June 28, 2011 Disney Wonder 7-day Alaska

[nordkin]

I finally have all the stuff I need to make my FE gifts! Hope you guys like them. Have to get the FE made too. if we end up with a jerry rigged one, you will know I ran out of time...lol
I forgot ours on our last cruise and actually put a note on our fish to that fact and to place our items in the fish extender for my mother's room. Now that is jerry rigged. Doesn't matter what you have as long as things can be placed in it.

[crazydayz]

Oh my I can not believe we only have 2 weeks. I am still stressing about packing for the boys and getting my FE done. Time just got away from me.
Love the tip to put suitcases under the bed. They took up so much of our space our last cruise and we had a Veranda room. This time we are in an inside and I am so nervous how small it will feel and no window. Not sure how that will be with no light coming in. We are going to pack a nightlight so we can find our way to the bathroom at night. Thanks, Nordkin for the movie list. My kids are so excited to see Cars2 and Pirates.
Hey, Have we decided if we are trading scout patches? Do we have a count yet?

[ILuvJimny]

In 2 weeks we will be enjoying the gentle rocking of the ship as we sit on deck waiting for an amazing sunset!

[buddywesley]

I might have to rethink our packing as I thought we were going to have free bags with our Delta Amex. Since we used frequent flyer miles we had to book each ticket separately though and just found out only my husbands bag will be free...argh!

[mybelle01]

Oh my I can not believe we only have 2 weeks. I am still stressing about packing for the boys and getting my FE done. Time just got away from me.
Love the tip to put suitcases under the bed. They took up so much of our space our last cruise and we had a Veranda room. This time we are in an inside and I am so nervous how small it will feel and no window. Not sure how that will be with no light coming in. We are going to pack a nightlight so we can find our way to the bathroom at night. Thanks, Nordkin for the movie list. My kids are so excited to see Cars2 and Pirates.
Hey, Have we decided if we are trading scout patches? Do we have a count yet?

Yes we will definately do scout patches let me know if you want to trade more than one (some people may want one per family or one per child). I will let everyone know the count on Saturday!!

[mybelle01]

I might have to rethink our packing as I thought we were going to have free bags with our Delta Amex. Since we used frequent flyer miles we had to book each ticket separately though and just found out only my husbands bag will be free...argh!

Uggh.. that is so irritating about the bags. Then you have to try and decide how many bags and if you should carry some on.. what a drag.

[adorelc]

I might have to rethink our packing as I thought we were going to have free bags with our Delta Amex. Since we used frequent flyer miles we had to book each ticket separately though and just found out only my husbands bag will be free...argh!

We are flying Delta as well and have Delta Amex and I was just told that free bags might not apply to international travel. I called Amex and no one could give me a clear answer. Have you had the free bag for international travel? There are six of us on our reservation, so it is a great savings. I am so sorry about your tickets, that is frustrating!

[ILuvJimny]

When booking flights to Seattle, I had the choice of Delta or Southwest for about the same price. Since Southwest had better flight times and free baggage, I chose them. That way, we don't need to pack so lightly...good thing because I think I will have one full bag with just Fish Extender things from two cabins. I also still haven't made the actual Fish Extenders. I have some thoughts but just need to get them together. The other time we cruised, ours didn't get packed so we taped 4 small paper gift bags together. It worked just fine and the boys, even at 14, loved the excitement of seeing what came since they last checked!

We're also still planning on the scout council patch exchange, (just one) so let us know how many are participating.

I could hardly sleep last night thinking of all the things I still need to do to be ready to go. I can't decide if we are renting a car or taking Quick Shuttle. I think I leave some things for last minute so the time will go quicker because I am so busy getting everything done!:confused3

[buddywesley]

We are flying Delta as well and have Delta Amex and I was just told that free bags might not apply to international travel. I called Amex and no one could give me a clear answer. Have you had the free bag for international travel? There are six of us on our reservation, so it is a great savings. I am so sorry about your tickets, that is frustrating!

When I spoke to a Delta Representative yesterday about our seating assignments, I asked about the bags. He didn't say anything about not getting it with International. He said only my husband WOULD get the free bag. I guess we'll find out when we get there but either way, I'm packing a little lighter than I otherwise would have :sad2:

The other wrinkle is that is it actually an Alaska Airlines flight running thru Delta. I guess if they wanted to, they could alos charge us because of that perhaps? :confused3

[buddywesley]

When I spoke to a Delta Representative yesterday about our seating assignments, I asked about the bags. He didn't say anything about not getting it with International. He said only my husband WOULD get the free bag. I guess we'll find out when we get there but either way, I'm packing a little lighter than I otherwise would have :sad2:

The other wrinkle is that is it actually an Alaska Airlines flight running thru Delta. I guess if they wanted to, they could alos charge us because of that perhaps? :confused3

After checking further, it looks like dont really consider Canada or Mexico a truly International flight. If they did, baggage would be free (It is if you fly to Europe, the Caribbean, or Central America) Also we are flying first class TO Vancouver so hoping we get that leg's baggage free...dont know why the Rep didn't bring that up?! (but we used frequent flyer miles so :confused3 ?)

