1St night Pinnacle Grill?

[I Luv Crusin]

Is it worth it? I like eating in the dining room the first night to get to know my normal waitstaff but I notice that they have a 2 for 1 price the first night out.

 

How much does one usually tip at the Pinnacle?

[bepsf]

I always dine in Pinnacle on the first evening.

It's worth it at full price - it's a bargain at half that.

[Bramcruiser]

I did have the same thought as you I Luv Crusn! I waited until into the cruise to do the Pinnacle Grill. I figure the difference of $10 per person is just not a huge savings to run and around and say "Ooooh!". I mean if the Pinnacle Grill was charging $100 per person I might think half price is good but its only $20. So I went on the notion that I had to get the assigned table guests in the main dining room over and done with up front. Day One is always an orientation for me.

 

But each has their own ways. Not one is right or wrong.

[cruzmann]

I guess it depends upon how you like to meet people but the first night we took a stroll to the dining room and met our waiter and the others at the table before heading out to the Pinnacle where we had made reservations. We had a great meal that first night out and enjoyed the company of our table group for the other six nights. We also gave the others a review of what we liked on the menu and they thanked us for the input.

[gwilli]

Hi,

 

We ate in the Pinnacle on the first night of our last cruise - and will not do it again! We figured that if we eat @ 7:00, we could still make it to our table by coffee & dessert to meet our tablemates. When we got to the dinning room, there was another couple in our seats (table of 4)! So we figured that we would meet our tablemates the next night. Well, the couple who was to sit at our table found another table to sit at - and we dined alone that night. The next night we thought that our tablemates would "come home" to our table - but didn't. We could have asked to be seated at another table - but we thought that maybe the other couple would join us some time.

 

If you choose to go to the Pinnacle the first night, you may want to let the Matre'd know to let your tablemates know that you will be joining them later. If we had done that, maybe we would have met our tablemates!

 

We did win a little in the casino, and went back to the Pinnacle for another evening. It was nice - but not excellent.

 

Happy sailing...............

 

Gail

[I Luv Crusin]

Does anyone have a Pinnacle menu?

[Randyk47]

The Pinnacle Restuarants are kind of a "new thing" for us. Our first couple of HAL cruises were on the Ryndam before she got the Pinnacle. The Pinnacle was available on our Oosterdam cruise and we planned to go there but liked our table mates so much we decided to stick with the "group" for the whole cruise. It was only a 7-day cruise so there really weren't a lot of opportunities. Our upcoming Volendam cruise is 10 days so we might give it a try. Whether we go to the Pinnacle or not during the cruise, we'll still go to the dining room for the first night. We'd rather forego saving a few dollars and meet our table mates the first evening and adjust from there.

[tlm]

We're on the Volendam Jan 12 and I just tried to book the first night at the Pinnacle. I wanted to book our whole group (six of us) but they wouldn't for some strange reason. I booked me and my DH and told my friends to call themselves. Also won't know until they check with the ship on whether or not we got our reservation.

 

Toni :)

[geoherb]

I've booked us for the first night at the Pinnacle Grill for our upcoming cruise on the Maasdam (12/17). I did it primarily because we wanted to try it, but also as a way to celebrate my birthday a few days late and the end of the semester for my partner. On our last couple of cruises, we've enjoyed dining with the others at our table that we never wanted to try the alternative restaurants.

 

I plan to go by the dining room to meet our waiters and tablemates the first night. Right now, our dining assignment is marked as "waitlisted." If we don't get the seating we'd prefer, I will try to get it changed the first afternoon. Eating in the Pinnacle Grill will give the maitre d' another day to make the change for us.

[LolaWiz]

What we did on the O this past year was get a dining time a bit after our dinner seating in the dining room.

 

Before dinner at the Pinnacle, we went to our table and met our waitstaff and told them we will be dining at the Pinnacle tonight but will be here tomorrow.

they were greatful that we told them and it worked nicely!

[LolaWiz]

sorry, double post

[I Luv Crusin]

Ok, my "Carnival" mentality is showing! Does HAL confirm your seating at dinner BEFORE you board??? With Carnival you don't know until you board. We like the 2nd early seating, which is what I requested when I booked our cruise. Do we get that if it's not "waitlisted"? If I know what time dinner is that first night I can book the Pinnacle with that in mind.

 

Thanks!

[SeaBands]

We did the Pinnacle Grill 1st night and again 4th night. It wasn't worth the extras$10 the first and the other time was a comp from our TA. The best thing was the desert chocolates (3 each). Coffee just as bad as main dining room and steakswere underseasoned, no comparrison the the Palm, Ruth's Chris or Mortons. No doubles offered to get a wider rare slice, no roast beef and the fish was frozen and tasteless.

