June 16, 2014 Wonder to Alaska

[Ohana 4]

A little side story - Brittany and David met on a Disney cruise over Christmas in 2004. She was 15 and lived in Iowa and he was 16 and lived in Virginia Beach. They had a long distance relationship all through high school and Britt ended up going to Virginia for college. She has stayed in Virginia and they now live in Virginia Beach. So it just seemed right that they get married in WDW.

That is really great! It goes to show you that you never know when you will meet the love of your life. That is the perfect Disney princess story! I can't wait to meet you guys!

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

Have a great cruise!

Thanks! Looks like now we're official!

 

[Kirbo]

Question about hotels - let me know if this isn't the right place to ask. Has anyone signed up for Starwood credit card to get the 25,000 points to use? I was thinking of staying at westin in seattle & Vancouver. Hotels are 10,000 points per night. I'm just brainstorming since this trip is adding up fast.

I can't do Priceline since they don't guarantee 2 beds for the kids, but Hotwire is an option as well. Just trying to find any freebies that can be utilized. Thanks!!!

I don't know anything about that stuff, but I'll be learning from all of you

Welcome aboard Kirbo and SG101!!!

Kirbo - looks like you have a couple of great cruises coming up. We did the Med in 2007 and really had a great time. I really want to do a transatlantic or PC crossing but hasn't worked out with the school schedule yet. Maybe one of these days.

SG101 - wow what a group you had on the Fantasy!! The largest group we have had was 19. It's fun to have that many people but also a pain trying to coordinate everyone.

Can't wait for our first time on the Fantasy in 4 weeks!! The trip in 4 weeks will be my 11th cruise and I will have sailed on all 4 ships.

Eleven cruises

This was our chance to do these two cruises. The girls are in third grade and we got the ok. Once they are older it will be just too hard, so we won't be able to do them anymore since they are never when school is out.

Thanks guys! Is is pretty exciting planning the wedding. Both families are huge Disney fans and we both own DVC so we have done a lot of traveling to WDW and on DCL together since the kids met.

A little side story - Brittany and David met on a Disney cruise over Christmas in 2004. She was 15 and lived in Iowa and he was 16 and lived in Virginia Beach. They had a long distance relationship all through high school and Britt ended up going to Virginia for college. She has stayed in Virginia and they now live in Virginia Beach. So it just seemed right that they get married in WDW.

That is so neat

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

Have a great cruise!

Thank you!

 

[Ohana 4]

I made a simple Google doc to keep track of our Alaskan family. Feel free to add/change as you need to. We may add things to it later. We may trash it altogether. I was just looking for something to do and came up with this for now

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApT7A2754IL2dFFNRmtYdUwzTGM2eEEydEdwb1I1TEE&usp=sharing

 

[DVC4US]

Thanks everyone!! It is a pretty neat story. I was surprised when DD decided she wanted to get married at WDW and it has been a lot of fun planning.

 

[DVC4US]

I made a simple Google doc to keep track of our Alaskan family. Feel free to add/change as you need to. We may add things to it later. We may trash it altogether. I was just looking for something to do and came up with this for now

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApT7A2754IL2dFFNRmtYdUwzTGM2eEEydEdwb1I1TEE&usp=sharing

Thanks!! Looks great to me!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We're joining you! It'll be me, my DH and our twin girls who will be ten when we cruise.

We actually had a different cruise planned for next year. It was in late August on the Fantasy but DH decided the timing was bad (our girls would miss the first few days of middle school, which starts in fifth grade here and it is a super busy time at work for him). When we saw DCL is doing Alaska again we decided to jump onboard!

I have to say that I am sorry we'll be missing the Fantasy, but I love the Wonder and will probably do fine to stick to the classics. Also, I was the one who started the meet thread for the Fantasy cruise . Thankfully, someone else is going to redo a thread for it. I feel rotten that I am skipping out on it though. I have vowed to never start a meet thread again

Anyway, I'm looking forward to planning with you all! We have the transatlantic and Med coming up, so I'll be focusing on those for a few months, but once we're home I'll be able to start planning this one!

