Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[buddywesley]

They ended the "graduation" more than 2 years ago when we did our last cruise. They did have a celebration ceremony in the WD Theatre with Mickey, but it was something like "Remember your friends." The kids were rocking out to HSM, Camp Rock and Hannah music. They do still get t shirts, but no Mickey ear graduation caps.



HTH

Our last cruise (about a year and 1/2 ago on the Magic) they did Friendship Rocks instead of the "graduation" but they still had a ceremony. This is what I was referring to earlier when I asked if there was a graduation ceremony for the kids because I didn't see it mentioned on the Navigator.

 

[finkerbell]

Anyone fly into Seattle then cross the border via rental car?If so, I'm wondering how difficult this is? Did it take long? What is the process?

Thanks for any information

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Our last cruise (about a year and 1/2 ago on the Magic) they did Friendship Rocks instead of the "graduation" but they still had a ceremony. This is what I was referring to earlier when I asked if there was a graduation ceremony for the kids because I didn't see it mentioned on the Navigator.

It's on there- it says Friendship rocks transition, then Friendship rocks after that- on the navigator last sea day- day before the cruise was over (monday)

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

For those just returning....

Was the gift for returning Castaway Club members still a refillable aluminum bottle? I just want to know if I have to pack a big mug for sodas.

Thanks

Yes.
We don't particularly care for them and actually left ours (all but one with package still on them- maybe they can recycle them for other guests later) because they get super cold, are not like thermoses at all and they sweat. And it's hard to really drink out of them- it's kinda like when a straw has a crack in it. LOL
I liked the plastic ones with the rubber thing around it that they used to have. I'm gonna bring those next time. LOL But yes they are still giving those

Our shore excursion in Ketchikan ends at 6:15 and we have main seating for dinner. How late can you show up for dinner and still be admitted? This is our first Disney cruise so I’m unfamiliar with how that works. Thanks!

Just talk to your server.... ours kept saying we could come late when our excursion in Ketchikan would have us back nearing 7pm and we had 5:45 seating! But we just kept insisting we wouldn't be there because our excursion was flightseeing and then crab feast- and we knew we'd gorge ourselves on crab (and we did.. on delicious crab LOL) and wouldn't be hungry. Eh it probably has to do with how full the ship is and/or if late dining is full. We noticed a lot of empty tables at early dining and I heard many had no problem switching to late dining.

 

[buddywesley]

It's on there- it says Friendship rocks transition, then Friendship rocks after that- on the navigator last sea day- day before the cruise was over (monday)

YAY! thanks! I guess I missed it

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Thanks for posting. I didn't see this before I replied.

no problem! I catch myself doing that as well!

 

[CCGMatt]

OK, maybe I'm missing them, but has anyone posted a true trip report from the first Alaskan cruise anywhere in the forums? Or is everyone relying on the information in the blogs on the first page of this post? I can't find anything other than the blogs and the navigator threads!

 

[wdhinn89]

Question:

For those who used the DCL hotel and transport what time did you arrive at the port? Specifically if you stayed at the hotel at the airport.

Curious as well.

We are staying at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel and have transfers from there to the port and curious what time we will get to the port.

 

["Got Disney"]

Yes.
We don't particularly care for them and actually left ours (all but one with package still on them- maybe they can recycle them for other guests later) because they get super cold, are not like thermoses at all and they sweat. And it's hard to really drink out of them- it's kinda like when a straw has a crack in it. LOL
I liked the plastic ones with the rubber thing around it that they used to have. I'm gonna bring those next time. LOL But yes they are still giving those


Just talk to your server.... ours kept saying we could come late when our excursion in Ketchikan would have us back nearing 7pm and we had 5:45 seating! But we just kept insisting we wouldn't be there because our excursion was flightseeing and then crab feast- and we knew we'd gorge ourselves on crab (and we did.. on delicious crab LOL) and wouldn't be hungry. Eh it probably has to do with how full the ship is and/or if late dining is full. We noticed a lot of empty tables at early dining and I heard many had no problem switching to late dining.

That's great to know...we have the early seating also. But wont be back to the ship till 7:45(excursion ends at 7:30).....will also have to check to see what time late seating is on that night...seems that each night is different....always remember it being the same time every night...unless I just never really paid attention before.

 

[smb6]

Yes.

Just talk to your server.... ours kept saying we could come late when our excursion in Ketchikan would have us back nearing 7pm and we had 5:45 seating! But we just kept insisting we wouldn't be there because our excursion was flightseeing and then crab feast- and we knew we'd gorge ourselves on crab (and we did.. on delicious crab LOL) and wouldn't be hungry. Eh it probably has to do with how full the ship is and/or if late dining is full. We noticed a lot of empty tables at early dining and I heard many had no problem switching to late dining.

I hope our server makes the same offer... We also have the 5:45 dinner scheduled, but have an excursion that has us scheduled to be back around 6:30pm.... It would be great if we can still go to dinner, but just go straight for the main course- lobster, and skip out on the starters....

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

I have a question I don't believe has been asked yet.

Was there duty free on the ship? I am not sure if the "duty free" rules are really applicable. I am specifically interested in the fragrances that have been sold in the past. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Here are the questions still needing answers!
Questions Needing Answers

01. Navigators - pretty,pretty please with cherry on top?
02. Timing/Open- Since the sun comes up so ding-dang early, do the fitness center and cove cafe open any earlier than normal?
03. On Deck - Are there blankets, hot cocoa, etc. on deck?
04. Dinner menus - anything different, what night was what?
05. Excursion and port reviews?
06. Boarding and Vancouver Cruise Terminal - wait times, boarding numbers, set up at terminal?
07. New - Anything at all new/different than normal for Alaska?
08. Weather - What was the weather like? (both on ship and in ports)
09. Mickey Bars - Can we get mickey bars from room service in Alaska?
10. Repellant - Is repellent is really a necessity for this cruise?
11. Upgrades- Did anyone upgrade at port or look into upgrading, and how were the prices?
12. Lobster - was there lobster available at the BBB table service?
13. Movies - What movies are playing?
14. Temp - Is the temperature in the indoor areas comfortable?
15. Cell - How was cell phone service in the Alaska ports?
16. Luggage - if you booked DCL transfers for after the cruise, can you still check your luggage in with DCL since it is international and did they check you in for your flight and print your boarding passes if you book their transfers?
17. DCL Pickup - What time was DCL's pick up from the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel to bring you to the port?
18. Tracy Arm - What's the best spot for viewing during the day when you are sailing by Tracy Arm?
19 . Activities - what kind of Alaska-related activities where offered on board?
20. Packing - Is there any thing that you didn't bring that you wished you had (i.e. warmers, etc.)?
21. Tea - are they doing the Tea with Characters?
22. Shows - What times are the shows for the Alaska cruise?
23. Age Group - What does the age of the crowd appear to be?
24. What dining rotation did you have

 

[smb6]

Here are the questions still needing answers!
Questions Needing Answers

01. Navigators - pretty,pretty please with cherry on top?
02. Timing/Open- Since the sun comes up so ding-dang early, do the fitness center and cove cafe open any earlier than normal?
03. On Deck - Are there blankets, hot cocoa, etc. on deck?
04. Dinner menus - anything different, what night was what?
05. Excursion and port reviews?
06. Boarding and Vancouver Cruise Terminal - wait times, boarding numbers, set up at terminal?
07. New - Anything at all new/different than normal for Alaska?
08. Weather - What was the weather like? (both on ship and in ports)
09. Mickey Bars - Can we get mickey bars from room service in Alaska?
10. Repellant - Is repellent is really a necessity for this cruise?
11. Upgrades- Did anyone upgrade at port or look into upgrading, and how were the prices?
12. Lobster - was there lobster available at the BBB table service?
13. Movies - What movies are playing?
14. Temp - Is the temperature in the indoor areas comfortable?
15. Cell - How was cell phone service in the Alaska ports?
16. Luggage - if you booked DCL transfers for after the cruise, can you still check your luggage in with DCL since it is international and did they check you in for your flight and print your boarding passes if you book their transfers?
17. DCL Pickup - What time was DCL's pick up from the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel to bring you to the port?
18. Tracy Arm - What's the best spot for viewing during the day when you are sailing by Tracy Arm?
19 . Activities - what kind of Alaska-related activities where offered on board?
20. Packing - Is there any thing that you didn't bring that you wished you had (i.e. warmers, etc.)?
21. Tea - are they doing the Tea with Characters?
22. Shows - What times are the shows for the Alaska cruise?
23. Age Group - What does the age of the crowd appear to be?
24. What dining rotation did you have

I'd love to get answers to these questions!

 

[lrodis]

We did that two years ago and it's a long trip but the boarder crossings each way were smooth.

 

[poohj80]

Here are the questions still needing answers!
Questions Needing Answers

01. Navigators - pretty,pretty please with cherry on top?
02. Timing/Open- Since the sun comes up so ding-dang early, do the fitness center and cove cafe open any earlier than normal?
03. On Deck - Are there blankets, hot cocoa, etc. on deck?
04. Dinner menus - anything different, what night was what?
05. Excursion and port reviews?
06. Boarding and Vancouver Cruise Terminal - wait times, boarding numbers, set up at terminal?
07. New - Anything at all new/different than normal for Alaska?
08. Weather - What was the weather like? (both on ship and in ports)
09. Mickey Bars - Can we get mickey bars from room service in Alaska?
10. Repellant - Is repellent is really a necessity for this cruise?
11. Upgrades- Did anyone upgrade at port or look into upgrading, and how were the prices?
12. Lobster - was there lobster available at the BBB table service?
13. Movies - What movies are playing?
14. Temp - Is the temperature in the indoor areas comfortable?
15. Cell - How was cell phone service in the Alaska ports?
16. Luggage - if you booked DCL transfers for after the cruise, can you still check your luggage in with DCL since it is international and did they check you in for your flight and print your boarding passes if you book their transfers?
17. DCL Pickup - What time was DCL's pick up from the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel to bring you to the port?
18. Tracy Arm - What's the best spot for viewing during the day when you are sailing by Tracy Arm?
19 . Activities - what kind of Alaska-related activities where offered on board?
20. Packing - Is there any thing that you didn't bring that you wished you had (i.e. warmers, etc.)?
21. Tea - are they doing the Tea with Characters?
22. Shows - What times are the shows for the Alaska cruise?
23. Age Group - What does the age of the crowd appear to be?
24. What dining rotation did you have

Some of these have been answered in other threads such as the Navigators and movies on board. Are you just lookig for them to be posted here as well? Is there a list of the questions which have been answered posted somewhere as well?

Thanks!

 

[sabrecmc]

I'll see if I can answer a few of those questions. Some can be found on the navigators, but here's my take:

Yes, there was a character tea (we had Ariel and Tiana...very girly, would not be something I'd go to with a boy or as an adult, though I loved the Alice tea)

There was lobster (and Alaskan king crab legs)

They had a special Alaskan menu one night. I also noticed plenty of salmon, halibut and crab available, but maybe that is always there and I don't pay attention since I don't eat seafood.

We did not have any use for repellant. However, what our Alaskan guide told us in Skagway was that in about a month, the snow would melt and there would be all this lovely marshy swamp water for mosquitos to breed in, so it could get bad in the summer

They had an Alaskan park ranger giving naturalist talks about the wildlife, flowers, etc. They also had someone talk about scaling Mt. Mckinley. The ranger also narrated our journey into Tracy Arm, which was broadcast over the outside PA, though noise restrictions meant it couldn't be too loud. Characters were in Alaskan attire (loved Eskimo Minnie and Yellow Rain Slicker Mickey!). Kids did Alaskan crafts and some of their club activities were related to the Alaskan wildlife (caught my DD(5) pretending to be a bear cub with a mask she made). The Art of Entertaining did salmon and halibut dishes.

