OP says they prefer sparkling, so they should be used to this question.
Just because you like sparkling water doesn't mean you order it at restaurants. We have NEVER ordered it at a restaurant, but when we're on a RCCL ship and DH has the non-alcohol package that includes it, he orders it. I buy it every so often at the grocery store.
I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but Palo is not doing anything diffent from any other restaraunt that offers sparkling water as an option. Or to answer your posts header, Yes they are being clear enough.
They aren't. Obviously they aren't.
I didn't have an issue at Palo, but a few weeks ago at Remy brunch I was surprised to see a surcharge for the non-alcoholic drink my server had offered me in lieu of the complimentary glass of champagne (since I don't drink). He never mentioned it would cost extra, & I thought it was weird as the drink was obviously much cheaper than the glass of champagne that would have been complimentary with brunch. What made it more confusing was that I had been offered an alternative drink in Palo prior to dining at Remy, and at Palo was not charged extra. So how was I supposed to know that Palo would include a non-alcoholic drink, but Remy wouldn't? Nothing obvious about it.
And that right there, you should have questioned. Whoever did your bill probably thought you had the champagne AND an alternative, and charged you for the alternative. If you'd asked the head person about it they likely would have taken it off.
Just like I should have reminded them at Palo the day I had my solo brunch that I had booked when it was $5 cheaper, and was supposed to be charged the price I booked it at. I didn't. And I tipped $5 less. Which let them know absolutely nothing except that I was a bit of a cheap tipper. (then again the Italian server was super-condescending)
We both should have spoken up so that they know it's a problem.
Being 2 years ago I can't remember what it was called. From a non-coffee drinker it looked similar to what we would call a 'long black' in Australia but it would have been called something different. It was something that the Italian server recommended after discussion with my mum as to what would be more authentically Italian.
Americano. Espresso with hot water.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_black "pouring a double-shot of
espresso or
ristretto over hot
water."
Almost no different in taste to the non-coffee-expert as a cup of decent brewed coffee. What a bummer that they helped you order this after a discussion without mention that there would be a cost.
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!
As we can see here.
I think the dining room menus do list drink prices.
That's not the normal menu, though.
We all know what costs extra!
Very very obviously not!
What a simple and polite thing for them to do.
YES.
Surely if they had in all these years/cruises, they would have changed their policies.
IF people had told them about it. We know that many of us won't because we feel embarrassed. "It's only a couple dollars", "it was only 5 dollars", etc etc. We don't want to be seen as cheap, so we say nothing and they never find out.
I really don't understand why discussion of pricing would make someone uncomfortable.
Now I am with you. But my past was different. My cousin's family is *horrible* about this. I'm pretty sure they think every time we fly out to FL for a visit we're spending 1000s for the flight, because they don't look up prices. They won't ask about dinners. 4/6 of their family nearly sat out our Raglan Road deal because they didn't know how much it would cost. They just won't ask.
Exactly, but I think it's rude to put someone on the spot where they have to make their finances known.
Asking the cost isn't telling anyone your finances. If someone wants to assume you can't afford it that's on them. My brother and his wife made quite a decent living, but they didn't walk out of the Maserati dealership NOT knowing the cost of the car they just bought, and they aren't going to not know the cost of the Americano they just ordered. (except they don't drink coffee, but whatever)
