Aug 27, 2012 Seattle to Skagway Sailing

[gotomu212]

Where did you search reservations? I was looking around myself in hopes of getting an upgrade and I didn't see too many cabins left.
Could they have sold that many in a week?

I just go in like I'm making a new reservation. Just did it again and looks like every category was still available even concierge. My search is 2adults, 1child. I know the number in your party impacts the results though. They also have IGT, OGT, and VGT all listed (looking at that is like poking a fork in your eye- jk). We're still 2 months away so maybe it'll start filling up at the last minute.

 

[Doodles811]

I just go in like I'm making a new reservation. Just did it again and looks like every category was still available even concierge. My search is 2adults, 1child. I know the number in your party impacts the results though. They also have IGT, OGT, and VGT all listed (looking at that is like poking a fork in your eye- jk). We're still 2 months away so maybe it'll start filling up at the last minute.

I have a question...
When and where do you ask to make a cabin upgrade? Is there a extra charge for this? I know on my first Disney cruise, I received a call from Disney and they had asked me if I wanted to upgrade (for a charge) When I said no thank-you I thought that was the end of the story. When I received my booklet in the mail - I had noticed that my cabin had been upgraded (at no extra charge to me). We are booked in a balcony cabin - one with the solid white wall - and would like to have a glass wall instead.

 

[Luv_Tink]

I have a question...
When and where do you ask to make a cabin upgrade? Is there a extra charge for this? I know on my first Disney cruise, I received a call from Disney and they had asked me if I wanted to upgrade (for a charge) When I said no thank-you I thought that was the end of the story. When I received my booklet in the mail - I had noticed that my cabin had been upgraded (at no extra charge to me). We are booked in a balcony cabin - one with the solid white wall - and would like to have a glass wall instead.

Our travel agent said our best bet for an upgrade is to ask when we check in at the port. They'll be able to tell us if there's anything available and the cost to upgrade. I understand the cost is usually a percentage of the difference between the category you're booked in and the cabin you want to upgrade to.

We're going to give it a shot since we're currently booked in a navigator's verandah and an inside stateroom across the hall. We'd like to either be in connecting rooms with verandahs or all in one room/suite together.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Our travel agent said our best bet for an upgrade is to ask when we check in at the port. They'll be able to tell us if there's anything available and the cost to upgrade. I understand the cost is usually a percentage of the difference between the category you're booked in and the cabin you want to upgrade to.

We're going to give it a shot since we're currently booked in a navigator's verandah and an inside stateroom across the hall. We'd like to either be in connecting rooms with verandahs or all in one room/suite together.

This is our current arrangement too and the big reason why we don't rebook with VGT/IGT. I'd love connecting verandah rooms.

 

[maggie blossom]

For those who have cruised before what are looking forward to doing on this cruise that you didn't get around to last cruise????

For me it is see a movie onboard, maybe try a martini tasting, maybe the Captain's reception. And Palo but we are booked for that

 

[jadedjojo]

For those who have cruised before what are looking forward to doing on this cruise that you didn't get around to last cruise????

For me it is see a movie onboard, maybe try a martini tasting, maybe the Captain's reception. And Palo but we are booked for that

I talk about doing karaoke every cruise, and I always either wimp out or I'm too tired. I've been practicing though, so it might actually happen this time!! And you get a shot of "liquid courage..." and although I don't usually drink, I will happily take all of the help I can get.

 

[Keurigirl]

I talk about doing karaoke every cruise, and I always either wimp out or I'm too tired. I've been practicing though, so it might actually happen this time!! And you get a shot of "liquid courage..." and although I don't usually drink, I will happily take all of the help I can get.

I'd love to do karaoke! I used to do it alll the time before having kids, but now I'm rusty. I'd love to do it again though!

 

[Luv_Tink]

For those who have cruised before what are looking forward to doing on this cruise that you didn't get around to last cruise????

