American Express/Pinnacle Grill Dinner

[maxxboy]

We are suppose to have a free dinner in the Pinnacle Grill because we booked using our AmEx platinum card. Our TA was told by HAL that the dinner is for the first night. She asked how we make reservations and was told we make our reservations once on board, and that it is only good for the first night. She also asked if there was anything we need to present showing we are entitled for the free dinner. She was told there is nothing we need to have when we make our reservation once on board. Anyone else here who could share their experience with this??

 

Thanks

[sail7seas]

Your TA has it mostly right.

There usually is a card in your cabin when you board saying you are entitled to the AmEx Platinum Pinnacle dinner. Make your booking as soon as you board. Sometimes they let you dine another night but that is not to be counted on.

[OlsSalt]

We are suppose to have a free dinner in the Pinnacle Grill because we booked using our AmEx platinum card. Our TA was told by HAL that the dinner is for the first night. She asked how we make reservations and was told we make our reservations once on board, and that it is only good for the first night. She also asked if there was anything we need to present showing we are entitled for the free dinner. She was told there is nothing we need to have when we make our reservation once on board. Anyone else here who could share their experience with this??

 

Thanks

 

What I have been hearing so far is there is not a large crowd in the Pinnacle on the very first night, so if you don't get further more in-depth info about how to make your reservation for that American Express benefit, you might be able to make the reservation once you get on board.

 

There should be someone in the Explorers Lounge or at the Pinnacle restaurant itself handling reservations and dining arrangements on embarkation day.

 

We are trying the Pinnacle on our very first night as we were reminded how busy that first night in the main dining room can be. and since this will be a full holiday cruise with lots of large family groups, it sounded like good night to go someplace else.

 

Wondering also when the new Pinnacle menu starts. A few more weeks and I can report back a live experience.

[Cruzin Terri]

I have always been able to change it for another night. However, I would not count on that.

There is always a first time when it won't happen.

Terri

[redhot1]

We usally always book thru Amex Plat and get the pin dinner. Its very easy to book, you also may be able to do it at the peir while waiting to board, sometimes they have a set up for that but you also just go onboard and book at the restraunt. Its usually not crowded the first nite and is a nice way to start your cruise with an excellent meal. have a great cruise.:):)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Until about a year ago we were always able to select another night. But HAL has stopped that.

When we get to our cabin there is a card there indicating that our free American Express dinner is the first night of the cruise. It also has a time on it and all we need to do is confirm that dinner time.

Since we always select early fixed dining, the time on the card is 5:30 for us. I asked about this time one time as to how they knew what time to give us for the Pinnacle Grill and they replied that they just look to see if we are in Open Seating or Fixed and select dining times from that information. It works for us.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Here is a little history as to why it is the first night. Those who have sailed HAL for a long time I am sure remember when HAL would offer half price for Pinnacle on the first night, well the same was true for American Express in paying for it :D It was half price for them but later HAL stopped having the half price the first night. American Express never changed their instructions and actually HAL was fine with that because that is the night they have the least amount of paxs dine in the Pinnacle. Yes for some time HAL was not requiring that Platinum Amex users dine the first night they would allow to use your free night another night rather than the first night but Pinnacle has again started to become more popular and with the start of those that will be using their Explore4 Pinnacle dining you can bet that they will in fact require that you dine the first night or you will lose it. The best thing to do is check the minute you get on board the ship. It doesn't hurt to ask if you can go another time. I have spoke with Guest Services recently and they have stated that they are seeing a large increase in on line reservations prebooking the Pinnacle and many sailings they are needing to close early for prebooking because they only allow a certain percentage of reservations to be prebooked. Holland America is suspecting at this point that the Explore4 is pushing the prereservations and those that prebook plan to get a refund on board since they pre paid. One of the Guest Services persons I spoke with stated they have had clients tell them this because they are afraid that the time they want for Pinnacle will not be available. So do not be surprised that when trying to prebook on line that reserving Pinnacle may not even be available.