Brunch/tastings alone?

[sanders3]

I'm doing my 4th cruise at the end of the month, and have never done any of the beverage tastings or Palo/Remy. Part of that is dress code, for dining (I'd have to bring an entirely separate outfit and shoes and don't enjoy dressing up), but most of it is I'm a single parent traveling with two kids and it's been unclear whether doing them alone would be at all enjoyable/worth the cost. But this time I managed to get a Remy brunch (though I think I'd prefer Palo if it opened up?) and a couple of beverages tastings (mixology and chocolate and liquor - but wine, whiskey, bourbon, beer and maybe martini are also available/appearing on occasion). Are any of those enjoyable solo? Or any definitely not worth the cost if you're on your own?

Maybe useful to know - I'm an introvert and probably wouldn't initiate conversation with a group of strangers, and my preferred solo dining experience involves reading my kindle while eating, in peace. It's a 4 night cruise, so I'll be giving up some of the limited time I will have to myself, during which I'd otherwise probably just read in my stateroom or grab a drink somewhere, for one or more of these. But I'm not so sure that would be a bad thing and since these things seem to be sought after... (Also I wouldn't know a whiskey from a bourbon, my wine knowledge has advanced only minimally beyond the broad types within reds and whites and, while my exposure is limited, I've so far preferred my martinis when the alcohol is masked by fruity juice...so that's probably relevant beyond the solo piece for tastings)

 

[CastawayCayLover]

While I haven’t done any solo myself, we’ve encountered plenty of singles at tastings over the years. It’s usually a very light hearted affair with people making general comments, jokes, etc. and you wind up talking with multiple people about the drinks, then the cruise and so on.

 

[dvc_cruiser]

most of the time it's just the presenter talking maybe little small talk while tasting after he explains the drink , but you really don't have to and will not be out of place for just sitting quietly and enjoying. Most time the talking is after the session is over and you dont have to stay for that.

 

[soniam]

At Palo or Remy, you will probably be seated by yourself at a table. However, the staff are very friendly and will probably engage you more, if you respond, since you will be alone. If you don't mind eating alone, I would do it. They explain a lot to you about the food and drink, so they are very present, but not intrusive.

Tastings are very sociable. I go with my husband, but we have always struck up a conversation with the people near us, even if we didn't initiate it. The seating is pretty close together, so it feels very communal. The chocolate/liquor and mixology are my favorite. Mixology is probably the most sociable, especially if they are having the guests go behind the bar and make drinks. Chocolate/liquor is also fairly sociable, because of it's interactive and subjective nature. I think you will have a good time doing any of these on your own.

 

[Mommb]

My husband has always gone to beverage tastings alone, since I don’t appreciate alcohol enough to make them worthwhile (though I do want to try the Chocolate and Liqueur tasting on our next cruise). I don’t think you’d be at all out of place by yourself there.

It is less common to see solo diners at Palo or Remy, but there is no reason not to give them a try if you want.

 

[ichoose2believe]

I did a tasting alone and didn’t really talk to anyone but enjoyed myself. The host did most of the talking. It was kinda nice to do my own thing while DS was at the kid’s club.

Didn’t do Palo/Remy but would be open to trying it as a solo.

 

[KarenMom]

I travel solo about half of the time and I've done both Palo brunch and dinner by myself multiple times. The first time I felt a bit awkward but since then I'm totally comfortable by myself. I'm an introvert as well and usually read my kindle and look out at the ocean. To be honest I feel more comfortable at Palo brunch than dinner but that's just me. I haven't done Remy so I can't speak to that but I imagine it's the same. I've also done the champagne tasting by myself many times and after the first glass I don't feel awkward at all! They are often other women there alone (assuming maybe their spouse/significant other doesn't enjoy champagne). The older I get the more I don't care what others think, as long as I'm having fun that's all that matter. I hope you enjoy yourself!

 

[otten]

I haven't done Palo solo but I have done many tastings alone because my husband isn't into them. It isn't awkward at all. The tastings at least aren't a particularly social time as it's more about whatever the host is teaching you.

As for Palo I think it you are generally comfortable eating at restaurants alone (as an introvert I for one love a solo dining experience now and then) you'll have a good time.

Edit: I haven't done mixology yet but Chocolate and Liquor is a great tasting and the wine tasting I did on the Wonder was one of the best wine tastings I've done anywhere. The champagne is also great if you can snag it.

 

[Tikibear]

After four cruises I finally did a whiskey tasting. I knew I’d be doing it alone since my wife doesn’t like it. I too am a bit introverted when one on one. I found the atmosphere and process very inviting and comfortable. I’d do it again.

 

[Geomom]

I did 3 tastings solo on our Fantasy cruise in June since DH doesn't drink. I am an introvert as well, as others said, the host does most of the talking, any conversation you might have with others would be before it starts while people are being seated, and I did that minimally.

I did the Champagne tasting, chocolate and liquor, and mixology.

Haven't done the upcharge restaurants so can't comment on that, but I know there are solo cruisers on this board who have loved their solo meals at Palo/Remy.

 

[MinnieInVA]

I’ve done a solo brunch at Palo twice, and it was totally worthwhile! I did bring my iPad with my reader app, so I enjoyed reading while I ate. The staff was attentive, but also noted that I was enjoying my book and didn’t engage much. I did engage more with the server on my most recent Palo brunch visit in April because I remembered him as the server from a Palo dinner 10 years earlier on another ship (Sylvester is well known as a fabulous server!) and he actually thought he remembered our group too.

I’ve also done tastings solo, and it’s up to you whether you chat up the others or not. I’m not super chatty, but I enjoyed the tastings too.

In other words, from one introvert to another, go for it!

 

[dcassetta]

At Palo or Remy, you will probably be seated by yourself at a table.

Although solo diners may be seated with others in the MDRs, at Palo or Remy you will have your own table.

 

[gismo1554]

I've never done a solo brunch. what I tend to do is do a group brunch via a cruise group instead which so far has worked really well.

That said I've done loads of tastings on my own (makes me sound like a lush but especially under the old prices they were great value). They tend to set the tables up as 2's or 4's so you end up being sat with other people either way. Its how I've made some of my greatest cruise friends to be honest. I've never felt out of place and everyone is very chatty and you have something to "bond" over.

 

[Lillebelle]

You picked my two favorite tastings! I have found the Mixology ones tend to be the most social but I'm sure you could choose how much to engage. The drinks are different based on who's teaching it so it's a mixed bag whether you get tasty drinks or more...experimental drinks.

The Chocolate & Liquor one is just delicious. I've done it twice (on different ships) and I believe it was the same both times which leads me to believe there's a set menu for that one. I'd do that one solo in a heartbeat just because it was so tasty, and unlike anything you could get just going to a bar for a drink.

I did the Bourbon one once and hoo boy -- if you don't regularly sip bourbon, I'd skip it. It was more intimate and a cool vibe but from a drinking perspective, if you're a fruity drink person, it would be a rough time.

 

[holula]

I’ve done solo dinner at Palo and solo dinner and brunch at Remy. I took my kindle and at brunch watched the beautiful view we had of Miami.