It was a lovely room but the china was ugly not what I would expect from Bulgari. I will stick to the DR next cruise as the food was ok, just like most other ships of this price range. Thebeef on Celebrity in the main dining room was far better.

[geoherb]

I think most passengers find out their dining time when they get their docs. They find out their actual table assignment when checking in during embarkation.

 

We booked this cruise late--just a couple of weeks ago for a cruise that leaves in three weeks. I was amazed they had our docs printed so fast.

[sail7seas]

;) ......

steakswere underseasoned, no comparrison the the Palm, Ruth's Chris or Mortons. No doubles offered to get a wider rare slice, no roast beef and the fish was frozen and tasteless.

It was a lovely room but the china was ugly not what I would expect from Bulgari.

 

 

....... ;) In your opinion, of course.

 

I think the Bulgari to be beautiful and I find the steaks seasoned just to my taste. We also enjoy The Palm, Ruth's Chris and Morton's, as well as Smith and Wolensky and the rest. I rarely have a steak these days as I carefully watch what I eat. So, if I am having a steak, I want it to be excellent. Pinnacle does not disappoint ME when I order a steak there. Just my opinion, of course.

[RuthC]

I agree with Brian---the Pinnacle is worth it at full price and a bargain the first night. That filet makes my mouth happy. And the chocolate volcano cake makes it :D !

Why not stop at your table either before or after dinner---or at least notify your stewards that you're so sorry to miss them and will meet them tomorrow.

[peaches from georgia]

We love the Pinnacle and always go 2-3 times per cruise, but I will have to admit some of the dishes can be hit or miss. I have seen the Volcano prepared as it should be, but way too often it has been very dry and with no soft center at all. Unfortunately on the Veendam it was worse than dry; it was inedible.

 

I also have profusely recommended the cedar-planked scampi here prepared as I had it twice on the Volendam. However, in the Veendam Pinnacle it was a C-, if that. Very thin scampi and all you really could taste was the breading on top.

 

Filets and rack of lamb- have been wonderful on every ship we have been on.

[I Luv Crusin]

Well, I called Holland America to find out about my dinner time and was told that I could be confirmed for the 2nd early seating and that I could email HAL with a request for a table for 2. I asked about the 2 for 1 Pinnacle on the first night and the rep I was talking to said that the Pinnacle has gotten so popular, even on the first night, that as of Jan. 2006 they are going to discontinue the 2 for 1 special.

 

Since this trip is an "extra" trip for 2006 I don't think we will go to the Pinnacle this go and save the 40.00+ for gifts!

[I Luv Crusin]

Well, I called Holland America to find out about my dinner time and was told that I could be confirmed for the 2nd early seating and that I could email HAL with a request for a table for 2. I asked about the 2 for 1 Pinnacle on the first night and the rep I was talking to said that the Pinnacle has gotten so popular, even on the first night, that as of Jan. 2006 they are going to discontinue the 2 for 1 special.

 

Since this trip is an "extra" trip for 2006 I don't think we will go to the Pinnacle this go and save the 40.00+ for gifts!

 

Well, I just called HAL again AND they booked me for the 2 for 1 the first night!!! So go figure!

[denims]

I asked about the 2 for 1 Pinnacle on the first night and the rep I was talking to said that the Pinnacle has gotten so popular, even on the first night, that as of Jan. 2006 they are going to discontinue the 2 for 1 special.

 

 

WE are booked on the Oosterdam on 1/28/06. We have reservations in the P. Grill the first night @2for1.

[denims]

Double post fairy is out again!!!

[tlm]

WE are booked on the Oosterdam on 1/28/06. We have reservations in the P. Grill the first night @2for1.

 

Did they tell you they needed to check with the ship to ensure that they had room for the reservation? That's what we were told. Mind you the charge has already gone through my credit card.

 

I guess I'll call Monday to verify our reservation.

 

Toni

[kakalina]

I noticed noone has addressed your question about tipping in the Pinnacle. Although it is an alternative restaurant the auto tip covers them also. I double checked this last month on the Veendam and it shouldn't have changed yet. We have always found the Pinnacle to be above standard with wonderful food and glorious desserts. Absolutely breath taking china and silver. I love that thingy they bring out with the coffee that has the chocolates on top :D

[sail7seas]

While it is true that the automatic tip includes the stewards in Pinnacle, the teeny tiny amount that actually filters down to them is little more than pennies. We always find it appropriate to tip our stewards when we have dined in Pinnacle. It is a personal choice but I think most people feel they like to extend a 'thank you' for the great service we (hopefully) receive.

 

[denims]

Did they tell you they needed to check with the ship to ensure that they had room for the reservation? That's what we were told. Mind you the charge has already gone through my credit card.

 

I guess I'll call Monday to verify our reservation.

 

Toni

 

The only thing we were told was to confirm the reservation when we got onboard.