May 28, 2005 Mexican Riviera

[rccllap]

What??????? I thought they put it on your KTTW card when you check in?

I think that's what she meant, that it wasn't available to be known in advance until you check in. I asked her if she could tell me the rotation we had and she said we wouldn't know until we were on the ship, that they didn't know in advance. Sorry if I wasn't all the way clear on that!

 

[wccruiser]

Ohhhh...OK I get it. Thanks!

 

[sirod]

It's me again.The new one on the block. Does anyone know what night will be what, as far as formal, etc. goes?? Also what are the pros and cons as far as late or early seating with a 6 yr. old goes? We've been on many cruises but never with a child and never on disney. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[rccllap]

Good morning!

I've been Phone Queen lately; more than calling Disney, it's just been everything I've needed to get done has been via telephone these last few days. It's almost attached to my ear!

This morning, Susan with Disney told me that they haven't set yet which night/s will be formal, semi-formal. She did indicate that they would know in advance, just not six weeks out from sailing.

Also, got confirmation that Topsiders buffet does have dinner too, so if needed dinner can be had away from the dining rooms.

The kid's program takes the kids in groups to the buffet for meals if they stay for that; i.e., I'm probably going to let Sam off the hook for many sit-down meals with adults and just let him have fun with all his new friends.

Sirod, I'm bringing my almost-6-year-old son on this trip; we have the early seating for meals, but as you can see from the above, I'm not planning on making him eat with us. Just because of who he is, I'm thinking the early meal time is best for him, your child might be able to cope better with a later time? I just am thinking there might be no way of sticking to a regular routine so the more flexible I am, the better time my son will have on this trip!

peace--
Rebecca

 

[rccllap]

My mom went on a 12-day Celebrity cruise last December and she found a great packing list/guide online that I thought I would offer to share, but it's nine pages of a Word document so I don't want to just put it into a posting. If you would like to see it, please let me know where I can email it to for you; I couldn't figure out a way to attach it here! Of course if you know how to attach something to a posting here, let me know and I will do it!

 

[suesings]

Sirod - We will have a just turned 5 year old and a 21 month old on the cruise and we booked in January so the only thing available was late seating. I have read some of the posts from other families with young kids that the late seating was impossible. Many said they didn't get to eat in the diningroom most nights and ate a lot of roomservice.

Our toddlers bedtime is 8:00 PM normally and our almost 5 year olds is 8:30-9 normally so I can't imagine them hanging in there for a dinner that STARTS at 8:30 and won't end until probably 9:30 or 10! I am trying to get moved to early seating and will continue to try even when we board. Our toddler can't go in the Kid's Clubs so we would either end up with a crying or sleeping baby everynight or eating room service for dinner. I really want to eat in the diningroom and participate with Formal and Semi Formal night with my kids and husband.

I have read that some people give their kids late naps and they are fine with late seating (or kids with no bedtimes are fine also) but I know this won't work with our will-be 21 month old.

I'm sure it will all work out but I'd like to try my best to get earlier seating.

 

[rocknty]

This morning, Susan with Disney told me that they haven't set yet which night/s will be formal, semi-formal. She did indicate that they would know in advance, just not six weeks out from sailing.
Rebecca

I was planning to make a Palo reservation in advance but without knowing what our dining rotation is, what night is formal night and if we are going to have a some kind of special party( or otherwise) it is its pretty tough to plan much pre-boarding.

We are in CAT3 so concierge should handle this for us...

If anyone gets word on the schedule please post.

 

[challada]

Sirod - We will have a just turned 5 year old and a 21 month old on the cruise and we booked in January so the only thing available was late seating. I have read some of the posts from other families with young kids that the late seating was impossible. Many said they didn't get to eat in the diningroom most nights and ate a lot of roomservice.

Our toddlers bedtime is 8:00 PM normally and our almost 5 year olds is 8:30-9 normally so I can't imagine them hanging in there for a dinner that STARTS at 8:30 and won't end until probably 9:30 or 10! I am trying to get moved to early seating and will continue to try even when we board. Our toddler can't go in the Kid's Clubs so we would either end up with a crying or sleeping baby everynight or eating room service for dinner. I really want to eat in the diningroom and participate with Formal and Semi Formal night with my kids and husband.

I have read that some people give their kids late naps and they are fine with late seating (or kids with no bedtimes are fine also) but I know this won't work with our will-be 21 month old.

I'm sure it will all work out but I'd like to try my best to get earlier seating.

Sue-
The one saving grace you may have on this cruise is that most of the areas of Mexico are two time zones aheads of our West Coast time zone. Therefore, if you are stuck w/the 8:30 seating, it will actually be like 6:30 "our" time. Still hoping you can scoot up to early seating w/us...but in case you can't, don't forget the time zone thing!
GOOD LUCK!
Chris

 

[carriep1657]

I might be wrong about the times but I believe Cabo and Mazatlan are on MDT and Puerto Vallarta is on CDT. That will definitely help with the late seating but I'll keep my fingers crossed that you can move up to early seating.

