So what are the things I should be reserving? It's just Paulo, right? And maybe the spa? What are the other options? Thanks, Katherine
Definitely you'll want to book Palo... it's so worth it! I've only had dinner there, so I can't speak for the brunch or high tea, but if you are a brunch person, I have heard it is very wonderful! I would first book Palo when you have access to make reservations, just because the sea days and the good times (6:00pm - 7:00pm) get snatched up fast. Then, if you do want to book the spa, you can do that.
Also, as soon as you get on the ship, you can book Palo then, too (is it wave bands?? Or one of those little clubs). You can also book a 2nd night at Palo once you are on the ship, if there is availability. My DH and I have done this before (booked Palo online before the cruise, and then booked another night once we got on the ship because there were open slots still) and loved being able to eat at Palo twice for dinner in one cruise. So, if you can't get the time/day at Palo you really want, once you are on the ship, you most likely can get the time/day or at least the day you want... or you can be put on a wait list, and there are cancellations all the time, so if you really want a really popular time/day, then get on the wait list, and if there is a cancellation, they will call you.
One thing with the spa I learned is that I wait to book the spa until I'm on the ship. I do that because they often will have spa specials every day, like 20% off a certain type of massage, and or get a free product with a spa treatment, etc. So, unless there is a specific spa treatment you want at a specific time, I would wait until you are on the ship, and you most likely can get a better deal...
As for shore excursions, yes, I would book those right away, too, especially if you want to do one that has a limited amount of people who can do the excursion, or if you know it's a really popular one.
I don't know if they are doing Port Arrival Times for the LA Port like they are at Port Canveral now. At Port Canaveral, now when you do your online checkin (you can do your online check in when your reservations window opens AND you are paid in full), you have to pick a port arrival time (and they are in blocks of 30 minutes. From what I've heard, if you get a later port arrival time, then you are not allowed to show up at port before that time, so everyone wants to try to snatch up the early times.
Now, I have no idea if they are doing that in LA or not. Does anyone know??
If it is unknown if they are doing that in LA, OR if the ARE doing port arrival times in LA, then when your excursions/Palo/spa booking window opens up, I would also do your online checkin at that time, too, and if they are doing port arrival time slots, then snatch up the time slot that you want, and then you are set.
Of course, if you are concierge, the port arrival time slots may not apply?? I have no idea how that works with concierge.
Hopefully there aren't port arrival times in LA and people can just arrive when they please... I guess i'll find out when I do my online checkin!
I finally set up a countdown clock on my computer so now each day when my computer boots up, I can see when my next cruise is! 141 days and counting... 
I tell them I brought them here and that anything they want to buy is extra. 
Mike got my DH spa appointments at that time, and we were able to do the club/lab registration right there as well. No need to wait in any lines!
