Cass, Rob & Kira - July 2022 Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise - Worth the covid!

[DMMarla07860]

Loving the Trip Report and pictures. Your making me excited about writing my trip report abou the Wish when I go in February 2023

 

[dcassetta]

Love all the happy family pictures! Your images of Nugget Falls are great. The first time I visited Juneau as a kid, the falls were not visible. That's either a sign of how old I am or how fast Mendenhall has receded - maybe both.

 

[Reluctant_Introvert]

Thanks for posting!

I’m working on a trip report of my own. You inspired me.

 

[Timon]

July 15th Part 3

About five minutes later, our taxi pulled up. There was some confusion because there was another group there waiting for a taxi as well. They were very insistent on getting us to share a ride with them. I asked them where they were going and they said the airport. I tried to explain to them that we were not going to the airport but back to the cruise ship area in the downtown area. They just kept insisting that we could go together and go to both places. I said okay but then when two taxis showed up, the drivers said they were only allowed to pick up the people who they were assigned to. We were assigned to this taxi.

As the people in this taxi were being dropped off, I heard him say "That will be $94"

I asked the lady where she was coming from and she said the cruise area. I replied "And it cost you $94!!??" and then she said with the park fees, with their group of 3 people, yes, it was almost $100!

Once I got in the taxi, it made perfect sense. The two companies that can drop people off at the entrance obviously pay some sort of extra fee and then they charge that fee to their customers. I thought it was a little steep though. So, if we had taken a taxi on the way there, that dropped us off at the front, with fees, it would have cost us $89! We paid $30 for the Lyft, $10 for park tickets and then we walked a mile and a half. Worth it!

I asked him how much it would be to the cruise ship area downtown and he said about $30-$32. Okay, that works for us. He dropped us off across from the Red Dog Saloon and we walked back to the shuttle area. It ended up being $34 USD plus tip.

The traffic on that main road was insane! So many big buses and other shuttles, it was loud and crowded and although our original goal was to walk around and check things out, once we got dropped off and were in the middle of all that craziness, all three of us just wanted to go back to the ship.

This is where the shuttle picks you up.

Rob and the driver clicked because they are both massive Star Wars fans. He just had to show Rob his lightsaber once we got back to the ship.

They always welcomed us back with this...

We had missed Cabanas lunch for Rob so we just grabbed some food at Pete's.

We chilled in the room, eating our late lunch and watching Inside Out on the TV.

We watched our sail away from Juneau and then the Captain came on the intercom and announced that due to propeller issues, we would be missing Ketchikan tomorrow.

Apparently, during our glacier day, we had hit some ice and caused some damage to one of the propellers. Because of this damage, we couldn't travel as fast as we normally could so in order to get back in time for the next cruise, we had to skip the port and head straight back. They were giving us $150 on-board credit and 20% off a future cruise and obviously refunding us the port taxes for Ketchikan, to make up for it.

I can't say we weren't bummed. We were all looking forward to Ketchikan. We had nothing planned but we were looking forward to just walking around the quaint little town and it was supposed to be raining tomorrow there. Finally some rain, we hadn't had any except for a few drops on our way from Caribou Crossing to Whitehorse. Sadly, both the rain and Ketchikan weren't in the cards for us this trip. It didn't ruin the cruise for us, we were just fine with another sea day. Kira was the one who benefitted the most from this extra at sea day because she got to spend the entire day with her friends. I was bummed because I had wanted to do some shopping. We hadn't even peeked in a single store in Alaska yet, I was saving that for Ketchikan. Oh well, maybe next time.

The biggest problem that stemmed from the propeller issue, which thankfully didn't affect us much, was the vibration. When you went to the aft areas of the ship, you could really feel the vibrations. The people who were staying in all of the aft rooms had the worst of it. I know many people who ended up with inside rooms in the forward section just to sleep because the vibration was insane. People posted videos in our FB group after we got back and it was so bad!! If we hadn't changed our room, we would have been affected too as our original room was second to last on deck 6!

