June 28, 2011 Disney Wonder 7-day Alaska

[oldpatterns]

Don't we have to do a safety check at 4 PM like on the east coast ships? 3:30 would give us a short time to say hi and then we would have to grab our life preservers.

The fish extenders should be pretty easy to sew. I just picked up some mickey fabric at Joanne fabric. There are some patterns on how to make them online. I am planning on sewing ours too!

The Lee's from the Boston area.

 

[Pocahantas]

Has anyone given any thought to a Dis meet on the day we board? It is a great way to meet everyone and put faces to names. I suggest the Promenade lounge at 3:30. What do others think?

That would be great!

 

[cozit]

I have a feeling that 3:30 is a very bad time... like oldpatterns said, there's going to be a safety drill... and if it *is* at 4pm... or even at 4:30, that's not much time to say hi, then run.

Hoping it's a lifevest-less drill like a few more recent photos in TRs have shown... but not holding my breath.

Then right after the drill it'll be about time to set sail... and I suspect that some folks prefer different areas for that (me, I like the upper deck, looking down... enjoy the music, etc... but far less crowd than on the pool deck).

And the given set sail time is 5pm, running into the early diners (we're second seating, but hoping to maybe change that).

It'd be "easy" if it were the Caribbean - getting together from 2pm until drill worked really well by the pool... but since temperatures tend to be cooler in Vancouver...

I'm thinking that we might be better off waiting for the first trip reports to come in in May before setting up a specific time/place. I'm hoping to poke someone who I'm pretty sure I was on a previous cruise with to ask either what worked for her/them or what they'd suggest. And if we get *very* lucky, an early Navigator copy... or a friendly CM might be a better guide.

*Definitely* would like to meet-up though!

-Liz (who will drag at *least* the kids along to a meetup... hopefully DH as well

 

[nordkin]

Please add me to your list of cruisers. In addition to my dh, ds (3) and dd (5), we'll also be cruising with 2 other families. (I'll see if I can get them to join the DIS boards.) In our group, there will be a total of 7 adults and 7 kids. I'm so excited that they're coming--their kids are older but love mine. I have dreams about dining at an all adult table while all the kids sit together at another table....

I recently took a sewing class so I'll attempt to sew my own fish extender. Just don't look at the stitches too closely.

We're in cabin 2079.

Welcome and I will add your group to the list.

 

[nordkin]

I was just making a suggestion on a meet up and would be more than happy if someone else would take this on. We are a party of 7 with my elderly mother who has mobility issues so if someone else would take it on it would be great.

 

[cozit]

I was just making a suggestion on a meet up and would be more than happy if someone else would take this on. We are a party of 7 with my elderly mother who has mobility issues so if someone else would take it on it would be great.

I'm thinking... just haven't come up with a great idea yet. It'd help if I had a clue what the terminal will look like and if they're giving out boarding times or not (meeting pre-boarding worked really well during one of the cruises I was on)... and of course, the weather makes that pool idea not as good as one (unless we got really lucky that day .. never know

I like the idea of the Promenade Lounge... maybe starting about 3:00ish would be good? That way there's enough time to say hi, and still run off to grab a lifejacket if we need them for the drill. The drill *is* scheduled for 4pm, cast-off at 5pm, first dinner seating is 5:45 .... yeah, I actually called and asked... which doesn't give much time "free" from general activities.

Out of curiosity, who else has second seating? Wondering what faces I *might* see (considering there are three restaurants and all... hey, I know I've been seated at a table next to two other DISboard acquaintances before

 

[nordkin]

I have updated the list of cruisers. If you are participating in the Fish Extender exchange I need your stateroom number so we know where to deliver the gifts.

3:00 sounds good for the Dis meet. We have always preferred Promanade Lounge because it accomodates a lot of people and it does not matter what the weather is, it is comfortable.

 

[disdel]

Greetings to all!
Looking forward to meeting/greeting with fellow Dis'ers in Alaska.

It's Ken and DW Debbie, still in GTY status, so no stateroom to report. Like some others, we're "luggage restricted", so no FE for us this time (though I'm the one who enjoys it<g>)

We're one of the couples mentioned earlier by Jen24. We met on the EBTA in April '09, and became fast friends. We booked this cruise, and then badgered Jen & Marc until they joined us Our EBTA table had another couple that completed a trifecta of seating for our head server Wira in that we were such a pefect match for friendship (who we're STILL cajoling about this trip).

Nordkin (Donna), thank you for the organizing, and please add us to the DIS spreadsheet!

Will be dropping in here more often to "get to know" y'all!