Hi again! Nice to see you here and how fun! Our DS will be ten on the cruise as well and he's so excited!

Booked our Alaska cruise this morning. I'm stefanie and going with DH, DS (10 on cruise) & DD (7 on cruise). We will make Gold after this cruise. We're taking a cousin and my husband's parents.

We just got off the Fantasy last weekend and brought 36 friends and family. As my son called it, that was the party boat. I'm looking forward to a very small group for Alaska so I can enjoy the sights and not feel like the cruise director.

This is my dream cruise as we have never been to Alaska. We're in Southern California so we'll probably fly to seattle, take Amtrak but don't know where to stay in Vancouver.

Can't wait to get to know everyone.

Hi there!! I will also be Gold after the Alaskan cruise...that's if I don't break down and take another one in between the next two! lol I can't believe our/my first year cruising with DCL and I took 3 in one year!! That is some group you had on the Fantasy - WOW!

Question about hotels - let me know if this isn't the right place to ask. Has anyone signed up for Starwood credit card to get the 25,000 points to use? I was thinking of staying at westin in seattle & Vancouver. Hotels are 10,000 points per night. I'm just brainstorming since this trip is adding up fast.

I can't do Priceline since they don't guarantee 2 beds for the kids, but Hotwire is an option as well. Just trying to find any freebies that can be utilized. Thanks!!!

I don't have this card, however I have started skimming reports and threads about hotels and what people like and find convenient. Keep us posted!

Can't wait for our first time on the Fantasy in 4 weeks!! The trip in 4 weeks will be my 11th cruise and I will have sailed on all 4 ships.

Have a great time! She is absolutely beautiful and I know you'll have a fabulous time!

A little side story - Brittany and David met on a Disney cruise over Christmas in 2004. She was 15 and lived in Iowa and he was 16 and lived in Virginia Beach. They had a long distance relationship all through high school and Britt ended up going to Virginia for college. She has stayed in Virginia and they now live in Virginia Beach. So it just seemed right that they get married in WDW.

That is such a cute story!!

I made a simple Google doc to keep track of our Alaskan family. Feel free to add/change as you need to. We may add things to it later. We may trash it altogether. I was just looking for something to do and came up with this for now

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApT7A2754IL2dFFNRmtYdUwzTGM2eEEydEdwb1I1TEE&usp=sharing

LOVE IT!!! Thank you!

Here in NC it was 60 degrees yesterday and today it's snowing! Crazy weather I tell you.

Just curious - for you guys flying in, what day to you plan on arriving? I was initially thinking Sunday would be okay but now I'm leaning towards Saturday at the latest and might move it up to Friday if we find a good rate on the airline and hotel. I'd love to experience the area before boarding - I hear it's truly beautiful.

Thanks,
Heather

 

[SG101]

We may fly in on Friday and show the kids a few seattle sights. Then take Amtrak to Vancouver on Sunday morning.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We may fly in on Friday and show the kids a few seattle sights. Then take Amtrak to Vancouver on Sunday morning.

Yep, Seattle is an awesome city! I've been a few times, however my DH and DS have not. I haven't been since my DS was born but it's fun. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

I did something a little nutty and fun - I've been on the fence about upgrading to a verandah so I just decided to go for it. We had a 9C - nothing wrong with it - but decided since this will likely be a once in a lifetime adventure to Alaska, I might as well upgrade now. I was able to snag one of the "secret verandah" cabins as well. I've decided for now - it's a SECRET literally. I think I'm going to try and not tell my DH and DS and then either when they see the tags or find out when we walk in - they will be floored and so excited!

Heather

 

[Kirbo]

Heather, that sounds so fun!

For budgetary reasons, we'll be staying in the inside room. Wish we were in a porthole, but if we want to cruise, we gotta stick with inside. I'll live vicariously through you guys

I went to college in Seattle. It's a great city.

