Current Menus for a 14 day cruise?

[CanuckCruizer]

Hi - Going on my 1st HAL cruise on the Oosterdam 14 day - it is being sold as a 10 day, a 4 day and a 14 day. Does anyone know if we will have a 10 day menu and then a 4 day menu or is there such a thing as a 14 day menu. I did a search but couldn't really find anything. Trying to figure out what nights to book The Pinnacle Grill and don't want to miss anything good in the dining room.

If anyone could offer any help - it would be appreciated.:)

Canuck

[kazu]

Hi - Going on my 1st HAL cruise on the Oosterdam 14 day - it is being sold as a 10 day, a 4 day and a 14 day. Does anyone know if we will have a 10 day menu and then a 4 day menu or is there such a thing as a 14 day menu. I did a search but couldn't really find anything. Trying to figure out what nights to book The Pinnacle Grill and don't want to miss anything good in the dining room.

If anyone could offer any help - it would be appreciated.:)

Canuck

We have some very knowledgeable HAl people on these threads. I don't claim to be one of them and I hope they answer, but my experience is the better meals are usually served on the formal nights. Hopefully someone else can confirm as I am just going by my experience.

Formal nights are usually the first sea day and the second last sea day at least if you want to book before getting on board. Once on board, you will have a listing for the entire cruise (hopefully) for the dress code. If you don't you can get the answer at the front desk/concierge (whichever is appropriate).

hope this helps a bit and I am sure the more knowledgeable people on this board will step in to help you. Happy cruising!

[CanuckCruizer]

Kazu - thanks for the info. It is the Sea of Cortez cruise. I do know that there are 4 formals - I was told by HAL Special Services and based on my own cruising experience - I "think" the formals are:
1st formal on Day 2 (1st sea day), 2nd formal on Day 5 (Guaymas), 3rd formal on Day 9 (1st sea day after PV) and the 4th formal is probably Day 12 (1st sea day after leaving San Diego again). (The actual numbering of the days well...some people count the 1st day of the cruise as Day 0 - I count it as Day 1.)

So, I think I have the formals sussed out - it is just that I can't seem to get my hands on any menus for this cruise so I would like to know which nights are not that good so I can book The Pinnacle Grill. We usually like to attend in the dining room on formal nights and if they are indeed serving Beef Wellington (I heard a rumour....) I would NOT want to miss that!:D

I guess I will have to find the most current 10 day menu and work with that as I think that they will probably do a 10 day and then a 4 day menu. Thanks for your help.

Canuck

[lorekauf]

I just did this cruise last month. I think we had 14 day menus for the 14 days although there was different people getting on and off the ship.

[CanuckCruizer]

lorekauf,

Thanks for the info. Now...if only I could find the 14 day menus...

Canuck

[lorekauf]

Good luck. I didn't bring a copy home either. I remember the good old days when you used to get a copy. I have a set I kept from a 1999 cruise.

[kazu]

ok, let's try this, what stateroom category are you in? If in a suite, i believe the concierge can give you some info in advance and if you're not and the concierge has the info then surely the front desk must have it too.

However, you have to remember that depending upon what is fresh may change the menu. you can probably cheat and get some help with the maitre d', and even the pinnacle grill staff.

I know it's not the answer that you are looking for but I hope it helps until someone more knowledgeable than I comes on. Have a great cruise.

[CanuckCruizer]

lorekauf and kazu - thanks for your help. We are not in a suite (I wish!) just a VA balcony. I am trying to book the reservations from home before we board as I heard that it gets booked up and that some people can't get in there. But that was a good idea about asking The Pinnacle Grill about the dining room menus while onboard - we have done that before and it does help to plan. I will keep searching for the menus.

Thanks again:)

Canuck

[kazu]

lorekauf and kazu - thanks for your help. We are not in a suite (I wish!) just a VA balcony. I am trying to book the reservations from home before we board as I heard that it gets booked up and that some people can't get in there. But that was a good idea about asking The Pinnacle Grill about the dining room menus while onboard - we have done that before and it does help to plan. I will keep searching for the menus.

Thanks again:)

Canuck

being a Canadian (as i am) why not just call HAL either to book the Pinnacle or the general number, but probably to book the Pinnacle is better and tell them your dilema. I would be dollars to Tim Hortons donuts that they have the answer or could get it for you.

Last cruise the formal nights were not established and when i booked the Pinnacle, they had a darned good idea. There was one thing I did not want to miss on the MDR menu and they assured me I wouldn't.

Just a thought. worth a try . worked for me last time and if you don't ask

[CanuckCruizer]

Kazu - you crack me up - Tim Horton's donuts - now you have made me crave Timmie's!!!! I am drooling thinking about a sour cream glazed one right now!:D I did ask the lady at Ship Services or whatever it was called but she didn't know - I will try again - maybe someone else will know the answer. Thanks for all your help.

