Hey Everyone!
Very excited that we are so, so close! With the holidays around the corner, I know that January will be here in no time!!!
So this is my group's first
DCL cruise (we've done cruises before though). We tried yesterday to book Palo brunch - no available times. We tried to book a private cabana on
Castaway Cay - nothing available.
Needless to say, it was a bit disappointing. What are the odds that we'll be able to book onboard? I have to admit, DCL isn't too welcoming to first timers (or at least that's how I'm feeling at the moment). Don't worry though, we're all still thrilled about the cruise, it just would have been nice to have something we wanted booked.
OK, so I am slightly confused about something - and please forgive my ignorance. I saw someone's earlier post about choosing an 11am check-in. I thought everyone was allowed to check-in at 11am? Do some people have to check-in later? If that's the case, we definitely are not going to get any ressies!!
Anyway, we are really excited and I know that if we do not do any "special" bookings, it will still be a magical trip.
-Kat
Welcome to your first DCL cruise.
I am going to add a few things to Wiscbill's excellent explanations.
Palo brunch on a four day cruise is the hardest reservation to get because as Wiscbill said there is only one day it is done. If you can reserve the Palo dinner, do it, you won't be disappointed. Or if your heart is set on getting the brunch definitely try once you board. You can go to Palo between 1pm and 3:30pm right after you board to try to get a reservation. I have heard, although never actually tested it, that thy hold some reservations available for those that can't get them online.
As for the cabanas, from what I hear they can only be reserved prior to the cruise by concierge staying cruisers. They get opened to everyone else on the Monday of our cruise. This is at least how they did it in the past and kind of sounds similar to Widcbill's experience. But, they may have changed it. I can tell you that there were none available to reserve at 90 days out either.
The check in times were added to alleviate the extra 1500 passengers for the Dream. The terminal didn't get bigger, just the ship, so DCL needed to space the arrival of cruisers out for crowd control. Wiscbill is right as it seems this is a loose rule and not strictly enforced. No matter what time you arrive, the terminal doesnt open before 11am anyway, the boarding process will start at approximately 12:00pm give or take 15 minutes either way. The check in process is usually pretty good. I would recommend getting here before 12pm because the Magical Express buses from the resorts strart arriving about 1pm from what i have heard. It tends to get more crowded at hat time. The family of the day boards first, then the concierge passengers, and the rest. When you arrive you will be given a boarding number. When the call out your number you pass through the Mickey ears.
You mention DCL's first time unwelcomeness. Well, I guess but I don't think so. It's more of a reward system towards those who have sailed before. As you see, the one and only day shot Palo Brunch would be a tough reservation anyway on this cruise. It's much easier to get on a seven day cruise. DCL gives special privileges to those that have sailed before and once you step off you will attain that status and become a member of he
Castaway Club. This will allow you, depending upon your level; silver, gold, platinum; to make reservations anywhere from 90-120 days out, have a designated check in line at the terminal (sometimes this can be slower than he regular line), special stateroom gifts, meet the crew, and even a free Palo dinner. So, as you see, it's not that they are not welcoming you, it's that they are rewarding me, lol. Hope you get the idea.
Believe me, once we are on the ship DCL doesn't discriminate whether you are concierge, which I have sailed before, or in an inside stateroom. You get the same fantastic service throughout.
If you have any other questions fire away. I am sure either someone here or myself can help give you the right answer.
