June 7, 2011 Alaska

[chernabogfamily]

Here is a better link to what the FE (fish extender) is all about. Kind of like secret santa...and a lot of fun for not only the kids, but adults too. We got mini bottles of rum and homemade keychains and necklaces on our last cruise.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=

Hope this helps explain better than I can.

 

[willful]

Thanks for the welcome, I bought all my supplies to make my FE. It might have cost the same to buy it, but this way I can have have the memory of making it with my daughter.
Okay so now I am trying to keep all the fish participants straight, is there a trick to it? I would love some suggestions.

We went out as a family to the crafts store to get FE supplies. I think I could've purchased one online for cheaper but this way we'll have memories doing this as a family.

We've always done late seating before. But this will be our first experience with main seating. We'll see what we think of that.

We had late setting on our last cruise in 2008. That was pre-child. Now with our daughter (2 yrs) we thought/hoped first seating will work best for us.

We have Amtrak booked from Seattle to Vancouver. Now we just need to book Vancouver to Seattle post-cruse. We'll probably take Quick Shuttle. But then I saw something about visiting Victoria then taking the Victoria Clipper back to Seattle (I think that's what I read on another thread).

 

[disneypoor]

Hello! We are flying out of Kansas City on the 6th also. I think they have our flight at 10:14 AM. We are so excited but May is a very busy time for us at school. Trying to work on FE gifts plus end of year school project for my kindergarten class.

I'm a teacher also, so I know all about this time of year being absolutely crazy! We are getting out a bit early this year (May 19th), so I'm pretty excited about that! Hopefully I'll have some time to get serious about this cruise. I saw somewhere that someone had bought rain ponchos and waterproof shoes, and I hadn't even thought about things like that!

We fly out of KC at 7:06 a.m. We arrive in Vancouver at 11:01 a.m. and are staying at the Pacific Rim. I've read nothing but wonderful reviews of that hotel, so I can't wait to see it!

Hang in there! The end of the school year will be here before we know it, and then we get to go on this fabulous vacation!

Susan

 

[disneypoor]

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I ran home at lunch because I just knew our cruise documents would be there! There's something about holding those things in my hands that makes it seem so real!

 

[willful]

I saw somewhere that someone had bought rain ponchos and waterproof shoes, and I hadn't even thought about things like that!

You should be able to find something at one of the ports...or maybe while in Vancouver. We made sure to get waterproof hiking boots and waterproof/windproof jackets because it rains a lot in Ketchikan (and we're also going to Seattle before and after the cruise). I didn't have a good rain jacket so I used this trip to change that.

 

[disneypoor]

You should be able to find something at one of the ports...or maybe while in Vancouver. We made sure to get waterproof hiking boots and waterproof/windproof jackets because it rains a lot in Ketchikan (and we're also going to Seattle before and after the cruise). I didn't have a good rain jacket so I used this trip to change that.

Thank you for the advice. I'm hoping to do a little bit of shopping before we leave. I'm a runner, so I have a waterproof/windproof jacket, but the rest of my family will need one. I'm hoping Dick's Sporting Goods will have them on sale since summer is quickly approaching. Do you think we'll really need the waterproof hiking boots? This is all new territory for us. I'm used to packing for the beach, so we will likely freeze to death while on this trip.

 

[willful]

Thank you for the advice. I'm hoping to do a little bit of shopping before we leave. I'm a runner, so I have a waterproof/windproof jacket, but the rest of my family will need one. I'm hoping Dick's Sporting Goods will have them on sale since summer is quickly approaching. Do you think we'll really need the waterproof hiking boots? This is all new territory for us. I'm used to packing for the beach, so we will likely freeze to death while on this trip.

Haha...I'm with you on the clothes packing! At first, I was thinking summer beach weather and then i went ooohhhh DANG!! I'm saying yes to waterproof hiking boots only because we are planning for active excursions with multiple chances for wet, soggy weather. I'm not looking forward to wet feet. Also I'm thinking of these shoes as investments and plan to use them in the future. You could get some waterproofing spray for existing shoes you have. Cheaper option. I'm unsure how well it will work. Maybe others have tried this option and can chime in.

We've had good success with REI and LL Bean finding good prices. Also think layers. In case it warms up you can peal off layers...or add more layers if it gets colder.

I'll try and post my packing list later.

 

[disneypoor]

Haha...I'm with you on the clothes packing! At first, I was thinking summer beach weather and then i went ooohhhh DANG!! I'm saying yes to waterproof hiking boots only because we are planning for active excursions with multiple chances for wet, soggy weather. I'm not looking forward to wet feet. Also I'm thinking of these shoes as investments and plan to use them in the future. You could get some waterproofing spray for existing shoes you have. Cheaper option. I'm unsure how well it will work. Maybe others have tried this option and can chime in.

