You’ll never get me on a cruise. Unless it’s to ALASKA! Recap and New PTR Link! 2/1

[eandesmom]

After a quick bag drop and verandah scope out, and the mandatory hanging of the FE, we headed to the Promenade lounge for our DIS meet. We were a bit late. It started at 3 and I think we got there at 3:15-3:20. Though not naturally shy by nature, I was a bit with my entire family in tow and seeing the folks had already really hooked up into groups and were chatting away. We did chat with one family, interestingly enough one I’d chatted with more than most on our cruise FB private group page…that lives not too far from us! Super nice family, sadly their adorable daughter was younger than the E’s so no “click” there with the kids but we enjoyed chatting with the parents. I’d been hoping the boys could meet some boys there age but the few I saw were pretty deep in conversation with their families and I didn’t want to intrude. I actually felt a lot better upon our return seeing on the FB page that most on our cruise thread and FB group seemed to be in the same boat, not really meeting very many other DISers “live”. With antsy boys and men, who wanted to check out the ship we headed up to try and catch a glimpse or two before muster time.

Apparently, the rest of the world was otherwise occupied. Perhaps unpacking before the drill and the sail away? Not a clue but it felt like we were the only ones onboard!

I think this was trying to tell us something

So, satisfied with our quick peek of a seemingly empty boat we headed to our muster station. Which was E, on deck 4. Our very lively lifeboat group leader (she had some official name for whatever they call it but I’ve no idea) would loudly say our location “E” and we’d repeat “Eeeeee!”.

And then Jeff would go “OAR”.

As in E.Oar.

Eeyore.



It became a recurring joke throughout the trip between the two of us. It was short, painless and jacket free so with our official job done it was time for the sail away party!

Although we were going to Alaska, that didn’t stop them from offering the Drink of the Day.

It was more than we wanted to spend so we all filled up at the drink station, cokes for the kids and cokes that Jeff then took down to the stateroom to “doctor”.

We weren’t exactly positioned well to see much. Except look, here were all the people! And the glare of the 4:30 sun, I definitely did not have my camera on the best setting for this and didn't realize it at the time. Oh well.

Eric didn’t care, he got into it. I mean really into it! My pictures didn't capture it all that well given the angle I was at but he was bouncing up and down like Tigger. Evan on the other hand was a bit too cool for his own britches and not all that interested.

Amazing what a zoom lens can do

Party complete we moved to find a good viewing spot to sail away under Lion’s Gate Bridge and took a view pictures from our berth

Jeff arrived just in time

And tried to steal my drink!

Our destination?

Past that bridge. And beyond!

But first, a few pics from our berth.

Stanley Park

A seaplane for Jeff

North (or west) Vancouver I think, can’t tell from this shot

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

And….we’re moving!

Bye bye Canada Place, see you in a week!

Although we’d had lunch, and a late one at that, people were still hungry and dinner was a fair bit away as we had second seating. What to do? French
Fries of course! Gotta love fries on demand.

More Stanley Park. I really wish we’d had time to do a ride there, I love that place and it’s been too long.

Getting closer

One fry wasn’t enough, they went back for more. I may, or may not, have had some.

Getting closer still

Very fun to see people waving at you as you go under. There were people on our cruise that went on our disembarkation day and watched the Wonder sail away for it's last Alaska cruise after we got off the boat (staying the day in Vancouver)

As we went under, something happened. Something that for some reason I didn’t know about. How could this be? I read the DIS. I’ve read a fair amount of cruise TR’s though I’m not a regular on this part of the boards.

And yet, I didn’t know.

The horn plays “When you wish upon a star” ! Who knew? Not me obviously.
I admit. I got choked up. The kids, and Jeff thought that was the coolest thing ever and I could tell were secretly thrilled I was as surprised as they were. We’ve since then learned that the Dream’s horns play 6 songs but hey, we were beyond thrilled with our one. I downloaded it to my phone and now it's Evan's ringtone!

Bye bye Vancouver!

With that, it was time for me to sprint to my spa appointment. I was cutting it close and while I’d heard at the DIS meet there was a decent raffle that I could have entered if I got there at 5:15…at 5:15 we were going under the bridge. I do have my priorities and the bridge definitely won. So I wasn’t early but at least I’d be on time. Which, for me, is good.

Up next, a visit to the Vista Spa, boys being boys and our first dinner on board.

 

[eandesmom]

You know you're not on top of things when you go to update your signature (Eric turned 11 on Monday) and you realize that 3 of the kids ages have changed since you last edited that part of it!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Glad Eric had a great birthday!