Canuck

[kazu]

Kazu - you crack me up - Tim Horton's donuts - now you have made me crave Timmie's!!!! I am drooling thinking about a sour cream glazed one right now!:D I did ask the lady at Ship Services or whatever it was called but she didn't know - I will try again - maybe someone else will know the answer. Thanks for all your help.

Canuck

come on, this isn't as top secret as Timmies, the menus are the same week after week after weekl. someone has to know - give it a go.

might be some minor changes but I bet you dollars to donuts (oops did I do it again) that it is the same.

Emails to HAl with your booking number can also be helpful.

good luck - enjoy the PG, the MDR and your cruise

[CanuckCruizer]

Thanks, Kazu - I wish it were "just" the 7 day menus as I could get those but this is a 10 day, a 4 day and ultimately a 14 day, so a bit different. I will let you know if I find them! Thanks again:)

Canuck

[lorekauf]

It seems very difficult to get answers from anyone in Seattle. I didn't have any trouble booking a couple of nights in the Pinnacle once I got on board for my April 24, 2010 cruise. It seems a lot of people say the Pinnacle gets really booked. I've never had any problem getting in. I wouldn't wait until 5 minutes before you want to go but I think you won't have a problem once on board. The only time I wouldn't go would be on a formal night. I don't think the menus are that amazing any other night....but that's just me.

[CanuckCruizer]

Lorekauf - thanks very much for the info. That is interesting to hear about it not being booked up - I will keep it in mind.

Thanks,

Canuck

[kazu]

On our last cruise a couple of the nights were already booked (we had pre-booked one night), but the rest had time slots available as well. As long as you have some flexibility, you can usually find a time.

Lunch is worth trying as well - half price and interesting.

[CanuckCruizer]

Kazu - thanks for the info about lunch - sounds good! After speaking with HAL again (to several different people) I now have the answer - it is going to be a 10 day menu and a 4 day menu on the 14 day cruise - like I thought. They don't have the menus yet as it isn't until next year. I will see if I can rustle up a 10 day one from a recent cruise and go from there. After asking if we were in a suite....well....I think you put a bug in my ear - haha - so guess what? I upgraded to a suite yesterday!!:D So, if I don't find out beforehand - maybe I can ask the Concierge, like you said. I also lost all control and booked another cruise for 2012 too!!! lol So, we may be switching from RCCL to HAL - we shall see!

Thanks for all your help! I am sure I will have more questions before we sail. We have been on over 30 cruises but it is different when you try a new line - it is a little bit of a mystery. My DH has been on 2 cruises on HAL in the early 90's (before he met me) and loved it, so hoping it hasn't changed too much.:)

Canuck

[kazu]

Kazu - thanks for the info about lunch - sounds good! After speaking with HAL again (to several different people) I now have the answer - it is going to be a 10 day menu and a 4 day menu on the 14 day cruise - like I thought. They don't have the menus yet as it isn't until next year. I will see if I can rustle up a 10 day one from a recent cruise and go from there. After asking if we were in a suite....well....I think you put a bug in my ear - haha - so guess what? I upgraded to a suite yesterday!!:D So, if I don't find out beforehand - maybe I can ask the Concierge, like you said. I also lost all control and booked another cruise for 2012 too!!! lol So, we may be switching from RCCL to HAL - we shall see!

Thanks for all your help! I am sure I will have more questions before we sail. We have been on over 30 cruises but it is different when you try a new line - it is a little bit of a mystery. My DH has been on 2 cruises on HAL in the early 90's (before he met me) and loved it, so hoping it hasn't changed too much.:)

Canuck

Congrats!! if you are in a deluxe verandah (my fave), the menus will be delivered to you every day well before dinner. Suites rule

[CanuckCruizer]

Kazu - yes - we booked SB and for the other cruise we booked SC! Yippee! Now I will have to save my pennies to afford them!:eek:

Canuck

[kazu]

Kazu - yes - we booked SB and for the other cruise we booked SC! Yippee! Now I will have to save my pennies to afford them!:eek:

Canuck

best way to save your pennies is to skip those Timmie's donuts and coffees:D kidding:)

[CanuckCruizer]

Kazu - LOL LOL LOL:D Yes - I will be starting the diet to get prepared for the cruises so I can live it up and eat away while on board!!

[kazu]

Kazu - LOL LOL LOL:D Yes - I will be starting the diet to get prepared for the cruises so I can live it up and eat away while on board!!

have fun, if you get offered an upsell, or have any questions you don't want to post on the board, feel free to email me at catjack@nbnet.nb.ca

[CanuckCruizer]

Thanks, Kazu for all your help. No - I don't think that I will be offered an upsell - I had them make a note on both reservations - "No upgrades" as both cabins are corner afts.:D:D:D

Canuck

[CanuckCruizer]

I found a set of 10 day menus for the Noordam from 2009 - can't seem to find any more current than that. Wondering if HAL has changed/updated its menus since then - anyone know?

Thanks,

Canuck