August 16, 2011 – 7 Night Alaska Sailing

[Stitchs buddy]

i am sooo exited cant wait!!

 

[mellers]

hi,i am 14 years old, i am looking for other kids oround my age to meet and hang out with! if u do chat back with me!

Stitchs Buddy--My daughter is 14 years old and will be on the cruise. If you'd like to chat with her, you can PM me (Mom's rules--you have to go through my account--evil, cruel Mom ) with the subject line, FOR DD. She can't answer back until Monday, however, because she is grounded from the computer until then.

 

[DumboFan]

hi,i am 14 years old, i am looking for other kids oround my age to meet and hang out with! if u do chat back with me!

PM your email address & I'll give it to my 13 year old daughter.

 

[Stitchs buddy]

PM your email address & I'll give it to my 13 year old daughter.

my mom is megakat and she sent u my email!

 

[Stitchs buddy]

Stitchs Buddy--My daughter is 14 years old and will be on the cruise. If you'd like to chat with her, you can PM me (Mom's rules--you have to go through my account--evil, cruel Mom ) with the subject line, FOR DD. She can't answer back until Monday, however, because she is grounded from the computer until then.

cant pm yet not enough postings but when i get enough i will pm u back!

 

[mellers]

Hi All,

Here's a repost of the FE list--if I missed you, or if you want on, please let me know!

While I'm not going to do any hard and fast rules, please, nobody should feel like they have to break the bank, either in purchasing stuff or in luggage fees. We're all here to have fun.

Mellers, stateroom 7631, Mellers (41), DH (44), DD (15)
Godalejr, Stateroom????, Jenn (40), Jeff (39), DS (9
Troutons, 6102, Mrs. Gumdrop (32) & (DH) V.I.N.CENT (34)
Wisegal, Stateroom 6111, Nicole (34), DH - Dave (40), DD - Brooklyn (5), DS - Michael (4)
Kgsmith, Stateroom 7092, Karen (40), Stuart (39), Bennett (9)
DumboFan, Stateroom 6090, Debbie, Kenny, Kate (13)

 

[Stitchs buddy]

i cant wait for the cruise i wish it was tomorrow!

 

[Dancing Mickey's]

Well our family is booked for this cruise but things may change...our DS may be going to college earlier than planned as he may play football. Great and exciting but we were hoping this would be our last big family vacation before he goes. First one off to college sad2: Now, I am really happy that we booked a surprise DREAM cruise in Feb. We will all be together then

So now the debate...keep the date...go without him. We have a DS 10 and a Princess 4.

I really want to go on the Glacier and Mush dogs. Bucket list item...so we will see. I will check in later as we would enjoy the FE group. Always fun.

Hope to meet you all...Pops twins are super CUTE!

 

[mellers]

i cant wait for the cruise i wish it was tomorrow!

Me too!

 

[mellers]

Actually, some of the recent talk of excursions (and being VERY excited to go on the cruise ) brings up a thought--do we want to post some of the excursions we are taking, so that we can find others who will be on the same excursions/want to do the same things? (If you booked separately from Disney, please post links.)

I'll start:

Skagway--We plan to take the 12:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Summit Excursion White Pass train:

http://www.wpyr.com , 12:45 Summit Excursion

Juneau--if the weather is nice, we plan to take a taxi to the the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure. If it's yucky, we plan to go to the Alaskan State Museum (unfortunately, glacier walking in a wheelchair ain't happening, and we're not big fans of fishing)

http://www.glaciergardens.com/
http://www.museums.state.ak.us/

In Ketchikan, we plan to take the Alaska Duck Tour:

http://www.akduck.com

 

[disneymath]

Hi Mellers! Thanks for taking the time to organize all this information for our cruise!

Right now my dad, mom, and I (aged 61, 58, and 34 at cruise time) are signed up for the Adventures By Disney add-on package. Our shore days are pretty much packed, but I think we will have a lot of fun.

