Concierge for Dummies: I booked it . . . now what?

[Bonacker]

Hi Y'all,

We've never been on any cruise before, but I've just sent my final payment on a four-night Bahamas cruise on the Dream departing August 31, for me and my two kids. We have a concierge stateroom, #11000.

So: now what?

Do I have to wait until the 120-day mark before I can book my activities and such? Or should I research and compile a list of shoreside requests now?

Thanks very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Yes, we're excited.)

The Three Musketeers

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Hi Y'all,

We've never been on any cruise before, but I've just sent my final payment on a four-night Bahamas cruise on the Dream departing August 31, for me and my two kids. We have a concierge stateroom, #11000.

So: now what?

Do I have to wait until the 120-day mark before I can book my activities and such? Or should I research and compile a list of shoreside requests now?

Thanks very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Yes, we're excited.)

The Three Musketeers

Research now navigators port adventures what adult meals you want and then at 125 days email concierge with your requests.

Do you want a cabana? You you want meals at Remy or Palo? Spa? Shore trips, to dine on your own table, and not share, or your evening meal rotation. Request them all.

 

[Bonacker]

I'm a single mom, so I don't think I'll be able to eat at Palo or Remy. I mean, I think I'd feel pretty foolish sitting there dressed up by myself.....

But I'll make a list of port adventures we'd like. And cabana? Yes! Rain forest thingie: yes!

THANK YOU!!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I'm a single mom, so I don't think I'll be able to eat at Palo or Remy. I mean, I think I'd feel pretty foolish sitting there dressed up by myself.....

But I'll make a list of port adventures we'd like.

THANK YOU!!

Well, contact other adults on your cruise meets threads, or still ho to brunch when the kids are in the kids clubs the servers will look after you.

 

[Bonacker]

I hadn't thought of that! Maybe someone in my FE/cruise meet group would share a table with me. Thanks!

 

[jlemieu1]

Depending on the age of your kids you might not be able to get them out of the kids clubs. I would recommend Palo maybe. You don't need to get dressed as much and the food is still divine.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I hadn't thought of that! Maybe someone in my FE/cruise meet group would share a table with me. Thanks!

You may be able to meet up, another single parent, or solo traveler, or for someone whose partner doesn't want to eat there.

 

[dstevens]

On previous cruises my wife and i have been on there have been organized Palo lunches. Somebody just needs to start it up. There is usually one or more people that go to the lunch by themselves. In our groups nobody gets left out.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

On previous cruises my wife and i have been on there have been organized Palo lunches. Somebody just needs to start it up. There is usually one or more people that go to the lunch by themselves. In our groups nobody gets left out.

Palo has Brunch and dinner but not a set lunch.

 

[kaseyC]

I'm a single mom, so I don't think I'll be able to eat at Palo or Remy. I mean, I think I'd feel pretty foolish sitting there dressed up by myself.....

But I'll make a list of port adventures we'd like. And cabana? Yes! Rain forest thingie: yes!

THANK YOU!!

I've sailed Disney a number of times without my spouse. Don't hesitate to book a Palo Brunch and/or Dinner by yourself. The servers will absolutely spoil you. I always take my Kindle but have never had to open it because the service is so engaging. I've also done Remy brunch solo and that was fantastic too. Once again the servers took great care of me.

If you are not sure if want to book it at this time, just wait until you are on board. The concierge team will have no problem getting you a reservation.

 

[lmhall2000]

Someone else can confirm, but I am fairly certain you can have Palo cook your meal and deliver it to your room You can still enjoy it with your kids if you don't want to go out...have a wonderful trip! I am excited for you!!

 

[Dug720]

I'm a single mom, so I don't think I'll be able to eat at Palo or Remy. I mean, I think I'd feel pretty foolish sitting there dressed up by myself.....

But I'll make a list of port adventures we'd like. And cabana? Yes! Rain forest thingie: yes!

THANK YOU!!

I travel solo (no kids thank goodness) and LOVE dining at Palo. It's lots of fun by yourself - I think every server stopped by at some point to check on me...I know everyone who walked by would stop and chat and make sure I was doing ok. It's FANTASTIC going there solo!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Someone else can confirm, but I am fairly certain you can have Palo cook your meal and deliver it to your room You can still enjoy it with your kids if you don't want to go out...have a wonderful trip! I am excited for you!!

This is a perk only for The 2 Royal Suites.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Also you will get a table of your own in the MDRs...a great perk imo.

 

[kaseyC]

This is a perk only for The 2 Royal Suites.

And the Cat. S 2 bedroom suites on the classic ships.

 

[wendy151950]

I'm a single mom, so I don't think I'll be able to eat at Palo or Remy. I mean, I think I'd feel pretty foolish sitting there dressed up by myself.....

But I'll make a list of port adventures we'd like. And cabana? Yes! Rain forest thingie: yes!

THANK YOU!!

I've done 3 cruises as a single mom with my daughter, when she was 11, 12 and 16. She was never a big fan of the kids club at 11 though I could get her to go during the day. So, I've never done Palo because it just didn't seem worth going through the meet up process to find someone to go with and then have to cancel. I decided that my alone time was better spent at the Spa when I could schedule it at a time I knew she would go to the kid's club (or the tween club). Evenings there just weren't her thing.

I'm not trying to discourage you but just wanted to give you another side of the story and something to think about since traveling as a single mom can be a challenge. Only you know how your kids may react. I think since she always did day care and then school after care she really wasn't that into leaving me and it was a family vacation. We're cruising this summer on the Magic and she is now 19 so we'll hopefully be going to Palo for the first time together!

 

[JMHDisney]

If you are feeling shy about eating alone, I definitely recommend Palo brunch. I'm a single mom and I didn't want to leave my son at dinner time, but brunch was great. He went to the kids club and I brought my Kindle. I had a table by the window and basically just sat there sipping my champagne enjoying the view. It was very relaxing.

 

[Bonacker]

I love this forum. Thank you.

I think I'll try the brunch.

Now, what is this about "a table alone in the MDRs"? I don't know what the "table alone" means. Sorry to be . . . a Dummie. ;-) Is that a concierge thing, or a single-mom thing, or....?

THANKS AGAIN!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Yo

I love this forum. Thank you.

I think I'll try the brunch.

Now, what is this about "a table alone in the MDRs"? I don't know what the "table alone" means. Sorry to be . . . a Dummie. ;-) Is that a concierge thing, or a single-mom thing, or....?

THANKS AGAIN!

You can request to be at a table with just your family and not share.

 

[phinz]

Yo

You can request to be at a table with just your family and not share.

You don't have to request it. It's automatic according to Shoreside. You can request to be seated with others if you want, but private dining is standard for Concierge. We've never requested it for the two of us and we've always been seated alone.