7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 5

[Madisonznana]

I'm seeing brunch for 11am on Wed. 7/28, but then I'm also getting the 91 day message.

I could not even click on Brunch or Tea.

 

[jilljill]

Not showing any brunch availability for me

I could not even click on Brunch or Tea.

That's really strange then.

 

[Caropooh]

Not showing any brunch availability for me

I could not even click on Brunch or Tea.

same here

 

[MrsScooby]

At least we'll be keeping each other company on the Palo line on 7/18

 

[jilljill]

I got my Warnemunde excursion and had to settle for Palo the last night of the cruise.

This is very strange since I can see dinner available for almost every night for 2 people, only days 6 and 11 are full and the other nights only have a couple of time slots full.


My suggestion would be for everyone to check again in the morning to see if the days change from 91 to 90 and that opens up any Palo spots for you. We are gold, so we've been able to book the last couple of weeks.

 

[Celestine]

OK, got everything we wanted & everything y parents wanted (they're in Thailand on hols). Off to bed! Never checked Palo, so can't comment

Celestine

 

[MrsScooby]

OK, got everything we wanted & everything y parents wanted (they're in Thailand on hols). Off to bed! Never checked Palo, so can't comment

Celestine

Glad it worked out Celestine

Good night

 

[MrsScooby]

This is very strange since I can see dinner available for almost every night for 2 people, only days 6 and 11 are full and the other nights only have a couple of time slots full.


My suggestion would be for everyone to check again in the morning to see if the days change from 91 to 90 and that opens up any Palo spots for you. We are gold, so we've been able to book the last couple of weeks.

I also saw alot of Palo dinner slots open

I'll check back in the morning

Good night all

 

[jilljill]

'Nite all

 

[Caropooh]

I booked something in every port but St Petersburg. We're still not sure if we are going to DIY or not, but this way we are covered if we don't.

Oslo- Nobel Peace Center for Families

Copenhagen- Royal Copenhagen

Warnemunde- Molli Steam Train

Tallin- Medieval Spirits of Estonia

Stockholm- Skanson Muesum and Swedish Fairytales

Palo Dinner- July 28th at 6:00PM

 

[Marla Hellwig]

no brunch or high tea but did get dinner - will be Kara's first time to Palo

also got all excursions we wanted yipee

nighty night

 

[caven553]

Got everything we wanted with the exception of I need to call in the morning and see what we can do with times in Russia. Even though there isn't an overlap between some of the stuff we want to do the website wouldn't let us book because it was too close together. Will post all the fun stuff in the morning. Hope everyone had good luck!

 

[abacab]

I tried to book Hermitage with Gold Room on SPB day 1, along with Evening Cruise that same day, but it wouldn't let me have both. Hermitage with Gold Room starts at 1pm ends at 5:15pm (instead of 5pm as we were originally told), so now there is less than 2 hours between that and the Evening Cruise at 7pm. Regular Hermitage excursion starts 12:45pm and ends at 4:30pm so no problem with that one.

Trying to decide if Gold Room is worth it anyway. It's $50 more per person, and it messes up the plan to do the evening cruise the same day. On the other hand, I'd like to spend as long as possible in the Hermitage, so just having the extra half hour seems like a good idea. From what I've heard, there's so much to see, even a 4 hour excursion is not enough time (and with transportation and waiting, it's probably more like 2.5 hours in the museum).

Any opinions or advice? Need some help deciding what to do. And what's up with that 5:15pm end time?

 

[smilis]

Getting frustrated - have logged on & it says it is still 91 days to go. I definitely waited until 5am, so I guess I'll have to wait 20 mins & see what happens then. Will post FE list later

Celestine

Morning Celestine and all the other night owls
Can understand your frustration. I too was getting the 91 day message. Finally tried going in using my DH's info and got in at about 8 minutes after the hour.. Lucky you being off work today...not the case for me

Otherwise, I got everything we wanted. We got Palo on the 20th at 6:30 PM. Did not see any brunch or high tea open at all. Was a late night, even though it only took less than 30 minutes, my alarm went off less than 5 hours after my head hit the pillow Off to work I go. Have a busy day ahead and this evening we're going to see Steve Martin (The Jerk) in concert with Steep Canyon Rangers at 8PM. Better be lively enough to keep us awake

Sandy

 

[jjsmith]

I've never paid for the upcharge dining options on cruises. It's not that I'm opposed to them for any reason, just that we've always eaten dinner with the family. I'm interested in trying Palo for brunch but don't see how you do that if it's always booked?

