August 2, 2011 - WONDERful Alaskan Adventure

[CarolAnnC]

I requested to join "Our Alaska Cruise Group" and I see Brian on facebook, but don't see that I was accepted on the group page. Good news I am in!!! I am really Facebook challenged. Looking forward to getting to know all of you there too.

 

[PE_TCR]

You are all set up now correct?

 

[PE_TCR]

SO what are the plans for everyone? Anyone goign earluy? Where? We are flyiung in a few days early and staying in Seattle. Then a day before the cruise we will take the train to Vancouver and stay the night before the cruise in Vancouver.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Yes all set up on Facebook thanx!

We are planning to fly into Seattle and rent a car then drive back and forth to Vancouver for the cruise. Probably using airline miles for the trip and domestic flights will work better.

Have to start looking more carefully at hotels, too.

 

[PE_TCR]

Just an idea but look into Amtrak Cascades route instead of renting a car and driving across the boarder. On certain days it can even save you time since you don't stop at the boarder. It is $21 each way I believe and you wouldn't have to pay to park your car at the cruise terminal. Now if you are spending a few days in Vancouver it may be a difference in pricing there. However I know some places charge you more if you drive the car across the boarder. The train may still be a cheeper option if you rent a car on each side. Just a thought.

 

[PE_TCR]

Here is the link

http://www.amtrakcascades.com/

 

[SCFamily4]

Hi everyone! We are joining you all on the 8/2/11 cruise to Alaska! We are so excited! Technically, this will be our second cruise - but we haven't taken our 1st cruise yet (Holiday cruise planned for 12/10 in the southern Carribean!).

Our family includes me (Maribeth), my husband Paul and DS (age 12) and daughter (she will be 9 - her birthday is 8/2!).

I will request to join the Facebook page - and look forward to our discussions over the next few months!!

 

[PE_TCR]

Welcome. You will become adcted to DCL. Can't wait to get to know you. Welcome!

 

[joycsk]

Hello all! I can't believe that I started and then completely abandoned this thread. It's been a busy few months. I'm looking forward to meeting you all and will try to be joining the FB group soon.

As for FEs, I'm interested in being part of one. The only time I did one before we only focused on kids and not adults, so that may be a new challenge!

I hope everyone is having a good October. And we definitely need a name and logo. I struggled to come up with Wonderful Alaskan Adventure for this thread name, so I'm hopeful some creative soul out there has a clever idea.

 

[PE_TCR]

Well, we coudl always go with the name of my previous group. It was taken from Big Thunder Mountain (kind of). I like the name as well.
"The Wildest Cruise in the West"
We could also use the picture of Mickey on the float plane. I can put the picture on the FB page. I'm not sure how to put it on here. Let me know what you think.

As for FE I am looking forward to adding adults to the group so we can add our own things

 

[CarolAnnC]

Thanks for the info on amtrak, I will definitely look into that.

We just got back from a Wonder cruise (my mother's birthday celebration) so now we will begin our serious planning for this cruise.

So much catching up to do on the boards..

 

[PE_TCR]

With Halloween sales and Chriatmas coming up it's a great time to start thinking about FE items. Who is in? I will update our list as people confirm. Please let me know names, cabin number and ages (of children) to make it easy for everyone. Here we go!

Brian and Debbie (Marx) - 7129
Keith and Kathy (Marx) - 7127
Al and Rocki (Lazaga) - 7125

 

[PE_TCR]

Here is our FE group so far (without room numbers) You can find those on facebook. I will also mail out a list with all the info on it once we are closer.

Brian and Debbie (Marx)
Keith and Kathy (Marx)
Al and Rocki (Lazaga)
Jenn and Dennis, Andrew (13), Ben (10) (Atkins)
Marty & Stephanie and Nicholas (almost 5) Kiesel
Maryann & Bob Kiesel

 

[PE_TCR]

Just an idea here. In the past it has always been a bit difficult getting together for the first meet. Some people suggest meeting before we have the musted drill. Others suggest right after. Some during the sail away party and soem after. There never seems to be a good time for everyone. It seems like everyone is goign to be spending the night in Vancouver before the trip. What do you think about a meet for dinner or just after dinner in Vancouver? Thoughts?

