May 24, 2014 Alaskan 9 night Wonder

[RweTHEREyet]

I might be misinterpreting it, but looking at the number of stateroom categories left on our cruise it appears our ship is not very full.

Another indicator is that the cost of my cabin for this sailing has not increased at all, and I booked the day the cruise was released.

Yes, a not-so-full ship would not be a bad thing.

ETA: And now I see that everyone is finding the same thing on the cost of their cabin not going up, sorry to be late to the party.

On the other hand, the California Coast that we are doing B2B, has gone up over $1,000 for my same category, so I am thinking that ship will be very full.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I had been looking at that as well. I was going to look again after today and see if there was even more open (after the PIF date and give them a chance to update the availability). I'd love a verandah room but at the same time I keep saying it doesn't matter because we are never in the room and I can use that money for so much more!



It is true. Here we aren't out until mid June.



I looked at that same thing. Prices. I'm ok with not having a full boat. Sad for Disney that it wouldn't be as popular with the Sitka day. Is hate to see Sitka lose Disney.

So I'm wondering with the mild weather up there, will we have any snow to look at? Will we get to sail right next to the glacier because there is no ice

I have to be honest in that I am wondering what our chances are of actually getting to Sitka. I am not usually a half full or half empty glass kind of person--I more wonder about what is in the glass, but after hearing about so many ships not getting into Sitka, I think I will be pleasantly surprised if we do get to dock.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

As of now, we are looking at booking a couple of excursions through DCL

Here in Ohio - we are colder that it is currently in Alaska - something is wrong with that picture

 

[RayOfRedondo]

Hello Everyone:

Just finished with check-in and called DCL regarding the dining/theme days on the ship. As yet they have not been assigned, so I will keep trying and will let you know once they tell me.

Rayhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/surf.gif

 

[peachygreen]

Can I ask a favor of a Platinum Cruiser?

I am trying to plan an independant excursion in Skagway to corespond with a Disney excursion in Skagway. Can I get one of you to confrim the time for me of 2 Disney Excursion?

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...way-alaska/white-pass-railway-and-trail-camp/

or

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...rsville-gold-rush-trail-camp-and-salmon-bake/

 

[mrp4352]

I might be misinterpreting it, but looking at the number of stateroom categories left on our cruise it appears our ship is not very full.

I know when we cruised Alaska over Memorial Day in 2012, the ship was maybe half full - and it seemed like lots of those were crew member families!

 

[pequele]

I have to be honest in that I am wondering what our chances are of actually getting to Sitka. I am not usually a half full or half empty glass kind of person--I more wonder about what is in the glass, but after hearing about so many ships not getting into Sitka, I think I will be pleasantly surprised if we do get to dock.

We are gonna make it we are gonna make it we are gonna make it we are gonna make it

Hello Everyone:

Just finished with check-in and called DCL regarding the dining/theme days on the ship. As yet they have not been assigned, so I will keep trying and will let you know once they tell me.

Rayhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/surf.gif

Really? I just don't quite get Disney and their planning sometimes. You "have to" make dining ADRs for the parks 180 days out etc but then half the other activities aren't loaded into the system at 180 days so you then are in limbo and calling everyday to see is things have opened up for booking! GRRR Dining on the ship, I'm not asking to pack my bags today, I'm not asking what is on the menu, I just want to think about our excursion times or Palo perhaps on the days that you expect me to dress formally or for a Pixar party or whatever. BOOO

I just looked at our room class (I went SUPER CHEAP with 11C). There weren't any available for the longest time right after booking opened up, now of course there are. It is about $200 more than when I booked. I was thinking the 11B hadn't changed much, but I think that may have, too. Not huge difference but some.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I have to be honest in that I am wondering what our chances are of actually getting to Sitka. I am not usually a half full or half empty glass kind of person--I more wonder about what is in the glass, but after hearing about so many ships not getting into Sitka, I think I will be pleasantly surprised if we do get to dock.

Why? Have I missed something. Why is it hard to get to Sitka?

