A Golden-Grand-Slam-Outta-the-Park Alaskan Cruise! COMPLETE 7/18!!!!!!

[podsnel]

Bear paw picture is epic!

Thanks!!! I was snapping away like a maniac, and when I saw I got that one, I was so excited!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Ellen! Love the updates. OMG! you got really up close and almost personal with the bears! I noticed there were a lot of fish strewn around the rocks. I was wondering if one bear catches them all and the others come and feast....
Good job on the last minute Christmas shopping! Seeing your pics almost makes me willing to brave the cold to do an Alaskan. (cruise )

 

[podsnel]

Dinner tonight was in Parrot Cay- and there was a special menu, it was a Taste of Alaska. Many of the items had been procured in Alaska, so that really made it kind of special. We had Dark Rye Bread-



With Cucumber Dip



Adorable Emilie opened a delicious Pinot Noir-





You have to be very, VERY strong to be a Disney server!



Of course, we all had Alaskan King Crab Legs-



They were served with a garlic butter, but I wish they had been served plain with plain butter on the side. Someone had Mixed Green Salad - Watercress Frisee and Arugula Leaves, dressed with Citrus Dressing and breaded Tilapia Fillets.





AllEars calls this tiny noodles, but I think it was called spaetzle on the ship- Juniper-Spiced Elk Tenderloin - with leaves of Brussels Sprouts and Baby Carrots on Tiny Noodles with a Black Currant Sauce.
A full bodied Malbec will be a perfect compliment to this dish.





Timmy had
Marinated Sirloin Steak - with Thyme flavored Parsnips, Potato Gratin and a Cognac-Peppercorn Sauce.
A spectacular Cabernet with notes of dark fruits and vanilla will please your palate.



And I think Pods had Honey-Mustard Marinated Alaskan Salmon - with Sauteed Spinach and New Potatoes with a Aquavit-Sour Cream Sauce.
A majestic Chardonnay with hints of citrus can do wonders.



His was unfortunately overcooked.

We were having a good time, Tim and I, before they both left to hang in Vibe....



And we were enjoying our girls...



For dessert, there was
Taste of Alaska Sweet Temptations - a Trio of Chocolate Truffle Torte, Poached Pear Hazelnut Cake, and Vanilla Panna Cotta.



as well as
Sticky Fig and Walnut Pudding - served with Vanilla Bean Custard Sauce and Brandy Cream.



Afterwards, it was time for Pods to get topless!! Next!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

It makes my day when I see a new update. Your last day in Alaska was simply amazing. Seeing those bears up close like that was a wonderful ending.

 

[sager1969]

Bear!!!!! I am so happy for you. That was my only disappointment in Alaska. No bears. Hubby and DSL saw one at the dock for our whale watching while I was on a bio break. Loved your pontoon plane excursion. That looked like so much fun. Actually, the taxi tour did, too? We got rained on the entire day. I love creek Street. We went in that same lodge for some reason. We chose not to eat there...... The meal at AP looks yummy! I can't remeber anything but the crab legs. So fresh and yummy!

 

[kid-at-heart]

Next, more totems up at Potlach Totem Park http://www.potlatchpark.com. and a banana slug....

When I was a young-un I stepped on one of these. Barefoot. Not a pleasant feeling.

Off to read more. As usual, loving your report.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Not long now until our “north to Alaska” trip. We have excursions reserved for Skagway and Juneau but plan to just do a walk about in Ketchikan.

I still need to do a lot of research for our trip but it has been a very, very busy semester so I am behind on my vacation plans. My workload should slow down now since one of my classes ended yesterday (or not, interviewing new faculty starts next week). I generally love being in the classroom but this particular group was quite the challenge, several “cheaters” in the class which meant I had to constantly be walking around and watching during exams. I do not normally have that issue in class. Last week I caught a young man trying to read a post-it on the bottom of his shoe. Lucky for him, it was raining that day so the post-it was unreadable. “Lucky for him” and me, because since there was nothing readable on his shoe, I did not have to report him, nor did I have to spend hours filling out the reports required when there is a student issue. We are required to report cheating and the paperwork is very time-consuming.

A lot of my classmates used to go up to Alaska in the summers to work in the fish canneries. Good money for summer work, far more lucrative than bucking bales in the hay fields.

Bear paw photo – AWESOME!

Garlic butter with crab legs. Plain butter would have been much better. I love garlic but why mask the awesome flavor of King Crab with such the strong flavor of garlic.

