A Golden-Grand-Slam-Outta-the-Park Alaskan Cruise! COMPLETE 7/18!!!!!!

[sharksfinatic17]

I am not able to get any of these links to work for me. Are they working for others? I'd love to read the report!

Try this link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2986038

Or go to her first page and look for the link at the bottom. It has the word Hawaii in it.

 

[Jillpie]

I am not able to get any of these links to work for me. Are they working for others? I'd love to read the report!

Try scrolling up to the OP's signature, and look for her Hi. report, it's there in that link.

 

[podsnel]

What a wonderful start to your trip! I've got to do Alaska in 2017 or 2018...Vancouver looks amazing. I'm taking copious notes!

Oh, YOU, my foodie fried, MUST go to Vancouver- too many restaurants you will want to try!!

That storm in August was nuts! Glad your friend finally made it.

When he was telling me about it, it was CRAZY!! It snowed??? Am I remembering that right?

Heading to your great state of NJ tomorrow...too bad its South Jersey and not your neck of the woods.

Jill in CO

Where? Cherry Hill? For how long?

I really did come right here from your other report.

LOL- welcome to Canada-

On those bridges in the forest you look fairly relaxed while Pods looks like he was holding on tight! Beautiful way to start the day though.

Yea- he's a big scaredy cat. LOL!!! It was really bouncing then- when I was no hands, too, but apparently I am either SUPER brave or a total idiot!

The boys had their own cabin...bet they felt like rock stars!

Great start, can't wait to read more.

Messy rock stars, yea-

You are an updating machine! Vancouver is gorgeous! I don't blame you for getting distracted by the scenery! Holy cow your boys are getting big!

Jill in CO (using way too many exclamation marks!)

That's Ok! I don't mind them at all!!!!!

I am loving all the updates Ellen. I had friends on this cruise so I keep looking for them in the background too.

Really? Did I know that? Were they in the meet group?

Glad you got to enjoy some of Vancouvers things to do. If I ever can talk my husband into going I am sure I'll have questions for you. the bad thing is they only sail in the summer which is a farmers busy time. I should start saving my pennies and just go with Claire.

It is sooooooo special....but I can see how that would not work well for Skip. You are a cruise gal though- I think it's a must do for you for sure-

I'm here!

ROOMIE!!!!!

GREAT start....cannot wait to cruise Alaska! I thought I might get to it this year, but it'll be 2016. Something to look forward to!

REALLY look forward to!

Glad to hear everyone came out unscathed from the biking experience.

That is nooooooo joke- although it is kinda funny-

That hotel is an AWESOME location! I will have to remember that.

I know you would run downstairs in your jammies too to see that ship dock!

I am glad you are liking it!

 

[jedijill]

In Mt Laurel until Thursday afternoon....some of these days I'm going to extend my trip and go to NYC for a weekend.

Jill in CO

 

[podsnel]

It all looks so beautiful! I'm loving this report.

Hey there! Oh- it really was breathtaking, every moment. I would go back this summer if I could- it really was incredible. I think my pics are maybe half as glorious as it really was. It brought tears to my eyes....

Sail away looks awesome. The views are just stunning and the "framed" pics out of your stateroom are just beautiful. Loving every little bit of your updates.

Thank you Karin. I know it is so far for you and Tom, and you see those incredible Alps all the time, but I know you will love it one day when you go.

Wow - what a great start to the trip! Vancouver looks beautiful. My experience in Canada has always been on fishing trips so no big cities for me. Although our last trip we did stay on an absolutely amazing private island thanks to some friends "winning" the trip at a silent auction

Hi Melanie- I think you told me that once- right before we went! I remember that place you stayed at with your friends was incredible too- I was in Canada twice this year- I went to Montreal this fall with my girlfriends. No fishing involved, other than eating of fish. Or poutine. I LOVE Canada!! (Now where have I said THAT before?)

I loved the pictures from the park in Capilano but there is no way you would get me on that suspension bridge or even up in the treetop adventure!

I don't like heights either- and I did really debate about whether or not to go. But I truly never felt afraid, even in the middle of that bridge- it was worth any fear I overcame, so pretty in those woods.

Seeing the pictures as you sail away made me go out and price an Alaskan cruise. Unfortunately we already have our summer pretty well booked up but one of these years!

DO IT!!! You will never regret it.

Can't wait to hear more!

Great TR, we were on this same cruise and stayed at the Pan Pacific.

