Alaskan Members Cruise 2015

[genki3]

We recommend Chillkoot Tours for Skagway - GOTTA ride that train!

Can you elaborate on your experience with them? I am currently booked with DCL for the train and I'd like to see if I should stick with DCL or go with Chilkoot. Is the walk to and from the ship to meet them far? Would you mind posting a small review for this excursion? Thank you in advance!

 

[shera]

You're welcome! Semi-formal was on Juneau night, which has the Toy Story menu. That was my least favorite menu, but some at the table found it to be fine.

I just realized that I missed an important piece of info here, they did NOT do the Golden Mickey's menu. The first 3 nights were rotational menu's and the last four nights were Frozen, Toy Story, Taste of Alaska and 'Til We Meet Again. So sorry, not sure how I missed that, but I did! I thought we had the Golden Mickey's menu until I looked again just now and realized we did not!

Thank you for letting us know.I am looking forward to all the great food.

 

[Jay Kat]

About the Chilkoot tour....there are a lot of tours that use the train to different points. It is easy to get the tour company...just get off the ship, walk to the waiting vans and there are signs and helpers directing you to your tour and van. It was so easy! They take you to the train station and you get on a car with your group. I do know Chillkoot normally has the last car, which is a benefit for pictures. We noticed our car was less crowded too. The train goes through some of THE most beautiful scenery into Frasier, Canada (so you have to have your passport). That was easy too..they just come through and check your picture to your face. When you get off at Frasier, your vehicles and guides from Skagway are there to meet you (they have driven up). Some go to hiking expeditions, some take the train back down - it just depends on what the next part of your expedition is. We choose the Dog Sled experience. Our driver takes us deeper into Canada, crossing into the Yukon Territory. His constant chatter was interesting and about history, way of life, and pointing out scenery. He stopped a couple of time for pictures on the way up. We arrived at Carcross and after a couple of more pictures stops, we went to the dog sledders summer training quarters. We had a nice lunch of chicken and sides - nothing special but it didn't matter by then! We choose to take a short sled ride (which was short but AWESOME!!!!!!!!) and then pet the new crop of puppies. There is a museum, gift shop, ice cream , animals at this lunch stop. We went into Carcross and stopped for some shopping and photos before returning across the border back to Skagway, stopping for more pictures and a GREAT bear sighting on the way back. Our guide was Brian, and he was personable, friendly, and fascinating! Disney has similar experiences. But whatever you choose, PLEASE include the train, unless you hate trains for some reason. It is SO beautiful, relaxing, and historic. The entire thing made for great memories. I know some booked thru Chillkoot and others thru Disney. Both were similar and reliable, but compare price and group size for what is best for you (that is a bit of a hint..... ). Oh, and when you get back to Skagway, there is time for some shopping - get a picture of the ship moored at the end of the street with the cool buildings lining the street!

 

[AngelDisney]

There was a character breakfast. For our rotation it was on Sunday. The servers reminded us about it all week, and then passed out our tickets to us at the table the night before. I did not attend the breakfast though, so I can't help with that side of it.

May I ask what your dining rotation was? Do you have PTAPTAP? TIA!

 

[Jay Kat]

it was PTAPTAP. That was for Walalady and us, as we were together (and I am so glad we were!)

 

[AngelDisney]

it was PTAPTAP. That was for Walalady and us, as we were together (and I am so glad we were!)

 

[jkroach]

Hi there bjakmom... My wife and I loved it! it was our first members cruise. The weather was so perfect! High's in the low 70's, not a cloud in the sky. Don't get discouraged by the weather in Vancouver if it's not good when you leave.

As for the dining rotation... It was great! I think ours was, Animators, Parrot, Tritons etc...

The 4X4 tour in Skagway was great! If you (or anyone) go on this, tell Sabrina the loud guy said hello!

Enjoy!

