04/27/11 DCL's WONDERful LA-VANCOUVER REPO ON THE WAY TO ALAKSA

[MAGICFOR2]

You can only make 1 brunch and 1 dinner ressie for Palo. You can check every day on the ship and if there are openings then you can go again. Even when we get the private room with a group we are not allowed to book another ressie.

That is good then. Those "repeat users" of Palo must be snagging cancellations on board.

Here is a link I was sent to a you tube short movie of San Francisco. It is fun to watch, doesn't matter if you have been there a million times or never at all.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er2Wa7onQcw

Thanks!

If you have been on a DCL cruise before, you should be Silver Castaway Club, which gets to book 90 days in advance. So if your cruise is paid in full by Jan. 27 you should be able to start booking shore tours that day. I think it's the newbies that have to wait until Feb 11 (75 days).

Any other Silver people out there that know the booking date?

Yes, Silver is Jan 27th. 90 days out.

hmmmm we have been paid in full since day 1 (We used DVC)... so that's interesting!

I will have to call them tomorrow and ask why my status is not showing up on my account (Castaway Club)

THANKS for the heads up!!

We booked DVC too, and they didn't pick it up right away. I had to log in to the Castaway Club and then enter my reservation # while I was in there, then the two were linked. Of course you can always call DCL and they will do it for you.

The excitement is building!

 

[njprincess]

Keep checking because it was a diffferent time than I have so maybe....

Yes, that's exactly my point. You already have a brunch res, right? They will offer different times to people who already have reservations, but they don't always open them up to the people who don't.

We're keep checking, but if not, we will try to book on board. It would be nice to get brunch but it's not the end of the world...

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

I'd love to see the Olympic torch....could provide directions on how to get there, you mentioned it was just a short walk...

Yep. Exit Canada Place. Face the city. Turn right. Keeping the water on your right, head towards the convention centre (for the olympics it was the international broadcast centre), a big glass and wood structure. When you get past it, turn right again. Take out camera and take a picture.

The building below is outside of Canada Place. The building in the background is the Convention centre. Because of the waterways you will walk to the left of the welcome stand and keep going straight.

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

And a couple pics of Canada Place taken from when we were at the Olympics.

and you can always head into Gastown (that's the shops and such I said that were nearby). From the torch just turn around and head back to Canada Place and keep going past Canada Place. From Canada Place, facing the city, turn right.

 

[DbleTheFun]

All fixed! Thanks for the head's up guys... we are now listed showing our Castaway Club membership and we are good to go... I also followed suggestions to search for the excursions, and have that decided as well. (I wont be doing one in San-Fran.. thinking just doing our own thing, or heading to the Children's Museum there that is fantastic.)

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

I think I posted this once before. It's not as big as I had hoped it would be. flickr must have resized it. But this is a map of the downtown core of Vancouver. You can see the sails in the pic of Canada Place near the top with a cruise ship docked and one more heading towards it.

Edit: I don't like the way this turned out. I'm going to see if I can fix it and will post again if I get it fixed.

 

[kpros]

Hi Everyone

This is the list for free custom lanyards and name badges for everyone
in your cruise group. Please take a close look at your listing and PM
me if I've made a spelling error, left someone off, wrong cruise, or if you are no longer
going on one of these cruises. Please PM me if you would rather have a different
version of your name on the badge (nickname, etc.).

PLEASE REVIEW YOUR LISTING AND PM ME IF IT IS CORRECT!
A * before your listing means your have verified the names and you are good to go - you do not have to respond.

It's very important that I hear from people on the "not confirmed" list.
I don't want to leave anyone out and I want to make sure that the names are correct!
So if you are on the "not confirmed" part of the list, please let me know if the listing is correct.

Thanks for your help with the list!

Name badges and lanyards provided by these nice people:

* aphoenix/AVP - B2B - Tony, Adrienne
* BobandLee - B2B - Bob, Leora
* bonzie1 - B2B - Georgie, Joe
* DisneyPinDiva - B2B - Leslie, Joe
* EllaEnchanted/1Grumpy John - B2B - Deb, John
* first timers - B2B - Alex, Carolyn
* grumpy-gramps - B2B - John, Barb
* gydell - B2B - Gydell, Bill, Betsy, Brent
* Hygiene99 - ALASKA - Peter, Jenn
* kpros/spros - B2B - Ken, Shari
* Mickey&JoshNut - B2B - Elaine, Margaret
* Scott H/Lynn G - B2B - Scott, Lynn
* seaulater - B2B - Linda, Jamie
* tig82174 - B2B - Erik, Jason
* Winotracy/AskAGeek - B2B - Tracy, Bill
* wrabitdad - B2B - Bob, Dale, Gordy
* Regina and Gary - ALASKA






