Anyone sailing on Wonder to Alaska this week?

[MHag]

Would love to hear a report from anyone currently on the Alaskan cruise, especially information for people who are cruising later this summer. What movies are playing? Anything new on the itinerary? What shows are at night? Weather report throughout the week? Anything you wish you had brought on the cruise? Thanks so much and hope you have an amazing trip!!!

 

[Disneyteachers]

Me too...on the Aug 1 cruise!

 

[asolsona]

Me too! Set sail on June 6th! Following this thread....

 

[l4dk]

Me too! Following....Ready to sail June 27th

 

[uncw89]

Me too!! I"m sailing on June 20!!

 

[DLgeeks]

Yay! We're up June 13th, can't wait to start hearing back from folks!

 

[KipperBun]

Also, if anyone has pics of the new castaway club backpack for the Alaska cruise, please post! I am dying of curiosity.

 

[EASchechter]

Some friends of mine are on the June 6th sailing, I think.

 

[ajo]

We're leaving on Monday! I'm happy to report back once we return. Any particular questions?

 

[DLgeeks]

We're leaving on Monday! I'm happy to report back once we return. Any particular questions?

Could you let us know what the dining rotation ends up being?

 

[anricat]

Could you let us know what the dining rotation ends up being?

You can call now and learn the possible rotations for your cruise date. I know that the possible options for the Aug 8 sailing are:
1) TAPTAPT
2) APTAPTA
3) PTAPTAP

 

[Ccll4]

We will be on there 5/30. I suspect someone will have posted info by then.

 

[MickeyD74]

I am following this post. I sail in July. I am curious what the silver Castaway gift is. What are nightly shows? Anything new from last year? Anyone that would be kind enough to post their navigators would be much appreciated I hope everyone is having a great week!

 

[MichyMich]

Me too...on the Aug 1 cruise!

Me too!

 

[Nike4000]

Also, if anyone has pics of the new castaway club backpack for the Alaska cruise, please post! I am dying of curiosity.

Here you go! We sail on July 18th and I was dying to know too. Platinum gets the spiffy travel mug in addition to the backpack.

UPDATE: the same traveler said that Silver gets this bag as well. My guess is that the gold stitching is Silver for Silver castaways. But, that's a total guess.

 

[tnshsms]

I'm on it right now, in Skagway. What are your questions? We were unable to go to Tracey arm but went to endicot arm instead. Still gorgeous. Got to see a moose today in Skagway! We were on the eagle preserve excursion that went to Haines.

And our stitching is the same on the backpack for silver.

 

[Nike4000]

And our stitching is the same on the backpack for silver.

Thanks for letting us know! I'm surprised, in the past DCL has differentiated the stateroom gifts. I'm not complaining at all, just surprised. July 18th can't come soon enough!!

I'm on it right now, in Skagway. What are your questions? We were unable to go to Tracey arm but went to endicot arm instead. Still gorgeous. Got to see a moose today in Skagway! We were on the eagle preserve excursion that went to Haines.

What tips do you have for us first time Alaska cruisers? We've done the Caribbean a bunch, but this is our first trip to Alaska. Also, what are the 5 things you MUST do? What are the most important items to pack? Which excursions have you gone on? Is it raining a bunch? Sorry, I'm filled with questions!

 

[cruisehopeful]

What are your questions?

If it is raining in port, are they handing out ponchos when you get off the ship?
What movies are playing?

 

[xlxo]

What tips do you have for us first time Alaska cruisers? We've done the Caribbean a bunch, but this is our first trip to Alaska. Also, what are the 5 things you MUST do? What are the most important items to pack? Which excursions have you gone on? Is it raining a bunch? Sorry, I'm filled with questions!

Thoughts...

1. look at what's available on the "Best of .... " port excursions to get ideas on activities
2. new this year is a Tracy Arm excursion that gets you closer to the glacier
3. think about photo packages... savings if purchased early.
4. some people say a balcony is a must in Alaska for privacy for the few hours of glacier viewing. Others suggest a Deck 2 oceanview for savings and going up to the public decks for a 360 view of the glacier.
5. Book your pre/post-cruise hotel early for savings (Pan Pacific and adjacent cruise terminal hotels). Otherwise, look to hotels a few blocks away for multi-day savings.
6. plan for extra pre-cruise dates in Vancouver. Lots activities for 3 or more days.
7. Alaskan mosquitos are Zika free!
   
8. think about which month for seasonal opportunities...

• May and September is cheaper, but colder and some excursions are not running. Some like these months as you can do back 2 back cruise getting to/from Alaska.
• May can mean ice congestion to some glacier viewing sites like Tracy Arm/Sawyer
• May to July is dryer in Alaska, August will see more rain and September will be wettest. If too stormy to dock.... cruise ships will skip the port.
• July to August will be dryer in Cascadia
• May to August will give you more day light
• August and September offer better wildlife opportunities
• I like late-July for weather compromise and wildlife. It's also priced higher.
• some ports offer season opportunities like fireworks and pride celebrations, but can also mean congestion.
• http://www.alaska.org/advice/best-time-to-visit-alaska => it recommends mid-June to mid-July!

 

[labdogs42]

Has anyone done the Tracy Arm excursion yet? I'd love to hear a review of that. I booked it for our August 15 cruise, but I'm not 100% sure if I'm keeping it or not.