Frozen Fireworks: Alaska on the Wonder July 2, 2012

[Bunless]

DH and I just booked, we were trying to decide what we wanted to do this summer, and finally he said 'I feel like seeing the glaciers is important', so here we go!

Name and DIS Name Jessica (Bunless) and Mike
Where do you live? Kirkland, across the lake from Seattle
How many Disney Cruises have you been on? this will be #2, though I've been on two other Alaska cruises with other lines
What is your favorite Disney Character? Ariel, she had parent issues
What will you be reading on the cruise (Ha.. if you have time to read?)trashy, trashy romance
Coffee or Tea drinker or Neither? Why? coffee, I live in Seattle
How are you getting to Seattle? jet ski
Plans in Seattle before or after the cruise? avoiding Pike Place during tourist season, ha!
What are you most looking forward to on this cruise? the really late sun sets, the cool weather
How do you plan to stay warm on the cruise? I don't!
Any Cruise inside information you want to know about or that you know and would be willing to share with the group? In Juneau, walk to the left up from the boat, there's a great little gallery on your right that's hidden away. It's a local artist co-op, some beautiful jewelry is in there... and it's not tanzinite!
Favorite Food/ Dessert (are you a foodie and looking forward to eating on the cruise)? normally I'm a foodie, but I'm trying a low purine life style. Besides, the food in Seattle is always so much better than any boat... as long as you stay local!
Do you want to participate in FE? It's fun, but I don't think that I'll have time to prepare!
Would you be willing to coordinate FE? see above
Is Frozen Fireworks a good representation of our cruise name?
[/LIST] sure!

 

[lucky1]

Welcome Jessica and Mike!

This is going to be the "Cruise of the Mike's" as it seems we have a lot of Mike's in our group.


I updated the roll call with your information..

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44124123&postcount=81

 

[ame]

Question and answers...

Name and DIS Name Ame and ame. So original Travelling with my youngest son Alexander. He turns ten on the last day of the cruise and this is part of his birthday present
Where do you live? Sydney, Australia
How many Disney Cruises have you been on? One, MR in April 2011
What is your favorite Disney Character? Don't really have one.
What will you be reading on the cruise (Ha.. if you have time to read?) Uni readings
Coffee or Tea drinker or Neither? Why? coffee because I have 4 kids and tea just doesn't cut it
How are you getting to Seattle? 3 planes over 22 hours
Plans in Seattle before or after the cruise? We are arriving on Saturday evening. On Sunday we're going to go to the King Tut exhibition and mosy around the city. We were in Seattle in December with DH & the other kids so just doing whatever Master Birthday wants
What are you most looking forward to on this cruise? The scenery. I love mountains and dramatic scenery. So excited for glaciers too! Oh and spending time with my son w/o his sibs
How do you plan to stay warm on the cruise? Lots and lots of layers and a beanie and warm gloves. Even though we're coming from our winter, Alaska will still be colder than here. So not used to cold weather, but if I'm covered up and loaded with coffee, i'm fine.
Any Cruise inside information you want to know about or that you know and would be willing to share with the group?
Favorite Food/ Dessert (are you a foodie and looking forward to eating on the cruise)? Not a foodie, just a vegetarian that likes good food. I found the food on the MR cruise to be pretty much ok. But I am skipping the pirate night dinner if the menu is the same. We'll be mixing things up as we're more comfortable with not *missing out*. There's always something else on offer
Do you want to participate in FE? yes, I think that would be fun and engage Alexander in something more than the computers at the lab
Would you be willing to coordinate FE? pass
Is Frozen Fireworks a good representation of our cruise name? sure

 

[lucky1]

For the Newbies in the group. Many people put magnets on their stateroom doors. Makes your room easy to find in the long hallways or maybe just messages for other guests or your family. If you are not that good at creating something, you can find someone on these boards that can help.

Here are some cute ones that someone did for their Alaska cruise:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42061441&postcount=149


I am going to request someone to create a Frozen Fireworks one for our cruise

Laura

 

[Travelbee]

Connie and Calgirl767 - I am an engineer too... Creativity is not one of my strengths either.

Laura - what type of engineering work do you do?

DH and I just booked, we were trying to decide what we wanted to do this summer, and finally he said 'I feel like seeing the glaciers is important', so here we go!

For the Newbies in the group. Many people put magnets on their stateroom doors. Makes your room easy to find in the long hallways or maybe just messages for other guests or your family. If you are not that good at creating something, you can find someone on these boards that can help.

Here are some cute ones that someone did for their Alaska cruise:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42061441&postcount=149


I am going to request someone to create a Frozen Fireworks one for our cruise

Laura

Good job getting us into the spirit!

 

[lucky1]

Laura - what type of engineering work do you do?

