Palo Dress Code Confusion

[engle]

I have now heard and read several things about the dress code. Can ANYONE confirm or will I get conflicting opinions here too?? We are talking for men here...

Dinner - dress shirt, jacket and tie recommended but not required??

Brunch - no jeans or tshirts or shorts???

 

[allears]

You will absoluely get conflicting opinions here and people have had different experiences with the stictness of Palo's dress code. The DCL recommendation is for dinner for men, a dress shirt and tie or a jacket (with a shirt of cours ) but not neccessarily a tie. For brunch and hight tea, cruise casual is requested, no shorts, t-shirts or jeans.

I always wear a sport coat and tie to dinner there and nice pants and a casual tropical shirt to brunch.

 

[Drince88]

I was waiting to be seated at Palo last May, and heard the interchange with a male guest wearing jeans. They were calling down to costuming to get him some kahki slacks, because jeans were not allowed. (This was for dinner). I don't recall if he had a jacket or tie on as well.

He was having a bit of a hissy fit over it (why don't they have a men's clothing store on board?, why can those women wear shorts? (they were dressy shorts outfits), etc.) I was glad they were enforcing it, because why have a dress code if you don't enforce it.

 

[allears]

You will surely hear stories of people who didn't abide by the recommendations and still got seated. I think it depends on whose managing Palo at the time.

You will also get widely varying opinions on the whole dress code thing. We follow the recommendations and enjoy dressing to the occasion. One of the reasons DCL has the reccomendations is to help add to the overall experience. Everything with Disney has to tell a story, the cruise is no exception. They are trying to imerse you in a modern version of the classic ocean liners of the last century. Part of why they have formal nights, assigned dining and the officers have more formal type uniforms. It's part of the story. So we like to jump right in and play along.

 

[kcashner]

You will surely hear stories of people who didn't abide by the recommendations and still got seated. I think it depends on whose managing Palo at the time.

You will also get widely varying opinions on the whole dress code thing. We follow the recommendations and enjoy dressing to the occasion. One of the reasons DCL has the reccomendations is to help add to the overall experience. Everything with Disney has to tell a story, the cruise is no exception. They are trying to imerse you in a modern version of the classic ocean liners of the last century. Part of why they have formal nights, assigned dining and the officers have more formal type uniforms. It's part of the story. So we like to jump right in and play along.

Thank you. This is exactly what it is all about. If you follow the recommendations, you're just more into the spirit of the thing. There will always be people who choose to go their own way--some have really good reasons which other guests may not be aware of. But looking the part for the story helps.

Palo is the one place where it makes sense to be a bit more strict. It is an optional experience. If you choose to participate, you choose to abide by the rules.

 

[jrabbit]

On the Magic in January 2009 Pietro from Italy (Sicily) was the head guy. Very professional, great smile and oh so Italian!

the guys in my party wore ...
Slacks and Polo's to Brunch
Slacks and a Dress Shirt and Tie to Dinner

No problems, no funny looks (well at least I didn't notice anyone looking down on us) Wonderful expericene, Great Food.

And therein lays the problem of Palo. After eating there, the food in the main restaurants is a step down (quite noticeble). And the deserts are a huge step down from Palo to the rotational restaurants.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Just got back from the 4 night Wonder yesterday. In Palo for dinner I saw all the men wearing jackets or at least nice pants and dress shirts, and the women in suggested attire too. But for the brunch there were many underdressed people. I saw jeans and casual shirts a lot. Marco was the manager, not sure if that had anything to do with it or not...

 

[jship210]

Thank you. This is exactly what it is all about. If you follow the recommendations, you're just more into the spirit of the thing. There will always be people who choose to go their own way--some have really good reasons which other guests may not be aware of. But looking the part for the story helps.

Palo is the one place where it makes sense to be a bit more strict. It is an optional experience. If you choose to participate, you choose to abide by the rules.

Well said. Society means conforming to the norms. Without it we have Carnival CL!!

