Help please! Possible last minute cruise

[DISNEYFAN3260]

For reasons too long to go into, my DH and I are considering changing our 3 night Dream trip next January to the same itinerary - in 3 weeks! I am a serious advance planner and literally NEVER do things last minute, so before we make the change, please help me think through all the possible pitfalls of booking at this late date. Will I still get cruise docs mailed in advance, are we less likely to get dining rotation requests in the MDRs, etc, etc. I'm Platinum CC, so at least PAT isn't an issue, but what should things could be a problem or hassle that I may not realize. Thanks for any help - my head is spinning!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

For reasons too long to go into, my DH and I are considering changing our 3 night Dream trip next January to the same itinerary - in 3 weeks! I am a serious advance planner and literally NEVER do things last minute, so before we make the change, please help me think through all the possible pitfalls of booking at this late date. Will I still get cruise docs mailed in advance, are we less likely to get dining rotation requests in the MDRs, etc, etc. I'm Platinum CC, so at least PAT isn't an issue, but what should things could be a problem or hassle that I may not realize. Thanks for any help - my head is spinning!

You probably won't get the mailing. But you don't really need it. You can pick up luggage tags at the port when you get there. Or at the DCL transfer desk at MCO, if you're coming in that way.

Dining rotation - rotations are assigned about 2 weeks out, so you might still get what you asked for.

If you had any Mixology/character meets/excursion/adult dining booked, you'd lose those.

 

[Shanti]

For reasons too long to go into, my DH and I are considering changing our 3 night Dream trip next January to the same itinerary - in 3 weeks! I am a serious advance planner and literally NEVER do things last minute, so before we make the change, please help me think through all the possible pitfalls of booking at this late date. Will I still get cruise docs mailed in advance, are we less likely to get dining rotation requests in the MDRs, etc, etc. I'm Platinum CC, so at least PAT isn't an issue, but what should things could be a problem or hassle that I may not realize. Thanks for any help - my head is spinning!

I've booked 2 wonderful last-minute DCL cruises. There really are no drawbacks. Go for it.

 

[Sytrace]

For reasons too long to go into, my DH and I are considering changing our 3 night Dream trip next January to the same itinerary - in 3 weeks! I am a serious advance planner and literally NEVER do things last minute, so before we make the change, please help me think through all the possible pitfalls of booking at this late date. Will I still get cruise docs mailed in advance, are we less likely to get dining rotation requests in the MDRs, etc, etc. I'm Platinum CC, so at least PAT isn't an issue, but what should things could be a problem or hassle that I may not realize. Thanks for any help - my head is spinning!

Our most recent cruise in February was booked 8 days before sailing. We are platinum as well so PAT was not an issue. Nor was booking Palo, or Princess meet and greets. We did not do excursions, but when I looked there were quite a few things opened up.

Our next cruise was booked 34 days in advance and again, no issues getting Palo, or excursions either. Have not tried for Princess or Anna/Elsa meet and greets this time.
Have a fantastic time!

 

[mmouse37]

Our last cruise in January I booked December 26th so about a month in advance. My book was mailed to me. I could not get any Palo reservation online but was able to get them onboard. I was flexible with day and time. I could not get character breakfast tix. We didn't really want any excursions so that was not a problem. We just did things on our own. We like late dining and didn't really care what rotation we were on. We also don't really care where they assign us a cabin so for us booking last minute has no drawback and plenty of discount.

We are also Platinum.

MJ

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Last minute is the only way we've done DCL so far; booking 1 week in advance and booking 4 weeks in advance. No problems with Palo reservations, excursions, main dining, or even PAT times. Interestingly enough, our upcoming cruise we booked 80 days in advance, and while we had no problems with excursions, main dining, and PAT times, Palo brunch is full (will try to get a reservation once on board).

 

[Macprincess]

I have booked a last minute FL resident rate cruise that left 6 days after we booked. We did not receive cruise docs in the mail but that was no big deal as we were able to do online check in before hand and we acquired luggage tags from the porters at the port. Even at the late booking date I was able to get a 11:30 PAT. We had a late dining assignment, but this again was a non issue for us as this is our preferred dining anyway. We did not request any particular dining rotation but did request to have a table alone and this was granted. We did get locked out of booking Palo (both brunch and dinner) but we we're able to book both once we boarded the ship with no issues. Although, we did head straight to book Palo as soon as the desk opened up for these bookings and there were only two of us so that may have helped. I also was unable to book a spa appointment for a hot stone massage but again I had no issue booking this once on board. We did not look into excursions ahead of time but did book a snorkeling excursion in Nassau once on board.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Thanks everyone for all the good info and making me feel less stressed about the planning! We made the change this afternoon and things went smoothly overall.