I have a couple of questions!

[Annae]

This will be our first cruise and we are sailing on the Wonder for 4 days starting May 16, 2004.

My first question deals with boarding. I have heard that boarding starts as early as 12:00 noon. Is this correct? We are doing the land and sea package and I am concerned about getting to the boat when boarding starts to not miss out on scheduling Palo and spa reservations.

Immediately upon boarding, should we have someone in our group go to Palo to make reservations or does the restaurant not open right away for reservations?

I have heard a lot about the scrapbooks sold in the gift shops. Does anyone know how many are stocked on the boat for each sailing? I need to know if I should rush to the gift shop when I board. Also does anyone know which gift shop carries the scrapbooks and where exactly the gift shop is located so that I can save time.

I don't want to miss out on the restaurant I believe is called Parrot Cay. What happens if I book Palo and later find out that it is supposed to be on the same night as we are to rotate to Parrot Cay? Can we switch this with Triton's or Anamator's Pallette?

When is it decided what restaurant you will start with on the rotation? Who decides it?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am new at this.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Originally posted by Annae
My first question deals with boarding. I have heard that boarding starts as early as 12:00 noon. Is this correct?

**Yes, boarding can start about 11:45 a.m. Palo reservations begin at 1:00 p.m. in Wavebands. Sometimes they will open earlier than 1 for reservations, but on our trip this last weekend on the Wonder, they opened up at 1 on the dot. There were maybe 5-10 people in line at that time.


I have heard a lot about the scrapbooks sold in the gift shops. Does anyone know how many are stocked on the boat for each sailing? I need to know if I should rush to the gift shop when I board. Also does anyone know which gift shop carries the scrapbooks and where exactly the gift shop is located so that I can save time.

**I think you're thinking of Mickey's Mates. The gift shops will not open until 6 or 7 p.m., as they do not open while in Port. The gift shops are always well stocked, and had the scrapbooks the entire weekend. I think they may carry them on Castaway Cay as well.

I don't want to miss out on the restaurant I believe is called Parrot Cay. What happens if I book Palo and later find out that it is supposed to be on the same night as we are to rotate to Parrot Cay? Can we switch this with Triton's or Anamator's Pallette?

**When you get to your room, there will be dinner tickets there waiting for you with your rotations, but I think they let you know when you check in, too. We knew ours ahead of time since we asked DCL about a month before we left. You have a variety of times that you can choose from for Palo.

When is it decided what restaurant you will start with on the rotation? Who decides it?
**Hmm...this one I don't know. I think maybe by the amount of people, and your dining times?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am new at this.

Hope I helped a little! I'm not an expert by any means though..but these guys on this board are great, and very helpful!!

 

[jiminy579]

Originally posted by Annae
This will be our first cruise and we are sailing on the Wonder for 4 days starting May 16, 2004.

My first question deals with boarding. I have heard that boarding starts as early as 12:00 noon. Is this correct? We are doing the land and sea package and I am concerned about getting to the boat when boarding starts to not miss out on scheduling Palo and spa reservations.
<b> <font color=blue>When we sailed on the Wonder last year we didn't have a problem getting reservations for Palo. They didn't start taking reservations until around 1, so you will have time. Once you check in you will know your dining rotation and know what night to book Palo. On the 4 night you will dine in one of the rotation restaurants twice, so you can pick that night for Palo in order to see them all!<font color=black>
</b>

I have heard a lot about the scrapbooks sold in the gift shops. Does anyone know how many are stocked on the boat for each sailing? I need to know if I should rush to the gift shop when I board. Also does anyone know which gift shop carries the scrapbooks and where exactly the gift shop is located so that I can save time. <b> <font color=blue>I couldn't wait to see what scrapbooks the ship had, and was sad to find out they only had one in Mickey's Mates. Both shops are located right across from eachother. The scrapbook set they sell is $25.00 and comes with some really cute diecuts. I am not sure what albums you currently work in, but the one they sell is postbound. Since a year has gone by since we last sailed, they might have changed their merchandising. Maybe someone who has sailed recently can let you know. </b><font color=black>


When is it decided what restaurant you will start with on the rotation? Who decides it? <font color=blue> <b>Again, you will see your dining rotation on your room keys. They will explain it when you check in. </b><font color=black>

Sorry for all the questions, but I am new at this.

<font color=blue>

<b>Have a WONDERful cruise!!!!</b><font color=black>

 

[BeanoC]

Hi Annae !

Boarding can start as early as 11:45. We boarded both cruises about that time earlier this month.

yes, you shold have someone go directly to make reservations upon boarding, however they are not made at the restaurant.
Palo reservations are usually taken in Wavebands, on deck 3.
They'll tell you that reservations start at 1:00PM, but go get in line anyway...

You'll know your dining rotation as soon as you check in. It's written on your Key to the World card. "PTAP" means Parrot Cay, Tritons, Animators Palate, Parrot Cay. Disney decides which rotation to put you on based on your ages, kid's ages, etc. Most families with younger kids get the early seating with the PTAP rotation. So, once you know which restaurant is which night, you can decide when you want to go to Palo. I suggest doing it on the last night, so you don't miss any of the restaurants. Whichever rotation you have, you would repeat your first restaurant on your last night, so you can plan ahead to go to Palo on Wed. night, regardless of which one you get.


Hope this helps you!




'Beano'

 

[Favorite Auntie]

My first question deals with boarding. I have heard that boarding starts as early as 12:00 noon. Is this correct? We are doing the land and sea package and I am concerned about getting to the boat when boarding starts to not miss out on scheduling Palo and spa reservations.

Some people have reported that boarding has started as early at noon, I have usually boarded at around 12:30.


Immediately upon boarding, should we have someone in our group go to Palo to make reservations or does the restaurant not open right away for reservations?

I would have someone go to the designated PALO reservation area (not PALO itself) as soon as you board. They usually start to give out numbers for reservations before the specified time.


I have heard a lot about the scrapbooks sold in the gift shops. Does anyone know how many are stocked on the boat for each sailing? I need to know if I should rush to the gift shop when I board. Also does anyone know which gift shop carries the scrapbooks and where exactly the gift shop is located so that I can save time.


I like to scrapbook as well, but you never know what is going to be available on the ship. In January they had no DCL specific scrapbook stuff, but tons of stuff for the parks. And that was the first day...The store (Mickey's Mates) is located on deck 4 midship, you will board on deck three midship.


I don't want to miss out on the restaurant I believe is called Parrot Cay. What happens if I book Palo and later find out that it is supposed to be on the same night as we are to rotate to Parrot Cay? Can we switch this with Triton's or Anamator's Pallette?

Your dining rotation will be right on your KTTW card that you will receive in the terminal before you board. (TAP = Triton's, Animator's Palate, Parrot Cay.) So you should not have a problem figuring out which night you want to go to PALO.

Hope this helps!

 

[ofiesty4u]

My first question deals with boarding. I have heard that boarding starts as early as 12:00 noon. Is this correct? We are doing the land and sea package and I am concerned about getting to the boat when boarding starts to not miss out on scheduling Palo and spa reservations.

If you're using the DCL transportation you will not get to the dock early. We just got home a week ago from our land/sea package... the DCL bus didn't pick us up until 12:30 and it's an hour ride to the port. We got reservations at Palo but not the day/time that we wanted.