Did anyone else find this weird?

[delo4]

we retuned a couple of weeks ago from the Dream. We went to Palo brunch which we have done many times in the past. However- this time they had these extra people hovering around carrying your plate for you and putting the food on your plate at the buffet. We did not like it at all. It was so odd. I did not like someone standing there waiting for me to tell them what I wanted so they could put it on my plate. We would wait until they were busy with others and then jump up and get our own food. I hope they don't continue doing this.

 

[tinkerone]

we are not big palo fans but I had thought about giving it one more try on our next cruise. I read about this a couple months ago and it sealed the deal. not going to book it because I to think it is a little.....ummmm.....odd. to me it would be an annoyance.
I hope they don't continue as well but it looks like they will.

 

[bumbershoot]

They've been doing it for awhile now, and it does seem to be the way they want to do it. It's so obvious that that's the way it is done that I can't quite imagine bypassing it!

 

[VS85]

It is weird! We went to Palo brunch on the Fantasy last year and the servers did this. Not only was it awkward, but the server that was carrying my plate ended up dropping the croissant that I wanted into the big bowl of yogurt! And it felt weird to ask for more or less. I don't know if they instituted this for hygienic reasons, but I was so underwhelmed by the whole experience and food; this practice made me sure I wouldn't book again for brunch.

 

[Beamo2014]

When we went on our first cruise in November and tried Palo for brunch for the first time, they did this. I assumed it was the norm....but I guess not. I was not only awkward but uncomfortable, and certainly made you curb your appetite. There were things that I definitely wanted to load my plate with but I was really self consious and ended up eating way less than I would have otherwise....not sure if that is a bad thing or not, but being that it was Palo and extra money I went in thinking I would get my monies worth.

 

[Saamh]

We did Palo brunch on the Magic a couple weeks ago and they did not do this. I've heard of them staffing Cabanas and the beverage station with employees if there is concern of an illness going around. Did these other areas have the additional staff or was it just Palo?

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Last year we did the Palo brunch for the first time on the Wonder in Alaska. They did not do this at all. We were on the Fantasy 2 weeks ago and did the Palo brunch and they did do this. Dh and both were very uncomfortable and thought it odd. We much preferred the way it was last year on the Wonder.

 

[perditax]

I've heard it's on both Fantasy and Dream but have never heard an explanation offered. Don't think it'll bother me too much, unless they try to control the number of croissants I consume.

 

[Julie Montoya]

I read about this a couple months ago and it sealed the deal.

 

[MunFam]

Two things come to mind...NoroVirus prevention (but since its all the time, I doubt it) and portion control to prevent people from taking large quantities of expensive items...especially items they may not eat. I think there are some cheeses that are in the $1,000+ range per wheel served and the same for the caviar.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Two things come to mind...NoroVirus prevention (but since its all the time, I doubt it) and portion control to prevent people from taking large quantities of expensive items...especially items they may not eat. I think there are some cheeses that are in the $1,000+ range per wheel served and the same for the caviar.

Yea agree every so often they do this when there is a potential outbreak of NoroVirus.

 

[GenzanoFamily]

This happened half way through a cruise one time. A group of families came down with some bug, the some of the staff. Next thing we know, we had a CM carrying our plates at the buffet and taking our requests. Bottomline: There must have been an outbreak of something on the ship. This is one of their precaution procedures to keep it from spreading.

 

[Otimon]

Had this happen on the last cruise we had Brunch at Palo. Did not like it at all! I told the fellow that I wanted to do it myself so he turned around and went to someone else.

If a virus or some such is the reason for this, I would suggest they have additional wipes available right by the buffet room. Don't forget, they don't give you a wipe at Palo as you enter as with the other restaurants so discreetly placed and handed out right at the buffet room should help solve the problem.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Not for me..............and if enough people voice a dislike...they will likely change it.

AKK

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Glad to know about this before we sail in August. Although I appreciate the good intentions if they're trying to stop the spread of a virus, I know I will find that type of service awkward. Besides, CMs can get sick too so how does that really make a difference having them serve and handle your plate? I can understand how having the food area strictly monitored by staff would be wise though, so they can watch for any possible contamination risks as people serve themselves (reusing plates, etc) and address any concerns immediately. But I'll be prepared to politely indicate that I prefer to serve myself and handle my own plate, thank you.

 

[MaleficentRN]

This must be a fairly new thing as they didn't do it on The Dream last May. I agree in that there must have been a Norovirus outbreak on those cruises, or they're getting tired of the gavones that load up their plates and don't eat what they take.

 

[wcw57]

doubt it is a virus-related policy but, as in all things, follow the money....portion control/waste is the likely root of this evil............

 

[mmouse37]

I think this is something just on the Dream/Fantasy. Our last 2 Fantasy cruises had this system when we did Palo Brunch and I did not like it. Felt awkward. On the Magic recently they did not do this at Palo brunch. I don't think it is a noro virus preventative but just seems to be like they are trying to provide a higher level of service. don't know but felt uncomfortable with it.

MJ

 

[perditax]

I'm going to tentatively say I doubt it is for noro (else they would be doing it at the main buffets, which are probably a much bigger disease vector than Palo), and that the suggestion upthread that a lot of high-quality food was getting thrown away due to people whose eyes were bigger than their stomachs sounds like the winner.

I don't have a theory as to why it would be on the bigger ships and not the smaller ones. Maybe the smaller ones don't have the extra staff available.

 

[missj1975]

I was on the Disney Dream in September and they did have the extra staff holding the plates. Mine wore gloves. Yes it was awkward at first but it didn't prevent me from eating whatever I wanted. I talked to the manager and yes it has to do with health issues/health precautions. It has absolutely nothing to do with portion control. I eat my body weight in caviar each time and no one gives me a hard time.

Food is wasted whether someone puts it on their plate or not. Whatever is left on the buffet at the end of service is not saved for a later buffet. It is thrown away.