August 16, 2011 – 7 Night Alaska Sailing

[mellers]

Today's Groupon for Seattle is a deal on Whale Watching in Anacortes--you'd need to rent a car to get there, but this is a good deal on a whale watching tour:

http://www.groupon.com/deals/mystic...h_updates_and_email_subject_titles_2011-01-07

 

[mellers]

With our final payment date coming up in a couple of months, I encourage everyone to read this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2654664

A few of us found some cruise insurance which you could purchase within 24 hours of your final payment that will cover pre-existing conditions. Apparently, if you have DCL cruise insurance, you can cancel it now and take a different policy. I just found that out when I read this thread (and a previous one, which directed me to the link I posted.)

Most people think of serious things, like cancer and heart disease, as pre-existing conditions, but what they don't realize is that asthma, eye issues, or basically anything for which you've been treated or for which you've taken medicine in the past year is a pre-existing condition. If, for example, your husband with high blood pressure has a heart attack on board the ship, and must be airlifted off, if the insurance company can make the case that his high blood pressure contributed significantly to the heart attack, they can deny your claim.

Unfortunately, Disney's insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions--period. You can't even get a rider on their policy. Also, it seems that there are many plans which are less expensive and offer better coverage.

Hopefully, we all have a wonderful cruise, everything is great and nobody gets sick or has an emergency, but if something does happen, I hope everybody has insurance that will take care of them.

 

[mellers]

If you want to add your family to the FE list, go ahead and post, but I won't be able to add you between 2/18-2/26. I'm going to Disneyland! I'll add you as soon as I get back

 

[Aby]

Have fun at Disneyland!!!

 

[mellers]

Have fun at Disneyland!!!

Thanks!--it's a mother-daughter trip--the daughter's growing up so fast!

 

[kgsmith]

If you want to add your family to the FE list, go ahead and post, but I won't be able to add you between 2/18-2/26. I'm going to Disneyland! I'll add you as soon as I get back

Have a great trip!!

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

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

Can I also offer another self-book suggestion...

I have been having a WONDERFUL experience with Lesley and Steve Kamm of Seawind Aviation (www.SeawindAviation.com); 1-877-225-1203

They are providing us with a Misty Fjords Flightseeing trip that is 1 1/4 hours with a lake landing for an additional 15 minutes to shoot photos.

They are having an "early bird" sale on this tour of just $199/person if you book by March 16th and only require a 50% payment at time of booking.

AND, if you tell them you are a Disney Cruiser family, they will work with you on special kids' rates based on their size. In fact, they NEVER charge for kids 2 and under and they recently gave a deal to a family with a 5 year old girl of 1/2 price for her since their family's combined weights were so low!

Happy Booking!

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

Experience Yukon by Bike/White Pass Train and Bike Tour:
http://cyclealaska.com/yukonbybike.html
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ions/skagway-alaska/experience-yukon-by-bike/
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...kagway-alaska/white-pass-train-and-bike-tour/

Cycle Alaska is $183.71 for the motorcoach tour, and $264.75 for the tour with the White Pass included. They seem like very similar (if not the same) tour. Height minimum of 4’6”. Minimum age is 14. Disney’s is $239, minimum age of 16, for the standard Yukon by Bike, and $199 for the White Pass Train and Bike Tour, which seems like the best deal of them all, to me.

Klondike Bicycle Tour:
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ursions/skagway-alaska/klondike-bicycle-tour/
http://cyclealaska.com/klond.html

The Cycle Alaska tour is 2.75 hours, and requires a minimum of 4 people. Minimum age is 12, and minimum height is 4’6”. It costs $82.95, including tax. Disney’s tour is 2.5-3 hours, and also requires a minimum age of 12. It costs $87, I am unsure of tax. I suspect they are the same tour.

Rainforest Bicycle Tour:
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ions/skagway-alaska/rain-forest-bicycle-tour/
http://www.cyclealaska.com/rain.html

The Cycle Alaska tour requires a minimum of 4 people, and a maximum of 12. Minimum age is 10. Cost is $82.95/person including tax, Disney’s is $94, taxes unclear. I suspect this to be the same tour.

Skagway by Bike
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...re-excursions/skagway-alaska/skagway-by-bike/
http://www.cyclealaska.com/skagwaybybike.html

Cycle Alaska’s tour requires a minimum height of 4’6” to ride a bike, and under 7 may ride free in carrier. Adults are $45, Kids 7-12 are $30 for the regular tour, or there is a Jewell Gardens option, which includes lunch, which is $63 for adults and $41 for kids. Disney’s is $59/10+, and $36/under 10—it appears to be the “Non-Jewell-Gardens” tour. Disney does not offer a Jewell Gardens addition.

Just an update on the Cycle Alaska trips:

Here is their email response to my request to book their Experience Yukon by Bike/White Pass Train and Bike Tour for our cruise in August...

"Our space is alloted to the cruise line. At this time, we are unable to take your reservation. We have added another afternoon tour which will make more space available through Disney. If you are unsuccessful at booking through the cruise line, you may call us the day of the tour and we will know if there is any additional space available.
We appreciate your inquiry.