Cell service was great in the port. If you went too far outside the port area, it could get spotty.

Weather was fantastic. High 40's to low 60's most of the time and little rain, which was unusual. Natives said Mickey brought pixie dust!

We didn't need all the cold weather gear I brought. Thermals and hand warmer things were overkill for me. It was even cozy on deck as we approached Tracy Arm.

There were some blankets out by Cove Cafe. Hot cocoa and coffee were on Deck 10 on Tracy Arm day at the front of the ship. They also did some kind of Alaskan BBQ that day, but I didn't attend to find out what it was.

Movies were Gnomeo and Juliet, You Again, Tron Legacy, Tangled, African Cats, some Disney classics...I feel like I'm forgetting some

Our cruise was older people or families with young children; few teens, but they are still in school

For excursions, we did:
Skagway: Yukon exploration with White Pass RR and dog sledding through Chilkoot Charters...this was FANTASTIC! Our favorite experience by far
Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier...also loved this. Saw humpbacks up pretty close, sea lions, porpoises and bald eagles. They served drinks and snacks (salmon, crackers, chocolate) and had a restroom onboard. They also had a naturalist onboard to talk about the whales and we learned a lot. The boat is enclosed, but you can go out the back or front when they find the whales. Glacier was gorgeous and you could walk pretty close, nice trails and visitors center but only 1 hour there and it goes by quickly. I would probably not do the whale watching again simply b/c we saw so many from our verandah, though the tour was great. The 9:30 whale watchers didn't see whales and got their money back. We also did Historic Gold Panning Adventure that afternoon, since we were back at the ship in time to do another tour. Very fun. They took us to Gold Creek, where Juneau himself struck gold, and let us pan. This is really great for kids, especially in the 7-11 range. Get your feet wet and find some riches! The kids in our tour loved it. They do make sure everyone "finds" gold by giving you your first pan from their stock of sand. You get flakes and they will put them in a vial for you.
Ketchikan: My DD and I did the Potlatch Park with youth activity tour. We really liked this. You visit the totem park with a guide and he did a great job of telling some kid-friendly stories about the totems (like how one is their version of Hansel and Gretel). It didn't last too long and let the kids get up close with the totems. Then we met the carver at Potlatch Park and got to see her studio. After a quick visit to the clan house and some questions from the kids, DCL youth counselors magically appeared to help the kids paint feather-scales for the totem that is being erected. We then explored the town a bit and went to the DCL Lumberjack Show (I just bought tickets for this on the lumberjack show website...you don't have to book through DCL...it isn't literally "exclusive," though I suspect it will fill up later in the season). This was wonderful! You should definitely do it. Kids loved it. Loved. Lots of participation for the 7+ set. My parents did a trolley tour of the town and said it sucked. They also visited Saxman village and said that without a guide, it was a waste of time b/c they didn't know what they were looking at.

All the ports were gorgeous, but I have to say Skagway and that White Pass were my favorite.

 

[rotary2808]

I'll help with what I can!

