July 15, 2013- WONDER if a Mickey Bar will melt in Alaska?

[GMaw1]

Bryan and I want to participate in the FE adventure. We will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary, thus - Bryan is 71 and I am 70, but we still enjoy doing fun and silly things - did the FE on our last cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it!!! Just will be the 2 of us, so please add us to the list! How many people (kids and adults are we looking at? I have already started getting goodies together, but need to get magnets for door since we have been told no more tape or sticky stuff on the doors. Anyone got any ideas where we can get the type of magnets they want us to use?

 

[GMaw1]

I will do some single gifts for each family person, but also will do some family group gifts......too much stuff to take for each person.....also, put us down for the meet and greet by the poolside!

 

[GMaw1]

We will be in STateroom 6654, so we should be close neighbors.

 

[AZMermaid]

Yay- I added you to the list.

As far as magnets go, I have read to either print on Magnetic paper or print on card stock, laminate, and then add magnets to the back. I will likely be doing the latter, but I am a teacher so I have easy access to a laminator!

I am pretty stoked to finally be able to book stuff this week.

 

[AZMermaid]

Here is the link to the current FE list. Cut-off to join is 6/1/13 so we have plenty of time to plan for those participating!

 

[globalgoofies]

Welcome GMAW1!! We're glad to have y'all on the trip
Congrats on your anniversary! We're from Texas (but my husband is from South Carolina)

 

[time for travel]

Hi All,
Getting excited about the trip......added some Port Adventures!!! Also, I noticed that our stateroom number isn't on the FE list....so, here it is!!
Carol and Carina 6549 ~aka ~ Time for Travel !
We will be doing family gifts as well as some individual......I'm already concerned about the packing as I think.....layers, layers, layers!!!! Oh, I'm used to warm weather on vacations!!! By the way, for those of you taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver......please tell me some hotels near the train, as I hear it leaves very early....am I right???? We still haven't decided if we will fly into Vancouver or Seattle or what!

 

[CruznLexi]

I am flying into Seattle while the rest of our group flies into YVR. FF on SW I am also seeing my BF after the cruise too. I am staying at the Hampton Inn near Seatac I think it is on 28th. It does not have a shuttle to DT but the light rail is very close and they will shuttle you there they will also take you seatac too. I am getting a taxi to Amtrak. I just think early in the am that is the way to go. I got a AAA rate of 98 or $110 with taxes so even with taxi I am still ahead of the game. Most of the DT hotels are in the $200 range. We stayed 06 at the SilverCloud Lake union for our RCI cruise and was great as they would shuttle you to DT but I do not think most are operating that early. I did get the train ride with AAA discount too.

 

[GMaw1]

Got our excursions booked and I am beginning to work on FE. My DIL recommended that on a 7-day cruise just doing several things - like lst day out, then maybe middle of cruise and towards end - too much stuff to take for everyone for everyday.....that is what she and my son do when they cruise and they do lots of cruises. When is our "Meet & Greet" afternoon? Certainly want to get involved in that.

 

[AZMermaid]

ACK!!!! I just tried to do my reservations and the website is undergoing maintenance.

 

[wondernewbie]

On the Dis Boards, under Disney cruise line, it says that the ships are now posting notices saying no over the door hanging organizers are allowed as it may make scratches. It also states that if it does, they will charge you $100. Does anyone have more information about this?

 

[wondernewbie]

Does this not apply to us as we are not hanging it over the door but on the fish? Wanted to confirm and we are excited, too.

 

[AZMermaid]

my understanding is fish extender stuff is still totally fine, but the actual shoe racks that hang on the doors are no longer allowed. Bummer since I bought one a month or so ago. I might jerry-rig something with a hanger and hang that from the robe hook.

 

[wondernewbie]

thank you...was a little worried as we are excited to be a part of the fish extenders.

 

[ducksquack]

Just happened to look at page one (now there are 17) of our postings and one of them said 10 months to go. Now we're down to days! We have three excursions booked. Noted that some on the dcl offerings guarentee to see whales or $100 back. Most people on an Alaskan adventure want to see bears but i'm not sure the bears want to see us.

About the meet and greet. Probably would be best to do it the day after we set sail as embarcation day is hectic at best. Believe our first day is a free day at sea well as close to at sea as we'll get on this cruise. Still some time for us to think about it. Any others from the Maryland area in our group?

Everyone take care and stay healthy,
cheers,
Ducksquack

 

[GMaw1]

Just re-reading lots of the messages and I thought I would mention that my daughter-in-law had a good suggestion for large groups on the 7-day cruises (they cruise lots) - she said she usually does just 3-4 gifts - maybe one the first night out, then the middle of the cruise and then one for the last night and maybe one in between for something special.....also, she commented that usually she does a family gift one of the nights - when the group is large and you are trying to buy, make, etc, it can get very $$$$ plus cumbersome to pack.....also, great idea to let us know if you are experiencing a special event - like my husband and I will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary.....hope this helps! We are so excited and can't wait to meet everyone. Do you know when and where our "Meet and Greet" will be????? Also interested in meeting others from GA and also MS (our home state)...

 

[GMaw1]

The idea of an informal place for a meet and greet works for me. That way we are not locked into anything.
cheers,
ducksquack

I like the idea of a more informal meet and greet place......not get locked into a particular room, etc.

 

[AZMermaid]

Phew- got it done! We got the excursions, Palo brunch and nursery times we wanted. I was going to book Palo brunch for my inlaws on the last sea day and that was booked, but that was the only minor hiccup- they are booked on Tracy Arm day instead, a half hour behind us!

 

[tink too]

Congrats on getting all the ressies you wanted!

 

[ducksquack]

Hi all,
Was just looking to see if Cruise Critic had anything of interest. As a matter of fact they have a bunch of info under the title "welcome ashore
alaska" Maybe worth a look at. Of particular interest was 10 things to take with you.
everyone stay well and take care
cheers,
ducksquack