Some people were happy with what Disney was offering us and some were downright pi$$ed! I guess if you didn't have to sleep in the aft of the ship, most guests were happy with it but those who were in the aft and had to go through all of that, yeah, they were not happy. Honestly, I felt really bad for those in the back, we are often assigned to a room on deck 5 in the aft and we know, in normal circumstances, just how shaky it can be back there. And the vibrations had started back on glacier day, so they spent most of their cruise in noisy and shaky rooms.

I haven't seen anyone post public videos yet, only private ones so I can't share them with you but trust me, it was BAD! Everyone was wondering if the next sailing would be able to proceed as usual, we had no idea when we were going to get back but arrived back in Vancouver around 5:30am I think and they were able to repair the propeller and then she left late, around 10pm I think, so it didn't affect the next sailing too much.

Here's a rather long time lapse of us leaving Juneau that evening.

It was now time for dinner! Tonight was Mardi Gras night in Tiana's....that means beignets!!

Look at our view!!

Luis gave us our usual plethora of butter and tonight was the brioche loaf but Kira doesn't care for it. Once Luis found that out, he left and returned with a whole basket of regular buns just for her!

She was so flattered and thankful!

Kira would only be at dinner tonight for the buns and the dessert. She didn't care for anything on this menu and she had some stuff in Vibe that she didn't want to miss. So she filled up on her buns and then headed to Vibe.

Tonight's dinner was pretty good actually. It was loud but the food was good and the views were spectacular!

When Zaldy found out that Kira didn't like anything from this menu, he tried to arrange for something she did like. Since Triton's and Tiana's share a double kitchen, he was able to grab her a lobster tail from Triton's since they were having their big seafood menu tonight.

I had texted Kira about it and she was thrilled and asked if her friend G could come join us. We were already done with dinner and about to order desserts so I ordered us four beignets and then Rob also ordered the sundae and I ordered my absolute favourite dessert but I asked him for it to go, once we were done with our beignets.

I can't tell you how much we loved our serving team, they were so awesome! Luis was funny, which I appreciated so much! After our entrees were served, I had started texting with Kira and then I was taking photos and videos of our views so I was very distracted. He came by to ask how our food was and I apologized, told him that I hadn't even taken a bite yet. Well Kira kept texting me and again, more spectacular views and I just hadn't gotten to my food yet. So he came around again, and asked how my food was and I laughed and said "Sorry, I am so distracted! I still haven't gotten to it yet!" and he casually threw this gem out "No no no, it's okay! It's okay! I come back in the morning".

They changed the dishes they used for the chocolate sauce. I don't know who made this decision! Kind of hard to dip the round beignets into that little square dish.

Kira and G then joined us...

We all had our beignets and then Kira and G joined the procession around the restaurant. I told Kira to go join and G didn't really have a chance to say no

 

[bcwife76]

We had a table by the window in Tianas as well and it was the most amazing view pulling out of port that night.

Such a bummer about Ketchikan but I know you'll be getting your do over soon K really is my fave of the 3 port stops on this cruise.

About the beignets: I thought they were 'different'....I could have sworn you got 3 and they were smaller So I might be remembering incorrectly. I thought they were a bit dry this time around (but I still ate them!)

Haha love the bus driver had a light saber underneath!!! lol You all got the fancy coach for you shuttle each way, we got a regular city bus both ways, but our driver was pretty awesome!

And, those two cm's that greeted you when you got back on board? The gentleman on the left is Savio and he was our asst server

 

[Ronneeaght]

We got one almost right away and before we left, he explained to us that he did not have the required pass to be able to drop off passengers right at the entrance. He said only two taxi companies have access to that area. He said it was about a one-mile walk from the drop off area to the main entrance. Well, we needed the exercise anyway so away we went!

Rob chatted almost the entire way with our Lyft driver and it was about $30 I think. Once we got out, he said we could take the smooth, paved path, or the path that went through the woods. We'll take the less bear-y path, thanks

While the walk was slightly longer than one mile, the views were worth it!

You could see the top of the glacier from here.

I mean, LOOK at that! It was worth the walk!

Here's where that woodsy path came out...

