Getting there...need help/tips

[curious16]

We are transferring from the Contemporary via Polynesian to the ship. We are to meet up at 11:30 a.m. at the Polynesian and then head over to the cruise ship. We are on the 3 day Wonder. How long does it take to get over to the cruise ship and should the first thing I do is try to get reservations at Palos? The unofficial book says we should get Palos on a night where we don't want to eat at (I can't recall the name of this place) - any tips on embarking upon the ship? Plus, I read the cruise thread and it was overwhelming...basically it seems like we check everything and only need to bring aboard a small bag so that we can go for a swim while waiting for our room?

Any help/tips is appreciated!

 

[kcashner]

Ok...it takes about an hour to get to the port. Yes, you check everything except a small bag with documents, valuables, and maybe swimsuits.

Depending on boarding time, either go to lunch or to make Palo reservations when you board....or send dad and kids to lunch while mom makes reservations????

When you board, you can drop your carryon in the cabin...my steward asked that we not leave any valuables as he hadn't finished preparing the rooms yet...but you can pick up your dinner tickets so you'll know your seating schedule. As to which restaurant not to miss...on a 7 day, you will eat at each restaurant twice, and one of them a 3rd time. It's more a matter of which menu you don't want to miss. Personally, I wouldn't miss the steak and lobster nite. You can see menus at DCL or castawayclub.com. Which nite not to miss is really a personal preference.

So...you board sometime around noon, go to stateroom and get dinner tickets, and someone goes to make Palo reservations and spa reservations. The rest can go to lunch or hang and wait for you. Then, after lunch, register the kids in their programs, then go to the deserted pool and chill out for awhile... Then the mandatory safety drill, and then the fun really starts.....