Can you believe it's getting so close? I wish we knew more about what the different theme nights will be because I love to plan. At the same time, it's exciting to not know. I love surprises.

 

[Mommyuf3]

I would love to see this list. I am a newbie and worried about packing for 5 of us...Can you send it to me?

 

[carriep1657]

Rocknty, are you planning to wait until boarding to make your Palo reservations? My mother and stepdad are in a cat 3. I called Debbie in an attempt to make their Palo reservations but she's out of the office until the 19th.

They are waitlisted for the 4 midship cat 3s. Sounds like 8534 will definitely be taken.

 

[suesings]

Thanks Chris and Carrie for the time difference info. This should help a lot if we can't get changed. One thing I did read today is that if you have early seating the Character Breakfast time is 6:30 AM!! Yikes

 

[Jedisan]

We have early seating. But when we cruised in December 04 (Ensenada) with the kids we had late seating. Sarah, 9 and Katie 5, did OK. It was only a three-day cruise.

The character breakfast at 6:30 a.m. sounds tough. We are planning on bringing an alarm clock, since they do not have those on the ships (please correct me if I'm wrong for DCL).

 

[grammiegail]

Thanks Chris and Carrie for the time difference info. This should help a lot if we can't get changed. One thing I did read today is that if you have early seating the Character Breakfast time is 6:30 AM!! Yikes

6:30am on VACATION!!!! Gosh, hope Chris and the grandkids enjoy it!

 

[grammiegail]

On my daily call about Dolphin Swimming, I asked about coolers again. I asked if soft-sided coolers were allowed. The answer was yes. I asked if there was a size limitation. The response was....."the cooler must be easily carried in one hand and should be for medicine, baby food, or special dietary needs". So, it sounds like our big, wheeled soft side is too big. However, it is collapsible and we may just "pack" it in check-in luggage for later use.

I did find out that it is OK to bring on booze (well, I asked if it was OK to bring a couple of bottles of wine) on board the ship. So, I guess the official message is.....you can bring warm booze onto the ship, but if you want something cold to drink right after you get on...bring your money!

 

[rccllap]

Grammiegail, you rock That's such a relief to know!

Mommyuf3, I sent you a private message...let me know where to send that list!

Whoever came up with using the Alien Green paint chips is a genius. THey peel right off the cards, with some stickiness left over to assist with whatever they're getting reused for. I made nametags and a door tag/ID no problem!

peace--
Rebecca

 

[first timers]

I did find out that it is OK to bring on booze (well, I asked if it was OK to bring a couple of bottles of wine) on board the ship. So, I guess the official message is.....you can bring warm booze onto the ship, but if you want something cold to drink right after you get on...bring your money!

There are ice buckets in each cabin and a small fridge, so your own cold wine can be enjoyed. Alex

 

[rccllap]

I've been thinking about getting one of the package deals set up in our cabin for when we get on the ship; anyone know what this works out like? I don't want to spend the money on a treat if they start serving the buffet right away, for example. (My DG grew up in rural, frontier Montana and she still considers food to be a luxury that she enjoys whenever possible )

And, I am also thinking about a flower arrangement or one of the celebrations decorations packages to decorate the room. Anyone done this before? Whenever DG visits me, I always put flowers in her room

I'm now looking at the shore excursions, how does one decide?!?!?!?!

peace--
Rebecca

 

[Jedisan]

I've been thinking about getting one of the package deals set up in our cabin for when we get on the ship; anyone know what this works out like? I don't want to spend the money on a treat if they start serving the buffet right away, for example. (My DG grew up in rural, frontier Montana and she still considers food to be a luxury that she enjoys whenever possible )

And, I am also thinking about a flower arrangement or one of the celebrations decorations packages to decorate the room. Anyone done this before? Whenever DG visits me, I always put flowers in her room

I'm now looking at the shore excursions, how does one decide?!?!?!?!

peace--
Rebecca

I called DCL and they said food will be waiting for us when we board

With regard to the flowers for your DG, it's nice to have those ordered to be delivered the day you arrive. They really brighten up the room.

 

[first timers]

I've been thinking about getting one of the package deals set up in our cabin for when we get on the ship; anyone know what this works out like? I don't want to spend the money on a treat if they start serving the buffet right away, I am also thinking about a flower arrangement or one of the celebrations decorations packages to decorate the room. Anyone done this before? Whenever DG visits me, I always put flowers in her room

peace--
Rebecca

Topsiders is open for lunch when we board and usually has peel and eat shirmp on the buffet line. I have ordered flowers and decoration packages in the past and they were in the cabin when we arrived. The flowers stayed nice for the seven days. Alex