Eurodam Pinnacle Suite 7031 -- Some Thoughts

[giustot]

It took 22 years of cruising but it finally happened. After my share of inside cabins and cramped quarters I got a likely once in a lifetime chance to sail in over the top luxury in a Pinnacle Suite on the October 27th Eurodam cruise.

 

This was our fourth cruise on the Eurodam. Many times I had walked past that distinctive looking PS door wondering what was on the other side. Now, I know. And so will you if you read on and decide for yourselves whether it’s worth the cash. Could the most expensive cabin on the ship actually be the best value for the money?

 

We enjoy the regular suites on Holland America and we have been sailing in SA’s so we can pick a room near the Neptune Lounge. Several times we have sailed in SA’s when a PS has been available and we have never been offered an upsell.

 

I knew one PS was still available on our cruise and I alerted my travel agent to watch for an offer. But I had no reason believe anything would be different this time.

 

Sure enough, an upsell offer went out, the TA quickly passed it along, we immediately accepted, and the suite was ours. It was going to be my wife’s birthday during the cruise and earlier this year was my 60th birthday so this cruise was now going to be even more special.

 

Looking at the pictures I had an idea what to expect inside the suite, but I didn’t know what check-in would be like. I wasn’t really expecting any special treatment, and we didn’t get any.

 

We used suite check-in line and I don’t think the woman who helped us even acknowledged that we were in the Pinnacle Suite. We did have an escort on the ship only because my wife had back and knee problems and was using a wheelchair. He got us on the ship quickly as he would have done with any wheelchair suite passenger.

 

The wheelchair attendant could only take us as far as the top of the gangway; ship’s personnel would have to take over from there. He told them we were the Pinnacle Suite guests but they didn’t have anyone available to push the wheelchair and didn’t offer to call anyone. So I pushed the wheelchair up to the room. Again, not something I minded doing. I wasn’t expecting special treatment. But if I were older and not capable of pushing the wheelchair it would have been a bit awkward.

 

Once we got to the room we were struck by how large and beautiful it was, far better than anything in which we had ever cruised. There was a separate living room, dining room and bedroom, a main bathroom with a hot tub, shower, two gold plated sinks and a separate toilet with bidet and another gold plated sink. There was also a guest bathroom with a gold plated sink, a butler’s pantry, and a balcony that spanned the length of five regular cabins, complete with its own hot tub. All the walls were covered in fabric, the glasses were Waterford crystal, and there was a stereo system throughout the suite and balcony. You thought you would never want to leave.

 

On the dining room table to welcome us were a large fruit plate, a finger sandwich plate and a plate of chocolates, as well as the usual suite bottle of champaign. Soon the cabin stewards and the Neptune Lounge concierge came by the introduce themselves.

 

If you’re wondering about what special amenities and services you get with the PS, outside of a terrific room, there really aren’t many that go beyond what regular suite passengers get.

 

You can be assured that every staff member will remember your name. You can probably eat wherever you want at whatever time you wish. And they will serve you and your guests dinner in your suite. That’s about it for the special perks. By the way, I only mention this as some people have it wrong. You don’t get a special key card for the PS. It’s the same gold key card as a regular Neptune Suite passenger.

 

Being a PS guest did create a couple of delicate situations. When we eat in the main dining room we always request large tables so we can meet other passengers. During lunch the first day the main dining room manager came over to introduce himself to us and chat, much to the surprise of the other people at the table who wondered why. At formal night he visited our table again and brought along the hotel manager. A nice gesture, but what do you say to the rest of the people at the table?

 

We never told anyone else we were in the Pinnacle Suite unless the subject came up. I would just mention we were in a suite and left it at that.

 

One thing about having such a nice cabin is you want to have a chance to share it with other passengers. As a PS passenger you can ask for specific hors d’oeuvres as well as get the regular ones for suite passengers. We had one large cocktail party for 14 people and we entertained other couples on two additional evenings. Most of the guests at the big cocktail party were passengers we met at the Cruise Critic meet and greet.

 

We were able to entertain 14 people seated in the living area. If you use the entire cabin and the balcony you can probably invite 25 people over.

 

Other than hors d’oeuvres, we never ordered room service to the suite. We preferred breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill and we had lunch delivered in our cabana. We reserved a cabana before we knew we would be in the PS so we already had it. If you know you’re going to be in a PS you don’t need a cabana.

 

We didn’t have dinner served in the room. I’m sure it would have been nice but we enjoy the Pinnacle Grill. The dining room manager there pretty much gave us our own table for breakfast and the four dinners we ate there.

 

The highlight, of course, is the room. It’s really much too large for two people. Sometimes I even felt a little guilty. But somehow I managed to put up with it. We have been in Neptune Suites before but this room is entirely different in every way.

