Table scraps for first cruise?

[twindaddy]

One day I will be platinum, or concierge (or both!), but not today.

I am checking the family in (and me too shhhhhhhh dont tell!) for our April 22nd, 2012, MR cruise on the Wonder. It will be at 75 days, and it will just be all the first timers checking in that night.

In order of importance would be:

1. Cabo dolphin swim for the girls
2. Port Arrival time (assuming they do this for San Pedro)
3. Palo

Then its just fill in the forms. Can anyone tell me if you checked in at 75 days, what was left? Anything for Palo? (I have heard they hold some back to book onboard). I am just worried the only shore excursion left will be the Cabo sewage treatment plant tour.

For anyone who checked in at 75 days for the Florida cruises, what port arrival times were left?

It is the last sailing of the MR season, maybe the ship wont be too full.

Any ideas would be helpful, what is left at the 75 day mark?

Thanks.

 

[ssanders79]

Each cruise is different. Meaning that the amount of Platinum/Gold/Silver return cruisers vary so anything is possible at the 75 day point. Coupled with the fact that not everyone stays up to book excursions at midnight EST. (lucky you 9PM).

Do not get discouraged and if you cannot book one of your items there is still the opportunity to get on a wait list or fit into a cancellation right when you board the ship. Don't let the small stuff get in the way, you can have just as much fun with sitting in a lounge chair for x days.

 

[Mama Lo]

I just checked in yesterday for the 9/29 Dream, 77 days out, and got the 11:30 time. The only time that wasn't available was 11:00 to 11:30.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Even if you don't get what you want at the 75 day mark, keep checking back every day or two - people change their minds all the time. Stuff gets cancelled, shuffled, etc...
If it's time to board and you still haven't gotten whatyou want, get waitlisted AND check back often to see where you are on the list.

 

[Donathius]

We're looking at the Cabo dolphin swim - we're probably going to book that on our own since apparently the dolphin center is a 5 minute walk from the pier. It's also about $30 less per person

But we are hoping to book the Puerto Vallarta zipline through the jungle via DCL. The price for booking that one ourselves or through Disney is only about a $30 difference total.

 

[clten]

Also, keep in mind that you can book excursions and Palo at midnight Eastern. The port arrival times are part of the online check-in which doesn't open until later (recent reports 3am Eastern).

We often wait until we are onboard to choose excursions and very rarely have we not been able to get what we wanted (never saw the Cabo sewage treatment tour, will have to keep that in mind for our next trip there. ). We are platinum and only book Palo on every 4th cruise or so. Even then, I've gone in up to a couple weeks before traveling and been able to get a dinner reservation. Tea has always been a difficult one to get no matter what your CC status. Brunch varies based on when the cruise is and how popular it is.

 

[Makayna]

Just FYI - I recently was able to start booking stuff for my cruise at the 75 day mark, since FH and I are both first-time cruisers with DCL. We had NO problems whatsoever getting both Palo Brunch AND Palo Dinner. Most days/time slots were available at the 75 day mark. ALL excursions were still available. And I do believe all but the very first check-in time was available. Now granted, it could be totally different for your cruise, but we had absolutely no problems at all getting most of the things that we wanted. We did go on right at 12:01am Eastern time to do it, so we could ensure that we got EXACTLY what we wanted, but at the 75 day mark, there were still tons of Palo reservations (still are at 67 days out, in fact. For dinner - not brunch though) So, I wouldn't worry too much about that.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Well, everyone is different, but I would not prioritize in that order. I would do:

1. Dolphins
2. Palo
3. Port time

but that's just my thoughts. FWIW.

- Dreams

 

[Makayna]

The port arrival times are part of the online check-in which doesn't open until later (recent reports 3am Eastern).

Just last week, we did online checkin at Midnight Eastern at the 75 day mark. No problem.

 

[Super*Mum]

As someone who just did the same check-in as Makayna, I am going to have to give a different perspective (I am a 75 day-er as well):

I was able to log in at 9pm PST but unable to book anything for an hour. One hour later when I was finally able to get it to work, all Palo brunch and High Tea were gone. If you want Palo Brunch/High Tea... make that first priority. Also gone, Palo for parties over the size of 2. When I logged on it was only for 1-2 people per party (not sure if you are traveling with more than two adults).

