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

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

So, we are slowly gathering more stuff...We decided to leave behind the gortex jackets-shells and base layers. We figured that it would take up too much space in our suitcases and we would do just as well with layers and a shell. Ok good.
As we get all of this stuff together, we realize that...um..our big disney suitcase isn't going to stand up again the hussle and bussle of another trip It was kind of sad b/c we had the set and it was obvious we were going to have to retire a piece. The zipper was pulling away from the seams in some parts and then in other places it looked like the zipper was squished making it difficult to zip and unzip.
We were going to try to risk it...but I had fears of all of our clothes just spilling out all over TSA So, we found a swiss army suitcase...HUGE in size. 360 degree wheels. Pully thing...the works...at a decent price. No it isn't my beloved disney luggage...but I can put a disney tag on it and make it work

DH has also been told that we will not do ANYTHING in the house until the packing is done. This includes but is not limited to...FE Gifts, Clothes, ALL remedies for sea sickness, ALL appropriate camera equipment, and what ever else we will need.
Luckily DH is a smart man and totally agrees.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I'm currently on hold with DCL trying to order water and I have to say there is something very exciting about listening to the guy speaking while you are on hold!
And the woman I spoke to (Jan) was great! Very upbeat and happy. The price of water is a bit much. Now, you might be asking WHY we are having water sent to our room when we can get it on deck 9...Honestly, we like having it right there AND not only that but we drink a lot of water. On our first cruise we got really good at juggling 4 and 6 cups of water...it just gets ridiculous. So, we order it and have it sent to the room. Now, typically the price is about the same at Port Canaveral that it is on the website. This time around it was $35 for 24 bottles (about $1.45 per bottle) When she totaled everything up it came to...$45.08 When I asked about the price difference she said that there was something like 12% tax and then delivery charge to the ship. WOW! Oh well. We ordered it anyway. I know it's a convenience thing for us...and honestly we don't drink so I guess this is our bar tab

I also finished bagging my FE gifts. Now, I just need to label about 5 of them, put them in order and put them in a 2 gallon ziplock. Then those will be ready to go.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Last night was pretty productive! DH worked on house stuff and I started with the true frenzy of "OMG I have NOTHING done!" So far...ALL paperwork is accounted for, all spa and hair appointments-before we get on the ship made(I could get more done at home then I could on the cruise...no brainer there) Most of our clothes are pulled...Now, I'm just getting the piles together. DH is still going to have to figure out what clothes he wants to bring and such.

I will say...I do solemnly swear that I will never wait until last minute to pack again. I keep feeling like I'm missing something. (and that is probably b/c I'm only 1/2 packed)

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I'm sure you'll get it all pulled together in time.

 

[MagicMe]

Have a wonderful trip!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I'm sure you'll get it all pulled together in time.

Thank you. I feel so far behind...I appreciate the pixie dust!

Have a wonderful trip!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Can't wait to live it!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

We leaving tomorrow...Listening to Disney music...Makes us smile!

 

[PBader]

Have a wonderful cruise!! Looking forward to reading all about it

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Have a wonderful cruise!! Looking forward to reading all about it

Thank you!

So, I have been working feverishly to get everything packed and squared away. For some odd reason, things that I have to pack-but forgot about...Keep popping up! I am pretty sure we are over packed...but have accomplished the maximum tetris score!

 

[PBader]

There's always something we have to get at Walgreens or on the ship becasue I forgot about it. last time I forgot to throw my makeup bag and brush in there after I used it the morning we left

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

There's always something we have to get at Walgreens or on the ship becasue I forgot about it. last time I forgot to throw my makeup bag and brush in there after I used it the morning we left

I put DH in charge of toiletries. I typically forget the whole back when we leave...

I just checked in with United. This is the only problem I have with booking airfare through Disney...They chose United...I have to pay for my luggage and if I want an in-flight snack I have to pay for that too...and from what I've seen I won't eat anything they offer. So, I'll have to pick something up in Chicago before hopping the flight to Vancouver.

So, I am sure you are asking-Why did she book her flights through Disney??? Well, for us-we are all about simplicity. We booked right when the itinerary came out some 2 years ago. We were worried about the cost of air travel and figured if we booked with Disney then that we wouldn't have to worry about the cost of airfare now. -It has gone up since then and we figured we did pretty well...but typically we would book our own.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Packing is complete (except for toiletries)
Ended up having to pack a SEPARATE carry on just for shoes! (we have good hiking boots that we wanted to bring...and someone said that on the Mt. Roberts Tram it was suggested if you were going to hike to have them...)
FE Stuff packed (forgot to take pics...sorry!)
Now it's off to bed...but something tells me I'm going to be too excited to sleep!!!

 

[TinkLoverSam]

ENJOY!!! And then come home and tell us all about it!!!!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

ENJOY!!! And then come home and tell us all about it!!!!

Will Do!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

and we're off!!! See ya real soon!

 

[tksbaskets]

Bon Voyage!!

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

Have a wonderful trip and please post pics when you get back!

 

[CubCatsK&D]

since you're probably still at breakfast, but how was the trip??

 

[TinkLoverSam]

since you're probably still at breakfast, but how was the trip??

I second this! You have to tell us everything right NOW!!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

We're back! The cruise was fantastic-In a relaxed sort of way...DCL was...um...a little off their game in some departments (I'll cover that through out this report) However, some BIG shout outs need to go to our serving staff (even our head waiter-who carried trays, spoke with us every night and got lobster tails our of the shell!-Never saw them do anything like that before!) Our server and assistant were AWESOME! AND an even bigger shout out to our Stateroom Hostess...who...ROCKED...

Some things in the PTR changed last minute....we found out a month before we were going to leave that I'm pregnant...So, there were some excursion changes, food changes, and naps between the hours of 5-7pm Sea bands really do work!

The hotel they put us up in was BETTER than the Grand Floridian-I've got the pics to prove it!...AND we had a view of the Wonder pulling into the dock the morning we were suppose to embark...can you say COOL!...It was just as good if not better than the MK view room we had for our wedding.

"Transportation" from the hotel to port was walking as a group We walked ourselves over without the group....just strange...Don't get me wrong it was well within walking distance...just strange...
"Transportation" from the airport to the hotel was like...um...just as bad as NYC taxis.

Lots and lots more later.