Holding a regular reservation at MDR but dining at Luminae at a later time

[bertrande]

Hi all, a question about dining. We are travelling in two cabins: DH and I possibly in a suite that would allow us access to Luminae and the inlaws are in a

Verandah stateroom. The MDR dining time will always be set for early seating. DH would prefer that we at least sit with his parents regularly at dinner. I am wondering whether we are able to do that (ie hold a 530pm early dining time at the MDR and either nibble or just have a drink) and yet also eat our own dinner at Luminae later. Does anyone know if this is possible or does Luminae function as an alternative to the MDR at each meal and if we "dine" at the MDR we cannot then head to Luminae for that meal? Many thanks in advance!

[Project_gal]

I will jump in and give you a civilised answer before the inevitable attacks you are likely to receive later. Do your best to ignore them!

 

First, are you talking about traditional main dining or Select [anytime] dining? I ask, because I have never known traditional early dining to be at 5:30pm. If your in-laws really must eat that early, perhaps they should have Select dining [if, of course, that starts that early].

 

Either way, your dining allocation will be in Luminae and your in-laws, main dining [select, early or late]. To be assigned the main dining room, you would need to speak to the appropriate MDR maitre d' once you board. From what I have read here, that, then, should not be a problem.

 

I also believe that there would be nothing to stop you and your husband eating with your in-laws and then eating in Luminae later. I am reminded of the only time my brother cruised. It was a family cruise for my mother's eightieth birthday. He was amazed that he was not given meal vouchers and could, if he so choose, eat more than once at each meal time - buffet and MDR, for example.

 

Your butler and the Luminae hostess will attempt to keep track of where you are eating simply to ensure that everything goes smoothly when you arrive at Luminae and it would probably be helpful to explain to them what is happening but, otherwise, I cannot see why it will be a problem unless the MDR seating your in-laws choose is tight for space on your particular cruise.

 

I understand that on cruises with the majority of North Americans, early seating is oversubscribed. On cruises with more Europeans and South Americans, it would be late seating.

Edited July 23, 2015 by Project_gal

[chemmo]

Couple on our last cruise had starters with very elderly parents, then a drink in Michael's and then mains and desert in Luminae. They were select dining and were probably first in.

[Adidas4fun]

Simple answer - yes you can.

[MicCanberra]

As others have said, it isd possible. I would approach the Maitre de' and just make sure that everyone (waiters, etc at both MDR and Luminea) know about your plans. Enjoy the cruise.:D

[Janet987]

And you can invite the parents to join you in Luminae on a space avialable basis, which should be OK if eating early. A steep $50 pp for dinner, but a nice treat.

[cruisestitch]

One thing to consider as you look at this plan your trips will be given to the servers in the suite dining room not to the servers in the main dining room yet they will have to set the table, serve you, clean it off etc. etc. so there should be a way for you to compensate them either with cash or on your SeaPass account under advisement from the restaurant management staff.

[bertrande]

Thank you everyone for the very helpful answers. Makes us feel more confident considering paying for the SS from our concierge booking. Cruisestitch I did think about that, and feel therefore that early dining would be easier than select dining - we can tip the staff at the MDR accordingly, knowing who they are throughout the fourteen days.

[bertrande]

And you can invite the parents to join you in Luminae on a space avialable basis, which should be OK if eating early. A steep $50 pp for dinner, but a nice treat.

 

 

Yes, Janet we thought about it but as we would have two complimentary specialty dinners included if we were to stay in a suite, we think we will be inviting them to join us then instead and pay the supplement for them then. :)

[cynbar]

I hate to be a contrarian here, but please be respectful of other cruisers, especially if early seating becomes wait listed and others are closed out because you are in effect taking up 4 seats for dinner every night. Your assigned MDR will be Luminae, although I do understand that Celebrity allows suite guests to eat in the MDR when they prefer. Reports on Luminae have been quite good, so I am not sure how often that is happening these days. But, as mentioned above, early traditional is more popular with American cruisers, and we hear on these boards from cruisers who are disappointed to not get this and don't feel that a nightly reservation at Select is the same thing at all. Not trying to slam you here, just giving you something to consider. Have you considered upgrading the in laws as well, perhaps as a gift? Then you could all eat in Luminae together. I can certainly understand that DH would want to eat with his parents if they are accompanying you on this cruise. Besides, they may want to spend some time with you after dinner, at a show or lounge or whatever, which won't happen if you are disappearing into another dining room.

