Specialty Restaurant discounts?

[RickT]

I’ve searched the forum and from what I can tell, there are no discounts avail for specialty restaurants unless you are a 3-4 Star Mariner. Is that correct?

 

Coming from Celebrity it is common to get a 25-30% discount simply by asking.

[JimnKaren]

There are 'packages' that you can purchase that will allow a slight discount. Otherwise, you have to have the 'stars' to get a discount.

 

Jim

[kazu]

There are 'packages' that you can purchase that will allow a slight discount. Otherwise, you have to have the 'stars' to get a discount.

 

 

 

Jim

That's my experience as well. You can buy the "dine around package" but you don't get to select your dining time or day. it's not worth it to me (even without my * discount). I like to go on specific nights.

 

One thing I will point out -Pinnacle Grill lunch is a lovely experience and only $10. A bargain IMO. Especially on a sea day.

 

You can't book it in advance but once on board.... grab it :)

[sail7seas]

That's my experience as well. You can buy the "dine around package" but you don't get to select your dining time or day. it's not worth it to me (even without my * discount). I like to go on specific nights.

 

One thing I will point out -Pinnacle Grill lunch is a lovely experience and only $10. A bargain IMO. Especially on a sea day.

 

You can't book it in advance but once on board.... grab it :)[/quote

 

 

Pinnacle lunch is lovely but theyarre not open for lunch, every day. That is handy for 'newbies to HAL to keep in mind.

[Krazy Kruizers]

If you do decide to book the Pinnacle for a lunch, you will find that the meal is big -- like a dinner.

You need to stop by the Pinnacle Grill on embarkation and book the lunch right away as it fills up quickly and is not open every day.

[jbecker6469]

Just back off of the K'dam (11-8 to 11-29) and they offered a special 25% off dinners in the Sel de Mer, Tamarind and Canaletto, but not the Pinnacle Grill. First was on embarkation night and then one later in the cruise. Had a table tent on the tables in the Lido advertising the special. Don't know if this is only for the K'dam, but it was a welcome discount for those of us that aren't 3 star or higher yet.

 

The Sel de Mer is the BEST food on the ship! Portions are large and easily shared.

 

Bon Appetite

[bennybear]

On the zuiderdam there were at least two nights with a 25% discount in the Pinnacle and Canaletto. Didn’t help if you already had a mariner discount.

[mcrcruiser]

what are the restaurant discounts for 3 ,4 & 5 star Mariners ?

[kazu]

what are the restaurant discounts for 3 ,4 & 5 star Mariners ?

 

25% off for 3*, 50% off for 4 & 5 *.

 

5* are entitled to 2 complimentary dinners IIRC - with the exception being the Prinsendam where there is an additional dinner.

[POA1]

Last December, they were offering some discounts to fill Tamarind on the first day. They had some of the wait staff working the Lido by the pool bar to drum up business.

[roses313]

Just off the Zuiderdam and I too noticed the Pinnacle 25% discount to all cruisers. If this kind of offer is now being made to the general population, then HAL should do a bit better for the 3 star Mariners.

[Florida_gal_50]

Just off the Zuiderdam and I too noticed the Pinnacle 25% discount to all cruisers. If this kind of offer is now being made to the general population, then HAL should do a bit better for the 3 star Mariners.

..........and 4 and 5 star. Either that or they should lower the price period. If business picks up then bring the price up. Maybe they just want people to think they are getting a deal.

[Crusin'Cousins]

That's my experience as well. You can buy the "dine around package" but you don't get to select your dining time or day. it's not worth it to me (even without my * discount). I like to go on specific nights.

 

One thing I will point out -Pinnacle Grill lunch is a lovely experience and only $10. A bargain IMO. Especially on a sea day.

 

You can't book it in advance but once on board.... grab it :)[/quote

 

 

Pinnacle lunch is lovely but theyarre not open for lunch, every day. That is handy for 'newbies to HAL to keep in mind.

 

We will be sailing on the Rotterdam next month... our first cruise with HAL. We have noticed the "Signature Dining Package" available for purchase in advance... offering dinners at both Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto for a reduced price of $44. Two questions... 1) are we free to select our dates/times once on the ship, and 2) if we purchase the package in advance, can we be reimbursed with our OBC, for the purchase price, once we are on the ship? (If not, is the package available for purchase once onboard, assuming that the 25% discount offering may not be available?)

 

Thanks for your input...

 

Happy cruising to all!

[TAD2005]

No, you can't get a refund using your OBC once you get onboard. You would have to cancel and re-book once onboard. The dine-around packages are offered while onboard on some ships. Same as for booking a shore excursion online, and trying to get OBC to pay for it. Can't do that either. You have to cancel, and re-book, hoping that there is still space on that special shore excursion. Usually there is, except excursions that require a boat, aircraft, where there is only one available. The idea is to get you to spend as much of your own cash before the cruise and use the OBC for gratuities, spa treatments, casino, etc. HAL OBC is lost if you don;t use it, and they are banking on the hope that you don't.

[Sage]

I've so old or been cruising so long that I remember when the specialty restaurants were free. I didn't see any discounts offered when I was on the Koningsdam in March, but things change.

[RickT]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the comments.

[ithaca gal]

Just off the Eurodam on December 3rd. Tent cards in the Lido advertised 25% off dining in The Tamarind on the first night of the cruise. No additional benefit for 3, 4 or 5 Star Mariners.

[RandyinDEN]

If everyone gets a discount is it really a discount?

[RuthC]

If everyone gets a discount is it really a discount?

Doesn't sound it to me. Sounds more like false advertising.

Just set the price, give discounts based on set criteria available to all those who meet the criteria, and hold the line.

[bennybear]

Doesn't sound it to me. Sounds more like false advertising.

Just set the price, give discounts based on set criteria available to all those who meet the criteria, and hold the line.

Wise words as usual. Thanks Ruth! We thought we would get our mariner discount off the price offered. So no mariner advantage. I think we were disappointed as we had just become three star.

[G&G]

Just off the Eurodam on December 3rd. Tent cards in the Lido advertised 25% off dining in The Tamarind on the first night of the cruise. No additional benefit for 3, 4 or 5 Star Mariners.

 

We also just got off Eurodam, sailed 11/19-12/3/17, b2b cruise. We dined in PG first night of first cruise and Tamarind first night of second cruise. What I found amazing was that even with added discount for dining on first night very few passengers were dining in PG and Tamarind. Counted on five tables occupied in PG between 5:30-7:15 pm.

[sail7seas]

I've so old or been cruising so long that I remember when the specialty restaurants were free. I didn't see any discounts offered when I was on the Koningsdam in March, but things

 

 

 

change.

 

Ahh, Yes Sage, Odyssey was a wonderful alternative resttaurant at no added cost, but for an opttioinal tip. :)

 

We had so many pleasant evenings on Rottterdam and Amsterdam, Volendam in Odyssey. (IO think Zandam had one als o but I am not sure.