Electrical Engineer by training. Software Engineer by Job definition


Connie, Steve and Barbara,

Have been so busy at work have not had a chance to have my daughter respond to the email request. Not ignoring you all.. Just need to get her on my email account to answer.



Is anyone on Facebook?

 

[Travelbee]

Electrical Engineer by training. Software Engineer by Job definition


Connie, Steve and Barbara,

Have been so busy at work have not had a chance to have my daughter respond to the email request. Not ignoring you all.. Just need to get her on my email account to answer.



Is anyone on Facebook?

Electrical. I had to deal with Southern California Ediosn on one of my construction projects so I know a little bit about that... not by choice though!

The cruise is still a bit away so no hurry and getting the emails going! I just thought I'd get it started. Also, DD probably will only be able to reply over the weekends too so I suspect the emails won't come that frequently.

I made the final payment today!

 

[lucky1]

Any one able to make their excursion reservations yet? I have a few weeks before we can do it. We have decided not to do the ABD since MIL will not be able to do the zip line and the cost was just so much out of this world.

We are thinking of doing
Skagway - White Pass Scenic Railway and Liars camp
Juneau - The Enchanted Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and Feast
Ketchikan - We are stuck on what to do here? No ideas since MIL has a bad back and DD is too light to do the ziplining.


What is everyone else doing?

 

[Bunless]

We are NOW in for Fish Extenders!
Prepare for Seattle Chocolate...


I've done an Alaska cruise a couple of times with girlfriends, we always either stayed on the boat or went shopping at galleries and artist co-ops (always amazing jewelry with beadwork and natural rock).
This is the first time I'll do any excursions--saved those for going with DH!

We haven't booked anything yet, but we are thinking of...

Skagway--adults White Pass trip, then walking around the town. I've never been to this port, so it will be a new one!

Juneau--take the bus to Mendenhall Glacier on our own, hitting the street food near the port, checking out the artist co-ops. Maybe going up the tram at Mt. Roberts. Every time I've been there, there was cloud cover, so I didn't go up.

Ketchikan--float plane in the Misty Fjords. Really, REALLY looking forward to this one. I know a lot of people like the lumberjack show, and it's also nice to walk around the creek area. There's one really great book store that is a must see. This is the one port where I want to make sure to book through Disney. It's such a short time there, I don't want to have to pay the fine if things run late.

Victoria--staying on the boat. We go there every August for DHs birthday, so we will enjoy the food we've already paid for! I would highly HIGHLY recommend Butchart gardens... so beautiful.

 

[Travelbee]

Can't book until next week and probably won't book any excursion right away. Haven't really decide what to do yet. Posted a question on the main board about the themes and dining rotation but didn't get clear answer. Does anyone know what the schedule is?

 

[Doingitagain]

Can't book until next week and probably won't book any excursion right away. Haven't really decide what to do yet. Posted a question on the main board about the themes and dining rotation but didn't get clear answer. Does anyone know what the schedule is?

You could book excursions and change them later if you want. That way you have something. I think only the private excursions require payment in advance.

I asked shoreside concierge about dining rotations and they said they aren't set. They guessed that Priates Night would be Day 5, Juneau night.

 

[Travelbee]

You could book excursions and change them later if you want. That way you have something. I think only the private excursions require payment in advance.

I asked shoreside concierge about dining rotations and they said they aren't set. They guessed that Priates Night would be Day 5, Juneau night.

I noticed you've cruised on DCL quite a bit. Are you platinum CC member? I was just wondering if you noticed whether there's brunch/tea at Palo on the last day since we don't get into Victoria until 6 pm. That's the speculation on the main board.

 

[lucky1]

I noticed you've cruised on DCL quite a bit. Are you platinum CC member? I was just wondering if you noticed whether there's brunch/tea at Palo on the last day since we don't get into Victoria until 6 pm. That's the speculation on the main board.

I would assume there will be a brunch.. (They have it on days they go to Key West and dock at noon). I was guessing they would have Tea.


My plan is to do the Tea on Tracy Arm day. and Brunch on the last day.

 

[Doingitagain]

I noticed you've cruised on DCL quite a bit. Are you platinum CC member? I was just wondering if you noticed whether there's brunch/tea at Palo on the last day since we don't get into Victoria until 6 pm. That's the speculation on the main board.

I went online for the Victoria day, and it showed that I could book any of the three Palo meals -- brunch, dinner, and tea.

 

[Travelbee]

I went online for the Victoria day, and it showed that I could book any of the three Palo meals -- brunch, dinner, and tea.

