Cruise Talk: Some HAL help.

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Some HAL help.

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Topic: Some HAL help.

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 06-11-2011 01:23 PM

After a long search and deciding that the Greek Isles were not in the cards,we went for a cruise on Holland America.
Never tried HAL before .Usually RCL,Celebrity and Princess. We booked a 7 day Alaska on the Westerdam. The pricing was very good on 9/10 so we took a Superior Veranda Suite. Seems like a lot of amenities especially in the bathroom.
I would appreciate some feed back on HAL.
We took the anytime dining. Our agent said that HAL offers a complimentary dinner in one of their $$$ dining rooms(Italian)?Need to make an reservation early.
Thanks for any input .
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 06-11-2011 10:58 PM

I would NOT take the anytime dining if I were you....just a friendly suggestion. The reason is the service is not as good, the waiters are more mechanical and do a fine job, the food is the same, but depending on when you arrive in the dining room, sometimes you might feel rushed through dinner, and you won't experience the "service" of your waiter getting to know you and what you like and your style of dining. I had the anytime dining and although the food was good, I did feel rushed and the waiter even brought out the salad and entree at the same time, because of how the galley was rushing to keep up with the demand of the regular diners and the staggered anytime diners. Just a thought. I don't feel HAL has perfected the anytime dining.

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 06-12-2011 10:39 AM

Thanks for the tip Barry. The reasons we have taken anytime dining is because we don't have to rush for dinner after a day onshore(excursion,etc.)We like the 1st sitting if we chose the nornal dining times.
Second we have had people come to the table 15-30 late. This really messes up the timetable as dinner stretches out to almost 2 hours.
On numerous occasions we have had our waiter thank us for getting to dinner on time. When things go long he then has to rush to set up the 2nd seating.
We will talk it over. but your input as a WELL seasoned cruiser it will be much taken into consideration.
Thanks,
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 06-13-2011 10:34 AM

Barry, we switched to the 1st seating for dinner. We asked for a table with no more than 6 total.
Thanks again for the info.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 06-13-2011 03:27 PM

If you drink, try the Balley's and Hot Chocolate in the Explorer's Lounge.

If you don't drink, try straight whiskey.....

-Russ

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 06-13-2011 07:48 PM

Even at this early date 1st seating is full,so back to square one.
Russ ,thanks but I rarely drink any spirits,don't smoke either. And at my age, well you figure it out!!
F4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 06-20-2011 11:37 AM

Our agent said that HAL offers a complimentary dinner in one of their $$$ dining rooms(Italian)?Need to make an reservation early.

I think your agent is a bit mixed up as anyone can eat in the Canelleto - there is no charge and if you want you can eat dinner there every night.

Dinner in Caneletto is held on one side of the Lido restaurant. It is Italian food and a reservation is suggested/required. We have never eaten there but may try it on our next cruise.

The only dining room where there is a charge is the Pinnacle Grille which is a separate dining room and more upscale to the main dining room and Caneletto. I think the charge if $20.00 pp.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 06-20-2011 08:20 PM

HAL has a chef's table in the Pinnacle that's roughly $85 per person in addition to the usual Pinnacle. It might only be available on Eurodam / Nieuw Amsterdam??? It's an eight-course dinner. At the Italian dinner they give you cotton candy for dessert.

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

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