3/2/20 3/2/20

Royal Palace Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

Leisurely breakfasts on the Disney Dream are one of my favorite ways to start a morning whenever we cruise. While many people enjoy Cabanas, the ship's buffet, I prefer dining at Royal Palace -- the a la carte option each morning. On day 3 of our cruise, we were arriving at Castaway Cay (Disney's Private Island), so I headed to Royal Palace for some allergy-friendly Mickey waffles while we docked.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in January 2020. It includes information about dairy free options.

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

I've written quite a few reviews of the atmosphere at Royal Palace, so definitely check them out if you're interested in more full-scale descriptions of the theming.

Royal Palace - Breakfast Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I will say that breakfast at Royal Palace is so relaxed compared to dinner. I love being able to be seated in a cozy corner and enjoy a great meal.

Royal Palace - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I also love how bright and chipper the restaurant is during the day. There's something especially bright about it when we arrive at Castaway Cay on a sunny day!

The Food

That morning, I was feeling just a bit on the tired side. So, like you do when you're tired, you order coffee!

Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I ended up getting a latte with almond milk. Do be sure to ask your server team about cross-contamination or safety if you're concerned with dairy cross-contamination and the frother. As an aside, Disney Cruise uses Almond Breeze almond milk. While I do prefer the coffee at Cove Cafe, this was still a pretty solid option for coffee lovers out there.

Royal Palace - Fresh Fruit — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Taking a cue from my breakfast the previous morning, I opted to start my meal with a Fresh Fruit Plate. I found that this helped ensure I wasn't overly full and that my server team didn't keep asking me if I wanted more food. It was a good compromise to not over-order and still enjoy a few things.

I was asked to pre-order my meal the night before. And, I asked for the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles with Blueberry Compote and Strawberry Cream. Unfortunately, something got lost in translation because they gave me strawberry jam instead and no blueberry compote. This wasn't a huge deal, but I would definitely be more specific next time I pre-order!

The Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles are gluten free and dairy free (and free of most of the top common allergens & vegan too). They are currently being made on the Disney Dream using the King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix. While they aren't my favorite allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, they still are pretty good and a perfect way to start the day!

The bacon, which I didn't take a photo of was just OK.

If you want to see more of our overall cruise experience and our dining reviews on video, check out our YouTube channel vlogs!

Overall

Having breakfast at Royal Palace on the Disney Dream is always a must-do anytime I cruise. And, ordering the Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles is on my must order list at least once on the cruise too. Thankfully, I can get my waffles and a relaxed atmosphere all in one place at Royal Palace. It's a location I'll keep visiting again and again!

Have you been to Royal Palace for breakfast on the Disney Dream? What did you order when you dined there?

2/17/20 2/17/20

Royal Palace Lunch Review on the Disney Dream

On our recent 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, Brandon and I had lunch on day 2 of our cruise at Royal Palace in between getting off the ship at Nassau, Bahamas and a bit of relaxation in the Senses Spa Rainforest Room. I had already enjoyed breakfast there earlier in the day, but I always look forward to lunch at Royal Palace.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in January 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as a review of fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.

Lunch at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

I mentioned this in another review, but one of the things that I truly love about eating at Royal Palace during the day is getting to really see and enjoy the restaurant. As you can see by this photo Brandon took, the restaurant is elegant and spacious.

Royal Palace - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Lunch at Royal Palace is currently offered from noon to 1:30 p.m. on the Disney Dream. Admittedly, we got there around 1 p.m. as we had been at the Rainforest Room relaxing just previously. I'm always surprised at how empty the restaurant can be during lunch. There were very few tables with guests, so we truly had a relaxing and chill lunch which was nice.

Brandon and I did not pre-order our meal for lunch, so we talked through the options with our server team. Both of us have been to Royal Palace for lunch so many times that we have a pretty good idea what the options were. We both quickly ordered, then took in the atmosphere.

I love that at lunchtime you can get beautiful views of wherever you are docked. I loved the crystal blue Bahamas waters that we could see from the portholes near our table.

Royal Palace - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Here's a much better photo of the large dining area at Royal Palace. As you can see, there's lots of space and different kinds of seating options for guests and parties of all sizes.

The Food

Unlike dinner, there is no allergy-friendly menu offered at lunch. You can see some gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian options marked on the regular lunch menu. And, you can always talk through the options with your server.

Because we've been so many times, we both already knew what we wanted to eat. Neither one of us wanted a huge meal either, so we stuck with main entrees, dessert, and allergy-friendly rolls.

Up first, we were brought a bowl with lots of Ener-G allergy-friendly rolls. These are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, soy free, chicken & turkey free, and vegan. We both agreed that throughout our cruise, the DCL cast members did an excellent job heating the rolls every meal. When these rolls are well-heated, they are great!

For my entree, I ordered gluten free and allergy-friendly chicken tenders, which I had on our last cruise and loved. You can imagine my surprise and delight when I was served a kids plate version of the allergy-friendly chicken tenders. On our last cruise, I had a regular plate. I have to admit, this was a pretty fun way to enjoy my meal. They even gave me BBQ sauce in the shape of mouse ears too! How cute!

If you are craving gluten free and dairy free chicken tenders, I highly recommend ordering these. I forgot to ask what brand they're using (again!), but they are just fantastic. They're nice and crispy and crunchy -- just the way allergy-friendly chicken tenders should be. The steak fries I got were also very good, and of course, I made sure I ate all of my veggies too!

Royal Palace - GF Burger — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon ordered a cheeseburger, and on this visit, it was served on a gluten free bun. Essentially, he had a burger that was gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut/tree nut free, and chicken & turkey free. While Brandon wasn't too keen on his gluten free bun (it wasn't well-heated and fell apart a bit), he did enjoy the burger and his fries.

For dessert, we were both given gluten free ice cream sundaes. Although I do eat dairy now, I do avoid certain kinds of dairy and limit my dairy when I can. I rarely eat any dairy-based ice cream, so I passed on this one. Brandon enjoyed it, but we both agreed we'd much prefer something else for dessert besides a sundae.

If you want to see and hear our initial thoughts on this dining experience, check out our Disney Cruise Line Vlog. We not only cover our dining experiences, but we also share some of our other cruising fun too!

Overall

Royal Palace is always an excellent option for a la carte lunch on the Disney Dream. Once I discovered that I can get allergy-friendly chicken tenders there, it quickly became a must-go to spot at least once on our cruise. Plus, we enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the ability to not feel rushed or overwhelmed when we dine there. It's definitely a location we'll go to again and again on our Disney Dream cruises.

Have you been to Royal Palace? What did you think of their lunch options?

2/17/20 2/17/20

Royal Palace Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

On our recent 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, I had breakfast a couple of the mornings at Royal Palace. This dining option, located on deck 3, midship, is my go-to spot for a la carte breakfast. It's my personal preference, as I find Cabanas (the buffet) on the ship to be a little overwhelming. I personally don't enjoy the lengthy waits to get even simple items like gluten free muffins, so I opt for Royal Palace breakfast almost every time. On this visit, I dined by myself (as Brandon is not an early morning person), and I also pre-ordered my breakfast the night before.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in January 2020. It includes information about dairy free options.

