"Double Dip Delight" 09/27/08 - Take 2 with Link to Original Thread!

[Sabor]

No Luck for Brunchfor me .... Booked a 2nd Dinner (doing one on the 3 night cruise b4) not sure if we will keep it , Brunch is my Favorite . I am going to talk to the Maitre 'd at Palo when we are on the ship eating the Dinner on the 3 nighter if their are any Brunch openings.

DId get the Spa treatments wife wanted and the 2 excursions -- so its all good.

 

[MagicMe]

Ok, now I'm truly confused! How can this be? That puts TWO rotations in the SAME restaurant on nights 4 - 7????? As far as I can remember, there is NOT enough room for two rotations in one dining room at a time.

If you look at the first rotation noted (the 5:30 one), it's listed as LAALAP which is only six nights. I'm guessing someone missed a "P" and it should probably look like LAAPLAP. That straightens everything out!

 

[MagicMe]

Well, I was able to log in easily and everything went well. I didn't plan on Palo this trip and I booked my dolphin encounter at Cozumel independantly so I didn't have any issues with anything else I wanted. Booked the Island Tour and Butterfly farm for GC at 8AM (for now - my Mom and I are normally early risers) and the 2-day floats for CC. Also booked a stone massage for the 2nd sea day so it's all looking good.

 

[Nette]

Don't worry, cyndifan just missed a letter on the 5:30 rotation:

5:30 LAAPLAP
5:45 APPLAPL
6:00 PLLAPLA

Phew thanks! I was really freaked out because I saw the SAME listing on another message board... completely weird.

 

[Magic3forme]

We were able to get Palo dinner. ( this is the first thing we tried for). There were no brunches left after we got the dinner. We went for night 3 formal night, no fancy dress for me now.

We were able to get a brunch last year when we went on the ship, there werent too many people at the Rockin D bar at 1:30pm. The big line was to change dinner from late to main.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

We got everything we wanted. I signed on at 12:01 and the only Palo I saw open was dinner - I only wanted dinner, so I was okay with that. I did feel bad for all of you who were excited about tea and brunch. I hope you got everything else you wanted.

We booked Palo dinner for night 4 (GC night). We booked the Jeep Excursion and the Atlantis Sub for the morning spot. I figured when we're in GC - we'll walk around the shops and then head back early to relax.

I didn't book any spa treatments. I go a lot at home and, honestly, my brain was on overload just trying to make sure our excursions were set. Does anyone know if there are ever openings on board, or does everything get booked solid? Also - I didn't see any "mom and me" spa things, which I would have done with Morgan for her birthday. Do they ever do any special things like that?

Thanks so much!

 

[tig82174]

Good Morning and happy sunday everyone....boy the DIS is driving me crazy the last day or two....it wasn't working at all for me last night....and I haven't been getting email reminders about new posts...and the posts are all out of order so I find myself reading and backtracking and trying to figure out the flow of the conversation.....it's givin' me a headache!!

anyhow.....We were online exactly at 12:00am and we were fully booked and got all our first choices and were done by 12:14am....so we're pleased.

We got the 2 Day Castaway Cay package to include bikes and floats and snorkel gear so we we can use stuff both days.

On our first Castaway Cay day we're doing the jet-ski eco-tour thing (neither of us have ever been on a jet-ski so we thought it would be something interesting to do). We're doing that at 10am (and then we'll have the rest of the afternoon to goof off ). On the second Castaway Day (last day of the cruise) we have 11am couples cabana massages and then the rest of the day to relax and we may rent a boat or one of this big silly water bikes.

On Day three, sea day, we got the Couples Choice Spa Villa experience in the late morning... ....we did that on the TransAtlantic and we just loved it...so that was a must-repeat.

In Grand Cayman we're doing the "Sea Trek." None of the excursions made me us jump out our seats (except the animal park which I'd have gone to, but we did animal parks on our last cruise and Jason wanted to do something different)....Jason thought the Sea Trek looked interesting because it's a "dive helmet" underwater experience....and it's a pretty short excursion so we'll have lots of extra time to beach or walk around or shop or just go back to the ship and relax.

