Reserve time at the family pool???

[BadPinkTink]

What about having to pre-book free on-board activities? Like trivia, crafts, towel folding, etc. I think that is also part of it. If everything has to be pre-scheduled, it really defeats the purpose of a cruise (at least for us).

From what DCL have said about the UK cruises, these will be limited capacity on a first come first served basis.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I completely disagree. Imo if you pay for the cruise, you have the right to complain about problems with it. The fact that Covid still exists doesn't take away the right to give a free and honest opinion.

All restrictions on the UK sailings were published in advance of booking. None of this should have been a surprise to anyone sailing these cruises.

 

[jrapps]

I completely disagree. Imo if you pay for the cruise, you have the right to complain about problems with it. The fact that Covid still exists doesn't take away the right to give a free and honest opinion.

Yes we paid, but we haven't set sail yet. If anyone thinks these restrictions will impact your experience, there is a simple solution...don't go. I'm not saying you don't have the right to complain, please complain your heart out here on the forum. Call Disney up and scream at them if it will make you feel better. But if someone decides to board knowing the restrictions, and then still complains about it, then yes they are just entitled and throwing a hissy fit.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

Until it rains throughout your reserved time, and then the sun comes out right after your reserved time is over.

We live in Florida. I'll sit out in the rain in the pool if I have to. I've done it before and I'll certainly do it again. Next question.

 

[Cheburashka]

If it works the way it has at the resorts, and in the way it will for the UK sailings as shared by @BadPinkTink, there will not be a reserved amount of time. When you want to go to the pool, it may be available right away and you just go. At some point the pool might reach capacity and then you would add your family to the queue and would be called when space is available.

I doubt that would work as well on a cruise ship as at a resort. The pools on DCL get a lot more crowded than the pools at WDW because there are no parks on the ships to entertain families. People just showing up to reserve would create a lot of crowding in itself, so I imagine it will be done electronically.

 

[Cheburashka]

I'm not saying you don't have the right to complain, please complain your heart out here on the forum. Call Disney up and scream at them if it will make you feel better. But if someone decides to board knowing the restrictions, and then still complains about it, then yes they are just entitled and throwing a hissy fit.

Speaking of hissy fits....Maybe calm down a bit? Lol.

 

[mevelandry]

Honestly, every night, when I read the Navigator/Fun Times/Cruise Compass, I already plan the next day. I know I like to swim in the morning before 10:00 AM because it tends to be less crowded/the sun less intense. Being able book a spot at the pool would be amazing. Add lockers to this deal and I am in heaven!

 

[tee11]

You mean this is currently in place at the WDW resorts? So is there a designated spot for you when you arrive when it's your turn?

Unrelated, I was wondering, if anyone has any insight about the U.S. maritime law that prevents cruises to nowhere or from one American port to another... is there any talk about changing these laws... I can't recall the reasoning of their origin at the moment. Thanks!

If it works the way it has at the resorts, and in the way it will for the UK sailings as shared by @BadPinkTink, there will not be a reserved amount of time. When you want to go to the pool, it may be available right away and you just go. At some point the pool might reach capacity and then you would add your family to the queue and would be called when space is available. Once you are at your pool space, you may stay as long as you like, but if you leave the pool deck, you would have to queue up to return. Now, before someone says "what if I need to go to the bathroom, get a slice of pizza, get a book from my stateroom", these would be handled in time increments just as they are at the resorts. A 5 minute trip to the bathroom or your stateroom, no problem. Going to sit-down lunch at Cabanas? You will need to check the queue.

In our experience, this type of process has worked very well at the resorts. There is distance between groups of loungers so you are more spaced from people that are not your party. Once you have your space, there won't be anyone just lurking and waiting for you to go to the bathroom so they can move your things and say they thought you left. And, if you are a family that likes to go to the pool first thing, all of the loungers won't be "reserved" with towels.

 

[HiStitch626]

I doubt that would work as well on a cruise ship as at a resort. The pools on DCL get a lot more crowded than the pools at WDW because there are no parks on the ships to entertain families. People just showing up to reserve would create a lot of crowding in itself, so I imagine it will be done electronically.

