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

[nunzia]

Caught up! I didn't see an answer for how to get Candian money for tipping? Didn't even think of this. Would they not like dollars? Still need to book the Quick Shuttle to Seattle...last time I checked they still weren't taking bookings. FEs done and packed! I am freaking out about how to efficiently pack since we have 2 full train days, night in Seattle and night in Vancouver to pack for before we even get on the ship! This will be a challenge. Anyone have any sites with Alaska packing tips?

 

[nunzia]

PS..Just checked Quick Shuttle and although they have the Summer Scedule listed, when you try to buy tickets you can only purchase until May 7. This seems kinda odd.

 

[Tigger1313]

ATTN: MAIN / FAMILY FE GROUP C

May we please know everyone's favorite PIXAR character? We're down to the last part of our FE gift and this info will help with the finishing touch.
Thanks, Teri, Lori & Denise



14) Tigger1313: 2 AD - Cabin 2629 (Deck 2 aft/starboard) -
I'm Merida from Brave
Dave is Bruce from finding Nemo

 

[poison ivy]

Thank you Poison Ivy. I thought I was the ONLY one. This is not only a great informational group, but also a wonderful SUPPORT group

You are not alone. I have a list for outfits, a list for things to pack, and a list of things to do. Lots of stuff is already set aside so I don't have to find it later. Clothes that are going are in one section of the closet. I think it's safe to say I could leave tomorrow if I had to!!

Yes a great support group and very glad to know I am not alone. WaylaLady, you are way ahead of me - sad but true.

 

[poison ivy]

Caught up! I didn't see an answer for how to get Candian money for tipping? Didn't even think of this. Would they not like dollars? Still need to book the Quick Shuttle to Seattle...last time I checked they still weren't taking bookings. FEs done and packed! I am freaking out about how to efficiently pack since we have 2 full train days, night in Seattle and night in Vancouver to pack for before we even get on the ship! This will be a challenge. Anyone have any sites with Alaska packing tips?

I was wondering where to get loonies and toonies on a Sunday. Where is xlxo with all the helpful tips on this???

I think it's weird the Quick Shuttle is only available online 2 wks out. It must be the season. Have you tried calling?
I don't have any sites for packing advice. Sorry. We're similar to Tidefan. We head to San Diego for a week following the cruise which means we need to cover all weather conditions. But we're keeping the clothes!!! So packing is really going to be fun.

I need a few new things. hoping to snag them on clearance.

 

[WaylaLady]

Caught up! I didn't see an answer for how to get Candian money for tipping? Didn't even think of this. Would they not like dollars? Still need to book the Quick Shuttle to Seattle...last time I checked they still weren't taking bookings. FEs done and packed! I am freaking out about how to efficiently pack since we have 2 full train days, night in Seattle and night in Vancouver to pack for before we even get on the ship! This will be a challenge. Anyone have any sites with Alaska packing tips?

I was wondering where to get loonies and toonies on a Sunday. Where is xlxo with all the helpful tips on this???

I think it's weird the Quick Shuttle is only available online 2 wks out. It must be the season. Have you tried calling?
I don't have any sites for packing advice. Sorry. We're similar to Tidefan. We head to San Diego for a week following the cruise which means we need to cover all weather conditions. But we're keeping the clothes!!! So packing is really going to be fun.

I need a few new things. hoping to snag them on clearance.

This is the reason I didn't ask to join an FE group. I have the ability to panic about anything and everything, so there was no way I was going to add packing all that stuff to the list of things to stress out over! My list for freak outs is already full!!

It sounds like you guys might need to do checked bags, plus both your allowed carry-ons. Doing laundry on the ship would be a help.

 

[NJMermaid]

CALL Quick Shuttle, they will take all your info and get a reservation. I did this last week for my DS22, flying Denver to Seattle. he will be on the 9am shuttle to Seattle Airport, so no breakfast for him, haha.

 

[xlxo]

I was wondering where to get loonies and toonies on a Sunday. Where is xlxo with all the helpful tips on this???

