Its time for THE BIG CHILL - The Olivers take on Alaska

[Elfinjojo]

Ok so we are a week away from our next big DCL adventure - we are sailing B2B in Alaska, and we can't wait!

So who are we?

The Olivers from the UK

This is DH - Rob and our DS-Evan(7yrs) taken on the MV of the Dream

Our DD Holly(9yrs) with her favourite Princess also taken on the Dream MV

And this is me - Jo - guess what - also taken on the Dream MV!!

This up and coming cruise will be mine and DH's 7th/8th Disney cruise and the kids 6th/7th - YES THEY MADE GOLD
We booked this whilst on the MV of the Dream as Alaska is somewhere we have always wanted to see, and the opportunity to do it during our favourite way to holiday was too good to pass on!

However the kids don't know that we are B2B As far as they are aware we are sailing on the 16th for one week - but thats not so, we have an extra week to experience everything DH is super lovely and is often surprising us with "extras", with the very first trip with DCL being a surprise tag on to our WDW trip a few years ago, and a surprise B2B for the kids on the Med cruise last summer
So week 2 will be a surprise for them and we have one more surprise for them this year - we are sailing DCL for christmas AND New Year B2B (they think we are only doing NY)

So why do the same trip twice in as many weeks? Well Alaska is such a long way for us to travel to(flight to Vancouver is over 10hrs alone) and there is so much to actually experience in the ports of call that we just couldn't possibly fit it all in to 7 nights, hence the B2B.

So now you know who we are and why we are taking this trip - I hope you will stick along with me on this PTR / TR.

Tomorrow I start the official countdown - 1 week until our adventure begins, so I will post along for the week and then pick up again at the beginning of september with my TR and hopefully some stunning pictures to go with.

Happy reading

 

[Grammy Grumpy]

Sounds like an awesome trip! Sorry we'll miss you by one week as DH and I will experience the last DCL Alaska trip of the season. Will be watching to hear what excursions and other adventures you have ahead of you.

 

[Elfinjojo]

Sounds like an awesome trip! Sorry we'll miss you by one week as DH and I will experience the last DCL Alaska trip of the season. Will be watching to hear what excursions and other adventures you have ahead of you.

Thanks for following, I will try and leave some pixie dust on the Wonder for you for your trip.

I will be back later with some info of our plans for this trip, as you will already be cruising as I report back.

 

[snarfieca]

We're also on your 2nd cruise. I'm really looking forward to it.

Brenda
from MB (Manitoba Canada)

 

[Elfinjojo]

We're also on your 2nd cruise. I'm really looking forward to it.

Brenda
from MB (Manitoba Canada)

How exciting - I think we are in for a real treat with this cruise

 

[Elfinjojo]

This time next week(11.30pm UK time 3.30pm Vancouver time) We should still be in the air, with just a few more hours til we land in Vancouver

So today I have started to tick off on the chores list, with some housework attended to, a stop at the doctors to pick up a prescription request for meds that I need to bring with me and packing up the FE's and making sure they are all labled ready for delivery

The kids are busy helping around the house to "earn" their kids club timeThey believe its their given right to spend the entire cruise in the clubs, well of course it is - its their holiday too, but shhh! don't tell them , they are being so helpful Today they have tidyed their rooms both before and after a playdate(which left them a little trashed), without any arguments at all - which is the norm here!

When we get to Vancouver it will be mid evening, so I am guessing its straight to the hotel and a well earned sleep in readyness for the sailaway

Well goodnight - for tomorrow is another day, and there will be one less sleep to go

 

[snarfieca]

Are you guys affected by the riots at all? It sure looks scary on the news

Brenda
from MB

 

[Elfinjojo]

Hi Brenda

I feel really pround to be British right now - NOT!
we are not directly effected by the riots where we are, we live about 35miles north of London, but its scary all the same.

What started out as a protest riot against police for shooting a young man dead, has progressed into mainly the youth taking it upon themselves to insite criminal damage and looting - it is no longer rioting for the sake of protest!

Its hard to believe that just a few months ago the country was united in celebrating the Royal wedding and now this! Its shameful!

 

[Elfinjojo]

Its getting nearer.....

This morning Rob finally got the cases out of the loft I forgot how big they are - hmm not sure we have enough to fill them
We also checked the big coats that we bought specially for the trip back along still fit the kids! thankfully they do. We all have duck down filled jackets and then a waterproof/windproof that will if needs be fit over the first jacket.

The kids are still being good and earning their "time" Yesterday they both helped to bake cupcakes(to use up the eggs) they did a good job. Today they have been playing so nicely(without the aid of a DS or the Wii - proper playing for once)

Apart from the cases come down and me checking in on here I have done nothing else towards the trip, bit too chilled here I fear

Tomorrow I plan on kicking Rob and the kids out for the day and knuckling down to getting these cases packed - wish me luck!

