May 24, 2014 Alaskan 9 night Wonder

[MoonDaughter23]

And now, back to our regularly scheduled meets thread for Alaska.

 

[pequele]

For those of us that are doing a B2B and are first taking the May 19th San Diego to Vancouver in 2014, I have created a Meets Thread as well and here is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3070167

I hope we are able to get information on hotels for the night(s) before in San Diego, things to do in the surrounding area and maybe where to buy some wine, etc. before getting on the ship on Monday.

So, come join me over there as well, too, ok, or it is going to get kind of lonely very quickly.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled meets thread for Alaska.

haha...I put up that thread as well! Can't blame ya. So do you have the same cabin? Do you get to just stay in your room?

 

[chris31997]

Just mailed invites to family to joins us on this cruise and to joins us on our 20th anniversary cruise(in 2 yrs). Just hope they can keep it quiet We shall see if anyone can/will join us. Not holding my breath. We do DCL cause it is all for us and what we want

 

[RweTHEREyet]

haha...I put up that thread as well! Can't blame ya. So do you have the same cabin? Do you get to just stay in your room?

Yes, my SIL and I will be in one cabin from San Diego to Vancouver and then she will move to her adjoining cabin when we get to Vancouver. My DH will come on board and join us in Vancouver and he and I will have the first cabin.

I have done a B2B before, but out of Port Canaveral, and that was so easy, but I have heard that Vancouver will be a little different.

In Port Canaveral we were last off the ship, went down the escalator and then up the escalator to an empty terminal where we got new keys and then waited about 1/2 hour to reboard before others were let into the terminal. We were able to enjoy the ship with no one else on board, take pics, hit the cove cafe and basically do what we wanted as long as we didn't go back and forth to the cabin in front of those waiting for theirs to be ready.

It was funny, while we were waiting in the terminal, we saw our cabin steward, Wanna, cleaning our verandah windows, and we called out to her and got a great pic of her from the dock.

 

[pequele]

Just mailed invites to family to joins us on this cruise and to joins us on our 20th anniversary cruise(in 2 yrs). Just hope they can keep it quiet We shall see if anyone can/will join us. Not holding my breath. We do DCL cause it is all for us and what we want

That would be great! At least they have some time. I've been trying to get my cousins together since my son was born (they live in CA and we are in NH). I went out there when he was 8 mo he is now nearly 4 1/2! Been trying to meet us anywhere for vacation but no....sigh. Oh well maybe some day!

Yes, my SIL and I will be in one cabin from San Diego to Vancouver and then she will move to her adjoining cabin when we get to Vancouver. My DH will come on board and join us in Vancouver and he and I will have the first cabin.

I have done a B2B before, but out of Port Canaveral, and that was so easy, but I have heard that Vancouver will be a little different.

In Port Canaveral we were last off the ship, went down the escalator and then up the escalator to an empty terminal where we got new keys and then waited about 1/2 hour to reboard before others were let into the terminal. We were able to enjoy the ship with no one else on board, take pics, hit the cove cafe and basically do what we wanted as long as we didn't go back and forth to the cabin in front of those waiting for theirs to be ready.

It was funny, while we were waiting in the terminal, we saw our cabin steward, Wanna, cleaning our verandah windows, and we called out to her and got a great pic of her from the dock.

So you guys were in a different room? Did you have to do customs and pack your bags and bring them with you or leave that there?

Got news last night that my friend and her daughter are all booked!!! She will be joining us on the board soon. I told her you guys are great for info for us newbies. Sure it will be my second DCL but not until after this May and even after a 3 night I still won't have a clue with much! I've passed the link on to her so once she gets some time and joins us, our group will be growing even more!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

That would be great! At least they have some time. I've been trying to get my cousins together since my son was born (they live in CA and we are in NH). I went out there when he was 8 mo he is now nearly 4 1/2! Been trying to meet us anywhere for vacation but no....sigh. Oh well maybe some day!



So you guys were in a different room? Did you have to do customs and pack your bags and bring them with you or leave that there?

Got news last night that my friend and her daughter are all booked!!! She will be joining us on the board soon. I told her you guys are great for info for us newbies. Sure it will be my second DCL but not until after this May and even after a 3 night I still won't have a clue with much! I've passed the link on to her so once she gets some time and joins us, our group will be growing even more!

No, we stayed in the same cabin. We did not have to pack up anything, except what we wanted to take off the ship with us, if anything. I think I took my handbag and my iPad and that was all. We left everything else in the cabin. But, to clarify, when you do a B2B, they totally close out your first cruise, close out your bill, change your room keys etc. It is like two separate cruises, and you get credit for two cruises as far as Castaway Club is concerned, but you don't have to pack up your luggage, just go back to the same cabin.

