Is booking Palo on the last night smart?

[Michelle2]

We are on the 7 day eastern, and wondered if it was a good idea to book Palo's on the last night or not (Friday after our castaway cay day)?? Am I missing something? Is saying goodbye to your servers a really big deal that is not to be missed?

We have the REAS. Will it mess up our extended breakfast? Does the BF have to be the morning after your Palo dinner, or can it be any day you request???
I know about the turndown service, but wasn't sure if Palo's the last night was that great of an idea....
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mommasita]

Personally, I would not go the last night, as we are (or shall i say I AM) overwhelmed with packing and cleaning up, and after the day at CC, it seems to kind of come in a hurry...

But, I think there really never is a bad night to do PALO...I love to say goodbye to the waitstaff, and usually hand in their tips that night as well..

You can have your breakfast at any time, or at least we did, it does not "have" to follow your supper at Palo..

Now, as I re-read this, this is no help at all..Sorry, can you just double dip, and possibly have just an appetizer at your regular dining room?

 

[Rence]

If you decide to do this, let your waitstaff know ahead of time. There are people who skip dinner in the dinning room on purpose with the intention of stiffing the waitstaff out of their tips. Unfortunately if you just no show, they may suspect the same of you.

We did Palo the last night of a 4 night. We let the wait staff know the night before that we'd be at Palo and that we'd see them at breakfast the final morning and that's when we passed out their tips.

 

[goofyguy7]

My wife and I went earlier in the week and we missed some special food in dining room. Our friends went Friday night and of course they missed the food being served but they missed a nice surprise at the end of the last dinner. It was my favorite meal! In addition, packing always takes longer than expected so if you choose to go to Palo's on Friday, I suggest you pack before you go to dinner!

But whenever you choose to go, you will miss something!

 

[Michelle2]

I was thinking of doing that, and now that you mention all the hassles of leaving early the next day, it is sounding better and better. Thanks for replying everyone!
My DH didn't want to double dip (too much food), but I don't want to miss our regular rotations either. Especially since we don't know which dinners we do and don't like...it's our first cruise.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

IMy DH didn't want to double dip (too much food), but I don't want to miss our regular rotations either. Especially since we don't know which dinners we do and don't like...it's our first cruise.

If this is your first cruise, I definitely suggest to NOT MISS YOUR LAST NIGHT IN THE DINING ROOM. We even skipped Palo our first two cruises, and even though we loved the food, we'd have regretted missing the 'surprise' the last night, especially since you have your children with you.

 

[Jillpie]

We went on the 4 day cruise...is this "surprise" only on the 7 day? We're going on our first 7 day in June. But don't tell me what the surprise is!!!

 

[Hygiene99]

I Would not Book Palo on the last night the are always Very Slow the first and last night of the Cruise and If you wanted to dine there Chances are you could Walk up on the last night and Get A table ...

Just my .02 Peter

 

[pppiglet]

We didn't do Palo on our first cruise either. I am glad we didn't. I liked all the menus in the regular rotation. We did brunch and tea this time at Palo, so next cruise we will do dinner.

 

[MBFergie]

Guess I am the odd one out. It is our tradition to end our cruise at Palo. It is a perfect meal to end the perfect cruise. I don't have any problem packing everything in less then an hour and getting it out the door before we head to dinner. We've always stopped in to give our envelopes to the staff before we head upstairs or on Thursday evening and tell them we will see them for breakfast on Saturday. Our teen DD wants to eat with her friends anyway and enjoy the last evening together with new friends and our DS doesn't care either.

We has REAS also last cruise, just told them that since we were doing Palo on the last night we wanted the breakfast that morning before Castaway Cay. Also, we ordered a ton of food for the kids too and it wasn't a problem.

Whatever you do...ENJOY!!

 

[Michelle2]

So if I do decide to go on the last night, when do I have to have all my bags outside the room by?? With 2 staterooms and 6 in our family, that may be pushing it. I am sure we will stay at CC up until the last minute we can!
I never thought of what it might look like with skipping out on the servers, but I will be sure to tell them if I do...that makes alot of sense.
I really appreciate the opinions. I knew there would be things I didn't know, or think of.

 

[clh2]

On our 4-nt cruise, we went to Palo our first night. I'm glad we did that, because our servers were so much fun - I would have felt guilty blowing off a dinner in the regular rotation. The servers spoiled my DD rotten.

 

[MBFergie]

As far as time to get bags out: Talk to your room steward to let him know your Palo time. He will work with you, at least they always did for us. I go abit wacko when the room gets clutter so here is what I usually do mid week. Kick everybody out of the rooms, get all the dirty clothes together (we bring the pop up laundry hamper in store in closet) and seperate into my different loads (hot, cold, delicate..) place them in white garbage bags I bring from home and pack up one suitcase. If I have time during another I will add the rest of the dirty clothes. That way when I get home I have everything ready to go, the dirty clothes aren't smelling up what hasn't been worn (which is always way to much) and it's one less thing to do the last night.

The worse that can happen is you have to lug an extra suitcase the morning of departure if everything doesn't get done. DON'T STRESS OVER IT!! At breakfast the next morning you will see tons of people wheeling luggage and leaving it at the entrances of restaurants and in hallways to the restaurants. I've always felt it was safe.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

cay day)?? Am I missing something? Is saying goodbye to your servers a really big deal that is not to be missed?

Yes.

If your children were teenagers, they probably wouldn't care if they missed out. However, (don't want to give away too much info) there's a 'parade' in the dining rooms that you'll be glad your children get to see. (I know it's a toughie to decide.)

 

[kcashner]

It's a personal decision....but I always find myself a little rushed on the last night with getting back from CC and needing to pack. It wouldn't be my first choice for Palo if another option works for you.

Palo is nice, but choosing not to do Palo doesn't ruin your cruise either. I wouldn't miss the last night in the dining room with kids.....

 

[Kimmielee]

I must say.... this has been a very informative thread... thanks to all the posters and their wisdom!!

 

[Oliviaclare]

We ate a Palo's the last night of our 4 day cruise. We did, however, inform the servers beforehand that we would see them at breakfast the next morning. That we did and gave them our tips then. I feel that the servers are quite concerned about their tips so we were sure to let them know we would be there before we left.