Is Palo worth the time?

[mks001]

Family is going on our first cruise in June (5 day on the Dream) and am wondering if Palo was worth the time? (Seeing the rumored prices at Remy – I think DW would rather go to the spa than pay for that) As part of my job my DW and I get to dine at fancy expensive restaurants and we also get plenty of rubber chicken dinners. The whole pomp and circumstance of a fancy dinner will not make the evening special for us. We love a great meal as much as the next guy, but are by no means foodies. People in this forum really seem to love Palo, so wondering if it is so fantastic that we go?

Thanks!

 

[Gigi22]

Palo will take about 2 hours of your time in the evening. If you are not sold on going there for dinner, I suggest you consider their champagne brunch. The brunch includes one glass of champagne or a mimosa for each person, and the food is truly excellent.
Since Palo has a dress code, and does not accept children, the downside is that you will still need about 2 hours to have brunch, you will need to pack some dressier clothing, and you need to find a way to work around your children's schedule (I am assuming your children are too young to get into Palo) so that you and your DW can go to Palo.

 

[bellanapoli]

Like you, dining out isn't rare for me and my family, even at fancier restaurants. Since I was curious, I opted for the brunch on our first cruise. That way I could see what all the fuss was about but not miss the regular dining rotation.

Having done that, I'm definately going to try dinner on our next cruise. Was it the best meal I've ever eaten, no but it was good enough to make me want to try their dinner menu. (DH and I are also pretty picky about our italian food too since we used to live in Italy.)

 

[Happy100]

OP-we too go out to nice restaurants often. We did however try Palo on our first 4 day cruise last year and I do recommend it!!!

The food and service excellent. The ambience and lack of childeren is a nice change of pace!!!

Have a wonderful time on you cruise!!!

 

[jilljill]

It took DH and I until our 7th cruise to eat brunch in Palo and that was last summer. This past summer was our first experience with dinner - my 11th cruise, his 9th. I've done brunch 3 times, DH had done 2 brunches and we've had 1 dinner in Palo.
In the future we think we will stick with brunch in Palo rather than going for dinner. We had an ok dinner experience and the food was good, but nothing 'over the top' good in my opinion. Yes, I was raised with going to fine dining restaurants from an early age so I know what to expect in terms of service and food. I definately did not see anyone get that extra special service at dinner or any of the brunches that I keep reading about on here.

To answer the OP's question, in my opinion Palo is not something that is on the top of my 'must do' list on a cruise. We've always had great service in the dining rooms and we enjoy eating as a family there. But in the end only you will be able to decide if your family wishes to split up and dine separately one evening.

 

[stefsko]

IMHO its not worht the money. Yes its nice but so are the normal dining rooms. The food there is so great, i don't think its necessary to pay for something else.

 

[JenKatt]

It's up to you. I've been one of those lucky people who has always had phenomenal service and food for every meal at Palo, brunch, dinner and tea. For us, it's on par with Citrico's or Jiko, but again we've always had that exceptional service people talk about. for us, that's always been the norm.

 

[engle]

DH and I wouldn't miss Palo (unless we're going to Remy!!). We love it. We have no kids so a night of dining adults only is nice. It is only $15 pp extra plus drinks which you would have to pay for anyway. I love the quietness, the leisurely pace, the service, the table for 2, the food (and we are foodies from a family of chefs!!), etc. With that being said, if those things don't interest you, surely skip it.

 

[nsiordia]

I think we are going to try the brunch, I've heard great things about both, but it seems I hear better things about brunch.

 

[AdventureLover67]

We ate at Palo's last year and LOVED it! Well, I did. My poor hubby was not feeling to sporty that night and had no appetite. My daughter and I really enjoyed the Italian theme and the food was a bit more Southern Italy inspired vs. Northern. Highly recommend!

 

[ssanders79]

It is worth the time in my book.

 

[lborne]

We are lucky that we live where there are some amazing restaurants. Plus, we've eaten at some of the world's best - I eat in New Orleans often. We've been to Palo 4 times. Each time I think it won't be that great because my expectations are so high, that they can't possibly live up to them again. But they do. If I could, I'd eat there every night of the cruise. Having no kids is nice. I admit, 3 of the 4 times were with great friends or family (the ones we can stand) and so that always makes meals enjoyable. You can do it in 2 hours, but 3 would be better. Pace yourself - the desserts are nice.

I recommend the monk fish. I find it difficult to find anywhere else and its a wonderful, lobsterish fish. Ugly as heck in the ocean, but amazing on the plate.

 

[JenKatt]

We are lucky that we live where there are some amazing restaurants. Plus, we've eaten at some of the world's best - I eat in New Orleans often. We've been to Palo 4 times. Each time I think it won't be that great because my expectations are so high, that they can't possibly live up to them again. But they do. If I could, I'd eat there every night of the cruise. Having no kids is nice. I admit, 3 of the 4 times were with great friends or family (the ones we can stand) and so that always makes meals enjoyable. You can do it in 2 hours, but 3 would be better. Pace yourself - the desserts are nice.

I recommend the monk fish. I find it difficult to find anywhere else and its a wonderful, lobsterish fish. Ugly as heck in the ocean, but amazing on the plate.

LOL! It is something that looks much better on the plate than in real life

 

[castaway3]

Family is going on our first cruise in June (5 day on the Dream) and am wondering if Palo was worth the time? (Seeing the rumored prices at Remy – I think DW would rather go to the spa than pay for that) As part of my job my DW and I get to dine at fancy expensive restaurants and we also get plenty of rubber chicken dinners. The whole pomp and circumstance of a fancy dinner will not make the evening special for us. We love a great meal as much as the next guy, but are by no means foodies. People in this forum really seem to love Palo, so wondering if it is so fantastic that we go?

Thanks!

We LOVE LOVE LOVE Palo..we like the brunch better than dinner so if I had to choose one I would choose brunch..they have the best stollen bread with fresh fruit and real whip cream...MMMMMMMm

 

[juniedog]

I love Palo because I have little kids. It is my time away to be a grown up and enjoy a slow pace and good conversation.

 

[Magic3forme]

We have done Palo on all of our cruises. it is mom/dad time. even though my dinner wasnt the best last time.... that didnt stop me from rebooking on our next cruise. we have brunch and dinner on our next cruise.
the pizza is my favorite!!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Just my two cents.....

We cruised 3 times before we tried Palo. I kept thinking, can it really be that good?


It was good, but if you are used to fine dining, it is comparable. It is good to do, and Brunch was very reasonable I thought. I haven't tried dinner, and probably won't unless it is just dh and I on the cruise. We don't like to leave the rest of our family for dinner.

 

[txcnm]

yes

 

[Weedy]

The best part is that it is quiet. Even at the late dinner seating the dining rooms are loud. It's nice to have a quiet evening. The food is good the service is excellent.

 

[TXFL]

We like everything about Palo, service is as good as what you get at the other DCL restaurants. The bread and spreads are great, the appetizers could be my main entree any other day, the prosciutto pizza is one of my favorites; even the intermezzo was good. Main entrees are good, but the best part is dessert time; the chocolate souffle and the tiramisu are our favorites. The only bad part about Palo is that reservations are not easy to get. Have fun !!