Cruising with friends - ARGGG!!!

[rwatson626]

Please excuse me, while I rant!

We booked a April DCL Fantasy cruise over a year ago. I'm very detailed oriented, Checked the cruise portal about 2 dozen times, checking everything out making sure everything is in order. We have smaller kids and we like to eat at the main seating for dining. Also, I enjoy going to the show after and getting some popcorn. We are traveling with another couple this Disney cruise who also has young kids.

So the other couple went to make final payment and tells me she just notices that she is on the second seating dining. I'm like #$@#& how can that be. It's impossible when you booked I told you make sure you tell them that you want to seat at the main dining and give them my reservation # so we will be linked. I'm guessing she didn't do that!

She called DCL and asked to be switched but they are full for main dining now (She had an entire year to notice that she was in the wrong dining) They put her on the waiting list.

Now I have a dilemma, if they doesn't get main seating do I move to second seating, in the past on other cruise lines my kids always fell asleep at the second seating. I feel like telling them "oh well, we are eating at different times." The only thing that gives me hope is on the Disney cruise my kids have always stayed awake for the main dining and the show after because they wanted to go to the Disney oceaneer club after the show.

SORRY about me venting but I'm an over planner and not see how something like this could be missed on her part. I guess I should have asked her to send me her reservation info to double check. (I'm guessing I will do that in the future)



Thanks
Ron

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I wouldn't stress too much about it right now. If they don't get moved to main seating from the wait list, go to the place listed in the Navigator on embarkation day for dining requests. There's a decent chance they'll either get switched from the wait list or on embarkation day.

 

[belac]

Ditto ... Don't stress about it, it will ruin your cruise if you dwell on it (first hand experience ). You cant control what others do or don't do. If you all want to eat together the do as Maggie said and got to the place listed in the Navigator (which will be given to you at the port) straight away after boarding and see about the switch.

 

[Skiton]

Is your friend my sister? Because that's exactly how it goes whenever she and I plan vacations together.

I think it's up to you what you do. You were on the ball and requested main dining, your friend was not. If it's going to negatively impact your kids, you have every right to keep the early seating. But I will say that second seating is really nice if you think your kids are old enough to handle it. That dine-and-play thing is the bomb. Would they be able to stay awake if they knew they that as soon as they finish their meals, a YA cast member will whisk them off to the clubs?

 

[Expatriat]

For each stateroom being linked, you need the reservation number, name and birthdate of the lead (primary guest) in each cabin, then you call DCL or can "modify" using "special requests" online. If your reservations were linked, when you log into your res on DCL's site you would also see their names and reservation listed. Being at least as detailed oriented as you, the first thing I do is log in and visually confirm that we are properly linked. I know that doesn't help any right now, but for future reference . . . Being experienced, maybe you could accomplish this quicker and easier than those unfamiliar with linking.

Hopefully you will be able to sort it out once aboard, but enjoy your cruise either way!

 

[rwatson626]

Is your friend my sister? Because that's exactly how it goes whenever she and I plan vacations together.

I think it's up to you what you do. You were on the ball and requested main dining, your friend was not. If it's going to negatively impact your kids, you have every right to keep the early seating. But I will say that second seating is really nice if you think your kids are old enough to handle it. That dine-and-play thing is the bomb. Would they be able to stay awake if they knew they that as soon as they finish their meals, a YA cast member will whisk them off to the clubs?

I like the idea of them finish their meal and a YA cast member taking them to kids club. Let the grown up's enjoy the rest of their meal. Going to talk with the wife. Even if it doesn't work out that the other group can't get main at least their is a bright side sitting at the second seating. Yes I think the kids can stay up for that!


Once again my fellow Disboarders made me happy because I was pissed about this last night.

 

[suebecdan]

Don't stree things always work out.

 

[bumbershoot]

When we cruised with family we did not want to dine with them because then the kids don't eat. Will the kids be able to focus on eating if they are together? I get that late vs main means no shows together as well, but u just focus on the actual "will the kids eat" thing because that's an issue for us when the cousins get together.

Dine and play works IF the kids are ordering kid food. If they are ordering off adult menu it slows things down. Also, tell the server that you're intending to us it (if you change to late seating) AND know that the counsellors will be outside the restaurant. They don't come get the kids. You take them to the counsellors.