(I say right now as I do need to get my parents to sit down and look at the other excursions offered through DCL to make sure that they won't be missing out on something they really want to do. If so, we may end up dropping the ABD. I hope not though, this is one trip I'm more than willing to let someone else handle the logistics of.)

As far as the FE Exchange, I'll get back to you on that. I think it would be great (and have an idea for the gift I would give), but I need to check that they want to participate.

Wow, first cruise (any line), first trip to Vancouver and Alakas, first ABD, and possible first FE Exchange ... this is shaping up to be quite the experience!

 

[mellers]

Hi Mellers! Thanks for taking the time to organize all this information for our cruise!

Thank you--I'm happy to do it; I've learned a lot on these boards!

Right now my dad, mom, and I (aged 61, 58, and 34 at cruise time) are signed up for the Adventures By Disney add-on package. Our shore days are pretty much packed, but I think we will have a lot of fun.

You should have a great time!

(I say right now as I do need to get my parents to sit down and look at the other excursions offered through DCL to make sure that they won't be missing out on something they really want to do. If so, we may end up dropping the ABD. I hope not though, this is one trip I'm more than willing to let someone else handle the logistics of.)

Honestly, even if they do find something else they would like to do, or even something non-DCL, I've been surprised at how much information there is out there, and how easy it is to book yourself. One book I'd recommend you take a look at (either at the library or the bookstore) is the PassPorter Guide to the Disney Cruise Line--the latest edition, which should include Alaska, is coming out in April--they usually compile links to the individual providers. I did all of our shore excursions with a credit card and the internet.

It sounds like your parents are pretty hardy folks, but if you have people in wheelchairs, and it's your first cruise with DCL (it's also my first cruise ever!), and you want to do the White Pass Summit Excursion, I would recommend you book online through them--it's a short distance to the depot, and you can book now. There are limited seats for wheelies on the train, and I would hate for a wheelie to miss out because he or she waited to book.

As far as the FE Exchange, I'll get back to you on that. I think it would be great (and have an idea for the gift I would give), but I need to check that they want to participate.

No problem--there's no hurries, and nobody should feel like they have to do the FE exchange.

Wow, first cruise (any line), first trip to Vancouver and Alakas, first ABD, and possible first FE Exchange ... this is shaping up to be quite the experience!

We live outside Seattle, and have relatives in Richmond (by the Vancouver airport) so I have spent a great deal of time in Vancouver.

Two beautiful, out-of-the way things to see which most people don't are the gardens of the International Buddhist Temple in Richmond:

http://www.buddhisttemple.ca/

(A few years ago, my husband's uncle (who is a member of the temple) took us through the gardens--it is truly amazing!)

and the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens:

http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/vandusen/website/

Also, one quick note for those who are taking kids to Vancouver--if you have a membership with your local science museum, check and see--it may also be good at Telus Science World: http://www.scienceworld.ca/

This place is so much fun--my husband, his uncle, and I took the kidlet to it, and watching them it was hard to say who had more fun--our daughter or the grownups!

 

[BishopFamily]

Hi All,

Here's a repost of the FE list--if I missed you, or if you want on, please let me know!

While I'm not going to do any hard and fast rules, please, nobody should feel like they have to break the bank, either in purchasing stuff or in luggage fees. We're all here to have fun.

Mellers, stateroom 7631, Mellers (41), DH (44), DD (15)
Godalejr, Stateroom????, Jenn (40), Jeff (39), DS (9
Troutons, 6102, Mrs. Gumdrop (32) & (DH) V.I.N.CENT (34)
Wisegal, Stateroom 6111, Nicole (34), DH - Dave (40), DD - Brooklyn (5), DS - Michael (4)
Kgsmith, Stateroom 7092, Karen (40), Stuart (39), Bennett (9)
DumboFan, Stateroom 6090, Debbie, Kenny, Kate (13)

You can add us to the list...

