cruisin1982 Posted September 17, 2018 #1 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Told our slot open and all the sea days are sold out for brunch. Any chance something opening up when we get on the ship. We went on line the minute our time slot opened. Is it worth the extra $30 is there crab legs on the buffet Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaska_planner Posted September 17, 2018 #2 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Told our slot open and all the sea days are sold out for brunch. Any chance something opening up when we get on the ship. We went on line the minute our time slot opened. Is it worth the extra $30 is there crab legs on the buffet Sent from my iPhone using Forums you should keep checking, as people might cancel.. and when you get on the ship, you can right away go to check if there's availability.... hopefully someone will post where you go to check that as i don't know (maybe palo?)... i'm not a big palo fan, so i wouldn't really mind if i were shut out.. but i get it, this is your first time so you want to experience it...you may well enjoy it...i'm the only person i know who didn't like it....so you're much more likely to like it than not.... i'm sure someone will post telling you exactly what to do when you board to check on a palo reservation... . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin1982 Posted September 17, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted September 17, 2018 you should keep checking, as people might cancel.. and when you get on the ship, you can right away go to check if there's availability.... hopefully someone will post where you go to check that as i don't know (maybe palo?)... i'm not a big palo fan, so i wouldn't really mind if i were shut out.. but i get it, this is your first time so you want to experience it...you may well enjoy it...i'm the only person i know who didn't like it....so you're much more likely to like it than not.... i'm sure someone will post telling you exactly what to do when you board to check on a palo reservation... . . Thanks we only wanted to try the brunch the extra $30 per person is something we could budget. We did the fancy restaurant on our first cruise. It was real nice but it’s not us. Think the extra charge was $60 per person. I’d rather spend the extra money on something else. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemistrynerd Posted September 17, 2018 #4 Share Posted September 17, 2018 There will be turnover in the Palo reservations. Keep checking to maximize your chances of finding an opening (as Beth already said). I am also in the minority on Palo... I am not a fan, mostly because I don't have a big appreciation for finer food. Meals at Palo take a while, and I'd rather spend my time doing something else. If I had to pick Palo brunch or dinner, I'd probably go with brunch. I am a big fan of the MDR for dinner (more about the experience, less about the food). Palo brunch doesn't pull you from the MDR for dinner. The poolside buffet is great in my opinion. They do have shrimp and crab legs (stone crab?) every day. The shrimp is my daily lunch staple on ship. They also have a carving station that my wife likes. Of course, kid favorites like french fries and mac and cheese flow freely as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin1982 Posted September 17, 2018 Author #5 Share Posted September 17, 2018 There will be turnover in the Palo reservations. Keep checking to maximize your chances of finding an opening (as Beth already said). I am also in the minority on Palo... I am not a fan, mostly because I don't have a big appreciation for finer food. Meals at Palo take a while, and I'd rather spend my time doing something else. If I had to pick Palo brunch or dinner, I'd probably go with brunch. I am a big fan of the MDR for dinner (more about the experience, less about the food). Palo brunch doesn't pull you from the MDR for dinner. The poolside buffet is great in my opinion. They do have shrimp and crab legs (stone crab?) every day. The shrimp is my daily lunch staple on ship. They also have a carving station that my wife likes. Of course, kid favorites like french fries and mac and cheese flow freely as well. I didn’t think they had a pool side buffet. I really appreciate your comments. They seem honest we like good food but not so much the fancy stuff. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemistrynerd Posted September 17, 2018 #6 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Poolside might be a bit loose of a description. It's a restaurant just off the pool You can get food inside and then take it to the pool (or eat in the restaurant or eat on a deck off the back of the ship). There are also quick service restaurants that truly are poolside - stand at a counter and order/pickup food. The buffet requires you to wear shoes and a coverup, but wearing a swimsuit and barefoot is fine for the quick service spots. The buffet is very convenient to the pool. During lunch, my wife and I will be back and forth from the pool to the buffet several times as someone wants dessert, more mac and cheese, or another whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1025cruise Posted September 17, 2018 #7 Share Posted September 17, 2018 I enjoyed the Palo brunch. But, its only offered on sea days, so if you are on a short cruise, there won't be as many opportunities. With that said, go ahead and keep checking. Also they do hold spots for reservation on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin1982 Posted September 17, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Yea wanted to do it sold out. Disney should reserve some slots for first time cruisers. Everything thing is sold out even the liquor tastings. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elka Posted September 17, 2018 #9 Share Posted September 17, 2018 They do hold back reservations for Palo. In the Navigator will be the place and time to make Palo reservations. Just go there and see what they have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted September 17, 2018 #10 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Yea wanted to do it sold out. Disney should reserve some slots for first time cruisers. Everything thing is sold out even the liquor tastings. Sent from my iPhone using Forums As noted, DCL does hold back some reservations for Palo to be booked onboard. The Navigator you receive at check in at the port will tell you where/when this is available. Please don't pre-judge the cruise before you actually take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted September 18, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Yea wanted to do it sold out. Disney should reserve some slots for first time cruisers. Everything thing is sold out even the liquor tastings. Sent from my iPhone using Forums See my reply to this same statement on your other thread. I'm probably the nut case here, but I prefer Palo dinner to brunch. But I'm definitely in the minority on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted September 18, 2018 #12 Share Posted September 18, 2018 See my reply to this same statement on your other thread. I'm probably the nut case here' date=' but I prefer Palo dinner to brunch. But I'm definitely in the minority on that.