Edited July 23, 2015 by cynbar

[bertrande]

Thanks for your views, Cynbar. Will definitely take them into considering. As an aside, the cruise demographic is expected to be largely Asian, neither American or European/South American but I see your point. No, upgrading their cabin of four (it's not just the two of them) is not an option as the total upgrade bill for 7 pax will be roughly in excess of usd7000. Being Asian and largely mandarin educated, the in laws typically disappear after dinner (not sure where but I suspect the casino). If we do upgrade, I will also take into consideration that we may meet them for lunch instead of dinner - the scenario painted in my OP was more for sea days (there are 6 on our cruise) and lunch would work for those days as well. On port days, we would have spent the entire day with them so dining isn't an issue. But thanks for chipping in. :)

[Rudy888]

Yes you can but you must consider the other cruisers at your reserved table in the MDR. They probably asked for a table with 6 or more and when people do not show up and go other dining venues most nights they can end up by themselves. It happens and it has happened to us. Going to a Specialty restaurant once in a while is fine but if not cancel your MDR with the Maitre D and let someone who is going to show up take your time in the MDR.

[soxfan2013]

The general attitude toward suite guests on Celebrity is "whatever you want." So, go wild, have a blast. You're paying for it...get the most out of it!

[cb at sea]

I don't believe they planned to EAT with the parents...simply sit there and enjoy their company!

[WestLakeGirl]

The OP said they might "nibble" which I took to mean perhaps order an appetizer or salad or some other first course

[soxfan2013]

I am sure they can have two full meals, if they can stomach it.

[hcat]

Yes you can but you must consider the other cruisers at your reserved table in the MDR. They probably asked for a table with 6 or more and when people do not show up and go other dining venues most nights they can end up by themselves. It happens and it has happened to us. Going to a Specialty restaurant once in a while is fine but if not cancel your MDR with the Maitre D and let someone who is going to show up take your time in the MDR.

 

If you must do this, maybe request a table for 4 so others won't be involved.....most courses are served to all at table..and would be awkward if 2 are not eating, eating just an appetizer, etc... Best plan, have them visit luminae once or twice, go to specialty together,

 

dining is really too complicated these days!

Enjoy your cruise

[kenevenpar]

If you must do this, maybe request a table for 4 so others won't be involved.....most courses are served to all at table..and would be awkward if 2 are not eating, eating just an appetizer, etc... Best plan, have them visit luminae once or twice, go to specialty together,

 

dining is really too complicated these days!

Enjoy your cruise

 

I do not believe a table for 4 will work as OP stated that there are 4 pax in the in-laws cabin.

[Loyal2Royal1995]

I have a question, my reservation is for sky suite tied with my parents who are also in another sky suite, the reservation states traditional dining at 6 pm, do all suites get assigned Luminae?

[hcat]

Oh...I thought they were 2 in the suite, with in laws in a reg stateroom.. Point is not to involve others not in the family..,so they will not be offended.

 

I see in post 11 there are 4 in the reg stateroom...so maybe then a table for 6 could work, if maitre d goes along with it...

Edited August 26, 2015 by hcat

[cle-guy]

I'm planning a "progressive dinner" one night with several other friends in RS.

 

We all hate Qsine anymore, but for deserts. Several love the soufflé at Murano.

 

So we're meeting for Drinks in my cabin, doing Murano for appetizers, Luminae for main courses and Qsine for dessert, followed by Cellar Masters for Port and late night fun.

 

We plan to really burn through the Unlimited Specialty Dining perk the higher suites come with!

[cle-guy]

I have a question, my reservation is for sky suite tied with my parents who are also in another sky suite, the reservation states traditional dining at 6 pm, do all suites get assigned Luminae?

 

Yes, this is a limitation join the X dining reservation system. All Luminae and BLU guests get flagged to Traditional 6pm dining no mater what, but will still dine in their respective (Luminiae for Suites, BLU for Aqua) dining rooms.

 

Don't worry about it.

Edited August 26, 2015 by cle-guy

[Loyal2Royal1995]

Thanks cle-guy, what are odds of getting table for 4 in Luminae with my parents at same time and table every night?

[cle-guy]

Thanks cle-guy, what are odds of getting table for 4 in Luminae with my parents at same time and table every night?

 

Likely near if not 100%, first night just let them know your preferences.

[bigbenboys]

I'm planning a "progressive dinner" one night with several other friends in RS.

 

We all hate Qsine anymore, but for deserts. Several love the soufflé at Murano.

 

So we're meeting for Drinks in my cabin, doing Murano for appetizers, Luminae for main courses and Qsine for dessert, followed by Cellar Masters for Port and late night fun.

 

We plan to really burn through the Unlimited Specialty Dining perk the higher suites come with!

 

Hi cle-guy,

 

Sounds like a lot of fun to me. :)