Palo Brunch - no times available

[Kesohio63]

We are cruising in February (7-night Fantasy), and I have tried repeatedly to book brunch at Palo. Every time it says there are "no times available for that selection." Remy brunch shows as "sold out." Does this mean that Palo brunch is really sold out, or are there spots that will be available to book once onboard? We haven't had this issue before; we were able to book brunch at Palo on two previous cruises (one 4-night Dream, one 7-night Wonder) with no issues. Although when we did a 7-night Fantasy cruise before, we did dinner at Palo instead so didn't even check to see if brunch was available. With the price increase, I'm guessing people will be very reluctant to cancel an existing brunch reservation to rebook at a different time.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are cruising in February (7-night Fantasy), and I have tried repeatedly to book brunch at Palo. Every time it says there are "no times available for that selection." Remy brunch shows as "sold out." Does this mean that Palo brunch is really sold out, or are there spots that will be available to book once onboard? We haven't had this issue before; we were able to book brunch at Palo on two previous cruises (one 4-night Dream, one 7-night Wonder) with no issues. Although when we did a 7-night Fantasy cruise before, we did dinner at Palo instead so didn't even check to see if brunch was available. With the price increase, I'm guessing people will be very reluctant to cancel an existing brunch reservation to rebook at a different time.

They do hold back some reservations for booking onboard. I suggest you keep checking online until you leave for the cruise. If nothing comes up, check the Navigator you get at the port check in for where to go for Palo dining reservations and head there as soon as you board.

We've had no problem getting Palo reservations once onboard.

 

[Kesohio63]

Thanks, I’ll keep trying and keep my fingers crossed for an opening on embarkation day!

 

[jiminy14]

We tried to book Palo brunch on the 2018 Transatlantic but there was no availability. The cruise had five sea days and we were Gold (turned Platinum on that cruise) but there was nothing on any of the days when we logged in at midnight when our booking window opened. We kept checking several times a day until the day before the cruise but nothing opened up. My DD went straight to the place for the on board booking and was able to get brunch on the day and time that we wanted.

 

[lorimay]

When you get your Navigator at check in, look and see where they are holding dining reservations, its usually at 1/1:30.
Get in line about 20-30 minutes before and you shouldn't have a problem getting a table.
In May, we booked a cruise a week before sailing and we able to get a table this way.

Good Luck!

 

[over50visits]

When you get your Navigator at check in, look and see where they are holding dining reservations, its usually at 1/1:30.
Get in line about 20-30 minutes before and you shouldn't have a problem getting a table.
In May, we booked a cruise a week before sailing and we able to get a table this way.

Good Luck!

Good advice. Though Disney doesn't not have a stated policy as far as I know, many believe they hold some for onboard booking, mainly because according to posts here there seems to be general availability at the desk on boarding day. I know we've always found dinner (and even brunch) available for booking when we board.

Do NOT go there as soon as you board, you could be standing for a long time if you board early and the booking time is a couple of hours later (they haven't opened early in our experience). As for us, we're line adverse on our cruises (every minute is valuable, that's for example why we never use the laundry room ourselves). We've gone to the Palo/Remy desk on many cruises shortly after they opened and always got a booking. However, if 20 minutes doesn't bother you, then what lorimay says is spot on.

And...if they are booked but will take your name for a waiting list, do that! You never know how much pixie dust might be around. Happened to us once (many years ago admittedly).

 

[DisneyHelen]

We tried and could not get Palo Brunch on recent 7 day British Isle cruise, Depends on how many adults are on the cruise and we were Gold.We were happy to have Palo Dinner

 

[mmouse37]

We were always able to grab brunch reservations once onboard but we have found on the last few cruises people do line up early...at least 20 minutes before the printed start time. The only time we were not able to snag a brunch reservation onboard was on the Quebec to NYC this past November but that was a very adult heavy cruise (hardly any kids).

MJ

 

[msec]

We were NOT able to get a Brunch reservation for Palo while on Board on the Dream last week (Dec 17th - 21st). They listed the meeting time as 1:00pm at Enchanted Garden - we got there 15 minutes early and they actually opened up the line as we were getting in line - there was maybe 6 people in front of me - I was through the line by 12:55pm without being able to get a brunch reservation - I was put on a waitlist for brunch but that never came through either (it never has for me ) - I was extremely disappointed.... So I have no idea how many reservations they "hold back" to book once on Board but in our case - there could not have been more than a handful - if even that...

Due to work schedules - I usually need to book closer to sail date and I am very rarely able to book Palo Brunch on-line prior to sailing as it is almost always sold out...

What was most disappointing is we sailed with our "adult" children who have always been to young to enjoy Palo and they both finally made the age requirement so I was so looking forward to taking them to the Brunch - even arranged private transportation so we could get to the ship earlier than the Disney Transfers from the hotels would have gotten us there - so that I would be able to get it line early - but in the end - none of it made any difference...

We did book a dinner at Palo on-line before the sailing - and they did enjoyed that very much - but I personally like the Brunch so much better...

Hope you have better luck!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So I have no idea how many reservations they "hold back" to book once on Board but in our case - there could not have been more than a handful - if even that...

Since you say you were on the Dream, I'm going to say the brunch service is very limited (usually only one, or possibly, two days). That means not everyone will get the reservation they want.

 

[MomOTwins]

We were NOT able to get a Brunch reservation for Palo while on Board on the Dream last week (Dec 17th - 21st). They listed the meeting time as 1:00pm at Enchanted Garden - we got there 15 minutes early and they actually opened up the line as we were getting in line - there was maybe 6 people in front of me - I was through the line by 12:55pm without being able to get a brunch reservation - I was put on a waitlist for brunch but that never came through either (it never has for me ) - I was extremely disappointed.... So I have no idea how many reservations they "hold back" to book once on Board but in our case - there could not have been more than a handful - if even that...

Due to work schedules - I usually need to book closer to sail date and I am very rarely able to book Palo Brunch on-line prior to sailing as it is almost always sold out...

What was most disappointing is we sailed with our "adult" children who have always been to young to enjoy Palo and they both finally made the age requirement so I was so looking forward to taking them to the Brunch - even arranged private transportation so we could get to the ship earlier than the Disney Transfers from the hotels would have gotten us there - so that I would be able to get it line early - but in the end - none of it made any difference...

We did book a dinner at Palo on-line before the sailing - and they did enjoyed that very much - but I personally like the Brunch so much better...

Hope you have better luck!!

I think a lot of it is time of year too. There were tons of colleges out for winter break last week--and so I imagine lots of over 18s traveling with their family and eating at Palo. We are silver, and cruised in low-crowd time (late August/start of hurricane season), and we booked AFTER the PIF deadline and still had our choice of times for Palo brunch.