June 16, 2014 Wonder to Alaska

[Ohana 4]

It's just the Hampton Inn about 4 blocks from the port. We have Hilton Honors points and have stayed there before. There's a shuttle that takes you right to port and its in a great place in Vancouver. We walked everywhere, got the big red bus which took us all over downtown. We basically had a fantastic Pre-cruise vacation. I'm looking forward to doing it again! If anyone ends up staying there, maybe we can all get together for dinner the night before!

 

[misseulalie]

We have early (main) dining reserved. Trying to decide if we should switch to late dining. We normally do early, but on the Med. we did late so we didn't have to rush back to the ship.

We will have a 11,13 year old and a 2 year old. We plan to put the 2 year old in the nursery while we eat dinner.

So.... any thoughts?

 

[KatHuss]

We have early (main) dining reserved. Trying to decide if we should switch to late dining. We normally do early, but on the Med. we did late so we didn't have to rush back to the ship.

We will have a 11,13 year old and a 2 year old. We plan to put the 2 year old in the nursery while we eat dinner.

So.... any thoughts?

We are doing early dining. We did late dining on our 2006 Christmas Cruise and ended up not finishing dinner until after 10 some nights. That was just oo late and made sleep uncomfortable. Plus I am a type 1 diabetic and that isn't really good for me so early dining it is!

As we get closer does anyone want to try to get groups together to ask to be seated together at meals? We did that on the Christmas cruise and it was great to have company to chat with at meal times. We still keep in touch with our tablemates from that cruise.

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

We have early (main) dining reserved. Trying to decide if we should switch to late dining. We normally do early, but on the Med. we did late so we didn't have to rush back to the ship.

We will have a 11,13 year old and a 2 year old. We plan to put the 2 year old in the nursery while we eat dinner.

So.... any thoughts?

We have not had a nursery age child since 2006, but back then we were limited to one stay in the nursery per cruise. Is that still the case? You might check that out.

 

[ssbn740]

DW ran some numbers and she found it cheaper to rent a car in Seattle and drive to Vancouver. Keep the car at the hotel (for free with one night stay) then drive back to Seattle and turn it back in then to rent a car in Seattle one-way to Vancouver.

Just for grins, wonder what it would run to charter a bus with a huge group from the boards?

 

[Ohana 4]

Bus would be fun but would entail figuring out a day and time that everyone involved flies into Seattle. That might be tricky.

When I figured it out, a one way rental each way worked out best, but using 2 different car companies. I can't make a decision until around November when southwest is most likely to release their airfares.

 

[misseulalie]

We have not had a nursery age child since 2006, but back then we were limited to one stay in the nursery per cruise. Is that still the case? You might check that out.

Oh, it's much different now. You can reserve up to 10 hours prior to sailing. Then, once on board you can reserve as much as possible that is available.


I am going to try and reserve the nursery for dinners and the excursions. Which means lots of $$ in nursery costs. Hoping that there are not a lot of toddlers and babies on board.

 

[KatHuss]

Oh, it's much different now. You can reserve up to 10 hours prior to sailing. Then, once on board you can reserve as much as possible that is available.


I am going to try and reserve the nursery for dinners and the excursions. Which means lots of $$ in nursery costs. Hoping that there are not a lot of toddlers and babies on board.

We never had to deal with the nursery as DD was 5 the first time we sailed. She just turned 17 yesterday so except for excursions I don't expect to see much of her, lol. For those with teenagers - I just created a facebook group for the teens to get to know each other, etc. It is a "closed" group but they can click on the button to join if they are interested. I am hoping this will give them a chance to socialize a bit before we sail!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/1378725409024193/

 

[mdurette]

Hello all - joining your group! We booked a couple of months ago after DCL changed a OBB double dip from Nov to October. My dh doesn't know - but I may still rebook that one - but it was much better to have teh 10% off this one.

DH and I went on a RC cruise about 12 years ago. It was incredible and I have always wanted to go back. DD will be 8 for this cruise and old enough now to handle the travel to get us there (we live in New England). Any others from New England????

