August 16, 2011 – 7 Night Alaska Sailing

[CubCatsK&D]

Please add us to the fish extender list.
Kim & Deb (adults) and Cameron (nephew) 12.

cabin 7134

 

[MonicaW]

Hey, count me in too!

Mike and Monica, and daughter Kimberley (14)
Right now we are in room 2629.

WE are soooo looking forward to going to Alaska!

 

[mellers]

Welcome, everyone! 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)
msnoble, Stateroom 6034, Maureen, Brian, Erica (age 12 (2 weeks from 13 ) and Russell (age 10)
Mrs. Gumdrop's DSIL, 6100, Melissa (30-something)
AppleGuy, Stateroom 5138, Gary and Donna (adults)
AppleGuy's Friends, Stateroom next to AppleGuy, Lee and Sharon (adults)
Aby, Stateroom 7126, Kim and Chuck (30-somethings)
CubCatsK&D, Stateroom 7134, Kim and Deb (adults), Cameron (12)
MonicaW, Stateroom 2629, Mike and Monica (adults), Kimberly (14)

No sticky, chewy candy for Maureen, and no food, please, for Mellers family (all 3 have MAJOR dietary issues)

 

[pops711]

Hi all I have not checked in in awhile so since we are less then 150 days I thought I should pop in and say hi. I have read through the tread and see the FE is getting full (never done it before and don't have a fish extender (and not crafty enough to make one) so not sure yet if we will be in yet or not). I am getting all my magnets together for our door. Is there going to be a meet and greet on the ship??? i saw a few people talking about the day before, but the wife, twins and I are going straight to the ship. Also Mrs. Gumdrop I have a fav to ask, but I will PM you with that. Can wait to see you all on the ship

 

[mellers]

Hi all I have not checked in in awhile so since we are less then 150 days I thought I should pop in and say hi. I have read through the tread and see the FE is getting full (never done it before and don't have a fish extender (and not crafty enough to make one) so not sure yet if we will be in yet or not). I am getting all my magnets together for our door. Is there going to be a meet and greet on the ship??? i saw a few people talking about the day before, but the wife, twins and I are going straight to the ship. Also Mrs. Gumdrop I have a fav to ask, but I will PM you with that. Can wait to see you all on the ship

I thought I'd probably set up a meet and greet for 3:00 at Diversions, if everyone is okay with that (somebody on the FE thread recommended it). I also figured, since I only had one person interested in a dinner the night before, and both he and my family are staying near the airport, we'd probably have a get-together dinner in Richmond the afternoon before the cruise, but nobody would have to go if they didn't want to or they couldn't.

(Tentatively, I'm thinking we'd do the dinner the day before at the Richmond White Spot. It's an easy walk from the Lansdowne Canada Line stop, so if anybody wanted to come in from Vancouver proper, they should have no difficulty, whether or not they have a car. The White Spot is kind of a Vancouver institution, and they have a heart-healthy menu, in addition to their regular menu (a must for my family), and great kids meals with a pirate theme. You can check them out here: http://www.whitespot.com/ )

 

[mellers]

Speaking of restaurants, there are a couple of things that are different in Canadian restaurants than in the US:

Fully Licensed = Has alcohol
Washroom = Restroom (although they will generally know what you mean)

 

[disneymath]

Speaking of restaurants, there are a couple of things that are different in Canadian restaurants than in the US:

Fully Licensed = Has alcohol
Washroom = Restroom (although they will generally know what you mean)

Bathroom, ladies' room / men's room are also frequently used - at least in Ontario.

Now, if you hear talk of "loonies" ... the person is likely talking about our $1 coin (gold coloured) and not a crazy person.

And, unoriginally, our $2 coin (silver ring, gold center) is called a "toonie".

 

[mellers]

Now, if you hear talk of "loonies" ... the person is likely talking about our $1 coin (gold coloured) and not a crazy person.

And, unoriginally, our $2 coin (silver ring, gold center) is called a "toonie".

For that reason, some dollar stores in Vancouver and Victoria are called "Loonie-Toonie" stores. (and thanks, disneymath--that's a good one to add.)

 

[disneymath]

For that reason, some dollar stores in Vancouver and Victoria are called "Loonie-Toonie" stores. (and thanks, disneymath--that's a good one to add.)

No problem ...

One other thing that I always seem to forget is that in many places in the States "iced tea" in restaurants is served unsweetened. In Canada, it's typically the sweetened kind (most often Nestea or something like that). So something else to keep in mind.

 

[mellers]

No problem ...

One other thing that I always seem to forget is that in many places in the States "iced tea" in restaurants is served unsweetened. In Canada, it's typically the sweetened kind (most often Nestea or something like that). So something else to keep in mind.

That's very true--and good to add. (As someone who loves unsweetened iced tea, when I forget, I'm REALLY sorry...BLECH! )

 

[Dancing Mickey's]

Well, it looks like my DS is going to his dream college BUT is now not going on our trip He will be leaving right after high school graduation to go to school and train for football.

With the boat being full, we will still have our two cabins as Disney will not let us all be in one room--yet. At least they are connecting rooms.

Our plan is to make a road trip up to Seattle then continue up to Canada. Not sure of much else. I have to start looking into things to see what we want to do.

We love doing the FE and would love to be added to the list...DH, me, DS 10, and DD 4. We will be celebrating my birthday while on board.

Thank you so much Meller for all the info. Haven't had a chance to read it all but that will be where I start.

Look forward to seeing you all real soon.

