First time DCL cruiser - what do I book when?

[lscrivan18]

I'm looking to book a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy and am a first time cruiser with DCL (I've cruised other lines). What am I able to book at the 75 day window and what opens up at 30 days? There are so many things I hear I need to book, I can't keep track.

 

[o&smom]

I'm looking to book a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy and am a first time cruiser with DCL (I've cruised other lines). What am I able to book at the 75 day window and what opens up at 30 days? There are so many things I hear I need to book, I can't keep track.

75 days is when you can book activities and restaurants. 30 days is for final check in and port arrival time.

 

[lscrivan18]

75 days is when you can book activities and restaurants. 30 days is for final check in and port arrival time.

What are the activities? Restaurants I presume are Remy and Palo?

 

[lscrivan18]

Another one - when do I select my dining time?

 

[lklgoodman]

Activities are things like alcohol tastings, speciality restaurants(Palo and Remy on the Fantasy), spa treatments, and port excursions Your dining time(early or late) is assigned when you booked the cruise. Go to your account on the DCL website to see what you have. They automatically put people in the late dinner when you book, but you can change it to early if you want(online) if there are openings. We've done 8 cruises, but I still always pick back up excursions in case the ones I want are all taken.

 

[Mommb]

You select first or second dining seating when you first book a cruise. The default is second seating, so if you prefer first seating, make sure you ask for it (or have your travel agent ask for it).

Almost everything that can be booked will be available when your booking window opens 75 days before your cruise. In addition to what lklgoodman listed, these include the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Castaway Cay Cabanas (although the cabanas are very likely to be fully booked before the 75 day mark).

As of now, there are a small number of character meets that can't be booked until 30 days before the cruise. Most character meets don't require registration at all -- you just see characters and join a line if there is one. The princess gathering, Frozen gathering, and some Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars meets do require free booking in advance, as do character breakfasts when offered. I think the Princess Tea, which does have an additional cost, is also booking at 30 days.

However, you don't "need" to book anything. There will plenty to do on the cruise that doesn't require advance planning. When your booking window opens, you can look at the port adventures, dining, and onboard activities that are available each day. If what you wanted isn't available, you can keep checking online, in case there are cancellations, and you can also check once you are onboard.

 

[lscrivan18]

You select first or second dining seating when you first book a cruise. The default is second seating, so if you prefer first seating, make sure you ask for it (or have your travel agent ask for it).

Almost everything that can be booked will be available when your booking window opens 75 days before your cruise. In addition to what lklgoodman listed, these include the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Castaway Cay Cabanas (although the cabanas are very likely to be fully booked before the 75 day mark).

As of now, there are a small number of character meets that can't be booked until 30 days before the cruise. Most character meets don't require registration at all -- you just see characters and join a line if there is one. The princess gathering, Frozen gathering, and some Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars meets do require free booking in advance, as do character breakfasts when offered. I think the Princess Tea, which does have an additional cost, is also booking at 30 days.

However, you don't "need" to book anything. There will plenty to do on the cruise that doesn't require advance planning. When your booking window opens, you can look at the port adventures, dining, and onboard activities that are available each day. If what you wanted isn't available, you can keep checking online, in case there are cancellations, and you can also check once you are onboard.

Any way to know if character breakfast is available before the booking window opens up?

 

[cmph]

Any way to know if character breakfast is available before the booking window opens up?

You will be able to see (at least some) things that are not yet available to book, but will be, with a date to book. I'm not sure when they load those things in with their booking dates, though.

Here is an example of how it looks for my upcoming March cruise, for the Royal Gathering. (I don't remember seeing this back in December, but it's possible I didn't notice.)

 

[Flossbolna]

You select first or second dining seating when you first book a cruise. The default is second seating, so if you prefer first seating, make sure you ask for it (or have your travel agent ask for it).

You can also change the dining seating in the app and on the website when logged in to your reservation. In the app it is under "Next Steps" if you click on "View All". On the website it is on the page called "Cruise Details" once you go further down.