For those of you on WONDER in ALASKA

[CanuckOnaBoat]

In 2016 i put together a "guide" for the family who was doing Disney Wonder in Alaska. For most of us - it was our 1st Disney cruise. So it's detailed with that experience in mind.

It hasn't been updated since our cruise - some things might be relevant and some not. Most of this "guide" is based on the great information I found on this board - and others. THANK YOU ALL!!!

Hope that this can help some of you! I can't get the .doc to upload - so here is a dropbox link or you can email me at tlw at gwu.edu

https://www.dropbox.com/s/979f3crvcu9p813/Info for Alaska Cruise Disney Wonder share.doc?dl=0

I'm busy working on the next guide for the Magic on the Mediterranean!

 

[Shanti]

In 2016 i put together a "guide" for the family who was doing Disney Wonder in Alaska. For most of us - it was our 1st Disney cruise. So it's detailed with that experience in mind.

It hasn't been updated since our cruise - some things might be relevant and some not. Most of this "guide" is based on the great information I found on this board - and others. THANK YOU ALL!!!

Hope that this can help some of you! I can't get the .doc to upload - so here is a dropbox link or you can email me at tlw at gwu.edu

https://www.dropbox.com/s/979f3crvcu9p813/Info for Alaska Cruise Disney Wonder share.doc?dl=0

I'm busy working on the next guide for the Magic on the Mediterranean!

Thank you! We're going in June and are so excited. I can't wait to read it!

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

Good! I would love your feedback!!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We are going in August. Going to read this!

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts....

• Page 5: can someone confirm if there is an app to download pre-cruise for use on the ship.
• Page 6: The $50 SeaTac to Vancouver Shuttle is called Quick Shuttle. It would be nice to include the link as you need to make reservations. http://www.quickcoach.com/
• Page 8: Amendment to Days Inn Downtown. The adjacent bar can be very noisy with music playing to 3am. Check online reviews for potential issues.
• Page 8: may want to also include airport hotels for savings. Vancouver Raddison Airport offers free parking for rental vehicles. $4 subway to downtown (and cruise terminal) in 20 minutes. Good choice for those arriving Sunday night with no sightseeing time before the Monday cruise embarkation.
• Page 8: Go to Grouse in the late morning and early afternoon. Check the show schedule. The Grouse return shuttle has an optional stop on the return to downtown for you to make it a combo. If you go to Capilano after 5pm, there is a 30% discount and the crowds are thinner.
• Page 9: Another breakfast idea.... Dim Sum for Brunch
• Page 16: Parrot Cay is no more
• Page 17: The ship tour is called "Art of the Theme"
• Page 26: Never ask for the "head" of the ship. It will not be the captain. It will not be the mouse.

Not sure if it was covered...

• do not bring "Kinder Surprise" to the cruise terminal. It's $2,500.
• if you like photo packages, I think there's savings if you pre-purchase.
• The Prince of Whales offers a whale watch opportunity to get you to Victoria and onwards to Seattle with your luggage. https://princeofwhales.com/vancouver-tours/southbound-adventure-crossing/
• if the balcony is too premium priced, consider the Deck 2 oceanviews for a climate controlled balcony. The mid-ship Deck 2 have bigger portholes. Skip the Deck 1 twins.
• Vancouver is best explored post-cruise on weekdays when crowds are thinner.
• which month?
  • May and September is cheaper
  • May to July is dryer
  • August starts to get wet, but you see more salmon and wildlife feeding for the winter
  • September is discounted for storm chasers
  • Vancouver can be super busy on July 1st and the first August weekend.
  • Vancouver offers a fireworks competition in late July. Great to attend, but hotel rooms are premium priced
  • some may plan their cruise sailing with a concert or soccer game in town

 

[Shanti]

I am so glad I read this! I have always wanted to do an old-fashioned hedge maze, and didn't know that Vancouver had one until I read your guide. I'll definitely add VanDusen Garden to our post-cruise itinerary.

Btw, I noticed that you mentioned the secret lookout on deck 7, but that has been gone since the Wonder's last refurbishment.

