Alaska 06/11/12 Anyone Sailing ?

[bbagnall]

So yesterday I decided to request a particular dining rotation. I was trying to accomplish two things:

1) Attend Triton's on formal night
2) Make sure my character breakfast and Palo brunch weren't on the same day

I had heard that the character breakfast was the sea day morning after your dinner at Animator's Palate. When I emailed Disney to make my request I got a reply telling me that if I had PTAPTAP then my brunch and CB would be on the same morning. Apparently for this particular sailing CB isn't the sea day after AP. I don't know if it's after Triton's or if there is a new way of doing this.

At first I thought maybe they are wrong, because the DIS told me it was after AP and they are always right! However an email response from one person and a live telephone call with another leads me to believe something has changed (at least for this sailing).

I know I'm not supposed to plan every detail of my vacation, but after years of planning Disney World vacations my brain is hardwired!

 

[pixie08]

At first I thought maybe they are wrong, because the DIS told me it was after AP and they are always right! However an email response from one person and a live telephone call with another leads me to believe something has changed (at least for this sailing).

I know I'm not supposed to plan every detail of my vacation, but after years of planning Disney World vacations my brain is hardwired!

Hmmm no. I never got that info. read this blog....

http://land.allears.net/blogs/lauragilbreath/2011/05/disney_wonder_alaska_cruise_th.html

The All ears crew had it on their Tracy Arm Day, the same night they were in Animator's! Another report on another forum reported said it was on the actual Sea Day and that night was...Animator's???

So I think it is on the same morning you have Animator's (evening).

 

[AAshleySEG]

LOL, I didn't even know you could request a specific dining rotation!

I was reading a Trip Report and their character breakfast was the morning after Triton's and that night they had Parrot Cay? I didn't know that there was a specific timing for everything, I thought it was just random when they chose stuff...LOL...I am really getting more and more confused the more things I read. I am still trying to figure out if we need to pack something for a Party

I am pretty much almost to where I am talking myself out of making a reservation at Palo just for the sheer fact that I don't want to miss anything that might be going on, and now even more so because I have no idea when anything is going to happen as far as dining rotation and character breakfast....ugh...I am soooo confused!

Oh and I didn't remember going through customs at ports before? I didn't know we were going to have to do that in Victoria? If we have to go through customs then we would for sure miss our dinner time and not have any time in Victoria. I guess I will wait and see when we get on board to figure out exactly what is happening as far as that goes, maybe we will just play it by ear.

 

[bbagnall]

Please, please, please don't skip Palo! It is the BEST, chocolate souffle YUM! If your brunch falls on the same day as your character breakfast just ask to have it rearranged once you get on the boat. If you miss something you will just have to reserve another cruise

 

[Grumpymom73]

If you miss something you will just have to reserve another cruise

Shhh! That's my secret too. Always leave something undone so you have a reason to go back. Works on all types of vacations. Just don't tell my DH.

 

[AAshleySEG]

Please, please, please don't skip Palo! It is the BEST, chocolate souffle YUM! If your brunch falls on the same day as your character breakfast just ask to have it rearranged once you get on the boat. If you miss something you will just have to reserve another cruise

I was already thinking about it... We want to do either Dream or Fantasy maybe in August or January...we have done eastern carib, wanna do western! but super excited to go to Castaway Cay

 

[midwestpat]

I am pretty much almost to where I am talking myself out of making a reservation at Palo just for the sheer fact that I don't want to miss anything that might be going on, and now even more so because I have no idea when anything is going to happen as far as dining rotation and character breakfast....ugh...I am soooo confused!

Oh and I didn't remember going through customs at ports before? I didn't know we were going to have to do that in Victoria? If we have to go through customs then we would for sure miss our dinner time and not have any time in Victoria. I guess I will wait and see when we get on board to figure out exactly what is happening as far as that goes, maybe we will just play it by ear.

I've felt that way about the Palo reservation all allong. Really leaning toward checking it out as soon as we're on board and know our dining rotation for sure. Also need to know how the kid programs work, because our 8yo can't come to Palo with us, and we want to be mindful of her wishes too (i.e., if they do this like other cruise lines, we want to choose a night when the kid program is doing something she wants to do anyway).

This is our first Disney cruise, but other cruises we've been on did not require each passenger to pass through customs at ports. They ran the full passenger list through customs (and we all waited in long lines in the halls until it was complete) and then they screened each person going on/off ship as per usual. Still not sure what we'll do in Victoria. Wish it wasn't so late - an afternoon stop would offer more choices I think.

 

[pixie08]

Please, please, please don't skip Palo! It is the BEST, chocolate souffle YUM! If your brunch falls on the same day as your character breakfast just ask to have it rearranged once you get on the boat. If you miss something you will just have to reserve another cruise

I couldn't agree more!

 

[Grumpymom73]

Did some more shopping this week. I think we just need a few more things and we will be ready to go! I still have to get a dress for formal night.
Trying to loose a few more pounds before I attempt that.

Spent a nice day at Typhoon Lagoon on Thurs with my kids.

What's everyone else been up to?

 

[pixie08]

Did some more shopping this week. I think we just need a few more things and we will be ready to go! I still have to get a dress for formal night.
Trying to loose a few more pounds before I attempt that.

Spent a nice day at Typhoon Lagoon on Thurs with my kids.

What's everyone else been up to?

Your so lucky. I have never been to TL! Want to go. I basically have a lot of my clothes. I need a rain jacket, DH needs waterproof sneaker/shoes.

I have been working out and shedding some pounds (slooooowlly..do we have a molasses drip icon?) so I know what you mean about waiting to buy a dress. I have one in my closet I am trying to get back into

I still need to book one more restaurant for Friday night in Seattle (Poppy) and buy to tickets to the Mariners game for Sunday!

 

[AAshleySEG]

I have been working out and shedding some pounds (slooooowlly..do we have a molasses drip icon?) so I know what you mean about waiting to buy a dress. I have one in my closet I am trying to get back into

I still need to book one more restaurant for Friday night in Seattle (Poppy) and buy to tickets to the Mariners game for Sunday!

We are in section 144, row 4 for that game, if you get anywhere close let me know! I am glad it is an afternoon game! I just hope the weather is nice!

I had to go and buy a bridesmaid dress today because I am the matron of honor in my sister-in-laws wedding in August, so hopefully that dress will be one of my evening attire dresses. I also have 3 other dresses I am bringing, although I am not sure yet which one I am going to wear for formal or semi-formal night.

I also bought a new pair of waterproof hiking boots today because DH and I decided that we are going to hike for most of the time we are in Skagway! I've been reading up on bears...just in case...LOL Other than that we are buying little things here and there and biding our time until Wednesday when we can do check in and reserve stuff...fingers crossed!

I am also making my FE gifts and counting down the days because our cruise is coming up swiftly!!! And we are SUPER excited!!

I still need to figure out what we are going to wear for Pirate Party!!

 

[AAshleySEG]

Just had a quick question for you guys in the know What time does the actual booking and everything start? I know it is the 28th...but is it like Midnight Eastern time or some other random time? Or do I have to wait until later than that? Thanks guys! And good luck to all who are able to book what you want tomorrow!!

 

[Grumpymom73]

Yes log-in at 12:01 EST and you can book your excursions, palo and spa stuff. Then at 3:01 you can do your on-line check in and get your port arrival time. Good luck!

 

[lukikam]

Grumpymom - SOOO jealous that you went to Typhoon Lagoon! Would love to be over to hop over to Le Cellier for dinner tonight, or ride Expedition Everest!!

Anyway...to the people doing the fish extender, we now have 7 cabins partipating! (Finally getting up there!). We would love a few more, so please sign in or pm me!

Our construction paper count-down chain is getting shorter!!

 

[gabellalex]

Wanted to introduce myself! This is our 1st cruise and obviously 1st on DCL! We joined FE and are excited to book our reservations tonight!!! We are excited! YAY!

 

[Grumpymom73]

Wanted to introduce myself! This is our 1st cruise and obviously 1st on DCL! We joined FE and are excited to book our reservations tonight!!! We are excited! YAY!

It's nice to see someone new joining us! You are going to fall in love with cruising on DCL

 

[Grumpymom73]

Grumpymom - SOOO jealous that you went to Typhoon Lagoon! Would love to be over to hop over to Le Cellier for dinner tonight, or ride Expedition Everest!!

Anyway...to the people doing the fish extender, we now have 7 cabins partipating! (Finally getting up there!). We would love a few more, so please sign in or pm me!

Our construction paper count-down chain is getting shorter!!

I was worried when we first moved to Central Florida from New Jersey that being so close might ruin the magic......it didn't. It's nice to be able to go to EPCOT for just Illuminations, or just a half-day escape to any of the parks. Of course we love to do the whole day thing too! Plus, even though we only live 40min away we still love to stay at the resorts whenever we can too.
We love the water parks but they are not included on our passes. I've been thinking about getting the After 2PM Water Park passes for the summer. They are a good price and since my kids have entered "teenagehood" they don't emerge from their bedrooms during the summer before noon anyway.

Can't believe how close our cruise is getting! It seemed so far out when we booked but now.....

 

[AAshleySEG]

Well, I managed to get a Brunch Res at Palo on our first sea day and a dinner res at Palo on the actual day of our Anniversary (Ketchikan Day)! Sadly though, all of the High Tea reservations are already sold out Oh well, I guess we will try our luck next time we cruise! It was quick and easy to sign in, and very fast. Good luck to everyone else booking things today! I hope you get what you want!!!

I think I'll just do check-in when I wake up in the morning, I don't want to stay up for 3 more hours...LOL

 

[midwestpat]

Well, I managed to get a Brunch Res at Palo on our first sea day and a dinner res at Palo on the actual day of our Anniversary (Ketchikan Day)! Sadly though, all of the High Tea reservations are already sold out Oh well, I guess we will try our luck next time we cruise! It was quick and easy to sign in, and very fast. Good luck to everyone else booking things today! I hope you get what you want!!!

I think I'll just do check-in when I wake up in the morning, I don't want to stay up for 3 more hours...LOL

We also booked Palo for dinner on Ketchikan day! Our reservation is at 6:30 - you? (Maybe we'll see you there?)

 

[midwestpat]

I was able to book our first choice night for dinner at Palo, plus all three excursions we chose. Yay!!! Two things I'm scratching my head over
- the Ketchikan excursion was only available at a 7:00 a.m. time, so it says it ends at 10 (which is fine), but the itinerary doesn't even show us docking until 7:15, and I sure didn't expect to have to be up and dressed so darn early! May cancel that one, not sure.
- wondering when do we pay for excursions? We're first-time DCL, but experienced on other cruise lines. Always had to pay for excursions when booked, if you booked before the cruise sailed. So I'm wondering if they're going to send me an email bill? Pay at embarkment? It gets rolled into the final bill when we disembark??? I'm sure some of you experienced DCL people know the answer to this.

Headed to bed. It's pretty late, and I have to be up fairly early. Will check tomorrow to see if more people celebrate booking their excursions.