Luminae-is it worth it

[Lastdance]

How many ways can one say no unless one has many $$$$US$ to say, well Luminae was great.

 

One could stay three times as long and still get fed well elsewhere...

 

I hear that loud and clear...opportunity cost!

 

Luminae is not worth the difference, but I do not think that is the question. My DH and I find Luminae to to be fine, but we also eat in speciality restaurants, along with ordering from the MDR menu in Luminae. It is the suite life that many find worth it for those who want a larger cabin, spend a special anniversary or birthday or just plain have the money to make it happen. It is truly an opportunity cost for each of us!

[Lastdance]

We have previously enjoyed Luminae for the service and quieter dining room. We have found the menu choice limited so about half the time we order from the MDR menu or went to Blu.

 

 

On our recent B2B Luminae was very noisy & crowded and the food quality of the items from the Luminae menu had declined. Post cruise survey rated food at 7 & service a 8. We are hoping this was a anomaly as we have a suite booked for next winter.

 

Was this due to cruising over a holiday or in the Caribbean? Just curious...

[Georgia_Peaches]

We enjoy Luminae very much both for the quiet and cozy atmosphere and for the fact the MDR items are available there as well. On our most recent cruise we often ordered from both menus during the same meal. We also really enjoy the embarkation day lunch. For us, it's worth it. Can't say the food is actually better but the combination of what I've just mentioned makes it appealing to us when we sail on Celebrity.

[Kevinb1176]

Has anyone dined in Luminae in Reflection and another S class ship? We were on Reflection in the fall and the service was excellent although a little slow and it was crowded. We’re on Equinox next week and was wondering if it’ll be less crowded with half the suites?

[markeb]

Has anyone dined in Luminae in Reflection and another S class ship? We were on Reflection in the fall and the service was excellent although a little slow and it was crowded. We’re on Equinox next week and was wondering if it’ll be less crowded with half the suites?

 

We're just off Equinox (Easter week) and never found it crowded.Service was never what I would consider "fast", but it was good.

[miched]

We have always except for a few cruises booked AQ. We splurged for a Sky Suite just to try it.

 

We are not high maintenance and don’t need to be waited on or pampered. The extra space in the suite was nice but we didn’t like showering in a bath tub. Totally unsafe with a curved slippery bottom in a moving vessel.

 

We didn’t need or use the butler. It was easier to get our own coffee from Cafe al Bacio on our way to breakfast. Having coffee on the balcony in the morning wasn’t needed. One night he offered to escort us to the dining room, seriously???

 

We found Michael’s Club very dull and not all that many hype it up to be. They actually weren’t very accommodating and didn’t really do anything special. We always felt as if we were imposing on them even when we asked for a simple drink like a Old Fashion because they didn’t have the ingredients to make it. My wife asked for a wine and said that they didn’t stock it there and again It was just we can’t do that order something else. I guess we weren’t on their preference or “A list”.

 

Luminae was a nice experience but not worth all the extra. There were a few nights where the waiter on his own brought us the MDR menu because he couldnt recommend anything on the menu from Luminae. We could have dined in all of the speciality restaurants for a lot less per day with a dining package but that would be a stretch because the MDR has a nice menu most nights.

 

Basically it may be that we are “low class” and don’t like the so called finer things or being pampered. When We seen that the coffee server had to go to Cafe al Bacio from deck 3 to 5 to get us a Americano we never asked for it again as we didn’t want to make her work harder even though she insisted that it wasn’t a problem. We just don’t feel comfortable making someone doing something that we can do. We never asked anyone to do anything extra special for us and didn’t expect it and maybe that was our problem. We may have needed to be more demanding,

 

If the price break was reasonable considering getting alll the perks we might book another Sky Suite but we are happy with AQ or even a balcony again considering the price difference.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[chill6x6]

Just got off the Silhouette and we stayed in a CS. The most expensive cabin I've ever stayed in. The experience was really nice including Luminae. VERY personal service. We were never rushed and the waitstaff wasn't either. That makes for a great dining experience. Between the Luminae menu and the MDR menu we found PLENTY of good stuff to eat. We ate in Luminae every night except for one which we ate in Blu. The food was great in Blu BUT....probably twice as many eating there and the waitstaff was more rushed, more hurried, more MDRish. Was a line to get into Blu, never one for Luminae.

 

As a side note....if you see bisque/soup on any menu, it's great whatever it is. Celebrity had some of the best soups I've ever eaten. Avoid the turkey/dressing!

 

Overall I'd have to say that Luminae was the best cruise ship dining venue I've experienced.

[chill6x6]

Has anyone dined in Luminae in Reflection and another S class ship? We were on Reflection in the fall and the service was excellent although a little slow and it was crowded. We’re on Equinox next week and was wondering if it’ll be less crowded with half the suites?

 

The Luminae staff aboard the Silhouette basically said exactly that!

[Ken the cruiser]

The Luminae is the main reason we booked Sky Suites in two upcoming B2B cruises in 2019 and are very much enjoying all of the positive responses we're reading on this thread.

 

We recently spent 25 days on the Eclipse, but their lack of quality chocolate desserts in both the MDR and Blu turned my DW off, especially when the Luminae had some tasty sounding chocolate desserts on every menu at both dinner and at lunch (on sea days).