 

[SCFamily4]

Hello everyone! We are back from our holiday cruise on the Magic and now I can start the planning for our tip to Alaska! Please count us in for the FE activities - there are 4 of us including my husband and 2 children (DS age 12 and Dd age 9). Will also check Facebook .... Haven't been very good at that recently! Hope everyone is enjoying 2011 thus far. Happy New Year!

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

Hello There Everyone!!

So, I have been "lurking" about on the May 3 sailing Cruise Meet and they have a hearty discussion going on about excursions since many of them are Platinum or Gold cruisers and so have already been able to book their DCL Port excursions.

I just wanted to offer you what I've learned about DCL excursion times in case you are as anal as I am trying to plan already for how we'll spend our week in Alaska!!

Here we go...(obviously these are all subject to change)

Skagway

Best of Skagway - 8:45am-3:45pm
City Tour, Gardens and Glass - 12:45pm-3:45pm
Historical City Tour and Salmon Bake - 1:00pm-4:30pm
Skagway by Bike - 2:15pm-4:15pm
White Pass Railway and Trail Camp - 7:15am-12:15pm & 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Yukon Suspension Bridge, City & White Pass Railway - Adults Only Departure - 7:15am-11:15am

Juneau

Deluxe Tour of Juneau - 7:45am-11:15am
Juneau City & Mendenhall Glacier Tour - 7:45am-11:15am & 12:15pm-3:45pm
Mendenhall Glacier & Rainforest Garden Adventure - 8:45am-12:45pm & 11:45am-3:45pm
Mendenhall Glacier Explorer - 8:15am-11:15am & 12:45pm-3:45pm
Sled Dog Discovery & Musher's Camp - 8:15am-11:15am & 9:15am-12:45pm & 10:15am-1:45pm
Whale Watching, Salmon Bake & Mendenhall Glacier - Adult Only Departure - 7:45am-2:15pm

Ketchikan

Classic Misty Fjords Flightseeing - 4:30pm-7:00pm
Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles - 11:15am-2:30pm
Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure - 12:15pm-3:45pm
Saxman Native Village - 2:15pm-5:15pm
Saxman Native Village & Exclusive Lumberjack Show - 1:45pm-6:15pm
Totems, Exclusive Lumberjack Show & Potlach Park Featuring Exclusive Youth Activity - 1:15pm-5:15pm

Also, it looks like those early cruisers can't do any glacier dogsledding (too early in the season) and no bear watching either - same reason...

I'll post this info on our Facebook page as well and update as I get more excursion times confirmed.

 

[joycsk]

For those with kids:

I have a DD age 10 and a DS age 7. Does anyone have kids in a similar age range who might be interested in being pen pals prior to the cruise. My daughter did this 2 years ago, and it went pretty well. Just a thought We can make arrangemets via PM if anyone is interested.

 

[nanaguide]

Joy, Our grandson will be on this cruise with us. He will be 9 in November. I'm sure he would enjoy this activity. I haven't been active on this thread as we just got back from a Dream cruise. I need to get busy with our excursions. You can PM me if you have more questions. Anna

 

[kate2961]

Hi! My DH and DS (10) will be joining everyone on this trip. We are all sooooo excited. We would love to meet other DISers and join the FE group.

Kate

 

[joycsk]

Has anyone tried to check in with the FB group today? It seems to have crashe, and I'm not sure what's up.

Nanaguide, I will try to get in touch with you at the end of the week. My husband just left for a business trip, and my hands are kinda full. I'll double check with my son that he'd want to write your grandson, but I'm 99% sure that it will be a fun introduction to the cruise. The kids feel like they have a friend, even though they haven't met.