Palo Brunch

[MeganS721]

Typically how long does Palo brunch take? We are doing a 4 night cruise and I am reluctant to book it if it takes more than an hour or two. This is our first cruise so I don't want to feel like I'm wasting a day sitting at brunch. Thanks!

 

[jrabbit]

as short or long as you want. Mine typically last 1.5 hours, sometimes as long as 2.

If its just the 2 of us, 1.5 hours, if any of our kids or their spouses or friends, then 2+ hours.

 

[lorimay]

1.5 to 2 hours...... Its so worth it, do it you won't have a regrets!!!

 

[RedSox68]

it really is what you make it. We are generally in there two hours but that is because we like to eat slow and enjoy all the variety. I'm sure you could be in and out in less than 90 minutes if you choose. Tell the waiter and they will prepare your entree while you are visiting the buffet if you like. I'm sure they will accommodate any way they can.

 

[steves100]

You could make it 1 hour, its totally up to you....

 

[Dug720]

1.5 to 2 hours...... Its so worth it, do it you won't have a regrets!!!

I do agree with this in general. I love brunch at Palo. But I feel like pushing the time to make it rushed and shorter is wasting the brunch experience.

And given that the OP used the phrase "feel like I'm wasting a day" I am more inclined to say don't do it if it is going to cause you stress and you feel like it is a waste of time. That said, there is no way you can do it all - even on the longer cruises. You need to pick and choose.

Honestly if you are going to be rushing, watching the clock, and feeling like you are wasting time, I wouldn't bother with it.

 

[MeganS721]

I do agree with this in general. I love brunch at Palo. But I feel like pushing the time to make it rushed and shorter is wasting the brunch experience.

And given that the OP used the phrase "feel like I'm wasting a day" I am more inclined to say don't do it if it is going to cause you stress and you feel like it is a waste of time. That said, there is no way you can do it all - even on the longer cruises. You need to pick and choose.

Honestly if you are going to be rushing, watching the clock, and feeling like you are wasting time, I wouldn't bother with it.

My husband is interested in doing it, but we are the type of people that like to be busy on vacation. We don't usually sit in a restaurant for three hours. My husband LOVES food, so maybe we should be open to it. I had heard it was a four hour thing, and I wasn't sure I wanted to commit to that. An hour and a half isn't bad.

 

[TCB in FLA]

We are extremely active people, but our favorite activity on our last cruise was the Palo brunch. That was the first thing my DH mentioned about doing when we started talking about a possible future cruise. And if your DH has expressed interest and is a foodie, I'm guessing he'll really enjoy it. I can't see brunch for two lasting for more than two hours.

 

[olookasquirrel]

My husband LOVES food

Does your husband love food or is he a foodie? I myself LOVE food - and Palo ended up being a waste for me. I wasn't even hungry! We went to breakfast early that day and the food...there was so much food...food was everywhere....

If your husband is a foodie though, then you might want to do Palo. I might still recommend against it for your first cruise, though - I was in the same boat with "my husband wants to do it so I'll book it" and there was so much going on, it felt like missing out on other stuff, as opposed to its own event. Does that make sense?

 

[MeganS721]

Does your husband love food or is he a foodie? I myself LOVE food - and Palo ended up being a waste for me. I wasn't even hungry! We went to breakfast early that day and the food...there was so much food...food was everywhere....

If your husband is a foodie though, then you might want to do Palo. I might still recommend against it for your first cruise, though - I was in the same boat with "my husband wants to do it so I'll book it" and there was so much going on, it felt like missing out on other stuff, as opposed to its own event. Does that make sense?

Yes that makes sense He loves food, he can eat whenever wherever! I guess I'll let him make the call. He let me get passes to the Rainforest Room when he wasn't too excited about the idea, so I should probably let him do one thing he wants

 

[jrabbit]

first off, unless you have a noon or later seating, DON'T EAT BREAKFAST. Even then, keep it very light.

and as far as foods go there are threads with much better pictures than these. In addition to the buffet items shown, there's a wide range of hot prepared to order breakfast and lunch items.

 

[Dug720]

Yes that makes sense He loves food, he can eat whenever wherever! I guess I'll let him make the call. He let me get passes to the Rainforest Room when he wasn't too excited about the idea, so I should probably let him do one thing he wants

Well, you could always use the Rainforest Room while he goes to brunch...

 

[lorimay]

We skip breakfast on Palo brunch day.

 

[RedSox68]

My husband is interested in doing it, but we are the type of people that like to be busy on vacation. We don't usually sit in a restaurant for three hours. My husband LOVES food, so maybe we should be open to it. I had heard it was a four hour thing, and I wasn't sure I wanted to commit to that. An hour and a half isn't bad.

Unless you choose to hang around and chat, there is no way you'll spend three hours in there.

We have done brunch three times: 10:30 (which we found to be too early for that variety of food), 11:00 and 11:30. 11:00 time was our favorite. By the time you get in and get settled, you are eating around 11:15 or so. By the time your entrees come it is close to Noon -- so lunch time. We do not eat anything that morning and usually let that morning be our "sleep in" day. Palo is one of our favorite experiences on the ship -- the brunch even more than the dinner for us. I'd say everyone should do it at least once to see what they think.

 

[MeganS721]

Unless you choose to hang around and chat, there is no way you'll spend three hours in there.

We have done brunch three times: 10:30 (which we found to be too early for that variety of food), 11:00 and 11:30. 11:00 time was our favorite. By the time you get in and get settled, you are eating around 11:15 or so. By the time your entrees come it is close to Noon -- so lunch time. We do not eat anything that morning and usually let that morning be our "sleep in" day. Palo is one of our favorite experiences on the ship -- the brunch even more than the dinner for us. I'd say everyone should do it at least once to see what they think.

The 11 time slot sounds perfect! Thanks for the info!

 

[bbn1122]

Palo Brunch is worth the 90 minutes. 11am is a great time. It covers breakfast and lunch....Brunch!!!

You do want to give yourself enough time to really enjoy as much food, as possible...lol...plus the whole experience. It should be a relaxing meal.

But, I do understand it being your first cruise and being 4 nights.

We will be on a 4 night next October out of NYC to Cananda and Palo Brunch is a must. But it will be our 5th cruise and it's all about relaxing.

I hope it works out for the two of you. Enjoy your first cruise.