Just returned from Alaska Wonder cruise - general musings

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Thank you for sharing with others OP!

I can offer, we've done two Alaskan cruises on the Disney Wonder and both times stayed at the Pan Pacific and *love* it! Our first sailing was in 6/2013 and the most recent was in 8/2016. I booked us a regular room rate and did not book the "cruise package" as it was much more than the basic harbour view room and we didn't need the extras since the luggage transfer is included for free. I did as a few others mentioned, just called bell services/concierge at the time they advised to and they came up and picked up our luggage, we tipped them, and saw the luggage later. Sorry yours wasn't as smooth OP!

I can definitely say the way to board the ship *definitely* changed from 2013 to 2016 and yes, agreed it felt more complex this last time. Luckily I had read this prior to our cruise so I knew it wasn't the same process as in 2013 however it was odd indeed! We did go where they said to (might have been that exhibition hall another poster mentioned) and luckily for us there were different employees and CM's pointing us to the right location. I'd say there was one at each area, but not a lot. We were there early since I'm Platinum and wanted to be onboard ASAP to see a CM friend. Anyhoo - It did feel like a maze and our trail even walked us outside for a brief moment, then back in, then finally into the huge waiting area which again, was not the same area in 2013. It eventually led to the same DCL waiting area however. Again, OP sorry it wasn't as clear for you, meaning sorry they didn't have people pointing you in the right direction and I can definitely see that would be confusing and feel chaotic.

Our 2013 cruise had 900 kids and the 2016 cruise had 600 kids so it was noticeable between the two but we didn't have any issues at all

Alaska is simply amazing!

Heather

 

[Racer X]

Hi Heather - thanks and glad you had a great time as well! It was really OK just not as smooth as i was thinking it would or could be. Glad another poster received the cruise info with check in as well. To your point, we did the entire walking around the building as well. Perhaps if they had more DCL employees at each checkpoint it would have felt smoother. It didn't in any way ruin the trip, and i don't want it to seem over-blown. Just an observation. I would also like to point out that recent trip reports on Trip Advisor show slipping ratings for the PP - mostly in the way customer service.

 

[cruiser21]

Just curious what your issues with the PP was?

They gave us a room with one bed. I was told by the manager when that when you book through a third party sight you have to take what you get. We didn't request 2 beds, but there were four of us on the reservation. He also said a lot of people sleep with their kids so they wouldn't know that we needed 2 beds without requesting them???? The room was also too small for rollaways. The manager was really bizarre. He said some other strange things I won't go into. Thankfully another manager stepped in and took care of the issue, but the customer service at the check in desk to the first manager was awful. I wasn't impressed with the service in the restaurant either. It wasn't a bad stay. I just didn't walk away from there feeling like it was worth the premium price they charge. There are other hotels a short walk from the pier which are a lot less money.

 

[Ravenne]

I'm curious, would feedback on the guest comment card about this help with the embarkation confusion? Or is it a Canada Place thing, and there's nothing DCL can do about it?

 

[xlxo]

If it's the luggage transfer service. I think that needs to be directed to the hotel.

For those arriving by taxi or car into the terminal... I find there is sufficient staff providing direction/crowd control to find the luggage drop. The cruise terminal does not need vehicles circling.

• The public area before security can help with additional staff. In some visits I found cruise line staff there to help with the confusion. In others, I had to figure it out myself.
• I would like to see additional staff at the bus area and the elevator down directing people where to go.
• US customs can have additional officers to speed up screening.

With regards to cruisers.... I've learned to avoid arriving between 11am and 1:30pm. That's the peak congestion.

 

[Ravenne]

If you are referring to the luggage transfer option. I think that needs to be directed to the hotel.

4. Cruise:

Embarkation was confusing. We seemed to walk the bowels of the terminal for miles! Nobody knew where to take the luggage and there were absolutely NO DCL employees working the beginning of the line... Not until you reached the checkin area did you see a DCL employee.

Not just the luggage transfer, but the confusion on where to go to drop off luggage, then where to proceed for check in, just so you're not like...uh...are these my shipmates? Where am I going? Hey, is that a porter? Who do I ask here for assistance? I would think an email from DCL with instructions (upon arrival to Canada Place, drop off your luggage at Level XYZ, then proceed upstairs to Level ABC to check in) would be helpful in a port that could be serving 4 ships at a time. Or better signage? Or would they perhaps allow a DCL CM to stand near entrances to direct people? That sort of thing.

