Just back! Any questions?

[Deb in IA]

Got back Saturday from the 7-day Eastern Carribean cruise. Met dznymom1 and Rich and Deb -- wonderful folks!!

Went swimming every day, did Palo's Dinner and Champagne Brunch, and Surial Bath (a very interesting experience, especially if the water is somewhat choppy)! Food was great, liquor service left a bit to be desired. Servers were not quite as good as last time.

Saw two movies, most of the evening shows, did an island tour of St. Maarten, snorkeled at Trunk Bay in St. John's, went shopping in St. Thomas. Hubby even sang in the Adult Talent Show on Friday night!

I wanted to thank everyone who helped me so much in planning this trip! And if anyone has questions for me, let me know!

 

[SimbaSue]

Was it difficult to book Palo's? What time did you line up, and what time did they start taking reservations? If you did any shopping, was it better in St. Maarten or in St. Thomas? How was the weather? One more, what cabin were you in and how was it?Thanks!Sus

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Best time for the surial bath? Was it difficult to get? Did you get your 1st choice of time with the spa and Palos?

 

[Deb in IA]

SimbaSue: We got to the Port at about 11:15. There was already a huge check-in line. We did not get on the boat until about 12:40. We made a bee-line to Parrot Cay for brunch. I got my plate, but was too nervous to eat much. At 1 pm, I told DH and kids I was going to Palo's. Elevators were waaaay too crowded, so I WALKED up from Deck 3 to Deck 10 (luckily, I'm in pretty good shape). Got to Palo's about 5 after 1 pm (they start taking reservations at 1). There were about 2 or 3 people ahead of me in line. Everything was pretty wide open. I signed up for the Champagne Brunch at 11:30 am on Monday (they only do the Brunches on sea days), and the dinner on Friday (wanted a really nice last dinner, and this would have been the third night at the same restaurant on the rotation).
Then, I went back to Parrot Cay. It was about 1:20, and finished lunch.
I found shopping to be better in St. Thomas. There is an outdoor mall (Haverford?) Mall that is actually on the pier where the boat docks. They told us that cheaper prices could be found in downtown St. Thomas, but the taxi ride would be $3 each way, so I figured it was about even. In St. Maarten, we just shopped at Marigot, but it was not as convinient as St. Thomas.
Weather was great!! Only rained one day, and that was the day at sea (between St. Thomas and Castaway Cay).
We were in 7548. We really liked it. Midship location, starboard side, which seemed to have the better views. Less noisy than the Deck 8 rooms (where we were last year).

imgoingtodisney: We did the Surial Bath at 4 pm on Thursday (the last day at sea). The reservations started at 1:45 pm, and when I got there at about 1:55, there was already a line, with some people in the hall outside of the spa pre-registering. I don't know what that was all about, since they were moving into the spa for registration when I got there. I did get our first choice, however, at both the spa and Palo's.

 

[CamColt]

I want to hear about the important stuff...What do you mean by "Liquor service left a bit to be desired. "?

 

[hazmat1212]

hoping for MONSTERS inc, dying to see that again!!!

thanks
cin in NJ
Magic 8/31/02

 

[Deb in IA]

Ahh, OK, CamColt. So you want the DIRT, right?

Back in 1998, DH and I went on Royal Caribbean. Maybe it's not fair to compare, but on RC, at dinner, there was always a sommelier to explain the wines and make recommendations for dinner. Also, there was always a person who comes after dinner with those layers shots and other drinks.

Now, DH likes to have a cocktail (gin martini with 2 olives) or an apertif before dinner, a glass of wine with dinner, and a port or a layered liquor after dinner. Well, our poor assistant waiter was so overwhelmed that he never asked for drink orders, and even when DH DID assertively order drinks, he would not be able to remember them. He would be so late with the apertif that he would serve that when half of our dinner was already eaten (by that point, DH no longer wanted the apertif!!). And we only saw the after dinner drinks on ONE night (although they were listed on the menu everytime).


I really think Disney needs to hire a few sommeliers and more people selling after dinner drinks. They did aggressively try to sell their "wine package" -- basically, a bottle of wine with dinner every night, for $145. But we didn't want a whole bottle, but rather a combination of drinks, so we didn't get that.

All of this is JMHO, of course.

 

[Deb in IA]

hazmat1212: Monsters, Incs. was showing a few (a very few) times. Others that I can remember off the top of my head were: Signs, The Country Bears, The Rookie, Reign of Fire, Lord of the Rings, Lilo and Stitch. Was hoping for Spy Kids 2, but it wasn't showing. Also, they did a special showing of "The Emperor's New Groove" on the morning of Castaway Cay, as the weather was kinda bad (but it cleared up nicely).

 

[prymsu]

Deb, glad you had a fun time on your trip. I can't wait for the next two months to go by...

take care.

 

[hazmat1212]

thanks deb, so much
we were going to see signs next weekend, might as well wait
thanks for the POST ...

cin in NJ
8/31/02 MAGIC

 

[disneydeb]

just a few questions:

1: did you tip in the spa?

2: if you did, did you tip when you left the spa or at the end of the cruise?

to tell you the truth i didnt even think about tipping at the spa until i read it on these boards, which i'm happy i read because i would have felt really bad, if i didnt even think about it on the cruise. i'm glad you had a good time , thanks also i was thinking about the absolute face and body one, did you meet anyone who got that one and was it worth the 144 dollars?

 

[Deb in IA]

:: scratching head ::

I think DH signed for the spa, and I do think he tipped about $10 (he tends to be a bit generous). I think the attendant did mention that a tip would be given to the lady that has to clean up all the mud we left . We added the tip to the charge at the end of the spa session.

I don't know of anyone who did the absolute face and body one, so can't help you there. Sorry . . .

 

[SimbaSue]

Deb, Thanks for the answers. I am nervous about the ressies at Palo. We are at WL on Friday and our bus doesn't pick us up until 12:00 noon Sat morning. I am also surprised about the lack of knowledge and drink service that you experienced. Disney has been very vocal about their goal of having as many cast members as possible have wine knowledge and they boast of their 100+ sommeliers at WDW. Maybe it just hasn't made it to DCL yet. Anyway, I appreciate you sharing your experience,Sus

 

[Deb in IA]

Sue, can you book an earlier bus from WL? I'm afraid that if you are not leaving WDW until noon, the choice Palo times will be gone by the time you get onto the ship.

As for the liquor service, we unfortunately had a similar experience on the 3-day Wonder cruise last year. We thought it was just an inexperienced waiter, but this year's experience was the same. Maybe you will have better luck . . .

 

[CamColt]

That makes sense now. Thanks for the reply. I have to say I was surprised that we didnt have much wine pushed on us like I expected to. Ive heard that sometimes waiters want you to drink for more tips. Im surprised that they arent more informed.