Baby Nursery Registration Question

[2BoysMom]

Hi Everyone!
I'm afraid to even type this question...........
the idea of possibly not getting my twin baby boys in the Reef Nursery based on first-come, first-serve occupancy leaves me with dread. As much as I adore them, we are considering a 4 day cruise in Auguest to celebrate my 40th birthday with various family members, and I would love for them to have activities the way their older cousins will have things to do.

I read once on board you have to "quickly register your babies at the nursery because they are limited in space." My boys will be 1, and we are willing to pay extra for them to be there.

Anyone have any experience with this? Did you RUN to the registration desk (which I think I read is at the actual nursery). Is this correct? What advice, if any, do y'all have for me? I want to book this cruise, but the idea of it (besides all of the fun) is for Mom to get something of a "vacation." Having to take care of the twins exclusively the whole time, won't allow for much rest.

My heart is pounding wondering what you all will have to say about this? For you veterans.....have you seen many babies on board?

 

[staceymerrill]

Hi.. Congrats on your twin boys ! I have never had any problems being able to reserve times for my son before in Flounder's Reef Nursery..I believe Flounder's opens up at 1:00 pm to register.. I was always outside the door (Deck 5 -Midship) at about 12:40...waiting to be one , if not the first to be able to choose my times.. . My hubby and I would split up .. He would go to reserve the Palo reservation.. while I would be at Flounder's ....
Once you are able to register you will be able to pick your first 3 choices of times you would like to bring your boys. You will get those and then if you choose to have more times, you can if there is availability.You will get a beeper if they need to contact you while babies are there.They will tell you to bring a baby bag / knapsack filled with diapers / wipes/ bottles/ blanket/ change of clothes/ cheerios/ or something your babies would like while there,,,. My son had very good experiences there,, Very caring / attentive people working with the babies/ clean and happy environment.,,, Hope this Helps ..

 

[2BoysMom]

Your post really helps. Did you see alot of other mothers with babies waiting in line with you? So, you think it will be doable if I go right to the nursery?

Since you are such a DCL veteran (8 times! ) what time would you (or anyone else) recommend that I get to the port to go through check-in and wait in line for boarding? I want to enjoy and relish my first DCL experience....I'm just picturing myself feeling stressed out, thinking to myself "I gotta get to the nursery, I gotta get to the nursery." I don't want to miss anything .....

I also noticed you are from Boca Raton. How long does it take for you to drive up to Pt. Canaveral? Do you go a day ahead and stay somewhere, or just drive up in the morning?

Thanks!

 

[burma]

we were on the 4 day Presidents cruise and did not get to the boat till 2:30pm and had no problems getting our youngest in ... I would make that the first stop when you get on the boat or split up and one goes there and the other makes resis for the other things ....good luck and happy sailing

 

[staceymerrill]

Yes, I think you should have no problems getting the times you wish. There were a few other moms / dads also waiting, (mostly repeat cruisers, who know to come a lil before 1:00 pm.. )
We leave between 7:30 -8:00 that am... We like to get to port about 10:30.. It is about 2.5 hours from us.... It is probably about 3 hours 15.min for you,, from South Beach,(love the Art Deco show there,, we go every January. )
I think you will have a "Wonder"ful time... and you will be able to enjoy both couple / family time.... Then you will become "hooked " like the rest of us on this Board.. Feel free to ask any more questions that pop into your head.. I'd be more than happy to help answer any...

 

[Ariel&Flounder'sMom]

We were stressed about this too, and I got really confused once on board.

We sailed 3/13 on the Wonder, and as soon as we were on board, I asked one of the CM's in the main lobby about Flounders. She told me it didn't open until 3, or something like that - much later than I had read on this board.

I was so confused, so DH and I went in and sat down to brunch at Parrot Cay. Let's just say I couldn't eat, I couldn't do anything but worry we were missing it, we'd never get a spot, we'd regret this brunch the rest of the trip, etc...

DH finally told me to just go... so off I went! I was probably about 12:30pm, and yes it was open, and I think I was the first one there. We had no problems signing our DD up, picked 3 times, and off we went. The CM's were so sweet and helpful - they were wonderful!

My advice, just go straight to Flounder's and you won't have any problems!

 

[mommasita]

I wanted to add that my cousin used Flounders and had the 3 or 4 slots, and was told to call whenever she wanted more, as they need to give everyone a chance to the 3 or 4 slots (fair) And any time she called after that, or just went by, there were wide open. I am sure it would depend on your sailing, and the number of children, just wanted to give you that...

HTH

 

[2BoysMom]

Thanks Everyone! You are helping me to relax about this whole thing!

I'm goin on a cruise, I'm going on a cruise, I'm going on a cruise

 

[mommasita]

Thanks Everyone! You are helping me to relax about this whole thing!

I'm goin on a cruise, I'm going on a cruise, I'm going on a cruise

I am glad to hear you are relaxing.. Disney's magic is amazing, and all will be just Perfect......

We stress so much and worry, we should go with the flow, and enjoy....Look who's talking...

 

[CrunchyMountainMama]

We just got back from a 4 day Wonder cruise with our one year old son. We had no problem getting any of the times we needed. We were at Flounder's Reef right when they opened and were the only ones there. We also dropped in at the last minute a couple of times during the cruise and had no trouble with them being too booked.