Pinnacle/Penthouse suite experience...

[BTwurddle]

could anyone share the pinnacle/penthouse experience about a vista class ship? We are looking at a sailing next spring on Oosterdam and are considering splurging on some nicer real estate for a special occasion. So far Im not aware HAL offers any kind of butler service like celebrity and MSC do, however those are highly overrated anyway and dont add much in the end, however we were wondering if room service, particular dinner can be served by course since there is a butlers pantry? Also, does HAL still provide access to the thermal spa/mineral pool to suite passengers? Is breakfast for suite guests still served in the Pinnacle Grille for suite passengers on HAL? These are just the questions we have at the moment but would greatly appreciate anyones experience from one of these cabins. In no way are we a "suite-class" couple but after a very difficult 2017 and what is shaping up to be a very busy 2018 we were just thinking it might be nice to treat ourselves to a relaxing week next spring. Thanks in advance and happy cruising everyone!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Pinnacle Suite people do not get any free thermo pool passes.

They do get to have breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill. If you order breakfast to the cabin, they will bring a free Mimosa to each of you.

Yes, you can have dinner course by course.

No Butlers. But the concierges can do anything you want -- either stop by the Neptune Lounge or call them on the phone.

We have stayed quite a few times in the Pinnacle Suites on a lot of the ships. Love the extra room.

[CruiserBruce]

KK hit the big points. The Neptune Lounge staff will take care of everything for you. Recent reports say you might get the Behind the Scenes tour for free. The dinner by the course is a great treat. The extra room is very nice.

 

If you look around the board, there are many threads on the Penthouse.

[kazu]

As well, usually the Penthouse/Pinnacle suite guests are escorted on the ship and introduced to the concierge.

 

course by course in the PH is really nice. It's all set up beautifully and you are well taken care of.

 

I had a butler on Oceania and frankly, I far prefer the concierges. Butlers are overrated IMO and do little (at least on O). You still have to go to the front desk/lounge when someone is on duty. The concierge service on HAL is far superior in my experience.

 

Enjoy the PS and by all means, if you have friends on board and want to, invite them over for course by course dining or just hosting them in your PS. You can order hors d'hoeuvres daily if you are so inclined ;)

[goldsmip115]

Up until last August I have been a devote HAL cruiser and champion. In the last 15 years I have done 20 cruises on HAL all in Neptune or Pinnacle suites. The Pinnacle suite was special primarily due to larger real estate, a better bottle of champagne on embarkation, a half bath, a fantastic master bath and a great Kitchen/pantry. Otherwise there is no difference in amenities or perks between Neptune and Pinnacle suites. While the Pinnacle verandah is large, it is narrow and the small whirlpool tub is in full view of many passengers on the deck above forward of the suite.

 

Fast forward to last June. We had a challenging 6 months in 2017 and wanted a total chill and no fly cruise. The Celebrity Summit had a 7 night cruise out of Bayonne going to Bermuda and also had one of two Penthouse suites available. We grabbed it. OMG! What a cruise! The finest I had experienced in over 30 cruises. My only other Celebrity cruise was in September of 2011 with a 12 night on the Mercury from Vancouver to Hawaii in the Penthouse suite.it was lovely, but long before all of the suite perks, specialty restaurants, etc.

 

We arrived at the port in Bayonne at 10:30 and were sitting in the lovely Michaels club lounge by 10:54. So, here are the highlights and why HAL Pinnacle Suites simply do not compare:

 

—The penthouse suite is over 1,400 square feet inside with two full bathrooms and a verandah that is over 1,000 square feet. The suite and the verandah are spectacular! The true Butlers pantry is beautiful and comes stocked with anything you want re beer, all kinds of water, fresh squeezed oj, vitamin water, soda. All refreshed daily at no charge! You are called before the cruise to find out what you want so the full-size refrigerator is already stocked. Beyond the top shelf bubbly in the suite you get two free liter bottles of liquor of your choice. And, daily canapés of your choice if you wish and lovely food offerings for insuite parties.

 

—The suite has a dedicated restaurant for virtually all meals. Luminae is truly fine dining with lunch and dinner menus that change daily. Excellent service with true highly trained sommeliers. And, if you want something from the MDR or a specialty restaurant, they are happy to bring it to you.

 

—the suite INCLUDES FREE unlimited internet access, free top-shelf liquor across the entire ship, free specialty dining, free laundry and dry cleaning and Michaels club that is the dedicated concierge lounge that includes superior food, free top shelf drinks, high tea, etc.

