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

[eandesmom]

As I snapped away, the boys came in from the show. They had LOVED loved loved it. I was sad that we’d missed it but wouldn’t trade the show we did have, for anything. It was a lovely lovely last sunset, last glass of wine, lovely moment of couple time on our verandah. All those things vacation is all about. Relaxing. Magical. Romantic. Restorative. Sigh.
With their arrival though…it was time to start getting ready ourselves!

 

[tinacaplan]

Gorgeous sunset pictures. Jeff definitely looks nice and relaxed in those pictures; a sure sign of a great vacation.

How did you get the pillowcases? They are so cool.

 

[eandesmom]

Gorgeous sunset pictures. Jeff definitely looks nice and relaxed in those pictures; a sure sign of a great vacation.

How did you get the pillowcases? They are so cool.

The same crafter that made our FE did the pillowcases. You could get one for the parks and carry it around to have signed, instead of a book. It's pretty cool, you drop them off on the first day, with sharpies and your cabin and fill out a little form as to who you want to sign. I skipped the princesses although I might have them sign Evan's on the next cruise, it would be a riot!

I am planning on getting them for the next cruise, both boys have theirs on their beds right now! I just have to figure out what characters and what to put on them. Right now I'm leaning towards the pirate version of Goofy and Pluto for the boys and then Marie for Kendall if she can do it on a pink pillowcase. If there was a pirate version of Tink I'd do that but K really likes Marie and it'd be a fun, but silly, little souvie for her and something for her room.

 

[tinacaplan]

The same crafter that made our FE did the pillowcases. You could get one for the parks and carry it around to have signed, instead of a book. It's pretty cool, you drop them off on the first day, with sharpies and your cabin and fill out a little form as to who you want to sign. I skipped the princesses although I might have them sign Evan's on the next cruise, it would be a riot!

I am planning on getting them for the next cruise, both boys have theirs on their beds right now! I just have to figure out what characters and what to put on them. Right now I'm leaning towards the pirate version of Goofy and Pluto for the boys and then Marie for Kendall if she can do it on a pink pillowcase. If there was a pirate version of Tink I'd do that but K really likes Marie and it'd be a fun, but silly, little souvie for her and something for her room.

That sounds so cool! But I have to say two things, somewhat unrelated to your cruise:

1. Sorry about your weather out there. I'm glad to hear its getting better, but we've had our own run of bizarre weather out here over the last year and the amount of disruption can be really hard. Did the boys miss a lot of school? I heard that schools out there were closed for a week! And so happy for you that you didn't lose power. Both of my aunts lost power during the freak October snowstorm we had and they lost it for over a week. Not fun.

2. I am SO excited that I'm going to get to meet you in October! Its going to be such a fun, albeit really short, trip!

 

[MEK]

What a perfect last day and an even more perfect sunset. The colors are gorgeous and the reflection in the ripples of the water are perfect. so glad the boys enjoyed the show. Oh well - just another reason to take another cruise, right?

 

[eandesmom]

That sounds so cool! But I have to say two things, somewhat unrelated to your cruise:

1. Sorry about your weather out there. I'm glad to hear its getting better, but we've had our own run of bizarre weather out here over the last year and the amount of disruption can be really hard. Did the boys miss a lot of school? I heard that schools out there were closed for a week! And so happy for you that you didn't lose power. Both of my aunts lost power during the freak October snowstorm we had and they lost it for over a week. Not fun.

We had zero issues with power but I know a ton of people that lost it, some that got it back today and some are still out. The ice on Thursday really did a lot of folks in. I did telecommute about half of the week. The kids all had monday off anyway for MLK day. On Tuesday they called a 2 hour delay and then literally at the time they should be getting on the bus, cancelled school. It was really annoying, they should have called it at least an hour earlier than they did. They did miss the entire week. Luckily for us they only end up with one extra day at the end of the year so as long as there are no more snow days it isn't a huge impact.

2. I am SO excited that I'm going to get to meet you in October! Its going to be such a fun, albeit really short, trip!

me too! This is shaping up to be an Epic meet!

What a perfect last day and an even more perfect sunset. The colors are gorgeous and the reflection in the ripples of the water are perfect. so glad the boys enjoyed the show. Oh well - just another reason to take another cruise, right?

There really is nothing better than sunset on the verandah. Anywhere! I'm sure if I was better with my camera, the pictures would be a ton better, guess I need more verandah's and sunsets huh!

 

[KatMark]

So glad you got some "alone" time in the hot tub and some "good" drinks to enjoy while doing so.

I love the boys pillowcases...those are great.

Glad the boys enjoyed the show.

