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

[Ariel93086]

Hello everyone! Been away from the page for a while during the holidays but now I'm back on the bandwagon and was finally able To catch up! Thanks all for putting so much effort in the organization of the FE! Seems like this will be a great trip. Just wondering, is there any gifts in particular that you all like to receive (I'm in the 1st adult group a). I know that's pretty subjective but I'm just trying to get a few ideas rolling in my head. TIA!!!

 

[Mathmagicland]

We've only sailed on one previous member cruise - Sept 2013 on the Disney Dream. Since it was purposely sold at a lower capacity, they eliminated one entire dining rotation. So every night a different main dining restaurant in that particular rotation would be closed.

I don't know how that will compare to the Disney Wonder for this trip. We couldn't get confirmation on the % of cabins they sold for our cruise so we're not sure about the capacity this time around. If it's not full, they may shut down a rotation on one of the dining cycles.

Thanks for the info!

 

[poison ivy]

Great to see some more activity on the FE exchanges.

I don't think I mentioned that my sister and two of her friends are going on a cruise to Alaska (on another cruiseline) about a week ahead of us. Strange, neither of us have been to Alaska, and soon both of us will be able to say that we have. Hopefully she will be able to give us a preview of what the weather is like a few days ahead. She just booked her flights this week, so I guess I better get it together soon.

that's a great story about your sister. yes any advice esp. weather related is much appreciated.

I hear you about the flights. we keep checking on the return. Right now we're leaning toward somehow travelling back to Seattle and hopping a Southwest flt to San Diego to visit our daughters and see the grandkids.

They seem to run under $100 for that West Coast commute and don't have the same time zone restrictions all the flts East have. So we could get a much later flight out than if we were to fly to NJ.

we have a car reserved already to drive out and are seriously considering this since the train leaves so much later.
OR we'll take that Quick Shuttle Bus if I can figure out where it picks up. I'm guessing it'll have more cruisers on the return since we all debark together.

Is anyone taking Amtrak back to Seattle on June 1? What are you planning to do to pass the time in Vancouver before it leaves?

Hello everyone! Been away from the page for a while during the holidays but now I'm back on the bandwagon and was finally able To catch up! Thanks all for putting so much effort in the organization of the FE! Seems like this will be a great trip. Just wondering, is there any gifts in particular that you all like to receive (I'm in the 1st adult group a). I know that's pretty subjective but I'm just trying to get a few ideas rolling in my head. TIA!!!

We have no preferences or allergies. Just love to participate in the exchange and appreciate whatever we receive. I don't know if you had a chance to look at the posted pics of a sample of what we've gotten in the past here. I have more from 2 recent cruises, and I'll add them when I get a minute if that helps. But everything we get is a welcome surprise!

Since it's your first time, the only advice I can give is try not to commit yourself to too much. We made that mistake our first time - we had a much bigger group and gave too many individual gifts. It was way too much to transport and deliver! Thankfully our FE groups are split for this cruise and a lot more manageable.

 

[Ariel93086]

We have no preferences or allergies. Just love to participate in the exchange and appreciate whatever we receive. I don't know if you had a chance to look at the posted pics of a sample of what we've gotten in the past here. I have more from 2 recent cruises, and I'll add them when I get a minute if that helps. But everything we get is a welcome surprise! Since it's your first time, the only advice I can give is try not to commit yourself to too much. We made that mistake our first time - we had a much bigger group and gave too many individual gifts. It was way too much to transport and deliver! Thankfully our FE groups are split for this cruise and a lot more manageable.

Ok great! Thanks for the quick response! I'll take a look at the link. I'm in the other social media group and some of the pictures I see for gifts are just fantastic. It's really getting me excited!

It's funny that you say that about taking too much on because I was thinking about signing up for 2 FEs but decided against it because 1) it's our first FE, and 2) we are traveling from RI so lugging everything across the country may become a problem. I think the group we are in is definitely manageable.

Thanks again!

 

[poison ivy]

Ariel93086 - you are very welcome!

FYI - for all undecided Seattle bound cruisers. I know I mentioned the Quick shuttle before and ruled it out as transport to Canada Place but I am seriously considering it for getting back to Sea-Tac when we disembark. It appears they have a convenient bus pick up for cruisers directly at Canada Place.

check out this thread:
http://wwww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2747531

 

[nunzia]

that's a great story about your sister. yes any advice esp. weather related is much appreciated.

