New Specialty Restaurant Pricing

[kazu]

1 minute ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

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).

 

I don’t completely agree with you on everything being included.  Let’s not forget even if you order the surcharge item, you are still getting the appetizers, dessert, etc.  I live in Atlantic Canada where the lobster is fresh.  It has increased in price substantially over the last couple of years  Last year after DH’s funeral,I had my family back at the house and decided I would serve lobster since it’s easy (for me) to prepare for them and it can be a social occasion.  It cost nearly $300 for 12 of them and I bought them direct from a local fisherman at a very discounted price.  Still more than HAL’s price.  I don’t find HAL’s price for lobster outrageous - especially considering some may order a filet and lobster (surf and turf).  

 

And, the caviar is indeed real.  At $50 it was a really good deal.  I’m not sure on the $80 but considering some of the price increases in the markets, it probably still is.  I’ll check. 😉 

[Blackduck59]

4 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

I don’t completely agree with you on everything being included.  Let’s not forget even if you order the surcharge item, you are still getting the appetizers, dessert, etc.  I live in Atlantic Canada where the lobster is fresh.  It has increased in price substantially over the last couple of years  Last year after DH’s funeral,I had my family back at the house and decided I would serve lobster since it’s easy (for me) to prepare for them and it can be a social occasion.  It cost nearly $300 for 12 of them and I bought them direct from a local fisherman at a very discounted price.  Still more than HAL’s price.  I don’t find HAL’s price for lobster outrageous - especially considering some may order a filet and lobster (surf and turf).  

 

And, the caviar is indeed real.  At $50 it was a really good deal.  I’m not sure on the $80 but considering some of the price increases in the markets, it probably still is.  I’ll check. 😉 

 

I don't think they serve the same lobster you maritimers enjoy; it is more likely spiny lobster from warm water areas brought aboard as frozen tails. We are able to get fresh live lobster here from several retailers. We just pick the ones we want from the live tank and it is indeed expensive. Like I said I don't think they use those lobsters. As for the appetizers, dessert etc. think of those as being covered by the price you already paid for the meal included in your fare that you aren't eating in the MDR. The prices are what they are and we can choose to pay them or not. We chose to pay the extra "Have it All" fare and will enjoy our 2 included in the fare specialty dinners. Pinnacle on my birthday and Canaletto closer to the end of the cruise.

[FlaMariner]

LOL....we cruise 10/1 as first time 4 stars and we never, ever, rarely go to a $$$ restaurant onboard....We were thinking we might just use our 50% discount to enjoy a $15 Pinnacle lunch for $7.50

 

Now it's going to $19 so that would be $9.50 each with our new 4 star discount.

 

Back to Lido, MDR and the Dive IN and NY Pizza and food at Grand Dutch for us cheepos......We are fine and savor the journey.....

 

(We've never understood paying for dinner and then paying for dinner...but we understand that for other folks, it's a big part of their cruise experience)

[kazu]

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

I don't think they serve the same lobster you maritimers enjoy; it is more likely spiny lobster from warm water areas brought aboard as frozen tails.

 

Yes for the 5 ounce ones.  No, on the surcharge ones on Gala night for $20 and in Sel de Mer and PG.  At least that is my experience from seeing what people ordered.

 

My friend who ordered it on our Gala night is a lobster gourmand and was very impressed and thought it well worth the extra surcharge.  YMMV.

 

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

The prices are what they are and we can choose to pay them or not. We chose to pay the extra "Have it All" fare and will enjoy our 2 included in the fare specialty dinners. Pinnacle on my birthday and Canaletto closer to the end of the cruise.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

41 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

LOL....we cruise 10/1 as first time 4 stars and we never, ever, rarely go to a $$$ restaurant onboard....We were thinking we might just use our 50% discount to enjoy a $15 Pinnacle lunch for $7.50

 

Now it's going to $19 so that would be $9.50 each with our new 4 star discount.

 

Back to Lido, MDR and the Dive IN and NY Pizza and food at Grand Dutch for us cheepos......We are fine and savor the journey.....

 

(We've never understood paying for dinner and then paying for dinner...but we understand that for other folks, it's a big part of their cruise experience)

 

 

The PG lunch is the Best Buy on the ship IMO.  the hamburger is to die for not to mention some of the appetizers and other entrees offered.  Far different than the evening offerings.  A lunch in the PG is a nice change and well worth the price - especially now that you are 4*.

