Dining

Pacific Rim-inspired food with an American twist is just one of the specialties here at this one-of-a-kind restaurant where the entire dining room transforms as the meal progresses. With more than 100 video monitors that change into virtual “windows,” this is one fun place to dine. On both the Dream and the Fantasy animated Crush from Finding Nemo fame entertains guests with “cool” craziness in Undersea Magic. But an additional dinner show, Animation Magic, is a favorite where guests create an animation drawing that just might become part of the show, all overseen by Sorcerer Mickey.

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• Animator’s Palate Menus

Changing from a “daytime” garden setting to a “nighttime” evening garden, this is one charming restaurant.

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• Enchanted Garden Menu

Royal Palace on the Dream and Royal Court on the Fantasy both offer French-inspired cuisine.

For a special treat, grab a reservation at Royal Court’s Royal Tea, a family experience offered on both the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy on a day at sea, the perfect chance to interact with Disney princesses with a meet-and-greet. Lady Chamomile and Chef Brule are the hosts as they tell stories, dance, and sing renditions of classic Disney tunes, encouraging kids to participate. Along with herbal tea, sandwiches, and sweets, each child receives gifts as a keepsake of their experience. Girls a tiara, necklace, jewelry box, friendship bracelet, and Cinderella doll; boys a Duffy bear, autograph book, sword and shield, and Disney pins. Designed for children 3-12, each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Solo adults are not eligible.

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• Royal Palace (Dream) and Royal Court (Fantasy) Menus

One of the ship’s best features, Palo, with its delicious Northern Italian cuisine, intuitive service, fine wines, and an air of romance accompanied by sweeping ocean views, is not something you’ll want to pass on during your cruise. A standout among beautiful dining rooms at sea, most of Palo’s seating (if you can opt for one of the chic, semi-circular booths) face floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular ocean views. And better than the views, the food lives up to its excellent reputation.

Whenever I’m at Palo, my starter of choice is the delicate fritto di calamari e gamberi, deep-fried morsels of delicate seafood served with two rich dipping sauces: lemon-garlic aioli and marinara sauce. But do not pass on the superb Tuscan white bean soup chock full of cannellini beans and glistening with salty pancetta.

For your pasta course, it should be the lobster pappardelle with a creamy tarragon cream sauce and a touch of truffle oil. Or one of Palo’s rightly famous pizza choices. Of course, you might consider stopping now, but we all know that isn’t going to happen. Besides, who can resist an excellent osso buco, falling-off-the-bone, rich, and tender with creamy risotto, plus a marrow spoon so you won’t miss a bit of flavor? And then there’s the outstanding beef tenderloin with a choice of sauces, but go for the gusto and choose the truffle- Gorgonzola sauce.

As for dessert, you can’t dine here without ordering the famous chocolate soufflé. Trouble deciding between chocolate or vanilla sauce? Don’t worry; they serve both alongside this delicate gem and accompany it with a dollop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. And please, don’t even bother discussing whether or not to share one. Instead, go for the whole banana!

Suggested dress at Palo is a jacket and/or dress shirt for men and a dress or pantsuit for ladies, with dinner served from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Palo also features a reservations-only champagne brunch where their famous pizzas are available along with countless other choices. A $45 per person additional fee is accessed for both a 4-course dinner or brunch, and an a la carte menu option is priced by item.

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• Palo Dinner Menu

Frette linens, Christofle silverware, Riedel crystal. An art-nouveau-style dining room, attentive French servers with delicious accents. Victoria & Albert’s Scott Hunell’s collaboration with the Michelin-starred l’Assiette Champenoise’s Arnaud Lallement…need I say more?

Here is one of the most refined and creative menus at sea, no less than a five-star experience in my book. Some of the highlights: superb homard, butter-poached lobster with a fennel glaze then a lobster bisque poured around it; and Australian Wagyu Beef surrounded by soft pillowy gnocchi and potato foam; or the Glacier 51 toothfish atop crushed fingerling potatoes and a dill beurre blanc.

As for the final courses, if you’re short on room, I suggest a few selections from the cheese tray in place of dessert. Beware of the surprise ending: an array of tiny dessert bites that are even more enticing than the standard dessert choices.

Remy’s surcharge is $125 per person at dinner for a 5-course menu (while high by cruise standards, this meal is entirely worth it), and an a la carte menu option is priced by item. Attire for gents is dress pants with a jacket (ties are optional), and for women, a cocktail dress, pantsuit, or skirt/blouse.

If you just can’t get enough of this place, try the Champagne Brunch served on at-sea days for cruises of four nights or longer. Less expensive at $75 per person, begin with a glass of bubbly and continue with a French-inspired prix fixe meal. Jackets for men are not required for brunch but are appropriate nevertheless.

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• Remy Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy Menus

Casual indoor/outdoor buffet restaurant with a seaside theme located on the pool deck.

Pool-deck casual, grab n’ go dining.

Included in the price of your cruise is 24-hour room service.