I've Got Questions...

[becka]

and I sure hope you all have the answers!

Well it looks like we have decided that we are going to try the cruise. We will be booking the 4 night Wonder sailing on 5/16/04. This will be an adults only trip for DH and I (DS will be staying with my parents) and we will be celebrating our 7th anniversary.

I have really just started some general planning by reading here and on the castaway club site but I still had some questions that I hoped you could help me with. Sorry there are so many and that they are so varied but I didn't want to start 15 threads. If you only have info on 1 or 2 questions then that would be great.

1. The dining rotation: I have seen that you are assigned a rotation but on the 4 night cruise do you automatically repeat the 1st restaurant on the 4th night or do you just return to the 3rd restaurant on the list?

2. If you draw Triton's for your 1st night and then also for your 4th night will you know in advance so you can bring two dressier outfits or should you just plan for this just in case?

3. I don't know if we will be able to arrive the night before and I am afraid that the flights we can get may not get us to the port very early. If we are not there right at first do we risk getting locked out of Palo and spa reservations?

4. I have seen references to a "guaranteed" category reservation. I am assumming this means that you are not assigned a stateroom at the time you book. Is this a good thing? Does it up your chances for an upgrade? Does it mean that you will probably get the worst cabins?

5. I don't know if I will get seasick or not but something tells me I may be at risk. Is there a better place to be on the ship to help lessen the chance?

6. Are the excursions worth it? Since you spend so little time anyway on the ship with a 4 day would it be better to just stay on board and enjoy the pool, etc. when it is less crowded? Are there enough activities on board during those days to keep us busy?

7. Has anyone parasailed on Castaway Cay? DH and I are thinking is sounds like fun but I was wondering how the tandem thing worked and if it was worth it.

8. If you are lucky enough to get an upgrade is it usually just 1 or 2 category levels? If we book an 11 I would assume that getting a 6 is probably very, very unlikely. Would it be worth an extra 200+ to book an oceanview and hope for an upgrade to a verandah? Is an oceanview worth $200 over a cat 11?

9. My DH has allergies to legumes (nuts, beans and peas - including soy). Should I tell DCL when we book and will they make any necessary accommodations or will we have to keep making sure that they know? Will there be staff at the buffets that can tell us for sure how things were prepared?

10. How long are the evening shows? From looking at Navigators online it look like pin trading is every night from 7:30 - 8:30. We would like late dinner seating so that will be at 8:30 and I am afraid the shows would overlap with the pin trading. DH is a big pin trader and I would hate for him to miss the shows?



OK so there were only 10 questions and not 15. Really any help you can provided would be appreciated!

 

[WDWLVR]

Becka - welcome to the cruise board. Let me try and answer some of your questions.

1. The dining rotation: I have seen that you are assigned a rotation but on the 4 night cruise do you automatically repeat the 1st restaurant on the 4th night or do you just return to the 3rd restaurant on the list?
you go back to the restaurant you had on the first night

2. If you draw Triton's for your 1st night and then also for your 4th night will you know in advance so you can bring two dressier outfits or should you just plan for this just in case?Most likely with adults only. Consider Palo for either your first or last night so you see everything.

3. I don't know if we will be able to arrive the night before and I am afraid that the flights we can get may not get us to the port very early. If we are not there right at first do we risk getting locked out of Palo and spa reservations?It is always best to get there the night before just for relaxation. If you get there later yes you may be locked out of some things but you'll still have a great cruise.

4. I have seen references to a "guaranteed" category reservation. I am assumming this means that you are not assigned a stateroom at the time you book. Is this a good thing? Does it up your chances for an upgrade? Does it mean that you will probably get the worst cabins?

You are guaranteed a category so you know what you are getting. Seems that at some times of the year those with this status get upgrades but it isn't a definate.

6. Are the excursions worth it? Since you spend so little time anyway on the ship with a 4 day would it be better to just stay on board and enjoy the pool, etc. when it is less crowded? Are there enough activities on board during those days to keep us busy?
Personal opinion on the 4 day - stay on board or do Atlantis on your own.

7. Has anyone parasailed on Castaway Cay? DH and I are thinking is sounds like fun but I was wondering how the tandem thing worked and if it was worth it.I did it alone and it was great fun. They cannot guarantee you will go up together. Depends on the wind etc.

8. If you are lucky enough to get an upgrade is it usually just 1 or 2 category levels? If we book an 11 I would assume that getting a 6 is probably very, very unlikely. Would it be worth an extra 200+ to book an oceanview and hope for an upgrade to a verandah? Is an oceanview worth $200 over a cat 11?Book what you will be happy with. Don't count on an upgrade.

9. My DH has allergies to legumes (nuts, beans and peas - including soy). Should I tell DCL when we book and will they make any necessary accommodations or will we have to keep making sure that they know? Will there be staff at the buffets that can tell us for sure how things were prepared? By all means have it noted on your reservation. Also talk to your head waiter and serving team the first night.

