August 26, 2013 - Mickey Mouse, Midnight Sun & Whales!

[JacksGirlz]

Hello everyone!

My DD15 (by the time we sail), myself and some of our extended family will be joining you on this cruise. After seeing the posts re: airfare, I'm glad we live in Portland, OR as we will be driving up to Vancouver, BC. Sounds like we'll be saving a bundle for this cruise at least. This will be DD and my 6th DCL cruise, our first Alaskan cruise.

 

[son3disfan]

Hello everyone!

My DD15 (by the time we sail), myself and some of our extended family will be joining you on this cruise. After seeing the posts re: airfare, I'm glad we live in Portland, OR as we will be driving up to Vancouver, BC. Sounds like we'll be saving a bundle for this cruise at least. This will be DD and my 7th DCL cruise, our first Alaskan cruise.

WELCOME bot the cruise meet!
This is our 6th Disney Cruise , all on the Magic and Wonder.
I want to try to new ships, but DH has Alaska as his #1 priority....so, he wins.
It's going to be so different then the Caribbean / Mexican Riviera for sure. I am more of a beach/ warm sunshine person, and my three boys an DH are the outdoor nature lovers, as in camping/ hiking/ canoeing.( they love the snow too)

 

[Donna3271]

Hello everyone!

My DD15 (by the time we sail), myself and some of our extended family will be joining you on this cruise. After seeing the posts re: airfare, I'm glad we live in Portland, OR as we will be driving up to Vancouver, BC. Sounds like we'll be saving a bundle for this cruise at least. This will be DD and my 7th DCL cruise, our first Alaskan cruise.

WELCOME TO THE THREAD!!!!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Welcome to the thread!

I just got back (literally) from my Fantasy cruise, so couldn't welcome you until today!

 

[Donna3271]

Welcome to the thread!

I just got back (literally) from my Fantasy cruise, so couldn't welcome you until today!

OMG!!! How was it?!!!!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

It was a really good trip! I was in Concierge, so there wasn't much to not like. Not sure I'll ever get to do Concierge again, but it made this trip even better.

It technically was a cruise I had hoped to take five years ago, but due to many things never could do it.

The weather was great, a bit windy on the second at sea day, and very hot in Costa Maya and Cozumel but it was early May. I didn't get off the ship in Grand Cayman.

The only real disappointment to me was Palo Brunch. It has changed so much from what I remember from 2007! If you don't like seafood (and cold seafood at that) then all there really is on the brunch is bread, cheese and deserts. Not worth $20 + tip in my opinion. Others may still enjoy it, but I was very disappointed. We had the same server for High Tea and Dinner and he was really good at those. Somehow on Brunch he seemed to be completely different.

Got to enjoy the veranda quite a bit. CC was nice. I think it was probably fairly hot at the family beach, but we went to Serenity Bay and sat at the tables with umbrellas at the food place. It wasn't crowded so we didn't feel like we were taking up a spot. The water was very warm. I didn't swim, but did walk out a little ways.

She is, of course, a beautiful ship. Since it was not a full cruise, it didn't seem too crowded. I like the Classic ships better in some ways because of the size. Although this was my "had to wait 5 years cruise", my friend had invited me on a 3 day in February on the Dream. That ship was full, and I could tell a HUGE difference.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Forgot to add on Palo Brunch: Yes, you can still order entrees. We both ordered Eggs Benedict and they were cold and tasteless and neither one of us ate more than one or two bites it was that bad. The server announced as he took my friend's plate away, "you enjoyed it!". Really? It was so clear she hadn't eaten it.

Now Dinner and High Tea were excellent. I am sorry they are doing away with High Tea. It was my first time and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Don't want to end on a negative note. It really was a good cruise, and I came home happy to have gone!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I noticed someone asked about the new water areas...

I never did see Satellite Falls. If I had gone by myself, I am sure I would have. Since my son is grown up, and had no kids with me, I never looked at the kid's areas.

