Palo is Disney Cruise Line’s adults-only restaurant which is located on Deck 10 of the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ships.

The restaurant is named after the signature long poles used to push and pull gondolas in and around Venice, and features beautiful Italian decor, with Murano glass, inlaid wood paneling, and Venetian masks lining the walls.

The Italian restaurant serves up Northern Italian cuisine for dinner each night on all cruises, brunch on 4-night and longer cruises, and high tea on 7-night and longer cruises. It’s the only restaurant onboard where guests must pay an additional fee to dine, although it is only a nominal amount.

• Dinner: $15 dining charge per person
• Brunch: $15 dining charge per person
• High Tea: $5 dining charge per person

Advance booking is required, with reservations being snapped up as soon as they open up for online booking. Don’t despair though if you don’t manage to get a reservation! On embarkation day, guests can make reservations on boarding the ship, as a number of tables are kept for this purpose. If you still don’t manage to get a reservation, you will be able to put your name down on a wait list. People often cancel reservations and tables become available.

The dates on which guests can make online reservations vary depending on what category stateroom they are in, or what Castaway Club level they are:

• Platinum Castaway Club, Suites/Concierge, Weddings/Vow Renewal, VIP, Media and Make a Wish Guest Types: 120 days in advance
• Gold Castaway Club: 105 days in advance
• Silver Castaway Club: 90 days in advance
• All Other Reservations: 75 days in advance

Kids can be left at the Oceaneer Club or Lab, and infants checked into Flounders Reef Nursery while you dine here.

Dinner

If you’re eating dinner there you will skip your regular rotation dining restaurant for that evening, unless you make an early or late (depending on your regular rotation time) Palo booking and have a very big appetite! Of course, you could always just have an appetizer and dessert, or just dessert at Palo, although you’ll still have to pay the full cover charge.

The 130-seat restaurant begins serving dinner at 6pm nightly, with the last reservation at 9pm. Diners can enjoy sweeping 270-degree panoramic ocean views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. If you want a table next to the window, request one when you check-in, or better still, visit earlier in the day and speak to one of the servers to put in your request. Don’t forget to mention if you’re celebrating a special occasion such as birthday, anniversary or honeymoon.

A variety of dishes are freshly prepared in the open kitchen, and the chef is available if you have any special dietary requirements.

Your server will bring an assortment of freshly baked bread, followed by a plate of Antipasto Freddo: prosciutto, bresaola, parmesan reggiano, marinated olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Specialties on the menu include seafood, pizza, pasta, veal and beef tenderloin. If there’s nothing that you like on the menu, just tell your server who will be happy to arrange for the chef to cook you something plain, such as steak or chicken.

Desserts here are a real treat, with Palo’s signature chocolate souffle with vanilla bean and chocolate sauce being a favorite. Let your server know if you’re interested in the chocolate souffle when you order your main course, as it takes a while to prepare. Wines, cordials and specialty Italian beverages are available to complement your meal.

If you don’t want to eat here, you can just stop by the bar for a drink in the evenings.

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Brunch

If you’re cruising for 4 nights or longer then brunch at Palo is not to be missed. The same booking timelines apply as for dinner. It’s served from 10:30am-noon, apart from Key West days when it’s 10:00-11:30am.

Guests are welcomed with a complimentary drink of champagne or mimosa, and given a tour of the extensive buffet. Beautifully presented fresh buffet items include cheeses, breads, salads, smoked salmon, meats, fresh fruit and even caviar!

A selection of made-to-order hot dishes are also available, such as pancakes, sweet pizza, eggs benedict, and carved beef tenderloin.

If you have any room left you’ll find an amazing assortment of decadent desserts to choose from.

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High Tea

On cruises of 7 nights or longer Palo serves up high tea on the high seas! From 3:00-4:00pm, guests can relax and enjoy a selection of traditional, flavored and herbal teas, finger sandwiches, scones with jam, and desserts. Espresso, café latte, cappuccino, mineral water, café mocha, café mélange, sparkling water, and a full selection of wine and mixed drinks are available for an additional cost.

Dress Code

There is a dress code at Palo, with me required to wear a dress shirt or jacket, and women a dress or pantsuit. No jeans are allowed. Cruise casual is the way to go for brunch and high tea, with no shorts, jeans, swimwear or tank tops permitted.

Disney Dream

There will be a Palo restaurant on the new Disney Dream ship, located on Deck 12. An exciting new addition to the Dream version of Palo will be an outdoor teak deck, where diners can enjoy their meal al fresco. Next door to Palo will be Meridian, an adult-exclusive lounge where guests can enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif or an after-dinner cocktail.

Palo on the Disney Dream

If you’re feeling creative, you can recreate some of Palo’s dishes at home, just check out our Disney Cruise Line recipes here.