Alaska 06/11/12 Anyone Sailing ?

[midwestpat]

We have friends who traveled on a Disney cruise to Alaska last year and they said the same as prev posters - you can see from both sides of the ship because they turn the ship in Tracy Arm, and the ship returns the same way it came. No worries!

 

[pixie08]

Any thoughts on must do excursions? What is everyone looking at?

 

[Grumpymom73]

Any thoughts on must do excursions? What is everyone looking at?

We are still deciding but we are looking at the White Pass Railway and Trail Camp. We would love to do the Laughton Glacier Snowshoe Hike and Rail Adventure but it's seasonal so probably not avail in June. Also thinking of Mendenhall Glacier and Rainforest Garden Adventure. We most likely won't book a port adventure for Ketchikan or Victoria. I told the family we needed to sit down one night and have a family meeting to make our final decisions soon. I know the kids want to do a zipline but Dad and I don't agree. My sister is also sailing so maybe they can talk their aunt into that.

Speaking of Victoria.....I was wondering what DCL has planned for that night since it is the last night onboard. I really don't want to miss the show and dinner. I was thinking maybe they would offer a matinee performance of the show and maybe switch lunch and dinner around. They could do 2 lunch seatings and then make dinner open seating. I'm sure it's just wishful thinking on my part but I really don't want to miss the last night on board. If it came down to it I think we would just skip Victoria and stay on the ship.
What is everyone else planning for the last night?

 

[pixie08]

I was thinking the same thing about Victoria! I am not sure. I need to do some research. Probably the farewell show? On the Magic, It's remember the Magic not sure what happens on the Wonder it's a new ship to me. I have been on the Magic a couple of times and on the Dream but the Wonder is a new ship!

I think we are going to skip Victoria for a few reasons as well. 1. It's so short and it's during dinner so we don't want to skip dinner and miss the show. 2. I am not sure i love any of the tours or the ones I appreciate them in the evening. 3. We can put our money toward a flight seeing tour which we weren't sure if we were going to do, but I think we are.

There are so many excursions! This is what we are thinkiNG:

Skagaway: Whitepass, either just the train or the train and suspension bridge.

Juneau: Enchanted taku lodge or Mendehall and Whale or mendenhall rapids

Ketchikan: Misty Fjords either by flight or explorer or wilderness exploration and crab fest or adventure kart expedition.

There are some others that interest us as well like the canoe and rainforest or the zipline, but we have or favorites...I just hope things don't book up like crazy and we are able to get our first choice.


I am going to email Disney and ask for the show schedule.

 

[plwilliams1049]

We are thinking about Liarsville and the Musher Camp for Skagway, Whale watching in Juneau (possibly booking on our own), and Potlatch Park and the Lumberjack Show in Ketchican, and either the double decker bus tour or the horse drawn trolley tour in Victoria. Since we are newbies, we won't be able to book until March 28th, so we'll see if these are doable. I would hate to miss the final show, but we've never been out of the country before and really want to see Victoria.

 

[pixie08]

We are thinking about Liarsville and the Musher Camp for Skagway, Whale watching in Juneau (possibly booking on our own), and Potlatch Park and the Lumberjack Show in Ketchican, and either the double decker bus tour or the horse drawn trolley tour in Victoria. Since we are newbies, we won't be able to book until March 28th, so we'll see if these are doable. I would hate to miss the final show, but we've never been out of the country before and really want to see Victoria.

I know we are torn on Victoria as well.

 

[pixie08]

Booked our hotel! We were able to get the Sheraton through Hotwire for a crazy low price! So another checked off.

 

[Grumpymom73]

Booked our hotel! We were able to get the Sheraton through Hotwire for a crazy low price! So another checked off.

Congrats!!!

 

[pixie08]

Under 5 months everyone

 

[AAshleySEG]

Hi everyone!
I have been reading over the forum today, we just booked our cruise this weekend! When I saw pixie08's first post I thought, wow did I already post to this thread! My husband(30) and I(27) are taking our very first Disney Cruise with you all, we have been on other cruises but this is our first DCL experience. We are taking this one for our 5th Anniversary which is on June 16th. We got engaged during Wishes at WDW, Went on our Honeymoon to DLR, Our First Anniversary was spent at the Polynesian at WDW, and each one after that at WDW, with our 3rd being at DLR in Paris! We are DVC Members and absolutely can't wait to go on this wonderful cruise with you all!

I noticed everyone talking about flights and Hotels and such, We are flying from Charlotte, NC on the 8th of June to Seattle, staying for 3 nights, before embarking on our voyage. We were lucky enough to get non-stop round-trip flights to SEA as well as 3 nights at the Mayflower Park Hotel near Pike Place in Seattle for $1300. I was very happy because flights with stops from CLT were about $1000 for 2 without hotel, so I was glad we ended up getting a packaged hotel/flight arrangement.