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

I actually prefer dining at Royal Palace during the day because it's much brighter and lighter inside. And, you get great views of wherever you are in port or at sea.

Royal Palace Entrance Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because it was early, I had a good chance to relax and enjoy a low-key meal experience.

Royal Palace currently opens on the Disney Dream around 8 or 8:30 a.m. I found that on both days, the restaurant was fairly quiet around that time.

I had a nice cozy corner booth, which was very nice. It gave me a chance to just wake up and take in some of the beautiful Disney princess inspired decor and theming.

The Food

Unlike the main rotational dinner options, breakfast and lunch on the Disney Dream do not currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. This is no probably though, because you can either 1) pre-order your food the evening before with your head server or 2) the server team at breakfast can help you navigate any options.

On this visit, I did pre-order breakfast at the suggestion of our head server Sudhir. He and I chatted quite a bit the night before because I asked about pre-ordering Indian food. Sudhir is from India, and he promised he'd make sure I got Indian food every night for the rest of the cruise.

When I was pre-ordering breakfast, Sudhir made several suggestions and asked if I wanted hash browns. On previous cruises, I was told this was not an option. But, Sudhir said he would work Disney magic to make this happen. I would recommend that you always talk to your server to discuss options and ingredients, because from my experience ingredients and product offerings can change from sailing to sailing.

After I was seated at breakfast, I ordered my normal morning drinks of Apple Juice and Iced Tea.

I had planned on only getting my pre-ordered breakfast, but my server insisted I get something else while I wait. Because I didn't want anything too heavy, I opted to get the fresh fruit plate, which came with mango, papaya, strawberries, grapes, and blueberries. This was a nice light way to start my morning, and Disney always has excellent fresh fruit on the ships.

Royal Palace - GF Eggs Benedict — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I always get Eggs Benedict on a gluten free bun, at least once on our cruise. It's a must-order for me, and it's become a cruising tradition. While it's not the best or fanciest Eggs Benedict, it's really tasty. I am always pretty amazing that they manage to perfectly poach the eggs too. If you're dairy free, do ask the servers about other options like allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, omelets, scrambled eggs, and more.

And, of course, the hash browns were amazing. They were extremely hot and very fresh. I would definitely get these again, and I'm so glad that Sudhir made Disney magic happen with these. So good!

If you're interested in learning more about this meal experience or want to see what else we did on our Disney Cruise, check out our Disney Cruise Vlog!

Overall

Royal Palace never disappoints when it comes to a delicious and relaxed breakfast experience. I absolutely love the breakfast options there. It's a great way to start the day, and I'm always glad that I get up early and take the time to go there. It's a must-do on every Disney Cruise!

Have you had breakfast at Royal Palace? What did you think of the special dietary needs options?

2/17/20 2/17/20

Royal Palace Dinner Review on the Disney Dream

On our recent 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, our first rotational dinner was at Royal Palace. Located on deck 3, mid-ship, this Disney princess inspired restaurant is one of our favorite restaurants on the Disney Dream. We also spend a lot of time there (as you'll see by our cruise reviews), because it's one of the a la carte options for breakfast and lunch on the ship.

Dinner at Royal Palace

This was our first experience with the allergy-friendly dinner menus too on the ship, so we were looking forward to checking it all out. I will say that it might have been my least favorite meal of the cruise, which is unusual for Royal Palace. But, that's because I totally branched out and tried a few dishes that I would not normally order. That being said, it's still a great rotational dining option for guests with special dietary needs.

Atmosphere

As I mentioned, Royal Palace is inspired by Disney princesses. I do love the murals, paintings, and decor throughout the restaurant.

Royal Palace - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this particular visit, I didn't get too many photos because the ship was rocking quite a bit due to waves and wind. It was our first time cruising in January, and as we learned, winter on the high seas can include slightly rough waters!

We had the second dining of the night, which is at 8:15 p.m. So, the restaurant was a bit dark. And, as you can see from the portholes in this photo, it's pretty dark outside too!

We were seated at a 4-top table in the middle area of one of the dining sections. It wasn't my favorite location that we've had in Royal Palace, but it was by no means terrible. We were seated by ourselves, which we personally prefer. You can request to be seated at a table by yourself both in advance by calling Disney Cruise Line or by asking at one of the ship's dining sessions on embarkation day.

The Food

We had learned that the Disney Dream had started offering allergy-friendly dinner menus to guests with special dietary needs sometime in late fall 2019. Our last cruise was in May 2019, so we were looking forward to checking the menus out ourselves.

As you can see by this photo of Brandon with the allergy-friendly dinner menu, there were a ton of options. Almost every single dish on this menu is top 8 allergy free (gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, peanut/tree nut, and soy), which was fantastic! There were SO many choices!

I do have to shout-out our server team. Our Assistant Server Gedde was just awesome, and once he learned our drink preferences, he made sure we were ready with drinks as soon as we arrived at our meals. By the end of the cruise, he was bringing me double iced teas as soon as we were seated!

Up first were Ener-G rolls with butter. If you're dairy free, do ask about dairy free butter options or other dipping sauces. Both Brandon & I were served these rolls on this visit to ensure that our special dietary needs were covered. These are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, fish/shellfish free, peanut/tree nut free, soy free, and vegan.

For my starter, I ordered Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp with Green Asparagus, Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli, and Dill Dressing. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.

I've been getting this dish for quite a long time on the Disney Dream, and it never sails to disappoint. If you love seafood, this is a fantastic option. I probably should have ordered it again on another night, because boy, is it delicious.

I couldn't help but try one of the new allergy-friendly menu options -- the Potato Gnocchi tossed in Provencal Sauce, garnished with Cremini Mushrooms and Caramelized Grape Tomatoes. It is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.

Oh boy. I wanted to love this dish. I really did. Especially because it's so rare to get something like gnocchi gluten free when dining out. But, I was not a fan. The gnocchi itself was extremely gummy and tasteless. And, the sauce pretty much tasted like bad pizza sauce. Overall, I cannot recommend this unless you really really love pizza sauce or have your heart set on trying it. I'm glad I did try it, but I'll be skipping this one next time.

Brandon was extremely happy to be able to order not one but two soups. He got the classic French Onion Soup and Potato Leek Soup. Neither are listed on the allergy-friendly menu. But, they are listed on the regular Royal Palace dinner menu. The kitchen confirmed that both soups contained vegetable broth, making them safe for Brandon's fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, and chicken & turkey allergies. The Potato Leek soup is also gluten free.

As a quick aside, if you're interested in ordering something from the regular menu, you can still do so. We ordered a bit from the allergy-friendly menu and the regular menu at every meal. In fact, the regular menus do still have GF, DF, and vegetarian notes still on them. And, you can also still look for items not marked safe for a special dietary need that can be modified easily too. My rule of thumb is, if you're interested in a dish, ask your server!

For my entree, I ordered another dish that was new on the allergy-friendly menu -- Oven-Baked Salmon with a White Bean, Pancetta, and Swiss Chard Ragout. This was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies.

