Ressie Rush?

[karebear1]

What is it and how do I avoid it? I keep reading posts referring to it, but am unsure as to why it is so bad.... I mean it sounds AWFUL! So- tell me how to escape from it please!

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

As far as I know there are 3 ways to avoid it. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

1. Book a Cat. 3 or higher. The pax in suites have the ability to make any reservation before sailing.

2. Purchase the REAS. You can avoid most of the Ressie rush this way. You make your Palo reservations and 1 spa appt ahead of time. If you want other spa treatments then you still have to queue up on departure day but at least you are not split in two!

3. Not bother with eating at Palo or doing Spa appointments (or Flounders). If you don't want any of these appointments then you won't have to worry about rushing to get them.

I dream of being able to do option 1 but can only afford to do option 2 because I couldn't bear to do option 3 .

 

[jmcross]

Hate to sound stupid here but what is the REAS?
Joanne

 

[DenverVal]

I believe it stands for "Romantic Escape at Sea", and it's an optional package you can add on to your cruise.

 

[flexsmom]

We didn't think it was bad at all. DH went one way to Palo, and I went the other to the spa. We were done in 10 minutes and met back at the stateroom again. Next time might be more difficult because we'll have to coordinate Founders with the Palo night, but 2-way radios should help with that. I guess I can see how some people don't like the idea of boarding for vacation and immediately going into a "logistics" mode, but we thought it was quick and painless. Of course, there were some confused-looking people who had no idea what to expect (no research in advance!) who were really flailing around trying to figure out what was up!

 

[karebear1]

So- I tajke it that ressie rush happens when you board the ship and want to reserve diner at Palo or the spa? If that's teh case (we're mostly interested in Palo) how early do I hvae to arrive at the dock and as soon as I get on the ship- where do I go and how quickly do I go there? Should I wait to eat lunch and go directly to wherever it is that you reserve for Palo?

 

[inkkognito]

We found something interesting on our last cruise (Easter weekend). The ressie rush started much later than usual! Even the line in the terminal was smaller. I think the majority of passengers were coming from the resorts (probably doing 7-day packages), so they arrived later. I didn't even realize that the spa started taking ressies at 1:00. I got there at 1:15 and got everything we wanted. Hubby had stopped down at Wavebands )(home of Palo ressies) and said it was calm there, too. So sometimes the ressie scramble starts late (but just in case it doesn't, be there a little early). It's not as bad as it sounds, especially if you have a plan, and you can relax once it's over.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Carlnne]

Dont forget the ressie rush is more important for a 3-day cruise then it would be for a 7-day- its sounds silly but many people dont think of it.

 

[mouseclick1]

We just returned from the 4/10 western cruise, and had booked the REAS package primarily to avoid the ressie rush. However, we were able to come a half hour early to both our dinner and brunch at Palo, and noticed quite a few empty tables. Our waitress told us we could come back for another night at Palo if we wanted because they had plenty of availability. It made me wonder how important that ressie rush for Palo really is. On the other hand, they moved our spa appointment up 15 minutes without asking if it was OK, because they said they were pretty full. We only knew they moved our time up because of the appointment card that was left on our door. This did cut into the DIS meet that we were attending, which was a bummer because it was a lot of fun!

 

[bassoongirl]

When we went on our February cruise, I was ready for the Ressie Rush! As soon as we boarded, we headed straight to Studio Seas to make Palo reservations. It took no time at all! There was no line. The hardest part was deciding which night to go to Palo! I was pleasantly surprised! Once we finished with that, we headed to Parrot Cay for a great lunch and the beginning of our wonderful cruise! We did get to the terminal early, but we weren't the first ones in line. Either we got lucky or the Ressie Rush isn't as bad as people say it is!

Gayl

 

[tpseller]

Just wondering if someone has been on both a 4 day and 7 day and can compare the ressie rush on both?

We were on the 4 day last year and didn't have a problem, but this year we are doing a 7 day and I am wondering if the lines will be different.

Also - someone mentioned for Palo that there are different tables for different nights? Is that true? I don't remember that last time and I am going to try to make reservations for my DH and I on one night and my parents and in-laws on another.

Does anyone know for sure - or had experience - securing reservations for another stateroom? ie: reserving for the grandparents while they enjoy lunch at Parrot Cay?

 

[kristen821]

Where do you sign the kids up for the kid clubs. That is the only ressie rush I am planning on and I want to be there on time. What time does it usually start on the four night cruise? Do the kids have to be with you when you sign them up so they can be given the bracelet or can I put it on them myself?

 

[MariettaC]

On our October cruise last year, my daughter and I split up making ressies and when we got on board we knew exactly where we had to go to make them. That saved a lot of time since we had discussed various options beforehand.

 

[mobetsy]

On a recent 7 day Eastern, we were prepared for a scene resembling the after Xmas sales; in fact, making our Palo reservations at about 1:15 was an absolute cinch. We knew ahead of time what our first, second, and third choices were, which would've been very useful if there had been any kind of crowd. However, I realized later that I'd wasted energy being stressed about it; there was no crowd, and if there had been, my stress wouldn't have changed a thing!

 

[webray]

We have never had a problem with the ressie rush..lol.

It is all very organized..you get in line..you know what you want before you get there. Hubby goes to Palo, I go to the spa and we are good to go. On the magic..the reservations started right when we boarded..so we did them first..then ate.

On the wonder...reservations started later (time in the first navigator they give you at check in), they don't start early..lol. So we had plenty of time to enjoy the buffet first, and still get back to Palo and spa.

 

[din]

Just got back also from the 4/10 Western. We got on board oh... about 20 mins after they open the doors, then went to Parrot Cay. Took a quick bite, them left the family to finish lunch, while I went to book the Palo and spa. Got the brunch, dinner at Palo and Spa within 15 mins. It helps to know what times you want.