July 26, 2011 – 7 Night Alaska ~ Bears, Whales, Eagles and Ducks. Oh My!

[MrsMork]

Just wanted to say hi - my little family will also be joining the cruise from SK- so soon, can't wait!
Cory DH (37)
Kara (36)
Liam (3)

Welcome!!!!

 

[brackjr]

Getting closer!

We have too much to do in the 10 days left.

 

[MrsMork]

Getting closer!

We have too much to do in the 10 days left.

Oh my!! I am not even beginning to be ready. There is just SO much going on here. I have at least 2, sometimes 3, appts every week with my mom (PT, dentist, dr, etc, etc, etc!). We just can't seem to grab a break this year. I will be so, so, so glad when 2011 is over and done! It will be nice to be away for a whole week!

 

[3princessMommy]

Getting closer!

We have too much to do in the 10 days left.

Almost done with the FE gifts! Hope everyone likes them.

We're already packed and traveling, so now I just have to curtail any other souvenir buying along the way...

 

[ariel39]

Lisa, you do realize that you will not be getting any sympathy from us west coast folks who have to fly all the time!!! Our turn to just drive over this time.

Yep I second that, LOL

 

[brackjr]

Getting closer!

We have too much to do in the 10 days left.

Oh my!! I am not even beginning to be ready. There is just SO much going on here. I have at least 2, sometimes 3, appts every week with my mom (PT, dentist, dr, etc, etc, etc!). We just can't seem to grab a break this year. I will be so, so, so glad when 2011 is over and done! It will be nice to be away for a whole week!

Annette just had two additional items added to our list.

Friday she has an ultrasound of her heart and then on Monday (4 days before we leave) she has a heart catherization. Our family doctor sent her to a cardiologist to rule out what looked like a minor blip but he saw more than that (asked her if she had ever had a heart attack!). He is still not alarmed but wanted to rule out any problems before we left.

 

[lbgraves]

Will keep Annette in my thoughts and prayers, Brack. (((HUGS))) Good thoughts and lots of PD!

Angie, yes, I know we are spoiled. The plane tickets almost cost us being able to go on this cruise. If we had paid for them instead of using points, they would have cost more than our SPH!

 

[MrsMork]

Annette just had two additional items added to our list.

Friday she has an ultrasound of her heart and then on Monday (4 days before we leave) she has a heart catherization. Our family doctor sent her to a cardiologist to rule out what looked like a minor blip but he saw more than that (asked her if she had ever had a heart attack!). He is still not alarmed but wanted to rule out any problems before we left.

Oh, Brack!! Prayers going your way. We are assuming her cardiologist knows she plans to fly 4 days post cath??? Please assure her, from Dennis' experience, that a cardiac cath is less bothersome than a root canal.

 

[bbaltes]

Hey Gang -

I've looked at the reviews on DisBoards about the excursions and came across conflicting information about weight limit on the helicopter rides. I am over 250 pounds, and am concerned that I might not be able to go?

Also, I saw some reports that mosquitoes don't stop pestering until August. Is anyone bringing a lot of supplies to fight off the insects? Is having the verandah door open going to be a problem?

Ben

 

[brackjr]

Hey Gang -

I've looked at the reviews on DisBoards about the excursions and came across conflicting information about weight limit on the helicopter rides. I am over 250 pounds, and am concerned that I might not be able to go?

Also, I saw some reports that mosquitoes don't stop pestering until August. Is anyone bringing a lot of supplies to fight off the insects? Is having the verandah door open going to be a problem?

Ben

We hadn't planned on any repellent. Maybe this is a good reason for having booked an inside cabin!

 

[brackjr]

Will keep Annette in my thoughts and prayers, Brack. (((HUGS))) Good thoughts and lots of PD!

Oh, Brack!! Prayers going your way. We are assuming her cardiologist knows she plans to fly 4 days post cath??? Please assure her, from Dennis' experience, that a cardiac cath is less bothersome than a root canal.

Thanks for the prayers and the PD!

I told him about going to Vancouver for an Alaska cruise and did he have a problem. His answer was "I'll have less of a problem with it if she has this procedure." He did say that she could not carry anything in the hand they are using so I would be carrying her luggage for her. They are going to insert the cath in her wrist and he says it is much easier than it used to be when they used the thigh. I'll be sure to tell Annette what Dennis said.

 

[plutojudy]

We will keep Annette in out thoughts and prayers.

