Let the packing begin! Alaska Wonder 5/31/2011

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

OK. So I can't resist! There is nothing better than getting all of your thoughts on "paper" prior to going on a Disney vacation...in any form!!! So, here is the intro, how we ended up on this cruise and the excitement that all comes along with it...(which up until this point has been kind of lacking...but as you read you will understand why-I think)

So, to begin with how about some introductions...
Me. A big kid at heart and loves all things Disney and have since first getting Sleeping Beauty on vinyl from my grandparents as a child.
DH converted to the Disney way after our first trip in 2004...(Good thing he saw it my way...Or that might have ended our relationship JK...but it would have made it difficult LOL)

Past & Future Trips...
2004 3 land/4 sea This is where DH realized Disney is A-mazing!
2006 land and free dining
2009 3 sea (will never do just 3 days at sea again-too short)
2010 DFTW with 1 week at Disney
2011 DCL ALASKA!!!
2011 (November) Disneyland!!! (super excited about this. Going for a work conference-but going down early...A girl has to have her priorities!)

So, how did we end up on the boat. Funny story. So, I was at job #1 and a co-worker (who knows we love all things Disney) says, "Did you hear DCL is going to Alaska???" Um no. We were in the middle of planning our DFTW and I had not been paying attention...So, hmmm....really. I mention something to (at the time) DF. Who, kind of blows me off. Or so I thought.
A few days later, DF says, "Check with out TA and see when we can book Alaska." Um...ok...Don't have to tell me twice. So, we thought that we could book right away...but she had messed up the # of cruises you had to have taken in order to book early. She then tells us that we can book on X date and that she would take care of it. At the time job #2 for me was as a photographer and I was on location which meant that there was NO way that I was going to be able to get to her that day. I explained this and told her that she would have to be in touch with DF. I figured he could handle it.
The day it came to book, I had countless emails, text, and voice mail from both DF and TA. I tried to answer them as best I can but in the end DF needed to make a decision. At first he wanted to get on the first trip to Alaska, but he decided that we weren't going to do that. Instead, we will be on the 5/31 voyage...in our first stateroom on the Wonder in 2004.

A side story about our stateroom. We had the conversation in our stateroom back in 2004 that we would only go to Alaska if DCL went. (WDW and DCL made THAT kind of impression on DF) As a matter of fact, if you can tell....we haven't sailed or traveled with any other company since that first trip in 2004... The cool part is that the stateroom we had that conversation in is the stateroom that we will be in for or Alaskan cruise We also decided this is our honeymoon, so that made the whole thing even a bit more special for us!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

So, why the lack in enthusiasm??? When we got home from our DFTW...DH and I decided to start looking for a house. YIKES! Our first real, honest to goodness home. Of course this started taking up all sorts of typical planning time. There was quite a bit to learn and even more to figure out. Every spare second was taken up by looking for houses. Since DCL hasn't had the Alaskan itinerary yet-there wasn't much on the boards except speculation about what might be....
So, as if deciding to give us a self fulfilling prophecy...DH says, "Watch...We'll find a house just before we leave for Alaska." We discussed the finer things... More or less...if this was going to happen-how would we afford it. We came to the conclusion that honestly, we had been waiting for this trip for what 2 years...and if you really count back from 2004-5 years. There was no way we were going to miss it and we would figure it out one way or another. (Shhh...Don't tell the budget board types!)
Lo and behold we found our house...and close 15 days before we leave...

Now, we started spending time shopping for our home. Getting everything that we need and started packing. Still, remember...Not much on the boards at this point about Alaska-other than some meet groups, random questions, and some other hub-bub...but nothing sound...So, now what? I was in desperate need of some serious planning type pixie dust! I even posted on the board something to the tune of being 75 days out at the time and not having anything packed or ready...This amazing trip was lacking all things pixie dust and I was pretty sad about it. After the excursion scheduling date...it's all waiting from there...
Then someone suggested getting into and FE group! PERFECT! So, I did that and have been getting things together for that ever since!