There are many things to entertain families on the cruise ship in addition to the pools. And yes I do think it will be done electronically as people were discussing items that had been added to the DCL app.

You mean this is currently in place at the WDW resorts? So is there a designated spot for you when you arrive when it's your turn?

I do not know if the pools are currently limiting the numbers of guests that can come in but they were last summer and this past April. Our experiences were at Kidani, Jambo and Yacht Club. Each of the pool areas had loungers separated into groups of four. If you arrived and the pool area had availability then you could come in right away. Jambo was never crowded so we could seat ourselves, one afternoon at Kidani was more crowded and we were escorted to a set of loungers. We did not experience this personally, but I know there were times when Kidani was at capacity. People could leave their cell numbers and would be called back when it was their turn. YC, as they have done for many years, distributed wristbands. We also did not experience a wait there, but I know that people did especially if they wanted to go around lunchtime. Similar to Kidani when we arrived we were asked if we wanted seats in the sun or in the shade and then were directed where to go.

There was no way to get onto the waitlist at any of the resorts except to go to the pool and ask. I don’t know if there would be a way to do that in MDE because there are so many resorts with so many pools. On the cruise ship, putting that into the DCL app would be very straightforward.

 

[tee11]

Thanks for explaining!

There are many things to entertain families on the cruise ship in addition to the pools. And yes I do think it will be done electronically as people were discussing items that had been added to the DCL app.



I do not know if the pools are currently limiting the numbers of guests that can come in but they were last summer and this past April. Our experiences were at Kidani, Jambo and Yacht Club. Each of the pool areas had loungers separated into groups of four. If you arrived and the pool area had availability then you could come in right away. Jambo was never crowded so we could seat ourselves, one afternoon at Kidani was more crowded and we were escorted to a set of loungers. We did not experience this personally, but I know there were times when Kidani was at capacity. People could leave their cell numbers and would be called back when it was their turn. YC, as they have done for many years, distributed wristbands. We also did not experience a wait there, but I know that people did especially if they wanted to go around lunchtime. Similar to Kidani when we arrived we were asked if we wanted seats in the sun or in the shade and then were directed where to go.

There was no way to get onto the waitlist at any of the resorts except to go to the pool and ask. I don’t know if there would be a way to do that in MDE because there are so many resorts with so many pools. On the cruise ship, putting that into the DCL app would be very straightforward.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I doubt that would work as well on a cruise ship as at a resort. The pools on DCL get a lot more crowded than the pools at WDW because there are no parks on the ships to entertain families. People just showing up to reserve would create a lot of crowding in itself, so I imagine it will be done electronically.

Pool time virtual queue will be through the DCL app.

Honestly I don't get all the teeth knashing about reserving pool time, or the limited capacity first come first served with activities such as trivia. The full details about all the changes have been known since April 24, are people that naïve to think that major tech changes to the DCL AP for the UK sailings will not apply to USA sailings?? DCL are not going to invest money in AP upgrades, new procedures etc just for a few weeks of sailings on one ship. These changes are fleet wide and will be what USA sailings will be like.

 

[BadPinkTink]

from @marcgiu on the main Disboards UK Sailings Thread DCL UK Residents Only Sailing Summer 2021General Online Booking Now Open Links In First Post

Booking window opened at 8.30pm at the 30 day before departure for all passengers, regardless of Castaway Club Status
Dreams is the theatre show, 2 times for the show 5.15pm and 8pm
Can only book one show time per person, per cruise
Kids club and gym times can also be booked at 30 days

 

[mousefan73]

As long as places are still restricting capacity I am for any type of a reservation system. Two weeks ago we were at a resort and they only allowed one family at a time in the pool, a very small pool and indoors. Each time my kids wanted to go in there was already a family in there and they simply never left, which really POd Me because I was considerate of others and told my kids if you get in don’t stay longer than 30 minutes so others get in. I guess other families don’t feel that way. Anyways I would’ve loved to of had a booking system they were guaranteed us a slot because I was considering told my kids if you get in don’t stay longer than 30 minutes or so let others in. I guess other families don’t feel that way. Anyways I would’ve loved to of had a booking system they were guaranteed us a slot. We ended up using the pool as a family at 9 AM one day. For most people are still eating breakfast. But this is how Covid has changed us we were so desperate to finally hit a pool after 15 months we didn’t care when or for how long

