Menu for Pinnacle Grill [Archive] - Cruise Critic Message Boards

Kayelache

January 18th, 2005, 04:49 PM

Does anyone have a copy or a photo of the menu for the Pinnacle Grill restaurant? I believe the menus are the same for all ships and for every night. We were on the Amsterdam to Antarctica over the holidays. I meant to photograph the Pinnacle menu, but somehow, I seem to have not done so.
I tried to find it on the web, without success. Thanks. Karen

dakrewser

January 18th, 2005, 05:06 PM

There's one here (http://home.g-net.net/~cbrock/ZuiderdamMenuEastCarib.html#Pinnacle)

Happy-d

January 26th, 2005, 04:12 PM

Thanks for sharing the menu? How much does it cost to eat there? I know it's $20/person "cover." But do you pay for individual entrees, desserts, etc. (a la carte)? Then at the end of the meal, do you get a bill for, let's say $90, and then add the gratuity?

First-time cruiser and want to know everything about everything before I go in March! :)

Krazy Kruizers

January 26th, 2005, 04:24 PM

It's $20 per person for everything! You can have as many appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, desserts as you want - and still pay only $20 per person - no gratuity is added on to the food bill. If you order cocktails, wine, after drinks - you will get a separate bill and only that bill will have the 15% gratuity added on.

If you call ship services at 1-800-541-1576 you can eat at the Pinnacle the first night of the cruise for only $10 per person.

Bookish Angel

January 26th, 2005, 05:36 PM

I'll fill up on salads and veggie sides!

heyabbott

January 26th, 2005, 05:52 PM

On a cruise that will be basically sold out, would you make reservations before boarding?

watchdiva

January 26th, 2005, 06:06 PM

I booked the Pinnacle for the first and fourth nights (Zuiderdam 4/16/05) back in November. My feeling was that since it was being charged already to my credit card, if we decided mid-way through the cruise to eat in the dining room, we could always cancel the reservation for the fourth night (and of course we would do so in a timely fashion). I'd rather be "safe" knowing I had the reservations for the days/times that I wanted than not...........

Lin

bepsf

January 26th, 2005, 06:27 PM

On a cruise that will be basically sold out, would you make reservations before boarding?

Definately - especially if there is a special event that you'd like to celebrate in the Pinnacle. If you don't see your Pinnacle reservation card when you enter your stateroom, you can always wander down at your leisure to confirm.

Besides, there are so many other things that are more fun when you first board than wait in line at the desk for a dinner reservation...

joyus

January 27th, 2005, 08:45 PM

Krazy Kruizers, is that bargain good for any "Dam" ship? How far ahead should you call? Is that price just for those in Suites or for any cat? Give us a few more details!!!

joyus

January 27th, 2005, 08:48 PM

Krazy Kruizers, is that number good for any "Dam" ship? How far ahead should you call? Is this just for persons in suites or any cat? Please give us more information!!!

sail7seas

January 27th, 2005, 08:56 PM

Anyone/everyone can call Ship Services in advance of the boarding the ship to make reservations for Pinnacle. Have ready your confirmation number and your credit card number. They will charge the per person price to your credit card at the time you make your reservation. When you board the ship, there should be a confirmation on the bureau in your cabin. If it is not there, bring your credit card bill (showing the amount of the charge) to Pinnacle and I am very sure any error will be corrected.

That Ship Services telephone number applies to all the ships in the Fleet.

sail7seas

January 27th, 2005, 08:59 PM

I am not totally sure that you can order as many entrees as you wish for just the basic per person fee. The portions really are very generous and not very many people would want more than one entree but it is possible they may charge another price if you wish a second entree.....it may not be like the regular dining room in that regard.

Kayelache

January 27th, 2005, 09:42 PM

We ate in Pinnacle the first night, and I thought it was worth the $10, but we didn't eat there again as IMHO it was not worth $20 each over and above the perfectly acceptable fare we had already paid for in the regular dining room. I ordered the halibut, and thought it dry and overcooked. My husband had the lamb chops and they were good, but not any better than those in the regular dining room. I hear the steaks were wonderful, but we don't eat beef.
I would not worry about reservations, on our cruise, which was completely sold out, Pinnacles was almost empty every night, at least at the times we passed by. Two or three tables occupied at the most.

papadave

January 27th, 2005, 10:13 PM

There's one here (http://home.g-net.net/~cbrock/ZuiderdamMenuEastCarib.html#Pinnacle)
How old is the posted menu? Do you know if it varies from ship to ship? We are going on the Westerdam on March 27, 2005 and are interested in eating there.