For me it is see a movie onboard, maybe try a martini tasting, maybe the Captain's reception. And Palo but we are booked for that

We've never cruised with our kids, so I'm looking forward to some of the family oriented activities. Of course that will depend on if I can get the girls out of the clubs.

 

[maggie blossom]

We've never cruised with our kids, so I'm looking forward to some of the family oriented activities. Of course that will depend on if I can get the girls out of the clubs.

Last year our DD was 11 and she did a nice mix of time in the club and time doing family stuff. We really enjoyed some of the family activities we did together. We did a trivia game, we made a race car out of veggies (forgot what it was called), she came to bingo once. We both had fun. Of course she also LOVED having some independence.

Will your 10 yo go to the Edge or the club for younger kids?

 

[Luv_Tink]

Last year our DD was 11 and she did a nice mix of time in the club and time doing family stuff. We really enjoyed some of the family activities we did together. We did a trivia game, we made a race car out of veggies (forgot what it was called), she came to bingo once. We both had fun. Of course she also LOVED having some independence.

Will your 10 yo go to the Edge or the club for younger kids?

Honestly, I hadn't even considered the Edge for her but I'm guessing she will choose to go to the club with our younger two daughters. She's a bit shy and knowing that her sisters are even in the same area will be important to help her feel comfortable. We would let her try the Edge if she felt comfortable enough.

 

[fabulusk]

I am considering booking this for my DH, me, and my DS 13. Not sure though. Our last Disney Cruise was the Christmas Cruise 06. We cruised with 14 from our own family. It was fantastic! Eastern Caribbean. We planned for months and had a great time. This time it would just be us. We had a great DIS Group! Has anyone done this Alaska trip before?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I am considering booking this for my DH, me, and my DS 13. Not sure though. Our last Disney Cruise was the Christmas Cruise 06. We cruised with 14 from our own family. It was fantastic! Eastern Caribbean. We planned for months and had a great time. This time it would just be us. We had a great DIS Group! Has anyone done this Alaska trip before?

This is our 1st Alaskan & we're really looking forward to seeing something different. We have cruised a couple times with large groups, 17-20, and also just the 4 of us. There are pros & cons to both but you won't know until you try it. Dinner is definitely more fun when you have a big group but the whole thing is much easier to plan when it's just us. I would think if you're ever going to try one with your family alone, Alaska (or Med) would be ideal since those cruises are more about the ports & sightseeing, and less about lounging by the pool for sun & fun as with a Caribbean cruise.

I'd say go for it!!

 

[chkdrumr]

Hello all,

Hubby and I are taking our very first cruise on this Aug 27th Alaska sailing (37 and 38, child-free, already put our names on the spreadsheet, not sure if we are qualified to FE...). We have been to Disneyland many times, and Disney World a few times as well--we love the Disney experience and my husband is blessed to be employed by Disney here in Seattle to boot. As Seattelites we were already eager to try and get a cruise while the boat was right at our doorstep. However, in April of this year, hubby was diagnosed with cancer, and immediately began intensive chemotherapy. All plans had to be put on indefinite hiatus, uncertain how he would feel, how long his chemo would end up being, etc.

I am happy to say that he just finished his last round of chemo last week, and while he still has a ways to go until he feels healthy and energetic again, his CT scans look great and indicate his cancer has been beaten back! As soon as he was feeling well enough to talk about making any future plans, the first thing he did was start looking at cruise availability. We are celebrating the end of his chemo in STYLE. We feel hopeful that his energy will be up enough and health returned enough to really enjoy the excursions we hope to do, enjoy all the food, take in the shows and of course RELAX some, too.

