Alaska 06/11/12 Anyone Sailing ?

[Grumpymom73]

I'm so glad you asked about toiletries as it prompted me to look up the H2O website! They are currently running a special (don't know how long it will last) of buy 2, get 1 free with free shipping on purchases $75 or more. I'm placing an order the shampoo and conditioner as we're running low. My advice is to enjoy the toiletries onboard as part of your experience and take advantage of the sale to buy some to enjoy at home.

http://www.h2oplus.com/category/hair+care/disney&reg-+resort+amenities.do?nType=2

Don't worry about TSA too much! Here is the 311 list from the TSA:
http://www.tsa.gov/311/ The link to the list of prohibited items is on the bottom of the page. I fly all the time and almost never have issues (my bag just got flagged yesterday, but it's all good). In general, I would put all liquids (in double zip lock bags) and any questionable items in checked luggage. I either use the space created by our using the "disposable" items or bring an extra bag for our souvenirs.

Good luck!

All really great ideas!!
Thanks so much

 

[pixie08]

I usually bring the H2O stuff home, but this time I am just going to use it! I know they will refill it and it is great stuff so it is one less thing to pack. I may pack a leave in because of all the moisture my hair may get a bit frizzy

Otherwise I am trying to limit what I carry for this trip. So far this is what my list looks like:

Me:
fleece
sweatshirt
raincoat
hat
gloves
2 pairs sneakers (one waterproof, one for working out)
1 pair dressy shoes
flip flops
wedge sandals (dinner in Seattle, Palo brunch, tea, dinners etc)
2 casual-ish sun dressses (palo brunch, tea, dinners on ship & Seattle)
1-2 skirts
2-3 pair Jeans (or cargos to sub for a pair jeans)
2 workout outfits
5-6 tops (probably more if I can get them to fit so I don't have to wash)
uggs- if I can fit them because they are knit cable ones and so comfy/warm
lounge around clothes/PJ's
1 formal dress
1 black wrap dress (palo dinner/semi formal night)\makeup
toiletries(bug spray, suntan lotion)

In my backpack....
ipad
iphone
camera + 2 lenses
Video camera (well this is technically dh's and will go in his backpack)

Bathing Suit?? I guess for the spa!

Hopefully I can this all to fit in one suitcase

 

[AAshleySEG]

Grumpy,

I was having the same thoughts about toiletries, this is what we decided:

We have loads and loads of WDW little bottles from shampoo and stuff, that we rinse out and keep when they are used up. We put our own shampoo, conditioner, body wash in a few of them and are bringing that for extra, should we run out on the ship/hotel, that way it won't weigh down our luggage at all hardly and we still have some in case normal sized body wash and stuff weight a lot when combined with shampoo and everything else, this way those little bottles only weigh about 1.8 oz instead of the 12-16oz that those big bottles weigh. Normally I do the ziplock thing, but since we are checking luggage this time, I'm just gonna chunk all the liquids and stuff in our checked bags so we don't have to deal with them. Hope it all works out for ya....well for us too for that matter...I don't wanna have to pay $90 each way for luggage being overweight

 

[Maleficent59]

Here are a few other options for those who have to pay for checked luggage:

• Consider mailing a flat rate package to the ship and/or home (I posted information the FE page about how to ship one box to the ship). Use it to ship the heavy items.
• If trying to fit everything in one bag, bring a lightweight bag to transfer items from an overweight bag if necessary. It's generally less expensive to check the 2nd bag than it is to pay the overweight fee (i.e., for United, it is $100 for the overweight fee between 50 and 70 pounds while the 2nd checked bag costs $35)
• Purchasing a travel scale to weigh luggage.

 

[pixie08]

I agree...we always weigh our luggage!

 

[Grumpymom73]

Great ideas!
Thanks everyone.
I've budgeted for 4 bags to be checked ($100 each way) so I'm just trying to keep it at that and not any more.

 

[AAshleySEG]

If there is anyone that is gonna be in Seattle early and wants to do a pre-cruise meet-up or something let me know, we have 3 whole days beforehand, and it might be fun to say Hi . Also, have there been any plans on the actual cruise meet-up? I have never done it before and don't want to miss something if it is already planned as far as where and when kind of thing

Under 2 Months Now!

 

[midwestpat]

I have another question for you long-time DCL people.
At midnight when it first opened up, I got on and signed up for the excursions we wanted (as many others posted they did too). We "got" our first choice excursions and thought it was all set.