Lanyard and Name Badge List for the West Coast Repo and First Alaska Cruise
The first name listed is the name associated with the Disboard ID

Confirmed Back-2-Back Cruisers:

* BibbidyBoddidyBoo - B2B - Shelley, Jeff, Ruby, Robert, Rita
* COASTIEandMATE - B2B - Ron, Karen
* DisneyRN1 - B2B - Vicki, Greg
* DL1957 - B2B - Sue, Paul, Margaret (Alaska only), Helen (Alaska only)
* Dopeylover54 - B2B - Ken, Christie
* eeyorefreak - B2B - Shannon, Pete, Sam, Diane, Linda, Mike, Terri (Repo Only), Sam (Repo Only)
* EpcotKilterFan - B2B - Debbie, Jeanette
* Ferkals - B2B - Mary, Tom
* ibouncetoo - B2B - Jackie
* karaeric - B2B - Kara, Eric, Patty, Doug
* katypop - B2B - Kathe, Sara (Repo only), Trevor (Repo only)
* Kevin&Randall - B2B - Randall, Kevin
* LisaG520 - B2B - Lisa, Darrell
* MenashaCorp/MerriePoppins - B2B - Jason, Susan
* MJGirl - B2B - Mary Jane, Kirstyn
* MouseFaninQueue/LuvBaloo - B2B - Ken, Shannon, Shaelyn, Kaleigh, Tom, Nada
* NotSoLittleMermaid - B2B - Cheri
* nskjerven/chickeninthecupboard - B2B - Nan, Paul, Molly, Wilson
* Pappy - B2B - Neil, Liz
* rcostello1 - B2B - Rob, Larry
* Robin"D" - B2B - Robin, Angel
* sandiedvc - B2B - Kathy, Mike
* sdlong329 - B2B - Steven, Donna, Lisa
* TADsMommy/TADsDaddy - B2B - Karen, Dave, Tiffany, Ashley, David
* threebrits - B2B - Heather, Tom, Bethany
* Tigrrtum/DzneLin - B2B - Terry, Linda
* Yensidfan - B2B - Pete, Faith, Courtney, Peter


Confirmed Repo only Cruisers:

* castawaycayfans - REPO - Rob, Kim, Sarah, Henry, Dana, Logan, Alley
* CustardTart - REPO - Karen, Richard
* denise - REPO - Denise, Jimmy, Eleni
* disforever - REPO - Kathy
* DMMarla07860 - REPO - Julia, Larry
* DbleTheFun - REPO - Kim, Aiden, Brodie
* Fellowship9798 - REPO - Darren, Tracie, Hayden, Lily
* figment52 - REPO - Sandy, Sharon
* fitnessmouse - REPO - Ilja, Eelco, Twan, Demi
* Hillaryone - REPO - Laura, Sean, Erica
* MAGICFOR2 - REPO - Tammie, Jim
* milliesmum - REPO - Julie, Peter, Pam, Carolyn
* MukilteoSailor - REPO - Matthew, Becky, Miles, Sage
* njprincess/mohrt2 - REPO - Kathy, Frank
* N365PA - REPO - Clint, Sarah (hamm1207)
* pamkass - REPO - Pam, Buster, Julia, Toni, Keith, Julie, Andree, Mark
* ReAnSt - REPO - Becky, Stephen (Nacho1337), Dave, Linda
* TheBeadPirate - REPO - Lori, Rick
* trimix - REPO - Brian, Michelle, Brennan
* stacieps - REPO - Stacie, Rebecca, Duncan
* WestCoaster - REPO - Angus, Jennifer, Owen, Wayne, Doris
* yogitxtx - REPO - Sandy, Tom, Norma

Confirmed Alaska only Cruisers:

* CaliGrrl - ALASKA - Kay, John, Kristina, Drew
* figmentnnemo - ALASKA - Les, Vikki, Chris, Jen
* HebeJebe - ALASKA - Jennifer, Justice
* LocustPoint - ALASKA - Mary, Tom
* mishoe01 - ALASKA - Monica, Marlene
* purplern - ALASKA - Vicki, Rich, Amanda, Tim
* rotary2808 - ALASKA - Emily, Jason, Steve, Brenda
* sasmmb - ALASKA - Michelle, Brad
* xrobmn - ALASKA - Rob, Liz


