Alaska Cruise for us DISers on RCCL Jewel of the Seas 6/12-19/2015 (Official Thread)

[DisneyFanInPA]

I was able to make dining reservations today.

I was looking and saw that too. I know we want to do at least one specialty restaurant, but for now we're holding off on booking anything to see if any other group events are planned.

 

[DSNYDREAMER]

While we don't yet have all of our plans confirmed, I can tell you that we won't be planning anything that would interfere with dinner. We do have the Salmon Bake for those that signed up, and the Skagway excursion will be a long day. I don't want anyone to hold dinner plans waiting on us!

This cruise is definitely a more informal, lightly scheduled cruise. Not a lot of formal events planned.

 

[DisneyFanInPA]

Thank you Tracey! That info really helps for those of us that like to plan way in advance!

 

[mzalicia]

Hi all, checking in again. My family is so excited for our upcoming cruise. A quick thank you for Tracy (and John?) for all the work to get extra space on the train excursion. Booked the Train excursion and the Salmon Bake for Me, Mom & Corwin, I'm going on the Whale watching solo.

Mary Jo - feel free to add us to the list on page 1...mzalicia ...Alicia, Bessie, & Corwin (12)

See you all in less than two months!
Alicia

 

[Disney Enabler]

Just curious, what are people planning to do in Victoria?

Michael will be going on the Whale Watching in Juneau while I spend time with my cousins who live in Juneau. I will be going on the White Pass Train while Michael goes to the Eagle Preserve in Haines.

Mary Jo -- For page 1, Michael and I are in stateroom 1528.

Getting excited.
Carol
It's a great day to be alive!!!

 

[DisneyFanInPA]

We don't have anything planned for Victoria, but I'd love some suggestions if anyone has them!

We are doing a photography excursion in Juneau and the group train excursion in Skagway.

Can't wait to see everyone in less than two months!

 

[jcb]

Just curious, what are people planning to do in Victoria?

Michael will be going on the Whale Watching in Juneau while I spend time with my cousins who live in Juneau. I will be going on the White Pass Train while Michael goes to the Eagle Preserve in Haines.

Mary Jo -- For page 1, Michael and I are in stateroom 1528.

Getting excited.
Carol
It's a great day to be alive!!!

Carol, I have been to Victoria twice so take my thoughts for what they are worth. Both times, I visited the Buchart Gardens (http://www.butchartgardens.com/) and enjoyed it immensely. In June the flowers are flat out gorgeous. The garden paths are paved and almost all areas should be accessible. There is a sunken garden (it was a rock quarry at one point) which, as I recall, requires steps to enter. The Buchart Gardens are about a 30 minute drive from Victoria. The last time we were there, we did the gardens as an excursion. The time before that, we just rented a car in downtown Victoria and drove. I suspect the over all cost is probably the same.

Having done the gardens twice (unless I get overruled), I have made reservations for afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel. http://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/dining/afternoontea/. The Empress has the same architecture as the Quebec hotel which was used as the basis for the structure in Canada at EPCOT. I think they were both built by the Canadian Pacific RR.

I almost hate to say this, again, but the port in Victoria is a little ways from downtown. It's not far, about a 20 minute walk through a neighborhood. There is also bus service from the port. I've not done that, however.

 

[TeresaR]

I love the Royal BC Museum (http://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/). Their First Peoples Galleries, Natural History Gallery and the Modern History gallery are all worth seeing. There is also a Parliament Tours (http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/visit)which my nieces and I all enjoyed. The first time we went Parliament wasn't in session so we got to take one of the public tours. On our 2nd visit Parliament was in session so we were able in sit and watch the proceedings.

If you have kids the Victoria Bug oo (http://www.victoriabugzoo.ca/) is a big hit. During the tours you get to actually hold some of the bugs. Another fun trip is the Butterfly Gardens (http://www.butterflygardens.com/).

If you are interested in some good restaurants here are my favorites:
Bubby Roses Bakery http://bubbyrosesbakery.com/
Eugene's Greek Restaurant http://www.eugenes.ca/
Bubby's Kitchen http://bubbyskitchen.ca/
The Refiner Diner http://refinerdiner.com/ (food truck)

 

[OKW Lover]

Cell phone question:
Our cell phone plans are with AT&T, which includes unlimited roaming in the USA (including Alaska). I know during part of our cruise we will be very near the Canadian coast and I'd want to be sure that our phones are in airplane mode during that time. However, once we are sailing off the Alaska coast does anybody have experience in how near the coast we will have to be in order to get a signal? Obviously, when we dock at the Alaskan ports it won't be an issue.

 

[OKW Lover]

 

[jcb]

I used AT&T when I did almost the same itinerary in 2009. I don't recall any decent signal while cruising the Alaskan coast. These are pretty remote areas. Now, I really wasn't checking all that often because the view was constantly spectacular.

As for Canada, I think Kevin will moderate the panel discussion on Rogers' roaming.

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks Jack. That's essentially what our current house guest just said. OK. I can live without the internet for a few days between ports.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I found a link for Jewel of the Seas Cruise Compass in Jan 2015. Now this is for Southern Caribbean, but some of their amenities might be the same: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compasses/jewel-of-the-seas/sat-2015-01-24-0000

 

[k5jm]

Watch out, folks!! Christy is practicing her photography skills (since this trip is 'sans Mike')...

 

[DisneyKevin]

Your cat looks annoyed.

 

[DisneyKevin]

39 Days

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Update in Original Post - Schedule of events posted.

Don't worry about printing this our or bringing it with you, it will be printed on the back of your credentials.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Update in original post - cruise logo!!!

This will be sent to each cruiser as a magnet in your gift bag.

Gift bags will be mailed beginning 5/12/2015 and you should get them in about 2 weeks.​

 

[jcb]

really liking the new logo

 

[BillyFan]

I really like the logo. We're getting super excited about this trip! I'm slowly pulling various items I think we'll need for the cruise and setting them aside. It's making it real! Can't wait!!