In case I did not say it on Facebook, congratulations on Tyler’s choice of college. How far is it from your home? Will he live on-campus or can he commute? We will be starting the college tours this summer. Oh my!

Kate

 

[MEK]

Back in time to see more bears. Who knew that their feet almost look human. Crazy.

Once again - what a great way to spend your last day. And look at you going power shopping there at the end. Love it!

Dinner looks fabulous.

Yup - I have seen pods topless and ...well...

 

[podsnel]

Hi Ellen! Love the updates. OMG! you got really up close and almost personal with the bears! I noticed there were a lot of fish strewn around the rocks. I was wondering if one bear catches them all and the others come and feast....
Good job on the last minute Christmas shopping! Seeing your pics almost makes me willing to brave the cold to do an Alaskan. (cruise )

Hi Tammie!

With the fish- the bears like to eat the fattiest part of the salmon, because they are storing up for the long winter ahead. They only have so much space in their bellies, so when the salmon are plentiful, they eat only the skin, brains and eggs from LOTS of them. They pull those parts out, and leave the remains. And they all fish. The only time there is a "lead" bear is a Mama bear feeding her cubs before she has taught them how to fish for themselves.

It was very warm and comfortable this day- you should GO!!! It is NOT cold like winter!! It is cool like spring!

It makes my day when I see a new update. Your last day in Alaska was simply amazing. Seeing those bears up close like that was a wonderful ending.

Awwww....and it makes my day to hear you say that. Thank you. It was a great last day- those bears were the icing on the cake! The only animals we did not see were Moose and Orcas- something to get excited about next time!

Bear!!!!! I am so happy for you. That was my only disappointment in Alaska. No bears. Hubby and DSL saw one at the dock for our whale watching while I was on a bio break. Loved your pontoon plane excursion. That looked like so much fun. Actually, the taxi tour did, too? We got rained on the entire day. I love creek Street. We went in that same lodge for some reason. We chose not to eat there...... The meal at AP looks yummy! I can't remeber anything but the crab legs. So fresh and yummy!

Creek Street was so charming!! My men were being kind of grumpy there- they all HATE HATE HATE to shop- to them, that was just a shopping mall on stilts. But I look forward to sending Pods back to the ship next time and spending more time there. And good choice on not having lunch at the lodge. I have got to believe there are MUCH better places to have something Alaskan than there. Just a weird vibe.

When I was a young-un I stepped on one of these. Barefoot. Not a pleasant feeling.

Off to read more. As usual, loving your report.

EWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not long now until our “north to Alaska” trip. We have excursions reserved for Skagway and Juneau but plan to just do a walk about in Ketchikan.

Ketchikan is a good one to walk around in. Unless you want to get out to the Totems- that would be a long walk. But Creek Street is very close.

I still need to do a lot of research for our trip but it has been a very, very busy semester so I am behind on my vacation plans. My workload should slow down now since one of my classes ended yesterday (or not, interviewing new faculty starts next week). I generally love being in the classroom but this particular group was quite the challenge, several “cheaters” in the class which meant I had to constantly be walking around and watching during exams. I do not normally have that issue in class. Last week I caught a young man trying to read a post-it on the bottom of his shoe. Lucky for him, it was raining that day so the post-it was unreadable. “Lucky for him” and me, because since there was nothing readable on his shoe, I did not have to report him, nor did I have to spend hours filling out the reports required when there is a student issue. We are required to report cheating and the paperwork is very time-consuming.

I'm so glad you did not have to report the kid. UGH. I would hate that.

A lot of my classmates used to go up to Alaska in the summers to work in the fish canneries. Good money for summer work, far more lucrative than bucking bales in the hay fields.

She did say you could make a lot of $$$$!

Bear paw photo – AWESOME!

Thank you!!

Garlic butter with crab legs. Plain butter would have been much better. I love garlic but why mask the awesome flavor of King Crab with such the strong flavor of garlic.

I agree- the crab tastes sooooo good with just plain butter, the garlic completely overpowered the whole deal.

In case I did not say it on Facebook, congratulations on Tyler’s choice of college. How far is it from your home? Will he live on-campus or can he commute? We will be starting the college tours this summer. Oh my!

Kate

Thank you SO MUCH!!! We are really excited for him! It was his reach, and his clear favorite. Fordham is amazing- we hope the school will develop him into the most intelligent, well rounded and generous man he can be. It is just incredible there- we have Accepted Students day on Sunday, and we are hoping Pods will be able to fit it in (end of tax season and all)- Tyler and I toured without him. He should get to see where his $$$$$$ is going, don't ya think?

