any harm in waiting until the rush is over to make Palo ressies?

[debbiebones]

I've been sitting here already driving myself crazy trying to figure out when to book a reservation at Palos when I don't even have our dining rotation and can't really say which meal I'll want to give up since I've never tried any of them.

So I'm just wondering, if we get on board after check in an just leisurely have our lunch buffet and tour the ship and THEN go make reservations after the rush is over, will I still be able to get a reservation? Since I'm going to be on vacation, I want it to be relaxing, not a mad dash everywhere I go. And I can certainly work myself into a frenzy if I feel I have to be somewhere and be first in line!

I'm really not partial to any particular time since my parents will be watching our toddlers during our Palos dinner and we'll be with the kids when my mom and dad go to Palos.
Thanks!

 

[wovenwonder]

By waiting until later in the afternoon you will be taking that chance that reservations wil be filled for the week. You can then get on a stand by listing. When you check in you will receive your KTTWC and this will show your dining rotation. Possibly you can glance over it while standing in line at the port (waiting to board) and pick a day and time for Palo. Many people highly recommend dinner -- but we chose to have all of our dinners as a family. We then decided to have brunch at Palo on the 7 day instead of a Palo dinner.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Our upcoming 7 day will be the first time we're going to do Palo's - or hope to! On our last (4 day) we tried for Palo ressies fairly early about 2:30 ish and wanted the duplicate day. Right so did everyone else and it wasn't available.

We were just talking about this over the weekend and have decided we want all the dinners together as a family. DH & I will try for brunch on one of the sea days. If that isn't available we'll try for tea. Mainly to say we've tried it.

Deb

 

[TacoBill]

Debbie, as wovenwonder said, don't wait too long (if at all) to make your Palo's reservations, they will fill up quickly.
It's better to suffer your first couple hours on board doing the reservation hustle (Palo's, excursions, spa, kids club (last)) so that you can sit back and relax for the remainder of the cruise! Otherwise you may be kicking yourself in the butt saying, "I didn't think they would fill it up that fast!".

 

[llachance]

On our most recent cruise 7/06 we boarded the ship about 1:00, had a leisurely lunch, dropped hand carries off in the cabin then headed out to make our ressies. Got the time that we wanted for dinner (Cozumel evening while the teens were cruising), then dropped by the brunch table and took what was available there. Spent the first day at sea getting a massage then having brunch it was great. By waiting that long high tea was filled up but there is enough to eat on board that it was ok.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I agree it's somewhat disconcerting to have to make a frantic rush get your ressies once you've boarded. It's a vacation... it's supposed to be relaxing... who wants to rush?

But this will be the peak of stress for the week and it's really not that stressful. It's worth it because you will enjoy getting the times and options you want for Palo and the spa. Once you've taken care of this exercise you can relax.

 

[alexandrew]

The 2 previous times we cruised, we boarded at approx noon, had a leisurely lunch, after which I arrived at Palo's by 12:45, and waited maybe 5 minutes to make my res. Both times I got the day and time I wanted w/o any lines or rush

Best bet is to get there as early as possible...it is well worth it!!