 

The furnishings are all of much higher quality. The bathrooms are marble and gold, and the balcony is lined in teak. The shower can perform six different functions, albeit one at a time. The hot tub has water coming out of a Greek god’s mouth. And the balcony is so large that two groups of people can use it and not see one another.

 

It was a treat that we will never forget and probably never experience again. We both still work so making the decision to spend the extra money was not hard. When we retire it will be less likely. The last day of the cruise was very difficult because you realize not only is your cruise over, but you have to leave the cabin.

 

The ironic thing is that this largest, most luxurious cabin on the ship is probably the best value for the money, even if you didn’t get it at a discount like we did.

 

So what did it cost? We booked at a time where good prices were available. But we booked a full SA to be able to pick a cabin near the Neptune Lounge. After an AMEX Platinum credit and other discounts the cruise fare came to about $2,000.00 per person. The upgrade was another $1,000 per person.

 

There’s no doubt this is a lot of money. And there were people on the cruise who booked balcony guarantees and took upsells to Neptune Suites for far less than the $2,000.00 we originally paid.

 

In the end we paid 50% more and got a cabin that was not only 2.5 times the size but furnished so much better than a regular suite. In fact, you can buy a PS at regular price for less than twice the price of an SA Neptune Suite and you are getting a room that is much more than twice as good. If you can afford a PS it’s a good value compared to an SA.

 

Now the question for me is, can I ever sail again on the Eurodam and walk past that cabin door?

 

Tom

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

very nice post. so glad you enjoyed it.

 

It's something to be enjoyed if one has the opportunity. On an upsell it can be a good deal IMO.

 

Happy to here it was worth it for you. It would be for us too. I hope you used that hot tub on the veranah:D

[peaches from georgia]

Did you invite the Captain to your cocktail party? Chances are he would have come. He's been at every party we've attended in the PS. He does add to the special ambiance. ;)

[Lovely other]

it all looks very nice but the idea of gold sinks made me giggle a bit ... i think i would have spent most of the trip on that balcony in the hot tub

[Vict0riann]

Amazing - how long was your cruise? I'm sure that, however long it was, they had to drag you off kicking and screaming. :D That's the first thing I'm going to do when I win the lottery - book one of those..... But I'm not holding my breath.

[lastlook]

What a fun post to read! Thanks too for including the great photos. So happy that you finally had the opportunity to experience the PS - I've often wondered what it would be like. Sorry though that embarkation wasn't a bit more special, but glad everything else was extra nice!

[kjw869]

Now the question for me is, can I ever sail again on the Eurodam and walk past that cabin door?

 

Tom

 

Tom, we were fortunate to get upsell offers to the Pinnacle Suite on both legs of our B2B cruises in May on the Zuiderdam, and I can agree with everything you wrote regarding this wonderful cabin. However, I never saw a scale in our cabin!

 

We booked the same cruise for next May on the Zuiderdam and like this year, booked aft wraparound cabin 7142. I also thought about how we would feel walking past that cabin door. After watching for months that "our" PS was still open, I called our TA and switched to that cabin.

 

Our 15 year old granddaughter may join us, so she'll be able to have her own space and bathroom. After all, it's part of her inheritance we planned to leave her!

Edited November 14, 2013 by kjw869

[kjw869]

it all looks very nice but the idea of gold sinks made me giggle a bit ... i think i would have spent most of the trip on that balcony in the hot tub

 

If you look at the bathroom you'll see a square face like piece of artwork that is hung next to the tub. It's mouth is a round pipe that shoots out water. This tub had more controls than a 747 airplane and nothing was marked. For the first three days, my wife would turn on the water, and water would shoot out onto the floor. We were thankful there was at least a dozen large towels, because she "washed" the floor every night until she found out how to operate the controls for the tub.

 

I gave up after the first day and used the shower thereafter.

[cruz chic]

If you look at the bathroom you'll see a square face like piece of artwork that is hung next to the tub. It's mouth is a round pipe that shoots out water. This tub had more controls than a 747 airplane and nothing was marked. For the first three days, my wife would turn on the water, and water would shoot out onto the floor. We were thankful there was at least a dozen large towels, because she "washed" the floor every night until she found out how to operate the controls for the tub.

 

I gave up after the first day and used the shower thereafter.

 

I never tried it on the Oosterdam as I was still recovering from my knee surgery. I still haven't sat in my bath tub yet:rolleyes:. Looks like I dodged a bulletin not trying it:D.

[cruz chic]

OP, thank you for the thread. It looks a lot like the ph on the Oosterdam. Funny how they do things differently on different ships. The only time I had anyone at my dining table was when I filled out a comment card on the slow wine service. Glad you experienced the ph. Everyone should be able to try it once.

