Live from the Wonder of the Seas - May 5 to May 12th 2024

[Tom_n_Sara]

3 hours ago, Dolby1000 said:

 

The Cruise Compass (read it daily) had a very severe warning about smoking in Cozumel as it is not permitted and anyone caught smoking could be detained for 36 hours. As I was walking to the faux beach, I passed a lady smoking and saw 3 security guys scurrying in her direction. I did not stick around to find out what happened. Talking to someone later they said that a 36 hour detaining was unlikely, as the person likely would just be charged a fine and escorted off the island.

 

Thanks for the great live blog.

Just a question about what is being smoked? I don't smoke anything, but was just wondering. 

Edited May 10 by Tom_n_Sara

[perfect match]

On 5/3/2024 at 2:25 PM, Dolby1000 said:

We have arrived at the Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach. Drive wasn’t too bad, we took a few back roads to avoid I4. Very nice day. 

Pictures of the loaded car, thinking we could bring a whole lot more. NOT says the DW.

Picture of the room and the scenery outside our door and balcony. That is the Allure in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 

We were on Allure in that picture! It was our turn around day. 😎 We will be on Wonder in September. Can’t wait!

 

On 5/4/2024 at 6:04 PM, OCSC Mike said:

Moved here 24 years ago and still haven't been there. 🙈

Moved here 20 years ago and still haven’t been there. Need to make that happen. 
We keep saying we’re going to plan a trip but it hasn’t happened yet. 

Edited May 10 by perfect match

[Coralc]

5 hours ago, Tom_n_Sara said:

Thanks for the great live blog.

Just a question about what is being smoked? I don't smoke anything, but was just wondering. 

Public smoking is now prohibited, cigarettes, cigars, anything.  

[Tom_n_Sara]

7 hours ago, Coralc said:

Public smoking is now prohibited, cigarettes, cigars, anything.  

Wow, that's different. Thanks!

[LisaLisa87]

I'm enjoying your report. Thanks for sharing your trip with us! I like seeing your photos from around the ship. It's cool that there are some details that are unique to Wonder. Is that Giovanni's antipasto platter the standard size? It's enormous! I do love a good meat and cheese platter, so we'll have to order this next time.

 

It was fun to see your photos from Roatan. We took a land trip there in February after having visited for the first time via Harmony last September. Many of the landmarks in your photos look familiar. The building with the big turtle on top is across from a shopping center with an amazing coffee shop called Bad Ass Java. The building with the big I ♥️ Roatan sign looks like the former Happy Harry's Hideaway. It was a popular spot, but the owner is a crook. It closed down just recently and apparently has already changed ownership.

 

I'm looking forward to the rest of your report. I hope your luck in the casino turns around!

 

Edited May 10 by LisaLisa87

[Lionesss]

Following and enjoying your thread.  Thanks for taking us along. 
 

Two requests. 
 

1.  Who did you use for  transportation from Hampton to port?

 

2. Can you check out and post some pictures of suite pool area/ loungers/ what it has. ……

 

Thanks. 
Sue. 

[OCSC Mike]

20 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Can you check out and post some pictures of suite pool area/ loungers/ what it has. ……

Not my blog but here ya go. Loved the suite sun deck on Wonder. Several daybeds, loungers, small pool, loungers in shallow water… and right by the GS & OS’s if that’s the type of suite you have.

[Lionesss]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

Not my blog but here ya go. Loved the suite sun deck on Wonder. Several daybeds, loungers, small pool, loungers in shallow water… and right by the GS & OS’s if that’s the type of suite you have.

Thank you for sharing. 
 We are one deck up, in CLS. 

 Just happy it is so close to our cabin. 
 

 

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, Lionesss said:

Thank you for sharing. 
 We are one deck up, in CLS. 

 Just happy it is so close to our cabin.

 

Oh, right, I forgot there were some fancier ones up on 18 too... and you're welcome.

 

This stuff is all above my pay grade... I just happened to be treated to a GS by a generous family member on Wonder last June. We had the closest GS to the SL/CK... I loved it. I don't care about my cabin (it was nice, don't get me wrong) but the perk of being 10 steps from the SL/CK and one deck below the sun deck was the highlight to me. Most of my family hardly left the suite neighborhood except to see shows.

[Lionesss]

38 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

Oh, right, I forgot there were some fancier ones up on 18 too... and you're welcome.

 

This stuff is all above my pay grade... I just happened to be treated to a GS by a generous family member on Wonder last June. We had the closest GS to the SL/CK... I loved it. I don't care about my cabin (it was nice, don't get me wrong) but the perk of being 10 steps from the SL/CK and one deck below the sun deck was the highlight to me. Most of my family hardly left the suite neighborhood except to see shows.

