Ask Tink: Palo for Brunch or Dinner?

"Hi, Tink! My girlfriend and I are going on a Disney Cruise this winter. We know we want to go to Palo, but will probably only go for one meal, since it's our first time on the ship. Would you pick brunch or dinner? I have hear good things about both, so I don't know what to pick."

     Oooo, so hard to choose! Both are fantastic, but I have a clear favorite! First, let me explain to those readers who may not know, Palo is an exclusive, adults only restaurant on board the Disney ships. It has Venician theming and decor, an incredible menu, impeccable service, and gorgeous, open vistas of the sea from it's panoramic windows. If Guests choose to dine in Palo, they can do so for a fee of $30 per person. They can opt for dinner or brunch. Guests can do both sometimes, depending on availability. Reservations are required and can be booked 120 days before your sail date for Concierge and Platinum Guests, 105 days in advance for Gold Guests,  90 days in advance for Silver Guests and 75 days in advance for First Time Cruisers. You can also sometimes book once on board the ship, but expect availability to be extremely limited, if available at all. Palo does have a dress code, which requires men to wear dress pants and a dress shirt, or a jacket. Women must wear a dress, pants suit, or blouse and skirt. Jeans, shorts, capri pants, sneakers and flip flops are not allowed either gender.

   

     Dinner is an elegant, multi-course affair, with fine Italian cuisine and lavish, amazing desserts. Just like in the main dining rooms, you can choose as much or as little as you want. You can order a filet, and get a side of the ravioli if you like. There are plenty of options, from seafood, to pastas, pizzas to Osso Buco. And you can't miss the Chocolate Souffle! Disney Cruisers dream of it after they've tried it! If you do make a reservation for Palo dinner, you will skip your dinner in the main dining room, and go to Palo at your designated reservation time, so you'll want to be sure that you aren't booked for a night that you'll be bummed to miss out on, like Pirate Night, or Captain's Gala Night.

 

 


 



















     Brunch is offered on days at sea, on 4 night cruises or longer. You'll want to skip having any sort of breakfast or lunch, because you'll have more food than you can handle at brunch! There are buffet tables set up with breads, fruits and veggies, cold meats and seafood, cheeses, desserts and more. You'll also get a menu to order from. You can choose pancakes and omelettes, or chicken parmesan and pizzas. Or all of the above! Your server will encourage you to eat until you practically have to be wheeled out of the place. You probably don't want to have any big plans for that afternoon, because you're gonna need a nap!

     If I had to pick one meal, I'd go with brunch. It's the more impressive of the two meals, with the largest variety of items. I also love that since it is daytime, you can see the gorgeous ocean all around you. Really, you can't go wrong with either meal, and I would definitely encourage you to try both at some point, but if you're picking just one.... I say BRUNCH!

     Hope you found this information helpful! Have a Disney question? E-mail me at tinkinaboutdisney@gmail.com!