 

—A highly trained butler takes care of anything and everything you want including course-by-course dining in the suite with a dining table for 8 and a huge table on the palatial verandah. He also makes sure to place excellent coffee and anything else you want in the Butlers pantry each morning.

 

And, all of this cost us about $300 pp more than the Pinnacle suite on HAL. At least that was the difference for that cruise. We loved the experience so much that we booked the same suite for 3 more different cruises. HAL is going to need to “up their game” for suite passengers if they want all of my business in the future.

 

I am happy to answer any questions. Happy sailing.

[sail7seas]

I have been staying in Neptiune Suites since Statendam and Maasdam joined the fleet and HAL has added little (nothing) of subtsance to those suites in all this time except tto add Neptune Lounges tto ships that did not have one when they left the shipyard. Yes they have added to the ships but little special is now a part of Neptuune Suitwe experienchan has been for about 20+ years. It is time they add more luxury IMO I am able and willing to pay 20 0 % as a solo cruiser for the suites I am accustomed to but now admit to seoind thoughts a bout if they are still worrth it.... Until now, I have not questioned that but it is time they made some changes. The Neptune Suit experience has gotten stale and needs some 'wow factors added or they won't be as likely to sell out as fast as they used to. when I stay in a Four Seasons or Ritz Hotel,or a high star European hotel, I know I am enjoying true luxury, that is not so much the case in Ne etune Suites now, IMO

 

When the time comes I am thinking of booking a lesser 'suite on HAL ships, I KNOW for sure there is something wrong with the 'same old'

Edited February 4, 2018 by sail7seas

[kapear]

KK hit the big points. The Neptune Lounge staff will take care of everything for you. Recent reports say you might get the Behind the Scenes tour for free. The dinner by the course is a great treat. The extra room is very nice.

 

 

 

If you look around the board, there are many threads on the Penthouse.

 

 

 

My mother and daughter were in the Pinnacle Suite on the Zuiderdam on an 11 day Panama Canal Cruise. The behind the scene tour was offered to them. The rest of our family was split between 2 Neptune suites. The concierge was kind enough to include the rest of the family on this private tour.

 

 

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[Krazy Kruizers]

Up until last August I have been a devote HAL cruiser and champion. In the last 15 years I have done 20 cruises on HAL all in Neptune or Pinnacle suites. The Pinnacle suite was special primarily due to larger real estate, a better bottle of champagne on embarkation, a half bath, a fantastic master bath and a great Kitchen/pantry. Otherwise there is no difference in amenities or perks between Neptune and Pinnacle suites. While the Pinnacle verandah is large, it is narrow and the small whirlpool tub is in full view of many passengers on the deck above forward of the suite.

 

Fast forward to last June. We had a challenging 6 months in 2017 and wanted a total chill and no fly cruise. The Celebrity Summit had a 7 night cruise out of Bayonne going to Bermuda and also had one of two Penthouse suites available. We grabbed it. OMG! What a cruise! The finest I had experienced in over 30 cruises. My only other Celebrity cruise was in September of 2011 with a 12 night on the Mercury from Vancouver to Hawaii in the Penthouse suite.it was lovely, but long before all of the suite perks, specialty restaurants, etc.

 

We arrived at the port in Bayonne at 10:30 and were sitting in the lovely Michaels club lounge by 10:54. So, here are the highlights and why HAL Pinnacle Suites simply do not compare:

 

—The penthouse suite is over 1,400 square feet inside with two full bathrooms and a verandah that is over 1,000 square feet. The suite and the verandah are spectacular! The true Butlers pantry is beautiful and comes stocked with anything you want re beer, all kinds of water, fresh squeezed oj, vitamin water, soda. All refreshed daily at no charge! You are called before the cruise to find out what you want so the full-size refrigerator is already stocked. Beyond the top shelf bubbly in the suite you get two free liter bottles of liquor of your choice. And, daily canapés of your choice if you wish and lovely food offerings for insuite parties.

 

—The suite has a dedicated restaurant for virtually all meals. Luminae is truly fine dining with lunch and dinner menus that change daily. Excellent service with true highly trained sommeliers. And, if you want something from the MDR or a specialty restaurant, they are happy to bring it to you.

 

—the suite INCLUDES FREE unlimited internet access, free top-shelf liquor across the entire ship, free specialty dining, free laundry and dry cleaning and Michaels club that is the dedicated concierge lounge that includes superior food, free top shelf drinks, high tea, etc.

