A Golden-Grand-Slam-Outta-the-Park Alaskan Cruise! COMPLETE 7/18!!!!!!

podsnel · Jan 11, 2015

pillow said:
This TR has made my day!! The perfect thing to get me excited about our Alaska trip! I ended up finding a fabulous deal at the Westin (first night rack rate then nights 2 and 3 pay your birth year), and since its so close to Stanley Park, I grabbed it. We're there for 3 nights pre-cruise, and I can't wait to explore the park.

Ha! I thought you would be happy!

Money question for you . . . did you use your credit card in Vancouver, or did you get Canadian dollars somewhere? We'll be in Canada for 10 days pre-cruise, so I suppose I'll need to get some Canadian currency. I suppose the airport ATM will do??

Thanks so much for sharing your adventures!!

Jodie

We used our United cc- it doesn't have foreign transaction fees.

PhiSigKris said:
Love your trip report! Alaska is on our bucket list. We were thinking for our 10 year anniversary, but that would make our boys only 8 & 6 1/2. Decided we better wait till they can appreciate it. Excited to read how your boys like it!

Hi there! This was on our bucket list, too. My boys loved it- I hope yours will, too, no matter when you decide to go!

Linda67 said:
Hi Ellen
It's hop-a-long Linda here
Your TR is bringing back such amazing memories of our trip to Vancouver
The Alaskan itinerary is truly amazing and I can't wait to hear about your cruise
Oh boy, I want to go again!
Lx

Hello my gimpy friend!! :rotfl:

I hope you are completely healed by now- are you?

And- I KNOW!! I want to go again, too!! I am sending 2 families so far this summer and I am so envious of them!!

sdjen said:
Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks! Trying to make that happen!

Flossbolna said:
I have heard of that place before and it is definitely on my to do list for my next visit to Vancouver. Your pictures are lovely!

Thank you! I did think it was really nice there. I wish my boys had gotten out of bed!

dizneeat said:
Yikes, whenever I think I have read it all, you throw another update at me.
Awesome day before the cruise. That treetop walk looks sooooo beautiful.

Hello Pot? This is the kettle- you're black!! You just wrote a slew yourself!

Great pics of the city as well. And the terminal looked so much nicer than the one in Barcelona.

I loved the Vancouver terminal.

Love the look of your stateroom - navigator's veranda - I need to keep that in mind!

We have one one the Magic in May- a round one there, though. Window, I mean.

micandminforever said:
We are headed to Alaska on the Wonder this year with my dh family, so I cannot wait to read the rest of your report.

Great! You will LOVE Alaska!

jedijill · Jan 11, 2015

What a wonderful start to your trip! I've got to do Alaska in 2017 or 2018...Vancouver looks amazing. I'm taking copious notes!

That storm in August was nuts! Glad your friend finally made it.

Heading to your great state of NJ tomorrow...too bad its South Jersey and not your neck of the woods.

Jill in CO

podsnel · Jan 11, 2015

Up to Beach Blanket Buffet we went- it has been a while since we have been on the Classic ships, and it was kind of nice to be able to get around the ship to pretty much everywhere rather quickly.

On the downside, I had forgotten how much smaller the buffet actually was! But it was fine, still had lots of yummy things to try.

It was soooo good to be back- almost felt like we had never left!

After lunch, the boys went to check out Vibe and Pods and I went on our own tour.

We went outside and were happy to see these at the bar-

love to see the regional beer on the cruise!

The Cove Cafe/Outlook Cafe was very different, and we would end up spending lots of time here on this cruise.

Next we went up to Vibe.

Our boys were not here- we later found out they had already made some friends and were off exploring the ship with them!

Cont'd next post-

podsnel · Jan 11, 2015

Since we had checked out the kids club, we decided it was time to also check out the Grown-up Clubs (as Timmy used to call them back when he was 9).

Diversions! Wow, it has been a long time since I have seen you! We went by the Radar Trap- actually never went in.

The other two clubs were occupied with events, so we decided to go up to the Cabin and unpack a bit before Muster. Ty & Tim were over in their cabin, and wanted to know why their beds were together- no problem, they will separate them later when we meet the cabin steward guys.

How do you like having your own cabin guys?

Across the hall, I checked out my Gold bag- it had all kinds of cool goodies in there!!

