twentyknots

On 9/24/2019 at 10:49 AM, twentyknots said:

This sounds encouraging.  Final payment is due tomorrow for our December cruise on the Zuiderdam in NS 5191. Some recent issues have caused us to strongly consider not doing this cruise but we're on the fence and must decide tomorrow.  If I thought the PG for breakfast would not be offered on this cruise, that would be enough for me to cancel, but my wife is more open-minded than I am about this.  She'd give the CO a try.

 

We decided to cancel.  My wife loves cruising; I like cruising. She finds enjoyment in many venues on the ships and simply relaxing on the huge 5191 NS verandah; my pleasures are more limited. We both like the PG for breakfast and the Neptune lounge.  The possibility of eliminating the PG breakfast is a negative.  It's not paramount, nor is it a certainty, but it is unknown and therefore in the negative column.  I love to play BJ and it's a highlight of cruising for me, but on recent Holland cruises the casino has been a disappointment for me.  I like a full lively table but Holland has become more subdued.  Many times the tables just have one or two players.  We have been all over the Caribbean many, many times so nothing new or interesting to visit for us.  The pros and cons were close, but in the end the cons won.

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

 

As CO moves across the fleet, PG breakfast for Neptune and Pinnacle Suites remains intact. NS/PS passengers have been very concerned and asked repeatedly. Posters here have experienced PG breakfast on ships with CO and some have asked PG managers about this and have been told that the PG breakfast is staying, except for the 2 ships with the separate CO restaurant. 

 

I'd rather believe actual experience from posters I know than a press release written by "Julie," whoever she is.

 

Taking away PG breakfast will devalue the Neptune Suite significantly. Even HAL isn't that stupid.

 

This sounds encouraging.  Final payment is due tomorrow for our December cruise on the Zuiderdam in NS 5191. Some recent issues have caused us to strongly consider not doing this cruise but we're on the fence and must decide tomorrow.  If I thought the PG for breakfast would not be offered on this cruise, that would be enough for me to cancel, but my wife is more open-minded than I am about this.  She'd give the CO a try.

25 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

The question has been asked before and yes, NS will have breakfast in the PG on non Pinnacle ships.

 

On the Pinnacle ships it is in the CO for NS passengers.

 

It’s clearly stated on the HAL website under Club Orange (I believe that’s where I found the link that I have posted previously).

Thats not what the link here says.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/topics/arts-entertainment/exclusive-club-orange-program-will-be-available-on-all-ships-by-october-2019/

There doesn't  appear to be a definitive answer to my question: will the PG still serve breakfast to NS guests on non Pinnacle ships  when CO is rolled out to all ships? Club Orange  is definitely being rolled out on all ships by October according to Holland, but only the Pinnacle ships have seperate space for it.  I can understand CO appealing to some passengers but certainly not to NS guests.  Does Holland really think we'll be happy eating in the MDR for breakfast rather than the PG?  Eating in the MDR has always been and option for breakfast, for all passengers.  So they designate a separate area, use PG menus, and maybe even use the servers from the PG.  Not the same at all.

I hope your cruise is wonderful.  We're booked on the 'Z' for a December cruise in a NS and I wonder if you might let us know if breakfast is still being served for NS guests in the PG.  It has been reported that only Pinnacle class ships have replaced the breakfast in the PG with Club Orange.

Unless HAL has blocked allowing the selecting of specific cabins, then you can choose the deck and cabin you want provided it's available of course.  There is a surcharge for this privilege.  A few days ago I priced a 26 day cruise on Zuiderdam in a PS and initially was shown the guaranteed price.   After I selected a cabin of my choice in the same category the price was $2,000 higher.  I guess HAL likes to keep the flexibility of assigning cabins right before the cruise.

54 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I can't find verification about the PG breakfast on HAL's website. But based on several reports here, N/P suite breakfast is still in the Pinnacle Grill, except on K'dam and NS which have the dedicated CO restaurant.

 

Here's the info on club orange: 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/dining/club-orange.html

We'll be on the Zuiderdam in December in a NS, and hoping for breakfast in PG.  Hope the reports are correct. 

21 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Can’t help with the first part but, according to reports here as well as the HAL site’s explanation of Club Orange, those in Neptune Suites still have breakfast in the Pinnacle on the non-Pinnacle class ships.

Where would I find this explanation on Hal's website?

I'd book it for sure.  We've done earlier than that and never had a problem.

21 hours ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

With the possibility of Club Orange on all of HAL ships this year , does this mean that they are eliminating breakfast at the Pinnacle Grill ?

They already have on Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, but at least they have dedicated, converted spaces.  Some like it, some don't.  The remaining fleet was scheduled to begin conversion in July-December, 2019 I understand.  However, just allocating some dedicated space in the MDR and calling it Club Orange might be worthwhile for some who are willing to pay extra for this MDR space and a few other perks, but the PG breakfast is a BIG reason we book NS.  We'll be sailing in a NS on the Zuiderdam in December right after dry dock.    If they've actually converted some space like the 'K' and 'NA' , we'll keep an open mind, but if it's just the MDR and no PG breakfast we'll be very disappointed.   We too are looking at a 26 day TA on the Zuiderdam for April 2020.  We may have to reconsider.