I hear you about the flights. we keep checking on the return. Right now we're leaning toward somehow travelling back to Seattle and hopping a Southwest flt to San Diego to visit our daughters and see the grandkids.

They seem to run under $100 for that West Coast commute and don't have the same time zone restrictions all the flts East have. So we could get a much later flight out than if we were to fly to NJ.

we have a car reserved already to drive out and are seriously considering this since the train leaves so much later.
OR we'll take that Quick Shuttle Bus if I can figure out where it picks up. I'm guessing it'll have more cruisers on the return since we all debark together.

Is anyone taking Amtrak back to Seattle on June 1? What are you planning to do to pass the time in Vancouver before it leaves?



We have no preferences or allergies. Just love to participate in the exchange and appreciate whatever we receive. I don't know if you had a chance to look at the posted pics of a sample of what we've gotten in the past here. I have more from 2 recent cruises, and I'll add them when I get a minute if that helps. But everything we get is a welcome surprise!

Since it's your first time, the only advice I can give is try not to commit yourself to too much. We made that mistake our first time - we had a much bigger group and gave too many individual gifts. It was way too much to transport and deliver! Thankfully our FE groups are split for this cruise and a lot more manageable.

We are going back to Seattle on the train June 1 and then getting on the Coast Starlight to head home June 2nd. I haven't booked my last leg to and fro (Seattle to Vancouver and Vancouver to Seattle) yet, but thought there was a farily early train out of Vancouver? Just checked..ugh.. I guess it will be an Amtrak bus then to Seattle. Think we can make the 9:30?

 

[karaeric96]

Dining rotations for Alaska:

I know they have closed a whole dining room down in the past for member cruises which I'm assuming will impact the rotations, but here's what I found so far.

PTTAPTA
TAAPTAP
APPTAPT

Day 1 Embarkation-Rotational Restaurant Menu
Day 2 At Sea-Golden Mickeys Menu/Formal
Day 3 Tracy Arm-Rotational Restaurant Menu
Day 4 Skagway-Rotational Restaurant Menu
Day 5 Juneau-Toy Story Menu/Semi-Formal
Day 6 Ketchikan-Taste of Alaska Menu
Day 7 At Sea-'Til We Meet Again Menu

can anyone confirm if this is accurate?

thanks

Thank you for finding this, and I do hope it's correct (fingers crossed) since we will be booking Palo this weekend! This helps in our planning, we like formal or semi-formal night for Palo so we don't have to bring as many really dressy clothes.

Out of curiosity for this group, how many folks go all out for formal nights still? DH has a tuxedo, he's not sure if he should bring it for this trip or not. He looks superb in it, but it would mean more to shove into the luggage too...so I'm even on the fence for weather he brings it or goes just a little bit less "formal" for formal night...thoughts appreciated!!

 

[Tigger1313]

Started making FE gifts last weekend.
We also like going to Palo on formal night for the same reason,one less night that Dave has to put on a suit

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Started making FE gifts last weekend. We also like going to Palo on formal night for the same reason,one less night that Dave has to put on a suit

Bought some raw materials to make ours today, will try a prototype tomorrow!

 

[poison ivy]

We are going back to Seattle on the train June 1 and then getting on the Coast Starlight to head home June 2nd. I haven't booked my last leg to and fro (Seattle to Vancouver and Vancouver to Seattle) yet, but thought there was a farily early train out of Vancouver? Just checked..ugh.. I guess it will be an Amtrak bus then to Seattle. Think we can make the 9:30?

From what I'm reading from that link I posted, guests were easily making a 9:15 pick up for the Quick Shuttle right at Canada Place by electing early debarkation and provided the ship cleared customs timely.

I guess it depends on where that Amtrak bus leaves from. A 9:30am might be tough.

 

[LOLA2]

2) LOLA2: 2 AD / 1 DD (19) / 1 DS (13) - Cabins 6145 / 6152 (Deck 6 aft / port) - (DW's Birthday / Participating as 1 Family)


Just to clarify we will be acting as 2 separate families since we will each have our own extenders and each room has own gifts we will be handing out.

