You’ll never get me on a cruise. Unless it’s to ALASKA! Recap and New PTR Link! 2/1

[jeremysdisneymom]

Wow, Vancouver is stunning.

The ship did look empty when you were looking around!

Can't wait to read more. You have me wanting to do an Alaska cruise--sooner rather than later.

 

[eandesmom]

Yeay, I am all caught up on the beginning of your Alaskan adventure. Love the boarding pics! Glad it all worked out even though you were running late. You know me -- I was twitchy just reading about it.

Sorry to stress you out

It did work out really well

Sailing under the bridge looked very cool, and I love that Eric was all into the sail away party!

It was very cool and watching how excited Eric was just really made my heart sing.

Just found your TR and I am caught up. We hope to do the Alaska cruise at some point.

I highly recommend the Alaska cruise, we loved it.

Looking forward to seeing how your boys liked the Edge. My oldest will be 11 when we sail on the Magic out of NYC in June.

Sadly, they didn't. I'll expand more on it later. Lots of kids seemed to though!

Great Sail away shots !!!We are contemplating a cruise in 2013 , unfortunately can't afford a Disney one for all 5 of us !!! But whatever we decide on I know Kyle will be in 7th Heaven with all the FOOD!!!!

Thanks Rosie! Yeah, it's pretty brutal for five, trust me, I've priced it! A of folks will do 2 inside connecting rooms when they have a larger group but even with that, it's pricey.

Great TR, we were on the same cruise, and yes best vacation ever!

I am telling everyone they have to see alaska once in a lifetime. Should be on everyone's bucket list!! I can't wait to read your report!!! The scenery was spectacular!

Hi!!! and

It should be on everyone's bucket list, I can't wait to share my pics!

 

[eandesmom]

How did you not hear about the ship's horn??!! Gee, we failed you! But it was fun to hear and be surprised I have no doubt!!! Yes, the Dream has several, but no matter, any and every Disney cruise horn is just plain fun.

Yep, you failed me. I actually think it's great that I didn't know so I won't hold it against you.

Looks like a fun sail away party! I don't think I could have ordered one of the DOD options right away, either... it has to be HOT for me to drink a frozen cocktail, especially for that price I definitely get them in Orlando, but I don't know if a beachy drink would have floated my boat on the way to Alaska. Not sure. Now, those martinis in the quiet cove bar, now THAT is another story...

It wasn't cold but it wasn't HOT either, maybe low 70's? Too funny on the Martini's.

Neat vantage point to see that bridge, etc. I think that sail away experience is really neat!!

AND I love the Eeee Oar. Story. How cute. Fries on demand. Scary, isn't it??!! LOL!!

It was a great vantage point, very fun to go under the bridge like that. Fries on demand were VERY scary, more on that later.

Hey C,

I have been off the boards for such a long while... and just recently started back on...

Patricia!



You've been missed!

OMG...you went on a Disney Alaskan Cruise...

Is that a picture of you with Minnie in a parka in your siggie?

We did and yep, it is!

I was laughing when I read your title...my DH would probably say pretty much the same thing...getting him on a cruise would be a challenge but Alaska...that he would probably go for...

Must add to Disney Dream Bucket List...

Can't wait for more...

It's a perfect Disney Dream Bucket list item. And while Jeff would certainly say he's still a bit anti cruise, his window of one's he will consider has greatly expanded. For Jeff it's all about having a reason to do it on a cruise versus just going there. So, most of the warm weather cruises are not appealing to him, he'd just rather go somewhere warm and not deal with the cruise part (plus the fact that he has no interest in the Bahamas, Mexico or Virgin Islands is a bit prohibitive). But Alaska, with the scenery, cruising is a great way to see things you actually might not be able to from land.

Wow, Vancouver is stunning.

It's a beautiful city

The ship did look empty when you were looking around!

Can't wait to read more. You have me wanting to do an Alaska cruise--sooner rather than later.

Definitely not the last time it looked and felt empty, in fact it happened quite a bit. Which is wild considering it was a sold out cruise and with CM's there was something like 3500 souls on board!

I highly recommend it, we all thought it was amazing.

