Buffet on 7 night Eastern Magic?

[CruisinPetey]

Hi! I was thinking about making a reservation for Palo, but do not want to make it on the night there may be a buffet later! I'm not even sure if there are buffet's on the 7 night cruises except for the midnight chocolate buffet. Its hard to decide what night to do Palo, because I don't want to miss other things! Also, for Semi-Formal night, is there a special dinner menu, or do you just eat at one of the rotating restaurants while in dressier clothes. I dont' know if Semi Formal night would be a good night to do Palo....Or should Palo just be skipped?? Any input would help! Thanks so much!

Petey

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I would not skip Palo, I would definitely go. Semi formal or formal nights are good nights to go, everyone else is dressed up on the ship, so you will fit right in. Those nights you just follow your regular dining rotation. There is a buffet every night at Topsiders, is that the buffet you were refering to? One night there is a dessert buffet at around 11 in Lumiere's, they do not have a midnight buffet anynight. Hope this helps....

 

[markey]

I know someone will flog me for this one, but here goes. We have been on 3 cruises, and are sailing on 8/9. We have never been to Palo and do not intend to go this time. I know almost everyone says you have to do Palo, but especially on your first cruise it is nice to sample all the menus for each night. Yes there is a different menu for semi-formal, formal and tropical night, and the last night and is the same in all 3 dinning rooms. The other 3 nights you have the menu for the restaurant you are in. There are really no buffet's at night that you would want to skip a meal for. Only deserts and sweets, if the same as last year. Don't feel that if you don't do Palo you will miss something, and if you really want to do Palo why not do the Brunch this time.

 

[lisak1]

We are doing the brunch, instead of the dinner. I can't see making a reservation for diiner on a family vacation for the sole purpose of not including the whole family. My son would feel very left out.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

I would argue that Palo is the best restaurant on the ship, so eating there would be preferable to eating at any other restaurant, regardless of the night. You'll find that the entire cruise consists of choices. There's no way you'll get to see and do everything, so pick those things you'd like to do, rather than worrying about what you might miss.

I would also say that the purpose of Palo is not to exclude the kids, just as the purpose of the kids' clubs is not to exclude the parents.