Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[bigAWL]

Didn't realize there were several times. Do you know if the Princesses are the same each time? Is there a fee?

Every time we've done it on previous cruises, it was tea with Alice and the Mad Hatter. Are they doing it with Princesses now?

 

[poohj80]

Has anyone done the Private Hummer or Rainforest Island Adventure tours in Ketchikan? Looking for a tour the whole family can do that is a bit more active than just sightseeing.

Thanks!

 

[EdTreo]

Few comments: (killing time here at YVR)
Boarding is horrendous. Disney staffs are clueless. There were plenty around but couldn't guide you around. If you're arriving with your own luggage make sure you check in the baggage while someone holds the line for you. Luggage check is behind the line at A gate. Make sure it gets to the same bin with the Disney luggage tags.

I almost bought all my luggage into the US immigration/border check with me.

Upon entering the temporary make shift the Disney receptionist don't even know how to check you in. Forget about any question because I was instructed incorrectly. I went to the supervisors desk and got my answer straight.

Concierge check in is basically non-existent. Beside the first family. Everyone went in at the time like a stampede. Very disappointed there.

 

[spectrum-turbo]

Few comments: (killing time here at YVR
Boarding is horrendous. Disney staffs are clueless. There were plenty around but couldn't guide you around. If you're arriving with your own luggage make sure you check in the baggage while someone holds the line for you. Luggage check is behind the line at A gate. Make sure it gets to the same bin with the Disney luggage tags.

I almost bought all my luggage into the US immigration/border check with me.

Upon entering the temporary make shift the Disney receptionist don't even know how to check you in. Forget about any question because I was instructed incorrectly. I went to the supervisors desk and got my answer straight.

Concierge check in is basically non-existent. Beside the first family. Everyone went in at the time like a stampede. Very disappointed there.

Thanks for the information.

Could you clarify the Bolded part?
Are Concierge Guests getting boarding numbers like the rest of us (2, 3, 4, etc.) based on arrival time at Canada Place or is the number system not being used and everyone is just in one giant line?

 

[EdTreo]

If you've been to Disney cruise before you'll be disappointed. Quality is definitely subpar especially at BB. Food is dry and reminds me of ready to eat meals. Prepare to stand in line.
Lunch at Triton is smililar. It takes a long time to get seated and orders taken. It looks like they have a lot less server.
At Palo is where it got better marks. Food menu changes are for the better.
I order in on most days because of this.

 

[EdTreo]

Thanks for the information.

Could you clarify the Bolded part?
Are Concierge Guests getting boarding numbers like the rest of us (2, 3, 4, etc.) based on arrival time at Canada Place or is the number system not being used and everyone is just in one giant line?

Forget about the time. Instead of letting concierge pass to board first. Everyone went in at the same time.

Concierge wait area is a joke. Office dividers and folding chairs.

 

[EdTreo]

Disney made good on this that for most of them prices are slightly higher but will provide great service. They'll pick you up in the lobby/ pier. The White Pass Railway train is right where the ship docks.

 

[EdTreo]

The city is beautiful. For someone who loves uber contemporary style - this is your place. However it comes with a price - it's a very expensive. Dining at a shabby Chinese restaurant will be like dinning in pricy restaurant in the US. On top of that is the exchange rate. Most retailer will take us dollar of around 90% equivalent.

Amex is largely not accepted surprisingly especially with small business.

Consider also most Cc charge additional 3% intern'l fee.

 

[jlwhitney]

on the may 10th cruise, for boarding they did use the numbers and concierge did go first

 

[mardonna]

Few comments: (killing time here at YVR)
Boarding is horrendous. Disney staffs are clueless. There were plenty around but couldn't guide you around. If you're arriving with your own luggage make sure you check in the baggage while someone holds the line for you. Luggage check is behind the line at A gate. Make sure it gets to the same bin with the Disney luggage tags.

I almost bought all my luggage into the US immigration/border check with me.