[Tink37]

Yes we will definately do scout patches let me know if you want to trade more than one (some people may want one per family or one per child). I will let everyone know the count on Saturday!!
I'm not sure if you have us down but our family wants to be a part of the scout patch trading. Just put us down for one.

[Cindy Girl]

HI! My family will be going on the very last Alaska Cruise of the year and my DS (4) really wants the totem vinylmation. I am worried that they will be gone by our cruise. Would anyone be willing to get one for us? I have seen them on ebay, but they are too much since he will take it right out of the package and play with it. Later this summer I should be able to get the two passholder vinlmations from Disneyland and I have the chaser from parks 3 the blue It's a small world with flowers if a trade is preferred.

Thanks,

CG

[disdel]

Okay, FINALLY able to chime back in. Just caught up reading about four weeks of postings:surfweb: - wow, y'all have been busy:laughing:

A week and a day until we leave for Vancouver:banana:

By the way... you don't *know* how envious we are of those of you who have finished school already. Our last day isn't until the Wednesday before the cruise... and we're flying out on Friday... and yes, I work in a school... so we'll *all* be going nuts here that Thursday (and none of us can *wait* for the end of the school year already :-)

DW (school nurse) also doesn't end her school year until next Wednesday - and has been stuck late almost every day for the past two weeks:eek:


See you real soon!

[crazydayz]

Hi, count us in for scout patch trading! Total-1
Thanks for getting all the info MyBelle! A week and a day left, I feel stressed. I hope I remember everything. :) Not looking forward to the long plane ride. I am trying to find stuff to keep my five year old occupied. He is not one to sit still for very long.

[cozit]

Okay, FINALLY able to chime back in. Just caught up reading about four weeks of postings:surfweb: - wow, y'all have been busy:laughing:

A week and a day until we leave for Vancouver:banana:



DW (school nurse) also doesn't end her school year until next Wednesday - and has been stuck late almost every day for the past two weeks:eek:


See you real soon!

Our school year ends on next Wednesday, too. I may only work half a day, but I swear the middle schoolers have been wearing me out - something about trying to get them to do math, and not behave like monkeys... or at least like they're at a party... this time of year. I like my kids, but you know it's bad when you get home, having started the day relatively well rested, sit down... and wake up 2 hours later, still tired - just in time for your own kids to get home!

I am *so* looking forward to the trip... and hoping I'll manage to get all the laundry and packing done next Wednesday/Thursday, because our flight on Friday leaves way too early in the morning (I plan to nap at least most of our second leg to Portland).

-Liz (one more week till trip... more or less... and a week and a half until meeting DisFolks in person on the ship :-)

[mybelle01]

Hi Scout Friends-

Here is the count as of today:
Tink 37 (1)
Crazydays (1)
IluvJimmy (1)
IndyStarGazer (3)
Mybelle (1)

total: 7 patches, of course subtract your own family :)

If I forgot anyone that would like to trade council patches please let me know. I'm thinking of making a special shadow box combining, scrapbook paper and council patches.

[nordkin]

Hi Scout Friends-

Here is the count as of today:
Tink 37 (1)
Crazydays (1)
IluvJimmy (1)
IndyStarGazer (3)
Mybelle (1)

total: 7 patches, of course subtract your own family :)

If I forgot anyone that would like to trade council patches please let me know. I'm thinking of making a special shadow box combining, scrapbook paper and council patches.
I think this is a wonderful idea. I can remember when our boys were in scouts and went to the National Jamboree how excited they were with the patch swaps.

[ozdisneyfan]

Hi Everyone,

Getting very excited down here, about to get on our plane flight to LAX then Vancouver for our week pre-cruise!!

Packing is a BIG problem, I always take too much....

Looking forward to meeting you!

[disdel]

Our school year ends on next Wednesday, too. I may only work half a day, but I swear the middle schoolers have been wearing me out - something about trying to get them to do math, and not behave like monkeys... or at least like they're at a party... this time of year. I like my kids, but you know it's bad when you get home, having started the day relatively well rested, sit down... and wake up 2 hours later, still tired - just in time for your own kids to get home!

I am *so* looking forward to the trip... and hoping I'll manage to get all the laundry and packing done next Wednesday/Thursday, because our flight on Friday leaves way too early in the morning (I plan to nap at least most of our second leg to Portland).

-Liz (one more week till trip... more or less... and a week and a half until meeting DisFolks in person on the ship :-)

Liz, DW symapthizes - she's in a middle school also. And one of our travelling group is a guidance counselor in a different middle school here. Y'all can swap some stories, I'm sure:teacher: As I type, DW is arranging and re-arranging her "stuff" to pack. I stay out of the way:rolleyes1

Will you be staying in Portland, or will you be in Vancouver before boarding? We're getting in to Vancouver Saturday, and will do two days touring with our group of 9 altogether.

I think this is a wonderful idea. I can remember when our boys were in scouts and went to the National Jamboree how excited they were with the patch swaps.

