Palo extra charges - are they clear enough?

[spinnerblt]

I am kind of with the person above. There is already an upcharge for Palo. If offered I would think it is something else included to make this meal special not for an extra charge-- unless specified. However, I hate that Disney drink menus never list the prices. I am a simple person I guess. I want to make decisions based on my budget. Hence it took this long to go on our first cruise. I have always heard if you have to ask, you can't afford it. Should not have to feel guilty for making an informed decision.

 

[AngelDisney]

I think it would be easier to ask upfront questions like what kinds of drink are included in the extra dining fee. Then the server would have told you what's included to avoid unnecessary confusion. Some guests may feel offended if the server tells them how much each item is charged extra. It's hard to please everyone.

I asked the particular question on Disboards before my first Palo Brunch/Dinner, so I had known ahead of time that I would be charged extra for the bottle of sparkling water I planned to order. I think there is a drink menu somewhere online.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/what-drinks-are-included-in-palo-dining.3401618/

 

[rcchello]

Wow, some of you would hate the countries where if you eat the bread in the basket on the table they charge you extra. Learn the local customs, and learn not to hate the locals. It is like the tipping rules on cruises, which are different than hotels on land and on which cruises line soda is included. Some of us do research and some of us are surprised.

Hope you enjoyed your meal anyway.

 

[JanBlessed]

In 2012 we dined at Palo.

I told the server (prior to ordering or tasting anything) that I would like to know if anything that I order costs extra, AS I'm ordering it...

I think I said something like "dont let me order anything that costs extra". I do the same in all inclusive resorts or anywhere that I pre-pay (like Atlantis resort dining).

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I told the server (prior to ordering or tasting anything) that I would like to know if anything that I order costs extra, AS I'm ordering it...

I think I said something like "dont let me order anything that costs extra". I do the same in all inclusive resorts or anywhere that I pre-pay (like Atlantis resort dining).

Great Idea! I'll have to get in the habit of doing this. Like others, it isn't that I never want to order something that costs extra, I just want to make an informed decision. I don't think I should have to troll the internet ahead of time to find out the hidden charges in advance, either. So this is a good middle ground. Also, I HATE when menus don't tell me the price of sodas, beer, etc. Frankly, up til now, instead of asking what things cost, if it didn't have a price, I just didn't order it. Less enjoyment for me, and less money for the business. Lose-lose. Thanks, JanBlessed. It is a simple phrase, but I never thought to say it before, and so well put. Not implying upsetness, actually rather light-hearted. Perfect sentiment. Many heads are better than one.

 

[MUN]

However, I hate that Disney drink menus never list the prices.

I thought DCL drink menus listed the prices.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I thought DCL drink menus listed the prices.

The drink menus in the bars do. The menu in the dining room doesn't.

 

[wombat_5606]

I thought DCL drink menus listed the prices.

The pool menu with all of the pretty drinks, does not.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The pool menu with all of the pretty drinks, does not.

Right you are

 

[wombat_5606]

I think it would be easier to ask upfront questions like what kinds of drink are included in the extra dining fee. Then the server would have told you what's included to avoid unnecessary confusion. Some guests may feel offended if the server tells them how much each item is charged extra. It's hard to please everyone.

I asked the particular question on Disboards before my first Palo Brunch/Dinner, so I had known ahead of time that I would be charged extra for the bottle of sparkling water I planned to order. I think there is a drink menu somewhere online.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/what-drinks-are-included-in-palo-dining.3401618/

You may think it's easier to ask upfront questions, but I think it's easier to be told what are upcharges. Otherwise, I see it as an attempt to dupe people, because a certain percentage of people won't ask and won't complain when the charge shows up on the bill. Disney scores!

Wow, some of you would hate the countries where if you eat the bread in the basket on the table they charge you extra. Learn the local customs, and learn not to hate the locals. It is like the tipping rules on cruises, which are different than hotels on land and on which cruises line soda is included. Some of us do research and some of us are surprised.

Hope you enjoyed your meal anyway.

I wouldn't expect most people to find out what particular items are an upcharge, in a cruise restaurant where there is already and upcharge. If you can show me some official source, beside a message forum, that details this, I will give you some credit. A majority of people cruising aren't on message boards. I doubt you'd even find a travel agent that would have this kind of information and remember to pass it on to you.

