*May 26, 2012 - Mickey's Memorial Day Fantasy*

[carriemp]

We got 11:00 check in.

 

[yippeeDCL]

I wanted Thursday, Palo dinner. Had to settle for Tuesday but, that's fine. Scheduled 11:00 arrival...the kids are dying to explore the boat.

 

[verygfy]

Just checked us in and we got 11am!!

 

[goofymama]

Maybe if I can't convince Mitch to join me you can take his place!!

I really wanted brunch to and was disappointed it was sold out. I was hoping to avoid the rush to the port, but it looks like I will be getting there as soon as possible to try and get onboard and book. Hopefully something will open up

We'll try to arrive early too and see if there are some brunch reservations available or get on a wait list for cancellations. It is disappointing. I thought brunch was better that dinner at Palo. I was easily able to get brunch both times on the Magic on our previous cruises but that was before there was online checkin.

If we can't get brunch and your DH refuses to go to tea, I'll definately go with you!

 

[goofymama]

Is 11AM the earliest? I got 11 too.

My Palo reservations are Costa Maya night (Tuesday) at 7.

For Cozumel, I booked the Fury Catamaran sail, snorkle and beach party at 8:45AM. I saw a good review of this somewhere on DIS.

I'm going to try to book Captain Marvin's in Grand Cayman and we'll probably just shop a little bit in Costa Maya (i want some vanilla).

What excursions are others booking?

 

[verygfy]

I think 11 is the earliest time!

I have Palo for Tuesday also, I booked 8pm though. I forgot what time the show was and I was thinking I want to get the kids dinner before we go. I figured 8 was safe

We booked the Natilus Sub and Snorkel in Grand Cayman for 12:00

Chacchoben Ruins in Costa Maya, I had to book this through Disney it is saying we leave at 12:40 and return at 5:40 (which is after the onboard time).

 

[Magic3forme]

Is Tues Pirate night? I have Palo that night too! ( but I think we may cancel it...and just keep brunch).

11:00 is the earliest check in time. When we arrived this year around 10:45 the lobby was empty... we were so excited to get boarding number 2! lowest we ever had!

 

[verygfy]

Wednesday is Pirate Night!

The reports I have read makes it seem like the new boarding process doesn't have you waiting very long. I hope this is true

 

[Magic3forme]

The new boarding process was smooth in Sept. It was just weird to see the alot of the couches empty at first! We went right throught security and didnt wait more than 5 minutes before we went up to check in.

We were not asked for our boarding time or anything, that might have changed! ( hopefully!!)

We were on the boat by 12, and went straight to lunch. The kids were on the aquaduck by 1:!5. The line wasnt long at all for the ad.

We were in our rooms at 1:30and then boom off to explore the ship! ( I didnt do the meet n greet last time... nothing personal but that group did nothing for me. ) I will be at this one!!

I have to say the sailaway party was not as fun, but that doesnt mean we wont be there again!!

 

[carriemp]

For those of you like me that did not get Palo brunch, your chances are still good if you are in the early boarding groups. Last time we were on a cruise we were told that they hold about half of the reservations to be booked while on board.

 

[Magic3forme]

For those of you like me that did not get Palo brunch, your chances are still good if you are in the early boarding groups. Last time we were on a cruise we were told that they hold about half of the reservations to be booked while on board.

If you have a low number for boarding, there is a good chance to snag a Palo brunch. Just go immediately to sign up for it. ( not sure where it is on the Dream/Fantasy). Since there are only 2 sea days, there will not be as many available.
we are more than happy to have someone join us on our reservation if they would do that too! we have Sun at 11.

 

[verygfy]

For those of you like me that did not get Palo brunch, your chances are still good if you are in the early boarding groups. Last time we were on a cruise we were told that they hold about half of the reservations to be booked while on board.

That is what I was hoping for. My plan is to get to the port about 10:45 and hopefully get an early boarding group and I will head straight there while Mitch and the kids head to lunch. I really want Sunday. The kids are excited about checking out there clubs so I know they won't have any issues with us going to brunch while they head to the clubs. They may change there minds by Thursday

 

[bagley15]

We will not be going to Palo...not really our thing. However my brother and sister in law got it for Monday night at 7. We did book the submarine excursion in Grand Cayman and then on to a little shopping. Did not book anything in Costa Maya...But we booked the Dolphin Discovery Swim Adventure in Cozumel. My daughter is VERY excited about this and that she'll get to do it with her cousins! So we were able to get the things that we really wanted....we are not getting on the ship until 12...but that was by our choice It's funny how after you book things it becomes even more exciting!!

 

[verygfy]

We booked Chacchoben Ruins in Costa Maya.

What sub ride did you book in Grand Cayman?

 

[bagley15]

The Atlantis Submarine Expedition....the kids are excited about going on a submarine!

 

[verygfy]

WE booked the Nautilus and the kids are really excited about that as well. What time does your excursion leave? We don't leave until 12pm

 

[bagley15]

It said that we leave at 10:31 am....However it states that we are in Grand Cayman starting at 10:45....I figured it is okay since it was booked through DCL...

 

[verygfy]

That is how I feel about the ruins in Costa Maya. It says we won't get back until 5:40 which is after the onboard time.

 

[our2disneygirls]

Hi everyone! We're paid in full and didn't realize how much we missed by not keeping up with this thread. For excursions, we'd love to link up with other that are doing the same thing. We did this on an Eastern itinerary 2 years ago and it worked out really well.

In Grand Cayman, we're signed up for Shipwreck and Reef Snorkel. We're thinking about booking something on our own. We read the reviews here about Native Way Watersports and also found this catamaran snorkeling option:

http://grandcaymancruiseexcursions.c..._Catamaran.htm
The DIS reviews are all pretty old at this point, so we posted something in the main cruise forum to see if anyone has any more recent info.

In Cozumel, we liked the idea of doing the Dune Buggy excursion, but once again, the DIS reviews are a bit old and one was great, another said avoid it like the plague. We also found another option for doing it on our own, but it looks like a different company than Disney uses:

http://cozumelcruiseexcursions.com/C...eBuggyTour.htm

Hopefully, someone on the main board will have some info on these that will help us make our decision.

 

[verygfy]

I don't know if you ever go over to Cruise Critic, I was recently reading a Western report and the couple did the dune buggy in Cozumel. They said that the steering was a little rough but other than that they really enjoyed it. The husband had video taped it also so it is a great way to see if it is something that would work for you.

I would be interested in your review after the cruise of the shipwreck and reef snorkel. We were looking at that excursion as well. Ultimately we decided on the submarine and snorkel. The kids are super excited about the submarine, while I am more interested in the snorkeling.