Upon entering the temporary make shift the Disney receptionist don't even know how to check you in. Forget about any question because I was instructed incorrectly. I went to the supervisors desk and got my answer straight.

Concierge check in is basically non-existent. Beside the first family. Everyone went in at the time like a stampede. Very disappointed there.

Trying to get a gauge on if the weather has been warming up on each cruise....we leave in 3 weeks and trying to do some packing..

 

[neoavatara]

I enjoyed the food, and have been on other cruises. Never waited to be seated. Had a nice dining experience.

 

[E&Cmom]

I am just back today and wanted to add a few comments on some things that were posted.

Last weeks check in was a breeze. We arrived at 11:30ish. Our boarding number was 13.we were orginally handed 15 and then when we got to the medical form area were handed 13 by the staff there. After getting our Key to the World cards ( also a short line) we went to the youth area to get our girls Mickey bands. This probably took a 5 minute wait. While we were there our boarding number was called. We never had to sit to wait in the terminal. We went straight from one line to the other.

As for the "Disney Friends Tea" when we went it was only Ariel there. As an adult, it was not that exciting but my 7 and 4 year old girls liked it. It is not something I would go to without kids and yes, there were a few only adults there.

 

[disneymath]

On top of that is the exchange rate. Most retailer will take us dollar of around 90% equivalent.

Amex is largely not accepted surprisingly especially with small business.

Consider also most Cc charge additional 3% intern'l fee.

A way to avoid the "10% exchange rate" at businesses in Canada, there is the option of exchanging US funds for Canadian at your local bank or currency exchange centre. (You can also do this at most airports or at banks in Canada.) You will pay a fee to exchange funds, and you will pay again if you choose to exchange the leftovers back to US, but it will likely be less than 10%.

VISA is widely accepted in Canada, but you will pay the exchange rate and quite possibly that int'l surchage as well.

 

[Shanonn]

Every time we've done it on previous cruises, it was tea with Alice and the Mad Hatter. Are they doing it with Princesses now?

We went to the Tea on the May 10th Alaskan sailing and it was with Ariel & Tiana.

 

[EdTreo]

This is the most anxious part and I'm glad it went well. He have an 11 am flight. Concierge let us go first with our luggage. Were out by 7:30 at the airport by 8. Plenty of time to burn. Your mileage may vary.

 

[EdTreo]

A way to avoid the "10% exchange rate" at businesses in Canada, there is the option of exchanging US funds for Canadian at your local bank or currency exchange centre. (You can also do this at most airports or at banks in Canada.) You will pay a fee to exchange funds, and you will pay again if you choose to exchange the leftovers back to US, but it will likely be less than 10%.

VISA is widely accepted in Canada, but you will pay the exchange rate and quite possibly that int'l surchage as well.

I did this in our hotel. Banks were close for the weekend and Victoria day.

 

[Diannah]

Few comments: (killing time here at YVR)
Boarding is horrendous. Disney staffs are clueless. There were plenty around but couldn't guide you around. If you're arriving with your own luggage make sure you check in the baggage while someone holds the line for you. Luggage check is behind the line at A gate. Make sure it gets to the same bin with the Disney luggage tags.

I almost bought all my luggage into the US immigration/border check with me.

Upon entering the temporary make shift the Disney receptionist don't even know how to check you in. Forget about any question because I was instructed incorrectly. I went to the supervisors desk and got my answer straight.

Concierge check in is basically non-existent. Beside the first family. Everyone went in at the time like a stampede. Very disappointed there.

If you've been to Disney cruise before you'll be disappointed. Quality is definitely subpar especially at BB. Food is dry and reminds me of ready to eat meals. Prepare to stand in line.
Lunch at Triton is smililar. It takes a long time to get seated and orders taken. It looks like they have a lot less server.
At Palo is where it got better marks. Food menu changes are for the better.
I order in on most days because of this.

Wow. I know we were on the same cruise, but you'd never know it by our experience of it.