On the same cruise as us??? Wasn't it incredible??

Love your pictures, you are bringing back such great memories.
Can't wait for the next update.

Will have to be tomorrow- I am very sleep deprived tonight- thanks so much for reading along!

Tell Pods he looked great in the bra!

Yea- once he figured out it goes in FRONT....

We need a reunion cruise to get another win for Team 4.

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!

Love the views from your balcony. I can't wait to take them all in.

I really was happy with that "frame"- we have it again on the Magic in May.

I showed Matt the pictures from Capilano and he wants to go there. Looks like we have our day in Vancouver planned

I hope you like it- but you will do Stanley Park too?

The minute I opened this, I said YES, this was the Diser who wrote the best trip report from Hawaii that was like the best book EVER. So I am soooo in for Alaska, are you kidding me, I cannot wait!!

OMG, Jill- you are TOO FUNNY!!! I sure hope I can pull off another entertaining TR for you! I will do my best! Promise! And I am so impressed you posted all those links- wow, I feel like a Rockstar! Thank you!!

What!!?? A Hawaii TR??? How did I miss this? So, today I'm blowing off the run I'm supposed to do and also the taxes I wanted to start to read about Ellen's Hawaiian adventures . . .

Jodie

You guys are too much! So glad you like my TRs, it is very, very flattering.

I am not able to get any of these links to work for me. Are they working for others? I'd love to read the report!

Hi! I hope you like that one, too! You found it, right?

Try this link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2986038

Or go to her first page and look for the link at the bottom. It has the word Hawaii in it.

You are HIRED!!

Try scrolling up to the OP's signature, and look for her Hi. report, it's there in that link.

You are hired, too!

Ok- done for today- but sharksfinatic17 and Jillpie are right- my TRs are all listed in the tiny print at the bottom of my pages in my sig. I think I have taken one off, to fit all the rest- and I still need to put this one in there at some point, too, so will have to get rid of another one in there- but NOT Hawaii, I PROMISE!!!

HAWAII TR- KAUAI AND AULANI ON OAHU LINK- aka Gidget Goes Hawaiian-
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2986038

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I found it interesting your references to the number 42 but you forgot one of the most important ones from the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. 42 is the ultimate answer to life the universe and everything. Oddly the question is a bit flawed as it's what do you get if you multiply six by nine.

 

[podsnel]

In Mt Laurel until Thursday afternoon....some of these days I'm going to extend my trip and go to NYC for a weekend.

Jill in CO

YES you really need to do that- there is a bus from Cherry Hill (not far from Mt Laurel) that goes right to NYC, it's an express. Lonnie took it in with her daughter a few years ago (Lonnie is from that area). I will DEFINITELY come see you then!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Sounds like a fantastic start to the cruise!! I see that you like the Outlook Cafe as well - it is my favorite spot on the Wonder. Was it crowded in there during the Alaska cruise? On my Caribbean cruise on the Wonder it was always fairly empty, but on the Panama Canal cruise it was very busy constantly. But then this was a very untypical crowd with so few families on board.

One day I need to make it to Quest. Seems like you had a great time there! And if your David was the David who was on the Panama Canal cruise with us, he was a fabulous Club Host!!

 

[podsnel]

I found it interesting your references to the number 42 but you forgot one of the most important ones from the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. 42 is the ultimate answer to life the universe and everything. Oddly the question is a bit flawed as it's what do you get if you multiply six by nine.

Excellent point! Even more reason #42 is the BEST!

Sounds like a fantastic start to the cruise!! I see that you like the Outlook Cafe as well - it is my favorite spot on the Wonder. Was it crowded in there during the Alaska cruise? On my Caribbean cruise on the Wonder it was always fairly empty, but on the Panama Canal cruise it was very busy constantly. But then this was a very untypical crowd with so few families on board.

It was usually full- especially on Tracey Arm day, it was packed- because it was rainy outside that day. The Outlook Cafe was a VERY wise decision for the Wonder in Alaska.

One day I need to make it to Quest. Seems like you had a great time there! And if your David was the David who was on the Panama Canal cruise with us, he was a fabulous Club Host!!

Quest is hilarious- we have played a few times, including on the Dream Double-Dip we took in October with 2 other couples. My girlfriend Evie and I were HYSTERICAL laughing at our husbands holding hands skipping around the stage together. We did not win, though. I think TEAM 4 on the NYE Fantasy was the best team ever (with KristiMc and hubby Steve).