Thanks

 

[Johnny Quest]

2) LOLA2: 2 AD / 1 DD (19) / 1 DS (13) - Cabins 6145 / 6152 (Deck 6 aft / port) - (DW's Birthday / Participating as 1 Family)


Just to clarify we will be acting as 2 separate families since we will each have our own extenders and each room has own gifts we will be handing out.

Thanks

OK LOLA2,

I have corrected your info on the front page. Please make sure it is correct.

 

[DebL]

We are going back to Seattle on the train June 1 and then getting on the Coast Starlight to head home June 2nd. I haven't booked my last leg to and fro (Seattle to Vancouver and Vancouver to Seattle) yet, but thought there was a farily early train out of Vancouver? Just checked..ugh.. I guess it will be an Amtrak bus then to Seattle. Think we can make the 9:30?

Nunzia, We're doing the same thing. Heading down to Seattle once off the ship.

 

[tidefan]

We are going back to Seattle on the train June 1 and then getting on the Coast Starlight to head home June 2nd. I haven't booked my last leg to and fro (Seattle to Vancouver and Vancouver to Seattle) yet, but thought there was a farily early train out of Vancouver? Just checked..ugh.. I guess it will be an Amtrak bus then to Seattle. Think we can make the 9:30?

We are flying into Seattle on the 23rd and taking the train up on the 24th. On the way back, we are picking up a rental car at the Vancouver airport (we'll take the SkyTrain there) and driving to the Bellingham airport, where we have a direct flight to Honolulu that night. Yep, we decided that since we'd be on the West Coast already, we might as well add a stay at Aulani...

 

[LOLA2]

OK LOLA2,

I have corrected your info on the front page. Please make sure it is correct.

2a) LOLA2: 2 AD - Cabin 6152 (Deck 6 aft / port) - (DW's Birthday / 2 cabins, 2FE's - exchanging independently)
2b)LOLA2: 1 DD (19) / 1 DS (13) - Cabins 6145 (Deck 6 aft / port) - (2 cabins, 2FE's - exchanging independently)

Correction below
2A) LOLA2: 1 Adult and 13 YO son cabin 6152 (both male- father and son)
2B ) LOLA2: 2 Adults (includes 19 YO daughter) both female- mother-daughter) cabin 6145 DW Birthday

All other info correct and Thank you!!!

 

[MMouse2]

Thank you JQ for making the change to our stateroom number!

 

[maburke]

Thank you for finding this, and I do hope it's correct (fingers crossed) since we will be booking Palo this weekend! This helps in our planning, we like formal or semi-formal night for Palo so we don't have to bring as many really dressy clothes.

Out of curiosity for this group, how many folks go all out for formal nights still? DH has a tuxedo, he's not sure if he should bring it for this trip or not. He looks superb in it, but it would mean more to shove into the luggage too...so I'm even on the fence for weather he brings it or goes just a little bit less "formal" for formal night...thoughts appreciated!!

Wait a minute -- Formal night? Tuxedo? I've only done cruises to the Bahamas, never Alaska. Does everybody bring suits/tuxes for this? What do the women wear? Do you dress up your kids?

Any other surprises for me? Costume night?

 

[nunzia]

We are flying into Seattle on the 23rd and taking the train up on the 24th. On the way back, we are picking up a rental car at the Vancouver airport (we'll take the SkyTrain there) and driving to the Bellingham airport, where we have a direct flight to Honolulu that night. Yep, we decided that since we'd be on the West Coast already, we might as well add a stay at Aulani...

Wow. I like how you think! What an amazing vacation.

 

[Johnny Quest]

2a) LOLA2: 2 AD - Cabin 6152 (Deck 6 aft / port) - (DW's Birthday / 2 cabins, 2FE's - exchanging independently)
2b)LOLA2: 1 DD (19) / 1 DS (13) - Cabins 6145 (Deck 6 aft / port) - (2 cabins, 2FE's - exchanging independently)

Correction below
2A) LOLA2: 1 Adult and 13 YO son cabin 6152 (both male- father and son)
2B ) LOLA2: 2 Adults (includes 19 YO daughter) both female- mother-daughter) cabin 6145 DW Birthday

All other info correct and Thank you!!!

Ok LOLA2,

I think I have everything correct now, thanks.

 

[tidefan]

Wow. I like how you think! What an amazing vacation.

Well, it will be an interesting experience in packing, that is for sure...