A New Ship | Palo in Pajamas

Since this was the kiddos fourth cruise, they fully understand that Palo is a place just for moms and dads. A very special place that they look forward to visiting on their cruises after their birthdays.

When we let them know that they could try Palo, just because of our lovely concierge hosts, they were *very* excited. Chris, despite starting to have a hoarse throat (Long nights? Kids clubs? Air travel?), could hardly contain his excitement as he has heard tell of the legendary Palo chocolate soufflé.



Starters, Saladas, Antipasti, Breads and Risotto

Our server brought in all of the appetizers, salads and starters at one time and promised to return with the main course and finally the desserts. The chef split the antipasti onto a plate of meats and cheese (or as the server said, this one is not for the vegans) and one of olives, pickled vegetables and artichokes. Two salads had been sent for Kylee and I while Ben and Chris mixed and matched from the risotto and the mozzarella, tomato and basil plated salad.



Asparagus raspberry salad.

I loved the fresh crisp brightness of the carrots, the tart sweet raspberries, the sharpness of basil and the richness of balsamic vinaigrette.
They had me at balsamic.
Kylee and Chris agreed to try two bites of everything and offer their opinions. Chris is not shy in letting  us know that he doesn't like things and the cold meat and cheese seems too much like "lunchables without the crackers" to have held his interest for long. He preferred the risotto to the mozzarella salad, but neither was an instant favorite.
His big hit?

Risotto?
He'll stick to the bread basket.

The parmesan flatbread from the bread basket.



My little olive monster.

Frankly Kylee became so absorbed in removing the meat of the olives from the pits that she hardly noticed the salad course. When she did get around to tasting it, she liked the raspberry/balsamic pairing but thought that cold cooked asparagus didn't quite belong.


Ben ordered his old favorite, the Palo beef tenderloin, while I had ordered the grilled sea scallops for Chris. The chef surprised Kylee and I with a delicious penne arrabbiata. Ben loved his beef tenderloin, but, in true Ben fashion, offered the first few bites to Chris in case he decided he preferred it over his scallop.

The Palo Beef Tenderloin

Chris didn't care for it, but he LOVED the scallop and the beans and pancetta that it was served with...actually I think he liked this more than anything else he ate all cruise.




Kylee loves spicy foods, often eating salsa and Tex/Mex with abandon. After two bites she let out a big sigh and said that the food made her most on fire. After five more bites she abandoned tasting it entirely and went back to picking at the edges of the left over olives.

Ben and Chris enjoyed drenching their desserts in the provided ganache and vanilla bean crème anglasie. Kylee loved the strawberry basil sorbet almost as much as I do. After quickly whisking away the dishes and accepting a tip and our thanks, the kids curled up to watch Lion King on the sofa.

Our room steward came in to quickly turn down the kids beds for the evening then oblivious to the partying continuing about the ship, the kids quickly fell asleep.

This is Part 13 of an Ongoing Trip Report "A New Ship."
Additional sections will be found on the Trip Reports page after they are posted!