Tamarind exchange

[57redbird]

HI -- we were supposed to receive 2 complimentary dinners at the Pinnacle Grill, now 1 has been changed to the Tamarind.  We are probably the only 2 people in the world who aren't fond of the Tamarind.  Does anybody know if we can switch it back to the Pinnacle Grill or should I talk to our PCC?  TIA.

[Mary229]

You need to talk to your PCC.  HIA has always been one Pinnacle, one Tamarind so if you got two Pinnacle that is something your PCC must have done specifically for you 

[57redbird]

I should have said on our original booking paperwork it said 2 Pinnacles & 1 Canaletto which was fine with us & now, since I've made final payment, that's the paperwork that has the change.

[Florida_gal_50]

I don't understand.  I was able to pick mine.  I picked 2 tamarind and zero pinnacle when I booked online. 

[57redbird]

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I don't understand.  I was able to pick mine.  I picked 2 tamarind and zero pinnacle when I booked online. 

I haven't tried to book anything yet -- just hoping to be able to drop Tamarind.

[Florida_gal_50]

23 minutes ago, 57redbird said:

I haven't tried to book anything yet -- just hoping to be able to drop Tamarind.

Hopefully it will work ok for you.  You can have my pinnacle 😉

[RuthC]

3 hours ago, 57redbird said:

We are probably the only 2 people in the world who aren't fond of the Tamarind. 

There's at least three of us. It's all right, and I will eat there if my friends want to go. But when traveling alone, I can avoid the Tamarind happily. 

[muffin]

Related question. When using your included specialty dinner can you order “have it all “wine and/ or cocktails at no extra cost?  Thx.

[Banditswife]

I don't like seafood or Asian food, but hubby does.  So we will have Tamarind 1x for him & Pinnacle 1x for me.  I noticed Tamarind does have a beef dish...

[oldbluff]

3 hours ago, muffin said:

Related question. When using your included specialty dinner can you order “have it all “wine and/ or cocktails at no extra cost?  Thx.

Yes. The beverage packages may be used in the specialty restaurants. 

[oakridger]

2 hours ago, Banditswife said:

I don't like seafood or Asian food, but hubby does.  So we will have Tamarind 1x for him & Pinnacle 1x for me.  I noticed Tamarind does have a beef dish...

 

Tamarind's filet is the best steak I've had on a HAL ship!  

 

~Nancy

[Laminator]

1 hour ago, oakridger said:

 

Tamarind's filet is the best steak I've had on a HAL ship!  

 

~Nancy

I agree...Better than any steak the Pinnacle has!

[Mandalay1903]

1 hour ago, Laminator said:

I agree...Better than any steak the Pinnacle has!

I agree about the Tamarind steak. And saying it's "better than any steak the Pinnacle has" isn't saying too much. We've walked out of the Pinnacle more than once...

[DaveOKC]

10 hours ago, Banditswife said:

I don't like seafood or Asian food, but hubby does.  So we will have Tamarind 1x for him & Pinnacle 1x for me.  I noticed Tamarind does have a beef dish...

And the beef is very good IMO.  Waisabi (SP).

[Banditswife]

Slightly off topic- for those of you who love Pinnacle.  What cut of beef is best when cooked to well done?  I do not eat a lot at any meal, prefer to fill up on salad & veggie.  petite filet, reg filet or NY strip?  

[mcrcruiser]

6 hours ago, Laminator said:

I agree...Better than any steak the Pinnacle has!

Ya think it might be Kobe Beef ??

[Laminator]

8 hours ago, Mandalay1903 said:

I agree about the Tamarind steak. And saying it's "better than any steak the Pinnacle has" isn't saying too much. We've walked out of the Pinnacle more than once...

That's why I don't even bother walking in!

[lizinindy]

I’ve made specialty dining reservations (I think) but I don’t know where on the website to find those reservations

[Cruise Suzy]

1 minute ago, lizinindy said:

I’ve made specialty dining reservations (I think) but I don’t know where on the website to find those reservations

 

Once you've chosen "Manage my Booking", look on your itinerary. You should also have received an e-mail with a receipt.

[Pickalily, Wilts]

Slightly off topic - has anyone been successful in swapping a HIA Pinnacle Grill  for a Canaletto reservation?  We're happy to take the included Tamarind option, but hoping HAL will allow us to have the cheaper (for them) Canaletto instead of Pinnacle.  

[Mandalay1903]

2 hours ago, Pickalily, Wilts said:

Slightly off topic - has anyone been successful in swapping a HIA Pinnacle Grill  for a Canaletto reservation?  We're happy to take the included Tamarind option, but hoping HAL will allow us to have the cheaper (for them) Canaletto instead of Pinnacle.  

Easily done while on board. Just speak with a Dining Dept Supervisor or Manager.

[Mandalay1903]

3 hours ago, Laminator said:

That's why I don't even bother walking in!

Only when it's included in Have It All plan and there's no Tamarind on the ship.

 

OBTW, on board the Noordam currently and their offering a limited Tamarind "pop-up" menu at the Pinnacle two times on this long cruise. I appreciate that, but the bad thing is that they accept neither the included Have It All Signature Dining deal or the 50% Mariner Discount on those evenings. The fee is the full Pinnacle charge plus gratuity, which is more than the standard Tamarind fee on the ships that have a dedicated Tamarind restaurant. Doesn't quite seem fair to us, so we passed on the event.  But, the laws of microeconomics prevail and the dinner event has sold out...

[57redbird]

24 minutes ago, Mandalay1903 said:

Easily done while on board. Just speak with a Dining Dept Supervisor or Manager.

Do you think that will work to change the Tamarind to Pinnacle?

[Laminator]

2 hours ago, Mandalay1903 said:

Only when it's included in Have It All plan and there's no Tamarind on the ship.

 

OBTW, on board the Noordam currently and their offering a limited Tamarind "pop-up" menu at the Pinnacle two times on this long cruise. I appreciate that, but the bad thing is that they accept neither the included Have It All Signature Dining deal or the 50% Mariner Discount on those evenings. The fee is the full Pinnacle charge plus gratuity, which is more than the standard Tamarind fee on the ships that have a dedicated Tamarind restaurant. Doesn't quite seem fair to us, so we passed on the event.  But, the laws of microeconomics prevail and the dinner event has sold out...

Even if it was included in the HIA package I would pass. It's not worth the disappointment. I would be more than willing to pay for a memorable dining experience instead of a mediocre one. 

[Mandalay1903]

3 hours ago, 57redbird said:

Do you think that will work to change the Tamarind to Pinnacle?

Probably not, because Pinnacle typically costs more than Tamarind. Unless you happen to be really good at sweet talk, that is...