I've also been doing some other random planning. For example, we have never been to Vancouver before...So, looking for things to do and places to go have been fun. On a silly meal note...We have been to East Side Mario's in the past on other Canada trips. Both of us have agreed that we will either have lunch or dinner there...From what I hear Vancouver has some amazing restaurants...and we want pizza...Seriously...Have we gone mad?

And so the waiting continues....Only X more days left pending on what my countdown says...

 

[famviramontes]

We are on the cruise with you. We also said that when DCL goes to Alaska, we will go. I love reading these trip reports and yours is all the more exciting because we are sailing with you.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

We are on the cruise with you. We also said that when DCL goes to Alaska, we will go. I love reading these trip reports and yours is all the more exciting because we are sailing with you.

That is AWESOME! Yeah for the Alaska Crew 5/31!!!
Are you doing the FE?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Yay! Here you are all ready(ish) to go to Alaska!

My DH couldn't get any time off during the summer so we are doing the Mexican Riviera over Hallowe'en!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Yay! Here you are all ready(ish) to go to Alaska!

My DH couldn't get any time off during the summer so we are doing the Mexican Riviera over Hallowe'en!

Ready-ISH is definitely the right word!

Now here is the silly part...As much as Alaska has always been our dream trip...The weather where we live has been cold, rainy, and last week we even got snow I laugh b/c most days Alaska weather has been right on target with the weather at home. Figures right? Most people go away on vacation to someplace warmer...Nope, not us. We are going to go someplace as cold or colder...

(So, I envy your Mexican Riviera cruise...but will still love every moment of Alaska! )

Happy Easter Everyone!

I'm hoping to get some stuff packed today!!! (Really. I am. )

 

[smb6]

We are also on this 5/31 sailing.... It is definately getting close!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

We are also on this 5/31 sailing.... It is definately getting close!

YES IT IS!

We started packing up the apartment today...going to try to get some trip packing done as well...

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

OK. So we got some apartment packing done..And to make sure I didn't leave out any travel stuff, I worked on our FE gifts. My gifts have been done for about a week...Today, I took the time to put them into baggies with the designated room number. The only problem...and I'm sure this isn't a problem...but when you look at them...some of the items are small and make the baggie look huge and empty (I only used a quart size baggie) This wasn't my intent, I just wanted to make sure that everything was squared away for an easy drop off so that we don't get 'caught.' DH and I do some geocaching from time to time and rule #1 is to not get caught...Like I said, I'm sure it isn't a problem..just me feeling bad that the baggies don't look fuller. I also don't want to stuff them with candy. You can eat what ever you want on the ship...and since I'm not a parent I don't want to A. Give kids a sugar high for their parents to deal with...and B. Since I work in an allergy clinic-don't want to give someone something they can't have. That would be BAD!

Since we were packing things up...I did find some travel size items that will cut down on the space in our suitcases!

Now if I can just get motivated to get everything else packed...

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

So, today the suitcases came out! This is where being on a new itinerary isn't the easiest...When is formal night? What 'special' nights are they going to have? And since we have never packed for a 7 night cruise -especially to Alaska--How many layers and what else are we going to need???

So, I pulled out the suitcases and realized that our large suitcase has a pull in the seam. NOT GOOD! We have 2 smaller suitcases...and a garment bag...but having to pay for luggage is going to be ridiculous and lugging luggage is a pain Now what? Going to need a back up plan. I did find my CC tote..which made me happy. I started putting all of our little stuff (pins, toiletries, etc) in that to make sure they are all in one place. I purchased the BEST shoes for dinner one night...and now can not find them... 1 dress made it into the garment bag..but I can't find the other. How many of these am I going to need??? I was kind of hoping to do khaki's and cruise casual tops the majority of the time...
So, I do what every other planner does...Call Disney CC Club. Go through the prompts...and they are experiencing high call volumes blah blah blah...So, I sit and wait. It would be so much better if they just let you listen to the music for your allotted time as opposed to interrupting with "You can do this..or that...by going to..." The music makes me happy. So, back to listening to the music and I get....cut off?!?!?!? Seriously. So, we abort that idea...and it's back to finding dresses and figuring out what to wear.