One additional question -- do we need to contact HAL before we get documents in order to secure the $10 first night rate that people have mentioned on this board?

cruisinjudy

January 27th, 2005, 10:28 PM

Since it had been discussed on these boards in the past, I asked one day in the Pinnacle about multiple ordering. i was told you can order as many sides as you wish, but only one entree, unless you pay the per person charge again.

Arubalisa

February 2nd, 2005, 02:26 PM

Pinnacle Grill Menu Starters (http://www.arubabound.com/image/lg/us/zaandam/scans/pinnaclegrill_menu.JPG)

Pinnacle Grill Menu Entrees (http://www.arubabound.com/image/lg/us/zaandam/scans/pinnaclegrill_menua.JPG)

heyabbott

February 2nd, 2005, 02:33 PM

ekerr19

February 2nd, 2005, 03:53 PM

We just booked two nights for our upcoming Volendam cruise. I am very interested in trying the Sommelier's dinner for one evening if it's available on our cruise.

I think the $20 surcharge is well worth it for the regular Pinnacle meal and I'm certain the Sommelier's will be well worth the additional surchage, though I can't remember exactly how much more it will be... does anyone know offhand?

Oceanwench

February 2nd, 2005, 04:54 PM

adamsmark

February 2nd, 2005, 05:02 PM

I posted this in another thread somewhere -- but I'll repeat it.

Make reservations as soon as you can.

DH tired to get us reservations in The Pinnacle for our first night on the Zui sailing 5/14 and we were told it was booked solid.
Oceanwench, if Pinnacle is booked solid on a night 3 months from now, you can be sure you have a big group sailing on your cruise. This may not be the last time on that cruise you find a public room is closed for the use of that group. Pinnacle is certainly is not booked that far ahead with just individual reservations, first night or any night. I'm sure the experienced cruisers on here will agree.

Oceanwench

February 2nd, 2005, 05:06 PM

Interesting point ...
On our roll call, someone posted that the Red Hat ladies were going on our cruise.
I posted that I'd heard [on this very board!] a big group can take over a cruise, and that comment was not well received!

When DH spoke to HAL, he was told "big groups" were booked ...
Hmmmm.

We've eaten at The Pinnacle twice on 2 different ships and never had trouble getting reservations until now.

ekerr19

February 2nd, 2005, 05:28 PM

I posted that I'd heard [on this very board!] a big group can take over a cruise, and that comment was not well received!

It would have been well received by me! I don't like being on chartered cruises at all! They can (IMO) take over the entire ship. Not fun for the rest of the pax. We have been on several cruises with very large groups and choose not to repeat the experience. I have learned to do my research in advance - if a large group books after me, I am not adverse to transfering my booking to another HAL ship.

No more, "Which hospital do you work at?" or "You aren't with the Nurses Continuing Education group? We thought everyone on the ship was with our group!"

Kate-AHF

February 2nd, 2005, 05:44 PM

Are suite passengers given special consideration when booking after sailing at the Pinnacle?

I ask because we most decidedly want to do this at least once in 7 days...possibly twice....but wanted to wait until we met the other folks at our table in case anyone wanted to join us.

dakrewser

February 2nd, 2005, 06:08 PM

We just booked two nights for our upcoming Volendam cruise. I am very interested in trying the Sommelier's dinner for one evening if it's available on our cruise.

There was no "Sommelier's dinner" on our ship last week, but there was a "tasting menu" with matched wines for each course which was offered every evening (the same choices each night). Listed at $49, but not sure if that's instead of or in addition to the $20 cover. Sorry, but I didn't think to note what was offered.

K&RCurt

February 2nd, 2005, 08:08 PM

We ate at the Pinnacle the first night last week on the Westerdam. We made reservation with ship's services ahead of time and while we asked for a specific time the CS rep said that she would note our request but we would have to check once we got on board to know for sure what time we would dine.

As soon as we got on board we went to the Pinnacle to check our dinner time and there was a fairly long line of people attempting to make reservations for that night but it was sold out. When we ate (at the time we had requested) the Pinnacle was FULL. When passing by during the rest of the cruise it appeared that there were plenty of seats available any other night.

If you want to take advantage of the first night savings I would reserve ahead of time.

