Wonder Alaska Cruise 9/2/2013

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Welcome new folks!

(Sorry there's no waving goodbye smilie for you, twokats)

Yeah, it could be chilly, but Oh Well. That's what we buy clothes for, right?

Who would have thought, though, that we would need warm clothes for the Hawaii cruise? Not us, but I can tell you the sea days were COLD. And I was really glad I had my jacket when we drove up Haleakala and the temperature dropped from 75 to 57 on the way to the top!

Alaska? Seems more reasonable to need a coat.

Happy Day, all.

 

[mareeld86]

Hey Everyone my name is Lauren and my boyfriend Ricky my mum Chris and I will be cruising on this cruise. This will be Ricky and My second Cruise and my mum's first ever.

We would love to participate in FE and I am happy to organize it too.

I did fish Exchange on my last cruise and I loved it!

We have cruised the western Caribbean on Disney before 10th December 2011 and had the best time!

Cant wait for this cruise we had to move our cruise from this year to next year so now I am counting down the next 13 months.

Talk soon Lauren

 

[megsablue]

Hi everyone!

Just booked this cruise for my DH, myself and our DS (almost 1 - he'll be celebrating his 2nd birthday on the cruise). We did the LA-Vancouver last year and only had an ok time. I think a lot of that was compounded by the fact that I was 5 months pregnant at the time and our cabin was at the very front of the ship (and we did hit rough seas one night). That being said, we enjoyed the relaxing feel, so since we have DS now, unpacking once and having a relaxing trip sounds right up our alley! (Though we are braving DL in about 5 weeks!) I'm thinking since we're going up and back the Inside Passage, we should be ok this time

We used to live right downtown Vancouver, but have since moved to the 'burbs But we're still close enough that it's super easy to get to the port!

Hear the little one now (naptime must be done )!

 

[yensid58]

I know it is 12 months out, but what airport are you planning to fly into....Seattle? Where are you planning on staying pre cruise? We are thinking
Seattle, the train to Vancouver and unsure about hotel at this time. Even though we are one year out, Kathy and I are very excited about the cruise! We will be heading to WDW next Friday to help on our Disney need!

 

[LindaBabe]

I know it is 12 months out, but what airport are you planning to fly into....Seattle? Where are you planning on staying pre cruise? We are thinking
Seattle, the train to Vancouver and unsure about hotel at this time. Even though we are one year out, Kathy and I are very excited about the cruise! We will be heading to WDW next Friday to help on our Disney need!

That's our plan - in to Seattle, a little sightseeing (Definitely going to the Chihuly exhibit), train to Vancouver. Haven't even THOUGHT about hotels yet. I have two other cruises between now and then.

Right now, I'm thinking 3 nights in Seattle, 1 night in Vancouver, and 4 nights at DL after the California Coast cruise.

 

[LemonPie]

Well a lot can change between now and then but at this point it is $450 a person more expensive to fly into Vancouver than Seattle so I think we will fly to Seattle, take the train, ferry or bus to Vancouver the day before the cruise. I have not looked into places to stay there yet. On the way back go back to Seattle and stay the night before flying home. Even with 2 nights hotel stays and transfers it is much cheaper for 5 people to do it that way. We (DH and I) are going to Seattle next month just for fun. We are staying at The Inn at the Market. It is near a light rail stop so it will only cost $5 to get there from the airport as opposed to $50 by taxi. I will check out transfer to Vancouver options when we are there.

 

[mareeld86]

I have to fly Hobart Tasmania to Lax then Lax to Vancouver or Seattle whatever is cheaper that day is going to be a long long day!

 

[MegaMouseHouse]

My name is Tracy and my family and I are just off the Fantasy yesterday. We were the 25th sailing! It was wonderful and while onboard we rebooked the Sept 2, 2013 for Alaska. I had been hoping for a WBTA in Oct 2013 but since that does not seem to be an option right now we happily picked Alaska! Right now it will be my DH(40), DD(21) and myself(40). I also booked a second cabin and am hoping that I can surprise my parents with this trip. I have been trying to get them to cruise with us for years and hope that this will be just the ticket to get them to go with us. My husband and I have cruised Alaska once before and loved the location but felt the cruise line we went with was not so much for us, this was the only time we haven't sailed with Disney. I am really looking forward to going to Alaska with Disney.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and we will want to be involved in the meets and FE as well.

If I can figure out how to set up a facebook group for us I will try and do that. We had a facebook group for this last cruise I was on and we made great friends for months before sailing. Once I get it figured out I will let everyone know so they can request to be added to the group or however it works.

 

[MegaMouseHouse]

If I can save money by taking the train I really like that idea. Can you tell me more about the train and how it works? How many hours is it from Seattle to Vancouver by train?

Well a lot can change between now and then but at this point it is $450 a person more expensive to fly into Vancouver than Seattle so I think we will fly to Seattle, take the train, ferry or bus to Vancouver the day before the cruise. I have not looked into places to stay there yet. On the way back go back to Seattle and stay the night before flying home. Even with 2 nights hotel stays and transfers it is much cheaper for 5 people to do it that way. We (DH and I) are going to Seattle next month just for fun. We are staying at The Inn at the Market. It is near a light rail stop so it will only cost $5 to get there from the airport as opposed to $50 by taxi. I will check out transfer to Vancouver options when we are there.

 

[MegaMouseHouse]

I figured it out! I have set up a facebook group for us and named it the "Wonderful Alaskan Adventurers" The link is below. I belive you go to the page and request to be added. If that doesn't work I can add you. Just let me know. This way we can all get to know one another over the next year and we can more easily manage our FE group and group meets and so on.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/424369520956708/

 

[yensid58]

Clicked to join FB group. If needed, add me to the group.
Jim

 

[DisneyBronco]

Hey there! My name is Alexandrea and this will be my 5th cruise with DCL! I am excited to join the world of the DisBoards. My mom (MegaMouseHouse) has been doing this for several years and so I decided to start. I just got home yesterday from a 7-night Eastern Carribean on the Fantasy...it was FANTASTIC! I have never been to Alaska, and I can't think of a better way to experience it, than with Disney! I look forward to getting to know everyone throughout this next year and can't wait to meet up with all of you on the Disney Wonder!!!

I definitely want to be a part of the FE exchange. I will be in the same stateroom as my parents, so my pocket will be on their FE, but I will be handing out my own prizes!

 

[megsablue]

Yay! Just requested to be added to the FB group - what a great idea

For those flying into Seattle and then taking the bus or train up to Vancouver, just an FYI, both the train and the bus can run late (last time I checked, it happened more often than not), so I'd suggest NOT flying in the day of embarkation and then trying to get up to Vancouver. Definitely do it the day before - I'd hate for you to miss your cruise because of delays!

Also, sometimes you can get great 1 way rental rates (both ways) if you do a 1 way rental from Sea-tac to YVR (Vancouver International) - NOT the Port. (my parents did this when they visited us when we lived downtown) From the airport you can take the Canada Line (Vancouver's version of the Monorail ) to the Port.

You may also want to check into flying into Bellingham airport and taking the bus/renting a car from there. Lots of Canadians do this (in reverse) to save money since the taxes/airport fees from YVR are so expensive (though it is a really nice airport) and Bellingham is much closer than Seattle (I grew up just outside of Bellingham too ). My DH & I have done one way rentals from YVR to Bellingham before and it was pretty easy and was cheaper than taking the bus (when we did it).

 

[mareeld86]

Hey everyone! Just joined the Facebook group! so excited for the FE and to meet everyone!!

 

[BethC1952]

Hi, everyone!

I'm just off my 14th Disney Cruise (a "girls only" NYC to Canada), and booked this cruise.

I'm Beth, my DH is Jim, and we're a "60ish" couple traveling without kids.

Jim has had two life-long travel dreams--to go to Alaska and to see the Panama Canal. We'll be doing both, along with the Eastbound Transatlantic, all within the next 12 months.

I can't wait to meet all of you!

LindaBabe: I guess I'll be meeting you in a bit over 80 days from now, won't I?

A fellow DIS'er, who was one of the "girls" on the Canada cruise, and will be doing the PC cruise, will also be doing Alaska! I'm sure she'll drop in here and introduce herself too!

Beth

 

[MegaMouseHouse]

Hi Beth! If you are on facebook come join our facebook group that is just for those of us sailing to Alaska on Sept 2nd, 2013. I posted the link on a post on Sunday. It is lots of fun to visit on facebook until we sail!

Hi, everyone!

I'm just off my 14th Disney Cruise (a "girls only" NYC to Canada), and booked this cruise.

I'm Beth, my DH is Jim, and we're a "60ish" couple traveling without kids.

Jim has had two life-long travel dreams--to go to Alaska and to see the Panama Canal. We'll be doing both, along with the Eastbound Transatlantic, all within the next 12 months.

I can't wait to meet all of you!

LindaBabe: I guess I'll be meeting you in a bit over 80 days from now, won't I?

A fellow DIS'er, who was one of the "girls" on the Canada cruise, and will be doing the PC cruise, will also be doing Alaska! I'm sure she'll drop in here and introduce herself too!

Beth

 

[BethC1952]

I just requested to join the Facebook group! I'm so excited about this trip!

Beth

 

[mareeld86]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I would say I am happy to organise the Fish Exchange if everyone is happy with that just pm me your room number etc so I can put it in a spreadsheet and send it to everyone. 12 Months to go!!!

 

[hyballin]

This is our second Disney cruise, our first cruise was a DVC members cruise Sept. 2011. This is a specal cruise we will be taking both our mothers with us and this will be their first cruise. My aunt is also going and this will be her first trip to Alaska. It's going to be along time till Sept. when we leave, they are already driving me nuts Ha-Ha

 

[tim1978]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I would say I am happy to organise the Fish Exchange if everyone is happy with that just pm me your room number etc so I can put it in a spreadsheet and send it to everyone. 12 Months to go!!!

Hello never did this before but will be on the wonder in sept 2,2013