"DCL Klondike Kruisers" - August 23, 2011

[stsomewhere]

For anyone else who is considering driving to the port, cruisepark is accepting reservations. Yeah, a bit early, but call me prepared !

We considered driving and doing a similar trip. We were going to stop at Glacier NP. But, after much debate...we decided to fly. We would arrive very crabby and tired. My husband only has 3 weeks of vacation time and 1 week he uses for Boy Scout camp.

Since were are just south of Detroit, it would take us too long.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I'm about to e-mail my travel agent to release my cabin for this cruise.

If anyone wants a Secret Verandah Cat 7A (7620), keep checking for it to come up or alert your travel agent!



.

Just reporting in that this stateroom wasn't released till overnight last night. So if you are interested...call soon!

.

 

[piglet33]

So what are everyone's plans for excursions? My DD would love to do the dog sledding, but it's a little pricey. Have to think about that one. I'm also debating on doing some on our own to save money. Anyone else thinking about doing this?

So far the only thing I have booked right now is the Pan Pacific the night before the cruise. I feel like I'm so behind with everything, but work has been so crazy that I haven't been able to think of anything else.

I'm comparing airfare to see which is cheaper - flying to Seattle, hotel night there and then taking the train to Vancouver or just flying to Vancouver. Due to DHs new job, we might not be able to go as early as we wanted so maybe flying out Sunday or Monday depending on cost.

I can't believe our cruise is 7 months away!

 

[stsomewhere]

I am putting my planning in OVERDRIVE. We already booked air and hotel.

I have the world's BESt husband. He told me that I could go on the EBTA all by myself for a mom vacation!

I am a little nervous about sailing alone. But, excited at the same time.
I need to decide if it is what I really want to do or if I should use the money for Alaska excursions.

 

[alexandmaddie]

I am putting my planning in OVERDRIVE. We already booked air and hotel.

I have the world's BESt husband. He told me that I could go on the EBTA all by myself for a mom vacation!

I am a little nervous about sailing alone. But, excited at the same time.
I need to decide if it is what I really want to do or if I should use the money for Alaska excursions.

I'm jealous!! We did the WBTA in September and it was an awesome cruise. The sea days were so relaxing!

 

[danandnan]

I am putting my planning in OVERDRIVE. We already booked air and hotel.

I have the world's BESt husband. He told me that I could go on the EBTA all by myself for a mom vacation!

I am a little nervous about sailing alone. But, excited at the same time.
I need to decide if it is what I really want to do or if I should use the money for Alaska excursions.

May I ask which hotel you booked and how much? We have a reservation at one place but if something cheaper came up we would probably switch.

N

 

[stsomewhere]

May I ask which hotel you booked and how much? We have a reservation at one place but if something cheaper came up we would probably switch.

N

Pan pacific -
Originally , we had booked in August 2010 for $180 a night. Erik called the hotel
directly. They gave us a AAA rate.

Erik has been watching the price and we are down to $140 a night. The hotel told Erik that there is a conference scheduled the weekend of the 20th.

You may be able to get a cheaper rate if you book non refundable.

Christi

 

[stsomewhere]

I'm jealous!! We did the WBTA in September and it was an awesome cruise. The sea days were so relaxing!

I am going! The paid in full date was 1/14.

I am looking forward to relaxing.

Now, to figure out what to pack. I am a major over packer. I can't blame it on Erik or the kids this time.

 

[piglet33]

Pan pacific -
Originally , we had booked in August 2010 for $180 a night. Erik called the hotel
directly. They gave us a AAA rate.

Erik has been watching the price and we are down to $140 a night. The hotel told Erik that there is a conference scheduled the weekend of the 20th.

You may be able to get a cheaper rate if you book non refundable.

Christi

Wow! That is a great rate. I booked a while ago for 195 CAD and thought was good since it is now up to 256 CAD.

