Looking for a list of things to do "first" once boarding the ship

[knyisles]

Hello everyone and thanks for all the wonderful advise on Disney cruising. I will be taking my first cruise Wednesday 12/2/04....a short 3 night cruise to see how the kids like cruising. I am all packed thanks to these boards - but do have a question about what to do in what order after boarding the ship. Please let me know if I get this right. After arriving at 10:30 and boarding at noon, I should go and make Palo and spa reservations. Then check the kids into the club/lab (what time can I do this - and should they be present?). Go to guest services, have kids key to the world charging privledges turned off and have holes punched in the cards for lanyards. Make reservations for wine tasting, shore excursions and bridge tour while at guest services. Check in with dining to see who we'll be dining with (we are a party of 8 so hopefully we will have our own table - if not, I'll try to request it). Then enjoy the next 3 days - starting with enjoying the pool, lunch, checking into the room and attending the drill......I think that is everything - anyone have any other advise for the first 4- 5 hours on-board before the sail away party?

 

[lkohawaii]

Maybe someobody out there can answer this question too...what time should I be on the ship by in order to make Paolo Ressies? Don't mean to hijack your thread..just thought someone out there would know the answer while giving you ideas.

 

[mmouse37]

I think your plan sounds great.....the kids should definately be with you when you sign them in. They get to see the area and play while you are filling out some paperwork.

And Ikohawaii.....the earlier you arrive the port and get in line the better chance you have at securing a Palo ressie for the time and night you want it. Check in starts at 10:30 am so if you are at the terminal and in line by 11:00 or so....you will be just fine!!

MJ

 

[professorandmom]

In the port you will be given a piece of paper with the time (and location) that they will start taking Palo reservations - you may find that you have time to eat first. However, be aware that they will probably start taking reservations before the time listed.

Another suggestion, read the boards and check out the weather and decide whether you want to eat at Beach Blanket Buffet or PC. When you enter the ship it is a bit herd like and you want to make a clear choice and not just follow the crowd (or direction of CM). They try to keep both places evenly loaded so they may try to direct you somewhere you would rather not eat at...

Another suggestion, keep the kids sign in a low priority - you have a spot and can't use the clubs/lab until later in the day so do that one last...

Keep in mind that you will have the lifeboat drill to soak up some of your time before sail away...

It is a little crazy but nothing like I expected (had DW worries) and goes quickly and after the lifeboat drill it is heaven
remember not everyone knows to do the things we do so not everyone is focused on reservations etc

Have a great trip
Barb

 

[rae519]

Make your Palo and Spa reservations first. Even if they don't start accepting reservations, there is a line that begins early for them. Chances are you will get a reservation but I've been on enough cruises to appreciate the get there early and get your reservation in theory!

Rae

 

[kristen821]

Does the time and place to make palo's ressies change everytime? If not where do you make the ressies and about what time?

 

[tiggrbaby]

We left Budget rental at 11:45 for our 3 day cruise, and we were being announced by 12:15 (we skipped the photos!). We did not need to make Palo or spa reservations, so we headed up to the buffet to sit outside and eat. Then the gang sat by the pool while I cancelled the charge privileges for the kids and made bridge tour reservations. By that time the cabins were ready, so we headed down and ordered Mickey Bars and cookies through room service. At this point, I can't remember what we did next, but I do know that there was a boat drill, which we were lucky and had to sit in the theater. That actually went by quickly as the cast members were very amusing. I think we registered my son for the lab and got spots on deck 10 for the sail away party.

You'll have a wonderful time no matter how you organize your time!

 

[TammiMcMan]

If you're planning on arriving at the port by 11am, you should have plenty of time to eat lunch before the Palo and spa ressies begin. As a previous poster mentioned, just decide where you'd like to eat, Parrot Cay or Topsiders. They're both buffet, but Topsiders is more casual and near the pool. Parrot Cay is on the same deck as you board (deck 3), plus where guest services and the Palo reservationist are all located. Having more than one adult can help out also. Split up and you can get things done quickly. All shipboard services do shut down from 3:30-4:30pm for the lifeboat drill.

To help you out a little bit more, here are the times from my May, 2004 Navigator:

12:45-3:15 Club & Lab open for registration
1:00 Spa opens on deck 9 for reservations
1:00 Palo reservations open on deck 3 in Wavebands
2:00 Shore excursion desk is open for bridge tour reservations (deck 3)
3:30 Shipboard services close (good time to unpack)
4:00 Lifeboat drill
4:30-5:15 Sail away party
4:30-6:00 Club & Lab re-open for registration
Open 24 hours - Guest Services desk

Tammi

 

[rae519]

It has changed several times during our cruises - Rockin' Bar D has been the most recent location. As we are generally the first to board, we always have found a line started there asap. Food is always available but reservations aren't. So my advise is if you really want your Palo dining experience on a certain night/time, be in line - if it doesn't matter, go eat first!

Rae

 

[TheWog]

Don't forget you can make excursion reservations ahead of time (up to 60 days, but I think that may have changed). This way you are certain to be on what you want to be on.

 

[pooh luver]

My one suggestion is not to wait until you get on board to make reservations for excursions. On our last cruise I made reservations 60 days before and things like parasailing were already getting full. It will also be one less thing to think about.