Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[Dayita]

High summer in Alaska is not that cold!!!! When I went on an Alaska cruise in late July, I only wore a jacket once; in Glacier Bay. Remember, this is not the arctic.

Disney has blankets on the decks of the Wonder (even on their MR cruises). Hot chocolate is always available at the soda and coffee station on deck 9.

I'm thinking the Alaska weather is going to be a surprise to many cruisers; sometimes hot, muggy and full of 'skeeters.

 

[nick.turpchinoff]

Dreams, thanks for gathering a lot of the answers to the questions people had. I have updated the main post (2nd post) with the information you provided!

 

[mmmears]

High summer in Alaska is not that cold!!!! When I went on an Alaska cruise in late July, I only wore a jacket once; in Glacier Bay. Remember, this is not the arctic.

Disney has blankets on the decks of the Wonder (even on their MR cruises). Hot chocolate is always available at the soda and coffee station on deck 9.

I'm thinking the Alaska weather is going to be a surprise to many cruisers; sometimes hot, muggy and full of 'skeeters.

I thought that the Bahamas were a bit chilly when the ship was moving quickly. My DM has been to Alaska twice in June and said it was hot -- I'm hoping we have the same weather when we go. Not looking forward to the 'skeeters, though.

 

[Cordelia.Turpchinoff]

I thought that the Bahamas were a bit chilly when the ship was moving quickly. My DM has been to Alaska twice in June and said it was hot -- I'm hoping we have the same weather when we go. Not looking forward to the 'skeeters, though.

I'm not looking forward to the mosquitos either... I would like to know if repellent is really a necessity for this cruise? Although I would much rather have repellent than to wish I had brought it with me.

 

[nick.turpchinoff]

I'm not looking forward to the mosquitos either... I would like to know if repellent is really a necessity for this cruise? Although I would much rather have repellent than to wish I had brought it with me.

I totally agree with that one!

 

[nick.turpchinoff]

Anyone have other questions?

The first cruise gets back on Tuesday!
Hopefully someone will have Navigators to scan!

 

[kveens]

Anyone have other questions?

The first cruise gets back on Tuesday!
Hopefully someone will have Navigators to scan!

I'd like to know who is captain and who is cruise director on these first sailings. Also, are there any special backdrops for Shutters photos?

 

[Cordelia.Turpchinoff]

I'd like to know who is captain and who is cruise director on these first sailings. Also, are there any special backdrops for Shutters photos?

I'm not sure who is captaining the Wonder right now, but I have been told by Ray (CD on the Dream) that Christiaan is the Cruise Director for the Alaska sailings aboard the Wonder.

 

[nick.turpchinoff]

I'm not sure who is captaining the Wonder right now, but I have been told by Ray (CD on the Dream) that Christiaan is the Cruise Director for the Alaska sailings aboard the Wonder.

Excited to see Christiaan again!!

 

[starwood]

I'm not sure who is captaining the Wonder right now, but I have been told by Ray (CD on the Dream) that Christiaan is the Cruise Director for the Alaska sailings aboard the Wonder.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Dreams, thanks for gathering a lot of the answers to the questions people had. I have updated the main post (2nd post) with the information you provided!

- Dreams

 

[Pocahantas]

I'm not looking forward to the mosquitos either... I would like to know if repellent is really a necessity for this cruise? Although I would much rather have repellent than to wish I had brought it with me.

We are making sure to bring mosquito repellent with us. Being from South Louisiana where mosquitos are a big issue in the warmer months we are very familiar with these pests. Just an FYI, Avon sells mosquito repellent that works very well down here and is not nearly as stinky as the one sold by Off and it comes in handy wipes or in aerosol and pump sprayers. I have already purchased some to bring with us in late July.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

I'm not looking forward to the mosquitos either... I would like to know if repellent is really a necessity for this cruise? Although I would much rather have repellent than to wish I had brought it with me.

The Pacific Coast is not really mosquito territory. That being siad, there will be tons of them if you get into anything marshy. I am bringing some. If you get some make sure you get some get some without DEET. That stuff is worse for you than any mosquito bite.