I agree - shows the kids that Scouts are everywhere. Patch trading caught my (now 30 year old) son at the Jamboree back then! Something caught me, too, since I've been on Jamboree staff for the past 4, and am scheduled again in 2013. Have to schedule the DCL cruises around that, I guess:laughing:

Regards,
Ken - "I used to be a Bobwhite (and a good old staffer, too)", for you Scouters

[mybelle01]

I agree - shows the kids that Scouts are everywhere. Patch trading caught my (now 30 year old) son at the Jamboree back then! Something caught me, too, since I've been on Jamboree staff for the past 4, and am scheduled again in 2013. Have to schedule the DCL cruises around that, I guess:laughing:

Regards,
Ken - "I used to be a Bobwhite (and a good old staffer, too)", for you Scouters

We would really have liked to go to the 2013 Jamboree but our boys are going to be a couple months short of the minimum age...so we will be shooting for the 2017 ( I think that's the next one) Our cubmaster's family went to the last one and had a great time.. Would love to meet you Ken!!
Michelle

[disdel]

We would really have liked to go to the 2013 Jamboree but our boys are going to be a couple months short of the minimum age...so we will be shooting for the 2017 ( I think that's the next one) Our cubmaster's family went to the last one and had a great time.. Would love to meet you Ken!!
Michelle

Well, being that you are in Cali, I guess a day or so trip ( it's being moved to West Virginia from Virginia) to visit a Jambo as a family is not an option in 2013:mad:
But glad to see you're supporting your boys in Scouting.

Hope to meet all the DIS'ers as well - if not at the first day meetup, surely during the cruise - I haven't been as active in this chat due to circumstances here, but we've always met up with most if not all the people that were on our Disboard Cruise Meet, chatted with most, partied with some. We're not doing the FE this time because of the flying involved, but that's always been fun as well(for me, anyway - DW thinks I'm nuts, but she's always had fun with the Disboard folks we've met). So, even though no group lanyards, and no unified group name tags, I'm sure we'll meet up. I'll POSSIBLY have some sort of Disboard tag .

[cozit]

Will you be staying in Portland, or will you be in Vancouver before boarding? We're getting in to Vancouver Saturday, and will do two days touring with our group of 9 altogether.



Portland through early afternoon Sunday (if I'm remembering the schedule right), then train up to Vancouver so we can spend a day there... probably spend the day up around the bridge/Treetops/Cliffwalk. Wish we could spend a few more days on the trip, but between DH's work/vacation time and DD stressing about how much gymnastics time she's missing for the trip already, we'll just be hoping to manage another trip to the NW sometime in another 4 years or so.

-Liz

[buddywesley]

I get to start packing today now that my BFF's Bridal Shower is finished (hosted it yesterday and all that stuff is out of my guest room to make room for suitcases) I was upset just thinking about the cost of our bags but feel a little bit better thinking of how much we'll save on movie costs with being able to see Cars 2 and Pirates while on board ;-) (Hey I need to somehow justify it! :upsidedow )
Still unsure about WHAT to pack for everyone. With so many necessities, seems like we'll have TOO many bags!!!!! (we'll be in Vancouver 5 days total pre/post so want to pack a little more summery for there. Also someone told me when they were in Alaska LAST summer it was hot there too- so just to make sure we'll have to pack for EVERYTHING :confused: )


PS- HAPPY FATHER's DAY to all the Dis Dad's pirate:

[mybelle01]

I get to start packing today now that my BFF's Bridal Shower is finished (hosted it yesterday and all that stuff is out of my guest room to make room for suitcases) I was upset just thinking about the cost of our bags but feel a little bit better thinking of how much we'll save on movie costs with being able to see Cars 2 and Pirates while on board ;-) (Hey I need to somehow justify it! :upsidedow )
Still unsure about WHAT to pack for everyone. With so many necessities, seems like we'll have TOO many bags!!!!! (we'll be in Vancouver 5 days total pre/post so want to pack a little more summery for there. Also someone told me when they were in Alaska LAST summer it was hot there too- so just to make sure we'll have to pack for EVERYTHING :confused: )


PS- HAPPY FATHER's DAY to all the Dis Dad's pirate:

Glad the Bridal shower went well and now you can relax. You should go see Bridesmaids if you haven't already really funny:rotfl:

I am only bringing a couple of short sleeve things just in case. We won't be doing extra days before or after. I think I have all the kids clothes out and ready to go.. It doesn't look like too much but of course I haven't tried to put it into a suitcase yet. You will have to tell us about Vancouver. I would love to hear what you think of it. Well I guess back to more :laundy:

[cryssi]

In one week we will be getting on a plane! I can't believe it is time already!

[parrothead365]

Packing, packing,packing :cool1::cool1::cool1:

[nordkin]

Hectic at our house this week. We are having our hardwood floors redone while we are gone so we are busy packing up everything in the bottoms of the closets, in dressers, in cabinets in the living and dining rooms, and trying to find time to pack for the trip. I feel like we are packing to move, but the good news is we are getting rid of a lot of stuff we thought we needed to keep and in reality haven't touched in years. I can't wait for Saturday to get here because we fly to Vancouver Saturday.

[crazydayz]

I am in major packing and cleaning mode! So much so that I was tossing and turning all night and at about 3am I was wide awake with all these thoughts keeping me from going to back to sleep. I had a list a mile long of stuff I still needed to do and trying to figure out if I had everything we needed. I was trying so hard to turn my brain off to fall back to sleep but I kept thinking of more and more stuff I needed to get done. So needless to say I am exhausted today. We leave on Monday and it can not come soon enough.