If you do a B2B and do have to change cabins, you pack up your bags and the cabin stewards move them to your new cabin for you. I would not want to do a B2B where I had to pack up. If I couldn't have the same cabin for both cruises, I probably wouldn't do it. When I added the Ca-Vancouver sailing to the trip, I was not able to keep the same same cabin, so I had DCL find me a cabin that I could keep for both sailings as well as give us connecting cabins. I kept the same category, the same side of the ship, just moved forward about 9 cabins.

On the upcoming CA and Alaska cruise, we have one cabin booked for both sailings, and then on the Alaska part, my sil will have the connecting cabin. I didn't realize how few of those there were on the ship.

The May 19 sailing isn't very active. I expect to use that California cruise to see all the shows, and do all the stuff I won't want to repeat and stuff that DH won't care if he misses on the Alaska cruise. I have seen the shows, except Toy Story, but while I enjoy seeing them again, DH-not so much. So I will get to see the shows without him and then on the Alaska sailing, I can spend my time enjoying the scenery, not having to rush for dinner, and maybe some extra spa time.

 

[chris31997]

Got news last night that my friend and her daughter are all booked!!! She will be joining us on the board soon. I told her you guys are great for info for us newbies. Sure it will be my second DCL but not until after this May and even after a 3 night I still won't have a clue with much! I've passed the link on to her so once she gets some time and joins us, our group will be growing even more!

Yeah, glad your friend could make it.

This will be our 3rd cruise, but......it has been about 5yrs since our last(I know how could I stay away so long ) Right there with you on feeling like a newbie.

So, if I do a B2B that is counted as 2, hmmm. More to think about for the vow renewal Let's see how long can I convince DH to stay on a DCL boat It is a good thing he loves me.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Yeah, glad your friend could make it.

This will be our 3rd cruise, but......it has been about 5yrs since our last(I know how could I stay away so long ) Right there with you on feeling like a newbie.

So, if I do a B2B that is counted as 2, hmmm. More to think about for the vow renewal Let's see how long can I convince DH to stay on a DCL boat It is a good thing he loves me.

Yes, take two cruises and it counts as two even if one is right after the other. A lot of people think it should be based on the total no. of days you sail, but right now it is the no. of cruises you take.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Where did everybody go? Has the initial excitement worn off already?

I went and bought my first Disney gift cards at Target to apply to my cruise balance today. I love getting that 5% off. Haven't actually entered them yet, so I will see how this goes.

I am thinking about applying for the Target Debit card as I understand you get 5% off when you pay with that and then can get another 5% off with the prescription 5% card that they send. Anyone else do this?

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Where did everybody go? Has the initial excitement worn off already?

I went and bought my first Disney gift cards at Target to apply to my cruise balance today. I love getting that 5% off. Haven't actually entered them yet, so I will see how this goes.

I am thinking about applying for the Target Debit card as I understand you get 5% off when you pay with that and then can get another 5% off with the prescription 5% card that they send. Anyone else do this?

I did this a few times for my last cruise. I did it around Xmas of 2011 when they had all the Target GC coupons out there. I would buy $100 Disney gift card and use my Target CC along with my prescription 5% off and then I would also get the $15 Target gift card with the promo coupon.

I ended up with about $500 in Disney GC. I didn't add them to my account online ahead of time though. I just saved them and added them to my onboard account at Guest Services on the ship. They applied to my account and helped to pay towards excursion and onboard charges. I used my Disney Visa to pay for the cruise online so I could utilize the 0% offer.

 

[pequele]

Where did everybody go? Has the initial excitement worn off already?

I went and bought my first Disney gift cards at Target to apply to my cruise balance today. I love getting that 5% off. Haven't actually entered them yet, so I will see how this goes.

I am thinking about applying for the Target Debit card as I understand you get 5% off when you pay with that and then can get another 5% off with the prescription 5% card that they send. Anyone else do this?

yup I've heard this, too (we don't have a Target near by us ) so I don't know for certain but it sounds like SheIsGoingToDisney confirmed it with experience I actually buy gcs from my son's school as they get a percent back and it goes towards our family contribution/fund raising amount (it's a private school so we have to fund raise a certain amount of money). I usually use them for our "money" on our Disney trips but I'm not sure what I will do this time as far as using it to pay for the trip or not. We shall see.