Around the bend, you could see the bus drop off area at the visitor centre.

We took to city bus out to Mendenhall when we visited in 2014, and this walk down to the entrance was a highlight of our trip. Such beautiful views, no one else in sight, and those white, dead-looking trees felt like something out of Tolkien. Loving all your pictures!!

 

[lilsonicfan]

Cass, your pics of Skagway and the trip to Yukon convinced me, I booked a car for our upcoming cruise so we can make a similar journey. So excited !! Thanks so much for sharing.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

And the suspense part is over! Shame it caused you to miss a day at a port but i a glad they gave you stuff for it (though I could understand where those by the propeller were less than pleased).

Luis sounds like an incredible cast member!


Now I want beignets!

 

[lucas]

My favorite family! Just found you!! Whoa, I've got a lot of catching up to do.

We've cruised 56 times in the past and Alaska is definitely our favorite. We live in South Florida and have done the Panama Canal twice, Hawaii once, and have visited the Caribbean too many times. We've cruised to Alaska four times, but not with DCL - with Princess and Holland America.

Sorry about COVID. We still haven't cruised since December 2019. Any hoo, can't wait to get into this report.

 

[Timon]

July 15th, Part 4

Back to our room where we found our nightly towel animal and this letter.

It was printed on REALLY nice paper too, almost like cardstock!

And hanging on our little fish outside was this paper for Kira. It was left there by her Vibe counsellors, which Kira said were the best she's ever had!

When I asked her why this was her favourite cruise she's ever taken, she said she made amazing friends, her counselors were the best and the scenery was gorgeous. In that order.

Every day, on the board just inside Vibe, the counsellors would write a riddle. The teens, on the first night, get to choose if they are a Hero or a Villain and they compete against each other in various activities during the entire cruise and you gain points for your team by doing certain things. One way to gain points is to solve the daily riddle and Kira rocked it. There were a few riddles that stumped her and she asked us and we had no idea! She would eventually get them herself,

I spent some time on the balcony, again, more gorgeous views.

Oh just stop, now you're just teasing us!

At 8pm, we headed up to my favourite place on the ship. We were laughing at the contrast between Rob and I, we just had to document this!

My poor, cold babe.

Tonight I got to experience something in the pool that I've never experienced before...a sunset! It was gorgeous!!

Once Rob saw how pretty the sky was, he paused his reading session to get some photos.

Me in my natural habitat. And you can even see Suka, on the far right in this one.

Look at that!

He came back with an ice cream. I had to steal his phone and take a photo, he's freezing but he's still eating ice cream.

Sadly, it was over way too fast. Back to the room where I showered and then enjoyed a rare second dessert on the verandah along with some incredible views.

This was the one time I saw the lights on the lower part of the ship go on. They were only on for a few minutes before turning off again.

After the sun finally faded, I headed back in and we fell asleep.

Kira got in shortly after Vibe closed, here's the schedule for the day...

Another an amazing day.

Despite our assistant cruise director Ann's daily mantra of "We don't talk about Juneau, no no", we will be talking about Juneau and the memories we've made there, for quite a long time to come.

 

[Kanga2Roo]

I am now going to sing that in my head for the next few days. LOL

 

[Timon]

July 16th, Part 1

Our unexpected sea day started off a little overcast.

Another breakfast at Cabanas, it was too chilly for Rob this morning, so we ate inside.

When we left for breakfast, Kira left for Vibe. I don't think we saw her again until dinner. As much as I missed her, I was so glad she was having such a good time. I was sad for her on our last cruise, over Spring Break. She felt overwhelmed in the larger Vibe on the Fantasy and didn't make any friends. This was the total opposite and I was so happy for her.

We walked around the top decks...

The water was so still and glasslike.

We headed down to the shops for our free charm and noticed these posted outside...

We walked around the ship a little bit, giving Jhe time to clean our room.

Look at how pretty and still it is.

It got way hotter than 16º today!

We enjoyed some verandah time.

And then we headed for Cabanas for lunch. I hadn't planned on eating here, I'm not much of a buffet girl, so I took photos as Rob filled his plate.