Then two days ago DH took a phone call (which was odd... everything else has been done by email, not phone) and an automated call said we were cancelled on our Ketchikan excursion. Seems we didn't really "get" it after all, did we? The call said we could get more info online.

Online, it still showed that excursion open, for the next day. I cancelled it myself (it now shows cancelled in the sign up list), and we started reviewing other choices to choose another. A few minutes ago I booked a different excursion.

Here's my question - how often does this happen? It's been weeks since I booked that, and yet we're weeks more ahead of the date of this adventure, why was it cancelled now? What reassurance is there that our other excursions, or this new one we chose tonight, won't ALSO be cancelled?

 

[Grumpymom73]

I have another question for you long-time DCL people.
At midnight when it first opened up, I got on and signed up for the excursions we wanted (as many others posted they did too). We "got" our first choice excursions and thought it was all set.

Then two days ago DH took a phone call (which was odd... everything else has been done by email, not phone) and an automated call said we were cancelled on our Ketchikan excursion. Seems we didn't really "get" it after all, did we? The call said we could get more info online.

Online, it still showed that excursion open, for the next day. I cancelled it myself (it now shows cancelled in the sign up list), and we started reviewing other choices to choose another. A few minutes ago I booked a different excursion.

Here's my question - how often does this happen? It's been weeks since I booked that, and yet we're weeks more ahead of the date of this adventure, why was it cancelled now? What reassurance is there that our other excursions, or this new one we chose tonight, won't ALSO be cancelled?

It's been a long day so sorry if I'm not reading this right.....
How could the excursion you booked for Ketchikan be available the next day??? We are only in port one day Did DCL change our schedule? I'm really sorry this happened to you. I'm not exactly in the I've sailed a gazillion times club but I've never heard of this. What excursion was it?
Anyone else?

 

[midwestpat]

It's been a long day so sorry if I'm not reading this right.....
How could the excursion you booked for Ketchikan be available the next day??? We are only in port one day Did DCL change our schedule? I'm really sorry this happened to you. I'm not exactly in the I've sailed a gazillion times club but I've never heard of this. What excursion was it?
Anyone else?

Oh sorry. What I meant was that when I signed in that day the online didn't show anything that revealed a problem, or a reason to explain the phone call. For one day it remained that way. The following day when I got into the Disney site again, it then showed that excursion and two others as "sold out" actually (not cancelled as I said above).

They didn't change a date - they ..... I don't know? Oversold it? Cancelled it? Kicked us out in favor of someone with more trips on DCL? I'm really not sure why this happened, but it's shaken my confidence in their excursion system.

It was the Totem Traditions and Potlatch Park w/Youth Activity.

 

[Grumpymom73]

It was probably me......I told you it was a long day.

I think that excursion is just no longer being offered. If DCL just removed it from the list of excursions then they would have a bunch of people calling asking about it. Easier to just list it as sold out. I really don't think they would bump you for anyone. At least I hope they wouldn't!

Please don't let this sour your cruise. You really will have an amazing time. Promise!

 

[Maleficent59]

From our experience, we've received calls when DCL canceled or changed ports of call or when they consider something that is time sensitive. We've not had any excursions changed or canceled by DCL, but have received calls about port changes and cancellations - most recently when Disney cancelled one of the ports in Mexico when they deemed it not completely safe. As far as the "sold out" notice after receiving a confirmation (for us, it's been Palo or spa activities), we've had this happen a couple of times when we booked during peak times - when booking opens and everyone is online trying to book the same thing. I KNOW we overloaded the system during the Panama Canal inaugural cruise and that created a little mad scrambling after the fact. This is all a little long-winded, but the bottom line is that I think you're fine now. My guess is that the system couldn't update itself fast enough and overbooked the excursion. In general, we believe Disney does an excellent job of training their staff and coordinating events and excursions - and this is why we sail with them almost exclusively.

 

[Maleficent59]

If there is anyone that is gonna be in Seattle early and wants to do a pre-cruise meet-up or something let me know, we have 3 whole days beforehand, and it might be fun to say Hi . Also, have there been any plans on the actual cruise meet-up? I have never done it before and don't want to miss something if it is already planned as far as where and when kind of thing QUOTE]

I've not booked our flights to Seattle yet, but when I do, it'll be great to meet! I've only scanned the threads, but I haven't seen a cruise meet. May I suggest meeting in the Promenade Lounge right after the life boat drill? This will give everyone time to say hello, take a group picture, hand out little things for the sail away party (if anything), and go up to the sail away party together (if they want). This also gives the children an opportunity to meet so they will have friends to say hello to onboard and in the clubs.