I liked the Tullum Ruins tour better than the Chaccoben Ruins. I think after seeing Tullem, Chaccoben was sort of a let down. Had we been in port longer, I think I definitely would have gone with David and Ian from Native Way Tours, but since it was such a short port time, I went with DCL. Not a bad tour, just not a lot of time on one's own. I'd not do it again, or not again with DCL.

 

[Donna3271]

Thanks for the insight. I'll have to read your full trip report. We did a 5 night Dream over Easter holiday, and it was SO PACKED. It must have been nice being on a half-full ship.

Looking forward to the Classic Ship for our Alaska Cruise. Here's hoping it is not too crowded.

Thanks again for all the info!!! I enjoyed reading it!!

 

[lesaleanne]

I just booked this cruise yesterday! We are so excited. This will be mine and my daughters 3rd cruise on the Wonder. We are traveling in a group of 9 and 6 of them are first time cruisers. I was reading about the airline prices. I am so glad that we all live in Roseburg, Oregon and are able to drive to Vancouver. Im looking forward to meeting you all.

Lesa

 

[son3disfan]

I just booked this cruise yesterday! We are so excited. This will be mine and my daughters 3rd cruise on the Wonder. We are traveling in a group of 9 and 6 of them are first time cruisers. I was reading about the airline prices. I am so glad that we all live in Roseburg, Oregon and are able to drive to Vancouver. Im looking forward to meeting you all.

Lesa

Welcome to the meet Lesa!

How nice to cruse with a big group!And first timers! You get to be the tour guide!

I am hoping to read some trip reports from recent cruisers....I think the 2012 Alaska cruises started last week...they are out if Seattle, but the ports are the same.

And an update on airfare...
I found a flight from DETROIT ( 3 hrs. Away from us ) to Vancouver for $319 round trip! There is one stop with these flights
That is for Aug. of this year, but I did check for some Feb dates for 2013 and that seems to still be the rate. This is for a Friday departure and Monday return flight.
This is on Delta as well as United.
So , who knew that an international flight would be cheaper then flying within Canada.
I like that it goes right to Vancouver instead of Seattle.
Also , the prices have been fluctuating quite a bit. Up during the week, down on the weekend...
hope that help out fellow cruisers!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Hi, just wanted to welcome you!

I haven't looked at airfare too much yet, but since I'm coming from Orlando, I'm sure it will be up there. I did lock in the DCL air just in case. If I actually go on this cruise, I'll see what things are like when they release fares.

 

[Donna3271]

Airfare dropped from NYC area to Vancouver about $200!!! Now, I am putting in dummy dates (using this Aug). Oil is falling, so I am crossing my fingers!! I checked and through Disney it is about $400 more (transfers are included), so it is really about $350 more.

I am contemplating using DCL transfers. It looks like the light rail is only about $2.50, and it literally stops at Canada Place. I really dread getting my luggage though, with 3 kids..... hmn... what to do?

 

[son3disfan]

So.......
We are almost at the one year mark!

Anyone else joining in the excitement!

 

[Donna3271]

Yup,
Officially under one year!! Time goes fast!

 

[GoofyMam]

This is our very first time cruising so we haven't a clue! There are five of us on this little adventure so far - me, DH, DD and my mom and stepdad. Shhhh they don't know about the trip yet. We're surprising them as they both are turning 70 this year.

I've never planned this far in advance for a vacation, but it's fun to have something special to look forward to. Looking forward to planning with you all and to meeting some of you on the cruise.

Julie

 

[Keurigirl]

Hi everyone!!

It is my full intention to join you on this cruise, along with some extended family members! We won't know for sure until next year, as we're planning on booking while on the Fantasy in April. But I'm hoping there will be plenty of rooms still available

We just sailed to Alaska the last week of August a couple weeks ago! It was so awesome we're going back and taking family with us. Can't wait to do it again!

I'm happy to volunteer to head up an FE group, a roll call list and a facebook group if you guys want!

 

[GoofyMam]

Keurigirl

Wow - how good of you to volunteer to help get those things organized!! So glad you're planning to join this cruise!!

 

[Keurigirl]

Oh it's fun for me to do