I would walk into a bank and ask to exchange..... a select number of branches are open on Sunday. Doing a quick search of banks with Sunday openings around the cruise terminal....

• CIBC Main and Pender (Chinatown) 12-4pm
• CIBC Yaletown 12-4pm
• CIBC Denman & Robson 12-4pm
• TD 1177 West Hastings 11-4pm
• TD Main and Pender (Chinatown)
• TD Davie & Denman

$25 for a roll of loonies. $50 for a roll of toonies.

Some may call the $5 bill the "woody" as there was previously a bird on the back. It's not a woodpecker, but a belted kingfisher.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belted_Kingfisher
http://images.delcampe.com/img_large/auction/000/160/314/668_001.jpg

 

[eeyorejanet]

I would walk into a bank and ask to exchange..... a select number of branches are open on Sunday. Doing a quick search of banks with Sunday openings around the cruise terminal....

• CIBC Main and Pender (Chinatown) 12-4pm
• CIBC Yaletown 12-4pm
• CIBC Denman & Robson 12-4pm
• TD 1177 West Hastings 11-4pm
• TD Main and Pender (Chinatown)
• TD Davie & Denman

$25 for a roll of loonies. $50 for a roll of toonies.

Some may call the $5 bill the "woody" as there was previously a bird on the back. It's not a woodpecker, but a belted kingfisher.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belted_Kingfisher
http://images.delcampe.com/img_large/auction/000/160/314/668_001.jpg

Thanks xlxo! I've been trying to search for this info for the last couple of days and was about to throw up my hands in defeat. You're a lifesaver.

 

[MMcCarthy]

I haven't been on in a long time. I am trying to get excited but I just lost my job of 24 years last week. I did not expect that.

We are flying in to Seattle saturday and have been trying to find a reasonable car rental for two days and maybe to drop off in Vancouver. There are five of us. Also wondering which day trip for Sunday, we would really like to see the volcano/mountains. I would appreciate any recommendations

 

[poison ivy]

I haven't been on in a long time. I am trying to get excited but I just lost my job of 24 years last week. I did not expect that.

We are flying in to Seattle saturday and have been trying to find a reasonable car rental for two days and maybe to drop off in Vancouver. There are five of us. Also wondering which day trip for Sunday, we would really like to see the volcano/mountains. I would appreciate any recommendations

Really sorry to hear about your job. This seems to be happening to a few people we know. I wish you all the best and hope you can enjoy the cruise.
I had a 1 way discount rental code from Seattle to Vancouver a while back which was pretty reasonable. Not sure if it's still good, but I'll see if I can locate it in my pm's and forward it to you.

I believe a visit to Grouse Park involves a tram up the mountain. This may be a good place to check out.

 

[poison ivy]

I would walk into a bank and ask to exchange..... a select number of branches are open on Sunday. Doing a quick search of banks with Sunday openings around the cruise terminal....

• CIBC Main and Pender (Chinatown) 12-4pm
• CIBC Yaletown 12-4pm
• CIBC Denman & Robson 12-4pm
• TD 1177 West Hastings 11-4pm
• TD Main and Pender (Chinatown)
• TD Davie & Denman

$25 for a roll of loonies. $50 for a roll of toonies.

Some may call the $5 bill the "woody" as there was previously a bird on the back. It's not a woodpecker, but a belted kingfisher.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belted_Kingfisher
http://images.delcampe.com/img_large/auction/000/160/314/668_001.jpg

thank you so much xlxo. It's been really great having you here.

So I came across this article on Canada tipping and etiquette. I couldn't determine when it was written and am wondering how accurate it is. Any advice?

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g153339-s606/Canada:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

 

[karaeric96]

Caught up! I didn't see an answer for how to get Candian money for tipping? Didn't even think of this. Would they not like dollars? Still need to book the Quick Shuttle to Seattle...last time I checked they still weren't taking bookings. FEs done and packed! I am freaking out about how to efficiently pack since we have 2 full train days, night in Seattle and night in Vancouver to pack for before we even get on the ship! This will be a challenge. Anyone have any sites with Alaska packing tips?

