8/15/09-Eastern-Tortola Treasure Seekers #4

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Do you have suggestions for what to book first? Do you think the first brunch on Sunday is the best? What time do you think is best for dinner? We had a late dinner last time and really liked how quiet it was and then we strolled around the deck late at night afterward - it was really nice and a bit romantic. However, is a time near sun set better? How would we know what time to book for sun set?

I am going to try to look at the big picture tonight and see when we should book Palo (brunch, dinner and tea) but am always willing to hear about why other people booked for certain days and times.

Hubby and the kids bought me the new Canon D10 underwater digital camera for Mother's Day. I can't wait to use it on our Tortola snorkeling excursion. My friend who's coming on the cruise with us got one too.

As far as Palo goes, I think I'm leaning towards brunch on Monday to give our friends a day to adjust to the boat and dinner on Thursday.

Spa treatment-may try a scalp massage. It's only $25 for 30 minutes and is supposed to be heavenly. Can't make reservations until onboard though.

We're in Disney the week before the cruise so those dates are opening up for dining. I have to figure out a game plan still for park reservations.

Happy Mother's Day!

I think, if not expect Brunch to sell out quick on Sunday morning, I would say as First sea day is a Sunday, lots of people will go for that for brunch, IE Sunday brunch sounds nice.

The first two sea days is when everyone will try to get some things in, as imho the Thursday is only one sea day in a row a rest day.

So I expect Thursday to sell a little slower, but still sell out, I think if anyone has requested PLA, that the character breakfast will be Thursday on that rotation.

Dinner, is up to you, most people like to have the three restaurants rotational meals and the formal night, people avoid first and last night, -getting to know your servers, and saying goodbye on tip night.

That leaves Pirate night Wednesday,and Captains Gala, I went for Captains Gala as DW likes lobster at Palo.

I with kids book Palo at the same time as we normally eat 6pm, that way the kids still go to the normal meal, on our table, and they know the servers, whilst we are in Palo.

I do not like eating too late, I cannot sleep on it, plus I will loose will power and pick on things around ship an ruin Palo, its like Brunch, I always nip into Topsiders at 7.30am, naughty boy!

Early Palo's means you have a longer run, you do not have to rush, later you know Palo will close. I am to eat 6pm, and go to the show after which starts at 8.30pm, so have two and a half hours, but, if I miss the show I am not bothered as I have seen it before a few times.

Not sure when sunset is, but it will set fast, no twilight in the Carribean, I expect that will be approx 7.30>8pm.

Well thats my logic!

 

[jenanderson]

That leaves Pirate night Wednesday,and Captains Gala, I went for Captains Gala as DW likes lobster at Palo.

Do they serve lobster at the Captain's Gala or just at Palo? Is it better at Palo?

Also, if my reservation is linked with DSIL, can I still make reservations even if she is not paid in full at 90 days?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Do they serve lobster at the Captain's Gala or just at Palo? Is it better at Palo?

Also, if my reservation is linked with DSIL, can I still make reservations even if she is not paid in full at 90 days?

1/ Lobster is served on Thursday 'all' ship, but Palo gets first choice, their chefs go down and choose the ones they want, and its cooked to order, not mass produced, so in the main dinner, its quantity, in Palo its quality.

2/ No booking online will be allowed if not PIF. So DSIL, needs to pay up this week to be included on the linked reservations.

I had to be paid in full by 105 days. And if I had booked with others linked they would have had to be PIF at 105 days.

 

[jenanderson]

2/ No booking online will be allowed if not PIF.

Is this even if I only want to book for DH and I? I would only be making reservations for 2 people.

She is not in our cabin, our reservations are simply linked for regular dining. If this is the case, can I request that our reservations are not linked and then link them up again when we are closer to our sail date (like when she has paid in full)?

 

[jenanderson]

1/ Lobster is served on Thursday 'all' ship, but Palo gets first choice, their chefs go down and choose the ones they want, and its cooked to order, not mass produced, so in the main dinner, its quantity, in Palo its quality.

Can you get more than 1 lobster at Palo? I have heard that in the main dining you can sometimes get 2.

Not to sound like a person who eat just tons...I just LOVE lobster and the idea of lobster is very appealing!

Thanks for answering all my questions tonight!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Is this even if I only want to book for DH and I? I would only be making reservations for 2 people.
She is not in our cabin, our reservations are simply linked for regular dining. If this is the case, can I request that our reservations are not linked and then link them up again when we are closer to our sail date (like when she has paid in full)?

If you and DH are PIF, then you can book on Sunday, its just on the linked ressie, if they are not PIF, they cannot be booked online.

I do not think the link / unlink is an issue, but and a BIG but, I do not want to miss inform you on this point, so contact TA to check.

 

[caitlinsdad]

GREAT NEWS....PAID IN FULL!!!! We did it! I am so excited and can't wait to make Palo reservations in a few days!


