Count us in. This will be our 5th Disney cruise. It will be Me, DH, DD25 and DD18. This will be the 1st time we can all do Palo together. But it could also be the last time we travel as a family...DD25 has a pretty serious relationship so the next trip could be a party of 5.
I can't wait!!!
Also, we will be staying in our 1st suite...I think I saw someone post earlier that they had given up 8100 and thanks to them, we now have it booked.
See everyone there!
Have a great trip on the FANTASY, Cayla. Great choice to go computer-free, clear the mind
and I don't think it's anywhere near sold out - the Roy stayed aavailable until Mindy's DH booked it recently, and there's still availability for outside and verandahs, including a Navigator's just the other day. Hoping they drop some fares after the pay-in-full date ( April 1?), a friend will jump in last minute as a solo if they do.
Meanwhile, down to three months, yay! DW should be feeling much better from a total knee replacement this week by then
See ya real soon![]()
Since we are the 1st of these cruises to go, do you think we will rotate restaurants or just get assigned to one?? any thoughts???![]()
Hi folks!
Its been months since I've been on this thread. It's hard to believe this cruise is coming quickly. I see everyone is busy planning and booking reserv. With it being such a short cruise our plans are simple, stay up late and get up early so we can enjoy everything the Magic has to offer in a weekend. Since were not bringing the kids, we are definately planning on doing some of the nightlife for a change
Although we have nothing to plan for the cruise we are planning on staying an extra night in Manhattan so I looking for a hotel to book near Times Square...were open to suggestions![]()
I think we are also gonna drive to the port from Toronto. So we need to figure out parking as well. I think we may just leave the car a the port for our 3 nights and just take a cab to our hotel.
OK everyone SAT is almost upon us and you know what that means on SAT it will be 90 days away
Please pray for me that I can get a reservation at PAlos' for me and DH so we can celebrate our 5 year anniversary.Does anyone know if they still have availability?
I have a couple of questions.
#1 - Do you get a boarding # when you get to the port? We have never cruised and I saw a post about it but have no idea what they were talking about.
#2 - Is everyone here participating in formal / semi-formal night? Would you look out of place if you didn't?
Jenn![]()
this was posted on another board and I answered it...figured the information would be useful to everyone here as well!
Hey Jenn - a couple of answers for you!!
1: the boarding numbers are assigned by time slot/cruise status. Kinda confusing, so here we go...there are four levels of cruise status:
newbie - never cruised with DCL in the past
Silver - 1 to 5 cruises
Gold - 6 to 10 cruises
Platinum - more than 10 cruises
the Platinum folks do not pick a boarding time, we and all concierge guests can arrive when ever we want and are given the "lowest" number card available to board.
ALL others have to pick an arrival time, this is done when your online check in stuff is completed. If you arrive before your chosen/assigned time then you may or may not be allowed to enter the terminal. If you are allowed to enter, you will be given a boarding card with a number appropriate to your time window. That is confusing...so here is an example. If you are Silver, and choose 2pm as your arrival time and your flight/transportation gets you to the port at noon - you may be cooling your heals outside. If you are allowed to enter - once you check in at the desk the boarding card you are given will have the highest number available at the time - since you are super early! They know how many folks are supposed to be there at noon, 1pm, and 2pm - you will get a 2pm number. NO MATTER WHAT TIME YOU CHECK IN.
The reason this is being done is because the Dream and Fantasy are SO big that the terminal can not handle all the people trying to get onboard. DCL had to figure out a way to stagger folks. Platinums are exempt as a perk. I personally tend to get to the port at 9am. This is before the ship has completely disembarked. I wait until I am allowed to board at 10:30 or 11am. then I am off and running. No one has access to their cabin until after 1:30pm.
A few hints here -
1. make sure your carryon luggage is on wheels or comfortable to carry. You will have it with you until after 130pm at the very least.
2. don't bother eating lunch before you board - the buffet line is open with loads of food until almost 4pm
3. make sure you have that nights clothing in your carryon - your luggage may not show up until after 8pm
4. have a light sweater or jacket with you - sail away is breezy and the dining rooms chilly
5. ALL luggage goes through a TSA check point, like at the airports. The difference is they don't care about liquids. (this is my experience from Florida, California, and Barcelona)
6. if you are bringing wine, liquor, soda, water etc - YOU HAVE TO CARRY IT the porters are NOT ALLOWED TO MOVE FOOD PRODUCTS.
7. if you are a "hat" person - make sure it has a way of being secured to your head!!
I hope this all helps.
I was at the NYC terminal when the Fantasy came into port there. I was happy to see that the security system is set up to handle a large crowd. In Florida there are 2 screening machines, California had 3 the last time I was there. They had 5 in NYC. The area behind the machines (where I was not allowed to go) was much smaller than in Florida or California - so I am guessing folks will be held outside of security.
As far as formal - yep - we are all out! Michael always has a tux, and hunny and I are planning on fancy dresses and serious heals! And no you would not be out of place, many people choose not to be "formal" simple cruise casual is acceptable as well.
Keep asking questions - someone else might want the same info and be lurking!!
Cayla
OK everyone SAT is almost upon us and you know what that means on SAT it will be 90 days away
Please pray for me that I can get a reservation at PAlos' for me and DH so we can celebrate our 5 year anniversary.Does anyone know if they still have availability?
Hey, Cayla!Day 1:
Palo dinner at 830pm only
Day 2:
Palo brunch - not available
Palo Tea - not available
Palo diner -
6:00 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
8:30 pm
This does not mean there are no brunch spaces open, just not available right now. If you can't get a brunch online and want one, try when onboard. These times may change as the Golds realize the Silver window opens Saturday (or is that the Silvers realize the newbies window opens???)
Paid is full!!!![]()
We have a Sweet 16 party to attend for a daughter of great friends, tonight. The party is from 7 to 11, so I will be getting home right around midnight!! So I will be ready to go at 12 sharp!!! Not that there is much to get!!! I just want an early boarding time!!
Perfect
and if that's a Guinness I see Woody quaffing in your signature line, I'll join him in one aboard![]()
Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary.
I just looked, PALO Brunch and dinner were both still available.
Get your coffee and stay up. Remember to wait until exactly 12 midnight before logging in, and then retrieve your reservation, and go right to Your Activities.
Good luck!![]()