After an amazing streak of fantastic weather in all our ports to date, the inevitable bad weather day arrived.  Last night as we were departing Reykjavik, the Captain announced that due to the forecast of poor weather with rough seas in Grundarfjörður, that port was canceled and we would sail directly to Greenland.  This would also allow us to go a little slower which would make for a smoother ride.

We didn’t have any special plans for this port and we always enjoy sea days, so an extra day at sea was welcome.

POUR YOUR OWN DRAFT

I tried something new today that is only offered on the Pinnacle Class Ships — Pour your own draft.

Between the Lido Marketplace and the Lido bar, you will find the Pour your Own beer station.  You are supposed to be able to tap your cruise card on the screen which will unlock the tap – then you have 18 seconds you pour your own draft for 35 or 45 cents per ounce depending on the brand.  You have to ask for a glass from the Lido Bar staff.  Then you have to insist that you really want to do it yourself as they cheerfully offer to draw your draft from behind the bar.

I was persistent and they gave me a glass, but I soon realized why they tried to discourage me.  While pouring your own draft may have sounded like a neat idea back in some corporate meeting room, it doesn’t work too well in practice.

As I discovered, your first attempt usually brought a lot of foam – then it’s not clear what you do with the foam – pour it down the drain?  Are you paying for the foam?  By the time I could think about what to do, my 18 seconds were up and the machine turned off.  I reluctantly conceded that this was not a good idea and the bar staff gave me a draft they drew from behind the bar.

I was never charged for anything – I do have the Signature Beverage Package, but I don’t think that the Pour Your Own Beer is covered.

Bottom Line – I don’t recommend the Pour Your Own Beer Station.  Frustrating, takes longer, and won’t produce a better result – Pass.

PINNACLE GALA

The big event for us tonight was the Pinnacle Gala.  This is a special Pinnacle Gala event that is held once per cruise.  The price is $142 with the wine pairing or $94 if you prefer to skip the wine.  These prices include 18% gratuity.

Here is the menu:

A few days prior you can expect a phone call from the Pinnacle Grill staff confirming your reservation, asking about any food allergies, and if you prefer a table for 2 or for sharing.  We requested sharing, but we ended up at a four-top with just the 2 of us – we learned the other couple had to cancel at the last moment.  They also asked if we were celebrating any special events.  My birthday is in a few weeks so I mentioned that – and it was close enough – so we would get a special cake after the Creamcicle desert.

While the Pinnacle Gala never takes place on a Gala or “Dressy” night – the invitation requests you “Dress in your most elegant Gala attire”.  There were 47 guests attending and all the men wore tuxedos or suits except for one in an Aloha shirt.

The evening starts at 6 pm in the Atrium on Deck 1.  We arrived exactly at 6 pm and were among the last to arrive.  Like most every other dining times on Holland America – if you’re on time you’re late!  I’m not sure when the first people arrived – they were probably lining up at 5:30.

Waiters were offering hors d’oeuvres along with Ritz Cocktails.  Other drinks were available on request.  One of the dueling piano entertainers was playing background music on an electric keyboard in the center of the room.

About 10 minutes after 6 pm they started escorting people to the Pinnacle on Deck 2 via the elevator.  Tina, the Pinnacle Grill manager, greeted everyone as they entered and were shown to their tables.

This was our second Pinnacle Gala experience and it followed the script of our first on the Zuiderdam.  Once everyone was seated, Tina welcomed us to the Gala and gave us a brief description of the evening and the Chef that created the menu.

Here is the sequence of events with time hacks.

7:51 pm Tina introduces the Cellar Master

8:43 pm Small candy tray served

8:56 pm Tina introduces the kitchen crew

9:02 pm finished & leave

The food was outstanding, with nice presentations, at the correct temperature, and tasty.  There was more time between courses than we would have preferred, but otherwise, the service was great.

After dinner, a photo station was set up just outside the Pinnacle doors.  We would get a complimentary 5×7 print in a few days.

Andrew Grose, comedian, was on the World Stage.   He was very funny.

Here is a clip of a performance of his from 2021.