QUESTION FOR Y'ALL!
Being foodies, we are eager to get to enjoy Palo as our big hurrah-screw-you-cancer dinner; but being complete cruise-noobs, we have no idea how to decide which night we should book our celebratory dinner. We don't want to make a silly mistake of
a) overlapping with a cool activity--like pirate night Yaaar!
b) overlapping on formal night--we love dressing up, and since we plan to dress up for Palo already, we don't want to overlap two opportunities to dress up!, or
c) missing out on another culinary experience we are looking forward to--Animator's Palette is an experience we don't want to miss

I am guessing nobody gets their dining rotation information until you get on board? So that means C isn't really something we can avoid. Let us know if I am wrong about that. However, I believe I have seen elsewhere that the dress rotation is the same across the cruise itineraries? So we could at least be able to know when formal night is, and hopefully the night on which events like pirate's night fall on are also predictable? If so, what/where is this info?

Sorry this got so long. Just looking for any insight or resources your more experienced cruisers might be able to offer up. Thanks for reading!

Congrats to your husband on his successful fight
I made my Palo reservations on the first night on my first cruise, mostly because there was little availability left at that point. I knew we would eat at each restaurant at least 2 x so I wasn't worried. We didn't know that they only put on the "show" at animator's once. Unfortunately we missed it. We were sooooo disappointed!!! So this time I booked late in the cruise to hopefully avoid that mistake.

 

[chkdrumr]

We aren't bringing rain boots either. I bought nice insulated waterproof hiking boots, and hubby bought some hiking boots that we are going to scotchguard. Luggage was of concern for us since we are flying in, so hubby will be wearing his boots on the plane, and mine will be checked since I will look like a moron boarding a plane with furry insulated hiking boots in 90 degree Orlando weather . I even had to leave my recently bought puffy vest out of the luggage due to room constraints. It took up half of the suitcase!! Judging by the weather research I've done, I don't expect it will be particularly COLD cold, just a good chance of rain. Very, very, very excited!! We are packed and ready to go!

Wow! I'm jealous! I thought I usually packed early. About 2 weeks or so out is my usual, but unfortuantely, even though I'm wearing nice cool shorts on my off hours, I still have to wear my long pants to work. I do have my gloves, hat, scarf and jacket put asside. I have a great water proof jacket that I will be layering underneath. I have matching rain pants that I just can't decide if I want to pack. It does seem to be offly wet up there.

 

[gotomu212]

For those who have cruised before what are looking forward to doing on this cruise that you didn't get around to last cruise????

For me it is see a movie onboard, maybe try a martini tasting, maybe the Captain's reception. And Palo but we are booked for that

We'd like to try more of the evening adult activities. We're hoping our 4 year old will take more to the kids club in the evenings. We'd LOVE to hang out with other adults and have a drink. Something we don't do enough at home.

 

[Clotho]

Speaking of evening adult activities... (wow, that sounded a little naughty! :O )

Hubby and I are night owls. This being at breakfast by 8am and off the ship running around so early is going to be very tough for us.

We aren't booking many excursions because hubby's energy levels are unpredictable right now and would hate to book something on a day he needs a little extra rest. But anyway...

It is likely we will want to be up later, in a nightclub or pub or something like that (NOT sports related, thanks). We have second seating for dinner already, which is great for us. But does any kind of night life exist on Disney Alaska cruises? I have these sad memories of an all-inclusive resort we went to on our honeymoon where they had a nightclub, but no one was EVER in it. We went to the piano bar every night and hung out with the same few people kind of half heartedly singing along...in short, there was no nightlife to be enjoyed. I am afraid this cruise will be the same.

Can anyone comment on my concerns, and inform us newbies about what goes on after 10pm on an Alaska Disney cruise?

 

[Cambsuk]

Speaking of evening adult activities... (wow, that sounded a little naughty! :O )

Hubby and I are night owls. This being at breakfast by 8am and off the ship running around so early is going to be very tough for us.

We aren't booking many excursions because hubby's energy levels are unpredictable right now and would hate to book something on a day he needs a little extra rest. But anyway...

