July 5, 2011 - Mickey's WONDERful Alaskan Adventure

[Doingitagain]

Sorry, I have been out of touch for a while! Things have been so busy that I have forced myself away from the boards because I had to focus on other things.

We are still on the cruise: Me, DH, DD22 and DS19. DD22 has three girlfriends from other cruises and they love the band scene in the evening, so tell your 20-somethings that there will be fun! DS19 will probably be with the college age group.

We will not be participating in the FE.

Our excursions are:
Skagway: Laughton Glacier Wilderness Hike and Rail Adventure (Seasonal) 7:15AM to 4:45PM
I am a bit nervous about this one, a 6-8 hour hike!

Juneau: Whale Watching, Salmon Bake and Mendenhall Glacier - Adult Only Departure 10:45AM to 5:15PM

Ketchikan: Misty Fjords Boat and Floatplane Adventure 2:00PM to 6:00PM

We tried to mix it up and do a land, air, ocean and glacier excursions to get a taste of everything.

We only booked a Palo brunch on Tracy Arm day, no dinner or tea. We enjoy the dining rotation.

We are flying to Vancouver on July 1 and staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. I have spent the past few days researching Vancouver and potential activities. July 1 is Canada Day, so I would like to have a special dinner and watch the fireworks. We are not renting a car and will be walking a lot.

Sounds like we pay DCL $8/person to take our bags from the Fairmont Pacific Rim, and we just walk to the port when we are ready. We had purchased transfers, but DCL contacted us and said we could just walk and save money. Since we check in at the hotel, we can board right away without having to check in again.

 

[tksbaskets]

Sorry, I have been out of touch for a while! Things have been so busy that I have forced myself away from the boards because I had to focus on other things.

We are still on the cruise: Me, DH, DD22 and DS19. DD22 has three girlfriends from other cruises and they love the band scene in the evening, so tell your 20-somethings that there will be fun! DS19 will probably be with the college age group.

We will not be participating in the FE.

Our excursions are:
Skagway: Laughton Glacier Wilderness Hike and Rail Adventure (Seasonal) 7:15AM to 4:45PM
I am a bit nervous about this one, a 6-8 hour hike!

Juneau: Whale Watching, Salmon Bake and Mendenhall Glacier - Adult Only Departure 10:45AM to 5:15PM

Ketchikan: Misty Fjords Boat and Floatplane Adventure 2:00PM to 6:00PM

We tried to mix it up and do a land, air, ocean and glacier excursions to get a taste of everything.

We only booked a Palo brunch on Tracy Arm day, no dinner or tea. We enjoy the dining rotation.

We are flying to Vancouver on July 1 and staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. I have spent the past few days researching Vancouver and potential activities. July 1 is Canada Day, so I would like to have a special dinner and watch the fireworks. We are not renting a car and will be walking a lot.

Sounds like we pay DCL $8/person to take our bags from the Fairmont Pacific Rim, and we just walk to the port when we are ready. We had purchased transfers, but DCL contacted us and said we could just walk and save money. Since we check in at the hotel, we can board right away without having to check in again.

Glad to hear that there are some more college aged young people on board. I did see from a posted navigator that there is a college get together each day.

Our excursions:
Skagway:
Takshanuk Mountain Trail by 4x4.
7:15 am to 1:45 pm
I've read good things about this one on the DIS boards

Juneau: Whale Watching, Salmon Bake & Mendenhall Glacier - Adult Departure
10:15 am to 4:45 pm
I have read mixed reviews. Some say the boat is too crowded, some the amount of people OK. Mostly that the hour at the glacier is rushed

Ketchikan: Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour
3:45 pm to 7:30 pm
I've read great things about this tour.

 

[WDWLVR]

Happy Memorial Day
A great big thank you to all who have served so we have the freedoms we have.
​

 

[Doingitagain]

Juneau: Whale Watching, Salmon Bake & Mendenhall Glacier - Adult Departure
10:15 am to 4:45 pm
I have read mixed reviews. Some say the boat is too crowded, some the amount of people OK. Mostly that the hour at the glacier is rushed

[/I]

For the reviews, do you know if they were specific to the Adult Only departure? I had Shoreside Concierge check with the tour operator before I booked it, and they told us the following:

You had asked a while ago about the size of the vessel for the Juneau port adventure and I wanted to let you know that we finally got a reply from the vendor. Sorry for the delay.

The vendor advised the vessel they use holds 18 passengers – which is the size of our group space and would about the length of a school bus – for reference.​

I know the Mendenhall Glacier will be rushed, we plan to go right to a hike and skip the visitors center, assuming we can do research on our own. We had to make choices between the three days of excursions.

If we think we are tight on port time, looks like the next season of DCL Alaska cruising will have even less.

 

[BLTOH]

we didn't book anything. playing it all by ear. we do our a fishing charter reserved on our own for skagway but that is it. with this being dad's first ever cruise and the chemo and meds hes doing we would just go with the flow and not overwhelm him.


second note. I was just going thru and double checking the list for FE. I have column for a meet ( when we was talking about meeting the first day we board before we sail) are we still doing this or should I remove this from the list?

 

[BLTOH]

Speaking of Palo when is everyone booked?

We're doing brunch on our Tracy Arm day, dinner on Ketchikan evening and high tea on our last sea day.

No Palo for us. I have always made sure to eat as a family and since dd can't do Palo it's not an option for me. and dad says he doesnt want to dress up that bad to try it

 

[belle26]

Sounds like a fun group! My DH and I are celebrating our 24th while on-board (7/11)

We're celebrating our 24th also - this is going to be a celebrating group!!

 

[belle26]

We're doing Pa;o on the Tracy Arms day also, and the brunch on the last sea day.