 

[Clojel]

from @marcgiu on the main Disboards UK Sailings Thread DCL UK Residents Only Sailing Summer 2021General Online Booking Now Open Links In First Post

Booking window opened at 8.30pm at the 30 day before departure for all passengers, regardless of Castaway Club Status
Dreams is the theatre show, 2 times for the show 5.15pm and 8pm
Can only book one show time per person, per cruise
Kids club and gym times can also be booked at 30 days

Having to book Kids Club in advance is the real drawback here, IMO. The pool is the pool every time you go. The show is the show every time you go. But the way we would work kids club in the past was to look at the special activities being offered at a particular time. If they sounded fun to DD, she went. If they didn’t, she didn’t! I’m guessing that with this system, we’ll have to just book block(s) of time and hope for the best.

 

[marcgiu]

from @marcgiu on the main Disboards UK Sailings Thread DCL UK Residents Only Sailing Summer 2021General Online Booking Now Open Links In First Post

Booking window opened at 8.30pm at the 30 day before departure for all passengers, regardless of Castaway Club Status
Dreams is the theatre show, 2 times for the show 5.15pm and 8pm
Can only book one show time per person, per cruise
Kids club and gym times can also be booked at 30 days

Thanks ;-) Only slight amendment here is that, I don't know if you can/ can't book the show twice.

Its shaded out for me now but that may be because its booked up.

I did manage to book the gym at 8am for anyone in my party that wanted to go though - that is only one slot per day per person.

 

[BadPinkTink]

But the way we would work kids club in the past was to look at the special activities being offered at a particular time. If they sounded fun to DD, she went. If they didn’t, she didn’t!

people have to get " the way we worked in the past" out of their heads as its just setting up for disappointment. When cruising returns , its will be a very different experience and everything will be new for everyone. Those who are open new experiences, not resistant to change and are adaptable will be the ones who will have a positive cruising experience.

 

[Clojel]

people have to get " the way we worked in the past" out of their heads as its just setting up for disappointment. When cruising returns , its will be a very different experience and everything will be new for everyone. Those who are open new experiences, not resistant to change and are adaptable will be the ones who will have a positive cruising experience.

I’m just expressing my opinion. Which I’m entitled to do. People need to stop being so judgmental and critical of others on these boards.

 

[TestingH2O]

people have to get " the way we worked in the past" out of their heads as its just setting up for disappointment. When cruising returns , its will be a very different experience and everything will be new for everyone.

I agree with the foundation your premise (cruising will look different,) however, there also has to be room for discussion of how to maximize the new experience. Most people on this board are not planning their first cruise and instead have years of DCL experience. This means that big changes to the planning process and flow of the day will take some rethinking.

We also used the clubs as pp described. If Gaga ball was scheduled, DD was there! This new system will work differently and will be a learning curve. I think encouraging conversation about how to maximize this new system is exactly what these boards are for.

 

[rere101399]

Agreed. I welcome that dialogue as well. We are very used to our kids dipping in and out of the clubs, 30 minutes here, an hour there. Usually for specific activities. The only time they went for just a two hour block regardless of activities was if we were going to Palo brunch or dinner. Which makes me curious how that will work as well…if you get a Palo reservation are they going to guarantee an OC reservation at that time if you have kids? It will be an entire shift of thinking for many of us, and I still plan to go, so I’d like to hear how others are going to adjust.

 

[BadPinkTink]

if you get a Palo reservation are they going to guarantee an OC reservation at that time if you have kids?

No, if you have a Palo reservation you do not get an guaranteed kids club booking. The UK cruisers are doing this right now. They booked Palo when their Castaway Club Status window opened. Now they have to get a kids club booking for the same time.