 

[eandesmom]

Arriving at the Vista Spa I found…a VERY long line! I’m not sure if people were checking in for services, or making appointments. My guess would be the later. It was a little disorganized and confused. A CM walked by and I asked him if I was in the right place, he asked me what I was doing (service wise) and pulled me out of line and directed me to sit. Okay…I felt bad, like I’d cut in line! He got me started on the paperwork. Once complete I got back in line to turn it in, he saw me, took the paperwork and had me sit back down. In no time at all, I was escorted back. I had booked a spa manicure and pedicure. My CM, a lovely woman from Jamaica with a really pretty name that for the life of me I cannot recall, had me pick a color and then got started. For some reason, though you’d think the name “vista” would give you a clue, I had no idea that the area I’d be in was completely surrounded by windows. I knew the spa villas of course had a view (verandah) but really didn’t know about the rest of the spa. And not all of it does. But the mani pedi and hair styling area has an incredible view! The offered shellacing, which I’d never tried and decided to go for it. It was odd. With the shellacing, they do all of the painting first and then treatment/massage, etc, after! For a bit there I thought I was going to get robbed on the hand massage which is a big deal to me. And semi justifies the price you pay. There was one other woman having her nails down while I was there. Other than that, one guy came in for a haircut and the place was otherwise deserted. Again, a bit odd for a sold out boat. But it did make for a lovely and relaxing experience and I truly enjoyed chatting with the CM.

At some point, about 30 minutes after my co spa attendee’s DH had poked his head in, mine did as well. Which was funny, I didn’t think he’d just stroll in like that but apparently he’d been checking out the gym. We both gave him a hard time for not bringing me a drink. I believe my treatments were supposed to be 90 minutes total but I know I was there closer to 2 hours. We didn’t start right on time but I know she went over! A few spa pictures. I loved the lighting in here!

What did the boys do while I was off getting pampered?

They did not go to Edge but rather, wanted to head straight to the pool. So they did! I’d left the camera with Jeff who got them settled at Goofy’s pool.

They look miserable don’t they.

Jeff, being the responsible parent he was, then left them there. LOL! Which actually was fine but I doubt I’d have done that on day one if I’d have been with them, new surroundings and all. He then went off to check out the ship on his own . So let’s stroll with Jeff!

He headed straight up from the pool. To find an (again) empty deck. I know half the boat was getting ready for first seating but wow, it was pretty empty.

The only “full” move the kids saw in the pool. Or so they say. We are not buying it at all.

Not much happening at the Quiet Cove pool!

In fact the only soul in sight was cleaning the CM pool deck

We never saw anyone in the CM pool. I wonder how that works, are there rules about when and how they can use it? I’m sure there are. It’s not very big for 900 people! We did see CM’s on the CM deck on Tracy Arm day and a few here and there otherwise but more often than not, it looked like this.

And…still no people

But some awfully pretty scenery

Nope, no people here

This side either

Or here

As some point, before finding me and giving the kids a time reminder, Jeff camped out in the Outlook Cafe with his book, and drink, and enjoyed the view. He was astounded when he came to check iwth me at how empty it was. Actually astounded is not the right word, he was appalled. His words may have been "we are sailing through God's country, where IS everyone?"

After my main/pedi (amazing, double thumbs up) we met down in the room, just in time to catch the start of sunset from the verandah

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

One clean boy, ready for dinner

And, another

No clue what he was looking at

That one either

Channel marker perhaps?

All dressed and ready to go, we headed to dinner. Our rotation started with Animators, which the boys were thrilled with! We arrived to find a table for 8 with 4 kids menus at one end and adult at the other. So we figured we should do as we were told since our table mates weren’t there and put the kids at one end and ourselves at another. I think we did it so all 4 of us were on one long side of the table. Our table mates, 2 girls with their moms (same sex married couple) arrived after us and at first seemed a bit put off by the seating, and we explained why we’d done it and they said cool, but could they sit with their kids tomorrow. Ok, no biggie but not the best start so it was mildly concerning. As was the 2 girls/2 boys thing though their ages matched exactly. As the night went on however it turned out that it was the best thing we could have done. The 4 kids hit it off like a house on fire and we truly enjoyed the mom’s and had a wonderful wonderful evening. In fact, before dinner the next day I asked Jeff what we should do as the boys might be upset if we didn’t let them sit with the girls but we wanted to respect what one of the mom’s had requested. They arrived and told us the girls had called them on the carpet and didn’t want to sit with them since “they do that at home every night” and could they please sit with the boys. It just couldn’t have worked out better and got better and better as the cruise went on. A truly lovely family that we all had tons in common with and were definitely part of what made it the "best vacation ever". In fact, I need to email them some pictures here soon! It was fun, they apparently were one of the "cruise families of the week" (I guess there are 2?) which meant they got all kinds of fun little surprises as the week went on. Veteran cruisers (gold), they were just tickled to death with all the little things that happened throughout the week and it was fun to hear about. They were also major pin traders and the E's had a blast trading with them throughout the week.

