Lots of dining questions...

[preb]

Do they have a cooked to order omelet station at the breakfast buffet?

Is the Palo brunch one seating or seatings at various times throughout the morning? How much time should we plan for brunch?

Is the "surcharge" at Palo considered a tip? If so, I understand that we can add an additional amount for excellent service. Why is the dinner only $5.00 and the brunch $10.00?

What rotation would a group of 6 with 4 adults and 2 children ages 4 and 12 on early seating be likely to get, or is there really no rhyme or reason to it?

I guess I must be hungry tonight!

 

[Michelle]

Hmmm, I'm not a big breakfast eater so I don't know about the omelette thing but I'm pretty sure they do have something like that at Topsider's, but I'm not sure if it is every day or not.

You reserve a time for Palo brunch just like you do for dinner. It is not one seating, the times are staggered.

The surcharge at Palo is a subject of debate. It is really a "cover charge" and not a tip. Most people add a tip to the bill appropriate for dining in an uspcale restaurant such as Palo. The serving staff DEFINITELY deserves it.

The brunch at Palo includes one glass of champagne (you can pay for more); hence the higher charge.

I haven't a clue on the rotation. Whichever one you get will be fine, it really doesn't matter at all.

Enjoy!

 

[hilltopfamily]

so why no charge for tea at Palo? And does the "surcharge" go to the wait staff? thanks

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by WebmasterMichelle
The surcharge at Palo is a subject of debate. It is really a "cover charge" and not a tip. Most people add a tip to the bill appropriate for dining in an uspcale restaurant such as Palo. The serving staff DEFINITELY deserves it.

Although WebmasterMichelle classifies the the $5 per person charge at dinner as a cover charge, DCL's official web site calls it "a service charge of $5 per Guest for gratuities" (tips). See Fun Onboard Q&A:
<DL><DD>Is there a romantic restaurant just for adults?

The ship features an adults-only alternative restaurant called Palo. Dining hours for Palo are 6 - 11 p.m. Reservations are required, and taken (once on board) on a first-come first-served basis. Palo dining is limited to Guests 18 and older.

There is a service charge of $5 per Guest for gratuities.</DD></DL>
I agree with WebmasterMichelle that the staff deserves a better tip (assuming you receive the typical outstanding service). I hope I'm wrong, but my guess is that most guests don't leave an additional tip. After all, Disney says the service charge is for gratuities, which, I imagine, is commonly read as saying that the service charge completely covers all gratuities.

On this board, some people are extremely generous, tipping an extra $20 or so per person. I imagine an $5 per per person is more common -- in other words, doubling the gratuity.

At brunch, it's $10 per person, but that includes a glass of sparkling wine. They don't tell you how much goes to the service staff as gratuities and how much stays with DCL for the sparkling wine.

 

[rae519]

Yes, there is an omlet station where chef will make any kind you desire! It's after the serving line. There you can also watch the chef make the Mickey waffles - which are delicious and sweet enough without syrup or toppings!

Brunch is both breakfast and lunch type foods - therefore, it would all depend on what time you want to eat. Will you make it a "brunch" or have your breakfast early and have brunch for your noon meal? All depends on (1) availability of reservations and (2) your personal preference.

WE have always considered the surcharge as a "non tip" - but without getting into a discussion regarding tipping, I'd say it would depend on the quality of the service.

As was stated, brunch has a glass of champagne hence the surcharge being more.

If you have cruised before, you might want to have one of the three restaurants less than the others or try for a specific server (as we do) - at embarkation, there is the opportunity to change your dining reservation if space is available on that rotation for your seating. You can always ask and see what happens.
For first time cruisers, it would be a treat to have any rotation since all are entertaining and you will get the same meals over the course of the cruise.

Happy trails!
Rae

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi preb.

Do they have a cooked to order omelet station at the breakfast buffet?

Yes. HOWEVER they also have a "home-away-from-home" station. It offers limited helpings of rubbery eggs, burnt toast and luke-cold coffee...


Hey Rae!

Brunch is both breakfast and lunch type foods

In Indiana it's called roadkill...

or try for a specific server (as we do) - at embarkation

Humm, doin' the server, eh? Always wondered where you were during sail away...

 

[Fins2TheRight]

The three of us (me, DW, DD) went to Palo and had a great time, not to mention excellent food and service. The "base" cost was $15, but there was no way I was going to leave and not add something extra. I think my wife went with $50 or something like that. You can look at it one way -- you'll NEVER get a meal and service like that anywhere for $50.

And as I have read on these boards before regarding tipping, people should consider tipping as an expense like souvenirs or something like that and budget accordingly. When the trip is over and you're back home, you'll feel better that you did it that way. JMHO.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Regarding the tips, several crew members have told me that the auto-gratuities, whether the Palo surcharge or the 15% which is added to all drinks, are pooled amongst the servers/bartenders. Anything you add on top of that goes directly to the person who served you. So in Palo, all the surcharges are divvied up amongst the wait staff. What you put on top of it goes to your server. Not sure how much of the brunch cost goes to the server.

BTW, $5 is 15% of about $33....

 

[Disneylove1]

I always thought that the $5 charge for Palo was sort of to cover the tip that you would give your head server, server and assistant server at the end of the cruise. Because the Palo wait staff doesn't have a "regular" group they service, they aren't getting those tips at the end of the cruise - so instead, they get money per person at each meal... but that was just my guess.

Otherwise why would servers work there instead of the main dining rooms where they serve a regular group of guests who tip them (or should tip them, at least) at the end of the cruise?

Just my thought... but I could be wrong...

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Buckaroo's Dad
Hey Rae!




In Indiana it's called roadkill...




Humm, doin' the server, eh? Always wondered where you were during sail away...

Now do you see why I cruise! Can't stand being away from that "home cooking"!!!!!

Doing the server....hahahahahahahahahah!!!!

You are a riot, pal!!!!!

Take care and make sure you don't eat the roadkill that is black with a white stripe - that's the state mascot.

Rae

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Good morning Rae.

don't eat the roadkill that is black with a white stripe - that's the state mascot.

WHAT??? You mean to say the Indiana state mascot is Reverend Al (Sharpton) with a milk moustache...

 

[rae519]

OHHHHHH, you bad bad boy you! BD, that might get you flamed even worse than the whales!

Give Buckaroo a hug from me!

Rae