 

[Quellman]

We had luck surprising my inlaws on a cruise. They were able to adjust our dining reservations to be at the same table. Just show up at the proper place on embarkation day, early.

 

[clten]

Make sure she linked your reservations as well as requested to be waitlisted for early dining. When someone is confirmed early dining and the other party is waitlisted, it helps the second party clear the waitlist. They may not get confirmed to early dining until they start to do dining assignments just before the cruise but being linked will help.

 

[Weedy]

Could it be possible she doesn't want to eat dinner together?? It could be a nice break from one another??

Or feed all the kids from the quick service restrants on the pool deck send them to the club and then all the adults can decide each night ( your early for 4 or their late for 4) if the want to go to early or late dining together without kids

 

[dreadpiraterose]

You do not need the birthdate of the other party to link reservations. Just reservation number and name (just did this myself last week).

 

[turtle27]

I would leave your reservation as is for right now. Worst case, you move to 2nd seating if eating together is something y'all want to do. Best case, their reservations gets moved to 1st seating with you. But, you have a better chance of getting 1 family moved to first seating than two.

 

[Expatriat]

You do not need the birthdate of the other party to link reservations. Just reservation number and name (just did this myself last week).

When I linked our reservation online back in July or so for a cruise this spring, I DID have to put in the birthdate of the primary on the other reservation. It was name (maybe just last name, can't recall), birthdate and reservation number. YMMV

Of course with DCL, few things stay the same nowadays - lol.

 

[IamJustACruiser]

Please excuse me, while I rant!

We booked a April DCL Fantasy cruise over a year ago. I'm very detailed oriented, Checked the cruise portal about 2 dozen times, checking everything out making sure everything is in order. We have smaller kids and we like to eat at the main seating for dining. Also, I enjoy going to the show after and getting some popcorn. We are traveling with another couple this Disney cruise who also has young kids.

So the other couple went to make final payment and tells me she just notices that she is on the second seating dining. I'm like #$@#& how can that be. It's impossible when you booked I told you make sure you tell them that you want to seat at the main dining and give them my reservation # so we will be linked. I'm guessing she didn't do that!

She called DCL and asked to be switched but they are full for main dining now (She had an entire year to notice that she was in the wrong dining) They put her on the waiting list.

Now I have a dilemma, if they doesn't get main seating do I move to second seating, in the past on other cruise lines my kids always fell asleep at the second seating. I feel like telling them "oh well, we are eating at different times." The only thing that gives me hope is on the Disney cruise my kids have always stayed awake for the main dining and the show after because they wanted to go to the Disney oceaneer club after the show.

SORRY about me venting but I'm an over planner and not see how something like this could be missed on her part. I guess I should have asked her to send me her reservation info to double check. (I'm guessing I will do that in the future)


Thanks
Ron

Call DCL yourself and explain the situation. You should ensure that the reservations are linked. Then ask the person on the phone to place the other couple on the wait list for MAIN dining and to add a note that they are linked with you. The ship will see that you are linked and they will be able to join you. They will be able to link you with their names and sail dates. Call 855-325-7526 and then ext. 144, Jason will be able to assist you. Let me know if it works.

 

[Expatriat]

I am surprised that they would link with just name and sail date. I was told that the reason for name, reservation number and birthdate (which a pp noted is not needed now?) was for the security of the guests being linked, and I actually appreciate that, since my name and sail date is public info on FB and among strangers.

 

[scootch]

Also, you can go to designated area on the first day as ask to have dining changed. I have been on waitlist many times and it always went through.

 

[mom4fun]

We are going with friends also but they booked a lot later than us so they got late dining. When I called to link us they wait listed them for main dining. I was told that their chances were better for getting it since our reservations are linked. If they don't get it, I'm sticking with main dining no matter what. That's how much I hate late dining.

 

[princessnicchia]

I just linked my reservations with my parents and another families' a few days ago and it required the birthdate of someone in each party. I had to call my dad to get his year of birth...yes, I'm a bad child!

 

[JW9DVC]

Are you sure they want to eat with you or when you want to eat?

I get that you have planned it all. Are you paying for it as well?

Late seating works well for us from the West Coast. Not sure your location, maybe let your kids stay up later. It may be the best option.

Make sure your friend wants the earlier. If not, then it's up to you. I saw someone post above that said you should call DCL and get it linked. Maybe they don't want that.

Just a thought.

JW