Did anyone else find this weird?

[Justacruiser]

And seriously, someone should be helping me with an ice-cream cone. Have you seen some of the stations after a bunch of kids (or adults use it). Think of the handles......... Where is the servers? lol!

 

[bumbershoot]

Did these other areas have the additional staff or was it just Palo?

Not on my cruises.

ETA: In Palo, they only 'helped' with the savory foods, there was no 'helper' for desserts - which also goes against the idea that they were doing it for health reasons.

October 2013 the server insisted on going and getting my desserts. I was a solo diner and he had been overwhelming already, and this really made me feel weird. But I was still dealing with big esteem issues about my size (I was about halfway through my weight loss process) and so that was on me. Many people would LOVE to be waited on like he was waiting on me (it's not his fault it made me feel like he was "saying" that I'm too horrible to be seen walking through the room)

How can it be portion control? Are they going to say "no, you can't have more cheese or caviar, you've had enough." And if you do not want to go back up for more because you are intimidated by the presence of the servers, that is your choice, not DCL's.

There are MANY who can't eat the way they want to if being watched. And yes, it's on them. Of course, companies know this.

They've been doing this since at least November, 2013, because that was our first Palo Brunch and they've done it that way every time we've gone since then.

October of that year for the dessert situation.

I can't remember if we did brunch Oct 2014 or Jan 2015, but at that time they were dishing up EVERYTHING for us, including desserts.

 

[FloridaBabe]

Must admit I didn't like this either I would much rather help myself.

 

[canyoncam]

They were doing it on the Wonder last month on the WBPC. This was my fourth brunch, 3 on Fantasy in 2012 & 2013 but first ever on Wonder. We went as soon as the brunch started and during my first plate there was no one helping so I loaded my own plate as usual. When I went back for my dessert plate is when I noticed the staff help. Yes it was awkward BUT I did not feel like it was meant to curb your plate loading as they kept insisting on large portions and encouraged you to try it all. THAT is what made it uncomfortable for me. I hope they stop but it wont stop me from going again, I'll just be prepared.

 

[turtle27]

I found it a bit odd, until I had questions about what some of the food was. The servers were good at explaining and offering suggestions. I cannot have bell pepper, which is sometimes a hidden item in foods, so they were also helpful with this. I can see how you could find it awkward and would be more self conscious about what was going on the plate. I think when we went for our second round, they were not there, or helping someone else. I don't remember now. I want the brunch, so I will go back And when they only gave me one shrimp cocktail, I asked for more, and they happily gave it.

 

[Tigger1313]

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

I agree with MJ, in Feb on the Fantasy had to be served did NOT like it, I told my server please don't judge me LOL. last week on the Wonder no server. on the Fantasy they told us it was because they do not have guards over the food like in the buffet, but then why don't they do it on the smaller ships. Hope it goes back the way it was.

 

[Bella29]

I actually don't like the whole buffet thing at all. It brings down the level of enjoyment for me quite a bit. I would love to see Palo be a sit down restaurant where you order off a menu and they bring desserts and antipasti by on a cart.. much classier IMO.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

oh gosh, I hope they have this when we go... But only because I just broke my arm and otherwise DH would have to do this for me. I would LOVE to give poor DH a chance to rest from his caregiver role!!!! I know it isn't the norm, but it would be heavenly!!!!

 

[schepp]

We just got off of the Fantasy on Saturday. It is not portion control, disease control or anything else other than just a level of service. We have experienced it on all four ships for the last several years. All you have to do is tell your server you don't need assistance plating your food and they let you get anything you want. They are proud of their food and want the many first timers to experience the variety of their offerings. You would be surprised how many people have no idea what half of the food is so by them plating and explaining they are educating at the same time. If you feel pressured by someone just talk with the Executive Chef for Palo and it will be corrected.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

oh gosh, I hope they have this when we go... But only because I just broke my arm and otherwise DH would have to do this for me. I would LOVE to give poor DH a chance to rest from his caregiver role!!!! I know it isn't the norm, but it would be heavenly!!!!

