Booking Palo Brunch On board Success Rate

[kiford]

But magically, theres so much seating on embark? The system would allow for release of tables on each level’s sign in day, but they don’t want it too, so it doesn’t.

There isn't "magically" so much more seating on embarkation day. These are the ones they've deliberately held back so that people who are not able to log in until closer to the time, either due to status or late booking, are able to be accommodated along with changes that people might want to make once other plans have firmed up or people with different log in times have been able to consolidate multiple stateroom plans together. It's a logistical exercise and one that allows a greater sense of opportunity and fairness amongst all cruisers not some nefarious conspiratorial plot. If you've ever had to plan a large banquet, event or exhibit booth space, you'll find yourself doing some version of this almost to the night prior and some adjustments on the day of regardless of how good your sign-up system might be.

 

[cwis]

I also think there is some kind of magic. By limiting availability early, DCL limits the amount of people able to “secure” a slot in advance. Then, most people who do not want to bother with the reservation process give up, and those who really want to make a reservation snap a table at embarkation or when they clear the waitlist.

The magic is the secret number of % of tables that are open when the booking window opens. If this number is too high, then too many guests will want a table during the cruise and not everyone will get one (people will be dissatisfied). If this number is too low, some tables will be empty (DCL will be dissatisfied).

The system as we know it may be clunky but at least, 95% of guests that want to eat at Palo get to enjoy it.