Dress for Pinnacle Grill

[K&RCurt]

We have made reservations for the Pinnacle Grill for our first night on the 1/23 sailing of the Westerdam.

The dress for the first night is "casual" but is casual dress appropriate for the Pinnacle Grill. It is billed as the equivilent of an upscale "white tablecloth" shore resturaunt, and We would NEVER show up at such an establishment dressed "casually".

However, we don't want to look like a couple of "dorks" overdressed with everyone else in chinos and polo shirts!

Any advice from past "first night" Pinnacle Grill diners would be appreciated.

[GrammyPL]

We always go to the Pinnacle on the first night. It does say casual dress - but a lot of men will wear a jacket and no tie and the women will dress a little better then casual. But--we have seen just about anything worn. Penny

[dakrewser]

"Country club casual" is always appropriate in the Pinnacle. Although if go on a formal night you should conform to that standard since it'll be expected in other public rooms.

[cactuslady]

However, we don't want to look like a couple of "dorks" overdressed with everyone else in chinos and polo shirts!
If I were Miss Manners, I might respond:

Good heavens, I hear the same thing so often from people who show up formally dressed in the dining room on formal night. Complying with the dress code for the evening is either not taken seriously, not considered to be worth doing, or seriously considered oppressive, by many folks who wear casual no matter what. As a result, their sheer numbers may turn those gracious few who are properly dressed, as requested, into apparent dorks.

Therefore, turnabout being fair play, it would be perfectly acceptable for you to dress up as you like and deem appropriate for the Pinnacle Grill, regardless of the published dress code of the evening. You may assume the attitude that it's your vacation and what you choose to wear is not the business of either HAL or the other passengers. Should anyone's comment, glance or presence tend to make you feel like an overdressed dork, you may simply dismiss the offenders as the minions of the obnoxious fashion police and proceed to enjoy your evening. You never know, perhaps enough of you will dress up on the first night that the rest of the passengers may feel compelled to run back to their cabins to change into something more elegant.
;)

[debsea]

We just returned from the New Year's Zaandam cruise. The night we booked in the Pinnacle Grill was a "casual" night, but since we were coming from our Renewal of Vows Ceremony, I wore a dress and DH wore a dark suit with tie. We did not feel the least bit out of place. Make your Pinnacle evening a special one, dress as you please, and you will enjoy!

[SANDY BEACH]

My DH always wears a suit or sports coat when dining in the Pinnacle. I wear something that is considered informal. It's a special night and I found that most dressed up when dining there. I would have felt out of place in casual attire.

[hdawson]

Upscale it is! Sport coat or blazer as a minimum. Even the specialty restaurants on Carnival, the line that so many love to bash, has a jacket requirement. It's even printed on your reservation card.

[peaches from georgia]

How interesting that Carnival has a jacket requirement for its speciality restaurant(s) and HAL does not. Maybe we are cruising on the wrong line. :rolleyes:

[K&RCurt]

Thank you all for your responses.

We will be dressed as if we were going to one of our favorite resturaunts - not "casual" by our standards.

[hdawson]

Peaches. Maybe HAL assumes their guests already know the proper dress for an upscale venue.

[peaches from georgia]

HAL knows better than to assume anything!

My husband would never think of going to the Pinnacle without a jacket and neither would many HAL pax. But in all our times in the Pinnacle we have seen many men in casual attire there. When many male pax are now refusing to wear a jacket in the dining room on informal nights and a suit, tux, or jacket and tie on formal nights when it is clearly requested by the cruiseline, it's pretty obvious that HAL needs to spell out proper dress and then ENFORCE it. :D

[hdawson]

Peaches. Works for me.

[bepsf]

Remember that we're discussing first night here - we can't presume that all of the steamer trunks have arrived in the stateroom prior to our querier's 6pm Pinnacle reservations, can we?
;)

Of course, one would never wear just khaki's and a polo shirt for a late embarkation in January either. One would be prepared for the worst, wearing loafers and a blazer too - and of course the lady would be carrying her jewelry with her, and perhaps a shawl or pashmina as well?

[hdawson]

bepsf. In 15 cruises only once did my luggage get delivered later than 4PM. That's ok since I always carry a change for dinner, along with meds, jewelry, etc.

[johnnycruise]

Brian (BEPSF),

I returned from the WindSurf (Windstar Cruises, adolescent sister of HAL) 12/12/04 cruise from St. Thomas. Check-in was performed on board in the main lounge. It took about 25 minutes (two lines, one for document check and one for credit card check). Our luggage was already in our room when we arrived afterwards. You really should try Windstar. It is FAR superior to HAL in EVERY aspect. While never casual, the passengers dressed in various degrees of "country club casual" and everyone fit in. Mr. Blackwell was not on board. No one ever wore a tuxedo (your photo suggests you might miss that), but no one ever dressed "down" to the point that idle gossip flourished. Windstar was the most refreshing cruise experience I have ever had.

