May 24, 2014 Alaskan 9 night Wonder

[MoonDaughter23]

Having an asterisk on the rollcall spreadsheet works for me. I just need no. of cabins and no. of people in the cabin. Others may wish more info, but I am happy with that. And, I would also be happy with just an update every now and then, whatever is easier.

Ok. I'll add the column. If the spreadsheet gets glitchy and starts putting info in the wrong columns as more people add their info to the Roll Call, I will try to just adding the asterik next to the DISname.

 

[XebainSotau]

This is the second time we have booked Alaska, the first morphed into a Panama Cruise in 2011. The main reason we rebooked was because the ONLY port I most want to go to is Sitka! We almost settled for another cruise line but patience got the better of us. When Sitka was announced it only took 10 minutes to decide. We booked in the first 5 minutes of open reservations for Platinum!! Yeah!!!

 

[XebainSotau]

OK, I wanted to share this, and then I thought no, and then I thought go for it,
so here goes--this startled me, so don't watch if you are the jumpy type and I would say watch it yourself before sharing with kids.

Why I am not going ice fishing in Alaska:

So, after it scared me to pieces, I laughed until I fell off the sofa and had to watch it five more times. I hope it isn't real, but it sure looks like it is.

That made us all ROFL!!! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[pequele]

This is the second time we have booked Alaska, the first morphed into a Panama Cruise in 2011. The main reason we rebooked was because the ONLY port I most want to go to is Sitka! We almost settled for another cruise line but patience got the better of us. When Sitka was announced it only took 10 minutes to decide. We booked in the first 5 minutes of open reservations for Platinum!! Yeah!!!

What makes you want to go to Sitka. What shall we see there? I'm so excited to see what they have for excursions.

 

[tink1963]

What makes you want to go to Sitka. What shall we see there? I'm so excited to see what they have for excursions.

Not to original poster, but I moved an Aug 2013 Alaska to this one because of Sitka. The reason I want this port is because I want to see the Sea Otters. They were on my wildlife bucket list from our cruise in 2011 and we saw everything but otters and they are my favorite.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

That made us all ROFL!!! Thanks for sharing!!

My pleasure, I just didn't want to startle anyone like I was because I wasn't warned. I just about jumped out of my skin.

Welcome and I too want to know about Sitka. My DH and I are totally new to any and all things Alaska and would love to hear all you can share with us.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Not to original poster, but I moved an Aug 2013 Alaska to this one because of Sitka. The reason I want this port is because I want to see the Sea Otters. They were on my wildlife bucket list from our cruise in 2011 and we saw everything but otters and they are my favorite.

Oh, I love otters to, they are just adorable.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Not to original poster, but I moved an Aug 2013 Alaska to this one because of Sitka. The reason I want this port is because I want to see the Sea Otters. They were on my wildlife bucket list from our cruise in 2011 and we saw everything but otters and they are my favorite.

You have to tell us more about the otters. My DD is going to flip over them.

 

[pequele]

Not to original poster, but I moved an Aug 2013 Alaska to this one because of Sitka. The reason I want this port is because I want to see the Sea Otters. They were on my wildlife bucket list from our cruise in 2011 and we saw everything but otters and they are my favorite.

I haven't really researched in depth these places. Maybe I can tonight while waiting for midnight to come up so I can register for this May's cruise! What else should I check out tonight? I also need to figure out what cruise I'd like to rebook on board this May. Honestly I could care less about the caribean ports but if I look at October this is really my only option.

 

[pequele]

OK, I wanted to share this, and then I thought no, and then I thought go for it,
so here goes--this startled me, so don't watch if you are the jumpy type and I would say watch it yourself before sharing with kids.

Why I am not going ice fishing in Alaska:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nAiXRVtFYHQ

So, after it scared me to pieces, I laughed until I fell off the sofa and had to watch it five more times. I hope it isn't real, but it sure looks like it is.

BWAHAHAHA I just watched that. Love it.

 

[MousseauMob]

Sitka is lovely, but keep in mind that it is the most exposed and a tender port so it can be dropped due to bad weather. We've only made it to Sitka 1 out of 3 times due to weather. But, the time we made it was at the same time of year as this cruise so I'm crossing my fingers and sprinkling pixie dust.

I hope no one minds but I thought I would share some pictures from Sitka. We did the Sea Otter and Wildlife Adventure and Raptor Center excursion when we went. It was AWESOME! They have a guarantee that you will see Sea Otters, Whales or Bear - at least one of three. We joked while headed back that maybe we should pay more since we saw all three!

Personally I don't see how you could not see Sea Otters since the area they took us to was FULL of them.

 

[MousseauMob]

OK, I wanted to share this, and then I thought no, and then I thought go for it,
so here goes--this startled me, so don't watch if you are the jumpy type and I would say watch it yourself before sharing with kids.

Why I am not going ice fishing in Alaska:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nAiXRVtFYHQ

So, after it scared me to pieces, I laughed until I fell off the sofa and had to watch it five more times. I hope it isn't real, but it sure looks like it is.

My son just had to watch this repeatedly laughing each time!

You have to tell us more about the otters. My DD is going to flip over them.