[buddywesley]

Attempting to pack! Trying not to bring all of our closets :rotfl2:
I'm usually a pretty good and quick packer, but this trip has me stumped. Just want to make sure we are going to be bringing what we need. I've been hearing it's not as cold in Alaska in the summer. Some reports of recent cruisers said it wasn't too cold on some days and a few were wearing shorts. I'm also thinking (and I had heard no mention of it) Isn't it humid there? :confused3
OK...back to attempting to pack...:laundy:

[disdel]

Hectic at our house this week. We are having our hardwood floors redone while we are gone so we are busy packing up everything in the bottoms of the closets, in dressers, in cabinets in the living and dining rooms, and trying to find time to pack for the trip. I feel like we are packing to move, but the good news is we are getting rid of a lot of stuff we thought we needed to keep and in reality haven't touched in years. I can't wait for Saturday to get here because we fly to Vancouver Saturday.

:rotfl: That is SO true - I think we have things that have been "put away" since we moved in here - 20years ago !!!
So, now I'm back to packing, we're flying into Vancouver Saturday as well, will be at Coast Coal Harbour. See you around town, or aboard!

[ILuvJimny]

We should be boarding the ship in 1 week!!! Can't wait!

[mybelle01]

In one week we will be getting on a plane! I can't believe it is time already!

Yes the shuttle at 4 am should be fun.. haven't decided if I'm going to bother going to sleep.:sad2:

[mybelle01]

I have the kids stuff in piles in their room. The packing just seemed a little too easy for them... now I'm worried. Am I just getting better at this whole packing thing or have I made some grave errors. Well I have a few more days to check packing lists.

Safe travels to everyone leaving early enjoy your time before:dance3:

[cryssi]

Yes the shuttle at 4 am should be fun.. haven't decided if I'm going to bother going to sleep.:sad2:

I'm planning to but seriously doubt I'll get more than 2 hours! :sad2:

I really need to finish my FE gifts and actually make DS's FE... :headache:

[Pocahantas]

I am stressing over the packing even though ours is 99% done. I feel like we are bringing too much stuff. Accuweather forecasts don't look too warm for us southerners. We fly out on Saturday and I am already having trouble sleeping because I can't stop thinking about the trip and making sure we only have what we need. This is so different from our normal Disneyworld or Disney Cruise trips to very warm weather.

Can't wait to meet everyone and hope everyone has a safe trip up to Vancouver!

[thej]

We are trying to pack, but it seems tons of last minute stuff is coming up. Tree in our yard came down in a storm on Sat, a sick dog, and then some. Since we leave on Sat to have a couple days in Vancouver, we are down to the last couple of days. Hopefully it is just laundy and load the suitcases from the lists after today! Sure do hope we can unwind once we leave.

Interestingly, DS is most concerned that we are limiting the number of books he can bring to 3 (they get heavy fast). He's a serious reader, but That's not what we expected him to be worried about!

[nordkin]

We are trying to pack, but it seems tons of last minute stuff is coming up. Tree in our yard came down in a storm on Sat, a sick dog, and then some. Since we leave on Sat to have a couple days in Vancouver, we are down to the last couple of days. Hopefully it is just laundy and load the suitcases from the lists after today! Sure do hope we can unwind once we leave.

Interestingly, DS is most concerned that we are limiting the number of books he can bring to 3 (they get heavy fast). He's a serious reader, but That's not what we expected him to be worried about!


I used to worry about the number of books, but buying the Kindle was the best thing I ever did. I no longer worry about the weight.

[parrothead365]

Got my swim suit, flips, sun screen, what else you need???? :thumbsup2

[cozit]

School is out... and it's time to start laundry, so we can pack tomorrow... as we're on our way at something like 4am for a 6:15 flight... or rather two 6:15 flights. Good thing I was going over all the details, as I'd completely forgotten we'd ended up having to book us in two groups of two - one through Chicago, one through Las Vegas to Portland. There were no more than 3 seats available on either of the flights to use the flight points/credits on. Guess we won't have to worry about the kids getting bored and annoying each other on the 8 hours of flight time :-)

Packing - trying not to panic... until maybe around dinner time tomorrow. "Only" taking 5 days worth of layered clothes... and 2 pairs of shorts each, and a few dinner outfits (nice one for Palos that can be used in the regular dining room as well, and 3 tops and 1-2 pairs of slacks that go with them). I'm planning to do laundry the day we board, and one other day on the ship, so that should do... and we might actually get it into both the luggage we have and the trunk of the car that way! :-)

Packing for "Fall weather"... and hoping that with the couple days in Portland, and the one in Vancouver, we get re-used to the cooler weather by the time we get to our first port (if not before). It's been rather warm in Maryland this year... a number of 90+ days already, and today through Friday we'll be pushing that again... which means that I'm looking forward to the cooler weather, and will be dreading getting back here into full summer again.... and guessing that I'll never be able to believe that a few months ago we were putting on shorts to do work outside because we were getting too warm when it hit 66.

