey!

Thanks! I guess we won't be dressing up at Disney again unless we go on another Halloween Cruise.

I did not expect Cabo to look like that thanks for photos.

Someday I will go on land at Cabo!

Yeah re Palo's love that place looks like you made some good food choices. Not that there is any bad.

It's hard to go wrong there!

I like that they still do towel animals on the cruise. They stopped doing them at resorts which I understand re the cost and timings. Rather keep the cost down.

Lovely photo of you and Fran at Palo.

The towel animals are half the fun on the cruises!

I love the ship when it is like this.

Yes, I sort of took it for granted.

I am glad that you got to do this. I loved it when I did mine.

I might even do it again on our Alaska Cruise.

Well, hopefully that means that they will leave this alone when they do the big dry dock in summer.

That menu has changed quite a bit. I had to smile. With the exception of the lobster bisque, Fran chose all my go to dishes on that menu.

I know, I hope they leave it in there, it's so pretty. The menu was totally different! At least from what I usually order.

Hmm. I thought I had commented on your update but it seems like I didn't!

You're doing a great job capturing the ship looking empty!
That's a great tour around the ship and I love the masks!

Food porn has gotten me hungry.....again!
Last full day is always sad.

That's OK, I do that all the time. I didn't have to work at it, I guess everyone was always up at the pool, except when we were there!

I know last day is sad, but at least you can read my new one, there's a long time to go on that one!

 

[franandaj]

There is no option for sleeping in on the last day of the cruise. I woke as we were sailing into port and I snapped these last pictures of what could have been sunrise. However, when the boat docked, my stateroom was facing Northwest and I no longer had a view of the rising sun.

















If you have the first dining rotation, you have to been in the dining room by 7AM Luckily we had the second dining rotation so we didn’t have to be in the dining room until 8:15AM. So we got dressed, packed up our carry ons and headed on out. We were ready to go home. A week is a great amount of time to be on the cruise ship, and knowing that we only had a 2-3 hour drive home made everything that much more easy! Breakfast menu.





We both ordered pastries, I mean why not? Really?





Fran got the Route 66



I got the Eggs for the Road, with the Eggs Over Easy.



We didn’t rush it, but we didn’t linger either. I think once they called our group to disembark, we were ready to go, and got off the ship. We grabbed our bags and headed towards customs. This is how you do it when you don’t have a porter!





Oh yeah, I almost forgot! The last part of the title? Nada? Well that’s what I declared on our customs form! Since we didn’t set foot on Mexican soil, we had absolutely nothing to declare!

We had no hassles, and I left Fran here while I went to pick up the car at the Wyndam across the street.



And then we hopped in the car and drove home! We did make a couple stops along the way. It was about 2PM when we arrived home, happy to see our kitties, and ready to plan the next adventure!

 

[pkondz]

Actually this was a sea day. Not sure where they all were, but it was so peaceful.

Huh! I'm very surprised by that.

Yup. It's gone now. Only found in California Adverture.

Too bad.

Yeah, but if they can spin something with a sugar coating they will. They like to cover up anything (even if they did it back when) that doesn't seem totally PC and kosher nowawdays. Heck when an animator was hired at the Studios back in the day one of the things that was standard issue at the desks was ashtrays!

I seem to remember reading/seeing something about Walt not wanting to be seen on TV with a cigarette.
Could be wrong about that.

Something to do with collecting up all the images and preparing the CDs so that they will be ready for everyone who preordered the packages.

Ah. Okay.

Well we would have missed our puddy tats.

Nah. Just bring 'em along.
Oh. Wait.... I suppose a ship that's owned by a mouse wouldn't allow cats.

Better wait until tomatoes are in season. They're much better then. Although are tomatoes ever in season in Canada? Can you grow them there?

Oh, sure. My Dad always has extra from his little garden that he gives me.
My girls don't care for tomatoes so I get them all.
When they're fresh, I like toasted tomato sandwiches or open face on rye.
I'm thinking I'll have to look up the recipe for a salad. Can't be that hard.
I think the hard part might be sourcing some really good mozzarella.
Hmmm... I wonder if Bocconcini would be better?

However, when the boat docked, my stateroom was facing Northwest and I no longer had a view of the rising sun.

There is, a house, in New Orleans.
They call, the Rising Sun.....
Whoops! Sorry about that.

If you have the first dining rotation, you have to been in the dining room by 7AM

Nope. I'm on holidays ya know.

and knowing that we only had a 2-3 hour drive home made everything that much more easy!

My drive would be slightly longer... by about 10 times.

We both ordered pastries, I mean why not? Really?

Exactly!

This is how you do it when you don’t have a porter!

I saw the picture of Fran first and assumed that was all your luggage.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! The last part of the title? Nada? Well that’s what I declared on our customs form! Since we didn’t set foot on Mexican soil, we had absolutely nothing to declare!

And then we hopped in the car and drove home! We did make a couple stops along the way. It was about 2PM when we arrived home, happy to see our kitties, and ready to plan the next adventure!

I wonder what it will be!!! Wait! I already know!
Thanks for the TR, Alison!

 

[dizneeat]

So the Wyndham is just across the road? We have a room there before our PC cruise and I was thinking of taking a taxi to the port. Will we need one?

Getting of the ship is NO fun what so ever. And that last "get off my ship" breakfast is no fun either. You are so lucky to live so close to SD and be able to be home in a such a short time. Envy here!
Thanks for sharing, Alison. It was a really fun cruise that you took us all on.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Over so soon! Boo hoo. Breakfast looks yummy. Just adore those cinnamon rolls. Oh my we discovered at SSR they do these cinnamon buns that are warm and covered in a hot sticky messy adorable icing. It's divine. Makes the other cinnamon buns look as naked as Jim.

That is a cute little scooter Fran has got. Is it a little travel one? I admire her skills with the luggage! That is so neat driving home no flights. What a bonus! Enjoyed your TR. thank you for it.

 

[cruisehopeful]

So the Wyndham is just across the road? We have a room there before our PC cruise and I was thinking of taking a taxi to the port. Will we need one?

If you are staying at the Wyndham on the harbor, you don't need a taxi. You literally just need to cross the street. You may need to walk a block to a crossing light. I cannot remember, but it was right across the street from the port.

 

[dizneeat]

If you are staying at the Wyndham on the harbor, you don't need a taxi. You literally just need to cross the street. You may need to walk a block to a crossing light. I cannot remember, but it was right across the street from the port.

Yes, we are staying at the Wyndham at the harbour. Thank you for the quick reply. Makes planning a lot easier now!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed reading along.

Those pictures are really dramatic even if it was not quite a sunrise. I love them.

I hate the breakfast the last morning.

I am glad that things went quite smoothly with disembarkation.

A week is a great amount of time to be on the cruise ship,

For me, this would be two weeks. However, if all goes well my love for cruising will be put to a test with 23 consecutive nights on a ship.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

Another fabulous TR, thank you so much for sharing!

Palo dinner, and then brunch, oh my! everything looked so delicious

We really like the last sit down breakfast, make the cruise last as long as possible.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Wow! That was one heck of a TR. And I loved that you didn't set foot in Mexico at all! If anything, that makes it a truly relaxing vacay.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[afwdwfan]

We didn’t rush it, but we didn’t linger either. I think once they called our group to disembark, we were ready to go, and got off the ship. We grabbed our bags and headed towards customs. This is how you do it when you don’t have a porter!

Hmmm... I'm starting to understand the power issues you've had with that scooter. She's hauling more cargo than a moving van!