 

No worries if you want to do the other venues - each to their own - but don’t knock until you’ve tried it.  The day I can’t spare $10 plus gratuity for lunch in the PG is the day I won’t cruise. 😉 

 

 

[SilvertoGold]

48 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

LOL....we cruise 10/1 as first time 4 stars and we never, ever, rarely go to a $$$ restaurant onboard....We were thinking we might just use our 50% discount to enjoy a $15 Pinnacle lunch for $7.50

 

Now it's going to $19 so that would be $9.50 each with our new 4 star discount.

 

Back to Lido, MDR and the Dive IN and NY Pizza and food at Grand Dutch for us cheepos......We are fine and savor the journey.....

 

(We've never understood paying for dinner and then paying for dinner...but we understand that for other folks, it's a big part of their cruise experience)

Congrats on your 4 star accomplishment!

Ummm.... however, you would pay $25.84 for your two Pinnacle lunches. You pay the 18% on both, unfortunately.

[Blackduck59]

@kazu thank you for your helpful information. I think I would probably be happy to pay the extra for a lunch in Pinnacle. Unfortunately with my non existent and probably never much "status" we would have to pay full price 🥺. How does this burger compare to the "included in your fare" Dive in burger.

On our next cruise we won't be ordering lobster on the ship. It's a New England/East Coast Canada itinerary, we'll get our lobster ashore.

[albingirl]

I just got in from an insanely expensive lunch. Prices are going up up up on everything everywhere. I don't consider those new prices unreasonable. However, I'm probably less likely to bother with specialty dining anymore. People are starting to hit the wall on all price increases in general. The Wall Street Journal has been full of stories about these changes that cause people to make choices. I can easily stick with MDR or club orange. 

[FlaMariner]

24 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

Congrats on your 4 star accomplishment!

Ummm.... however, you would pay $25.84 for your two Pinnacle lunches. You pay the 18% on both, unfortunately.

 

Thanks!

 

Yikes.....$25.84 w/my discount.....see y'all at Lido.....or the Dive In....The Cannonball at the Dive In will suffice!

Edited July 27, 2023 by FlaMariner

[shipshape sam]

4 hours 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.

 

I am surprised still at the initial charge for an extra appetizer/side dish.   They can get too cute and ruin/lessen the speciality dining concept.  Going to a Speciality dining restaurant, would mean you are not eating in the MDR or Lido Market, which is/should be some cost savings  that could be applied to cost of the overall dinner that evening in their pricing model.  Maybe they already do that calculation?!

[kazu]

48 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

@kazu thank you for your helpful information. I think I would probably be happy to pay the extra for a lunch in Pinnacle. Unfortunately with my non existent and probably never much "status" we would have to pay full price 🥺. How does this burger compare to the "included in your fare" Dive in burger.

On our next cruise we won't be ordering lobster on the ship. It's a New England/East Coast Canada itinerary, we'll get our lobster ashore.

 

There is no comparison.  It’s a Wagyu beef pattie and it is HUGE and the toppings are great.  You will be lucky if you can eat the whole thing.

 

I’m not putting down the Dive In Burger - it’s decent - but there is no comparison.  We’ll see if anyone who has had both disagrees with me and honestly, I doubt it will happen.  I usually remove the top bun and tackle it with a fork and knife and still can’t finish it but it is so good.

New England/Atlantic Canada cruise?  I’m with you enjoy your lobster on shore.  Be prepared for price shock though.  I was shocked when I checked for friends arriving here.  YMMV

[Blackduck59]

2 minutes ago, kazu said:

New England/Atlantic Canada cruise?  I’m with you enjoy your lobster on shore.  Be prepared for price shock though.  I was shocked when I checked for friends arriving here.  YMMV

 

Yes we sail on Zaandam, 23 August. I'm not thinking too much about the price of the lobster, I buy it live here on the wet coast so I'm prepared. Keep in mind it's hard to find a beef burger around here for less than $20.00.

[kazu]

1 minute ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Yes we sail on Zaandam, 23 August. I'm not thinking too much about the price of the lobster, I buy it live here on the wet coast so I'm prepared. Keep in mind it's hard to find a beef burger around here for less than $20.00.

 

Nice!  Enjoy the Zaandam - I love that little ship.

Unless things have changed (and I had the hamburger split between my DS and I on the Oosterdam in November) it is still a star.  You could easily split one and order another entree that is lighter if desired with two.

 

It is seriously very good.  I’ve introduced a number of people to it on various ships and I have never encountered a disappointing one yet (and I’m not normally a hamburger person).

 

Have a great cruise 😃 

[Heidi13]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

 

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.

