The new convert's first ever PTR to DCL Alaska Cruise (8/16/11 - 8/23/11)

[DisneyDerek]

Against my better judgment and advice from my better half, I am creating my first ever pre-trip report (PTR) as a relatively newcomer to the DIS boards (well, I've been on for the last year as a participant on other boards).

You might know of my family from the trip reports from my cousin-in-law, JordanYosh, aka "Sweaty Asian," with his infamous tongue waggling, karate kid poses, poofs....alas, the list goes on and on. But hopefully he will be joining the thread later in 2011.

Similar to many of you, we are avid Disney fans with Disney Vacation Club (DVC) membership, multiple trips to Walt Disney World (WDW) and vacationing with Disney Cruise Lines (DCL). In fact, our 7-day Alaska cruise (from August 16, 2011 to August 23, 2011) will be our seventh DCL cruise!

Joining our trip will be my family, Wendy, daughter Erin (8 yrs old), son Dylan (5 yrs old) and daughter Ashlyn (2 years old) along with other family and friends: my parents (Don and Marlene), Wendy's mom (Nancy), our family friends Kent, Janet, Amanda and Jessica, my best man Josh, his wife, Joanne and their daughter Jordan.

As this is my first PTR, please bear with me as I learn the vernacular and all the Disney speak, and as I fumble through our trip planning. In all honesty, my better half, Wendy, does all the Disney planning.

So welcome aboard to the first ever DisneyDerek PTR....the ride might be a bit choppy at first but hopefully with more smooth sailing ahead!

 

[nowellsl]

Hey, I'm first.... that's a first! I can't wait to read your report!

 

[glennbo123]

I'm here Derek!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Joining in!

 

[TeaForTulips]

subbing!

My family has been wanting to do a cruise to Alaska and I have been wanting to do a Disney cruise. I have never been able to justify the cost difference though compared to other cruise lines... and believe me we LOVE Disney! I am excited to hear all about your cruise adventure!

Your family is too cute btw!

 

[DisneyDerek]

Thanks everyone, I'm honored to have good old and new friends on DIS.

Hey, I'm first.... that's a first! I can't wait to read your report!

Congrats on being #1. I was wondering who'd I catch. Thanks for the support.

I'm here Derek!

Glenn, I've been thinking about doing this for some time but finally got around to it since I have a couple of days off. Need to start getting into PTR mode to get me through 2011.

Joining in!

Thanks for joining in!

subbing!

My family has been wanting to do a cruise to Alaska and I have been wanting to do a Disney cruise. I have never been able to justify the cost difference though compared to other cruise lines... and believe me we LOVE Disney! I am excited to hear all about your cruise adventure!

Your family is too cute btw!

Thanks for your support. We'll try to keep you guys informed of our trip plans, pre-, post- and whenever. We love DCL too and have been spoiled (we once booked the 2 bedroom stateroom suite and that was the best with like a 30' balcony, living room, 2 bedrooms, etc. I'll have to post some pics as the PTR progresses.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Derek! Congrats on your PTR! We are doing the West Coast Repo on the Wonder in April. I'll have to do a TR and let you know how the Wonder is doing, although your ports will all be different than mine!

 

[DisneyDerek]

Derek! Congrats on your PTR! We are doing the West Coast Repo on the Wonder in April. I'll have to do a TR and let you know how the Wonder is doing, although your ports will all be different than mine!

Wow, congrats on your West Coast Repo cruise! If you're leaving from the San Pedro port, you'll be like 15-20 minutes away from our home!

You'll have to let us know when you're in the area so we can send you off in style!

 

[Poolrat]

I'm in.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

You know I'm in!! I was considering doing a PTR for our upcoming cruise in June but I'm not sure yet. We'll see how much free time I have after the holiday's are over.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[DisneyDerek]

I'm in.

Thanks for joining my crew. I promise, no rowing is involved (only swabbing the poop deck)

You know I'm in!! I was considering doing a PTR for our upcoming cruise in June but I'm not sure yet. We'll see how much free time I have after the holiday's are over.

Can't wait to read more!

I know, Wendy thinks I'm crazy. She says she's only committed to one DIS thread (Jordan's) go figure Guess bloodlines come before married linesI'll have to add more food for thought about our plans....not sure how much of the dreary details people are up for but I'll try to keep it entertaining (as much as I can compared to Jordan).

 

[DisneyDerek]

So my ties to Alaska are few and far between but growing (I have a co-worker who took over my former position who grew up in Alaska and last night we saw Sarah Palin's Alaska Show on TLC) (don't judge me, it was just on so we thought we'd watch it. We watched the final episode on the Evergreen Lumber Co where Sarah cut down a tree) so my interest in and about Alaska is growing day by day.

Got any tips on things to do and see in the great white north (oh, that's Canada)? Here's our ports of call (note: Wasilla, Sarah's home town, isn't on the tour since it's way inland from the Pacific Ocean).

Any special sights to see? Actually, our cruise map shows that we're not even seeing the heart of Alaska

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow, congrats on your West Coast Repo cruise! If you're leaving from the San Pedro port, you'll be like 15-20 minutes away from our home!

You'll have to let us know when you're in the area so we can send you off in style!

I think it is that one! Sails on a Thursday! We will be staying in Anaheim Hills with relatives - I'm not sure if they will drive us to port, or take us to DL to catch a transport.

My parents did an Alaska a couple of years ago - went on a train ride into the mountains - loved it! I think it was in Skagway??

Oh, and I love Sarah Palin's Alaska! Learning lots. I don't think it helps her campaign if she is planning to run - just not presidential to be in short shorts on TV!

 

[Sooze]

I'll tag along for your Western Canadian... ahem.. excuse me... Alaskan cruise PTR!

You're off to a great start!!

 

[DisneyDerek]

I think it is that one! Sails on a Thursday! We will be staying in Anaheim Hills with relatives - I'm not sure if they will drive us to port, or take us to DL to catch a transport.

My parents did an Alaska a couple of years ago - went on a train ride into the mountains - loved it! I think it was in Skagway??

Oh, and I love Sarah Palin's Alaska! Learning lots. I don't think it helps her campaign if she is planning to run - just not presidential to be in short shorts on TV!

Hi Tammie, it would be great to see you when you're in SoCal, but I'm guessing that for a send off on Thursday, you'll be departing mid to late afternoon and we'd be among the hundreds of people waving goodbye from the terminal (or maybe I still have flashbacks from a Love Boat episode in my mind).

As for Sarah Palin, it was a different type of show and her folksy demeanor is definitely different from other stuff on TV but I agree that it's not presidential material.

Thanks for the input on the train ride into the mountains....I'll have to check out the shore excursions.

Take care,
Derek

 

[DisneyDerek]

I'll tag along for your Western Canadian... ahem.. excuse me... Alaskan cruise PTR!

You're off to a great start!!

Thanks for joining in....from the cruise map, it does look like it's more of a Western Canadian than an Alaskan tour...but I suppose that leaves another trip down the road

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, Derek! I had to come over for all the fun!

 

[DisneyDerek]

Hi, Derek! I had to come over for all the fun!

Thanks Jackie for joining in. Wishing you and your family a Happy 2011 and many best wishes!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thanks Jackie for joining in. Wishing you and your family a Happy 2011 and many best wishes!

Happy New Year to you, too!!!

 

[englishrose47]

I'm in too Derek !!!An Alaskan Cruise is definately somethinmg I want to do!!! So I will be following with interest your plans !!