Overall, I was not impressed with this dish. The salmon itself was super tasty. But, the ragout was not. I guess I should have expected it to be tomato-based, but I was a bit surprised when it came. I was not at all a fan of the ragout which included touch, almost crunchy white beans and way too much tomato.

Next time, I'd go for the Chateaubriand steak or the tuna for safer bets.

Speaking of steak, Brandon ordered a dish we both usually get -- the Chateaubriand-Roasted Filet Steak which featured a Roasted Filet Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus, and a Red Wine Jus. The Jus was omitted for Brandon due to the chicken broth in it, and Brandon got mashed potatoes instead of the Sage-Rosemary Roasted Potatoes listed on the allergy-friendly menu.

His version was safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Soy, Chicken & Turkey Allergies. You can get it dairy free too by getting the roasted potatoes.

Overall, Brandon said this was very good and a dish that he always enjoys whenever we have dinner at Royal Palace.

For dessert, we both got desserts from the allergy-friendly menu. Brandon got the Warm Chocolate Cookie Brownie which came with chocolate sauce and raspberry sorbet. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.

Brandon is a big fan of this dessert and has gotten it quite a few times on previous cruises. Funnily enough, I think he likes it more than I do, as I haven't been as big of a fan when I've gotten it. He said it was great, as usual.

For my dessert, I got the Raspberry and Cream Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Whipped Cream. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut Allergies.

While I liked this cake, I didn't love it. The cake was Namaste brand, and I found it to be a bit on the dry side. The dairy free whipped cream and frosting, on the other hand, was outstanding. It was definitely not a bad dessert, and I'd probably get it again because I enjoyed the flavors -- even with a dry cake.

If you're interested in learning more about the allergy-friendly options, our initial reactions and thoughts, or just want to see a bit more of our cruise experience, check out our Disney Cruise Vlog. Our Day 1 video includes this meal and more!

Overall

Royal Palace is always a great meal experience with a lot of special dietary needs options. With the addition of the new allergy-friendly menus, there's even more to enjoy. While I didn't love all of the dishes I tried, there's still a lot of the classic dishes at Royal Palace for dinner that I do really enjoy. I'll look forward to our next cruise and ordering some of those favorites again.

Have you been on the Disney Dream? What do you think of Royal Palace?

7/19/19 7/19/19

Royal Palace Debarkation Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

It's amazing how quickly a cruise can go by. Just like that our 3-day cruise on in May on the Disney Dream was over. Because we dined at Royal Palace the evening before, we were assigned Royal Palace as the location for our debarkation breakfast. Guests also have the option to dine at Cabanas the morning the cruise debarks. But, we always prefer the assigned rotational dining option for an a la carte breakfast. Because we had late dining, our debarkation breakfast was around 8 a.m. -- early, but not nearly as early as our previous debarkation breakfasts.

*This gluten free review took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Debarkation Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

It's always so sad on the day we leave the ship! I do appreciate that Disney Cruise Line has magical touches, even as you're debarking.

Disney Cruise Line - See Ya Real Soon / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I always get a few photos of the See Ya Real Soon signs throughout the ship. It's both sad and gives us something to look forward to because we're always thinking about our next cruise!

Even though we had a later breakfast, as you can tell, Royal Palace was pretty deserted. A lot of guests do skip breakfast or head to Cabanas instead.

Royal Palace - Sarah with Menu — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I may be smiling in this photo, but we both didn't want to leave the ship at all. Three day cruises never feel like enough time when you're sailing on a Disney Cruise ship.

The Food

Breakfast during debarkation includes a limited menu. This means that if you're interested in items like allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, they won't be options. That's because the ship is essentially debarking and re-embarking the same day. So, the crew really has a tight turn-around to get the ship ready for the next set of cruising guests.

Although Brandon is not a big breakfast person, he did get breakfast during debarkation. We both ordered cold beverages, including orange juice.

Usually, I try to order easy but filling breakfast items to help fuel us for our drive home. I got a ham and cheese omelet which is gluten free. It can be made dairy free by omitting the cheese. Overall, as omelets go, this was good but nothing special. Still, given how quickly debarkation breakfast goes, I was pleasantly surprised by how decent this was.

Even though you can't order allergy-friendly Mickey waffles during debarkation breakfast, you can get allergy-friendly pancakes. These are gluten free and dairy free, and they are made using the King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix. I have to admit, that I think I liked the pancakes better than the waffles. Super tasty and definitely a breakfast option I'll get again.

Royal Palace - Eggs — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon opted for something very simple -- scrambled eggs and bacon. His breakfast entree was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. He is happy with something simple and small, though we both agreed he got a fairly substantial portion.

Overall

While debarkation breakfast is never fancy, we always appreciate being able to get one last meal on our cruise. It's a nice way to cap off the sailing and get a little bit more of the Disney Cruise Line magic in before we head back home.

Have you been on a Disney Cruise? How do you dine for breakfast on debarkation day?

7/16/19 7/16/19

Royal Palace Dinner Review on the Disney Dream

A three day cruise goes by fast! And, on our last night of our 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, we had our last rotational dinner at Royal Palace. It didn't feel too much like a new experience that night because we'd been at Royal Palace so much over the course of three days. But, we both really enjoy the Royal Palace dinner and the options available to us there.

*This gluten free review took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Dinner at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

Because I've posted so many Royal Palace reviews, I won't share too many photos of this Disney princess inspired restaurant. But, you can see and read more about it in my breakfast and lunch reviews.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it in earlier reviews, but we had the later dinner seating at 8:15 p.m. This was our first cruise dining this late. And, while we were both a bit skeptical about it at first, we actually really loved late dining. In fact, we both agreed that we will always book the second dining on every trip from now on. For us, it gave us a lot more time to digest and not feel rushed in the afternoon after excursions, relaxing, or getting back on the ship.

I did want to include a comparison photo for you of dinner. As you can see, the atmosphere is totally different in the evening when the restaurant is much more crowded. That's one of the reasons I love eating there at breakfast and lunch. The low crowds are just such a nice change of pace.

Royal Palace - Table Setting / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I love the adorable napkin shapes throughout the ship's restaurants. This one is perfectly themed for Royal Palace.

The Food

Royal Palace is hands down our favorite of the three main rotational dining options for the food. While we Enchanted Garden is our favorite restaurant overall, we both agree that the food at Royal Palace tends to be much more our speed. So, we actually ate food that was entirely from this restaurant instead of requesting items from other dining locations!

Another shoutout to our assistant server Cristel from Mexico! She completely rocked the entire cruise and really made our dining experience pleasant. From start to finish, she really made sure we enjoyed our meals and always had our double drinks!

I forgot to take a photo of the Ener-G allergy-friendly rolls. But, we did manage to get a shot of the olive tapenade that was served as an accompaniment to the rolls. I really loved the saltiness of the olives, while Brandon preferred to skip the tapenade and just use butter on his rolls.

Royal Palace - Iced Lobster & Shrimp — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For the second time on the cruise, I ordered the Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp. This is gluten free but contains dairy. It can be easily made dairy free by omitting the sauces. If you are a seafood lover, this is an excellent classic steakhouse appetizer.