As far as help for packing, we did find the Monthly tab of the Accuweather site pretty helpful. That lists the most likely highs and lows for every day in a month. I just pulled it up for each of our ports and looked at the day we would be in that port to get an idea of general temperature ranges...Of course, I'll obssesively stalk weather sites until about a day before we leave and probably re-pack 4 times...but that's just part of the fun! From what I can recall from my research, we are looking at lows of around 35-36 and highs in the low to mid 60s, depending on the port. And plan for rain.

That said, we TOTALLY overpacked (way more bulky clothing than needed) for our first trip to Alaska. We are planning to pack less this time and bring a small pack of the Tide pods in case we need to do one or two loads of laundry.

 

[xlxo]

So I came across this article on Canada tipping and etiquette. I couldn't determine when it was written and am wondering how accurate it is. Any advice?

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g153339-s606/Canada:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

Hmm... I'm the wrong person to ask about tipping. We have constant family arguments on how much to tip. It's so personal. Some thoughts...

• http://www.news1130.com/2013/06/18/better-to-leave-no-tip-than-a-bad-tip-bc-food-industry/
• pay attention to the bill... the tip may have been automatically added for large groups
• Vancouver has a very cost of living.... many in the service industry appreciate tips
  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...using-2nd-least-affordable-in-world-1.2505524
  Many workers (including those in the service industry) are paid less than a living wage
  http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2015/04/28/metro-vancouver-survival-wage-jumps-again
  How much would one pay for a 12 foot wide home?
  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...for-1-35m-in-vancouver-s-point-grey-1.3051838
• please don't tip the border guards. It might send the wrong message

 

[poison ivy]

As far as help for packing, we did find the Monthly tab of the Accuweather site pretty helpful. That lists the most likely highs and lows for every day in a month. I just pulled it up for each of our ports and looked at the day we would be in that port to get an idea of general temperature ranges...Of course, I'll obssesively stalk weather sites until about a day before we leave and probably re-pack 4 times...but that's just part of the fun! From what I can recall from my research, we are looking at lows of around 35-36 and highs in the low to mid 60s, depending on the port. And plan for rain.

That said, we TOTALLY overpacked (way more bulky clothing than needed) for our first trip to Alaska. We are planning to pack less this time and bring a small pack of the Tide pods in case we need to do one or two loads of laundry.

This sounds like my problem. I will probably overpack for this cruise. My parents have it down to a science, but I haven't mastered that technique.
I don't want to be too cold to the point of distraction which is a challenge when trying to prepare for varying weather conditions. Really want to enjoy every minute!

 

[WaylaLady]

It's May!

I don't know how some of you have survived waiting over a year for this cruise, I only found out we were going in early Feb.! I'm afraid I'm overpacking too, my list looks really long. Maybe I should rethink some of it. Are jeans ok for MDR if the top is dressy? What do you folks wear for dinner mostly (not including formal night)?

 

[karaeric96]

It's May!

I don't know how some of you have survived waiting over a year for this cruise, I only found out we were going in early Feb.! I'm afraid I'm overpacking too, my list looks really long. Maybe I should rethink some of it. Are jeans ok for MDR if the top is dressy? What do you folks wear for dinner mostly (not including formal night)?

Eesh, I'm totally the wrong person to ask about dress. I'm a cruising traditionalist, we don't wear jeans for dining. That said I have seen folks in jeans in Parrot Cay and Animators. Tritons is a little nicer, but you may get away with it. They will definitely turn you back if you show up to Palo with jeans. I've seen them do it several times, both for dinner and brunch. We don't ever sign up for the tea, so I can't speak to that. Similarly, for Formal Night, we typically get pretty dolled up. My hubby owns a tux, we may leave it at home for this trip and he would just wear a coat and tie for both formal and semi-formal nights just so we can conserve on the packing space. I always wear dresses, skirts or pants suits for dinner, nicer dresses on formal/semi-formal nights.

