mrspeck

I had booked a 7 day Caribbean cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam in a Signature Suite last November for an early March sailing. I called in early January and was able to upgrade to a Neptune for very little. As soon as I had this finalized I got an email upgrade offer for a pinnacle suite for $1195pp, I jumped on it right away…was shocked to receive an email offer that far out from sailing. Cheapest stay in a pinnacle I’ve ever had. We then added a third passenger and had a great time.

This is fairly lengthy review I did on a short RCL cruise taken in 2022 from the eye’s of this primarily HAL cruiser…it may be of interest:

I found it interesting that they kept HALs naming structure for staterooms, ie: Pinnacle Suite, Neptune Suites, etc.

We have done three HAL cruises and our first ever RCI cruise within the last 12 months. While change happens everywhere, I don’t think using RCI as your guide will do. We too were extremely disappointed with RCI’s food, but have been very happy (still) with HAL’s. The only exception was the captain’s table dinner on RCI…it was outstanding!

We have cruised with parents/in-laws that were in wheel chairs or scooters. The pinnacles provided the required space. You will not be disappointed in that realm.

When we started sailing (for our honeymoon) in 2009 our first cruise experience was in the Pinnacle suite aboard the Eurodam. Bad idea! It was an amazing experience and made traveling in lesser cabins less special. We are now 4* with HAL and have enjoyed the Pinnacle suite on three more journeys to Alaska (all on Vista class ships). The first and main plus is the real estate that you get. The space is a huge luxury. We thoroughly enjoy spending time in our cabin and on our balcony, so it isn’t just a place to lay our head at night…especially when in Alaska where you want to be watching from outside or out a window a good portion of time. Glacier Bay days in a Pinnacle suite are great!…and the high quality binoculars on a tripod are a great addition. I’ve also spent many cool/cold nights warming up in the jacuzzi tub on the balcony. (It is not a a hot tub…it is jetted but only heated by the water placed in it.) There aren’t a lot of extra perks above those that one receives in a Neptune suite outside of free non alcoholic beverages from the fridge in the butlers pantry, and a personal escort from the terminal to your suite. (Most times anyway…oftentimes the first persons allowed to board.). A fun perk is having the space to host coarse by coarse service in your own private dining room. (You need to plan that with your concierge a day or two prior). It also just seems that everyone gives you just a bit more care and attention. As I understand it, a good portion of the staff knows the names and faces of the pinnacle guests before they board. I believe that to be true because it is not uncommon to be welcomed by name when running across staff for the first time, not just when using your card where they can see your name. If looking at a vista class sailing, the Zuiderdam Pinnacle suite is the only one that I know of that has been remodeled to more current looks and finishes (except the powder room which kept the gold sink and such). We were in it in September in Alaska and really liked the more modern decor. One negative from prior voyages, is that the exterior speakers have been removed from the balcony so you can not play the naturalists and park ranger’s talks on your balcony like you could in the past. If spending the extra isn’t an issue, you won’t regret giving it a try!!!

I understand the mariner’s discount on the surcharge…I received my 50% discount, but I “assumed” the discount would also apply to upcharges, but I was charged the full amount for those items. Was just wondering if anyone knew for sure about upcharge items.

Here is the current menu from the Zuiderdam Pinnacle. There’s additions of beyond meat dishes and the crab legs are gone.

We are currently on the Zuiderdam and were in the Pinnacle last night. Everything was excellent. We paid for three up charge items at our table of 7. A Delmonico, Caviar and lobster Mac & Cheese. I’m not a caviar expert so won’t judge that but the other two items were excellent. However, last November on Nieuw Statendam the Delmonico and the lobster Mac were awful. Wasn’t sure we’d go back, but they redeemed themselves last night. I can’t believe how different the the two Mac and cheeses tasted. Our experiences show how there can be big differences between ships. We loved Rudi’s on that Nieuw Statendam trip but were much less impressed a couple months later on the Koningsdam. One question…does anyone know if mariners discounts apply to up charge items in the pinnacle or just the cover?

I typically book with a PCC or directly on HALs site, but have never received an email upgrade offer, so I call ship inventory a couple weeks out to check if any are available. Usually that is too early and have to keep checking as it gets closer, but have done it this way multiple times.

See you on board! I also upgraded my in-laws yesterday to a Neptune next door to us! They were in a balcony that I had added club orange to, so it was only $250 total to move to a Neptune, couldn’t pass it up! Sounds like they are at the 70% capacity level now. When I was on the phone with ship inventory they said they could only sell one more cabin before hitting capacity. Enjoy!

I ditto the Club Orange suggestion. I just did this on an inside guarantee room for my son…booked the lowest category, added club orange and got to select the highest priced of the inside category right near our room…plus you get the perks!

I believe that trying HAL is worth the risk. You and yours may find that you enjoy that atmosphere which is definitely different from the other lines you have mentioned. We have traveled with MSC, NCL, RCI and HAL. While there are aspects of each that we enjoy, we prefer HAL’s amazingly kind and hard working staff, (in our opinion) quality food options, and focus on music offerings. We last traveled Star class on RCI’s Quantum and was not impressed by the food offerings, but did enjoy the beautiful ship and give their staff a close second to HAL. Sometimes on MSC and NCL it’s felt like staff seem to almost work against each, where HALs and RCIs seem to be more of a team. If you do go to Amber Cove, we really enjoyed the coffee planting excursion. You are transported to a mountainside location where you plant coffee trees (seeds) for a program that helps local families start coffee farms. If I remember correctly, our group planted enough to get three families started. It was fun, educational, and felt good to do some good at the same time. After the planting is done, they roast beans and let you help grind them and then make coffee for you…all in traditional manners. You then are fed a traditional meal that is great. The view is spectacular also! To a couple points: We like pizza and while MSC definitely knows their Italian food, we have no issue with HAL pizza since the “New York Pizza” was implemented. We also enjoy “Dive In”, HALs burger and dog joint to anyone else’s take that we’ve tried. We enjoy a mix of entertainment, food and relaxation…if that sounds like a mix you’d enjoy, I think you will be happy with HAL. We will be on the Zuiderdam to Alaska in a couple weeks. If you have any ship specific questions, I’d be happy to report back.

This was the “Tournedos Rossini” with added lobster on Nieuw Statendam last November. It was magnificent. I don’t believe that steak dish is offered on the pop up menu, but they definitely accommodated the addition of lobster. It wasn’t as large as the main dish lobster, but was a perfect companion.

It’s ambulatory accessible meaning that it is made for a person that is able to walk, but may need the assistance of a cane or walker. You will see grab handles in the bathroom, and shower hand wand…and a BIG BONUS, you will be very near elevators…no, don’t worry about elevator noise, you are in the outside, will never know they are there until you need them. This will be a great cabin for your family!