For Brandon's appetizer, he ordered the Breaded and Deep Fried Brie. This is fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. This is one of his favorite appetizers because he is a huge brie fan.

Although I didn't order it this time, I have actually been able to pre-order this dish to be gluten free on a previous cruise. If you're gluten free and really love the idea of this, I highly recommend pre-ordering it, as they cannot make it on the fly.

Royal Palace - Leek Soup — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We both also ordered the Leek and Potato Soup. It's one of our favorites, and it is gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. It is also vegetarian. If you enjoy soup, I highly recommend this option, especially for gluten free guests since it requires no modifications to be gluten free.

Both of us also ordered the Chateaubriand-Roasted Filet Steak with Crushed Potatoes and Green Beans. Neither one of us could have the Bernaise Sauce that normally comes with it. With this modification, this dish was gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. The potatoes do contain dairy, so if you're interested in this, you may be able to swap out the potatoes with advance notice.

Both of us really enjoyed the entree. And, we both agreed that the mashed potatoes were actually the best part of the plate. I think that's partially because our steaks were both overdone. Mine was especially well-done.

Brandon's was a bit more rare, so be sure to tell your server if you have a particular concern about meat temperature and cook.

Royal Palace - Creme Brulee — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, we were both served Tahitian Vanilla Creme Brulee. This dessert is both gluten free and peanut free. Brandon said it was just OK, and I skipped this because I do not like Creme Brulee usually.

I was also extremely bummed because I had pre-ordered the Grand Marnier Souffle, which my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures has ordered on her cruises and raved about. When I asked our server Allen about it, he said the kitchen told him they couldn't make it. I will definitely be asking about it again on a future cruise, just in case they can make it on that sailing.

Allen did bring out the allergy-friendly dessert of the night, which was the same dessert Brandon had at our embarkation lunch. A combination of a cookie and brownie topped with raspberry sorbet, it was a much better option than the creme brulee. This dessert is gluten free, dairy free, vegan, peanut free, and free of the top common allergens. I am still bummed I didn't get the Grand Marnier Souffle I pre-ordered, but I'm at least glad I had a decent dessert option.

Overall

Royal Palace is definitely a great meal during your rotational dining options. It's a favorite of ours for the excellent food options and overall experience. If you are on your cruise, don't skip out on this restaurant during your sailing. It's definitely worth the experience, especially if you're a fan of French and steakhouse inspired fare.

Have you been to Royal Palace on the Disney Dream? What did you think of the dinner options there?

7/16/19 7/16/19

Royal Palace Breakfast Review - Disney Dream

Royal Palace on the Disney Dream really was our home away from home on our 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream. That's because it's not only one of the three main rotational dining options on the cruise ship, but it's also the location for a la carte breakfast and lunch while you're on your cruise. So, we ate there a lot!

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Breakfast at Royal Palace

On day 3, I had breakfast at Royal Palace as we docked at Castaway Cay. Since Brandon is not a breakfast person, I went down for some allergy-friendly Mickey waffles while he woke up and got around for our relaxing day on Castaway Cay.

Atmosphere

Because we dined at Royal Palace so much on this cruise, you'll see lots of photos in all of my reviews of breakfast and lunch.

Since Royal Palace is themed after the Disney princesses, you'll find lots of royal touches throughout the restaurant, including paintings and other decor.

During my breakfast, I was seated near the porthole windows on the side of the ship.

While it didn't make for the most amazing views in the restaurant, I really didn't care because I had some fantastic views of Castaway Cay.

Royal Palace View / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

There's nothing quite like enjoying a leisurely breakfast while your cruise ship docks into port at Castaway Cay. If you dine early at Royal Palace (the restaurant typically opens at 8 or 8:30 a.m.), do ask for a seat by the windows. It's worth asking for the amazing views!

The Food

Because we were at Castaway Cay and would be having BBQ lunch on the island, I wasn't planning on ordering anything too filling at breakfast.

I do always order an iced tea for a little bit of caffeine and an apple juice to get my day started.

After I had been seated, our server Cristel from our main rotational dining experiences saw me. She wasn't a part of my breakfast server team, but she did come over to say "hello." She noticed I didn't have any gluten free pastries at my table and insisted on bringing me some, which was very nice of her. I ended up with two of the Kinnikinnick brand cinnamon sugar donuts. These are gluten free, dairy free, and free of the top common allergens. I always enjoy these donuts and do tend to get them at least once on our cruises.

Since I'd already ordered my favorite gluten free Eggs Benedict earlier on the cruise, I knew I wanted to get allergy-friendly Mickey waffles this time. I was able to get Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles with Blueberry Compote, Strawberry Cream, and Bacon.

The waffles are gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens and are made using the King Arthur Flour Pancake & Waffle Mix. This is change from previous cruises where they were using mixes like Namaste to make the waffles.

Overall, I really liked the waffles, especially with the blueberry compote and strawberry cream (the cream contains dairy). You can also get your waffles served with plain maple syrup too. The combination of the blueberry compote and strawberry cream were just perfect and made the waffles really special -- as opposed to getting them with just maple syrup. I would definitely get these again on a future cruise.

Overall

Royal Palace continues to be my go-to spot for a la carte breakfast on the Disney Dream. I'm really glad it's there as an option, because I much prefer the low-key and relaxed atmosphere there than at Cabanas, which can get really busy some mornings. Plus, these allergy-friendly Mickey waffles and toppings might be my new favorite breakfast entree on the Disney Dream. They were the perfect way to start my day on beautiful Castaway Cay.

Have you been to Royal Palace on the Disney Dream for breakfast? What did you think about their special diets options?

7/16/19 7/16/19

Royal Palace Lunch Review on the Disney Dream

Royal Palace always feels like our home restaurant when we're cruising on the Disney Dream. That's because we tend to eat there quite a few times for a la carte breakfast and lunches throughout our sailing. On our recent May cruise on the Disney Dream, we ate there several times, including once for lunch. I had already had breakfast there that morning. So, we had a late lunch after a relaxing few hours in the Rainforest Room in Senses Spa. It's a great way to rest, relax, and recharge. And, after our time there, we decide a refuel at lunch was in order.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Lunch at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

As I mentioned in my breakfast review of Royal Palace, the restaurant is themed after Disney princesses.

The restaurant has a very different feel to it during the day time. And, we both really enjoy how relaxed and low-key it is. We went closer to the end of lunch service, so it was quite empty. But, our overall service and experience were still beyond excellent.

Royal Palace Seat View / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were docked in Nassau, Bahamas that day, and so our view wasn't the most amazing, it was still nice to have a window seat with some views outside.

Our table was also in a nice cozy corner, which we really appreciated. It was nice to just relax and not feel rushed during our lunch.

The Food

On this cruise, we didn't pre-order any of our lunches, as we have on previous cruises. Both of us agreed that you don't really need to pre-order a meal, unless you have a really special request. We have found the restaurants to be really accommodating even with all of our special dietary needs.

Royal Palace Lunch - Allergy Friendly Rolls — Royal Palace Lunch / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were each brought a bread service -- I was served the Ener-G allergy-friendly rolls, which are gluten free, dairy free and free of the top common allergens and vegan. During lunch, they weren't that well-heated. But, if you can get them well-heated, they are always a nice accompaniment to any meal.

