May 24, 2014 Alaskan 9 night Wonder

[pequele]

No you won't be lonely, I find that the Meets thread is easier to follow as far as when things happen. I agree with you that FB threads do tend to be Meet Thread killers. It took me a minute to figure out what you meant, but when I thought back to my last sailing I remembered that the Meets Thread had little activity once the FB one started up. And you are right, I didn't feel as connected to those on FB as I did the Meets Thread. I hope that there will be others that will still hang out here with us.

That being said, you will find me on FB as well as here.

No worries, I think there is plenty of us who will be back and forth, I hope we can disseminate any "rumors" and meet info as time goes on. My hope is while some people may not know of other prior to sailing (because there are some on the FB thread who don't come on DIS, too) that we can all still be somewhat connected some how prior to sailing by sharing info. Moon I believe shared the FE group sign up over there as well, wonder, should we post the who is cruising links, too?

I won't be lonely!
No offense to FB or anyone that uses it, but I have found it to be a meet thread killer. The meet thread ends up being informational only, and all conversation and discussion occurs on FB. Which makes is difficult for those of us that choose not to use FB to connect and get to know our fellow cruisers. My upcoming cruise is only a few weeks out and there's only a post a week or so. I feel more connected with the people on this cruise as far out as it is, because of how busy this thread has been over my upcoming cruise in few weeks.

No worries like I said I'd like to keep info flowing both places...that's my hope and I hope others between the 2 will help out in sharing info, too.

As for the FB page, I will be hanging out here at least until Christmas. Can't risk revealing anything too soon

it is a closed group, just so you know. No one but group members would see anything about the group, but can completely understand. What if someone saw your computer open?

The DIS board is the place for me. I just find it easier to follow than multiple "threads" on facebook. I just find that on FB one post can start off one way but end up as a different conversation a few comments into it.

Jon

have you been reading the FB page already

Hello. My DH and I will be on this cruise. It will be our second Disney cruise to Alaska, last was in June 2012 out of Seattle. Looking forward to more time in ports. Last time we did the "Best of Tours" in Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. They were nice, but just touched on things. Next cruise will be more selective on tours. Signed up for the FE on the 1st page of this thread. We are totally excited about going back to Alaska, but are renewing our wedding vows on the July 14th Dream this year, so don't have lots of time to research and plan a lot yet. We booked using DVC points and it was 716 points for 7A for the two of us.

I don't know if I am brave enough to use my DVC points yet for a cruise. I'm a DVC newbie with not many points to start with, I guess I just need to buy more...some day



SOOOO I am pretty sure I have the 1st thread up to date! Please let me know if some links I added don't work, also I pulled some info from the thread but also our list. If you do not want your names on the list in the 1st post or anything else, please let me know.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

No worries, I think there is plenty of us who will be back and forth, I hope we can disseminate any "rumors" and meet info as time goes on. My hope is while some people may not know of other prior to sailing (because there are some on the FB thread who don't come on DIS, too) that we can all still be somewhat connected some how prior to sailing by sharing info. Moon I believe shared the FE group sign up over there as well, wonder, should we post the who is cruising links, too?

I may be in the minority, but I am not sure about putting the names of who is cruising over on FB, and I am not even sure why. Maybe an invite to join us over would be sufficient. Just my .02 Not everyone here wants to be on FB and it seems that some on FB don't care for the DIS.

 

[MoonDaughter23]

I wish I could go for a lower price point cabin, but DH insists on a verandah, and wouldn't even consider not having one for this Alaska sailing, and I require mid-ship for motion issues, so 5A it is for us right now. I would be happy with one of the ocean views with the huge window seat porthole.

I only require split bathrooms. But the motion issues are understandable. It does tend to limit choices. Especially when everyone is different.

No worries like I said I'd like to keep info flowing both places...that's my hope and I hope others between the 2 will help out in sharing info, too.

I agree. For those of us who are crossovers it would benefit everyone to share in both places.

I don't know if I am brave enough to use my DVC points yet for a cruise. I'm a DVC newbie with not many points to start with, I guess I just need to buy more...some day

It's definitely something you have to think through. Especially if you don't want to use up all your points and then have to wait 2-3 years to replenish borrow or again (depending on how much you have).

And beware not to get sucked in to the add-on-itis. They make it really tempting sometimes. LOL

If you do not want your names on the list in the 1st post or anything else, please let me know.

