Has anyone sailed the 7-day cruise out of San Juan? Palo question

[Mickeyhugger]

DH and I were looking at possibly sailing April 2017.

However I noticed there's only ONE sea day. That means only one Palo brunch day.

Palo brunch is a must-do for us every cruise. Even though we're Platinum, I'm concerned that it will be fully booked with Concierge cruisers.

Have any Platinum or Gold cruisers been able to secure a brunch ressie with only one sea day? We were able to on the Dream five years ago (gold) but I'm concerned about this. Call me crazy, but it will make or break our decision to book. (Guess I'm also wondering, they don't add an extra brunch on a port day?)

 

[dcassetta]

I haven't done this particular cruise, but it doesn't seem likely to me that you would have trouble getting a table. Even if every concierge cabin was full of adults and they all booked the Palo brunch, I would think there would still be room. I haven't looked at that particular itinerary, do you come into any of the ports at noon or later? I have been on Wonder and Magic cruises where we didn't reach Key West until noon, and there was brunch offered on those days.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

DH and I were looking at possibly sailing April 2017.

However I noticed there's only ONE sea day. That means only one Palo brunch day.

Palo brunch is a must-do for us every cruise. Even though we're Platinum, I'm concerned that it will be fully booked with Concierge cruisers.

Have any Platinum or Gold cruisers been able to secure a brunch ressie with only one sea day? We were able to on the Dream five years ago (gold) but I'm concerned about this. Call me crazy, but it will make or break our decision to book. (Guess I'm also wondering, they don't add an extra brunch on a port day?)

DCL does hold back some reservations for booking onboard. I'd suggest keeping an eye on your reservation booking page all the way up to 3 days prior to your cruise (as some people do cancel). Then, if a reservation hasn't popped up, head for where the Palo dining changes are handled once onboard (it will be listed in the Navigator you get in the terminal where/when this is). Worst case, you'll be put on the wait list, but, IMO, you have good chance of getting a reservation.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

DCL does hold back some reservations for booking onboard. I'd suggest keeping an eye on your reservation booking page all the way up to 3 days prior to your cruise (as some people do cancel). Then, if a reservation hasn't popped up, head for where the Palo dining changes are handled once onboard (it will be listed in the Navigator you get in the terminal where/when this is). Worst case, you'll be put on the wait list, but, IMO, you have good chance of getting a reservation.

I'm very well aware of all of this after 13 Disney cruises. My question is more for those who have sailed this itinerary.

 

[lorimay]

DH and I were looking at possibly sailing April 2017.

However I noticed there's only ONE sea day. That means only one Palo brunch day.

Palo brunch is a must-do for us every cruise. Even though we're Platinum, I'm concerned that it will be fully booked with Concierge cruisers.

Have any Platinum or Gold cruisers been able to secure a brunch ressie with only one sea day? We were able to on the Dream five years ago (gold) but I'm concerned about this. Call me crazy, but it will make or break our decision to book. (Guess I'm also wondering, they don't add an extra brunch on a port day?)

We are looking at this itinerary too and we are also platinum, I asked on one of the threads of someone who sailed this month, no reply yet.
I was hoping they would add another brunch day, maybe on a late port arrival day (if there is one).
Otherwise, I may have to stay up till midnight when our booking window opens, no fun.

 

[Kez250]

Looking at the navigators that were posted from the January 10 2016 cruise, the only Palo brunch was indeed on day 2, the only sea day. Looking at cruise itineraries, most port days seem to arrive at 7.30am and leave at 4.45pm, so no late arrivals either

 

[ImprovGal]

Recently back from the 1/17 southern Caribbean cruise on the Wonder -- There was indeed only the one sea day for Palo brunch bookings. My group was split amongst 3 linked cabins. One cabin had a Platinum in it and was able to book brunch for that cabin on Platinum release day (with choice of times); one cabin had a Platinum in it, but wasn't PIF until somewhere between Gold and Silver release day and saw no brunch availability; other cabin was Silver. If for some reason, you get shut out of a brunch reservation, I strongly suggest getting to the port early so you can be there when they let boarding group 1 aboard and head right to where they are doing the Palo reservations (on our cruise it was Triton's). We were able to get the rest of our group combined into the reservation (with a change of reservation time) on boarding.

 

[jennifermcb]

I am gold and was able to secure Palo Brunch for the only sea day. I was sure to log on as early as possible the day bookings were made available. Good luck! We sailed the Jan 10/San Juan cruise and there was heavy demand for Palo Brunch for those just embarking.

 

[mickey squared]

I was on the 1/17 San Juan cruise and platinum but didn't book soon enough and the wait list was over 45 reservations. We did book palo dinner, but not the same. Yes, only one brunch and there didn't seem like many platinum cruisers that week. Very strange and different cruise from the usual.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Thank you for the information in the Navigator, and for all of you who've sailed this itinerary.