CruiseRQA

That was always one of the nice things about HAL. Always had popcorn with the movie. Don't know if they still do that. Have never seen popcorn on Celebrity. RCI charges $3 for popcorn? Brings me back to my favorite cruise joke: a passenger asked the cruise director how much a tender ticket cost? Answer - mmmm, we haven't thought of that yet!

As people have said, the menu does change from night to night but there is also a "classics" menu for some things that you can get every night if the main menu doesn't appeal to you. The staff will try their hardest to please you and so talk to them about what you like and don't like. Personally I love the Luminae and their menu. Don't understand exactly what people don't like about it other than it is not meat an potatoes (although you can get that!).

I don't know if they charge extra for that but you've already paid extra just to be in the place. Getting to be like Thenardier running the Inn in Les Miz!

We've dined in Fine Cuts on Edge and Apex. Found the ambiance and service to be great each time. However the steaks are not great, they are good not great. Certainly not prime as you might get at Ruth's Chris or Flemings. Also at our last visit the wine list may as well have been from outer space as they didn't have half the things on the menu. A problem everywhere on Celebrity. How hard can it be to have an accurate wine list?

Sorry for not being clear. I was referring to specialty restaurants. Luminae does not take reservations but you will have no problem being seated no matter when you show up.

And better food, better entertainment ...

Haven't read through the thread and I am sure these questions have been answered but can't hurt to throw in my perspective. We have been Retreat guests 3 times, most recently in January aboard Apex. My answers: 1. I was never contacted by a pre-cruise concierge 2. Reserve in advance as there likely will not be tables available "the day of" 3. No. There is reserved seating for Retreat guests on the Chic Nights but otherwise you are on your own. 30 minutes ahead will get you a good seat in the Theatre. Eden is more casual and actually a tougher place to get a seat for entertainment as many guests are already there enjoying cocktails.

I doubt you will suffer when the window is closed. The IV concept actually gives you extra space in the room and functions as a very large picture window looking out over the ocean when you are sea (or the neighboring ship while in port ... )

Informative post. My understanding is that Canadian whiskey is generally made from a high rye mash and really isn't a bourbon because bourbon (among other parameters) must be made from >50% corn.

Haven't read through the entire thread, but being Elite isn't that big a deal. You get nothing that special, so no need to fret about that.

Dress appropriately for the occasion.

Was on the Apex in January. Don't recall seeing a single tux on either Chic night. I wore a jacket and tie but few of those as well. Sadly, most just ignore chic night and dress as they do every other night.

You listed 4 items. I didn't eat the cured tuna, salmon sashimi or beef tartare either. But the pig's foot carpaccio is outstanding! How can something that sounds so bad taste so good? Everyone likes different things and I think the menu in the Luminae is varied enough to suit every palate. When paying suite prices I do expect something a few notches above my local Applebees. And there is nothing wrong with Applebees.

Excellent description of Luminae. Personally I wouldn't want to pay suite prices and eat in a restaurant that serves a boneless, skinless chicken breast and baked potato. A poster above criticized the service in Luminae. He must have eaten in a different Luminae than I did a few weeks ago also on Apex. The service is outstanding and the staff will go out of their way to make sure you are happy with your meal.

Our first Celebrity cruise was on the Zenith. We had a cabin towards the aft. We were the last cabin and our hallway opened onto a little stairway deck that served as our own private veranda. My best meal ever was in the Olympic restaurant onboard the Millennium.