Alaska - May 17-24

[JOANNEL]

Gorgeous pictures. I hope it gets warmer. We don't even own winter coats like that!!

 

[seamour]

Questions?
- pictures still to come

no questions, just wanted to say I love your pics, thanks for sharing. And I am in no condition to do the bike ride but loved reading about it. Someone on my cruise (Joannel) and her husband are doing it as well so I will get to hear about it again in August.

 

[seamour]

We were on the cruise with you. It was a wonderful trip and we will sure go back again.

You said you started your trip with a train ride across Canada. We have been talking about doing this. Where did you start and how was it. Did you stop along the way or stay on the train the whole time. Would really like more details.

Thanks

I would love to do this some day, thought about it with our Aug AK cruise but with everything else I have tacked on, DH kinda put the brakes on me. We are doing 2 nights in YVR before hand, and after going to visit friends in Kelowna BC for a couple of nights, the in Calgary for a couple of nights. Then home to get the kids ready to start school!

 

[seamour]

Thanks for the pics- we are doing a Norwegian cruise to Alaska in July- wish it was on DCL!!! Couldn't convince the extended family though.

I bet it will still be incredible! I have been hearing good things about NCL from alot of people.

 

[seamour]

I did enjoy Granville Market - pretty sure you can find many fun things there - food - handmade brooms - watch a totem being carved - high end woven "crafts" - great salmon - wait a minute - I have PICTURES

You have pictures, who would have thought? LOLOLOL!

I am looking forward to Granville, I enjoy seeing handmade things getting made. Also we are considering eating at the brewery, so is the so-so on the food or the beer? We will have to try the beer regardless but was curious if it's worth eating lunch there.

thanks again for the great thread and pictures!

 

[seamour]

DS's were happy to be aboard, although DS23 had just shorn his hair for "Bald for Bucks" and "Locks for Love" (he missed his hair!)

I love how it looks like they get along so well! I am sure they are typical siblings, but looks like they know how to have fun together.

 

[seamour]

Quintessential photo

So cute, is this Naniamo ? (sp?)

 

[ehagerty]

Thought I would share my comments that I sent to WDW Guest Communications, as there are additional thoughts buried in these rather hurried notes I sent off when I got home....

==========================================

Just spent 7 days on Wonder in Alaska, and I can only think of one (minor), objective observation (not a complaint!) that varied from perfection. Kudos to the entire "management staff" for a marvelous vacation. I have forwarded individual Cast Member kudos, but this one is for all the behinds the scenes team that make it happen. Random observations, in no particular order (the hour is late, but if I don't do it now, I probably won't take the time later).

1) Clean - did not see dirt, dust, mildew or garbage

2) Dining - loved the taste of Alaska night - those lobster tails were huge and delicious, and the salmon and tuna great. Palo's is always great. Main dining room desserts don't tempt me - maybe that is a good thing - but there is an easy solution - stock some high end ice cream and/or gelato and/or sorbets that can be available every night. I ordered "seasonal fruits" because nothing else attracted me. On the other hand, maybe you shouldn't change this at all - lol

3) Alaska - this should definitely be first - I think the scenery was amazing and clearly engaged the passengers in ways that the Caribbean route cannot. Tracy Arm was outstanding, right down to the commentary and icebergs bumping off the bow (that's gotta hurt the paint job, eh?)

4) Doug Jones - we liked all his talks and hope he is on our cruise again next year. Really hope - because my brother's family is coming and he was most impressed with the fact that Disney had a Park Ranger type on board (maybe all the cruise lines do - I don't know - shhhh!)

5) Port Staff - first time I've seen more people in the first-timer line that the castaway cay club line (yea - more "new regulars"). Port was very "bustling" - I could see where Disney was trying to mitigate (limit the too-much-like-an-airport") terminal experience - and they had some success - but it really makes me appreciate Canaveral and what Disney can do when it has control over the entire check-in experience.

6) Shows - always like Golden Mickeys and Disney Dreams (although it was a dinner discussion whether hunchback / peterpan was just flat or what was wrong... ) - repeat appreciation for Heath Hyche and first time appreciation for Chad Chesmark. Did not see hypnotist as it doesn't tickle my funny bone (or, it didn't on previous cruises). Did not watch much of house band - something we do more of when it is like Soul Drive. Tisa did a good job with Match your Mate. Christian is always good - I don't watch TV much, but I liked the irony / humor in his debarkation talk)

7) Cafe Cove - enjoyed our time here - watching the scenery while chatting or playing cards

8) Spa - had massage - both were good (Sharon, Livui) - my husband, who is also a licensed massage therapist, thought Livui exceptional. I appreciated that the fitness center was open during onboarding. In prior cruises, I was not allowed to use the elliptical before departure, as the spa staff was doing tours. Exercising before dinner and show is important to me, and I hope you make access a policy and not discretionary. One piece of feedback - I was using the interior elliptical with Bose noise cancelling headphones on (and cranked UP) and could still hear the nutrition guy (Petr? South Africa?) talking so LOUDLY through a microphone 6 feet away TO TWO PEOPLE sitting in chairs in front of him that I could not hear my music. Spa sales pitches should not trump guest experiences, right? Not talking policy here - just common sense.

9) Cabin furnishings - loved the light, new look - beats the ratty tan blankets and heavy, polyester bedspreads - good move

10) Cabin (cell) phones - another great idea, which we LOVED - I am a planner, but that makes one of us - we have become dependent on cell phones to connect and solidify plans. THANKS, another GOOD MOVE

11) Captain Thor - we enjoyed his updates - keep it up - I know, his delivery is a little dry, but that is good - good to know the captain is STEADY, steady, steady...

