Breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill

[Rebel54]

As far as I've ever noticed it's the same breakfast menu on every ship, every day, every cruise. Maybe there's a special that got past me?

Now, the breakfast menu is quite extensive, and I can't imagine what might be missing. If there is something you want, and don't see it offered, try asking for it and see what happens.

 

Thank you. I copied it down to my iPad so when we order room service I have something to refer to :)

[Cindy]

That breakfast menu has about 3X the choices that I've seen for breakfast on Princess, Royal Caribbean, or Carnival.

[redhot1]

Great wait staff in there. They will basically get you what ever you want, when asked the first day I said what I'd really like was steak and eggs 15 mins later I had it and evry morning they had one waiting for me, We also like raisin toast and they had that every morning also, You'll feel very comfortable and the service is excellent. Also like that fact that you are basically there with very few other people. Have a great cruise.:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Ruth, On our last cruise about 6 months ago (Ryndam), we showed up for breakfast the first morning of the cruise for breakfast at the MDR. The maite D asked us for our cabin number, which he always does at every meal. When I gave him our suite number, he said we couldn't eat there, and had one of his waiters escort us to the Pinnacle. We liked the Pinnacle just fine, and never went back to the MDR at breakfast. Whether we were required to eat in the Pinnacle, or just strongly encouraged to do so, I can't say for sure.

 

That surprises me that the dining room manager would not let you eat in the main dining room.

We had problems on a ship one time with the Pinnacle. I explained that I could not sit at either a booth or table with the slanted table foot pad on the bottem. This was on a Vista class ship. He refused to allow us to sit at a regular table with standard legs. So we just went to the dining room. They asked our cabin number -- we were in the PS -- and he never mentioned where we could eat. It was the same situation at dinner -- we ended up cancelling all our future dinner reservations on that cruise.

[kazu]

That surprises me that the dining room manager would not let you eat in the main dining room.

 

We had problems on a ship one time with the Pinnacle. I explained that I could not sit at either a booth or table with the slanted table foot pad on the bottem. This was on a Vista class ship. He refused to allow us to sit at a regular table with standard legs. So we just went to the dining room. They asked our cabin number -- we were in the PS -- and he never mentioned where we could eat. It was the same situation at dinner -- we ended up cancelling all our future dinner reservations on that cruise.

 

Just goes to show you that the PG's are only as good as their staff (like many other places). When we were on the Maasdam - they wanted to seat us at that awful couch thing - I said no - we would wait for another table and there was no problem (4 of us at dinner). We were seated within a couple of minutes and dinner was excellent.:)

 

It seems a shame that some can't be somewhat accomodating:(

[Krazy Kruizers]

There are some poor Pinnacle managers and some really excellent ones.

Those tables on the Maasdam are terrible. I was curious about them when the Pinnacle first was installed on the S class ships. Tried one -- and hated it.

[sail7seas]

That surprises me that the dining room manager would not let you eat in the main dining room.

 

We had problems on a ship one time with the Pinnacle. I explained that I could not sit at either a booth or table with the slanted table foot pad on the bottem. This was on a Vista class ship. He refused to allow us to sit at a regular table with standard legs. So we just went to the dining room. They asked our cabin number -- we were in the PS -- and he never mentioned where we could eat. It was the same situation at dinner -- we ended up cancelling all our future dinner reservations on that cruise.

 

 

There was an empty table that would 'work for you' and he refused to seat you there? How can something like that happen? It's awful.

 

Thankfully, we have not been treated like that in a Pinnacle and hope we never are.

 

We have been taken to a table we didn't like on Vista ships and the Manager was happy to take us to other unoccupied table we liked better.

 

 

[crusinbanjo]

The only passengers who can't eat in the MDR are the deluxe suite passengers, who will be sent to the Pinnacle for breakfast.

 

Mrs. Banjo & I mostly book a suite when we cruise, often we go to the MDR for breakfast rather than the Pinnale just to change things up. The MDR staff is always happy to see us, one tome the Maite'd asked us why were not in the P/G. My reply was we came to see him & his staff. We got the best service ever!

[sail7seas]

Mrs. Banjo & I mostly book a suite when we cruise, often we go to the MDR for breakfast rather than the Pinnale just to change things up. The MDR staff is always happy to see us, one tome the Maite'd asked us why were not in the P/G. My reply was we came to see him & his staff. We got the best service ever!

 

What a nice thing to say to him and how great he was interested enough to ask you.

 

HAL is ALL about the people!!!! I say that over and over and really mean it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There was an empty table that would 'work for you' and he refused to seat you there? How can something like that happen? It's awful.

 

Thankfully, we have not been treated like that in a Pinnacle and hope we never are.

