WOO HOO!! Alaska, Here we come! 8/25/2014

[piglet33]

What type of stateroom has everyone booked? Right now, we are booked for a Deluxe Oceanview stateroom (#2128 ).However, we are debating an upgrade to a verandah. Just trying to justify the $1900 addition. Any opinions?

We have a Cat. 7A Navigator's Verandah (#7128). Did you look at the price for the Nav. Verandah to see if that's better than spending $1900? This is our first time in this cat., but I've heard good things about them (guess I'll find out).

 

[bridgetmck]

We have a Cat. 7A Navigator's Verandah (#7128). Did you look at the price for the Nav. Verandah to see if that's better than spending $1900? This is our first time in this cat., but I've heard good things about them (guess I'll find out).

Never heard of it. What's the difference between the regular balcony and the navigators?

 

[piglet33]

Never heard of it. What's the difference between the regular balcony and the navigators?

The nav. has a porthole on the balcony instead of it being all open.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/s...oceanview-stateroom-with-navigators-verandah/

 

[bridgetmck]

The nav. has a porthole on the balcony instead of it being all open. http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/staterooms/magic-wonder/deluxe-oceanview-stateroom-with-navigators-verandah/

So, the porthole is bigger and it's open (not glass)... Is that right?

 

[piglet33]

So, the porthole is bigger and it's open (not glass)... Is that right?

Correct. It's not like the Oceanview Rooms. It's open so you still get the breeze.

 

[bridgetmck]

Correct. It's not like the Oceanview Rooms. It's open so you still get the breeze.

Heard back from our agent. The rooms with navigators only sleep 3, not 4.

 

[piglet33]

Heard back from our agent. The rooms with navigators only sleep 3, not 4.

Sorry.

 

[bridgetmck]

Sorry.

No worries!

 

[bellanapoli]

What type of stateroom has everyone booked? Right now, we are booked for a Deluxe Oceanview stateroom (#2128 ).However, we are debating an upgrade to a verandah. Just trying to justify the $1900 addition. Any opinions?

We're spending spring break in Hawaii next year as well, so I booked the cheapest cabin for this cruise. I'm talking bottom of the list - doesn't even have a split bathroom - type of cabin. The sole factor for us was price.

I've cruised Disney twice before and had a Deluxe Oceanview and 1-BR conceirge suite. So, I'm interested in comparing the cabins. When we had a balcony, we rarely used it. And, when we did, I had to listen to someone cutting their nails and yelling at their kids.

I'm toying with the idea of inquiring about an upgrade at the port. But, to be honest, I'm kind of liking the idea of sleeping in pitch, pitch blackness. Even when we had the oceanview, we were never in the room so the window was pretty irrelevant to us. Given how late it gets dark in Alaska, the lack of window is kind of appealing.

I will say, I am a bit concerned about the lack of the split bathroom. That really is a bonus. But, there's just three of us. I'm planning on spending money on excursions so it's worth being a tad cramped. But then again, I'm hoping to get a rainforest room pass so I could just shower up there. Will we have to drag DS kicking and screaming out of the kids club so I'm sure it will be workable.

 

[Smileneyes]

What type of stateroom has everyone booked? Right now, we are booked for a Deluxe Oceanview stateroom (#2128 ).However, we are debating an upgrade to a verandah. Just trying to justify the $1900 addition. Any opinions?

We were lucky enough to get one of the SPH rooms. So we have a porthole with an obstructed view at the price of an inside stateroom. We had the same stateroom on our Alaskan cruise in 2011.

The upgrade for us would have been a non-issue. During the day, we spent a majority of our "viewiing time" on the upper decks. I wanted the ability to have the "panoramic" view, and a verandah would've only given us the view from one side of the ship. The drawback for this was finding empty lounge chairs (at times). On sea days, "the early bird got the worm", so to speak.

Those are just some thoughts from our perspectives as past DCL Alaskan cruisers...who are looking forward to sailing again!

 

[bridgetmck]

We were lucky enough to get one of the SPH rooms. So we have a porthole with an obstructed view at the price of an inside stateroom. We had the same stateroom on our Alaskan cruise in 2011. The upgrade for us would have been a non-issue. During the day, we spent a majority of our "viewiing time" on the upper decks. I wanted the ability to have the "panoramic" view, and a verandah would've only given us the view from one side of the ship. The drawback for this was finding empty lounge chairs (at times). On sea days, "the early bird got the worm", so to speak. Those are just some thoughts from our perspectives as past DCL Alaskan cruisers...who are looking forward to sailing again!

Thanks for the input! Really appreciate it.
Did you stay in Vancouver at all?

 

[bridgetmck]

When we had a balcony, we rarely used it. And, when we did, I had to listen to someone cutting their nails and yelling at their kids.

Good point-- we would have neighbors......forgot about that.

 

[Smileneyes]

Thanks for the input! Really appreciate it.
Did you stay in Vancouver at all?

Hi...yes, we stayed just for an overnight at the Fairmont Waterfront. A little high in price for the room, but we liked the ability to be directly across from Canada Place and the port terminal. Also within walking distance of the Vancouver Olympic Torch.

This year, we will decide between that hotel and the Pacific Rim Hotel, which is just down the street.

 

[sranes]

What type of stateroom has everyone booked? Right now, we are booked for a Deluxe Oceanview stateroom (#2128 ).However, we are debating an upgrade to a verandah. Just trying to justify the $1900 addition. Any opinions?

We debated also but so much depends on the weather. If it is cold and rainy who cares about the veranda? This will be the first cruise we have gone deluxe oceanview rather than veranda. The Alaska excursions can be pricey so we thought we would put the $$ toward those. We have never had trouble finding deck space and there is the secret deck on the Wonder which should be great for viewing..

 

[sranes]

Hey guys!! We just returned yesterday from Alaska and rebooked again for next year. This will mean we've done Alaska with Disney three years in a row!! LOL It must be good, right?

This trip will be our 6th Disney Cruise.. the first one cruising Gold, yahoo!

I went ahead and started a facebook group and a signup sheet for the FE Exchange group.

The facebook group is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/375041592628435/

The FE Signup sheet is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Au6ZjSAKNCdBdHNGaUJaUGRBaXZYZ3pxOWUwS3lFMFE&usp=sharing

Can't wait to start getting to know you all! I know we will have some influx of folks coming and going, since we are a year away. But it will still be fun to chat in the mean time.

Thanks for the FE start. They are always fun. What are your favorite excursions?
We love the Wonder. It will make Gold for my granddaughter and I and the other 3 will still need one more. Lucky us! All our cruises except one have been on the Wonder. I know they are going to upgrade the ship but not sure when.

 

[bridgetmck]

Thanks for the FE start. They are always fun. What are your favorite excursions? We love the Wonder. It will make Gold for my granddaughter and I and the other 3 will still need one more. Lucky us! All our cruises except one have been on the Wonder. I know they are going to upgrade the ship but not sure when.

I've also been looking in to excursions. For now, our plans are (keep in mind this is with a 6.5 yr old and 4.5 year old--both boys):
Skagway: dog cart adventure with Alaska Excursions. 3.5 hours is just right for my guys and they will love the dogs. The railroad tour will not be of any interest to them after about 15-20 minutes.
Juneau: we are going to plan our own day. It includes Mt. Roberts tramway, explore the events/ exhibits/ etc, at the top. Head down and grab lunch at Tracy's Crab Shack. Then on to Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls by blue bus.
Ketchikan: bearing Sea Fishermen tour. Heard its awesome and I know my boys will love the hands on part of the tour.

Still looking and considering. There's totems in Ketchikan that we hope to see, as well as Creek St. The streetcar in Skagway looks fun. And lots in Juneau. So many decisions.

 

[bellanapoli]

As far as excursions, I'm hoping to do the helicopter dog sledding, the float plane to the Taku Lodge and a family fishing excursion.

I feel like I need to research some backup options as it seems excursions involving planes have a tendency to get cancelled due to weather.

 

[bridgetmck]

As far as excursions, I'm hoping to do the helicopter dog sledding, the float plane to the Taku Lodge and a family fishing excursion. I feel like I need to research some backup options as it seems excursions involving planes have a tendency to get cancelled due to weather.

If you need any help, let me know. I've been scouring the web for ideas and have a few websites that I've found helpful.

 

[runswithscissors]

Hey y'all! I'll be joining you in Alaska along with my husband, Josh, and son, Hunter (12 at time of sailing). This will be our third Disney Cruise - first was a Western Caribbean itinerary and second was the Eastbound Transatlantic. Both previous cruises were on the Magic. We were booked on the Fantasy in June but switched when we realized our friends had booked this cruise. This will be our first time in Alaska and we're very much looking forward to it. We booked a starboard verandah room 8566 so that we'll have a view of the coastline as we head north. We'll see y'all on board!

 

[akajuicers]

Hi all. We can't wait till our vacation. I have myself and hubby along with our will be, 8 month old(boy) and 3 1/2 year old(boy). Also Grandma and Grandpa will be coming too. If anyone has any helpful hints, tips or tricks for cruising with a 8 month please pass them my way.