The Alaskan Jewel! Welcome Aboard….You don’t Exist! updated 12/13/2015 - Page 6 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
WOW, just WOW!! The glass pieces were amazing and the colors so intense. Your pictures are beautiful. I think the red "Whoville" piece reminds me of a hyacinth, although they are normally red.
I felt the same way. it was just so beautiful!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
All of the glass was just stunning - I absolutely loved seeing all the photos of them. Thank you so much for sharing them. I feel better that it doesn't sound as if we missed it on our visit, I'd have been annoyed at myself if that had been the case.
I so hear you about spending some time seeing the places you cruise out of - I'm a great believer in that, having done that with places like Barcelona, Venice and Vancouver before and all were well worth spending additional time in.
I figured you would've known about it if it was up and running when you went...you are so good at researching details!
I have some people on Cruise Critic (where I am also posting) that think I am a nut case for posting about this day in Seattle. I started out saying it would be slow going and almost daily I have people asking me to hurry up. I guess they don't understand how a trip report works?
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
I loved all your pictures Jen! I took the monorail also which I thought was pretty cool! I found the glass museum just stunning when we visited and would highly recommend it to other travelers Too bad that Claire didn't want to do the Space Needle as the views are so beautiful from up there! If you get the chance to ever visit Seattle again, you should try and get up there! Sorry about the rude people that you experienced on the monorail I guess they were never taught manners growing up. It sounds like you made the most of the time that you had in Seattle!!!
I do hope we go back in the future. It was a nice port with so many things to do.
Yes, manners were lacking and even on the cruise a lot of people had poor manners.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmymac
Chihuly is one of the coolest places I've ever seen. Your pix are fantastic. We enjoyed it so much we went back again at night
it really is!
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Just got all caught up! I'm so glad you were able to explore Seattle a little bit and the jet lag didn't get you too bad
I try to keep going as much as I can. Some days I do need to stop and relax, but I try to make them far and few between. LOL.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Incredibly stunning! Your photos of them were awesome, too. I love how you captured the Space Needle in several of them. But mainly I just enjoyed letting my eyes wander over every detail. If I am ever near one of his exhibits, I've got to go see it.
We would just stand there and stare at it all. it was so amazing.
I always wake up on vacation fairly early and with a time zone change it was even harder to sleep in, but I did OK. But finally I couldn’t make myself sleep any longer so I got up and ready to start the day. Of course I let Thing 1 and Thing 2 sleep longer. Claire was in her element. She has ALWAYS been one to go to bed late and sleep in late….even as an infant. I have always teased her that she was on California time.
I was antsy and not much to do in the room with 2 people sleeping so I headed downstairs to explore. Stupidly I only grabbed my phone. I am not sure why I didn’t grab a camera or external charger for my phone…..but I didn’t.
This is my first picture, so I must’ve gone outside for a bit.
And then back outside after looking around. Over by the fountain across the street on a bench there was a pile of stuff and I think someone was sleeping there. I guess that is where a homeless person makes camp for the night? I tried to make sure I didn’t get him/her in my picture.
As I am standing out there I kept looking down towards the waterfront. I couldn’t tell how many blocks it was, but I knew it wasn’t too far. And I bet the Jewel is in port now too! One reason I wanted to stay at the Marriott was because you could see the ship right there. Oh heck! I am going to go see if I can see it. I debated going back to the room to grab a camera, but I just didn’t feel like wasting the time to do so, so I headed on my way with just my phone in hand. I really wish I would’ve went back and gotten a camera to go with me.
As I walked down down down…I was messaging my friends Brook and Deb. They are on the East coast so they were up and ready to chat!
It ended up being a bit further than I expected it to be, but it wasn’t bad. The bad thing was I knew my whole trip back would be uphill. And I even had to go down a flight of stairs at one point to get closer to the waterfront.
This picture was to help me remember where to turn back towards the hotel.
My friend Brook told me to take a selfie in front of the ship, so I did. I am the world’s worst selfie picture taker. I am trying to get me, the ship and smile….and I can’t do all three at the same time and of course I am looking at the screen, so you can tell I have a forced smile.
This was much different than any other ship I had ever boarded. You actually board the ship on the Promenade deck outside and then go in. Now I had seen pictures that this is how it is done for this ship, but it still seemed weird to me.
Brook and Deb told me to find my room and take a picture.
I have to admit I was now super excited. Seeing the ship makes it much more real. I also felt better seeing the port area and having an idea of how it looked now. That makes me a bit nervous when I am not familiar with the area.
It was neat to see people getting off the ship and I wondered how their experience was. I also wondered how cold it had been as it was pretty hot here already in Seattle, but most people were getting off wearing jeans or long pants.
My phone was getting low on battery and I had never told Skip where I was going, so I figured now was a good time to head back and get ready for all the fun in store for us.
WOW, just WOW!! The glass pieces were amazing and the colors so intense. Your pictures are beautiful. I think the red "Whoville" piece reminds me of a hyacinth, although they are normally red.
All of the glass was just stunning - I absolutely loved seeing all the photos of them. Thank you so much for sharing them. I feel better that it doesn't sound as if we missed it on our visit, I'd have been annoyed at myself if that had been the case.
I so hear you about spending some time seeing the places you cruise out of - I'm a great believer in that, having done that with places like Barcelona, Venice and Vancouver before and all were well worth spending additional time in.
I loved all your pictures Jen! I took the monorail also which I thought was pretty cool! I found the glass museum just stunning when we visited and would highly recommend it to other travelers Too bad that Claire didn't want to do the Space Needle as the views are so beautiful from up there! If you get the chance to ever visit Seattle again, you should try and get up there! Sorry about the rude people that you experienced on the monorail I guess they were never taught manners growing up. It sounds like you made the most of the time that you had in Seattle!!!