These cruiser have not yet confirmed their names:

acourtwdw - Alaska - ?
Bill'sdj - REPO - Debbie, Bill
disneydreamerbelle - REPO - Jennifer, Mark
disneyfan100* - REPO - Amy, Roger
disneyfan23 - B2B - John
Eeyore77 - ALASKA - Jennifer, Chris
erbie - REPO - Erin, Peter, ?, ?, ?, ?
fourfoxesinpa - REPO - Jamie, Brian
Getppel - ? - ?
GuardMusic - ALASKA - Gayle, Kara
HappyGrumpy - ALASKA - ?
kathleena - ALASKA - Nancy, Ruth Ann
kimkatmom - B2B - Kim, Leslye, Harold, Barbara
LiseG - ALASKA - Lise, Chuck, Sabrina
megsablue - REPO - ?, ?
mickeymom923 - B2B - Bev, Lou
Minybear - REPO - Cindy, Ken
philnphyl - REPO - Phil, Phyllis, Oliva, Preston, Kathy, Bill
Pluto - B2B - ?
poohbear926 - REPO - Lindsay, Brian
princesslisa71 - ALASKA - Lisa, ?
rikimuk - ALASKA - Lindsay, Martin
sabrecmc - B2B - Caryn, ?, ?, ?
sinnika - REPO - ?
Skallywag - B2B - Francis, Brenda
Suecot2000 - B2B - Sue
TiggerTails57 - B2B - Janice, Randy
Tink rules - ALASKA - ?
woody73 - REPO - Woody, Mrs. Woody



An accurate list is very important because I need to know how many lanyards to order!

Ken

 

[njprincess]

All fixed! Thanks for the head's up guys... we are now listed showing our Castaway Club membership and we are good to go... I also followed suggestions to search for the excursions, and have that decided as well. (I wont be doing one in San-Fran.. thinking just doing our own thing, or heading to the Children's Museum there that is fantastic.)

Excellent!

I think I posted this once before. It's not as big as I had hoped it would be. flickr must have resized it. But this is a map of the downtown core of Vancouver. You can see the sails in the pic of Canada Place near the top with a cruise ship docked and one more heading towards it.

Thanks for all the great info!

 

[LuvBaloo]

Oh My! You just said the magic word... CHRISTMAS!!! I love seeing Christmas decorations. Looks like I'll be shopping early for this year.

, if you love seeing christmas decorations, The Original Christmas Village is the best one we've been too. We have always ended up leaving with something. The store if stuffed full of ornaments and there are signs posted throughout the store about no pictures and not touching the fragile ornaments. I have read bad reviews of the store, but we've been there at least 6 times and never had a bad experience. There are little wicker baskets in the store for putting your purchases in while browsing. They also have lots of cuckoo clocks which I love to see.

 

[megsablue]

Does anyone know if they hold any reservations back for us newbies? I'll be booking whatever I can get as soon as it opens up on the 11th for us (does anyone know if it opens up at midnight?) and I'm disappointed that already Palo seems to be booked for both brunch and dinner.

I know we can try to get reservations by showing up early (we're planning on doing that anyways) to the port and boarding as soon as we can - will we have a shot at that or will the chances be pretty much gone anyways?

 

[njprincess]

Does anyone know if they hold any reservations back for us newbies? I'll be booking whatever I can get as soon as it opens up on the 11th for us (does anyone know if it opens up at midnight?) and I'm disappointed that already Palo seems to be booked for both brunch and dinner.

I know we can try to get reservations by showing up early (we're planning on doing that anyways) to the port and boarding as soon as we can - will we have a shot at that or will the chances be pretty much gone anyways?

I don't know if they hold back any reservations for the online booking dates, but I don't think so. Because there was so much trouble with the website, I know I was one of the 1st gold people in on our booking date and brunch and high tea were not available. I did get a dinner res, so I think there might be some left.

They definitely hold back a percentage of Palo reservations to be booked on board. If you get to the port early and get a low boarding group, there's a pretty good chance you'll get something at Palo. They also get some cancellations once people get on board, so if they offer to put you on a wait-list, take it.

And yes, if the website is working you will be able to make ressies at midnight EASTERN time. Since you live in Vancouver, that would be 9 PM for you!

 

[bonzie1]

, if you love seeing christmas decorations, The Original Christmas Village is the best one we've been too. We have always ended up leaving with something. The store if stuffed full of ornaments and there are signs posted throughout the store about no pictures and not touching the fragile ornaments. I have read bad reviews of the store, but we've been there at least 6 times and never had a bad experience. There are little wicker baskets in the store for putting your purchases in while browsing. They also have lots of cuckoo clocks which I love to see.

