Jan. 29, 2012 Dream cruise

[jilljill]

***UPDATE***

Yahoo!! Thanks again JillJill,
If it works out, then we'll have saved appx $150 for four tickets (we'll still have to purchase one).
I emailed our Reps office (OR), then quickly got a reply saying, No. They told me they used to do this, but not anymore. I read on the board you posted that you need to follow up. So I called and talked directly with the assistant. Again, he said no. So I said please ask around, see what you can find, maybe there is and you just haven't heard...He said he already had and couldn't find anything, but if he did he'll let me know. Thinking I wasn't going to get them, I got an email the other day saying they could get four!!!

We don't have them physically or know when I'll officially get them, but he's confirmed verbally they will, so I'm still going to follow up and make sure.

Yea! only 75 more days!

You are welcome, glad I could help you save money. That's a nice chunk of change to be saving too.

 

[jilljill]

Being our 75 day mark, and we're noobs, we finally can register for excursions or adult dining.

My wife and I wanted to try Palo Brunch, but it looked like it was only on sea day and was booked.

Then we decided we'll book a dinner at Palo, but wasn't sure which night to do it. (I don't want to miss any of the dining rotation meals, and wanted to do it on a night we double up on one of the dining rooms, but we don't know What our rotation is)

Does anyone know how to find out, or when you find out the rotation assignment?

Also, there was a Tea at Palo, Sorry, but is this a meal or really just drinking tea?

We figured we could reschedule the Palo dinner later, but has anyone had experience with making changes and when is a good time to try and make them, once you find out what your rotation is.


Sorry for lots of questions, but I'm getting real excited now! C'mon January!

You will find out your dining rotation when you check in at the port.
Most likely Pirate Night will be on Castaway Cay night and they will serve the Pirate menu that night. People do like to book that night so they don't miss the regular dining room menu since they don't repeat a menu in the dining room.

When you check in at the port you will be given a Navigator and on it will be the time/location listed to go for Palo dining reservations/changes. I would head there a few minutes early in case there is a line. You can check for brunch reservations since they are not all released for pre-cruise booking.

Tea is high tea - tea sandwiches, scones, sweets and tea. In my opinion it's definately not worth $20. I would rather pay a few more dollars and enjoy high tea at the Grand Floridian.

Hope this helps.

 

[macusr]

Welcome.

Yes, much more activity here on DCL meets than over on CC.

If you are using DCL transport you don't have to worry about a port arrival time. So no need to reasearch that part.

I'm glad that's off my to-do list!

 

[supercards]

You will find out your dining rotation when you check in at the port.
Most likely Pirate Night will be on Castaway Cay night and they will serve the Pirate menu that night. People do like to book that night so they don't miss the regular dining room menu since they don't repeat a menu in the dining room.

When you check in at the port you will be given a Navigator and on it will be the time/location listed to go for Palo dining reservations/changes. I would head there a few minutes early in case there is a line. You can check for brunch reservations since they are not all released for pre-cruise booking.

Tea is high tea - tea sandwiches, scones, sweets and tea. In my opinion it's definitely not worth $20. I would rather pay a few more dollars and enjoy high tea at the Grand Floridian.

Hope this helps.

Very much, thanks again jilljill, that's what we'll plan on. At least we have one reserved for one night and if it doesn't work out, then that's ok. I think we'll have far than enough food options with dining rooms, room service, etc...

 

[jilljill]

Heading to WDW in the morning. If I don't check back in here here's hoping everyone has a good weekend, a good week and a very thankful Thanksgiving.

 

[dmatullo]

Hi Everyone,

We just booked this sailing today It will be our very first cruise ever! Our family consists of me, Debbie (42), DH Tony (43), DD Brianna (17) and DS Jacob (9).

I am completely clueless about cruising and am going batty reading everything! We booked a Palo dinner but I'm thinking of cancelling because I don't want to miss a rotation at the main dining rooms and also I'm feeling bad leaving the kids alone for dinner.

Trying to figure out what excursions if any to do is even worse than deciding on Palo! LOL Next up is figuring out all the details on these fish extenders! I am a big planner and we go to WDW a lot and I am feeling completely overwhelmed that I am going to miss something that shouldn't be missed. I guess thats why there are always a "next time"

Debbie

 

[supercards]

Hi there, my friend is traveling with her family and her oldest daughter is 10.