And a pretty framed picture outside-

With that, it was time for Muster, i believe...and time for me to upload more pics! See ya later!

Mysteria · Jan 11, 2015

I really did come right here from your other report. :thumbsup2

On those bridges in the forest you look fairly relaxed while Pods looks like he was holding on tight! :laughing:

Beautiful way to start the day though.

The boys had their own cabin...bet they felt like rock stars!

Great start, can't wait to read more. :goodvibes

podsnel · Jan 11, 2015

Off we went to Muster, this time we were in Animator's. We stood kind of near the exit, so when it was over, we were out of there quickly. Then it was up to Deck 10 for Sailaway! Bye bye Vancouver....

I did do a little dancing, I have to admit, but we were happy, as many were, to head to the bow of the ship in anticipation of where we were going. We passed the Quiet Cove adult pool-

This was a busy area quite often on our cruise. On Tracy Arm day, this was where they were serving the delicious pea soup in bread bowls. Yummmm...

TO ALASKA!

Passing by Stanley Park...

And under the Lion's Gate Bridge-

Much less busy than yesterday-

Tyler had vanished, but we still had our little guy, lol!

YAYYY!!!! I'm on a Disney Cruise!

We went back to our cabin, and I continued unpacking while Pods read his book. Our cabin had already been made up for the evening.

I have to admit, the scenery out on the balcony was extremely distracting, and I ran over to have a look every few minutes. We were not even close to being out of Canada and it was already so spectacularly beautiful!

We all dressed for dinner and had another look before heading to Animator's for our first night.

Up next- the ORIGINAL Animator's Dinner Show....

jedijill · Jan 11, 2015

You are an updating machine! Vancouver is gorgeous! I don't blame you for getting distracted by the scenery! Holy cow your boys are getting big!

Jill in CO (using way too many exclamation marks!)

jenseib · Jan 12, 2015

I am loving all the updates Ellen. I had friends on this cruise so I keep looking for them in the background too. :rotfl:

Glad you got to enjoy some of Vancouvers things to do. If I ever can talk my husband into going I am sure I'll have questions for you. the bad thing is they only sail in the summer which is a farmers busy time. I should start saving my pennies and just go with Claire.

DWGal210 · Jan 12, 2015

I'm here!

GREAT start....cannot wait to cruise Alaska! I thought I might get to it this year, but it'll be 2016. Something to look forward to!

Glad to hear everyone came out unscathed from the biking experience. :thumbsup2

That hotel is an AWESOME location! I will have to remember that.

pillow · Jan 12, 2015

JKSWonder · Jan 12, 2015

It all looks so beautiful! I'm loving this report.

dizneeat · Jan 12, 2015

Sail away looks awesome. The views are just stunning and the "framed" pics out of your stateroom are just beautiful. Loving every little bit of your updates.

stinksmom · Jan 12, 2015

Wow - what a great start to the trip! Vancouver looks beautiful. My experience in Canada has always been on fishing trips so no big cities for me. Although our last trip we did stay on an absolutely amazing private island thanks to some friends "winning" the trip at a silent auction :rotfl:

I loved the pictures from the park in Capilano but there is no way you would get me on that suspension bridge or even up in the treetop adventure!

Seeing the pictures as you sail away made me go out and price an Alaskan cruise. Unfortunately we already have our summer pretty well booked up but one of these years!

Can't wait to hear more!

podsnel · Jan 12, 2015

Tonight we were having dinner at Animator's- and since the Wonder is the only ship that has not yet been refurbed in Dry-dock (due to the Panama Canal delay), the Wonder remains the only ship in the fleet with the ORIGINAL Animator's Show Dinner.
The last time we saw this was on the Magic in 2010, and to be honest, I could barely remember what went on,we have seen a few since then, so it was almost like a whole new show!

We met our servers, and it was love at first sight- they were too cute! Luisa from Italy and Emilie from France. It was Luisa's last week of her contract before vacation, she would be getting off the ship when we did for a couple of months. They were/are best friends and had requested to work together so they could spend more time together before Luisa's break. No pics of them tonight, but LOTS more to come! For starters, we all (but Pods) got the truffle purses- YUM YUM YUM-

Pods had sliced Serrano ham with tomato bread and Spanish olives.

Everyone was happy!

We went right to the Main Course. Tim had Ginger-Teriyaki dusted Angus Beef Tenderloin-

While the rest of us had the Herb Crusted Veal Chop (because we had all enjoyed it so much on the Fantasy).

