Keith and Della's Alaska/Hawaii Cruises - 2015

[KeithS]

Day 31 – 23 September 2015 (Aulani and Flight Home)
A touch of sadness this morning as we get up and realise we are checking out of Aulani and heading home. We had our normal balcony breakfast and completed the last of our packing. We were booked on the 10:05 Speedi-Shuttle to the airport so at 9:30, I called Bell Services who came up and collected our bags. We followed them down and the shuttle arrived right on time. Our luggage was packed aboard and then we were off – heading to the airport. We got there, checked in, and passed through security fairly quickly. The airport was very hot and it was open plan and not airconditioned, so we headed straight to the Qantas Club. Fortunately, that was nice and cool and we had only an hour and a half to wait. Eventually, the time came to head to the gate, and we climbed aboard our A330.

The flight was uneventful and we arrived to a wet and cold Sydney night on time. We went through customs quickly, and then grabbed a taxi home – our epic holiday was over.

[KeithS]

Sorry - I'm running a little behind with the photos. I won't get them up until the long weekend when I spend some time at my place and access my PC. We have over 5,000 photos, so I've also got to pick a choose what to upload to here!

[ColinA]

Post the 5000!

[churros]

Looking forward to them

[KeithS]

LOL - I'm still running behind!

We only had a chance to look at them this afternoon - there are some great photos but you'll need a little more patience just because we are so busy at the moment.

So maybe next weekend

[KeithS]

Okay - I promised some photos so here we go!

Of course - just before we departed on the trip, Della and I got married! So here is a quick photo of the Disney Club members at our wedding!



And now - let's start with a small number of Disneyland photos.


After a long flight - we've just arrived at the Disneyland Hotel.


This is the view from our suite on the top floor of the Disneyland Hotel!


The bedhead with the fireworks displaying! So cool...


60th Anniversary Castle Decorations


Having lunch with club members Jan and Les on our first day in the park - it was Jan's birthday and their last day before heading home.


We managed to score VIP seating on the Main St Railroad Station to view Paint the Night and the new fireworks display - the view was awesome!!!


I managed to pick up one of these cool Dinoco Oil can drink sippers. They're great!


Oswald!!!!!


Paint the Night parade - we really loved it!!!

Next up - Vancouver!

[Kevin]

Nice. looks like you had a good time. Oh Hey, I was at Disneyland on the Sunday. I should have checked this forum Earlier.

[mushu mama]

Lovely to see some pics Keith... looks like you had a wonderful time . -/

[KeithS]

Okay - sorry about the delay but here are some photos from Vancouver! They had had a very hot and dry summer and were in a major drought...until the day we arrived!! Anyway, it didn't stop us enjoying the city which was similar to Sydney in many respects.


This is Canada Place which incorporates the exhibition centre and the cruise terminal as well as the Pan Pacific Hotel where we stayed. It is a great location to stay if visiting Vancouver and going on a cruise.


Our friends Brian and Patti and us in Stanley Park. They came on the Alaskan cruise with us (we had met them in 2013 on our Caribbean cruise and it was great to travel with them again!)


These are native totem poles in Stanley Park. Most of these are about 50 years old as they rot quickly in the damp weather and have to be recarved.


This cute little ferry took us across to the markets. The guy driving is from Newcastle NSW!


This is the steam powered clock in Gastown (sort of the Vancouver version of Sydney's The Rocks.)


This is the Olympic Cauldron from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver


Early morning wake up and look who's docking outside our window? It is the Disney Wonder!


Raindrops hiding our "Happy Place!"

Next up - the Alaskan Cruise begins!!

[KeithS]

Day 1 of the Alaska cruise and we are boarding the Disney Wonder and sailing out of Vancouver.


Here is Della saluting Captain Mickey in the cruise terminal. We are all checked in and just awaiting our boarding slot.


We open our stateroom door to discover an extra helping of Frozen thanks to both us and our friends ordering the Frozen makeover!



The sail away party had to be held indoors due to the weather on deck. It was still a lot of fun and exactly the same as the outdoor version which we experienced on the next cruise.


Soon enough we were sailing out of Vancouver and under the Lion Gate Bridge - gateway to Vancouver Harbour.


Dinner on our first night was in Triton's - which quickly became our favourite restaurant.


Sailing day is always frantic with checking in and sorting out your room, so I took a little quiet time with my friend Ariel...

I'll post day two soon - our "at sea" day!

[KeithS]

Day two of the cruise and we are all at sea! Actually, we are in Canadian waters heading up the Inside Passage, so we aren't really at sea - this whole cruise is nice and smooth (and would be a good "first cruise" for those who may be nervous about seasickness...)


First thing this morning was a character breakfast in Animator's Palette. Captain Mickey took some time off steering the ship to say hello.


Funny napkins hats...they are so in this year!


Keith: Della, can I please take Belle home???
Della: No.


We made good friends with Cinderella's 'friend' and had a great two weeks catching up with her throughout the ship.


The view from our stateroom. We were close to land nearly the entire length of the Alaskan cruise - there was always something to see! The temperature was starting to drop as well as we headed north.


Tonight is formal night - I'm looking pretty sharp!


We can't compete with Mickey and Minnie though...


He's such a poser...


Formal night in Animator's Palette meant we were all looking Black and White!


After dinner, we find this in our stateroom along with a card from the Captain congratulating us on our marriage! Nice!


Of course - the first day at sea is always hectic, with playing games and trivia and doing ship tours etc, so I spent a little quiet time with my friend Ariel!

Tomorrow will be Tracey Arm pictures and the amazing Alaskan scenery will kick into top gear!

[churros]

Just caught up with your photos -/

[calisota]

Looking forward to seeing more, especially when you get to the ice. It's all bringing back memories for me.

Don't suppose they had a casino onboard and were looking for cashiers?

Greg

[ElissaB]

Wow Keith!! I get more and more envious with every photo you post! Looks truly magical!

[KeithS]

Thanks Elissa - I'll try and get more photos uploaded this weekend.