Alaska 06/11/12 Anyone Sailing ?

[pixie08]

Pillowcase?? Hmmmm.... apparently something else Disney-specific that I haven't yet learned about?

I do not have kids so someone can verify this info but I am pretty sure it goes like this....

You give the pillowcase with a sharpie in a ziploc bag along with you name and cabin number to guest services at the beginning of the cruise, and they return it to you at the end autographed by various characters.

 

[midwestpat]

I do not have kids so someone can verify this info but I am pretty sure it goes like this....

You give the pillowcase with a sharpie in a ziploc bag along with you name and cabin number to guest services at the beginning of the cruise, and they return it to you at the end autographed by various characters.

OMG!! Are you kidding?!?! That would be SO COOL!
Someone!!!! Please - verify if this is correct!

 

[Grumpymom73]

OMG!! Are you kidding?!?! That would be SO COOL!
Someone!!!! Please - verify if this is correct!

Yes, that is correct. If you check sites like etsy there are a bunch of sellers that personalize the pillowcases. Drop it off at Guest Services when you get on board along with a bunch of different color sharpies and you will get it back usually on the last night. Disney doesn't advertise this so it's not really a guarantee but I've never heard of anyone not getting it when they asked.

 

[AAshleySEG]

I don't think it is just pillowcases though, I have seen Picture Frames, and even those 9" Tall Vinylmations autographed for people I think that would be something else cool to have!

 

[lukikam]

Don't forget about the Fish Extender! If anyone else wants to sign up, send me a p.m.!

 

[AAshleySEG]

I had a random question for anyone planning on sightseeing in Seattle before or after our cruise! I have been reading about safety and such, and I am a little nervous. I keep reading a lot about downtown Seattle being unsafe, etc for walking around, lots of recent crime, drugs, gang related stuff, etc etc. Now, I would like to say that DH and I are travelers. We have been to a lot of cities, some having higher crime rates than others, like NYC, Detroit, Chicago, Paris, and we know how to "blend in" as in not looking vulnerable and touristy and walk with purpose and all of that, but I was just curious if anyone else was wary or had even thought about it being a semi-dangerous place to go?? We love to walk around, and I am never nervous if I feel like I have checked out a place beforehand, but it seems like the more I check out Seattle, the more wary I become

 

[Grumpymom73]

We are planning on spending 3 days in Seattle after the cruise. I guess I haven't really paid attention because I haven't read anything past TripAdvisor reviews of hotels. I, like you, am use to big cities and don't usually worry about these things. I grew up going into NYC all the time even thought I lived in the burbs of Jersey. Again, I haven't read the stories you're talking about so I don't know. I just assumed that Seattle is a tourist type city especially in the summer and as long as we stick to the "touristy" areas we would be fine. I hope.
I do know that all cities and even smaller towns have areas you would not want to hang around in but I also know that sometimes news reports make those areas seem much bigger than they really are.

 

[bkoehl]

Welcome! My daughter is 8, and also a bit shy. We're planning to check her into the Oceaneer kid's club, when we go to dinner at Palo. Of course, at this point we have no idea what hours they're open or what activities will be occuring during our dinner time slot.

The Club is open pretty much all day until midnight or so. If your child is there during dinner they can eat there too. Activities will be listed in your Navigator each day. If you want to see some Navigators from last year here is the link:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-stateroom-navigator.htm

 

[pixie08]

We are going to be in Seattle as well for a few days. I haven't read anything about downtown. I read Pioneer Square can get seedy at night and the outskirts are also a little seedy. Being from NYC dh and I don't really think about it too much either, although NYC is such a safe city in reality people only THINK it's scary so I hope Seattle isn't unsafe!

 

[pixie08]

So it seems you are right! The area around Pike can be somewhat dangerous at night. Although it seems just the immediate area.

http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/08/26/safe-and-dangerous-areas-in-seattle/

http://www.virtualtourist.com/trave...or_Dangers-Seattle-Downtown_Seattle-BR-1.html

 

[AAshleySEG]

So it seems you are right! The area around Pike can be somewhat dangerous at night. Although it seems just the immediate area.

http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/08/26/safe-and-dangerous-areas-in-seattle/

http://www.virtualtourist.com/trave...or_Dangers-Seattle-Downtown_Seattle-BR-1.html

Yeah, I keep reading about 3rd and Pine, We are staying like one block from there, and I mean if we want to walk anywhere we pretty much have to go through there. I keeping reading things about drug deals out in the open during the middle of the day. Seattle Police Department has a map on their website that shows all of the crime in the past 24-48 hours and it is like a christmas tree in downtown Seattle near Pike Place...LOL Drugs, assaults, robberies! I am hoping it will be more touristy in the summer and that we aren't going to have to worry about anything. I know what you mean about NYC being safe, I have never felt unsafe in any big city I have been in, but I just keep reading all of this stuff about other travelers not feeling safe so I was just curious what everyone else thought about it, or even what you guys had heard about the city and it's safety. I just want everyone to be extra careful and have a heads up just in case it is sketchy...

