Crusin' to Alaska May 24th, 2011 (Lots of photos, menus, ship docs)

[Shanny145]

a few more thoughts on packing.
My must-have items are…

•plastic baggies: I bring both sandwich and gallon size zip-locks. Great for holding possible leaky toiletry items, packing wet bathing suits, bringing back room snacks from the buffet, storing little items that would otherwise clutter the stateroom, keeping the kids’ fish extender gifts separated and so much more.
•wipes: (self-explanatory)
•starbuck's instant coffee packets: Being from the seattle area my dh is a bit of a coffee snob. Rarely does he find the coffee in the restaurants to be up to par, and going to the coffee bar can be pricey.
•dramamine – both the adult and children’s kind: Like everything else it’s more expensive to purchase on the ship.

new ideas i think i’m going to try…
•wide mouth water bottles: A no spill alternative to the cups at the drink station. (i’ll use our label maker to put our name and room number on them in case they get lost on deck.)
•ear plugs: We didn’t have issues with a creaking cabin or noisy neighbors on our last cruise, but you never know, and they take up no space at all.
•over the door shoe hanger (maybe): I think this would be helpful, but frankly i don’t like giving up valuable real estate in the luggage to it. I think i read somewhere that someone bought a cheap one and just left it there. I wonder if the crew would leave it for the next cabin occupants or throw it out.
•mini air freshener spray (four people in 300 sq feet for 7 nights…need i say more)

what are your must have items? Any suggestions for me?

binoculars!!!!!!!

 

[NWmom]

Hey Dawncala,
Recognize you from the cruise meet. I am really interested in your packing list as we are both from Washington. Since we had a high of 66 today and that is short sleeve to sleeveless weather for me . . .

. . .what is the modified Washington native dress code? I got my email today that recommended bringing a turtleneck and just started laughing. I haven't worn one since the first year we lived here. I do have a Disney one I will throw in, but don't think it will be cold enough to wear it.

2 weeks to go!!!!
Skye

 

[Dawncala]

binoculars!!!!!!!

So right! They are on my list along with my best zoom lens for the camera.

 

[Dawncala]

Hey Dawncala,
Recognize you from the cruise meet. I am really interested in your packing list as we are both from Washington. Since we had a high of 66 today and that is short sleeve to sleeveless weather for me . . .

. . .what is the modified Washington native dress code? I got my email today that recommended bringing a turtleneck and just started laughing. I haven't worn one since the first year we lived here. I do have a Disney one I will throw in, but don't think it will be cold enough to wear it.

2 weeks to go!!!!
Skye

Turtleneck! I hear ya.

I'm just going for layers. Probably mostly short or 3/4 sleeve shirts, a light sweater or two, mostly long pants, but I might toss in some shorts. My "born-in-the-PAC-NW" son wears shorts year round. I have to hide his shorts when it dips below freezing. If you see a kid running around in shorts and no jacket the whole trip, that's him.

For outerwear I'm thinking a lightweight fleece pullover and my windbreaker jacket. (although I'm wondering if I should bring my ski jacket shell instead) I guess I can always wear the fleece underneath the windbreaker for extra warmth.

I've been watching the weather up there and it's pretty much what we're having here as far as temp. (high 50's, low 60's) I'm not really concerned about the weather in port. I'm worried about what I'll need to keep warm on deck. I don't want to have to be inside all the time.

I'll be keeping an eye on the extended forecasts and make final decisions a couple of days beforehand. I'm also reading trip reports so that might help me decide too.

 

[Dawncala]

Ten days to go and boy are they crawling by. I guess it's part of the "watched pot never boils" theory of time. I keep going over my packing list and reading blogs looking for new information from others who are sailing before us, so the trip is always on my mind.

Also, the kids ask daily "How many more days?" Although they are both old enough to check the calendar I decided to make a Disney themed countdown calendar. I kept it simple. Every day we’ll slide a new number over to the larger Mickey head.

 

[Dawncala]

Thought I'd post a few other informative links I've found along the way. The first is a kind of catch-all list of DCL information. Especially great for the 1st time cruiser. I used it before our 1st cruise, but referenced it again before this one. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068966

This one has information about the Vancouver cruise port, hotels, parking, local dining... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33555293#post33555293

 

[Shanny145]

Awsome count down calendar! Love it!!!! Can't wait to read your report when you get back!!!

 

[verygfy]

I love the countdown calendar, very cute!!

One packing tip I read on another trip report (unfortunately I don't remember who so I can't give credit... guess that's what happens when you read 100's of them); but they brought a plastic storage container that they put there FE gifts in and then as they got them throughout the cruise they put them in the container above the tv. Then on the last night they closed up the container and threw it in the suitcase. It's already on my packing list for our cruise!!

I laughed so hard when you were talking about your son. My son, even though he has never lived up north wears shorts in the winter. This past year he headed outside in the snow in shorts. Geez..