And yes it WAS the same David- from NYC, right? One of the few crew members from the USA? He had his Mom visiting on our cruise, so he mentioned her alot during our trip. I am glad to hear you liked him- he was a little on the edge of too much sarcasm sometimes, and while we enjoyed him, I am always worried people will take that the wrong way. So glad to hear you did NOT!

 

[podsnel]

This cruise begins with a sea day. Count me in as someone who LOVES sea days, and thinks that beginning a cruise with a sea day (or two) is the PERFECT way to get into vacation mode. We had the prefect sea day planned, with a Palo brunch that morning and a Martini Tasting in the afternoon, with some Naturalist talks thrown in for good measure along with some time in the gym and some time walking Deck 4, enjoying the BEAUTIFUL sights. PERFECT!!

I was up extra early, so grabbed some coffee and a small brekkie to tide me over, and went for a walk on Deck 4. Cruising the inside passage on the Wonder is a treat, because the ship is small enough to really wiggle around in the nooks and crannies along the way. I should mention, if you are going to Alaska on a cruise I STRONGLY urge you to purchase the book, "The Alaska Cruise Handbook" by Joe Upton. It is a mile by mile account of what you will be seeing, and it also includes a map which shows the differences in where the ships' courses are. Very helpful and informative, we kept this book and map out near the balcony door for the duration of our trip. Eventually Pods joined me for some walking-





until it was 9:30 am and time to go to see Doug Jones, the Naturalist, for his first discussion, Into the Wild. This was a presentation discussing the Gold Rush as well as the wildlife and sights we would be seeing in the different ports along the way.





For the record, I Doug Jones the Naturalist.

He was just so knowledgeable, and so approachable- he gave his cabin #, encouraged you to ask him questions or call him on his wave phone, come and see him and show him your wildlife photos- plus he was very interesting and he had such good things to say about working on the Disney ship.

Back in a few- I have a webinar to attend....

 

[podsnel]

So- spent the morning learning a LOT about what was to come on our Alaskan adventure-



I did see a mountain goat when we flew through Misty Fjords on a floatplane- in Ketchikan- but no photo then, so make a mental note now of what I saw!

We did watch later in the cabin, too, as all of Doug's presentations were aired throughout the cruise on tv (in case you missed them). We went for a little more walking afterwards, and then went to the gym...







Our goal was to walk as much as possible and take the stairs as much as possible so we did not gain weight while onboard (and it did work!). It was too easy to want to walk, though- this became one of our favorite activities while onboard, because the scene was constantly changing and evolving. WOW, I wish I could have this motivation at home in January, lol!!!

We went back to the cabin, showered and headed to Palo for our brunch. On the way, the pools had some business-





Let me just mention, that the temperature difference between yesterday and today was drastic- it wasn't summer like we knew anymore. We were DEFINITELY headed to Alaska!

It was 11:30 am, and Pods and I were seated at a lovely window table in Sasha's section. What a view!



I just love the Aft.....





Sasha took us on the tour, which even when you have been to Palo Brunch many times is always good to do so you have a lay of the land and know where you want to dive in first.



Ok, I don't know if you want them, but I have a photo of nearly everything- so I guess you can either take your time here to prepare for YOUR next brunch, or scroll on by to see something else...







For the record, the King Crab legs were FANTASTIC on this cruise. In case you missed the article in Bon Appetit last year, here is a link. It talks about how DCL purchases the fish etc in Alaska and has some regional menus because of it. Well, all I know is that these crab legs tasted better than any crab legs I have had on DCL in the Caribbean, THAT is for SURE.

http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/article/disney-cruise-alaska









Hi Chef!













Cont'd next post-

 

[pillow]

Your TR's make me hungry! This is not helping my diet - lol.

Jodie

 

[podsnel]

Seriously, it is never ending!



















Sasha wanted to know if I worked for a magazine because I was taking so many photos. HA! No...just an OBSESSED DISer, thank you very much!



And after alllllll that, what did I chose?



Lol- seems kinda anti-climactic, huh? It was all very fresh and very good, though. And it's not liked I stopped there. Pods started with-



Thanks for the photo, Sasha!



Next-



Pods loved his orechiette-



And ever since I read someone's TR RAVING about the chicken parm, I have not been able to order anything else- and I am not a chicken parm kinda girl! I never order this in my everyday Land life! But on DCL? I can't help myself to enough. Soooo good-



I ordered a pizza, half grapes, half goat cheese and sundried tomatoes, which we ate 2 bites of but was so good!



