Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[mmmears]

We're boarding tomorrow (5/24), so will let you know the next time we can get online how it goes. We have a 12:30 - 1:00 arrival time.

We won't be paying for onboard wifi, so we won't be able to connect until Fri at the earliest. But as soon as we can, I'll comment on our boarding exerience.

Thank you -- it will be great to get some more information on the boarding process. And I hope you have a great trip!

 

[staffieri]

Thank you -- it will be great to get some more information on the boarding process. And I hope you have a great trip!

Can't wait to hear about everything and the tours you took. Have a wonderful time.

 

[ariel39]

Going thru all of these posts are great and thank you for the information. We were on the Med Cruise in 2007 and are interested in finding out if any of the staff is on this cruise. We had Melanie(pronounced MA LAN E), Andy and Travis. Brent was out cruise director and so we know he isn't on this ship

What is the best hotel. I will have 2 handicapped people with me so I want to get as close as possible to the port

We are flying Westjet nonstop from Las Vegas to Vancouver the day before.

We have GTY rooms, when do you get your assignment?
Thanks for your help

 

[Meskamooska]

What is the best hotel. I will have 2 handicapped people with me so I want to get as close as possible to the port

We have GTY rooms, when do you get your assignment?
Thanks for your help

Hi!

From what I have been able to find out the absolute closest hotel is the Pan Pacific which has an elevator that takes you directly to the cruise dock. Can't get much closer than that.

I considered booking that hotel originally but we decided to stay somewhere on the cheap since we will probably be arriving at the hotel late and then bopping about the town a bit before we board the ship. Also, the less we spend on a hotel the more I can spend on the ship

My DH and I are also traveling guarantee and I check once a day to see if we have been assigned a cabin yet. I have heard folks report receiving their assignment anywhere from a month or more before departure (rare from what I have seen here) to a few days before or even at port (seems to be more common) so... I will be happy however and whenever they decide to tell me what my address for the week will be. I am just grateful that it will be somewhere on the ship and will be keeping my fingers crossed for a Pixie Dust upgrade for all who are sailing guarantee

Take care all, help lots of people and have a "Wonder"ful day!

Tisza

 

[mellers]

Going thru all of these posts are great and thank you for the information. We were on the Med Cruise in 2007 and are interested in finding out if any of the staff is on this cruise. We had Melanie(pronounced MA LAN E), Andy and Travis. Brent was out cruise director and so we know he isn't on this ship

What is the best hotel. I will have 2 handicapped people with me so I want to get as close as possible to the port

We are flying Westjet nonstop from Las Vegas to Vancouver the day before.

We have GTY rooms, when do you get your assignment?
Thanks for your help

The absolute closest hotel to the port in the Pan Pacific, and by all accounts it is lovely. However, we have 5 people, none of whom can sleep more than one to a double bed, so that would have meant three rooms, so we didn't take that route.

We are staying in Richmond, which is less expensive, and quite wheelchair accessible (I am in a mobility scooter, so it's an issue for us as well.) It is the city in which the Vancouver Airport is located.

We are taking a hired car to the port, and it's still much cheaper to stay in Richmond than in Vancouver. Public transit is very accessible--I've taken the SeaBus, SkyTrain and busses with my scooter and I've not had problems.

I would call to make sure it's still true, but as of our last visit the FourPoints Sheraton Vancouver Airport has a free wheelchair accessible airport shuttle, and is about 1/2 mile away from a Canada Line SkyTrain station (Lansdowne station). It is also across the street from a shopping centre with a Zellers (similar to Target), a small grocery store, a state liquor store, a UPS store (if you want to ship things home), a Toys R Us, and several dollar stores for neat little things for the kids. They also sometimes have cultural events and presentations (the area is largely Chinese--you'll see signs in both English and Chinese everywhere.)

My husband's family is Chinese, so I usually use trips to Richmond as a chance to get Disney red envelopes for the kids.

Wherever you stay, have a great trip.

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

My husband's family is Chinese, so I usually use trips to Richmond as a chance to get Disney red envelopes for the kids.

Okay I just gotta ask: what's a "Disney red envelope"? Sounds neat!!

