**Fantasy Becomes Reality** Group--5/19/2012 (INDEX/ROLE CALL, PAGE 1--ENTRY 1)

[kimistry6]

We got 11 too! I was surprised to still find it available this morning when I checked in (about 8:15 CST). Got Palo dinner but no brunch. Tea was showing up and disappearing but could never get there in time. I got my excursions on CC and St Thomas and booked an 11am stone massage on Thursday. We'll keep trying with the brunch and tea.

I still need to finalize plans after the cruise. I think we are staying on property now but need to book. It is a lot more money but..... I couldn't resist. Justifying with the cheaper transportation and by assuming we will skip parks one day to play in the pool. Park tickets alone help offset the cost

It is getting closer!!!!

Happy Sunday all,
Mati

I started to just wait until this morning to check-in. Glad to see the 11 check-in was still available. Next time I think I will sleep in and then go with what's available.

 

[Boomerang4]

All checked in!

Quick question. I ask this EVERY time I cruise just to see, but kids under 16 can present a birth certificate rather than a passport, right? With as much traveling as we do, I plan to get the boys passports, but just in case... I put in that we would have other identification for them b/c they don't have them as of yet...

Just checking!

I would advise never leaving the country without a passport for a minor. I can't speak to whether it's required to leave the ship for shore excursions, but in the rare case that there is an emergency, should you be required to leave the ship or fly back to the U.S. you will want to have that passport. And you still have time, so if it were me, I'd get all travelers passports prior to departure. Just my two cents. Knock wood, none of us would ever run into that eventuality.

 

[carouselkr]

announce the surprise, unless we make it the pot of gold on st patty's day, lol!

I say if you can hold out til then, Pot of Gold is so cute (maybe the pot could be filled w/ "golden Mickeys" !!

Personally, I would never have been able to keep a secret - I have enough trouble hiding Christmas gifts!

 

[OKraysLoveDisney]

We, too, got an 11 a.m. arrival time. Is there anything earlier than that? I am giving up on Palo brunch; we will just save that for another time when we cruise. I figured it would be next to impossible to snag a brunch being the ship is brand new and so many repeat cruisers would be sailing.

There are so many wonderful things to eat on the ship we sure won't starve by not getting the brunch.

 

[kimistry6]

We, too, got an 11 a.m. arrival time. Is there anything earlier than that? I am giving up on Palo brunch; we will just save that for another time when we cruise. I figured it would be next to impossible to snag a brunch being the ship is brand new and so many repeat cruisers would be sailing.

There are so many wonderful things to eat on the ship we sure won't starve by not getting the brunch.

11:00 is the earliest time. Everything that I've read here on the boards says the port opens at 11, but some people have been able to enter ~10:50 or so. I will keep checking for brunch but I'm still very happy with getting a dinner. Last year on our Dream cruise there was nothing left for Palo at the 75 day mark.

 

[carouselkr]

I am giving up on Palo brunch; we will just save that for another time when we cruise. I figured it would be next to impossible to snag a brunch being the ship is brand new and so many repeat cruisers would be sailing.

I will say that when DH & I did a 14-night Transatlantic, we were able to book a Palo brunch on board, but Tea was sold out even with more than 6 sea days!

Just think, always an excuse to book another cruise! And, honestly, the food will be fabulous AND since there are TWO special shows at Animators Palate, you don't really want to miss them!

And, on another note, I did my best walking time today for the 5K (51:30) !!

 

[donaldsgal]

11:00 is the earliest time. Everything that I've read here on the boards says the port opens at 11, but some people have been able to enter ~10:50 or so. I will keep checking for brunch but I'm still very happy with getting a dinner. Last year on our Dream cruise there was nothing left for Palo at the 75 day mark.

What time do they start letting you board? It's been 7 years since our last DCL cruise, and it's escaping me!

I wish we knew our dining rotation so we'd know if we're going to miss the second show at AP, but I guess we can try to change things around on the ship if we want to see it badly enough.

 

[Donald Applecore]

What time do they start letting you board? It's been 7 years since our last DCL cruise, and it's escaping me!

I wish we knew our dining rotation so we'd know if we're going to miss the second show at AP, but I guess we can try to change things around on the ship if we want to see it badly enough.

Assuming the dining/show rotation for the eastern itinerary will still apply on the fantasy, your palo night is on pirate night. I'm not sure how that affects the AP show if your scheduled restaurant is AP on pirate night.

 

[kimistry6]

I will say that when DH & I did a 14-night Transatlantic, we were able to book a Palo brunch on board, but Tea was sold out even with more than 6 sea days!

Just think, always an excuse to book another cruise! And, honestly, the food will be fabulous AND since there are TWO special shows at Animators Palate, you don't really want to miss them!