 

[nordkin]

If anyone is interested, one of the secret verandah rooms ( 6134 ) is available. It looks like since the pay in full date is today there are several rooms opening up that were not there earlier. We already have a secret verandah room so I thought I would pass it on. It is a category 7A with a plexiglass wall like the category 5's but it has a slightly obstructed view.

 

[disdel]

My daughter wants to know if anyone is up for DIStag... first time was fun, the couple getting married was given both tags as souvenirs by the rest of us, the last time, both DIStags went missing... we looked on *every* door on every floor while getting exercise in high seas just after mid-trip. Walking during the 20+ foot waves was both amusing and interesting, so we just kept going...

We're ready for this, maybe the interest and sign-ups will pick up now that final payments were made (things get a little more "real", ya know?)

posted by nordkin
If anyone is interested, one of the secret verandah rooms ( 6134 ) is available. It looks like since the pay in full date is today there are several rooms opening up that were not there earlier. We already have a secret verandah room so I thought I would pass it on. It is a category 7A with a plexiglass wall like the category 5's but it has a slightly obstructed view.

Thanks for the info, Donna - when I looked, it was still there, but pricing is still what it was months ago. We still show in 9A-GTY. Reservations shows no availability for 9A now, and 9B's are only slightly lower than what the 9A's had been, so maybe they are selling this date pretty well.

Meanwhile, getting ready to make those excursion reservations - DW is doing her planning, I'll do the executing

And, am I reading it right, we'll have a meet-up, 3PM @Promenade Lounge?

 

[Pocahantas]

Out of curiosity, who else has second seating? Wondering what faces I *might* see (considering there are three restaurants and all... hey, I know I've been seated at a table next to two other DISboard acquaintances before

We have the second seating for dinner. Maybe once the cruise gets closer we could all post a picture in this thread that way we can recognize one another on the ship.

The 3:00 meet time would be fine with us.

 

[ILuvJimny]

Our plans have been up in the air a little and we weren't sure if we were going to be able to go on the cruise; but I am happy to report that we were able to make the final payment yesterday and everything is back on. We even researched moving to a Navagator's Veranda, but just couldn't justify the cost. Here is our information now:

We are Curt and Jean from Idaho, bringing our 17 year old son and are in room 2118. We will celebrate our anniversary on July 5th, while on the cruise.

My Sister Elaine and her husband Mike are from Utah and she is bringing her 16 year old daughter and are in room 2618. Their anniversary and also Mike's Birthday are a couple days before the cruise leaves. The cruise will be one big celebration for all of us!

We are all 'on board' for fish extending and DIS tag.

As mentioned, my family has cruised before, once on DCL and once with RC, both to the Bajamas. While the RC cruise was 1/3 of the price and a fun experience, we still dreamed of doing a longer cruise with Disney. While on board the first time with DCL in 2007, we booked 2 future rooms, which we have moved forward to keep the discount active until settling on the Alaskan itinerary.

We have officially booked all girls in one room and the boys in the other so we can use our discount and Castaway Club benefit on each room. Does anyone know if they will sort the boarding pass/keys out the way we want it or will we always be struggling with making sure we have the right card when we leave the ship...?

 

[nordkin]

Our plans have been up in the air a little and we weren't sure if we were going to be able to go on the cruise; but I am happy to report that we were able to make the final payment yesterday and everything is back on. We even researched moving to a Navagator's Veranda, but just couldn't justify the cost. Here is our information now:

We are Curt and Jean from Idaho, bringing our 17 year old son and are in room 2118. We will celebrate our anniversary on July 5th, while on the cruise.

My Sister Elaine and her husband Mike are from Utah and she is bringing her 16 year old daughter and are in room 2618. Their anniversary and also Mike's Birthday are a couple days before the cruise leaves. The cruise will be one big celebration for all of us!

We are all 'on board' for fish extending and DIS tag.

As mentioned, my family has cruised before, once on DCL and once with RC, both to the Bajamas. While the RC cruise was 1/3 of the price and a fun experience, we still dreamed of doing a longer cruise with Disney. While on board the first time with DCL in 2007, we booked 2 future rooms, which we have moved forward to keep the discount active until settling on the Alaskan itinerary.

We have officially booked all girls in one room and the boys in the other so we can use our discount and Castaway Club benefit on each room. Does anyone know if they will sort the boarding pass/keys out the way we want it or will we always be struggling with making sure we have the right card when we leave the ship...?

I will add your information to the list of cruisers. They will make the keys to the rooms any way you want them. We do this all the time.

 

[hsinglanjin]

1. On our previous DCL trips on the Wonder, we never got to try Palo's. Any options on whether Brunch, High Tea or Dinner is better? I'm leaning towards Brunch as I've heard there's quite a selection. If so, what time is brunch offered and which day would be best to do this?

