August 16, 2011 – 7 Night Alaska Sailing

[mellers]

I went to the fabric store today and bought the supplies to make my FE today. Now all I have to do is make it. No time tonight, maybe later this week. Hoepfully it will not take me that long once I get started.

I'm starting to feel bad...our FE is a child's Disney apron with a tote bag behind it for larger items.

 

[wisegal]

I'm starting to feel bad...our FE is a child's Disney apron with a tote bag behind it for larger items.

Don't feel bad I love that idea. Can't wait to see it. Ours is made of felt. 2 pockets that are red with yellow buttons and a white Mickey head with our family name on it, and a Canadian flag some where on it. It looks cute in my head, hopefully so will the final product.(A friend of mine cameup with the idea, I can not take the credit.)

 

[mellers]

Don't feel bad I love that idea. Can't wait to see it. Ours is made of felt. 2 pockets that are red with yellow buttons and a white Mickey head with our family name on it, and a Canadian flag some where on it. It looks cute in my head, hopefully so will the final product.(A friend of mine cameup with the idea, I can not take the credit.)

That sounds adorable!

 

[mellers]

Has anyone else figured you what they are doing while in port?????

I know that at least 2 people are doing the Adventures by Disney add-on.

My family and I are doing the following:

Skagway: White Pass and Yukon Route Summit Excursion (we booked it ourselves). If we have time, we plan to take the free walking tour as well (provided I can "roll it" while my family "walks it")

Juneau: Glacier Gardens, if the weather's nice, or the Alaska Museum if the weather's poor, or if we have a little extra time (it's supposed to be within walking distance of the dock).

Ketchikan: We plan to do the Ketchikan Duck Tour (we booked it ourselves), and if we have time, we might do the Lumberjack Show or the free walking tour (again, provided I can "roll it")

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

We are planning on booking Whale watching, salmon bake, and Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau, & Takshanuk Mountain 4x4 at Skagway. We are also considering the Misty Fjord trip or the Best of K at Ketchikan, but right now I am leaning toward just exploring town on our own.

 

[Inkmahm]

Yay, I get to book excursions tonight! Will stay up late to do it and then, of course, I have a really early morning for getting to work tomorrow. Never fails.

Anyway, I finally finished planning these yesterday. We have already done the White Pass railway extended trips twice in previous trips. The steam train version was very tempting though. That is usually not offered when we are in SKagway with Princess. We are going to do the Evening Wildlife expedition if it is available for our trip. If not, then we will do the Alaska Nature and Wildlife Expedition. We have never been to Haines before and probably won't get there on future Princess trips to Alaska. Also, there is a chance for seeing brown bears on this excursion.

In Juneau, we are going to do the Best of Juneau. We want to see how far the Mendenhall Glacier has receded since we were last there 3 years ago. Whale watching is always fun and we want the salmon bake that is on an island, not the one that is in Juneau that everyone goes to. I am not trying for the dogsledding on a glacier this trip because it is the most canceled excursion in all of Alaska. I have us booked to do dogsledding at home in WI next winter. We've already done the helicopter tour and walk on the glaciers or I'd have booked that. It really was amazing to STAND on a glacier.

In Ketchikan, I'm hoping for the Neets Bay bear watch by floatplane. We did Traitor's Cove in 2008 and it was amazing to see both the black bears and the salmon run. I want to see the same thing but in a different area- the salmon Hatchery at Neet's Bay. I like float planes, too. Ketchikan is a beautiful area for flying.

 

[wisegal]

I have only figured out that I want to do the Lumberjack show in Ketchikan. I do not think that I am going to be booking anything this. We will just wonder though the towns on our own.