And, on another note, I did my best walking time today for the 5K (51:30) !!

There are 2 shows at AP? Congrats on your walking time

 

[kimistry6]

What time do they start letting you board? It's been 7 years since our last DCL cruise, and it's escaping me!

I wish we knew our dining rotation so we'd know if we're going to miss the second show at AP, but I guess we can try to change things around on the ship if we want to see it badly enough.

I don't know first hand but the earliest I have seen with the new port opening time is 11:45 for boarding #1.

 

[DizDaddy]

11:00am baby! See y'all there!!!

 

[dlf246]

I know Donaldsgal has already seen this thread. It gives hope to those of us in "Palo brunch mourning".

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2880304

Be sure to look at post 2 by kcashner

 

[donaldsgal]

I don't know first hand but the earliest I have seen with the new port opening time is 11:45 for boarding #1.

Does that mean we're in group number 1? Sorry... I feel like I've become quite dense since our last cruise!

I know Donaldsgal has already seen this thread. It gives hope to those of us in "Palo brunch mourning".

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2880304

Be sure to look at post 2 by kcashner

Haha... yes... I wasted no time in making sure all hope was not lost!

 

[Donald Applecore]

WOW!!!
Check out these 159 pictures of the Fantasy!!
http://www.schiffe-und-kreuzfahrten...y-kreuzfahrtschiffs-waehrend-der-ausruestung/

 

[Elaine Dragonlady]

WOW!!!
Check out these 159 pictures of the Fantasy!!
http://www.schiffe-und-kreuzfahrten...y-kreuzfahrtschiffs-waehrend-der-ausruestung/

Great photos - thanks for the post.

 

[kimistry6]

Does that mean we're in group number 1? Sorry... I feel like I've become quite dense since our last cruise!



Haha... yes... I wasted no time in making sure all hope was not lost!

Unfortunately no, Platinum and Concierge are boarding # 1 but we will have a low boarding #. I've seen where some who have 11:00 port arrival were in group 2-3 and on shortly after getting to the port.

 

[donaldsgal]

Unfortunately no, Platinum and Concierge are boarding # 1 but we will have a low boarding #. I've seen where some who have 11:00 port arrival were in group 2-3 and on shortly after getting to the port.

Thanks for clarifying! We'll probably shoot for arrival at 10:50 or so to give us time to get out and get in the long line of FBRers (my sad little acronym for our group ) waiting to get the party started!

 

[kimistry6]

Thanks for clarifying! We'll probably shoot for arrival at 10:50 or so to give us time to get out and get in the long line of FBRers (my sad little acronym for our group ) waiting to get the party started!

We will see everyone there!! Hopefully we will be on the first shuttle from Country Inn & Suites.

 

[donaldsgal]

Good morning, everyone!

I'm writing because my sister, niece, and I have made arrangements for a non-DCL shore excursion and wanted to mention this to anyone who might be interested in joining us.

A few months ago, I read about a company called Rumbaba Charters (www.rumbabacharters.com). Here are some posts from other DISers who booked a day sail with this company:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37463899&postcount=10
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36010667&postcount=18

Additionally, Rumbaba Charters has been reviewed 104 times on TripAdvisor (link is here), and every last one has been an "excellent," with reviews as recent as last week.

They only take 6 people maximum, and they offer full day sails that are 6 hours. They require 4 people for a full-day sail, which is why we're recruiting more people to join us! The private sail is $800 - not exactly in our ball park! They take you to two snorkeling spots, around St. John, and provide a gourmet lunch. It's on the pricier side - $140 per person - but we opted not to do a cabana (even before we knew they weren't available! ), so we figure this is something to do instead. It sounds like an excellent company that offers quality experiences. Since there are just three of us, there is room for three more. I didn't know if anyone was interested. I've already been in contact with Rumbaba and had good, timely, professional communication. Based on our port schedule, we'll be sailing with them from 8:30-2:30. This is on the St. Thomas/St. John day, which is May 23 (Wednesday).

If anyone is interested, you can contact them on the website, which I'd recommend taking a look at as it's got lots of pictures, testimonials, a history of their company, etc. If you want to join us, let us know! Also, you could mention that to them when you email them. If no one is interested, no problem. Brena from Rumbaba said it's early, so there's a good chance they'll fill those extra spots.

Anyway, let me know if you want more information or if you want to join us. I think it'll be an amazing day with a personalized experience, from a reputable company that really knows the area.

Have a good day, everyone!

 

[carouselkr]

I know everyone is quite anxious to get on board and start their Fantasy cruise...however, since DH works, we arrive at the port around 12:30-12:45, and have found short lines and "open boarding" meaning you no longer have to wait for your group number to be called. That beats getting there early, and being group #28 when they have not even started calling #1 !