August 16, 2011 – 7 Night Alaska Sailing

[mellers]

If we will only be in Vancouver the night before the cruise, is it really necessary to change money? Would the places in the food court at Canada Place accept US Dollars at all?

Thanks!

In that case, I wouldn't think you would need to change money at all.

 

[mellers]

Thanks to everyone on the favorite colors--that really helps out with the school project.

 

[mellers]

New Groupon:

http://click.e.groupon.com/?qs=c0d5...a4ebad2688bedaef537b5a0a0db5c8e830b2faa6e2ca4

 

[mellers]

http://click.e.groupon.com/?qs=ca0b...a4a4225c7b75afa53dbe4f3c5f8246c68af12ca82d432

 

[Inkmahm]

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.

Just changed our Juneau excursion to be on a smaller boat for whale watching and still do the visit to Mendenhall. Gave up the salmon bake on the island as we can do the one in town if we really want a salmon bake. Early reviews said the larger boat with the big windows for the whale excursion wasn't the best with people not being able to necessarily see well.
The one we are signed up for now is max of 36 people. Also leaves earlier in the morning so that we have the afternoon in Juneau free. We really have little time for shopping in Skagway or Ketchikan so Juneau will have to be "it" for us.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Just changed our Juneau excursion to be on a smaller boat for whale watching and still do the visit to Mendenhall. Gave up the salmon bake on the island as we can do the one in town if we really want a salmon bake. Early reviews said the larger boat with the big windows for the whale excursion wasn't the best with people not being able to necessarily see well.
The one we are signed up for now is max of 36 people. Also leaves earlier in the morning so that we have the afternoon in Juneau free. We really have little time for shopping in Skagway or Ketchikan so Juneau will have to be "it" for us.

You are booking this one on your own and not through DCL, Right?

 

[Inkmahm]

You are booking this one on your own and not through DCL, Right?

Nope, it is a very early tour and I'm booking through DCL to make sure we get off the boat in time for the tour. Starts at 7:45 am and that is when we are allowed off the boat. Now we'll be done just after noon so we have time in the afternoon to walk around or get lunch in Juneau.

 

[poohj80]

For anyone who can book excursions already, can you please tell me if the Skaqway Evening Wildlife Expeditioin excursion is being offered and, if so, the times please?

Many thanks!

 

[nickcapp]

PoohJ80:

The answer is yes. Here is the information directly from the Disney site:

Evening Wildlife Expedition (Seasonal) (SW44 EVEWILD)
Evening Wildlife Expedition (Seasonal)
(SW44 EVEWILD)

On this tour you will:

Cruise approximately 45 minutes down the glacial fjord between Skagway and Haines on a catamaran, enjoying a narration, and close-to-the-water views of scenic waterfalls and marine wildlife. Note: This tour runs August through September.
Arrive in Haines and travel by expedition bus to the sheltered Chilkoot River Valley, for centuries the favorite fishing site for the Tlingit People and also for brown bears.
Observe, as the sun slowly sets, brown bear sows and cubs descending on the river, leaving the cover of the forest to fish along the grassy banks. From the protection of your bus, witness the food chain in action, as thousands of salmon swim past the hungry bruins splashing and feeding in the water.
Use binoculars and powerful spotting scopes (photos can be taken through the scopes), as guides search for bears along the river, bald eagles, colorful song birds, shore birds and waterfowl. This is a great opportunity to photograph the stunning scenery and wildlife in their natural habitat. Depending upon the location of the bears, your guides may allow you off of the bus in small quiet groups. If time allows, you may explore the temperate rainforest on a walk guided by your naturalist, or they may set up scopes on mountain Goats, eagles and other birds.
Relax during a picnic-style lunch with your experienced naturalist/guide who might be a biologist, a forester, a published botanist, a science teacher, an environmental educator or the former head ranger for Glacier Bay National Park.
Learn about the small Alaskan town of Haines and the National Historic Landmark Ft. Seward during the drive back to the Haines dock.
Return to Skagway on a 45-minute, scenic catamaran cruise.

Duration: 6-6.5 Hours
Total Price: $175 (ages 10 and up)
$130 (ages 5 to 9)
Shore excursions with a cost per person are charged to each Guest's shipboard account. Shore excursions with a cost per vehicle are charged to the primary Guest's shipboard account.

Date Reservation At End
Day 4 - Skagway
Friday, August 19, 2011 12:35 PM 7:05 PM

 

[Inkmahm]

PoohJ80:

The answer is yes. Here is the information directly from the Disney site:
Day 4 - Skagway
Friday, August 19, 2011 12:35 PM 7:05 PM

My husband and I have this one booked and also booked the summer dog mushing excursion for that morning in Skagway. That one ends at 11:15 am so we will scramble to get a quick lunch and then get moving to the afternoon excursion.

 

[poohj80]

Thanks for the help everyone!

Does anyone know how close DCL will allow us to book excursions? For example, if an excursion is schedueld to end at noon, could we make one that starts at 12:30? 12:45? 1?

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks for the help everyone!

Does anyone know how close DCL will allow us to book excursions? For example, if an excursion is schedueld to end at noon, could we make one that starts at 12:30? 12:45? 1?

I don't know for sure but I'm guessing an hour or more between excursions just from when I was checking about booking more than one. It worked for the Dog mushing excursion ending at 11:15 and the Evening wildlife excursion starting at 12:35 in Skagway. I don't know that there is a set rule. You just have to see if the online system lets you book two excursions.

 

[nickcapp]

When does silver booking open? Is it midnight tonight or tomorrow?

 

[pops711]

When does silver booking open? Is it midnight tonight or tomorrow?

Midnight tomorrow night Eastern time. To be exact it is 12:01 but you get the idea.

 

[Aby]

Here's hoping that there aren't too many silver cruises other than the ones on this board that will be booking tomorrow night - praying for some good leftovers for us newbies!

(Hope all you silvers on this board get what you want tomorrow!)

Aby

 

[mellers]

Today, they have a deal for a paddlewheel excursion from Seattle for $16:

http://t.livingsocial.com/track/b_t...kets?msdc_id=223&ref=Deal051611_223_1705email

and a Tippr deal on Whale Watching or Kayaking on Orcas Island (near Seattle)

http://tippr.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=537aa143c9b29216646162bf8&id=86bed12c34&e=7e1d6e503c

 

[CJCPixieDust]

Hi, August 16th Alaska Cruisers! My family and I are fellow cruisers and I just wanted to say "thanks" for all the great information on these boards. I feel like I'm in the company of fellow obsessive Disney travel planners, which I love, and I should be sharing information and posting much more than I do. Thanks for sharing- you're all very much appreciated. Here's hoping we all have a magical cruise!

 

[kgsmith]

Hi, August 16th Alaska Cruisers! My family and I are fellow cruisers and I just wanted to say "thanks" for all the great information on these boards. I feel like I'm in the company of fellow obsessive Disney travel planners, which I love, and I should be sharing information and posting much more than I do. Thanks for sharing- you're all very much appreciated. Here's hoping we all have a magical cruise!

Welcome to our cruise group!

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Welcome CJCPixieDust!

 

[DumboFan]

My daughter is working on a project at school, and was wondering if she could ask what everyone's favorite colors are.

Since I always seem to be a little behind lately....
DD's favorite is lime green
DH's favorite is red
I don't have one....