Nicole

 

[Juldara]

Adding Pops711 to both lists

Fish Extender List

Mickey Group

Mellers, stateroom 7631, Mellers (41), DH (44), DD (15)
Mrs. Gumdrop (Happy Birthday and Anniversary!) & (DH) V.I.N.CENT, 6102, Lauren (32) & (DH) Rich (34)
DumboFan, Stateroom 6098, Debbie, Kenny, Kate (13)
BishopFamily, Stateroom 5524, Nancy, Richard, DS(13), DD(8)
msnoble, Stateroom 6034, Maureen, Brian, Erica (age 12 (2 weeks from 13 ) and Russell (age 10)
MonicaW, Stateroom 2629, Mike and Monica (adults), Kimberly (14)
CubCatsK&D (Happy Birthday!), Stateroom 7134, Kim and Deb (adults), Cameron (12)
Aby, Stateroom 7126, Kim and Chuck (30-somethings)
Elfinjojo, Stateroom 2134, Jojo (38), Rob (39), Holly (9) Evan (7)
Juldara, Stateroom 2090, Julie, Maya (9)
Pops711 (Happy Anniversary), Stateroom 6613, Jerry, Melanie, Faith (10.5 months), Bella (10.5 months)

Pluto Group

Godalejr (Happy Birthday!), Stateroom 2574, Jenn (40), Jeff (39), DS (9)
Wisegal (Happy Birthday to the little guys!), Stateroom 6111, Nicole (34), DH - Dave (40), DD - Brooklyn (5), DS - Michael (4)
Kgsmith (Happy Anniversary!), Stateroom 7092, Karen (40), Stuart (39), Bennett (9)
Mrs. Gumdrop's DSIL, 6100, Melissa (30-something)
AppleGuy, Stateroom 5138, Gary and Donna (adults)
AppleGuy's Friends, Stateroom 5136, Lee and Sharon (adults)
Dancing Mickey's (Happy Birthday!), Stateroom ????, Dancing Mickey's, DH, DD (4) DS (10)
Pops711 (Happy Anniversary), Stateroom 6613, Jerry, Melanie, Faith (10.5 months), Bella (10.5 months)
MercoBear, Stateroom 5462, Gretchen, Dustin (30-Something)
Juldara, Stateroom 2090, Julie, Maya (9)

No sticky, chewy candy for Erica, Kate, Julie or Maya, and no food, please, for Mellers family (all 3 have MAJOR dietary issues)

And here's the Day-Before Meet List:

Mellers (5 people)
Scothen (1 person)
ALawley (11 people)
Mrs. Gumdrop (2 people, maybe)

Here's the First Seating List:

Mellers
Mrs. Gumdrop
Mrs. Gumdrop's DSIL
Wisegal
CubCatsK&D
Godalejr
Inkmahm

Here's the Second Seating List

MercoBear
Appleguy
Appleguy's Friends
Dkmjgal
Kgsmith
Disneymath
Pops711
Aby
Dumbofan

Here's the night-before lodging list:

FourPoints Sheraton Vancouver Airport

Mellers

Fairmont Vancouver Airport

Scothen

Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown

Mrs. Gumdrop
dkmjgal

Fairmont Waterfront

Kgsmith
Aby

Pan Pacific

Godalejr
Inkmahm

We are in the second seating for dinner.

Julie

 

[mellers]

Fish Extender List

Mickey Group

Mellers, stateroom 7631, Mellers (41), DH (44), DD (15)
Mrs. Gumdrop (Happy Birthday and Anniversary!) & (DH) V.I.N.CENT, 6102, Lauren (32) & (DH) Rich (34)
DumboFan, Stateroom 6098, Debbie, Kenny, Kate (13)
BishopFamily, Stateroom 5524, Nancy, Richard, DS(13), DD(8)
msnoble, Stateroom 6034, Maureen, Brian, Erica (age 12 (2 weeks from 13 ) and Russell (age 10)
MonicaW, Stateroom 2629, Mike and Monica (adults), Kimberly (14)
CubCatsK&D (Happy Birthday!), Stateroom 7134, Kim and Deb (adults), Cameron (12)
Aby, Stateroom 7126, Kim and Chuck (30-somethings)
Elfinjojo, Stateroom 2134, Jojo (38), Rob (39), Holly (9) Evan (7)
Juldara, Stateroom 2090, Julie, Maya (9)
Pops711 (Happy Anniversary), Stateroom 6613, Jerry, Melanie, Faith (10.5 months), Bella (10.5 months)