 

[danandnan]

Pan pacific -
Originally , we had booked in August 2010 for $180 a night. Erik called the hotel
directly. They gave us a AAA rate.

Erik has been watching the price and we are down to $140 a night. The hotel told Erik that there is a conference scheduled the weekend of the 20th.

You may be able to get a cheaper rate if you book non refundable.

Christi

Wow that's a good rate, much better than what I saw on line. We need the weekend of the 20th though so that's probably why. I also don't want to book non-refundable - too risky for our family situation. We will definitely keep our eyes open though. Thanks.

N

 

[zweihund]

Throwing ourselves in here....

I originally started this post a few days ago but by the time I posted it had logged out and I was mommy-tired so I just gave up and went to bed.

We are joining everyone on this cruise:
Me, Erica, will be 36 at time of sailing
DH, Lionel, will be 40
DD, Isabelle, will be 20 months

We are also being joined by several other couple friends, all of whom are childless, so it should be interesting. Izzy will have plenty of aunts and uncles around so hopefully we can manage an excursion or two!

I can't remember the cabin number at the moment but I know we're in a verandah on deck six.....somewhere....lol. This will be our sixth cruise together, but Lionel's seventh. Yes, he left me all alone when I was 7 months pregnant because one of our friends was getting married. He actually took my place as a bridesmaid. The pictures are hysterical. This is also Izzy's second cruise - we took her and my parents on a 4-day to try out her sea legs last September.

I have been longing to go to Alaska for years. When we heard we could go on the Wonder? Well, that was a no-brainer. We've had it booked since booking opened. Can't believe it's getting so close! I have so much to do. I'm normally a crazy over-planner but between working and taking care of a 1 year old, I am soooooo far behind my usual mark. I haven't even looked at excursios yet. And then there's airfare. And a jacket for the baby. And hiking boots for the family. And....and.....sigh.

I'm not on here as much as I used to be but will try to make an effort to check in at least a few times per week. Looking forward to meeting everyone, and ESPECIALLY to this cruise.

 

[Mozart]

Erica!

So, we'll be having competing trip reports for real, huh?

We have GOT to meet.

 

[alexandmaddie]

Pan pacific -
Originally , we had booked in August 2010 for $180 a night. Erik called the hotel
directly. They gave us a AAA rate.

Erik has been watching the price and we are down to $140 a night. The hotel told Erik that there is a conference scheduled the weekend of the 20th.

You may be able to get a cheaper rate if you book non refundable.

Christi

Thanks for the info, we just booked the Pan Pacific for $168 a night (Govt rate).

Krista

 

[stsomewhere]

Wow that's a good rate, much better than what I saw on line. We need the weekend of the 20th though so that's probably why. I also don't want to book non-refundable - too risky for our family situation. We will definitely keep our eyes open though. Thanks.

N

We are arriving on the 20th,too. We are planning on touring Vancouver for a few days. Plus, it will help us get use to the time difference.

Christi

 

[MinnieDiva]

Thanks for the info, we just booked the Pan Pacific for $168 a night (Govt rate).

Krista

Did you call or do it online and is it Canadian or US government?

 

[alexandmaddie]

Did you call or do it online and is it Canadian or US government?

I called the toll free number. It's US government. I work for the State of MN.

 

[MinnieDiva]

I called the toll free number. It's US government. I work for the State of MN.

Thanks! Will call and report back!

 

[zweihund]

Erica!

So, we'll be having competing trip reports for real, huh?

We have GOT to meet.

Ha! Are you sure you're not stalking me? lol
Yep. We will definitely hang out on this one. Unless I get pregnant again.

 

[MinnieDiva]

I called the toll free number. It's US government. I work for the State of MN.

FYI, they told my husband that it was Canadian govt rate only. Did you specify which government?

 

[alexandmaddie]

FYI, they told my husband that it was Canadian govt rate only. Did you specify which government?

Yes, I told them twice that I worked for the State of MN, in the US. They said to just bring my govt ID.