10. How long are the evening shows? From looking at Navigators online it look like pin trading is every night from 7:30 - 8:30. We would like late dinner seating so that will be at 8:30 and I am afraid the shows would overlap with the pin trading. DH is a big pin trader and I would hate for him to miss the shows?You'll have plenty of time for both! Disney isn't going to miss the opportunity to sell you pins

Hope this has helped!

Sorry - I just realized I totally forgot #5, but Suzanne took care of that one!

 

[floridaminnie]

5. I don't know if I will get seasick or not but something tells me I may be at risk. Is there a better place to be on the ship to help lessen the chance?

The closer you are to the water, the less you feel the motion.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

pin trading is always going on with the DCL staff. just ask them to see there pins and see if there is one you like. thanks

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

The closer you are to the water, the less you feel the motion.

Suzanne - I love when you talk technical...

 

[floridaminnie]

That's about as technical as I get and still know what I'm talking about.

 

[AnnMorin]

2. If you draw Triton's for your 1st night and then also for your 4th night will you know in advance so you can bring two dressier outfits or should you just plan for this just in case?

you won't know in advance but you could wear the same outfit with different accessories, like a black skirt with a red top one night and a blue on the other..

3. I don't know if we will be able to arrive the night before and I am afraid that the flights we can get may not get us to the port very early. If we are not there right at first do we risk getting locked out of Palo and spa reservations?

I am a big fan of getting in the day before, it takes away so much of the stress. Especially on the shorter cruises you get a full day on the ship (and rest the night before)

4. I have seen references to a "guaranteed" category reservation. I am assumming this means that you are not assigned a stateroom at the time you book. Is this a good thing? Does it up your chances for an upgrade? Does it mean that you will probably get the worst cabins?


A GTY only insures that you will get at least that catagory. It does not mean you are more likely to get an upgrade, nor does it mean you will get a less desirable cabin

5. I don't know if I will get seasick or not but something tells me I may be at risk. Is there a better place to be on the ship to help lessen the chance?
many people find that staying in either aft or midship and on a lower deck there is less movement felt


6. Are the excursions worth it? Since you spend so little time anyway on the ship with a 4 day would it be better to just stay on board and enjoy the pool, etc. when it is less crowded? Are there enough activities on board during those days to keep us busy?
There is plenty to do on board but if you see an excursion that interests you I would go for it. We have had some amazing excursions once in a lifetime experiences!


7. Has anyone parasailed on Castaway Cay? DH and I are thinking is sounds like fun but I was wondering how the tandem thing worked and if it was worth it.

My DH parasails each time at castaway cay (no way I would do it) Tandam is when they put two of you up together,

8. If you are lucky enough to get an upgrade is it usually just 1 or 2 category levels? If we book an 11 I would assume that getting a 6 is probably very, very unlikely. Would it be worth an extra 200+ to book an oceanview and hope for an upgrade to a verandah? Is an oceanview worth $200 over a cat 11?


Upgrades can happen at all levels but they really are few and far between. I would book what you really want now instead of hoping for an upgrade. That said though anything is possible
9. My DH has allergies to legumes (nuts, beans and peas - including soy). Should I tell DCL when we book and will they make any necessary accommodations or will we have to keep making sure that they know? Will there be staff at the buffets that can tell us for sure how things were prepared?
Definately tell DCL! Tell your wait staff right away. I am alergic to all forms of poultry (inlcuding eggs and chicken broth) my servers have been great in warning me what not to order. They will work around your allergies!

 

[my3kids]

On the food allergy...Don't wait until you are onboard and tell the wait staff...get a medical form from DCL now(call your travel agenct or DCL, whoever you booked through, to get the form.) You will be able to list his specific dietery requirements. If any changes are required, they will be ready. I have an unusual, severe allergy. I filled out the form and returned it as requested. At dinner the first night, I started to tell the servers and they said, "Oh, yes, we are well aware, as is the chef and staff." They told me each night what I could or couldn't order. Even the buffet people knew who I was and wouldn't let me pick a dessert until they got the dessert chef to go through all the recipies! That said....the buffet could be a dangerous place and you might have to ask questions there. Your own rotation dining staff should be in the know.

You can either fill out the form yourself, or have the allergist complete it.

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Ann.

Tandam is when they put two of you up together

Actually, "tandem" is two together.

"Tandam" is sunning on a barrier restraining a body of water...

 

[AnnMorin]

BD you must have a dictionary (or thesaurasis) for a brain!

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Ann.

you must have a dictionary (or thesaurasis) for a brain!

ty for the compliment, but relative to DD (deceased) and DB, I'm the least intelligent. Tend to forget facts, but embrace ideas with a passion...