2015 DVC Alaska Member Cruise 5/25-5/31/15

[karaeric96]

Okay, so....not getting excited about this trip at all, LOL! Just found a rather extensive FAQ about the DCL Navigator App on the DCL site. This particular question/answer seemed pretty important, thought I would share for those of us who have not yet used the app yet.

Disney Cruise Line Navigator App
Q:
Will the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app work at home and on board the ship?
A:
While the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app can be turned on at home after you download it, the app will be fully functional once onboard the ship. After downloading the app to your smartphone or tablet, you will see a set of welcome screens introducing key features and a countdown clock. Once on the ship, switch your device to "Airplane Mode," turn on your WiFi setting, and connect to the "DCL-GUEST" network, where use of the Disney Cruise Line Navigator mobile application is complimentary.

 

[Jay Kat]

So are we buying our alcohol in Washington and taking it over the line, or are we buying in Canada on Sunday?

 

[xlxo]

So are we buying our alcohol in Washington and taking it over the line, or are we buying in Canada on Sunday?

Disney's limit is what can fit in your carry-on.... is there a limit for American's when crossing the border?

Get what you can in America first to avoid the high Canadian taxes. Skip the Peach Arch crossing... the truck crossing has a duty free store no taxes!

 

[nrexxma44]

Just wondering if you can buy alcohol in Vancouver on Sunday? In Canada do you have to go to a liquor store to purchase alcohol or do they sell it in supermarkets? Anyone know of a liquor store close to the Pan Pacific? We get in late on Saturday night, and don't want to deal with getting some on Monday. Anyone know of a place that will deliver to the hotel? (wow now i am getting lazy) LOL

 

[poison ivy]

JQ is telling me the DCL navigator app doesn't work on his smartphone because it's windows based. There isn't a version yet for this - only Android and Apple iOS. Too bad. I would have loved to check it out on our cruise.

The DCL doesn't have any special carryon limit for Americans. It's the same no matter who is cruising.

But how does it work with bringing alcohol across the Canadian border? Do you have to declare it?

As far as where to make purchases around Canada Place. Here's a link to podsnel's trip report where they ventured out in search of alcohol from the Pan Pacific on Embarkation day. Apparently the shops were below street level.

A Golden-Grand-Slam-Outta-the-Park Alaskan Cruise! Update 3/11

 

[nrexxma44]

JQ is telling me the DCL navigator app doesn't work on his smartphone because it's windows based. There isn't a version yet for this - only Android and Apple iOS. Too bad. I would have loved to check it out on our cruise.

The DCL doesn't have any special carryon limit for Americans. It's the same no matter who is cruising.

But how does it work with bringing alcohol across the Canadian border? Do you have to declare it?

As far as where to make purchases around Canada Place. Here's a link to podsnel's trip report where they ventured out in search of alcohol from the Pan Pacific on Embarkation day. Apparently the shops were below street level.

A Golden-Grand-Slam-Outta-the-Park Alaskan Cruise! Update 3/11

Thanks for your swift reply poison ivy wondering if you can help me out with another question...non cruise related. How do you upload a pic onto you profile? I had one on the old Dis board, but it didn't transfer over. Can't seem to find how on the new board

 

[xlxo]

Just wondering if you can buy alcohol in Vancouver on Sunday? In Canada do you have to go to a liquor store to purchase alcohol or do they sell it in supermarkets? Anyone know of a liquor store close to the Pan Pacific? We get in late on Saturday night, and don't want to deal with getting some on Monday. Anyone know of a place that will deliver to the hotel? (wow now i am getting lazy) LOL

From the Panny, I recommend the Signature public liquor store for selection and price. Open Sundays 11 to 6pm to load up your carry-ons. It's open Saturday night until 11pm for your convenience.
http://www.bcliquorstores.com/store/locator/129

While there, you can also browse the many shops of Robson. Oh there's a lot of restaurants there too for lunch or dinner!
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Pan+Pacific+Hotel+Vancouver,+Canada+Place,+Vancouver,+BC,+Canada&daddr=signature+alberni+bute+liquor+store&hl=en&ll=49.287445,-123.118265&spn=0.012107,0.02444&sll=49.287489,-123.119769&sspn=0.012107,0.02444&geocode=FTUT8AIdPHKp-CGexbvBydAbUSnXz6PagnGGVDGexbvBydAbUQ;FfYM8AIdzT-p-CFW2Y_LXH_WWimDGq7GgHGGVDFW2Y_LXH_WWg&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&t=m&z=16

Laws have changed over the years with regards to hours. Supermarkets selection is limited.

