Just back from Summit - Suite Class

[Fredric22]

All and all, a great trip.

 

The good: Luminae was wonderful, especially for dinner. Service was excellent! Bar staff on this ship were probably some of the friendliest and best we have had. It was a very relaxing 7 days.

 

The not so good: Luminae lunches repeat every other day (only 2 menus). They became a bit old after a while, but I kept trying new things to keep it fresh. There is no longer a brunch, which was sad because the menu looked amazing. It was nice to have Luminae open for lunch every day though, and it was certainly utilized, even on port days!

 

The ship was in OK condition.. I do think it can use some TLC. The Constellation is in better shape for sure. The state of our suite (6145) was pretty bad. The lamp shades were filthy.. never seen anything like it. The balcony door was broken, leaving us stuck on the balcony a few times playing with the door to get back in. Lots of stains, scratches in the wood, etc. It is certainly not "Modern Luxury". Casino dealers were sometimes less than pleasant and some were downright rude.

 

Also, we heard a rumor the Blu menu is changing soon which I really hope is the case because we will be there for 11 nights in September on the Solstice.

 

Please feel free to ask any questions about Luminae, or the ship in general!

[chemmo]

Glad you had a good cruise. We were on the Summit last year, just as they started Michael's Club as a suite venue.

 

You said there were only two lunchtime menus for Luminae? How many choices were there and what sort of food was it? We were on the Equinox at Easter and did have the brunch menu some days but found most items heavy when dining later. I guess I am hoping for a couple of quality soups and salads!

 

With two more cruises booked and Luminae having changed so much since Easter, it will be new again on our next cruise.

 

Also, other readers, is a two menu repeated lunch what all ships are providing?

[Fredric22]

There were several appetizers (maybe 3) which usually consisted of one soup, some kind of salad, and something else (like salmon sashimi). There were several sandwiches (duck confit, turkey club, sausage) and entrees (fish skewers, filet mignon (excellent), chicken and waffles). The soups were great. But, only having 2 soup choices for the entire week was a bit disappointing. Also, there were only 2 desserts on each menu, so in total 4 dessert choices at lunch for the entire week.

 

Also, one note about Michael's Club. It was almost completely empty the entire week. We peaked in numerous times and most of the time there were a few people in there, or it was empty. I really do feel this is a huge waste of space and a missed opportunity. Why not allow the sky suites access to Michael's Club? It would be an added perk and would not jeopardize the space. If Celebrity really wants to compete with MSC's Yacht Club, they do need to make a few changes to "suite class".

[chemmo]

How sad it was empty! I do think a lot does depend on the clientele on that cruise. We have experienced Michael's three times now.

 

On the Summit there were a few couples who always seemed to be there, several, like ourselves who enjoyed it mainly as a pre and post dinner venue and a few others who seemed to just come for the special events. On the Solstice in October it was quite busy, sometimes too busy. The Equinox again had busy pre and post dinner times and a gentle trade the rest of the time. With Royal Suites and Penthouses now having premium drinks packages, perhaps it will become quieter.

 

Certainly during the pre and post dinner times I can not see there being enough room in Michael's for all suites. Perhaps if they do extend the club idea to all suites they may need to look at changing venues.

 

Sincere thanks for your lunchtime information.

[Justbecoz]

Thank you for information. We are assigned 6125 but eating dinner in Blu as half of our family is in Aqua. How was breakfast in Luminae?

[Fredric22]

Breakfast was very nice. I did see an earlier breakfast menu that had steak and eggs on it, but the menu on the Summit did not have that. The pastries were very good, though. They had the usual offerings and some nice surprises like the juevos rancheros and the breakfast wrap which was very well done. Honestly though, I preferred the buffet for breakfast. They had pork belly at the carving station every morning! I was in heaven..

[Justbecoz]

Thank you. More questions - did you try room service? How was it? Was there lunch in Luminae on Sunday when you boarded?