If anyone else needs green ribbons, just let me know - I have 2 rolls of green ribbon!
Anyone dressing up for pirate night? That's a big favorite with my husband, for some reason he really gets into it. We may be the only 2 dressed like pirates, but he couldn't care less.

 

[WDWLVR]

second note. I was just going thru and double checking the list for FE. I have column for a meet ( when we was talking about meeting the first day we board before we sail) are we still doing this or should I remove this from the list?

I'd be up for a meet on board. We've done it on many of our cruises, but I will admit that this thread has been very very quiet compared to most I've been involved with. So maybe everyone just wants to do their own thing.

I think you were also talking about a meet the night before we sail at the Pan Pacific...how many are up for that?

 

[belle26]

Just let us know ere and when to meet!

 

[tksbaskets]

For the reviews, do you know if they were specific to the Adult Only departure? I had Shoreside Concierge check with the tour operator before I booked it, and they told us the following:

You had asked a while ago about the size of the vessel for the Juneau port adventure and I wanted to let you know that we finally got a reply from the vendor. Sorry for the delay.

The vendor advised the vessel they use holds 18 passengers – which is the size of our group space and would about the length of a school bus – for reference.​

I know the Mendenhall Glacier will be rushed, we plan to go right to a hike and skip the visitors center, assuming we can do research on our own. We had to make choices between the three days of excursions.

If we think we are tight on port time, looks like the next season of DCL Alaska cruising will have even less.

I don't think it was the adult only. Here is the link. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2724692&page=2 The OP said that their table mates went on the Salmon one and it was "OK". I think we'll keep it booked.

 

[Doingitagain]

I don't think it was the adult only. Here is the link. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2724692&page=2 The OP said that their table mates went on the Salmon one and it was "OK". I think we'll keep it booked.

I wasn't too sure about the Salmon Bake, but thought since we were in Alaska we should try it. The Salmon Bake is at the end of the excursion, and the notes say that shuttle buses run regularly so we can leave as soon as we want.

 

[tksbaskets]

I wasn't too sure about the Salmon Bake, but thought since we were in Alaska we should try it. The Salmon Bake is at the end of the excursion, and the notes say that shuttle buses run regularly so we can leave as soon as we want.

That's good news!! Thanks

 

[PURTYPAT1]

We're doing Pa;o on the Tracy Arms day also, and the brunch on the last sea day.

If anyone else needs green ribbons, just let me know - I have 2 rolls of green ribbon!
Anyone dressing up for pirate night? That's a big favorite with my husband, for some reason he really gets into it. We may be the only 2 dressed like pirates, but he couldn't care less.

My husband & I have reservations for Palo Brunch 10:30 am on Tracy Arms day too!! Yum Yum!!

I have a Kelly green bow, can I get away with wearing it?

I'd be up for a meet on board. We've done it on many of our cruises, but I will admit that this thread has been very very quiet compared to most I've been involved with. So maybe everyone just wants to do their own thing.

I think you were also talking about a meet the night before we sail at the Pan Pacific...how many are up for that?

Yes, I have been thinking the same. Our thread is very quite compared to the others I've been on.

I just finished my FE and I think everyone will like my gifts!! I will not be on the boat until around 3:00 if you have a meet any time after that, please include me!!!! I would love to meet our group.

 

[tksbaskets]

Yes, I have been thinking the same. Our thread is very quite compared to the others I've been on.

I just finished my FE and I think everyone will like my gifts!! I will not be on the boat until around 3:00 if you have a meet any time after that, please include me!!!! I would love to meet our group.

I'm sure we'll love the gifts!! When we went on our last cruise to the Mexican Rivera in 2008 I don't think our thread ever got beyond three pages.

TK

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning my fellow Alaskan cruisers!​

​

We sail in 5 weeks!



​

 

[WDWLVR]

My husband & I have reservations for Palo Brunch 10:30 am on Tracy Arms day too!! Yum Yum!!

I have a Kelly green bow, can I get away with wearing it?



Yes, I have been thinking the same. Our thread is very quite compared to the others I've been on.

I just finished my FE and I think everyone will like my gifts!! I will not be on the boat until around 3:00 if you have a meet any time after that, please include me!!!! I would love to meet our group.

I'm sure you FE gift will be great. We've gotten some really nice things over the years. We just finalized ours yesterday.

I'm sure we'll love the gifts!! When we went on our last cruise to the Mexican Rivera in 2008 I don't think our thread ever got beyond three pages.

TK

Now that is what I call a quiet thread! Guess we've just been involved with so many really active threads that I'm not use to one this quiet. Each cruise has its own vibe and I have a feeling this is going to be a great one.

 

[belle26]

I have a Kelly green bow, can I get away with wearing it?

Why not, it's green! My ribbon is kelly greenish too, I guess, so you'll fi right in!

 

[belle26]

Still no luggage tags, but my pirate costume came today!

 

[BLTOH]

I'd be up for a meet on board. We've done it on many of our cruises, but I will admit that this thread has been very very quiet compared to most I've been involved with. So maybe everyone just wants to do their own thing.

I think you were also talking about a meet the night before we sail at the Pan Pacific...how many are up for that?

I'm up for the hotel meet as well. I think that one we was going to go with the flow as some have other things planned and noone knows how tired we will be that day. we just found out we will get to see our local fireworks just before we leave. so now we will walk down watch the fireworks at the park and walk back home and load up the van and head out for vacation. so we now have a prevacation july 4 fireworks that we didn't think we would get.

As far as meeting once on board I am up for that but can someone else make the plans on that? My last cruise we just met in one of the lounges at a certain time for about maybe an hour. was long enough to introduce everyone and take various pictures of people. ( like all kids, us on the board chatting, everyone as one big group, etc)