 

We were able to upgrade our GS to a CLS.  
I previously paid for a GS by attaining enough gambling points in the casino. 
Yup. Spent my money there. 
 

So the GS was free except we have to pay gratuities, port fees and insurance. 
 

Now to go to the CLS we just paid the cabin difference. Which was the cost for two comparable to booking an ocean view when we booked the end of April. 
 

Remember. Prices change often. And they have already gone up. 
 

 

[Dolby1000]

OCSC Thanks for sharing those pictures.

 

We drove and parked at the port, not the cheapest of options, but the easiest for us.

 

A couple of random thoughts:

 

There is no where, other than the front of the Solarium, to view the direction the ship is sailing. There are no upper deck areas that face the front of the ship. The side wings which are placed over the bridge are closed when the ship is at sea. The helicopter pad is reserved for staff only. The TV has a camera shot that looks forward and that is about it.

 

Okay, my generation talking. As I said previously, we are sailing with gratitude towards my aunt who had passed away. We would always buy many postcards and send them to her over the next few weeks and she always told us how much she enjoyed receiving them. I really want a postcard of the ship lit up at night, like something from a drone. We asked in the shop about finding some postcards and she looked at us like we had grown horns. She then gave me a bit of a dirty look and said “no postcards” but her eyes said, “no postcard you baby boomer idiot.” So shoot me, we come from the postcard generation! Only a few shops on Costa Maya had postcards. The have the backdrop of the ship from the rear, but no side view. I miss postcards!

 

Still working on downloading pictures, hold on.

Edited May 11 by Dolby1000

[Dolby1000]

A bit of a catch up. After eating at Giovanni’s mid-afternoon, we weren’t hungry enough to eat at the CK and we ended up at Playmakers later to watch the playoff hockey and listen to Knick fans bemoan their team’s efforts.  We split the namesake burger and fries and whoa, was that a good idea. Delicious, as good of a burger as advertised. 

 

Picking up on things, we left Roatan and had dinner at the CK.

 

Mooring Lines ready to be cast away!

• 

 

Hazy sunshine.

 

The Mariner will follow us to Costa Maya.

 

 

CK dinner, octopus appetizer. I had salad, first time my wife had octopus and she liked it. Not rubbery at all.

 

 

We each had the poached lobster, very enjoyable.

 

 

Pineapple cake for dessert. Another enjoyable meal at the CK.

 

That night we didn’t have any entertainment scheduled and I ended up suffering yet another disappointing night at the casino, not sure why I even try! I was about even, and I had my first pocket pair of the trip and that hand stood, hooray! And then they changed dealers and I didn’t win another hand. She gave me look like “why are you leaving” and I’m like did you even noticed the last 5 hands where you beat me every single time, including your 6-3 beating my Ace-King. The pattern under her hand was not player friendly, 2 others left shortly after I did after getting burned by the dealer turning ridiculous hands.

Our final port, Costa Maya. We had room service breakfast on the patio.

 

Welcome to Costa Maya.

 

 

Oh look, we found the SS Minnow!!!!

 

 

After the ship docketed, we could feel it rocking. Up until this morning, we’ve had calm seas and very smooth sailing. Today, when docked, the ship was not steady. When we excited the ship and saw the waves pounding the front of the ship, and noticed we were parked perpendicular to the pier, those those waves were bounding off the side of the ship, we could see it literally rocking back and forth.  Later, Norman, one of the Concierge, mentioned that the rough seas were common for Costa Maya and that the port is skipped quite often and has the nickname Costa Misa due to the rough conditions. We also had the Mariner again with us today.

 

 

 

 

The welcome wagon at Costa Maya

 

 

 

We had canceled our Beach Break due to the seaweed and were we ever glad as it was so rough we never would have gone swimming. We wander the shops but didn’t buy anything and returned to the ship.

 

We hung out by the pools and had lunch at El Loco Fresh. DW made herself a couple of tacos and I had a chicken quesadilla and we split some chips and cheese. It was a nice change of pace.

 

Back at the pool we shared the signature drink of the Line & Coconut and was that ever terrific. The flavors of Coconut, Lime and Guava were perfectly balanced and we could have drank 10 of them. We didn’t.

 

 

 

We then when on a taking pictures tour of decks 5 and 6. I love the carnival pictures at the entrance to the Boardwalk.

 

The Mustang

 

 

It has scratches!

 

 

The glass pictures at the Boardwalk

 

 

 

 

DW on the Carousel.