[Iamthesea]

What type of menu changes is Blu having? We will be eating there for 11 nights in October on the Eclipse.

[C 2 C]

Please feel free to ask any questions, or the ship in general!

 

Do you remember the name of the concierge in Michael's?

[C-Dragons]

When we were there 2 weeks ago, Jole was the MC concierge.

Do you remember the name of the concierge in Michael's?

[Fredric22]

Thank you. More questions - did you try room service? How was it? Was there lunch in Luminae on Sunday when you boarded?

 

Yes, there was lunch in Luminae every day. We did not try room service, so cannot comment on that. The appetizers and sweets they delivered to the room every day were pretty good. We especially enjoyed the shrimp cocktail.

[C 2 C]

When we were there 2 weeks ago, Jole was the MC concierge.

 

Thank you. I was just checking if there had been a recent change.

[Project_gal]

Breakfast was very nice. I did see an earlier breakfast menu that had steak and eggs on it, but the menu on the Summit did not have that. The pastries were very good, though. They had the usual offerings and some nice surprises like the juevos rancheros and the breakfast wrap which was very well done. Honestly though, I preferred the buffet for breakfast. They had pork belly at the carving station every morning! I was in heaven..

 

Steak Frites was on the brunch, not breakfast, menu. You could order eggs with the steak but it was not on the menu as such.

 

We started or 17-night cruise with two brunch menus but as they served brunch on all 11 sea days and two of our port days [late arrivals], they eventually received two additional brunch menus. I suspect with sufficient feedback, they will add a few additional lunch menus. I received a 'phone call in the week confirming that they are still very interested in constructive feedback about Luminae.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Do you recall what times Luminae was open for breakfast & lunch? Did the times change depending on if it was a port or sea day?

[Fredric22]

Do you recall what times Luminae was open for breakfast & lunch? Did the times change depending on if it was a port or sea day?

 

Lunch on embarkation day opened at 11am and all other days was from 12pm-1:30pm. Breakfast was usually from 7:30-9am. I do not think it changed much from sea days to port days. It might have skewed a half hour later on sea days.

Edited June 2, 2015 by Fredric22

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Thanks Fredic22.

[wwcruisers]

Do you remember the name of the concierge in Michael's?

 

Hi Arno -- We just got off Summit. Jole Jacoby said she will be onboard until sometime in July, when she goes on vacation. Whoever replaces her will have some big shoes to fill (not literally, of course ;))

[needmorevacations]

Quick followup too. Off the Summit 2 weeks ago. Jole was amazing. Bartenders in Michaels were terrific, even to the point of leaving drinks on the counter we could claim in the evening (since we were 'evening people' to say the least).

 

Luminae.. honestly it was great. We had eaten at Blu on our last cruise most nights as the MDR left a horrendous mark the 2 times we had tried it. This time we didn't even go to Blu. Yes, there were some better dishes then others but overall the ambiance and service was essential in comparison with the other options onboard. The food was excellently presented and prepared and led for a wonderful experience.

 

We ate at the Captains table in the MDR one night but I don't think that should count as the service was a 'special production' and much more formalized pomp and circumstance style. The food, ok. Better in Luminae but it was still a lovely night.

 

We had a Celebrity Suite and I will have to agree that the rooms need a redo overall. It was ok but nothing luxurious and frankly a bit outdated. The couches should be replaced and the bathtub should be either completely removed for a large shower or replaced with something that allows someone 6' or over not to duck (or hit the ceiling!!). Wall panels were scrapped. Very few drawers. Second TV should be removed and bedroom should be reconfigured with a dresser of sorts.

 

Suite Class was amazing overall. We felt like there was always someone who went out of their way to let us know they would help us do anything we asked. We were given the Elite coupons but we didn't use a single one. Between liquor packages, Michaels club, a 7 day cruise (can't really use the laundry ones on short trips), and all the private comps/events Jole put together, there was no need for them.