 

[Grumpymom73]

Yeah, I keep reading about 3rd and Pine, We are staying like one block from there, and I mean if we want to walk anywhere we pretty much have to go through there. I keeping reading things about drug deals out in the open during the middle of the day. Seattle Police Department has a map on their website that shows all of the crime in the past 24-48 hours and it is like a christmas tree in downtown Seattle near Pike Place...LOL Drugs, assaults, robberies! I am hoping it will be more touristy in the summer and that we aren't going to have to worry about anything. I know what you mean about NYC being safe, I have never felt unsafe in any big city I have been in, but I just keep reading all of this stuff about other travelers not feeling safe so I was just curious what everyone else thought about it, or even what you guys had heard about the city and it's safety. I just want everyone to be extra careful and have a heads up just in case it is sketchy...

Thanks for the warning! I think it's best if we are all aware of the possible dangers and then do our best to be aware of our surrounding and trust our instincts. We plan on visiting Pike's Market but we are staying in the Lake Union area. Guess I should check into that area

 

[pixie08]

I know...we aren't staying to far from there either. Sheraton is on 6th and Pike. I figured we would walk around. I mean whats weird is it's right down the block from the flagship Nordstrom and Westlake. I have read some trip reports and never heard anyone mention anything. I am going to ask in the Seattle thread

 

[paulgani]

DCL just released GTY rates for our cruise. They're too late to help any of us, but now I have more relatives that are planning to book at the lower prices (looks like rates have dropped > 20%)

 

[Grumpymom73]

DCL just released GTY rates for our cruise. They're too late to help any of us, but now I have more relatives that are planning to book at the lower prices (looks like rates have dropped > 20%)

Well.....I knew it was coming but still........
Would have really liked a verandah

 

[midwestpat]

The Club is open pretty much all day until midnight or so. If your child is there during dinner they can eat there too. Activities will be listed in your Navigator each day. If you want to see some Navigators from last year here is the link:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-stateroom-navigator.htm

Thanks bkoehl!

 

[midwestpat]

After reading the posts about safety in Seattle I sent a message to my nephew, who moved to Seattle almost 2 years ago. He lives fairly close to the Space Needle, from what I know, and walks or takes public transportation through this area in question to get to work daily.

His take on all this is that the intersection specifically mentions - 3rd and Pine - is a "a huge transfer point between all sorts of buses, but that's really confined to the immediate area and mostly during periods of heavy bus traffic". Then he went on to tell me how safe Pike Place, Denny Park, and the area near our hotel (on Aurora). He also advocates using the Streetcar to Downtown or the Lakefront.

As someone else said, I think we need to treat it as any big city - don't walk around looking like a tourist, and be aware of what goes on around you. Big city safety!

 

[AAshleySEG]

After reading the posts about safety in Seattle I sent a message to my nephew, who moved to Seattle almost 2 years ago. He lives fairly close to the Space Needle, from what I know, and walks or takes public transportation through this area in question to get to work daily.

His take on all this is that the intersection specifically mentions - 3rd and Pine - is a "a huge transfer point between all sorts of buses, but that's really confined to the immediate area and mostly during periods of heavy bus traffic". Then he went on to tell me how safe Pike Place, Denny Park, and the area near our hotel (on Aurora). He also advocates using the Streetcar to Downtown or the Lakefront.

As someone else said, I think we need to treat it as any big city - don't walk around looking like a tourist, and be aware of what goes on around you. Big city safety!

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[pixie08]

Yes, I asked on the Seattle thread and most people from the area did not agree. They seemed to think it was tourist perception, and said Seattle was an extremely safe city compared to others.

They mentioned Pike is closed at night so need to go over there (make note do not wonder there by mistake!) and I will still keep my eyes open and wits about me because it is still a city and honestly crime can happen anywhere. I was pick pocketed in barcelona last dcl cruise and I am as cautious as they come!

 

[AAshleySEG]

Yes, I asked on the Seattle thread and most people from the area did not agree. They seemed to think it was tourist perception, and said Seattle was an extremely safe city compared to others.

They mentioned Pike is closed at night so need to go over there (make note do not wonder there by mistake!) and I will still keep my eyes open and wits about me because it is still a city and honestly crime can happen anywhere. I was pick pocketed in barcelona last dcl cruise and I am as cautious as they come!

I'm glad that it is just tourist perception! I wish the internet was plastered with good instead of bad, I just kept seeing so much bad that it worried me... Sorry to hear about the pick-pocketing, that really sucks. I am happy now that we have heard from locals! I feel much better about staying downtown, but that doesn't mean I will let my guard down...