[/quote'] Since they changed the Palo dinner menu (a couple of years ago), I like the dinner better than I did. But I still prefer brunch. My husband prefers dinner, so we switch out from cruise to cruise which we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaska_planner Posted September 18, 2018 #13 Share Posted September 18, 2018 by the way, we got both of our palo brunch reservations after we boarded the ship (one time on the wonder, the other time on the dream). we did brunches both times as we really enjoy the MDRs for dinner, so would rather not give them up. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted September 18, 2018 #14 Share Posted September 18, 2018 I've never been unable to make or change a reservation on the first day. In fairness, I usually do longer cruises, but the bottom line is that they have been available. I don't do in and insist on 7:30 on Wednesday. I go with the attitude that I want a Palo reservation....is Wednesday available? If not, they find something that is available and fits my plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivanp91 Posted September 19, 2018 #15 Share Posted September 19, 2018 I'm probably the nut case here' date=' but I prefer Palo dinner to brunch. But I'm definitely in the minority on that.[/quote'] Blasphemy! Nut case indeed :p :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodesthemoose Posted September 19, 2018 #16 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Yea wanted to do it sold out. Disney should reserve some slots for first time cruisers. Everything thing is sold out even the liquor tastings. You're not a first time cruiser though right? you logged on on Silver opening day? Anyway, liquor tastings for sure you should be able to get on board, and I'm guessing Palo brunch as well - we were at a 12:30 seating and there were several empty tables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted September 19, 2018 #17 Share Posted September 19, 2018 You're not a first time cruiser though right? you logged on on Silver opening day? Anyway, liquor tastings for sure you should be able to get on board, and I'm guessing Palo brunch as well - we were at a 12:30 seating and there were several empty tables. They don't fill all the tables all the time. It makes for a quieter dining experience when there are empty tables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheermom2four Posted September 19, 2018 #18 Share Posted September 19, 2018 We are totally Palo brunch people over their dinner. The food was great for dinner but we like the MDR experience so we only do Palo brunch. First cruise we had no luck getting reservations until we were on the ship but after that we did at online checkin by just checking daily to see if a slot opened up and it did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin1982 Posted September 19, 2018 Author #19 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Thanks I will try once we get on the ship. Was just going by what Disney said when we called. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodesthemoose Posted September 19, 2018 #20 Share Posted September 19, 2018 They don't fill all the tables all the time. It makes for a quieter dining experience when there are empty tables. While I agree it would be quieter, I would find it really disappointing to know that such a coveted event as brunch, which only happens a couple of times on many cruises, has empty tables. I could see that making sense at dinner, but surely DCL knows how popular Palo brunch is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted September 19, 2018 #21 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Thanks I will try once we get on the ship. Was just going by what Disney said when we called. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Many of the people on the phones have never set food on any of the ships and don't have a clue as to how things work! We joke that if you get an answer you don't like, hang up and call again. You'll get a different CM and they'll give a different answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted September 19, 2018 #22 Share Posted September 19, 2018 While I agree it would be quieter, I would find it really disappointing to know that such a coveted event as brunch, which only happens a couple of times on many cruises, has empty tables. I could see that making sense at dinner, but surely DCL knows how popular Palo brunch is. They do know how popular it is. That's why (several years ago) they eliminated the formal tea they had at Palo and used that time for more brunch seatings. And, on some cruises, the brunch is offered on non-sea days (Dream 3 night cruise, as well as the Tracy Arm day on the Alaska cruises). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted September 20, 2018 #23 Share Posted September 20, 2018 The "empty" tables are in some cases used for the staggering of the reservation times. If everyone showed up at 9:00 and filled the restaurant, the kitchen couldn't keep up with the preparation of the hot items, the servers would be run ragged, etc. Filling tables at various times keeps the whole system running smoothly and all the kitchen items prepared as you order them (no sitting under heat lamps!) And yes, the adult only tea was eliminated to make longer hours for brunch possible....thus more people can be seated and DCL can make more money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gometros Posted September 20, 2018 #24 Share Posted September 20, 2018 They don't fill all the tables all the time. It makes for a quieter dining experience when there are empty tables. I just learned about that fact this cruise. Took the Art of the Theme Show tour and it was mentioned that they intentionally leave some tables empty to create the ambience. Palo Brunch has Alaskan snow crab legs. One of my favorites along with the salmon mousse. The buffet restaurant that was mentioned is Cabanas. They have shrimp and stone crab. Deck 9 aft on the Magic and Wonder. Deck 11 aft on the Fantasy and Dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin1982 Posted September 21, 2018 Author #25 Share Posted September 21, 2018 The "empty" tables are in some cases used for the staggering of the reservation times. If everyone showed up at 9:00 and filled the restaurant' date=' the kitchen couldn't keep up with the preparation of the hot items, the servers would be run ragged, etc. Filling tables at various times keeps the whole system running smoothly and all the kitchen items prepared as you order them (no sitting under heat lamps!) And yes, the adult only tea was eliminated to make longer hours for brunch possible....thus more people can be seated and DCL can make more money.[/quote'] I have worked in the restaurant industry and I totally agree people don’t understand when they are told there is a wait and they see empty tables. If 100% of tables were full not even the best kitchen staff could keep up and people would complain about the wait time Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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