New Specialty Restaurant Pricing

[richwmn]

I just saw this posted on FB. Note that the charges for additional entrees are being removed.

 

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for the info.

[kazu]

Well, a number of people have posted that they would prefer to see a higher price and remove the nickel & diming of the surcharges for the extra appetizer in the PG so hopefully they are pleased.

 

Thanks for the heads up.  Glad I pre-booked our table of 5 in Sel de Mer.  

[DaveOKC]

Hate to see prices increase again.  At least the extra apps charge in the Pinnacle is gone - that is the main thing that affects me (except for paying more for Pinnacle Lunch which is still a good deal IMO).  

HAL needs to stop giving away so many "free meals" in these dining areas and reduce prices.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for sharing ..

[POA1]

Dang it! 60% increase in the caviar pricing. It's our one splurge. And, no... We are not going to share an ounce. Guess I'll have to to mow a few more lawns this summer. (Gonna be kind of hard living in a high rise condo.)

 

This is gonna hurt the casino, because it's coming straight out of their budget...

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by POA1

[Alberta Quilter]

Seems odd to me that they’re discontinuing the extra entree charge in the PG but not in Rudi's or Tamarind.  Of course that would indicate consistency, which we all know, HAL isn’t!  

Edited July 27, 2023 by Alberta Quilter

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Thanks for posting the new prices. My August cruise escapes them but not the December one. HAL should stop giving away the free meals in the Have it All promotions. That also increases the problem of getting reservations in the specialty restaurants.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Thanks for sharing this information.  I'm glad to see the charges for most extras are being eliminated.  I guess with everything costing more, it was inevitable that the prices for the specialty restaurants would increase. 

[Blackduck59]

11 minutes ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

Thanks for posting the new prices. My August cruise escapes them but not the December one. HAL should stop giving away the free meals in the Have it All promotions. That also increases the problem of getting reservations in the specialty restaurants.

 

These are NOT free meals, they are included in the increased fare that those who choose "Have it All" pay for the "Have it All" promotion. You too could choose to pay the higher "Have it All" fare and have some specialty dining meals included in that higher fare.

[TiogaCruiser]

23 minutes ago, Alberta Quilter said:

Seems odd to me that they’re discontinuing the extra entree charge in the PG but not in Rudi's or Tamarind.  Of course that would indicate consistency, which we all know, HAL isn’t!  

I saw that too and thought it odd. Personally I have no problem with a change for an extra entree.

 

Is there any information available on Canaletto?

[Roz]

What is "Secondary Flow for pre-booking"?

[Alberta Quilter]

52 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

I saw that too and thought it odd. Personally I have no problem with a change for an extra entree.

 

Is there any information available on Canaletto?

 

I don't have any issues with it either; I cannot eat two entrees.  I think they should have the extra charge for additional entrees in all specialty restaurants.

[Blackduck59]

4 minutes ago, Roz said:

What is "Secondary Flow for pre-booking"?

 

I assume that is for those who are not on the "Have it All" fare as there is some specialty dining. included in that fare. That would also include those with the "Have it All" that book more specialty dining not included in their fare.

[wandrr]

12 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

I assume that is for those who are not on the "Have it All" fare as there is some specialty dining. included in that fare. That would also include those with the "Have it All" that book more specialty dining not included in their fare.

You assume wrong. The "secondary flow" is a web site thing which is used when you select your booking number to reserve or pre-book dining or shorex and so on. Have a look at the URL when you click on a booking number. It changes to https://www.hollandamerica.com/secondaryFlow/home . HAL only knows why they do that, and why they would use a term in the announcement that should be internal for use only by their web developers. As many have said, HAL's web site leaves much to be desired...

[SilvertoGold]

Most pax do not order extra entrees, I think, and thus HAL didn't make a lot of profit on that. Now, they lose if everyone starts on that second free entree (unlikely!).  HAL's gain in looking good for discontinuing that particular charge anyways.

