May 10, 2011 (5/10/2011) Cruisin' to Alaska on the Wonder - Who's with me!

[Timon]

Just booked... FIRST CRUISE!!!
Roxanne and Mike, 2 kids, 10 and 6
Room 6542, early seating.

Welcome Roxanne, Mike and kids!

 

[Nerbiepie]

Just booked... FIRST CRUISE!!!
Roxanne and Mike, 2 kids, 10 and 6
Room 6542, early seating.

WOOHOO! one more family!!

hey now we might have to fight over the upgrades of the Walt and Roy suites

We cruised for the first time last year and WOW! we are hooked.. it was such a awesome experiance!! Mind you it really helped to be cruising with sooo many awesome people! I really hope this thread picks up and we can have some great people to meet again! Just watch out for that Cass chick... she's trouble hehehe just kidding.. but if you have any questions she is a Disney guru!!!

 

[moomy-san]

WOOHOO! one more family!!

hey now we might have to fight over the upgrades of the Walt and Roy suites

We cruised for the first time last year and WOW! we are hooked.. it was such a awesome experiance!! Mind you it really helped to be cruising with sooo many awesome people! I really hope this thread picks up and we can have some great people to meet again! Just watch out for that Cass chick... she's trouble hehehe just kidding.. but if you have any questions she is a Disney guru!!!

My husband and I are REALLY looking forward to this! I see you are in Calgary... We are in Northern AB, GP to be exact and this is the perfect opportunity to cruise without $5500 in airfare. We do Disneyland every year... thought we'd change it up a bit. Looking forward to maybe meeting some dis-ers that we could join as table mates. I sure hope more families book soon. Though... my kids would be fine if they were nearly alone in the kids clubs!

 

[Timon]

WOOHOO! one more family!!

hey now we might have to fight over the upgrades of the Walt and Roy suites

We cruised for the first time last year and WOW! we are hooked.. it was such a awesome experiance!! Mind you it really helped to be cruising with sooo many awesome people! I really hope this thread picks up and we can have some great people to meet again! Just watch out for that Cass chick... she's trouble hehehe just kidding.. but if you have any questions she is a Disney guru!!!

I am trouble...stay away

Good luck with that table mate

My husband and I are REALLY looking forward to this! I see you are in Calgary... We are in Northern AB, GP to be exact and this is the perfect opportunity to cruise without $5500 in airfare. We do Disneyland every year... thought we'd change it up a bit. Looking forward to maybe meeting some dis-ers that we could join as table mates. I sure hope more families book soon. Though... my kids would be fine if they were nearly alone in the kids clubs!

I have a feeling that our kids will have the run of the clubs! Which is good because then they will probably get more attention from the counselors.

Hopefully they still have all the character meets that they have on the Caribbean sailings. Last cruise we had to skip the princess meet because the line was an hour long!

Isn't it great not to have to fork over thousands for flights

 

[moomy-san]

I am thinking this is going to be one BIG, empty boat....

 

[Timon]

I am thinking this is going to be one BIG, empty boat....

I agree!

As long as they don't cut down on activities, then this is fabulous!! No lines for food, great seats in the WDT right before the show, no waiting for an hour for princesses

They better have those yummy chicken strips on board!

I looked at the DCL website the other day and the price for our cabin went up $300 This is the first increase I have seen since we booked on board last October!

 

[moomy-san]

Do they sometimes cut back on activities if the ship isn't really booked up? That would suck!!! I am sure looking forward to those chicken strips... every 2nd trip report mentions them!

Our stateroom $$$ dropped quite a bit the day we booked so we were lucky, were able to move up to a cat 6 verandah. YAY! I'm not brave enough to go and check and see the price now. If it's dropped I'd be bummed. Since we've never cruised before we didn't want to start with REALLY awesome rooms, because it'd be hard to settle for less if we ever had to. So start middle and work our way up if need be.

 

[Timon]

Geez, where is everyone??? It must be nice to have a life

So, I just checked our cruise again on dcl.com and guess what? The price has dropped again!

I find this all very weird because I had checked it not too long ago and it jumped over $400 more and now it is actually the same price as we paid with our 10% OBC!!

So I sent Dreams an email to see if we are eligible for that price drop, which after the OBC should save us another $200 or so.

 

[Timon]

Do they sometimes cut back on activities if the ship isn't really booked up? That would suck!!! I am sure looking forward to those chicken strips... every 2nd trip report mentions them!

