Adult Dining - Is this new?

[TestingH2O]

I was checking brunch availability for traveling companions and I saw that dinner reservations now have this note.

"When you reserve dinner at Palo online, you’re invited to enjoy an exciting new opportunity to make an additional dinner reservation at Palo for the first night of your cruise once you’ve boarded the ship. Reservations are subject to availability and a specialty dining charge will apply."

Does that mean only online reservations can have more than one dinner? Or first night reservations are only for those dining there another day? I just don't know that I've ever noticed that note before.

 

[Corfam]

I saw that note last night when I booked Palo brunch as well. I don't remember seeing it before, but my last cruise was back in 2015.

My understanding has always been that you can book additional Palo reservations when you board the ship. I've always been asked if I want an additional reservation when I confirm my existing reservations on embarkation day. I doubt it matters if you didn't book online and assume you can book a brunch and dinner reservation on the ship, if available.

 

[jenpink]

I think they have trouble filling Palo on the first night. I think this is a way for them to advertise its availability

 

[Shanti]

I think they have trouble filling Palo on the first night. I think this is a way for them to advertise its availability

Yep, they're just trying to fill all the spaces & make it cost-effective. I can't imagine a passenger onboard trying to book an available spot, and being told, "Sorry, you didn't book one online, so we're not going to sell you this spot."

 

[mevelandry]

I guess it's smarter to go from MDR to Palo than doing the opposite (I've done it and it was a disappointment). Now, with what I know... If I had to start with Palo I would most likely eat at Palo for the rest of the cruise.

 

[Dug720]

I actually love kicking off the cruise with Palo - but it's such a toss-up because you don't get to meet your servers the first night...and as a solo I don't know how horrid the table dump is if I can't be seated alone.

 

[dragynally]

I can imagine palo doesn't get much action on the first night. I always want to hit the MDRs and have the servers get to know me a little.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was checking brunch availability for traveling companions and I saw that dinner reservations now have this note.

"When you reserve dinner at Palo online, you’re invited to enjoy an exciting new opportunity to make an additional dinner reservation at Palo for the first night of your cruise once you’ve boarded the ship. Reservations are subject to availability and a specialty dining charge will apply."

Does that mean only online reservations can have more than one dinner? Or first night reservations are only for those dining there another day? I just don't know that I've ever noticed that note before.

I believe they are only pointing out that additional reservations can be made once onboard. Not everyone is aware that DCL holds back some availability for booking onboard.

I doubt that they would turn down anyone wanting to book the first night (either online or once onboard).

 

[phinz]

I can see Palo being slow the first night, as the one time we ate there on the first night there were very few guests. There was one less as my wife left during the appetizer to go back to the room because of sea sickness.

As a side note, Princess gives a free dinner to suite guests on the first night in specialty restaurants. I'm guessing this is to fill their restaurants.

 

[Dug720]

I can imagine palo doesn't get much action on the first night. I always want to hit the MDRs and have the servers get to know me a little.

It is a nice, calm way to start the cruise in Palo. I am pondering requesting to start with Triton's but booking Palo for night one because I really struggle with finding things I like on that equivalent menu. My only iffiness there is now that I am gluten free and am not sure if I should do the MDR night one. I don't know the rotation so that would be why requesting Triton's night one would be better for knowing when to book Palo.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I agree it is a nice way to start the cruise. Warning though it is addictive! Maybe that is why they want to capture your attention first night!

 

[JW9DVC]

I actually love kicking off the cruise with Palo - but it's such a toss-up because you don't get to meet your servers the first night...and as a solo I don't know how horrid the table dump is if I can't be seated alone.

If you have late seating. You can go to Palo first and then we go to MDR afterwards, just to try an item or two and eat with the kids.

JW

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

I actually love kicking off the cruise with Palo - but it's such a toss-up because you don't get to meet your servers the first night...and as a solo I don't know how horrid the table dump is if I can't be seated alone.

An option is to book Palo later than your normal dining time and stop in at the MDR for a quick meet and greet before heading off to Palo.

 

[Dug720]

If you have late seating. You can go to Palo first and then we go to MDR afterwards, just to try an item or two and eat with the kids.

JW

Thankfully no kids. Just me.

 

[Dug720]

An option is to book Palo later than your normal dining time and stop in at the MDR for a quick meet and greet before heading off to Palo.

Or earlier since I have late dining and the show on 7 nights is an ad basically.

 

[MotherKnowsBest]

We ate at Palo the first night of a 7 night cruise in December and we were the only people in there. I loved it because I usually get too full to fully enjoy it as the week goes on. I'm not stuffed to the gills on night 1.

 

[TestingH2O]

I must not have been the only one asking questions. Here is the new wording.

New Online Reservation Opportunity
You're now invited to make 2 dinner reservations at Palo during your cruise, as long as one of your reservations is on the first night of your cruise. Reservations are subject to availability and a specialty dining charge will apply.

 

[dragynally]

I must not have been the only one asking questions. Here is the new wording.

New Online Reservation Opportunity
You're now invited to make 2 dinner reservations at Palo during your cruise, as long as one of your reservations is on the first night of your cruise. Reservations are subject to availability and a specialty dining charge will apply.

So you can make 2 online reservations as long as one is day one. This confirms what I'm thinking. They need more people day 1

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I must not have been the only one asking questions. Here is the new wording.

New Online Reservation Opportunity
You're now invited to make 2 dinner reservations at Palo during your cruise, as long as one of your reservations is on the first night of your cruise. Reservations are subject to availability and a specialty dining charge will apply.

Yes, much clearer.

One thing to keep in mind, if you book two reservations, and you qualify for the free Palo meal, the first meal you eat there will be the comped one.

If that matters.

 

[Dug720]

AWESOME!! Night one and probably Pirate Night it shall be!