Here is hoping all clothing and shoes show up!

I have to say...I can't wait for the first wave of cruisers to get back...the suspense is killing me!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

So, DH and I are busy packing and getting things ready...to move...and to get to Alaska...Seems to be the theme in this thread...Pretty boring I know.

Thus far. Our FE gifts were up-to-date...and yesterday the list closed...So, now we need to go thru and make sure that we have everyone! Don't want to miss anyone.

I'll post our FE gifts (If I can find my camera to take pics) after we get back...Don't want to ruin the surprise!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Last night we went to see Beauty & The Beast on stage...It was a-mazing! It was a great way to kick off the month and count down the rest of the month.
Packing is coming a long slowly but surely.

 

[bld disney]

We will be on the May 31st cruise as well! Can't wait!! I've been looking at a few of the blogs that have been posted with pictures and am getting very excited!! See you there.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

We will be on the May 31st cruise as well! Can't wait!! I've been looking at a few of the blogs that have been posted with pictures and am getting very excited!! See you there.

Yeah! Another cruise mate! We just got done reading one of the blogs and now...I think I'm too excited to sleep!!!

See ya real soon!

 

[macm525]

OK. So I can't resist! There is nothing better than getting all of your thoughts on "paper" prior to going on a Disney vacation...in any form!!! So, here is the intro, how we ended up on this cruise and the excitement that all comes along with it...(which up until this point has been kind of lacking...but as you read you will understand why-I think)

So, to begin with how about some introductions...
Me. A big kid at heart and loves all things Disney and have since first getting Sleeping Beauty on vinyl from my grandparents as a child.
DH converted to the Disney way after our first trip in 2004...(Good thing he saw it my way...Or that might have ended our relationship JK...but it would have made it difficult LOL)

Past & Future Trips...
2004 3 land/4 sea This is where DH realized Disney is A-mazing!
2006 land and free dining
2009 3 sea (will never do just 3 days at sea again-too short)
2010 DFTW with 1 week at Disney
2011 DCL ALASKA!!!
2011 (November) Disneyland!!! (super excited about this. Going for a work conference-but going down early...A girl has to have her priorities!)

So, how did we end up on the boat. Funny story. So, I was at job #1 and a co-worker (who knows we love all things Disney) says, "Did you hear DCL is going to Alaska???" Um no. We were in the middle of planning our DFTW and I had not been paying attention...So, hmmm....really. I mention something to (at the time) DF. Who, kind of blows me off. Or so I thought.
A few days later, DF says, "Check with out TA and see when we can book Alaska." Um...ok...Don't have to tell me twice. So, we thought that we could book right away...but she had messed up the # of cruises you had to have taken in order to book early. She then tells us that we can book on X date and that she would take care of it. At the time job #2 for me was as a photographer and I was on location which meant that there was NO way that I was going to be able to get to her that day. I explained this and told her that she would have to be in touch with DF. I figured he could handle it.
The day it came to book, I had countless emails, text, and voice mail from both DF and TA. I tried to answer them as best I can but in the end DF needed to make a decision. At first he wanted to get on the first trip to Alaska, but he decided that we weren't going to do that. Instead, we will be on the 5/31 voyage...in our first stateroom on the Wonder in 2004.

A side story about our stateroom. We had the conversation in our stateroom back in 2004 that we would only go to Alaska if DCL went. (WDW and DCL made THAT kind of impression on DF) As a matter of fact, if you can tell....we haven't sailed or traveled with any other company since that first trip in 2004... The cool part is that the stateroom we had that conversation in is the stateroom that we will be in for or Alaskan cruise We also decided this is our honeymoon, so that made the whole thing even a bit more special for us!

I love your post.....I'm a big kid at heart too....I started going to Disney World when it opened and we first took our children there in 1983 and took them several times until 1999... My husband was never a fan of Disney, but I was able to convince him that it is the best deal around. In 2000, we went on a 4 night Disney Cruise and we were hooked....even my husband. Since then we have cruised with DCL every year, some years 2 cruises and Alaska here we come in August 23. We also said we would go to Alaska only if DCL went, and the same with Hawaii in 2011. And yes......crazy as it seems....I'm already picking out my clothing for each eveningfor Alaska....Can't wait to go!!!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I love your post.....I'm a big kid at heart too....I started going to Disney World when it opened and we first took our children there in 1983 and took them several times until 1999... My husband was never a fan of Disney, but I was able to convince him that it is the best deal around. In 2000, we went on a 4 night Disney Cruise and we were hooked....even my husband. Since then we have cruised with DCL every year, some years 2 cruises and Alaska here we come in August 23. We also said we would go to Alaska only if DCL went, and the same with Hawaii in 2011. And yes......crazy as it seems....I'm already picking out my clothing for each eveningfor Alaska....Can't wait to go!!!

Howdy! Love your story. So funny how the boys never get it at first and then fall in love...LOL..I'm lucky mine didn't take that much convincing.

Things are slowly falling into place. Close friends can't believe I'm not totally packed yet. Kind of hard when your apartment is over run with boxes and packing for the move! We will get there...it's hard to believe we are only about 2 weeks out.

Now my biggest dilemma is what and how much to pack. And by 'what' I mean what suitcases. Do I bother with a carry-on? Our major piece of luggage seems to be pulling around the zipper Not sure what to do about that. With prices being what they are for luggage (and ridiculous!) We want to avoid taking too much to send through on the flight. The whole thing is very frustrating. I'm not a big fan of carry-ons. Back pack, fine. Camera bag, fine. Suitcase-no good. But with jackets, sweaters, jeans, dresses, etc...it just seems like a lot more than what we usually bring (shorts, t-shirts, bathing suits, etc) So, not sure how all of this is going to pan out...Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

 

[thefist]

Threads like this make me incredibly happy.

 

[macm525]

Howdy! Love your story. So funny how the boys never get it at first and then fall in love...LOL..I'm lucky mine didn't take that much convincing.

Things are slowly falling into place. Close friends can't believe I'm not totally packed yet. Kind of hard when your apartment is over run with boxes and packing for the move! We will get there...it's hard to believe we are only about 2 weeks out.

Now my biggest dilemma is what and how much to pack. And by 'what' I mean what suitcases. Do I bother with a carry-on? Our major piece of luggage seems to be pulling around the zipper Not sure what to do about that. With prices being what they are for luggage (and ridiculous!) We want to avoid taking too much to send through on the flight. The whole thing is very frustrating. I'm not a big fan of carry-ons. Back pack, fine. Camera bag, fine. Suitcase-no good. But with jackets, sweaters, jeans, dresses, etc...it just seems like a lot more than what we usually bring (shorts, t-shirts, bathing suits, etc) So, not sure how all of this is going to pan out...Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

Well, we are a little crazy....we have made a one week cruise into a 2 week trip. First we are going to Seattle for 2 days, then going to Van Couver the day before the ship leaves. After the cruise, we are taking amtrak back to Seattle then a plane to Las Vegas for 3 days to celebrate our 35th Anniversary. The reason we are detouring through Seattle because we are saving a lot of money on air fare.

As for packing, I'm taking two pair of long casual pants, long sleeve tees, and a fleece jacket to handle the cold weather. I heard that it is good to dress in layers in Alaska. I'm taking sweater sets (tanks and sweaters) since we are going to Las Vegas where it is soooo hot and will do laundry on the ship. For the evenings I'm taking 2 long dresses for formal night and 3 pair of dress pants to match up with the tops. Then I also have to take some capris for Las Vegas. Trying not to overpack. I probably will take a small carry on. I also heard that a hat and gloves are a must, so I am going to go to an inexpensive store and get that plus a heavy hooded sweatshirt which I'lll probably leave in Seattle unless it fits comfortably in my suitcase.
My son also is traveling with us and after the cruise he is visiting his friends in LA, so Tom and I could celebrate our Anniversary.