Back in time to see more bears. Who knew that their feet almost look human. Crazy.

Like Big foot, right?

Once again - what a great way to spend your last day. And look at you going power shopping there at the end. Love it!

I have learned to become a very efficient, very decisive shopper as the mother of 3 boys and wife of a shopping nazi.

Dinner looks fabulous.

I LOVED that they had such Alaskan food throughout the cruise. Once they re-imagine the Wonder, I think it will be even better- if they also update the kitchen. Did you see the Bon Appetit magazine article about the food? http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/article/disney-cruise-alaska

Yup - I have seen pods topless and ...well...

LOL!!!!!!! Yes you have!!!!!

 

[podsnel]

I actually just wrote a reply, then went, hmmm....wait a minute...that's not right! Double checked my photos (you know- the ones that have NOT been scrambled by Photobucket) and so here is what happened that night after Ketchikan-

We went to Wavebands, where Lynn Trefzger, Ventriloquist, was performing her adult show. SHE. IS. HILARIOUS!!!!!!! We laughed BIG- as in HUGE belly laughs. Everyone did, it was a great show! She was using people as puppets. And I must tell you, I would like to try this at home! Think of the possibilities!



Lynn was followed by Disco Legends-







which was fine, but after dancing just a little bit, we went off to bed. Tomorrow, we had an absolutely glorious sea day to look forward to! YAY!!

 

[KristiMc]

They should have known that you are the Elderbubble Queen!

 

[NJMermaid]

I am going to try that drink, I had many beverage in Pink, we did the member cruise on the Dream a few years ago. Pink was our(my) favorite stop before dinner.

 

[podsnel]

They should have known that you are the Elderbubble Queen!

I am going to try that drink, I had many beverage in Pink, we did the member cruise on the Dream a few years ago. Pink was our(my) favorite stop before dinner.

LOL- I posted the wrong night!! You need to go back and read again!! OOPS!!!!

 

[podsnel]

Ahhh...sea days. I love them! On an Alaskan cruise? I love them even more. They are just SO BEAUTIFUL!! There is so much to see outside. We had many things to keep us busy (and not busy) on this last day, and we kicked it all off with breakfast in Triton's. We ordered a Mornin Tugboat-



And we also had some Eggs Benedict



I must have been channeling Karin with this breakfast! Anyway, after breakfast, we decided to go for a walk on Deck 4 and I stopped in the cabin to change my shoes. Well, I looked outside, and I saw....



OMG!! The Zuiderdam!! Remember I said my friend was booked to see Anan on the floatplane? Well, that is because she was just starting her cruise- after a week doing Rocky Mountaineer through the Canadian Rockies. Clare was my Big Sister in my sorority, her daughter is my Goddaughter, and she is Tyler's Godmother. It was SO COOL to see her ship passing us- I could only hope she saw us, too. (More to come on that tomorrow).



I really envied them- they had so much amazing wonder (even if not ON the Wonder) ahead.... anyway, Pods and I went to Deck 4 to enjoy some of nature's finest...









Looks like I went up to the cabin for something-



I ran into our Cabin Stewards, Agnelo (ours) and Rheva (for the boys), and made them pose together-



They were so nice, of course- especially poor, poor Rheva who had to deal with the Slobbersons across the hall. She definitely got a little extra extra in her tip envelope for that! At 11 am, it was time for the last Naturalist Presentation of the cruise, which was about Whales.



I was so sad it was the last one! This was followed by more walking, because, well, how could we not?











A little after noon, we went inside for just a little bit- to check out Jack Jack's Diaper Dash, which was thoroughly hilarious and adorable. Hey- it's Disney- who needs a Casino when you have so many babies to race onboard?? While we waited, we admired the Japanese girls in their sailorette suits with Minnnie-



You can see people were ready on 3 decks for the Dash



And...they're off!



Looks like everyone likes to go to the races...





Not sure if anyone ever finished in that race- but it sure was funny watching people trying to get their babies to crawl down the track!

Up next- an AMAZING lunch, Al Fresco, of course!

 

[rentayenta]

Wow, what great updates!

Those bear are incredible. I think they are so beautiful and that paw pic is priceless.

Who had the elk? Did they enjoy it? We have half an elk in our freezer if you want some. I'm all elked out! LOL!

