Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[Pixiegran]

Hmmm....was the email from Disney? I have no problem not wearing jeans but it will be interesting to see how many people follow that request.

I heard comments from many about the fact there were jeans being worn when it was requested they not be. But no one on the crew said anything to those wearing them. It did make formal night a lot less special when some dressed down that much.

 

[Diannah]

Just got back from the May 10-17 Alaskan cruise.

As you can see, the Alaskan panhandle in May is a cold, inhospitable place.
The air was so frigid that children-shaped icebergs formed in the pools:


(One thing worth noting: they do *not* play movies on the Funnel Vision when docked in port due to Alaskan laws regarding noise pollution).

It is rather amazing to see all the kids in the pool and the snow on top of the mountains behind the ship.

We're on the May 24th sailing. Can't wait!! Thanks for sharing all your great pics!

 

[ilovemk76]

For the formal night and semi-formal night DH and I will dress nicer but no suits or gowns here. On casual nights I will wear jeans and DH will wear whatever he chooses. I will not dress up to attend a dinner I paid for. This is our vacation so dressing up twice is enough.

 

[pouncingpluto]

We are on the 5/31 sailing also... but I have not gotten and email (yet)... maybe soon....

Yeah, I haven't either. I had a baby in Feb, and I'm still 10-15 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight. I have 3 dresses that fit me that I can bring, but other than that, I'll be wearing the jeans I bought to tide me over until my maternity leave is over and I have to get nice clothes in whatever size I am then.

 

[Pocahantas]

For the formal night and semi-formal night DH and I will dress nicer but no suits or gowns here. On casual nights I will wear jeans and DH will wear whatever he chooses. I will not dress up to attend a dinner I paid for. This is our vacation so dressing up twice is enough.

I agree completely.

 

[sabrecmc]

We definitely wore jeans to a couple of the casual night dinners. Mostly this was because we were coming in from the port for early dinner and didn't take the time to go change. Sorry, but I'm not giving up port time to go pretty myself up on my vacation. We did dress up for formal (long formal dresses)and semi-formal (cocktail dresses) and dressed nicely for the other cruise casual days, wore pirate stuff, etc.

I will have to find my picture of all the kids in the pool as we sailed into Tracy Arm on the first Alaskan. I had to snap a photo of that so people would believe me! The pools were close to 90 degrees though.

 

[joyride27]

what kind of beer to they have on tap.

 

[smb6]

Yeah, I haven't either. I had a baby in Feb, and I'm still 10-15 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight. I have 3 dresses that fit me that I can bring, but other than that, I'll be wearing the jeans I bought to tide me over until my maternity leave is over and I have to get nice clothes in whatever size I am then.

I had my last baby 5 years ago and I'm still trying to fit back into my pre-baby clothes

We definitely wore jeans to a couple of the casual night dinners. Mostly this was because we were coming in from the port for early dinner and didn't take the time to go change. Sorry, but I'm not giving up port time to go pretty myself up on my vacation. We did dress up for formal (long formal dresses)and semi-formal (cocktail dresses) and dressed nicely for the other cruise casual days, wore pirate stuff, etc.

I will have to find my picture of all the kids in the pool as we sailed into Tracy Arm on the first Alaskan. I had to snap a photo of that so people would believe me! The pools were close to 90 degrees though.

That is my thought also; that there will be a couple of port days that we will be doing good to make it back onto the ship for dinner; and really won't have the time to go get changed for dinner.... That is why I hate that they have made semi-formal night on Ketchikan day.... I wish it were on Tracy Arm day...

 

[Cerberus9]

I heard comments from many about the fact there were jeans being worn when it was requested they not be. But no one on the crew said anything to those wearing them. It did make formal night a lot less special when some dressed down that much.

We had the late seating on the May 10-17 cruise. I didn't notice anyone wearing jeans for any of the dinners (with the exception of Pirate night). Most people showed some class and followed the dress code. Those that didn't stuck out like sore thumbs.

 

[mmmears]

For anyone on the 2nd DCL Alaska cruise:

Did you experience the rough seas / waves that the 1st cruise did? (I realize you went Inside Passage on the second cruise, but want to know how rough it was).

 

[pensfan8771]

I think people need to remove the "Alaska is freezing cold" impression from their thoughts because actually the "interior" part (what its known as) of Alaska, such as Fairbanks, is indeed the area thats known for the subarctic temperatures. But the likes of Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan can get into as high as 65 degrees during May, June, July, and August. That's why the cruise line season in Alaska is May-September, because temperatures there are 50s to mid 60s. So just to let you know, I would still actually pack some short sleeve t-shirts and shorts (and swimsuits )

 

[Jessebuggy]

I didn't see many people in shorts. I saw women in capris though- with jackets and looking likey were freezing to death. LOL
Honestly- the excursions is where it was warmer-- on land. On the ship, and especially when it was moving was brrrrrrrrrrrrr LOL

Thanks for the advice! Began packing for the kids today -- will work on mine as we get closer!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

this is a great thread - very helpful and informative!

Let's stop the dressing up vs. dressing down in the dining room debate before it gets the thread closed - please!

this is not the place!

 

[Jessebuggy]

this is a great thread - very helpful and informative!

Let's stop the dressing up vs. dressing down in the dining room debate before it gets the thread closed - please!

this is not the place!

I agree -- once a thread starts to denegrate into judgment, it disappears and there is too much useful information here to lose!!

 

[jilljill]

what kind of beer to they have on tap.

See post 559 above your's.

 

[jilljill]

this is a great thread - very helpful and informative!

Let's stop the dressing up vs. dressing down in the dining room debate before it gets the thread closed - please!

this is not the place!

I agree -- once a thread starts to denegrate into judgment, it disappears and there is too much useful information here to lose!!

Thanks for putting this reminder out for all. We have to remember that sometimes shoreside isn't aware of what the ships say. We got the same email last summer before our Baltics sailing and again before our Dream sailing and when onboard you get different information. Even what DCL has posted on their website is different from what the email says:

Dress Code
The dress code for dinner changes nightly. Check the Personal Navigator—the Disney Cruise Line daily newsletter detailing all there is to see and do—for more information while onboard. However, you are requested to not wear tank tops, swim wear or shorts for dinner.


Do what feels comfortable for you and your family for your vacation. Remember if you do wear jeans you are not going against the suggested guidelines set forth by DCL on their website!


Now back to our regularly scheduled info sharing for cruisers.

 

[denise]

Now back to our regularly scheduled info sharing for cruisers.

 

[Cerberus9]

For anyone on the 2nd DCL Alaska cruise:

Did you experience the rough seas / waves that the 1st cruise did? (I realize you went Inside Passage on the second cruise, but want to know how rough it was).

We encountered some rolling seas in the open water between Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands. Vomiting did occur with one of our children, and I myself felt a bit "off".

 

[sayhello]

I think people need to remove the "Alaska is freezing cold" impression from their thoughts because actually the "interior" part (what its known as) of Alaska, such as Fairbanks, is indeed the area thats known for the subarctic temperatures. But the likes of Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan can get into as high as 65 degrees during May, June, July, and August. That's why the cruise line season in Alaska is May-September, because temperatures there are 50s to mid 60s. So just to let you know, I would still actually pack some short sleeve t-shirts and shorts (and swimsuits )

I was in Alaska on a cruisetour in late May of '06, and we actually had days in the 60's & 70's.

You can't believe how many people look at my pictures, and see how sunny & beautiful & green Alaska was (both during my cruisetour and my September '09 Alaska ABD) and are shocked, because they all think Alaska is solid ice and igloos. I wore shorts & T-shirts several days on my Alaska cruisetour. Including the first 2 days in Fairbanks!

Sayhello

 

[Pocahantas]

I was in Alaska on a cruisetour in late May of '06, and we actually had days in the 60's & 70's.

You can't believe how many people look at my pictures, and see how sunny & beautiful & green Alaska was (both during my cruisetour and my September '09 Alaska ABD) and are shocked, because they all think Alaska is solid ice and igloos. I wore shorts & T-shirts several days on my Alaska cruisetour. Including the first 2 days in Fairbanks!

Sayhello

That is the weather I am hoping for in late June/early July!