What time is your flight arriving on Saturday? You might ask the cab driver to make a pitstop at Cambie at 39th and keep the meter running while you load up. Cambie and 39th has a Signature store with parking.

 

[poison ivy]

Thanks for your swift reply poison ivy wondering if you can help me out with another question...non cruise related. How do you upload a pic onto you profile? I had one on the old Dis board, but it didn't transfer over. Can't seem to find how on the new board

I had trouble with this too. I couldn't figure out how to do it from a photo I had stored on photobucket. So I saved the picture on my computer.

When you log in click under your name at the top right.
choose "personal details"
You'll see the avatar you currently have.
Click on the image to change it and it will open an upload page with a browse feature for a replacement image.

But it was only allowing me to browse my own computers photo files to select the image from.
I could not copy and paste from photobucket which is why I saved the picture as a JPG on my computer first.
Once I did that I did have to play around with resizing it to fit but I made sure to keep reusing the original photo to do this from so the image stayed clear.

I didn't try to do this with a phone so I'm not sure if that's easier.

Hope this helps!!

 

[poison ivy]

From the Panny, I recommend the Signature public liquor store for selection and price. Open Sundays 11 to 6pm to load up your carry-ons. It's open Saturday night until 11pm for your convenience.
http://www.bcliquorstores.com/store/locator/129

While there, you can also browse the many shops of Robson. Oh there's a lot of restaurants there too for lunch or dinner!
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Pan+Pacific+Hotel+Vancouver,+Canada+Place,+Vancouver,+BC,+Canada&daddr=signature+alberni+bute+liquor+store&hl=en&ll=49.287445,-123.118265&spn=0.012107,0.02444&sll=49.287489,-123.119769&sspn=0.012107,0.02444&geocode=FTUT8AIdPHKp-CGexbvBydAbUSnXz6PagnGGVDGexbvBydAbUQ;FfYM8AIdzT-p-CFW2Y_LXH_WWimDGq7GgHGGVDFW2Y_LXH_WWg&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&t=m&z=16

xlxo - that is a great google map you posted. Thanks. Quick question, are the Robson shops street level or below? And where do you enter the below street level shopping around Canada Place? I don't want to get lost.

 

[Jay Kat]

Great info everyone! But if the tax in Canada is higher and we can bring in from Seattle for those of us coming up, the question is still do we have to declare it at the border? Would that tax be just as high as if we bought it in Canada?

 

[xlxo]

xlxo - that is a great google map you posted. Thanks. Quick question, are the Robson shops street level or below?

The Robson shops are street level. In this street view.... the liquor store is a little to the left with Robson street stores and restaurants to the right. The Blue Horizon and Landmark hotel is just behind.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=49....yqITDA5Sv_L0TlL8eRUEPA&cbp=12,107.13,,0,-5.21

Here's more details on Robson street. In reality... shopping wise, you might find better pricing in the USA (especially with the taxes). But do visit for the independent stores and restaurants.
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/vancouver/about-vancouver/vancouvers-neighborhoods/robson-street/

If you keep walking East, you see the library built like a Roman coliseum as well as the stadium.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=vancouver+library+architecture&tbm=isch

No Robson stores are underground, unless you are referring the Pacific Centre mall to the East.
http://www.pacificcentre.ca/en/Pages/default.aspx

And where do you enter the below street level shopping around Canada Place? I don't want to get lost.

