REAS or not to REAS, please help

[TraSee]

I have been on several cruises with DCL, but this is this first that I have been aware of REAS. Can someone tell why I should use this instead of just booking individual apointments? I see everyone talking about it...and feel like I am missing out!!! Has anyone used REAS and not enjoyed it? (And who is Deborah...the booking agent??)

Thanks!
Tracy

 

[aprilgail2]

Well it cuts down on the need to board very early and run around from place to place making your appointments...thats the ONLY reason I booked it and I am going with my daughter and grandma LOL....I just don't want to have to run from Palo to the spa..the last time we were on board quick and the line to the spa was only about 12 long and it took over an hour to get to the front...I want to board and relax this time, just register my daughter for the kids club and be done with it all!

 

[TiggerKing]

There are 2 reasons I booked it for our upcoming cruise. First, being the cheap-o that I am, I read on here that the package price is about $50 less than the value of the items & services individually. Secondly, being a first time cruiser, I have already made my Palo and Spa reservations, and I am almost 4 months from my cruise date.

So, with the two combined, I thought it would be well worth the cost. Also, since this is our anniversary trip, my DW is going to get several surprises throughout the trip that she currently knows nothing about.

 

[kcashner]

The big reason is the ability to make your Palo and Spa ressies in advance...unless you consider the breakfast in bed to be a biggie.

That said, I've been on 10 cruises on the Magic, and NEVER had any problem getting any reservation that I wanted. I try to be at the port by about 11. Since there are 2 of us, after boarding we each go to one place--Dining changes (if needed) and Palo. THen spa and Tea with Wendy tickets (if needed). THen lunch...then register kid, then swim and relax.

Using this system, I've never had to wait behind more than 2 people, no place has taken more than 10-15 minutes, and we've always gotten our ressies. In fact, on our last cruise I was able to get a second Palo ressie by calling on the afternoon that we wanted it. The CM was sweet and said that he had a cancellation, so if I wanted X time, I could have it.

The disclaimers--we are a small party. I'm not trying to make reservations for 10 people, just for 1 or 2. Secondly, I've never been on the Wonder. It is my understanding that Wonder ressies are much harder to get as there are the same number of cabins (roughly the same number of adults), and only half as many ressies since only half as many days.

I've never found a "mad rush" for ressies. Yes, we board and go get them, but not standing in line long or suffering for them.

 

[TraSee]

kcashner...that has been my experience also. Like you, there is just the two of us. On my cruise this past spring, we walked right into Palos, made the reservations and walked out. No line.
I think I will do it like I always have. Thanks everyone for your input!
Tracy

 

[AnnMorin]

On our past four cruises I like Kcashner never found the ressie rush to be that big of a deal, we get to the port around 10:30-11:00 and once on board head directly down to rocken bar d to make our palo ressies, I usually just call the spa to make an appt for a massage, never had a problem getting a certain time-but then I don't really care about the open air ones on CC since we spend the entire CC day with our son.
To me the breakfast in bed is a big lure, we have never had breakfast on our veranda as DH like's omletts and DS pancakes or waffles and they are not on the regular room service menu. We are going to have our breakfast on at at sea day and I think it will be fabulous!
The cost is quite a bargain if you look at the items seperately, at least for 2004 rates!

 

[erikthewise]

Most of the cost is for the couples massage at the Spa. Don't even consider this package unless you really want this massage! It makes no sense at all to pay $300+ just to get priority for reservations you can very likely get anyway if you are indifferent about the massage.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We booked it for our upcoming cruise mostly because of the breakfast in bed and all of the romantic aspects of it!

Avoiding ressie rush is just a bonus!

 

[goofyshell]

Could someone tell me what is in the gift? All I know is champagne, and since we don't drink I was wondering if
we could get a substitute?

 

[AnnMorin]

The gift is a bottle of champagne, chocolates and a photo album in a nice basket, I would certianly think they would subsitute sparkling cider for you if you asked.

 

[SeaSpray]

We booked this package for ALL of the reasons listed. We can't wait for our couple's massage! We loved being able to make our spa reservation in advance, as well as making Palo dinner, brunch, and afternoon tea reservations in advance. (The brunch and tea reservations are not included in the package, but they are currently allowing this as an additional perk). To us, not having to even think about making reservations that first day that we board the ship is worth a lot.

We were also able to make a dining rotation request. This isn't a guarantee, but so far I haven't read about anyone who wasn't given their request. We're also looking forward to the champagne breakfast in bed. We have a verandah and will have this on an at-sea day, so we can take our time and enjoy it. This breakfast does include some things that aren't on the regular room service menu, such as hot items and of course the champagne or mimosas!

Currently the gift basket contains a bottle of champagne (you can request sparkling cider I believe, in place of the champagne), small box of chocolates, and a silver frame/photo album, in a wire baskbasket.

There is also a "romantic turn-down service" one night which includes rose petals on your bed.

 

[Kalypso]

I just called and booked REAS yesterday for the Sept. 9 Wonder cruise that I'm going on with my DB -- for exactly the reasons listed here! We are flying from Los Angeles on a red-eye Wednesday night - we land in Orlando at 6:30 and can't get on a Disney shuttle to the ship until about 9 or 10 from what I understand So...that being said...since this is only a 3 nighter? We REALLY want as little stress and hurrying as possible...and being able to make our spa reservations and get Palo for 8pm the same night? Priceless as far as I'm concerned.

I think it's WELL worth the $$$ for the 3-night since I'm sure the spa books up quickly, as does Palo for that matter!

This is also our first cruise so I want it to be special

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Just a note about the massage; We didn't book a couples massage, but my family surprised my with a booking for the spa for one. I am not someone who was one bit interested in it, and now I am hooked! Go for it-you won't regret it!
Kathy

 

[rae519]

Booked it last April and enjoyed surprising DH with it. Just cancelled it for our 9/4 cruise since we will be getting to port early and can make the Palo ressies. Our new massage therapist here in town beats the heck out of the Vista Spa therapists so we figured it wasn't worth it this time around.

Rae

 

[NZ KIWI]

I have booked this as a surprise for my DH, but also for the simple fact of not having to do the ressie rush! I did that last time on the magic and really want to just sit back and relax this time around! Besides.... what's not to like.. spa, Palo's dinner, champagne etc! Bring it on!!

 

[DIScruisers4]

Here's our 2 cents worth:

We booked REAS for our upcoming January Magic cruise. This is our fourth cruise, and the first one that we booked the REAS package. On our first three cruises (Eastern Magic, 3-day Wonder, and Western Magic), we were able to get Palo dinner and/or brunch, and spa reservations, but we did not always get our first choices even though we got to the port early (10:30-11:00) each time. We ended up having to modify some of our plans based on the times we got for Palo and the spa, but everything eventually worked out fine. We decided to book REAS this time so that everything was taken care of beforehand, and we did not have to arrive early at the port and wait on line to board. Also, we will not have to use the first hour or so of boarding to make all of our reservations. We will now be able to arrive at the port after boarding has started and, hopefully, walk right on the ship. We'll then go straight to lunch, which will be about the same time that we've eaten lunch on our prior cruises, but we will not have waited on line for an hour or so at the terminal and then waited at the spa and Palo for reservations. Therefore, REAS seemed to make a lot of sense for us. However, I do agree that if you are not interested in the massages, or if it does not matter too much which days/times you get Palo or spa reservations, then REAS may not be worth it for you. As long as you get to the port early, you should be able to get something. Even if you don't, you may be able to get something during the week if there are cancellations, which usually happens.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.