We've had good success with REI and LL Bean finding good prices. Also think layers. In case it warms up you can peal off layers...or add more layers if it gets colder.

I'll try and post my packing list later.

I would love to see your packing list! I know I need to add binoculars to my packing list. I don't want to forget those! I can probably scratch swimsuits, shorts, etc., but I need to know how much cold weather gear I might need. I'm very anxious to begin seeing some trip reports after tomorrow!

 

[willful]

I'm SUPER eager for the first trip reports to come in! I had wanted to be on 1st cruise but glad now there are others ahead of us so we can learn from their trips.

You might want to check out this blog: http://www.adventureserikjason.blogspot.com/

They are on the repo and 1st Alaskan cruise.

 

[disneypoor]

I'm SUPER eager for the first trip reports to come in! I had wanted to be on 1st cruise but glad now there are others ahead of us so we can learn from their trips.

You might want to check out this blog: http://www.adventureserikjason.blogspot.com/

They are on the repo and 1st Alaskan cruise.

Thanks for sharing! I just read through their blog up to today, and I can't wait to read about Alaska!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

I was getting super excited for this cruise... I had given up on the interview process I was going through hadn't heard anything in a while... and now I have another interview next week anyways who knows what will happen I went on a harbor cruise yesterday and took some photos of the port and surrounding areas thought I would post a link to the photos if anyone is interested.
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k59/_muah_cherryz_muah_/Harbour Cruise/?albumview=slideshow
Also I'm planning on heading downtown tomorrow as long as it isn't peeing down with rain to see the Wonder in port for the first time, I'll take some more photos and post a link to them too

 

[chernabogfamily]

My cruise documents came today!!!

 

[ldconley]

I am about to go crazy. I am in TN and we lost power in the storms last Wednesday. We did finally get power back Sunday night but no cable, internet or phone. The place I work has blocked Disboards so I cannot check out what is going on from work either. I finally decided to use my phone. I can read and post but this sure is a little screen and keyboard to work with. At least it is better than nothing.

Looks like there has been quite a bit of activity in our group the last few days. Guess everyone is getting excited. I know I am. We got our cruise documents this weekend. Glad to see that other people did too.

Hope everyone has a great day and that I have internet when I get home tonight.

 

[ldconley]

Hi - we booked the late seating. Anyone else?

Walter

We are on late seating too.

 

[pixie3]

Well it took most of today but we just got on this cruise!!!!

Welcome aboard. I will place you on our list on the first page. Let me know if you would like to participate in the Fish Exchange Game. There are still 2 weeks before the cut off date.

We made sure to get waterproof hiking boots and waterproof/windproof jackets because it rains a lot in Ketchikan

We have hiking boots and rain jackets as well. We are brining binoculars and probably COLD gear as we are mushing dogs.

Dicks had some rain jackets as well as LL Bean and REI. None of them really had a lot of choices in the kid departments, though.

 

[pixie3]

We found out our cabin number - I will pm it to you. But I can tell you it's a
Category 6. w/ Veranda

For some reason I "think" you PM'd me with your stateroom number, but I don't see it. I could be wrong, haha! If you did, would you please send it to me again. THanks!

I'm SUPER eager for the first trip reports to come in! I had wanted to be on 1st cruise but glad now there are others ahead of us so we can learn from their trips.

You might want to check out this blog: http://www.adventureserikjason.blogspot.com/

They are on the repo and 1st Alaskan cruise.

Thanks for the link. I am also anxious to see the posts from that 1st cruise.

We are on late seating too.

Another late seating here!!! I usually don't like to do that with the kids, but with all the excursions etc. I wanted a later dinner.

 

[rewhitingjr]

Disney Wonder made it to Vancouver this morning. Follow web cam link and see her docked at Canada Place.

www . northvancouver . com / webcams / cruisecam /

Papers came Friday ... trip only five weeks away.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

I went downtown to see the Wonder today, I got some photos of the ship, as well I took a few photos of the Pan Pacific for those of you staying there. I saw Minnie as well getting on and off the ship got a couple of photos of her! Here's the link if anyone wants to take a look

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k59/_muah_cherryz_muah_/Disney Wonder May 3 2011/

 

[chernabogfamily]

I went downtown to see the Wonder today, I got some photos of the ship, as well I took a few photos of the Pan Pacific for those of you staying there. I saw Minnie as well getting on and off the ship got a couple of photos of her! Here's the link if anyone wants to take a look

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k59/_muah_cherryz_muah_/Disney Wonder May 3 2011/

Cool pictures! Thanks for posting them. I'm getting so excited!!

 

[rewhitingjr]

Track the Disney Wonder on its first Alaska Cruise using the following web site:

http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shipposition.phtml?call=C6QM8