2. Looking at Navigators from the current Mexican Riveria on the Wonder, I'm thinking they'll be doing the same shows for Alaska:

All Aboard: Let the Magic Begin​

The Golden Mickeys​

Showtime: Kimmy Tamley​

Toy Story the Musical​

Disney Dreams: The Enchanted Classic​

Remember the Magic​

We have the late seating for 8:15pm, so we'll be seeing the 6:15pm showing. Do they still have drinks and snacks you can purchase at the Theather to tie the kids over until dinner time?

3. Reading other posts and seeing that there's a Formal Night. We've never done this as we've only gone on a 4-day Wonder Cruise before. Is a tux and formal gown required?

 

[Pocahantas]

I've done brunch and dinner at Palo and if I had to choose just one would pick the brunch. The selections were incredible and oh so good.

 

[cozit]

1. On our previous DCL trips on the Wonder, we never got to try Palo's. Any options on whether Brunch, High Tea or Dinner is better? I'm leaning towards Brunch as I've heard there's quite a selection. If so, what time is brunch offered and which day would be best to do this?


3. Reading other posts and seeing that there's a Formal Night. We've never done this as we've only gone on a 4-day Wonder Cruise before. Is a tux and formal gown required?

I've done all three at Palo's... would recommend the Brunch if just choosing one, just because food is good at other dining places, too. But really, all three were enjoyable. I have to admit though, that I was rather disappointed last time... but part of that was because of the general disregard for giving those of us with tree nut allergies options beyond the plainest foods on the menus at any of the restaurants.

Formal clothes never required... though they will encourage strongly that people dress nicely for dinner in general (kids can get away with anything acceptable for the ship, but are encouraged to dress up like their parents).
Formal night I'll make sure I wear the nicest dress I bring, and that DH wears a button down shirt... but I *hate* dressing up... so even that's a stretch for me. Hmm.. this trip, he might actually take a suit jacket, since it'll be a tad cooler than the Caribbean trips

Oh... and there's next to no way we could deal with formal clothes for the trip, given luggage restrictions both airplane and (more importantly) car trunk space.


-Liz

 

[cozit]

Almost forgot... the "Showtime" show... Any shows that aren't Disney, tend to rotate performers in and out - often two different performers on one trip (last one, we had a magician/comic and a dance/comic group that was amazing, even the "high seas version" of their show... ok, so I liked the magician as well, but I admit to a bias, as I knew him from the local renaissance festival before he started doing more cruises


-Liz

 

[hsinglanjin]

I've done all three at Palo's... would recommend the Brunch if just choosing one, just because food is good at other dining places, too. But really, all three were enjoyable. I have to admit though, that I was rather disappointed last time... but part of that was because of the general disregard for giving those of us with tree nut allergies options beyond the plainest foods on the menus at any of the restaurants.

Formal clothes never required... though they will encourage strongly that people dress nicely for dinner in general (kids can get away with anything acceptable for the ship, but are encouraged to dress up like their parents).
Formal night I'll make sure I wear the nicest dress I bring, and that DH wears a button down shirt... but I *hate* dressing up... so even that's a stretch for me. Hmm.. this trip, he might actually take a suit jacket, since it'll be a tad cooler than the Caribbean trips

Oh... and there's next to no way we could deal with formal clothes for the trip, given luggage restrictions both airplane and (more importantly) car trunk space.


-Liz

Thanks for the info Liz. Any thought on which is the best day to do the bruch. I'm thinking probably the Monday before we return when we're at sea.

Thanks for the clothing info. I don't think I'd ever be able to get my hubby in more than a suit jacket and I don't even recall the last time I wore a dress.

 

[daisy112878]

I have updated the list of cruisers on page one post number 2. If there are any additions or changes, please let me know.

We're in stateroom 6058

 

[daisy112878]

1. On our previous DCL trips on the Wonder, we never got to try Palo's. Any options on whether Brunch, High Tea or Dinner is better? I'm leaning towards Brunch as I've heard there's quite a selection. If so, what time is brunch offered and which day would be best to do this?

3. Reading other posts and seeing that there's a Formal Night. We've never done this as we've only gone on a 4-day Wonder Cruise before. Is a tux and formal gown required?

1. I would chose Brunch or dinner. Personally we like dinner b/c to us it seems more slow place and nice to have dinner just the two of us. Brunch mostly a buffet with a few made to order items. Brunch usually is only served on at sea days.

3. Tux and formal gown are not required but they ask you to dress nicely. We like to get dressed up so we love formal night and usually go all out. We get the tux through DCL through so it's in the stateroom when you get onboard. Last cruise our DS1 was 4 months old and even wore oneies that looked like a tux. It was really cute