Palo brunch and dinner times booked by a first timer... Hope I picked ok times....

[criddla]

OK our cruise appears sold out and I was able to book Palo for a brunch and dinner, but I am not sure whether to keep these times or try to change them when on board - any advice from experienced cruisers would be great! We are going on the 7 night Eastern on the Fantasy. I booked the brunch for 10:00 a.m. on our first full day - a sea day (hoping the kids can go to the club/lab during this time) and then at 8:30 p.m on our last night (castaway cay day). I hope we can go to the last show early, then dinner. Do these times sound ok? Should I try and change them for better times? Is there a noticeable difference between Palo brunch and dinner because DH thinks just paying for 1 experience at Palo is enough...I voted for 2 Thanks....

[OKW Lover]

I don't know why you would want to change these times. Perhaps the last night will be a little difficult in packing for the trip home and the need to put suitcases outside your cabin?

We don't care for Pirate Night so we usually book adult dining for that night but really any night is good for us.

Oh, just thought of one more consideration. If you are on the Fantasy you'll want to be sure you are in AP the night of the "show".

[oklamomof4boys]

We also do Palo dinner on Pirate night, but we have experienced it before.

Brunch and dinner are very different experiences, IMO. Completely different food choices. I would definitely do both! We always do!

[jahber]

Originally Posted by criddla

OK our cruise appears sold out and I was able to book Palo for a brunch and dinner, but I am not sure whether to keep these times or try to change them when on board - any advice from experienced cruisers would be great! We are going on the 7 night Eastern on the Fantasy. I booked the brunch for 10:00 a.m. on our first full day - a sea day (hoping the kids can go to the club/lab during this time) and then at 8:30 p.m on our last night (castaway cay day). I hope we can go to the last show early, then dinner. Do these times sound ok? Should I try and change them for better times? Is there a noticeable difference between Palo brunch and dinner because DH thinks just paying for 1 experience at Palo is enough...I voted for 2 Thanks....

Doing Palo the last night can be tricky. BUT, if that's the only time you can get, I say go for it! If you can try both this time, that's ideal. That way next time you'll know which one to pick if your DH insists on just one

Here are my thoughts on doing Palo on the last night: On the last night, you need to pack and have your suitcases out by about 10. Which means you'll most likely need to set them out before you leave for Palo. Keep in mind that if you spend the day at CC, you'll have to return to your room in time to clean up four people for the shows and pack. Plus go to the show and then dress for dinner. It's a lot, especially with kids--oh, and you also have to feed the kids!

All that said, I would try to switch to another night if only because you have the kids added to the mix. It could work if you can get them to eat quickly at the pool deck after the show and then spend the evening in the kids clubs while you dress for dinner, finish packing, and eat dinner. My kids would be more than fine with that, but it ends up being a few hours and not all kids are ok with that much time in the clubs. And honestly, we skip the show on the last night because I don't like moving that fast on our last night.

But really, you'll make it work and have a great time, I'm sure. Being prepared is the key and it sounds like you've thought this through. Happy sailing!

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Originally Posted by jahber

Doing Palo the last night can be tricky. BUT, if that's the only time you can get, I say go for it! If you can try both this time, that's ideal. That way next time you'll know which one to pick if your DH insists on just one

Here are my thoughts on doing Palo on the last night: On the last night, you need to pack and have your suitcases out by about 10. Which means you'll most likely need to set them out before you leave for Palo. Keep in mind that if you spend the day at CC, you'll have to return to your room in time to clean up four people for the shows and pack. Plus go to the show and then dress for dinner. It's a lot, especially with kids--oh, and you also have to feed the kids!

All that said, I would try to switch to another night if only because you have the kids added to the mix. It could work if you can get them to eat quickly at the pool deck after the show and then spend the evening in the kids clubs while you dress for dinner, finish packing, and eat dinner. My kids would be more than fine with that, but it ends up being a few hours and not all kids are ok with that much time in the clubs. And honestly, we skip the show on the last night because I don't like moving that fast on our last night.

But really, you'll make it work and have a great time, I'm sure. Being prepared is the key and it sounds like you've thought this through. Happy sailing!

Can't you just carry off your own luggage for disembarkation? This seems easier than having it all ready by 10:00. Do most people leave it out the night before?

[OKW Lover]

Originally Posted by "Cinder" Ella's Mom

Can't you just carry off your own luggage for disembarkation? This seems easier than having it all ready by 10:00. Do most people leave it out the night before?

Yes you can carry your own luggage off. You can also put some of it out and just keep one larger suitcase to wrestle with in the morning.

Most people do leave their luggage out the night before.

[jdb in AZ]

Originally Posted by "Cinder" Ella's Mom

Can't you just carry off your own luggage for disembarkation? This seems easier than having it all ready by 10:00. Do most people leave it out the night before?

Depends on how much luggage you have, and how organized you are. We met a couple on a 15-day DCL cruise who had all their stuff in one carry-on each.

[jahber]

Originally Posted by "Cinder" Ella's Mom

Can't you just carry off your own luggage for disembarkation? This seems easier than having it all ready by 10:00. Do most people leave it out the night before?

Can I personally carry off the luggage? No. I have two littles who are basically useless as luggage porters . And we live in Orlando so I freely overpack just because I can. The OP also has kids, but if she packs lightly enough and/or has family members willing to tote the luggage, then yes!

Most people put it out the night before. If everyone were dragging their luggage to breakfast and off the ship it would be even more of a mess than it already can be . But if you want to be off the ship ASAP, it's a great idea.

[lbgraves]

If you are on a 7-night cruise pack the dirty clothes you have in a trashbag in luggage on the afternoon of day 3. On the morning of CC keep out clothes for dinner, PJs, swim stuff for CC and clothes to wear off the ship and pack everything else. Put the suitcases against the wall in your stateroom. When you get back from CC put those out in the hallway and get ready for dinner. Put your swim stuff in big ziplock bags in the front of a bag. You can put your clothes from dinner in a carryon to take off with you in the morning.

[stsomewhere]

We have done Palo on the last night. We never felt rushed to get clothes packed. Just do it ahead of time.

[woody73]

Originally Posted by criddla

. . . Do these times sound ok?

I would keep those times and not stress about it.

There have been instances where I could not get a Palo reservation either in advance or upon boarding.

Woody

[kcashner]

They look fine to me. Enjoy!

[txaggie94gigem]

Go to brunch!!!! Love both but brunch is my favorite...and the first time on first day means they will have everything all fresh!

[BosMan]

would you do Palo brunch? or REMY brunch?

[OKW Lover]

Originally Posted by BosMan

would you do Palo brunch? or REMY brunch?

Both
Each is very different

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