Dinner was quite good, I do know that 3 out of 4 of us had the veal chop, which was quite tasty. We had a couple of rum and cokes (yeah, saving money weren't we lol). In fact dinner was so tasty that as we were all looking at the dessert menu Jeff mentioned he wasn’t having dessert, he was having another veal chop! I thought he was joking. Until it showed up. Dinner was also made wonderful by our server Wayan, and assistant server Amp. Wayan in particular was amazing, the kids just adored him and that only grew as the week went on. Eric got his first birthday button of the trip so was pretty excited about that. His birthday was on Labor Day but we decided to celebrate a little on the trip.

For some reason I didn’t know that Sorcerer Mickey would be showing up. I knew about the change to colored vests but had somehow not realized about Mickey. We had fun during dinner watching the colors show up and finally got a peek at…

Mickey!

After dinner we needed to walk of some of that food. I was in heels so we weren't going too far, or fast lol. We'd dressed for dinner and I'd been a bit concerned, having heard that the Alaska cruise was very casual and lots wore jeans. Yes, some did, including our table mates (and our kids lol) . I'd say though, more were NOT in jeans, than were and we felt perfectly comfortable with what we'd chosen. To deck 4 we went. The boys decided to run, and we let them. It was the jogging path after all. Except…they, and we, were going the wrong way (though we didn’t realize that at the time). Somehow as the E’s took off, they thought we would just stay put. We didn’t.

We wanted to check things out too! Oh look….no people.

Oh wait, there they are!

They were relieved to have found us, apparently that inspired Eric to dance

The kids still hadn’t checked out Edge so we took them down and checked them in with instructions to call on the wave phone if they went back to the room.

We headed up to Cove Cafe and got ourselves a coffee drink. With rum and other such things. We contemplated getting it in the Alaska souvenir mug but decided to pass. We did however buy a punch card. Though we'd brought Via with us, the whole getting hot water thing in the morning was a bit of a wild card/unknown and we figured we'd hedge our bets.

We thought we’d go up and see if there were any people there since we'd seen no one on 4.

Nope.

Jeff…practicing not smiling

We sat and enjoyed our drink and as we did, got the call that the kids had gone back to the room and were getting ready for bed. We decided to do the same as our warm drink was dwindling and my light cardigan, not really cutting it with the wind for much longer.

As we went to bed I wondered if I should have anyone take Dramamine or wear sea bands but decided for now to just let the boat lull us to sleep, it had clearly worked wonders on the boys. That and 2 hours of swimming!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

So you got a shellacing! Gotta love the Shellac - that's what I get done now instead of acrylics.

I can't believe how empty the ship looks - I wonder where everyone was Really nice sunset pics!

It's great that you enjoyed your tablemates so much!

 

[Flossbolna]

What a wonderful first evening!! And I want to be on that boat!! It looks so beautiful!!

Getting the later seating definitely was a good thing as you could make use of daylight much longer - otherwise you would have missed that wonderful sunset.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I need to try the shellac method...sounds cool! . And the spa looks gorgeous!

So where ARE all the people?? . You have the ship to yourselves!

All the pools look a little small to me. Maybe not an issue on an Alaskan cruise if weather is cooler but wonder on the Caribbean cruises if people are packed in like sardines.

Newbie question- how much did you feel the boat moving? Doesn't sound like it bothered you but something I worry about.

Another thing I worry about is the dinner seating arrangements. So glad yours worked out so well!! I just love the idea you can order two entrees if you are so inclined. Too bad drinks aren't part of the deal.

 

[englishrose47]

Wonderful first night !!!How awesome that the kids hit it off ! Are all the tables for 8 ??

 

[eandesmom]

So you got a shellacing! Gotta love the Shellac - that's what I get done now instead of acrylics.

I have mixed feelings about it but overall, hope to keep getting it done. Now I need to figure out where to do it around here.

I can't believe how empty the ship looks - I wonder where everyone was Really nice sunset pics!

It's great that you enjoyed your tablemates so much!

I guess they were all watching Max Winfrey or at dinner? It was not the first, or the last time, that the boat seemed empty. In fact it happened alot. Which was mind boggling to us knowing how very full it really was!

Our tablemates were wonderful. It can make SUCH a difference!

What a wonderful first evening!! And I want to be on that boat!! It looks so beautiful!!

It is a beautiful boat!

Getting the later seating definitely was a good thing as you could make use of daylight much longer - otherwise you would have missed that wonderful sunset.

Early seating would have been very difficult for us on many levels. We'd have missed sunsets and we just don't eat that early! 2nd seating has it's own challenges but was definitely the right fit for us.

I need to try the shellac method...sounds cool! . And the spa looks gorgeous!