Pluto Group

Godalejr (Happy Birthday!), Stateroom 2574, Jenn (40), Jeff (39), DS (9)
Wisegal (Happy Birthday to the little guys!), Stateroom 6111, Nicole (34), DH - Dave (40), DD - Brooklyn (5), DS - Michael (4)
Kgsmith (Happy Anniversary!), Stateroom 7092, Karen (40), Stuart (39), Bennett (9)
Mrs. Gumdrop's DSIL, 6100, Melissa (30-something)
AppleGuy, Stateroom 5138, Gary and Donna (adults)
AppleGuy's Friends, Stateroom 5136, Lee and Sharon (adults)
Dancing Mickey's (Happy Birthday!), Stateroom ????, Dancing Mickey's, DH, DD (4) DS (10)
Pops711 (Happy Anniversary), Stateroom 6613, Jerry, Melanie, Faith (10.5 months), Bella (10.5 months)
MercoBear, Stateroom 5462, Gretchen, Dustin (30-Something)
Juldara, Stateroom 2090, Julie, Maya (9)

No sticky, chewy candy for Erica, Kate, Julie or Maya, and no food, please, for Mellers family (all 3 have MAJOR dietary issues)

And here's the Day-Before Meet List:

Mellers (5 people)
Scothen (1 person)
ALawley (11 people)
Mrs. Gumdrop (2 people, maybe)

Here's the First Seating List:

Mellers
Mrs. Gumdrop
Mrs. Gumdrop's DSIL
Wisegal
CubCatsK&D
Godalejr
Inkmahm

Here's the Second Seating List

MercoBear
Appleguy
Appleguy's Friends
Dkmjgal
Kgsmith
Disneymath
Pops711
Aby
Dumbofan
Juldara

Here's the night-before lodging list:

FourPoints Sheraton Vancouver Airport

Mellers

Fairmont Vancouver Airport

Scothen

Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown

Mrs. Gumdrop
dkmjgal

Fairmont Waterfront

Kgsmith
Aby

Pan Pacific

Godalejr
Inkmahm

 

[mellers]

http://www.adventureserikjason.blogspot.com/

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

http://www.adventureserikjason.blogspot.com/

Thanks for sharing this.

 

[mellers]

Thanks for sharing this.

Thank you for the nice note!

 

[godalejunior]

Im stressing about the excursions as we are low on the food chain being first time cruisers. Will they hold spots back for all the different levels of people booking so we have a shot at booking them? Should I just do it on my own so we get what we want?

Also...has anyone booked parking ahead of time?

 

[mellers]

Im stressing about the excursions as we are low on the food chain being first time cruisers. Will they hold spots back for all the different levels of people booking so we have a shot at booking them? Should I just do it on my own so we get what we want?

Also...has anyone booked parking ahead of time?

I was sufficiently worried that I booked all of ours on my own back in January, but I've since heard that if you can't book an excursion in advance, you may be able to book it onboard. Still, if it's something you really want to do, you might want to book it on your own.

I have not booked parking in advance (we've never needed it). If you need parking, I would try YVR, Canada Place, and, if you're really stuck, try the FourPoints Sheraton Airport--I notice they have a paid lot, but I'm not sure if it's only for guests.

 

[godalejunior]

I was sufficiently worried that I booked all of ours on my own back in January, but I've since heard that if you can't book an excursion in advance, you may be able to book it onboard. Still, if it's something you really want to do, you might want to book it on your own.