 

[MrsMork]

Hey Gang -

I've looked at the reviews on DisBoards about the excursions and came across conflicting information about weight limit on the helicopter rides. I am over 250 pounds, and am concerned that I might not be able to go?

Also, I saw some reports that mosquitoes don't stop pestering until August. Is anyone bringing a lot of supplies to fight off the insects? Is having the verandah door open going to be a problem?

Ben

Perhaps you can call DCL and get a number for the helicopter company and ask about the weight before you are commited to going.

I've heard that fabric softener sheets in your pockets will keep the skeeters away. I plan to try it out on our local Montana ones before we go. Hope it works. And we also have an inside stateroom so no worries on ship, just on excursions.

Thanks for the prayers and the PD!

I told him about going to Vancouver for an Alaska cruise and did he have a problem. His answer was "I'll have less of a problem with it if she has this procedure." He did say that she could not carry anything in the hand they are using so I would be carrying her luggage for her. They are going to insert the cath in her wrist and he says it is much easier than it used to be when they used the thigh. I'll be sure to tell Annette what Dennis said.

Great to hear they are not going thru the femoral artery. I was worried about clots on the flight. Glad they have improved the procedure even more. Dennis had a kidney one less than a year ago and they went in, again!, thru the femoral artery. Sixth time and he told them he was hesitant because of scar tissue there, but they insisted and sure enough they had a hard time of it because of scar tissue. It was the VA though, not a local real doc. He has quite a story about that experience. He did say that if he ever has to do it again he will definately get it done thru a private clinic.

 

[3princessMommy]

No balcony for us either - so no worries there. THought I might get some of those Off clip ons. I heard they were useful at keeping the biters away for previous cruisers on excursions.

Finishing the last FE! Yeah!!! (Now, I've got to label everything....)

 

[memowse9]

Hey Gang -

I've looked at the reviews on DisBoards about the excursions and came across conflicting information about weight limit on the helicopter rides. I am over 250 pounds, and am concerned that I might not be able to go?

Also, I saw some reports that mosquitoes don't stop pestering until August. Is anyone bringing a lot of supplies to fight off the insects? Is having the verandah door open going to be a problem?

Ben

From my understanding, if you exceed the 250 pound limit they make you pay for another seat. But I don't know this first hand. This was the reason we decided not to do flightseeing. My husband hovers right around the limit and we didn't want to risk it. I would call them to double check.....

 

[memowse9]

Hi all! I am going to test out the Off clip ons this weekend when we go camping. I'll let you know how I make out with them.....

AND.....ta da! The fish extender gifts are finally done! I may have chosen some different gifts if I had known how much time they would take! But, I think everyone will like them......just don't tell me if you don't (I may cry).

 

[lbgraves]

Hey Gang -

Also, I saw some reports that mosquitoes don't stop pestering until August. Is anyone bringing a lot of supplies to fight off the insects? Is having the verandah door open going to be a problem?

Ben

You aren't supposed to keep the verandah door open so they shouldn't affect your stateroom. There is a sign up on the door frame and I think one cruise we had a letter/note in the stateroom to that effect. It messes up the heating/cooling system in the room, is one reason we were told they post that.

 

[ariel39]

The Vancouver FAQ thread has what people have gotten for the stars and approval ratings. Right now the 5 star in downtown west with a 90% approval is the Pan Pacific. If it is 80% it is Sutten or Sutter...I forget which. The 4 star with 90% approval is the Sheraton Wall. Those are the two we booked.

Lisa

Can you help me again? We are trying to get the 23rd and 24th. We want to start early.....When I look at hotwire I get downtown vancouver west 5 star 85%, could that be Pan Pacific?

Help

Thanks
Kathie

 

[ariel39]

FE almost done, New Luggage came and my mom ended up in the hospital today. Hopefully she will be released tomorrow, but 11 days before we leave, UGH............

 

[lbgraves]

Lisa

Can you help me again? We are trying to get the 23rd and 24th. We want to start early.....When I look at hotwire I get downtown vancouver west 5 star 85%, could that be Pan Pacific?

Help

Thanks
Kathie

No, that is the Sutton or something like that. Pan is 90%. I haven't seen it available for a couple weeks.

I just checked and the 4 star at 90% is the Wall Center Sheraton. We are staying there on the 23rd because I couldn't get the Pan for that night. It is just .8 miles from the port and looks very nice. The 5 star hotel is Sutton. I have no idea what the 5 star condo is, haven't seen that listed anywhere before.