I just have to say I'm stressing over our May DCL this year! The FE group agreed to close on the 15th this month, no one protested. It is nice to be able to plan, it is only a 3 night trip so I don't want the FE to consume my cruise ya know. But then after people dropped last minute we are down to 5 cabins and 1 I am not even sure is still around as we haven't heard from them since Oct! Now some people are like, I think we closed to early. COME ON! You did not complain about the closing date. If we closed and there were 12 cabins I would be fine, I would have bought for 12 cabins. But no, I have enough to do the 5 that we said when we closed. Now some started a fb thread to open up to more FE people (a separate group), I'm just not thrilled with people thinking I'm being a beetch about saying no don't reopen it, just make a second group! I'm sorry but you had your opportunity to say no the close is too early!!! You didn't! Don't make me feel bad that I don't want to let more people in simply because I don't want to keep dealing with needing more supplies and needing to run out and get them then making the gifts, and or making more then people jumping ship and then have extra gifts that I really wouldn't need ya know? I know this cruise will have more in the FE groups and that is fine with me. I expect it. This other one has been a dead group and no one objected to it closing! I dunno it just bugs me and is ruining the experience and making something that should be fun into something that is stressful! A 3 night trip!!!! ARGH

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Pequele, it sure sounds like a messed up situation. I hope it is resolved soon so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your planning for your cruise.

 

[chris31997]

Where did everybody go? Has the initial excitement worn off already?

I went and bought my first Disney gift cards at Target to apply to my cruise balance today. I love getting that 5% off. Haven't actually entered them yet, so I will see how this goes.

I am thinking about applying for the Target Debit card as I understand you get 5% off when you pay with that and then can get another 5% off with the prescription 5% card that they send. Anyone else do this?

Still got the excitement, just don't want y'all to think I am like super crazy I stalk my reservation, excursions, dining, attire for a teen who hates dresses, and the Disboards Gotta plan and figure everything out to the minute, not really. I am an info junkie and can't help it. I need to figure out what to buy the family for Christmas presents for the revel.

Can you get GC online?

yup I've heard this, too (we don't have a Target near by us ) so I don't know for certain but it sounds like SheIsGoingToDisney confirmed it with experience I actually buy gcs from my son's school as they get a percent back and it goes towards our family contribution/fund raising amount (it's a private school so we have to fund raise a certain amount of money). I usually use them for our "money" on our Disney trips but I'm not sure what I will do this time as far as using it to pay for the trip or not. We shall see.

I just have to say I'm stressing over our May DCL this year! The FE group agreed to close on the 15th this month, no one protested. It is nice to be able to plan, it is only a 3 night trip so I don't want the FE to consume my cruise ya know. But then after people dropped last minute we are down to 5 cabins and 1 I am not even sure is still around as we haven't heard from them since Oct! Now some people are like, I think we closed to early. COME ON! You did not complain about the closing date. If we closed and there were 12 cabins I would be fine, I would have bought for 12 cabins. But no, I have enough to do the 5 that we said when we closed. Now some started a fb thread to open up to more FE people (a separate group), I'm just not thrilled with people thinking I'm being a beetch about saying no don't reopen it, just make a second group! I'm sorry but you had your opportunity to say no the close is too early!!! You didn't! Don't make me feel bad that I don't want to let more people in simply because I don't want to keep dealing with needing more supplies and needing to run out and get them then making the gifts, and or making more then people jumping ship and then have extra gifts that I really wouldn't need ya know? I know this cruise will have more in the FE groups and that is fine with me. I expect it. This other one has been a dead group and no one objected to it closing! I dunno it just bugs me and is ruining the experience and making something that should be fun into something that is stressful! A 3 night trip!!!! ARGH

I would say if they gonna be difficult I have to say, my mind keeps going back and forth on if we can swing joining our FE group. I think it is going to depend on how we get there. One way we get more weight in the luggage, the other less weight. But than I can always just do one thing for the cabin

See, it is gonna take me a year to plan everything. I will still change my mind by the time we board the ship

 

[pequele]

Pequele, it sure sounds like a messed up situation. I hope it is resolved soon so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your planning for your cruise.

Yup I'm trying to not stress. No one is being "nasty" about it. I guess I just feel more like what's the big deal. 5 or 10? Enjoy it for what it is ya know.

Still got the excitement, just don't want y'all to think I am like super crazy I stalk my reservation, excursions, dining, attire for a teen who hates dresses, and the Disboards Gotta plan and figure everything out to the minute, not really. I am an info junkie and can't help it. I need to figure out what to buy the family for Christmas presents for the revel.

Can you get GC online?