-Liz (can you tell I'm bouncing around, trying not to panic this afternoon?)

[mybelle01]

I used to worry about the number of books, but buying the Kindle was the best thing I ever did. I no longer worry about the weight.

My husband the tech guy bought me a kindle three years ago and I love it!! Still like bookstores but :love: my kindle.

[mybelle01]

I'm planning to but seriously doubt I'll get more than 2 hours! :sad2:

I really need to finish my FE gifts and actually make DS's FE... :headache:

I ordered my FE on etsy.. came out really cute. You know my sewing abilities it would be a total disaster!!! I still have tags to make and ladies gifts. I have a teacher friend coming over on Sunday to help me so we should have fun in the process. I am more worried about fitting FE gifts then the clothes.

[cryssi]

My husband the tech guy bought me a kindle three years ago and I love it!! Still like bookstores but :love: my kindle.

I'm thinking of getting rid of my sony reader and picking up a kindle. More books to choose from.

[buddywesley]

Man, it's the shoes that are killing me with the packing!!! :scared1:
I think we'll need a suitcase just for them. Almost done with clothes for everyone. Just making last minute touches but it looks like it will take 4 suitcases to fit everything if we dont use carry-ons :eek: Was hoping for 3. I want to make sure we have room for anything we purchase though.

Back to cramming the clothes in... :rotfl:

[crazydayz]

Well another sleepless night for me, I can not seem to turn my brain off at night. I finished our FE finally and put together all the gifts. They are going to take up more room in my suitcase than I first thought. I have pretty much packed for the boys and DH but I still have my stuff to go. So far we have 2 and a half suitcases full but it maybe closer to 4 after all my stuff. I am so looking forward to cooler weather. It has been so hot here. Close to 100 degrees most days. Well back to doing laundry and packing for me. Hope those of you that are leaving early have a safe trip.

[cozit]

Man, it's the shoes that are killing me with the packing!!! :scared1:
I think we'll need a suitcase just for them. Almost done with clothes for everyone. Just making last minute touches but it looks like it will take 4 suitcases to fit everything if we dont use carry-ons :eek: Was hoping for 3. I want to make sure we have room for anything we purchase though.

Back to cramming the clothes in... :rotfl:

Didn't even think of that... at minimum, with 4 people, that's 8 pairs of shoes to pack (might only be 7 - DS doesn't currently have anything other than one pair of sneakers and a pair of sandals, thanks to a foot growth spurt)

Still trying to figure out the luggage on Amtrak thing - whether we get our checked bags back that night or not isn't clear both to us, and to the operator I talked to - and they haven't responded to the e-mail with anything specific. Apparently two of our main bags are too long (by 1-3 inches) for the train's overhead luggage area... whee. May be luggage shopping tomorrow...

-Liz

[mybelle01]

I'm thinking of getting rid of my sony reader and picking up a kindle. More books to choose from.

The great part about the kindle is I've downloaded a bunch of free books too. The prices have really come down since I got mine. Its nice that you can search on amazon too and just send it to your kindle.

[mybelle01]

Man, it's the shoes that are killing me with the packing!!! :scared1:
I think we'll need a suitcase just for them. Almost done with clothes for everyone. Just making last minute touches but it looks like it will take 4 suitcases to fit everything if we dont use carry-ons :eek: Was hoping for 3. I want to make sure we have room for anything we purchase though.

Back to cramming the clothes in... :rotfl:

Yep.. the shoes are a killer. I am making the boys wear their hiking boots on the plane. There is no way I am going to try and pack those!! I think I am going to be three suitcases plus a garment bag. I may have to put my fe gifts in a seperate small suitcase to carry on. I hate being bogged down by carry ons but at least my boys are old enough to follow directions through security.

[Jen24]

We leave early tomorrow--woo hoo! Anyone else leave tomorrow? Haven't even opened the suitcase yet:rotfl2:

[thej]

I used to worry about the number of books, but buying the Kindle was the best thing I ever did. I no longer worry about the weight.

While we don't have a kindle, he is bringing his iPod Touch which has the kindle app on it. He happily read a bunch of the Sherlock Holmes stories on it at WDW earlier this year, but suddenly is resisting using it for books. :confused3

The nice thing is that if he changes his mind we can still get him a few kindle books for it at the hotel while Wi-fi is free :thumbsup2

[Maribell]

Hi everyone,
I can't believe the trip is finally here. :dance3: I can't wait to meet you all in person. :grouphug: I have most of the extras packed....doing wash tonight:laundy: and then hopefully I will be all finished Friday night. Packing should be interesting. I have been told that the secret is lay out all of your clothes that you think you need and then put away half :scared1: I don't know if I can do it (although I am going to have to or else pay extra baggage fees!!!) I can do it! I can do it! I can do it!

We leave Saturday for Philly and then Sunday to Vancouver. See you all soon!:wave2: Safe travels to all!!!

Mari

P.S. I have a nook and love that too...I love the convenience of having all your books in one place!

[IndyStarGazer]

Time is getting short! :woohoo:

We fly out Saturday morning and I can tell we're getting close because DW is freaking out about packing :scared1: (and yes she reads these posts -- sorry honey, but it's true!). Like any good trip there are still a few details up in the air, sons to cajole into helping, and last minute emergencies. Personally I'm just waiting for the wheels of the plane to leave the tarmac....