 

—A highly trained butler takes care of anything and everything you want including course-by-course dining in the suite with a dining table for 8 and a huge table on the palatial verandah. He also makes sure to place excellent coffee and anything else you want in the Butlers pantry each morning.

 

And, all of this cost us about $300 pp more than the Pinnacle suite on HAL. At least that was the difference for that cruise. We loved the experience so much that we booked the same suite for 3 more different cruises. HAL is going to need to “up their game” for suite passengers if they want all of my business in the future.

 

I am happy to answer any questions. Happy sailing.

 

 

Sounds fantastic. We have been booking HAL's Pinnacle as much as possiblity is available.

Thank you for the comparisons.

[Krazy Kruizers]

My mother and daughter were in the Pinnacle Suite on the Zuiderdam on an 11 day Panama Canal Cruise. The behind the scene tour was offered to them. The rest of our family was split between 2 Neptune suites. The concierge was kind enough to include the rest of the family on this private tour.

 

 

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That was a nice gesture.

[djhsolara]

Up until last August I have been a devote HAL cruiser and champion. In the last 15 years I have done 20 cruises on HAL all in Neptune or Pinnacle suites. The Pinnacle suite was special primarily due to larger real estate, a better bottle of champagne on embarkation, a half bath, a fantastic master bath and a great Kitchen/pantry. Otherwise there is no difference in amenities or perks between Neptune and Pinnacle suites. While the Pinnacle verandah is large, it is narrow and the small whirlpool tub is in full view of many passengers on the deck above forward of the suite.

 

 

 

Fast forward to last June. We had a challenging 6 months in 2017 and wanted a total chill and no fly cruise. The Celebrity Summit had a 7 night cruise out of Bayonne going to Bermuda and also had one of two Penthouse suites available. We grabbed it. OMG! What a cruise! The finest I had experienced in over 30 cruises. My only other Celebrity cruise was in September of 2011 with a 12 night on the Mercury from Vancouver to Hawaii in the Penthouse suite.it was lovely, but long before all of the suite perks, specialty restaurants, etc.

 

 

 

We arrived at the port in Bayonne at 10:30 and were sitting in the lovely Michaels club lounge by 10:54. So, here are the highlights and why HAL Pinnacle Suites simply do not compare:

 

 

 

—The penthouse suite is over 1,400 square feet inside with two full bathrooms and a verandah that is over 1,000 square feet. The suite and the verandah are spectacular! The true Butlers pantry is beautiful and comes stocked with anything you want re beer, all kinds of water, fresh squeezed oj, vitamin water, soda. All refreshed daily at no charge! You are called before the cruise to find out what you want so the full-size refrigerator is already stocked. Beyond the top shelf bubbly in the suite you get two free liter bottles of liquor of your choice. And, daily canapés of your choice if you wish and lovely food offerings for insuite parties.

 

 

 

—The suite has a dedicated restaurant for virtually all meals. Luminae is truly fine dining with lunch and dinner menus that change daily. Excellent service with true highly trained sommeliers. And, if you want something from the MDR or a specialty restaurant, they are happy to bring it to you.

 

 

 

—the suite INCLUDES FREE unlimited internet access, free top-shelf liquor across the entire ship, free specialty dining, free laundry and dry cleaning and Michaels club that is the dedicated concierge lounge that includes superior food, free top shelf drinks, high tea, etc.

 

 

 

—A highly trained butler takes care of anything and everything you want including course-by-course dining in the suite with a dining table for 8 and a huge table on the palatial verandah. He also makes sure to place excellent coffee and anything else you want in the Butlers pantry each morning.

 

 

 

And, all of this cost us about $300 pp more than the Pinnacle suite on HAL. At least that was the difference for that cruise. We loved the experience so much that we booked the same suite for 3 more different cruises. HAL is going to need to “up their game” for suite passengers if they want all of my business in the future.

 

 

 

I am happy to answer any questions. Happy sailing.

 

 

 

You’ve hit the nail on the head. We did a suite once on Celebrity (not a Penthouse) and still felt like we were treated like royalty compared to our suite experience on HAL.

 

We love HAL, but there really is nothing overly special done for their suite guests. The Neptune is great, but come on...you can’t even give the Thermal Suite pass to your Spa Suite guests?? AND...I still get bitter that I can order room service breakfast in my suite and get a free mimosa, but you can’t give me a free one when I go to the PG for breakfast.

 

 

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