June 16, 2014 Wonder to Alaska

[Ambaugh]

Just got off the Magic and a3 day Bahama trip! Such fun. The newly remained Magic is lovely and the shows were just fantastic. Now I can focus on Alaska! WE have our airfare booked (thank goodness for Amex points) Hotel reservation at PanPacific….I have heard great things, it's super close to the port..really convenient…Still looking for something a little more economical…Now checking out excursions…TA suggested White Rail Pass, Dog Mushing. What is everyone else wishing for?

We just got off the Magic too. I see that we'll be cruising to Alaska together also. We went on the 3 day Dream trip last year same time. Really looking forward to a longer cruise. It's great to be able to take the 3 days, but we're back at Port Canaveral too soon.

I spoke with our Assistant Server, Roman, about Alaska. He said he did the summer schedule on the Wonder there. Asked him for any tips or excursions he might could suggest. He told me he heard great things about the Glacier, Helicopter tour, Whale watching and the Railroad. He had not experienced any himself.

Now that we're off the Magic, I need to start planning for the Wonder. We mailed the kids some post cards from Castaway Cay aka Guest Services, letting them know of our next trip. Just waiting on them to get here. I've read it could take a while when mailed from CC. Not sure if that applies when dropped off at guest services and postmarked CC.

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

We just got off the Magic too. I see that we'll be cruising to Alaska together also. We went on the 3 day Dream trip last year same time. Really looking forward to a longer cruise. It's great to be able to take the 3 days, but we're back at Port Canaveral too soon.

I spoke with our Assistant Server, Roman, about Alaska. He said he did the summer schedule on the Wonder there. Asked him for any tips or excursions he might could suggest. He told me he heard great things about the Glacier, Helicopter tour, Whale watching and the Railroad. He had not experienced any himself.

Now that we're off the Magic, I need to start planning for the Wonder. We mailed the kids some post cards from Castaway Cay aka Guest Services, letting them know of our next trip. Just waiting on them to get here. I've read it could take a while when mailed from CC. Not sure if that applies when dropped off at guest services and postmarked CC.

It can take 3 or 4 weeks to get the postcards if postmarked Castaway Cay, as it has to leave CC by way of Bahamas boat to their main island. I always forget about the card by the time it comes. it always puts a big smile on my face.

 

[misseulalie]

Hi all,

Any meet ups happening on board? We aren't participating in FE, but would love to do a meet up/reception somewhere.

What excursions are everyone doing...?

 

[Ambaugh]

It can take 3 or 4 weeks to get the postcards if postmarked Castaway Cay, as it has to leave CC by way of Bahamas boat to their main island. I always forget about the card by the time it comes. it always puts a big smile on my face.

Thanks for letting me know. The kids thought it'd be fun to see how long it'd take them to reach us. What they don't know, is the exciting news they are bringing.

 

[jenedpey]

We are excited to say that we will be joining you on this cruise! This will be our first Alaskan cruise, but our 6th DCL cruise (our 5th one is coming up in March!) There will be 3 of us - DH, DW, and DD14. We look forward to getting to know all of you and we will definitely be doing FE!

 

[floatingbutterfly]

We will be joining for the June 16th sailing of Disney Wonder in Alaska.
First cruise for our family of four. Our girls will be 5 & 6 at the time of sailing. Looking into excursions now.

Is there any other way to book excursions early - besides platinum or concierge level?

 

[DVC4US]

Just checking in!

Welcome to all the new cruisers. Be sure to check out our FB page if you haven't done so already. Here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/109132235923764/

I try to keep this thread updated just in case anyone is not on FB.

We have started discussing a potential DIS/FB meet. No set time yet, but 3pm on embarkation day in Promenade Lounge has been thrown out there.

 

[DVC4US]

We will be joining for the June 16th sailing of Disney Wonder in Alaska.
First cruise for our family of four. Our girls will be 5 & 6 at the time of sailing. Looking into excursions now.

Is there any other way to book excursions early - besides platinum or concierge level?

Welcome to the DIS and to our cruise.

Unfortunately platinum or concierge are the only ones who can book excursions early, which is 120 days. Gold Castaway Club can book at 90 days, Silver at 75 days and I am not sure of the date for first time cruisers.

 

[misseulalie]

Well you can always book non-DCL excursions at any time...

Jenedpey- My DD is 13, and she would love to make a friend onboard. My guess is she will spend all her time in the tween club.

