Palo Dress Code Changes?

[ludari]

Interesting but I didn't mind dressing up to dine at Palo's.

 

[Hundredacre]

I think one reason palo is empty is because they raised the charge. We did not go because of it. Not because it's a lot of money. Just made us think twice. Definitely won't go now with the new dress code.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

As far as I know ties were NEVER required, I always wore a blazer with a nice shirt, but, I could be wrong....


I really screwed up this cruise with the Palo dress.

Went to brunch with NICE shorts and and collared button down shirt. For some reason I thought nice (golf) shorts were acceptable. I had a brain fart....

Was asked to either put on their trousers or get a pair from the room.

I was so embarrassed because I really thought nice shorts were ok, not sure why i thought that.....


Oh well : )

My wife and I got some kind of paper award from Palo, the assistant chef Alejandro stopped by our table the last night at dinner and delivered it to us. Palo went out of their way our 2nd night at dinner there by making us food off the old menu, for a table of 6! They were the best!!!!

So I learned as well. I usually wear a suit or a sport coat and tie. This time happened to notice a few men without ties. Folks here told me the ties were never required in the first place.

I remember you mentioning about the special attention in Palos. That is really great. This is why we sail DCL, those amazing special touches.

AKK

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Yo Skipper.....

How was Castaway for you?

The Cabana was awesome!!!!! Now we cant got to CC without one!

We had a nice, peaceful time swimming and reading, perfect weather and a perfect CC day!

We were especially glad the teen beach issue seems to be dead or as least not proceeding to be real. The only thing going on at that side of Serenity Bay was a small area by the breakwater for a few CM's.

See now your spoiled with the Cabannas, no turning back now!

AKK

 

[Flossbolna]

I'm just throwing this out here and it may mean nothing, but the past 3 times we have dined in Palo (all at different times in the evening), over half of the restaurant was empty. I was surprised considering how much I read about Palo being booked solid from previous cruisers.

I think the problem with Palo being half empty has nothing to do with the dress code, but everything with the upcharge they are charging. I remember that when I planned my first cruise for spring 2013 Palo cost $15 upcharge. Now we are at $30. This is a 50% increase in three years.

I know that a lot of people here say that Palo is still worth this, but it appears that the general cruisers on DCL do not agree with this sentiment if several people report that Palo is half empty. While $30 is not a lot, I think a lot of people don't think that Palo dinner is $30 better than the MDR. Brunch is different as there is less capacity (only offered on sea days) and hence more difficult to get.

 

[imahistorygeek]

I think the problem with Palo being half empty has nothing to do with the dress code, but everything with the upcharge they are charging. I remember that when I planned my first cruise for spring 2013 Palo cost $15 upcharge. Now we are at $30. This is a 50% increase in three years.

I know that a lot of people here say that Palo is still worth this, but it appears that the general cruisers on DCL do not agree with this sentiment if several people report that Palo is half empty. While $30 is not a lot, I think a lot of people don't think that Palo dinner is $30 better than the MDR. Brunch is different as there is less capacity (only offered on sea days) and hence more difficult to get.

That's a very significant increase in price. Like you said, some people still think it's worth it. For right now, I still think it's worth it. Another increase comes along, maybe not. Honestly, I didn't even consider the price increase because we were going to go to Palo anyway. I was a bit disappointed with the soup this time around (they changed the recipe). Maybe the food quality is on the decline as well.

 

[Hundredacre]

I think the problem with Palo being half empty has nothing to do with the dress code, but everything with the upcharge they are charging. I remember that when I planned my first cruise for spring 2013 Palo cost $15 upcharge. Now we are at $30. This is a 50% increase in three years.

I know that a lot of people here say that Palo is still worth this, but it appears that the general cruisers on DCL do not agree with this sentiment if several people report that Palo is half empty. While $30 is not a lot, I think a lot of people don't think that Palo dinner is $30 better than the MDR. Brunch is different as there is less capacity (only offered on sea days) and hence more difficult to get.

I am especially turned off by their surcharge considering the overall price increases. As they increase my general fare, I find myself spending less on the ships.

 

[steves100]

That's a very significant increase in price. Like you said, some people still think it's worth it. For right now, I still think it's worth it. Another increase comes along, maybe not. Honestly, I didn't even consider the price increase because we were going to go to Palo anyway. I was a bit disappointed with the soup this time around (they changed the recipe). Maybe the food quality is on the decline as well.

As I stated before they really went out of their way to make things we loved on our 2nd time at Aplo 2 weeks ago. I really dont like the new menu. If they raise rates again, most probably I will not be going multiple time : )

 

[imahistorygeek]

As I stated before they really went out of their way to make things we loved on our 2nd time at Aplo 2 weeks ago. I really dont like the new menu. If they raise rates again, most probably I will not be going multiple time : )

The Tuscan white bean soup was may favorite, but this time it was different. It's is not pureed. The beans were whole in a chicken broth. Not good. The server said they had several complaints about it.

 

[Weedy]

In my experience Palo has never had all the tables full. I think part of the experience is not to have a packed restaurant.

