Pinnacle Grill and unlimited drink cards

[krittykat]

Two separate questions. Still trying to gather all this information for my first cruise.
Oosterdam Alasak trip out of Seattle, leaving 7/2/05.
What night would be best for the Pinnable Grill and how/when do I make my reservations?
Someone mentioned an unlimted soft drink card and that you can buy them ahead of time. Where would I go to do that and how soon?

My 13 year old daughter (who is not to pleased with me booking the cruise over the 4th of July is wondering if we would be able to see fireworks on the 4th?
We will be in Juneau that day but leave at 8pm

[twomommy]

Last summer we had Wednesday night reservations at the Pinnacle and it was perfect. We had time to come back on board and clean up before dinner. You can call ahead and prepay. Be sure to take cash to tip the waitstaff, they are great. Enjoy Alaska!

[grannynurse]

HAL has a reduced rate for the Pinnacle on day of sailing, but you might miss the "first night experience" in the dining room. If you choose an at-sea day you may not get the time you want.
On the whole, you won't have a problem making a reservation. They are accepted even on THE day of dining, from 10 am or so. You can make them in person, or by phone, or pre-book with Ships's Services before you leave home.

The cards do not work for us as we are not pop drinkers, and it excludes cans. If you drink alot of fountain drinks it may work for you. If I'm not mistaken, you can't use the card in the bars. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Hope this helps,
GN

[doone]

I sailed Alaska many years ago and was on the cruise over 4th of July. We were, also, in Juneau for the 4th of July. Tell your daughter not to worry, what happened with us was the Captain elected to stay in Juneau til the fireworks were to be displayed, which in Alaska the sun doesn't set til late and rises early. We had to wait til 12 midnight for the fireworks. They brought a barge in full of fireworks and shot them from the barge. These fireworks were so spectacular, your daughter won't mind a bit being away for the 4th of July. If fireworks don't work for you the way it did for us, just to let you know, we had fireworks in almost every port, she'll see them one way or another I am sure, and they'll be the highlight of her cruise.

[KAKcruiser]

The only place the drink cards cannot be used is room service and Half Moon Cay. We used them in the bars, lido, dining room, show lounge. However, they are getting more expensive. It might be cheaper to buy individual sodas.

[CanadianMAG]

Maybe I am getting mixed up, but if I recall correctly from a post last month it said that the drink cards are not beeing offered anymore. I didn't pay it much attention, I don't even rememeber the last time we had pop... maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong.

[bepsf]

IMO - The best two nights for the Pinnacle are first night and last night.

Especially last night on that route, as there isn't much to see in Victoria and main Dining Room Service onboard is reduced to a single casual seating - last dinner in the Pinnacle would make a more elegant end to your cruise.

[lindleyjulie]

On our first cruise every body raved on about the first night in the dining room and the signiture cake, I had no idea what this was and was a little dissapointed when it came I dont know what I was expecting, next first night I will go for the Pinnacle although it does give you a chance to know where you are sitting and meet your waiter. We had three soda cards on the Volendam last october and they were great for us I got them from the Lido pool bar, I think they were $27-50 each, we used them everywhere except half moon cay, room service and the dining room( only because the water was nice and cold and tasted great) I did hear somebody say the soda cards were to be stopped look through old threads.
I am sure you will have a wonderful time we wouldent do it any other way now.


Julie;)

[Linda&Vern]

Maybe I am getting mixed up, but if I recall correctly from a post last month it said that the drink cards are not beeing offered anymore. I didn't pay it much attention, I don't even rememeber the last time we had pop... maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong.
On our 11-day Maasdam Holiday cruise my unlimited soda card package (with plastic HAL glass) was $44.50 PLUS 15% gratuity automatically added ... total being $51.18. They accepted my card everywhere on the ship (no HMC and no room service).

[Kate-AHF]

IMO - The best two nights for the Pinnacle are first night and last night.

THat's interesting. I was thinking it would be rude not to appear at your table on first night. Particularly since (as you know) I'm trying not to stress about the "meet and greet" thing.

I think the last night is a great idea. Are two nights in the Pinnacle for a 7 day too much of a muchness?

(and thank you for your words of wisdom on the sailaway thread. I've "piped them aboard".)

[the2ofus]

On our recent Westerdam cruise, I booked the Pinnacle Grill for 7:00 p.m. the first evening. Then, we went to the Dining Room at our assigned 6:15 time so that we could meet the waitstaff and explain that we would be at dinner every subsequent night of the cruise. Our waiter seemed to appreciate this. We were at a table for two. Had we been at a larger table, this would have been a chance to meet our tablemates also.

I forgot to look at the DR menu that night, or we might have stayed for an appetizer or soup.

[Renorita]

On our recent Westerdam cruise, I booked the Pinnacle Grill for 7:00 p.m. the first evening. Then, we went to the Dining Room at our assigned 6:15 time so that we could meet the waitstaff and explain that we would be at dinner every subsequent night of the cruise. Our waiter seemed to appreciate this. We were at a table for two. Had we been at a larger table, this would have been a chance to meet our tablemates also.

I forgot to look at the DR menu that night, or we might have stayed for an appetizer or soup.

That is a good idea! :) Do they mind if you stop and just have an appetizer and meet your waitstaff and tablemates before trotting off to the Pinnacle?

[CDRMark]

They will be thrilled to see you.
On our recent Maasdam cruise we also booked the Pinnacle for first night at 7pm. After finishing there, we went down to the Dining room (we had 8:00 seating) and introduced ourselves to our tablemates and waitstaff, had coffee and were nearly force fed an additional dessert by the accomodating crew. Our tablemates always told one another and the staff when we had Pinnacle reservations upcoming so they would know how many to expect, and that we were not merely late arriving. They appeared to sincerely appreciate this, and it was certainly easy to do. Of course we had the ultimate perfect table of eight! (IMO).
Cheers
MarkB