We're also doing Palo Grand Cayman night....night 4. This was our toughest decision. We definitely didn't want to miss formal, semi-formal or pirate night. And I didn't want to do Palo on nights 1, 2 or 3 since we don't know our dining rotation and we don't want to take a chance of missing our first night in Animator's Palate because then we'd miss the dinner show (I know some people have posted that they aren't all that excited about AP and that it's their least favorite restaurant....but it's my and Jason's FAVORITE!! We love that place and wouldn't miss the dining experience in there for anything! ). So that really left us to choose Palo for night 4 or night 7.....and we kind of wanted to be in the dining room on our last night aboard to spend time with Chris, Rob, Hadley and Sandi and their families....so by default we ended up with night 4!

In Cozumel we're doing the "Four Elements" excursion. It's an all day excursion that includes biking and hiking and zip lines and swimming and eating. As soon as Jason saw it he insisted we must do that one.....it's funny but usually I'm the one who picks all our activities but this time Jason made all the decisions!

So that's our agenda for the cruise....we were excited we got everything we wanted. We weren't interested in tea and we didn't really like brunch that much last time we went (we're not seafood people)....so we're very happy. Hope to see some fellow DISers on some of our events!!

Of course, now that all that is booked....I have to busy myself witih worrying about something other than excursions......like finishing up all these lanyards, making door magnets, and thinking about secret mickeys (which I think should be starting very soon if I remember correctly).

 

[Epperbiker]

I also logged in then, was unable to get Tea but there was brunch. Maybe you can grab me some scones and cream?

Julie

It's a deal! I just love those yummy scones too!
I just hope we can get a brunch onboard.

 

[CrazyZeus1]

I see everyone has been BUSY!

Glad you all got what you wanted, sorry if you didn't get something you wanted.

For us...we don't do Palo rolleyes1 ) and we like to stay on the boat during shore visits so we didn't make any ressies for anything We like to get off the boat & walk around port but that's about it. We like the empty boat during port!

Reese's 5th birthday was yesterday, so between a big party and a house full of company, we've been busy & I haven't checked here lately.

Hope all is well & those of you in California aren't having trouble breathing with all the smoke. My brother is a nurse in Sacramento and he says it's unbearable outside with the smoke in the air...

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

Erik or anyone...

I was wondering - on CC - if you do the everthing package - where do you keep your float/tube while you're riding your bike, etc.? Do you hold on to a beach chair and leave it there? Is it even necessary to book it all ahead of time? Do they run out?

Last time I went to CC, Morgan was 4 months old. I plopped us in the shade and my mother and I alternated sitting with her and playing with the boys. So, leaving our stuff wasn't an issue.

This is how I envision our CC day: Morgan loves to ride bikes, so we will definitely ride both CC days. I definitely want to relax and read and sunbathe. We want to snorkel (we've never done it), but probably only for one day for a bit - not for both days. And the floats sound great. I'm sure Morgan will want to go off to the kids thing if friends are there.

I just don't get the logistics. I feel like we'd be hogging up beach chairs while we're out doing stuff - but if that's what everyone does, then okay.

Can someone explain to me how they do CC?

Wow, lots of words, Stella, lots of words (you should see me when I'm drinking...LOL).

 

[Selket]

I booked my mom on that Catamaran excursion.

Sweet! We'll be par-tay-ing with your mom - LOL!

The only thing that concerns me is that it is scheduled to get back at 5:55pm which will definitely affect our main dinner seating. I asked on the main forum and folks said we could just tell our servers we'd be a bit late - hope that works! Otherwise we'll eat at Topsiders or room service. I'm sure we won't starve.

For GC I booked the 9:30 Pirate Encounter for all of us and the 1:30pm Shipwreck and Reef Snorkel for DH and older DS.

For CC I just did the 2 day snorkel rental.

 

[Selket]

Can someone explain to me how they do CC?

We left our stuff on a couple of chairs - it seemed like everyone just got a few chairs as "home base" and left stuff on them. We didn't get chairs too close to the water as we got there a bit later and all the chairs down there were gone.