 

We have been taken to a table we didn't like on Vista ships and the Manager was happy to take us to other unoccupied table we liked better.

 

 

 

The regular tables were for 4 people and by the windows -- and we even told him that we didn't mind if he sat another couple with us. He said that it was company policy that he couldn't sit us there. We just walked out and went to the dining room.

[Randyk47]

HAL is ALL about the people!!!! I say that over and over and really mean it.

 

One of the aspects of cruising with HAL that's always brought us back has been the people. While some things have slipped over the years it's always been the people who were the mainstay. I think HAL does an outstanding job hiring and then training their staff. Not saying there hasn't been the occasional misstep but on the whole the staff has always been wonderful. Funny thing happened on our Silversea cruise this past March and that was when one of the staff approached us in one of the bars. She quickly came up and hugged my wife and I and whispered "Welcome back!" Had to kind of back up and look at her and all of a sudden realized it was an ex-HAL staff we'd met years ago on the Ryndam and run into again on the Oosterdam. Here she was thousands of miles away and with a completely different and unrelated cruise line but she still remembered us.

[kazu]

The regular tables were for 4 people and by the windows -- and we even told him that we didn't mind if he sat another couple with us. He said that it was company policy that he couldn't sit us there. We just walked out and went to the dining room.

 

 

:confused::confused: seriously! There's no such company policy that I am aware of like that:eek: I hope you made a comment on your survey. DH and I often have a window table for the two of us (and yes they are technically for 4). We've never been told we can't sit there and in fact, are usually offered the window table. The fellow who told you this is the type who should NOT be in the service industry. In the hospitatity industry you make things happen - you don't tell a client why it can't:rolleyes: Most people in suites are couples - not a foursome - common sense prevails

[Krazy Kruizers]

:confused::confused: seriously! There's no such company policy that I am aware of like that:eek: I hope you made a comment on your survey. DH and I often have a window table for the two of us (and yes they are technically for 4). We've never been told we can't sit there and in fact, are usually offered the window table. The fellow who told you this is the type who should NOT be in the service industry. In the hospitatity industry you make things happen - you don't tell a client why it can't:rolleyes: Most people in suites are couples - not a foursome - common sense prevails

 

We know that it is not a company policy. We just weren't going to make a fuss about it.

And you better believe that we wrote it up on our comment cards. But I seriously doubt if anyone ever reads half the stuff on those cards.

All these inconsistencies the last couple of years have made us to start not enjoying our cruises on HAL and thus when we got home from Alaska we cancelled a couple of our future cruises on HAL.

[sail7seas]

:confused::confused: seriously! There's no such company policy that I am aware of like that:eek: I hope you made a comment on your survey. DH and I often have a window table for the two of us (and yes they are technically for 4). We've never been told we can't sit there and in fact, are usually offered the window table. The fellow who told you this is the type who should NOT be in the service industry. In the hospitatity industry you make things happen - you don't tell a client why it can't:rolleyes: Most people in suites are couples - not a foursome - common sense prevails

 

 

I agree.

The two of us most certainly have been seated at a four top many times.

On Maasdam, we are normally very happy at the two tops right by the glass. I like to admire the gorgeous Murano glass hanging beside the tables and love having a view out the window. I'm very happy at those two tops :) but am fine if they seat us at the larger table.

 

[sail7seas]

We know that it is not a company policy. We just weren't going to make a fuss about it.

 

And you better believe that we wrote it up on our comment cards. But I seriously doubt if anyone ever reads half the stuff on those cards.

 

All these inconsistencies the last couple of years have made us to start not enjoying our cruises on HAL and thus when we got home from Alaska we cancelled a couple of our future cruises on HAL.

 

If we experienced some of the things you have encountered, we would not like it either. I am so grateful we have not been subjected to such and am very sorry you have been.

 

Not to say we haven't met up with a less friendly crew person from time to time or someone having a really bad week but that happens to all of us. To refuse you a table at breakfast where there are a limited number of people who can come there was not appropriate. IMO

 

I know for sure the end of cruise surveys are read. I have seen Officers/staff/crew reading them with my 'very own eyes'. :) Several times on turnaround day, we entered an Officer's office to find four or five of them busy reading them. What happens after they read negative comments? That I do not know.

 

 

 

[kazu]

We know that it is not a company policy. We just weren't going to make a fuss about it.

 

And you better believe that we wrote it up on our comment cards. But I seriously doubt if anyone ever reads half the stuff on those cards.

 

All these inconsistencies the last couple of years have made us to start not enjoying our cruises on HAL and thus when we got home from Alaska we cancelled a couple of our future cruises on HAL.