Your sail away looks great - on time and lots of fun! I'm surprised you didn't know about the horn How cool that you were surprised. It is amazing the first time you hear it!

 

[natebenma]

AWESOME start!!! How cool that you could just drive to the port instead of having to fly to get to the ship. Loved your border crossing/parking problems/beer run & lunch details. Sounds like typical fun with your family.

It is great how well the boarding went- I agree that the photo was purchase-worthy.

Amazing pictures from the sailaway. What a beautiful city!!! I love the way you captureed the bridge upon approach and from below.

And first, but not least- E.Oar!!! Too funny!

 

[tinacaplan]

Vancouver looks absolutely gorgeous. And I think the horn would have had me choked up, too!

 

[MEK]

Beautiful pictures of the sail away. The fact that you were going to Alaska did not change the festive nature of the party at all. Very cool.

There's something about me that always things a cruise should be going some place warm, even though I know better. So in my mind a cruise to Alaska would be more sedate. Obviously not - people looked like they were having a great time.

So you actually didn't know something. Well that's probably good in this case because a surprise like that sounds so wonderful.

I'm glad you didn't waste any time getting to the spa.

 

[Flossbolna]

Great pictures of Vancouver, it is a great city! And I had to laugh about your comment on a ride at Stanley Park - when I saw your first picture of it, I thought I really need to comment on what a great day I had there when I rented a bike to ride around the peninsular. But then you said it yourself!!

How wonderful that the Wonder's horn was such a surprise for you!! I think sometimes that while I am a planner and I love reading about neat little things like that (and I have known about that horn for ages already... despite never having been on the ship), we sometimes also take away our chances of being pleasantly surprised because we already expect it when we know too much beforehand.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

E OAR!

I love that ship horn too! It's on my phone for when DH calls. The Dream horn(s) are really nice too. They played a lot of them when we were setting sail. You should look for a youtube video of either the Wonder or Magic having a horn battle with a Royal caribbean ship - it's hysterical!

I am looking forward to hearing about your spa treatment! I could use one right about now!

 

[eandesmom]

Glad Eric had a great birthday!

He did, thanks!!

Your sail away looks great - on time and lots of fun! I'm surprised you didn't know about the horn How cool that you were surprised. It is amazing the first time you hear it!

I think it's one of those things where everyone assumes everyone else knows. It was goosebump worthy let me tell you. Sail away was cool!

AWESOME start!!! How cool that you could just drive to the port instead of having to fly to get to the ship. Loved your border crossing/parking problems/beer run & lunch details. Sounds like typical fun with your family.

Kind of predictable all of that with us huh, Driving was very cool, loved that (and my mom for enabling the quick drop off, that rocked!).

It is great how well the boarding went- I agree that the photo was purchase-worthy.

I admit, I do not like how they do pictures on the cruise but did know about it going into it and I know it's consistent with how other lines do it. I was surprised with how many I did buy and so will budget accordingly (if there is a) next time.

Boarding couldn't have gone better

Amazing pictures from the sailaway. What a beautiful city!!! I love the way you captureed the bridge upon approach and from below.

And first, but not least- E.Oar!!! Too funny!

It was SO cool to go under it like that! E.Oar. is still a joke around the house, fun memory to be sure. And he calls ME the Disney freak.

 

[eandesmom]

Vancouver looks absolutely gorgeous. And I think the horn would have had me choked up, too!

It is a stunning city. I take it for granted having been there so often and then I look at the pics of it as we sail away and go gosh, that's so pretty! The horn was, magical.

Beautiful pictures of the sail away. The fact that you were going to Alaska did not change the festive nature of the party at all. Very cool.

It really didn't! Of course it didn't hurt that we had decent weather.

There's something about me that always things a cruise should be going some place warm, even though I know better. So in my mind a cruise to Alaska would be more sedate. Obviously not - people looked like they were having a great time.

that's funny. It's like saying a ski lodge is sedate because it's cold. It was different, I'm sure, than a warm one but there was plenty of partying going around, all week to be sure.

So you actually didn't know something. Well that's probably good in this case because a surprise like that sounds so wonderful.

I'm glad you didn't waste any time getting to the spa.

It was a wonderful surprise! I had goosebumps. Not to spoil anything but I'm telling you, a mani/pedi on day one of a trip may become a requirement for me from now on.

Great pictures of Vancouver, it is a great city! And I had to laugh about your comment on a ride at Stanley Park - when I saw your first picture of it, I thought I really need to comment on what a great day I had there when I rented a bike to ride around the peninsular. But then you said it yourself!!

