For the schoolbreak this year in mid-March we brought our two kids, 11 and 15, on a three night Disney cruise on the Disney Wonder followed by three nights at Disney World. In a word, the cruise was great! I had read up in Frommers cruise guide etc and was warned that the ship is beautifully

designed (which it was) but that the food is bad (which it wasn't). The ship is actually very attractive,and being only a few years old, was in perfect condition. The decorating was Disney, but that was what we expected and wanted. Our cabin, the lowest category that could accomodate 4, which is cat.11, one away from the lowest category, had a double bed with a privacy curtain, and a lower bed which changed to a sofa during the day, and a pull down upper berth. It was one of the roomiest cabins we've ever had (now you get an idea of how economical or should I say cheap I am!!). The food was as good as I've had on Holland America and Royal Caribbean, and dare I say, approaching the quality of the Celebrity cruiseline. We took a picture of a dessert presented to us in the Animator's Palate restaurant, which is a restaurant where everything changes from black and white to full colour by the end of your meal. The dessert looked like it belonged in Gourmet magazine, since the plate was shaped like an artist's palate and the food displayed on it looked almost (!!!) too good to eat.

The entertainment in the main show lounge in the evenings is not to be missed. One evening was a near Broadway quality production of the Disney version of the Hercules story. The other two evenings had other Disney shows, which we all enjoyed. There are areas of the ship off limit to kids ie a pool area, and some of the bars and lounges after 9 pm or so. They also had midnight buffets, but I was too tired to get to them, so I had my 11 and 15 year old report back to me on them (vbg). They said they were too full to eat much (we were assigned the 830 pm dinner hour: way too late for my 11 year old, but the younger kids and there families mostly got the early sitting.)

About Castaway Cay, Disney's private Bahamian island, it was really beautiful. Nicer than other cruiselines' private island, as I recall. Hammocks were strewn between the trees and though we were not the first off the ship, managed to be able to loll in one for several hours. There as well, they had a quiet adults only beach, which we didn't use. The lunch BBQ buffet included BBQ chicken, burgers etc as well as salads and Caesar salad made freshly, as well as a beautiful display of fresh fruit, including fresh mango. pineapple, melon, etc etc.

Anyway, bottom line is: it was great, I'd do it again, but I'd prefer a 7 night itinerary (I've seen Nassau too many times!!!)

Helen form Ottawa, Canada