Brandon was given the regular bread service as the bread was peanut free. He wasn't too keen on the bread throughout our cruise and felt that the gluten free rolls were sometimes better than the gluten-filled ones he was served.

Royal Palace - Ahi Tuna Nicoise — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my appetizer, I ordered the Ahi Tuna Nicoise which is marked gluten free and dairy free on the Royal Palace lunch menu. This has been a go-to appetizer for me on several cruises now. I really love the fresh flavors and how light is is. It's a great way to start a meal or as a main entree if you're feeling like eating light.

Royal Palace Lunch - Meat & Cheese — Royal Palace Lunch / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon started with the Sliced Serrano Ham with Manchego Cheese and Tomato Bread. This was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. Overall, he really enjoyed the meat and cheese portion of this appetizer but wasn't as keen on the tomato bread. He's ordered this on several cruises too and enjoys it quite a bit. If you're gluten free, they can make this GF by omitting the bread.

My friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures had posted about some really tasting looking allergy-friendly chicken tenders on her Baja cruise on the Disney Wonder. They looked totally different than any of the ones that you can get at Disney World, so I knew I had to try them on our cruise.

I was able to order allergy-friendly chicken tenders, French fries, and steamed vegetables during lunch. The tenders and fries are made in a dedicate fryer to avoid cross-contamination. Overall, I was so happy I ordered these. There were super crispy and really delicious.

In hindsight, I should have asked what brand they were using. But, I was enjoying them too much and too relaxed and just plain forgot! I will absolutely be ordering these again and investigating where else I can order them on the ship. I have heard that you can get them at Cabanas, Flo's Cafe, all of the main rotational dining restaurants, and through room service.

Brandon really wanted to get the lamb burger on the Royal Palace lunch menu, but it contained fish in the burger patty, so it could not be modified. Instead, he got the Classic Cheeseburger and French fries. His fries were also made in a dedicated fryer, and the entire meal was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. Brandon did enjoy the burger but said it wasn't anything too special.

Royal Palace Lunch / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my dessert, I was served the allergy-friendly dessert of the day -- a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting layers, raspberry non-dairy whipped topping, and fresh fruit. This was gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens. Overall, I really enjoyed this. The cake was a little dry and dense, but the light and airy raspberry whipped cream on it was fantastic and really made the dessert. I would definitely order this dessert again.

For his dessert, Brandon was served the Italian Style Ice Cream Sundae with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce, and Whipped Cream. This was peanut free, and I believe he did not have the biscotti crumble that is normally in the sundae included in the version he was served. Brandon is not a huge dessert person, so while I think he enjoyed it, I'm not sure it's something he'd go out of his way to order.

Overall

Royal Palace for lunch continues to be our preferred way to enjoy lunch when we're dining aboard the Disney Dream. It's low-key and relaxed and gives us a lot of options and flexibility for our special dietary needs. I think I may have found my go-to lunch choices on this visit too!

Have you been to Royal Palace on the Disney Dream for lunch? What did you think of the options available to you?

7/15/19 7/15/19

Royal Palace Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

Royal Palace, on the Disney Dream, is one of the three main rotational restaurants for dinner. It also happens to be open for a la carte breakfast and lunch during your cruise. On our recent cruise in May on the Disney Dream, I had breakfast at Royal Palace on two of our cruise mornings.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Breakfast at Royal Palace

I much prefer breakfast at Royal Palace to the buffet options at Cabanas or Enchanted Garden because I like the ability to get a variety of options without the hassle or worry of a buffet and cross-contamination. I also find that Royal Palace tends to be fairly quiet, making for a much more pleasant overall breakfast experience.

Atmosphere

Royal Palace is inspired by Disney princesses. So, you'll see lots of royal touches throughout the restaurant. Because we dined at Royal Palace a lot during the cruise for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I'll be showing lots of photos of the overall theme throughout those reviews.

One of my favorite parts about breakfast at Royal Palace is how calm and low-key it is.

As you can see from the photos here, there really aren't a lot of people dining a la carte each morning.

Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One tip that I always have for dining here during breakfast or lunch is to ask for a seat near the windows -- especially if you can get one with a lovely ocean view. I have often had great views in the morning when sitting near those windows.

On this visit, I had an interior table, but it was close to the hallway which had portholes. So, there was still plenty of sunshine flooding through.

The Food

Royal Palace's a la carte breakfast menu does mark some options gluten free. But, you can also talk to your server about additional options too. Dishes like allergy-friendly Mickey waffles aren't on the regular menu but are available upon request.

You can also pre-order your breakfast at Royal Palace by ordering your meal the night before with your server. Because we've been on the Disney Dream quite a few times, I decided not to pre-order for breakfast on this cruise. But, we have pre-ordered in the past, and it can be really helpful, especially if you have specific plans or activities to go to. It won't ensure your meal is ready the moment you sit down, but it will help speed the general preparation process a bit.

Day two of our cruise was our Nassau, Bahamas day. Brandon is not a huge breakfast fan, so while he was getting up and showered, I went down for breakfast at Royal Palace before we disembarked to get our passports stamped and a brief look around of Nassau.

I started the meal with a few breakfast beverages -- my favorite iced tea and apple juice -- while I looked over the menu.

Royal Palace - Eggs Benedict — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of my favorite breakfast entrees is the gluten free modified Eggs Benedict. You can order this gluten free by swapping out the gluten-filled English muffin for gluten free buns. I ordered the classic Eggs Benedict. But, you can also order two other versions gluten free too (one has salmon and the other has rosemary ham).

If you can have dairy, this is a terrific breakfast option. I ordered this a few times on our Disney Cruises, and I have always found the eggs to be well-poached, and the Hollandaise sauce to be excellent. This is always a must-order for me at least one of the mornings on a cruise.

Royal Palace - Muffins — Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

My server also offered me Udi's Double Chocolate Chip Muffins. On our last cruise, I was served Kinnikinnick Chocolate Chip Muffins which are one of my favorites. But, Disney Cruise Line is no longer serving these. So, Udi's it was. I wasn't all that keen on the muffins (which are gluten free and dairy free) because they just taste like dry chocolate cake to me. But, I'm glad they are available to guests!

Overall

Royal Palace's a la carte breakfast is a must-do for me when I'm on the Disney Dream. It's a great way to have a low-key and filling breakfast. As you'll see from other reviews, you can also get other items like allergy-friendly Mickey waffles and pancakes. If you're on the Dream, definitely make plans to have breakfast there for delicious and safe options without the hassle or rush of the buffet at Cabanas.

Have you been on the Disney Dream? What did you think of the breakfast options at Royal Palace?

11/16/18 11/16/18

Royal Palace Lunch Review on Disney Dream

*This dining gluten free experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options too.

Lunch at Royal Palace

Royal Palace, located on the Disney Dream, is one of the three main rotational dining restaurants on the ship. On our October 2018 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, we ate at Royal Palace quite a bit. That's because it's one of the restaurant options for breakfast and lunch, in addition to dinner. On this particular occasion, we had lunch at Royal Palace on the day we were in Nassau, Bahamas. We had opted to stay on the ship most of the day and wanted to get a quick bite for lunch.

