Pinnacle Grill

[JaniceB]

What time on the first day of your cruise would you book dinner at the Pinnacle? Does it take longer to dine at the Pinnacle than the regular dining room? I would assume that the food is cooked to order?

[bookworm0911]

We have booked Pinnacle at our preferred dining time- 7:30 or 8. Dining is at a much slower pace in Pinnacle than the crowded main dining room and the atmosphere and ambiance matches the fine service you will receive. Everything is cooked to order and you are given all the time you want to enjoy each course to the fullest. ;)

[CDRMark]

We made 7pm reservations for several reasons, mainly because we had 8pm seating in the dining room and wanted to get there before everyone left to introduce ourselves. Food is cooked to order. One may take as long as one wishes. I think we were out by 915ish It was excellent. Enjoy and Bon voyage.
Cheers
MarkB

[jhannah]

We booked 6:30. We then had time to visit our table and make introductions prior to dining. If you want the first evening in the Pinnacle, you can pre-reserve your time through HAL Ship Services Department. (Or your TA can do it for you.)

[bookworm0911]

I forgot that you said Pinnacle on the first cruise night. We have not eaten there on the first night as we like to be in the dining room that night for various reasons.

[Krazy Kruizers]

It all depends on what time you are accustomed to eating at home AND if you want to attend the show.

[tonyt]

Do you tip the servers in the Pinnacle Grill or is that included in the $20pp charge?
tonyt

[dakrewser]

Do you tip the servers in the Pinnacle Grill or is that included in the $20pp charge?
tonyt

It's not included in the charge, no. Many have indicated they leave a cash tip.

[DFD1]

We booked it in advance for the first formal night. Had a delightful time. Not ponderously slow at all. Eastern European staff who were excellent. Food was fine...filet and salmon.
Volcano cake was a joke. Otherwise, we're looking forward to the next time.

[doone]

For my cruise this year on the Volendam, we chose 6:15 pm dinner. That time for dinner, for me anyways, doesn't allow me to stay and enjoy sail-away, so I have made reservations for the first night in the Pinnacle Grill for 7 pm. I think that will work perfectly for us.

[LAX]

Sorry for going off topic a little. I am looking to book a cruise on the Zaandam in October, and one of the TAs offered vouchers for the Pinnacle Grill as part of the package. Anyone with experience using those? Are they good for any night of the cruise (my TA told me they are)? Also, can we order wine as part of a "package" deal ordered prior to sailing or are they only good at the main dining room? Thanks in advance.

LAX

[JaniceB]

Jim,

I booked the Pinnacle exactly as you did. I had thought the same thing. We could go introduce ourselves in the dining room and head over to the Pinnacle.

Thanks to everyone for the information.

Janice

[doone]

Enjoy the Pinnacle, I know I did last year on the Rotterdam and am looking forward to the Pinnacle on the Zuiderdam and Volendam.

[bepsf]

I always book the Pinnacle for at least the first night...

[sail7seas]

Just our preference, but we never go to Pinnacle on the first night.


We no longer have randomly assigned tablemates but we still like to be in the dining room the first night. We like to meet our stewards, see who is our section supervisor, see if we are lucky to meet up with crew with have sailed with before.

Our enjoyment in the dining room is a major part of our enjoyment of the whole cruise. It isn't 'just eating' for us.

[JaniceB]

I enjoy the dining room, also. We are cruising with our DD and they expressed an interest in dining in the Pinnacle. We always try and dine together to catch up on our day and we hope to do the same on the cruise. We prefer spending the $10 per person on the first night since their are 4 of us. Our DD don't want to spend to much of their cruise money for this experience. We will go to dining room and introduce ourselves before we go the Pinnacle. I hope we are not to spoiled by the food in the Pinnacle, it could cost us.

[heyabbott]

Is there a seperate kitchen and chef for the Pinnacle? for the Lido buffet?

[dakrewser]

Is there a seperate kitchen and chef for the Pinnacle?

Yes

-dave

[Ellya]

We did eat in the Pinnacle the first night due to the enticing discount price. We did eat earlier than our usual late seating assignment due to the fact that we usually live in Pacific time and even 7:00 to us felt like 10:00! You might want to take your "body clock" into account since it will be the first day and you may not be adjusted yet.