BishopFamily, Stateroom 5524, Nancy, Richard, DS(13), DD(8)

 

[mellers]

You can add us to the list...

BishopFamily, Stateroom 5524, Nancy, Richard, DS(13), DD(8)

You are on the list:

Mellers, stateroom 7631, Mellers (41), DH (44), DD (15)
Godalejr, Stateroom????, Jenn (40), Jeff (39), DS (9)
Troutons, 6102, Mrs. Gumdrop (32) & (DH) V.I.N.CENT (34)
Wisegal, Stateroom 6111, Nicole (34), DH - Dave (40), DD - Brooklyn (5), DS - Michael (4)
Kgsmith, Stateroom 7092, Karen (40), Stuart (39), Bennett (9)
DumboFan, Stateroom 6090, Debbie, Kenny, Kate (13)
BishopFamily, Stateroom 5524, Nancy, Richard, DS(13), DD(8)

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

You are on the list:

Mellers, stateroom 7631, Mellers (41), DH (44), DD (15)
Godalejr, Stateroom????, Jenn (40), Jeff (39), DS (9)
Troutons, 6102, Mrs. Gumdrop (32) & (DH) V.I.N.CENT (34)
Wisegal, Stateroom 6111, Nicole (34), DH - Dave (40), DD - Brooklyn (5), DS - Michael (4)
Kgsmith, Stateroom 7092, Karen (40), Stuart (39), Bennett (9)
DumboFan, Stateroom 6090, Debbie, Kenny, Kate (13)
BishopFamily, Stateroom 5524, Nancy, Richard, DS(13), DD(8)

HI! Thanks again for compiling this list. I just realized I provided our information strangely. So the revised version is:

Mrs. Gumdrop & (DH) V.I.N.CENT, 6102, Lauren (32) & (DH) Rich (34)

Also, once we have a clearer idea of how many people are exchanging, my DSIL who is in an adjoining room my join the group as well.

 

[mellers]

HI! Thanks again for compiling this list. I just realized I provided our information strangely. So the revised version is:

Mrs. Gumdrop & (DH) V.I.N.CENT, 6102, Lauren (32) & (DH) Rich (34)

Also, once we have a clearer idea of how many people are exchanging, my DSIL who is in an adjoining room my join the group as well.

Sounds good! New list:

Mellers, stateroom 7631, Mellers (41), DH (44), DD (15)
Godalejr, Stateroom????, Jenn (40), Jeff (39), DS (9
Mrs. Gumdrop & (DH) V.I.N.CENT, 6102, Lauren (32) & (DH) Rich (34)
Wisegal, Stateroom 6111, Nicole (34), DH - Dave (40), DD - Brooklyn (5), DS - Michael (4)
Kgsmith, Stateroom 7092, Karen (40), Stuart (39), Bennett (9)
DumboFan, Stateroom 6090, Debbie, Kenny, Kate (13)
BishopFamily, Stateroom 5524, Nancy, Richard, DS(13), DD(8)

 

[womanredress]

Hello!

I was originally scheduled for the June 14th cruise but am no longer able to go on that one. I think we are going to reschedule for this cruise and I wanted to pop in and say hello!

I've been looking at some of the port adventures and they look like a lot of fun. Definitely different than the Mexican Riviera cruise adventures on my last Disney cruise.

 

[mellers]

Hello!

I was originally scheduled for the June 14th cruise but am no longer able to go on that one. I think we are going to reschedule for this cruise and I wanted to pop in and say hello!

I've been looking at some of the port adventures and they look like a lot of fun. Definitely different than the Mexican Riviera cruise adventures on my last Disney cruise.

Welcome!

 

[mellers]

Actually, some of the recent talk of excursions (and being VERY excited to go on the cruise ) brings up a thought--do we want to post some of the excursions we are taking, so that we can find others who will be on the same excursions/want to do the same things? (If you booked separately from Disney, please post links.)