Also, in regards to lodging in Vancouver, you might suggest that smaller families and couples check out bed and breakfast options. We booked a very highly-rated & reviewed one that is downtown, and the house and rooms look beautiful. Plus complimentary breakfast, of course. Our room there costs less than U.S. $200 per night including taxes, and this is for June. B&Bs are not an option for all families (you need to check each room's occupancy potential & the ages of kids the B&B will accept), but they work for ours.

Thanks again!

 

[Spork24]

Thoughts....

• Page 5: can someone confirm if there is an app to download pre-cruise for use on the ship.
• Page 6: The $50 SeaTac to Vancouver Shuttle is called Quick Shuttle. It would be nice to include the link as you need to make reservations. http://www.quickcoach.com/
• Page 8: Amendment to Days Inn Downtown. The adjacent bar can be very noisy with music playing to 3am. Check online reviews for potential issues.
• Page 8: may want to also include airport hotels for savings. Vancouver Raddison Airport offers free parking for rental vehicles. $4 subway to downtown (and cruise terminal) in 20 minutes. Good choice for those arriving Sunday night with no sightseeing time before the Monday cruise embarkation.
• Page 8: Go to Grouse in the late morning and early afternoon. Check the show schedule. The Grouse return shuttle has an optional stop on the return to downtown for you to make it a combo. If you go to Capilano after 5pm, there is a 30% discount and the crowds are thinner.
• Page 9: Another breakfast idea.... Dim Sum for Brunch
• Page 16: Parrot Cay is no more
• Page 17: The ship tour is called "Art of the Theme"
• Page 26: Never ask for the "head" of the ship. It will not be the captain. It will not be the mouse.

Not sure if it was covered...

• do not bring "Kinder Surprise" to the cruise terminal. It's $2,500.
• if you like photo packages, I think there's savings if you pre-purchase.
• The Prince of Whales offers a whale watch opportunity to get you to Victoria and onwards to Seattle with your luggage. https://princeofwhales.com/vancouver-tours/southbound-adventure-crossing/
• if the balcony is too premium priced, consider the Deck 2 oceanviews for a climate controlled balcony. The mid-ship Deck 2 have bigger portholes. Skip the Deck 1 twins.
• Vancouver is best explored post-cruise on weekdays when crowds are thinner.
• which month?
  • May and September is cheaper
  • May to July is dryer
  • August starts to get wet, but you see more salmon and wildlife feeding for the winter
  • September is discounted for storm chasers
  • Vancouver can be super busy on July 1st and the first August weekend.
  • Vancouver offers a fireworks competition in late July. Great to attend, but hotel rooms are premium priced
  • some may plan their cruise sailing with a concert or soccer game in town

Kinder surprise?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinder_Surprise

 

[lisaradz]

In 2016 i put together a "guide" for the family who was doing Disney Wonder in Alaska. For most of us - it was our 1st Disney cruise. So it's detailed with that experience in mind.

It hasn't been updated since our cruise - some things might be relevant and some not. Most of this "guide" is based on the great information I found on this board - and others. THANK YOU ALL!!!

Hope that this can help some of you! I can't get the .doc to upload - so here is a dropbox link or you can email me at tlw at gwu.edu

https://www.dropbox.com/s/979f3crvcu9p813/Info for Alaska Cruise Disney Wonder share.doc?dl=0

I'm busy working on the next guide for the Magic on the Mediterranean!

Thank you so much for sharing this! I love the Disboards! We are cruising Alaska in June and I am looking forward to reading this.

 

[MouseOfCards]

In 2016 i put together a "guide" for the family who was doing Disney Wonder in Alaska. For most of us - it was our 1st Disney cruise. So it's detailed with that experience in mind.

It hasn't been updated since our cruise - some things might be relevant and some not. Most of this "guide" is based on the great information I found on this board - and others. THANK YOU ALL!!!

Hope that this can help some of you! I can't get the .doc to upload - so here is a dropbox link or you can email me at tlw at gwu.edu

https://www.dropbox.com/s/979f3crvcu9p813/Info for Alaska Cruise Disney Wonder share.doc?dl=0

I'm busy working on the next guide for the Magic on the Mediterranean!

This is so nice, thanks for sharing! How many folks in your "family" were you doing this for?

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

This is so nice, thanks for sharing! How many folks in your "family" were you doing this for?