That is such a great dish, the flavor is just fantastic, especially with the risotto. Not quite as good as on the Fantasy, but very good- the kitchen on the Wonder needs an update (I believe the Magic kitchen was updated in Dry Dock, so we would assume the same or better for the Wonder). Very happy about our first night's meal! SOME were a little TOO happy-

I blame this one- he may be quiet, but he comes out with the funniest, funniest stuff-

Timmy could barely breathe!

I asked Tyler if he remembers what he said, and sorry, but all he can remember is that he was really funny! :rotfl:

The show was moving along-

Mickey made his grand entrance, and even the 17 year old comedian had to look-

The original was nice! Not all the bells and whistles of talking to Crush or having your drawing dance around the room, but still so creative and thoughtful.

We ordered dessert- we were at Table 42- there's no forgetting that number for us- it's Timmy's number, as well as a couple of other pretty good baseball players (ummm...Jackie Robinson and Mariano Rivera in case you were not up on this).

Cookies and Cream Sundae-

White Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake-

The kids took off...as per usual, they could not WAIT to get back to Vibe. Pods and I went down to WaveBands, where Pods couldn't wait to sport some other woman's lingerie.....

Geez, he sure was anxious to get in there!

We were late (as usual- we always get to quest late because we have second seating dinner and I am always talking to the servers, lol). So we sat in the back and were teamed up with another couple who we had never seen before (and rarely saw after). One of the first challenges was to go up and give David (the funny CM who kept us entertained all week) a kiss- other teams had girls. We had Pods.

Score 2 points! Then Pods and his new buddy held hands and skipped around-

1 Point! Next it was time for a little cross-dressing. My shoes and the other wife's bra made an appearance along with a European carry-all-

Looks like Pods doesn't understand how a bra works. Hmmmm.....This ain't no Team 4!

Oh boy-

Well, no hats were won this time, but great humiliation was had by all nonetheless. We were tired, a LOT had been done today, so we decided to call it a night after that and went back to the Cabin....where I think we were just almost past Vancouver Island. This was the last bit of lights across the way....

Up next- a busy sea day, with a great walk on Deck 4, two Naturalist Presentations, Palo Brunch, and more wonderful stuff.....

Mickdeb · Jan 12, 2015

Great TR, we were on this same cruise and stayed at the Pan Pacific.

Love your pictures, you are bringing back such great memories.
Can't wait for the next update.

KristiMc · Jan 12, 2015

Tell Pods he looked great in the bra!

We need a reunion cruise to get another win for Team 4.

Love the views from your balcony. I can't wait to take them all in.

I showed Matt the pictures from Capilano and he wants to go there. Looks like we have our day in Vancouver planned :thumbsup2

Jillpie · Jan 13, 2015

The minute I opened this, I said YES, this was the Diser who wrote the best trip report from Hawaii that was like the best book EVER. So I am soooo in for Alaska, are you kidding me, I cannot wait!!

pillow · Jan 13, 2015

Jillpie said:
The minute I opened this, I said YES, this was the Diser who wrote the best trip report from Hawaii that was like the best book EVER. So I am soooo in for Alaska, are you kidding me, I cannot wait!!

What!!?? A Hawaii TR??? How did I miss this? So, today I'm blowing off the run I'm supposed to do and also the taxes I wanted to start to read about Ellen's Hawaiian adventures . . .

Jodie

Jillpie · Jan 13, 2015

pillow said:
What!!?? A Hawaii TR??? How did I miss this? So, today I'm blowing off the run I'm supposed to do and also the taxes I wanted to start to read about Ellen's Hawaiian adventures . . .

Jodie

daneenm · Jan 13, 2015

Jillpie said:
Oh yes, and grab your favorite hot drink and cozy up, its a good one believe me. Here you go!

Day 1 & 2- Kauai - Kauai Beach resort, Tip Top Cafe, Waimea Canyon, Pihea Hike, Jojo's Anuenue, Hanalei Bay Resort, Kauai Grill http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...92&postcount=3
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...20&postcount=8

I am not able to get any of these links to work for me. Are they working for others? I'd love to read the report!

A Golden-Grand-Slam-Outta-the-Park Alaskan Cruise! COMPLETE 7/18!!!!!!

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