Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[sabrecmc]

We finally made it back from Vancouver. The Dallas airport was shut down due to some apparently awful storms, so we had to make some strange connections to make it back and it took a LOT longer, but we're here. Can't complain too much because everything else on this trip was totally magical! We loved Alaska and the repo. If anyone is worried about going this time of year or not seeing enough, let me reassure you that it is completely amazing! The service was top notch.

We received a lithograph for the first Alaskan and a set of embroidered napkin rings that I'm in love with. I thought that was a nice touch.

 

[Swalkerwoman]

I'm guessing you are a first time DCL cruiser. The secret is that Palo only releases 50% of their reservations for pre-booking. I'm the person who wrote about the multiple reservations. We have a 3 cabins in our party, but for brunch, you can only pre-book by cabin. We are HOPING to have a brunch for 5 people, but currently have 2 separate brunches (at separate times) for 2 each and the member of our party who has not sailed before cannot get a reservation.

What you _want_ to do if possible. Get to port early! Get an early boarding number. Once you get onto the ship, everyone in your party can head to Parrot Cay for lunch and get settled at a table. One person in your party (likely you) needs to go to Beat Street (right around the corner from where you board. You walk into the club and there will be tables set up with CMs making and changing Palo reservations - I _think_ they also do spa ressies there, but since I don't do much "spa-ing", I can't remember. If you board early, you should have no trouble getting some reservations. You are permitted to have 1 dinner, 1 brunch and 1 high tea at Palo's per cruise. (I've personally only had dinner and brunch - both of which I recommend.)

Also, you can go to Palo's for a drink in the evening, and they will often permit you to order a chocolate souffle while at the bar.

Best of luck!

Thanks for your helpful hints! I really appreciate it!
We are "second-time" cruisers on DCL but didn't have any problems before, but of course that was at least 8 years ago.
Good luck to you about getting your party together for brunch.

 

[kris3kid]

Thanks for your helpful hints! I really appreciate it!
We are "second-time" cruisers on DCL but didn't have any problems before, but of course that was at least 8 years ago.
Good luck to you about getting your party together for brunch.

Thanks for this, I was going to go to CS desk.

 

[poohj80]

We have a 3 cabins in our party, but for brunch, you can only pre-book by cabin. We are HOPING to have a brunch for 5 people, but currently have 2 separate brunches (at separate times) for 2 each and the member of our party who has not sailed before cannot get a reservation.

We are in a similar situation for our cruise in August with us being Gold CC members and the other cabin on their first sailing. We were told by DCL that as long as our reservations were linked that we could make a reservation for all of us when our booking window opens. Can anyone confirm or deny this is accurate?

Thanks!

 

[DL1957]

We are in a similar situation for our cruise in August with us being Gold CC members and the other cabin on their first sailing. We were told by DCL that as long as our reservations were linked that we could make a reservation for all of us when our booking window opens. Can anyone confirm or deny this is accurate?

Thanks!

If your reservations are linked you can make Palo reservations. Cannot make shore excursions for the other party. We did this last year on the Baltic and most recently did it on the 1st Alaskan cruise last week. Have a great time.

 

[poohj80]

If your reservations are linked you can make Palo reservations. Cannot make shore excursions for the other party. We did this last year on the Baltic and most recently did it on the 1st Alaskan cruise last week. Have a great time.

Thanks! So, joycsk - if you can link your reservations you can make your group Palo reservation ahead of time.

 

[joycsk]

Thanks! So, joycsk - if you can link your reservations you can make your group Palo reservation ahead of time.

According to my TA, we could only make dinner reservations for Palo with linked cabins. She said we could not make brunch reservations for more that the adults in each cabin. . .

 

[poohj80]

According to my TA, we could only make dinner reservations for Palo with linked cabins. She said we could not make brunch reservations for more that the adults in each cabin. . .

Couldn't hurt to try, right?

 

[mbhjls79]

were they showing nhl plyoffs?

 

[ilovemk76]

Question:

For those who used the DCL hotel and transport what time did you arrive at the port? Specifically if you stayed at the hotel at the airport.

 

[poohj80]

were they showing nhl playoffs?

Good question! I'm curious too especially since NBC owns VS.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We are in a similar situation for our cruise in August with us being Gold CC members and the other cabin on their first sailing. We were told by DCL that as long as our reservations were linked that we could make a reservation for all of us when our booking window opens. Can anyone confirm or deny this is accurate?

Thanks!

I can confirm. I just did it for someone a few weeks ago. All reservations must be paid in full though. Also, if you have 5 cabins or more, you can't do it. It's too many cabins and you can't see them all. I usually delink some and make reservations, then relink them.

 

[poohj80]

I can confirm. I just did it for someone a few weeks ago. All reservations must be paid in full though. Also, if you have 5 cabins or more, you can't do it. It's too many cabins and you can't see them all. I usually delink some and make reservations, then relink them.

Thanks for the insiders insight! Can you confirm all Palo reservations can be pre-booked this way or only dinner reservations?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Thanks for the insiders insight! Can you confirm all Palo reservations can be pre-booked this way or only dinner reservations?

I was able to book brunch and dinner for someone. There have been some reports of people doing it recently and it not working, but I suspect everyone was not paid in full.

 

[poohj80]

I was able to book brunch and dinner for someone. There have been some reports of people doing it recently and it not working, but I suspect everyone was not paid in full.

Thanks again! Our booking window opens soon!

 

[IndyStarGazer]

Add me to the list wanting to see Navigators! We're really looking forward to our Alaskan trip.

This is our second DCL cruise, but the first time we've been on one this long. Someone mentioned that the Captain's mess is the day the ship is at Ketchikan - currently my wife and I are planning to be at Palo that evening (unless we can get it changed to the Tracy Arm day!). Are we missing anything by being at Palo instead of our normal dinner that night?

My sons are also dying to know whether the pools are open and if it is warm enough to use them...?

 

[poohj80]

Just when I thought I was done, I have yet another question for those who just finish this WONDERful cruise...

In looking at the navigators that have been posted, the only characters I see listed for greetings are Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, and the Princesses. We are used to seeing so many more on the Carribean cruises such as Chip-n-Dale, Capt Hook, Peter Pan, Stitch, Daisy, etc etc etc. Are these really the only characters on board?

Thanks again!

 

[Disney Dreams]

were they showing nhl plyoffs?

Are you my husband?

On our last Disney cruise aboard the Wonder there were all sorts of live sporting events being shown in the sports bar. My husband was a very happy sports fan (which of course makes a happy wife!).

Add me to the list wanting to see Navigators! We're really looking forward to our Alaskan trip...

They have already been posted. You can see them here.

- Dreams

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I think they just list some of the characters, but once you are on the ship there seem to be tons more. I remember seeing Alice several times, and she was never in our navigator.

 

[kveens]

Add me to the list wanting to see Navigators! We're really looking forward to our Alaskan trip.


This is our second DCL cruise, but the first time we've been on one this long. Someone mentioned that the Captain's mess is the day the ship is at Ketchikan - currently my wife and I are planning to be at Palo that evening (unless we can get it changed to the Tracy Arm day!). Are we missing anything by being at Palo instead of our normal dinner that night?

My sons are also dying to know whether the pools are open and if it is warm enough to use them...?

Do a search on Weedy. They have posted their navigators.

Depending on when your Palo reservation is, you may still be able to attend the reception in the atrium with the Captain. Other than that, the food in Palo will far surpass what is served in the main dining rooms that evening.



Please read page 1 of this thread. So much great info has already been gathered there regarding these Alaska sailings. But to answer: yes, swimming is great with pools at a balmy 89 degrees.