I would say if they gonna be difficult I have to say, my mind keeps going back and forth on if we can swing joining our FE group. I think it is going to depend on how we get there. One way we get more weight in the luggage, the other less weight. But than I can always just do one thing for the cabin

See, it is gonna take me a year to plan everything. I will still change my mind by the time we board the ship

Yup I keep looking up stuff, too. Trying to think of clothes (more like the formal stuff) since I wear scrubs to work, I don't HAVE business causal or i guess i should say "dinner" wear of any kind really! I wear jeans outside of work! Oh I own shorts but I'm not thinking we will need many of those in Alaska come May ahaha.

Not sure on the GCs online.

Thing is I don't think the whole FE thing HAS to be difficult. I was prepared initially/mentally to have 20 cabins. It didn't happen so I changed plans. Again no one is being mean about it. I just don't know why you can't be happy with what it is? Oh well I guess huh.

So on one of my fb boards (can't remember which but a Disney related one either FEs or cruise type) someone posted about the following so I want to give you a heads up since we are pre planners here hehehe: FYI. Word from another board I am a member of: This year at least, rumor has it they are going to do away with Pirate night on the Alaska trips because they cannot do fireworks and the party often gets moved indoors where it is just too crowded I guess. They are planning instead in doing something Pixar related (which doesn't surprise me after last year's Pixar related cruise). So I guess we shall see. This info was posed as a question by a traveler then "confirmed" by someone else who is supposedly a TA on the board. I have no first hand knowledge. Just giving a heads up if anyone hears anything else.

 

[pequele]

PS: 450 days!!!

 

[tink1963]

GC- meaning gift cards? Yes you can buy on line for any amount up to $500 I believe.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Still got the excitement, just don't want y'all to think I am like super crazy I stalk my reservation, excursions, dining, attire for a teen who hates dresses, and the Disboards Gotta plan and figure everything out to the minute, not really. I am an info junkie and can't help it. I need to figure out what to buy the family for Christmas presents for the revel.

Can you get GC online?
I am not going to think you are crazy, because I am worse--info junkie is the right term--I gather it all and then forget most of it, but I have fun gathering.

I don't know if you cang et GC online, but if I get a chance to ask at Target, I will find out and let you know.

I would say if they gonna be difficult I have to say, my mind keeps going back and forth on if we can swing joining our FE group. I think it is going to depend on how we get there. One way we get more weight in the luggage, the other less weight. But than I can always just do one thing for the cabin Right now, my plan is one gift per cabin

See, it is gonna take me a year to plan everything. I will still change my mind by the time we board the ship

I can totally relate, so no worries

 

[RweTHEREyet]

So on one of my fb boards (can't remember which but a Disney related one either FEs or cruise type) someone posted about the following so I want to give you a heads up since we are pre planners here hehehe: FYI. Word from another board I am a member of: This year at least, rumor has it they are going to do away with Pirate night on the Alaska trips because they cannot do fireworks and the party often gets moved indoors where it is just too crowded I guess. They are planning instead in doing something Pixar related (which doesn't surprise me after last year's Pixar related cruise). So I guess we shall see. This info was posed as a question by a traveler then "confirmed" by someone else who is supposedly a TA on the board. I have no first hand knowledge. Just giving a heads up if anyone hears anything else.

As we have seen/done it several times, it wouldn't bother me if they did, but I know the kids look forward to it, so that would be a disappointment to them. I would look forward to something new that was themed Pixar though.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

GC- meaning gift cards? Yes you can buy on line for any amount up to $500 I believe.

Well, there you go, I won't need to ask. I would guess you could still get the 5% if you paid with your Target Redcard.

I forgot to add that I did get my gift cards applied to my cruise balance last night. It is easy to do but took a little bit of time. Target only offers Disney gift cards in $25 and $50 denominations. So I had 9 cards to enter, one at a time, no big deal, got it done while sitting in front of the tv.

I am going to apply for the debit card today, so when I get that and use it with a pharmacy rewards coupon, I should save about 9% off my remaining cruise balance. Makes the cost a little easier to swallow since we got the 10% OBB credit to begin with.

Came back to update:
I went to the Target just down from my office at lunch, and got a temporary debit card right on the spot. The permanent one will be here in 7-10 days, easy peasy.

 

[tink1963]

I use disney GC's a lot. We go to Disneyland all the time. To budget for the trips I buy GC'S when ever I can. I just wanted to share that if you do use the cards there is an app that will track your cards. When we went to WDW this past December I think I had about 20 cards. I could track the balance on the cards as I used them with the app it, and didn't have to keep the receipts to know my balance.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards