August 25 2012

[Filmguy]

just got my checkin done, selected my check in time, but now I keep getting an error message
disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/error/500/[/url]

its 3;50 am here. i stayed up to grab a remy reservation. but can't get back to the right page.

 

[Copper Queen]

Getting the same message. I've checked in two of our bookings and am trying to check in the third room but can't access. So frustrating!

 

[Copper Queen]

Was finally able to check in the last room. Got 11:00 arrival times!

 

[Filmguy]

Was finally able to check in the last room. Got 11:00 arrival times!

yep fixed, apart from the Cabana, which were sold out, we gt everything else booked. its almost 4;30 am here time to go back to bed.

 

[krisgils33]

There was a huge discussion on the FB DCL page a few weeks ago about this. I will have it taken off my bill and give cash directly to the people. I have never thought that the "recommended" tipping amounts are high enough for the level of service I have received in the past. I would hope that level of service won't change with the automatic gratuities.

I was poking around on the DIS site and found this new police posted as of April 25, 2012. Did you know? I understand why they did this. Probably folks not tipping. I just don't like tipping in advance...no incentive to provide magical service because you are going to get the suggested amount either way. It does say you can make modifications at Guest Services, so if you want to decrease for not so hot service or increase for exceptional service I guess you can still do that. What do you all think of this new policy?

Disney Cruise Line has instituted a new procedure for gratuities on all their ships. On embarkation day, guests' folios will automatically be charged for the suggested gratuity amounts for Server, Assistant Server, Head Server and Stateroom Host/Hostess. Guests can still add pre-paid gratuities at the time of booking or when making their final payments. If this isn't done, a letter will be given at check-in explaining the automatic gratuity payments. Modifications to the amount can still be made at the Guest Services Desk.

 

[krisgils33]

When is his birthday? My DH's is the day we set sail.

So Excited

All I want is to be able to book Palo brunch for DH's birthday.....

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

I got up this morning to put the rest of our groups info in for online check-in

11:00 a.m. arrival time is still available.

Now I only have to worry about me and my family for this trip

 

[Disneyholic]

I got up this morning to put the rest of our groups info in for online check-in

11:00 a.m. arrival time is still available.

Now I only have to worry about me and my family for this trip

Wondering how full the ship is if 11 is still available, unless people don't realize they can check-in at 75 (90, 105, & 120) days now. I didn't know last cruise & didn't do it till about a month before & got 1:00.

 

[Lynne G]

Wahoo! Got the 11-11:30am port time around 7:30 this morning.

At midnight booked the one port excursion I wanted. Couldn't get a decent time for formal night BBB visit, but that's ok. I wil keep trying and if not, I will fancy her up some. She would only be in her own nice dress anyway. Not a princess costume girl anymore.

So excited for this cruise! With the port time, we may be on the Fantasy around or before noon!

 

[dvcdisney]

Wondering how full the ship is if 11 is still available, unless people don't realize they can check-in at 75 (90, 105, & 120) days now. I didn't know last cruise & didn't do it till about a month before & got 1:00.

When I checked in over 2 weeks ago, I chose a late arrival time because we are taking DCL transfers and it doesn't really matter what time I chose. So maybe quite a few people are choosing the late times as well to give others who can use them the earlier times.

Also, it's possible some people are hearing that it's best to arrive later so they can just walk in instead of waiting around in the busy terminal for their numbers to be called. On our last cruise, we took DCL transfer and arrived between 1-1:30 and, after checking in, we went to get the kids club bracelet and then we walk right in. Don't get me wrong, it was still busy, but it seemed like it was constantly flowing.

 

[evie308]

DH b-day is Aug 27 - Palo was all booked on that day but got Aug 30 instead. Going to try when we are on board.... still very happy we got Palo... can't wait to EAT!

Just registered online for 2nd cabin because I was having difficulty earlier and was able to get 11-11:30 port arrival time ....

 

[krisgils33]

Our first cruise, the only time for Palo I could get beforehand was for 9:00 pm. We went to the restaurant once on board and easily got a time that was better suited for us, so I'm fairly sure you'll be fine.

DH b-day is Aug 27 - Palo was all booked on that day but got Aug 30 instead. Going to try when we are on board.... still very happy we got Palo... can't wait to EAT!

Just registered online for 2nd cabin because I was having difficulty earlier and was able to get 11-11:30 port arrival time ....

 

[DisneyGirlTinkerbell]

There was a huge discussion on the FB DCL page a few weeks ago about this. I will have it taken off my bill and give cash directly to the people. I have never thought that the "recommended" tipping amounts are high enough for the level of service I have received in the past. I would hope that level of service won't change with the automatic gratuities.

Yes...I just hope they don't get complaisant with it being "automatic". I plan to have mine taken off too...then I will tip according to the level of service provided.

 

[DisneyGirlTinkerbell]

Hey everyone...sorry for the back-to-back posts, but I have a question about setting your check-in time. I'm seeing lots of posts about doing that now. I'm still trying to work out limo sharing with other families. Not sure what time we will arrive....is this really a big deal to set your check-in time? I think this is new since my last cruise. We just used the Castaway Club check-in line and walked right in after about a 10 min wait. Now it seems to be a bigger deal. Do they still have the separated check-in lines for Castaway Club (Gold)? With most of the paperwork completed online, does it really take that long to check-in anyway? Just wondering in I need to be concerned about this.

 

[minie_meese]

...is this really a big deal to set your check-in time? I think this is new since my last cruise.

What I heard from my TA is that is a building capacity thing. With the new higher capacity ships there is a possibility of exceeding the building capacity when the terminal opens because nobody is boarding while people arrive. If you show up earlier than your arrival time you may be prevented from entering the building until the designated time. If you show up after that time it is not a problem.

 

[JKSWonder]

When I checked in over 2 weeks ago, I chose a late arrival time because we are taking DCL transfers and it doesn't really matter what time I chose. So maybe quite a few people are choosing the late times as well to give others who can use them the earlier times.

Also, it's possible some people are hearing that it's best to arrive later so they can just walk in instead of waiting around in the busy terminal for their numbers to be called. On our last cruise, we took DCL transfer and arrived between 1-1:30 and, after checking in, we went to get the kids club bracelet and then we walk right in. Don't get me wrong, it was still busy, but it seemed like it was constantly flowing.

This is what I did as well. Since we are taking DCL transfers from WDW, there would have been no reason for me to take an early check in time that might be of a benefit to someone else.

 

[Trinity524]

Palo Vs Remy

My father's bday is on August 30th. I tried to book Palo as he loves Italian food, but it wasn't available. I booked Remy instead. The difference between the two is insane. 20 for Palo, 75 for Remy. As I am a first timer, I hope it's worth it!

 

[Filmguy]

Palo Vs Remy

My father's bday is on August 30th. I tried to book Palo as he loves Italian food, but it wasn't available. I booked Remy instead. The difference between the two is insane. 20 for Palo, 75 for Remy. As I am a first timer, I hope it's worth it!

We went straight for Remy, (the 27th) From everything I have read and the board reviews, it will be a meal that is hard to beat anywhere! I do do not think you will be disappointed. We are planning to bring a special bottle of wine and pay the $20 corkage.

BTW we aredoing the same week in WDW then cruise to recover.

 

[Trinity524]

This is our dream vacation! Can't wait for the end of August!!!

 

[DisneyGirlTinkerbell]

What I heard from my TA is that is a building capacity thing. With the new higher capacity ships there is a possibility of exceeding the building capacity when the terminal opens because nobody is boarding while people arrive. If you show up earlier than your arrival time you may be prevented from entering the building until the designated time. If you show up after that time it is not a problem.

OK...that helps. Good to know. Thanks!