 

 

The Abyss

 

Dinner tonight was Izumi, the Habachi grill. We had a great cook and wonderful people. One of the tricks is the chef will toss cooked eggs for you to catch with your mouth. I even caught one from about 10 feet! Not only was the show awesome, the food was super good. DW had shrimp and I had the steak and they were super flavorful.

 

We saw The Effectors II - Crash and Burn and loved it. The cast (same one from Voices) is having so much fun and the effects are indescribable, including many drones. You didn’t need to see Effectors I to enjoy this. We’ve many great shows this week (except the juggler, the cook at Izumi easily was more impressive that guy). Effectors was one of the best. The entertainment on the ship has been top notch.

 

The cast comes out for pictures.

 

 

We returned to the cabin to be treated by this tiny guy. 

• Tomorrow is our last day, a sea day, as Diamond members, we get a backstage tour of the theater and we are so looking forward to that.

 

That is all for now, trip is nearly over!

 

Leftovers:

Edited May 11 by Dolby1000

[OCSC Mike]

I find myself agreeing with a lot of your opinions...

 

We love the burgers at Playmakers; always have dinner there one night (we don't do a ton of specialty between frugality and my wife is very picky).

 

I like the Lime & Coconut for how unique it is. Not my favorite drink but I always get 1-2. Definitely something that goes down easy.

 

The drink I could drink 10 of is the Mississippi Moonlight at Mason Jar (blackberry moonshine lemonade with fresh blackberries, not a strong drink but very good and goes well with brunch).

 

Enjoy your last day onboard and thanks again for sharing.

Edited May 11 by OCSC Mike

[RFerrington]

@Dolby1000 are you playing UTH ?  I have been playing most evenings.  Probably sat with you and didn’t even notice !  I’ve had good luck the last 2 nights but dismal luck earlier in the cruise.  Heading to the CK for breakfast shortly.  Enjoy our last day !

[BecciBoo]

On 5/10/2024 at 12:36 AM, Coralc said:

Public smoking is now prohibited, cigarettes, cigars, anything.  

Even on the Starboard side of the pool deck?  Wonderful

[OCSC Mike]

31 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

Even on the Starboard side of the pool deck?  Wonderful

I believe they were referring to Mexico, not on the ship.

[Dolby1000]

We didn’t do a whole lot on the last day. We had a quiet breakfast in the CK, had the wreck sandwich at the Park Cafe for lunch. Hey, look, chips are back! You have to ask for them as they are hidden under the counter. We brought 11 pictures (which I’ll try to post somehow) and then there was the highlight of the day.

 

Also possibly of minor interest based on some past posts, both cream and milk are available for your coffee. They seemed to have plenty of cream.

 

Diamond or higher members got a backstage theater tour! This was awesome as I am fascinated by theater and wanted to know how they pulled off all those special effects in the Effectors - Crash & Burn. It is amazing how little actual set pieces there are. There is the big drone prop (which is not really a drone), a huge light wall and a boxy thingy. Everything has LED screens so they are playing multiple roles. The engineers were very forthcoming and answered evert question. They use 71 drones, that can only fly for about 3 minutes. Seems longer during the show, but it is a great effect.

 

Light wall, when Lume comes out, this thing is amazing with very 3D lighting effects.

 

 

Big ole Drone (actually on a harness)

 

 

Various electrical equipment.

 

 

 

 

The theater stage is HUGE

 

 

Our last dinner in CK, I tried veal for the first time and thought it was very good. DW had the sesame crusted tuna, also very good.

 

 

 

A couple of pics of the zip line, sports court areas.

 

 

 

 

One last sunset and goodnight Wonder of the Seas.

 

 

Suite level disembarkation is a breeze, we were off by 7:15 AM and back in Lakeland, a little after 9.

 

Thanks to everyone who followed along. I’ll be glad to answer any late questions.

 

I may have one more post of the pictures we brought through the ship.

 

Dolby1000

Edited May 12 by Dolby1000

[OCSC Mike]

4 minutes ago, Dolby1000 said:

chips are back!

 

This has my wife very excited, lol, but she wants to know what types of chips you saw. Anything besides classic yellow Lays?

[Luckynana]

 

 

Thank you Dolby, for taking us along on your Wonder cruise.🛳️

[Dolby1000]

This has my wife very excited, lol, but she wants to know what types of chips you saw. Anything besides classic yellow Lays?

 

Sorry, no. They used to be cheddar Ruffles, we just had to accept the basic Lays

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, Dolby1000 said:

 

Sorry, no. They used to be cheddar Ruffles, we just had to accept the basic Lays

Thanks. We even saw Sun Chips at one point a while back; that’s what my wife was hoping for but she’ll live with classic Lays if that’s all they have in 3 weeks.

[hovank]

Were there any theme nights on your cruise?  Thank you!