Oh and DW is already planning on stealing my Kindle, so I'll have to amuse myself on the plane, probably by annoying my sons! :teeth:

[lalo]

It's so comforting knowing that you're all out there agonizing about the packing as much as I am. DH gave me an ultimatum last night--I have to give him everything that needs to be packed by tonight. We leave Saturday morning for Vancouver.

My attempts to sew my own FE turned out pretty well. I also made one for my friend. Please don't examine the stitching too closely. Oh and some of the pockets may be a little less than straight...

Taking the day off from work tomorrow. Yay... almost out of here!

I have a kindle and absolutely love it.

[buddywesley]

We leave early tomorrow--woo hoo! Anyone else leave tomorrow? Haven't even opened the suitcase yet:rotfl2:

My son's last day of school is tomorrow and then my daughters dance recital is Sat & Sun. We leave Sunday night (but I must be done packing before my son gets out of school at 12:30 tomorrow :scared1: because of our crazy weekend)

Have a safe trip!!!! See you Tuesday (PS...looks like it might rain tuesday :sad2: ) Doing the sun dance!!!:dance3:

[nordkin]

We leave Saturday morning and with so much to do I took the day off tomorrow. We are still packing up the house to have the floors finished while we are gone and that should be done early tonight. I will then pack later tonight or first thing in the morning. Tomorrow I have to take the dog to the boarding facility, pick up my mother, tie up any loose ends around the house, print our boarding passes, and make sure I am finished packing. All the kids, spouses, and friends as well as my mother are spending the night at our house tomorrow night so we are all ready for the 8AM pick up to the airport on Saturday. It will be kind of nice having them all under one roof again.

By the way, we found out last Friday that my son and daughter-in-law are having a girl. None of us had a preference, but they are happy to know the gender so they can finish the nursery.

[mybelle01]

We leave Saturday morning and with so much to do I took the day off tomorrow. We are still packing up the house to have the floors finished while we are gone and that should be done early tonight. I will then pack later tonight or first thing in the morning. Tomorrow I have to take the dog to the boarding facility, pick up my mother, tie up any loose ends around the house, print our boarding passes, and make sure I am finished packing. All the kids, spouses, and friends as well as my mother are spending the night at our house tomorrow night so we are all ready for the 8AM pick up to the airport on Saturday. It will be kind of nice having them all under one roof again.

By the way, we found out last Friday that my son and daughter-in-law are having a girl. None of us had a preference, but they are happy to know the gender so they can finish the nursery.

How very exciting that they found out what they are having.:banana:

We aren't leaving until Tuesday morning so having the weekend and Monday off should help. The boys clothes are in a suitcase. Now on to DH and mine... oh and finishing FE gifts.

[ILuvJimny]

Follow the link to see the cruise in time lapse photography.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2oPE2bcKOk&feature=player_embedded

[daisy112878]

What a week!!!! Nothing has gone as planned including DS1 having to go to the doctor on Monday. His ear tubes have fallen out (he's had them since 8 months old) and he was getting a double ear infection. B/c we're going out of town and his history of ear infections the pediatrician went ahead with antibotics. Thankfully!!! Looks like we'll be headed back to the ENT when we get home.

I'm almost packed which is good since we leave tomorrow morning. We're going to end up with 5 checked bags - a hanging bag, 3 big suitcases and one medium suitcase. Not to mention 2 kiddie book bags, rolling carry on, laptop bag, 2 carseats, and gate checking 2 umbrella strollers. WHEW, that's a lot of stuff!!!!!

[daisy112878]

By the way, we found out last Friday that my son and daughter-in-law are having a girl. None of us had a preference, but they are happy to know the gender so they can finish the nursery.

Congrats!!!! Disney princesses are in their future princess:princess:

[buddywesley]

What a week!!!! Nothing has gone as planned including DS1 having to go to the doctor on Monday. His ear tubes have fallen out (he's had them since 8 months old) and he was getting a double ear infection. B/c we're going out of town and his history of ear infections the pediatrician went ahead with antibotics. Thankfully!!! Looks like we'll be headed back to the ENT when we get home.

I'm almost packed which is good since we leave tomorrow morning. We're going to end up with 5 checked bags - a hanging bag, 3 big suitcases and one medium suitcase. Not to mention 2 kiddie book bags, rolling carry on, laptop bag, 2 carseats, and gate checking 2 umbrella strollers. WHEW, that's a lot of stuff!!!!!

Glad to hear he will be on the mend for the trip :thumbsup2 Nothing worse than getting sick RIGHT before you leave :sad2:

OK, now I dont feel so bad if I end up with 4 checked bags. This will be the first big trip without needing to a check stroller too!!! :lovestruc

Happy Travels!!!!! See you soon :grouphug:

[Tink37]

Can't believe after 2 years of planning it is finally here. We are leaving in about an hour for the airport, Yeah!!!. We have 6 bags to check - I stuffed and stuffed as much as I could :), 3 carry on bags, plus DH's laptop. Oh, and we are carrying our coats.