I have not booked parking in advance (we've never needed it). If you need parking, I would try YVR, Canada Place, and, if you're really stuck, try the FourPoints Sheraton Airport--I notice they have a paid lot, but I'm not sure if it's only for guests.

Thank you...the main one Im stressed about is the Ketchikan bear viewing one. i called the sanctuary today to see if I can book through them direct and it sounds like Disney has them booked for the day. Out of all the excursions, this is the one we want to do most. Just curious if they hold back ressies like they do for Palo.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thank you...the main one Im stressed about is the Ketchikan bear viewing one. i called the sanctuary today to see if I can book through them direct and it sounds like Disney has them booked for the day. Out of all the excursions, this is the one we want to do most. Just curious if they hold back ressies like they do for Palo.

I am Gold (actually addded a quick 4 day cruise about a year ago so that we'd be gold for Alaska) so I just booked our excursions. I booked Neets Bay bear watching in Ketchikan because I have done Traitor's Cove before. There were openings for all of the excursions in Ketchikan other than the private boat rental.

I got everything I wanted and actually added the Mushers camp and sled dog excursion to the morning of Skagway. We have 1 1/2 hours for lunch break and then we are doing the Evening Wildlife Expedition to try to see brown bear (Ketchikan is only black bears). We're doing the Best of Juneau in Juneau. Not much free time for us in the port this trip!

Palo was easy to book for dinner (I think there was one time on Thurs night that was booked up) and for brunch (only 10:30 on Monday was full). Luckily I don't really care for the high tea because the only time remaining for that is 3 pm on the day we are cruising Tracy Arm. The other two sea day afternoon's are booked.

Must be a lot of platinum people on this cruise! I was surprised to see anything booked completely when booking opened tonight for Gold.

To answer your question though, I don't think they hold back any excursions like they do Palo reservations. Some excursions will be full by the time you book. The bear watching is probably going to be very popular.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

I am Gold (actually addded a quick 4 day cruise about a year ago so that we'd be gold for Alaska) so I just booked our excursions. I booked Neets Bay bear watching in Ketchikan because I have done Traitor's Cove before. There were openings for all of the excursions in Ketchikan other than the private boat rental.

I got everything I wanted and actually added the Mushers camp and sled dog excursion to the morning of Skagway. We have 1 1/2 hours for lunch break and then we are doing the Evening Wildlife Expedition to try to see brown bear (Ketchikan is only black bears). We're doing the Best of Juneau in Juneau. Not much free time for us in the port this trip!

Palo was easy to book for dinner (I think there was one time on Thurs night that was booked up) and for brunch (only 10:30 on Monday was full). Luckily I don't really care for the high tea because the only time remaining for that is 3 pm on the day we are cruising Tracy Arm. The other two sea day afternoon's are booked.

Must be a lot of platinum people on this cruise! I was surprised to see anything booked completely when booking opened tonight for Gold.

To answer your question though, I don't think they hold back any excursions like they do Palo reservations. Some excursions will be full by the time you book. The bear watching is probably going to be very popular.

I am glad you were able to get what you wanted! I need to come up with astrategy with my DSIL for booking on the 18th. I don't know if shw will be up for staying up until midnight. Maybe she will just give me her password...

 

[nickcapp]

Hi all...I just wanted to give you a heads up and let you know what tours are sold out by port:

Juneau:
Disney Exclusive Glacier Dog Musher for a Day
Juneau by Private Jeep
Private Boat - Salmon Fishing Charter
Whale Watching and Salmon Bake

Ketchikan:
Private Skiff

Skagway:
All still available


Gold window just opened at midnight.

Figured I would let you all know!

 

[mellers]

http://click.e.groupon.com/?qs=de10...c08bcf34ecef97689255f669da2ef751b8ff44c8f278d

 

[mellers]

http://click.e.groupon.com/?qs=46a7...e8ae934572dbfb64913c5b8edb01a005880b1b70dcaa7