 

[wombat_5606]

Right you are
View attachment 213631

Thanks, @PrincessShmoo. Is that a recent one? The one I had is red.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks, @PrincessShmoo. Is that a recent one? The one I had is red.

No, actually it's an older one. It's from our Wonder cruise in 2011.

 

[MUN]

The drink menus in the bars do. The menu in the dining room doesn't.

I think the dining room menus do list drink prices.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think the dining room menus do list drink prices.

I was thinking of the main menu (not desserts). The specialty cocktails do not have prices on them

 

[PAGA2003]

I really don't think there is a way that will make everyone happy. I don't understand why everyone can't handle the situation in a way that makes them comfortable. We always assume there is an additional cost and if we are concerned with the potential price we ask. There has only been one situation where we were not charged for additional beverages and we were greatly surprised. We were dining in a Michelin 2 star restaurant in France and had opted for a wine pairing menu. We ordered bottled water and had hot tea/espresso at the end of our meal. We wanted the beverages and would have had them regardless of the cost so we didn't ask. When my husband was presented with the bill he was pleasantly surprised to find no charges for the drinks!

 

[MUN]

IMO, Palo and Remy are an upcharge. I'm not too happy to find that now there is an upcharge to the upcharge, not matter what it is for!

Even for a cocktail?

 

[wombat_5606]

Even for a cocktail?

No, I completely understand that there is an additional charge for cocktails.

 

[AquaDame]

Sheesh. Okay, well, I'm officially surprised that ya'll think I'm some kind of backwater (see what I did there?) hick for thinking sparking water wouldn't have a charge in a fancy uncharged dining room.

I will say, If I had been offered a "bottle of sparkling water" I probably would have asked if it were an extra cost. At the time, I sort of assumed that they had some sort of fuzzy water tap. You know, like on a bar where they can just get bubbly water to come out of that little gun thing they use for sodas? I thought there was a soda water only option. That's what I thought I was getting. At no point did I see a bottle or was I presented that it was in any way bottled water, which would have definitely made me immediately think "extra cost!" Clearly I misunderstood and I'm not as "in the know."

I really don't think there is a way that will make everyone happy. I don't understand why everyone can't handle the situation in a way that makes them comfortable. We always assume there is an additional cost and if we are concerned with the potential price we ask. There has only been one situation where we were not charged for additional beverages and we were greatly surprised. We were dining in a Michelin 2 star restaurant in France and had opted for a wine pairing menu. We ordered bottled water and had hot tea/espresso at the end of our meal. We wanted the beverages and would have had them regardless of the cost so we didn't ask. When my husband was presented with the bill he was pleasantly surprised to find no charges for the drinks!

Exactly! It has nothing to do with being a "hick" or not in the know (I am so sorry you felt that way, anricat!) and everything to do with the restaurants choices. Without asking, there is just no way to guess and always be right. Asking is annoying but paying more and being grumpy about it after is more so for me.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I feel like everyone is missing the big picture here. I do understand the OP's concern; it is almost like the server was not considerate and talked them into a specialty coffee they kind of didn't want/expect to begin with. I completely understand that. However, please remember you are going to Palo for fine dining; even if you are on an all (mostly)-inclusive cruise; We all know what costs extra! Specialty drinks, coffees, fun smoothies for the kids... Yes, I think it is absolutely common to be charged for sparkling (or bottled) water no matter where you go; how is Palo different. You are charged for specialty coffees everywhere on the cruise. Just bc Palo has an upcharge I don't see why you would think everything is included. I think we are expecting too much to find answers to everything on line.. If we want to enjoy a fine dining establishment; just do that... don't upset yourself by nickeling and diming your experience. I would be the first one to be surprised/annoyed to find a charge I didn't expect. But I think I would take it as lesson learned and not give it another thought before I let it ruin my experience. Who knows, he might have even removed the charge if you pointed it out. I do things like that all the time.

 

[Rabb it]

Soda is free across the ship, I typically drink soda at dinner etc, when we go to Palo for brunch will the soda cost more? If it does cost more, do they charge for refills? Thanks for the info!