Can't wait to meet everyone. See you on Tuesday.

[bonrea]

We= Andrew DH 46 - Kim DW 44 - & Callie DD 8
We will be in Stateroom 5639 Starboard side Aft.
We have the late seating for dinner.
Would love to meet up with someone on this cruise with DDs Callie's age for a playmate for her and some new friends for us all.

See you Tuesday morning!!! WOW we can't wait.
Flying out tomorrow morning at 6am to Vancouver for two nights. We are staying in the hotel RIGHT AT THE DOCKS!

[Pocahantas]

On our way out to door. Can't wait to meet everyone on the ship Tuesday! Safe travels to all...pixiedust:pixiedust:

[IndyStarGazer]

We are waiting to board our plane in Indy!

We also have a new mantra: "I don't care, I'm on vaction" (said in your best radio/announcer voice)

See you on board!

[buddywesley]

We= Andrew DH 46 - Kim DW 44 - & Callie DD 8
We will be in Stateroom 5639 Starboard side Aft.
We have the late seating for dinner.
Would love to meet up with someone on this cruise with DDs Callie's age for a playmate for her and some new friends for us all.

See you Tuesday morning!!! WOW we can't wait.
Flying out tomorrow morning at 6am to Vancouver for two nights. We are staying in the hotel RIGHT AT THE DOCKS!

we are all meeting at the Promenade Lounge at 3pm on Tuesday. Dont know if you saw that in this thread? :woohoo:

We are with our kids DD 4.5 and DS 8 (will be nine next month). Also traveling with us are friends who have a DD 8 (turning nine on SUNDAY) We are in 6540 & 6541.

Hope to see you there! Have a great trip :cheer2:

[elderfam]

Follow the link to see the cruise in time lapse photography.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2oPE2bcKOk&feature=player_embedded

Fantastic! Makes me feel like I'm doing a good job packing! Lots of rain gear, warm clothes and a bathing suit! LOL Just for the picture if nothing else.

I made lanyards for our family. We have enjoyed them so much in the past, so easy to keep our room key, that we broke them out again. We should be easy to spot. Feel free to say hello, my father in law would love it!

see you soon!
Cynthia

[cryssi]

I am still up doing laundry. The suitcases are not packed yet, but I have clothes laid out. Have to pack tomorrow. Going to work on Monday :eek: but hopefully I will be able to get out of there early. We have to get up at like 2 or 3 am on Tuesday. I think I will be very tired on the boat! I finally made DS's FE too. Whew!

Um...how cold is it when we go to Tracy Arm? I saw people in hats and mittens in that time lapse video...I don't think I'm going to be adequately prepared...

[thej]

We are here in Vancouver at the Fairmont across from Canada place. Got in last night and the weather is great!

Couple items: For those of you taking the sky train / Canada line. There is a tunnel that runs from the waterfront station to waterfront center, and then you can get from there to Canada place via another tunnel. We didn't realize this all connected so we dragged our bags the block and a half up the sidewalk. Second I did confirm that the waterfront will deliver your luggage to the ship for you... Yippee!

[rav4lcrv]

Do they have free WiFi There? At the Frairmont Waterfront Hotel?

[mybelle01]

I guess most people have already left for Canada.. Kids are packed, I am mostly packed. Of course DH hasn't even started. Do you think he is waiting for me to do it?? Three suitcases, one garment bag, one carry on and misc. bags with entertainment for the kids. I think I'm doing okay!! We'll see once I way all these bags and then try and load them into the car.:yay:

Took Monday off so I should have plenty of time for last minute things.

[thej]

Do they have free WiFi There? At the Frairmont Waterfront Hotel?

They do have free wifi if you are a member of the Fairmont president's club. They offered me a free membership when I booked our stays (before & after) the cruise, but I'm not sure if they normally charge for membership. Worth checking out though. There is however a Starbucks in the shopping center below the hotel and one across the street. I'd think at least one has wifi.

[buddywesley]

Leaving right now for airport :thumbsup2

See you all in 2 days!!!! We'll be in vancouver by midnight :woohoo:

[rav4lcrv]

Leaving 4:30am, Milwaukee, Chicago-Vancouver

[buddywesley]

We just took a limo tour of Vancouver! Great driver. Got info from a DISer "disneypoor". Love these boards. we are at the Vancouver fairmont airport hotel in case anyone else is here. getting Disney transfers in the morning:woohoo:

[cryssi]

Can't believe we sail tomorrow! I kind of feel like going to bed right now so I get enough sleep! Lol. I still have to do some laundry and pack last minute stuff.

[booger73]

Cruising tomorrow!!! :)

Hanging out at the Marriott Pinnacle

Played a round of 18 holes at the Stanley Park Pitch-and-Putt today

Looks like weather might hold up overall

[cryssi]

have not gone to sleep! packing the final things...shuttle picks us up in :45!

[buddywesley]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the awesome FE gifts! My kids had such a great time checking everyday and I'm so glad we did it! Everyone was sooo creative!
We are staying in Vancouver till Friday at the Sheraton wall centre-club intrawest. It looks really nice so far. So I'll hop on here as much as as I can for post cruise chat ;) it was a terrific cruise and glad we got to meet all of you(some more than others:lovestruc )

[thej]

Sigh.... It's over. Had a great week amd loved Alaska. The Wonder is at Canada Place now embarquing for the next trip we'll try to wander down and see her off. Now we have a few days in Seattle and then home.