Second priority: Dolphin Swim. It is a couple days past our 75 day mark and they are all still open. However, your cruise may be different. Also important to note is that for our cruise they are running the Dolphin Swim multiple times per day. Since they only run 1 to 1.5 hours, there is more than one session to choose from which may be why none are sold out yet. We also have two days in Cabo.

Last priority: Online check-in. Lately, and for our cruise, you are not able to check in at 9pm/12am. This portion of the website opens up sometime in the early a.m. (not sure what time). This would be a good question to ask on this board (the time on-line check in starts vs. onboard bookings) around the time of your cruise. If it doesn't change... get ready to get up early the next morning to do this.

Good luck! These are only tips and could change based on your cruise (more kids if it is a KSF promo or spring break... more or less gold/platinum members on your cruise... the Dolphin Lovers Association onboard that week... etc.)

 

[Super*Mum]

We're looking at the Cabo dolphin swim - we're probably going to book that on our own since apparently the dolphin center is a 5 minute walk from the pier. It's also about $30 less per person

But we are hoping to book the Puerto Vallarta zipline through the jungle via DCL. The price for booking that one ourselves or through Disney is only about a $30 difference total.

Rumor has it that Disney tells the Dolphin company that they are NOT allowed to book cruisers directly or they lose their contract with Disney (other excursions have this clause from what I understand). From the rumors, they will not allow you to book if they know you are a cruiser (kid's wristbands might give this away). Again, these are rumors but I would definitely call down there to make sure so that way your family isn't disappointed if you don't book through DCL and are turned away at the Dolphin place. You might want to report back on this for other cruisers so there is a definitive answer on this.

 

[twindaddy]

Rumor has it that Disney tells the Dolphin company that they are NOT allowed to book cruisers directly or they lose their contract with Disney (other excursions have this clause from what I understand). From the rumors, they will not allow you to book if they know you are a cruiser (kid's wristbands might give this away). Again, these are rumors but I would definitely call down there to make sure so that way your family isn't disappointed if you don't book through DCL and are turned away at the Dolphin place. You might want to report back on this for other cruisers so there is a definitive answer on this.

Sounds like I figured out what my next thread will be about! I also noted the $30 price difference and wondered about the cruiser restriction, I had heard that rumor too.

To all other posters, thank you very much for your take on the situation. I am a crazy type A planner, right down to what exits on the I5 have the cheapest gas (Santa Nella and Lost Hills), but I guarantee you I do not let it get in the way of enjoying my trip!

to all those who took the time to calm my nerves, this is my first cruise and I want it to be awesome!

Back to work!

 

[Disney Dreams]

We're looking at the Cabo dolphin swim - we're probably going to book that on our own since apparently the dolphin center is a 5 minute walk from the pier. It's also about $30 less per person

But we are hoping to book the Puerto Vallarta zipline through the jungle via DCL. The price for booking that one ourselves or through Disney is only about a $30 difference total.

Rumor has it that Disney tells the Dolphin company that they are NOT allowed to book cruisers directly or they lose their contract with Disney (other excursions have this clause from what I understand). From the rumors, they will not allow you to book if they know you are a cruiser (kid's wristbands might give this away). Again, these are rumors but I would definitely call down there to make sure so that way your family isn't disappointed if you don't book through DCL and are turned away at the Dolphin place. You might want to report back on this for other cruisers so there is a definitive answer on this.

Sounds like I figured out what my next thread will be about! I also noted the $30 price difference and wondered about the cruiser restriction, I had heard that rumor too....

I do not know about Cabo as we have cruise the Bahamas and Alaska with Disney, but I did the Dolphin Swim in Nassau and this was the case. If you choose to book independently and you mention DCL, they will not book you. Also keep in mind that if you DO book through DCL, the ship will wait for you should something happen (or DCL will arrange for you to meet up with the ship). If you book solo and something happens to delay you, it's your responsibility to catch up with the ship. And your cost, which would likely be much more than $30.

It's just my way of thinking, but sometimes a little bit more is worth peace of mind.

- Dreams