Silversop

We are doing the 4X4 tour in August and we have Main Dining. Do you remember what time you got back to the ship? My daughter does NOT want to miss the Frozen menu in the dining room, but our tour says it returns at 5:45 and I don't want to keep our servers waiting, either.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Caveat for Frozen fans: The stage show was terrible. It was basically the pirates show with the songs changed out. The members cruise is filled to the brim with people who live for Disney, and I talked to no one who liked it. Unless you have some small children who would enjoy it just for the opportunity to jump around for 25 minutes, do something else. Everything else about the cruise was terrific.

I liked the Frozen show!

 

[silversop]

We are doing the 4X4 tour in August and we have Main Dining. Do you remember what time you got back to the ship? My daughter does NOT want to miss the Frozen menu in the dining room, but our tour says it returns at 5:45 and I don't want to keep our servers waiting, either.

Hi there... ya we got back in time for dinner... we were about 5 min late but did not hold anything up.

Even if you get back at 6 or 6:30 you should still attend dinner It will be worth it.

Silversop

 

[silversop]

I liked the Frozen show!

Yea it was not that bad

 

[sdjen]

Hi everyone. I'm sailing on the wonder in a few weeks with a family on their first cruise. I would like to request a great serving team as I know what a difference that can make.

If anyone is able to recommend their serving team ( and why you like them so much) I would really appreciate it!

 

[silversop]

Hi everyone. I'm sailing on the wonder in a few weeks with a family on their first cruise. I would like to request a great serving team as I know what a difference that can make.

If anyone is able to recommend their serving team ( and why you like them so much) I would really appreciate it!

Hi there... so, I am an honest believer that your serving team is what you make of it...If they had bad service teams on the ship, word would travel fast and they would be removed. Clearly you have sailed before so I am not telling you anything you don't already know...

Hope you have as great of weather as we did!

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Hi all, just got back from the FIRST DVC Members cruise to Alaska! Who else went!!!

Do you know there is another thread on the member cruise? We are still chatting and sharing pictures. 2015 DVC Alaska Member Cruise is the title. Ending date is wrong,just ignore it!

 

[silversop]

Do you know there is another thread on the member cruise? We are still chatting and sharing pictures. 2015 DVC Alaska Member Cruise is the title. Ending date is wrong,just ignore it!

Had no clue... will check it out..

 

[thenrichs]

There is an appetizer on the Frozen menu called Elsa's Coronation Scallops, which is scallops baked in a cream sauce and topped with pastry. That may have been the best single dish of the cruise for me, aside from the Grand Marnier Souffle at Triton's.

I agree. I absolutely LOVED the scallops. My server actually gave me a second serving

 

[WaylaLady]

I agree. I absolutely LOVED the scallops. My server actually gave me a second serving

I totally should have asked for a second one!

 

[MichelleVW]

I agree. I absolutely LOVED the scallops. My server actually gave me a second serving

Scallops were amazing!!! I should have gotten a second serving!

I second Chilkoot Charters. We didn't go on and do the dog sled thing...but just did the bus up and the train back...driver was awesome and also a photographer so he took good pics of us with our camera. Since we were a small tour we were able to make many more stops along the way than the bigger buses than DCL were on.

I totally recommend eating/drinking at Skagway Brewing Company. Pretty much at the end of town, furthest from the ship...but still not far and it's amazing. Best halibut we had all week and if you like good beer you won't be disappointed. Try the sampler first so you can pick your favorite.

 

[Fuzzywuzzy]

Leaving on the June 29 sailing!!

5th DCL cruise, first one with just me and the wife and first to Alaska. Just celebrated our 35th Anniversary on Sunday. Second Honeymoon on the way!!

 

[donutday]

There was a character breakfast. For our rotation it was on Sunday. The servers reminded us about it all week, and then passed out our tickets to us at the table the night before. I did not attend the breakfast though, so I can't help with that side of it.

Does the character breakfast require a special advance booking or is it just an option offered to everyone as part of the rotation? Is there an additional fee for it?

 

[DisneyBelle99]

We did not have to book the character breakfast ourselves, the servers just told us what day it would be. No charge.