The scenery is stunning; just magnificent. What a fun way to tour in one of those float planes.

Your servers seem like so much fun! My favorite guy left DCL but we're still FB friends. He added me to a group of his that's all in Turkish. I don't understand a word but love the pics.

 

[rndmr2]

Too bad your Lunch wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been.

Awesome sea plane tour! Beautiful pics of the Fjords. Really cool to see the bears fairly close too.

Ketchikan is such a cute little town.

So cool that you saw your friend's ship passing by.

Looks like a great dinner. I would call those "Tiny Noodles" spaetzle, too.

That Diaper Dash is too cute!!

 

[podsnel]

Wow, what great updates!

Thank you so much Darlin!

Those bear are incredible. I think they are so beautiful and that paw pic is priceless.

Thanks baby! They WERE adorable and beautiful and we ALL of us, every single one, were in absolute awe.

Who had the elk? Did they enjoy it? We have half an elk in our freezer if you want some. I'm all elked out! LOL!

At least me! I had elk! DELISH!!! Kind of like venison (deer). Send it out! I can reciprocate with taylor ham and Italian cheeses (indigenous to NJ, all good stuff!)

The scenery is stunning; just magnificent. What a fun way to tour in one of those float planes.

The views were spectacular every second. DEFINITELY want to go back. DEFINETELY want to see Denali AND Glacier Bay.

And Moose, and now, ELK (thanks so much!!) and more than all- ORCAS- but they are a crap shoot. May have to take a whole bunch of trips. OH BOTHER....

Your servers seem like so much fun! My favorite guy left DCL but we're still FB friends. He added me to a group of his that's all in Turkish. I don't understand a word but love the pics.

LMAO!!! This really made me squeal! And of course you became friends- have you met anyone YET that would turn that down? You are the BEST!!!

 

[podsnel]

Too bad your Lunch wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been.

I know, but there are way worse things in life!

Awesome sea plane tour! Beautiful pics of the Fjords. Really cool to see the bears fairly close too.

THAT was incredible-

Ketchikan is such a cute little town.

It really is- I could have stayed for days-

So cool that you saw your friend's ship passing by.

I KNOW!!!! I was SO excited- I was SO hoping she saw us!

Looks like a great dinner. I would call those "Tiny Noodles" spaetzle, too.

Exactly- because they WERE spaetzle!!!!!

That Diaper Dash is too cute!!

SOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!

 

[podsnel]

Well, all those athletic babies made us hungry (how's THAT for the world's worst transition??) so we went up to Beach Blanket to grab some grub.







Pods was having-



And here is mine (the fennel was delicious!!)



Inside, we saw Timmy, who was having lunch with his Vibe friends-



He really made some nice friendships onboard the Wonder- these kids still Skype with each other. How awesome is that!

I went back outside, where we had the most glorious view for lunch...





I was nearly in tears I was so happy about it!







The carrot salad was very good, too.



This was a curry- it was super yummy-



On our way out, I took a couple more pics of the buffet-



The Malaysian Fish Curry Station- SUPER YUM!!!



For those of you who think a cruise to Alaska is always too cold, think again-





Cinderella on the Dumbotron (on a side note- I tried to hold out for my upcoming 5 night Magic cruise next month to see the new Cinderella- but I just couldn't do it, I had to go last weekend. It was SO great, cried through the whole thing!! Absolutely magical! Will be viewing it again with my girlfriends 4 weeks from tomorrow-).



I mean, seriously- look at how many people are in the pool!!







Looks like everyone was making the most of this sea day-





Looks like the quiet cove pool was definitely living up to it's name-



We decided to grab a couple of chairs and relax for a bit-







More wandering around on a beautiful day featuring the Inside Passage....next!

 

[disprincess4ever]

Lovely report! I've been following for the pat few months as we take this trip in only 70 days . Anyways, we will be doing a floatplane in Ketchikan as well as a Helicopter tour/ glacier walk in Juneau, just like ya'll did. When it came to the motion, how was it? Did ya'll take any meds before hand as to not get to queasy or anything? Was it a lot of up and down or pretty stable? Also please let me know how you usually fair when it comes to motion (i.e. can you handle amusement park rides, to what degree).

Also, I've sure it's been mentioned before but what camera did you use? And more importantly what lenses did you use? I'm trying to decide if I should get a macro or telephoto or something beyond my standard 18-55 Nikon lens. Thanks!