 

Just to make sure I have this correct, since we haven't sailed with HAL before.

 

They charge a daily service charge per person, and if you visit a specialty restaurant, in addition to an excessive extra fee to walk in the door, they charge an additional service charge. Wow!!!

 

After paying those costs, if we order a Tomahawk, they have an additional charge. Unbelievable.

[kazu]

5 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Just to make sure I have this correct, since we haven't sailed with HAL before.

 

They charge a daily service charge per person, and if you visit a specialty restaurant, in addition to an excessive extra fee to walk in the door, they charge an additional service charge. Wow!!!

 

After paying those costs, if we order a Tomahawk, they have an additional charge. Unbelievable.

 

I guess you don’t tip your waiters in restaurants?  That’s all it is. 

[AliceS]

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

@kazu thank you for your helpful information. I think I would probably be happy to pay the extra for a lunch in Pinnacle. Unfortunately with my non existent and probably never much "status" we would have to pay full price 🥺. How does this burger compare to the "included in your fare" Dive in burger.

On our next cruise we won't be ordering lobster on the ship. It's a New England/East Coast Canada itinerary, we'll get our lobster ashore.

Both burgers are amazing.   I don’t eat meat that much at home, but on Holland?….I can’t pass up those burgers.

[sue1898]

6 hours ago, wandrr said:

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...

I’d be interested in where on FB the original poster @richwmn saw this. I couldn’t find it on the HAL FB page so perhaps it was not a communication meant for passengers but rather some kind of internal notice.

Edited July 27, 2023 by sue1898

[Laminator]

1 minute ago, sue1898 said:

I’d be interested in where on FB the original poster @richwmn saw this. I couldn’t find it on the HAL FB page so perhaps it was not a communication meant for passengers but rather some kind of internal notice.

It was posted in a casino related FB group 4 or 5 hours ago.

[wandrr]

18 minutes ago, sue1898 said:

I’d be interested in where on FB the original poster @richwmn saw this. I couldn’t find it on the HAL FB page so perhaps it was not a communication meant for passengers but rather some kind of internal notice.

I have no idea where he found it. Ask him. I was responding to the "secondary flow" question.

[scooter6139]

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Just to make sure I have this correct, since we haven't sailed with HAL before.

 

They charge a daily service charge per person, and if you visit a specialty restaurant, in addition to an excessive extra fee to walk in the door, they charge an additional service charge. Wow!!!

 

After paying those costs, if we order a Tomahawk, they have an additional charge. Unbelievable.

Uh, you've cruised Princess I see.  They do the exact same thing.  

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

I guess you don’t tip your waiters in restaurants?  That’s all it is. 

 

When dining ashore in a restaurant, you don't pay a daily service charge. Doesn't the daily service charge cover dining venues?

[Heidi13]

13 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

Uh, you've cruised Princess I see.  They do the exact same thing.  

 

Affirmative, I both worked for and cruised with P&O/Princess for many years, until 2015. Visited the Steak House many times and don't recall an additional service charge.

[PHXscuba]

Lots of knowledgable people on this thread ... we first-time HAL cruisers and I cannot figure out how to pre-book Pinnacle Grill for lunch, it seems the only options I can see are for dinner. (I managed to book Cannaletto for dinner)

 

Can anyone direct me to the right place, or confirm if we can only do that onboard or as a walk-up?

 

(If it matters, Nieuw Amsterdam to Alaska in September)

 

PHXscuba

[RuthC]

4 minutes ago, PHXscuba said:

we first-time HAL cruisers and I cannot figure out how to pre-book Pinnacle Grill for lunch,

You can only book Pinnacle lunch on board. 
Excellent, and worth the price of admission. 

[PHXscuba]

Just now, RuthC said:

You can only book Pinnacle lunch on board. 
Excellent, and worth the price of admission. 

Thank you! I was making myself crazy looking for something that didn't exist! I think we will enjoy a lovely Pinnacle Grill lunch on our last sea day to ease the pain of vacation ending. 😉

 

PHXscuba

[kazu]

24 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

When dining ashore in a restaurant, you don't pay a daily service charge. Doesn't the daily service charge cover dining venues?

 

The daily service charge is for the MDR/Lido waiters, you cabin steward and all the many people behind the scenes that clean your hallways, laundry, etc.

 

Specialty dining staff are not included in it.  Never have been as far as I know and very few of us tipped.

You don’t have to go to specialty dining if you don’t want.  But bottom line - no the daily service charge does not cover specialty - not everyone goes there so it’s not the same philosophy.