Here are the questions still needing answers!
Questions Needing Answers

01. Navigators - pretty,pretty please with cherry on top?
02. Timing/Open- Since the sun comes up so ding-dang early, do the fitness center and cove cafe open any earlier than normal?
03. On Deck - Are there blankets, hot cocoa, etc. on deck? I don't know about the other pools, but Quiet Coves loungers had blankets.
04. Dinner menus - anything different, what night was what? The only special menu was the Taste of Alaska on (I believe) night 5. We had Palo that night so I can't give you any details.
05. Excursion and port reviews?
06. Boarding and Vancouver Cruise Terminal - wait times, boarding numbers, set up at terminal?
07. New - Anything at all new/different than normal for Alaska?
08. Weather - What was the weather like? (both on ship and in ports) Skagway was cold, snowy and rainy; Juneau & Ketchikan were (to the Alaskans) unusually sunny. Be prepared for anything.
09. Mickey Bars - Can we get mickey bars from room service in Alaska? I don't know about room service, but they were readily available in the restaurants.
10. Repellant - Is repellent is really a necessity for this cruise? I don't remember bugs being an issue at all, probably b/c of the temps.
11. Upgrades- Did anyone upgrade at port or look into upgrading, and how were the prices?
12. Lobster - was there lobster available at the BBB table service?
13. Movies - What movies are playing?
14. Temp - Is the temperature in the indoor areas comfortable? Inside was pretty comfortable, you might want long sleeves or a pullover though.
15. Cell - How was cell phone service in the Alaska ports? Had no problems with cell service (have AT&T)
16. Luggage - if you booked DCL transfers for after the cruise, can you still check your luggage in with DCL since it is international and did they check you in for your flight and print your boarding passes if you book their transfers? No, you have to collect your luggage in the terminal and take it to the bus with you and check it in at the airport and get your passes there. Customs won't allow them to do onboard check-in like they do in FL.
17. DCL Pickup - What time was DCL's pick up from the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel to bring you to the port? They don't have a pick-up time since it's right across the street. They escort you over around 12:30.
18. Tracy Arm - What's the best spot for viewing during the day when you are sailing by Tracy Arm?
19 . Activities - what kind of Alaska-related activities where offered on board?
20. Packing - Is there any thing that you didn't bring that you wished you had (i.e. warmers, etc.)?
21. Tea - are they doing the Tea with Characters?
22. Shows - What times are the shows for the Alaska cruise?
23. Age Group - What does the age of the crowd appear to be? All over the board
24. What dining rotation did you have? We had APT

 

[smb6]

For excursions, we did:
Skagway: Yukon exploration with White Pass RR and dog sledding through Chilkoot Charters...this was FANTASTIC! Our favorite experience by far
All the ports were gorgeous, but I have to say Skagway and that White Pass were my favorite.

Glad to hear it; we are booked with Chilkoot for the White Pass RR and dog sledding also.

Did you use DCL transfers after the cruise? If so, I'm specifically looking to find out if they print your boarding passes for you and/or let you check in your luggage with participating airlines....

Thanks again!

 

[dkmjgal]

Thanks so much for all of the info.

 

[poohj80]

I'll see if I can answer a few of those questions. Some can be found on the navigators, but here's my take:

Yes, there was a character tea (we had Ariel and Tiana...very girly, would not be something I'd go to with a boy or as an adult, though I loved the Alice tea)

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Was Alice on this cruise or was this a previous cruise experience? Is the character tea something that needs to be signed up for like an excursion or is it just posted in the Navigator? This will be our first 7 day Disney cruise so am not familiar with all the differences between a 3 or 4 day.

There was lobster (and Alaskan king crab legs)

Was lobster only available on specific nights?

Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier...also loved this. Saw humpbacks up pretty close, sea lions, porpoises and bald eagles. They served drinks and snacks (salmon, crackers, chocolate) and had a restroom onboard. They also had a naturalist onboard to talk about the whales and we learned a lot. The boat is enclosed, but you can go out the back or front when they find the whales. Glacier was gorgeous and you could walk pretty close, nice trails and visitors center but only 1 hour there and it goes by quickly. I would probably not do the whale watching again simply b/c we saw so many from our verandah, though the tour was great. The 9:30 whale watchers didn't see whales and got their money back.

What time did you cruise where you saw whales?

Ketchikan: My parents did a trolley tour of the town and said it sucked.

Part of our group is considering the trolley tour so may I asked what sucked about it?

Thanks again!