Tell me about Tea at Palo

[fatfish]

Is the Tea only on certain cruises, such as 7+ night cruises? I'm assuming it is mid-afternoon, correct? What do they serve? Please tell me more!

thanks!

 

[Meskamooska]

Hi!

The Tea is only offered on the longer cruises (7 or more days I think) and it is only served on a "Sea" day at 3pm.

It is a traditional English style "High Tea" complete with cucumber sandwiches, tea cakes and a nice pot for a "cuppa".

When we went (5 years ago) it was a lovely way to enjoy the atmosphere, view and each others company in a relaxed but very lovely environment. I think the only complaint I had about the whole thing was that there was so much to eat that we couldn't finish it all!

It was a whole lot of fun and I am glad I had a chance to do it. Since this had been our very first cruise we didn't have the chance to do any kind of early booking so, with reservations so very limited, by the time we went to get our reservations we had to settle for the waiting list. However, we had no trouble ultimately getting in (and we were able to make the reservation for 4 even though my hubby and I were the only ones in our cabin).

I hope that helps. I would recommend the High Tea it is a real bargain!

Take care, help lots of people and have a great day!

 

[Redeemed&Loved]

Do you think it would be something children would enjoy?

 

[Meskamooska]

Hi Again,

I think it might depend upon the child. The tiny sandwiches and cakes would absolutely be appealing and the Mary Poppins feel (being an English Tea and all) might also be enticing.

However, since the atmosphere is more "fine dining" than almost anywhere else on the ship smaller kids or kids who tend to be more the "Short Attention Span Theatre" types (like my youngest DSS and my DH LOL) might get a little fidgety.

But, if you never take your kids into a restaurant like Palo then they will never learn how to behave in and enjoy one.

So, if they are even allowed (and I don't know what the rules are since my info is based solely on my last visit in '05) the 5 and below set might not get much out of it, but kids slightly older and girls especially might really enjoy it.

Don't forget that they do offer a Tea With Wendy on some cruises which is a ticketed event aimed at little girls and their moms (although there were a fair share of little boys and daddies/uncles/grandpas there too) might be a good choice for the smaller set. It won't be ANYTHING like the Palo tea (and the tea that is served is cold not hot) it is still a fun event and one where smaller people and their special needs are better served.

Hope that helps. Take care all, help lots of people and have a great day!

 

[smeecanada]

First off - Palo is an adult (18+) only restaurant. Doesn't matter whether it's high tea, brunch or dinner.

Secondly, I went with a group of ladies to High Tea the EBRepo. Fun was had by all attending. Well worth the price and the atmosphere / view is wonderful. Have fun.

 

[ranidayz]

Hi,
I think I even liked the High Tea better than the brunch. We didn't leave hungry and the tea was amazing - as were the other four courses.

Children aren't allowed in Palo.....so it was a nice time with my DH.

enjoy!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

I didnt enjoy tea at all, but Palo, and our company was great.
Maybe cause we have done hight tea in some nice scottish hotels that are more traditional than palo, we got rolls, NOT cucumber sanys and other little sanys, I am still glad I went though. Scones were rubbish imho.
I would def say try it though. and that was more than a year ago so maybe has improved.

 

[HallsofVA]

There was an earlier thread on this that I posted pictures of the menu and some of the food served during our palo tea in December.

See this thread, post #13
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=35185383&highlight=high+tea#post35185383

 

[Redeemed&Loved]

There was an earlier thread on this that I posted pictures of the menu and some of the food served during our palo tea in December.

See this thread, post #13
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=35185383&highlight=high+tea#post35185383

Wow, so all of that was only $5/person?

 

[HallsofVA]

Wow, so all of that was only $5/person?

Yep! Great value! The biggest problem is if you have early dining it a lot of food with not a lot of time before dinner.

 

[ibouncetoo]

If you have any vegetarians in your party, let them know in advance and they will have some special sandwiches for that person.