My DD loves sea otters also, she has a bunch of stuffed animal sea otters - one poor old shabby (overly loved) guy name Pingo from Monterey Aquarium that she brings on all trips.

 

[The Maleficent One]

Yay!!!! I'm on the list!!!! Even if My DH spelled my name wrong...lol

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I hope no one minds but I thought I would share some pictures from Sitka. We did the Sea Otter and Wildlife Adventure and Raptor Center excursion when we went. It was AWESOME! They have a guarantee that you will see Sea Otters, Whales or Bear - at least one of three. We joked while headed back that maybe we should pay more since we saw all three!

Personally I don't see how you could not see Sea Otters since the area they took us to was FULL of them.

I didn't mind in the least (and neither did my DD). I hope this excursion is offered on our cruise!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I loved the pictures. Please share all you want, both pics as well as your Alaska experiences.

I have to say, the one thing I am totally overwhelmed with is figuring out the excursions. I am not sure that even 14 months is going to be enough time for me to sort this all out.

Maleficent, the misspelling can be fixed, you won't be stuck with a new name.

 

[mrobin023]

Hi everyone. We booked this as our Valentine's present to each other. I'm Michelle and my husband Kris and our son Alex who will just be turning 20 will be coming with me. We have been trying to decide between Aulani and Alaska and decided we would do Hawaii this year and Alaska next year! We were very excited to see a 9 day cruise offered and jumped on it. This will be our first trip to Alaska and can't wait to soak up all the great knowledge from the veterans here.

 

[MoonDaughter23]

Sitka is lovely, but keep in mind that it is the most exposed and a tender port so it can be dropped due to bad weather. We've only made it to Sitka 1 out of 3 times due to weather. But, the time we made it was at the same time of year as this cruise so I'm crossing my fingers and sprinkling pixie dust.

I hope no one minds but I thought I would share some pictures from Sitka. We did the Sea Otter and Wildlife Adventure and Raptor Center excursion when we went. It was AWESOME! They have a guarantee that you will see Sea Otters, Whales or Bear - at least one of three. We joked while headed back that maybe we should pay more since we saw all three!

Personally I don't see how you could not see Sea Otters since the area they took us to was FULL of them.

The pictures were AMAZING!

I hope we don't lose out due to weather.

I'm excited about the sea otters too. I hope to see bears, whales and a bald eagle.

I was poking around last night at Holland America's Sitka excursions to see what I could hope for. (I found a brochure promoting their Alaska cruises while I was shredding old mail). If anybody hasn't found much on Sitka yet here's the link for the HAL Sitka excursions page. I know it's not DCL but I imagine they'll use some of the same vendors if not all. http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/ShoreExcursions!viewExcursions.action?destCode=A&portCode=SIT My favorite was the Fortress of the Bear & Sea Otter Quest (but I don't know that I could swing it).

And looking on Trip Advisor, I found it funny how many wildlife watch vendors there were who guaranteed their excursions with $100 cash per person if you do not see a sea otter, whale, etc while you are out with them. That's some good marketing. I wonder how many people book just to try to get the cash.

 

[MoonDaughter23]

Yay!!!! I'm on the list!!!! Even if My DH spelled my name wrong...lol

Hi everyone. We booked this as our Valentine's present to each other. I'm Michelle and my husband Kris and our son Alex who will just be turning 20 will be coming with me. We have been trying to decide between Aulani and Alaska and decided we would do Hawaii this year and Alaska next year! We were very excited to see a 9 day cruise offered and jumped on it. This will be our first trip to Alaska and can't wait to soak up all the great knowledge from the veterans here.

Hi and Welcome to both of you!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

What a Valentine's present, beats the heck out of roses.

The 9 day trip is what pushed me over the edge to book as well. If I am going cross country, I want to stay out there a little while, not just a few days.

Hi everyone. We booked this as our Valentine's present to each other. I'm Michelle and my husband Kris and our son Alex who will just be turning 20 will be coming with me. We have been trying to decide between Aulani and Alaska and decided we would do Hawaii this year and Alaska next year! We were very excited to see a 9 day cruise offered and jumped on it. This will be our first trip to Alaska and can't wait to soak up all the great knowledge from the veterans here.

 

[pequele]

Yay!!!! I'm on the list!!!! Even if My DH spelled my name wrong...lol

I fixed it for ya! I think he owes ya something purty now

Hi everyone. We booked this as our Valentine's present to each other. I'm Michelle and my husband Kris and our son Alex who will just be turning 20 will be coming with me. We have been trying to decide between Aulani and Alaska and decided we would do Hawaii this year and Alaska next year! We were very excited to see a 9 day cruise offered and jumped on it. This will be our first trip to Alaska and can't wait to soak up all the great knowledge from the veterans here.

hi! Everyone should be up on the list in the 1st post. If anyone would like to change their spouse's name, remove names of their party members, add room/deck numbers, just let me know!

The pics of Sitka are amazing!! I am so very excited. Does anyone have an idea when Disney would come out with excursions for the new ports? I want to take a look at the HAL site for sure. Probably not tonight, I need to stay busy while I wait another 56 minutes to register for our May 2013 cruise. Sad, but my head keeps bobbing! That's it, I'm officially OLD