Late 30-something solo, 5th cruise, 2nd Alaskan cruise, 2nd Disney
cruise, 2nd solo cruise, 1st time not flying in the day of cruise, 1st
trip report
Packing was a bit difficult, but I figured I would pack bare-bones. I
went through and thought what is the worst that could happen if I
forgot something. Even my travel documents, I thought that Disney is
taking care of everything so don't stress out.
Pre-trip Monday, May 16
The flight to Vancouver was non-stop from Houston and it was quite
smooth. So far I was off to a good start. After getting my bag, I was
looking for a Disney rep in the luggage area but could not locate
anyone. Information rep said to go out the exit and look for the
cruise ship booths. So after giving up my Canada customs card I went
out the exit and found the Disney rep. Diane was extremely helpful.
She said to follow her and run so I could make the shuttle. I missed
it, so she put me in a town car with a driver to get to my hotel. I
told her that I could wait for the next shuttle, but she said that she
didn't want my vacation to be delayed.
I booked through Disney my transfers and a pre-trip night at the
Fairmont Waterfront. I was ready to get out and explore Vancouver, but
the hotel staff could not locate my reservation. I showed them my
cruise documents, but nothing. Finally the man gave me my documents
back and told me to call my travel agent. I dont know the look on my
face and I was about to say "What?", but the manager snatched my
documents back out of my hand and said she would check. She told me to
wait in the lobby and leave my backs in the check room. I waited and
saw a Disney rep walk through the hotel and told her that they could
not find my reservation. Well, I wasn't on the Disney printout, but I
was in the Disney computer. So the Hotel rep and the Disney rep got
together and were trying to find out whose fault it was. I was just
watching the minutes go by on my plans to explore the city.
Finally, I was given a room and the hotel lady said the bags would be
right up. After an hour, I tried to call the lobby for my bags, but no
answer. I decided to go down and ask but I met the bellhop at the
elevator. I went back to my room which overlooked the city, was next
to the elevator, and clean. It started to rain and my afternoon was
gone with all this mix ups. I knew that others who booked this hotel
on their own were paying half what I did through Disney and I was about
to get a Texas-sized tantrum.
I went out to get a picture of the Olympic flame and to use my
Starbucks card across the street to get some food. But it was raining
and getting cold so I took the food back to my room. After eating I
decide that this gal does not give up and I was going to go to Stanley
Park like I had always planned. I dressed warmer this time and was
going out the room when I noticed that my phone light was blinking. It
was a msg from the Disney rep stating that there were more problems
with my reservation and to come to the desk. I met them and they said
that my transfers were messed up. I showed them my documents which
were correct, but they said I was messed up in their system but they
would change it. It took them awhile because what they were doing was
not working. I told them that I would check with Guest Services when I
was on-board.
Lesson learned: keep your travel documents with you! I dont know what
would have happened if I did not have it in writing stating that I had
paid for a pre-night at the Fairmont Waterfront.
The rest of the afternoon was quite nice. It stopped raining and I
walked to Stanley Park along the seawall which is a nice walk.
Tuesday, May 17th
I went out for a bit in the sun and walked around the
City. I checked out at 11:00 and dragged my own bags across the street
to the terminal. It is a bit confusing because there were other cruise
ships and there is only one line for all passengers to go through
security. I had a boarding time of 1130-1200. I made it on board
about 1215 and went to the buffet to eat. Everything was very good, or
I was very hungry.
The life boat drill was disorganized chaos. We were all backed up in
the stair case and could not get to Animator's Pallete. Once they
cleared the staircase it was almost over. A guy stuck in my line said,
I guess we will drown. An official looking person came down to ask
what had happened and I heard them state that there was a backup in the
staircase. Once in the restaurant it was quite loud with everyone
trying to find their assigned group. They called my room number and I
said here and waved, but they never heard me. At castaway, the weather
was very sunny and an adult eagle flew by the ship but I could not get
a good picture.