Kelfly

February 2nd, 2005, 10:00 PM

Kate AHF:
I am also interested in seeing what type of reply you receive. On Princess, there was priority seating available for suite guests. I can't even imagine booking the alternate dining reservations prior to being on board, let alone 3 months out!

Is it just the first night that books up so quickly (because of the reduced rate) or all evenings? What are the chances of getting a reservation for later in the week (booked after boarding) on the Zuiderdam in early December?

Oceanwench

February 3rd, 2005, 01:33 PM

It would have been well received by me! I don't like being on chartered cruises at all! They can (IMO) take over the entire ship. Not fun for the rest of the pax. We have been on several cruises with very large groups and choose not to repeat the experience. I have learned to do my research in advance - if a large group books after me, I am not adverse to transfering my booking to another HAL ship.

No more, "Which hospital do you work at?" or "You aren't with the Nurses Continuing Education group? We thought everyone on the ship was with our group!"

I'm 100 percent with you!
When I mentioned that the Red Hat Society had booked our cruise, one of my friends at work, who is in the RHS and is also a frequent cruiser, said, "Oh, I feel sorry for you!"

How do you research to find out if a large group is going on your cruise?
DH called HAL after I found out about the RHS, and they said they could not five him information on groups booked on the cruise.

But when DH spoke to someone about reservations at the Pinnacle, he was told "several large groups" were on board. Not sure if that means 25 -- or 250!

When I was on the O in Nov., the Pinnacle was empty the first night. Guess word has gotten around about the bargain!

ekerr19

February 3rd, 2005, 01:42 PM

I'm 100 percent with you!
When I mentioned that the Red Hat Society had booked our cruise, one of my friends at work, who is in the RHS and is also a frequent cruiser, said, "Oh, I feel sorry for you!"

How do you research to find out if a large group is going on your cruise?
DH called HAL after I found out about the RHS, and they said they could not five him information on groups booked on the cruise.

But when DH spoke to someone about reservations at the Pinnacle, he was told "several large groups" were on board. Not sure if that means 25 -- or 250!

When I was on the O in Nov., the Pinnacle was empty the first night. Guess word has gotten around about the bargain!

Oceanwench-

Our TA knows that we would prefer not to cruise with a large group or charter - she has never had a problem finding out if there are any such groups booked. We also like to know how many kids will be onboard, she gets that info for us to.

ekerr19

February 3rd, 2005, 01:45 PM

There was no "Sommelier's dinner" on our ship last week, but there was a "tasting menu" with matched wines for each course which was offered every evening (the same choices each night). Listed at $49, but not sure if that's instead of or in addition to the $20 cover. Sorry, but I didn't think to note what was offered.

Dave- thanks for the info. It seems to be offered somewhat sporadically. I talked to the gal at Ship Services and she was on the Oos in December and told me it was definitely not to be missed. She thought it was and additional $29, so $49 sounds right.

oliviaonthe beach

February 6th, 2005, 12:45 PM

I enjoyed looking at those menus but I didn't see any lobster as an entree. Am I missing it??? I thought every cruise had lobster one night.

dakrewser

February 6th, 2005, 01:30 PM

I enjoyed looking at those menus but I didn't see any lobster as an entree. Am I missing it??? I thought every cruise had lobster one night.

Lobster (tail) is on the menu in the dining room one night each week but not in the Pinnacle.

ekerr19

February 6th, 2005, 03:20 PM

Lobster (tail) is on the menu in the dining room one night each week but not in the Pinnacle.

We had lobster with the petite filet in the Pinnacle on the Maasdam. I think it varies from ship to ship, as well as availability and location. :)

Arubalisa

February 8th, 2005, 03:15 PM

Our 10 night cruise on the Zaandam offered Lobster Tails on the menu the night of the Captain's Farewell Dinner
Menu (http://www.arubabound.com/image/lg/us/zaandam/scans/captfarewell.jpg)

dakrewser

February 8th, 2005, 03:19 PM

Our 10 night cruise on the Zaandam offered Lobster Tails on the menu the night of the Captain's Farewell Dinner
Menu (http://www.arubabound.com/image/lg/us/zaandam/scans/captfarewell.jpg)

But that was in the main dining room, wasn't it?

Oceanwench

February 8th, 2005, 04:29 PM

After being told the Pinnacle was "booked solid" by "large groups," DH was not ready to give up.
So he waited a week and called HAL again.
This time we were able to get a reservation for a table of 6 on the first night!
[And he wasn't asked to fax the request this time]
Hooray!!!
I am glad he is so persistent.