Will this Work? Palo Reservations Without Standing in Line

[greencandi]

Palo Brunch is no longer available online for our upcoming cruise - all reserved by concierge, platinum, and gold by the time our silver window opened which is fine. We’d like Palo brunch reservations but we’ve done it before and are fine with not doing it this sailing. I’m simply not willing to rush to stand in line the moment we board or spend my first moment on the ship in line. Can I call that night or the next day and make a reservation if there are any left? Is there a wait list I can get on? Again, we’re ok if it doesn’t happen, but I’m avoiding the line.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

I'm not sure about the options you mentioned, but keep checking back online. They switched some activities for our days at sea and that created a conflict between our Palo reservation and another ticketed activity. I called yesterday to ask if they could move the reservation but nothing was available. Today I checked online just because and lo- there was an opening!

If nothing opens up online, I'm sure you can try to call the night before. But like I said, I haven't tried that option.

ETA: We sail on 2/15 so we are a little over 3 weeks out.

 

[BCV23]

Yes, you can absolutely call. No need to wait until evening for that matter. Just call when you can get in your cabin. If no one answers, just leave a message. Good luck.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

It is my understanding that all of the people waiting in line are trying to get reservations and then putting themselves on the wait list if no reservations are left. So if you waited to call to put yourself on the waitlist, you’d be behind all of those people and it seems unlikely you’d get a table. So while you could do it I don’t think it would result in a reservation.

 

[Marc D]

OP, you might want to go directly to Palo after your embarkation lunch. They also take reservations there and there’s rarely a line. If you eat lunch at Cabanas, you are a few steps away.

 

[Adventurelawyer]

As a PP mentioned, just keep stalking the app. I was able to change to the exact stateroom I wanted, because I stalked the website. Someone fell out of my cruise and the room became available. I knew it wasn't available before because I had my TA check on booking and several weeks prior and nothing was available at all in my category, on the starboard side. But wouldn't ya know it, there was my exact prefered cabin, available. And if the cabin is available, so are the pre-planned activities.

Things happen, and people change their minds. Keep checking back because as you near your sail date, I am sure you'll see more availability!

 

[randumb0]

@greencandi how many nights is your cruise?

 

[greencandi]

@greencandi how many nights is your cruise?

Seven.

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions!

 

[BCV23]

It is my understanding that all of the people waiting in line are trying to get reservations and then putting themselves on the wait list if no reservations are left. So if you waited to call to put yourself on the waitlist, you’d be behind all of those people and it seems unlikely you’d get a table. So while you could do it I don’t think it would result in a reservation.

Were you told this by a crew member or is that more an assumption from reading the DIS?

OP, you might want to go directly to Palo after your embarkation lunch. They also take reservations there and there’s rarely a line. If you eat lunch at Cabanas, you are a few steps away.

We've used this approach, too. Except for the Cabanas part.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

Were you told this by a crew member or is that more an assumption from reading the DIS?

It is my assumption from reading the DIS, watching cruise vlogs, and using logic. If people are lined up to get brunch at embarkation, and brunches often sell out and there is a wait list, wouldn’t the person calling that evening or the next day (which is what OP said they were thinking of doing) be toward the end of the wait list? They could of course get lucky but it seems unlikely since I’ve heard the waitlist can get to at least 40 people.

 

[BCV23]

It is my assumption from reading the DIS, watching cruise vlogs, and using logic. If people are lined up to get brunch at embarkation, and brunches often sell out and there is a wait list, wouldn’t the person calling that evening or the next day (which is what OP said they were thinking of doing) be toward the end of the wait list? They could of course get lucky but it seems unlikely since I’ve heard the waitlist can get to at least 40 people.

Thanks for answering. The thing is we don't know that people who join that line are accomodated before those that go directly to the podium or leave a phone message. A Navigator I have from our May cruise says:

Remy and Palo Reservations
Reservations are required and will be taken on a first come basis today:
12:30-3:00pm Enchanted Garden, Palo & Remy
3:00-5:00pm- Please leave a voice mail at 7-9735 for Palo or 7-9734 for Remy.

It doesn't sound to me as if there is a pecking order at least on that cruise. Calling would come in last since it is first come first served but even then I might try calling at 1:30. Going to the Enchanted Garden or whichever restaurant is handling dining changes is certainly one way to get a reservation but until DCL tells me it is the best way, it will be my last choice. I did do it on our very first cruise due to reading the DIS but since then if I want to add another Palo reservation or change one, I have called or gone to the podium.

 

[randumb0]

Does anyone know if you can make reservations for 2 separate state rooms? I am traveling with family and was wondering if a family member gave me their KTW card if I could book for them as well without them needing to stand in line

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

Does anyone know if you can make reservations for 2 separate state rooms? I am traveling with family and was wondering if a family member gave me their KTW card if I could book for them as well without them needing to stand in line

I have done this. Usually they just ask for each of the stateroom numbers and put it all under one reservation. It's very simple. We didn't even need to have everyone's KTTW card. Just the room numbers and who in the room was attending brunch.

Side note: In the past, upon boarding the ship and before doing anything else, I have gone straight to the podium outside of Palo and been able to book reservations without having to go to the dining session. It was incredibly effective. Definitely something I would encourage you to try.