[startwin]

Wonderful post, and so descriptive.... the closest I will ever get to a Penthouse suite so I thank you,:D

[kazu]

If you look at the bathroom you'll see a square face like piece of artwork that is hung next to the tub. It's mouth is a round pipe that shoots out water. This tub had more controls than a 747 airplane and nothing was marked. For the first three days, my wife would turn on the water, and water would shoot out onto the floor. We were thankful there was at least a dozen large towels, because she "washed" the floor every night until she found out how to operate the controls for the tub.

 

I gave up after the first day and used the shower thereafter.

 

The only complaint I had on the Zuiderdam - I finally asked how to use it on the 2nd day! To me, it should be explained on day 1 - but it's great and once you know how it works it can be marvelous:) I just don't think you should have to ask:p

[kjw869]

The only complaint I had on the Zuiderdam - I finally asked how to use it on the 2nd day! To me, it should be explained on day 1 - but it's great and once you know how it works it can be marvelous:) I just don't think you should have to ask:p

 

Jacqui, It was the third day of the first cruise someone finally came and gave us a "tour" which was their terminology. We found out later, this should have happened the first day. We couldn't figure out all the lighting which some panels controlled the whole cabin, or the music system with all the speakers throughout the rooms.

 

We will be better prepared in May.

Edited November 14, 2013 by kjw869

[cruz chic]

Jacqui, It was the third day of the first cruise someone finally came and gave us a "tour" which was their terminology. We found out later, this should have happened the first day. We couldn't figure out all the lighting which some panels controlled the whole cabin, or the music system with all the speakers throughout the rooms.

 

We will be better prepared in May.

 

I got a vague tour the first day but I asked a LOT of questions. It took me days to learn how to use the lights. And blinds. Never did figure out the music system.

[headhunterke]

You made me drool with those pictures. How will I ever enjoy an oceanview cabin? :p

Just kiddin', great review and I hope for you it wasn't your last one, however those things cost a fortune... :D

[canadianbear]

Thank you so much for the review and especially the photos. (Yes, like others, it's the closest I will get to the PH)! I really liked the photos of the balcony with the hot tub and the loungers-wow.....impressive.

 

I wish they had of assisted you more at check-in and getting you on the ship and to your cabin. I always thought they went above and beyond for that for PH suites.

 

I'm glad you had the chance to enjoy it-looks fantastic. I'm waiting to win the lotto to try it!:)

[cruz chic]

Thank you so much for the review and especially the photos. (Yes, like others, it's the closest I will get to the PH)! I really liked the photos of the balcony with the hot tub and the loungers-wow.....impressive.

 

I wish they had of assisted you more at check-in and getting you on the ship and to your cabin. I always thought they went above and beyond for that for PH suites.

 

I'm glad you had the chance to enjoy it-looks fantastic. I'm waiting to win the lotto to try it!:)

 

You never know. A few years ago I was doing inside cabins. If it can happen to me it could happen to anyone. To think I just about took a pass on it until someone talked some sense into me. The problem is I'd like to sail in a suite every time now. I remember when sailing in a balcony was a dream. I hope you do get to experience it some day:).

[sail7seas]

Thanks so much for a fun read.

 

Happy you enjoyed your PS so much.

 

We had an awful time with all the light switches. We never did figure them all out. :D :eek:

[Thebes]

To the op,

 

Thank for sharing your story with PS.

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for posting your story and pictures. Looks and sounds fantastic.

We usually book inside cabins, but I can dream.

[Winters in NZ]

Thanks for the well-written description of your suite, along with the great photos.

[giustot]

Thanks everyone for your comments. To answer some questions:

 

It was a seven-day Caribbean cruise.

 

I didn't invite the captain to our cocktail party because I already had met him at two other cocktail parties (he was a very nice man), and I didn't want the possibility of the party turning into a forum to complain to the captain about problems guests may have been having on the ship.

 

My steward did insist that he instruct me in how to turn the TV on and off (it's more complicated than you would think.) And he made me promise not to take the Waterford crystal glasses out of the cabin. I wish he would also have shown me how to operate the sound system and the water in the tub in the bathroom. It took some loud noise and water on the floor before I figured it out.

 

And the light switches were beyond comprehension. I could never understand how they worked. Any one switch seemed to be able to turn off all the lights in the entire cabin exactly when you didn't want to.

 

Tom.

[sail7seas]

 

 

<snip>

 

And the light switches were beyond comprehension. I could never understand how they worked. Any one switch seemed to be able to turn off all the lights in the entire cabin exactly when you didn't want to.

 

Tom.

 

 

:D Makes me feel better to know it isn't only us who struggle with the light switches. :o

 

Great report. Thank you.

 

Edited November 14, 2013 by sail7seas

[seagarsmoker]

Thanks for posting your wonderful story and the pictures! Someday we hope to get the same upgrade offer you received. :)