 

[Anjelica]

For those that stayed at Pan Pacific pre-cruise how was luggage handled? I thought I read somewhere that the hotel handles the luggage and takes it down to the port - but what does that entail? Do I see my luggage again prior to going through security, customs, etc. hence dragging it with us or once the hotel takes it we don't see it until we get into our stateroom later?

 

[jlwhitney]

For those that stayed at Pan Pacific pre-cruise how was luggage handled? I thought I read somewhere that the hotel handles the luggage and takes it down to the port - but what does that entail? Do I see my luggage again prior to going through security, customs, etc. hence dragging it with us or once the hotel takes it we don't see it until we get into our stateroom later?

In the morning when you are ready you call Bell Services and they come up to your room and get your luggage. You don't see it again till it arrives in your room on the ship. It is a complimentary service. We used it and we also talked to some others who did. Very easy and nice to not deal with luggage more than you need to.

 

[Anjelica]

In the morning when you are ready you call Bell Services and they come up to your room and get your luggage. You don't see it again till it arrives in your room on the ship. It is a complimentary service. We used it and we also talked to some others who did. Very easy and nice to not deal with luggage more than you need to.

Awesome!!! Thank you so much!!!

 

[890537]

Dear jilljill,

I have complained non-stop about the DCL website. My husband is programmer, and I know very well what can and cannot be done in the realm of computers. As far as I am concerned, there is NO excuse for DCL's poor website, particularly their excursion portion. I told my TA that there were two main reasons I refused to book excursions through DCL. #1 was that they decided my 10 yo was an ADULT. #2 was that their website was SO user -UNFRIENDLY. For a company that prides itself on CS, their website is a train wreck. I desperately hope that a CM reads this post. We expect better from DISNEY.

My TA told me that she complains regularly and is told that it's only the TAs who complain. I sent her a letter to forward to Disney. It boggles my mind that Disney chooses not to do better. Their ability to do better is without question!

So sorry for the rant, but I've been wanting to do this for a LONG time. I do apologize.

I totally agree and am glad you posted this. I've complained to DCL as well and also did the online survey they sometimes present. I work in the field as well and there is no excuse for their pathetic site. One example I have is that their excursions show that we should pay for my 2 year old and I signed her up repeatedly only to find that she's never listed as included. Finally I asked and was told she didn't need to be ticketed - how the heck am I supposed to know that. I think I'll follow your lead and do something more than complain to the person on the phone. I love the letter idea.

Thanks!

Pam

 

[denise]

Okay I just gotta ask: what's a "Disney red envelope"? Sounds neat!!

I want to know too!!!!

 

[kveens]

I want to know too!!!!

During the Asian holiday of Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) those who are young gets gifts of cash in red envelopes. Having a Disney character on the red envelope would be appealing to the younger crowd who typically gets these gifts.

This definition is from a non-Asian, but have been to Shanghai during Spring Festival.

 

[mmmears]

In the morning when you are ready you call Bell Services and they come up to your room and get your luggage. You don't see it again till it arrives in your room on the ship. It is a complimentary service. We used it and we also talked to some others who did. Very easy and nice to not deal with luggage more than you need to.

I love this service, but the worrier in me is concerned that somehow our luggage wont end up on the ship and then what will we do? I guess it's the same as handing it over to the luggage people, though. I just hope it all gets to our room!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I love this service, but the worrier in me is concerned that somehow our luggage wont end up on the ship and then what will we do? I guess it's the same as handing it over to the luggage people, though. I just hope it all gets to our room!

We had the same worry as well. We spoke with the gentleman who came to our room to collect our bags. He said they go into a holding area "with all the rest of them."

This gave us some comfort. Our bags aren't the only ones. There are lots. They have a system. Sometimes you just have to trust the system.

That said... my DH's bag and our garment bag arrived relatively soon after we boarded ship. We met our room attendant and asked about my bag. He said there we many more bags coming and assured us not to worry. I had accidentally left some medication in my bag so we were checking for it frequently. No bag. Enjoy the buffet. No bag. 20 minutes until sailing... no bag. Yeah, I was worried. However, there was just nothing to do about it at that point so off to the Sail Away party we went.

When we came by the room about an hour after sailing - LOOK! THERE! In the hallway! MY BAG!

The system works. Tag your bags appropriately. Let them know your ship. (Tipping nicely can't hurt.) And enjoy the hassle-free nature of it all - it works - and you're on vacation!

- Dreams

 

[Cerberus9]

I love this service, but the worrier in me is concerned that somehow our luggage wont end up on the ship and then what will we do? I guess it's the same as handing it over to the luggage people, though. I just hope it all gets to our room!

I suggest you tip well...

 

[mmmears]

I suggest you tip well...

I think that's a good idea!

 

[mmmears]

We had the same worry as well. We spoke with the gentleman who came to our room to collect our bags. He said they go into a holding area "with all the rest of them."

This gave us some comfort. Our bags aren't the only ones. There are lots. They have a system. Sometimes you just have to trust the system.

That said... my DH's bag and our garment bag arrived relatively soon after we boarded ship. We met our room attendant and asked about my bag. He said there we many more bags coming and assured us not to worry. I had accidentally left some medication in my bag so we were checking for it frequently. No bag. Enjoy the buffet. No bag. 20 minutes until sailing... no bag. Yeah, I was worried. However, there was just nothing to do about it at that point so off to the Sail Away party we went.

When we came by the room about an hour after sailing - LOOK! THERE! In the hallway! MY BAG!

The system works. Tag your bags appropriately. Let them know your ship. (Tipping nicely can't hurt.) And enjoy the hassle-free nature of it all - it works - and you're on vacation!

- Dreams

Thanks for sharing your experience with the luggage. I would have been worried. I'm sure we'll still do it, but I always feel better when I take my luggage on a plane with me, since at least I know it's on the same plane as I am. I guess if the luggage doesn't arrive we'll figure something out.

I'd love to hear more about your cruise!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the luggage. I would have been worried. I'm sure we'll still do it, but I always feel better when I take my luggage on a plane with me, since at least I know it's on the same plane as I am. I guess if the luggage doesn't arrive we'll figure something out.

I'd love to hear more about your cruise!

You're welcome. I have to admit I was starting to get worried when our other bags had arrived and mine had not, but we decided that the other two must have been placed on one luggage cart and mine landed on another so they go loaded on the ship separately. At some point you just have to realize you can't fix it at this moment, so... might as well go enjoy the buffet!

I would be happy to answer any questions. It was an AMAZING week. What would you like to know?

- Dreams

 

[Inkmahm]

I love this service, but the worrier in me is concerned that somehow our luggage wont end up on the ship and then what will we do? I guess it's the same as handing it over to the luggage people, though. I just hope it all gets to our room!

Same for me. But I'm going to try to remember that the hotel probably does this quite often so they would have a system to ensure your luggage gets to the right place. I'm going to use it! No sense in hauling my luggage if I don't have to.

 

[Chirple]

I think you'll need to get the written statement from the AIRLINE rather than your TA to make it enforceable with the airline gate "guard." Is that what you meant? Getting a confirmation through your TA from the airline?

If they can't get it, I would email the airline customer service and request confirmation that you get one bag free for every one of the people in your party for your flight(s) # xxx on date xxx (including all the flight leg numbers).

When they email back "yes", just print that out with the date of the email and carry it with you...

Or, just fly Southwest

I didn't bother sending the e-mail after all. I checked Air Canada's website again for this information: When you travel on an Air Canada or Jazz operated flight, your complimentary baggage allowance is determined by your fare, destination, date of travel and frequent flyer status.

When you click on the link that reads Between Canada and the U.S., there are 2 types of traveler class--Economy and Executive. Under Economy it states that 1 bag is free if it does not exceed the 50 lb limit. I'm going to use this as my guideline.

Southwest doesn't fly from my area, and we also wanted a direct flight into Vancouver.

New question: for those paying cash once in Canada, are you using U.S. currency or Canadian currency? We were thinking of taking a cab to the Pan Pacific and using a credit card to pay for it; can you add your tip to the credit card as well? If you are using Canadian currency, from which location did you acquire it?

For those who were wondering about the extra credit card fees for using your card internationally, we used our credit card in Toronto 2 years ago and were not charged additional fees by the bank. It's a good practice to call the issuer of your card to verify their policies and even just to let them know that you will be using your card outside of your normal purchasing area.