I guess it is time to start planning derails for our next trip before the post trip depression sets in too deep. Hawaii in April! We should be about done sorting the 4000 pictures by then!

[cryssi]

Back to reality! I'm very depressed to be going back to work today. Had an amazing time! We had so much fun participating in the FE...thanks for all the awesome gifts! Sorry we didn't make the meet...we fell asleep! Will post a recap soon!

[ILuvJimny]

A long trip home for us...5 hours on Quick Shuttle, then wandering around Seattle until our 8pm flight. (It was our anniversary so we couldn't just sit in the airport!)

Thanks to all for the FE Gifts and the BSA Council patches. The trip, except for the weather, was totally amazing!

Looking forward to any Trip Reports. I may do up a basic one and will post a link here if I do.

[mybelle01]

Eek coming home to 100 degree weather yuck. Thanks everyone for the FE gifts and the scout patch exchange. The weather was a little chilly but it was so beautiful...My boys had so much fun delivering and receiving gifts. Back to work tomorrow sigh..

[buddywesley]

Coming home from Vancouver tomorrow! Back to reality! How was everyones trip?

[nordkin]

Our family would like to thank everyone for the very creative fish extender gifts as well. We had a wonderful time and I am just starting to combine my pictures with my son's pictures to create a photo book of the cruise.

We arrived home Wednesday morning around 1 AM and our luggage got stuck on the conveyor belt at Dulles airport. United kept saying check baggage claim one, then 4, then 5, oh no try one again. We got 4 of our 8 pieces of luggage at baggage claim one and then nothing. I went to check with United baggage claim to see what conveyor belt was stuck and was told number 4. By this time it is 2 AM and just as I start to fill out the paperwork to have the luggage delivered to our house the next day it appeared at baggage claim four. We were exhausted but luckily I had booked a shuttle service to drive us home and arrived home at around 2:45 AM.

Back to work on Thursday and am right back to the daily grind.

[hsinglanjin]

Hi there fellow cruisers. Hopefully all of you have made it home and are going through all your laundry and uploading all the great photos you took.

Need a bit of help. I seem to be missing the July 2nd Navigator as well as the recipe card from the "Art of Entertaining" on the last day (dessert). If anyone has these and can post or PM with the file, I would be greatful. I'm creating a scrapbook and must of accidentally tossed these when I was going through all the papers I collected on the boat.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[crazydayz]

Hi Everyone, It was a great cruise! Loved meeting you guys and thank you so much for the amazing gifts. Wow, I need to step it up and get more creative next time. I am sad it is over and feel like I have nothing to do now that I am not in planning mode. I guess I will just have to cook and clean and run after my kiddos until I can start planning the next trip. We are hoping to go in 2013. Until then take care everyone and hope to be talking about another cruise soon.

[elderfam]

I want to thank everyone for the most creative fish gifts I have ever seen! WOW! We had a fantastic trip and my 83 yr old father in law did things he never thought he could do. (Dog mushing camp was a family favorite!) We have so many special family memories.
While it was weird being on the ship and NOT wanting to swim, I have to say the new expanded cove cafe became a favorite cozy hang out.
I hope everyone arrives home safe and sound...

Let the scrapbooking marathon begin!

Cheers!
Cynthia

[Maribell]

Wow! What an amazing trip. It was so wonderful to meet so many of you. :grouphug: Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future! Thank you all for the wonderful and creative fish extender gifts....it was our first time participating and we enjoyed it so much.

Talk to you soon.
Mari

[cozit]

Nope, didn't fall off the face of the earth... just caught a cold on the way home, then right back into the "too much to do, too little time" thing... mostly a good thing, because it was in part due to rehearsals for the Maryland Renaissance Festival starting up ... which was definitely good, other than the fact that even the 84 it got up to while I was out (thank goodness for shade at least) felt *hot* after Alaska. Wish we could have brought some of that cool air home with us :-)

So glad I got to meet some of you - a few more often than others, which was good, too. Now it's look through all those pictures taken time - at least the kids really like to come up with titles for the pictures... and neither had a camera to catch me on the zipline (and I didn't buy that picture, due to the rather unfortunate angle the photographer ended up with :-}

Hope luggage found everyone... and all trips home were good!

-Liz

[elderfam]

Did anyone get a picture of that amazing rainbow?

[hsinglanjin]

Still looking for anyone that has a copy of the July 2nd Navigator. If you have a copy, could you please PM me the scanned pages.

Thanks!

[ozdisneyfan]

Hi Everyone

Just landed back in Oz yesterday from the rest of our post cruise vacation in San Fran and LA.

Lovely to meet all of you and thankyou for the wonderful FE gifts, our daughter loved seeing everyday what surprises she would get.

Hope you all enjoyed the Australian candy and little Aussie souvenirs, hope to catch up with you again on a future cruise!

Take care and drop me a line if you are coming to Sydney!

Lea, Brett and Sarah