Another indicator is that the cost of my cabin for this sailing has not increased at all, and I booked the day the cruise was released.

Yes, a not-so-full ship would not be a bad thing.

ETA: And now I see that everyone is find the same thing on the cost of their cabin not going up, sorry to be late to the party.

On the other hand, the California Coast that we are doing B2B, has gone up over $1,000 for my same category, so I am thinking that ship will be very full.

My category has not changed price either. Still the same as last February. However, there are a lot more rooms available on deck 6 than 7.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

My DH just got back from Whole Foods and they are having a one-day sale on salmon today. He brought a package home and it says "Sitka Sound," so guess what we are having tomorrow night?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Why? Have I missed something. Why is it hard to get to Sitka?

It has been a long time since I read the trip reports, but I believe it was weather/visibility/maybe ice in the water. I don't remember for sure, but I have read that not all ships that try to dock in Sitka actually make it.

 

[MousseauMob]

That wouldn't be a bad thing.

It's early yet for a lot of schools to be out for summer vacation. Our DD's last day is 3 days before the cruise.

That's true, not a bad thing at all. I'm just surprised, I thought this cruise would be popular with folks that like longer cruises.

On the other hand, the California Coast that we are doing B2B, has gone up over $1,000 for my same category, so I am thinking that ship will be very full.

I'm hoping they take this as a good sign and do more California Coast cruises, and not just re-positioning.

I have to be honest in that I am wondering what our chances are of actually getting to Sitka. I am not usually a half full or half empty glass kind of person--I more wonder about what is in the glass, but after hearing about so many ships not getting into Sitka, I think I will be pleasantly surprised if we do get to dock.

I missed Stika twice (not DCL) in September, and made it once in May, so I'm crossing my fingers we have beautiful weather and make it.

Hello Everyone:

Just finished with check-in and called DCL regarding the dining/theme days on the ship. As yet they have not been assigned, so I will keep trying and will let you know once they tell me.

Thanks for checking! Can't wait!

Why? Have I missed something. Why is it hard to get to Sitka?

Sitka is on open ocean and not in the protected waters (inside passage), plus there is no dock, it is a tender port, so bad weather or large waves causes cancellations.

My DH just got back from Whole Foods and they are having a one-day sale on salmon today. He brought a package home and it says "Sitka Sound," so guess what we are having tomorrow night?

Yum! I'll be over for dinner!

 

[pequele]

That's true, not a bad thing at all. I'm just surprised, I thought this cruise would be popular with folks that like longer cruises. I'm hoping they take this as a good sign and do more California Coast cruises, and not just re-positioning. I missed Stika twice (not DCL) in September, and made it once in May, so I'm crossing my fingers we have beautiful weather and make it. Thanks for checking! Can't wait! Sitka is on open ocean and not in the protected waters (inside passage), plus there is no dock, it is a tender port, so bad weather or large waves causes cancellations. Yum! I'll be over for dinner!

I thought I read somewhere (maybe DCL blog?) that DCL wouldn't go to Sitka without a dock? But I do see it says tendering required on the itinerary so who knows what I read.

Does anyone know when we will here the schedule of events for dinner? I'm not worried about a specific rotation, just maybe what days are what like formal night etc.

 

[MousseauMob]

I thought I read somewhere (maybe DCL blog?) that DCL wouldn't go to Sitka without a dock? But I do see it says tendering required on the itinerary so who knows what I read.

Well that's interesting, I found the below article that they just finished a dock 5 miles from town. It also say's DCL would use it in 2014 - but our itinerary say's tender.
http://www.kcaw.org/2012/12/04/sitka-dock-to-see-first-regular-customers-in-2013/

Personally, where the ship anchored and tendered was a fantastic spot, 2 blocks from downtown and so lovely. I'm not sure I'd want to be 5 miles away and have to be shuttled in.

The past reasons for missing Sitka is still due to tendering, open ocean and weather since this was only completed in 2013.

Does anyone know when we will here the schedule of events for dinner? I'm not worried about a specific rotation, just maybe what days are what like formal night etc.