 

[mmmears]

The Pacific Coast is not really mosquito territory. That being siad, there will be tons of them if you get into anything marshy. I am bringing some. If you get some make sure you get some get some without DEET. That stuff is worse for you than any mosquito bite.

I was looking for stuff without DEET since we try to avoid chemicals and such. Two of the guys at REI independently told me that for Alaska, we would want the stuff with DEET and not to buy the more natural products (that they sell there) that doesn't have it. They said that mosquitoes in Alaska are especially bad. I didn't buy anything yet, and I'm really hoping that they were wrong, but I thought I'd pass on the info and see what others here have to say about it.

I should add that we plan to do some hiking -- they both thought that if we stayed on the ship we wouldn't need the DEET. Oh, and they said not to get the product that has more than 30-35 percent DEET since it's really too strong.

Anyone with experience out there?

 

[Cerberus9]

I was looking for stuff without DEET since we try to avoid chemicals and such. Two of the guys at REI independently told me that for Alaska, we would want the stuff with DEET and not to buy the more natural products (that they sell there) that doesn't have it. They said that mosquitoes in Alaska are especially bad. I didn't buy anything yet, and I'm really hoping that they were wrong, but I thought I'd pass on the info and see what others here have to say about it.

I should add that we plan to do some hiking -- they both thought that if we stayed on the ship we wouldn't need the DEET. Oh, and they said not to get the product that has more than 30-35 percent DEET since it's really too strong.

Anyone with experience out there?

I concur with the above.

I spent a few summers working in Northern British Columbia one year during college. If Alaska is anything like that (which I've heard it is), you can expect few mosquitoes when you're right on the coast or on the ship. However, as soon as you venture any significant distance inland, mosquitoes (and no-see-um's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratopogonidae]) are such that you definitely need the industrial strength (DEET) repellant.

30-35% is probably the minimum concentration you'd want to use. Depending on where you are and the time of year, you might need 90-95%. DEET is nasty stuff. Be sure to follow the package directions, and thoroughly wash it off as soon as possible.

 

[UK-Simon]

I was looking for stuff without DEET since we try to avoid chemicals and such. Two of the guys at REI independently told me that for Alaska, we would want the stuff with DEET and not to buy the more natural products (that they sell there) that doesn't have it. They said that mosquitoes in Alaska are especially bad. I didn't buy anything yet, and I'm really hoping that they were wrong, but I thought I'd pass on the info and see what others here have to say about it.

I should add that we plan to do some hiking -- they both thought that if we stayed on the ship we wouldn't need the DEET. Oh, and they said not to get the product that has more than 30-35 percent DEET since it's really too strong.

Anyone with experience out there?

This product got investment on Dragons Den, it appears to be getting good reviews. In fact, the same product packaged differently apparently prevents hangovers, so it's great for camping!!

Could be worth try??

http://insectdefendpatch.com/

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

According to Carol currently on the Wonder, Pirate Night is on!

http://www.carol-anne.ca/2011 May Alaska Cruise Trip Report.htm

"After dinner Carol and I changed and headed to deck 9 for the Pirates on the Caribbean Party.* Maybe we’ve done it too many times, or maybe Pirates in Alaska isn’t as much fun as Pirates in the Caribbean ; either way we didn’t last long.* We were back in the stateroom by 10:45 and heading to bed by 11:00."

 

[sabrecmc]

The cruise director is Christiaan and it is Capt. Thord. They did do the Pirate Party. Lots of people dressed up. Cruise is awesome! We watched humpbacks from our verandah yesterday after dinner! Loving it.

 

[Prose]

A few more questions for the list:

what kind of onboard tours were available?
Since we will miss lobster night in the rotation due to our excursion, was there lobster available at the BBB table service?
What movies are playing?
Is the temperature in the indoor areas comfortable?

 

[kveens]

The cruise director is Christiaan and it is Capt. Thord. They did do the Pirate Party. Lots of people dressed up. Cruise is awesome! We watched humpbacks from our verandah yesterday after dinner! Loving it.

WONDERful! Thanks for the update!