 

[jilljill]

I tried to book Hermitage with Gold Room on SPB day 1, along with Evening Cruise that same day, but it wouldn't let me have both. Hermitage with Gold Room starts at 1pm ends at 5:15pm (instead of 5pm as we were originally told), so now there is less than 2 hours between that and the Evening Cruise at 7pm. Regular Hermitage excursion starts 12:45pm and ends at 4:30pm so no problem with that one.

Trying to decide if Gold Room is worth it anyway. It's $50 more per person, and it messes up the plan to do the evening cruise the same day. On the other hand, I'd like to spend as long as possible in the Hermitage, so just having the extra half hour seems like a good idea. From what I've heard, there's so much to see, even a 4 hour excursion is not enough time (and with transportation and waiting, it's probably more like 2.5 hours in the museum).

Any opinions or advice? Need some help deciding what to do. And what's up with that 5:15pm end time?

Our guide told us that if you looked at each piece in the Hermitage for 1 minute it would take you 1-2 years to see everything, so the 2½ hours is really just a quick walk thru the museum with stopping at a few select pieces to get their history and such. It's overwhelming, but worth the chance to be there.
We did the Royal Treasures room and loved the time spent there and the pieces are spectacular.
Keep in mind the extra half hour will be the time spent in the RT room.

If you want to book both excursions you are looking at you will need to contact DCL to book them for you because of the time frame.

 

[jilljill]

I've never paid for the upcharge dining options on cruises. It's not that I'm opposed to them for any reason, just that we've always eaten dinner with the family. I'm interested in trying Palo for brunch but don't see how you do that if it's always booked?

Not all Palo spots are released for booking on the website. Approximately 50-55% of the time slots are held back for onboard booking. You will need to go to Rockin' Bar D when you first board to either secure a reservation or be put on a wait list.

We waited until our 8th cruise to try Palo brunch and enjoyed the food very much. Before that we hadn't done dinner or brunch there, but I had been to tea once (which I didn't care for).

Don't give up hope of trying brunch.

 

[Celestine]

Not all Palo spots are released for booking on the website. Approximately 50-55% of the time slots are held back for onboard booking. You will need to go to Rockin' Bar D when you first board to either secure a reservation or be put on a wait list.

We waited until our 8th cruise to try Palo brunch and enjoyed the food very much. Before that we hadn't done dinner or brunch there, but I had been to tea once (which I didn't care for).

Don't give up hope of trying brunch.

I completely agree - on the EBPC in 2008 there were many more sea days, but no brunch available on line. We were something like boarding group no. 13 and went straight to Rockin' Bar D and got brunch on the day we wanted. DH & I want to eat with the girls & for us the dining room experience is special anyway, so we are not fussed about the Palo dinner & TBH I think I will be so tired from the trips I won't be awake enough to truly appreciate it!

Celestine

 

[Celestine]

Updated list of participants is as follows:

MrsG
Marla Hellwig
Celestine
Bluegrassbelles
KathyinCitrus
MrsScooby
samanthasmom1
scrapycruiser
madisonznana
poohmomof5
mstinson14
cptjackandcrew

Can I ask those that are joining in to provide me with cabin number (if known) & e-mail address (to make it easier to get the list of cabins to you)

Celestine

 

[jjsmith]

I completely agree - on the EBPC in 2008 there were many more sea days, but no brunch available on line. We were something like boarding group no. 13 and went straight to Rockin' Bar D and got brunch on the day we wanted. DH & I want to eat with the girls & for us the dining room experience is special anyway, so we are not fussed about the Palo dinner & TBH I think I will be so tired from the trips I won't be awake enough to truly appreciate it!

Celestine

Good. I will give it a try when we get to the boat.