Thank you,
Becky Hunt, Office Manager"

So, I guess we'll just have to take our chances and try to book when our DCL booking window opens up...

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

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.

Unfortunately, this company won't book with you independently either. Here is their email response to my request to make a reservation...

"Thanks for your interest in Lighthouse, Totems and EAGLES Excursion.

It appears that you are traveling with Disney Wonder. We have a contract with them. You must book through Disney. Your child is 1/2 price and will receive a free stuffed Alaskan animal.

We serve salmon spread, cheese, crackers, fresh fruit and cookies plus all hot & cold beverages, so if you miss lunch with Disney you can make up for it with us.

Let me know if there are any other questions you may have that I can answer. Our dog Princess should be on board with us, a special treat for dog lovers. It will be my pleasure to welcome you on board.
Capt. Rob"

Oh well, we booked the Bering Sea Crab boat trip instead!

 

[mellers]

Can I also offer another self-book suggestion...

I have been having a WONDERFUL experience with Lesley and Steve Kamm of Seawind Aviation (www.SeawindAviation.com); 1-877-225-1203

They are providing us with a Misty Fjords Flightseeing trip that is 1 1/4 hours with a lake landing for an additional 15 minutes to shoot photos.

They are having an "early bird" sale on this tour of just $199/person if you book by March 16th and only require a 50% payment at time of booking.

AND, if you tell them you are a Disney Cruiser family, they will work with you on special kids' rates based on their size. In fact, they NEVER charge for kids 2 and under and they recently gave a deal to a family with a 5 year old girl of 1/2 price for her since their family's combined weights were so low!

Happy Booking!

GREAT info!!!! Thank you! (and thank you to everyone who wished me well on the Disney trip)

 

[mellers]

Unfortunately, this company won't book with you independently either. Here is their email response to my request to make a reservation...

"Thanks for your interest in Lighthouse, Totems and EAGLES Excursion.

It appears that you are traveling with Disney Wonder. We have a contract with them. You must book through Disney. Your child is 1/2 price and will receive a free stuffed Alaskan animal.

We serve salmon spread, cheese, crackers, fresh fruit and cookies plus all hot & cold beverages, so if you miss lunch with Disney you can make up for it with us.

Let me know if there are any other questions you may have that I can answer. Our dog Princess should be on board with us, a special treat for dog lovers. It will be my pleasure to welcome you on board.
Capt. Rob"

Oh well, we booked the Bering Sea Crab boat trip instead!

Thank you for all of these updates! This is really good information. I booked the White Pass Summit Excursion (wheelchair accessible) from the White Pass railroad and the Ketchikan Duck Tour--we're planning to play it by ear in Juneau. I didn't have any trouble self-booking,

 

[disneymath]

mellers ... enjoy your trip to disneyland. I'm hoping that my DVC points will one day get me to see that part of Walt's empire!

thanks also for your info on trip insurance ... I need to figure this out - originally I was thinking of going with DCL but our flights are looking so ridiculous that I would want them covered too ... plus there is the pre-existing conditions issue to consider.

 

[mellers]

Thanks to everybody for the nice notes on all subjects, and for the great info recently posted! My suitcase is zipped up, my boarding passes are printed out, and I am on my way to Disneyland tomorrow.

 

[scothen]

Thanks to everybody for the nice notes on all subjects, and for the great info recently posted! My suitcase is zipped up, my boarding passes are printed out, and I am on my way to Disneyland tomorrow.

I was just there in September and did the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour. Met a cast member named Cheryl, who arranged for me to be in the VIP viewing area for Fantasmic! I hope you have a great time!

 

[dkmjgal]

My DD, almost 16 at the time of the cruise and my DS 12 1/2 at the time of the cruise are looking for any other kids their age that will be traveling with us. If the other kids are interested in connecting before the cruise perhaps we could start a separate thread for them.

Kelly

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

A lovely cruiser heading to Alaska in May gathered the excursion times for her sailing. Not all will pertain to us, but I am sure this will be helpful.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2666085

 

[mellers]

My DD, almost 16 at the time of the cruise and my DS 12 1/2 at the time of the cruise are looking for any other kids their age that will be traveling with us. If the other kids are interested in connecting before the cruise perhaps we could start a separate thread for them.

Kelly

My DD will be 15 at the time of the cruise and would love to connect with another kid her age. I've been running it through my account, but if your daughter is interested, have her PM me with "Minnie" in the subject line.

 

[mellers]

A lovely cruiser heading to Alaska in May gathered the excursion times for her sailing. Not all will pertain to us, but I am sure this will be helpful.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2666085

Great info! Thanks for reposting it!

 

[mellers]

Somebody posted the cruise arrival schedule for the Ketchikan port--we are a late arrival--1:30 p.m.

http://www.claalaska.com/pdf/2011/KTN_2011.pdf

 

[poohj80]

Wanted to add my thanks to mellers for posting all the excursion price comparisons! I was surprised that, for the most part, Disney's excursion prices aren't that much different in most cases. Yes, there are some with large differences (especially when considering ages of children) but I was always of the opinion that booking through a cruiseline was always SO much more expensive and it doesn't seem to be too much (at least for the excursions we are considering).