It is likely we will want to be up later, in a nightclub or pub or something like that (NOT sports related, thanks). We have second seating for dinner already, which is great for us. But does any kind of night life exist on Disney Alaska cruises? I have these sad memories of an all-inclusive resort we went to on our honeymoon where they had a nightclub, but no one was EVER in it. We went to the piano bar every night and hung out with the same few people kind of half heartedly singing along...in short, there was no nightlife to be enjoyed. I am afraid this cruise will be the same.

Can anyone comment on my concerns, and inform us newbies about what goes on after 10pm on an Alaska Disney cruise?

The Wonder does have some nice evening places and they offer plenty of night time activities (usually until Midnight) Check out the Navigators for more detailed information, but I know Disney goes out of their way to make sure there is plenty to do and the crew that leads the events are wonderful.

 

[jadedjojo]

Wow! I'm jealous! I thought I usually packed early. About 2 weeks or so out is my usual, but unfortuantely, even though I'm wearing nice cool shorts on my off hours, I still have to wear my long pants to work. I do have my gloves, hat, scarf and jacket put asside. I have a great water proof jacket that I will be layering underneath. I have matching rain pants that I just can't decide if I want to pack. It does seem to be offly wet up there.

I actually chuckled about you being jealous, because normally I'm told I'm a loon for packing so early! DH's family picks on me non-stop about it. (Maybe they are just jealous because they aren't going!! ) Usually I do it three weeks or so out, but this time I was really worried I'd forgot something. We have always done Caribbean/ Bahamas, so this time the complete change of scenery and lack of available suitcase space has me a little anxious.

Speaking of evening adult activities... (wow, that sounded a little naughty! :O )

Hubby and I are night owls. This being at breakfast by 8am and off the ship running around so early is going to be very tough for us.

We aren't booking many excursions because hubby's energy levels are unpredictable right now and would hate to book something on a day he needs a little extra rest. But anyway...

It is likely we will want to be up later, in a nightclub or pub or something like that (NOT sports related, thanks). We have second seating for dinner already, which is great for us. But does any kind of night life exist on Disney Alaska cruises? I have these sad memories of an all-inclusive resort we went to on our honeymoon where they had a nightclub, but no one was EVER in it. We went to the piano bar every night and hung out with the same few people kind of half heartedly singing along...in short, there was no nightlife to be enjoyed. I am afraid this cruise will be the same.

Can anyone comment on my concerns, and inform us newbies about what goes on after 10pm on an Alaska Disney cruise?

Well, this is our first Alaska, but we are definitely no stranger to the Wonder, and I can tell you that the night life is anything but boring. We usually always go to Wave Bands to see whatever entertainment is lined up (comedian, magician, "Match Your Mate" (like Newlywed Game) ), and we always have a GREAT time. "Match Your Mate" is fantastic... very NOT PG, and always hilarious. And the Skit Night... Hopefully they will do "If I were not upon the sea." I can guarantee you will laugh so hard your face will hurt!! It is great fun, and as long as something is scheduled at night, it's usually hopping (get there a little early to grab a good seat!). I can't attest to the club being busy to the wee hours of the morning though... normally we are so exhausted that we head back to the room after the scheduled events. But no worries about entertainment!! Something is always going on someplace!

 

[DisFamilyRobinson]

We're going to give it a shot since we're currently booked in a navigator's verandah and an inside stateroom across the hall. We'd like to either be in connecting rooms with verandahs or all in one room/suite together.

Heh, my wife and I were thinking that you did this on purpose (saw the room numbers on the FE spreadsheet). I was speculating that the five of you would all squeeze into the same cabin and the "inside" one was just because Disney makes you do it and so it would be an extra bathroom and storage area!

 

[DisFamilyRobinson]

I talk about doing karaoke every cruise, and I always either wimp out or I'm too tired. I've been practicing though, so it might actually happen this time!! And you get a shot of "liquid courage..." and although I don't usually drink, I will happily take all of the help I can get.

OK. So now you've got some good old fashioned peer pressure to hold you accountable!