Booking window priorities

[Beth06015]

We are sailing the eastern carribbean itinerary on the fantasy and our booking window opens next week. Just hoping for tips as first time cruisers on what we should prioritize to decide on this week! Thank you!

 

[Dug720]

* If you are interested in a cabana (know that as a first time cruiser it is highly unlikely) you should look at that first.
* If you want Palo brunch or dinner, I'd do those in that order. Possibly Remy also - though I think the price keeps those available a little more.
* Frozen gathering and Princess gathering if you want those.
* Then I'd go with your online check-in for a PAT, especially if you're hoping for an earlier PAT.

Then after that any excursions you're interested in.

 

[Beth06015]

Thank you!

 

[mischief32]

My window opened this morning and I booked excursions first and then checked in. I will say that the cabanas were all gone, no surprise but everything else looked available even meet and greets.

 

[Beth06015]

My window opened this morning and I booked excursions first and then checked in. I will say that the cabanas were all gone, no surprise but everything else looked available even meet and greets.

That's helpful to know! Did you only book excursions? My daughter wants to do BBB, and I'd like to do the character breakfast, but I don't feel like I know enough about Palo/Remy yet, I'll have to do some research.

 

[mischief32]

I did only book excursions but I was noisy and checked the other areas to see what was available and there was still quite a bit of availability on most stuff. We did the Palo brunch on the sea day of out first cruise last may and it was worth it for the one time experience but we are not booking it this cruise. it was nice and we enjoyed it.

 

[hardis5]

That's helpful to know! Did you only book excursions? My daughter wants to do BBB, and I'd like to do the character breakfast, but I don't feel like I know enough about Palo/Remy yet, I'll have to do some research.

You can always book Palo/Remy to the availability now and cancel prior to sailing if deciding not something you want to try the first time out (technically up to a full 24 hours in advance without issue though it is always nicer to cancel well in advance to give another the possibility of booking into the time-slot). We did our 3rd sailing a Palo dinner and we did enjoy but have not recently - is definitely personalized serviced but with dishes to us that were hit and miss. Yes worth the up charge but for us to do again it would need to be an occasion but for others it is a must any cruise or an evening away from the rotation or a least favoured dining room. Others like the atmosphere, wine offerings, or the quality when compared to the main dining rooms.

 

[Beth06015]

You can always book Palo/Remy to the availability now and cancel prior to sailing if deciding not something you want to try the first time out (technically up to a full 24 hours in advance without issue though it is always nicer to cancel well in advance to give another the possibility of booking into the time-slot). We did our 3rd sailing a Palo dinner and we did enjoy but have not recently - is definitely personalized serviced but with dishes to us that were hit and miss. Yes worth the up charge but for us to do again it would need to be an occasion but for others it is a must any cruise or an evening away from the rotation or a least favoured dining room. Others like the atmosphere, wine offerings, or the quality when compared to the main dining rooms.

What is the cancellation policy for reservations like Palo/Remy or for that matter excursions? Also, how can you tell what your dining nights will be to see what a preferred time for a different restaurant would be?

 

[mischief32]

You do not get your dining rotation until you are on the ship so you just have to pick a night. I saw on line that you have to cancel 24 hrs in advance for dining reservations

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I think for excursions you have to cancel 3 days before you sail. If you think you will have to cancel them later than that, you can always add them to your trip insurance. We did because we weren't going to be sure we could make the trip until the last minute, due to a potential work conflict.

 

[Beth06015]

I think for excursions you have to cancel 3 days before you sail. If you think you will have to cancel them later than that, you can always add them to your trip insurance. We did because we weren't going to be sure we could make the trip until the last minute, due to a potential work conflict.

Thanks! Another novice question ....do you pay for these things ahead?

 

[Dug720]

Thanks! Another novice question ....do you pay for these things ahead?

No. Unlike most other cruise lines where you pay for excursions up front, with DCL you pay once on board - it will be billed to your account.

 

[Beth06015]

No. Unlike most other cruise lines where you pay for excursions up front, with DCL you pay once on board - it will be billed to your account.

Thanks, that's helpful to know! Makes sense.

 

[hardis5]

What is the cancellation policy for reservations like Palo/Remy or for that matter excursions? Also, how can you tell what your dining nights will be to see what a preferred time for a different restaurant would be?

For Palo/Remy (at least from our experience) it was a minimum of 24 hours prior quoted (and which we cancelled just prior to and were not charged for). I had the same time quoted for spa services that we changed when on-board.