I sure wish I knew, I'm interested in the same.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Well that's interesting, I found the below article that they just finished a dock 5 miles from town. It also say's DCL would use it in 2014 - but our itinerary say's tender.
http://www.kcaw.org/2012/12/04/sitka-dock-to-see-first-regular-customers-in-2013/

That's what I had thought that a new dock had been built. If you look at the current itinerary on the DCL site, the asterisk has been removed from Sitka so they are not planning on tendering.

 

[MousseauMob]

That's what I had thought that a new dock had been built. If you look at the current itinerary on the DCL site, the asterisk has been removed from Sitka so they are not planning on tendering.

I just saw that! This definitely decreases the risk of missing Sitka!

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

This new dock makes sense to me. In my emails with Paul from Gallant Adventures for our Sitka excursion he explained that we'd be bussed into town by Disney and he'd meet us for the excursion where the busses dropped us off. I was a little confused by this since I was thinking we'd be tendered into a dock by the city. I was thinking maybe we'd be tendered and then bussed. Glad to hear we can take the bus out of the equation!

 

[MousseauMob]

This new dock makes sense to me. In my emails with Paul from Gallant Adventures for our Sitka excursion he explained that we'd be bussed into town by Disney and he'd meet us for the excursion where the busses dropped us off. I was a little confused by this since I was thinking we'd be tendered into a dock by the city. I was thinking maybe we'd be tendered and then bussed. Glad to hear we can take the bus out of the equation!

Oh I meant to tell you thanks for sharing that link. The excursion looks awesome, I'd love to see the puffins.It might tempt me to reconsider my Sitka plans.

I wonder how big the dock is and if the other small ship in Sitka with us can be accommodated on the dock with us or if they will have to tender?

 

[MousseauMob]

I just read another article that says DCL will not tender passengers. The first 2 times I ever tendered from a cruise ship was on DCL? Is this new, or I'm just out of touch?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

OK people, here is the word I got from DCL about which pier in Vancouver:

Magana, Connie H. Connie.H.Magana@disney.com

5:33 PM (16 hours ago)

to me

Good afternoon Mrs. Miller,

Thank you for taking the time to send an email to the Port of Vancouver in regards to your cruise with Disney Cruise Line May 24, 2014. Our partners in Vancouver sent your email to me. I apologize for the confusion and thank you again for bringing this information to our attention. Our Communications Department is correcting the information on our website as I write this email. Let me confirm that the Disney Wonder will sail from Ballantyne Cruise Terminal Saturday May 24, 2014. Upon its return on Monday June 2, 2014 the ship will dock at Canada Place. I have added directions to Ballantyne below. Please let me know if I can provide further information or assistance. My contact information is listed below.

Thank you for sailing with Disney Cruise Line and I look forward to seeing you in Vancouver!

Connie

Connie Magana
Outport Operations Guest Services Manager | Disney Cruise Line
210 Celebration Place | Celebration, FL 34747 | USA

Office: 407-566-8163 | Mobile:407-579-1349
Email: Connie.H.Magana@Disney.com

Directions to Ballantyne Cruise Ship Terminal:

From the Vancouver International Airport head West on Grant McConachie Way E. Keep left at the fork and follow signs for Marine Drive East and merge onto SW Marine Drive. Turn left onto Cambie St. Take the Pacific Boulevard East Exit. Continue straight onto Pacific BLVD. Turn Left onto Carrall St. Turn right onto East Hastings St. Turn Left onto Clark Drive. Turn Right onto Stewart St. Continue onto Centennial Road.

Guest Should Park at Canada Place, as parking is not available at the Ballyantyne Cruise Terminal. Complimentary Shuttle service to and from Canada Place will be readily available.



Ballantyne Cruise Ship Terminal Address:

851 Centennial Rd.

Vancouver, BC V6A1A3, Canada

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Well shoot. That is not what I wanted to hear. Oh well. One way or another we will get to the ship. At least their providing transportation.

Thanks for clearing this up!