When we went last time we had a porthole and remember kneeling up on the bed just watching the scenery through the hole while in the room. I told myself I would never go again without a veranda. So, I didn't think twice about it and booked one. But, I just realized the cost difference AND realized the cost of the port adventures AND realized Southwest (who I have a ton of points with) only will get us to Seattle. So.....I'm rethinking and may find my way to an inside cabin. We will see - I really do hate to give it up!!!

Our group - well, we are now up to 16 people that have reservations consisting of friends and relatives.

 

[KnightRail]

My parents just booked this cruise,, my friend and I are waiting to do OBB on our December 2013 cruise...how many of us are on this already??
...my December cruise only has like 4 pages of discussion compared to more here!

 

[DVC4US]

Welcome to the group everyone. Page has been a little quiet lately but hopefully it will pick up soon.

We also have a Facebook page so join us there if you haven't done so already!

 

[DVC4US]

I posted this on the FB page but thought I would post here too.

We booked our flights to Vancouver yesterday!! We were originally going to fly into Seattle and spend a couple of days then take the train to Vancouver but that became to much of a hassle. We are now arriving in Vancouver on the 11th and will spend the time there before the cruise.

Also booked our whale watching tour with Harv & Marv!

 

[KnightRail]

We also have a Facebook page so join us there if you haven't done so already!

I don't have/want FB, is there anything different on there that isn't here?
Thanks

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

I don't have/want FB, is there anything different on there that isn't here?
Thanks

Yes, there is always lots more going on, on FB, especially when it gets closer to the trip. For instance, I am on a 10/26 cruise as well...DisBoards has about 4 posts a week, and FB has hundreds. I would atleast get a FB page, even if you don't let anyone know about it and only use it for cruise stuff. You don't even have to update your page, just start one.

 

[KnightRail]

Yes, there is always lots more going on, on FB, especially when it gets closer to the trip. For instance, I am on a 10/26 cruise as well...DisBoards has about 4 posts a week, and FB has hundreds. I would atleast get a FB page, even if you don't let anyone know about it and only use it for cruise stuff. You don't even have to update your page, just start one.

I had a FB page and I deleted it in march and it was the best thing I've done. I just don't want it again cause I get too obsessed.

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

I had a FB page and I deleted it in march and it was the best thing I've done. I just don't want it again cause I get too obsessed.

I see your point. But what I am thinking is to set one up, add NO Friends and accept NO Friends. Only use it only to keep up with the cruise.

 

[DVC4US]

I don't have/want FB, is there anything different on there that isn't here?
Thanks

I hear ya on the FB page and I didn't have one for a long time either. There usually seems to be more conversations going on, on the FB page but I always try to make sure that any important information also gets listed on the DIS page so anyone without a FB page doesn't miss out.

 

[KnightRail]

Thanks. I haven't decided if I wanna do FEs or not yet. Cause it's my mom and dad in one room and myself and my friend in another (me and my friend will be doing OBB on our December cruise) and I don't think my friend wanted to do it but my parents might want to.

It seems like it's more geared towards little kids. We're all 21+ would we still have fun with the FEs?

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

Thanks. I haven't decided if I wanna do FEs or not yet. Cause it's my mom and dad in one room and myself and my friend in another (me and my friend will be doing OBB on our December cruise) and I don't think my friend wanted to do it but my parents might want to.

It seems like it's more geared towards little kids. We're all 21+ would we still have fun with the FEs?

Definately fun for adults only. Most of the time people give gifts that match the ages in the room, so adults would typically get something different than the kids. I highly recommend it!

 

[mdurette]

Thanks. I haven't decided if I wanna do FEs or not yet. Cause it's my mom and dad in one room and myself and my friend in another (me and my friend will be doing OBB on our December cruise) and I don't think my friend wanted to do it but my parents might want to.

It seems like it's more geared towards little kids. We're all 21+ would we still have fun with the FEs?

Just my opinion - but if I didn't have a kid I wouldn't participate in FEs.
Don't get me wrong as adults we have received a few nice things over our past cruises. But, most of it is just "stuff". I actually went through my house the other day and came upon the 3 - yes 3 tote bags that were filled with past DCL FE items. 95% of the items were tossed or given away to the area kids.

My daughter on the other hand LOVES it. She loves giving and getting all the goodies.