Dream dinning questions for a first timer

[luxlvr]

Hey all! First time sailing anything and it's on DCL! Yay! Few quick questions that I just can't seem to wrap my head around:

Background: DCL Dream 1/16/17 - 4 night Dream Bahamas - 00V - DH, DS (9), DS(7), DD(5)

Palo vs Remy - My DH and I were thinking of trying one, but we weren't sure how to navigate a few things.

- Palo vs Remy oh my?!? I know French vs Italian, Very fancy vs sort of fancy, pay extra vs not, but... your thoughts?

- How do we know our dinning rotation? I don't want to make the reservations for a night that we are dinning in Animator's palate or on Pirate Night? Is the last night of the sail the night we double up on dinning?

- What time should we make the reservations so that we can still grab the kids and head to the show after or do we just skip the show this night? What show do we not want to miss?

Basically, what the heck night is the best night to book these reservations and is it even worth it? I know nothing about cruising but I can't wait!!!!!!

**any other words of wisdom welcomed too **

TIA!!

 

[Trera]

We love both Palo and Remy and do both when we are on the longer cruises. We dont normally work around the dining rotation but rather we always eat there during Pirate night as we dont love the menu and our 2 year old DD isn't really into it yet.

I would do Palo if we could only do one as it is just a bit more relaxed and the food selection is wide and the chocolate souffle is awesome. We have only done Remy 2 times on our anniversary and it was wonderful both times. We love the cheese course you get at the end and we each get the different menu and share so we get to taste everything.

You cant go wrong with either one. Plus you are in Concierge, so they can get you set up pretty much with anything at any time prior to boarding. I would call them and discuss the dining rotation and planning to make it work with your schedule.

good luck!

 

[luxlvr]

Thanks so much @Trera !! I think DSs and DD are going to be WAY into Pirate night, so I think we may try for night #4 bc we will hit everything by then Thanks!!

 

[Justacruiser]

if shoreside contacts you before the cruise, you can ask them your question. However, you should have no problem waiting until you board to get the reservations you want. I get reservations on the first day of the cruise with know problem and we don't cruise Concierge. At that point you can make a good decision. IMHO

 

[Trera]

Thanks so much @Trera !! I think DSs and DD are going to be WAY into Pirate night, so I think we may try for night #4 bc we will hit everything by then Thanks!!

No problem.

Keep in mind that the onshore concierge and on board hosts will be a great source of information, can book reservations, etc. Dont be afraid to ask them for help with anything.

Our experience with the Dream concierge staff was wonderful and they really did well interacting and catering to our 2 yr old DD.

 

[RHSTigerMom]

You can send shoreside an email at the 120-day mark (actually a day or so before) requesting things you would like. Tell them you want Palo dinner but not on Pirate Night or Animator's Palate. They will already know your dining rotation and can schedule accordingly.

As for the kids and the show - personally, I would skip the show so as not to rush through dinner. I'm guessing you'll feed the kids beforehand and then send them to the club/lab. I would have a leisurely adult meal and not rush to get to a show.

 

[TestingH2O]

Hey all! First time sailing anything and it's on DCL! Yay! Few quick questions that I just can't seem to wrap my head around:

Background: DCL Dream 1/16/17 - 4 night Dream Bahamas - 00V - DH, DS (9), DS(7), DD(5)

Palo vs Remy - My DH and I were thinking of trying one, but we weren't sure how to navigate a few things.

- Palo vs Remy oh my?!? I know French vs Italian, Very fancy vs sort of fancy, pay extra vs not, but... your thoughts?

I think you meant Remy vs Palo? Remy is the French option and more fancy. Both carry an upcharge, but the one for Remy is much higher. Remy does have a dessert option that is less expensive on the first day.

- How do we know our dinning rotation? I don't want to make the reservations for a night that we are dinning in Animator's palate or on Pirate Night? Is the last night of the sail the night we double up on dinning?

You can request a dining rotation through Concierge. On a 4 day itenerary, you will be in one dining room twice, but not have a repeat menu. If you choose to reserve your adult dining ahead of time, I would make a second request at the same time that you be in the dining room you don't want that same night. For instance, if you want to skip Royal Palace and go to your adult dining on Nassau day, as for a rotation that puts you in Royal Palace on day 2. (This would therefore also be your Pirate Night dining room.)

- What time should we make the reservations so that we can still grab the kids and head to the show after or do we just skip the show this night? What show do we not want to miss?

You are going to get lots of different answers on this, but most people feel that Villains is the least appealing of all the shows.

Basically, what the heck night is the best night to book these reservations and is it even worth it? I know nothing about cruising but I can't wait!!!!!!

**any other words of wisdom welcomed too **

TIA!!

To be honest, we did not want to miss any dining rooms or that family time, so we opted for brunch on our 4 day cruise. It was a wonderful experience,and I would gladly do it again even though I've never done dinner. Both Palo and Remy offer a brunch option. That would be something else to consider.

Make sure you are PIF by 125 days out so you can log your requests with concierge. Then, at 120 days, they will automatically enter them in the system. They can take care of rotations, adult dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, etc. If you send them a message and don't hear back within 24 hours, contact them again just in case.

The on board team is also amazing. We were on the Dream this summer and were incredibly pleased with the service we received. The staff on board will also help you adjust any reservations and get you signed up for any tastings or ticketed meet and greets.

Happy planning!

 

[luxlvr]

Thank you all! This is just the info I needed! This place is the BEST!

 

[Mandlz]

Palo vs Remy - My DH and I were thinking of trying one, but we weren't sure how to navigate a few things.

- Palo vs Remy oh my?!? I know French vs Italian, Very fancy vs sort of fancy, pay extra vs not, but... your thoughts?

I have to chime in here too. My husband and I did our first Disney cruise in Sept 2014 on the Dream, a 4-Night as well, and I would absolutely recommend Remy dinner and Palo brunch if you can swing it. The Palo brunch is only offered on sea days if I recall correctly, so you probably would only have one day where's it's offered, but it is SO worth it! And the Remy dinner was beyond expectations. The food...the service....the view...the atmosphere...all amazing and wonderful. It was definitely worth the extra money on both parts!

 

[kiford]

We absolutely loved Remy and we also like Palo's (unfortunately we usually cruise the Magic so we don't get the option of Remy's) but for a 4-day first time cruise, I'd skip both and stick to the main dining rooms so that you get all of the experiences of the dining rooms and pirate night. Then it doesn't matter what rotation you get.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We absolutely loved Remy and we also like Palo's (unfortunately we usually cruise the Magic so we don't get the option of Remy's) but for a 4-day first time cruise, I'd skip both and stick to the main dining rooms so that you get all of the experiences of the dining rooms and pirate night. Then it doesn't matter what rotation you get.

That's what I'd suggest, also. I think it does a disservice to DCL to take other people's opinions as to what you should skip. I'm in the camp of "try it myself before deciding what I do or don't like".

 

[luxlvr]

I spoke with DH at length after all of your amazing advice and I'm thinking we may skip this all together. I really like eating with my kids. They enjoy it and my DH and I genuinely like the experience. I know me and I know this will not be my last DCL adventure. I think we may just sit this one out. Thank you all for your advice!