Chances of a Palo brunch reservation...

[Disney Obsession]

First DCL cruise scheduled for March 2017, spring break on the Dream. It already looks like the ship is filling up, and I anticipate it will be full by the time we sail.

With this being our first cruise, and therefore not given any priority booking, what are the chances of getting a Palo brunch reservation on a full ship with only one day at sea? If still possible, what are the chances of getting an early time (I'm not sure if the early or late times are more popular). Just wanted to see other people's personal experiences. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

DCL holds back about half their advance reservations so you can make yours as soon as you get on the ship (assuming you aren't able to book online.) You'll receive a personal navigator (daily newsletter) upon boarding, telling you where to go for "dining changes."

 

[RedSox68]

We have never not been able to get a reservation. We've even gone to Palo during the cruise and asked about an opening and got one -- people cancel all the time. As soon as you board and before you do the lunch, find out where you can go to make a reservation. But you may also be able to get one on line anyway. Keep trying up until your cruise because again, people cancel online reservations and you might be able to grab one.

 

[mevelandry]

Silver Castaway Club Member (so we can book a few days before first time cruisers)... We haven't been able to book it in advance but we've scored one on embarkation day even though we were arriving late (1:30, because we were taking the shuttle from a WDW Resort).

 

[JMHDisney]

I have always been able to book a brunch, even on my first cruise (although I apparently grabbed the last reservation as there was only one time shown and then everyone in my cruise group was complaining about no open reservations).

That said, at every Palo brunch, there have always been open tables. Sometimes a lot of open tables. I think people just forget it exists once they get on the boat! With one sea day, it will be tougher but note that they sometimes have brunch on days you dock late (i.e. I've seen it offered when we docked in key west in the afternoon). If you go straight to dining when you board, I think it's highly likely you will get in.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have always been able to book a brunch, even on my first cruise (although I apparently grabbed the last reservation as there was only one time shown and then everyone in my cruise group was complaining about no open reservations).

That said, at every Palo brunch, there have always been open tables. Sometimes a lot of open tables. I think people just forget it exists once they get on the boat! With one sea day, it will be tougher but note that they sometimes have brunch on days you dock late (i.e. I've seen it offered when we docked in key west in the afternoon). If you go straight to dining when you board, I think it's highly likely you will get in.

I believe that part of Palo's operating plan includes not having every table in use at the same time. This makes for a more relaxed, quiet meal.

 

[Disney Obsession]

Thanks all for this! I had searched the boards before posting and didn't see anyone posting about having issues getting a reservation. However, after reading your comments, I'm hopeful we will be able to get a reservation, even if it is on embarkation day. DH and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary on this cruise, and even though we are going to have 3 little ones with us, we were hoping to do something special that is just 'us.' Glad to hear it will likely work out

 

[hanscarlet]

I think you'll find you'll be able to book one online if you do your check in relatively early, however if you aren't able to do it online, you will be able to do it on embarkation day in the dining area where they are addressing that stuff on Day 1, For the Magic and the Wonder you go to Lumiere's/Triton's on day 1 to make Palo reservations - anyone know where you go on the Dream? Is it the Royal Court? Just head to Royal Court on Day one when you get on the ship and tell them you want a Palo brunch reservation

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think you'll find you'll be able to book one online if you do your check in relatively early, however if you aren't able to do it online, you will be able to do it on embarkation day in the dining area where they are addressing that stuff on Day 1, For the Magic and the Wonder you go to Lumiere's/Triton's on day 1 to make Palo reservations - anyone know where you go on the Dream? Is it the Royal Court? Just head to Royal Court on Day one when you get on the ship and tell them you want a Palo brunch reservation

My experience on the Magic & Wonder were that we went to Rockin' Bar D (now Fathoms) and Wavebands, respectively, to do Palo reservations.

It can vary, be sure to check the Navigator you get in the terminal for where/when.

 

[hanscarlet]

Thanks Shmoo - good call
Disney Obsession, just look at your navigator you get at check in at the port to see where to go for dining requests on day 1

 

[mischief32]

We were on our first Cruise the other week and I was able to get a Palo Brunch with no problem on check in day. We likes it but will plan do other things next time. We felt like we did not do half of the things offered. We never even went to a show. Did watch one on the TV in the room though..

 

[Disney Obsession]

We were on our first Cruise the other week and I was able to get a Palo Brunch with no problem on check in day. We likes it but will plan do other things next time. We felt like we did not do half of the things offered. We never even went to a show. Did watch one on the TV in the room though..

I plan on dragging the kids to a show the first night just to see how it goes. It might be a huge mistake, but I figure I won't know unless I try!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I plan on dragging the kids to a show the first night just to see how it goes. It might be a huge mistake, but I figure I won't know unless I try!

Well, the first night's show may not be the best choice. What cruise are you on?

 

[MSPeeler]

I was able to make a brunch reservation for DH & I yesterday, and we sail in less than 1 month!

 

[lfishe3]

It really depends on who is sailing. We have had both experiences. Easy to get a brunch reservation on our 1st 3 cruises. This last one, Palo was booked up after the platinum check in (only 1 sea day on 7 days sailing) and no one else got a reservation. We went to get on the wait list the embarkation day (there was a line of people doing the same thing). We were not able to get a reservation so we ate dinner there twice instead.

 

[Disney Obsession]

Well, the first night's show may not be the best choice. What cruise are you on?

4 day Bahamas on the Dream

 

[Disney Obsession]

It really depends on who is sailing. We have had both experiences. Easy to get a brunch reservation on our 1st 3 cruises. This last one, Palo was booked up after the platinum check in (only 1 sea day on 7 days sailing) and no one else got a reservation. We went to get on the wait list the embarkation day (there was a line of people doing the same thing). We were not able to get a reservation so we ate dinner there twice instead.

Ok, this experience is good to know. I'll keep my expectations realistic, and if we aren't able to get in, we can have a celebratory drink in one of the lounges.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Ok, this experience is good to know. I'll keep my expectations realistic, and if we aren't able to get in, we can have a celebratory drink in one of the lounges.

Figure that most platinum cruisers are more interested in longer itineraries that go places they haven't been before, so a lot of the cruisers on the Dream are newbies like yourself. Good luck!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

4 day Bahamas on the Dream

On a 4 night cruise Dream cruise the first night's show is the Golden Mickeys (usually). That's a pretty good one.

 

[Fsudisney]

I plan on dragging the kids to a show the first night just to see how it goes. It might be a huge mistake, but I figure I won't know unless I try!

Definitely do the shows! I feel like they are amazing! And my kids love them. That and the aquaduck were their favorite things.