12) Route adjustments - appreciated the adjustments Captain made to give us extra views - went out of way to give us every possible beautiful view - THANKS - keep it up!!

13) Roman Catholic Mass - please add "Pier (Port?) to Pew" free shuttle for Mass on Sunday to Navigator - another passenger said she would be delivering information to Guest Service to include in Navigator - I concur that this information would have been very helpful. I was lucky, in that the pier guy I asked for directions was Catholic and pointed me to the shuttle. The other passenger walked with her son and it took 30 minutes. Any questions /. clarification, please call XXXXXXXX (my cell)

14) Familiar ship in unfamiliar territory - glad to have comfort of known (hotel, dining) in the middle of something unknown (never been to Alaska before)

Well, as always, I could go on and on, but the hour is late, and I really need to sleep.

 

[ehagerty]

We would love to be spa mavens, but, in reality, have only had a couple of them on board. This time, we tried a new one - don't recall the name, but essentially they use two balls of herbs (in cloth, with oil). The massage was very effective (relieving neck tension from toting luggage) AND, you get to take the massage things home (2 per person). They made the cabin smell like the spa all week, and continue to remind us of the spa in every room we placed them at home.

Treatment on first day set us the (muscle) tone for the entire week.

 

[smeecanada]

Soon, we passed under this bridge

.

You have some beautiful shots. The bridge is called Lion's Gate Bridge.

 

[ehagerty]

Gorgeous pictures. I hope it gets warmer. We don't even own winter coats like that!!

Weeeeellllll, it should be getting warmer - there's always behind the windshield, or Cafe Cove!

Breathtaking photos - we're heading that way for the next sailing. Can't wait to see these places ... it's been fun looking at your photos in preparation!

Enjoy! Sailing on the very next cruise, I see.

Quintessential photo This is AMAZING!

Thanks

no questions, just wanted to say I love your pics, thanks for sharing. And I am in no condition to do the bike ride but loved reading about it. Someone on my cruise (Joannel) and her husband are doing it as well so I will get to hear about it again in August.

I know JoanneL from the DVC member cruises!

I am looking forward to Granville, I enjoy seeing handmade things getting made. Also we are considering eating at the brewery, so is the so-so on the food or the beer? We will have to try the beer regardless but was curious if it's worth eating lunch there.

I dont' recall food at the brewery - wait a minute - I kind of remember - but not sure - for whatever reason, it did not entice us. I recommend walking across the street (west, I think) and picking out food at the market, then sitting at a table - kind of a nice food court with view of the water. Options are MUCH better for food. Of course, I would do BOTH, just for different reasons.

Picture IN brewery

Picture at Granville MARKET (food stalls, tables)

.

 

[ehagerty]

Our other main dining experience was at a place called "Salt" - recommendation from Frommors.....

I don't know how to describe it, but it is kind of "concept dining" in that there is no kitchen, per se. It is all charcuturie, wine and accompaniments combinations. What you do, is to choose 3 meats and 3 sides ($15). Flight of wine is optional ($15). The server sits down with you and asks your preferences, and makes recommendations. If you pick a "side" and don't know what to pair it with, they will do it for you. Same with wine....

All of the options are listed on the board

The server fills out sheets like this, then places the offering on the spot with the name (which you can take home, for reference)

A food pairing looks like this

or this

or a complete combo (with wine)

with a side foie gras terrine

and souveniers!! (the paper, not the glass!)

It was sufficiently filling for the MOST of us - DS21 initially looked like he was afraid he was going to be hungry, but really enjoyed the experience. To summarize - it was different, fun - we recommend it and would do it again - but what you see it what you get - only you know your appetite, and tastes.

It looks empty because we opened the place - it fills up quickly

One of the options was corned beef - turns out it was the from the same vendor who was offering samplings at the Granville Market - a guy from NYC who couldn't get traditional corned beef so he started making it himself. Delish.

 

[ehagerty]

Here is another shot, from the PnS camera

PnS picture of Vancouver harbor

Also from the PnS collection - the full range of deck activities, temperatures, people

..a pool's a pool

..and finally - I had to laugh - they were selling frozen tropical drinks at sail away - like they were in the Bahamas, or something. "No thanks," I said, "Maybe if you had a Spanish COFFEE...." A couple of days later, they were selling coffee with shots... Gotta give them credit for listening to their customers.

 

[seamour]

too funny I knew i had seen "Salt" somewhere so have a movie on tv called Salt. LOL!
It does sound interesting though!

 

[dvc4life]

Your photos make me feel like I'm right there with you. Just gorgeous.

 

[ehagerty]

Your photos make me feel like I'm right there with you. Just gorgeous.

Looking forward to seeing you again on Gary's Cruise.

 

[ehagerty]

Sunset - because I did not reset my camera clock, this appeared in the next day's download folder - kind of an impressionistic look...

This day started with brunch at Palo's. I did not take too many pictures, as it is very similar to past postings. The flowers and plateware have changed, though!

...and the leaning Tower of Pisa ice sculpture (as opposed to Michaelangelo's David - who morphed (melted) into Venus de Milo the last time....)

My usual seafood plate

Grape and Blue Cheese pan pizza

and another

.

 

[ehagerty]

After the presentation on this topic in the Walt Disney Theater (taped so you could watch it in your room later), guests were invited to check out the skulls & skins of the 3 Alaskan bears (Polar, Black, Brown).

Pelts

Skull

.

 

[ehagerty]

Not your typical Caribbean deck look....

.

 

[ehagerty]

I wasn't paying too much attention to the characters, but did notice Goofy in his articwear

Approaching the opening of Tracy Arm

Watching for wildlife

... such as this bald eagle

.