 

Yonnie - those comment cards are read. Can't blame you for cancelling if you are unhappy - now, here's where you and I are different. No, I wouldn't make a 'fuss' but I would have talked to the PG manager (and if that was the manager i would have gone elsewhere). If they don't know they can't fix it. It's too late once you are off the ship. The PG was one of your perks that you PAID for and you should be able to enjoy it at a table that is comfortable for you. I'm not a PITA person - but if there are issues - I will address them. I like breakfast in the PG and if I was told I had to take table x which would not be comfortable - I would not be a happy camper. end of speech - sorry:o

[sail7seas]

Yonnie - those comment cards are read. Can't blame you for cancelling if you are unhappy - now, here's where you and I are different. No, I wouldn't make a 'fuss' but I would have talked to the PG manager (and if that was the manager i would have gone elsewhere). If they don't know they can't fix it. It's too late once you are off the ship. The PG was one of your perks that you PAID for and you should be able to enjoy it at a table that is comfortable for you. I'm not a PITA person - but if there are issues - I will address them. I like breakfast in the PG and if I was told I had to take table x which would not be comfortable - I would not be a happy camper. end of speech - sorry:o

 

 

 

Us, too.

 

DH and /or I would have spoken up.

We would not be chased from a venue we enjoyed which we have paid for as part of our cruise fare.

 

We would not make a 'scene' but we would not simply walk out.

 

[Cindy]

 

I know for sure the end of cruise surveys are read. I have seen Officers/staff/crew reading them with my 'very own eyes'. :) Several times on turnaround day, we entered an Officer's office to find four or five of them busy reading them. What happens after they read negative comments? That I do not know.

 

 

 

Several years ago on the Grand Princess, we had a pretty long Q&A session with the Cruise Director at our Roll Call Meet & Greet. He said that among other things, comments influence wait staff dining room assignments and steward cabin assignments...the best get the assignments with the potential for the biggest tips. At the time, Princess was moving dining room staff every cruise based on comments from the departing guests...I'm not sure if that's still the case. Princess also uses information from comment cards for promotions:) or employee documentation when it's necessary:(.

I've taken a behind the scenes tour on two different cruiselines. The employee area on both ships had a large bulletin board where positive comment cards were prominently displayed.

[Krazy Kruizers]

kazu and sail

This is one of the many reasons why we have cancelled cruises on HAL. We should not have to constantly be fighting for things that other people get automatically. It is obvious that HAL doesn't want us on their ships for whatever reason.

We are tired of seeing some people being treated like royality while we can't even get invited to something so simple as a VIP party -- get a table of our choice -- get invites to other functions on the ship. The list goes on and on. And the way we were snubbed on our Noordam cruise November -- just one more reason for us to look elsewhere.

[sail7seas]

KK....

 

I am very sorry each time I read one of the disappointments or frustrations you have experienced on the ships. Through the years you have mentioned various situations you encountered that should not have happened.

 

I have commented on several occasions as they amaze me sometimes.

I wish you the best and whatever you choose to do will be the right choice for you and your DH.

[Typhoon1]

We were told by the PG MGR that was why the food was sometimes cold and it takes such a long time. The servers have a very long walk we were told. Mind you this is only in the AM.

 

If you've ever taken the galley tour, you see that the PG galley is really an extension of the MDR galley.

[sswitenki]

They tried to send us to the Pinacle but we declined and they let us eat in MDR. i think we were on the Rotterdam. Tried Pinacle and service very slow, food cold, and no window seat. Different story on Noordam. We loved Pinacle breakfast on that ship! Ate there every day!

[kazu]

They tried to send us to the Pinacle but we declined and they let us eat in MDR. i think we were on the Rotterdam. Tried Pinacle and service very slow, food cold, and no window seat. Different story on Noordam. We loved Pinacle breakfast on that ship! Ate there every day!

 

Pinnacle breakfast on the Nieuw Amsterdam was horrendous on day 1. I was polite but honest with the manager - he asked us to please come back - the next morning much improved. I do believe in sharing so they can improve.

 

When we were on the Rotterdam in South America - we ate in the King's Room (I think - or the Queen's room) for breakfast - not the Pinnacle - as this room has windows - very intimate - staff were tremendous - in fact this is what sold us on this perk.

 

Really enjoyed having breakfast & LUNCH there:D:D

[SeaBlu]

Breakfast in the Pinnacle is basically the same menu as the MDR. What is nice is lots of tables for 2, the peace, the ambience and the service:)

 

Can anyone have breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill? Is there a charge?

[dakrewser]

Can anyone have breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill? Is there a charge?

 

 

It's only for guests in suites. There is no charge.