I'll start:

Skagway--We plan to take the 12:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Summit Excursion White Pass train:

http://www.wpyr.com/summitexcursion.html , 12:45 Summit Excursion

Juneau--if the weather is nice, we plan to take a taxi to the the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure. If it's yucky, we plan to go to the Alaskan State Museum (unfortunately, glacier walking in a wheelchair ain't happening, and we're not big fans of fishing)

http://www.glaciergardens.com/
http://www.museums.state.ak.us/

In Ketchikan, we plan to take the Alaska Duck Tour:

http://www.akduck.com

I also should add--we are taking Seattle Green Limo from the Seattle area to the Richmond Four Points the Saturday before the cruise (hanging out in the Vancouver area for a few days), and we're taking them back to the Seattle area at 11 o'clock the day the cruise comes into port.

We're also taking the Ridebooker van from the Four Points to the cruise at 9 a.m. the morning of the cruise.

 

[mellers]

Since somebody was worried about the costs associated with the shore excursions, I thought I would try to put together a comparison of some self-book and Disney options. Some of these are exactly the same excursion, some are "along the same lines". Please, please, PLEASE! Look carefully at all of the websites, make sure you know the fine print, cancellation policies, and whether or not transportation to the activity is included in the self-book options. Also, if you've had a bad experience with a provider, or a good one with one I haven't mentioned, by all means, let us know! I've done this for Ketchikan, and if people like it, I'll probably do Skagway next:

Cruise Excursions not offered by Disney:

Please also see post #230--thanks llkoolj40!

Ketchikan:

Alaska Duck Tour: http://www.akduck.com/
Ketchikan Walking Tour Map (free!) Downtown: http://www.experienceketchikan.com/support-files/ketchikan_maps_downtown.pdf
Ketchikan Walking Tour Map (free!) West End: http://www.experienceketchikan.com/support-files/ketchikan_maps_west.pdf

Cruise Excursion offered by Disney/Similar, self-book options (please note that this on cursory glance, late at night— so check the websites carefully!):

Ketchikan:

Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour:
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...a/bering-sea-crab-fishermens-tour-and-dinner/
http://56degreesnorth.com/

Major differences: The self-book tour does not include dinner with the crew, and is shorter—Disney’s includes a dinner with the crew. The self-book option is wheelchair accessible; Disney’s is not. Self-book allows you to purchase child tickets for 5-12 year olds for a lower price. On Disney’s, everybody’s ticket is the same price. Self-book is $159 for adults, and $99 for kids 5-12 (minimum age is 5). Disney’s has a minimum age of 8, and everybody is $265.

Totem Traditions and Potlatch Park with Exclusive Youth Activity:

http://northerntoursofalaska.com/tours.html
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...an-alaska/totem-traditions-and-potlatch-park/

Northern Tours of Alaska offers a tour of Totem Bight State Park, the Russian Museum, and various city highlights, for $35 for adults, and $25 for children 5-12 (under 5 is free) if you book online. Disney offers tours of Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, and a special youth activity for $89 for those over 10, and $69 for those 5 and up (minimum age for Disney’s is 5). Northern Tours is 2.25-2.5 hours long, Disney’s is 2.5-3 hours long. These are definitely not the same tour, and may not have the same provider, but they both covered the area’s totem poles, so I added them both.

Alaska Bear Adventures:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...sions/ketchikan-alaska/alaska-bear-adventure/
https://secure51.inmotionhosting.com/~alaska26/bearpage.htm


Differences:
Alaska Seaplane Tours, Bears of the Misty Fjords: Minimum of two people: $289/adult, $239/child 12 and under, after the first two people. Tour time is two hours, and the cost includes pick-up and drop-off by the visitors center near the cruise ship. I’m not sure how the time would work out with the time we have in port. May not be the same company used by Disney; About says they have a perfect safety rating, however.

