June 28, 2011 Disney Wonder 7-day Alaska

[lalo]

I haven't posted enough to send a PM. (Too busy sewing my fish extender... I just finished last night!)

My daughter's name is Emmy (6) and my son's name is Kal (3).

Thanks, ILuvJimny!

 

[cozit]

[ Would love everyones tips for how they are packing for this trip. I am going crazy trying to figure out how to pack all these layers we are suppose to take. I can not believe we have only a little over a month to .

I have been reading the threads from the people who have returned.. I think they had unusually good weather but from I can tell.. I will probably pack mainly jeans, long sleeved t shirts, fleece jackets and a rain coat. I here you can buy a lot of the fleece and rain gear in the ports but we needed the stuff for scouts and other events so we already stocked up. I will probably pack t-shirts in case of some warm weather as well. Dress up stuff for dinner. Not sure if this helps.. We are so excited about the trip as well!! Can't wait.. [/QUOTE]

Thinking along the same lines, here, though maybe not so much the long-sleeved t-shirts, just short with fleece. I'll be looking at the forecast so that I get a guesstimate of the temperatures the week before, as I frantically pack that Thursday.

I'd add a brimmed hat of some sort if you wear glasses, as pretty much anywhere in the Pacific Northwest you get rain more often than not at least part of the day.

I'm also planning to do laundry twice - once probably the day we board, the other about half-way along. I'm taking "Dropps" (think that's right) which are pre-measured liquid detergent. I've had them in my luggage on a plane before (last cruise, in fact) and had no problem, though I only put a few per plastic baggie just in case, as I have problems with dry detergent and last cruise I think they only had dry detergent in the vending machines. And a couple laundry bags, so we can sort as we go, so that laundry thing won't take all day to sort as well as fold those days.

I figure that with the kids getting bigger, and colder weather gear needed, if we want to be able to walk around luggage, I've got to cut back on how much I take - forget a full week's worth of clothes - just wouldn't fit in a car trunk, during the couple days we're spending in Portland, anyway.


-Liz

 

[mybelle01]

Liz your probably right about more short sleeves.. but I am a total baby and hate being cold so I will probably be lugging four huge suitcases through the airport. Thank goodness my six almost 7 year old still wears a size 5!

 

[mybelle01]

This was in addition to the regular night's menu, which I think was captains gala? I seem to recall eating lobster instead of fried chicken... But I think the fried chicken was good?

Hmm.. I looked at my Navigator and it was the captain's gala.. maybe only the kids had Fried Chicken and ribs. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have passed up the Lobster The other tip I've read is to order two of the crab leg appetizers on the taste of Alaska menu, apparently they are really small!

I noticed on the navigator there was a 4th of July celebration from 11:30 - 1:00 on Deck 9. Can't say I remember it that well!

 

[cryssi]

I feel very unprepared packing-wise. I'm pretty ill-equipped for cold and rain! Lol. At least DS has a raincoat.

So, how many of your kids are planning to swim? DS will only be able to go in the ear unless he is magically potty trained by then. Wondering if it will be too cold for that.

 

[ozdisneyfan]

We are getting very excited down here in Sydney too!! ..

We are also having trouble planning our packing as we will be o/s for 4 weeks and the cruise is in week 2....1 week in Vancouver before the cruise and 2 weeks in SoCal after the cruise...In Australia, you get four weeks paid vacation time every year, so when we are going so far, we come for a long time!!

We are planning to take 1 weeks worth of clothes, and I(!!) will be washing the first night and the last night on the cruise...then I guess a coin laundry somewhere in San Fran or LA!!

Planning on jeans, tshirts, polar fleece vests and outer rain proof shells...prob will waterproof our jeans first...

My just about 10 yr old daughter and I are having great fun organising and making our FE gifts...we are doing gifts per person in the cabin, though I must say, teenage boys are proving a bit of problem to my imagination....

Looking forward to meeting you on board and having a 'whale' of a time...

Lea

 

[daisy112878]

I feel very unprepared packing-wise. I'm pretty ill-equipped for cold and rain! Lol. At least DS has a raincoat.

So, how many of your kids are planning to swim? DS will only be able to go in the ear unless he is magically potty trained by then. Wondering if it will be too cold for that.

I'm bring them. The hard part is going to be keeping my ds out of the big pool. He'll be 2 and no where near potty trainined. He's not going to understand why he can't get in since he does at home. How old is your ds? Maybe we could meet and let them play together.

