Port Adventures Questions

[devoy1701]

Ok Everyone! We ended up booking the Chacchoben Ruins Adults Only Departure for our day at Costa Maya and the Xplor Park for our day at Cozumel. I will be sure to post a review of Xplor Park since it doesn't seem like too many people here have done it yet! We are going to "wing it" at Grand Cayman and probably do our own Snorkeling at Castaway Cay.

The only thing I'm bummed about is that we weren't able to get into Palo. We were really looking forward to that, but since this is our first Disney Cruise we were only able to book 75-days out and everything was sold out. We're not into French Cuisine so we don't care about spending $150 for dinner at Remy. But we're definitely disappointed since this our Honeymoon and we (so far) have been unable to book a quiet dinner for the two of us.

Does any know of a way or have the email address for the Maitre'd on the Fantasy or someone else who can help within' DCL? Would like to explain to them that WDW dropped the ball quite a few times on our engagement trip in Aug 2010, spoiling the surprise, so we're looking to "hopefully" have a fantastic and memorable experience for our Honeymoon trip.

Thanks!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Ok Everyone! We ended up booking the Chacchoben Ruins Adults Only Departure for our day at Costa Maya and the Xplor Park for our day at Cozumel. I will be sure to post a review of Xplor Park since it doesn't seem like too many people here have done it yet! We are going to "wing it" at Grand Cayman and probably do our own Snorkeling at Castaway Cay.

The only thing I'm bummed about is that we weren't able to get into Palo. We were really looking forward to that, but since this is our first Disney Cruise we were only able to book 75-days out and everything was sold out. We're not into French Cuisine so we don't care about spending $150 for dinner at Remy. But we're definitely disappointed since this our Honeymoon and we (so far) have been unable to book a quiet dinner for the two of us.

Does any know of a way or have the email address for the Maitre'd on the Fantasy or someone else who can help within' DCL? Would like to explain to them that WDW dropped the ball quite a few times on our engagement trip in Aug 2010, spoiling the surprise, so we're looking to "hopefully" have a fantastic and memorable experience for our Honeymoon trip.

Thanks!

What port arrival time did you get??? When you get onboard go straight to I think the D-Lounge (or wherever the dining request spot is designated, will be in the info they hand you when you check-in at the port) and work on getting the Palo reservation ASAP. I recently read that a percentage of available seatings are held back for onboard booking. Also, continue to check back online for availability because people continually rethink their plans and cancel things. You never know when a slot will open. Good luck. :wave:

 

[ChuckElias]

Does any know of a way or have the email address for the Maitre'd on the Fantasy or someone else who can help within' DCL?

I don't know if you can call someone before your cruise, but I do know that you can go to one of the lounges (probably Studio Sea) as soon as you board and there are Head Servers there who will help you. (You can also request to change your dining rotation or table in the main dining rooms.) I believe that there are Palo seatings set aside for on-board reservations. And since there are only 2 of you, I would think that it would be easy for them to get you in.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Chuck and Kelly are correct, you can do it once you board. You probably won't have a problem. The navigator will say which lounge to go to, probably D Lounge, and you can also try going right to Palo. I've heard they sometimes open first for reservations and there's no line up there.

 

[devoy1701]

What port arrival time did you get??? When you get onboard go straight to I think the D-Lounge (or wherever the dining request spot is designated, will be in the info they hand you when you check-in at the port) and work on getting the Palo reservation ASAP. I recently read that a percentage of available seatings are held back for onboard booking. Also, continue to check back online for availability because people continually rethink their plans and cancel things. You never know when a slot will open. Good luck. :wave:

I don't know if you can call someone before your cruise, but I do know that you can go to one of the lounges (probably Studio Sea) as soon as you board and there are Head Servers there who will help you. (You can also request to change your dining rotation or table in the main dining rooms.) I believe that there are Palo seatings set aside for on-board reservations. And since there are only 2 of you, I would think that it would be easy for them to get you in.

I need to ask Richard if he's checked us in yet. If not I will do so tonight. I also need to put my Confirmation # in my phone so I can check periodically through the day. Do the travel agents know how often/when the online system is refreshed?

Good to hear about the on-board reservations. Richard mentioned this to us yesterday but wasn't 100% positive. I'm hoping that since we're on our Honeymoon (though I know we won't be the only ones) that they will be more inclined to fulfill the request.

If someone had an email I'm sure that we could put the request in beforehand. We used to do this kind of thing when I worked for Carnival/HAL if someone had a special request or if there was a VIP (of sorts) sailing.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Tammy books my cruises but I've done my own online check-in. It's easy as pie. Then I get to keep revisiting my cruise info, tweeking the port adventures & adult dining, etc. It's fun! :wave:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I have a fax number to request the private room in Palo but I'm not sure it would do you any good for a table of 2. You really shouldn't have a problem doing it once you get onboard unless you're boarding really late.

 

[flynnibus]

If you are only going to snorkel at CCay - don't bring a cannon to a fist fight.

The snorkeling at CCay is so basic - there is no need to go over the top and spend money on it and add all the hassle of hauling it on your trip.

The snorkels don't have purge valves, but you can just as easily clear them by blowing out when you surface. The masks are just your run of the mill silicon mask.

Maybe bring a mask and snorkel if you are set on it, but I wouldn't spend money on it. The gear they offer is fine for the few hundred yards of area they offer.

 

[Master Yoda]

If you are only going to snorkel at CCay - don't bring a cannon to a fist fight.

The snorkeling at CCay is so basic - there is no need to go over the top and spend money on it and add all the hassle of hauling it on your trip.

The snorkels don't have purge valves, but you can just as easily clear them by blowing out when you surface. The masks are just your run of the mill silicon mask.

Maybe bring a mask and snorkel if you are set on it, but I wouldn't spend money on it. The gear they offer is fine for the few hundred yards of area they offer.

I have do disagree. The rental gear is really horrible. Nothing will ruin even a basic snorkeling experience like an ill fitting mask or a leaking snorkel. If it was free I could see it, but the rental fee is $30. You can get equipment that is light years better at Wal-Mart for less than $50.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/US-Divers-Adult-LX-Set/17757407

 

[flynnibus]

If your mask or snorkel leaks - you simply get another one. They will happily exchange your equipment for something else. The masks are basically the same you see on walmart's site.

Sure you can get better stuff if you want to invest the time and money - but my point was - why buy for something greater than what you need. CCay is just bare bottom with sunken rocks and structures lying around out in the deeper water.

For what they give you - it serves the purpose.

Child prices are $10 for gear if you rent snorkeling stuff alone..
Only $25 for an adult.

Not $30

$32 is the adult price for snorkeling, rafts, and bike rental.
or only $16 for child

A tube alone costs $6

Or $54/$39 to do 'it all' - stingrays, snorkeling, raft, and bike

Why buy $20-$30 worth of gear - which you will need to pack, haul, and maintain for a 'slightly better than your beach' snorkeling experience.. when you'll likely look to book something else on the island.

I know I wouldn't want to haul gear for a slight improvement for something that realistically you are only going to do for a few hours out of an entire vacation.

The gear they provide works fine for what the place is.