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

[DisneyBelle99]

Pan Pacific shows availability on the direct site, and through Amex. Rates for AAA discount and Amex discount start at 350/night Canadian. I still haven't booked....

 

[xlxo]

With regards to Panny availability... keep trying.... perhaps daily. Pan Pacific appears to releasing small blocks of rooms gradually looking at DIS threads.

Otherwise, go ahead a book one of the many hotels in Vancouver within your budget. Just pay attention to the cancellation policy. Hyatt looks very affordable, good subway access and close to the Robson street nightlife w/ shopping.

Personally, I would look at the Richmond Airport hotels (eg Raddison) and with the money saved.... spend on good dinners and extra nights for tourist attractions.

 

[xlxo]

One thing we are planning is to catch the Wonder as she sails into Port. There's some pretty good vantage pts from the Pan Pacific. Maybe some others here will join us that morning! should be fun.

For those not able to stay at the Panny and want to ceremoniously welcome the Wonder's arrival. The cruise ship terminal has a long massive promenade that you can cheer and wave at the Wonder as it docks into the terminal.

If you are there super early.... go to the Lions Gate Bridge or Prospect point. You can look down on the Wonder as she goes under the famous San Francisco baby clone.

 

[Daffydee]

Sadly, in all likelihood I will have to cancel my cruise so please remove my name from the FE. There is a slight chance we may be able to go but don't want to drop out of the FE at the last minute. It sounded like such fun. Enjoy!

 

[nunzia]

Welcome Kara! It is our first Alaska cruise, first Member's cruise, and first FE! lots of newness

 

[tidefan]

With regards to Panny availability... keep trying.... perhaps daily. Pan Pacific appears to releasing small blocks of rooms gradually looking at DIS threads. Otherwise, go ahead a book one of the many hotels in Vancouver within your budget. Just pay attention to the cancellation policy. Hyatt looks very affordable, good subway access and close to the Robson street nightlife w/ shopping. Personally, I would look at the Richmond Airport hotels (eg Raddison) and with the money saved.... spend on good dinners and extra nights for tourist attractions.

We're booked at the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Vancouver. It gets pretty good ratings on Tripadvisor and has a free shuttle...

 

[nrexxma44]

Well glad we booked our rooms at the Pan Pacific, i read on the boards today that all rooms on travelocity were sold out. I would still recommend calling the hotel directly, that is what we did and got a great deal
We arrive on Saturday the 23....can't wait to book our shore excursions!!!!

 

[xlxo]

One thing we are planning is to catch the Wonder as she sails into Port. There's some pretty good vantage pts from the Pan Pacific. Maybe some others here will join us that morning! should be fun.

Did some more research.... I found the Wonder docked just before 7am each morning in 2014 at Canada Place. I guess enthusiastic greeters should be at the terminal before 7am with their banners and air horns to ensure everyone is awake and ready to clear-out your cabins.

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

Arrival DTM Departure DTM Location
May 24 06:32 AM May 24 05:37 PM Ballantyne
Jun 02 06:58 AM Jun 02 05:37 PM Canada Place
Jun 09 01:06 PM Jun 09 05:07 PM Canada Place
Jun 16 07:15 AM Jun 16 04:46 PM Canada Place
Jun 23 07:19 AM Jun 23 04:43 PM Canada Place
Jun 30 07:12 AM Jun 30 10:23 PM Canada Place
Jul 07 07:02 AM Jul 07 04:37 PM Canada Place
Jul 14 06:54 AM Jul 14 06:44 PM Canada Place
Jul 21 06:57 AM Jul 21 04:53 PM Canada Place
Jul 28 06:54 AM Jul 28 04:48 PM Canada Place
Aug 04 06:54 AM Aug 04 04:37 PM Canada Place
Aug 11 07:00 AM Aug 11 04:41 PM Canada Place
Aug 18 07:00 AM Aug 18 05:03 PM Canada Place
Aug 25 07:05 AM Aug 25 04:42 PM Canada Place
Sep 01 07:11 AM Sep 01 05:55 PM Canada Place
Sep 08 06:54 AM Sep 08 04:54 PM Canada Place

I also noticed the May 2014 departure was NOT at Canada Place, but the backup Ballantyne dock 2 miles to the East.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...VRfgynxl_Eoc3GGVDFujpmb5VRfgw&mra=ls&t=m&z=15

If history repeats itself in 2015... staying at the Panny in 2015 will be pointless as the Wonder will not be departing/arriving from there. Can anyone confirm the May 2015 pier assignment? No, you don't want to be staying in hotels around Ballantyne.

