Palo Brunch on Wonder -- I am GF. Worth it?

Luckymommatoo

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I booked DH and I for a Palo brunch for our Alaska cruise in July. It was available, so I figured, why not? I have Celiac and cannot eat any gluten. Also, we live in L.A. and eat a lot of good food here. I'm not expecting miracles from Palo, but I thought it might be a fun, different experience since we're on the ship for a week. What's your vote -- is it worth $60?
thanks,
-e
 
DH has celiac and we ate there in January. Make sure it's noted on your res. They will offer to have the chef come and talk to you, but we were comfortable with our server as go-between, and we could see her talking to him anyway. She knew everything to avoid on the buffet lines (plus DH obviously avoided things like cheeses near bread, etc.). He mostly had chilled seafood and marinated veggies first. She made it seem like he could order practically anything he wanted from the menu and they would make it work, but he naturally went for fish and beef dishes that seemed like they'd be naturally gf anyway. The chef made him a special dessert (a giant sorbet/fruit masterpiece) b/c they said only the chocolate-covered strawberries on the dessert table were ok. Honestly - we thought that was odd. There were a couple other things that should have been gf too, I would have thought, like the champagne jello over berries thing. I've since read reports from other ships where some things I know we saw on the Wonder and were told weren't gf... were fine for gf folks on, say, the Magic. I can't explain it. Perhaps it's a case of them being nervous about cross-contamination in the dessert prep area? who knows. However, like I said, his sorbet thing was quite a masterpiece; and tbh, nothing I ate on the dessert table floored me (I have no allergies or restrictions). I think that part worked out fine for him.

We are in the (extreme, I think) minority who enjoyed Palo just fine but don't consider it a "must". However, that has nothing to do with the gf issue. We appreciated the ambience and quiet meal more than the food, if that makes sense, not that it was bad - just not mind-alteringly better than the MDRs. Maybe I read too many fawning reports and had ridiculous expectations! If it sounds like something you'd like to try, I would do it at least once, though, and don't let the gf issue dissuade you!
 
Thanks for the detailed review! I especially appreciate the GF insight. I think since we are with extended family the whole trip, DH and I might enjoy Palo just as a getaway from the rest of them, LOL! (I couldn't get a reservation for more than two of us.) I will keep our expectations light.
 
Thanks for the detailed review! I especially appreciate the GF insight. I think since we are with extended family the whole trip, DH and I might enjoy Palo just as a getaway from the rest of them, LOL! (I couldn't get a reservation for more than two of us.) I will keep our expectations light.
Yes, definitely worth it for the getaway!! I think that's why we appreciated the ambience as much as we did - it was the only time it was just the 2 of us, without the kids and my parents! Honestly, I probably wouldn't have added that last bit if you hadn't mentioned the LA part. Palo expectations will always be different depending on where you come from, I'm thinking.
 

Generally, we can take or leave Palo. It's nice but we don't get the over the top reviews it often gets. We go just to break up longer cruises and have a different atmosphere. But one time we traveled with a friend who is a Celiac who is also dairy-free and we did Palo brunch (this was on the Magic) and she had a great meal. Of course the server did a great job with the tour showing her what she could eat from the buffet and letting her know if she was more comfortable he could get similar items from the back to ensure no cross contamination. He brought her several items she didn't order but the server thought she might enjoy from the conversation they had, including a GF/DF pizza. She had so much food to eat, she had to have the pizza wrapped to go (she said it was too good to leave behind; think they did that quietly as I don't think they like letting people take food from Palo any more).

So I would say don't make your choice because you are gluten free, decide if you want a different food/atmosphere experience while on the cruise. But my vote would be to go and enjoy.
 
DW is gf. We do both brunch and dinner at Palo every cruise. We've been on the Magic (5 cruises), Wonder (3), and Fantasy (2) and she has also sailed with our adult DD on the Dream. It's her faborite dining experience on the cruises. They do gf particularly well, including doing a gf version of the chocolate souffle for dinner.
 
My Mom is prepping for her 8th? DCL cruise in May. She has had no issues with her celiac disease. She and my Dad LOVE Palo and Always do brunch and dinner.
 
Had an amazing brunch (and dinner) there on the Magic as someone who is gluten-free.

As has been said, make sure it is noted on your cruise reservation - not just for Palo - so that your MDR service team will know AND they can ensure stocking enough gluten-free foods for everyone who needs them.
 
So, my experience was just OK. If you have been just dying for GF chicken parm, then sure, Palo brunch will help satisfy that craving. Or if you live in the Midwest and don't have easy access to fresh seafood. If you already have good access to GF food, then my opinion is that they wont have anything that you can't already get at home. (And you live on a coast so I am assuming seafood is not a huge draw on its own. I grew up in New England. Lobster night on the cruise is totally MEH for me.)

This is not like V&A in Orlando where a GF note on your reservation means they will actually go get creative in amazing ways. At Palo, you will be shown the buffet - over half of which is not GF, and another % is too close for comfort geographically. I don't trust people with utensils. The kitchen can often bring new from the back, but as GF folks know, sometimes you want to eat at the same time as the people you are with, and so you stick with the options that are already there.

I don't generally order GF pasta at restaurants, because very rarely is their brand better than the one I use at home. But Palo, if I recall correctly, can do GF pasta.

If you are looking for a relaxing meal in a kid-free environment, then Palo may be worth it to you. Can you get better GF food at home for $60? Probably.
 
I took my girl friend to Palo Brunch and she is GF and she enjoyed it. The chef came out and explained to her what items at the buffet where GF, what dishes he could prepare for her and even prepared a special desert for her. As someone who often visits, the parks and resorts she has always told me that Disney really goes above and beyond for people with dietary restrictions.
 

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