.png)
Benvenuto! Recently Disney Cruise Line released a new dining experience exclusive to the adult-only Palo. According to their website, Prima Notte at Palo allows Guests "to savor an exquisite medley of fine Italian wines paired with a curated selection of bite-size delicacies." And that's it! That is all the information they give us for what this experience entails. So, what is this new experience shrouded in a veil of ambiguity? Well, on my most recent cruise on the Disney Wonder, I decided to try out Prima Notte at Palo and see what it was all about.
What is Prima Notte at Palo?
Prima Notte at Palo is an adult-only dining experience at Palo or for the Disney Wish, Palo Steakhouse. In simple terms, it is an elegantly crafted 1-hour wine pairing centered around fine Italian wines and flavors notable to the region. Held only on the first night of the sailing, Prima Notte at Palo takes place opposite your dinner time, so either 6:45 pm or 8:30 pm.
Fun Fact: "Prima notte" in Italian means "first night" which makes sense as this dining experience is only available on the first night of a sailing!
How much does Prima Notte cost?
As standard with adult dining on Disney Cruise Line, all the dining experiences at Palo come at an extra cost and are not included in your cruise fare. As of August 2024, Prima Notte at Palo costs $85 per person (21+) with an 18% gratuity automatically added on top of that.
Quick Tip: Check the Disney Cruise Line website for the most up-to-date dress code to know what to pack if you plan on experiencing any of the adult dining offered onboard.
How do you book Prima Notte?
To book Prima Notte, you would do so as any other onboard activity. On the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App, under My Plans, click on Add Activities to the right of the day you wish to book. As long as your reservation is paid in full, you can begin booking onboard activities at midnight Eastern Standard Time, a minimum of 75 days before your sailing. Your booking window will vary based on your Castaway Club status, for example, Platinum members can book 120 days in advance. If you were not able to snag a reservation in advance, visit the designated area for dining changes shown in the app as soon as you board to see if there are any spots left.
La mia recensione ("My Review")
My mom and I arrived at Palo, located on Deck 10 Aft for the Disney Wonder, about 10 minutes before the reservation to get checked in. While we waited, we were each given a glass of bubbly to enjoy. Once the serving team was ready for us, they led the group toward the back of Palo into the private dining room that normally accommodates larger parties for brunch and dinner. The table was already set with several glasses and a show plate. In total, there were ten of us attending the first session of Prima Notte that night. The small group made for a very intimate experience, and we even engaged in small talk between samplings.
After sitting down, our sommelier, Khen, introduced himself and offered some background on the wines for that night. All the wines would be from Italy and take us on a culinary journey from the Northern to Southern parts of the country. The first wine of the night was the glass of sparkling wine already in front of us, a four-year-aged bottle of Bellavista Franciacorta Alma Cuvee Brut from Lombardy. Sparkling wine, or champagne, is typically served before a meal to act as a palate cleanser.
As we were finishing up with the bubbles, our server went around the room pouring our next wine to sample, which would then be followed by a small dish with flavors and ingredients that complement the notes of the served wine. The second glass was a white wine, Jerman Vintage Tunina, with refreshing notes of peach and apple. I am 100% a white wine girlie through and through, and this was by far the most flavorful and well-balanced glass of white wine I have had so far in my young life. After a few sips, I sampled the yellowfin ahi tuna they served to pair with this wine choice. The smooth, tender texture of the tuna boded well with the airiness of the Tunina, keeping the palate light and fresh.
The dishes and glasses were cleared, and a Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 from Tuscany was up next. As I mentioned before, I prefer white wine and have avoided red wine since college, a glass of boxed red in a coffee mug was, frankly, not the best introduction. I was hesitant I would have a repeat experience, but boy am I glad I continue to venture outside my comfort zone and try new things. Prima Notte changed my whole outlook on red wine and dare I say, I enjoyed the reds more than the white! The Chianti was dry and oaky, and interestingly enough smelled of cotton candy. Prepared from Sangiovese grapes, the blend has both high acidity and a high tannin content. The wine was paired with gnocchi in a pesto sauce.
Not only do you get to delight in decadent pairings of food and wine, but you will also learn about interesting factoids related to wine and how it is consumed. While indulging in the Chianti and gnocchi, Khen broke down why there are differences between the glass structure for red and white wines. The chosen wine glass is designed to highlight the best characteristics of the wine. Typically, red wine glasses have a larger bowl and wider opening than white wine glasses. First, the openings influence how you savor the wine, white wines typically sit better in the cheeks rather than the mouth. Red wines have a lot of tannins extracted from the grape skin that dry the mouth and make your cheeks pucker. The wider opening subconsciously makes you not sip the wine into your cheeks. Red wines are generally more full-bodied, so the larger, round bowl shape provides additional aeration.
The next wine was a 2020 Tenuta Luce Luce Toscana with an intense ruby red color and a creamy texture. Aeration enhances a wine's flavor so this wine had been decanting for about an hour before being served. Khen had us swirl the wine and observe the "wine legs" or streaks formed on the walls of the wine glass as we moved the wine around. "Wine legs" are a representation of how much alcohol is in a wine, and with the Luce, the legs were long and thick indicating a high alcohol content. This was indeed true as the ABV for this wine is around 14.50%. Along with the 2020 Tenuta Luce, we were served a small portion of 70% wagyu garnished with a piece of broccolini. The wagyu was tender and melted in my mouth between sips of the silky red.
For the finale, Ben Ryé 2021, a dessert wine from Sicily with a golden color and bright amber hues. By far, this was my favorite of the night because of its sweet flavor and how well it paired with the food. The chef prepared for us a bite-sized chocolate mousse garnished with a raspberry. Together the fruity notes of apricot and candied orange of the wine mixed with the decadent chocolate mousse tasted exactly like those chocolate oranges they sell during the holiday season.
To end the experience, each Guest was gifted a small token of appreciation, an exclusive Disney Cruise Line pin only available if you attend Prima Notte. The pin was stunning, a hefty size, and even had a moveable element. I absolutely loved this souvenir to commemorate such a special and unique event, having something tangible to remember this moment.
As someone who isn't well-versed in wines, I was delighted by how enjoyable the entire experience was. I loved the opportunity to try different wines I normally would not order or buy from the store as well as learn more about wine in general. I highly recommend Prima Notte if you can book a reservation for your next Disney cruise. Overall, the experience was both intimate and elegant. If someone in your party appreciates good wine or loves fancy experiences, I 100% suggest Prima Notte. This is a relatively new offering on Disney Cruise Line, but I foresee it becoming very popular as more people discover and learn what the night entails.
Comentários