 

[DVC4US]

Just curious - for you guys flying in, what day to you plan on arriving? I was initially thinking Sunday would be okay but now I'm leaning towards Saturday at the latest and might move it up to Friday if we find a good rate on the airline and hotel. I'd love to experience the area before boarding - I hear it's truly beautiful.

Thanks,
Heather

We will probably fly in a couple of days early and either stay in Seattle or Vancouver. There are several pods of killer whales that are residents around the San Juan Islands(Seattle) and Vancouver Island. I want to take Alyssa on a couple of whale watching tours. This is our trip for her to see as many killer whales as possible. Plus, she has adopted a killer whale in the J-pod which hangs out in these locations so it would be fun to see if we can spot her whale.

 

[ssbn740]

Just got back this morning from 3 night on Dream for our first ever cruise. Booked this Wonder cruise on board yesterday. The DW passed the litmus test and is ready for a longer cruise. I have many cruises with another cruise company also known as the US Navy and am now convinced Disney will not ask me to stand watch, chip paint or peel potatoes.

We may also do a Christmas 4 night on the Dream with DS and DD and their spouses but wanted to use the on board discount on a big one.

After reading through some of the expert quotes, glad we opted for the veranda so we can maybe see some whales. Can't wait!!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Heather, that sounds so fun!

For budgetary reasons, we'll be staying in the inside room. Wish we were in a porthole, but if we want to cruise, we gotta stick with inside. I'll live vicariously through you guys

I went to college in Seattle. It's a great city.

I understand - I really do! I will have to be tighter on the budget for awhile to make the verandah more "affordable" but I'm willing to. I have heard positive comments about each of the categories so we will all have a great time!

We will probably fly in a couple of days early and either stay in Seattle or Vancouver. There are several pods of killer whales that are residents around the San Juan Islands(Seattle) and Vancouver Island. I want to take Alyssa on a couple of whale watching tours. This is our trip for her to see as many killer whales as possible. Plus, she has adopted a killer whale in the J-pod which hangs out in these locations so it would be fun to see if we can spot her whale.

That's a great plan and very exciting! I love that she adopted a killer whale and I really hope she gets to see HER whale!!

Just got back this morning from 3 night on Dream for our first ever cruise. Booked this Wonder cruise on board yesterday. The DW passed the litmus test and is ready for a longer cruise. I have many cruises with another cruise company also known as the US Navy and am now convinced Disney will not ask me to stand watch, chip paint or peel potatoes.

We may also do a Christmas 4 night on the Dream with DS and DD and their spouses but wanted to use the on board discount on a big one.

After reading through some of the expert quotes, glad we opted for the veranda so we can maybe see some whales. Can't wait!!

WOOHOO!! Welcome! The Dream was our first sailing last year and we ended up sailing twice on her (4 nights) and we were hooked immediately!

Heather

 

[Adelynsmom]

Hi all!
My DD and I will be joining you all on this cruise. We were booked for June 17, 2013 but I recently learned that I am going to need surgery so I decided to wait and take the cruise next year. I want to be completely healed/healthy when we go. My DD will be 11 when we take this cruise. We will follow the same plan for this trip as we were going to do this summer: fly into Vancouver and spend a few days touring, cruise, take the train to Seattle and spend a week in Washington and Oregon. Our goal is to visit all 50 states before she graduates from high school. Since we will not be cruising this summer, we will be travelling around the southern states. Looking forward to getting to know everyone and continuing to plan for this trip.

 

[DVC4US]

Just got back this morning from 3 night on Dream for our first ever cruise. Booked this Wonder cruise on board yesterday. The DW passed the litmus test and is ready for a longer cruise. I have many cruises with another cruise company also known as the US Navy and am now convinced Disney will not ask me to stand watch, chip paint or peel potatoes.

We may also do a Christmas 4 night on the Dream with DS and DD and their spouses but wanted to use the on board discount on a big one.

After reading through some of the expert quotes, glad we opted for the veranda so we can maybe see some whales. Can't wait!!