Jen

Welcome to the club

 

[jbm02]

Because I was in Iraq for the 90 day mark for our first cruise, I was unable to log onto the site to book Palos (we had to wait til embarkation day and go to Rockin D to secure a reservation). So I am a total newbie at this. Can anyone tell me how it works?
Thanks!
Jude

 

[jbm02]

Because I was in Iraq for the 90 day mark for our first cruise, I was unable to log onto the site to book Palos (we had to wait til embarkation day and go to Rockin D to secure a reservation). So I am a total newbie at this. Can anyone tell me how it works?
Thanks!
Jude

I meant 75 days... LOL

 

[jenanderson]

Because I was in Iraq for the 90 day mark for our first cruise, I was unable to log onto the site to book Palos (we had to wait til embarkation day and go to Rockin D to secure a reservation). So I am a total newbie at this. Can anyone tell me how it works?
Thanks!
Jude

Jude -

Andrew posted this fabulous link to tell about how to book Palo...

click here to learn how

I need to read through it as well because I did not have to do this our first time around. We are going to try to book a brunch on Sunday and dinner on Wednesday. I do have a back up date for both options though.

Jen

 

[jbm02]

Jude -

Andrew posted this fabulous link to tell about how to book Palo...

click here to learn how

I need to read through it as well because I did not have to do this our first time around. We are going to try to book a brunch on Sunday and dinner on Wednesday. I do have a back up date for both options though.

Jen

Jen,
Thanks! That helped alot. Now I'll just keep my fingers crossed that we'll be able to get a reservation...

Did everyone see the Tortola excursion reviews that were compiled on the Cruise Board? This is the first time I've "listed" a thread so hopefully it will work for others:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2111502
I was a little nervous about doing the Baths on our own but looks like it is do-able!!

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!!
jude

 

[andeeNjoel]

Do you have suggestions for what to book first? Do you think the first brunch on Sunday is the best? What time do you think is best for dinner? We had a late dinner last time and really liked how quiet it was and then we strolled around the deck late at night afterward - it was really nice and a bit romantic. However, is a time near sun set better? How would we know what time to book for sun set?

I am going to try to look at the big picture tonight and see when we should book Palo (brunch, dinner and tea) but am always willing to hear about why other people booked for certain days and times.

I used this website last time so that our Palo dinner would be during sun set. It was beautiful!

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=867&month=3&year=2009&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1

 

[jenanderson]

I used this website last time so that our Palo dinner would be during sun set. It was beautiful!

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=867&month=3&year=2009&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1

Thanks for the link Andee! I did look it up to see what time the sun would set because your photo is beautiful!

I am still trying to figure out if I will try for sun set (beautiful) or if I will go for the later time again - we were the last people out of Palo last time.

Here is the deal...I want to wear a long dress again and have a romantic night with DH. I am concerned if we go earlier, I will be out of place in the dress. There are so few times in our life where it is okay to wear a "gown" that I have to take advantage of every chance I have.

I am sure I will change my mind a million times between now and when I book!

 

[Mulan2]

Hi Everyone
Checking in again after a long time since as of yesterday we are PAID IN FULL!!!!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Can you get more than 1 lobster at Palo? I have heard that in the main dining you can sometimes get 2.

Not to sound like a person who eat just tons...I just LOVE lobster and the idea of lobster is very appealing!

Thanks for answering all my questions tonight!!!

You can ask for anything at Palo.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Jude -

Andrew posted this fabulous link to tell about how to book Palo...

click here to learn how

I need to read through it as well because I did not have to do this our first time around. We are going to try to book a brunch on Sunday and dinner on Wednesday. I do have a back up date for both options though.

Jen

 

[flrickd]

Has anyone else had trouble saving excursions to their wish list? On my wish list it says Cane Bay Beach Break St. Croix , but when I go to excursions on St. thomas where I saved the Butterfly Secrets & Mountain Views it says it is saved to my list, but it does not show up on my wish list, cane bay does.. All my others are right ( palo, the baths at tortola, Seahorse Catamaran Snorkel Adventure CC).

 

[jenanderson]

Hi Everyone
Checking in again after a long time since as of yesterday we are PAID IN FULL!!!!!!

We PAID IN FULL yesterday too!!!! Feels great to be done with that task!

Feel free to check in more often...we have tend to have a lot of information being shared here and on our cruise web site!

Jen

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Hopefully you will get answers to your questions on the main forum from the recent Tortola cruisers,

I went for the Mountain tops and butterfly tour at St Thomas as its the closest one to an Island sightseeing tour, after the others were withdrawn, at least we can take some photos go to Lumière's for lunch, and then shopping in the afternoon.

This sounds brilliant ... we might end up choosing this excursion too !!

I have to read again what sites we will be able to see ...

laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

We PAID IN FULL yesterday too!!!! Feels great to be done with that task!

Feel free to check in more often...we have tend to have a lot of information being shared here and on our cruise web site!

Jen[/QUOTE


WOW , it looks like many of us have paid ....... in these last days !!!
NOW the cruise seems SO CLOSE !!!!!!!!!!!! laura