meal options and extra cost (oosterdam)

[internetuser]

I am going for an oosterdam cruise in june.

I was told by the representative that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included in the cruise fare. There is also some upscale restaurant where you would have to pay if you dine there.

Do we have to pay extra for room service? What other meals options are available, and which ones are included?

[G&G]

I am going for an oosterdam cruise in june.

I was told by the representative that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included in the cruise fare. There is also some upscale restaurant where you would have to pay if you dine there.

Do we have to pay extra for room service? What other meals options are available, and which ones are included?

No charge for room service. Can order full breakfast, lunch & dinner to room.

Lido Restaurant is buffet style for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Dinner menu is same as Main Dining Room each night.

Italian Restaurant; no charge for dinner; reservations required

Pinnacle Grill; $20/person steakhouse; excellent. You should make reservations on HAL's website prior to cruise

Grill at Lido Pool; hamburgers, hot dogs, taco bar; no charge

Main Dining Room; either fixed seating or open dining; no charge

[sparky-elpaso]

All meals are included - main dining room, Lido restaurant (buffet), taco bar and Terrace Grill by the pool (burgers, hot dogs, fries), and room service (customary to tip in cash to the crew member who delivers your order for room service).

Pinnacle Grill is the restaurant with an extra charge - and well worth it.

The only thing you will pay extra for are sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees, wine, and alcoholic drinks. Water, coffee, juices at breakfast (including fresh squeezed OJ), and iced tea, are included.

And there's afternoon tea every day too.

[RMLincoln]

Room service has snacks too as well as meals.

MDR menu may have more selections than the Lido dinner offerings.

Specialty drink cards for multiple uses usually make for some cost savings. Soda cards, wine cards, coffee cards, cocktail cards are available. I've only used the wine card. It was about $77 for 20 glasses of house wines, several to select from, includes 15% tip. There is also a 10 glass wine card. These are punch cards that you have to present each time you use it and it's punched for each use. If you lose the card, it's gone.

It's usually not hard to find free food on a cruise ship:D. Enjoy....

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You can get cappcino and espresso coffees in the main dining room at all meals for free.

[schneidwife]

All meals are included - main dining room, Lido restaurant (buffet), taco bar and Terrace Grill by the pool (burgers, hot dogs, fries), and room service (customary to tip in cash to the crew member who delivers your order for room service).

Pinnacle Grill is the restaurant with an extra charge - and well worth it.

The only thing you will pay extra for are sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees, wine, and alcoholic drinks. Water, coffee, juices at breakfast (including fresh squeezed OJ), and iced tea, are included.

And there's afternoon tea every day too.

We've been told that fresh squeezed OJ at breakfast is free on HAL. Has that changed?

[mahassiddasairy]

I think the above poster meant that OJ, etc, are included in the price of the cruise.

[Gablin]

One more item: On most cruise ships, anything that you order in a bar or lounge will cost extra. So, fruit juice in the dining room or Lido is free, but from a bartender usually has a cost. Same thing for water, tea, etc.
I do not know if this is true for HAL, but a dear relative was surprised by this on NCL.

[sparky-elpaso]

I think the above poster meant that OJ, etc, are included in the price of the cruise.

Thanks - I guess that sentence wasn't worded very well.

[IRL_Joanie]

One more item: On most cruise ships, anything that you order in a bar or lounge will cost extra. So, fruit juice in the dining room or Lido is free, but from a bartender usually has a cost. Same thing for water, tea, etc.
I do not know if this is true for HAL, but a dear relative was surprised by this on NCL.


HAL does not charge for juices, tap water, tea iced or hot, or non specialty coffee in the bars or anywhere on board their ships.

Joanie

[schneidwife]

I think the above poster meant that OJ, etc, are included in the price of the cruise.

Just can't read as well as I used to!

[RMLincoln]

HAL does not charge for juices, tap water, tea iced or hot, or non specialty coffee in the bars or anywhere on board their ships.

Joanie

Thank you Joanie, I didn't know that! I've thought about ordering a decaf coffee while listening to the strings after dinner. Next time (And I'm believing that there WILL be a next time:)) I'll try that.

[jcrandle]

Another benefit that HAL offers is the option to order items from the menu that will be served in the main dining room to be delivered by room service at no extra charge. The caveat (as I understand it, and I will be gently corrected by CC members if I am wrong) is that the order must be placed in the first 30 minutes of the MDR seating times. However, you can specify a delivery time other than that, so you can enjoy a delicious dinner in the privacy of your stateroom, at no extra cost.

This a great treat for those tired from a busy shore excursion, or those enjoying their honeymoon, or their second honeymoon. or third, etc.

[schoolinmy3]

Another benefit that HAL offers is the option to order items from the menu that will be served in the main dining room to be delivered by room service at no extra charge. The caveat (as I understand it, and I will be gently corrected by CC members if I am wrong) is that the order must be placed in the first 30 minutes of the MDR seating times. However, you can specify a delivery time other than that, so you can enjoy a delicious dinner in the privacy of your stateroom, at no extra cost.

This a great treat for those tired from a busy shore excursion, or those enjoying their honeymoon, or their second honeymoon. or third, etc.

I also want to add that ordering room service is a great option for those who don't wish to attend the formal evening but would like a quiet dinner in their room instead of going to the Lido to eat. What I did was check out the dining room menu and see what specials they were offereing (such as the chilled soups) and ordered that for room service.
diane

[lorekauf]

Thank you Joanie, I didn't know that! I've thought about ordering a decaf coffee while listening to the strings after dinner. Next time (And I'm believing that there WILL be a next time:)) I'll try that.
You might want to confirm that a plain cup of coffee at a bar is free. Seems to me I was sitting in the bar when someone wanted a cup of coffee. I think the bartender said there was a charge. Don't quote me on this because I'm not 100% sure.