August 9, 2011 (8/9/2011) Taking the Wonder to see the AMERICAN CHILD

[KathyM2]

HI everyone! I'm new here so I apologize if I'm posting this in the wrong place or not following protocol! Just curious about what excursions people are on or if anyone's booked the same ones as us. I am pretty shocked about how booked up everything is! We booked our excursions as soon as we were allowed, but then wanted to make some changes and everything was sold out. Anyway...here's what we've got:

Skagway:
White pass scenic railway with exclusive youth activity 8am-12pm
Skagway's original streetcar tour 3:15pm-5:15pm

Juneau:
Mom mom and husband are doing Dog Sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier by helicopter 8am-11am
My DS (8), DD (5) and I are doing the Exclusive Whale Encounter 8:am-11:30am - this one worries me a bit since I will be alone with my 2 rugrats! and they tend to run in opposite directions and fight a lot...but what can you do!

Then all of us are doing Historic Gold Panning and Gold Creek Salmon Bake 1:15-4:15pm

Ketchichan:
My mom, my DD (5), and I are doing the City Highlights, totems and creek street by trolley 12:45pm-2:45pm
My DS (8) and DH are doing the Bear country and wildlife expedition 1:15pm-4:15pm
And also my mom, DD (5) and I are doing the Great Alaskan Lumberjack enhanced show 4:15pm-6:15pm

I'm so excited! Though I worry a bit that we may have booked too much and it will be rushed, but at the same time I kind of see this as a once in a lifetime thing and we want to do and see as much as we can! I just hope the kids (and I) don't end up cranky and overtired!

 

[MassDisLovers]

where did you teach? What do you do now?
Jan

I taught special needs classes in a public school system in Massachusetts, and now I am the administrator of a education program for pregnant and parenting teens (under the age of 21 actually). It's a good change, but not so different from what I did in my "first career". I get to see babies all the time.... what could be better?

Karen

 

[JoeSchmieg]

We've decided this sounds like fun and a good way to meet people and explore the ship. I will PM you my info!

OK...apparently since I'm new here I need to post 10 times on DIS before it will let me PM you? I'm not sure if you got my message...I will post a few more times and try again just in case!

Got the PM. Will get your family added!

 

[JLSE50]

Are any husbands renting/wearing a tuxedo on Formal Night? My dh is still trying to figure out if he is going to or not.....

DH will bring a dark sports coat, dark Dockers and tan Dockers, white and blue button down shirts and a couple ties. He will mix and match them for semi-formal and formal nights. I bring a knee length black dress and change it out with different jewelry and shawls. Trying to decide if I can get away with sandals or will have to bring pantihose and dressy shoes.

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

I taught special needs classes in a public school system in Massachusetts, and now I am the administrator of a education program for pregnant and parenting teens (under the age of 21 actually). It's a good change, but not so different from what I did in my "first career". I get to see babies all the time.... what could be better?

Karen

Indeed--what could be better!! I am sure you are a blessing in the lives of those young parents!

 

[alanapapa]

Are any husbands renting/wearing a tuxedo on Formal Night? My dh is still trying to figure out if he is going to or not.....

I will just be wearing a suit!

All 5 of our guys are wearing suits

Since we do not have to worry about airline restrictions on luggage, and I have one already, I think I will wear mine this time.

 

[LAWalz23]

Since we do not have to worry about airline restrictions on luggage, and I have one already, I think I will wear mine this time.

I envy you, no luggage restrictions. I'm already brining an extra piece and just hope nothing goes over weight and coming back will be another story even though one of the luggages will be empty because it carries a case of water going, and yes I know the water on the ship tastes fine and I can buy it but it has more to due with allergies/sensitivities and not wanting to take chances)! We always are teetering on the ege coming back from the Caribbean/Bahama cruises because of the cheap liquor. Hopefully this trip will be better.

 

[KathyM2]

Got the PM. Will get your family added!

Awesome! Thanks Joe, we are very excited! Are there any posts with suggestions for FE gifts? Can you point me in that direction? I'm not too good at navigating these forums yet!

Also, you may have explained this before too, but where do you put the gifts again? Do you knock on doors and give them to people, or is there somewhere to leave them if they aren't there? I can't remember what I've read about this!

Thanks so much! Can't wait!

 

[Pooh667]

Hi,

The 5 men in my group and 1 teenage boy are wearings suits.

