Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[buddywesley]

Did anyone take Disney Transfers from Fairmont Airport hotel to port? Wondering what time you got there? Trying to coordinate with friends that are staying by port and doing own transfers.

 

[smb6]

I agree as "Ignorance IS bliss!"...Just wish my type A personality agreed with that

Thanks for the update on that. My bet is that they end up officially changing it to Monday across the board because so many people are having late Excursions. I guess we'll know when we know!

I'm thinking that is what they are working towards as well.... hopefully they work quickly, because we set sail Tuesday and I would love for them to move semi-formal night (including/especially the menu) to the final sea day!

 

[matsterrocks]

No, semi formal was definately on the last night - the navigator says cruise casual on Ketchikan night - look here http://dclalaskanavigators.homestead.com/Day_6.PDF
Then inside it stated something about Mickey and Minnie being in semi-formal wear.

We went to the dining room in jeans on ketchikan night and 90% of people were dressed in hoodies/jeans because we all raced back from port.

The next time, everyone was dressed up - http://dclalaskanavigators.homestead.com/Day_7.PDF
Notice it says Semi-Formal at the top.

Mickey and Minnie were in the lobby in semi-formal attire that night - the navigator had something wrong - but we definately confirmed at guest services that Ketchikan was NOT semi-formal. We saw a few people dressed up that mis-read the navigator - but it was definately the last night - our entire dining room was dressed up.

The week at a glance showed night 6 as semi-formal and night 7 as casual however the Navigators were opposite. We dinned in AP on night 6 (Ketchican) and our waiters were in tuxs and we had the Captians Gala menu and on night 7 we dinned in PC and the waiters were in international vests (not formal at all). We actualy felt out of place a bit on night 6 as we were definatly dressed casual but so were our table mates.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Did anyone take Disney Transfers from Fairmont Airport hotel to port? Wondering what time you got there? Trying to coordinate with friends that are staying by port and doing own transfers.

We took the transfers from the Fairmont at the airport to the port on the first Alaskan cruise. The process was very smooth. We had to meet at 11am at a designated location (over the bridge and at the top of the escalator if that means anything to anyone!), had our names checked off a list and very shortly thereafter were taken down the escalator to the waiting buses that were right in front of the airport. There were many DCL reps. there on sight ensuring that all went well and it did. We had to leave our luggage in our hotel room and it was picked up by the hotel porters. We had to fill out a small slip for DCL to tell them how many bags were left in our hotel room. DCL collected those slips when we checked in for the bus. DCL reps. said they were cross checking names and number of bags to what was actually picked up. The ride to the port was about 45 minutes. Our wait time to check in at the port after customs was minimal.

 

[wdhinn89]

We took the transfers from the Fairmont at the airport to the port on the first Alaskan cruise. The process was very smooth. We had to meet at 11am at a designated location (over the bridge and at the top of the escalator if that means anything to anyone!), had our names checked off a list and very shortly thereafter were taken down the escalator to the waiting buses that were right in front of the airport. There were many DCL reps. there on sight ensuring that all went well and it did. We had to leave our luggage in our hotel room and it was picked up by the hotel porters. We had to fill out a small slip for DCL to tell them how many bags were left in our hotel room. DCL collected those slips when we checked in for the bus. DCL reps. said they were cross checking names and number of bags to what was actually picked up. The ride to the port was about 45 minutes. Our wait time to check in at the port after customs was minimal.

Thank you so much for this information!

 

[buddywesley]

We took the transfers from the Fairmont at the airport to the port on the first Alaskan cruise. The process was very smooth. We had to meet at 11am at a designated location (over the bridge and at the top of the escalator if that means anything to anyone!), had our names checked off a list and very shortly thereafter were taken down the escalator to the waiting buses that were right in front of the airport. There were many DCL reps. there on sight ensuring that all went well and it did. We had to leave our luggage in our hotel room and it was picked up by the hotel porters. We had to fill out a small slip for DCL to tell them how many bags were left in our hotel room. DCL collected those slips when we checked in for the bus. DCL reps. said they were cross checking names and number of bags to what was actually picked up. The ride to the port was about 45 minutes. Our wait time to check in at the port after customs was minimal.

thanks! so you got to the port around noon then?

 

[starwood]

I asked Chase about this for the Disney Visa and this is their reply

Thank you for contacting Chase regarding foreign
transaction fees.

Any charge applied to your credit card account that takes
place outside of the United States, even if the currency
used is the U.S. Dollar, is subject to a 3% foreign
transaction fee. I can assure you that the method to
calculating foreign transaction fees has not changed. Due
to recent changes in Federal Laws, your statement was
recently updated so that this fee is now listed on your
statement in the section labeled Account Activity Fees.

The rate used to convert the transaction to U.S. Dollars
is based upon the exchange rate at the time when the
foreign charge is applied to your account. This conversion
rate will be included in the amount of the transaction.
The original amount of the purchase and the conversion
rate applied will be listed directly beneath the
transaction on your statement.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

thanks! so you got to the port around noon then?

Yes!

 

[matsterrocks]

I asked Chase about this for the Disney Visa and this is their reply

Thank you for contacting Chase regarding foreign
transaction fees.

Any charge applied to your credit card account that takes
place outside of the United States, even if the currency
used is the U.S. Dollar, is subject to a 3% foreign
transaction fee. I can assure you that the method to
calculating foreign transaction fees has not changed. Due
to recent changes in Federal Laws, your statement was
recently updated so that this fee is now listed on your
statement in the section labeled Account Activity Fees.

The rate used to convert the transaction to U.S. Dollars
is based upon the exchange rate at the time when the
foreign charge is applied to your account. This conversion
rate will be included in the amount of the transaction.
The original amount of the purchase and the conversion
rate applied will be listed directly beneath the
transaction on your statement.

My Canadian credit card charges 2.5% to convert US charges to Canadian but my bank charges around the same if I go get US cash from them so it's the same for me either way I get dinged.

 

[Padres19]

Why would he be kidding? Perfectly reasonable question...and YES you can use US currency in Canada....

Kidding/joking....REALLY??? How RUDE! Shame on you!

RUDE? Shame on me? Think about this....DCL passengers are paying thousands of dollars to cruise to Alaska. Rather than being inconvenienced or, even worse, having to pay a currency exchange fee in order to tip someone or buy something in Canadian dollars (while actually IN Canada), you would propose that the poor man/woman who relies on tips for a living in order to provide for his/her family should have to take your U.S. dollars (which they can't use to buy groceries or other necessary items) and force them to go through the hassle, inconvenience and incur the cost of exchanging the money into Canadian dollars that they can use. The porters, bellmen, valets, etc. NEED the tips, so they are not going to refuse your U.S. dollars. I'm just pointing out that it seems to be RUDE and SHAMEFUL to force the people who need tips to survive to incur the cost and incovenience of accepting dollars, instead of having the people who are spending thousands of dollars a day to take their family on a cruise taking 30 seconds to stop at an ATM and withdraw $20 or $40 Canadian. Just saying....

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

taking 30 seconds to stop at an ATM and withdraw $20 or $40 Canadian.

Although this line of discussion is getting a little heated and I certainly don't want to add to that at all, I DO want to say that I appreciate the perspective you are providing here.

We all spend lots of time calculating generous and appropriate tips for our CMs on the ship because we want to thank them for making our family vacations magical and full of pixie dust. Further, we have great compassion for the long hours they spend onboard and weeks/months they spend away from home to be Disney CMs for a pitifully low salary.

So, us same appreciative people, I'm sure would like to ensure that the Canadian folks who help make our vacation special know as well our gratitude for their hard work. What better way then giving them tips in their own currency to avoid the hassle and possible expense that you've described here.

Thanks for pointing this out - I know, for one, I wouldn't have even thought of it and I consider myself pretty well traveled internationally and pride myself on NOT being one of the "ugly Americans"...guess I need to re-think that little prideful boast of mine!

 

["Got Disney"]

I don't get the concern...I asked about this today when I called the hotel and concierge said no need to
Change because the us
u.S dollar is universal and can be used anywhere...not just that that Canadians can use them in all stores as well and they have no need to change them in...but if they decide to exchange them they get more bang for the buck.

Heck were talking Canada not Bolivia....

I say if you have time to do it and there for awhile than not a bad idea...but if one or 2 days than dont fret to much about it. The hotels also usually have an exchange counter so check with them to see

 

[disneymath]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";41271264]I don't get the concern...I asked about this today when I called the hotel and concierge said no need to
Change because the us
u.S dollar is universal and can be used anywhere...not just that that Canadians can use them in all stores as well and they have no need to change them in...but if they decide to exchange them they get more bang for the buck.

Heck were talking Canada not Bolivia....

I say if you have time to do it and there for awhile than not a bad idea...but if one or 2 days than dont fret to much about it. The hotels also usually have an exchange counter so check with them to see[/QUOTE]


I think the hotel concierge was likely in "please the customer mode".

The US dollar is not universal in that no Canadian business is obligated to accept payment in US dollars. Some businesses in border cities will, however, they will likely provide change in Canadian funds. (This is particularly true when the Canadian dollar is worth significantly less than the USD, even after any currency conversion fees, etc. the Canadian business still comes out ahead which makes the extra hassle worthwhile.)

In terms of trying to convert American money to Canadian, most banks etc. charge a fee to do so - from my experience this is usually about 2-4%. Currently, the Canadian dollar is slightly stronger than the US doller (1 CAD ~ 1.02 USD) so technically the only issue that bellhops etc. would face is the incovenience of having to change USD tips in CAD. (I would think that the majority of Canadian service industry workers would prefer tips in CAD, but let's be honest, no one is going to refuse a tip.)

