Pinnacle Grill on Formal Nights

[retafcruiser]

Is it still true that one may dine at the Pinnacle Grill on formal nights without formal dress?:confused:

[rbp3072]

Is it still true that one may dine at the Pinnacle Grill on formal nights without formal dress?:confused:

 

Ummm, Ummm, No way in heck.

 

My limited experience has been that the PG allows smart-casual during regular nights, and formal on formal nights. (I personally wear a suit/tie/jacket regardless of it not being a formal night, as I feel that is what should be the norm, but there were plenty who didn't feel the same on my last cruise).

[Cruisergal1208]

They also have jackets for loan if a man shows up without one on formal night. If you choose to stay casual on formal night, the lido would be a better choice.

[CruiserBruce]

Don't know that it has ever been true you could avoid formal night dress in the Pinnacle.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Is it still true that one may dine at the Pinnacle Grill on formal nights without formal dress?:confused:

 

Good question!

On our 24 day Mediteranian Cruise on the Nieuw we had reservations which I cancelled and rescheduled not knowing it was formal nite. We arrived husband in dress slacks a very dressed Tommy Bahama Black shirt and loafers, I in my black Tommy Bahama dress. I mention the name of clothing because it was not casual, but very classy dress even for fine dining. Well thay offered a jacket to wear.

Now we just finished our 14 day Carribean Cruise on the Nieuw, and we booked for formal nite. This time same outfit, but with his black dinner jacket. While we were there we noticed people coming in dressed in shorts, and polo shirts for the men in one group, and they allowed it!

So again it maybe depends on the cruise.

Go figure.

Happy sailing,

Denise

4STAR sailing 12 day Mediteranian Romance Oct 9-21 Eurodam 2016.

Celebrating Husbands retirement with a 2 month European vacation

August-October

[Blue Mudshark]

Is it still true that one may dine at the Pinnacle Grill on formal nights without formal dress?:confused:

 

You don't even need formal dress in the MDR on "formal nights" according to HAL's own rules. Semi-formal is fully acceptable, and may even be overdressing.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our Zuiderdam cruises recently, men did show up on formal wearing only golf shirts and one time we saw a man in a t-shirt.

Nothing was said to any of them. No jackets were given to them to wear.

[PathfinderEss]

No, what ever dress is going on in the MDR applies to the Pinnacle too. Formal in the MDR, formal in the Pinnacle. If you don't want to dress you can eat in the Lido.

[DaveOKC]

No, what ever dress is going on in the MDR applies to the Pinnacle too. Formal in the MDR, formal in the Pinnacle. If you don't want to dress you can eat in the Lido.

 

Or dine in your cabin. Remember, HAL allows you to select items from the MDR menu to be sent to your cabin via room service (check with ship for details).

[david,Mississauga]

Ummm, Ummm, No way in heck.

 

My limited experience has been that the PG allows smart-casual during regular nights, and formal on formal nights. (I personally wear a suit/tie/jacket regardless of it not being a formal night, as I feel that is what should be the norm, but there were plenty who didn't feel the same on my last cruise).

 

I'm pleased to read that I am not the only one who wants to continue this tradition of sea travel. If our "free" dinner in the PG is on a formal night, we will dress formally (that means black tie and dinner jacket for me) and a mere jacket and tie if it is not a formal night.

[taxmantoo]

I'm pleased to read that I am not the only one who wants to continue this tradition of sea travel. If our "free" dinner in the PG is on a formal night, we will dress formally (that means black tie and dinner jacket for me) and a mere jacket and tie if it is not a formal night.

 

You will not be alone if we are on the same cruise ;)

[B Russo]

I'm pleased to read that I am not the only one who wants to continue this tradition of sea travel. If our "free" dinner in the PG is on a formal night, we will dress formally (that means black tie and dinner jacket for me) and a mere jacket and tie if it is not a formal night.

Hi David, I'm with you on this. I always have a tux on formal nights, I also have a tie and jacket other times.:):) Bill

[ithaca gal]

We cruised on both of the ships this year. Both times a jacket was required in the main dining room on formal night. They were sending men back to their cabins to get one if they had one or they have a loaner jackets available. We were happy to see that the suggested dress code was being enforced in the main dining room.

[hrhdhd]

The OP may have HAL confused with Princess; on Princess, the specialty restaurants are always smart casual, even on formal night.

[retafcruiser]

The OP may have HAL confused with Princess; on Princess, the specialty restaurants are always smart casual, even on formal night.

 

I think I confused it with Celebrity - same as Princess. I asked because I am travelling with a disabled person who is unable to dress to the defined "formal" level.

[SilvertoGold]

Good question!