 

[Jay Kat]

Hi Kara,

to our cruise meet!!
Glad to have you aboard.

It's our first trip to Alaska so having another veteran cruiser like yourself will be a big help!



And - JQ did reserve a whale watching charter in Juneau thru weather permitting. (Jay Kat are you listening???) I'll let him fill in the details.

yes, Poison.....here and excited. And welcome and hi Kara. This is our second cruise, first Alaska, and second DVC. It is a surprise for my significant other, so keeping it on the DL until Christmas. DId get a room at Pan...glad we have others who have done this and are taking a lead to help with my planning!

 

[Johnny Quest]

If history repeats itself in 2015... staying at the Panny in 2015 will be pointless as the Wonder will not be departing/arriving from there. Can anyone confirm the May 2015 pier assignment? No, you don't want to be staying in hotels around Ballantyne.

I just read an article on seatrade - insider web site that they are shutting down Ballantyne terminal for cruise operations at the end of the 2014 season. Good thing we don't have to worry about this issue any longer.

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/new...llantyne-as-cruise-moves-to-canada-place.html

Also called Southwest Airlines this morning and they have delayed posting further 2015 fares until November 10th... Oh well. Patience is a virtue.

 

[karaeric96]

Did some more research.... I found the Wonder docked just before 7am each morning in 2014 at Canada Place. I guess enthusiastic greeters should be at the terminal before 7am with their banners and air horns to ensure everyone is awake and ready to clear-out your cabins.

Fun!! I think we will be out there welcoming the Wonder with some of you!! We've never welcomed the ship into port. Air horn is now on the packing list - CHECK!!

Cheers, Kara

 

[xlxo]

Then again airhorns (compressed gas canister) will be not be permitted on aircraft. Cowbells might be a better choice.

Pity the Pan Pacific guests.

 

[Johnny Quest]

Quick update:

Our FE Lists - are now split
Please take a minute to review your information under my first post on the front page of our cruise meet.

Anyone not listed is welcome to join the main/family FE List.
Just post here on the boards and I'll add your information.

thanks
Jim

 

[Johnny Quest]

Don't forget. Southwest fares come out tomorrow. Hoping for some good prices to Seattle.

 

[therina]

Just checked Southwest for Birmingham, AL. not impressed. Times are not good and price isn't that great. I like not having to pay for luggage (especially since we're doing FE), but if I have fly into Seattle then get to the port, at this point it may be better just to fly another airline into Vancouver. Since they just opened up today, maybe I should wait a little longer to decide?? Getting a little nervous about not have definite plans! Anybody have any thoughts?

 

[DisneyBelle99]

I looked at the website, won't work for us. Doesn't fly out of JFK or Laguardia. Doesn't go to Vancouver, only Seattle.

A positive travel note of the day.....only 196 days to go until the cruise!!!!!

 

[poison ivy]

I checked it out briefly out of Phila. Not the best fares I had seen compared to this year. Looked like the cheapest that month was around 176.00/ea way but nothing that low for our actual dates. The prices were around 50.00 higher at 225.00. My guess is it's because we're dealing with Memorial Day Weekend.

haven't had a moment to run anything more solid between what Southwest is offering thru Seattle vs the other airlines thru Vancouver.

but I'm not real concerned just yet about making a decision. I also want to have this taken care of but I don't expect these prices to change this month.

Will check back in with everyone once I have a better idea of how much this whole travel situation is really going to cost in money, time, and logistics.

 

[BinkYABT]

Just a note confirming that we will participate in the FE

 

[Jay Kat]

I'm with all of you that are trying to decide the best way to get there. I have been traveling a TON for work this fall, and so have a TON of frequent flyer miles on Southwest. We also have a daughter in Seattle and we will go visit for a day or two prior. Now, how to get from Seattle to Vancouver and back. THAT is the question.....

 

[xlxo]

Now, how to get from Seattle to Vancouver and back. THAT is the question.....

You have several options...

• drive for 2.5 hours
• fly
• train with Amtrak from downtown to downtown for $50
• Quick shuttle for $50 with pickups at SeaTac, Downtown Seattle, Downtown Vancouver and cruise ship terminal.
• Bolt bus where some rides are $1. But difficult to get 4 to 6 weeks from departure

You can also take a slower scenic option via Victoria.

• bus and ferry?
• Orca Whale watching one-way?