I thought is was just part of the "service" I didn't find it weird at all. When returning (for seconds) I served myself, but the first time through, I just pointed out what I wanted, and asked for more if what the server put on my plate wasn't as much as I wanted. No judgmental vibes from the server.

 

[delo4]

Thanks for all the replies. So glad I am not the only one who feels this way. I sure don't know the reason but I do not think it is illness related. This was the only place on the ship where you couldn't serve yourself. I think if enough of us share our thoughts with Disney, this new "service" may disappear. At least I hope so. I will be glad to share my thoughts with them.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks for all the replies. So glad I am not the only one who feels this way. I sure don't know the reason but I do not think it is illness related. This was the only place on the ship where you couldn't serve yourself. I think if enough of us share our thoughts with Disney, this new "service" may disappear. At least I hope so. I will be glad to share my thoughts with them.

As mentioned by schepp, you can just decline the service.

 

[Weedy]

I liked it. I felt the lines moved faster. I always get behind the person that has to inspect each item before putting it on their plate.
Our family joke comes from our first cruise when the Mom in front of us at Cabanas showed her kid a least 10 different pieces of bacon saying is this one good.

 

[lbgraves]

If it was being done because of a virus/illness concern on the ship, the same thing would be happening at the regular buffet, drink stations and pin trading with CMs would be suspended. We have been on a cruise where the previous week there was an outbreak and these restrictions were in place when we boarded. We did go to Palo with this in place and it felt awkward to me, along with making the buffet area more crowded. The restrictions were lifted on day 4 throughout the ship.

 

[Fyrefly]

I was on the Fantasy from May 2-9 and our waiter when he explained how things would work said that someone would fill the plate for us because in Palo there are no sneeze guards. I agree it's a bit awkward although I know no different (first time), but at the same time I can see that - we can serve ourselves at the buffets because it's very hard to get directly over the food and breathe on it, while to have such a set-up in Palo, they would need a permanent bufet installed.

 

[southerngirl528]

My brood and I LOVE Palo and especially brunch. Whether someone helps me fill my plate or I do it myself as I always have on my other cruises, I am going to be a very happy bunny dining at Palo! Their brunch buffet is 2nd only to the superb and luxurious one we have enjoyed at the Ritz-Carlton Naples.

 

[ludari]

I do find this strange but it will not stop me from selecting what I want and visiting multiple times.

 

[tinkerone]

I was on the Fantasy from May 2-9 and our waiter when he explained how things would work said that someone would fill the plate for us because in Palo there are no sneeze guards. I agree it's a bit awkward although I know no different (first time), but at the same time I can see that - we can serve ourselves at the buffets because it's very hard to get directly over the food and breathe on it, while to have such a set-up in Palo, they would need a permanent bufet installed.

while that sounds plausible, if you think about it while the sneeze guard is there and we find it hard to get directly over the food what about all the kids who are face to face with the food. sneeze guard does nothing to protect the food from a ten year old who wants to put his face close to the donuts. their breathing all over everything not to mention the finger touching they do.
I still don't think its for sanitation reasons but I certainly have been wrong before.

 

[Deaconfan]

We did brunch on the Pacific Coast Cruise last month on the Wonder and the extra servers were around. Our assistant server from the MDRs was actually working. He offered suggestions and even added caviar to what I had served myself. The only thing a server dished for us was the sticky buns. At dinner that evening our assistant server shared that his least favorite assignment on the ship was working Palo brunch because he felt what they had him do was "awkward."

 

[hubbard53]

They offered this 'assistance' on the Wonder last November. It was super annoying. Imagine telling the 'assistant' how you like your caviar toast points made. I like a decent amount of creme fresh, a lot of caviar, a little red onion, a little egg white, and just a couple capers. After he made my first one, I just asked for portions of each on my plate so I could make them myself.

We found ourselves waiting for opportunities to sneak past the assistants so we could help ourselves.

We asked about it and a manager said it was for "good customer service" but later at teh table, our waiter said it was for 'sanitary reasons'