June 21st 4 night cruise!

[cheer66]

Great idea for Palo brunch. Is that a buffet or is there a menu? (I'll go look around.)

I will work on the sales pitch for the in-laws. This is her retirement celebration... and she's treating. So, we are basically letting her pick most of the stuff. But I'm researching so that I can try to sway her one way or the other.

I still have the good news to tell them that we can bring our own (alcoholic) beverages along on the cruise. That will make everyone happy!

Is it true that the ship serves Coke products? Might need to carry on some Pepsi.

BTW - your story sounds like something my DS would do to DD. He would be sure to order her something that he liked... so he could have both.

 

[jilljill]

Palo brunch is a buffet. There are lots of threads on the main boards that shows pics of the food. Someone may have posted what is offered under the menu section of the main boards. I know the pics I've seen look wonderful. A glass of champagne is included in the $15/person surcharge.

Bringing on the beverages is a great thing that DCL offers. Yes, Coke products are only available onboard so if you are a Pepsi drinker bring on all you can carry.
How are you getting to the port and where are you stopping to pick up your beverages?

 

[cheer66]

We will actually be at a timeshare in Orlando for a week prior to the cruise. So, we will have access to picking stuff up before we get to the port.

After checking on costs, we are returning the rental cars and getting a van service to drive the 6 of us from the airport (car return) to the Port and back to the airport after cruise. Cheaper, no worries about taking a wrong turn and easy (I hope) drop-off and pick-up.

I checked for Palo brunch reservations, and there were none left. Any idea what my chances might be the day we arrive? We're planning to be there early... I think. Around 11:00 - that is "early", isn't it?

 

[jilljill]

We will actually be at a timeshare in Orlando for a week prior to the cruise. So, we will have access to picking stuff up before we get to the port.

After checking on costs, we are returning the rental cars and getting a van service to drive the 6 of us from the airport (car return) to the Port and back to the airport after cruise. Cheaper, no worries about taking a wrong turn and easy (I hope) drop-off and pick-up.

I checked for Palo brunch reservations, and there were none left. Any idea what my chances might be the day we arrive? We're planning to be there early... I think. Around 11:00 - that is "early", isn't it?

They usually hold back close to half of the reservations for onboard booking. Not sure what kind of boarding number you will get arriving at that time, but I would think you would be fine. Just look at the paper they give you when you check in on where and what time you can go for Palo ressies. If you are going to cancel your Palo dinner ressies I don't know if they have a cancellation fee if you decide to cancel them when you board. That might be a question to ask on the main boards.

That's good that you will be in town already and will have the opportunity to pick up your beverages and such. I would remember to keep bathing suits in your day bag since the pools are not crowded right after boarding and even eating lunch. We've been on board as early as 11:45 and eaten lunch and DD was in the pool by 12:30. That's usually the only time she goes in the pools since they do get crowded and she doesn't enjoy them if they are.

 

[cheer66]

Thanks for the packing tip. I'll make the kids carry the bathing suits so we can carry beverages.

I will check on the Palo cancellation policy. Didn't even think of that.

I don't enjoy crowded pools, either. Maybe the kids will get enough of that the week before and won't ask for it as much. How crowded is the adult pool?

BTW - I won't be online much the next few days. But I'm sure I will come across more questions, if you don't mind. We are catering a wedding rehearsal tomorrow (side business) and the kids are in the wedding Saturday. Fun, but no time for sitting at the computer.

Thanks again for all the info!!

 

[jilljill]

I've never been to the adult pool and haven't paid attention to it so I can't help you there.

I don't mind the questions. I'll only be on here for the next week and then on the 14th DD & I are going to FL to be in our new vacation house and right now I don't have internet access there and I'm not sure when I will. So keep the questions coming while I'm home, I don't mind at all.

 

[mutsie]

We're going, 5 of us... me, dh ds, ds, dd(all 7)

There will also be triplets traveling with our group but they would not be happy if I posted their age My mother-in-law had 6 children: 5 boys and a girl. The last 3 were the triplets- 2 b & 1 g. We are all looking forward to this trip together as a family!

 

[Sccrmnky2005]

two weeks!!! can't wait!!! I'm guessing no one is interested in the FE echange?!?

 

[jilljill]

two weeks!!! can't wait!!! I'm guessing no one is interested in the FE echange?!?

Sorry, I'm not since we will be busy getting our house together that week and will have too much running around to do down there.