1 hour ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

Drink Package -- it is enforced that you can not use it to buy drinks from the honor bar in the Neptune Lounge as the concierges have no way of scanning your card to pay for the drinks.

When we were on the Oosterdam recently the Neptune Lounge did not have Chardonnay so the Concierge ordered one from the bar.  We had drink cards and it was taken care by the bar attendant who brought the wine.  I believe the concierge said those with drink cards could use them in the Neptune Lounge that way.

We were on the Oosterdam in Alaska in June in a Neptune suite (5190).  It was our 2nd NS and we have another booked on the Zuiderdam in December.  As some have said it is very difficult to book something smaller after being spoiled.  I hope you will come back and let us know if the Pinnacle Grill is still serving breakfast for NS guests.  CO might be a value for those not in a NS , but breakfast in the MDR hardly seems comparable to the PG for breakfast. 

We were on the Oosterdam in November 2017 and met a couple who lived in the Fort lauderdale area and received a ridiculously low offer for the cruise.  It was an inside cabin at $299 for the week or something close to that as I recall.  It was double occupancy rate so he called a female friend who he used to date and are now good friends and she went with him.  He said he assumed because he lives in Fort lauderdale he got the offer.  Some friends dropped them off at the terminal so no flights, no parking, no day before, just cruise.  I dont remember how much notice he got but it wasnt much.  He and his ex girlfriend are self employed so they had the flexibility to take advantage of it.

47 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Oosterdam had her most recent dry-dock between 20 March - 02 April last year (2018). HAL ships go into their dry-dock period on the avg every two and a half to three years so she is not due for a dry-dock this year since hat would be too early. It is her older Vista-class sister Zuiderdam that's going "under the knife" later this year in December

You are correct.  My mistake.

I should add that we were on 'O' in June and the entertainment systems was as you described on the Eurodam.  We were in a Neptune suite, so dont know if that makes a difference.

The Oosterdam is scheduled for dry dock in early December for a week.  My guess is if they plan to replace carpeting, new entertainment systems, etc that would be the likely time.  I think it's been about 2-3 years since last dry dock.

I thought they might use this opportunity for a build-out of Club Orange.  Just designating some space in the MDR isn't going to cut it.

The Zuiderdam will dry dock in early December.  Does anyone know what is planned?  We will be on the first cruise after the dry dock.  Just wondering what to expect.

4 hours ago, Himself said:

  I would keep the Pinnacle Breakfast for Signature and Neptune Suite Passengers and give the Club Orange facility to those who join Club Orange. .  

I dont think Signature suites qualify for PG breakfast.  It's only Neptune and Pinnacle.

I dont receive an offer, but when I log in with my Mariner number to HAL's website, a casino discount is applied. 

It seems to me that Club Orange is an idea conceived to offer more amenities to those who are not in a Neptune or Pinnacle suite. Surely HAL can’t think that suite guests who’ve experience the PG for breakfast will be just as pleased to eat in the MDR, even if the PG wait-staff is there. I suppose it could be argued that the Pinnacle ships with their stand-alone, private room and onsite grill provide a reasonable tradeoff for the PG breakfast, but certainly not on the other ships with shared space in the MDR.    It would seem to make more sense to continue the PG breakfast for certain suite guests and to market the CO as another fee-based dining option.

1 hour ago, MeandtheSea said:

They are no longer serving breakfast in Pinnacle Grill on the Pinnacle Class ships.  They serve in the Club Orange Dining Room.   It’s the exact  same really good breakfast that was served in the Pinnacle Grill with mimosas, specialty coffees, bread basket, cooked to order meals.  The chef is right there.   

My question to Nattiegirl was specific to the Oosterdam.  I realize some ships have a completed CO such as Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam, but others seem to be more makeshift, such as described by Nattiegirl on her recent voyage.  I'm curious if Holland closed the PG for breakfast on those ships with half-baked CO.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise Nattiegirl.  We were on that same cruise in early June.  I was told then that CO would begin soon. 

Did you happen to notice if the Pinnacle Grill was serving breakfast?  We expect closure of the PG for breakfast to coincide with the opening of the CO but from your report it looks as if CO is not fully operational.

At least the Koningsdam has cooking facilities which provide hot, fresh waffles, french toast, and pancakes.  We love the PG for breakfast but if I'm in the mood for those items I will go to the Lido, as much as I dislike it,  and insist on made to order.  If Zuiderdam doesnt use this opportunity to do it right and just offers priority MDR with PG menu for NS I will be disappointed.

I see that the Zuiderdam will be in dry dock December 1-9.    Maybe the CO renovations will be completed then.  We cruise her starting December 10.