I just can't wait to get on the ship again!!!!!

 

[Politzania]

....
So, as if deciding to give us a self fulfilling prophecy...DH says, "Watch...We'll find a house just before we leave for Alaska."
Lo and behold we found our house...and close 15 days before we leave...

LOL! Sounds like us just a year ago - had been trying to sell our house (DH got a new job an hr away) for months & months & months... We finally got an offer in march 2010 - we hadn't done much looking for a new place, since we were having such poor luck selling our place.

Did I mention we'd been planning a WDW vacation for our 17th anniversary (mid May) for months & months as well? So we had to go thru the back & forth of selling our old house & scramble to find a new place in a very compressed timeframe. Adding to the stress was missing paperwork proving we'd paid off a previous refi of the old house, making sure the renter in the house we were looking at would be out in time..

But we had an awesome realtor & tons of "faith, trust & pixie dust" later - we closed on the new house the DAY BEFORE we left on vacation!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hmmm... sorry to intrude on the trip report like this - but just wanted to commiserate! We'll be going on the last 2011 Alaska cruise - so am looking forward to your TR!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Threads like this make me incredibly happy.

Your post made me very happy this morning!!!

Well, we are a little crazy....we have made a one week cruise into a 2 week trip. First we are going to Seattle for 2 days, then going to Van Couver the day before the ship leaves. After the cruise, we are taking amtrak back to Seattle then a plane to Las Vegas for 3 days to celebrate our 35th Anniversary. The reason we are detouring through Seattle because we are saving a lot of money on air fare.

As for packing, I'm taking two pair of long casual pants, long sleeve tees, and a fleece jacket to handle the cold weather. I heard that it is good to dress in layers in Alaska. I'm taking sweater sets (tanks and sweaters) since we are going to Las Vegas where it is soooo hot and will do laundry on the ship. For the evenings I'm taking 2 long dresses for formal night and 3 pair of dress pants to match up with the tops. Then I also have to take some capris for Las Vegas. Trying not to overpack. I probably will take a small carry on. I also heard that a hat and gloves are a must, so I am going to go to an inexpensive store and get that plus a heavy hooded sweatshirt which I'lll probably leave in Seattle unless it fits comfortably in my suitcase.
My son also is traveling with us and after the cruise he is visiting his friends in LA, so Tom and I could celebrate our Anniversary.


I just can't wait to get on the ship again!!!!!

Thanks for the run down of what is in your bag. It helps some. So far, I have 2 dresses (both black-but different styles) with black shoes. I'll do khakis and maybe a pair of dress pants. Fleece, layering tops, good socks, gortex jacket. Hiking boots and sneakers and a dressier pair for dinner when I'm not wearing dresses. We have gloves and scarves and I have a DCL hoodie from our last cruise that I love So, I guess I should be ok. It never fails-you pack everything you think you need...and wear the same things over and over. I think some of the anxiety is that we have never been on a 7 day cruise and that we have never been to Alaska! It will work out I am sure!

LOL! Sounds like us just a year ago - had been trying to sell our house (DH got a new job an hr away) for months & months & months... We finally got an offer in march 2010 - we hadn't done much looking for a new place, since we were having such poor luck selling our place.

Did I mention we'd been planning a WDW vacation for our 17th anniversary (mid May) for months & months as well? So we had to go thru the back & forth of selling our old house & scramble to find a new place in a very compressed timeframe. Adding to the stress was missing paperwork proving we'd paid off a previous refi of the old house, making sure the renter in the house we were looking at would be out in time..

But we had an awesome realtor & tons of "faith, trust & pixie dust" later - we closed on the new house the DAY BEFORE we left on vacation!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hmmm... sorry to intrude on the trip report like this - but just wanted to commiserate! We'll be going on the last 2011 Alaska cruise - so am looking forward to your TR!

No worries....I love the company...Makes me realize we aren't the only ones out there that are going through all of this all at once!