But we also cruise on average once or twice a year, so we have the dinner clothing down to a science...it's the rest of the packing we always struggle with. I'm like PoisonIvy, I do NOT like to be cold, so I will have to really fight the urge to overpack. Our first stab at pulling things together is this weekend...wish us luck! I'm shooting for no more than 2 checked bags on the way there.

 

[WaylaLady]

Eesh, I'm totally the wrong person to ask about dress. I'm a cruising traditionalist, we don't wear jeans for dining. That said I have seen folks in jeans in Parrot Cay and Animators. Tritons is a little nicer, but you may get away with it. They will definitely turn you back if you show up to Palo with jeans. I've seen them do it several times, both for dinner and brunch. We don't ever sign up for the tea, so I can't speak to that. Similarly, for Formal Night, we typically get pretty dolled up. My hubby owns a tux, we may leave it at home for this trip and he would just wear a coat and tie for both formal and semi-formal nights just so we can conserve on the packing space. I always wear dresses, skirts or pants suits for dinner, nicer dresses on formal/semi-formal nights.

But we also cruise on average once or twice a year, so we have the dinner clothing down to a science...it's the rest of the packing we always struggle with. I'm like PoisonIvy, I do NOT like to be cold, so I will have to really fight the urge to overpack. Our first stab at pulling things together is this weekend...wish us luck! I'm shooting for no more than 2 checked bags on the way there.

Haha, best of luck with round 1 of packing! I actually don't have any jeans planned for dinner as it is right now, but I was wondering if maybe I should try to condense my wardrobe a bit. I think I've come up with a happy medium without resorting to jeans at night. I got rid of one jacket I was going to take and replaced it with a more easily folded shirt. CRISIS AVERTED!

I don't have any plans to go to Palo on this cruise. My husband isn't allowed to, presumably to leave the space for guests since we're technically considered cast members (I guess I could go, but I'd have no one to go with, so meh). Probably for the best since packing is going to be an issue anyway. This is a lot more complicated than sailing out of Port Canaveral where we just drive over and throw our stuff onboard! It's even trickier when you factor in going home with whatever gifts are given out by DVC. If they do board games this time we're all screwed! Lol.

 

[karaeric96]

Haha, best of luck with round 1 of packing! I actually don't have any jeans planned for dinner as it is right now, but I was wondering if maybe I should try to condense my wardrobe a bit. I think I've come up with a happy medium without resorting to jeans at night. I got rid of one jacket I was going to take and replaced it with a more easily folded shirt. CRISIS AVERTED!

I don't have any plans to go to Palo on this cruise. My husband isn't allowed to, presumably to leave the space for guests since we're technically considered cast members (I guess I could go, but I'd have no one to go with, so meh). Probably for the best since packing is going to be an issue anyway. This is a lot more complicated than sailing out of Port Canaveral where we just drive over and throw our stuff onboard! It's even trickier when you factor in going home with whatever gifts are given out by DVC. If they do board games this time we're all screwed! Lol.

hahahaha! I hear ya...We are packing a large duffle bag at the bottom of one of our checked bags for all of our dirty clothes to go in, so I can put the goodies in the nicer suitcase where (hopefully) they stay protected from the monkey baggage people. They seem to love trashing my bags during air travel...sigh. I also need to save a little room for a 2-3 bottles of wine. We always bring some with us for our stateroom before dinner.

 

[WaylaLady]

hahahaha! I hear ya...We are packing a large duffle bag at the bottom of one of our checked bags for all of our dirty clothes to go in, so I can put the goodies in the nicer suitcase where (hopefully) they stay protected from the monkey baggage people. They seem to love trashing my bags during air travel...sigh. I also need to save a little room for a 2-3 bottles of wine. We always bring some with us for our stateroom before dinner.

I'm bringing an empty bag too. I'd have no way to get gifts home without it. Hope everyone remembers that when planning!

In other news: I think I've officially lost it. I'm totally watching the Wonder on the Port of Miami webcam, it should be pulling out any minute. Once it does it's out for two weeks through the Canal, and closer to us in Vancouver!