I texted Kira that Cabanas had grilled shrimp again, and once again, Vibe trumped grilled shrimp. On our last cruise, they only offered grilled shrimp at Cabanas on one day, this cruise, they had it every day we ate there.

And look who we ran into, Luis!

The guy in the back is posing like my teenager.

I was going to eat at Pete's after Rob was done but then I spied, with my little eye... this section.

Rob's plate...

My plate. These were delicious!

I don't have a lot of photos for the rest of the day but too many to fit into one post, so I will finish this day in the next chapter.

 

[Timon]

July 16th, Part 2

We headed back to the room and ordered some key lime pies for dessert.

In case you didn't know, when you cruise to Alaska, you turn your clocks back one hour at the end of your first At Sea day. Then, going back, you have to turn them forward again.

We enjoyed our dessert out on the verandah, it was getting pretty hot out there. Rob was comfortable again, and if he's comfortable in jeans and a hoodie, you know I'm warm.

Tonight was the big seafood night and it's my least favourite menu since I don't eat seafood. There is venison on the menu, not something I enjoy though so I always skip dinner when we have the Captain's Gala menu and find something else. By the time Rob left for dinner, it was quite warm!

I found a spot in the shade and enjoyed watching the ocean waves. I think I ended up eating a hot dog on the verandah that night. And I didn't even need socks!

Kira met up with Rob at Triton's.

He didn't take very many photos.

I went up to the pool a little early.

I couldn't get over the gorgeous blue color the sky was. It matched the blue inside the pool. Rob eventually joined me poolside, I don't even think he needed a blanket this night!

Before we turned in for the night, I popped out on the verandah, look at all those stars! This photo is not edited, just an iphone photo, so you can just imagine how much better it was in person.

Kira was back shortly after Vibe closed. Since I didn't see her at dinner, I went almost the entire day without seeing my kid! That rarely happens.

Here's all of the fun she had that day...

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Just found your new trip report! Just came to say we got off the 9 night Fantasy and brought COVID home with us too. Testing negative now but still can't taste or smell anything unfortunately. Now to start on your awesome report!

 

[Timon]

July 17th, Part 1

Another gorgeous dreary day! My favourite kind.

We were about to enter the very beautiful Johnstone Straight, which I found out is home to about 150 orcas during the summer.

And off to Cabanas one last time together.

We went outside to get some pics, you can tell that only one of our propellers were working.

We saw TONS of whales today. You could see all of the whale watching boats around too.

The scenery was spectacular as usual. Honestly, I think there were only a few hours of this entire cruise where the views weren't breathtakingly gorgeous!

Kira enjoyed every second of her last day with her friends. We only saw her for dinner. Rob was walking by and saw that she was in the hot tub and he heard Kira say "Oh. My. God! It's my Dad!"

Here's the last day's schedule for Vibe.

I asked Kira (and friends) for permission to post some of their pics from Vibe. They had a blast together that day and her photos and videos reflected it.

There's about 40 photos of G like this on Kira's phone. Looks familiar.

The top decks were empty. That was probably the weirdest thing about this cruise, as usually deck 9 is crazy busy on sea days.

Throughout the cruise, they have some special photo ops, they list in the Navigator app, if you're interested. You can take your own photos but there's also a photographer available.

We didn't participate in the Fish Extender gift exchange but we were pixie dusted many times. Rob wanted to pixie dust others with his Star Wars loot. He's part of the 501'st Star Wars costuming group (he's a Clone Trooper) and he has his card and some Star Wars 501st tattoos that he brings with him on trips to hand out to kids. We spent the next exhausting hour walking all of decks 5, 6, 7 & 8 pixie dusting any door with Star Wars stuff on them.

Sorry decks 1 & 2, I was too worn out.

He LOVES Spaceballs, so he got a chuckle out of this magnet.

This was the most Star Wars-y door, so he broke out his fancy Star Wars patches and put one in each of the pockets.

As we were walking by, we got to peek in the Roy O Disney suite. I snapped a quick pic and then we carried on. About thirty seconds later, another couple walked by and did the same thing!