 

[misseulalie]

I do have to say... this is a SLOW board!!!

Come on people, we are 130 days from sailing!!!

 

[KatHuss]

I do have to say... this is a SLOW board!!!

Come on people, we are 130 days from sailing!!!

The facebook group is the more active of the two. I don't get as many changes to get on here as I do fb.

So far my preparation recently has been working on planning for our pre- and post- cruise stuff. Flying in and out of Seattle (three of us on SouthWest to Seattle less than one ticket to Vancouver!) so we are spending a day in Seattle on either end of the cruise. Need hotels in Seattle and Vancouver as well as transport both ways. Looks like Greyhound will be the best for us. If we buy the tickets online $51 one way for all three and departs Sunday 4:05, getting us to Vancouver at 8:15 whereas Amtrak on Sunday leaves at 6:50 and doesn't get us in until 10:50. I don't want to be arriving that late and trying to get transportation to a hotel.

Another month until I can book excursions so no hurry on that.

 

[SG101]

I'm still looking for airfare...from LGB, LAX, or SNA to Seattle and maybe fly back from Vancouver. Have people already booked their airfare?

Already have hotel in Vancouver - thanks to Hotwire...still looking for one in Seattle.

Where is everyone at with planning? I just made the final payment on our cruise --- it's official now!!! Can't wait!!!

 

[SandyandKaren]

Have booked all of our plane tickets, hotel reservations made, now stalking the excursions page! So much to do, not enough time…Might be planning a cruise trip to Whistler, anyone ever been there, or have any thoughts? I don;t think we will be participating in FEs this time due to the fat we have to fly from the east coast!

We asre almost there!!

 

[KatHuss]

I'm still looking for airfare...from LGB, LAX, or SNA to Seattle and maybe fly back from Vancouver. Have people already booked their airfare?

Already have hotel in Vancouver - thanks to Hotwire...still looking for one in Seattle.

Where is everyone at with planning? I just made the final payment on our cruise --- it's official now!!! Can't wait!!!

We are flying Southwest in and out of Seattle. It is, by far, the cheapest for us. Spending a day in Seattle on either end of the cruise as we have never been and want to visit. We are likely taking Greyhound from Seattle to Vancouver and back. Except for that we have all of our travel reservations made. Just over two weeks until we can book excursions! I am sooo looking forward to this trip!

 

[SandyandKaren]

I have been searching for Navigators for this cruise! Anyone have any luck finding them….I am mentally planning a packing list. I believe the 2nd night is the formal night, but when is the semi-formal night? Goodness, I am gonna need 3 bags!!

Let the countdown begin!

 

[KingRichard]

Welcome to the DIS and to our cruise.

Unfortunately platinum or concierge are the only ones who can book excursions early, which is 120 days. Gold Castaway Club can book at 90 days, Silver at 75 days and I am not sure of the date for first time cruisers.

Is this just for Alaska? I don't remember them being so spread out before? Seems silly to have such a large gap?

Just booked flights and that was painful!

 

[KingRichard]

I have been searching for Navigators for this cruise! Anyone have any luck finding them….I am mentally planning a packing list. I believe the 2nd night is the formal night, but when is the semi-formal night? Goodness, I am gonna need 3 bags!!

Let the countdown begin!

This is from last year. I don't think they change much, but who knows?

Navigator

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

I'm still looking for airfare...from LGB, LAX, or SNA to Seattle and maybe fly back from Vancouver. Have people already booked their airfare?

Already have hotel in Vancouver - thanks to Hotwire...still looking for one in Seattle.

Where is everyone at with planning? I just made the final payment on our cruise --- it's official now!!! Can't wait!!!

Southwest Airlines, R/T $278 Dallas-Seattle-Dallas.

 

[SG101]

Southwest Airlines, R/T $278 Dallas-Seattle-Dallas.

Good deal!!!! Just booked our one-way from Vancouver to LAX as I did not want to deal with car rental, etc. back to Seattle. Hope to book airfare to Seattle and a hotel fairly soon...oh and Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver. We're all getting super excited!!!!

 

[mdurette]

I have been searching for Navigators for this cruise! Anyone have any luck finding them….I am mentally planning a packing list. I believe the 2nd night is the formal night, but when is the semi-formal night? Goodness, I am gonna need 3 bags!!

Let the countdown begin!

I found these Navigators from last year

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...ey-wonder-7-night-alaskan-cruise-may-27-2013/