 

[ilovemk76]

We took the transfers from the Fairmont at the airport to the port on the first Alaskan cruise. The process was very smooth. We had to meet at 11am at a designated location (over the bridge and at the top of the escalator if that means anything to anyone!), had our names checked off a list and very shortly thereafter were taken down the escalator to the waiting buses that were right in front of the airport. There were many DCL reps. there on sight ensuring that all went well and it did. We had to leave our luggage in our hotel room and it was picked up by the hotel porters. We had to fill out a small slip for DCL to tell them how many bags were left in our hotel room. DCL collected those slips when we checked in for the bus. DCL reps. said they were cross checking names and number of bags to what was actually picked up. The ride to the port was about 45 minutes. Our wait time to check in at the port after customs was minimal.

I see you were at the port at Noon. At what time did you get on the Wonder? When did your luggage arrive in your room?

TIA. We are using the Fairmont at the airport when we go on our cruise.

How was the hotel? The website sounds beautiful. Was there a place to get breakfast before getting on the bus?

 

[Shanny145]

RUDE? Shame on me? Think about this....DCL passengers are paying thousands of dollars to cruise to Alaska. Rather than being inconvenienced or, even worse, having to pay a currency exchange fee in order to tip someone or buy something in Canadian dollars (while actually IN Canada), you would propose that the poor man/woman who relies on tips for a living in order to provide for his/her family should have to take your U.S. dollars (which they can't use to buy groceries or other necessary items) and force them to go through the hassle, inconvenience and incur the cost of exchanging the money into Canadian dollars that they can use. The porters, bellmen, valets, etc. NEED the tips, so they are not going to refuse your U.S. dollars. I'm just pointing out that it seems to be RUDE and SHAMEFUL to force the people who need tips to survive to incur the cost and incovenience of accepting dollars, instead of having the people who are spending thousands of dollars a day to take their family on a cruise taking 30 seconds to stop at an ATM and withdraw $20 or $40 Canadian. Just saying....

Someone was asking a perfectly reasonable question because they did not know the answer, the reason we have to Disboards is to help fellow Disers with planning and questions regarding all things disney and alike. You took this poor persons question and in my opinion put him down like he was too stupid not to already know this answer as you stated....."I am certain you are joking" blah blah blah.....so yes IMO you were being RUDE and yes.....Shame on you!!!! You should learn to answer politely and in a true Disney fashion any and all questions asked here....or don't answer at all. BTW.....you answered his question VERY wrong....you absolutely can use US currency in Canada.....we are not traveling to Europe or some far off land. I know this not only because I have family there but because I have traveled many times to Canada and have spent a lot of time with friends and family in and around Canada. The US $ and Canadian $ are very close only off by .02 cents.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I haven't followed all of this - but I am Canadian, and use US cash here all the time if I have some left over. Also, I tip valets at hotels in US dollars sometimes and they don't mind. Most people here go shopping in the USA regularly and dont mind at all.

As for on the ship - tip in US or Canadian - they get time off every other Tuesday and can go shopping, etc.. in Vancouver. I talked to a cast member who was asking me about a good place to go shopping in Vancouver.

Really it doesn't matter at all - our money is pretty much interchangable here - and also most places in WA state will take our Canadian money!

 

[KYDIZFAN]

@ Susan(Disney Poor)We are on your Alaska cruise and on the Fantasy the week after you.

 

[disneypoor]

@ Susan(Disney Poor)We are on your Alaska cruise and on the Fantasy the week after you.

Hi! Aren't you getting excited for our Alaska cruise? We can hardly wait! We ended up canceling the Fantasy cruise and booked a week in Hawaii instead. We cruised on the Dream in February and had a wonderful time but decided Hawaii was calling our name again, and there was no way we could do a 15 night cruise when Disney was offering it. Do you have excursions booked? If so, which ones are you doing?

Susan

ETA: I just looked at your ticker and I think you're booked on the Alaska cruise that we were originally booked on. We're cruising June 7th now (we switched when they offered the Kids Sail Free promotion). Are you on the July 26th?

 

[starwood]

I have a question about port arrival. We are gold cc and booked an arrival time of 10:30. MIL is silver but not computer literate and is going to wait until she gets to the port to check-in so no arrival time. Another family our reservation is linked to has never cruised and their arrival time is 11:00. Can we all arrive together?

 

[DCL Repeaters]

I see you were at the port at Noon. At what time did you get on the Wonder? When did your luggage arrive in your room?

TIA. We are using the Fairmont at the airport when we go on our cruise.

How was the hotel? The website sounds beautiful. Was there a place to get breakfast before getting on the bus?

We got on the Wonder as soon as we check in as we are platinum Castaway Club members. Our luggage arrived well before the safety drill.

The hotel was beautiful. We arrived in Vancouver a little after noon and our room at the Fairmont was ready.

There is a food court in the airport not far from the hotel entrance. Several eateries at the food court were open for breakfast quite early and that's where we grabbed a bite to eat. Burger King and a bakery are the 2 places that come to mind. We ate at the bakery which had killer muffins along with hot items and egg sandwiches. The hotel does have complementary coffee and tea in their lobby in the morning as well as a coffee maker in your room (located in the cabinet under the tv). We opted for the free stuff in the lobby which was quite good!

The whole process to get to the port from the hotel was seamless. You are going to have an awesome time!! I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat!