July 12, 2011 - Sailing to Alaska is WONDERful style!!!

[Stitch#1]

Did not even think of ordering individual city guides.... back to google I go.

I am starting to brainstorm on FE gifts now.. I would like to start those this summer.

I'm with you there sister! I actually already picked up one item for the FE gifts! LOL!!!

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

We booked today

Sean(43)
Crystal(33)
Daytona(8)
Geoffrey(5)

Plus my brother, his kids and mother.

Second cruise for us. We went on a Western Carribean seven day cruise in 2005. I have lived my entire life in Vancouver and Victoria, BC, so if you have any questions, ask away.

 

[slg]

We live in Victoria, but I'm originally from Vancouver too! I also have an 8 year old! Wow. Although we're older, dh and I are 46 and our children are 14, 11, and 8. All boys.

Great to go on a disney adventure without flying.

We're about to go to the Baltic and a little worried about the volcano!

 

[PE_TCR]

Just a reminder - Join us on Facebook!

As far as weather - it can be ANYTHING. I have been on an Alaska cruise before. One day we were in parkas, sweatshirts, and bundled in blankets on deck. The next day we were in the pool looing for any way possible to cool off. It is usually chillier on the water tan on land and the further inland you get the warmer it is. We his 95 degrees up in Fairbanks actually.

My biggest suggestion - bring raingear! It will rain while we are in Alaska. Most of the Alaskan coast is a temperate rainforest. The funny thing is Alsakans are proud of it. They call it liquid sunshine.

 

[crzy4dals]

We booked today

Sean(43)
Crystal(33)
Daytona(8)
Geoffrey(5)

Plus my brother, his kids and mother.

Second cruise for us. We went on a Western Carribean seven day cruise in 2005. I have lived my entire life in Vancouver and Victoria, BC, so if you have any questions, ask away.

Welcome to the group. I am traveling with my sis and her family and our parents..... Great time to come.

 

[crzy4dals]

372 days until we cruise!

Happy 4th of July!

 

[princess81499]

One year to go!!!!!!

Anyone else from the East Coast?
We are still trying to decide if we should travel to Seattle first, then Vancouver or fly straight to Vancuver.

 

[FirstTimeCruiser]

Hi everyone,
We'll be joining you on this cruise! Myself, DH and DS Mason (age 7). Also traveling with us are my parents and my in-laws. Both my family and my parents will be participating in FE's! We're from Southern Calif and really looking forward to going to Alaska! Is it too early to ask this, but has someone started a FE master list or anything?
Suzy'

 

[kiddisney]

hi princess - we're from the east coast - actually a little north of you in the meadowlands - we're trying to decide which to do also - but i think that we'll look at air fares before we decide - both are beautiful places - but we're thinking of going early (saturday) and touring until tuesday - so we think that what we'll save in airfare going to the cheapest city will pay for the hotel - right now it looks like air canada would be the best - but continental is not open as of yet - we'll keep updates when we move on flights and hotels - and cities

 

[princess81499]

hi princess - we're from the east coast - actually a little north of you in the meadowlands - we're trying to decide which to do also - but i think that we'll look at air fares before we decide - both are beautiful places - but we're thinking of going early (saturday) and touring until tuesday - so we think that what we'll save in airfare going to the cheapest city will pay for the hotel - right now it looks like air canada would be the best - but continental is not open as of yet - we'll keep updates when we move on flights and hotels - and cities

Hello - we are originally from Middlesex County so I feel comfortable with all of the NYC airports and Philly. Right now it is alot cheaper to fly to Seattle. I have looked at AirCanada out of Newark and the prices never seem to fluctuate. I think it is $327 per person each way. We would like to head to either location around Thursday/Friday the week before, and spend time exploring the Pacific Northwest.

I need to book airfare before 10/30 (hoping to alot sooner than that) to take advantage of my 3X Disney Rewards for Airline on my Disney Visa.

 

[2littlestitches]

Hi everyone! I posted way back in the fall about my family going on this cruise. I just got back from our cruise to the Baltic aboard the Disney Magic last night! It was such a wonderful cruise. Needless to say, I'm feeling sad that the Baltic cruise is over. So now, I'm going to focus on this cruise to Alaska to make me feel better, LOL! The Alaskan cruise will be our 6th Disney cruise.

I'm trying to join in on the Facebook discussion, too. Really looking forward to chatting with you all!

Kelley

 

[kiddisney]

Hello - we are originally from Middlesex County so I feel comfortable with all of the NYC airports and Philly. Right now it is alot cheaper to fly to Seattle. I have looked at AirCanada out of Newark and the prices never seem to fluctuate. I think it is $327 per person each way. We would like to head to either location around Thursday/Friday the week before, and spend time exploring the Pacific Northwest.

I need to book airfare before 10/30 (hoping to alot sooner than that) to take advantage of my 3X Disney Rewards for Airline on my Disney Visa.

Princess - forgot about the disney rewards - thanks for reminding me - i also want to get it done before the fall - but have to pay for two college tuitions in august - so it'll have to be september - hopefully the rates will be the same -

 

[princess81499]

WOOHOO: PreCruise hotel is booked. I made hotel arrangements for Sat (7/9/11) through Tuesday at PanPacific Vancouver. As of now I think we will fly directly to/from Vancouver from Newark.

There is still a chance of us doing Seattle Thurs/Fri, but I fel great that the Vancouver hotel is booked!

 

[njdisneyfans]

DD and I returned home to NJ (Essex County) on Friday after a few days in Blackpool, England after our Baltic cruise. Sunsets at 11:29pm -- how do Russian mothers get their children to go to bed at a decent hour??

Please do sign us up for the FE program. Also, you may wish to check out www.cruisecritic.com and search for their article, "Top 10 Must-Pack Items for Alaska" and also look at the Editors' Pick re: shore excursions.

Going through cruise withdrawal right now, but happy to know that another Disney cruise (the 5th for us!) is less than a year away. More than half the fun comes from the planning process. Thanks in advance to those who will post helpful hints!

Kind regards,
Maureen

 

[princess81499]

Also, you may wish to check out www.cruisecritic.com and search for their article, "Top 10 Must-Pack Items for Alaska" and also look at the Editors' Pick re: shore excursions.


Kind regards,
Maureen

I would love to read this, but having trouble finding it.

We are from NJ too!

 

[njdisneyfans]

(This list is taken from www.cruisecritic.com)

10. Hiking Boots -- You'll need a sturdy pair of hiking boots or shoes to tread upon Alaska's mountainous terrain.
9. Alarm Clock -- You wouldn't want to miss wildlife sightings or be the last off the ship in port, so it's important to rise and shine early on port days.
8. Collapsible Backpack (Gym Sack) -- Many of our members suggested taking a backpack that folds up and can be stored in your pocket until you need to use it (to store extra clothing layers that are peeled off or souvenirs bought in port). The sacks are very lightweight and have a drawstring to keep your belongings safely tucked away.
7. Motion Sickness Medicine -- The waters along the Pacific Coast and in Alaska can be particularly choppy, so if you get seasick, be prepared with a remedy.
6. Sunscreen -- Don't let the chilly temperatures fool you -- the sun's UV rays are strong in Alaska. Cruise Critic member UT-Volsfan says, "Definitely don't forget the sunscreen if you are going on a tour to one of the glaciers. The sun off of the ice can be very intense. On our first Alaska cruise, a couple came to the dinner table beside ours and had very red faces. They had not used sunscreen and had gotten cooked."
5. Memory Cards for the Camera -- Make sure to bring plenty of memory for all of the beautiful scenery you'll encounter in Alaska. Not only should you have back up memory cards.
4. Repellent -- Cruise Critic member Fl_Star says, "You must remember to bring insect repellent in the pump bottle. We brought the spray, only to have it confiscated by Alaska airlines. It cost me $9.75 to replace with another spray only to have it taken again. The mosquitoes are huge, so bring the repellent and make sure it's the pump."
3. Rain Gear -- Things like umbrellas, ponchos, raincoats with hoods and extra socks are advisable in case you get caught in a downpour. Member sue450 advises using a "waterproof rain jacket with a hood and a fleece jacket that zips up with a high collar (then you don't need a scarf or any turtle neck shirts). Wait to buy these in Ketchikan. They have excellent quality jackets for much less than I paid at home, and they have nice, simple Alaska logos on them. There are tons of stores right off the dock."
2. Binoculars -- While many members suggest taking binoculars with you on your Alaska cruise, the quality of them is the key. Cruise Critic member cantw8togo says, "Take the strongest binoculars that you have. You will see so much more of the wildlife that is farther away."
1. Layers -- Take light jackets, fleece clothing, a warm hat and gloves for layering in unpredictable weather. Cruise Critic member spirlene says, "Since weather varies even if you get the best, bring all possible options from short sleeves and shorts to long sleeves and rain gear. The coldest we were was on the ship looking at the glacier for hours. That's where I wore the earmuffs and hood for wind." Member marysb chimes in, "Don't buy fleece and windbreakers before you go. All of the ports sell jackets and fleece very inexpensively. They are nice souvenirs, but remember to leave room when you are packing to bring them home."

 

[kiddisney]

hi - just checking on flights & wondering whether you're all leaving from newark, ny, or philly - i'm finding that air canada is cheaper to vancouver than us airlines - does anyone else have suggestions for leaving from newark - discover card has 6 months no interest if you make reservations by sept. 15th - so i'm looking to book air by then - paying off on time is so much better than paying off in one month - thanks

 

[princess81499]

hi - just checking on flights & wondering whether you're all leaving from newark, ny, or philly - i'm finding that air canada is cheaper to vancouver than us airlines - does anyone else have suggestions for leaving from newark - discover card has 6 months no interest if you make reservations by sept. 15th - so i'm looking to book air by then - paying off on time is so much better than paying off in one month - thanks

I booked last week on Cathay Pacific (Asian airline that came highly recommended) direct flight out of JFK. We usually go out of Newark or Philly, but I saved almost $1300 by booking this flight. The total for 2 adults/2 kids was around $1700. I plan to leave my truck at my parent's house - we live in Ocean County, they are in Middlesex County), and take a car service in.

 

[kiddisney]

thanks, i'll look into cathay - another interesting option

 

[Bullseyebaby]

Hi Everyone,

Just checking in on this thread as I haven't done so in a while. We have 2 other cruises inbetween now & this Alaska cruise.

Janie (me)
Dave (DH)
Riley (DS-18 at cruise time)
Sierra (DD- 14 at cruise time)

Can't wait for Alaska..... I have always wanted to go & it's soon to be a wish come true!