We are big into winter sports, so luckily we don't have to buy any additional outwear for the trip! That is something I am glad about as well, with the flights, and hotels, and cruise, and excursions, and spending money, I'm glad that is something that I don't have to worry about.

As far as excursions, we are thinking the Best of Skagway Tour, which includes the White Pass Rail, Gold Panning, Salmon Bake, Red Onion Saloon, and for that price it seems like a great option, I just hope it isn't booked up before we are able to make excursion arrangements. In Juneau, we are thinking of taking a Whale Watching Tour, and in Ketchikan, maybe going kayaking. Not sure yet, exactly, but I am definitely trying to plan things out! I already out 3 days in Seattle planned to the minute!

I can't wait to hear what all you guys have planned!

 

[Grumpymom73]

AAshleySEG Welcome!!!

Glad you and your husband are joining us! Being Disney fans I know you will love cruising with them too! I have also cruised other lines but once you go DCL you never go back. LOL At least, we didn't.

Still looking at excursions and a hotel for the night before
My sister and niece are also sailing with us and flying in the day before so we want to book the same hotel and then we can share a van/limo type thing to the port. We need to get together soon and make those decisions.

Going to apply for passports on Friday. I'm a little nervous since my BC has my last name in the spot for middle name and then nothing in the last name spot. Jeez and I had to wait 3 weeks for that! Guess that's what you get when your parent neglect to give you a middle name. Wish me luck! LOL

I can't believe we are less than 5 months out!

 

[pixie08]

Welcome AAshleySEG! That is so funny... it will be a great 5 th anniverersary trip! We always like to celebrate our anniversary with Disney and it is always great especially since we also got engaged at WdW and were married there! Congrats on the trip I think it's going to be great.

 

[AAshleySEG]

Thanks for the welcome!! I have been reading over that TR from the link also, and it makes me want to do one myself! I have been on so many trips and can't remember the details of them all, it seems like an amazing way to keep all of your memories close at hand, as well as help others out with their planning! Have any of you guys ever done a TR before? I am seriously considering starting one with all of my planning info and such! Any thoughts??

 

[Grumpymom73]

Thanks for the welcome!! I have been reading over that TR from the link also, and it makes me want to do one myself! I have been on so many trips and can't remember the details of them all, it seems like an amazing way to keep all of your memories close at hand, as well as help others out with their planning! Have any of you guys ever done a TR before? I am seriously considering starting one with all of my planning info and such! Any thoughts??

Go for it!! I would read it.
I've thought about doing one many times, but I've never done it. Not sure my sense of humor would come through the right way.

 

[pixie08]

Yes I have written Trip reports this board and others they are fun! I will be blogging this trip. Ill post the link the blog is www.themouserecord.com

 

[betsy918]

Hello Again. We just changed our cruise plans, and will no longer be cruising to AK this summer. There was an airfare drop which made the east coast do able, so we are doing the Magic 8 nights to the Bahamas out of NY instead. With the new airfare its only a $700 total difference for us, and we get 1 extra night cruising, so we decided to go for it before they move the Magic. Hopefully the Wonder will keep its AK itineraries, and we'll do it in 2013. The Bahamas cruise will give us a chance to experience castaway cay, and the price of the cruise includes a day at Disneyworld! We're very excited.

Have a great cruise, everyone!

 

[plwilliams1049]

Any thoughts on must do excursions? What is everyone looking at?

Booked our Whale Watching excursion yesterday! Wanted to book with Harv and Marv but they don't take children under 13 unless you charter the whole boat so I booked with Weather Permitting. They had good reviews on Trip Advisor and Cruise Critic and had the type of cruise I was looking for. This is getting exciting!

 

[pixie08]

Awww have fun fun Betsy!

Booked our Whale Watching excursion yesterday! Wanted to book with Harv and Marv but they don't take children under 13 unless you charter the whole boat so I booked with Weather Permitting. They had good reviews on Trip Advisor and Cruise Critic and had the type of cruise I was looking for. This is getting exciting!

Awesome! The whale watching trips are supposed to be great.

This is getting really close. I just bought water proof trail sneakers.I am pretty particular, I bought the running sneakers I love in Gore-tex version so my feet don't get soaked and so I have a little more traction. Plus I'll get a whole lot more use out of them then hiking shoes. Hey not a big deal- but it's something.

 

[Grumpymom73]

It really is getting closer! Can't wait...

New camera came in the mail yesterday so I've been playing around with that. At lease I have a few months to figure out all the best settings for my pics.

Bought some thermals on clearance for myself. Need to keep an eye on all the clearance racks the next few weeks so I can pick up the warmer type clothes we will need.

plwilliams1049 Congrats on the Whale watching! Sounds like fun.

 

[pixie08]

What type of camera?