 

[mutsie]

This is our first cruise so we have a few questions. 1. Is the key to the world card similar to a hotel room key? 2. Do they give you a lanyard to carry the key card? 3. Does anyone know how the Martini tasting works? How much are you actually drinking during the tasting? 4. If we want a family photo taken do we have to set up a time with Shutters or if we are together at one point on the ship can they just take a picture then - there are 22 of us.

Thank you! We are getting excited!

 

[jilljill]

This is our first cruise so we have a few questions. 1. Is the key to the world card similar to a hotel room key? 2. Do they give you a lanyard to carry the key card? 3. Does anyone know how the Martini tasting works? How much are you actually drinking during the tasting? 4. If we want a family photo taken do we have to set up a time with Shutters or if we are together at one point on the ship can they just take a picture then - there are 22 of us.

Thank you! We are getting excited!

1. Yes, the KTTW card is your room key, charging card and gets you on and off the ship with your picture ID. You can not pay for things in the shops and bars on the ship and at Castaway Cay with cash or your own credit card, everything gets charged to your KTTW card.

2. You are not given a lanyard to carry your card, but they do sell them for either $6 or $8.

3. I've done wine tasting and they all work basically the same. We had 5 or 6 wines to taste and they were probably each a 2 ounce pour. You will need to go to guest services on deck 3 to see if they are offering the tasting on the cruise and if so you will reserve it and the charge will be added to your stateroom account.

4. With a group that size you can talk to a Shutters photog when you board and ask them or you can just meet on deck 3 in the evening when they are taking pics and all get together then for a group pic in front of one of the backdrops.
We did a group pic one year and had it taken in the atrium in front of the statue and did it on a sea day, but we all just used our own cameras and didn't get Shutters involved.

Hope this helps.

 

[jilljill]

This is our first cruise so we have a few questions. 1. Is the key to the world card similar to a hotel room key? 2. Do they give you a lanyard to carry the key card? 3. Does anyone know how the Martini tasting works? How much are you actually drinking during the tasting? 4. If we want a family photo taken do we have to set up a time with Shutters or if we are together at one point on the ship can they just take a picture then - there are 22 of us.

Thank you! We are getting excited!

I found this martini tasting thread on the main cruise board: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32179819#post32179819

 

[cheer66]

Mmmm... martinis.

I've seen that other tastings are also offered - wine, etc. Does anyone know where I can find more information on what's offered on our 4-night cruise? (Didn't know if some were only offered on longer cruises or not.)

 

[jilljill]

Mmmm... martinis.

I've seen that other tastings are also offered - wine, etc. Does anyone know where I can find more information on what's offered on our 4-night cruise? (Didn't know if some were only offered on longer cruises or not.)

The April Navigator's that I have show that beer (2:15) and martini (5:15) tasting are offered on Monday. On Wednesday beer (2:15), wine (3:00), and martini (5:00) tasting.

The beer and martini tastings are each scheduled for ½ hour and the wine tasting is scheduled for 1 hour.

Not sure on the prices but they usually range from $12-$15/person.

 

[cheer66]

Thanks! Now I'm thirsty!

I had seen something about a cognac (and cigar?) one that would have thrilled the guys. Oh well. They'll have to make do with the other offerings!

 

[sharksfinatic17]

We leave on Monday for DW then off to the cruise. Tonight we start packing. Yeah and Ugh!

 

[jilljill]

Happy packing.
I still have to get things together and then pack up the car Sunday morning before we head down. I feel your pain...

 

[cheer66]

We fly out of Baltimore on Sunday morning. I have managed to find the luggage so far. I guess that's a start.

Happy Packing to All!

 

[jilljill]

Finding the luggage is a huge start to your packing plan.

I just have to get a few clothes from here for all of us that we forgot to take to FL last month to leave in the house and gather up everything else that I need to take to the house.
We have a graduation party in VA on Sunday at my cousin's and we are spending the night there, we'll do the rest of the drive to FL from there starting Monday morning and get in Monday evening. Have some things to do around the house all week, plus we'll play in the parks for a couple of hours each day. DH gets down Sat. night and we'll drive over to the port Sunday morning. This should all go off without a hitch as long as I get my car back from the shop by tomorrow.

 

[Sccrmnky2005]

Everyone have a safe flight or drive to FL can't wait for this cruise not much longer!! YEAH!!!!