Is Palo worth the time?

[jenvin]

I think I'm going to book DH and I for a brunch during the sea day, while the kids are busy. I was debating also, I'm used to fine dining and DH is a simple guy with simple tastes so he would be indifferent either way, but it will be a great way to have couple time (which we rarely have) - lol, our couple time at home is sleeping, and occasionally grocery shopping when the kids are at their activities

Jen

 

[dlberney]

I just want to say I am so glad this question was asked! We are going on our first DCL cruise next June and I am trying to decide whether or not to book Palo. The posts here have helped me tremendously! I think I will try to book brunch, but not dinner. We can try dinner on our next cruise. Did I read somewhere that they only offer brunch on certain days?

 

[KevieKev05]

Did I read somewhere that they only offer brunch on certain days?

Yep! It's only offered on sea days or Key West days.

 

[emmah16]

We have just got back from our first cruise which was the 10 day Med cruise. We did do Palo's on one of the night's and put our son in Flounder's Reef. The food was good but in my opinion I think that that main restaurant's are better. The service was excellent like everywhere else on board ship. Likle I said it's just our opinon that we both preferred the 3 other restaurant's especially Parrot Cay but you have to try it for yourself's to really find out if you do like it or not.

 

[dlberney]

Yep! It's only offered on sea days or Key West days.

Thanks! That probably means I won't be able to get a brunch seating, but i will give it a shot!

 

[laurio]

We did both the dinner and the brunch on our last cruise and I would definatley say it is time well spent!

I prefer the dinner - we chose a late seating on the first night of the cruise and it was just a wonderful way to start off the vacation. Now, I am somewhat of (let's be real here...I'm an amazingly picky eater who will not eat something if it looks or smells ...weird) picky eater, but between the wonderful presentation and the option for Oliver to bring me tasting-size portions of most things I found out that 1 - yes I do NOT like shrooms and 2 - I LOVE proscuitto wraped around chees

DH prefered the brunch - for him the wide variety of seafood offerings and the buffet setup were just more to his liking.

This year we booked dinner - and invited his mom along

 

[KSandbergFL]

we just returned from the 3-nt Wonder (Sept 16-19th). We did Palo's on Saturday night. The appetizers and desserts were excellent! And the service was very good too. But the entrees were surprisingly BLAND and flavorless... like the ship had run out of olive oil and garlic or something. We were very disappointed. We probably won't do Palo's again.

 

[Stephieann]

My husband and I did Palo's on our 2nd DCL cruise. I had heard how great it was, however I did not feel it was up to par on everything i had heard. The service was good but I was not impressed with the food. It could be just that I am a good ole southern girl and not use to the fancy food, but i think i will stick with the main dining and not the "extra" restaurants!!

 

[Galactus]

Definitely YES!!

I've been to many high-end restaurants an none compare to the experience I've had at PALO (we've been twice now). The food is freshly made just for you and if you want to sample something, they will not only agree but will insist...and they chef(s) will create a sampler plate for you. (Imagine going to a 5-star restaurant and wanting to sample the top 3 dishes) Our waiter, Hristo, wanted us to have the best dinner experience ever and we were not disappointed.

Every bit was an 'OMG' taste...every plate and every dish.

There were 6 of us and we did not hesitate to tip Hristo and extra $30 per person.

PALO WILL NOT DISAPPOINT.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Palo is one of the things we think if as a nice experience but not worth a lot of effort for. I think we have ended up there on nearly every cruise, but after the first two times it was always because we wanted to dine with friends who are sailing but not dining with us in the main restaurant and having a night out together at Palos gives us the chance to all dine together the once. If it is ever just our family (or us sitting with all of our friends onboard) I would not bother. The only exception would be on a Med cruise if you could time it to see the sunset over Naples (that is how it was when we ate there in May and it was worth it for the view over dinner alone).

I am also the odd one out in that we did not care for the brunch at all. It was likely a bad day (my in laws and their friends were there too and we all came away with the same impression). The layout of the buffet items felt very crowded and busy so you lost the quiet ambiance, the food was mediocre at best and our entrees came out cold. Dinner is much better. Tea is fun and quaint if you just want to see the place (or just go for a drink at the bar).

 

[camarks1234]

I thought the food in palo was much better than in the normal dining rooms. (of course I love shrimp and that wasn't on the menu anywhere else, steaks were better too). That said, it does take awhile about 2 hours. If you're not into a really long dinnertime it was a long time to sit. My parents didn't care for it because of the time. YMMV. Have fun!