Remy vs Palo – A Comparison of Disney Cruise Line’s Adult-Exclusive Dining

For adults sailing on Disney Cruise Line, two names often stand out when it comes to elevated, sophisticated dining experiences – Remy and Palo. These adult-exclusive restaurants offer a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the main dining rooms and indulge in gourmet cuisine, impeccable service, and an elegant ambiance. But how do these two premier dining venues compare? Let’s dive into an in-depth look at the Remy vs Palo comparison to help you decide which might be the best fit for your next Disney cruise.

Location and Availability

When considering specialty dining on Disney cruises, it’s important to note where Remy and Palo are available:

Remy

Image © Disney

Remy is currently available on two Disney Cruise Line ships:

• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy

Palo

Image © Disney

Palo has a wider presence across the fleet, available on:

• Disney Magic
• Disney Wonder
• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Wish (as Palo Steakhouse)
• Disney Treasure (as Palo Steakhouse, coming in December 2024)
• Disney Destiny (as Palo Steakhouse, coming in November 2025)

So, if you’re sailing on the Magic or Wonder, Palo will be your only adult-exclusive dining option. But on the Dream and Fantasy, you’ll have the choice between both venues for your Palo vs Remy decision.

For the Disney Wish, Treasure, and Destiny, you’ll be choosing between Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement.

Cuisine and Menu

The most significant difference in the Remy vs Palo comparison is the style of cuisine:

Remy features French-inspired fine dining, with menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs. The cuisine aims to be innovative and cutting-edge, with intricate plating and unique flavor combinations.

Palo offers Northern Italian cuisine with a modern twist. The menu features Italian classics elevated with high-quality ingredients and expert preparation.

Remy

At Remy, you can expect dishes like:

• Langoustine with lemon cream and caviar
• Duck with cherries and red cabbage
• Wagyu beef with wasabi and ginger-carrot purée

Palo

A typical Palo menu includes options like:

• Piquant dover sole
• Oregano and parmesan-crusted rack of lamb
• Butternut agnolotti

Both restaurants offer vegetarian options as well. Remy tends to be more experimental with flavors and presentation, while Palo sticks closer to traditional Italian fare.

Atmosphere and Decor

When comparing Palo vs Remy, the ambiance is a crucial factor:

Remy exudes Parisian elegance, with Art Nouveau-inspired decor featuring soft greens, rich reds, and gold accents. The restaurant is intimate, seating only about 80 guests.

Palo has a classic Italian aesthetic, with warm colors, Venetian glass accents, and stunning ocean views from floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s slightly larger than Remy but still maintains an intimate feel.

Both restaurants offer sophisticated, romantic atmospheres perfect for date nights or special occasions. Remy tends to feel a bit more formal and exclusive due to its smaller size and more elaborate decor.

Service

Both Remy and Palo are known for their exceptional, attentive service. Servers are highly knowledgeable about the menus and can make expert recommendations.

At Remy, the service aims to be on par with Michelin-starred restaurants, with elaborate explanations of each course and perfectly timed wine pairings.

Palo‘s service is also top-notch but slightly more relaxed. Servers strike a balance between professionalism and warmth.

In both venues, you can expect personalized attention and a staff eager to make your experience memorable. If you’re familiar with Disney World restaurants, consider Palo to be at a similar level of elegance and service to Citricos or California Grill; Remy is closer to Victoria & Albert’s.

Pricing

As premium dining experiences, both Remy and Palo come with an additional charge:

Remy:

• Dinner: $135 per person
• Brunch: $80 per person

Palo:

• Dinner: $50 per person (prix fixe) or a la carte pricing
• Brunch: $50 per person

Wine pairings and other upgrades are available at an additional cost. While Remy is significantly more expensive, many guests find the elaborate multi-course experience worth the splurge for a special occasion. See our What’s Included in Disney Cruises, Tipping on Disney Cruises, and First Time Disney Cruise Tips for more context.

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Unique Features

Remy:

• Wine Room: A private dining area surrounded by over 900 bottles of wine
• Gusteau Room: A Ratatouille-themed private dining room for larger parties
• Tableside preparation of certain dishes

Palo:

• Outdoor dining terrace (on Dream and Fantasy)
• Palo Steakhouse variant on newer ships
• Iconic chocolate soufflé dessert

Pros and Cons

Remy Pros:

• Unparalleled gourmet dining experience
• Innovative, Michelin-star level cuisine
• Intimate, exclusive atmosphere
• Extensive wine list and pairings
• Impeccable, highly personalized service

Remy Cons:

• Significantly higher price point
• Very formal, which may not appeal to all guests
• Limited availability due to smaller size

Palo Pros:

• Classic Italian cuisine executed beautifully
• More flexible dining options (a la carte, brunch)
• Stunning ocean views
• More accessible price point
• Available on more ships in the Disney fleet
• Platinum and Pearl Castaway Club Members dine free once per cruise

Palo Cons:

• Less “exclusive” feel compared to Remy
• Menu may feel less exciting for frequent cruisers
• Service can occasionally be inconsistent (though generally excellent)

Reservations and Availability

Both restaurants require advance reservations, which can be made online before your cruise or onboard (subject to availability).