Thanks SoCaOC!
Sorry, don't know how I missed this awhile back. Our daughters are all very excited, and keep asking me, "How long away is it now?"
Thanksgiving and then Christmas will help provide some distraction, but we all know it's there coming up and we can hardly wait.

Is your friend on the boards?

PS- I lived in Vista for a short time after HS, living with family friends for a 'away from home' experience. Coming from wet/rainy Oregon, SC was nice! It was very pretty down there.

 

[supercards]

Hi Everyone,

We just booked this sailing today It will be our very first cruise ever! Our family consists of me, Debbie (42), DH Tony (43), DD Brianna (17) and DS Jacob (9).

I am completely clueless about cruising and am going batty reading everything! We booked a Palo dinner but I'm thinking of cancelling because I don't want to miss a rotation at the main dining rooms and also I'm feeling bad leaving the kids alone for dinner.

Trying to figure out what excursions if any to do is even worse than deciding on Palo! LOL Next up is figuring out all the details on these fish extenders! I am a big planner and we go to WDW a lot and I am feeling completely overwhelmed that I am going to miss something that shouldn't be missed. I guess thats why there are always a "next time"

Debbie

Welcome!

I felt the same as you.. I was SO GLAD to find the DIS boards. Now I feel a little more comfortable, and feel reasonably prepared. So grateful for everyone who post trip reports and the pictures and tips, etc. etc.
We reserved a Palo, figuring we can change once on board if things need to. Our excursions are still undecided, we were going to try the dophins, but decided against. We're going to try a trip to CA next year and hear six flags have them, and felt it'll be a nicer experience and no difference on cost.
We're still thinking about the stingrays at CC, and maybe biking there too. We'll have our hands full just enjoying and seeing all there is on the boat.

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

Thanks SoCaOC!
Sorry, don't know how I missed this awhile back. Our daughters are all very excited, and keep asking me, "How long away is it now?"
Thanksgiving and then Christmas will help provide some distraction, but we all know it's there coming up and we can hardly wait.

Is your friend on the boards?

PS- I lived in Vista for a short time after HS, living with family friends for a 'away from home' experience. Coming from wet/rainy Oregon, SC was nice! It was very pretty down there.

So funny, my DD keeps on asking about when we are going the Micky Boat too. At the time I told her "first we have Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then Micky Boat.

My friend is not on the boards, but I told her I was already networking with other families. I think JillJill was planning a cruise meet.

SoCal is lovely. But I do know about cold and rainy weather, since I moved here from Toronto Canada.

 

[jilljill]

So funny, my DD keeps on asking about when we are going the Micky Boat too. At the time I told her "first we have Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then Micky Boat.

My friend is not on the boards, but I told her I was already networking with other families. I think JillJill was planning a cruise meet.

SoCal is lovely. But I do know about cold and rainy weather, since I moved here from Toronto Canada.

I'm not planning the meet....someone else can handle that.


I feel like you DD.....how long until we sail?!? It seems like forever, but at least now we can say NEXT MONTH!

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

I'm not planning the meet....someone else can handle that.


I feel like you DD.....how long until we sail?!? It seems like forever, but at least now we can say NEXT MONTH!

Yes, next month. I am still trying to lose some lbs before then- Thankgiving was hard as Christmas will also be, but it's still doable.

I thought I read something about 10pm on the first night? (Unless that is just a guild line).

If anyone is interested, how about meeting at 10pm-ish ( I have second seating diner) at Skyline. I posted a link earlier to my pre-trip report so my picture is available. So, even if someone spots me wondering around feel free to say HI

 

[jilljill]

Yes, next month. I am still trying to lose some lbs before then- Thankgiving was hard as Christmas will also be, but it's still doable.

I thought I read something about 10pm on the first night? (Unless that is just a guild line).

If anyone is interested, how about meeting at 10pm-ish ( I have second seating diner) at Skyline. I posted a link earlier to my pre-trip report so my picture is available. So, even if someone spots me wondering around feel free to say HI

I just gave that as a suggestion when meets were being discussed earlier. I know it can be hard the first afternoon, especially when discovering a new ship.

 

[noahsketomom]

Hi everyone,
We will be coming with our 4 kids (ages 5-10), me, my DH, my mom, and my sister. Can't wait!!

Trying to start looking at excursions and stuff and getting a little concerned. Does anybody know how enjoyable the snorkeling is that time of year? Is the water temp cold enough that I should think about bringing warm suits/wetsuits for the kids? You'd think that I'd know a thing or two about water temps since we live on an island (in New England), but I don't.

Also, I just read about a Castaway Cay 5k? If I can shuffle the kids off on another adult in our party, I'm psyched to have some exercise in such a beautiful place!!!! Lemme know if anybody else is planning on doing this!!!

Best,
Beth

 

[jilljill]

It's hard to tell what the water temp will be that time of year, but I'm going to say chilly. Whether or not it's too chilly for you to snorkel depends on what you can stand for water temps. I'd say to monitor the couple of cruises before this one to get a feel for the water temps before making your final determination on snorkeling. We've been to CC the first weekend in Feb. and it was too cold and windy to sit on the beach. We've also been to CC the 3rd week in Jan. and had beautiful beach weather but the water was too cold for us to be in it, although there were plenty of people in the water.

 

[noahsketomom]

Hi all,
It was suggested that I post in case somebody is thinking of cancelling a stingray excursion at castaway cay. Can you give me a head's up? I didn't realize they book up so fast!!

Thanks,
Beth

 

[supercards]

As above, I would Love to do Brunch, but it's all booked out prior to our opening to reserve.
If anyone has it or knows someone who's going to cancel, please let me know via the board. Thanks!
(otherwise, I guess we'll check on boarding and see what luck their might be)

I'm soooo looking forward to eating on the cruise! It's so close now, yippeee!

 

[supercards]

***UPDATE***

Yahoo!! Thanks again JillJill,
If it works out, then we'll have saved appx $150 for four tickets (we'll still have to purchase one).
I emailed our Reps office (OR), then quickly got a reply saying, No. They told me they used to do this, but not anymore. I read on the board you posted that you need to follow up. So I called and talked directly with the assistant. Again, he said no. So I said please ask around, see what you can find, maybe there is and you just haven't heard...He said he already had and couldn't find anything, but if he did he'll let me know. Thinking I wasn't going to get them, I got an email the other day saying they could get four!!!

We don't have them physically or know when I'll officially get them, but he's confirmed verbally they will, so I'm still going to follow up and make sure.

Yea! only 75 more days!

UPDATE-12/15
Yea!!! We just got email confirmation from the congressman's office staff. They forwarded an official email from the Kennedy Space Center for our 4 tickets (I bought one other child ticket from UT) and we're good to go, woohoo!!!

Thanks again JillJill for pointing this deal out!!
I love these boards! You can learn so much, it's really nice of those who share their experiences and knowledge!

Only 43 more days!!! Can you FEEL It!!!

 

[jilljill]

UPDATE-12/15
Yea!!! We just got email confirmation from the congressman's office staff. They forwarded an official email from the Kennedy Space Center for our 4 tickets (I bought one other child ticket from UT) and we're good to go, woohoo!!!

Thanks again JillJill for pointing this deal out!!
I love these boards! You can learn so much, it's really nice of those who share their experiences and knowledge!

Only 43 more days!!! Can you FEEL It!!!

That's great you were able to get your tickets. I read your thread on the main boards and it sounds like you had to go thru a lot to get them, but the savings were worth your efforts.

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

As above, I would Love to do Brunch, but it's all booked out prior to our opening to reserve.
If anyone has it or knows someone who's going to cancel, please let me know via the board. Thanks!
(otherwise, I guess we'll check on boarding and see what luck their might be)

I'm soooo looking forward to eating on the cruise! It's so close now, yippeee!

I've checked a few times to no avail, I will most likely be heading to Palo once on board to try and get ressies.

 

[mimmi]

I've checked a few times to no avail, I will most likely be heading to Palo once on board to try and get ressies.

How are the chances that a reservation will be available? I'd love to have brunch...