2015 DVC Alaska Member Cruise 5/25-5/31/15

[tidefan]

Do you guys know if we will have one? I was reading another Alaska thread and they said that they still have them. We had one on the Magic a couple of years ago, but we did not have one on our Fantasy cruise this past May.

 

[autumnl78]

Do you guys know if we will have one? I was reading another Alaska thread and they said that they still have them. We had one on the Magic a couple of years ago, but we did not have one on our Fantasy cruise this past May.

Have one???

 

[tidefan]

Have one???

Character Breakfast

 

[stayfos]

As it's not a work day for me.. Just a heads up everyone who stated interest but HASNT yet PMed me will be getting a pm to get the ball rolling

Also please note I added a #7 to the list of info to PM to me..

*7* NEW! Please note any food allergies you may have for those that may want to do food/products from their home town gifts. We have in the past received nuts and other food items in FE swaps and I want to ensure EVERY ONE's gifts are safe for them!

I'm sure some are scratching their heads at this but I have several friends with kiddos w/ severe nut allergies, and we have in the past received packs of nuts, candies etc in FE swaps. I am not saying we can't give these or other food items. I am just thinking out of respect for those w/ allergies (and fast kiddos who open something before Mom or Dad see it) it would be nice to allergens out of their gifts..

So excited to be cruising on our First Member's cruise to Alaska!! Would love to be in on the FE too. I too am new to the DIS boards so I can't PM you directly yet Autumn…. can you send me one too please?
THANK YOU!

 

[poison ivy]

Also, I really enjoyed Mixology on that cruise. Do you think that they would offer that on the member cruise?

they offered a martini tasting, tequila and margarita tasting and mixology class on the at sea day (day 3) on the Sept. 2013 4-nt Dream member's cruise.

Here's a link to the navigator for that day from a trip report by XOSamma.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50336240&postcount=133

they also offered whiskey tasting on day 1. and beer tasting on day 4.
So hopefully they will again on our 7nt. Wonder Members Cruise.

 

[Johnny Quest]

The Pan Pacific is sounding better and better. I do like the idea of watching the ships come in and being more relaxed on cruise day. Last year for the members cruise, like so many others, we drove from WDE to Port Canaveral. I really like this idea better.
Someone had asked if it is sold out yet...anyone know? Has anyone booked after Sunday when it opened?

Jay Cat,

Just go for it! The Pan Pacific is a no lose situation as I see it. They don't charge your card til check in and you have up to 24hrs prior to change or cancel.

I am also looking forward to a relaxed embarkation day. The hotel looks very nice online and convenient to a lot of areas. For last years Sept. Dream member cruise we chartered a Happy Limo bus which picked up 39 of us for a round trip between WDW and Port Canaveral. It was a lot of fun.

 

[Jay Kat]

I remember reading about the group bus trip last year, Johnny Quest. It did seem like a great solution. I also remember you all were going to perhaps stop at a liquor store on the way . Great thought on reserving the Pan Pacific and then if plans change in the next 11 month, I can always change.

 

[poison ivy]

getting to Vancouver. continued.

good morning everyone!! Hope you had a great weekend and are looking forward to the 4th of July.

Today, I checked airfare out of PHL - again, for the umpteenth time.

There's a really tempting fare on United for 196.00 one way to Vancouver. Leaves Sun the 24th. Only problem is it's a 2pm flight out of Philly connects thru Houston and arrives in Vancouver around 8:30pm.

I love this fare!!! Southwest only flew into Seattle, and 167.00 was the best price I saw!
So for 30.00 more, we wouldn't have to deal with a ton of logistics to get to Canada.

Who knows how long it will last though especially since I'm not ready to make a firm commitment right this minute.

The only problem is, we won't be able to spend the day in Vancouver.
And I'll have to guarantee our rooms at the Pan Pacific.

Also, does anyone know if your first bag is free on an international flt w/United?

 

[TheSoderquackers]

So excited that my husband and I will be able to take an "adult" vacation in May. Taking the family to Aulani in September. This is our 2nd Disney cruise. Our first one we were on the Fantasy and had kids along. We did FE then. Wondering if there will be an "adult" FE group or how that might work. Also looking into airfair into Vancouver. Looks like we might make the trip into Canada and fly out of Regina. Wondering how far out to start looking to book tickets to find the best deals. Anyone have any experience on this?

