Is it really that bad (Palo ressie)?

[poohs4me]

I have seen all the posts about the ressie rush, but is it really that bad. I didn't get to go to Palo last time and am really excited about going this time, but am not sure I want the REAS. On a 7 day cruise is it really hard to get a ressie for the burnch and dinner? Is there anything I can do, besides REAS or concierge, to increase my chances?

 

[alexandrew]

we've never had to wait long to reserve Palo....nor were we ever denied our first choice of dining time....

...however, you must get to the reservation area fairly soon after boarding....

I think when people on this board describe the "ressie scramble" it refers to the aggregate of all the venues, including Palo, that you have to go to upon boarding to ensure reservations....these include Spa, Flounders, and Oceaneers Club/Lab...

 

[videoman]

We were at the port early and went straight to Palo reservations...we took a number and got the time we wanted. As long as you get to the port EARLY and get onboard w/in the first 100 or so, you should be fine. I think every cruise is different tho depending on how many people have the REAS and how crowded the ship is. Good Luck & Don't stress!!!

 

[ivanova]

I think if you reserve before the lift board drill you'll be ok - last November we did a 4 night on the Wonder, as soon as we boarded one of our group went to Palo's to get a ressie, and she said it was a snap. I just think if you wait until after 4:30pm (after the life boat drill) the outcome might be different.

 

[webray]

We have never had any problem, we just plan on going and making our reservations when we board the ship.

Hubby gets palo ressies, I do the spa and we meet up for the buffet when we are done. We have never had any problem at all.

 

[ThreeCircles]

I'll echo what the others have said on this topic. We have always been able to get a time-slot that we wanted for Palo dinner and Palo Champagne Brunch.

The only Palo reservation that we've missed was High Tea on one occasion. That was most likely due to the fact that we didn't get to the port or board the ship until much later than we usually do.

And, we've also always been able to get spa reservations that we've wanted too.

I think the "ressie rush" as many people refer to it on the Dis Boards may be a bit exaggerated.

 

[CAMICKEY]

I did not have any problems making appointments for my Mother at the spa when we got on the ship (I had already made ours with the REAS package and she was flying in late on the day of the cruise). I was able to get all of the appointments she wanted and I was about the 20th person in line. I will echo every one elses sentiments - You should not have a problem as long as you get on board early and go straight to the spa ressies area. - Mike

 

[DrCavin]

No problems here either for dinner. Brunch was getting low on choices for the day we wanted, but still had openings.

I had pictured people running after they boarded the ship to get in line for this, but was not even close to that.

For dinner at Palo they had a board in the front of the lines showing what days & times were still open. I think that only one time was removed from the board when we left. That was after getting dinner & brunch reservations. The brunch line was much slower, because only one person was taking the reservations vs. 3 or 4 taking dinner.

 

[mobetsy]

We certainly weren't the first in line, and got to the reservation area sometime around 1:00; we got our first choice for dinner, tea, and brunch.

 

[ivanova]

on the 3 and 4 night cruises, do they limit the # of Palo ressies you can make for one stateroom??

 

[happyrebster]

I agree with the others. I was a bit panicked after reading these boards -- I pictured the ressie rush as a frantic struggle and competition amongst the passengers that would swallow my first onboard afternoon in stress, sprinting and sweat. But it really wasn't that bad. Honestly. It was pretty civilized and I wasn't shut out of even one thing we wanted to do.

That said, of course, I have read of folks that were shut out of Palo. So it does happen. My suggestion would be: 1) relax. I worried way too much about it and that made it difficult to enjoy those first few exciting hours onboard. 2) That said, do plan ahead to arrive at the terminal before the ship starts boarding. 3) Once onboard, haul yourself directly to the reservations area and get it over with right away, even before lunch or checking into your cabin. If you do that, your chances really are quite good.

Then enjoy. Palo was a true joy.

 

[Rence]

Our cruise must have been the exception.

7 day Eastern in mid-December.

We took DCL transportation and arrived on board just before 2pm.

I went immediately to make Palo reservation.

No High Tea available.
No Palo Brunch available.
There was a grand total of two Palo dinner reservations left for the entire week. We got the second to the last one that was available.

 

[poohs4me]

Thanks for all the responses. I have already started preparing my family for the rush. You go here. Me there, etc. Its nice to know it won't be that bad. I know this has been said before, but how early do I have to arrive at the terminal to be one of the first 100.

 

[natdencro]

Ring or call in to Palo each day: they have cancellations and "no shows". We've had 2 Brunches and 1 dinner by checking daily.Brunch is by far the best meal in Palo, AND you get a view - which you dont in the evenings - as its dark!Nat

 

[Grumbo]

Natdencro said.............We've had 2 Brunches and 1 dinner by checking daily.

Yep and that was just the second day of the cruise!!! Sorry Nat couldn't resist.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[coleland]

Where exactly do you go to make the Palo reservations?

 

[kcashner]

I've never had a problem getting any ressie I wanted (veteran of 10 Magic cruises). I board early (get to port by noon)...and go to Dining changes first, then Palo, then spa, then kiddo programs (club/lab).

Ditto, by calling the day of an event at Palo, I was able to get a "second" reservation.

It seems that the big problem occurs on the 3/4 day cruises as there are the same number of cabins, but only 1/2 of the number of reservations.

 

[JanDave]

Hello: We've never had trouble getting a Palo dinner ressie the day we embark. On our 3 DCL cruises, we have had dinner a second time during each cruise and just called the day we wanted the ressie. We've never been turned down. It amazes me at Palo at the large number of empty tables during the dinner hour. Enjoy! Jan

 

[happyrebster]

We were only first bus over from MCO to the port and arrived in plenty of time to be among the first 100 on board. If you have your own transport, I would say shoot for arriving at the terminal when it opens which is, I believe around 10:30 or 11 am.

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by ivanova
on the 3 and 4 night cruises, do they limit the # of Palo ressies you can make for one stateroom??

On embarkation day, you are allowed 1 dinner and 1 brunch reservation per stateroom. Same applies for 7 night cruises and high tea.

However, as others have said, you can do repeats by getting on a waiting list. High tea was virtually empty; no more than 4-5 couples when I was there.

Sam