 

[iloverags2]

Good luck packing the cases! Looking forward to hearing all about your holiday!

 

[K8T]

I will be reading with great interest!

We booked Alaska for next year out of Seattle when we were on the Magic a couple of weeks ago.

I will be interested to hear what trips you do (do you plan DIY or DCL?) and what clothes you actually needed.

Also how the kids manage without being able to use the pool, our dd will be 7 by the time we sail and just 'lives' for the Mickey Pool!.

Safe journey.

Kate

 

[Elfinjojo]

Good luck packing the cases! Looking forward to hearing all about your holiday!

Thanks for reading

I will be reading with great interest!

We booked Alaska for next year out of Seattle when we were on the Magic a couple of weeks ago.

I will be interested to hear what trips you do (do you plan DIY or DCL?) and what clothes you actually needed.

Also how the kids manage without being able to use the pool, our dd will be 7 by the time we sail and just 'lives' for the Mickey Pool!.

Safe journey.

Kate

Thanks for reading. I will be posting a list of the trips we have planned in the next few days and of course I will review them when we return. We have booked thru DCL rather than independant. Dh feels that at least if anything goes wrong on a DCL trip then we can be compensated or if we run the risk of missing depature from port on a trip day then we know that DCL will do its best to wait for us.

My Kids are not huge pool fans - they will use the pool but prefer to be in the clubs - very strange! Not sure they will miss it

 

[Shanny145]

Hi Jo, We will be sailing with you guys the week of the 23rd! I will be following along!

 

[Elfinjojo]

Sorry have been really busy for the last few days so have not had chance to add to the PTR

Friday afternoon/evening DH and I left the children with my parents and headed into London (fortunately no sign of any trouble - but plenty of police presence)

We had tickets for the Proms (a season of classical/orchestral music which is an annual tradition in the UK) held at The Royal Albert Hall. We have ever been before but have always wanted to experience it. Our Promperformance was "The Spaghetti Prom" with music based on films like "The Good , The Bad and The Ugly", and "A fist full ofdollars" etc.....it was reallly entertaining. The performance didn't start til 10pm, so beofre had we had a wander round London, stopped in at Harrods(Londons biggest and poshest department store) and had a cream tea, and had a nice evening meal in the resturant of the Royal Albert Hall. A lovely evening all in!

Saturday(yesterday) I pakced DH's case and sorted the clothes for mine, and finally packed that late last night after printing out the magnets for this cruise.(Thank you Jordak for the DISigns). So apart from the toiletries and a few electrical bits and bobs, the cases are all done.

Today I have spent the morning changing the beds and laundering the bedding, the kids will be getting in the bath after dinner, and I shall be cleaning the kitchen and the lounge beofre ironing the last few items in the pile so that I don't have anything to return to other than what we bring back with us!

So I think we could all be set ready for the morning

up next -our itinerary

 

[Elfinjojo]

So here is how our next two weeks are going to look

Week 1:
Monday

• Last minute packing
• DH to Dentist
• Dogs to Kennels
• Travel to airport
• 5pm ish - depart for Vancouver
• 7pm ish Vancouver time - LAND!!
• Find Hotel and Sleep!

Tuesday - embark and get ready to party at sailaway!
Wednesday -Sea Day - Palo's for dinner
Thursday - TRACY ARM
Friday - SKAGWAY - Liarsville Gold rush and Salmon bake(DCL)
Saturday - JUNEAU - exclusive Whale watch and Mendenhall Glacier trip(DCL)
Sunday - KETCHIKAN - Lumberjack show with DCL exclusive(think we do the totum pole park with this one)
Monday - Sea day - Palo Brunch
Tuesday - disembark - possible exclusive B2Bers excursion buit not sure what otherwise we will do Vancouver alone

Week 2
Tuesday - re-embark
Wednesday - Sea day - Palo - High tea
Thursday - TRACY ARM - 2nd Viewing
Friday - SKAGWAY - White Pass Railway with childrens exclusive activity
Saturday - JUNEAU - Sled dog and Mushers camp
Sunday - KETCHIKAN - DH is doing the Crab fishing with crew dinner, the kids and I will please ourselves
Monday - Sea Day - Palo Brunch
Tuesday - disembark and fly home

We really lucked out with Palo's this trip

Ok so this will be the last PTR entry - see you on the other side with a full review

 

[iloverags2]

Looks like a totally awesome plan!

Sounds like a fabulous eveing at Royal Albert Hall. What a great way to gear up for two weeks of cruising Disney. Safe travels and have a wonderful time!