coffee59 Posted November 6, 2022 #1 Share Posted November 6, 2022 We have booked our complimentary dinner (that was received as a booking promotion), at the Pinnacle Grill. Am I assuming correctly that a complimentary dinner given as a booking promotion would not include the 18% gratuity? If not, would the 18% gratuity be charged to the cabin or would I need to bring cash? Also, from past experience, the beverage package was not honored at the Pinnacle Grill. Is this still true? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted November 6, 2022 #2 Share Posted November 6, 2022 There should be no reason the beverage package is not honoured at the pinnacle unless you tried to order a bottle of wine or a really expensive drink. The 18 percent will not be billed to your room. I bring money with me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Suzy Posted November 6, 2022 #3 Share Posted November 6, 2022 The 18% gratuity is included with everything that's part of the booking promo. It's also included in the quoted price of items purchased pre-cruise. Our beverage packages have always been accepted in the Pinnacle Grill. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted November 6, 2022 #4 Share Posted November 6, 2022 Beverage packages are absolutely accepted in Pinnacle and the other specialty restaurants. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee59 Posted November 6, 2022 Author #5 Share Posted November 6, 2022 Thanks for the info. Thirteen days and I'll be sitting in the Pinnacle enjoying my steak and wine. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare VMax1700 Posted November 6, 2022 #6 Share Posted November 6, 2022 I have found (personal opinion here!) that the service in Pinnacle Grill since the start of HIA is not deserving of any additional tip. Sometimes it is not even worth the included 18%. There is no problem using the Beverage Pack in PG, but if they should say otherwise, then get up from the table, walk out to the closest bar and order there. Do not put up with their inadequacies. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted November 6, 2022 #7 Share Posted November 6, 2022 Just now, VMax1700 said: I have found (personal opinion here!) that the service in Pinnacle Grill since the start of HIA is not deserving of any additional tip. Sometimes it is not even worth the included 18%. There is no problem using the Beverage Pack in PG, but if they should say otherwise, then get up from the table, walk out to the closest bar and order there. Do not put up with their inadequacies. True that! The service and lack of professionalism was so bad last time I was on the koningsdam I refused to go back. I almost always tip even when it’s not warranted but no way was I going to reward that. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Banditswife Posted November 6, 2022 #8 Share Posted November 6, 2022 we are doing Pinnacle with our HIA pkg. Am I understanding gratuity is included with that. Correct? If we get awesome service, we might tip extra, if not, will leave it as is. We have only dined at Pinnacle 2x, service wasn't horrible, but not stellar either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare VMax1700 Posted November 6, 2022 #9 Share Posted November 6, 2022 5 minutes ago, Banditswife said: Am I understanding gratuity is included with that. Correct? Correct 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted November 6, 2022 #10 Share Posted November 6, 2022 Service on Eurodam in the Pinnacle last month was fantastic! Different dining room manager is reason IMO. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare albingirl Posted November 6, 2022 #11 Share Posted November 6, 2022 They can be up or down. I like escargot so we are likely to dine there. Sad they got rid of crab legs though. Since the 18 percent is included, I really don't feel the need to add to that. How heavy do you want to tip? 20 percent is my norm. Tipping is such a fun subject here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mary229 Posted November 6, 2022 #12 Share Posted November 6, 2022 4 hours ago, VMax1700 said: I have found (personal opinion here!) that the service in Pinnacle Grill since the start of HIA is not deserving of any additional tip. Sometimes it is not even worth the included 18%. Not that I would add anything above the 18% but I have had great service this year and yes, I have had inadequate service this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted November 7, 2022 #13 Share Posted November 7, 2022 7 hours ago, DaveOKC said: Service on Eurodam in the Pinnacle last month was fantastic! Different dining room manager is reason IMO. I 100% agree! Just as whomever is the Executive Chef in the Galley, it is those people who make a major difference as to the satisfaction of the guest to their dining experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mary229 Posted November 7, 2022 #14 Share Posted November 7, 2022 7 hours ago, DaveOKC said: Service on Eurodam in the Pinnacle last month was fantastic! Different dining room manager is reason IMO. And I had a different experience but it wasn’t for their lack of trying. I just picked the wrong night and time and they were packed. I now recommend the Pinnacle after 7:00. They seem to be too busy for early dining 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted November 7, 2022 #15 Share Posted November 7, 2022 24 minutes ago, Mary229 said: I now recommend the Pinnacle after 7:00. Later dining provides a more relaxed and pleasant dining experience for me whether it is in the MDR or a specialty restaurant. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted November 7, 2022 #16 Share Posted November 7, 2022 55 minutes ago, Mary229 said: And I had a different experience but it wasn’t for their lack of trying. I just picked the wrong night and time and they were packed. I now recommend the Pinnacle after 7:00. They seem to be too busy for early dining That’s ridiculous. This is a pay extra restaurant and on top of it they now want to charge for an extra appetizer. So classy. Even more funny are those that think paying extra on top of it is warranted. So not my problem if they can’t get it together before 7. Don’t take so many reservations or change your promos. I refused to pick pinnacle for my 5 star freebies or the hia promo. I’d rather go to Canaletto where the servers don’t act like hal found them walking down the street. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee59 Posted November 7, 2022 Author #17 Share Posted November 7, 2022 I wasn't expecting so many negative comments. We will be on the Nieuw Statendam, 8:00PM first night. And honestly, only because it is free. I agree that it all depends on the Executive Chef and Maître d'. Hopefully they both expect excellence from their staff and our experience will be a great start to the cruise. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mary229 Posted November 7, 2022 #18 Share Posted November 7, 2022 10 minutes ago, coffee59 said: I wasn't expecting so many negative comments. We will be on the Nieuw Statendam, 8:00PM first night. And honestly, only because it is free. I agree that it all depends on the Executive Chef and Maître d'. Hopefully they both expect excellence from their staff and our experience will be a great start to the cruise. I had a totally wonderful meal on the NS. The food was excellent, the service was upbeat and proficient 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted November 7, 2022 #19 Share Posted November 7, 2022 12 hours ago, Mary229 said: And I had a different experience but it wasn’t for their lack of trying. I just picked the wrong night and time and they were packed. I now recommend the Pinnacle after 7:00. They seem to be too busy for early dining Good point here! When onboard the Eurodam I asked which day would be the best for an early dining time and they pointed me to one of the port days. They told me that on most sea days (we had alot) they are very busy (and they were). We like to go on the first day, as they generally are not as busy, plus the main dining room always seems to be unorganized that first day, with people and staff getting settled in. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising-along Posted November 7, 2022 #20 Share Posted November 7, 2022 3 hours ago, coffee59 said: I wasn't expecting so many negative comments. We will be on the Nieuw Statendam, 8:00PM first night. And honestly, only because it is free. I agree that it all depends on the Executive Chef and Maître d'. Hopefully they both expect excellence from their staff and our experience will be a great start to the cruise. Please say Hi to Tudor for me! He joined the NS a week ago as the new PG Manager. He's a gem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted November 7, 2022 #21 Share Posted November 7, 2022 10 hours ago, Mary229 said: I had a totally wonderful meal on the NS. The food was excellent, the service was upbeat and proficient Me, too! I had two fantastic dinners and one fantastic lunch on the Nieuw Statendam in August. Food and service could not have been better. Personally, I think it may have had something to do with who was in charge on that cruise. She was in charge on another cruise on a different ship, and the restaurant ran to perfection there, too. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herschel Dirtwater Posted November 7, 2022 #22 Share Posted November 7, 2022 12 hours ago, coffee59 said: I wasn't expecting so many negative comments. We will be on the Nieuw Statendam, 8:00PM first night. And honestly, only because it is free. I agree that it all depends on the Executive Chef and Maître d'. Hopefully they both expect excellence from their staff and our experience will be a great start to the cruise. We'll be there on Thanksgiving lol. It's also my birthday hence the steakhouse. We'll make a turkey when we get back. I'm a little nervous given the comments here, but we'll see what we get when we get it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wakepatrol Posted November 7, 2022 #23 Share Posted November 7, 2022 19 minutes ago, Herschel Dirtwater said: We'll be there on Thanksgiving lol. It's also my birthday hence the steakhouse. We'll make a turkey when we get back. I'm a little nervous given the comments here, but we'll see what we get when we get it. You’ll have a wonderful Birthday 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted November 7, 2022 #24 Share Posted November 7, 2022 I would generally expect that any truly complimentary offer not to include additional charges just to redeem it. A restaurant is typically not run like a timeshare sales. You won't be billed extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted November 7, 2022 #25 Share Posted November 7, 2022 22 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said: That’s ridiculous. This is a pay extra restaurant and on top of it they now want to charge for an extra appetizer. So classy. Even more funny are those that think paying extra on top of it is warranted. So not my problem if they can’t get it together before 7. Don’t take so many reservations or change your promos. I refused to pick pinnacle for my 5 star freebies or the hia promo. I’d rather go to Canaletto where the servers don’t act like hal found them walking down the street. The way I view it, it's a dinner restaurant with the same opening time every single evening, regardless of who is onboard the ship that day. Reservations are made and walk ups are accommodated. Exactly like any land restaurant. The often repeated stories about bad service the first day as the crew "get up to speed" make absolutely no sense to me; I agree with you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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