Thanks Doingitagain, that's very helpful. Laura, I was thinking just the opposite - brunch on Tracy Arm and tea on Victoria. Figure we'd be full from tea and skip dinner in main dining so we can explore Victoria from 6-10. Hopefully they won't have Disney Dreams on the same day as Victoria. I don't mind missing it but if my sister and family come, it'd be their first cruise and really should see the show.

 

[ame]

Any one able to make their excursion reservations yet?


What is everyone else doing?

We're not able to book yet but have been in many discussions.

Skagway. Yukon expedition
Juneau. We want to do Mt Roberts Tramway and haven't decided on what else to do?
Ketchikan. Lumberjack Show and prob just walk around. Ketchikan waterfront looks cute albeit kitschy.
Victoria. We're going to walk around the waterfront towards the Empress than back via a supermarket so my DS can pick up his favourite Canadian sweets. We were there in December last year so he just wants to get off the ship and walk around.

So excited and can't wait to book excursions. I have the date in my google calendar with an alert the day before! But I don't think I'll be forgetting.

 

[OregonMom]

Question and answers...

Name and DIS Name OregonMom - Nancy, Mike (DH), and Ruby (DD 11 yrs)
Where do you live? Eugene, Oregon
How many Disney Cruises have you been on? This is our first!
What is your favorite Disney Character? I've always been fond of Belle, since she's a reader
What will you be reading on the cruise (Ha.. if you have time to read?) Will load up my Nook, and we'll see! I like non-fiction science and medical (just finished Emperor of All Maladies) and fantasy (Hunger Games, Game of Thrones, etc.), any other current fiction that sounds interesting.Coffee or Tea drinker or Neither? Why? Coffee, black, nothing fancy. Got used to it that way on camping trips!
How are you getting to Seattle? Driving up.
Plans in Seattle before or after the cruise? Just sleeping, then boarding
What are you most looking forward to on this cruise? Spending relaxing time with my family, and seeing the beauty of Alaska.
How do you plan to stay warm on the cruise? The way I do now, living in the Northwest ... wear layers, and be prepared for anything!
Any Cruise inside information you want to know about or that you know and would be willing to share with the group?
Favorite Food/ Dessert (are you a foodie and looking forward to eating on the cruise)? I am very much looking forward to any good food, you guys will have to point out the best bets for me.
Do you want to participate in FE? Sure, if we can!
Would you be willing to coordinate FE? Not this time, a newbie.
Is Frozen Fireworks a good representation of our cruise name? Sounds good to me!

Thanks! Nancy (OregonMom)

 

[OregonMom]

I'm interested in any information others may have about the Tween Club, since this is our first cruise, and our daughter will have just turned 11. She's a pretty young 11-year-old, still playing with Pokemon cards and Knex, so I'm hoping they'll have activities that are still good for the "in-betweeners" and not all teen wannabe types of activities (if it's all dancing and makeup/manicures, she'll be so out of there!). But she loves karaoke, so I'm assuming they'll probably have stuff like that!

Also, if anyone would like to have Tween Club kids get in touch ahead of time to chat via email before the cruise, that would be great! The cruise is a surprise for DD birthday June 14, so I'd have to setup email exchanges for after that date.

 

[Liblady]

Hi Oregon Mom,

We're going with our grands that are DGD 8 and DGS who is 11. I'm finding that most of the 11 year olds are girls. But I'm sure he'd like to get to know some Tween Club kids, also. It's our first Disney Cruise in 20 years. First for the Grands.

 

[Liblady]

We are NOW in for Fish Extenders!
Prepare for Seattle Chocolate...


I've done an Alaska cruise a couple of times with girlfriends, we always either stayed on the boat or went shopping at galleries and artist co-ops (always amazing jewelry with beadwork and natural rock).
This is the first time I'll do any excursions--saved those for going with DH!

We haven't booked anything yet, but we are thinking of...

Skagway--adults White Pass trip, then walking around the town. I've never been to this port, so it will be a new one!

Juneau--take the bus to Mendenhall Glacier on our own, hitting the street food near the port, checking out the artist co-ops. Maybe going up the tram at Mt. Roberts. Every time I've been there, there was cloud cover, so I didn't go up.

Ketchikan--float plane in the Misty Fjords. Really, REALLY looking forward to this one. I know a lot of people like the lumberjack show, and it's also nice to walk around the creek area. There's one really great book store that is a must see. This is the one port where I want to make sure to book through Disney. It's such a short time there, I don't want to have to pay the fine if things run late.

Victoria--staying on the boat. We go there every August for DHs birthday, so we will enjoy the food we've already paid for! I would highly HIGHLY recommend Butchart gardens... so beautiful.

Hi Bunless, I was surprised about the port time in Victoria. We wanted to go the Bushart Gardens, but I'm guessing that won't happen. Just means we'll have to go back another time.