Johnny

[bkreader]

We ate at the Pinnacle our first night on the Westerdam Jan. 4. We were surprised by how dressy everyone was, even for a casual night. I was wishing I had worn a dress.

The cuts of meat there were very good, and much better than in the dining room - the waitress brought out a tray with raw pieces of beef and explained the differences in the cuts. We were less than thrilled with the side dishes - especially the asparagus, which was tough and overcooked. :eek: But the desserts were good and the overall experience was very enjoyable. Remember, if you want butter with your (excellent) bread or roll, you will have to ask them to get it from the dining room (or you could grab some from the Lido and bring it with you if you don't want to wait for them to go get it :) .) In the Pinnacle they just have a dish of oil to use for your bread. This seems very silly to me - I think the majority of passengers would like to have some butter available.
Enjoy! - Jane

[garydm]

Brian-Last time we ate in Pinnacle there was a guy in there with jeans and a T shirt having dinner, so khakis and a polo shirt would definitely have been formal for him!

Gary

[momqat]

The cuts of meat there were very good, and much better than in the dining room - the waitress brought out a tray with raw pieces of beef and explained the differences in the cuts.

I especially enjoyed having the breads and the meats "presented" (As in the waiter saying, "May I present the breads") ;) .

[Mary Ellen]

In the Pinnacle they just have a dish of oil to use for your bread. This seems very silly to me - I think the majority of passengers would like to have some butter available.

I can’t speak for New Hampshire, but in many, many parts of the country, olive oil is the condiment served with the bread in restaurants with an Italian ‘flavor’. Maybe this is leftover from when the Pinnacle was the Marco Polo. Most places where we have the olive oil serve it on a small plate seasoned with herbs, balsamic vinegar or Parmesan cheese. People prefer olive oil because it has very little saturated fat, no cholesterol or sodium. Much healthier than butter. If I’m going to have that dessert, I’m happier with the olive oil. ;)

[ruthiegirl]

I've heard of leaglisim in the church, I didnt know it extended to the cruise ship industry. It is a vacation away from what usually must be done. No one should feel slighted if someone else is enjoying themself within acceptable limits. Dressing for dinner will never be as important as meeting new friends anf visiting new places in MHOP.

[peaches from georgia]

Remember, if you want butter with your (excellent) bread or roll, you will have to ask them to get it from the dining room (or you could grab some from the Lido and bring it with you if you don't want to wait for them to go get it :) .) In the Pinnacle they just have a dish of oil to use for your bread. This seems very silly to me - I think the majority of passengers would like to have some butter available.
Enjoy! - Jane
I think the Pinnacle is trying to differentiate itself from the dining room in both food and atmosphere and doing a good job. Flavored dipping oils make a very upscale presentation in fine dining land restaurants and are delicious, at least we think so. I'm sure the Pinnacle stewards can bring butter in lieu of bringing your own. That was a joke, right? ;)

[dakrewser]

I think the Pinnacle is trying to differentiate itself from the dining room in both food and atmosphere and doing a good job. Flavored dipping oils make a very upscale presentation in fine dining land restaurants and are delicious, at least we think so. I'm sure the Pinnacle stewards can bring butter in lieu of bringing your own. That was a joke, right? ;)

Heck, with all the people who claim they have to bring their own wine aboard I'm sure there are some who'll insist on packing their own spread for bread. Certainly I'd prefer to have unsalted, European-style (i.e., higher butterfat) butter than that which is offered on board. I'd also prefer lighter, extra virgin, Italian olive oil for dipping. Probably won't get either. Guess I'll have to complain (vociferously) to the purser! :rolleyes:

-dave

[Jackjenson]

What do you wear to the Pinnacle the first night of your cruise when it is Super Bowl Sunday?

...or are New England jerseys considered formal on this line?:rolleyes:

[ruthiegirl]

Green and white jerseys #5 are always in good taste

[bookworm0911]

What do you wear to the Pinnacle the first night of your cruise when it is Super Bowl Sunday?

...or are New England jerseys considered formal on this line?:rolleyes:
I guess what you wear depends on what you think is appropriate, but I doubt HAL or other pax in the Pinnacle would expect anything different than the normal sport or dress shirt, with or without a tie, and maybe a sport jacket. In other words, it's a fine dining restaurant, not a sports bar. :D