August 16, 2011 – 7 Night Alaska Sailing

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Hello Everyone,

Your enthusiasm is infectious! We just got back from a brief vacation to Disneyland and it gave me the inspiration to join the Fish Extenders group. I didn't think I'd be able to put anything cute together, but I think I have a fun idea. Please add us to both groups. There will be me, my DH, and our DD who is 3. We'll be celebrating our anniversary on the ship and will be in stateroom 7620. Our daughter has various food allergies so please add her to the no food or candy list.

Mellers, I am a complete newbie to this so please let me know if you need more information. Thanks so much for organizing!

 

[mellers]

We are doing the following things in port:

1. White Pass Summit Excursion (booked on our own) in Skagway

2. Either the Glacier Gardens or the Alaska State Museum in Juneau, depending upon the weather and time

3. The Alaska Duck Tour in Ketchikan (booked on our own)

As to the FE lists, I'm going with option 2, unless I hear a lot of dissent--that seems to be the most popular option. The original Mickey Group and Pluto Group will lock at 15 cabins each, and I'll start a new group (I'll look through the smilies for a good "Mascot" for group 3 )

 

[mellers]

Since we are so close to the "lock" point, please EVERYONE on the FE lists take a quick look at the latest list and make sure I have everyone's information, celebrations, and desired lists down correctly. If I've made a mistake, I want to correct it before we lock.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

OK! I was able to book all of the excursions I wanted, but there was only one Palo brunch spot open, and it was during the Tracy Arm viewing time so I passed. Palo Dinner options were also sparse, but I booked dinner for the last night at 7, which I will try to change when we get onboard.

Looks like I will be arriving early to the port!

 

[nickcapp]

Glad to see you got what you wanted Gumdrop!...quick check this morning showed no changes to the available excursions...that is, no more sell outs to report yet.


We were able to get all our silver shipmates the same excursions we had booked during the gold window. Here is what we are doing:

Skagway: White Pass Railway and Trail Camp

Juneau: I'm doing the Extended Heliocopter and Glacier Trek, The wife is doing Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter and Guided Walk with some friends and the baby will be with "Ma" and "Pa" on the Glacier and Rainforest adventure.

I know its totally irrational, but the wife and I elected to take different helicopter tours....

Ketchikan: Saxman Village and Disney Lumberjack show.

We have Palo booked for Dinner on Tracy Arm day...as well as high tea to warm us up! We have a Palo Brunch for the last day.

The wife and I have a couples massage booked for the first sea day.

I would like to thank the fine people at Chase Disney Rewards who despite my best efforts have completely covered these activities! I hesitate to think what actually went on my credits cards for the last 4 years to earn this many rewards!

 

[poohj80]

I would like to thank the fine people at Chase Disney Rewards who despite my best efforts have completely covered these activities! I hesitate to think what actually went on my credits cards for the last 4 years to earn this many rewards!

We have been saving our rewards for this cruise as well. Of course, paying off the cruise during the 3x bonus peroid helped quite a bit as well!

 

[nickcapp]

Short story....

We got thet 3X reward promotion when my wife went in for surgery....we charged everything and then paid off the credit card when we got the insurance checks!

A few months later we were moving to a new home, got the 3X rewards just in time for some of the closing costs and upgrades we were doing to the new home....


Disney never saw us coming! Felt like I was robbing the bank.

Serioulsy, great timing for the promo for us.

 

[mellers]

If you're on the fence about the Fish Extender Group:

The Mickey and Pluto groups will close in 3 cabins or 30 days, whichever comes
first
All Fish Extender Groups will close in 30 days

 

[dkmjgal]

We got what we wanted

We are doing Palo Brunch on Wednesday at 11:00am. Mrs. Gumdrop...something odd...on my Palo reservations page the only available slot was Weds. at 11:00am...nothing else was available. I wonder why yours says something different. Anyone else have this experience?