Welcome Aboard!! I have done 10 DCL cruises but this is our first time to Alaska so it seems like everything is new. I know the ship, but I am back to researching like a first time cruiser. I felt the same way when we went on our Med cruise in 2007 - which was worse because that was the first year DCL went to the Med so we were all going in blind. At least I have several years of threads and trip reports to do research for Alaska.

 

[DVC4US]

Hi all!
My DD and I will be joining you all on this cruise. We were booked for June 17, 2013 but I recently learned that I am going to need surgery so I decided to wait and take the cruise next year. I want to be completely healed/healthy when we go. My DD will be 11 when we take this cruise. We will follow the same plan for this trip as we were going to do this summer: fly into Vancouver and spend a few days touring, cruise, take the train to Seattle and spend a week in Washington and Oregon. Our goal is to visit all 50 states before she graduates from high school. Since we will not be cruising this summer, we will be travelling around the southern states. Looking forward to getting to know everyone and continuing to plan for this trip.

Welcome Aboard!! Too bad about the surgery but at least you were able to move your cruise. Sounds like a fun plan to see all 50 states.

Can't wait to meet everyone!

 

[SandyandKaren]

Can't believe there is already a thread for this cruise! We just booked this past weekend while on a Valentine's Cruise (Disney Dream) to the Bahamas! Can''t wait already trying to decide which excursions to do!

 

[ssbn740]

Didn't think it would take you long to find this thread.

 

[ssbn740]

Thanks guys! Is is pretty exciting planning the wedding. Both families are huge Disney fans and we both own DVC so we have done a lot of traveling to WDW and on DCL together since the kids met.

A little side story - Brittany and David met on a Disney cruise over Christmas in 2004. She was 15 and lived in Iowa and he was 16 and lived in Virginia Beach. They had a long distance relationship all through high school and Britt ended up going to Virginia for college. She has stayed in Virginia and they now live in Virginia Beach. So it just seemed right that they get married in WDW.

Hope you have a great time putting the finishing touches on the WDW wedding. My daughter had hers (ours) this past November. Ceremony at the pavilion then reception at the ADH. Had a rehearsal dessert party during illuminations at Epcot. It was a lot of fun and Disney did a great job taking care of the 'little' stuff that would normally stress out the family.

 

[Kirbo]

We will probably fly in a couple of days early and either stay in Seattle or Vancouver. There are several pods of killer whales that are residents around the San Juan Islands(Seattle) and Vancouver Island. I want to take Alyssa on a couple of whale watching tours. This is our trip for her to see as many killer whales as possible. Plus, she has adopted a killer whale in the J-pod which hangs out in these locations so it would be fun to see if we can spot her whale.

So fun! I hope you spot her whale.

Just got back this morning from 3 night on Dream for our first ever cruise. Booked this Wonder cruise on board yesterday. The DW passed the litmus test and is ready for a longer cruise. I have many cruises with another cruise company also known as the US Navy and am now convinced Disney will not ask me to stand watch, chip paint or peel potatoes.

My husband sailed with your same previous cruise company as well

Hi all!
My DD and I will be joining you all on this cruise. We were booked for June 17, 2013 but I recently learned that I am going to need surgery so I decided to wait and take the cruise next year. I want to be completely healed/healthy when we go. My DD will be 11 when we take this cruise. We will follow the same plan for this trip as we were going to do this summer: fly into Vancouver and spend a few days touring, cruise, take the train to Seattle and spend a week in Washington and Oregon. Our goal is to visit all 50 states before she graduates from high school. Since we will not be cruising this summer, we will be travelling around the southern states. Looking forward to getting to know everyone and continuing to plan for this trip.

I hope your surgery goes well. Sending good thoughts . Love the idea of visiting all fifty states.

Can't believe there is already a thread for this cruise! We just booked this past weekend while on a Valentine's Cruise (Disney Dream) to the Bahamas! Can''t wait already trying to decide which excursions to do!

 

[DVC4US]

Can't believe there is already a thread for this cruise! We just booked this past weekend while on a Valentine's Cruise (Disney Dream) to the Bahamas! Can''t wait already trying to decide which excursions to do!

Welcome Aboard!!