 

[daisy112878]

As far as averages, it's rather cooler there than in Atlanta, you will definitely need a pair or two of long pants (*g* I know my nephew just north of Atlanta owns almost no pants... I think two pairs, mostly for playing in snow there or when visiting Grandpa in PA). Mostly, layers are good for the changing and unpredictable temperatures - but that will still require pants. If you look at Deb's blog on allears.net, you can see what the first cruise looked like last week http://land.allears.net/blogs/debwills/2011/05/the_disney_wonder_is_in.html (and then you can go forward and back from there - to get the whole western trip she took... that woman still amazes me after about 15 years of watching her information sharing grow)

Oh... and according to one of the blogs of that trip, the Wonder was the *first* passenger ship into Ketchikan for the season... many of the stores weren't even open yet.

I'll be watching weather.com's forecast before packing for real. But be aware that in most of Alaska, forecasting is ah.... not so do-able. Weather can change rapidly - even as far south as Juneau. Note that the averages given on these calendars are just that - averages... they can get 90 degree days even up in Anchorage from time to time... just rather more rare, with the cold Pacific and mountains there. They can also get very cold mid-summer... but again, relatively rare.

Juneau June averages: http://beta.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/monthly/USAK0116?month=1

Ketchikan June averages: http://beta.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/monthly/USAK0125?month=1

Skagway June averages: http://beta.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/monthly/USAK0225?month=1




-Liz
(yeah, having *way* too much fun/spending way too much time checking out info on that first cruise and starting to plan packing... and how many time I'll have to wash clothes... taking "Dropps" along again - they worked very well the last cruise, and are "pre-measured"

Thanks! I got some long sleeve white t-shirts for the boys and I think I'll bring those to put under some of their t-shirts/polos. That way I can take them off if they get to warm. My boys are like little heaters and are always warm. Of course now I have to figure otu what to take. I've been pregnant or just had a baby the last 3 winters. I have hardly no fall/winter clothes.

Atlanta to Seattle... You're doing a longish layover on the way, I hope? I've done straight and jump with toddlers and younger, and I *swear* it's far easier to do the layover... long enough for the kid(s) to run around... and for you to rest your arms with a stroller for the younger one(s).

If not... I promise I'll be sending hopeful wishes for an easy flight your way!!! (it can happen... I got lucky the first time my son flew... at 2 1/2 months from Portland, OR back to Maryland ... well, back for us, his first time "home") And I warn you... if we get to meet up at the meet-up, I like toddler games... now that mine are bigger

-Liz

No layover! We have my whole family through (10 of us counting the boys). We are going to bring the carseats since we are driving from seattle to vancouver and back afterwards. Plus I'm hoping since the oldest knows that when he's in his carseat he has to stay in the carset that it will help some. I'm packing their little book bags with snacks, travel games, coloring etc. If you have any suggests on things to put in their book bags let me know.

 

[cryssi]

I'm bring them. The hard part is going to be keeping my ds out of the big pool. He'll be 2 and no where near potty trainined. He's not going to understand why he can't get in since he does at home. How old is your ds? Maybe we could meet and let them play together.

My DS will be 20 months and loves to swim at home, too! That would be fun if they could play together!

 

[nordkin]

I'm excited to say we've decided to do FE!!! I was worried I wouldn't have time to make something but I just figured it out I will PM the person doing the personalized gifts.
Also our friends going with us want in too. You have my info but theirs is
room 6541 Genelle and Peter they have a DD 9 (her bday june 26th)

I do have a question about the actual Fish Extenders...do we have to have one with multiple pockets? Wasn't sure how that works. This will be our 5th cruise but we've never done the FE before...THANKS

We always use one with two pockets for our room but only because that is the way it came when it was given to us. I have used a single pocket one before and even just a small canvas bag. It doesn't have to be anything special unless you want it to be, just something to put the gifts in.

 

[nordkin]

I have been lax on updating the list as I have been very busy. I am going to make every effort to do it tonight as there have been additions to those participating in the fish extenders and the posting has picked up on the thread.

We have been discussing what to take and are definitely taking mainly long pants and things to dress in layers. We will also bring short sleeve shirts and a pair or two of shorts just in case. It is going to be more difficult for our daughter-in-law as she will be 22 weeks pregnant and since she is due the first week of November she does not want to buy winter maternity clothes. I am sure we will figure out something even if it is her wearing another person's larger jackets and sweatshirts. She is very petite so that should not be a problem.

 

[nordkin]

I have updated the list of cruisers and the fish extender list on page one. Please let me know if there are any errors or additions needed.