I don't really like leaving our stuff unattended but that is the only option I guess. Are there lockers on CC?

I don't know how old your daughter is but we spent most of our day in the snorkel lagoon. You must have snorkel equipment to use it. Our son who was 5 at the time didn't really snorkel but he'd put on his mask and pretend I guess. One of the adults stayed with him while the other would snorkel out in the lagoon with the older one. It was SO much less crowded in the snorkel lagoon compared to the other side of the rope for the family beach. I'm sure if you venture farther down the family beach it is less congested but that worked well for us.

 

[Fizzgig]

Sweet! We'll be par-tay-ing with your mom - LOL!

The only thing that concerns me is that it is scheduled to get back at 5:55pm which will definitely affect our main dinner seating. I asked on the main forum and folks said we could just tell our servers we'd be a bit late - hope that works! Otherwise we'll eat at Topsiders or room service. I'm sure we won't starve.

For GC I booked the 9:30 Pirate Encounter for all of us and the 1:30pm Shipwreck and Reef Snorkel for DH and older DS.

For CC I just did the 2 day snorkel rental.

Mom's looking forward to the snorkeling. And the boat. And the tasty beverages.

Topsiders is quite tasty, too. Not a bad choice at all. It isn't as dressy as the rotational restaurants, so you could freshen up in your room after your excursion and then go as you are to Topsiders. Topsiders isn't a buffet at night, by the way. We ate fairly well the night we went on the last cruise.

Ok, time to turn off the computer and get moving for the day. Talk to you guys later!

 

[nenner1]

Glad to hear most everyone got what they wanted.

We did too!

I actualloy had trigger finger and logged on when the clock on my compter turned 12:00...but the clock on my cable box said 11:59 still...
I was afraid that would mess things up but it didn't, I got right in and all the options were there.

Went for Palo Brunch first....saw that the Tea was still there, but we weren't interested. Got brunch at 11:30 Monday..all four choices were still there and that is what we picked. Then snagged dinner, no problem there....tons of dinner slots, on the 1/2 hour for every day of the cruise. Got Sunday at 8:30...perfect!

Got all the Flounder's time I wanted, none of that was booked up at all. I took both port morinings from 8/9:30 til 2 both days...wooohoo!
I like how when you book Palo it will automatically book FR for the same time slot (if you choose). Very convenient!

Was anyone else as dingy as me and got things booked "unconfirmed" then didn't realize to hit submit at the bottom? I got all the way to the Flounder's stuff when I realized I had to do this and I thought for sure that everything would be gone cause I waited too long! Luckily that wasn't the case...Whew!

 

[alleluia5]

Well we were on at 12:01 and it showed 3 brunch times but clicking on them only gave that nasty red error "something has changed, the time is no longer available" Oh well, will have to do that when we get on board. We did get Palo night 2 - we do the late dining so if we guessed right then that will be the first of 2 nights in the same restaurant.

Also booked the 2 day float rental so I can get the discount (its only $1.50 for the second day). Grand Caymen will be: Rum Point Beach Adventure & Stingray City Snorkel and hubby wanted to do the Dolphin Discovery Cozumel and finally booked Couples Choice in the Villa on Thursday.
boy I have some saving to do. We will see if we keep the massage - hubby would really like to but its pricey. I know, I know - once a year, yadee yadee - live a little

Anyways - the bummer was the folks we are traveling with hadn't paid off their room so couldn't book the palo with them. May have to try to change that on the boat - we'll see.

Happy Sunday all!

 

[scoutsmom99]

Well, I was able to log in easily and everything went well. I didn't plan on Palo this trip and I booked my dolphin encounter at Cozumel independantly so I didn't have any issues with anything else I wanted. Booked the Island Tour and Butterfly farm for GC at 8AM (for now - my Mom and I are normally early risers) and the 2-day floats for CC. Also booked a stone massage for the 2nd sea day so it's all looking good.

We are doing the same tour on GC (well and the Dolphin Encounter at 1:00pm) I'm glad to hear it is offered early in the morning we will hopefully be on the same one! I'm hoping to book a stone massage as well.

