Part 2: Awesome Alaska begins... Embarkation and our first day at sea

Day 1-2 - Embarkation and our first day at sea...The Adventure begins!

Tuesday:

So...We wake up on Tuesday morning ready to go! So excited to see the Wonder at Canada Place (the port about 2 blocks from our hotel).  The ship pulled in at about 5:30 a.m. and we can board at about 11:30 a.m. 

We woke and met Nana, Bubba and Rina to walk to breakfast.  There is a nice food court/mini mall right across from the port and we can avoid eating  breakfast at "Rock Star" prices.  McDonalds it is and then a side trip across the street to view the wonder and get excited about where we will be in 3 hours!

 The outside of the food court area

 Just a few more hours!!!!!

After breakfast we headed back to the hotel to finish packing.  Our luggage would be picked up by Disney at our room and taken to the ship for us.  The next time we see our luggage is outside our stateroom later that afternoon.  Very nice perk of being on a cruise ship.

We found the Shields family and off we went at 10:30 - want to be in line early, to board early.  The earlier you get to the ship, the lower boarding number you will get.....we were hoping for a 2 or so!

 Here is the official Embarkation photo taken of our party of 11!

 We were lucky and got boarding number 7 - we were called at about 11:30 and onto the ship we went!  Each family is introduced separately with their last name and everyone claps for you and cheers - again, that "Rock Star" feeling.  Here's my mom entering to - "We would now like to welcome Mrs. Kathie West!"

After everyone boarded, we headed to deck 9 to Beach Blanket Buffet for our first "free" lunch.  So much fun!

Our staterooms wouldn't be ready until after 1:30, so we wandered, took pics, let the girls explore the clubs that they would be able to go to - and then finally headed to the rooms. 3:30 was the Lifeboat drill and then the Sail Away Party!

The Sail Away party is always fun - lots of characters, singing, dancing and of course the Disney horn as we pull out from the port.

 The guy in the middle is Clayton, the cruise director (just like Julie McCoy!) - he was awesome - we had many personal conversations with him over the week.  He was everywhere!!!

Press play and you can hear the chaos, and if you listen carefully - you can hear the Disney Horn in the background - so much fun!!! (Don reminded me that upon hearing the horn, that is the point that Marti and I started crying) - two years in the planning and it was finally happening. :)

 Love the "Funnelvision" - the big tv screen overhead - the middle of the crowd is the pool  that is covered up for deck parties.

 The girls on stage after the deck party was finishing.

 Tears wiped away- Loved sailing with Marti - so much fun to be together again! We danced, laughed and had good talks all week!!

 Bye, Bye Vancouver!

 And under the Lions Gate Bridge we go...onward to Alaska!

The girls weren't having any fun either!:)

Time to head back to the stateroom and unpack and get ready for dinner.  We had second seating for dinner, which meant we didn't sit down for dinner until about 8:15 each night.  No problem, room service snack at around 5:00 and then dress and head out for pre-dinner activities.

Our first night dinner was at Triton's - but first we decided to visit our favorite spot from past cruises - Studio Sea (the family nightclub) - the first event was Mickey Mania! A game show with audience participants and lots of Disney trivia questions. Carleigh was determined to get her and Don chosen and she was successful!

 They were on the left and known as the "Red Minnies"

 They were behind for most of the game - then they had an audience questions and the winning audience member could give 50 points to the team of their choice - well Natalie (don't know who she is/was), took pity on Don and Car and awarded her 50 to them - then Katie got an audience answer right and gave her 50 to them and then they proceeded to buzz in first and get a few questions right - and WON!!!!!!! 

What a fun way to start our first night on the cruise!

Click play above to watch them receiving their trophy from Haley Jo and Deno - the hosts.

 

 Katie gave them 50 winning points, so she got in the picture too!

We then headed to dinner at Parrot Cay and then after dinner the girls had their first adventures with the clubs. Carleigh and Brigit would be going to the Edge - for 11-13 year olds on Deck 2.  They would have free reign on the ship - sign in/sign out whenever they pleased. Was I ready for this?  They left dinner at 10 and with ship cell phone in hand, headed to the club and we told them to be back at the staterooms at 11:30 pm.  Getting ready for middle school independence right? :)

Katie and Alaina did sort of the same thing - they headed to the Oceaneer Lab with strict directions to go straight there and return to the state room at 11:00. 

Of course, I anxiously waited to see if they would both return at the designated times - and a minute early for both - they showed up with big grins!! Test passed - it would be a great week!!


Wednesday:
Wednesday would be a sea day as we traveled the Inside Passage towards Alaska.  We would not reach Alaskan waters until early Thursday morning. 

Wednesday was a fun day to sleep in a bit, explore the ship - let the girls explore the clubs some more and just relax and have fun before the craziness of Alaskan adventures.

We found quite a few of the characters in their Alaska wear and posed for lots of pictures with the little girls - the big girls were at the Edge for most of the day!

 Katie and Alaina playing around on the top deck

We ran into Clayton, the cruise director, and had a great conversation with him. He made reference to how many kids get confused and wonder why "Mr. Mosby" from Zack and Cody is on the ship.  He's a really great guy and so much fun!! I guess he's supposed to be, right?

That night was formal night - perfect with lots of time to get ready for dinner and take fun pictures before we headed to Triton's for dinner.

 The Rahns with Captain Gus!!

Formal Night dinner at Triton's

 After dinner it was time for the first Karaoke night of many....back to Studio Sea and Haley Jo and Deno - Katie chose to sing tonight - the four girls were going to, but decided to wait for a later night.
Katie had no fear and up she went!

 What a fun day! Time to head to bed and get ready for tomorrow!  Another sea day packed with new adventure! We would have our character breakfast in the morning and then more club time - and Tracy Arm Fjord...our first look at an Alaskan Glacier!

Stay Tuned!!!!!