FYI since there is now an FB group I "hid" that column on the spreadsheet and took the FB question off the roll call form.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

it is a closed group, just so you know. No one but group members would see anything about the group, but can completely understand. What if someone saw your computer open?

While it is a closed group, I would think that anyone that asks to join is going to be accepted.

 

[MousseauMob]

First page looks great!

Congratulations VowRenewal13. For everyone else doing B2B from San Diego - I'm still jealous and like MoonDaughter23 living vicariously through you!

MousseauMob, your son looks awesome and did a great job with his outfit

He's been working on the facial hair to make it better. LOL! Living with a budding film maker that dabbles a lot in special effects makeup is interesting to say the least.

The DIS board is the place for me.

While reading this, the tune playing in my head was "A pirates life for me".

 

[ppartekim]

We booked this cruise on the first day but only now decided to look at the DIS thread. We are actually doing what we call the MAMAW cruise (Miami-Alaska Marathon Aboard Wonder). Thirty-one "wonder" nights aboard ship.

Since I started the FB page, guess I will stay there (and lurk here) while staying out of the FB vs DIS debate/civil war that seems to be going on.

While it is a closed group, I would think that anyone that asks to join is going to be accepted.

Yes, the group is closed and only members can see and post (posts/comments cannot be googled or binged). I (as the admin) will accept most if not all invitations (I will assume that anyone joining is actually on the cruise) but I will not have a problem removing members is others start complaining loudly (just like DIS).

Now back to the current topic...

 

[chris31997]

I was not worried about the FB group being a closed group or anything like that, I was more worried about DD seeing the group on my FB page. I am always signed on



My mom and Sis are booking tomorrow. Another big big surprise for DD and DS I am so sneaky.


Thanks for the advice RweThereyet. I kinda figured that out, but was hoping.....

 

[MoonDaughter23]

I will be hanging out here at least until Christmas. Can't risk revealing anything too soon

Whoo! Your big reveal is going to the best ever! I can't keep a secret vacation from my family that long. My excitement and planning would cause me to slip up for sure.

We booked this cruise on the first day but only now decided to look at the DIS thread. We are actually doing what we call the MAMAW cruise (Miami-Alaska Marathon Aboard Wonder). Thirty-one "wonder" nights aboard ship.

Another person I want to be like when I grow up. That's awesome! Especially the Panama Canal repo. I think I have to wait for my daughter to graduate HS before we can try.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We booked this cruise on the first day but only now decided to look at the DIS thread. We are actually doing what we call the MAMAW cruise (Miami-Alaska Marathon Aboard Wonder). Thirty-one "wonder" nights aboard ship.

Since I started the FB page, guess I will stay there (and lurk here) while staying out of the FB vs DIS debate/civil war that seems to be going on.



Yes, the group is closed and only members can see and post (posts/comments cannot be googled or binged). I (as the admin) will accept most if not all invitations (I will assume that anyone joining is actually on the cruise) but I will not have a problem removing members is others start complaining loudly (just like DIS).

Now back to the current topic...

No civil war that I can see, just some people here do not use FB, and I didn't want everyone to leave this thread to jump over to FB and them feel deserted. I also think it is easier to keep up with things like the FE group on a thread like this where things stay stationery and people can find them easier--topics on the FB group move around too much, especially after a lot of people have joined, which will happen eventually. FB and the DIS are two entirely different venues and some have a preference for one over the other-I use both.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We booked this cruise on the first day but only now decided to look at the DIS thread. We are actually doing what we call the MAMAW cruise (Miami-Alaska Marathon Aboard Wonder). Thirty-one "wonder" nights aboard ship.

.

While I am envious of your 31 days on the ship and being treated like royalty for 31 days, I am not sure I could do it. I am VERY envious of your Panama Canal leg, and would love to do this myself, but my DH says he cannot be away from the office for that long, so that lets that out.

I will be most anxious to hear your thoughts as you get towards the end of your "journey" about the amount of time on the ship and if you would do it again.

 

[pequele]

I may be in the minority, but I am not sure about putting the names of who is cruising over on FB, and I am not even sure why. Maybe an invite to join us over would be sufficient. Just my .02 Not everyone here wants to be on FB and it seems that some on FB don't care for the DIS.