 

[poison ivy]

So excited that my husband and I will be able to take an "adult" vacation in May. Taking the family to Aulani in September. This is our 2nd Disney cruise. Our first one we were on the Fantasy and had kids along. We did FE then. Wondering if there will be an "adult" FE group or how that might work. Also looking into airfair into Vancouver. Looks like we might make the trip into Canada and fly out of Regina. Wondering how far out to start looking to book tickets to find the best deals. Anyone have any experience on this?

Welcome to our cruise meet! And welcome to the Dis!

I'm not sure if there will be an 'adult' only FE but the Member Cruises are usually majority adults, and many of them sign up for the FE. If you click on the google doc on pg. 1, you'll see we currently have 6 cabins in our FE - 3 families and 3 all adults so don't hesitate to sign up if you'd like to participate.

It's never too early to look at flights IMO. But right now we're still on the fence and probably won't make any decision until Southwest releases fares to Seattle for next May. Although, if I find a comparable deal from PHL to Vancouver, we'll take it.

Looks like United charges the same domestic bag fees on flts to Vancouver, which will add to our expense. Still think the 196.00 1 way fare is a good deal even with the 25.00 bag fee. Problem is: you usually need 'room' to transport DVC gifts on a member cruise. This of course gives Southwest the upper hand.

Not sure what to do.

 

[Johnny Quest]

I think the best thing to do is to fly in to Vancouver and avoid more logistics. Chill out at the Pan Pacific. It looks very nice.

Soderquackers, have you been to Aulani yet, or is this your first?
Hawaii is the next bucket list target.

 

[therina]

I don't have enough posts to PM either, but definitely want to be in the FE group! Thanks so much for setting this up!!!

 

[therina]

I too was going to wait until Southwest released their prices to Seattle. I would love to be at the port the night before sailing, but if it's a significant savings on the flight and a hotel in Seattle, it might be worth it. Guess you also have to rent a car to get to the port? Pros, cons?

 

[lukikam]

We're taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver. It's an expense, and kind of time-consuming, but I've heard it's beautiful.

 

[myxdvz]

Count us in!

2 staterooms but we'll hang our FE in one room only
2A, 4K (2 girls, 2 boys)


This will be our 3rd cruise, our first time on the Wonder and our 1st member cruise. I still have the week after (6/1) cruise booked. I have to remember to cancel that one.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Doing some research to help us plan for the cruise. Found two threads that have been helpful This thread goes back to 2009, but it is still active, all about Vancouver http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2283011 This one is a trip report with some great pictures. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3292030

 

[Jay Kat]

We are considering spending the weekend before in Seattle too. I am interested in the train. If there is a small group, maybe we can share the cost of a car or van? I would still go up the night before, so I can get on the ship and start enjoying it. Good news is, we have time to plan and look at options!

 

[Johnny Quest]

Sounds like a good idea jaycat. I will research options and prices, including small bus charters.

If anyone else is considering this option please post here.

 

[poison ivy]

Sounds like many of us are in the same situation trying to work out the logistics to Vancouver.

Here's a thread I came across on the Dis - regarding Seattle to Vancouver
train vs bus.

some great points made for both options.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2960502

I like that the Quick Shuttle offers door to door service from the Sea/Tac airport to the Pan Pacific/Port area and then picks up right from the port as you debark the cruise back to the airport. Very convenient.

I also like that it takes about 2.5hrs.

Amtrak seems to take longer and require additional transportation to get to and from the stations. Plus, it only had two routes per day so if you miss that early am train (which we will, coming in from the East Coast) you arrive very late in Vancouver.

But everyone seems to really enjoy the train ride. It would require an additional overnight stay in Seattle for us.

So money starts to add up for the train option.

 

[stayfos]

I am quite surprised that they say the shuttle from the Pan Pacific to Sea Tac takes 2.5 hours….I used to live in the sub-burbs of Vancouver and travelled down to Seattle a lot for shopping…. From downtown Vancouver to Seattle is easily 3 hours with little traffic! But if you have ever driven in Vancouver (especially these days with all of the of the road construction and congestion) you are easily looking at an additional 1/2 hour. Then, the border can cause delays as well! If you are looking at this option, I would make sure you have at least 5 hours before your flight to allow for the delays…. just in case!

I do agree that crossing the boarder on land is much more convenient than flying in! We always drive into Washington before flying anywhere in the US!