 

[Racer X]

Not just the luggage transfer, but the confusion on where to go to drop off luggage, then where to proceed for check in, just so you're not like...uh...are these my shipmates? Where am I going? Hey, is that a porter? Who do I ask here for assistance? I would think an email from DCL with instructions (upon arrival to Canada Place, drop off your luggage at Level XYZ, then proceed upstairs to Level ABC to check in) would be helpful in a port that could be serving 4 ships at a time. Or better signage? Or would they perhaps allow a DCL CM to stand near entrances to direct people? That sort of thing.

Agree! All of the above!

 

[Racer X]

So i think some of the issue is that there seems to be no connection/communication from Pan -> Canada Place -> Port -> DCL. These entities are all working independently and we as travelers sort of expected there to be more of a connection since they are all in the same building (not unrealistic i think). But in reality, none of these entities really cares where you have been and where you are going. So, just to summarize and not continue the dead horse beating, in my mind, what would help the traveler is:

1) Better Signage at the Pan. Both from the Lobby level for check in and for cruise passengers on how to navigate back to the port. Concierge was not even helpful in this regard almost as is if at that point it wasn't their problem.

2) Better signage at Canada Place directing cruise passengers. This place is HUUUGE! Like an airport! If you are walking in off the street or from the Pan you sort of have to figure it out yourself.

3) The Port should have more employees directing you to your ship and where to take your luggage

4) Would be nice if DCL had an employee at the Canada place lobby level directing you. Then another employee at the luggage drop are helping direct this process.

All of the above is not that difficult to implement but does involve all entities, and since they don't seem to communicate with each other the end result is a little bit of unnecessary confusion and stress.

 

[xlxo]

Then there are "sign by laws". I was there for a conference a few years back. When I held a sign to say our seminar was full.... the sign police got upset and asked me to take it down.

Yes, do write to all parties about poor directions.

 

[love__goofy]

I've heard mosquitos are really bad in Alaska. I am a magnet..unfortunately. Did you encounter this? Just wondering if I will be eaten alive?

 

[cruiser21]

I've heard mosquitos are really bad in Alaska. I am a magnet..unfortunately. Did you encounter this? Just wondering if I will be eaten alive?

What month are you going? They are the worst in May-June and start to die off from the frost late July. If your going in August or September you should be OK.

 

[Racer X]

Hi - they were there in the rainforest areas.. but it didn't seem like they were a lot. I am also a magnet... we brought some repelleant wipes just in case but didn't wind up using them. Wouldnt hurt if you brought a few and thew them in your bag just in case!

 

[love__goofy]

What month are you going? They are the worst in May-June and start to die off from the frost late July. If your going in August or September you should be OK.

We were going to go 4th of July week, but I just tried to book last night and couldn't get the first dining seating, so I didn't. Some of our family was falling asleep at dinner on our last cruise on the late dining...and all of my kids are above 10...lol.

I think I will look to book in August. I hate mosquitos!

 

[love__goofy]

Hi - they were there in the rainforest areas.. but it didn't seem like they were a lot. I am also a magnet... we brought some repelleant wipes just in case but didn't wind up using them. Wouldnt hurt if you brought a few and thew them in your bag just in case!

Thanks! I will make sure I purchase the wipes. Good idea!!!

 

[cruiser21]

We were going to go 4th of July week, but I just tried to book last night and couldn't get the first dining seating, so I didn't. Some of our family was falling asleep at dinner on our last cruise on the late dining...and all of my kids are above 10...lol.

I think I will look to book in August. I hate mosquitos!

August is usually less money so that's a plus. The salmon is running too so a better chance of seeing bears.

 

[Racer X]

"If you miss the hotel cruise luggage pickup.... take your luggage down to the cruise ship level by elevator. Longshore men will be waiting for you in the middle of the parkade (look for cabs unloading) to grab your luggage. Then join the line for security and US customs to board the Wonder."

^^^ this is not true of our experience or many others. Maybe it depends on time of day, however at 10:30 they seemed to be too busy helping those dis-embarking... and security had no idea what to do with it.

 

[GPaLarry]

We were also on the Wonder cruise that ended a week ago today. We stayed across the street at the Fairmont Waterfront. After hotel check-in we went over to the terminal and scoped it out. Even with this bit of knowledge, and thinking we knew the steps involved in cruise check-in, it was confusing on boarding day. There should be an obvious Disney person/character at the street entrance directing people to the next Disney person, etc. to make entering from the street seamless. Now, arriving by car, cab, and limo is fairly simple. Drive into the terminal parking garage below the cruise ship logo to the "CS" level, then to the far end, turn/bend left to the luggage drop off area. Leave family there, where tagged bags are picked up by (non-Disney, tippable) porters, park the car in any unassigned space, join family and follow signs to customs and read signs, ask guides/CMs toward check-in and boarding ship. When you enter the atrium, give them your name and let out a huge, huge sign of relief...you have arrived. Soon after, you might worry about your luggage...order the drink of the day...it will get there.
In Endicott Glacier we saw (port side verandah) huge numbers of seals on icebergs as we approached the glacier. Later we saw several cavings as the ship slowly turned to starboard. This is when a hummingbird flew by. What he/she has to feed on up there is a mystery.
Wife and I did the Liarsville (SW36) in Skagway...hint: look in the stream on the way to the gold panning troughs. The show was corny, but it was informative and the kids love it. Food was good, although limited in selections...the Wonder spoils you.
In Juneau we did the Science Adventure (JU33) with granddaughter who was too young to go with daughter and family zip-lining. Just 20 feet from the dock a bald eagle came swooping down and snagged a large fish out of the water, flew to a large dock support and promptly dropped it. A fellow eagle joined him/her and looked down in the water at what could have been. We continued and our 7-year-old was not happy with the smaller boat, speed, noise, rocking and let us know it. With only 10 adults and 5 kids, the guide did her best to keep her entertained with a book about what we might see. The captain made a special trip to a small rock formation to show her seals, her favorite, a bunch of them. "I love you baby seals," she yelled. We pulled up a crab trap and found a sea star, part of a marine experiment, which she liked. After seeing whales, seals, stars, etc. came the long haul back to the dock. The captain had earlier shown our granddaughter how the ship was driven, which took her mind off her distress. Now, he put her on his lap and said she could steer us back to the dock. Instead of crying or complaining, she sat there helping to steer, could see where we were going and settled into being "captain" for the fast, noisy trip back. What a magical moment she/we will never forget.
In Ketchikan we did the duck tour (KE49) with our son and his family of 2 older daughters. Weather was iffy, but we had a great time touring the city then seeing it from the bay. The plastic sides of the duck were up and the portholes for photos were few and hard to get to. However, the guide and driver were friendly and very informative.
On our last "at sea" day we attended the last naturalist Doug Jones presentation (should have been earlier in the cruise) on bears. There were four in all on glaciers, Alaska's wilderness and bears. Also watched the diaper dash which was a hoot.
Only real negative was that our stateroom, 8006, verandah was slightly behind and below the smoking area on deck 9 portside. As much as DCL tried to keep people off the rail above from flipping ashes into our verandah, the smell continued. Why not put this area in the aft area, in the smokestack, anywhere but the forward part of any of their ships. The only thing that cleared the air was when it rained on the smokers. Is a smoke-free ship possible?
With all the above in mind, we would love to book a trip to Alaska again in a different stateroom. Most valuable items taken on cruise were binoculars, layers of outerwear (waterproof) and sunscreen.

 

[cruiser21]

I'm booking my excursions through Alaska Excursions. Skagway-dog sledding, Juneau- white water rafting, Ketchikan- Eagle and Bear sanctuary. The total price for 1 adult and 1 kid who luckily does not turn 13 until right after the cruise is 604.00. I'm saving a about 300.00 over booking any similar excursions through DCL. A lot of that has to do with my son being charged a child rate. I will report back my thoughts on the excursions, but the reviews of this company are very good. I recommend anyone with kids under the age of 13 not to book through DCL. Every excursion company I looked at charged child rates for 12 and under. Most other cruise lines do the same. I'm not sure why DCL thinks 10 year olds should be charged adult rates.

 

[Ravenne]

I'm booking my excursions through Alaska Excursions. Skagway-dog sledding, Juneau- white water rafting, Ketchikan- Eagle and Bear sanctuary. The total price for 1 adult and 1 kid who luckily does not turn 13 until right after the cruise is 604.00. I'm saving a about 300.00 over booking any similar excursions through DCL. A lot of that has to do with my son being charged a child rate. I will report back my thoughts on the excursions, but the reviews of this company are very good. I recommend anyone with kids under the age of 13 not to book through DCL. Every excursion company I looked at charged child rates for 12 and under. Most other cruise lines do the same. I'm not sure why DCL thinks 10 year olds should be charged adult rates.

Do you have to pay in advance? What's their cancellation policy like?

 

[#NotMyName]

We are on the cruise now. We stayed at pan pacific for 3 days before the cruise and loved it. When we checked
in the lady asked us if we were going on a cruise and gave us a card that was with our room keys in a little pack thing that also included an actually key. The card had information on getting your luggage to the cruise ship. It stated that you needed to call bell services between I think it was 8am and 11am. No latter than 11:00am as it may miss the ship. You cannot pre book a time you just call them when you are ready. We called about 9:00 am they came within 10 min and we next saw our luggage on the ship.

Thanks for sharing this information. This convenience is one of the reasons I am planning to stay at Pan Pacific.