How does Remy cost work?

[phinz]

Thanks, what would you say the average time is? 3 hours? 3.5 hours might be too long just because of my kids being done with the club at the 3 hour mark - I don't want to feel "rushed" at Remy at all, sounds like that would completely ruin the experience... however heading in there knowing that it's going to be 3.5 hours may make me nervous a bit because of the kids... I know I can tell the club to hold them off because we're at Remy but just trying to be realistic because I hate to feel like I would have to rush the waiter... hope I'm explaining myself correctly

You can easily do it in 3 hours, especially if you don't get into bottled water, wine selection, the cheese experience, etc.

 

[disnygirl55]

The cheese course is part of the dinner service. But I still think 3 hours is perfectly do-able. You could stretch it out by lingering over coffee, ordering additional wine, etc. - but the meal is very evenly paced, and the three hours will fly by without you realizing it. I don't think even the wine pairings, if you were to choose them, will slow the experience down much at all. Remy is elegant, but I never felt it was intimidating (well, maybe a little before my first visit), and I've always enjoyed everything they've placed in front of me. Even if I don't like the "look" of a particular course, and wouldn't have chosen it from a list of a la carte options at a regular restaurant, I have always been delightfully surprised by how wonderful it is. Enjoy!

 

[MrsSmalls]

With dining, I always look at it as the total experience, and not just the food. You are paying for the ambiance and service just as much as the actual food. So if you look at 3 hours of a great experience...

-you could easily spend $160 at a ball game with tickets, food, drinks etc.,
-a concert can run you that much if you are grabbing food and drinks and
-$160 could also be spent on just an ordinary date night including dinner, movies (popcorn that is waaaay overpriced), drinks and a babystitter for 3 hours.

So in that way, $160 is a deal for something that you may not get to do again.

 

[phinz]

The cheese course is part of the dinner service.

We have been asked every time if we want the cheese service, so you do *not* have to do it. If I recall correctly, we were also charged for it, but I don't have a receipt available to confirm.

 

[hanscarlet]

This is very helpful, thanks all

Was the cheese service an additional upcharge on top of the $85?

Anyone care to explain the wine pairing? Is it recommended that you try a new wine with each course?

 

[KristiMc]

The cheese course was included with our dinner. This was in 2014. It could have changed since then. We loved Remy and it ranked right up there with our experience at Victoria & Albert's which cost much more.

 

[disnygirl55]

We have been asked every time if we want the cheese service, so you do *not* have to do it.

Was the cheese service an additional upcharge on top of the $85?

Ah... well, of course they are very accommodating with whatever you like and dislike, and you would not have to take anything you don't want. I am such a cheese-lover that it never occurred to me to decline. But no, there is not an extra charge on top of the $85. The cheese service is included, and you can have small tastes of every cheese on the cart, or ask only for those cheeses you especially like. Or, as Phinz chose, decline it absolutely and move along to the next course. Really, they are so wonderful and eager to make your dining service perfect for you. And if you are served something you don't like, just ask for something different. It has always worked well for us in dining as a couple, to ask for either the server's recommendation or to ask for one experience from the "American" side of the menu, and one experience from the "French" side of the menu, so we can taste twice as many different dishes.

 

[disnygirl55]

Anyone care to explain the wine pairing? Is it recommended that you try a new wine with each course?

The wine pairings are chosen by the sommelier to complement whichever course you are having - so it may be a white or red, or a dessert wine. You really don't have a say (as in picking from a list of wines on a menu), but they are all lovely and well thought-out. I think they are also a bit smaller serving than a full pour would be. Since the courses are mostly small portions, and the wines are meant to enhance the flavor of a particular course, the wine pairings are also a bit smaller, in my opinion, but there are several of them. Stretched out over the 3-hour dinner, I rarely even feel buzzed, but then I am accustomed to having wine with dinner at least once or twice a week. Many couples also order just one wire pairing, and take sips from the shared glass. Just be aware that if you have different food in front of you, the wine pairings may not enhance the other person's meal.