We also had-



And-



And-



Good thing we walked so many miles on Deck 4!! On the way out, we requested Sasha as our server again when we came back for dinner, and a note was made next to our booking.



Palo on the Wonder, it's an original!



Up next- more Doug Jones, scenery and Martinis!

 

[podsnel]

Your TR's make me hungry! This is not helping my diet - lol.

Jodie

They make me hungry too- this isn't easy for any of us, lol!

 

[KristiMc]

Great pictures of Palo. Brunch is the best - love it! I really hope Sasha is on the Wonder in June. We have had him both times we were on the Magic.

 

[franandaj]

You're updating so fast I can't keep up and comment! Your post from Palo looks almost just like the one I put up about a week or two ago. We took almost all the same things from the buffet too! Except I just love those little bloody Mary shrimp cups they have on the buffet!

Good call on getting the boys their own cabin. They're getting old enough that you and pods need your own space.

Vancouver is such a great town. I used to get up there a lot when I worked, but its been a long time. So many great restaurants and other fun things to do.

 

[podsnel]

Great pictures of Palo. Brunch is the best - love it! I really hope Sasha is on the Wonder in June. We have had him both times we were on the Magic.

I feel like EVERYONE knows Sasha!! I am sure he will be unless he is on his break. He seemed to be very very happy on the Wonder.

You're updating so fast I can't keep up and comment! Your post from Palo looks almost just like the one I put up about a week or two ago. We took almost all the same things from the buffet too! Except I just love those little bloody Mary shrimp cups they have on the buffet!

What can I say- great minds! The Wonder Palo was very good- I thought the food in there was as good as any other ship I have been on. I think some of the other food though, in the DRs, can be iffy- I think they are challenged in their older kitchen.

Good call on getting the boys their own cabin. They're getting old enough that you and pods need your own space.

Well, it was totally a financial thing- that was why we did it. BUT, like anything else, once you go there, you can't go back.

I will NEVER be able to stay Concierge based on this fact alone.

Vancouver is such a great town. I used to get up there a lot when I worked, but its been a long time. So many great restaurants and other fun things to do.

It really is- there was so much more I wanted to do there- but Pods would not hear of it, he was only doing 1 night. Just too much going on last summer. This year we have our annual trek to Florida's Emerald Coast (to visit the family) in September instead- so that took the pressure off, and I could do 3 nites pre cruise (booked at VGF and AKV CL pre- Fantasy Western) in August. I like that WAAAAAAAYYYYY better!

 

[podsnel]

At 2:00, it was time for another Doug Jones presentation, this time we were to learn about



I had forgotten to mention that yesterday, after sailaway, I had gone to the Bears movie, which, as you can imagine, was a ton of fun to watch on a cruise headed for Alaska. Afterwards, we went for another walk, the scenery on this sea day was the BEST!! It was soooo close, we were in awe.





AT 4pm we were on our way to the Cadillac Lounge for our Martini Tasting.



Drink up Honey!



The way this was being run...well, there was a ton of talking in the beginning. No drinking yet. Just a half an hour lecture. as our drinks got nice and toasty....



Pods was VERY well behaved at this one, I think you would be impressed, Kristi!



Well, one thing I noticed that was different (after having participated in this class on every ship now- although the ones on the Magic were a while ago) was that they did not use top shelf liquors. Nonetheless, they did have a chugging contest at the end!



That was really pretty funny- and their drinks were VERY watered down, just in case you were thinking Disney was trying to get people snockered in there!

Did I mention I had gone shopping that day? I really should have- it is important to know if you want Minnie and Mickey plushes (in their cute little Alaska oufits) I suggest you go asap when you pull out of port the first day- because they were already gone. I did get Goofy and Donald, though.



Outside, the wilderness awaits-





I mean, seriously-



Well- I am out of pics again! See you some other time after I fill up that PB account....

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I love Sasha. He was our server on our Pacific Coast cruise in the MDRs. He was awesome. Unfortunately, (not for him, but for us), he was on vacation for our Alaskan cruise.

 

[pillow]

Great pictures of Palo. Brunch is the best - love it! I really hope Sasha is on the Wonder in June. We have had him both times we were on the Magic.

Hi Kristi! Will you let me know if he is? If so, I will request him too. Thanks!

Jodie