Article: The Pinnacle Grill: An amazing dining experience at sea

[tcook052]

http://www.examiner.com/cruise-in-seattle/the-pinnacle-grill-an-amazing-dining-experience-at-sea

I’ll never understand travelers who won’t indulge in a ship’s specialty restaurant.
Yes, cruises have been marketed as all-inclusive for years to passengers who attempt to eat their way through seven days of cuisine while maximizing their cruise fare investment. The idea of paying for a meal is blasphemy.
Get over it. You’re missing some amazing dining experiences.
I recently enjoyed dinner at The Pinnacle Grill, Holland America’s alternative restaurant available on all of their ships, including the ms Oosterdam. Trust me: it’s worth the $25 per person charge.

[kazu]

Thanks for posting the link. I have to agree, but we've always had great meals in the Pinnacle :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for the link.

Only a couple of times have we had an issue with something in the Pinncale -- otherwise we love the food there.

[gelo7]

Thanks for sharing.

[Linda VH]

Looking forward to it - AMEX gave us the perk of a free meal in Pinnacle for the first night only which was okay with us as we're travelling alone.

[Taxguy77]

Have talked to a couple of HAL cruisers who say they have seen dishes coming from the MDR kitchen. Have talked to several who say it is very good, but stopped short of saying we should try it. Looked in the rather ordinary-looking dining area, and decided to save our money for a land based restaurant.

[Aruba]

Trust me: it’s worth the $25 per person charge.
Has the price gone up? I could have sworn it was $20 per person.

[Aruba]

Has the price gone up? I could have sworn it was $20 per person.
Sorry...just answered my own question. I did not realize the price went up to $25 in August.

[George C]

I agree we always do speciality resturants on our cruises, but this is a personal choice.

[Globaliser]

Has the price gone up? I could have sworn it was $20 per person.Looks like this really is the question of the week! :D
Pinnacle Grill Price? (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1490231)
Pinnacle Price Increase? (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1489440)

[Aruba]

I suppose it's a refreshing alternative to dress codes or smoking policy...:D

What puzzled me was that we were on the Maasdam July 23 through August 27 and ate in PG 2 or 3 times in August. I could have sworn the price was $15 after my 3-star discount ($20 before). Is it possible that the change took effect on the first departure date AFTER August 1st, rather than on August 1st itself?
(Or maybe I just enjoyed PG so much that I never paid attention to the charge...)

[garsny]

Doing the Pinnacle 1/29 on Eurodam,for my birthday.

[Topsham]

Have talked to a couple of HAL cruisers who say they have seen dishes coming from the MDR kitchen. Have talked to several who say it is very good, but stopped short of saying we should try it. Looked in the rather ordinary-looking dining area, and decided to save our money for a land based restaurant.


Can't think for an instant how they would know which 'kitchen' the food was prepared in. The Pinnacle Grill 'galley' in within the main galley area and from any of the Grills it is impossible to see into the main galley that serves the dining room. In fact it is not possible to see into any part of the galley from any part of any grill.

I would have thought if they said it was 'very good' that is the same as suggesting that you should try it. Yes?

Ordinary looking? Yikes!!!! Well, that part of the story is very subjective and I'm going to agree with you 100%. The grills on the STATENDAM, MAASDAM, RYNDAM and VEENDAm do look very 'ordinary'. No doubt about it. I think they look dreadfuil! But the other ships, the Flagship class, the Vista class and the Prinsendam all have beautiful grills.

It is always fun to dine ashore during a cruise. Can always be a great experience... especially in Greek or Italian ports... and of course in dozens of others... for for an experience at sea... for the rediculus low price that they charge, you won' beat it. A similar meal ashore is going to set you back a minimum of $200 for 2... if you are lucky!

My best suggestion is to book a t. able and have lunch in Pinnacle. The lunch menu is good... small but good selection and it is like $10 pp. I can guarantee you will enjoy it. I enjoy it much more than in the evening. And guess what... the awful decor in the grill on the STATENDAM class... takes on a whole new tone when you are sat by a large window overlooking the sea. It is a lovely experience. You won't be rushed and the staff can be more attentive as they are usually no quite so busy at lunch. Come back for dinner and you will be remembered and be given a great welcome. If you don't enjoy it... send me the bill and I'll pay it!

Stephen