I am a believer in getting a wine tasting at a high-end restaurant whenever available, as it gives you the opportunity to try several different wines to see what you really like with a particular type of food. Great value in my book, especially when the wine is top-notch.

 

[phinz]

Or, as Phinz chose, decline it absolutely and move along to the next course.

I never said I declined it. I said I was asked if I wanted it or not.

 

[professorandmom]

I was budgeting for my December cruise and started a thread to estimate average costs at Remy. I'll dig out the link but the general consensus is about $400 for two with alcohol. Remy is still in my plans but I cringe at the thought

Here is the thread
http://www.disboards.com/threads/remy-final-cost-would-you-share-your-experience.3506579/

 

[Maddysdaddy]

My wife and I dined at Remy back in 2014 and we would not hesitate in recommending it to others.

If you have the ability to adjust your cruise budget so you can enjoy the meal without causing yourself financial stress worrying about how much each bite is costing you, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Between the upcharge/wine pairings/Port/gratuity, the evening cost me about twice as much as I have ever spent on dinner for the two of us (I think the bill was $500) but the meal and dining experience were fabulous, and the memory of a wonderful night with the woman I love, is priceless.

Is dinner at Remy something we would do every time we cruised? I don't think so. But am I glad that we decided to experience it once? Absolutely.

 

[timrousbeastie]

Thanks for the clarification, so if we stick to just the standard menus it won't cost any extra. Good to know! I saw a review where they mentioned that they ended up paying $300pp and it shocked me a bit!

That would include several extras and probably a solid tip. I think our last bill came to a little under $2K for 6 people and that included the wine experience (something like $125/pp extra) for everyone, a few extra dishes from the truffle menu (you can order these individually for around $90/pp), the extra drink before dessert (not included in wine experience), and a very nice tip. Personally, I would be perfectly fine going for just the basic $85 meal: the other stuff is completely unnecessary. Honestly, though, I would pay a higher tip than I would in another restaurant for a matching bill. The meal and the service is really an experience that is worth considerably more than the price. I don't know another restaurant on land where we could have had a comparable meal for what we paid.

 

[Fladis32]

It is a wonderful experience. Very fine dining. I think we were around $300 after our tip.

 

[lbus42]

I'm wondering that too.. Palo is amazing but is Remy worth the cost?

For those that are floored by the cost of Remy, as a PP stated it is an experience that an average person may never be able to get at a price like this. If this still seems high to you, you might want to consider cancelling this experience. You may never be able to justify the cost in your mind and you might come away with a negative experience.

 

[bonnielynn]

Do they do a brunch and has anyone done this? What are the difference between brunch at palo or remy? Just wondering.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do they do a brunch and has anyone done this? What are the difference between brunch at palo or remy? Just wondering.

Brunch at Palo is primarily a buffet service for $30. In Remy it's a fixed menu for $55.

 

[kiford]

And that's cheap for what you get. Any other place with food and service of this quality could easily be $300, or more, a head.

We always go to Victoria & Albert's when we go to WDW - last year we spent a little over $1,000 for dinner. We did the Queen Victoria Room which is a 10 course tasting menu plus the higher end wine pairing. DH had the upcharged 1 oz caviar. Previous times we typically spent about $700-800 for the main dining room 7 course menu with wine pairing. When we last did Remy we did the wine pairing (Remy was a $75 upcharge at the time) and with tip we spent about $400 or so. Compared to $700-1,000 at V&A, we consider Remy's upcharge quite reasonable even when you consider that this is over and above what you've already paid to eat at the MDR.

Yes, it is an experience, not just a meal. I can't recall how long we spent. Probably 3-3.5 hours although it didn't feel that long. It's nice to be allowed to rest between courses, digest and finish your wine before moving onto the next. I can book Remy's for our December cruise in a few days which I'm definitely planning to do. I still have some very fond memories of specific dishes from last time.