 

[kcashner]

Well said. Society means conforming to the norms. Without it we have Carnival CL!!

I LOVE IT!

 

[crafty91]

Just grab yourself a khaki colored linen jacket and you can throw it on anytime and you'll be light years beyond most!

 

[wdwscout]

We observed something interesting on our New Year's Cruise this month.
We went to brunch at Palo on 1-1-09. This was our first Palo experience and first cruise!).
A few people ahead of us in line to enter was a gentleman in jeans. The manager did not seat him- he was told "no jeans." I was impressed, and it made my DH and sons feel better about having to "dress up" for brunch.

Then, while we were dining, we noticed a young lady in what looked like workout clothes- Capri length sweat pants and a zip front hoody! Not at all appropriate. And her male companion was in shorts and a t-shirt or something.
I noticed that the manger had not been at the entrance, but did walk through the Dining Room- did a double take, and then pulled one of the servers aside (I can only assume to discuss how these people were allowed in!). They were already eating, and were not asked to leave.

So, you will see everything- it just depends who's at the front door.

In my opinion- it is so much more fun to be a part of the story and dress the part!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

We have seen people who were not dressed properly denied service to Palo a few times On our last visit we were sitting near a man who was not wearing any socks and kept taking off one or both shoes We were totally grossed out some people just do not have any manners

Rob

 

[engle]

Okay, so, to answer my question, if DH wears dress pants, dress shirt and tie and I wear a dress we are FINE for dinner. He is trying to avoid bringing a jacket. Also, for brunch, if we wear nice pants and shirts (not tees) we'll be more than fine. Wow, I was really just looking for an answer....but mayber there isn't ONE.

 

[jilljill]

Okay, so, to answer my question, if DH wears dress pants, dress shirt and tie and I wear a dress we are FINE for dinner. He is trying to avoid bringing a jacket. Also, for brunch, if we wear nice pants and shirts (not tees) we'll be more than fine. Wow, I was really just looking for an answer....but mayber there isn't ONE.

Those outfits will be fine for the times you plan on wearing them.

 

[allears]

Okay, so, to answer my question, if DH wears dress pants, dress shirt and tie and I wear a dress we are FINE for dinner. He is trying to avoid bringing a jacket. Also, for brunch, if we wear nice pants and shirts (not tees) we'll be more than fine. Wow, I was really just looking for an answer....but mayber there isn't ONE.

You were answered in several of the posts, but yep you'll be fine.

 

[SplashMountainManiac]

Well said. Society means conforming to the norms. Without it we have Carnival CL!!

Actually both Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean have a stricter dress code than Disney and more formal nights. We choose to sail Disney and NCL because of the more relaxed dress code.

 

[jship210]

Actually both Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean have a stricter dress code than Disney and more formal nights. We choose to sail Disney and NCL because of the more relaxed dress code.

I think you missed the point

 

[Inkmahm]

Okay, so, to answer my question, if DH wears dress pants, dress shirt and tie and I wear a dress we are FINE for dinner. He is trying to avoid bringing a jacket. Also, for brunch, if we wear nice pants and shirts (not tees) we'll be more than fine. Wow, I was really just looking for an answer....but mayber there isn't ONE.

I agree. On previous cruises I've had DH bring his jacket along. On our next cruise, now that we have to pay the airlines for every suitcase we bring, we plan to pack lighter. A shirt and tie with no jacket take up less space so that is what he'll wear.

 

[BeccaBelle]

We are in the same situation. DH doesn't mind dress shirt, khakis and tie but would like to avoid the jacket. Sounds like this would be allowed so it's a relief for us

 

[jlowejd5]

I'm on board with the opinions here. We like dressing up, especially for Palo. This trip, it's even and easier option, because we're at Palo on the Tuesday night and at Emeril's at UO on Thursday night. So, assuming I don't slop souffle onto my jacket, I'll have it on at both places.