June 25, 2012 - WONDERful 7 night Alaskan cruise

[Mean Queen]

MN Dis Fan - I sure hope you are right! We wanted to upgrade but have never had the chance because we didn't have enough points (we paid half cash/half points and found out after that we needed both to upgrade, though the CM did not mention that when we booked and were told we could upgrade later - with no points left.) We did get an upgrade once before and it happened about a month out from the cruise. So I'll be patient and wait for mine, or I'll try to pay for one at the port.

 

[DCLShel]

I'm back!! Sorry I've been MIA on this thread! I just got back Saturday from the MV of the Fantasy. What a beautiful ship! Can't wait to sail on her again next June.

Now I'm ready to focus all my energy on this cruise!

On another note, I have been monitoring the DCL website, and there sure seems to be a lot of rooms available, particularly in the higher categories. Not to get anyone's hopes up, but I have to think that there's going to be some nice upgrades dished out in the not so distant future. (Not that we'll get one. We've never been upgraded, and this will be number 12 for the DW & I) DCL, Are you reading this?

I'm currently seeing the following available: *8 rooms each in: 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A; 7 room each in: 7A, 9A, 9B; and 1 room in a 4E. Plus, they are showing GTY in: 5C, 9C, 9D, 10B, 10C, & 11C.

*Historically, I believe they only show 8 rooms in each category, so believe there are more rooms actually available than what's being shown?

I don't ever recall seeing so many rooms available this close to sailing date?

I have periodically been checking availability, too. I'm holding out hope to upgrade to a verandah room at the port. Hopefully, it will be within our budget and we can do it.

 

[Mean Queen]

DCLShel - I'm so jealous! I would have loved to be on the MV. We did consider driving up that morning to watch the ship leave but had too much stuff we had to do. I plan to track you down on the Wonder and find out all about the Fantasy!

 

[DCLShel]

DCLShel - I'm so jealous! I would have loved to be on the MV. We did consider driving up that morning to watch the ship leave but had too much stuff we had to do. I plan to track you down on the Wonder and find out all about the Fantasy!

Please do! I'd love to tell you all about it. I have to admit - I like the Fantasy alot better than the Dream.

 

[Mean Queen]

Please do! I'd love to tell you all about it. I have to admit - I like the Fantasy alot better than the Dream.

Really? Why? We loved the Dream, but did find some issues with the larger crowds.

 

[staxia]

Alrighty then!

We've got things booked, finally! *WHEW*

As of right now, actually, it's only excursions and stuff, cause, really we're not pro's on the whole cruising thing, and I haven't convinced the fam about Palo yet. Besides, there's 4 adults, and finding a table for 4 is gonna be hard to come by. We might just do like, Mom and I doing a Girl's Brunch or something like that. Do y'all who've been before think those will be easy-ish to book once on board, or should I really try to get something like that done before we get there? Again, it's a communication issue! lol

As far as in ports go.. In Skagway, we're gonna have a full day. Morning starts with a dog sled/helicopter with TEMSCO and then immediately following with the White Pass Scenic Railway. Wanted the Suspension bridge, too.. but it didn't fit.. *AND* realized that it was only the train DOWN.. So, there's that.

Then in Juneau we got the Whale Watching, Salmon Bake and Mendenhall Glacier - Adult Only Departure that we wanted.. *yay!*

Ketchikan, we don't have anything planned... and I'm not sure we're going to... at least not formally.. I think we're gonna wander around.. see if we can see salmon. I read we should be able to.. so *shrug* who knows?! LOL. After the first two port days, I think we'll need to rest anyways.. Don't wanna come home from vacation exhausted!

Speaking of exhausted.. I'm about done with Delta changing my flights and times almost every 3 weeks!!! As it is, they messed things up so bad coming home that we're gonna just eat the difference on the sky miles flight and I'm coming back via Southwest. Delta made me change from Seattle, to Minneapolis to Memphis to Nashville.. Southwest.. Direct from Seattle to Nashville and then Nashville continues to Ft Lauderdale so my brother and I can be on the same flight. *grrrr*

 

[Mean Queen]

Staxia - I'd say if there are spots open, book it then cancel once on board if you change your mind. Though I was told on a previous cruise that a large portion of the reservations were held back for people to book on board. So if it is full on line, you can likely add a dinner when you first get on board. I do recommend Palo's highly, for either brunch or dinner.