Atmosphere

Royal Palace has a Disney princess theme -- complete with artwork featuring several different princesses. We absolutely loved the theme of this restaurant and found it to be simple, understated, and the most spacious feeling of the three main restaurants on the ship.

Royal Palace definitely has a lot of seating and many large tables for group dining. We were seated at a 4-top table during our dinner at Royal Palace because we requested to dine by ourselves.

Royal Palace - Wallpaper / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You can read a bit more about the theme in my dinner and breakfast review of Royal Palace. But, you can see some charming touches in the photos shown here. I loved the intricate wallpaper found in the restaurant shown in the photo above.

The Food

I have to admit, Brandon and I both weren't really that hungry before we went to lunch. We had already enjoyed a filling breakfast at Royal Palace and decided to have a late lunch after spending some time relaxing in the Rainforest Room in Senses Spa. Because I had pre-ordered lunch, both Brandon and I thought we should at least go to lunch and then eat as lightly as we could. Of course, we both forgot how much food you tend to get on the ship -- even when you try to eat light!

Royal Palace - Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The lunch menu at Royal Palace included a variety of options. And, like breakfast and dinner, options that are gluten free and dairy free are marked on the menu. You can always still ask about other options too. I have found that breakfast and lunch had a lot more flexibility to customize than dinner.

Royal Palace - Gin & Tonic / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first, Brandon and I did each order a Signature Gin and Tonic from the lunch menu. It included fresh apple slices and berries which was a nice twist on my favorite drink. For those who aren't sure what alcohol is gluten free, you can always bring a list of options before your trip. Typically, hard alcohol made distilled with gluten containing grains are considered gluten free, due to the distillation process. Gin does not seem to bug me (vodka does), so it's one that I have found I can tolerate.

Royal Palace - Tuna Nicoise / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first, I was served the Ahi Tuna Nicoise Salad. This was marked gluten free and dairy free on the menu. Disney Cruise Line's salads are typically pretty boring and bland. I have no idea why, but they just are. This particular salad, however, was really good. The tuna was absolutely outstanding and all of the other ingredients were perfect. The Dijon Mustard Dressing was light, flavorful, and well-seasoned. Definitely a home-run. Because I wasn't that hungry, I could have honestly just had this, my gin & tonic, an allergy-friendly roll and have been completely satisfied. I will definitely be ordering this again on a future cruise.

Royal Palace - Halibut / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my main entrée, I ordered Grilled Filet of Halibut with a White Wine Tomato, Olive, and Garlic Reduction served with Saffron Rice. It was marked gluten free on the menu and contained dairy in some way. Overall, I thought this was just OK. The fish was overcooked. The rice was decent. But, I really did not like the sauce that came with this dish. I am not a red sauce fan, and this one was just oddly flavored. It's not one I would prioritize ordering again.

Royal Palace - Sundae / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, I was given "chef's choice," again. I wasn't at all hungry and tried to tell them that I did not want to have dessert. But, I was still given one anyway. It was a modified version of the Italian Style Ice Cream Sundae and included Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce, and Whipped Cream.

I really do not like regular dairy filled ice cream, even though I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet. I find it way too sweet and rich. I did take a few bites and thought it was definitely way too sweet and rich for me. Brandon ended up eating part of my sundae and thought it was pretty good but preferred the chocolate molten cake he ordered.

One of the biggest lessons I learned on this cruise was to be very specific about desserts. It was probably the only part of any of my meals that I wasn't all that keen on. Next time, I'll be making specific requests instead of going with "chef's choice."

Overall

Both Brandon and I were pleased with our lunch options at Royal Palace. Brandon enjoyed his cheese plate and lamb burger, and I absolutely loved my Ahi Tuna Nicoise Salad. We both agreed that next time we'd eat lighter but that we'd definitely eat lunch at Royal Palace for table service again on another cruise.

Have you been to Royal Palace for lunch on the Disney Dream? What did you think of the options?

11/15/18 11/15/18

Royal Palace Breakfast Review on the Disney Dream

*This dining gluten free experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options too.

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Royal Palace on the Disney Dream is one of three main rotational dining rooms on the ship. And, during the day, Royal Palace was one of the dining rooms open for table service breakfast and lunch. On our most recent cruise, we ended up dining at Royal Palace on day 2 of our cruise, which was our Nassau, Bahamas day. Both Brandon and I prefer the table service restaurants on the ship instead of dining at Cabanas, mostly because we like how much calmer it is and how much easier it is for special dietary needs.

Atmosphere

Royal Palace - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You can read a bit more about the atmosphere of Royal Palace in my dinner review. But, here's is a photo that shows you a bit more of the main dining room at Royal Palace.Both Brandon and I thought the theming of Royal Palace, which is themed after the Disney princesses, was our favorite. We especially liked how spaced out all of the tables were in the restaurant. It felt the most spacious to both of us for dining.

The Food

During our dinner the evening before, our server Jude recommended that we pre-order our meals for the next day. On the other two cruises that I have taken, including our most recent cruise in May 2018, our servers said it wasn't necessary to pre-order our food. But, I have to admit that pre-ordering on this trip made some of our dining experiences a lot easier. So, I can definitely see why you might want to take advantage of it. For our breakfast, I did pre-order several items.

Like the dinner menus on the Disney Dream, items that are gluten free or dairy free are noted on the menu. But, I have found that breakfast and lunch have a lot of flexibility for getting modifications to dishes, so be sure to ask your server about options.

Royal Palace Eggs Benedict / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Like our cruise in May, I ordered the Eggs Benedict gluten free. The only modification to the dish was to serve the eggs on allergy-friendly buns. This dish does contain dairy and cannot be modified. So, if you're dairy free, I would recommend ordering another dish. You can get eggs any style, most of the breakfast meats, pastries, and other options gluten free and dairy free, which is great.

If you can have dairy, this is definitely a must-order gluten free. I don't know why but ordering this is just now a tradition for me. I absolutely must get it at least once on our cruise. I love Eggs Benedict, and while this one isn't anything fancy, I've found it to be a really solid breakfast entrée. This visit to Royal Palace it didn't disappoint either.

Royal Palace - Allergy Friendly Mickey Waffles / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In addition to the Eggs Benedict, I also ordered the Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles. These are both gluten free and dairy free. I always love allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, and I was very excited about these after having them at Palo brunch on our recent May 2018 cruise. The ones I had at Palo were so good. So, I was pretty sad when the ones I got at Royal Palace just tasted off.

At first I thought maybe they were using Namaste mix. But, after having some absolutely dreadful gluten free and dairy free pancakes on debarkation day, I'm pretty sure they are also now using the Carbon's Golden Malted Gluten Free Waffle and Pancake Mix.

This is such a huge disappointment because not only is the mix absolutely terrible tasting, but the company does not disclose shared lines that are used to make the mix. The product is certified gluten free. But, the company's transparency is pretty concerning. Next time I will actually ask about the mix before ordering, just like I do at Disney World. I'll also be letting Disney Cruise Line know my thoughts on this mix and encourage them to use Namaste and Bob's Red Mill mixes which are must tastier and safer options.