I Stanley Park and haven't spent much time there in years as we always seem to be just driving through vancouver and the one weekend we did go up, just Jeff and I, it POURED all weekend. The E's were cracking me up as we drove over Lions Gate on the way to Whistler, they made up stories about the Stanley Park woods, about how it was some mythical forest (in some game I'm sure) but it was cute. When we sailed past it, they talked about their forest.

How wonderful that the Wonder's horn was such a surprise for you!! I think sometimes that while I am a planner and I love reading about neat little things like that (and I have known about that horn for ages already... despite never having been on the ship), we sometimes also take away our chances of being pleasantly surprised because we already expect it when we know too much beforehand.

I think it's one of those things people assume everyone knows. it was a lovely lovely surprise. And while there was a lot I did know, there was a LOT I didn't, and much we discovered along the way.

E OAR!

He kills me, he really does.

I love that ship horn too! It's on my phone for when DH calls. The Dream horn(s) are really nice too. They played a lot of them when we were setting sail. You should look for a youtube video of either the Wonder or Magic having a horn battle with a Royal caribbean ship - it's hysterical!

It was funny, all week as we saw other boats leave and sound their horn all I'd hear from all 3 of them was how much cooler ours was. And how much cooler our boat looked.

I am looking forward to hearing about your spa treatment! I could use one right about now!

Me too! I have one in 3 weeks, I can't wait.

 

[KatMark]

Thank goodness I didn't miss anything (being sick I've gotten so far behind).

Well, of course, Eric was bouncing like Tigger....what would you expect with his dad and mom saying EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE OAR!

Ok, I'll control myself now.

Your pictures of the empty boat and your sailing away are terrific, Cynthia.

 

[DMMarla07860]

great trip report so far

 

[eandesmom]

Thank goodness I didn't miss anything (being sick I've gotten so far behind).

I hope you are finally feeling better Kathy!

Well, of course, Eric was bouncing like Tigger....what would you expect with his dad and mom saying EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE OAR!

Ok, I'll control myself now.

Your pictures of the empty boat and your sailing away are terrific, Cynthia.

It does kind of go hand and hand, doesn't it.

Thanks on the pics, I'm not thrilled with the glare but oh well. Live and learn. There are some rather good ones coming up, if I do say so myself!

great trip report so far

Thanks and !

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay, I am all caught up on the beginning of your Alaskan adventure. Love the boarding pics! Glad it all worked out even though you were running late. You know me -- I was twitchy just reading about it.

Sailing under the bridge looked very cool, and I love that Eric was all into the sail away party!

 

[KristiMc]

Just found your TR and I am caught up. We hope to do the Alaska cruise at some point.

Looking forward to seeing how your boys liked the Edge. My oldest will be 11 when we sail on the Magic out of NYC in June.

 

[englishrose47]

Great Sail away shots !!!We are contemplating a cruise in 2013 , unfortunately can't afford a Disney one for all 5 of us !!! But whatever we decide on I know Kyle will be in 7th Heaven with all the FOOD!!!!

 

[JOANNEL]

Great TR, we were on the same cruise, and yes best vacation ever!

I am telling everyone they have to see alaska once in a lifetime. Should be on everyone's bucket list!! I can't wait to read your report!!! The scenery was spectacular!

 

[Happydog]

How did you not hear about the ship's horn??!! Gee, we failed you! But it was fun to hear and be surprised I have no doubt!!! Yes, the Dream has several, but no matter, any and every Disney cruise horn is just plain fun.

Looks like a fun sail away party! I don't think I could have ordered one of the DOD options right away, either... it has to be HOT for me to drink a frozen cocktail, especially for that price I definitely get them in Orlando, but I don't know if a beachy drink would have floated my boat on the way to Alaska. Not sure. Now, those martinis in the quiet cove bar, now THAT is another story...

Neat vantage point to see that bridge, etc. I think that sail away experience is really neat!!

AND I love the Eeee Oar. Story. How cute. Fries on demand. Scary, isn't it??!! LOL!!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey C,

I have been off the boards for such a long while... and just recently started back on...

OMG...you went on a Disney Alaskan Cruise...

Is that a picture of you with Minnie in a parka in your siggie?

I was laughing when I read your title...my DH would probably say pretty much the same thing...getting him on a cruise would be a challenge but Alaska...that he would probably go for...

Must add to Disney Dream Bucket List...

Can't wait for more...