Our stateroom $$$ dropped quite a bit the day we booked so we were lucky, were able to move up to a cat 6 verandah. YAY! I'm not brave enough to go and check and see the price now. If it's dropped I'd be bummed. Since we've never cruised before we didn't want to start with REALLY awesome rooms, because it'd be hard to settle for less if we ever had to. So start middle and work our way up if need be.

I'm not sure if they cut back on activities, I would hope no but you never know, right?

Yes, the chicken strips are amazing!!! It's been a staple for us on all 4 cruises

I'm pretty sure that if the price of your cruise drops, you can contact whomever you booked it through and get that price decrease. I believe you can do this right up until your final payment is due

And I totally wouldn't say that a category 6 is a "middle" room

 

[trekkie518]

I checked the price for my stateroom, and the price increased $500 .

I've been on cruises where they weren't booked to capacity, and they do not cut things back.

I can't wait. I'm curious if they are going to switch the menus, and what shows are going to be on the Wonder when we go.

I'm excited to be on the Wonder, I haven't been on it since our first cruise, because we decided 4 days wasn't long enough.

Only 311 more days.

 

[Timon]

I checked the price for my stateroom, and the price increased $500 .

I've been on cruises where they weren't booked to capacity, and they do not cut things back.

I can't wait. I'm curious if they are going to switch the menus, and what shows are going to be on the Wonder when we go.

I'm excited to be on the Wonder, I haven't been on it since our first cruise, because we decided 4 days wasn't long enough.

Only 311 more days.

I'm curious too about the menus and shows and what will replace the Pirate Night. Unfortunately since we are the second cruise ever to do Alaska, we won't know until we are on the ship.

But I am really hoping that someone from the Alaska Maiden Voyage will post live and fill us in on some of the details There's tons of DISers on that sailing so we might luck out

I am also excited to cruise on the Wonder, it will be our first time since all our previous cruises have been on the Magic.

So where's James with some pics from his double dip?

 

[Timon]

I found this on another Alaska cruise meet thread, it's full of fabulous information so I thought I would post it here....Thanks "Got Disney"




Itinerary


Tuesday Vancouver, Canada — 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday At Sea — —

Thursday Tracy Arm, Alaska — —

Friday Skagway, Alaska 7:15 a.m. 7:30 p.m.

Saturday Juneau, Alaska 7:45 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

Sunday Ketchikan, Alaska 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m 7:30 p.m.

Monday At Sea — —

Tuesday Vancouver, Canada 8:00 a.m.



Final Payment Due for Alaska Cruises: suites 150 days; non-suites 120 days before sailing.

Alaska pre-cruise hotel stays:
Vancouver Hotels, prices and more ..... http://www.blockwalk.com/vancouver/hotels/

DVC Hotel Stays: Club Intrawest ; Vancouver Resort
Also if want to go up to Whistler for a few days there is Club Intrawest ;Whistler Resort ...Intrawest bookings are depending on availability and days of stay.

Best family friendley hotels in Vancouver
http://cruiseislandtravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/best_family_friendly_hotels_in_vancouver_canada
http://govancouver.about.com/od/familyfriendlyvancouver/tp/Family-Friendly-Hotels.htm


**** Vancouver FAQ Thread **** Info on Vancouver , sites, transportation, and more....http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2283011&highlight=Whistler+canada

Info on Whistler Canada....http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/

Disboard thread on Driving or Train up to Whistler.....http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2329641

Vancouver is the Jewel in Canadas Southwest( info on some of the sites and sounds).....http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stor...canada182711-vancouveris-jewelin-canadas-nor/

Vancouver Information for Alaska Cruise Ship Passengers: http://www.bcpassport.com/vancouver-cruise/vancouver-cruise-info.aspx

Rental Cars in Vancouver ....... http://rentalcarmomma.com/cities/vancouver


Port Vancouver info/webpage.......http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/

Facebook group for our cruise. Search "Disney Wonder Cruise to Alaska 07/19/2011" or try this link:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=137501178524


Royal Carribians Cruise excursions to Alaska for the same ports we will be visiting
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/finda...CAN&sailDate=1100730&selectedCurrencyCode=USD

Trip report from a Dis/DCL passanger on the Pearl NCL on same Alaska ports...good read!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37157194#post37157194