Disney’s tour is 3-3.5 hours (but this may include the transfer time, so bear that in mind). It seems to include a visit to the Tongass National Forest, whereas the Alaska Seaplane Tours visits the Misty Fjords. The charge for ages 9 and up is $372, under 9 is $299.

Alaska Hummer Adventures:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ons/ketchikan-alaska/alaska-hummer-adventure/
http://gdyn.akhummer.com/

Differences: Disney’s costs $605, self-book is $559

Back Country Jeep and Canoe Safari:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...alaska/back-country-jeep-and-canoe-adventure/
http://www.bestofalaskatravel.com/alaska_day_tours/pages/k_jeep_canoe_safari.htm

Differences: Disney’s says that it is 4-4.5 hours, self-book says it is approximately 4 hours. Self-book is Adult $149/Child $99, not including taxes, child is 12 and under, Disney’s is $178, ages 10 and up, and $100 ages 8 to 9, taxes unckear. Minimum age for Disney’s is 8; Minimum age for self-book is 5.

Bear Country Wildlife Expedition:

http://www.alaskarainforest.com/Tours/Wildlife-Expedition.html
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...-alaska/bear-country-and-wildlife-expedition/

Differences: Minimum age for Disney tour is 5; for self-book, it’s 12. Disney’s is $192 for those 12 and over, and $129 for ages 5-9. Self-book tour is $199 per person. Self-book tour is 3.25 hours, Disney’s is 3-3.5 hours. Self-Book tour is supposed to have a “limited” group size (not specific). Please also see message #198 with many thanks to SanDiegoSteph

Bear Creek Zipline Adventure:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...tchikan-alaska/bear-creek-zipline-adventures/
http://www.alaskarainforest.com/Tours/Zipline-Rainforest-Ketchikan.html

Differences: Self-book: $179/person, Disney, $178/person

Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour:

http://56degreesnorth.com/

Differences: Self-book is $159 for 13+, $99 for 5-12. Disney’s is $179 for 10+, $99 for for 5-9.

Best of Ketchikan by Land and Sea:

No self-book option, but a note:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...kan-alaska/best-of-ketchikan-by-land-and-sea/

Duck tours are available for $38 for 13+, and $24 for 3-12, under 3 are free, and they are 90 minutes long:
http://www.akduck.com
Northern tours offer a city tour that is 2.25-2.5 hours long, for $35 for 13+ and $25 for 5-12, under 5 are free:
http://northerntoursofalaska.com/tours.html

If you can coordinate the time (it looks like they leave from about the same location—the visitor’s center), that would give you a 3.75-4 hour long land and sea tour for about $73 for adults and $58 for kids up to 12.

The Best of Ketchikan by Land and Sea tour is $118 for 10+ and $70 for 9 and under. It’s 3.5-4 hours long. It goes to different parts of Ketchikan than the two tours above—I would recommend looking at all three tours to see what would suit your family—and budget—the best.

City Highlights, Totems, and Creek Street by Trolley

http://aksourdoughtours.com/saxman_tour.php
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ighlights-totems-and-creek-street-by-trolley/

Self-book: $40/person, any age. Disney: $42/10+, $19 for under 10.

Misty Fjords Flightseeing:

http://www.alaskaseaplanetours.com/mistyfjords.htm
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...kan-alaska/classic-misty-fjords-flightseeing/

Self-Book: $229/13+, $189/12 and under. Disney: $263/10+, $202/9 and under. Please also see #207 with many thanks to SanDiegoSteph

First City Deluxe Tour:

http://northerntoursofalaska.com/wildlife.html
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...luxe-totems-salmon-hatchery-and-eagle-center/

Differences: Disney goes to Potlatch Park, while Northern Tours goes to the Saxman Native Village. Northern Tours goes to the Black Bear Area, while Disney’s goes to the Salmon Hatchery. Northern Tours goes to Creek Street, and Disney goes to the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Since the two have different itinteraries, I would look at both closely to see which best fit your family’s interests and budget. Northern Tours is $42 for 13+, $22 5-12, free under 5. Disney’s is $82 for 10+, $45 for 9 and under. Disney’s is also much longer; 4-4.5 hours, whereas Northern Tours of Alaska’s is only 2.25-2.5 hours.