On our 24 day Mediteranian Cruise on the Nieuw we had reservations which I cancelled and rescheduled not knowing it was formal nite. We arrived husband in dress slacks a very dressed Tommy Bahama Black shirt and loafers, I in my black Tommy Bahama dress. I mention the name of clothing because it was not casual, but very classy dress even for fine dining. Well thay offered a jacket to wear.

Now we just finished our 14 day Carribean Cruise on the Nieuw, and we booked for formal nite. This time same outfit, but with his black dinner jacket. While we were there we noticed people coming in dressed in shorts, and polo shirts for the men in one group, and they allowed it!

So again it maybe depends on the cruise.

Go figure.

Happy sailing,

Denise

4STAR sailing 12 day Mediteranian Romance Oct 9-21 Eurodam 2016.

Celebrating Husbands retirement with a 2 month European vacation

August-October

 

Some ships treat the Caribbean cruises less formally/European ones more formally and that may explain your experience.

 

Or sometimes the DRM and his assistants and/or HM just don't want to push it.

 

Personally, we have seen everything on every itinerary!

[kiwicruiser55]

On our Norway cruise in 2013, we booked for a Pinnacle Grill meal and it was formal night, we walked in expecting everyone to be in formal attire and they were all in casual dress. We also went to the Le Cirque meal and the same happened that night too.

[jtl513]

Is it still true that one may dine at the Pinnacle Grill on formal nights without formal dress?:confused:

In theory, no, but in practice it all depends on the Maitre d', as previous posts have shown.

 

I asked because I am travelling with a disabled person who is unable to dress to the defined "formal" level.

If you are dressed to HAL's definition of formal wear and the other person is not, I would bet that you would graciously be escorted in without a word said. If you want to be certain, you could ask an hour or so before you arrive if it would be OK, and I would bet big money that the answer would be "certainly".

[dvcmember]

(I personally wear a suit/tie/jacket regardless of it not being a formal night, as I feel that is what should be the norm, but there were plenty who didn't feel the same on my last cruise).

 

I always wear a jacket and tie even if it is Le Cirque or De Librije. I always say the food tastes better when I am dressed up then just wearing casual attire. The stewards are very complimentary when people are dressed for dinner in Pinnacle. I think it tells them that we are took extra effort and therefore they will go the extra mile in terms of food and service. We've dined in the Pinnacle Grill over a dozen times and have never been disappointed.

[Parker1]

We're on our first HAL cruise to Bermuda on May 2nd. We pack light, as DH can't help much with luggage and don't like to check baggage. I called HAL to ask about formal nights. I was told that it was more relaxed on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and Bermuda and a skirt or dress slacks for me, a dress shirt and tie, perhaps with a vest for DH should be fine.

 

It was the "should be fine" that made us decide that I'll bring a basic black dress and DH will bring a tie and sport coat. We'd prefer to order room service on our balcony, but no wheelchair accessible cabins have balconies. So we'll be ready to go with the flow.

[YubaSutter]

I always wear a jacket and tie even if it is Le Cirque or De Librije. I always say the food tastes better when I am dressed up then just wearing casual attire. The stewards are very complimentary when people are dressed for dinner in Pinnacle. I think it tells them that we are took extra effort and therefore they will go the extra mile in terms of food and service. We've dined in the Pinnacle Grill over a dozen times and have never been disappointed.

 

Our motto is: food tastes better barefoot.

[TraelorMex]

had to pass along this interesting tidbit. While on a recent HAL cruise, we approached the MDR (on formal nite) without requisite attire. We were politely turned away. Went to the pinnacle grille, and were graciously welcomed as we were. So, guess it all depends.....

[taxmantoo]

Our motto is: food tastes better barefoot.

 

Don't you just love those hot dogs on the BBQ ? :rolleyes:

Edited April 14, 2015 by taxmantoo

[Mr and Mrs CIQ]

I'll be in my Tux on the May 30th sailing of the Westerdam celebrating our 32nd anniversary. I also wear my Tux on all formal nights. Other nights, it's suit and tie.

We (cruisers) are the only reason the dress code has not been enforced. It seems we have allowed the standards to drop below what was in the past.

[david,Mississauga]

I'll be in my Tux on the May 30th sailing of the Westerdam celebrating our 32nd anniversary. I also wear my Tux on all formal nights. Other nights, it's suit and tie.

We (cruisers) are the only reason the dress code has not been enforced. It seems we have allowed the standards to drop below what was in the past.

 

I'm glad to read that. My favourite cruise line does not have casual nights; on nights which are not formal they have informal which is defined as "jacket required, tie optional." About a third of gents wear a tie. This is what I am accustomed to on my last eight crossings/cruises. When dining in an elegant restaurant either on land or at sea I feel more comfortable in a jacket and tie. I hope I am not the only traditionalist on my HAL cruise next month.

Edited April 15, 2015 by david,Mississauga