Suite Luncheon

[lakemurraykid]

I was just wondering if there is a suite lucheon for people staying in a deluxe suite on seven-day cruise. I'm just curious.

[teachergal29]

I have read different experiences from many on different ships. We were on the Westerdam in Nov. for a 7 day cruise and we had a suite luncheon in the Pinnalce Grill on the last full day of the cruise. I believe that everyone that was in a SA,SB,SC, or PH were invited.

[sail7seas]

Yes. There is a Suite Lunch for all "PS", "SA", "SB" and "SC" guests on seven day cruises.

[ekerr19]

We went on the Oosterdam last year for the first time ever - it was awesome. I'm glad it has not been discontinued and I wish we'd done it sooner...

[twinkletoes4445]

Last year on the Zuiderdam (in Feb), ours was held in the Crows Nest on the last sea day.

[GmaPajama]

On a Volendam 10-day last November it was done differently. Cocktails and a buffet in the Explorer's Lounge. It was nice, but I prefer it in the Pinnacle as on previous cruises. Sort of hard to balance your lunch plate there in the Explorer's Lounge. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We always attend the suite luncheons/buffets. And we have never had one in the Pinnacle.

Our have always been held in either the Crow's Nest, Explorer's Lounge or the dining room.

[GmaPajama]

I find this so interesting, KK. I had no idea the Explorer's Lounge was a regular place for the luncheon. We have no where near the cruising experience you do, yet have had 3 of these luncheons in the Pinnacle. On the Westerdam a few years ago, it was especially elegant - complete with ice sculpture and Pinnacle quality food. I guess it must be individual, cruise by cruise, decisions as to location. Now I'm anxious to find out the "where" for our next cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On the Volendam, it was in the Explorer's Lounge because it was handy for them to make crapes as one of our desserts.

In 2005 when we were on the Westerdam, the suite buffet was in the Crow's Nest. Will be curious where it will be on our up-comong cruises.

[caviargal]

We were disappointed when it was not offered on the Noordam as we enjoyed it very much on the ZUI and Oosterdam. Both were held in the Crows Nest.

[videogeek]

I was just wondering if there is a suite lucheon for people staying in a deluxe suite on seven-day cruise. I'm just curious.

Yes. The last time I was on, it was in the Crow’s Nest and very nice. Also, Deluxe Suite guests can have breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill at no additional cost. This is something they don’t always tell people. WPK

[sail7seas]

Pinnacle breakfast is available to all suite guests. There is usually a letter on the bureau on embarkation day giving this information. Ships that still have a Queen's Lounge might do Suite breakfast there. Look at all the notes/letters on the bureau when you board to learn all the amenities.

[lakemurraykid]

Thank you everyone for all of your information. When we were on the Noordam last May to Alaska, we stayed in an SS, so we didn't get all of the perks. Never having stayed in a deluxe, I just didn't know what to expect. I'm really excited about this trip and can't wait to go. All of you have been so helpful -- thanks a bunch.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There is not always a letter in the suite cabins informing people of being able to have breakfast in the Pinnacle.

On our Alaskan cruises in 2006, there was no letter -- we were the only ones who ate there the first week. The second week another couple who were used to this, ate there. I asked the Pinnacle manager why there wasn't a letter and he said that it is up to the HM to have a letter placed in the cabins.

[lakemurraykid]

There is not always a letter in the suite cabins informing people of being able to have breakfast in the Pinnacle.

On our Alaskan cruises in 2006, there was no letter -- we were the only ones who ate there the first week. The second week another couple who were used to this, ate there. I asked the Pinnacle manager why there wasn't a letter and he said that it is up to the HM to have a letter placed in the cabins.Well, I won't expect a letter and then be surprised if we get one. LOL Did I understand correctly that breakfast in the Pinnacle is no different than breakfast in the dining room. In other words, there is no difference in the menu...I was thinking that on the morning of our anniversary it would be nice to have breakfast in the Pinnacle if they serve something different, otherwise, I'll just have breakfast in bed.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The menus for the Pinnacle and dining room are the same for breakfast.

[fgtex]

On the 2/16 Zuiderdam the suite luncheon was combined with the Mariners recognition luncheon and was held in the Vista dining room.
They also distributed the tiles during the luncheon.

[Bill HaHa]

October of last year on a 7 day cruise to Mexico on the Oosterdam, we had a great suite luncheon in the Crows nest. It was wonderful.

[twinkletoes4445]

On the 2/16 Zuiderdam the suite luncheon was combined with the Mariners recognition luncheon and was held in the Vista dining room.
They also distributed the tiles during the luncheon.

What are the tiles for and who receives one? :)

[sail7seas]

Dutch Delft tiles are given to Mariners on every cruise. After you complete your first HAL cruise you become a Mariner and will receive your tile on your next (and subsequent) cruises. They're lovely and some of us have a quite large, beautiful collection of them.

[twinkletoes4445]

Well, that's nice. So we'll get ours on our upcoming Noordam cruise. Thanks for the info. :)

[videogeek]

There is not always a letter in the suite cabins informing people of being able to have breakfast in the Pinnacle.

On our Alaskan cruises in 2006, there was no letter -- we were the only ones who ate there the first week. The second week another couple who were used to this, ate there. I asked the Pinnacle manager why there wasn't a letter and he said that it is up to the HM to have a letter placed in the cabins.

I assure you I read EVERYTHING that I get and there was no mention of breakfast in the Pinnacle. Thank you for confirming that. When I did finally go, there was hardly anybody there so either folks do not take advantage of it or they don't go out of their way to mention it. Breakfast is the same basic items but the atmosphere and service is far different. WPK

[Krazy Kruizers]

videogeek

On some ships we have sometimes eaten alone for breakfast in the Pinnacle or King's room.

Every time we have sailed on the Amsterdam, the King's room was packed nearly every morning. On our 23 day Ryndam cruise this past Nov/Dec -- there was usually 18 - 22 of us every day.

[Golfette]

We received a letter invitation to the suite luncheon on the Oosterdam in December. I honestly don't see the big fuss over these things. It was held in the Crow's Nest. The buffet was not particularly special in any way. No one made any introductions of officers or any announcement of welcome. It was just a bunch of strangers gathering to eat a buffet. It was very crowded and you had to wait quite a while in the buffet line, or even to get in the line & frankly the food offered was definitely no treat. Yes, they had the big shrimp but that was about it. The caviar was very, very fishy.

We usually sail in suites when we cruise, but will not attend another suite luncheon. Would much rather do something else.

Could someone tell me if this is the typical type of suite luncheon or is there something else to it that I'm missing.

[gizmo]

I have always enjoyed the suite luncheon. I am glad to hear this has not been dropped since on my Oct. cruise we had none and I was told there was no longer a luncheon for suite guests, since it was being replaced by the Mariner's lunch. I was very disappointed.

Golfette, food is subjective. I always found it was excellent. It was much better than what was being served in the Lido. I don't recall any announcements of welcome or introduction of officers, but I am not really interested in that type of thing. They may or may not have done it. Sure, there was a line but nothing to complain about. I have seen longer lines in the Lido. We just sat down, had a drink and got our food when there was no line.

I have attended suite luncheons in the Crows Nest and the Explorer's Lounge. When the ships were doing the dinner's and sit down lunches I attended them in the dining room and the Pinnacle which was the Marco Polo back then.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Could someone tell me if this is the typical type of suite luncheon or is there something else to it that I'm missing.
What you had on the Oosterdam is a typical Suite Lunch.Sometimes they are better than some. We were on the week after you in December and then just a couple of weeks ago, this past one had a much nicer desplay of rolls and bread with far more selection of cheeses and the cavier was a different brand that I thought was less fishy. The desserts were also a bit better. So they do vary but what you had is pretty standard.

The best Suite Lunch we ever had was held in the aft of the Dining Room on the Zaandam in November 2006. It was far more civilized sitting at tables as opposed to trying to have lunch on the tiny bar table:rolleyes:

[Golfette]

What you had on the Oosterdam is a typical Suite Lunch.Sometimes they are better than some. We were on the week after you in December and then just a couple of weeks ago, this past one had a much nicer desplay of rolls and bread with far more selection of cheeses and the cavier was a different brand that I thought was less fishy. The desserts were also a bit better. So they do vary but what you had is pretty standard.

The best Suite Lunch we ever had was held in the aft of the Dining Room on the Zaandam in November 2006. It was far more civilized sitting at tables as opposed to trying to have lunch on the tiny bar table:rolleyes:

Thanks for the answer. I agree, that tiny bar table was another reason why we were not too keen on the affair. The whole affair felt peculiar in that a lot of strangers just sat around looking at each other - making no attempt to get acquainted - just eating. No particular sense of fun or enjoyment.

[AWED23]

The Suite luncheons vary for different reasons from ship to ship. The Prinsendam only has 17 suites versus the Oosterdams' having so many more. The length of the cruise also makes a difference and then there is the priority that the Hotel Manager on any particular cruise/ship puts on the various suite functions. The suite dinners are almost entirely gone unless you are on an extended "Voyage" and then it is done in small groups at the Pinnacle over many different evenings....At least this has been our experience on our HAL cruises. (29) and three voyages booked ahead.....:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We really loved the suite lunches when they werre held in the dining room years ago (never had one in the Pinnacle or Marco Polo or Odyssey).