It is cool. I had a mixed experience but overall, really recommend it (it's 3 weeks later and I still have color!) The spa IS gorgeous. It made me want to rent a villa. I didn't but....

So where ARE all the people?? . You have the ship to yourselves!

All the pools look a little small to me. Maybe not an issue on an Alaskan cruise if weather is cooler but wonder on the Caribbean cruises if people are packed in like sardines.

In general people were inside a LOT more than I'd have expected and the boat is so spread out with different activities etc, it can feel empty. I think a lot of folks went to the evening show (we obviously didn't) or were at dinner.

Newbie question- how much did you feel the boat moving? Doesn't sound like it bothered you but something I worry about.

During the day, rarely if at all unless we were watching a movie in the theater. I noticed movement in the movie theater more than any other place other than bedtime. At night, sometimes for sure and I will get to that in more detail. It never bothered any of us, nor anyone else I talked to but I'm sure it could and Jeff did take preventative measures more than once, the rest of us once to be safe. Certain nights and passages were far more noticeable than others. Not sure why it was so noticeable in the movie theater but it must have something to do with the design of it. We saw 3 movies ( 2 late at night, one during the day) and I felt the movement each time. Which, a couple of times led me to think I'd had too much wine at dinner.

Another thing I worry about is the dinner seating arrangements. So glad yours worked out so well!! I just love the idea you can order two entrees if you are so inclined. Too bad drinks aren't part of the deal.

Yes, you can have 2 entrees, 2 desserts, multiple appetizers, whatever! Crazy amounts of food. I was worried about tablemates, I think that's a natural concern. We scored, big time.

Wonderful first night !!!How awesome that the kids hit it off ! Are all the tables for 8 ??

The kids were a riot together. I believe all tables are for 8, unless you are at Palo (adult only) or skip your sit down rotation and go to the buffet.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Sounds like a great trip! I want to go too! Sounds like your tablemates turned out to be good ones. You know everyone always worries they will get stuck with the rude or unsocial ones.

 

[eandesmom]

Sounds like a great trip! I want to go too! Sounds like your tablemates turned out to be good ones. You know everyone always worries they will get stuck with the rude or unsocial ones.

We really lucked out, it's definitely something you worry about.

 

[treece2122]

I can't believe how much you packed into just Day 1! Sounds like an amazing start to your trip.

The spa looked amazing; I think it was definitely a good idea to schedule an appointment for the first day. What a way to pamper yourself...I'm putting that thought on my reminder list if (when) we ever go on a cruise.

Love the pictures too and I didn't know the horn played "When You Wish Upon a Star!" That just makes me want to go even more.

Can't wait to read more

 

[Wadekind]

"We headed up to Cove Cafe and got ourselves a coffee drink. With rum and other such things. We contemplated getting it in the Alaska souvenir mug but decided to pass. We did however buy a punch card. Though we'd brought Via with us, the whole getting hot water thing in the morning was a bit of a wild card/unknown and we figured we'd hedge our bets."

What is the punch card and how much did it cost?

 

[eandesmom]

I can't believe how much you packed into just Day 1! Sounds like an amazing start to your trip.

We tend to pack a lot in, it's how we roll.

Of course then we need a vacation from our vacation! It was a great start.

The spa looked amazing; I think it was definitely a good idea to schedule an appointment for the first day. What a way to pamper yourself...I'm putting that thought on my reminder list if (when) we ever go on a cruise.

I am SO doing that on the next family trip again, it was such a great way to help me slow down and relax (yes I know that's in conflict with what I said above...but it's all relative!). I only seem to do spa stuff on a girls trip but often it's not on day 1 and I think if you can, it should be. It was a gorgeous spa and I love the product line.

Love the pictures too and I didn't know the horn played "When You Wish Upon a Star!" That just makes me want to go even more.

Can't wait to read more

Oh the horn was so magical! Makes me smile just thinking about it.

"We headed up to Cove Cafe and got ourselves a coffee drink. With rum and other such things. We contemplated getting it in the Alaska souvenir mug but decided to pass. We did however buy a punch card. Though we'd brought Via with us, the whole getting hot water thing in the morning was a bit of a wild card/unknown and we figured we'd hedge our bets."

What is the punch card and how much did it cost?

Hi and

Here's the funny thing. I'm not sure!

I believe it was buy 5 and get one free. Which would imply you just pay as you go (and punch) and then the 5th one was free. But I know we paid for it upfront, and in looking at our statement, we paid $18.97 or something like that. Which covered 2 alcoholic coffee (espresso) drinks and then 3 non alcoholic espresso drinks plus the one "free" one. I know we never paid again as I signed those slips and added a small tip the 2 times we went back (and got an americano each). It didn't seem like they asked which kind of coffee drink you wanted for your card when we ordered and there is definitely a price range. I couldn't find the same menu as we saw, which had a ton of hot coffee cocktails (Alaska, makes sense) but obviously they aren't all the same price as they had smalls and larges, fancier, flavored and blended drinks I think, probably ranging from $2.50-5 each and then the whole menu of coffee based "adult drinks.

So somehow they landed on that amount. With the tiny extra tip we spent about $20 for the 6 drinks but given that 2 were actually cocktails, it seems like a (relatively) good deal. As best I can tell, for just the coffee, we would have paid $15 for 6 Americano's and I'm sure the alchohol upcharge would be more than $2.50 each so I'm guessing we saved about $5-6?

It was very good coffee, whereas the rest of the stuff on the boat is pretty darn nasty! between that and our Via, we did fine for the week though we did end up buying at least 2 more after we used up our punch card.

We didn't get the mugs at that time, though I think there is some kind of discount if you buy the mug with your drink. I'll have to look as we did end up getting them eventually but I'm not sure we put coffee in them when we got them.

 

[CruisingSarah]

Eandesmom, I am laughing so much now, I just popped on here to read a little as we were on the same cruise and was enjoying your reports and the descriptions of the empty ship and the photos and all and then.........there we are on one of your photos

I can't believe it! The ship is so empty, how weird is that!

On your post #243, the 11th photo down, the one after the ones of Funnel Vision showing Bugs, is a photo of the pool, bar and hot tubs. Well my son is walking in front of the shower on the right, and we are on the lounge chairs on the far right, can see my OH well but not me really.

What a coincidence!

 

[natebenma]

What a fantantastic first day!!! The photos of the ship and from the ship are absolutely amazing. Really handsome pictures of the boys on the balcony of your room (sorry, afraid to try to spell verandah)

The spa looks beautiful. A nice way to start your trip.

Yeah on having compatible table mates! Your first dinner sounds great!

Too funny that the ship was so empty on that first day. I am used to roaming the decks and not encountering anyone, but that is because I am doing that at 5 am, on my way to or from getting a cup of coffee.

Looking forward to reading about Day 2.

 

[eandesmom]

Eandesmom, I am laughing so much now, I just popped on here to read a little as we were on the same cruise and was enjoying your reports and the descriptions of the empty ship and the photos and all and then.........there we are on one of your photos

I can't believe it! The ship is so empty, how weird is that!

On your post #243, the 11th photo down, the one after the ones of Funnel Vision showing Bugs, is a photo of the pool, bar and hot tubs. Well my son is walking in front of the shower on the right, and we are on the lounge chairs on the far right, can see my OH well but not me really.

What a coincidence!

First of all, hi and !!

And oh my goodness, what are the odds of THAT! So sorry, I didn't mean to post anyone's pictures without permission.

I hope you had as wonderful a cruise as we did. I'd love to know what you thought of the Med, I'm hoping they go back in 2013 as that might be an option for us.

It wasn't the last time we'd see the ship that empty, not by a long shot. Did you experience that as well?

What a fantantastic first day!!! The photos of the ship and from the ship are absolutely amazing. Really handsome pictures of the boys on the balcony of your room (sorry, afraid to try to spell verandah)

And yet, you did. I do like that picture of the E's and Evan's in particular. I was having a hard time with the lighting so made them stand there longer than they wanted.

The spa looks beautiful. A nice way to start your trip.

Yeah on having compatible table mates! Your first dinner sounds great!

Too funny that the ship was so empty on that first day. I am used to roaming the decks and not encountering anyone, but that is because I am doing that at 5 am, on my way to or from getting a cup of coffee.

Looking forward to reading about Day 2.

We saw the same thing most mornings when we went for our walk and to get coffee, though it wasn't at 5am! I'm not civil at 5am. In fact, I'm struggling with the fact that starting next week I'm going to have to start getting up around 5:30 as Evan starts Jazz band and has to be there at 7. Anything before 6, and me, is not a good combo.

Somehow I didn't realize you'd done a DCL cruise before.

 

[MEK]

Soooooooo - here I am reading without pics, but despite that, I still really enjoyed your update.

So where was everyone???? Did your cruisemates ever emerge from their cabins???? I know I wouldn't be holed up in a cabin with that scenery.

Good call on dinner. Glad it actually worked out well. Sounds like the food was awesome and so were your servers.

Glad you liked the spa.

I'll be back!!!!

 

[KatMark]

Cynthia, that spa looks heavenly.

Jeff got some great pictures. It is really odd though that there are NEVER any people?

Your dinner and dinnermates sounds wonderful.