I wasn't planning on posting names, just the links so we could all feel connected despite which media we prefer. Many have cruised before and my know people from "the other side". I don't expect people to join up both places if they don't want to. But if we want to share info (I understand from the fb thread x or I found this out from the DIS) then I think we need some connection. Some people only in fb may want to be part of the FE. Does it make sense to have 2 completely different FE organizations going on? What happens if someone makes a yahoo group for FE? Not sure that would happen but I just thought people were wanting info to flow from one media to the other and not lose contact (threads dying I think was used a time or 2).

We booked this cruise on the first day but only now decided to look at the DIS thread. We are actually doing what we call the MAMAW cruise (Miami-Alaska Marathon Aboard Wonder). Thirty-one "wonder" nights aboard ship.

Since I started the FB page, guess I will stay there (and lurk here) while staying out of the FB vs DIS debate/civil war that seems to be going on.

Yes, the group is closed and only members can see and post (posts/comments cannot be googled or binged). I (as the admin) will accept most if not all invitations (I will assume that anyone joining is actually on the cruise) but I will not have a problem removing members is others start complaining loudly (just like DIS).

Now back to the current topic...

Hi!

I was not worried about the FB group being a closed group or anything like that, I was more worried about DD seeing the group on my FB page. I am always signed on



My mom and Sis are booking tomorrow. Another big big surprise for DD and DS I am so sneaky.

Thanks for the advice RweThereyet. I kinda figured that out, but was hoping.....

I understood the reason behind you not wanting to be on the fb group. I leave mine open, too. Too much work trying not to spoil the surprise all to be foiled by fb! Argh!!!! That's cool about your mom n sis! Now you gotta be sure they don't squeal

 

[ppartekim]

While I am envious of your 31 days on the ship and being treated like royalty for 31 days, I am not sure I could do it. I am VERY envious of your Panama Canal leg, and would love to do this myself, but my DH says he cannot be away from the office for that long, so that lets that out.

I will be most anxious to hear your thoughts as you towards the end of your "journey" about the amount of time on the ship and if you would do it again.

Our first cruise ( my VERY first cruise) in 2005 was the EBPC, I picked that one as it was the longest (14nts) with the least amount of ports (5 - I think) as I wanted to maximize ship time which is why we were going in the first place. LOVED IT...... (even with going thru Hurricane Hillary in the Pacific which canceled a port).

The first leg of this MAMAW cruise will be 15. Of those, only 2 were separate 4 nighters... 4 other 3/4nts were B2B to make them week long, 4 were 14 nts (well 13/14 were 7nt B2B) the rest were 7 nts....

I love the longer cruises and would live on the ship if I could. Never have gotten bored on the ship, had downtime that to some may have looked boring (watching tv in the room) but then I do not get the Disney Channels so WhooHoo... I will still be very sad to get off the ship after Alaska..

My only wish was that this MAMAW would be on the Fantasy (my fav ship) but there is no way the Fantasy would fit through PC and possibly even Alaskan areas.

 

[ppartekim]

No civil war that I can see, just some people here do not use FB, and I didn't want everyone to leave this thread to jump over to FB and them feel deserted.

You may not have seen some of the threads I have seen.. While maybe not a "civil war" it is a definitely a "heated debate" with some high temperatures.

I also think it is easier to keep up with things like the FE group on a thread like this where things stay stationery and people can find them easier--topics on the FB group move around too much, especially after a lot of people have joined, which will happen eventually.

Part of the main debate, which is easier to follow. Me - FB for sure. To many distractionss here with sigs and such that clutter the pages.. But then I do not read magazines anymore or some websites that also seem to more ads than content. As for conversation twists, well that occurs here as well and since titles are not enforced you end up with same twists.

FB and the DIS are two entirely different venues and some have a preference for one over the other-I use both.

Correct, two entirely different beasts and I would expect that soon Google+ will be another one. I also expect that there are other cruise groups out there as well; it just happens that DIS and FB are the current top hits. I will be on all but only one will be called home and the others lurking vacation spots - for me home was DIS and today- its FB, tomorrow- ???,

 

[pequele]

Correct, two entirely different beasts and I would expect that soon Google+ will be another one. I also expect that there are other cruise groups out there as well; it just happens that DIS and FB are the current top hits. I will be on all but only one will be called home and the others lurking vacation spots - for me home was DIS and today- its FB, tomorrow- ???,

OMG I hate Google+!