PLAN YOUR TRIP.....http://www.tourismvancouver.com/
Maps of Vancouver
Order your free Visitors Guide
Download Discount Coupons
View our Vancouver virtual guides
Visit our Visitor Centre
Half-price entertainment tickets
Passport requirements for U.S visitors


http://www.sealetter.com/Aug-98/yvrtips.html
Sealetter Cruise Tips: Alan Walker's Vancouver Airport Tips For any of you who will be leaving from Vancouver by air to the ... Tip #3: (actually, a warning): Once you go through the "check-in" procedure, you can't get back to the rest ... As you leave Vancouver, you will be passing through U.S. Customs (so that ... I have heard a rumour that your plane will finally arrive. ...


http://www.al-cruise.com/FAQ.php
What is the best time to go on an Alaskan Cruise?
What are good side trips/land excursions for various ports?
What is the temperature on an Alaska cruise? Is it quite cold, given the glaciers and icebergs?
What will I need to wear on an Alaska cruise? Will I need to pack my winter clothes and a cold weather jacket?
What is the best pre or post cruise tour out of Vancouver?
Where is the best place to view bald eagles in Alaska?
Where is the best place to view bears on other wildlife in Alaska?
I don’t have much extra in my budget for shore excursions (and some run over $300 per person!) What are some fun yet inexpensive things to do while in port?
Is it true that not all cruise ships stop in Glacier Bay National Park? I heard that this was one of the most beautiful spots in Alaska and want to see it.
My favorite cruise line does not stop in glacier Bay. What is a good alternative destination?
What about icebergs? Aren’t they dangerous? Will we see any?

Can never get to much info.....so

1. Spend time reading the Alaska board at Cruise Critic - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

2. Read books. My top two recommendations are:

- Frommer's Alaska by Charles Wohlforth: http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-Alask...4226021&sr=8-1 This is the 2010 edition coming out in December. I prefer this to the Frommer's or Fodor's "ports of call" books.

- Alaska By Cruise Ship by Anne Vipond: http://www.amazon.com/Alaska-Cruise-...4226208&sr=1-1


Harv and Marv's Juneau Alaskan Whale Watching cruise( up to 6 passengers in a boat)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...arv_s_Outback_Alaska_Tours-Juneau_Alaska.html

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2885825350021403581VdUfGw



SIDE NOTES AND TIPS:

1). When checking out hotels be sure to ask them to give you the US rate because when they give you a price it will be in Canadian prices. Also be sure to ask how much in taxes...in other words be sure to ask for the full price in American $$$$$

2) If you have a Disney rewards Visa use it for everything so you can get the reward $$$$. You can use the earned reward dollars for your ship excursions, merchandise, and at guest services to pay anything Disney on the ship. We use ours for everything that we would use the cash that we have for than I go online in a couple days and transfer the funds from my checking account to the card. No CC balance. But lots of reward $$$$. You will be surprised how fast it all adds up.

 

[moomy-san]

my ta assured me there would be the Pirates party, just no fireworks. Hope she's right!

 

[Timon]

my ta assured me there would be the Pirates party, just no fireworks. Hope she's right!

Really? Hmm, didn't think they would have a Pirates In the Caribbean Party when you're not in the Caribbean

I was hoping for something new with more of an Alaskan theme

 

[trekkie518]

It could be Pirates at Worlds End party. That one takes place in the ice.

 

[moomy-san]

I kind of thought that was weird too... but I still really hope that there is some sort of pirates party. It looks like so much fun. What do they do on other cruises that aren't in the Caribbean? Like the Med cruises?

 

[trekkie518]

Woo hoo, just got notified by travel agent, that price went down by $200 That rocks!!!!

 

[moomy-san]

Ours has too... sent our travel agent an e-mail. What can she do for us?

Edited to add: Just got $420 credited back from the price drop!! WOOHOO!

 

[Timon]

That`s awesome

That shows us just how few people have booked this cruise

 

[Nerbiepie]

WOW movement!! I had almost given up on this thread

So we are at 9ish months left till cruise time...

And we are at 5 family's now?..lol those walt suites are gonna be harder to upgrade to now

Sorry for the lack of posts I seem to be in a intravert rut lately
also I have been camping practically every weekend this summer

Anyone have solid plans for excursions yet?? It is just hubby and me on this one.. kids are old enough to pay for themselves if they wanna come ..lol I saw one that was "dune" buggy and boat ride back that looked pretty cool. They were only 2 seaters so not sure if it is a kid friendly kinda treck.... And anyone know of recommended food places from other cruise lines or reviews they are thinking of trying?