 

[mellers]

Hi! Sorry that your son can't come along, but happy that he got into his first choice college! Hope you have a wonderful birthday on board. When you know where it is, let us know where your stateroom is.

Mellers, stateroom 7631, Mellers (41), DH (44), DD (15)
Godalejr (Happy Birthday!), 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)
msnoble, Stateroom 6034, Maureen, Brian, Erica (age 12 (2 weeks from 13 ) and Russell (age 10)
Mrs. Gumdrop's DSIL, 6100, Melissa (30-something)
AppleGuy, Stateroom 5138, Gary and Donna (adults)
AppleGuy's Friends, Stateroom next to AppleGuy, Lee and Sharon (adults)
Aby, Stateroom 7126, Kim and Chuck (30-somethings)
CubCatsK&D, Stateroom 7134, Kim and Deb (adults), Cameron (12)
MonicaW, Stateroom 2629, Mike and Monica (adults), Kimberly (14)
Dancing Mickey's (Happy Birthday!), Stateroom ????, Dancing Mickey's, DH, DD (4) DS (10)

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

 

[mellers]

Just wanted to let everyone know that the list splits with the next Fish Extender participant, so there will likely be two Fish Extender lists.

I figure we'll have a Mickey group and a Pluto group.

Also, here are the two get-togethers. (Remember, you don't have to be in an FE group to go to the get-togethers )

Monday, August 15, 2011: 5 p.m., at the White Spot in Richmond, 5880 No. 3 Road (No. 3 Road and Ackroyd), Richmond, BC V6X 2E1 (If you're driving, please be aware that there are two White Spots on No. 3 Road--this is the closest one to Lansdowne Shopping Centre, at the Ackroyd cross street)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011: 3 p.m., at Diversions on the ship

If you don't have a car, and want to go to the night-before get together, if you take the Canada Line from Vancouver, and get off at the Lansdowne Station, it is a short walk down No. 3 road to the White Spot. It's also a short Canada Line ride from the airport to Lansdowne Station, or about 10 minutes driving.

Kids and teens are welcome at both get-togethers.

 

[mellers]

There's a group offering discounted rafting tours in the Seattle area:

http://www.groupon.com/deals/the-ou...=seattle&d=deal&s=featured_deal&date=20110323

But it's a Groupon, so it only lasts for 14 more hours.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

That's very true--and good to add. (As someone who loves unsweetened iced tea, when I forget, I'm REALLY sorry...BLECH! )

DisneyMath and Mellers, thank you for pointing this out. I am an iced tea snob. I really love it, but only brewed, none of this powdered stuff. I am so glad they brew the iced tea in the dining rooms on the Wonder. I guess Canadian water will be good enough for me.

 

[pops711]

Can you all believe only 146 days until we are on our way I am starting to pull out all my cruise stuff and will start organizing all my pins soon. the wife and I are trying to decide on things to do off the ship. WE JUST CAN"T WAIT!!! can you tell we are excited!!!

Cant wait to meet you all

 

[mellers]

DisneyMath and Mellers, thank you for pointing this out. I am an iced tea snob. I really love it, but only brewed, none of this powdered stuff. I am so glad they brew the iced tea in the dining rooms on the Wonder. I guess Canadian water will be good enough for me.

I'm exactly the same way--what I do when I'm in Canada is ask for a big glass of ice and hot tea--then I pour the hot tea into the ice.

 

[mellers]

Can you all believe only 146 days until we are on our way I am starting to pull out all my cruise stuff and will start organizing all my pins soon. the wife and I are trying to decide on things to do off the ship. WE JUST CAN"T WAIT!!! can you tell we are excited!!!

Cant wait to meet you all

It'll be great to meet everybody! We're really excited, too.

My husband thought I ought to mention a couple of additional things about the day-before get-together:

For those who are going to the day-before get together, if you need to pick up something before the cruise, the Lansdowne Shopping Centre has a few useful stores--they're immediately beside the Lansdowne Station:

Zellers--think Target--if you need something last minute for the cruise, this is a good, inexpensive place to pick it up. They also have some simple groceries, so if you want to get cereal for the next morning to tide you over until the lunch buffet, this is a good spot. They have clothing, toys (including many Disney ones), books, toiletries and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. They also have a pharmacy, but I believe you need a prescription from a Canadian doctor for them to fill prescriptions there.

Farm Market--This is Canadian for grocery store. They have a small grocery store in the mall.

Toys R Us--just like in the US, they have some inexpensive Disney items which are good for souvenirs.

UPS Store--if you want to send something back home from Vancouver before you go on your cruise.

State-Run Liquor Store--not cheap, but cheaper than the ship if you want to pick up some alcohol before you go.

They also have a lot of dollar stores with fun little things, and many Asian shops to serve the community there (Richmond is, essentially, the upscale Chinatown for Vancouver) I pick up Disney red envelopes for my daughter and her cousins there--kind of a specialty item.

At any rate, whether we see you the day before or on the ship, we can't wait to see everybody, and we can't wait for the cruise

 

[mellers]

One other thing I forgot to mention--generally, what is referred to as "bacon" in the US is "Crispy Side Bacon" in Canada. "Back Bacon" or "Bacon" is more like ham--we call it "Canadian Bacon" here.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Just because I was curious, I went to check out availability for the Alaska cruises in August. All of the August cruises except Aug. 30th are sold out! I hope that means that DCL will be continuing the Alaska itineraries in the future. Although July still has a bunch of availability...

I hope we are just the first of many!