Well, after that trek, we deserved a treat! My first and last ice cream of the trip.

We spotted this little boat was tugging these barges behind them. It's funny how seeing another boat while on a cruise is such an event. Everyone was taking photos.

We walked down to deck 5, they were selling popcorn on this sailing, something they weren't doing on our cruise in April.

And here's the movies they were playing...

I have to split this day into three chapters, so I must end this one here.

 

[bcwife76]

It seems like they had one dude selling popcorn etc outside of Buena Vista the whole cruise, this is the same CM who was selling it on our cruise lol I might have to call him Popcorn dude if I see him in December !

Wow, you saw a LOT of whales that last day!

 

[Timon]

July 17th, Part 2

It was time for Rob's last Cabanas lunch.

We ate out outside, it wasn't too cool out and we didn't want to miss the scenery. We saw more whales too.

The big light blue triangle is us...

Once Rob was almost done, I headed to Pete's to grab myself some shawarma. Well, looky looky who it is...Luis! I swear he's following me around the ship. He always had a smile on his face, asking how we're doing. He also made me a delicious lunch!

I took it back to the room so I could enjoy the view.

It was kind of weird seeing the Canadian Customs form with the rest of the stuff. That was a first for us.

I also ordered some room service.

And we enjoyed more time on the verandah together. I have the GoPro set up but I can't find the footage from this day.

Rob ended up napping for a bit.

More gorgeous scenery, it just didn't stop.

In this passage, you will see TONS of logs. We kept thinking we saw wildlife but most of it ended up being logs.

Our final dinner and my last evening at the pool, coming up in the next chapter.

 

[dcassetta]

Our final dinner and my last evening at the pool, coming up in the next chapter.

No! I don't want your TR to end!

 

[valskate86]

July 13th, Part 4

Let's start this chapter off with a cute photo that Kira took earlier in the day.

And then more beautiful ice as we leave the A

I wanted to stay longer, I don't think we were quite out of the Arm just yet but it was now dinner time at Triton's...

This was the one menu I was really looking forward to since it was brand new to all of us. This dark rye bread/cracker was quite delicious with butter on it!

This was our view from our table.

And this my view of my awesome family!

I love me some pea soup so I got that as an appetizer. It was just okay.

Rob got this and only liked the stuff in the little bowls.

He also got the carrot soup which he did not love but I ended up loving it and finishing it for him! It's funny because he LOVES carrots and I hate them, so the fact that he didn't care for the carrot soup and I wanted to lick the bowl, was downright weird.

Kira ordered the lobster ravioli and didn't really eat it. She said it was gross.

Same with Rob's salmon.

He did like his chicken though.

My beef was terrible! Overcooked again and tasted bad. Like the meat was bad.

Even the potatoes were barely edible and if you know anything about me it's my love for just about any potato. I used to say "I never met a potato that I didn't like" but this cruise definitely has changed that.

I think I took a few bites and that was it for me. At this point, I started feeling really off. My face went bright red, which is the first indication of my Lupus flaring up. Sometimes I will go from 60 to 0 in less than a minute and this was one of those times. It's kind of hard to explain, my face feels like it's on fire and then I lose all of my energy at once, my heart beats really fast, I often get an instant headache, feels like I will pass out if I don't cool down. Rob noticed my face, took a photo and then I headed back to the room.

I went out on the verandah. Boy, it sure was nice to be able to cool down just by stepping out there. It took about an hour to feel better and I enjoyed the scenery while I was doing so.

Rob and Kira finished their dinners and then ordered and ateZaldy and Luis were concerned for me, Rob explained to them that it happens often, nothing to worry about, I just needed to get out of there ASAP. Rob managed to get a mask-free photo of them with Kira that night.

We had Luis for our 10 nights on Wonder -Vancouver to Hawaii in April. He's one of my favorites! Hoping to see him again for Alaska in 34 days!

 

[bcwife76]

Well that looks like a mighty fine last Cabanas lunch Pretty awesome way to spend your last afternoon of the cruise