And the sunset pictures...and the alone time...are perfect.

 

[glennbo123]

What a nice evening. You may have gotten carried away with the sunset photos, but you sure got some nice shots!

 

[englishrose47]

Both of you eveing plans sound great !! The Hot Tub sounds devine !!! Great last day so far!!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

THANKS for the great TR!
I've been following along, well, more like lurking along!
Sort of sad to see it end, but what a romantic ending
I love that you found ways to have grown-up time, in addition to all the quality family time! We are doing NY-Canada this June and I just hope to have as great a time!

 

[Chilly]

How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!! Which itinerary/date?

May 21st out of Vancouver, into Seattle, same as you I think.

 

[DisSarahK]

I started reading your trip report last night and got up early this morning (before getting the little ones ready for school) so I could finish it. Ahh, I loved it! I kept oohing and aahing over your pictures last night while my husband was trying to get work done--he kept feeling the need to put his computer down and come over and see what was so amazing. LOL! At first he thought I was doing it on purpose, but he quickly realized that the pictures really were that amazing!

We are from the greater Seattle are too (a ferry ride away) so it was great to get a PNW-er's perspective on the cruise experience. I think you've given us the final nudge we needed to take this Alaska cruise and get a verandah.

 

[eandesmom]

So glad you got some "alone" time in the hot tub and some "good" drinks to enjoy while doing so.

It was really a lovely afternoon/early evening!

I love the boys pillowcases...those are great.

Glad the boys enjoyed the show.

I was happy they liked the pillowcases. I was a little worried Evan would think he was too old for them but he loved it too! I am sad we missed the show but think we did the right thing, for us. Unfortunately that show isn't on the Dream but there are other new ones to see. I am going to make sure we see all the shows on the Dream.

And the sunset pictures...and the alone time...are perfect.

Thanks! It really was.

What a nice evening. You may have gotten carried away with the sunset photos, but you sure got some nice shots!

It was a lovely evening! And believe me...I took more than I posted. It was funny, I expected some alone time (Palo of course) but not as much as we ended up with. In some ways we had different vacations, the kids had one with us, without us and so did we. It really was incredible and I don't think I'd have had the same comfort "freeing" the kids like that anywhere else and as a result, wouldn't have relaxed the way we did.

Both of you eveing plans sound great !! The Hot Tub sounds devine !!! Great last day so far!!

We all had a great early evening!

THANKS for the great TR!
I've been following along, well, more like lurking along!
Sort of sad to see it end, but what a romantic ending
I love that you found ways to have grown-up time, in addition to all the quality family time! We are doing NY-Canada this June and I just hope to have as great a time!

Thanks for de-lurking

It was a romantic evening and even more so because it was so unexpected. I'd hoped for some adult alone time, it's why we chose DCL in the first place but we did end up with more than expected, quite a bit more and well...it was pretty magical! We had amazing family time too, I really couldn't have asked for more on every level. NY Canada will be so cool, I can't wait to read a TR about it! Jeff has no interest in that one...I tried! I think we are all ready for something warm this summer though since we didn't really have it last.

I'm not quite done yet though!

 

[eandesmom]

May 21st out of Vancouver, into Seattle, same as you I think.

The 2011 sailings were all in and out of Vancouver. May will be a bit colder in AK but Seattle and Alaska could be lovely. It really varies but we can have some stunner days around that time of year in the low 70's. It's almost like a tease. May is often lovely, especially late May and then we get the June gloom! Nice that you have one of the Vancouver itineraries, I believe you get longer port times with that route versus the Seattle round trip one. I am happy to offer any help with Seattle stuff!

I started reading your trip report last night and got up early this morning (before getting the little ones ready for school) so I could finish it. Ahh, I loved it! I kept oohing and aahing over your pictures last night while my husband was trying to get work done--he kept feeling the need to put his computer down and come over and see what was so amazing. LOL! At first he thought I was doing it on purpose, but he quickly realized that the pictures really were that amazing!

Aw, thanks! and

We are from the greater Seattle are too (a ferry ride away) so it was great to get a PNW-er's perspective on the cruise experience. I think you've given us the final nudge we needed to take this Alaska cruise and get a verandah.

I hear you there, I wasn't sure what we'd think, given we live "locally" but it truly was amazing. I can't imagine it without the verandah. It was worth every penny to us.

 

[Chilly]

The 2011 sailings were all in and out of Vancouver. May will be a bit colder in AK but Seattle and Alaska could be lovely. It really varies but we can have some stunner days around that time of year in the low 70's. It's almost like a tease. May is often lovely, especially late May and then we get the June gloom! Nice that you have one of the Vancouver itineraries, I believe you get longer port times with that route versus the Seattle round trip one. I am happy to offer any help with Seattle stuff!

Yes we are excited to see both Vancouver and Seattle, and we are tagging San Diego on as well.

No hotels booked yet. Thinking of the Westin for Seattle, we'll only be there for 2 nights.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Wow, what a great end to a wonderful day. It seemed like a very relaxing enjoyable time.

Love your pictures of the sunset.

 

[eandesmom]

Yes we are excited to see both Vancouver and Seattle, and we are tagging San Diego on as well.

No hotels booked yet. Thinking of the Westin for Seattle, we'll only be there for 2 nights.

The Westin is ok and is fairly centrally located but there are places I prefer that are more on the boutique side and often not any more $$ (sometimes less!) but have a ton more personality, better service, nicer rooms and closer to some of the cooler places to eat. I can give you some names if you'd like. We try to do an overnight date night 1-2x a year and as a result have stayed in many of the downtown locations.

San Diego is a lot of fun. If you can afford the Del I'd go for it but the Glorietta Bay Inn is across the street from it so you can get a darling inn and the same beach access...with out the Del prices.

Where are you staying in Vancouver? I know they have a deal with the Pan Pacific at the terminal. Nice hotel but not really close to the main shopping. The Fairmont on Georgia is lovely.

Wow, what a great end to a wonderful day. It seemed like a very relaxing enjoyable time.

Love your pictures of the sunset.

The day isn't over yet! It was a wonderful and relaxing afternoon/early evening, couldn't have asked for more.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

You know what I love about your trip? That you guys took time to just relax and enjoy yourselves. It was a real vacation!! And you still got to "do" lots of stuff, the kids had fun...Just wonderful!

Your pictures have been all so beautiful too! I'm really anxious for them to release 2013 itineraries. We're considering it for that summer, but we may have to go with a different cruise line due to cost because I told DH I want a balcony! He claims it will be too cold to use it, but I'm showing him this TR! So thanks!

My kids love their pillowcases too. DH was thinking about new ones for the London/Paris trip. It's getting a little close now. I'm not sure I want to drag them around to get autographs. The cruise way is just so simple!

 

[eandesmom]

You know what I love about your trip? That you guys took time to just relax and enjoy yourselves. It was a real vacation!! And you still got to "do" lots of stuff, the kids had fun...Just wonderful!

Thanks! That is always the goal on anyone's vacation I think and yet it can be hard to pull off. I think we've both learned the hard way that it's really critical to make time for the couple, as well as the family. I confess we ended up with more of it than I'd expected but I'm not complaining! It was a wonderful trip.

Your pictures have been all so beautiful too! I'm really anxious for them to release 2013 itineraries. We're considering it for that summer, but we may have to go with a different cruise line due to cost because I told DH I want a balcony! He claims it will be too cold to use it, but I'm showing him this TR! So thanks!

My TA felt the same and kind of tried to talk me out of the verandah. We are lanai/patio/deck/balcony people on vacation. It is a big big deal to us and has become part of our routine, more so Jeff and I than the kids. That said, we are from the NW so knew the cold wouldn't bother us and we'd have the proper clothing for it. We couldn't consider booking the next one without it to be honest...which did limit our choices. DCL is definitely not the bargain line to be sure. It's a bummer they've had to wait on the 2013 release. I understand why, the timing was lousy but...any day now would be good!

My kids love their pillowcases too. DH was thinking about new ones for the London/Paris trip. It's getting a little close now. I'm not sure I want to drag them around to get autographs. The cruise way is just so simple!

I agree, dragging them around might be hard unless the kids really wanted to and were into it. Although they don't take up much space! I am thinking of doing a photo mat as well on the next cruise, it's a neat idea.

 

[Chilly]

The Westin is ok and is fairly centrally located but there are places I prefer that are more on the boutique side and often not any more $$ (sometimes less!) but have a ton more personality, better service, nicer rooms and closer to some of the cooler places to eat. I can give you some names if you'd like. We try to do an overnight date night 1-2x a year and as a result have stayed in many of the downtown locations.

San Diego is a lot of fun. If you can afford the Del I'd go for it but the Glorietta Bay Inn is across the street from it so you can get a darling inn and the same beach access...with out the Del prices.

Where are you staying in Vancouver? I know they have a deal with the Pan Pacific at the terminal. Nice hotel but not really close to the main shopping. The Fairmont on Georgia is lovely.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Sadly Del is not in our price range, so want to stay there though.

Was thinking of maybe near Stanley Park for Vancouver but nothing is decided yet.