This 2017 PTR is all over the place!! Updated 08/21/17 Nearly time!!

[bcwife76]

Ok just 62 days until we sail to Alaska - finally!!!!!

My kids get out of school in two days (they go til end of June and go back the day after Labour Day) so I'm getting a few things done while I still have 'free' time

We've had a bit of a financial gut punch, our air conditioning stopped working; turns out the coils are rusted in the air handler in our attic and the refrigerant all leaked out. The repair is going to cost us around $4,000Canadian And because parts are hard to get (they system was installed when the house was built in 2009, how is that considered old?????) they are coming from the US and will take 3-4 weeks....ugh (they were ordered a week ago). Not fun

This resulted in me cancelling our couples massage and the Tracy Arm (or more likely, Endicott) boat excursion. Those two things together would cost nearly $1000CAD (factoring in the crummy exchange rate) so that seemed very frivilous.

However, besides Palo brunch I also booked us Palo dinner the night the Frozen menu is offered (looked online and I found it rather unappealing) - since it's our wedding anniversary just one week before we board the Wonder I justified the 'extra' Palo dinner since we won't go out on the 21st and instead will dine onboard the Wonder.

I know.....#firstworldproblems.

In other bits and bobs....I booked the dog into the kennel so that's done (now I just need to update her vaccinations in July). FE gifts are almost all completed (the cabin gifts are done I just need a few more tiny things for some of the kids in our group) and I ordered the bags and tags for the cabin gifts this morning from Amazon.

I've been soaking up all the trip reports and photos from the cruises that have gone this year so far. Also on the May long weekend (Victoria Day) we went downtown for the day, took the kids for a picnic lunch at Stanley Park and then drove over to Canada Place to see the Wonder as it had just arrived in Vancouver for the Alaska season.

This summer is going to fly by

 

[TestingH2O]

Ugh. So sorry to hear about the AC. That's uncomfortable in terms of money and just living day to day! I do think you should keep both Palo reservations though. You can't tell me you'd spend less than that going out to eat at home.

 

[bcwife76]

Ugh. So sorry to hear about the AC. That's uncomfortable in terms of money and just living day to day! I do think you should keep both Palo reservations though. You can't tell me you'd spend less than that going out to eat at home.

Oh no, we're definitely keeping BOTH Palo reservations A massage I can get at home (and, let's face it, cheaper) and we have a verandah so we'll get fantastic views of the glacier all over the ship.

 

[jtba]

good call!

 

[TestingH2O]

@bcwife76 Any updates? Less than a month! It's highly doubtful I will have my TR done before you go. Are there any questions I can answer?

 

[bcwife76]

@bcwife76 Any updates? Less than a month! It's highly doubtful I will have my TR done before you go. Are there any questions I can answer?

Just over 6 weeks to go for us! I was following along with your post here. How was the weather in general? Was Tiana's as fabulous as everyone says it is? Did you get photos with Mickey and Minnie in their Alaskan gear? Which port was your favourite out of the 3? Did your DD enjoy the cruise? What was her favourite part? I think that's all my questions for now lol Oh, did you buy anything Alaska-specific on your cruise (on the ship I mean, not in port)?

 

[TestingH2O]

Just over 6 weeks to go for us! I was following along with your post here. How was the weather in general? Was Tiana's as fabulous as everyone says it is? Did you get photos with Mickey and Minnie in their Alaskan gear? Which port was your favourite out of the 3? Did your DD enjoy the cruise? What was her favourite part? I think that's all my questions for now lol Oh, did you buy anything Alaska-specific on your cruise (on the ship I mean, not in port)?

The weather was amazing. We spent two and a half days in Seattle before the cruise and a day after. The only rain we saw the entire time was as we pulled out of Ketchikan. Otherwise it was sunny and pleasant. I saw more rain here last night during a huge thunderstorm than in the 10+ days I was up there!

Tiana's was so much fun. The second night was better than the first. I thought the pepper pot soup was blah, but other than that, the food was good. The bignets are as good as they say.

Yes. Lots of Alaskan photos and there is a day where you can get Mickey & Minnie together and Donald & Daisy. We also had a day where they were wearing 4th of July outfits, so that was fun too.

It's hard to say which was my favorite. We spent no time in Skagway itself but LOVED the excursion. We did a tiny bit of shopping in Juneau, but that was probably my favorite excursion. Since it was whale watching though, it was just luck on some level. Ketchikan was fun for my daughter, and the crab we ate was delicious, but as far as the town, it wasn't very exciting.

Her favorite parts were the girls she met on the Skagway excursion, the sea lions on the whale watching trip, and the characters. She always loves the characters. She did say this was her favorite trip we've taken though.

On the cruise, I bought DD the Alaska Mickey & Minnie stuffed toys because she's still at an age where she loves that stuff. I also bought a souvenir coffee travel mug filled with hot wine. I like the Alaska logo this year with the moose, but I couldn't justify the cost of the shirts in the gift shop especially when the stores in town were so cheap! The Alaska store on board has some really beautiful things though.

 

[bcwife76]

The weather was amazing. We spent two and a half days in Seattle before the cruise and a day after. The only rain we saw the entire time was as we pulled out of Ketchikan. Otherwise it was sunny and pleasant. I saw more rain here last night during a huge thunderstorm than in the 10+ days I was up there!

Tiana's was so much fun. The second night was better than the first. I thought the pepper pot soup was blah, but other than that, the food was good. The bignets are as good as they say.

Yes. Lots of Alaskan photos and there is a day where you can get Mickey & Minnie together and Donald & Daisy. We also had a day where they were wearing 4th of July outfits, so that was fun too.

It's hard to say which was my favorite. We spent no time in Skagway itself but LOVED the excursion. We did a tiny bit of shopping in Juneau, but that was probably my favorite excursion. Since it was whale watching though, it was just luck on some level. Ketchikan was fun for my daughter, and the crab we ate was delicious, but as far as the town, it wasn't very exciting.

Her favorite parts were the girls she met on the Skagway excursion, the sea lions on the whale watching trip, and the characters. She always loves the characters. She did say this was her favorite trip we've taken though.

On the cruise, I bought DD the Alaska Mickey & Minnie stuffed toys because she's still at an age where she loves that stuff. I also bought a souvenir coffee travel mug filled with hot wine. I like the Alaska logo this year with the moose, but I couldn't justify the cost of the shirts in the gift shop especially when the stores in town were so cheap! The Alaska store on board has some really beautiful things though.

Awesome, thanks for all that! If I think of any more questions I'll let you know for sure Did you book another cruise or placeholder on board?

 

[TestingH2O]

Awesome, thanks for all that! If I think of any more questions I'll let you know for sure Did you book another cruise or placeholder on board?

We already had next July booked on the Fantasy, but you never know what crazy ideas might have struck once on board... We also booked another place holder so we could book for 2019 if something struck our fancy.

 

[bcwife76]

We already had next July booked on the Fantasy, but you never know what crazy ideas might have struck once on board... We also booked another place holder so we could book for 2019 if something struck our fancy.

Oh that's right you're doing the Eastern itinerary next

 

[bcwife76]

Just over 5 weeks to go

Our cruise doc booklet arrived today I have to say that is the earliest I think I've ever received it

Oh and since they have now added beverage tastings to online check in, I reserved a martini tasting for dh and myself on our last sea day. That wasn't in the booklet as the book was made July 10th and I made the ressie 3 days later. Never mind I've already taken a pen to my booklet and written it in ( and nevermind the fact that they leave you tickets to all these things in your stateroom anyway ) I didn't reserve a mixology because (a) the only day they offered online is Tracy Arm day at 4pm and (b) we are organizing a private one with our cruise group. I just hope it's on a sea day and if not, I hope it's late enough on a port day that it doesn't interfere with any plans/excursions we already have We should find out in a few days when the private one is as we are nearly at the 30 day mark so our organizer will be emailing DCL in just a few days!

And I know it's a long way off (and not even in 2017) but last weekend we switched our 2018 Merrytime cruise to a HOTHS cruise (still Western Carib on the Fantasy) and we sail OVER Halloween so that should be very cool. We have not told the girls yet because it is SO far away and obviously my hubby has not submitted any vacation dates for 2018 (nor will he until Feb 2018 as their vacation schedule goes with Fiscal year which is March 15 2018 to March 14 2019).

 

[bcwife76]

Ok so latest: We are 4 weeks and 2 days out!!!!!!

Things left to do:
-finish individual kid FE gifts (cabin gifts are done!)
-get some US$ for tips etc
-get travel insurance
-prebook parking
-ummmmm....pack? lol

So ONE spot became available on the 3pm glacier boat expedition so I nabbed it. DH really doesn't care either way and if you remember, I had it booked for both of us (along with a couples massage) but ended up cancelling all that because we need to repair our a/c (which is FINALLY getting repaired tomorrow!!!) But when one spot came available I *had* to grab it. Just not sure if I'm keeping it or not......

Our group/private mixology is going to be on the last sea day.....same day as our martini tasting. DH says keep both. So we have martini's from 2-3 and Mixology from 4-5. Oy. My head. Gonna stuff myself up on the pool deck with food from 3-4

Um.....also???

*whispers* We booked a 5 night trip to Puerto Vallarta for mid November.....

teehhheeeee......

oops......

Cheatin' on the mouse

 

[bcwife76]

Oh and dang, we missed our cruise call!!!!

I had to pick my mom up :from dialysis (usually she goes by private bus, long story but today I had to take her) so when I figured out yesterday I would not be home changed my cruise call to 8:01pm PST instead of 5:01PST. We got home at 5:09 and there were two failed calls on our machine from Disney I checked my email and yep, Disney sent one saying your call did not go through so reschedule. But I looked at the email they sent me yesterday and it said 8:01PST for tonight so I guess I'll find out in 2 hours. My DH thinks it's silly, that our kids are too old but when I told my girls they were practically in tears from having missed the call Too old my sweet fanny....I know my Disney girls

 

[TestingH2O]

One week lady! Are you so excited?

 

[bcwife76]

One week lady! Are you so excited?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bcwife76]

This time next Monday night we will be enjoying a post dinner stroll around deck 4....or maybe a late bevvie in a bar?

haha, who am I kidding - the kids will be passed out from a fun first day and we'll either be in bed watching a movie or sitting on the verandah enjoying a glass of wine

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary - and on the day of a solar eclipse. Omen?

So with less than a week to go now (well it IS almost midnight!) so far the only suitcases that are packed are the ones containing all the FE gifts My eldest DD has already asked me twice today 'mom, when will we start packing?' Soooooon honey lol Momma isn't done procrastinating But since it's still warm here I might as well start packing the pants/long sleeves/coats etc. Not like I'm going to need them here in the next few days.

I *still* need to buy travel medical. Note to self: do it tomorrow morning! But yeah, other than packing and doing the trip insurance, everything else is organized.

I can't believe it's nearly time. After booking this cruise - what - April 2016? It's almost here.

I will try my best to do a trip report once we are back but since school starts the next day I'll be a bit busy the first few days getting them organized and getting back into a routine *sigh* Summer is nearly over.....