No matter whether we had a suite lunch or the buffet, we have never been disappointed in the food.

As for an introduction of officers at these affairs -- it isn't really about them. This is just a suite perk. Many times we barely had an officer there. And on several occasions the captain never bothered to show up.

Since it was always at the end of the cruise, we never had a problem dining with anyone as we had met other suite passengers at the first cocktail party and then ran into many of them in the Neptune Lounge.

[twinkletoes4445]

Thanks for the answer. I agree, that tiny bar table was another reason why we were not too keen on the affair. The whole affair felt peculiar in that a lot of strangers just sat around looking at each other - making no attempt to get acquainted - just eating. No particular sense of fun or enjoyment.

This is exactly what went on at the suite luncheon we attended. The Captain and the staff were introduced (and they left after being introduced). The food wasn't that good...and the serving area was very crowded. We went because this was our first HAL cruise and we wanted to see what it was about. We'll go to the next one because it's my understanding that they've been combining the Mariner lunch with the suite lunch and I'd like to get a tile.

We also noticed that most everyone at the luncheon was on our HAL excursions. Don't know if they put us all together intentionally or not, but it was fun to see everyone we'd been doing excursions with (all week).

[LAFFNVEGAS]

The only ship that I have even heard that was combining the Mariner Brunch with the Suite Lunch was the Noordam. To my understanding all the other ships have still been doing it separately. I think the Noordam was combining them due to the itinerary in Alaska last year, not sure what they have been doing since they returned to the Caribbean.

I have been told my several in Management level at HAL that there is definitely NO talk about eliminating the Suite Lunch even for 7 day cruises. There had been a rumor some time back that HAL was taking this away from 7 day cruises but this has never been the case, just because it was not mentioned in a brochure does not mean HAL was eliminating it. We have learned over the years that the proof readers for HAL's promotions have not always been the best;)

[cccole]

On our recent Zuiderdam cruise there was a suite/Mariner luncheon on the last sea day. We were unable to attend the luncheon and tiles were brought to our table that night by one of the crew. I thought that was so nice of them!!!! It definitely was a combination luncheon though. Cherie

[LAFFNVEGAS]

On our recent Zuiderdam cruise there was a suite/Mariner luncheon on the last sea day. We were unable to attend the luncheon and tiles were brought to our table that night by one of the crew. I thought that was so nice of them!!!! It definitely was a combination luncheon though. Cherie
My guess is it all depends on the itinerary. If there is only one Sea Day at the end it makes it hard to have 2 lunches on the last day:D It actually makes sense to combine the 2 but yet rather crowded I am sure.

Just my personal opinion I would rather they go back to having the Mariner Reception in the Showroom. I much preferred that over the lunch and then they could still provide a nice Suite lunch. If you are not in a Suite then treat yourself to a nice sit down lunch in the Main Dining Room the last Sea Day or better yet make reservations for the Pinnacle for lunch. Which is what we will do for our upcoming Alaska Amsterdam cruise. We have a verandah cabin instead of a S Suite and with the $2200 I am saving I can afford to buy a Coffee Card for the Explorations Cafe, and Dine in the Pinnacle several times:D ;)

[fgtex]

During the combined suite/mariner luncheon on the 2/16 Zuiderdam the hotel manager ( Mark Pells ) made some comments about the format which gave me the impression that it would be done this way going forward.

Initially I thought that the luncheon was just for the mariners because our invitation read " A special brunch in recognition of our honorary mariners".
However - our son and DIL who were first time cruisers got an invitation to the brunch because they were in a suite.

The brunch was OK - choice of appetizers and entrees and complimentary wine but I personally enjoyed it more when it was held buffet style in the Crows Nest.

DIL and myself had to rush off shortly after it started as we had scheduled the cooking class which began 30 minutes later.

[gizmo]

:mad: So, some ships have it and some don't. This is lousy. I look at this as a perk being taken away.

Having one sea day at the end of a cruise is NOT A VALID EXCUSE.

It does not have to be held the last day when there are other sea days available. This goes for the Mariner lunch also.

[cccole]

I am not sure that I was very clear on when the luncheon was on the Zuiderdam. It was the last day that we were at sea all day but was not the last day of the cruise. The last day of the cruise we were on HMC and then on into Ft. Lauderdale. Those details are probably not important to those responding but I just wanted to make sure you knew what I meant by our last sea day!! Cherie

[twinkletoes4445]

We were unable to attend the luncheon and tiles were brought to our table that night by one of the crew. I thought that was so nice of them!!!!

That was very nice of them. :)