 

[Expatriat]

I was once told by a Palo server, and I don't know how true it is but it makes sense to me, that they do not generally allow all the tables at Palo to be booked at the same time because they do not want to create a noisy and crowded atmosphere, not to mention swamping the relatively small kitchen with orders. They try to stagger the reservations, giving plenty of time to clean and re-set tables and have them ready and waiting for awhile before the next guests arrive. If all tables were filled at once, I think the poor servers would be bumping into each other trying to get around with everything, and it would indeed be noisier. I think that would go for dinner or brunch. Not to say it is never maxed, but I do not think that is their goal. So sometimes all tables may be filled for awhile, but most often not.

 

[MickeysPal49]

I do enjoy dressing up for meals, especially at Palo, but I'm not concerned about what others wear. Obviously someone at DCL would like you to make it a special occasion. They have a reputation in the industry to keep their cruising experience in par with other cruise lines. I think it does a dis-service to the staff in Palo when you don't go the extra step by dressing better than other dinner meals to show them you appreciate the effort they put into their craft. It doesn't surprise me that dress-codes are getting less strict; it's happening everywhere.

 

[RedSox68]

I was once told by a Palo server, and I don't know how true it is but it makes sense to me, that they do not generally allow all the tables at Palo to be booked at the same time because they do not want to create a noisy and crowded atmosphere, not to mention swamping the relatively small kitchen with orders. They try to stagger the reservations, giving plenty of time to clean and re-set tables and have them ready and waiting for awhile before the next guests arrive. If all tables were filled at once, I think the poor servers would be bumping into each other trying to get around with everything, and it would indeed be noisier. I think that would go for dinner or brunch. Not to say it is never maxed, but I do not think that is their goal. So sometimes all tables may be filled for awhile, but most often not.

We have never seen it full at any brunch, but at one dinner the place was "sold out" -- every table was full, including a party in the private room.

 

[Expatriat]

We have never seen it full at any brunch, but at one dinner the place was "sold out" -- every table was full, including a party in the private room.

I know that sometimes there are special parties and such, and the place can be maxed, but that is not the norm for them and from what I've been told is not particularly desirable.

 

[RedSox68]

I know that sometimes there are special parties and such, and the place can be maxed, but that is not the norm for them and from what I've been told is not particularly desirable.

I agree -- it was noisy. That was only our second time there, but our first time (for our anniversary) was so incredibly intimate and quiet that it surprised me how "active" it was the second time. We've come to prefer the brunch because we like the big windows during the day and the views of the ocean.

 

[DitkaFan]

I'll wage that kids in palo are next.

...and I'd have 0 issue with this. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having a nice dinner out just me and my wife, but if kids were allowed we would just end up booking palo twice per cruise so we could also have a nice dinner out with my DD8 as well. We have been taking her to place far fancier than palo for years now, but we instilled an understanding of how to act when at a "nice" resturant.
As for the jeans, all for it. I wear nice dress pants and dress shirts to work every day... I have dress jeans that when paired with a nice dress shirt, sport coat, and dress shoes are far dressier than just normal slacks and a collared shirt. I for one am looking forward to being able to go to palo and be more fashionable than just dress pants and a dress shirt. Hit up a few nice resturants in the NY, Chicago, DC area and you will see that jean can be dressed up and look much dressier than slacks(dockers, etc).

Also, couldn't care less what the person next me is wearing. I dress up because it makes me feel good. If someone else feels good with a tank and shorts, go for it - afterall its everyone's vacation!

 

[imahistorygeek]

I'll wage that kids in palo are next.

This is the one thing that would guarantee never eating there again. I go here to get away from kids.

 

[wilkeliza]

Can't find who originally said it but I couldn't see them allowing children. The sole reason they get people to pay the up-charge is because it is somewhere that children are not allowed. We for one would not eat at Palo or Remy if they started allowing kids. This is one of the pluses of the "adults only" area and if Disney was to move away from their adult escape areas we would no longer travel with them as part of why we love DCL so much is how they do keep their adult areas clear of kids better than any other cruise line we have been on.

 

[RedSox68]

I think the problem with Palo being half empty has nothing to do with the dress code, but everything with the upcharge they are charging. I remember that when I planned my first cruise for spring 2013 Palo cost $15 upcharge. Now we are at $30. This is a 50% increase in three years.

I know that a lot of people here say that Palo is still worth this, but it appears that the general cruisers on DCL do not agree with this sentiment if several people report that Palo is half empty. While $30 is not a lot, I think a lot of people don't think that Palo dinner is $30 better than the MDR. Brunch is different as there is less capacity (only offered on sea days) and hence more difficult to get.

Are you talking about the brunch being $15 in 2013? I don't think the dinner would have been that cheap. I know brunch was $10 in the beginning, then $15 and I think it is now $25? Dinner may have been $15 in 2000, but I don't ever remember it being that cheap in the last 5 years or more.

When we went in 2014, I was surprised how much the brunch prices had gone up!

 

[MSPeeler]

My husband tried on his nice dress shirt last night, he has a thick neck and can not button the top button.... so no tie for him simply because of the neck size! The shirts fit otherwise....