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Incredibly stunning! Your photos of them were awesome, too. I love how you captured the Space Needle in several of them. But mainly I just enjoyed letting my eyes wander over every detail. If I am ever near one of his exhibits, I've got to go see it.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
I had seen a guy walking around with this big white puff ball of a dog and he was getting on this boat, so I tried for a picture of him. I swear the dog was looking at me and purposely hiding his body so I couldn’t get a picture.
Just as I was almost back, Skip called and asked where I was. I told him I went to see the ship and would be back up very shortly.
Once I got back in the room, I got Claire up and everyone else had showers and got ready to start the day. I had had our bags ready and packed and someone had come to collect them to take them to the ship. I really liked that feature with booking a hotel through NCL.
While we piddled our time away I did get online for the last time before I would be shutting the computer down for a week. Claire and Skip ate their cheese cakes for breakfast and Skip and I also finished off the food from the left over box. Skip went in search of coffee and also brought Claire and I back some milk to drink.
We were to meet around 10:45 I believe but they told us to be down in the lobby around 10:30 to get checked in. Skip said that during his coffee search many people were already gathered down there.
We made our way down there a little early since Skip thought we would be missing the bus and got ourselves checked in. The man told us the bus wasn’t here but to just hang out.
We went outside for a bit and saw many vans come and go and then this bus arrived.
Several people were outside waiting for the NCL bus, so I went inside to check and see if that was indeed our bus. It Was! But it was going to pull around the block so we could load from the side of the building.
The check in guy was riding with us and he said we had to stop at the Westin as well to pick up a few more people. As we made our way there we saw police motorcycles all lined up.
We pulled up to the Westin and the guy got out and found the people right away and was back literally in 1 minute. He also was telling us that the Presidents always stay at the Westin because the secret service love all the windows and can see all around.
We asked about the weather and how they survive in the winter. He said when it snows the city pretty much shuts down because no one can handle the roads and ice. I bet! But something we did not know is that Seattle actually doesn’t get a lot of snow, nor does it get that cold. Ohio actually has way more snow and gets much colder…..who knew?
Skip said “what the heck is that?” I told him it was a tour and they go in the water and then out and drive. He did not believe me at all and it was later in the cruise when someone else was talking about them that he actually realized I was telling the truth.
We pulled into the port area and were let off the bus and told where to go to get through security. There was a line, but it really wasn’t too bad. Security was painless enough and they didn’t stop Skip for having 2 fake hips! LOL.
As we approached the check in area it was swamped. The lines were long and the whole area was just full and I heard Skip groan. I told him to never fear, we are suite guests so we get to bypass all of this. I got a “Thata girl” from him. He was pretty darn happy to be a suite guest at this point. I found a gal directing people and told her that we were in a suite and where do we go to check in. She asked for our room number and pulled out her list. 10164! She looked at the paper…and held it up so we could all see it. The room number was there…no name next to it. My heart did a little jump…..what the heck is going on? She said “Oh! You don’t exist!” and giggled. I giggled too but I really wasn’t feeling my giggle. She looked at my paperwork and said, oh well, I’ll take you back…sometimes when you are upgraded late your name doesn’t make it to the list. Um, no, I moved to this room in May. Everything I have done/had has had this room number on it. She didn’t seem too worried and led us to the lounge.
We had to wait for another girl to finish with another family and then girl number 1 told her how our names were not on the list but we had the correct paperwork. This girl did look a bit more concerned, but was cheery. She looked at my paperwork too and then said we were next to sit at the desk to get checked in and all would be fine…..it better be. Of course Skip keeps asking what is going on and why our name isn’t on the list. I kept calm and told him I had no clue, but I know what I booked and I know it was all right on my end.
Soon we were checking in with the next girl. She typed away and made small talk. Asked for our passports and credit card, etc. And then she said….I’ll be right back, I have to go ask a question. Now I am not stupid….I know this is NOT normal protocol. In the meantime, Skip and Claire are eyeing the goodies that have been set out, so they went over to get something to eat.
The gal came back and told us that all was fine and finished checking us in. I then asked what was going on. She was cheery and never looked too concerned, but I knew this was not normal. She said that for some reason NCL NEVER sent our info to the ship. Often that can happen when you upgrade last minute……Once again I told her that we were not upgraded. I had booked this room in May. She said not to worry and concierge on the ship would help us with any issues we come across.
She took us to a table where we would be getting our room keys….except none had been printed up for us, so we had to wait for those to be done. Also at this table one of the photographers was there and she said that normally she would give us a packet with a photoshoot time and some other stuff, but since we weren’t listed, she didn’t have one for us. Never fear, it would be delivered to our room later today…..FYI ….It never showed up the whole cruise.
Finally our keys arrived and I looked at them. Sure enough neither our beverage package nor our dining package was listed on them. I mentioned this and was told that Concierge would print us up new keys. This made me nervous. Things were not going smoothly and there was no reason for this to happen.
We were told we were going to be led onto the ship with the other family in the lounge in just a few minutes. Once we were all gathered we headed behind a guy who had the personality of a gnat.
About This Page: 
Thank you so much for sharing them. I feel better that it doesn't sound as if we missed it on our visit, I'd have been annoyed at myself if that had been the case. 
I guess they were never taught manners growing up. It sounds like you made the most of the time that you had in Seattle!!!
If I am ever near one of his exhibits, I've got to go see it.
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
. Great report
Hybrid Mode