Hunting for Halibut:

http://wefishalaska.com/
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ursions/ketchikan-alaska/hunting-for-halibut/

Self-Book: According to their website, 4 hour fishing trips can be booked for about $175/person, but you should call and check to make sure that’s true. Disney’s are $394 for 10+, and $319 for 8 and 9 year olds. Disney’s are 5.5-6.5 hours long. For a more accurate comparison, you might specifically ask about Halibut fishing for that time period. I am quite sure that self-book option is not the same company Disney uses.

Knudson Cove Salmon Fishing:

http://wefishalaska.com/
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ketchikan-alaska/knudson-cove-salmon-fishing/

Again, I don’t think the Self-Book option is the same company Disney uses, but again, according to their website, 4 hour fishing trips can be booked for about $175/person—again, I would call and check. Disney’s is $202 for 10+, and $190 for ages 8 and 9. Disney’s is about 4.5-5.5 hours long.

Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles:

http://lighthouseexcursion.com/
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...etchikan-alaska/lighthouse-totems-and-eagles/

These two appear to be the exact same excursion; Disney lists prices as $102 for 10+, and $49 for 9 and under. I could not see a price listing for a direct book, but there was a link to click where you could email for booking information. Probably worth an email for a price check, since the two excursions appear to be done by the same company. Please also see message #209 by SanDiegoSteph

Misty Fjords Boat and Floatplane Adventure:

http://www.promechair.com/Alaskan-Package/
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...a/misty-fjords-boat-and-floatplane-adventure/

I think these are both the same package. Disney lists it as $359/10+, $310 under 9. Promech Air does not list prices—you might want to call and check, also, make sure Promech Air includes transporation to/from the docks.

Neets Bay Bear Watch by Floatplane:

http://www.promechair.com/Beartour/
http://www.alaskaseaplanetours.com/bearpage.htm
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...an-alaska/neets-bay-bear-watch-by-floatplane/

Differences: Promech Air is $339 per person, and I do not know if that includes transportation to the airport—I suspect they run Disney’s tour. Disney lists prices as $360 for 10+, and $302 for 9 and under. Disney’s excursion is 3-3.5 hours long. Alaska Seaplane Tours goes bear watching on Prince of Wales Island, and does include transportation to the departure area. They list prices as $339/adult (at least 2), and $289/child 12 and under (after the first 2 people)—they do not specify times, but they do specify that they include transportation to/from the cruise dock.

Rainforest Canoe Adventure and Nature Trail:

http://www.bestofalaskatravel.com/alaska_day_tours/pages/k_rain_forest_canoe.htm
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...rain-forest-canoe-adventure-and-nature-trail/

Differences: Best of Alaska Tour: $89/12+, $59/12 and under, Disney Tour: $112/9+, $69/5-9. I suspect this to be the same tour as Disney’s.

Rainforest Island Adventure:

http://www.alaskaadventures.com/alaska_day_tours/pages/k_rainforest_island_adv.htm
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...etchikan-alaska/rain-forest-island-adventure/

Differences: I suspect this is the same tour. Alaska Adventures is $119/12+, and $79 for 12 and under. Disney’s is $130/10+, and $72 for ages 5-9.

Saxman Native Village:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...sions/ketchikan-alaska/saxman-native-village/
http://www.northerntoursofalaska.com/wildlife.html

Disney’s cruise tends to focus more on Saxman Native Village alone, whereas Northern Tours of Alaska seems to sprinkle in some more wildlife viewing. Northern Tours is $42/adults (12+), and $22 for kids (12 and under). Disney’s is $72/adult (10+), and $29/kid (9 and under)