I am wondering if they will ship purchases home from there for a fee? I have visions of beautiful glass fragments all through my luggage!

 

[kpros]

I am wondering if they will ship purchases home from there for a fee? I have visions of beautiful glass fragments all through my luggage!

It's probably safer to ask the store to ship it for you and pay their price.

 

[fitnessmouse]

For those staying at hojo before the cruise; there are new entertainment rate dates posted (april 24-27)!

 

[megsablue]

I don't know if they hold back any reservations for the online booking dates, but I don't think so. Because there was so much trouble with the website, I know I was one of the 1st gold people in on our booking date and brunch and high tea were not available. I did get a dinner res, so I think there might be some left.

They definitely hold back a percentage of Palo reservations to be booked on board. If you get to the port early and get a low boarding group, there's a pretty good chance you'll get something at Palo. They also get some cancellations once people get on board, so if they offer to put you on a wait-list, take it.

And yes, if the website is working you will be able to make ressies at midnight EASTERN time. Since you live in Vancouver, that would be 9 PM for you!

Thanks so much for the help - this is our first cruise, so I really have no clue how everything works. We'll be at the GCH the night before, but we have a rental car, so we're planning on getting to the port early. I think they open at 10am right?

 

[tig82174]

....hey all....now that this trip is becoming more and more real (paid in full...excursions booked...etc.)...a couple questions about planning stuff:

1.) I think I asked this before, but can't remember if it was answered....but how are fish extenders working on this cruise? Are we doing one big fish extender list and everyone just does little stuff for everyone? Or are we doing the more organized version---where everyone who wants to do it is split into smaller groups? (With less than 100 days before the trip, it's time to start thinking about pulling together fish extender goodies----especially if I have to get 100 of everything! )

2.) Also regarding the fish extenders----for those of us who are B2B cruisers, we are definitely doing two separate fish extender lists/exchanges, right? We're not doing a B2B group (which would be a smaller group, obviously, maybe but would then be one long fish extender extravaganza)

3.) And dining linking/table-mates.....is anyone thinking about linking up or creating a list of folks who want to link up to eihter be on the same rotation or to be seated together? Usually Jason and I have traveled with family or with friends we've cruised with before (most often from these boards) and so we haven't had to worry about being seated with strangers (who may or may not be very nice----we've had both good and bad experiences in that arena).....on this trip, however, for the first time in probably 4 years...we don't (yet) have any pre-selected table-mates! (ideally we'd love to have the same table-mates and same servers for the whole B2B trip like we did in September....but we'd just be happy sitting with anyone we know and/or who is nice!)

 

[njprincess]

....hey all....now that this trip is becoming more and more real (paid in full...excursions booked...etc.)...a couple questions about planning stuff:

3.) And dining linking/table-mates.....is anyone thinking about linking up or creating a list of folks who want to link up to eihter be on the same rotation or to be seated together? Usually Jason and I have traveled with family or with friends we've cruised with before (most often from these boards) and so we haven't had to worry about being seated with strangers (who may or may not be very nice----we've had both good and bad experiences in that arena).....on this trip, however, for the first time in probably 4 years...we don't (yet) have any pre-selected table-mates! (ideally we'd love to have the same table-mates and same servers for the whole B2B trip like we did in September....but we'd just be happy sitting with anyone we know and/or who is nice!)

I think this is a great idea! My brother and I are in the same situation: we are usually cruising with friends and/or family but this time we aren't (we did have some friends cruising but they had to cancel). It would be really fun to link up with other people from this thread, so even though we haven't met in person, we will sort of know each other already. We've been on other cruises where we had a bunch of people linked with multiple tables and it we really enjoyed it.

 

[Lynn G]

Eric - on your FE questions, we have not broken up into small groups, I cannot remember is there is a separate FE list, or if we are just working off the roster on this cruise. Someone else may remember that part. We usually do something small that we just work off the roster anyway, so I usually do not pay attention to the FE list.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Hey everyone, just stopping by to say hi, I've busy with my back-2-back on the Dream leave in 33 days so you know how it is after that I'll post here more, also going to to Orlando for work from January 28th-February 2nd, so I'll be doing a lot of flying from NJ to Orlando and back in the upcoming weeks

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Just popping in - sorry, I can't remember who has recently taken on the charter bus issue? I wanted to say that our DH's family wants to take us right to the port, so we won't be riding. Thanks so much.

Again, do we have any meets planned?