Do you dine in Speciality (extra cost) on HAL cruises? - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

earl_m · 10-09-2009, 04:22 PM

I have been lucky so far . I always enjoy eating at the Pinncale Grill, the service , atmophere and the food was always the best. I like when when they all come at once to serve you your meal. I know the tip is included in the cost but i always leave something extra.
My last cruise we were on on the jewel of the Seas,RCL. we ate at their specialty restaurant `Chops`. It was okay but now worth the extra cost.

Krazy Kruizers · 10-10-2009, 05:14 PM

Actually there is no tip included in the cost of the meal -- it all goes to HAL to pay for this food.

This has been a topic discussed many times -- an many people get different answers when they ask Seattle.

We asked the servers one time -- they only get pennies from the auto tip.

earl_m · 10-10-2009, 07:10 PM

Its amazing how many hours they work and how little they are paid.
I take my hat off to them.

nealberk · 10-10-2009, 11:08 PM

So. the auto tip that we pay - what is it $10 a day?- and which is supposed to go to our servers does not go to these guys? They really deserve all the tip for that meal for the day (and really deserve a lot more)

Sea Otter · 10-12-2009, 09:37 AM

I found it difficult to vote in the poll so I voted Other.

Twice because some friends wanted to. (One of these times we had a coupon from out TA.)

Once, complimentary, because my cabin was flooded.

The first 2 times were on the Veendam and Volendam. I would not recommend it. The serve was horrible. The food was not so great.

The 3rd time on the Zaandam I figured what the h*%% the cruise line is picking up the tab because of my cabin.
They fell all over us because the tab was being picked up by an officer. They thought we were VIP friends of someone. The service was good and the food was better.

I don't know if we would eat their again.

Krazy Kruizers · 10-12-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealberk

So. the auto tip that we pay - what is it $10 a day?- and which is supposed to go to our servers does not go to these guys? They really deserve all the tip for that meal for the day (and really deserve a lot more)

The $11 automatic Hotel Service Charge -- the Pinnacle staff do get just pennies a day from this -- they are considered part of the "Other Staff".

MCcruiser · 10-12-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea Otter

I found it difficult to vote in the poll so I voted Other.

Twice because some friends wanted to. (One of these times we had a coupon from out TA.)

Once, complimentary, because my cabin was flooded.

The first 2 times were on the Veendam and Volendam. I would not recommend it. The serve was horrible. The food was not so great.

The 3rd time on the Zaandam I figured what the h*%% the cruise line is picking up the tab because of my cabin.
They fell all over us because the tab was being picked up by an officer. They thought we were VIP friends of someone. The service was good and the food was better.

I don't know if we would eat their again.

I hope you either let your TA know or wrote something on a comment card. There is no excuse for lackluster service when you are paying extra.

I'm sure I would not go back if I had experienced what you did, but I didn't, and we will probably go back.

earl_m · 10-12-2009, 08:31 PM

As I have said before , we have always had great service in the Pinnicale grill.
I can't say enough about the service . we give a good tip at the end of the meal. I guess we have been Lucky so far.

Krazy Kruizers · 10-13-2009, 07:27 AM

We have had good service about 99% of the time.

Sea Otter · 10-14-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCcruiser

I hope you either let your TA know or wrote something on a comment card. There is no excuse for lackluster service when you are paying extra.

I'm sure I would not go back if I had experienced what you did, but I didn't, and we will probably go back.

We did write up the issues on the comment card.