July 26, 2011 – 7 Night Alaska ~ Bears, Whales, Eagles and Ducks. Oh My!

[brackjr]

You need to keep checking or have a TA look out for some inside rooms. All that is left right now are 4-5s. The prices have gone up quite a bit since we booked in January. Of course, the Magic is doing the same cruise basically so we could meet up in Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Also, on our 1/8/11 cruise on the Magic there was an onboard offer for 20% off the price of the Dream's MV along with a nice room credit. You just need to find someone who will be onboard then and can book it for you if they are offering it for the Fantasy's MV.

I did notice after posting that the only rooms available were Cat4's at over $7,200! That's a bit out of our price range.

 

[bbaltes]

We usually print up our friend's addresses on labels so we can just stick them on, write a note, and mail them off.

I got the idea that we could get postcards in advance, get the postage on them, put the addresses on them, and just have a note to write when we get aboard and then mail them in our first port! All done!

They're only $.75 a piece for 25 - and they are fully customizable - including putting your own text on them. You can even put your own image on them.

Go to zazzle.com for the deal.

Ben

 

[brackjr]

Finally ....

I finished with the last detail of this vacation. After watching Hotwire for over three weeks now and the River Rock did not reappear plus the Westin toggled in price from $91 to $104 I decided to look at the River Rock's web page. I finally paid for a room at their discount rate rather than wait.

One of the problems I just found out about is a gay & lesbian event that is bringing in over 4,000 people. The site said it would have a moderate effect on room price. Now I know!

 

[brackjr]

New "toy" arrived today. :thanks" Annette!

OOOOOPS! Wrong lens. The photo looks like my new lens but this one is the 70-200mm while the one I bought is the 100-400mm version.

 

[lbgraves]

Brack, I managed to have the Westin show up for us for four people around noon today after refreshing quite often all morning. Now we have a room for the night we get off the ship. I think our plans are set as far as lodging now.

 

[plutojudy]

New "toy" arrived today. :thanks" Annette!

OOOOOPS! Wrong lens. The photo looks like my new lens but this one is the 70-200mm while the one I bought is the 100-400mm version.

Looking forward to the pictures you will post!

 

[plutojudy]

Brack, which excursions have you booked?

 

[brackjr]

Brack, I managed to have the Westin show up for us for four people around noon today after refreshing quite often all morning. Now we have a room for the night we get off the ship. I think our plans are set as far as lodging now.

Great News Lisa!

I was able to get us the Hampton Inn not far from the port for our return using points from my Hilton Honors. Brack & Jen fly out from Seattle late the next day so this is close to the Amtrak station. Annette and I are staying in Seattle one more day before coming home at a hotel near the that airport .... also on Honors points.

After this trip I am almost busted on those points that took me about 10 years to gather.

 

[brackjr]

Brack, which excursions have you booked?

None.

We have talked about walking tours on our own which is what we did on our TA last year and liked it alot. Our son did mention maybe renting a sea plane at one port but I doubt Annette will do that.

 

[plutojudy]

I am sure you will enjoy whatever you decided to do. A lot of photo ops for you!

 

[brackjr]

I am sure you will enjoy whatever you decided to do. A lot of photo ops for you!

 

[brackjr]

Today I am working on my "List" of things to accomplish BEFORE we leave.

One is to lay out the clothes I am taking. My goal is one bag for the cruise and a small bag for the before and after cruise stays.

The other item to do is rearrange my camera equipment. With the new lens I have to move the dividers around to make room. Plus I will not take all my equipment.

I have been toying with a video camera but now I am having second thoughts. The one I was looking at is a larger one (very nice) from work but my iPhone and iPad take video too. I do not want to be hauling a lot of stuff 'cause it will be my responsibility to carry it!

The other task is to layout our options for the "Tourist Thing" in all of the places before, during and after the cruise.

I need to finalize all these plans soon so I can START to work on my Russia trip which comes up soon.

 

[3princessMommy]

Where/when are you going to Russia?

We used to live in Kazakhstan, and I visited Moscow several times. But finally got to visit St. Petersburg with DCL last summer.

Joann

 

[bbaltes]

Hey - we're only 3 weeks away! Can you believe it?

My daughter Lily (DD8) is looking to connect with a couple of pals prior to sailing. Send me a PM with your email address and we'll respond quickly!

Thanks.

Ben, Jenny, Lily

5th DCL cruise - first to Alaska!

 

[3princessMommy]

Just sent you a PM.

Don't forget about the 3pm kids' DisMeet on Embarkation Day at the Mickey Pool!!!!!

 

[3princessMommy]

We just got our train tickets from Vancouver to Seattle for Aug. 2. The train leaves at 5:45pm that day. Does anyone have any ideas for something to do for the day in Vancouver with all our suitcases and three kids????

Would love a day tour of some kind that could accomodate our luggage and then drop us at the train station around 4pm or so.

Any ideas???

 

[brackjr]

Where/when are you going to Russia?

We used to live in Kazakhstan, and I visited Moscow several times. But finally got to visit St. Petersburg with DCL last summer.

Joann

I am doing a Men's Retreat (1st one for The Salvation Army in Russia) just outside St Petersburg. After that I am spending a few days with friends in St Petersburg before visiting with friends in Moscow.

 

[brackjr]

We just got our train tickets from Vancouver to Seattle for Aug. 2. The train leaves at 5:45pm that day. Does anyone have any ideas for something to do for the day in Vancouver with all our suitcases and three kids????

Would love a day tour of some kind that could accomodate our luggage and then drop us at the train station around 4pm or so.

Any ideas???

We decided to stay the night near the station and do a little more touring in Vancouver but haven't decided what.

 

[brackjr]

Not too many trip reports on the Alaska cruises. I hope that I am a little more faithful but we'll see.

I did see someone who went to Seattle first like we are and made the trip to the first Starbucks at the Pike Place Market. This is on my agenda!

 

[MrsMork]

Not too many trip reports on the Alaska cruises. I hope that I am a little more faithful but we'll see.

I did see someone who went to Seattle first like we are and made the trip to the first Starbucks at the Pike Place Market. This is on my agenda!

The bucket lists do keep us busy,don't they?