Palo…… is it worth it anymore?

[jrapps]

I like how all the Platinum members keeps saying our free meal... Blah ha ha thats what DCL wants you to think. Remember what your father told you? Nothing in life is free... Oh you paid for it 1000% literally.

Yeah, it's not free. It's "included". I had to pay for 10+ cruises, plus the money to get on the cruise I intend to dine at.

 

[rhinodadz]

We had dinner at Palo on the 8/27 sailing. Ordered a la carte and spent a total of $30 over our platinum credit. The quality of the food was every bit as good as it was pre-pandemic and then service was still impeccable. So for us, it was absolutely worth it. YMMV

 

[CarolynU]

Just had brunch at Palo on The Magic. The food was beautiful and service great. I had the soup, eggs benedict, chicken parm and a chocolate melty thing plus what I thought would be a tiny glassful of panna cotta which turned out to be a full size portion!
Tips were not included so with my platinum credit taken off the server gave me a gentle reminder that gratuities were discretionary. I left $20 as I dined alone so it was just for me. I hope that this was considered reasonable!

 

[okeefe13]

Does Palo Brunch still have the buffet? Or, is the "buffet" food still available, even if served to you?

 

[MissMeidak]

Does Palo Brunch still have the buffet? Or, is the "buffet" food still available, even if served to you?

Unfortunately, Palo Brunch no longer offers a buffet. I was on the Magic and asked our server whether the buffet removal was a long term change or just due to Covid, they confirmed it was a long term change. There are rumours that Palo on the classic ships will be changed to steak houses, like on the Wish.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Unfortunately, Palo Brunch no longer offers a buffet. I was on the Magic and asked our server whether the buffet removal was a long term change or just due to Covid, they confirmed it was a long term change. There are rumours that Palo on the classic ships will be changed to steak houses, like on the Wish.

Oh, no.

 

[jrapps]

Unfortunately, Palo Brunch no longer offers a buffet. I was on the Magic and asked our server whether the buffet removal was a long term change or just due to Covid, they confirmed it was a long term change. There are rumours that Palo on the classic ships will be changed to steak houses, like on the Wish.

I say this depends on how much bad comments they get. Cruise lines live and die by those comment cards. We make our displeasure known and they will (hopefully/eventually) bring it back.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I say this depends on how much bad comments they get. Cruise lines live and die by those comment cards. We make our displeasure known and they will (hopefully/eventually) bring it back.

Even sending an email, if you have no cruises booked, can be effective.

 

[okeefe13]

What address would we email to?

 

[KVH]

Unfortunately, Palo Brunch no longer offers a buffet. I was on the Magic and asked our server whether the buffet removal was a long term change or just due to Covid, they confirmed it was a long term change. There are rumours that Palo on the classic ships will be changed to steak houses, like on the Wish.

Beyond the Magic, do we have any indication of similar sentiments from those sailing on the Dream recently?

 

[HelsBels16]

We have just returned from The Magic and I would say Palo is definitely still worth it - the service and food quality were both considerably above the standard rotational dining restaurants, and particularly worthwhile if you are looking for an adult only experience.
For dinner we selected the prix fixe menu, which offered good choices for our taste, and at brunch the antipasti platters compensated somewhat for the missing buffet (our previous favourite part). The complimentary drink should also be borne in mind when assessing the cost for brunch.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What address would we email to?

I've just used the "Contact Us" link on the website in the past.

 

[MissMeidak]

Oh, no.

I know, my heart sank. We have definitely made our feelings known on the comment card, to the Palo Manager and our Head Server. We did a back 2 back and had booked two brunches and a dinner. We cancelled the second brunch and dinner after we had the first brunch, despite the wonderful service we had received. In fact, if we had returned, it would have been due to the service we received but we felt Disney needed to know that we were not happy with the changes. When we spoke to our Head Server and the Palo Manager, they both understood how we felt and expressed how surprised they were when they were informed of the changes too. I feel so lucky that my family and I were able to experience Palo Brunch on the Wonder whilst sailing through the Alaskan fjords for my honeymoon, but equally sad that it could never happen again. My only hope is enough people give their feedback and they re-evaluate their decision.

 

[MissMeidak]

I say this depends on how much bad comments they get. Cruise lines live and die by those comment cards. We make our displeasure known and they will (hopefully/eventually) bring it back.

fingers crossed!!!

 

[shelbell77]

I do not believe gratuity is included for brunch; I see no mention of it on the website (https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/palo-restaurant/) nor did it break out gratuities on our folio. I was sure to add a gratuity.

Same! I’ve always added on gratuity for the servers at Palo. The palo fee was a service fee, and its the palo fee covered by your platinum perk. Those servers go above and beyond and work hard for those gratuities.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Back to comments about food choices and costs…supply chain issues for US sourced food has been limited and with increased prices. I understand Palo and Remy have set expectations based on past performance, and perhaps DCL is not being as transparent as it should be about menu changes. I would - as a PP said - contact DCL and express distress about the transparency, a desire for better management of expectations, with a closing desire that both restaurants return to their prior formats/glory when full cruising returns. #2cents

 

[RML18]

Had the brunch today. The service and food was great but definitely and I stress definitely missed the buffet.

 

[RML18]

Had the brunch today. The service and food was great but definitely and I stress definitely missed the buffet.

 

[cvjw]

I say this depends on how much bad comments they get. Cruise lines live and die by those comment cards. We make our displeasure known and they will (hopefully/eventually) bring it back.

And also fill out the survey from DCL after you cruise. Multiple questions about why you chose to not dine at Palo. And questions about palo and remy if you did dine there.

 

[Lillebelle]

Unfortunately, Palo Brunch no longer offers a buffet. I was on the Magic and asked our server whether the buffet removal was a long term change or just due to Covid, they confirmed it was a long term change. There are rumours that Palo on the classic ships will be changed to steak houses, like on the Wish.

This is disappointing on so many levels. Palo brunch *is* the buffet. I always viewed the food off the menu as a nice bonus, but the buffet was the reason for going. I get why it's not practical to have it right now, but making that a permanent change seems like a serious error on their part. I'm going to hold out hope that they'll see enough of a dip in demand (and negative comments) that they'll reconsider.

Thumbs down to converting to a steakhouse too.