 

[Dawncala]

One packing tip I read on another trip report (unfortunately I don't remember who so I can't give credit... guess that's what happens when you read 100's of them); but they brought a plastic storage container that they put there FE gifts in and then as they got them throughout the cruise they put them in the container above the tv. Then on the last night they closed up the container and threw it in the suitcase. It's already on my packing list for our cruise!!

That's a good one. Now to see if I have room in the luggage to pull it off. I'm going to check if my outgoing FE gifts fit in it so I can just swap them out for the gifts we get.

 

[Dawncala]

I didn't think it would ever get here, but it did. 24 hours to go until we're on our way to our 1st 7 night cruise and 1st time in Alaska.

I spent most of yesterday finishing the laundry and then packing, and re-packing the luggage. I can’t believe how much stuff we’re taking for only one week. I think it would be a pretty reasonable amount were it not for formal, semi-formal and Pirate clothing. I guess it also makes some difference that we’re taking mostly long pants and layers of tops versus shorts and tees as one would if they were going to a warmer climate. Today I’ll go over everything once (or twenty times) more hoping to find an additional item or 10 to remove so there might be room left for a souvenir or two.

The excitement is building and I’m hoping this won’t feel like the longest day ever. (but it will) I’ll try to update from the ports, but if I can’t I’ll fill you all in when I get back. Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather for us. Disney Wonder, here we come!

 

[Ohana 4]

I didn't think it would ever get here, but it did. 24 hours to go until we're on our way to our 1st 7 night cruise and 1st time in Alaska.

I spent most of yesterday finishing the laundry and then packing, and re-packing the luggage. I can’t believe how much stuff we’re taking for only one week. I think it would be a pretty reasonable amount were it not for formal, semi-formal and Pirate clothing. I guess it also makes some difference that we’re taking mostly long pants and layers of tops versus shorts and tees as one would if they were going to a warmer climate. Today I’ll go over everything once (or twenty times) more hoping to find an additional item or 10 to remove so there might be room left for a souvenir or two.

The excitement is building and I’m hoping this won’t feel like the longest day ever. (but it will) I’ll try to update from the ports, but if I can’t I’ll fill you all in when I get back. Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather for us. Disney Wonder, here we come!

I read somewhere to take old undies (both underwear and socks) with you, and you can toss them as you use them on your cruise...leaves you that much more room for those souvenirs. Just sayin'

 

[Diannah]

We're getting ready to head out and catch our plane now for the same cruise!! I know what you mean about trying to make space! Luckily, our FE gifts take up almost an entire carry-on by themselves, so that space will be open for souvies. Depending, of course, on the FE gifts we receive...

 

[Shanny145]

OMG soooo excited for you! Have a super fabulous trip! Cant wait to hear all about it when you come back!

 

[PBader]

Have a wonderful vacation, looking forward to reading your report. Our cruise isn't until Aug 30th

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

Have an amazing journey to the 49th state everyone!!!

 

[goslingl]

Two weeks and counting! I’m thinking it’s time to get REALLY serious about packing. Of course I’ve been making packing lists since the day I booked the cruise 98 days ago. (I could be the poster girl for Post-It notes.) Even with a list I am famous for forgetting things. Once I was so busy making sure I had everything packed for the kids I forgot my own bathing suit when we went to a waterpark. Thank goodness there was a mall just down the road. Now I’m having panicky visions of getting to the Canadian border without my passport… or one of the kids.

Since this is an Alaskan cruise, and our 1st 7 night cruise, the packing parameters are different and the clothes bulkier. With a formal, semi-formal, pirate night and three shore days I know packing efficiently will be important. I don’t want to do laundry onboard. (Not my idea of vacation.) I am grateful however that we are driving to the port and we don’t have to worry about paying airline luggage charges or sticking to the under 50 pound weight limits.

I won’t subject you to my actual list, but I did read some great suggestions and reports from other cruisers. Both of these were written for the Caribbean, but much of it is useful no matter where you’re cruising.
http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?147284-Disney-Cruise-Line-Tips-and-Tricks
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1884129&highlight=packing

Would love to know if there is anything you would say are must takes.

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

Welcome back, hope you had a great time! Please share your photos and trip reports.

 

[lalo]

Love the countdown calendar. I may be tempted to make one as well!

 

[goslingl]

Waiting Patiently

 

[Dawncala]

In summary...it was AWESOME!!!

Unfortunately I was unable to make any posts from the cruise. We decided not to pay for internet and our smart phones were only able to connect in one port. (and T-Mobile customer service was not helpful) I did take some time out each day to write so I wouldn't forget anything.

Today I spent much of the day just going through the photos. (and unpacking and doing all the laundry) We took over 2000 photos and there are probably more on my DD's camera. I'm going to try to post one day of the trip and some photos every day. Please be patient if it takes longer though.