Ok totally random off topic (here we go ahaha):
I am looking for a "cheap" cruise to rebook when on our May trip this year. Looking at Fall next year so I am thinking the transatlantic. Don't know if the dates will work but I know I can move the cruise around if needed to something else and not lose my perks. But question, not that I plan on taking it that year because I would suspect it would be in May and well I am planning on going to Alaska, but why do I not see a transatlantic trip going from over here to Europe? Am I missing something on the website? You know, just maybe sort of planning ahead for 2015

 

[RweTHEREyet]

You may not have seen some of the threads I have seen.. While maybe not a "civil war" it is a definitely a "heated debate" with some high temperatures.

You mean here, on this May 24, 2013 Meets Thread or maybe others?

I didn't realize there was so much controversy over this subject.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Correct, two entirely different beasts and I would expect that soon Google+ will be another one. I also expect that there are other cruise groups out there as well; it just happens that DIS and FB are the current top hits. I will be on all but only one will be called home and the others lurking vacation spots - for me home was DIS and today- its FB, tomorrow- ???,

Well, I hope you continue to visit and post here periodically during this next 15 months, even though the DIS is not your favorite spot any more.

 

[MoonDaughter23]

Does it make sense to have 2 completely different FE organizations going on? What happens if someone makes a yahoo group for FE? Not sure that would happen but I just thought people were wanting info to flow from one media to the other and not lose contact (threads dying I think was used a time or 2).

I think this could happen. Not specifically yahoo, but there are so many FB groups and boards that have their own meet groups and out there now. The world of Disney is a huge place. There could be other exchanges by groups we don't know about who are not fond of FB or DIS but know about the FE phenom and made their own.

I remember someone posting on another FB group that they got confused by an FE hanging on a stateroom not on their list, but they had extra and decided to put gifts in there anyway. Which I thought was awesome.

My only hope is -- while our two groups do seem to be merging through some of us crossovers -- that there is no confusion if there does wind up to be a separate FE group. *This came across in a bad way to me so I'm adding: By this I mean I hope there is no confusion of the frustrating kind. I have no problems if people are confused by a random FE and want to give to them anyway.

You mean here, on this May 24, 2013 Meets Thread or maybe others?

I didn't realize there was so much controversy over this subject.

Oh yeah. It can get nasty sometimes. On other meet threads I mean.

 

[MousseauMob]

I didn't realize there was so much controversy over this subject.

I didn't either! I used the term "meet killer", but all I meant was the activity on the DIS meet thread was reduced to very little conversation. I'm sorry if this was taken as heated debate/war, I assure everyone I didn't mean anything heated. That's why I started with the "no offense to FB" part.

I'm feeling like I should crawl under a rock now.

 

[MoonDaughter23]

I didn't either! I used the term "meet killer", but all I meant was the activity on the DIS meet thread was reduced to very little conversation. I'm sorry if this was taken as heated debate/war, I assure everyone I didn't mean anything heated. That's why I started with the "no offense to FB" part.

I'm feeling like I should crawl under a rock now.

Don't feel that way. It's not like you or anyone here or on FB stirred the pot and led an attack towards either site. At least I didn't take any comments that way. I actually found "meet killer" funny because it does happen sometimes.

I'm Switzerland in the whole FB/DIS issue and I definitely cannot I speak for anyone, but it was my impression people merely stated their preference of DIS over FB. There is nothing wrong with that. Everybody has their reasons for one over the other or both.

I think the ambiguity of posting on any site without hearing a voice behind it many times causes the wrong impression of what was actually being said. I don't think you or anyone else should feel guilty about stating your preference.

As I said in my last post, DIS/FB discussions can get pretty nasty on other threads. Just as they can with DCL vs RCCL vs Carnival. I didn't see anything nasty from anyone here. And I hope it never comes to that because I like this thread.

Sorry everyone for my Pollyana moment. And now for my Forrest Gump: "That's all I have to say about that."

If I get flamed for this post...so be it.

 

[chris31997]

It seems like I keep adding to my gotta pack list.

Gotta get something for the characters to sign, gotta get something for the FE(think we are gonna do it, just gotta convince DH ), layers, hats, camera......

Time for OverPlanner to kick in and make a list