Palo dinner is on Sat. (Juneau) at 6:00. We have late dinner seating so we will go to dinner at Palo and then we will accompany the kids to the dining room and watch them eat...because we will be too full from Palo to probably even have a drink (This will be us rolling out of Palo into the main dining room)

Skagway - we are doing White Pass Railway with Trail Camp at 7:45(?)
Juneau - exploring Mendenhall Glacier on our own - maybe going to Alaska State Museum - definitely checking out Alaska Brewing Co. (DH would never let me live it down if we didn't) - and stopping in at Red Dog Saloon for a Duck Fart (we are Deadliest Catch fans). We may try to do lunch at Tracey's Crab Shack - I'm a sucker for a good crab roll.
Ketchikan - Booked a Duck Boat tour for 2:30 - we might do the Lumberjack show or just explore Ketchikan on our own.

 

[G'sMaman]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Mellers, I think your plan for the FE groups makes a lot of sense. However, I don’t think we’ll be able to join a third group. Thirty cabins is the upper limit of the number of gifts I can put together (or stash in our luggage since we’re flying) before the cruise.

 

[mellers]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Mellers, I think your plan for the FE groups makes a lot of sense. However, I don’t think we’ll be able to join a third group. Thirty cabins is the upper limit of the number of gifts I can put together (or stash in our luggage since we’re flying) before the cruise.

Sounds good. I'll keep you in Mickey and Pluto, but won't add you to the third group, if we need to create one.

 

[G'sMaman]

Our booking window opened today and so we made our reservations for Palo and shore excursions. It all seems a lot more real now! I put together a brief outline of the ship activities that I thought I would share in case someone might find it helpful in their planning for spa and Palo reservations. It’s based on reports that other posters have provided, but in a more summary form. The port times are subject to change, but they’re the times Disney provided when I called this morning:

Menus/Themes:

Day 1: The restaurant menu (Island Dinner for Parrot Cay, French
Dinner for Triton's and Show Dinner for Animator's Palate). Dress is Cruise Casual.
Let the Magic Begin

Day 2: (At Sea) Formal Night, with the Golden Mickeys menu.
Golden Mickeys

Day 3: (At Sea - Tracy Arm) The restaurant menu, Cruise Casual.
One of the cruise entertainers
BBQ Lunch at Deck 9 (Venison Sausage & Pretzel Roll)
Time: 11:00am – 6:00pm

Day 4: (Skagway) The new Taste of Alaska Menu (Crab legs), Cruise Casual.
Movie
Port Time: 7:15am - 7:30pm

Day 5: (Juneau) Restaurant menu, Pirate Attire or Cruise Casual.
Toy Story The Musical
Port Time: 7:45am - 4:30pm

Day 6: (Ketchikan) Captain's Gala menu (Lobster tail night), Semi-Formal attire.
One of the cruise entertainers
Port Time: 1:40pm - 7:30pm

Day 7: (A Sea) 'Til we Meet Again menu, Cruise Casual.
Remember the Magic

 

[dkmjgal]

NICKCAPP Just wanted to say hello to a fellow Jerseyite! We are in Jackson (yep..exit 7A off the NJ Turnpike...Great Adventure). I saw on another thread that you are a Devils fan - awesome - us too! Looking forward to meeting you guys on the cruise.

Kelly

 

[msnoble]

Our booking window opened today and so we made our reservations for Palo and shore excursions. It all seems a lot more real now! I put together a brief outline of the ship activities that I thought I would share in case someone might find it helpful in their planning for spa and Palo reservations. It’s based on reports that other posters have provided, but in a more summary form. The port times are subject to change, but they’re the times Disney provided when I called this morning:

Menus/Themes:
Day 3: (At Sea - Tracy Arm) The restaurant menu, Cruise Casual.
One of the cruise entertainer
BBQ Lunch at Deck 9 (Venison Sausage & Pretzel Roll)
Time: 11:00am – 6:00pm

Day 4: (Skagway) The new Taste of Alaska Menu (Crab legs), Cruise Casual.
Movie
Port Time: 7:15am - 7:30pm

Day 5: (Juneau) Restaurant menu, Pirate Attire or Cruise Casual.
Toy Story The Musical
Port Time: 7:45am - 4:30pm

Day 6: (Ketchikan) Captain's Gala menu (Lobster tail night), Semi-Formal attire.
One of the cruise entertainers
Port Time: 1:40pm - 7:30pm

Thanks so much for posting this information!! I was able to book last night, and while I was able to get all of the excursions I wanted, I kind of made a stab in the dark about Palo reservations. Right now we have Palo brunch on the Tracy Arm day--for those who have done Alaska before, can you explain how this day works? Am I wrong to assume that there will be plenty of opportunity to see the glacier throughout the day? I didn't think it would be a big deal to spend an hour or so in Palo midday that day, but now I'm not so sure.

I also booked a Palo dinner, but I see now that it is on Captain's Gala night, so I will be changing that . It is challenging to find a night where we won't be missing something if we go to Palo (special dinner themes, evening shows, etc)--how have you other experienced cruisers handled this quandry? The only other time I did a Disney cruise it was without my dh, so I am a Palo newbie

Thanks in advance for any insights!
Maureen

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks so much for posting this information!! I was able to book last night, and while I was able to get all of the excursions I wanted, I kind of made a stab in the dark about Palo reservations. Right now we have Palo brunch on the Tracy Arm day--for those who have done Alaska before, can you explain how this day works? Am I wrong to assume that there will be plenty of opportunity to see the glacier throughout the day? I didn't think it would be a big deal to spend an hour or so in Palo midday that day, but now I'm not so sure.

I also booked a Palo dinner, but I see now that it is on Captain's Gala night, so I will be changing that . It is challenging to find a night where we won't be missing something if we go to Palo (special dinner themes, evening shows, etc)--how have you other experienced cruisers handled this quandry? The only other time I did a Disney cruise it was without my dh, so I am a Palo newbie

Thanks in advance for any insights!
Maureen

I declined to book Palo brunch on Tracy Arm day. You won't see the glacier all day long. Most of the time will be spend getting TO the glacier and getting FROM the glacier. My experience is that time actually AT the glacier is fairly short when viewing glaciers. On previous trips though, we were in Glacier Bay and College Fjord where there are a lot more than just one glacier to see.

I always book Palo on the formal night since I have to get dressed up only one night that way.

 

[mellers]

1. You can make (or purchase) any kind of gift you want, any way you want for the other cabins. It can be one gift for everyone, a package gift, one gift for kids and one gift for adults, or individual gifts for each person, or some other combination I didn't list.

2. If you are on the "Mickey Group" List, you are only responsible for giving gifts to the cabins on the "Mickey Group" List. If you are on the "Pluto Group" List, you are only responsible for giving gifts to cabins on the "Pluto Group" list. Each listed cabin should give a gift.

3. Nobody should feel like they need to "break the bank"--not on the gifts, shipping, or luggage fees. This should be fun, not a burden on anyone.

4. You can deliver your gifts any day or time you want, as long as they are delivered before noon on 8/22.

5. When the Mickey Group reaches a total of 15 cabins, no new participants will be added to the Mickey Group. When the Pluto Group reaches a total of 15 cabins, no new participants will be added to the Pluto Group. If both groups reach a total of 15 participants before 6/18, a new group, the Pirate Group , will be started, and all those adding between the lock date for Mickey and Pluto and 6/18 will be added to the Pirate Group. On 6/18, all groups will close.

6. Existing Participants: If I have made a mistake on your celebrations, the list(s) that you want, or your information, please let me know ASAP. New Participants: Because of the limited spaces available in Mickey and Pluto, I will place you in one list or the other, depending upon available space.

7. Whether or not you are participating in the FE, you are welcome at the cruise get-together. We are planning to have it in Diversions at 3 p.m. August 16th (Children are allowed in Diversions at that hour). If somebody has reserved Diversions (I have not), and it is not available, we'll all meet in the Promenade Lounge at 3 p.m. Kids and teens are welcome.

8. Whether or not you are participating in the FE, you are welcome at the pre-cruise get-together. While you do not have to let me know you are coming, if you know you are coming, it's helpful for me to know so I can get a bigger table. However, if it looks like you can come last-minute, come anyway--it'll be fine . It will be at 5 p.m. August 15th at the White Spot in Richmond, BC (near the airport). If you need something before the cruise, we'll be near a large shopping mall (Lansdowne Center), so that might be of help.

The White Spot is at 5880 No. 3 Road (No. 3 Road and Ackroyd), Richmond, BC V6X 2E1. There are two White Spots on No. 3 Road, so you'll want to make sure you're at the closest to the Lansdowne Shopping Centre, at the Ackroyd cross street. If you are staying at Canada Place, and don't have a car or don't want to drive, take the Canada Line from the waterfront to the Lansdowne Station. It's just a short distance down No. 3 Road past the shopping centre. You'll probably see the big sign when you get down from the station (the station exits onto No. 3 Road). Kids and teens are welcome.

If there are any questions, or a rule becomes a problem for somebody, let me know.

Thanks,

Mellers

 

[mellers]

Hello Everyone,

Your enthusiasm is infectious! We just got back from a brief vacation to Disneyland and it gave me the inspiration to join the Fish Extenders group. I didn't think I'd be able to put anything cute together, but I think I have a fun idea. Please add us to both groups. There will be me, my DH, and our DD who is 3. We'll be celebrating our anniversary on the ship and will be in stateroom 7620. Our daughter has various food allergies so please add her to the no food or candy list.

Mellers, I am a complete newbie to this so please let me know if you need more information. Thanks so much for organizing!

Just realized--I probably should give you some more info:

You are all set for the FE--I have all the information I need.

If you want to see who may be staying in the same place you are the night before (if you aren't flying in day of), you are welcome (but not required) to give your hotel and I'll add it to the night-before lodging list.

If you want (details are in the FE rules), I can also add you to the day-before meet list. There is a mall very near the day-before cruise meet with a Zellers (think of a big Target), a state liquor store, a Toys R Us, and a UPS Store if you want to ship some things back before you cruise. There is also what BC residents refer to as a "Farm Market"--it's bigger than a 7-11, but smaller than a supermarket. Think of a small grocery store. It's different than a Farmer's Market.

Other Vancouver things to remember (and I'm recapping an earlier post from memory, so if I miss something, I'm sorry): Crispy side bacon, or crispy bacon, is what Americans think of as bacon, back bacon is Canadian bacon, but if the menu says "bacon", you may want to ask which type. Rye bread is sometimes seedless, sometimes seeded--if you have a preference, you may want to ask. Iced tea is almost always sweetened. A "loonie" is a Canadian $1 coin (gold in color, with a picture of a bird, about the size of a quarter), and a "toonie" is a Canadian $2 coin (dime-size gold center with a silver ring around it; it's larger than a loonie). Dollar stores are sometimes called "Loonie-Toonie stores".

White Spot (a family restaurant, kind of like Claim Jumper or Applebee's) is a Vancouver institution, and Tim Horton's is a fast food place, particularly known for coffee and donuts, which is a Canadian institution.

 

[siburdue]

1. You can make (or purchase) any kind of gift you want, any way you want for the other cabins. It can be one gift for everyone, a package gift, one gift for kids and one gift for adults, or individual gifts for each person, or some other combination I didn't list.

2. If you are on the "Mickey Group" List, you are only responsible for giving gifts to the cabins on the "Mickey Group" List. If you are on the "Pluto Group" List, you are only responsible for giving gifts to cabins on the "Pluto Group" list. Each listed cabin should give a gift.

3. Nobody should feel like they need to "break the bank"--not on the gifts, shipping, or luggage fees. This should be fun, not a burden on anyone.

4. You can deliver your gifts any day or time you want, as long as they are delivered before noon on 8/22.

5. When the Mickey Group reaches a total of 15 cabins, no new participants will be added to the Mickey Group. When the Pluto Group reaches a total of 15 cabins, no new participants will be added to the Pluto Group. If both groups reach a total of 15 participants before 6/18, a new group, the Pirate Group , will be started, and all those adding between the lock date for Mickey and Pluto and 6/18 will be added to the Pirate Group. On 6/18, all groups will close.

6. Existing Participants: If I have made a mistake on your celebrations, the list(s) that you want, or your information, please let me know ASAP. New Participants: Because of the limited spaces available in Mickey and Pluto, I will place you in one list or the other, depending upon available space.

7. Whether or not you are participating in the FE, you are welcome at the cruise get-together. We are planning to have it in Diversions at 3 p.m. August 16th (Children are allowed in Diversions at that hour). If somebody has reserved Diversions (I have not), and it is not available, we'll all meet in the Promenade Lounge at 3 p.m. Kids and teens are welcome.

8. Whether or not you are participating in the FE, you are welcome at the pre-cruise get-together. While you do not have to let me know you are coming, if you know you are coming, it's helpful for me to know so I can get a bigger table. However, if it looks like you can come last-minute, come anyway--it'll be fine . It will be at 5 p.m. August 15th at the White Spot in Richmond, BC (near the airport). If you need something before the cruise, we'll be near a large shopping mall (Lansdowne Center), so that might be of help.

The White Spot is at 5880 No. 3 Road (No. 3 Road and Ackroyd), Richmond, BC V6X 2E1. There are two White Spots on No. 3 Road, so you'll want to make sure you're at the closest to the Lansdowne Shopping Centre, at the Ackroyd cross street. If you are staying at Canada Place, and don't have a car or don't want to drive, take the Canada Line from the waterfront to the Lansdowne Station. It's just a short distance down No. 3 Road past the shopping centre. You'll probably see the big sign when you get down from the station (the station exits onto No. 3 Road). Kids and teens are welcome.

If there are any questions, or a rule becomes a problem for somebody, let me know.

Thanks,

Mellers

I'm new to this site, but DH & I are going on this cruise to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. I haven't really seen specific ideas as to what people put in the FE, but this sounds like fun. Count us in. We are staying in Cabin 2588 (same as on our honeymoon cruise!) and have early seating. I will need to read more on this thread to figure it all out. Is there a specific place where you are keeping the list of participants, as well as details of the FE? etc? We are coming up from Seattle the day of sailing via DCL bus, so won't be able to participate in anything prior to boarding the ship. Let me know if you need more info from me. Thanks

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

I'm new to this site, but DH & I are going on this cruise to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. I haven't really seen specific ideas as to what people put in the FE, but this sounds like fun. Count us in. We are staying in Cabin 2588 (same as on our honeymoon cruise!) and have early seating. I will need to read more on this thread to figure it all out. Is there a specific place where you are keeping the list of participants, as well as details of the FE? etc? We are coming up from Seattle the day of sailing via DCL bus, so won't be able to participate in anything prior to boarding the ship. Let me know if you need more info from me. Thanks

Typical gifts could be candy or snacks (though some folks in our group have dietary limitations), small toys, useful travel items (like hand sanitizer), little disney themed gifts, small items that represent where you live, magnets, etc.

Here is the most recent list from post 707:
Hi and Welcome! Here's the new list:

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)
Imben (Happy Silver Anniversary and Happy Birthday Chrissy), Stateroom 6630, Lisa, David, Chrissy (13)
G'sMaman (Happy Anniversary), Stateroom 7620, G'sMaman, DH, DD (3)

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)
Nickcapp, Stateroom ????, Nick (30), Kristin (27), Joey (1)
Juldara, Stateroom 2090, Julie, Maya (9)
Imben's Parents (Happy Golden Anniversary), Stateroom 6632, Ted, Julie
Imben's Parents' Kids, Stateroom 6145, Erin (20), Eric (18)
G'sMaman (Happy Anniversary), Stateroom 7620, G'sMaman, DH, DD (3)

No sticky, chewy candy for Erica, Kate, Julie or Maya, and no food, please, for Mellers or G'Maman's family

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
Imben
Imben's Parents
Imben's Parents' Kids

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

Welcome to the DIS and this trip!

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Thanks so much for posting this information!! I was able to book last night, and while I was able to get all of the excursions I wanted, I kind of made a stab in the dark about Palo reservations. Right now we have Palo brunch on the Tracy Arm day--for those who have done Alaska before, can you explain how this day works? Am I wrong to assume that there will be plenty of opportunity to see the glacier throughout the day? I didn't think it would be a big deal to spend an hour or so in Palo midday that day, but now I'm not so sure.

I also booked a Palo dinner, but I see now that it is on Captain's Gala night, so I will be changing that . It is challenging to find a night where we won't be missing something if we go to Palo (special dinner themes, evening shows, etc)--how have you other experienced cruisers handled this quandry? The only other time I did a Disney cruise it was without my dh, so I am a Palo newbie

Thanks in advance for any insights!
Maureen

I went and checked the posted navigators. It looks like we will be in the glacier viewing area from 1:45 to 4:45, so you should be good to go! Personally I was hoping to book Palo during the Captain's Gala so I could pack fewer evening clothes, but it interfered with my excursion time.