Remy tends to book up faster due to its smaller size and exclusivity. If you have your heart set on Remy, book as early as possible when your reservation window opens.

Palo generally has more availability. However, it can still fill up quickly.

Palo Brunch is tricky for availability; it’s not necessarily as popular as dinner, but many repeat cruisers vie for slots there. Further, it’s only offered on days at sea. Shorter cruises have fewer (if any) sea days, which can severely limit availability.

Contact The Vacationeer for help with your Disney cruise reservations. They’ll make sure you have the best possible chance to get what you want.

Dress Code

When considering specialty dining on Disney cruises, it’s important to note the dress codes.

Disney has backed off from some of the most-strict dress code requirements for these spots. They’ve instead adopted something best described as “use your judgment, but follow these guidelines.” Note the words we’ve italicized in Disney’s guidelines below to get an idea of how strictly or loosely something is enforced:

• Guests are requested to “dress in a manner consistent with the restaurant’s sophistication.”
• Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended.
• Dress-casual attire is permitted, provided it has a “polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops, and lifestyle shoes.”
• Clothing such as T-shirts, swimwear, and sports attire are not permitted.
• For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are acceptable.

When in doubt, we suggest you dress up rather than down to avoid feeling out of place. Here are our recommendations based on what we typically see onboard:

Remy

• Men: Suit or dinner jacket with dress pants and shoes
• Women: Cocktail dress, dressy pantsuit, or skirt/blouse

Palo

• Men: Dress pants or nice jeans with a collared shirt; jacket optional
• Women: Dress, skirt, or pants with a blouse

The dress code for brunch at both restaurants is more casual, but skip the beachwear and flip-flops.

Tips for Maximizing Your Experience

1. Book early: Reserve as soon as your booking window opens, especially for Remy.
2. Try both: If your cruise length and budget allow, experience both restaurants to compare.
3. Arrive hungry: The portions may look small, but you’ll be served multiple courses. Come with an empty stomach!
4. Inform staff of dietary restrictions: Both restaurants can accommodate most needs with advance notice.
5. Allow plenty of time: Don’t rush through the experience. Plan for at least 2-3 hours for dinner.
6. Try brunch: The brunch experiences are an excellent offering (and preferred by some cruisers).
7. Dress appropriately: Adhere to the dress code to avoid any issues at check-in.
8. Be open to suggestions: Trust your server’s recommendations for both food and wine pairings.

Who It’s Best For

Remy is ideal for:

• Serious foodies and wine enthusiasts
• Couples celebrating a special occasion
• Those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience
• Guests who enjoy long, leisurely meals with multiple courses

Palo is perfect for:

• Lovers of classic Italian cuisine
• Those wanting a step up from the main dining without the formality of Remy
• Groups or families with adult children (easier to get larger tables)
• Guests who prefer more menu flexibility

Are They Worth It? Our Experience

Remy: In our experience, Remy is absolutely worth the splurge for a special occasion or for serious food enthusiasts. My wife Jaimie and I celebrated our anniversary at Remy, and the experience was truly unforgettable. The innovative French cuisine, impeccable service, and intimate atmosphere created a magical evening. We were particularly impressed by the seafood options and cocktails. However, the high price point and formal atmosphere might not be for everyone, especially if you prefer a more relaxed dining experience.

Palo: Palo, in our opinion, offers excellent value for the quality of food and service provided. Jaimie and I have dined at Palo on multiple cruises, and it consistently delivers a wonderful experience. We especially enjoy the brunch, which offers a great variety of dishes at a more accessible price point than Remy. The fritto di calamari e gamba marinara and chocolate soufflé are standouts that we look forward to every time. While it may not reach the culinary heights of Remy, Palo provides a perfect balance of elevated dining without feeling overly formal or breaking the bank.

Conclusion

Both Remy and Palo offer exceptional adult-exclusive dining experiences that elevate your Disney cruise to new heights. Remy provides an unparalleled gourmet adventure with its French-inspired cuisine and elaborate multi-course meals. It’s the ultimate splurge for serious food lovers and those celebrating special occasions.

Palo, while still upscale, offers a more approachable experience with its classic Italian fare and flexible dining options. It’s an excellent choice for those wanting to enjoy a romantic meal or simply escape the main dining rooms without breaking the bank.

Ultimately, the choice between Remy vs Palo comes down to your personal preferences, budget, and the type of experience you’re seeking. Whichever you choose, you’re in for a treat that will likely be a highlight of your Disney cruise.