I'm still in the process of planning and booking our excursions, but is anyone possibly interested in any private excursions? We've booked private excursions with other DIS-members and have had great times!

 

[pixie08]

Yes i think the Promenade lounge after the drill is the typical Dis meet up, has been very cruise i have been on. I know this is a smaller group, but it's nice to put faces to names.

 

[AAshleySEG]

Yes i think the Promenade lounge after the drill is the typical Dis meet up, has been very cruise i have been on. I know this is a smaller group, but it's nice to put faces to names.

I thought the sail away party was after the muster drill?
Promenade Lounge Sounds like a plan!

 

[Maleficent59]

Hello! Thought I would organize this a little and help put names to faces at the DIS Meet. Apologies in advance if I mispelled anything! Please let me know if I need to change anything. See you soon!

Legend: DW: Disney Wife; DH: Disney Husband, DD: Disney Daughter; DS: Disney Son.

AASHLEYSEG
5th Anniversary, 1st Cruise
DW Andrea
DH Jeremy

ALBCTB
DW April
DH Chad
DD (14) Hannah
DD (8) Meghan

BBAGNALL

BKOEHL
DW Becky
DH John
DS (10) Jack
DD (7) Rebecca

CYLUVSDISNEY
Birthday!
DW
DH
DS (1)

DISNEY4EV
DW
DH
DS (19)
DD (16)

EHAGERTY
DW Ellie?
DH Tom
DS (24) Brian
DS (22) Sean
DDad Jack
DMom Liz
DSister Kathy
DBrother Brian (confusing, I know)
DSiL Genny
DNiece (11) Gwen (another Gwen - she'll be excited!)
DNiece (9) Ellie (also confusing)
DNephew (6) Kevin

GABELLALEX
1st Cruise
DAdult
DD (9)
DD (8)
DS (5)

GRUMPYMOM73
3rd Cruise
DW
DH
DS (18)
DS (13)

LUKIKAM
DW Kim
DH Luke
DD (11) Faith
DS (7) Caleb

MALEFICENT59
DW Sarah
DH Kennett
DD (16) Ashleen

MIDWESTPAT
DW Pat
DH Mike
DD (8) Jillian

MINEU
DW
DH
DS (15)
DD (13)

PAULGANI
DH
DD (6)
DMom

PIXIE08
5th Anniversary
DW Mary
DH Dan

PLWILLIAMS1049
1st Cruise
DAdult Pat
DS (11) Brock

RBTCORNETT1
13 People

ROGATTDM
1st Cruise
DW Deanna
DH Darren
DD (7) Gwen

SCRAPBOOKER79
1st Cruise
DW Allison
DH Brandon
DS (11) Kelly
DD (8) Kaitlyn
DD (6) Holly

SNUFFLEKITTY
15th Anniversary, Birthday
DW Tara
DH Mitch
DS (11) Maverick
DS (9) Logan
DDad Mike
DMom Debbie

TRAVEL60

UA1992
DW
DH
DD (10)

 

[pixie08]

I thought the sail away party was after the muster drill?
Promenade Lounge Sounds like a plan!

Yes, your right, I mean after the party. Usually before the first seating and show

 

[midwestpat]

Maleficent - I didn't realize how many kids, especially girls, are very close to my daughter's age in this group. Glad you spelled it out that way. Looks like there will be plenty of girls to make friends with.

For the sake of your list, I'm Pat.
DH is Mike.
DD is Jillian.

Thanks again

 

[pixie08]

DH is Dan!

I am getting excited!

 

[ehagerty]

Maleficent - thank you for doing this

Ehagerty
DDad - Jack
DMom - Liz
DSister - Kathy
DH - Tom
DSon - Brian (24)
DSon - Sean (22)
DBrother - Brian (confusing, I know, different last name)
DSiL - Genny
DNiece - Gwen (11 - another Gwen - she'll be excited!)
DNiece - Ellie (9 - my namesake - also confusing, same last name)
DNephew - Kevin (6)

Seattle:
- Arriving Amtrak around 10 am
- Going to Mass at St James - either at noon, or 5 pm
- Staying at Pan Pacific
- Planning to graze at Pike's Market and waterfront, although my girlfriend is talking about having us over for dinner - I don't think she realizes there will be 12!

Dismeet
- We'll participate whatever is decided, although I can't speak for everyone in the larger group!