Wonder Alaska Cruise 9/2/2013

[valbob89]

I've been asked to remove the link to the FE list

 

[OhioMom23]

Just sent request to Facebook group- my name is Ashley any good hotel recommendations in Vancouver ?

 

[gramfrog]

Just sent request to Facebook group- my name is Ashley any good hotel recommendations in Vancouver ?

Welcome Ashley!!!
-- there are a number of us staying at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver; it adjoins the Disney Wonder docking. Others are in many other hotels around there, as well as Seattle. Glad you're coming!

 

[1kidsfirst]

Just sent request to Facebook group- my name is Ashley any good hotel recommendations in Vancouver ?

Hi Ohio Mom23:
We are staying at the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside. It a couple blocks from the dock and rates are reasonable. Hope this helps.

 

[OhioMom23]

Hi Ohio Mom23:
We are staying at the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside. It a couple blocks from the dock and rates are reasonable. Hope this helps.

What transportation are using to get to port ? Thanks

 

[1kidsfirst]

We will be flying into Settle Saturday, taking Amtrak Cascades on Sunday, is anyone doing the same?

 

[1kidsfirst]

Haven't decided yet, but I have read on trip advisor that its a comfortable walking distance to the port even with luggage.

 

[jahber]

We will be flying into Settle Saturday, taking Amtrak Cascades on Sunday, is anyone doing the same?

We aren't, as I found flights from MCO to YVR that were the same as MCO to SEA/TAC (!!). And add in the cost of the train from Seattle, it's actually cheaper. But I researched the heck out of Amtrak and my kids were really looking forward to it. Are you taking the evening train?

 

[jahber]

Just sent request to Facebook group- my name is Ashley any good hotel recommendations in Vancouver ?

We Pricelined it and ended up at the Best Western about 2km from Canada Place. We are paying $115 a night and really just need a place to sleep, so we're happy. The hotel also has a free shuttle to the port.

For Priceline/Hotwire tips, check out the huge Vancouver thread. On the first page is everything you need to know

 

[mareeld86]

I am happy to pm anyone with the google doc with the FE list however as its linked to my personal google docs page I would like to keep it private and not post it openly to the dis. If you would like a copy please pm and I can send it to you

 

[gramfrog]

In Ketchikan we just walked around town a bit. It rained but wasn't really cold. None of the excursions excited us.

In Juneau we took the DCL rainforest nature hike and whale watching. It was pretty good. Bob really liked the walk through the rainforest and I liked the whale watching. We were really lucky and had a young whale jumping, splashing and just having a good time for about 30 minutes close to our boat. The weather was overcast but no rain and not really cold.

In Skagway we took the DCL flat bottom boat and nature hunt on Haines Island. We saw a few eagles and a couple of moose. They provided jackets, ear muffs, gloves and blankets so it wasn't cold and we didn't have any rain. We were really lucky to see the moose, the other boat only saw a few eagles.

We've been to these ports a number of times before and felt comfortable booking independent tours but this time decided to go with the DCL.

I don't know the exact number of kids onboard. The ship was full - no upgrades at the port. There seemed to be a lot of children. Because they don't spend as much time at the pool we saw them more around the ship. All we saw were well behaved and it was fun to hear about all they saw and did. There were a lot of first time DCL cruisers. The Castaway Club reception had only about 50 people there.

John Charles was onboard for the first 4 days.

Thanks, Val, for the info on the July Alaska cruise. Glad you're coming on the Sept 2 cruise! Has anyone else gone on an Alaskan cruise before? Any tips?

 

[valbob89]

I took photos of postcards we got on our trip, uploaded them to photoshop and inbedded Disney characters. Then made a college out of them. I am going to order tee-shirts with this image for Bob and myself. Vista Print has them for 1/2 price. Took most of the day but it gave me an excuse not to mop the kitchen floor.

 

[dclwonderprincess]

I took photos of postcards we got on our trip, uploaded them to photoshop and inbedded Disney characters. Then made a college out of them. I am going to order tee-shirts with this image for Bob and myself. Vista Print has them for 1/2 price. Took most of the day but it gave me an excuse not to mop the kitchen floor.

That's amazing, what a wonderful idea!

 

[1kidsfirst]

We aren't, as I found flights from MCO to YVR that were the same as MCO to SEA/TAC (!!). And add in the cost of the train from Seattle, it's actually cheaper. But I researched the heck out of Amtrak and my kids were really looking forward to it. Are you taking the evening train?

We are on the morning 7:40 a.m. train on Sept 1. We are flying into Seattle early on Aug 31st and looking forward to visiting the Space Needle and Pike Place before going to Vancouver the following morning

 

[valbob89]

If there is any interest, I would like to organize a recipe exchange for our cruise. It can be any recipe you would like to share; it might be a family favorite recipe or a recipe from your part of the country/world. Recipe can be on a recipe card, local postcard, a plain piece of paper or anything else you creative people might come up with.

If you participate, you will give and receive useful souvenirs that cost little to create and take up minimal amount of luggage space. Each time you use them, they will evoke memories of your cruise and the wonderful people you have met.

Let me know if you would like to join in this fun and I'll post a list of participants. Valbob89

 

[gramfrog]

If there is any interest, I would like to organize a recipe exchange for our cruise. It can be any recipe you would like to share; it might be a family favorite recipe or a recipe from your part of the country/world. Recipe can be on a recipe card, local postcard, a plain piece of paper or anything else you creative people might come up with.

If you participate, you will give and receive useful souvenirs that cost little to create and take up minimal amount of luggage space. Each time you use them, they will evoke memories of your cruise and the wonderful people you have met.

Let me know if you would like to join in this fun and I'll post a list of participants. Valbob89

I'd love to participate! Thanks, Valbob89!

 

[Boridiva Belle]

Thanks, Val, for the info on the July Alaska cruise. Glad you're coming on the Sept 2 cruise! Has anyone else gone on an Alaskan cruise before? Any tips?

This is my second Alaskan cruise (last cruise of the season, Sept 2012). The cruise was 2/3 full and few children. My tip is dress in layers the weather is unstable during this time of the year. Bring a scarf or hat and warm gloves. There were lot of people (including myself) with very cold hands. Looking forward to meet all of you.

 

[gramfrog]

This is my second Alaskan cruise (last cruise of the season, Sept 2012). The cruise was 2/3 full and few children. My tip is dress in layers the weather is unstable during this time of the year. Bring a scarf or hat and warm gloves. There were lot of people (including myself) with very cold hands. Looking forward to meet all of you.

Thank you so much for the great and timely info! If you are a Facebook user, we also have a page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/424369520956708/
I have problems reconciling DISboard names with Facebook names so if you're already on facebook, HI!!!!!

 

[gramfrog]

(Did I post this already?) Please join us on the first full at-sea day, Tuesday morning, at Triton's at 8:45 AM (yes, AM) for the PJ Breakfast (G-rated apparel, please! ) Pictures first, a la carte breakfast with other DIS and Facebook cruisers after. Free, of course!!!!! PM me for info or to be added to the hilarity.

 

[gramfrog]

Please join us for a Meet-n-Greet on embarkation day, September 2, in Promenade Lounge at 3PM .(all names, please!) There are already a ton of people signed up!
If you can't make it, but would like your very own personalized ID card and badge keeper for this cruise, please let me know the name(s) of your stateroom mates so that one can be made just for you!