We had no problem with check in. Were never given a boarding number. Just walked through the lines. When we arrived with our luggage, the nice porters at the unloading spot grabbed all of the bags with the luggage tags and we didn't even have to touch them. They all arrived in our room safe and sound. The castmembers directed us where ever we needed to go. If we even looked puzzled, they were checking with us to make certain we knew where to go and what to do.

The lines were moderate, but moved well. Everyone was pleasant and business-like in customs and security. We kept smiles on our faces and got the same in return.

One of our highlights of this trip was the food. Now, I'm the first to admit that we're NOT foodies. But we're used to good food. We're not real fast-food eaters, and I cook quite a bit from scratch. We took most of our lunches in the Parrot Cay buffet, and found that, for the most part, the food was very good. Granted, some few items were not their best, but what is when held on a buffet for any length of time? The smoked salmon at breakfast was consistently wonderful, as was most of the fruit. We loved most of our dinners. I wasn't overly crazy about the elk tenderloin, but it was my DH's favorite. Go figure. One of the fish dishes I had was quite possibly the best cooked piece of fish I've ever eaten, and, while I love seafood, I'm not overly fond of fish. But that fish was fantastic! Even the escargot was perfectly cooked.

I hope you managed to find something to enjoy on this trip. I know we did. The phenomenal weather, gorgeous scenery, and staff that consistently went above and beyond for us. (We even got to sit down for an hour or so with the mainstage stage manager and one of the performers. My DD and I both perform on stage, and wanted to know what theater life was like on a cruise ship.) We weren't overly fond of Vancouver (DH had some difficulties with signage and the airport parking), but enjoyed the Aquarium and Stanely Park.

 

[staffieri]

Love to hear about ANY tours you took. Love to have a review of them!!!

 

[HiMagicFan]

We had no problem with check in. Were never given a boarding number. Just walked through the lines. When we arrived with our luggage, the nice porters at the unloading spot grabbed all of the bags with the luggage tags and we didn't even have to touch them.

What time did you head to check in? How many were in your party?

 

[EdTreo]

Wow. I know we were on the same cruise, but you'd never know it by our experience of it.

We had no problem with check in. Were never given a boarding number. Just walked through the lines. When we arrived with our luggage, the nice porters at the unloading spot grabbed all of the bags with the luggage tags and we didn't even have to touch them. They all arrived in our room safe and sound. The castmembers directed us where ever we needed to go. If we even looked puzzled, they were checking with us to make certain we knew where to go and what to do.

The lines were moderate, but moved well. Everyone was pleasant and business-like in customs and security. We kept smiles on our faces and got the same in return.

One of our highlights of this trip was the food. Now, I'm the first to admit that we're NOT foodies. But we're used to good food. We're not real fast-food eaters, and I cook quite a bit from scratch. We took most of our lunches in the Parrot Cay buffet, and found that, for the most part, the food was very good. Granted, some few items were not their best, but what is when held on a buffet for any length of time? The smoked salmon at breakfast was consistently wonderful, as was most of the fruit. We loved most of our dinners. I wasn't overly crazy about the elk tenderloin, but it was my DH's favorite. Go figure. One of the fish dishes I had was quite possibly the best cooked piece of fish I've ever eaten, and, while I love seafood, I'm not overly fond of fish. But that fish was fantastic! Even the escargot was perfectly cooked.

I hope you managed to find something to enjoy on this trip. I know we did. The phenomenal weather, gorgeous scenery, and staff that consistently went above and beyond for us. (We even got to sit down for an hour or so with the mainstage stage manager and one of the performers. My DD and I both perform on stage, and wanted to know what theater life was like on a cruise ship.) We weren't overly fond of Vancouver (DH had some difficulties with signage and the airport parking), but enjoyed the Aquarium and Stanely Park.

Oh we enjoyed quite a lot with this trip. If we don't like certain things we just moved on to the next and hopped for the best.

Palo as always was great. I thought it was made better by the menu change.