 

[cryssi]

I have been lax on updating the list as I have been very busy. I am going to make every effort to do it tonight as there have been additions to those participating in the fish extenders and the posting has picked up on the thread.

We have been discussing what to take and are definitely taking mainly long pants and things to dress in layers. We will also bring short sleeve shirts and a pair or two of shorts just in case. It is going to be more difficult for our daughter-in-law as she will be 22 weeks pregnant and since she is due the first week of November she does not want to buy winter maternity clothes. I am sure we will figure out something even if it is her wearing another person's larger jackets and sweatshirts. She is very petite so that should not be a problem.

Old Navy maternity stuff is VERY reasonable if she just wants to pick up one or two items for the trip.

 

[crazydayz]

Hi Everyone,
I am so anxious about packing and having room for everything that I decided to do a trial run just to get an idea of what I was taking. Well I had a whole suitcase full and that was not including the rest of the family. I really have to narrow things down. I think I am over-thinking things. The boys will be easier I think. Although I was reading another thread and it said 'No Jeans at dinner' I am hoping that at least the kids can get away with a nice pair of dark jeans. I am also debating whether to bring our Pirate outfits. We wore them on our first cruise and got so many fun pictures and had a blast at the party. Not sure if we should take them this time around with all these packing issues. Is anybody else dressing up for Pirate Night?
Oh and I am really having a hard time trying to decide on an FE gift. I really want to make something just not sure what? So many things to still do, but it will make the time go faster.

 

[mybelle01]

I have updated the list of cruisers and the fish extender list on page one. Please let me know if there are any errors or additions needed.

I haven't posted enough to pm anyone so can you add my two boys names to the list. There names are connor and Will. Thanx for adding us!

 

[buddywesley]

We always use one with two pockets for our room but only because that is the way it came when it was given to us. I have used a single pocket one before and even just a small canvas bag. It doesn't have to be anything special unless you want it to be, just something to put the gifts in.

thanks for the info and for organizing the FE...can't wait!!!!

 

[daisy112878]

My DS will be 20 months and loves to swim at home, too! That would be fun if they could play together!

Oh that would be great! DH keeps saying what are we going to do with Bailey if he can't swim. We are going to bring a small ball and some other little toys for him to play with on the top deck in case we can't swim. We could let them play together if you want too.

 

[daisy112878]

Hi Everyone,
I am so anxious about packing and having room for everything that I decided to do a trial run just to get an idea of what I was taking. Well I had a whole suitcase full and that was not including the rest of the family. I really have to narrow things down. I think I am over-thinking things. The boys will be easier I think. Although I was reading another thread and it said 'No Jeans at dinner' I am hoping that at least the kids can get away with a nice pair of dark jeans. I am also debating whether to bring our Pirate outfits. We wore them on our first cruise and got so many fun pictures and had a blast at the party. Not sure if we should take them this time around with all these packing issues. Is anybody else dressing up for Pirate Night?
Oh and I am really having a hard time trying to decide on an FE gift. I really want to make something just not sure what? So many things to still do, but it will make the time go faster.

My boys will be in jeans on regular nights and on formal night in brown pants. That's about all I have for them. I do have sweater vests and sweaters for them to wear. I've actually woren nice dark jeans on casual nights to the restaurants with a nicer top and heels. I didn't feel out of place at all. The packing this trip is going to be tough especailly since we'll be in Seattle on saturday before the cruise.

We have been discussing what to take and are definitely taking mainly long pants and things to dress in layers. We will also bring short sleeve shirts and a pair or two of shorts just in case. It is going to be more difficult for our daughter-in-law as she will be 22 weeks pregnant and since she is due the first week of November she does not want to buy winter maternity clothes. I am sure we will figure out something even if it is her wearing another person's larger jackets and sweatshirts. She is very petite so that should not be a problem.

Old Navy - they have long sleeve tshirt type shirts that would be great for laying. They are pretty cheap and she'll probably wear them afterwards for a little bit. One of my favorite maternity items were my maternity yoga pants from Old Navy. Super comfortable and great for after giving birth. She probably will not want them for the cruise but they are really good to have.

 

[That_Australian_Kid]

We are getting very excited down here in Sydney too!! ..

...

Looking forward to meeting you on board and having a 'whale' of a time...

Lea

Didn't realise there were other Aussies in this thread... Awesome

 

[buddywesley]

I just wanted to make sure there were no food allergies in the FE group? I figured not since no one had mentioned it? Also, are we supposed to say who it's from on them or is it a surprise?