A WONDERful first cruise experience (ALASKA - Sept. 1-7) Photo links fixed!

[becca1976]

Wonderful travelogue, and now I can put this story together with a face, together with a fellow FE member--we talked a bit on the formal night in line for photos.
We also were clueless about the customs wait, so didn't get as upset as some. But we started at 11:30 and it took 2 hours before we boarded. As you say, if you don't know, you think that's the way it always is! The mood became more festive once we were out of the chairs!

I was lucky that my daughter was so keen to get to Oceaneers Club with her new friend from New Zealand, that I signed her up, dropped her off for 30 min. before our dinner, ran back to the lift and got off on Deck 10 just as the bow began to pass under the Lion's gate bridge, so I got the photos. We were 15 min. late to the first seating of dinner, but it was worth it.

Beautiful photos, and commentary. It truly was a magical trip. I was especially excited because Alaska was the 50th state I've visited--I had 48 states done for about 15 years, and in August and September I got #49 (Louisiana) and #50 done! I was unprepared for how stunning the vistas were, even on the many cloudy days we had. We too absolutely loved our dinner companions (3 couples + me and my 10 year old daughter--she loved all the attention, being the only kid) and the food and our hosts. Wow. So ready to go again--anywhere on Disney. All the best, and all safety and joy when you return to Cameroon.

Thank you! So fun to be able to put disboard names with a face now Alaska was my husband's 48th state - he was happy to be able to cross this off his list. He still lacks New Mexico and Arizona.

What an amazing trip report!
We were sharing the Harv & Marv boat with you and really appreciated the video that was posted- I was able to have a moment of our whale watch with live action!

Sorry to hear about the Customs snafu.... we were there early and luckily missed the mess.

I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your first Disney cruise so much- we'd been wanting to do if for a while, and now my husband is talking about doing it again! Of course he's been saying this since day 3

Safe travels, and bless you all!!

Did you get my husband's photos? He sent an email out to everyone on the tour with us. I'm still hoping Captain Scott posts a video! That truly was an amazing experience. Harv and Marv was definitely the highlight of our Alaska trip. Worth every single penny...plus some! haha!

Glad you missed the customs mess. It really didn't bother me that much, and we actually didn't know that it was abnormal until someone told us. It certainly won't deter us from a future trip!

 

[becca1976]

Ugh...Just noticed all my photobucket pics went haywire. I moved them into an album dedicated to the Disney Cruise and evidently it messed up all the links. They are fixed now!

 

[becca1976]

I just found Captain scott's video from our Whale Watching tour!! You can see me in the video...with the black and white striped cap on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkDxscb1KLM

 

[*Flower*]

Thank you! So fun to be able to put disboard names with a face now Alaska was my husband's 48th state - he was happy to be able to cross this off his list. He still lacks New Mexico and Arizona.



Did you get my husband's photos? He sent an email out to everyone on the tour with us. I'm still hoping Captain Scott posts a video! That truly was an amazing experience. Harv and Marv was definitely the highlight of our Alaska trip. Worth every single penny...plus some! haha!

Glad you missed the customs mess. It really didn't bother me that much, and we actually didn't know that it was abnormal until someone told us. It certainly won't deter us from a future trip!

Haven't received the photos yet- but we're really looking forward to them! It was such an amazing excursion!! And I'm glad to hear that you both had a great time- my husband also said that the Harv and Marv trip was the highlight of the trip!

 

[Photobee]

I made it, Becca! Thank you for sending me the link to your trip report! I can't wait to hear all about your trip to Alaska!!!

--Dawn

 

[Photobee]

I have a question...I wondered what style of room you had and if you liked it? I'm worried that if we cruise, and have one of the inner cabins, my equilibrium would be off, not having a view of the horizon. If you could tell your opinions of your cabin, and maybe include some photos if you have any, that would be great! Thank you!

Also, what kinds of FE gifts did you give and receive? Would you participate in the FE again on another cruise?!

 

[ImaginAli]

Fantastic photos! I enjoyed reading your trip report and hope you are able to make another one with your entire family in the future.

 

[podsnel]

What a wonderful TR!! The whales you saw in Juneau were incredible! We saw many of them, too- but just their backs and tails- not that I am complaining, mind you, but WOW on the breech and spy hopping humpbacks you saw! Also loved your other excursions- Dyea Dave gets great reviews, and I know the next time I am in Skagway, I will probably be going with them- I do want to see that Yukon, chewed up sign and all...and that Emerald Lake- so beautiful!!!

Thank you for sharing- hope you ARE able to come back with your kids someday soon- and i bet by then Parrot Cay will be revamped for you too (like it is on the Magic).

 

[becca1976]

I made it, Becca! Thank you for sending me the link to your trip report! I can't wait to hear all about your trip to Alaska!!!

--Dawn

Yay! Hope you enjoy!

I have a question...I wondered what style of room you had and if you liked it? I'm worried that if we cruise, and have one of the inner cabins, my equilibrium would be off, not having a view of the horizon. If you could tell your opinions of your cabin, and maybe include some photos if you have any, that would be great! Thank you!

Also, what kinds of FE gifts did you give and receive? Would you participate in the FE again on another cruise?!

I honestly loved our room. We had an inside cabin, room #5001. It was an inside room with a side orientation, and reviews have stated that the room appears bigger because of the orientation of it. This being our first cruise, I couldn't compare, but I really enjoyed it. We had no problem with sea sickness, but you could definitely feel the ship moving at times. Once we started traveling the inside passages the water was calmer. I was worried about sea sickness, but it didn't affect us at all and I'm thankful for that. I didn't miss the windows and enjoyed sleeping in the dark. Honestly, we spent so little time in our room it didn't matter what it looked like. We were always on the go, and there was always something to do. Here is a link to some pics of the cabin. http://deckplangenius.com/cabin.aspx?stateroom=109729
The room was extremely quiet and at the end of a hallway. We rarely ran into anyone and never heard any neighbor noise.

I enjoyed the FE. I know it would have been more fun with my kids along, but overall I enjoyed it. We got some home-made gifts and gifts from other countries. Just walking around the ship to deliver them was fun and I felt like Santa filling pockets with goodies! I would definitely do it again! I gave each of the ladies a bracelet made here in Cameroon, Africa where we live as missionaries. I gave the men ebony carved key chains of the continent of Africa. I have since learned that people do individual gifts, plus cabin gifts and they spend so much money. I didn't feel that people did that in our group. The gifts were modest, but unique and we really enjoyed them.

Fantastic photos! I enjoyed reading your trip report and hope you are able to make another one with your entire family in the future.

Thank you! We are hoping to go sometime in the future, but will probably have to do a Florida cruise. The Alaska cruise is so expensive now. We just wouldn't be able to afford the travel out west, plus the cruise cost. I'll have to settle for a 4 day if we take the whole family.

What a wonderful TR!! The whales you saw in Juneau were incredible! We saw many of them, too- but just their backs and tails- not that I am complaining, mind you, but WOW on the breech and spy hopping humpbacks you saw! Also loved your other excursions- Dyea Dave gets great reviews, and I know the next time I am in Skagway, I will probably be going with them- I do want to see that Yukon, chewed up sign and all...and that Emerald Lake- so beautiful!!!

Thank you for sharing- hope you ARE able to come back with your kids someday soon- and i bet by then Parrot Cay will be revamped for you too (like it is on the Magic).

Thank you! Whale watching day was our favorite! That was one of my favorite life experiences! We really enjoyed Dyea Dave and the cost was what helped me decide. It was so inexpensive for what we got! There are so many excursions to choose from. I enjoyed sitting down with our table-mates at the end of the day and swapping stories.