Are any husbands renting/wearing a tuxedo on Formal Night? My dh is still trying to figure out if he is going to or not.....

 

[Pooh667]

Hi Kathy,

Here is one link

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1980639

Awesome! Thanks Joe, we are very excited! Are there any posts with suggestions for FE gifts? Can you point me in that direction? I'm not too good at navigating these forums yet!

Also, you may have explained this before too, but where do you put the gifts again? Do you knock on doors and give them to people, or is there somewhere to leave them if they aren't there? I can't remember what I've read about this!

Thanks so much! Can't wait!

 

[Pooh667]

Hi Kathy,

here is another link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607&highlight=fe


Also on the DCL FAQ on the first page there is info on FE.

Awesome! Thanks Joe, we are very excited! Are there any posts with suggestions for FE gifts? Can you point me in that direction? I'm not too good at navigating these forums yet!

Also, you may have explained this before too, but where do you put the gifts again? Do you knock on doors and give them to people, or is there somewhere to leave them if they aren't there? I can't remember what I've read about this!

Thanks so much! Can't wait!

 

[teriyaki]

Another special ed teacher here - I love the job - but the paperwork is out of the world - especialy at the end of every school year! Blessing to your dad on his retirement, and best wishes on the heart getting healthy!

I was a special education teacher for 28 years - 24 in a special needs preschool and 4 in a middle school class. It's a great job and the kids are so wonderful! Your dad put in 10 more years than me ... WOW! Karen

where does she teach? Where did she get her degree?



where did you teach? What do you do now?



where do you teach? What age or disability?


AND
I am the physical therapist who used to go into Special Ed classrooms in NY and PA to help some of the kids with physical accommodations or exercises to help them stay focused on what you were teaching.

Now, in Indiana, I do homecare, part-time with kiddos from birth to three and also help families get an idea of what to expect from school and teachers.

That's why I am so impressed with you guys. I have seen you under stress and know how great you are.

Jan

One of our 16 yr. old twin DDs has autism and was diagnosed back in the days when people said, "autism??? what's that?" Now that there are so many kids being diagnosed, we need you guys more than ever.

 

[starwood]

Who else got credit from DCL on their credit card? I just saw $21.45 credit from 6/15.

 

[mom_rules]

Who else got credit from DCL on their credit card? I just saw $21.45 credit from 6/15.

We did. Reduced taxes or port fees?

 

[JLSE50]

One of our 16 yr. old twin DDs has autism and was diagnosed back in the days when people said, "autism??? what's that?" Now that there are so many kids being diagnosed, we need you guys more than ever.

How blessed your DD is to have a Mom who leaves no stone unturned, especially when people are uneducated.

 

[MagicMe]

Who else got credit from DCL on their credit card? I just saw $21.45 credit from 6/15.

Yup - got about $14+change back (2 people). Figured it was probably a reduction on port fee somewhere.

 

[MassDisLovers]

One of our 16 yr. old twin DDs has autism and was diagnosed back in the days when people said, "autism??? what's that?" Now that there are so many kids being diagnosed, we need you guys more than ever.

My best friend has a 25 yr old son with autism and what you say is so true. He wasnt actually diagnosed until middle school and he is so underserved as a young autistic adult. There just arent programs for him - if he was 10 years younger he would be all set. It's so frustrating for them!

 

[Caropooh]

Who else got credit from DCL on their credit card? I just saw $21.45 credit from 6/15.

We did!

 

[KathyM2]

Hi Kathy,

Here is one link

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1980639

Thanks so much! I'm reading up! So excited!

A couple more questions that I haven't found answers to yet:

1. On your FE gifts, is it secret who it's from? Or do you put that info on your gifts?
2. I've seen some info for other cruises about shipping boxes for this stuff prior to the cruise? Is this feasible for Alaska and if so where do you send it?

Sorry to be such a newbie@

 

[JoeSchmieg]

Thanks so much! I'm reading up! So excited!

A couple more questions that I haven't found answers to yet:

1. On your FE gifts, is it secret who it's from? Or do you put that info on your gifts?
2. I've seen some info for other cruises about shipping boxes for this stuff prior to the cruise? Is this feasible for Alaska and if so where do you send it?

Sorry to be such a newbie@

You should indicate who the gift is from.....

I am thinking about shipping my goodies to the hotel we are staying at before the cruise. I am just concerned with the items getting help up at customs and "missing the boat"!

Joe