We were traveling with 13 people (5 cabins):

myself, husband, 3 year old, 1 year old
Plus MIL, SIL, BIL + my 2 parents + 2 nephews and one of their finance's (in their 20's) + my brother!

ages ranged from 1 - 75!

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I've updated the document!

Thoughts....

• Page 5: can someone confirm if there is an app to download pre-cruise for use on the ship.
• Page 6: The $50 SeaTac to Vancouver Shuttle is called Quick Shuttle. It would be nice to include the link as you need to make reservations. http://www.quickcoach.com/
• Page 8: Amendment to Days Inn Downtown. The adjacent bar can be very noisy with music playing to 3am. Check online reviews for potential issues.
• Page 8: may want to also include airport hotels for savings. Vancouver Raddison Airport offers free parking for rental vehicles. $4 subway to downtown (and cruise terminal) in 20 minutes. Good choice for those arriving Sunday night with no sightseeing time before the Monday cruise embarkation.
• Page 8: Go to Grouse in the late morning and early afternoon. Check the show schedule. The Grouse return shuttle has an optional stop on the return to downtown for you to make it a combo. If you go to Capilano after 5pm, there is a 30% discount and the crowds are thinner.
• Page 9: Another breakfast idea.... Dim Sum for Brunch
• Page 16: Parrot Cay is no more
• Page 17: The ship tour is called "Art of the Theme"
• Page 26: Never ask for the "head" of the ship. It will not be the captain. It will not be the mouse.

Not sure if it was covered...

• do not bring "Kinder Surprise" to the cruise terminal. It's $2,500.
• if you like photo packages, I think there's savings if you pre-purchase.
• The Prince of Whales offers a whale watch opportunity to get you to Victoria and onwards to Seattle with your luggage. https://princeofwhales.com/vancouver-tours/southbound-adventure-crossing/
• if the balcony is too premium priced, consider the Deck 2 oceanviews for a climate controlled balcony. The mid-ship Deck 2 have bigger portholes. Skip the Deck 1 twins.
• Vancouver is best explored post-cruise on weekdays when crowds are thinner.
• which month?
  • May and September is cheaper
  • May to July is dryer
  • August starts to get wet, but you see more salmon and wildlife feeding for the winter
  • September is discounted for storm chasers
  • Vancouver can be super busy on July 1st and the first August weekend.
  • Vancouver offers a fireworks competition in late July. Great to attend, but hotel rooms are premium priced
  • some may plan their cruise sailing with a concert or soccer game in town

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

THANK YOU! I added this! good point!

I am so glad I read this! I have always wanted to do an old-fashioned hedge maze, and didn't know that Vancouver had one until I read your guide. I'll definitely add VanDusen Garden to our post-cruise itinerary.

Btw, I noticed that you mentioned the secret lookout on deck 7, but that has been gone since the Wonder's last refurbishment.

Also, in regards to lodging in Vancouver, you might suggest that smaller families and couples check out bed and breakfast options. We booked a very highly-rated & reviewed one that is downtown, and the house and rooms look beautiful. Plus complimentary breakfast, of course. Our room there costs less than U.S. $200 per night including taxes, and this is for June. B&Bs are not an option for all families (you need to check each room's occupancy potential & the ages of kids the B&B will accept), but they work for ours.

Thanks again!

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

Am happy to keep updating if anyone else has any additional information.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

In 2016 i put together a "guide" for the family who was doing Disney Wonder in Alaska. For most of us - it was our 1st Disney cruise. So it's detailed with that experience in mind.

It hasn't been updated since our cruise - some things might be relevant and some not. Most of this "guide" is based on the great information I found on this board - and others. THANK YOU ALL!!!

Hope that this can help some of you! I can't get the .doc to upload - so here is a dropbox link or you can email me at tlw at gwu.edu

https://www.dropbox.com/s/979f3crvcu9p813/Info for Alaska Cruise Disney Wonder share.doc?dl=0

I'm busy working on the next guide for the Magic on the Mediterranean!

Oh wow thanks! This is exactly what I was looking for - planning to book Alaska summer 2019.
Now if I can figure out if there is a way to bookmark this thread....

 

[allforpooh]

Thanks, great info....our 3rd Disney/ 1st Alaskan Cruise in June. So excited and soaking up all the info I can.

 

[jdg345]

Great stuff, thank you for your contribution !