-on-board alcohol (is this like a high school kegger? can you bring you own?
)
You may bring your own on board, however, you can't carry it on a plane, so you will have to buy it in FL.
DCL is the ony cruise line that I know of that allows you to BYOB. If you bring wine and have it opened in the dining room, you may get charged a corkage fee.
-palo reservations for dinner and champagne brunch (how, how much, when and where)
As soon as you can, go over to the cruise board as look at the FAQ for advance booking dates. Dinner is good, but everyone I know raves about the brunch, although I don't think it is champagne. Since I didn't get to do it on the 14 night (imagine that it was full) I can't tell you for sure. Again, the cruise board should have the answer. You can book online once you are paid in full, if you don't you will have to go to the place they do the reservations on board as soon as you get on the ship. Dinner at Palo is 10 dollars per person, brunch used to be 5. THis is to cover the service, and many people give more. I tipped an additonal 20 for dinner and 10 for Tea. Drinks are additional and include 15% tip at all bars, pools, etc.
-dining seating arrangements (being raised by wolves, i would prefer to dine at a small table, and not share seating, biergarten style. is this possible?)
-nassau excursions. tips? suggestions?
You will most likely get to be at a table for 6 or 8. You may get a table for 4 , only in Palo will you be guaranteed to dine alone. If you want fewer kids in the DR, request late seating and then request the rotation that has formal night in Triton's, this is usually the most adult oriented rotation.
Tips - these can be prepaid on your ship board account or you can pay in cash on the last night. If you prepay, you will get little voucher slips to give to your servers, cabin steward and head waiter. The recommended guidelines are in the brochure and I think they are also on the DCL website.
Nassau - I am jaded, but stay on the ship. Nassau is not the nicest, and since you will be going to
castaway cay, you will have a great private island day, a beautiful beach and plenty of things to do. Liquor is cheaper on board than on the island, I hate getting asked if I want my hair braided or if I want to but t shirts 3 for 10 or ganja, or if I want the beads that they placed on my neck for a "donation". I just like to be on the ship with the pool to myself. If you do get off the ship, you can take a cab over to Paradise Island, but beware unless you are a guest at Atlantis or any of the other hotels, you won't get to see the beach. You can get a "day room" at the comfort inn or at Atlantis that will let you use the beach, but it's about 100 bucks and the beach at Castaway is free!!!! The Crystal Palace Hotel and Casino, or it may now be called the Cable Beach Hotel and Casino is also a cab ride away, they welcome cruise guests to use thier beach for free. There is a Beaches or Sandals there, too and they may do day passes to thier beach. I did the Thriller Boat ride a few years back, too much slowing down for sightseeing. I also have done the horse drawn carriage ride, its OK to get a bit of Nassau City flavour, but not great thing. The straw market is open again after burning down a couple of years ago, it is a very crowded building where you can buy any number of straw items (hats, bags, decor, etc) from any number of people who do like to bargain, but not give stuff away. There is a Bacardi factory on the island and it is open for tours on some days. After stopping in Nassau 11 times on ships and staying there for 3 nights once, I don't need to see it again. You may like it tho.
Here is some more trivia. There is a free soda dispenser on Deck 9 near the Mickey Pool. Bring a mug or buy one on the shop, they do have paper cups available.There is a "Dumbotron" movie screen at the Goofy Pool which shows movies, Disney Channel Shows, etc. The adult pool is just that and kids are told to leave by CMS if they try to hang out there. The pools are not salt water and are usually full all the time. Don't miss the first night in Animator's palette for the changing picture show. DO go to Martini tasting if they offer it, get your tickets from guest services. There are lots of Character picture opportunities as well as non characters. You can get them taken and look, you don't have to buy, but they make great memories.
Do you have a cabin assigned?
I think you will have a great time. I sailed on the Wonder in 2000, the Magic in 2005, and 13 other cruises. If you have more questions, please ask.!
Feeling a tad under-prepared here...