 

[nenner1]

We did get Palo night 2 - we do the late dining so if we guessed right then that will be the first of 2 nights in the same restaurant.

Actually as the rotations are now, nights 2 & 3 are the doubles...night 3 is the repeat of night 2. (Never mind, I'm a dum dum.... that's what you said) But night 2 is the actual restaurant menu, night 3 is Golden Mickeys. So you night want to switch that if you don't want to miss a regular rotation menu. Or request a rotation that puts you in the restaurant you would rather "miss" that evening!

 

[zweihund]

For Cozumel I chose the Fury Catamaran Sail, Snorkel and Beach Party - anyone else doing that or know anything about it? It got good reviews from Passporter.

I hope everyone got what they wanted last night! I saw the boards were down.

I did hear great things about it, and that was one of our considerations for Cozumel.....but hubby wasn't sure how well he would do bouncing around on a small-ish boat with liquor in his system
It does sound like a hoot, though!

I was wondering - on CC - if you do the everthing package - where do you keep your float/tube while you're riding your bike, etc.? Do you hold on to a beach chair and leave it there? Is it even necessary to book it all ahead of time? Do they run out.

Unless I am mistaken, you get vouchers for each item so you don't have to lug everything around all day. You can snorkel for a bit and then turn everything in, and then take a bike ride, and later grab your floats and take them down to the beach. I don't think anything really runs out, but I've been wrong once or twice

I also think your stuff is pretty safe if you "claim" a spot. Just don't do what someone did to Mat and Sarah (silversae) on their last trip to CC.....they were a few feet from a hammock, and obviously heading toward it, and some guy RAN IN FRONT OF THEM and put his stuff down on it.

Wow.

Well we were on at 12:01 and it showed 3 brunch times but clicking on them only gave that nasty red error "something has changed, the time is no longer available" Oh well, will have to do that when we get on board. We did get Palo night 2 - we do the late dining so if we guessed right then that will be the first of 2 nights in the same restaurant.

Also booked the 2 day float rental so I can get the discount (its only $1.50 for the second day). Grand Caymen will be: Rum Point Beach Adventure & Stingray City Snorkel and hubby wanted to do the Dolphin Discovery Cozumel and finally booked Couples Choice in the Villa on Thursday.
boy I have some saving to do. We will see if we keep the massage - hubby would really like to but its pricey. I know, I know - once a year, yadee yadee - live a little

Anyways - the bummer was the folks we are traveling with hadn't paid off their room so couldn't book the palo with them. May have to try to change that on the boat - we'll see.

Happy Sunday all!

We're at Palo that night too, and will be at Rum Point! We will see you there! You know the easiest way to save the excursion money? Imagine having to cancel your massage. THAT will inspire you!
Well, it works for me, anyway.

We finally have all of our "play money" saved, so I need to call DCL and put it on our shipboard account before it gets spent on something else!

Happy Sunday, all. We are off to see Wall-E!

 

[Paul2003]

I hope all the CC members got what they wanted.......did you guys leave anything for the lowly first time cruisers? Oh no! I guess we will be settling for Dinner and trying for Brunch onboard! Oh well.

Paul - Our family & Denise's will be trying for the Pirate Encouter also!

Crissi

Crissi,
COOL Can't wait to meet you.
I was on line with DCL at 12:00 am, already times were filled up at Palo

 

[alleluia5]

We're at Palo that night too, and will be at Rum Point! We will see you there! You know the easiest way to save the excursion money? Imagine having to cancel your massage. THAT will inspire you!
Well, it works for me, anyway.

We finally have all of our "play money" saved, so I need to call DCL and put it on our shipboard account before it gets spent on something else!

Happy Sunday, all. We are off to see Wall-E!

We saw Wall-E yesterday - very cute. Amazing how much of a movie you can "get" with little talking. What time is your Palo?

Great idea about adding to the shipboard account before the trip - I have never done that. Only fear (me being paranoid) is what if the money isn't there for some reason when you board??