Making ressies upon boarding-what order?

[reneesam]

Hi! I'm heading out on my 1st 7 day cruise Saturday! When we went on the 4-day two years ago, I remember running to make Palo ressies and then standing in line for the Oceaneer's Club signup. This time, there are 4 of us (me, DH, 6 yo DS and 2 yo DD.) I'll be the one dashing around for ressies while they eat in Parrot Cay!

What order and where do I go for Palo, Flounders, Oceaneers and Spa? I need some advice from frequent cruisers! Thanks!!!

Renee

 

[reneesam]

BUMP- please help me plan my first hours aboard the ship.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I have never had to deal with the kids' clubs or Flounders, but here's what I do after boarding:

-buffet
-Palo reservations at about 12:50 (assuming they're scheduled to start at 1:00pm)
-more shrimp from the buffet
-stateroom to drop off carry-ons
-spa
-beer, deck chair, book; vacation has begun...

This assumes they're taking reservations at Palo, which they used to do on the Magic. I've heard that they now take them at one of the clubs, as they do on the Wonder. In this case, it's probably not as convenient to go from the buffet to the reservations spot and then back again. I liked to sit outside at the buffet, so I could run right up the steps to Palo and get back in just a few minutes.

The spa reservations used to begin at 2:00pm, so we'd usually head down there at around 1:45 and could get pretty much what we wanted.

I think Palo should go before the spa, since the spa is open for more hours during the cruise, and as such, you have a better chance getting what you want at the spa, even if you go to Palo first.

 

[rae519]

Times past we would do the buffet first - no more! Must drop off the handcarried and head to Oceaneer's, then Palo, going to Dining Room Changes to request a certain server then to Vista Spa and finally we eat (Parrot Cay last time around - wonderful and no crowd or bad seats!)

I do like Senor Ferrari's "more shrimp.......beer, deck chair and book" - that man KNOWS how to live!

Rae

 

[ike]

I plan on being at the port early. Assuming we board between 12 & 1, do I need to go straight to Palo's for reservations? I thought I read they start taking them at 1:30. I was planning on going 15 min early. Do I need to go earlier than that?

Is the time they post on the navigator reliable? If they say they start taking Palo reservations at 1:30, will I show up at 1:15 with 100 people ahead of me?

 

[Michelle]

Palo and the spa start booking upon EMBARKATION now, at least on the Magic. Palo ressies are now taken in Rockin' Bar D/Wavebands on both ships.

I would split up and have one adult do Palo and one do spa reservations. The children's programming sign-up can wait until last; if you need Flounder's do that FIRST so you can plan your Palo night accordingly.

We now do all the ressies BEFORE lunch since they start upon embarkation, and then enjoy a leisurely buffet and the start of vacation.

 

[PAGirl]

We're on Magic - I think I know everywhere I have to go but if you're taking beverages on board (and thus have some serious carryons) what do you recommend to do? I thought maybe I'd leave DH and DSs at the buffet and go to Palos. Then come back, grab a bite. We could all drop off carryons and I'd head to the spa as our final stop

Is that a good plan?