When I got back to my room, there was a flashing light on my phone and
a msg that there was a problem with my dining reservations. I was
wondering what next at this point. Dinner was at Parrot Cay and I was
placed at a solo table with one male and one female. I missed the show
because I wanted to check out the merchandise, but decided to wait a
bit and shop more later.
cruise, 2nd solo cruise, 1st time not flying in the day of cruise, 1st
trip report
Packing was a bit difficult, but I figured I would pack bare-bones. I
went through and thought what is the worst that could happen if I
forgot something. Even my travel documents, I thought that Disney is
taking care of everything so don't stress out.
Pre-trip Monday, May 16
The flight to Vancouver was non-stop from Houston and it was quite
smooth. So far I was off to a good start. After getting my bag, I was
looking for a Disney rep in the luggage area but could not locate
anyone. Information rep said to go out the exit and look for the
cruise ship booths. So after giving up my Canada customs card I went
out the exit and found the Disney rep. Diane was extremely helpful.
She said to follow her and run so I could make the shuttle. I missed
it, so she put me in a town car with a driver to get to my hotel. I
told her that I could wait for the next shuttle, but she said that she
didn't want my vacation to be delayed.
I booked through Disney my transfers and a pre-trip night at the
Fairmont Waterfront. I was ready to get out and explore Vancouver, but
the hotel staff could not locate my reservation. I showed them my
cruise documents, but nothing. Finally the man gave me my documents
back and told me to call my travel agent. I dont know the look on my
face and I was about to say "What?", but the manager snatched my
documents back out of my hand and said she would check. She told me to
wait in the lobby and leave my backs in the check room. I waited and
saw a Disney rep walk through the hotel and told her that they could
not find my reservation. Well, I wasn't on the Disney printout, but I
was in the Disney computer. So the Hotel rep and the Disney rep got
together and were trying to find out whose fault it was. I was just
watching the minutes go by on my plans to explore the city.
Finally, I was given a room and the hotel lady said the bags would be
right up. After an hour, I tried to call the lobby for my bags, but no
answer. I decided to go down and ask but I met the bellhop at the
elevator. I went back to my room which overlooked the city, was next
to the elevator, and clean. It started to rain and my afternoon was
gone with all this mix ups. I knew that others who booked this hotel
on their own were paying half what I did through Disney and I was about
to get a Texas-sized tantrum.
I went out to get a picture of the Olympic flame and to use my
Starbucks card across the street to get some food. But it was raining
and getting cold so I took the food back to my room. After eating I
decide that this gal does not give up and I was going to go to Stanley
Park like I had always planned. I dressed warmer this time and was
going out the room when I noticed that my phone light was blinking. It
was a msg from the Disney rep stating that there were more problems
with my reservation and to come to the desk. I met them and they said
that my transfers were messed up. I showed them my documents which
were correct, but they said I was messed up in their system but they
would change it. It took them awhile because what they were doing was
not working. I told them that I would check with Guest Services when I
was on-board.
Lesson learned: keep your travel documents with you! I dont know what
would have happened if I did not have it in writing stating that I had
paid for a pre-night at the Fairmont Waterfront.
The rest of the afternoon was quite nice. It stopped raining and I
walked to Stanley Park along the seawall which is a nice walk.
Tuesday, May 17th
I went out for a bit in the sun and walked around the
City. I checked out at 11:00 and dragged my own bags across the street
to the terminal. It is a bit confusing because there were other cruise
ships and there is only one line for all passengers to go through
security. I had a boarding time of 1130-1200. I made it on board
about 1215 and went to the buffet to eat. Everything was very good, or
I was very hungry.
The life boat drill was disorganized chaos. We were all backed up in
the stair case and could not get to Animator's Pallete. Once they
cleared the staircase it was almost over. A guy stuck in my line said,
I guess we will drown. An official looking person came down to ask
what had happened and I heard them state that there was a backup in the
staircase. Once in the restaurant it was quite loud with everyone
trying to find their assigned group. They called my room number and I
said here and waved, but they never heard me. At castaway, the weather
was very sunny and an adult eagle flew by the ship but I could not get
a good picture.
When I got back to my room, there was a flashing light on my phone and
a msg that there was a problem with my dining reservations. I was
wondering what next at this point. Dinner was at Parrot Cay and I was
placed at a solo table with one male and one female. I missed the show
because I wanted to check out the merchandise, but decided to wait a
bit and shop more later.
I am following along can't wait to hear more!