Overall

Both Brandon and I really enjoyed the low-key atmosphere of our breakfast at Royal Palace. And, we both liked our main entrees. I would definitely get the Eggs Benedict again, though I would probably skip the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles unless they were using one of the mixes that I prefer for taste and safety. Overall, Royal Palace provides a substantial and easy breakfast for anyone who wants to dine at a table service restaurant instead of the buffet in the morning on the ship.

Have you been on the Disney Cruise Line? What's your preference for breakfast options?

11/15/18 11/15/18

Royal Palace Dinner Review on the Disney Dream

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options too.

Dinner at Royal Palace

Royal Palace is one of the main rotational restaurants located on the Disney Dream. This means that it is one of three restaurants that you will dine at on your cruise for dinner. It is included in your cruise fare and does not have any additional charges (except for alcoholic beverages or select beverages on the menu). On our recent cruise on the Disney Dream in May, we missed out on dining at Royal Palace due to dinner reservations at Remy on our last night. For our cruise in October, we actually requested with Disney to dine at Royal Palace on our first night, if possible. Luckily, this request was accommodated. And, we also dined at Royal Palace for breakfast and lunch on our cruise.

Atmosphere

Royal Palace has a theme of Disney princesses. You'll find lots of art work and decor themed to several of the princesses, including Cinderella and Aurora.

We requested our own table in advance and were excited to see that our request had been granted. We were seated at a 4-top table and had a nice view of the restaurant from our location.

Our table was in a section devoted to Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. As you can see, there was a lot of artwork to represent the animated film.

Royal Palace - Table Marker / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I also loved our table number that was also themed to the restaurant. Ours had a image of Cinderella and Prince Charming on it.

The Food

Unlike the Disney World theme park, the Disney Cruise Line does not have allergy-friendly menus for meals. Their regular menus do have listings that note GF or DF for dishes that are gluten free or dairy free. However, these typically aren't the only offerings available at a restaurant. And, unlike Disney World, you don't typically speak with a chef on a Disney Cruise. So, I often find myself ordering through a head server which then gets relayed to the kitchen. It feels a bit like a telephone game sometimes. But, I've gotten pretty good at navigating things on the ship.

On this particular occasion, I actually stopped by the Dining Session offered on embarkation day to pre-order two dishes at Royal Palace. Pre-ordering is simply a way for you to request a dish that might need a slight modification instead of ordering directly off the menu with its limited gluten free offerings. I had heard from Christy at Pack Your Pixie Dust that you could pre-order the Chateaubriand steak and even get the deep fried Brie made gluten free with advance notice. When I went to the Dining Session, which was held at Enchanted Garden on our cruise, they made a notation in my reservation and said they might be able to make these requests happen.

After arriving at Royal Palace, our server Jude noted that he had my pre-order request ready to go, which was amazing. As an aside, we absolutely loved our server Jude. He was so on top of both of our special dietary needs and ensured we had delicious food at every meal.

Royal Palace - Ener-G Rolls / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

First up, I was given Ener-G brand rolls. On the cruise I was also served regular butter because I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet. On previous cruises, I was told they did not have Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread, but I have heard reports that it might be available now on the Disney Cruise Line upon request. Overall, I wouldn't say I really love the Ener-G rolls, but for the most part, they actually heated my rolls well throughout the cruise, which makes a huge difference.

Royal Palace - Seafood Appetizer / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

First up, I received the Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp appetizer, which is served with asparagus, horseradish cream, and dill dressing and is marked gluten free on the menu. This was absolutely delicious and a dish I would order again without hesitation. I love seafood, and this was light and refreshing.

Royal Palace - GF Fried Brie / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up next was the Breaded and Deep Fried Brie, which was made gluten free with advance notice. It was served with an orange and cranberry chutney. Brandon ordered the gluten-filled version of this and also tried mine. He thought both were really good and that mine was a nice alternative for guests who can't have gluten (he actually finished my Brie because I couldn't eat it all). I loved the orange and cranberry chutney that came with it. That was a nice contrast to the rich and buttery fried Brie.

Royal Palace - Chateaubriand / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entrée, I ordered the Chateaubriand-Roasted Filet Steak with Crushed Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Red Wine Jus. This was made gluten free with advance notice. Overall, I thought the steak was well cooked and seasoned. I also enjoyed the potatoes a lot. The green beans were pretty bland, so nothing special there. The Red Wine Jus was excellent, but I have to admit that I wished I had more on the plate. The only entrée on the menu at Royal Palace marked gluten free was the duck, which I am not a fan of, so I would definitely order this again instead of opting for duck.

Royal Palace - Creme Brulee / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, I was given "chef's choice," which is a fancy phrase for whatever gluten free dessert they can find. One thing I learned on this cruise was to be very specific if I have requests, because I had several desserts I did not really enjoy. The Creme Brulee I was served here was definitely not one that I enjoyed. I have never been a fan of creme brulee, mostly because I do not like the texture. This version was no different, so I really didn't eat more than a bite or two of it. It seemed like it was a decent creme brulee, just not my personal preference. Next time I'd ask for something chocolate based instead.

Overall

Both Brandon and I agreed that Royal Palace was our favorite main dining room option on the cruise. We liked the food a lot there, and we both felt that the restaurant was much calmer and quieter than say Animator's Palate which is always very crowded and noisy. We would definitely make sure we get to Royal Palace on our next cruise on the Disney Dream instead of skipping it for adult dining.

Have you been to Royal Palace on the Disney Dream? What did you think of this restaurant?

6/12/18 6/12/18

Royal Palace -- Debarkation Breakfast -- Disney Dream

*This dining experience took place in May 2018.

Debarkation Breakfast at Royal Palace

Our amazing three day cruise on the Disney Dream was finally coming to an end. And, to end the cruise on a high note, we made sure to get one last meal on the Disney Dream. Because our rotational dining restaurant on our third night was Royal Palace, that meant we were dining at Royal Palace for breakfast for debarkation. I had enjoyed a lovely breakfast the day before at Royal Palace on our Castaway Cay day. However, because we were dining during debarkation, they offer a modified breakfast menu that includes quick options and easy to prepare fare.

Atmosphere

Although we did not spend much time in Royal Palace that morning, we both really enjoyed the upscale vibe and atmosphere.The restaurant has decor and theming the represents the Disney princesses to create a meal experience fit for royalty.

The Food

Unlike the lunch and dinner menus on the Disney Cruise Line, typically, breakfast menus do not note if items can be made gluten free, dairy free, or vegetarian.As you can see by this menu, it offered fairly simple and easy to prepare dishes, while still making sure you left full for the road.Our server Noel went over some options and suggestions for me, including noting that I could get allergy-friendly pancakes and waffles.Of course, first things first, we both got some caffeine and juice in us!Our assistant server Juni, brought us some Kinnikinnick Donuts, which are both gluten free and dairy free, to make sure we got a few pastries in before we debarked. Both Brandon and I enjoyed these just about every day on our cruise. Brandon especially liked the Vanilla Glazed Donuts when they were warmed up. I preferred the Cinnamon Sugar ones.I asked our server Noel for pancakes but was served both Pancakes and Waffles that were gluten free and dairy free. Though most days you can get allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, at our debarkation breakfast I was served Van's frozen gluten free waffles. I much preferred the pancakes to the waffles overall.I also asked for some Scrambled Eggs and Bacon which were both gluten free and dairy free. These were definitely nothing special but a nice little protein burst for the road after all the carbs and sugar from the pancakes and waffles I had.

Overall

Debarkation breakfast on the Disney Dream doesn't tend to be anything fancy or elaborate, it always provides a solid and filling breakfast before you leave the ship. Of course, I'd love to have Eggs Benedict or something a bit more upscale. But, I can understand why simplicity is necessary on the last day, as the ship prepares to get ready for another departure later that day. Guests on the Disney Dream can also enjoy a quick breakfast at Cabanas before they depart, but we do prefer the table service options for something low-key and to say one last goodbye to our amazing Disney Dream servers.Have you been on the Disney Cruise Line? What did you think of the Debarkation breakfast options?

10/29/14 10/29/14

Royal Palace -- Lunch -- Disney Dream 2014

*This dining experience took place in October 2014.Dining at the Royal Palace on the Disney Dream was perhaps my most favorite for breakfast and lunch of the cruise. Located on deck 3, this restaurant was a la carte for both breakfast and lunch when we dined there on day 2 of our cruise.Having dined at Royal Palace for breakfast earlier that day, I was familiar with the set-up and how the ordering would work here a la carte. In fact, the team actually remembered me from breakfast when we came in for lunch later in the day after our Nassau excursion.After having such a decadent dining day on day 1 with two lunches at Cabanas and at Enchanted Garden along with our 3 hour dinner at Remy, both my mom and I knew we needed to eat a little lighter on day 2.We were glad to see that the menu had some lighter options, including several salads. When our server asked what I was interested in, I asked if the assorted seafood sample for an appetizer was OK. For my entree, I requested the lemon chicken salad, and for dessert I ordered the citrus fruit cocktail that was on the appetizer section of the menu. I was in luck as none of my entrees needed modification for gluten free and dairy free.The assorted seafood sampler was very similar to the options available at the buffets on embarkation day with a crab claw and shrimp. The shrimp here was slightly seasoned which was very nice (and much better than plain peel and eat shrimp). I really enjoyed the bay scallops which were marinated in citrus. These were nice and sweet. The crab claw was good, though it could have used a sauce. Though it doesn't look all that appetizing, I loved the lemon chicken salad. With fresh papaya (yum!) and chicken marinated in coconut milk and lemongrass, the flavors were fresh and light. The salad was topped with a vinaigrette.Funnily enough, the chef did ask the server to ask me if coconut milk was OK for me to consume. It sometimes cracks me up when people assume coconut milk is milk because it has the the word milk in it. As one friend put it, "that would be a very interesting kind of cow if it produced coconut milk." If I had dined at Royal Palace again on the trip, I would have definitely ordered this entree salad. It was delicious! For dessert, I had the fruit cocktail salad. This was super weird. My mom and I both ordered it and neither one of us got the almonds that the dish claimed to have in it. The only mint was a small sprig on the top of the cup. It was literally a bowl of grapefruit segments and a couple of orange segments. I can't have grapefruit, due to medication, so I skipped this dish once I realized what was in it. To me, this was just not a citrus cocktail salad!Overall, my mom and I really enjoyed Royal Palace for lunch. We thought it was the perfect mid-day meal, especially since we had Palo reservations that night. We both said we'd love to go back to Royal Palace and have lunch again on our next Disney Cruise (and yes, we're already planning).Have you been on the Disney Dream? What did you think of Royal Palace?

10/29/14 10/29/14

Royal Palace -- Lunch -- Disney Dream 2014

10/27/14 10/27/14

Royal Palace -- Breakfast -- Disney Dream 2014

*This dining experience took place in October 2014.Royal Palace located on deck 3 of the Disney Dream is one of the ship's regular rotational dining locations. Inspired by classic Disney films like Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast, Royal Palace serves French-inspired, continental cuisine fit for a king or queen for breakfast, lunch and dinner.My mom and I stopped at Royal Palace for both breakfast and lunch on day 2 of our Disney Dream cruise. Both meals were a la carte. For breakfast, we were seated at our own table and found the restaurant to be fairly quiet. It opened at 8:00 a.m., and we arrived shortly after the opening. (Note: on day 3 of our cruise, they opened at 8:30 a.m.) This was my favorite breakfast of the trip, both for my meal and the ambiance. The breakfast menu itself was fairly lengthy with options that included, yogurt, fruit, hot cereals, cold cereals, sweets (pancakes and waffles) and savory dishes. I was told by my server and many folks prior to my cruise that the ship could make allergy pancakes and had Van's waffles on-hand. Our server took our drink orders, while we looked over the menu. I got unsweetened iced tea and apple juice. Day 2 was our Nassau, Bahamas day and with an excursion planned, I knew I wanted a hearty breakfast.Since I did not pre-order my breakfast, having dined at Remy and not my regular rotational dining the night before, I consulted with my server and the head server Robert. Pre-ordering is not required for meals, though some servers suggested it to help speed along your meal process. I never pre-ordered any meal (and I actually tried a couple of times but my servers said it was not necessary) and didn't find it to be too cumbersome or too long of a wait. I decided to order the Express breakfast entree which is basically the same as the American entree at most Disney World restaurants. It contains eggs, breakfast meat and potatoes. I also asked for a side of allergy pancakes on the side. The breakfast entree that was brought out to me was huge. And extremely generous with the breakfast meat. I was not able to get the breakfast potatoes as they were hash browns that contained gluten, so the team doubled up on other portions of my entree to make up for the potatoes. I wouldn't say this entree was anything special. The scrambled eggs were good, as was the ham. I wasn't too keen on the breakfast sausage and the bacon served is the same stringy bacon you get at Disney World quick service breakfast. It was filling though, and I definitely did not go hungry.The star of my breakfast were the gluten free dairy free pancakes. These were delicious. Whoever cooked these did a stellar job. They were crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked. I think they used Bob's Red Mill pancake mix for the base. My only complaint? The server poured the maple syrup for me, and I could have used more! This girl loves maple syrup! Out of all of the breakfasts I had on the Disney Dream, this was my favorite. I thought they cooked the allergy pancakes the best, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. We tried to go here again on day 3 but they opened later, and we had Castaway Cay to explore! I also dined here for lunch on the same day and had another good meal here, so stay tuned for that review! I never did get to eat dinner here, but I heard many guests say that this restaurant was their favorite rotational dining dinner.Have you been on the Disney Dream? Did you eat at Royal Palace?

10/27/14 10/27/14

Royal Palace -- Breakfast -- Disney Dream 2014

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Lunch at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Dinner at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Debarkation Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Dinner at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Lunch at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Lunch at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Dinner at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Debarkation Breakfast at Royal Palace

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW