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

[Johnny Quest]

I just checked with DVC and there are 3 categories still available. They are; 4A, 4B, and 5B. All others are sold out.

Also, transfers are $50/rndtrp and $25 one way between airport/airport Fairmont and the port/waterfront Fairmont. Hotels and transfers must be booked with DCL.

ROOM RATES:

Fairmont airport - $307 - $414/nite

Fairmont waterfront - $353 - $462/nite

 

[poison ivy]

I totally agree! I know it costs more to fly into our beautiful country, but the other transportation requirements are just added stress, time and cost…. it is worth it in books!!

Yes! and it really does all boil down to cost vs logistics. For us to get a flight out of Vancouver home on 6/1 right now is pricing around 243.00/pp.

this is for a departure after 7pm connecting to a redeye out of San Fran and landing in PHL at 6am next day. We know we will be spent doing this.

the other option is a flt leaving around 1:30pm for $288/pp.

These prices don't sound all that bad compared to the 178/rate I'm hoping to get out of Seattle. But I have to factor in all the added costs (transfers/baggage fees/addit'l food etc) multiplied x 5 and all the logistics to really compare options.

Everyone has their own pricing point for what's considered reasonable vs out of the question. We are still debating ours.

Not easy!

 

[Duckieluckey]

I could not find any real deals for getting to the cruise so we went for comfort and convenience. We are flying out of Washington Reagan at 8:00 AM on Sat May 23 and arrive in Vancouver at 12:59 PM. Cost for two is $1,840.59 (ouch). We return on June 1 leaving Vancouver at 12:10 PM and arriving Reagan at 9:59 PM.

We are staying Saturday and Sunday nights at at Pan Pacific.

 

[leslienish]

OK. I'm going to just jump in and sign up for the fish extender. We have been on 4 cruises so far and I keep saying "next time". Well the time is now!
I don't have enough posts to PM yet....

 

[Mathmagicland]

I just checked with DVC and there are 3 categories still available. They are; 4A, 4B, and 5B. All others are sold out.

Also, transfers are $50/rndtrp and $25 one way between airport/airport Fairmont and the port/waterfront Fairmont. Hotels and transfers must be booked with DCL.

ROOM RATES:

Fairmont airport - $307 - $414/nite

Fairmont waterfront - $353 - $462/nite

Hello - I have been following all of the great comments here, which are very helpful since this is my first cruise and first Disney Cruise. I'd like to share some clarity around the ground transfers for the DVC Member cruise. Since I'm new to this, I've got a lot of questions...and each time I contacted member services I'd receive different information when I asked whether ground transfers were included or if I'd be charged for them. I finally wrote in & asked for the correct info - here's the response I received last week from Todd in Member Services.

The pre-cruise hotel reservations do typically include ground transfers.
We are offering these for this sailing.

Hopefully this will help some folks with the pre-arrival planning.

 

[leslienish]

How easy is it to make the fish extenders? Or should I look online to purchase one? Any suggestions. Thanks!!!!

 

[Jay Kat]

How easy is it to make the fish extenders? Or should I look online to purchase one? Any suggestions. Thanks!!!!

We did it for the first time last member cruise last fall. It was so much fun! I am not "crafty" but I really enjoyed making ours. It was simple using things you can find at Hobby Lobby like pouches and iron on letters and things. Go find a thread here on the DIS about them, or there is one on Facebook if you are a FB person. They have pictures and ideas. As I said, I like the personalizing and fun of it, but it depends on if it is worth it to you.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

How easy is it to make the fish extenders? Or should I look online to purchase one? Any suggestions. Thanks!!!!

One Facebook page is called Fish Extender Disney Cruise Line, there is a pinned post that explains it all. If you are on eBay or etsy, just search for Fish Extender to get some ideas. I used Gradysmommy to make ours. As for the gifts, I bought most, and made some.

 

[poison ivy]

leslienish:

Glad you decided to join in! Feel free to ask any questions you have. I've participated in 4 FE exchanges out of 5 cruises.

Honestly, you can use just about anything that will hold little gifts and hang from the fish outside the cabin. You don't even need to have separate pockets if you want to use just a large tote. There are no strict requirements or rules.

Here are two threads with some ideas. Take the time to browse thru the 2nd one to really find the non-sew varieties.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32651483&postcount=378

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2857754

You'll notice a lot of them are done professionally - and many look alike but on a ship, that's not the case. I wish I had taken the time to photograph how much they vary and that anything is just about acceptable for this.

We bought ours online from gradysmommy too, years ago and still use it today but I've seen tote bags, large pencil cases strung together, plastic bags with sturdy handles; shoe holders (very popular); Christmas stockings and a ton of other things.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Will be updating the FE list and roll call tonight. Sorry the week at the parks and 3 nights on the Dream put me super behind in real life! <3 <3

Nice! You must be tired, and rested all at the same time!

 

[leslienish]

thanks for all your ideas for the fish extender! I'm just glad I have some time to plan for it!

 

[leslienish]

Since I have time, I think I'm going to try and make one. And then I guess it's planning on what to make for the exchanges. Is it going to be one per cabin or per person?

 

[mommacat56]

Without looking through all pages posted thus far, has anyone already booked their flights yet? I am coming from the MA/CT area a few days early to see some of the touristy stuff in Vancouver and staying one day post-cruise. I've looked at some flights (United and Air Canada) and the RT for my preferred dates appears to be around $780 - $800 at this moment. How does that compare to any flight reservations already made? Each way has only one stop with relatively short layovers. Thanks for any input!

 

[OKraysLoveDisney]

Hubby and I are on this cruise. Our first DVC Member cruise and we are quite excited! Also, we are sailing on the 5 nt Wonder cruise before this one, so it will be our first back to back cruise! Hubby turns 60 just a few days before embarkation, so we will celebrate.

Is anyone staying after the cruise for a few nights? We are thinking about renting a car and driving up to Whistler...any ideas/suggestions are certainly welcome.

 

[JimmyL47]

I could not find any real deals for getting to the cruise so we went for comfort and convenience. We are flying out of Washington Reagan at 8:00 AM on Sat May 23 and arrive in Vancouver at 12:59 PM. Cost for two is $1,840.59 (ouch). We return on June 1 leaving Vancouver at 12:10 PM and arriving Reagan at 9:59 PM.

We are staying Saturday and Sunday nights at at Pan Pacific.

Our flights cost us almost exactly the same as yours, maybe $15 difference, we are flying out of BWI. We will be arriving on Sunday afternoon and will also be staying at the Pan Pacific.

I did a lot of research and played a lot of "what if". Also went for simplicity and convenience.

 

[ExpeditionEverest]

Hubby and I are on this cruise. Our first DVC Member cruise and we are quite excited! Also, we are sailing on the 5 nt Wonder cruise before this one, so it will be our first back to back cruise! Hubby turns 60 just a few days before embarkation, so we will celebrate.

Is anyone staying after the cruise for a few nights? We are thinking about renting a car and driving up to Whistler...any ideas/suggestions are certainly welcome.

You will love Whistler and it is only a few hour drive from Vancouver. There is a lot to do up there in the summer - hiking, sightseeing, taking the gondola up the mountain, swimming, biking, etc. My recommendation is that you stay in or near the Village so you can easily walk to the Village. As a side note, even though you have gondola access to the Village from Creekside, Creekside is several miles away from the Village. If you drive, make sure your reservation includes parking. There is essentially no free overnight parking at Whistler. Whistler offers a wide assortment of accomodations from studios, townhouses, all the way up to luxury houses. One of our favorite places to stay in Whistler is the Crystal Lodge and Suites which is in the heart of the Village. Crystal is a great value. If you are looking for luxury, I would suggest the Four Seasons which is also in the Village.

USD is widely accepted in Whistler so there is no need to get CAD currency. You won't get the best rate using USD but it is nice for the convenience factor.

 

[ExpeditionEverest]

Since I have time, I think I'm going to try and make one. And then I guess it's planning on what to make for the exchanges. Is it going to be one per cabin or per person?

Good luck making one. I decided to go the easy route and buy one off Ebay. Regarding gifts, it is totally up to you. You can do one gift per cabin, one gift per person, one gift for the adults, one gift for the kids, etc.

This will be my first time doing FE. Right now, I am doing one gift per cabin but I might do something extra for the kids. Since this is a member cruise, there won't be many kids on the cruise.

 

[autumnl78]

Since I have time, I think I'm going to try and make one. And then I guess it's planning on what to make for the exchanges. Is it going to be one per cabin or per person?

1 extender per cabin. You can opt to have 1 pocket per person if you want

 

[autumnl78]

1 extender per cabin, but you can have 1 pocket per person if you want.

 

[autumnl78]

FE has been updated. Please take a moment and make sure you are on it and your info is right if you pm'ed me. If you are not there and should be, or want to be there, please read post #1 on this thread and then PM me