.

 

[Canadianfamily]

As a family, we're not really interested in going to Palo for an actual meal but tea sounds wonderful. We can see inside and be served by the Palo staff without missing one of our other dining rotations. A question though: we are going as a celebration of my daughter who will be graduating from high school in June of the year of our cruise (2011). My eldest daughter is in university but has a week off in February so we're going then. My younger daughter (who we are celebrating) will only be 17 as her birthday is in June. Has anyone had any experience with a 17 year old (turning 18 four months after the cruise ends) coming into Palo? I know it is adults only but she is respectful and would love to go for tea.
Thanks!

 

[Gladys Kravitz]

Bummer, I was hoping to do this on a 5 night Dream cruise. Guess I'll have to book another cruise - a 7 nighter - so I can get some tea. haha.

 

[TDC Nala]

The atmosphere is nice. The food is nothing special. I recall getting the same pastries elsewhere on the ship without paying the upcharge.

No one under 18 is permitted at Palo, and yes, they do enforce it.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

If you have any vegetarians in your party, let them know in advance and they will have some special sandwiches for that person.

.

The atmosphere is nice. The food is nothing special. I recall getting the same pastries elsewhere on the ship without paying the upcharge.

No one under 18 is permitted at Palo, and yes, they do enforce it.

I am a vegi, I got a selection of rolls that were available elsewhere on the ship. Dont know if they had forgot or if thats what you normally get.

 

[TDC Nala]

They had the same little cakes available in the Cove Cafe. Next time I am putting the $5 toward a martini and just eat cakes in there.

 

[cmclaura]

I would suggest to parents of young children that you might ask about the Tea with a character (we went in January and it was the Mad Hatter; previously, it had been Wendy or Alice). Much more aimed at the kids, they serve iced tea in a fancy teapot and cups/saucers, and cookies. The kids loved it. As an adult with a 16 year old, we felt out of place -- didn't stop her from going up for a photo afterwards; that, she loved!

For the 17-nearly-18 year old, I'd book the tea for all the adults in your party online, once reservations open. Once you're onboard, talk directly with the maitre d' at Palo to see if he can arrange to add one to the reservation. I have seen young people in there who look younger than 18 (although it is sometimes difficult to tell!) who behaved accordingly, so I can't see why they wouldn't do it. Most teen girls look very mature these days anyway!

 

[mollygirl13]

Bummer, I was hoping to do this on a 5 night Dream cruise. Guess I'll have to book another cruise - a 7 nighter - so I can get some tea. haha.

I don't know if the 5 night Dream will have tea but I can tell you I sail on the 5 night Wonder in 3.5 weeks and High Tea is definitely offered for Sea Day, 3 pm!

 

[jilljill]

I would suggest to parents of young children that you might ask about the Tea with a character (we went in January and it was the Mad Hatter; previously, it had been Wendy or Alice). Much more aimed at the kids, they serve iced tea in a fancy teapot and cups/saucers, and cookies. The kids loved it. As an adult with a 16 year old, we felt out of place -- didn't stop her from going up for a photo afterwards; that, she loved!

For the 17-nearly-18 year old, I'd book the tea for all the adults in your party online, once reservations open. Once you're onboard, talk directly with the maitre d' at Palo to see if he can arrange to add one to the reservation. I have seen young people in there who look younger than 18 (although it is sometimes difficult to tell!) who behaved accordingly, so I can't see why they wouldn't do it. Most teen girls look very mature these days anyway!

I would expect that if someone looks young that Palo would ask to see their KTTW card to make sure they are 18. The rule of 18 should be respected for Palo.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I am a vegi, I got a selection of rolls that were available elsewhere on the ship. Dont know if they had forgot or if thats what you normally get.

We were on the Magic last September and PJ brought out some veggie wraps. (It is possible that our vegetarian's partner specifically requested something directly from PJ at that time though.)

.