My airline changed my flight on me too. I'm not too happy about that either. Isn't that the point of scheduling the flight, so that you can pick a time that works for you? What if they change your time and you can't make it?

 

[DCLShel]

Really? Why? We loved the Dream, but did find some issues with the larger crowds.

You have to realize - I was on the MV of both ships. DCL learned alot from the MV of the Dream. Everything on the Fantasy just seemed to run a little smoother.

Since I was traveling with a friend, I was able to go to Europa - the adult/bar area. This area just seemed to flow a lot easier than on the Dream. The center bar - La Piazza- was better themed and more inviting than the area on the Dream. I LOVED Ooh-La-La, the champagne bar, on the Fantasy. I found Pink to be very stark, very modern. Ooh-La-La was very warm, very cozy. Evolution (Dream) and The Tube (Fantasy) are almost identical expect for the theme.

We loved Skyline on the Dream so I was anxious to check it out on the Fantasy. They made the Fantasy one a little bigger which was really needed. O'Gills Pub (Fantasy) was nice but I prefer 687 (Dream).

The additions to the adult areas on Decks 11 & 12 were really nice. They put a "wading" pool just above Quiet Cove and added Satellite Falls on Deck 12 Forward. SF is really nice and big. It also has lots of comfy loungers and shaded areas. And, don't forget the addition of Aqua Lab! That place looked like tons of fun!

Aside from decor and the above changes, the two ships are like comparing the Magic & the Wonder. Its all about personal preferences. I loved the Dream until I went on the Fantasy. I like the Wonder but I love the Magic.

No matter which ship I'm on, I'll always have the best thing - the Disney difference!

 

[Mean Queen]

Glad to hear they fixed the flow issue of the bars. After a few drinks in Skyline on the Dream, I'd wander out the wrong door and get lost. I liked Pink, but Ooh La La does look more inviting. I'm really glad Skyline is larger because we spent a lot of time in there. I can't wait to check out the Satellite Falls. On the Dream, I used that area for a quite place to read. I think this will get the area more usage.

Each ship does have it's pros and a very few cons, but the biggest pro of all is Disney. I was just on the Magic in November, will be on the Wonder with you in 2 months, and can't wait for the Fantasy New Year's cruise at the end of the year. Though I'm still itching to sneak in a Dream trip before then.

 

[kcondon1228]

We are traveling with a just turned 3 year old and an almost 6 year old. We have booked excursions at every stop. I am rethinking and wondering if we want to have one day "free" . Any ideas on how kid friendly the stores areat the prots and which town we might want to explore on our own. I was thinking that having people guide us may be the best but I am going back and forth.

Thanks!

 

[Mean Queen]

We are traveling with a just turned 3 year old and an almost 6 year old. We have booked excursions at every stop. I am rethinking and wondering if we want to have one day "free" . Any ideas on how kid friendly the stores areat the prots and which town we might want to explore on our own. I was thinking that having people guide us may be the best but I am going back and forth.

Thanks!

How long are the excursions you booked? I think many are just for part of the morning or afternoon, not all day. This would give you plenty of time to go exploring on your own also. That's what we're planning on doing. We only booked one excursion, but we'll add more once on board.

 

[DCLShel]

I encourage everyone to check out the Creative Design boards to make door magnets for our trip. You can also request personalization from some DiSigners, too. However, I wouldn't wait too long to make a request. Our cruise isn't that far away and the DiSigners get LOTS of requests. There is no charge for the designs. The DiSigners share their talents out of the goodness of their hearts!!

Please note - DCL does not allow the use of tape on stateroom doors! Please print your designs on magnetic sheets or use magnetic tape on the back of them.

Decorating your door is alot of fun and really adds to your cruise! Not to mention - it makes it easy to find your room!

PS - if you don't have an Fish Extender yet, make sure to get it ordered soon!!

 

[Mean Queen]

Oooh! I should order some new Alaska themed ones. I keep a lot of my generic ones from cruise to cruise. I really enjoy decorating my door. I always catch people staring at it looking at all the magnets.

 

[staxia]

Ohmigoodness!!

I feel like I'm planning this cruise everyday! I don't exactly know how it happened!

It's totally not a bad thing.. lol.. I just keep looking for things to do, places to visit, events to expect.. I'm excited b/c this is our first Disney cruise. I have such high expectations!! I hope they don't come crashing down around me. I mean, I'm sure they won't, but sometimes, in the quiet, I get worried!!

I'm ridiculous!