So, that "now free" extra appetizer is one I really need to order since I will be paying that extra $7.00 anyways with the increase from $39 to $46.

 

[ExArkie]

12 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

Most pax do not order extra entrees, I think, and thus HAL didn't make a lot of profit on that. Now, they lose if everyone starts on that second free entree (unlikely!).  HAL's gain in looking good for discontinuing that particular charge anyways.

So, that "now free" extra appetizer is one I really need to order since I will be paying that extra $7.00 anyways with the increase from $39 to $46.

 

If everyone orders two entrees, they can make up the cost by adding higher charges at the medical center for digestive system treatments.

[Blackduck59]

I think that they are skating a fine line with charging extra for most things in specialty dining.

Every passenger has already paid for their meal included in the fare. That passenger has now chosen to dine in "Specialty Dining" and is willing to pay the cover charge. Most things including the Delmonico Steak should be included in that up charge (keeping in mind the passenger has already paid for a meal in another venue included in the cost of the cruise). The price of the Tomahawk steak is ridiculous, $46.00 just to enter Pinnacle Grill plus $45.00 for the steak? I admit I haven't been to a high end steak house like Peter Lugar but $91.00 for a steak on top of the meal included in the fare? I suspect that steak in the Pinnacle Grill isn't the same 28 day dry aged prime beef you will find at the premium steak house either.

[mcrcruiser]

Thanks for the update 

[*Miss G*]

2 hours ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

Thanks for posting the new prices. My August cruise escapes them but not the December one.

 

The FAQ says they will honor current pricing for bookings made prior to September 1st. So, as long as you make your reservation by the end of August, you won’t pay the increased cost.

 

16 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

The price of the Tomahawk steak is ridiculous, $46.00 just to enter Pinnacle Grill plus $45.00 for the steak? I admit I haven't been to a high end steak house like Peter Lugar but $91.00 for a steak on top of the meal included in the fare? I suspect that steak in the Pinnacle Grill isn't the same 28 day dry aged prime beef you will find at the premium steak house either.

 

The tomahawk steak is for two people:

 

[cruzingnut]

I'm hoping that they are gong to resume better quality food with these price increases.  We've noted that the quality of the steaks and pork chop have declined quite a bit since Covid.  

 

Linda R.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Not listed here is Canaletto, I believe their price recently went up. But I had a weird occurance happen, I had booked Canaletto a several weeks ago but decided I wanted to move the night we were going. It was wide open with every slot time available for when we wanted to go. I called HAL's Guest Services and was told I had to cancel and rebook and a new much higher price. I was shocked, I told them I would just wait to move it once on board. Has this happened to any one else?

My guess is with these new prices if you had paid and need to move to a different night the same thing will happen.

[Grandma7]

I take it that these new prices do not include the gratuities? My prebooked reservations for the specialty restaurants  are the same or higher than those new prices listed above!

[Blackduck59]

30 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

 

The FAQ says they will honor current pricing for bookings made prior to September 1st. So, as long as you make your reservation by the end of August, you won’t pay the increased cost.

 

 

The tomahawk steak is for two people:

 

 

While the Tomahawk may be "for 2" I suggest the "supplement" is per person (although I have no personal knowledge of this).

My point is HAL is charging extra to enter the restaurant so most things in that restaurant should be included. If you're charging $46.00 just to walk through the door (Keeping in mind this is on top of the meal the passenger paid for as part of their fare and won't be eating in the MDR) you should be able to cough up a quality steak and lobster or a lobster dinner or lobster mac & Cheese for that matter. Perhaps a "supplement" for the caviar (assuming it is the real thing).

[kazu]

4 minutes ago, Grandma7 said:

I take it that these new prices do not include the gratuities? My prebooked reservations for the specialty restaurants  are the same or higher than those new prices listed above!

 

Correct. That post reflects the old price (without gratuity) and new one (without gratuity.

 

HAL’s site always shows the actual price for them and has the annotation that an 18% service charge is added.