OK.... I think you are referring to the Waterfront Centre.
http://www.thewaterfrontproperties.ca/en/shops/Pages/Shops.aspx

Mall Entrances... very easy to get to.

• Canada Place has stairs just a little West of the Pan Pacific entrance
• The Expo Skytrain line escalators
• Fairmont Waterfront hotel escalators/elevators
• Cordova and Howe has stairs
• stairs by the waterfall

Perhaps you should clarify what you are interested in buying? That mall may be limited.

 

[xlxo]

Great info everyone! But if the tax in Canada is higher and we can bring in from Seattle for those of us coming up, the question is still do we have to declare it at the border? Would that tax be just as high as if we bought it in Canada?

Again, I have no idea if American's have limits before they are charged duties. Here's the numbers for Canadians...
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ifcrc-rpcrc-eng.html#a5

Here's an idea... perhaps contact one of the duty free shops and ask them... if the advice is good... set your vehicle GPS and open up those carry-on's!
http://www.paccan.com/
http://www.dutyfreeamericas.com/Store.asp?DivisionId=2&LocationID=76

 

[Johnny Quest]

Hi all,

I just saw on the Port Metro website that the Wonder will be arriving in port at 5:45am on May 25th. I'm sure Poison Ivy and I will be out on the pool deck to welcome her if anyone wants to join us.

Here is the link for the port schedule. You can type in "Disney Wonder" to see her full schedule or view all ships in port. The Norwegian Sun is in port with us on embarkation day.

http://portmetrovancouver.com/about/cruiseandtourism/cruiselineschedules.aspx

 

[xlxo]

Hi all,
I just saw on the Port Metro website that the Wonder will be arriving in port at 5:45am on May 25th. I'm sure Poison Ivy and I will be out on the pool deck to welcome her if anyone wants to join us.

Keep in mind 5:45 is a scheduled time. The Pacific can be kinda unpredictable. If there is a strong tailwind, the Wonder can be making an appearance a bit earlier.

On my September trip to California.... we were over 2 hours late. Dress warmly with your Alaska layers that morning as you ring those cowbells!

I would also use a vessel tracker to pace yourself when to be at the docks to meet her...

• http://disneycruiselineblog.com/current-ship-locations/
• http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/de...si:308457000/imo:9126819/vessel:DISNEY_WONDER

 

[ExpeditionEverest]

So are we buying our alcohol in Washington and taking it over the line, or are we buying in Canada on Sunday?

You are allowed a reasonable amount of alchol per legal adult to bring into Canada without having to pay an additional tax.
http://canadaonline.about.com/od/customs/a/alcoholvisitor.htm

Alcohol is very expensive in Canada.

My suggestion when crossing the border is to always declare what you are bringing across. The fines can be very stiff if you do not declare something and they find it during a random search.

 

[Mathmagicland]

I just purchased t-shirts for our cruise http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/gifts-and-amenities/
they will be in our cabin when we arrive. they are really cute

Does anyone know from past member cruises if the sweatshirts are pullover style or zip-front style? I called DCL but they did not know & have not yet been able to find out. Thanks!

 

[maburke]

Can someone please remind me...are crew tips included already in this trip? Or will we still be responsible for tipping? I'm totally fine with tipping, and we usually give extra for excellent service. Just for some reason thought I may have heard that tips are included for the DVC Member cruises. I'm working on my trip budget, so would like to know if I'm setting aside the full amount for tips or just a little extra in case I want to plus up the tips that are included.

Yes, I noticed that it said on my confirmation letter specifically that tips were included.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Just went on the DCL gifts site, and noticed you have to order the Tshirts or Sweatshirts by April 3. Seems kind of early, but that is to guarantee it is in your stateroom when you arrive.

 

[Tigger1313]

Does anyone know from past member cruises if the sweatshirts are pullover style or zip-front style? I called DCL but they did not know & have not yet been able to find out. Thanks!

Just checked the sweatshirts are zip up

 

[Mathmagicland]

Just checked the sweatshirts are zip up

Thanks so much for the info on the sweatshirt!