So, today we booked our Space Needle reservations for after the cruise.. We've never been, so we're going to go up and have lunch up top! I'm kinda excited about it!

My father also informed us that he knows a guy who lives in Ketchikan. This is the one place we haven't decided on any excursions, so this is kinda cool. They've already been emailing each other and it sounds like the guy will either give us a local's tour or let us borrow his car to drive around and get a bit further outside of town than we could just walking. We're prone to wandering and travel with a GPS, so this could be fun! (of course, we still have to make it back to the ship!)

 

[DCLShel]

Ohmigoodness!!

I feel like I'm planning this cruise everyday! I don't exactly know how it happened!

It's totally not a bad thing.. lol.. I just keep looking for things to do, places to visit, events to expect.. I'm excited b/c this is our first Disney cruise. I have such high expectations!! I hope they don't come crashing down around me. I mean, I'm sure they won't, but sometimes, in the quiet, I get worried!!

I'm ridiculous!

So, today we booked our Space Needle reservations for after the cruise.. We've never been, so we're going to go up and have lunch up top! I'm kinda excited about it!

My father also informed us that he knows a guy who lives in Ketchikan. This is the one place we haven't decided on any excursions, so this is kinda cool. They've already been emailing each other and it sounds like the guy will either give us a local's tour or let us borrow his car to drive around and get a bit further outside of town than we could just walking. We're prone to wandering and travel with a GPS, so this could be fun! (of course, we still have to make it back to the ship!)

You're NOT ridiculous! Because, if you are, then the rest of us are, too! These boards are the perfect place to share your vacation planning, your mounting excitement and your love for Disney!

This will be my 12th DCL cruise and I have yet to be disappointed. You have high expectations for Disney for a reason. Have fun and, if there is a clitch, just roll with it! Your vacation is what YOU make it!

 

[DCLShel]

For those staying in downtown hotels, how are you getting from the airport to your hotel? We're staying at Homewood Suites/Downtown and their website says a cab from the airport is $50! I've been trying to do some research on other options. It looks like the Light Rail goes pretty close to our hotel - but I wasn't sure about lugging 3 large suitcases on the Rail. When we got off the Rail, we'd have to probably cab the rest of the way.
I'm curious to hear what others' plans are!

Is anyone getting the City Pass? I'm thinking about it but I'm concerned with the huge crowd expected that weekend.

 

[Mean Queen]

There is an official Seattle Port thread on the board. They didn't recommend the light rail because it stops in some not so great areas and it is supposed to be a pain with luggage. They also list a few taxi places that you can price out ahead. I haven't done that so I didn't realize it was going to be $50.

 

[DCLShel]

In 2 months, we'll be boarding the ship and beginning our Alaskan adventure!

:

 

[DCLShel]

I wanted to make sure everyone is aware of the recent changes made to DCL's policy on gratuities.

Disney Cruise Line is instituting a new procedure for gratuities on all their ships. On embarkation day, guests' folios will automatically be charged for the suggested gratuity amounts for Server, Assistant Server, Head Server and Stateroom Host/Hostess. Guests can still add pre-paid gratuities at the time of booking or when making their final payments. If this isn't done, a letter will be given at check-in explaining the automatic gratuity payments. Modifications to the amount can still be made at the Guest Services Desk.

I, personally, do not like this change. I know the last couple of days of the cruise can be crazy with processing the tips but I usually give extra for good service. So this really won't save me any time. I also believe that tipping should be an option, not an automatic charge to my account.

 

[Mean Queen]

I wanted to make sure everyone is aware of the recent changes made to DCL's policy on gratuities.

Disney Cruise Line is instituting a new procedure for gratuities on all their ships. On embarkation day, guests' folios will automatically be charged for the suggested gratuity amounts for Server, Assistant Server, Head Server and Stateroom Host/Hostess. Guests can still add pre-paid gratuities at the time of booking or when making their final payments. If this isn't done, a letter will be given at check-in explaining the automatic gratuity payments. Modifications to the amount can still be made at the Guest Services Desk.

I, personally, do not like this change. I know the last couple of days of the cruise can be crazy with processing the tips but I usually give extra for good service. So this really won't save me any time. I also believe that tipping should be an option, not an automatic charge to my account.

I'd rather tip based on the quality of service at the end, this way the staff is encouraged to give good service for a good tip. I wonder if they were having trouble with people spending all their money then not having enough for tips or stiffing the staff? I bet there are too many people who don't tip if they see it as an option.