 

To add to the comps & events at Michaels, there was a full array. Bridge tour, Galley tour, cocktail parties, sushi making, excursion discussions, comps for Indulgence, etc. All with only a few people. In comparison, the regular galley tour had around 600 people waiting over an hour to get in with small groups.

 

I don't think we'd ever take Celebrity without a suite anymore.

[Fredric22]

I will say, that in comparing our suite class experience with the MSC Yacht club, the Yacht Club still comes out on top. The ability to have your own lounge (nothing like Michael's Club), butlers waiting on you all day in the lounge, pool, bar, etc., proper high tea (not served from the hallway), private pool and hot tubs, tons of empty lounge chairs, and a restaurant that feels like an actual restaurant and not a dining room, all make the Yacht Club a better overall product. Luminae was certainly wonderful, and the food was pretty much on par with the Yacht Club restaurant but the other factors really do make a difference. I do believe that Celebrity will offer more of these amenities and develop something like the Yacht Club with their new class of ship.

[Bounce]

I will say, that in comparing our suite class experience with the MSC Yacht club, the Yacht Club still comes out on top. The ability to have your own lounge (nothing like Michael's Club), butlers waiting on you all day in the lounge, pool, bar, etc., proper high tea (not served from the hallway), private pool and hot tubs, tons of empty lounge chairs, and a restaurant that feels like an actual restaurant and not a dining room, all make the Yacht Club a better overall product. Luminae was certainly wonderful, and the food was pretty much on par with the Yacht Club restaurant but the other factors really do make a difference. I do believe that Celebrity will offer more of these amenities and develop something like the Yacht Club with their new class of ship.

 

I really have to thank those of you who have talked about the MSC Yacht Club. We usually sail Celebrity but will try the Yacht Club next summer .... I am super excited to compare the two.

[mcstrike]

Just booked your cabin for next year....Sounds like i should change it ..sounds dirty but it's supposed to be one of the nicest sky suites...what do u think?

[Fredric22]

Just booked your cabin for next year....Sounds like i should change it ..sounds dirty but it's supposed to be one of the nicest sky suites...what do u think?

 

Well, I'm a bit torn on what to tell you. The bathroom is very very nice and so is the balcony (2 lounge chairs plus a table and chairs). If you can get past the scuffed up wood and filthy lamp shades (hopefully they change them by the time you cruise) it is not a bad room. The regular sky suites might not be in any better shape. I think the pros still outweigh the cons. I'm just not sure how Celebrity let the condition in that room slip so badly.

[C-Dragons]

They are constantly doing maintenance on the ships. We were asked if they could do some maintenance in our suite (6134) on day 2 in Bermuda. Their scheduled 4 hour work turned into 6+ hours (they even washed, pressed, and rehung all the curtains). Lots of factors are involved in determining when the maintenance will be done (a guest can decline if they wish). Perhaps they are making their way down deck 6 and that Sky suite will be worked on very soon. ;)

[TPH1953]

Thank you for information. We are assigned 6125 but eating dinner in Blu as half of our family is in Aqua. How was breakfast in Luminae?

 

 

Just got back from Bermuda on the Summit. We stayed in 6125, very nice cabin. Butler Su and attendant Bernadine are the best they treated us great and are wonderful people.

 

We at breakfast in luminae quite often, lots of choices and very good. You should eat dinner in Luminae at least once, it is great as is the service, we liked it more than the speciality restaurant Normandie.

[PatC]

FYI Summit is scheduled for dry-dock in January. All linens, curtains, rugs, etc. are scheduled to be replaced.

 

We were aft cabin 7203 on May 17th and our cabin balcony was re-painted and re-varnished, along with all cabins on decks 7 and 8. Seems they are doing maintenance as they can.

 

Our cabin was wonderful as well as our cabin attendant, Flora. She was OUTSTANDING.

 

PatC