 

As far as value goes, for us it depends on the itinerary. Now, when you combine Luminae and Michael's with getting the Go Best perk package plus 8 loyalty points per day along with staying in a large aft-facing corner suite for around $300/day/person on the cruises we're booked on, the Sky Suites seem like a pretty fare deal to us.

[The_Big_M]

The service and experience is very good.

 

That said, the menu is limited so it still isn't worth it in my opinion.

 

As for crowding, we found if you came at peak (around 7-7:30) it was full, but if you came earlier or later it was fine.

[Gracie115]

Has anyone dined in Luminae in Reflection and another S class ship? We were on Reflection in the fall and the service was excellent although a little slow and it was crowded. We’re on Equinox next week and was wondering if it’ll be less crowded with half the suites?

 

 

I've sailed on both and you should find BOTH Luminae AND Michael's Club less busy on the Equinox.

[TeeRick]

Of course it depends on the price difference, but we believe is worth significantly more. I love the flexibility of ordering from the Luminae menu or the MDR menu. I really need my Celebrity Escargot.

Most cruises offer the Best (four perks) for the price of the Big with a suite booking. (Built into the pricing). This adds value IMO, but it makes the cost comparison a little more difficult.

 

By the way the Luminae/MDR option is so nice, that even on those times when we have unlimited speciality dining (benefit of a Royal Suite), we enjoy dinner in Luminae half the time.

 

Give it a try if it is affordable for you. Good luck and enjoy.

 

This is so funny! My wife orders the escargot from the MDR menu almost every night when we dine in Luminae!

[Muushka]

Our Luminae experiences:

 

We were in a RS on Summit in 2016. We thought the food and service was good in Luminae.

 

Last Nov we were in a SS and we were blown away with the service in Luminae on Silhouette. I can't say enough good things about how wonderfully they treated us (and we were just in a SS).

 

In Feb we cruised in a GS on Oasis (which would be equal to a CS on X). RCI has a special dining room for suite guests as well as a lounge. The service was a step above terrible, Bartenders missing for 20 minute periods. Seated at a table with no waiter in sight. After about 10 minutes I asked if we had a waiter and they said "it will be a few more minutes". What???? Are you kidding me?? And they NEVER once addressed us by name. We were lucky if the remembered our cabin number.

 

That RCI 'suite experience' made me realize how nice it was to be remembered by the staff. Silhouette always remembered that my husband drank Coke Zero with breakfast and Sprite Zero with dinner. RCI never bothered to remember.

 

Not related to Luminae, but more examples of the difference between the 2 cruise lines is that on Silhouette even if you saw the waitstaff or butler anywhere on the ship they would still remember your name! Our butler would always try to get to our cabin before we did and open the door for us. On Oasis the room steward was cleaning our room and just leaving when we arrived at the door, He said hello and let the door shut behind him.

 

So Luminae isn't all about the food.

The service is why we will try to book suites from now on.

[Champagne Cruiser]

We are heading out this Sunday on the Eclipse in our first Suite since Luminae and Michaels Club. It’s a 15 night trans Atlantic so I am really hoping Luminae doesn’t disappoint. We usually cruise Aqua because we like both Blu and the Persian Garden on S Class ships but with a price drop after final payment we decided to splurge and go for a Sky Suite but I know I will miss those heated tile beds. I find it interesting that most of you seem to find you need to order off the MDR menu vs just the Luminae menu.

[bEwAbG]

We are heading out this Sunday on the Eclipse in our first Suite since Luminae and Michaels Club. It’s a 15 night trans Atlantic so I am really hoping Luminae doesn’t disappoint. We usually cruise Aqua because we like both Blu and the Persian Garden on S Class ships but with a price drop after final payment we decided to splurge and go for a Sky Suite but I know I will miss those heated tile beds. I find it interesting that most of you seem to find you need to order off the MDR menu vs just the Luminae menu.

 

We don't know that it's "most" people ordering off the MDR menu. It's been rare for me to do so. I usually ask the waiter for recommendations from the Luminae menu and haven't been steered wrong yet. I find the written wording to get in the way sometimes, though. If there is something that doesn't appeal at first glance, be sure to ask them to describe it for you.

[Muushka]

Let's see. We ate a total of 14 nights at Luminae and requested the MDR menu one night. Does that skew your perperception?

[Gracie115]

I find it interesting that most of you seem to find you need to order off the MDR menu vs just the Luminae menu.

 

 

Not us...occasionally for an appetizer but that's about it. We love nearly all the items offered at Luminae and plan to enjoy them along with you beginning this Sunday!!!:)

[tori0417]

Thanks everyone!!! We know that something being worth it is subjective, however we like hearing the good...and not so good.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Rascal1]

We had a sky suite on the Constellation last year, we had the suite for the space and it was a good price. We tried Luminae twice but felt that we were outnumbered by staff, it was quiet on both occasions and we both felt 'watched' by the staff, I think they were just waiting to something to do and were over attentive. I know others like this but for us it's too much. The food was nice, couldn't fault the cooking or flavours but the whole experience was just too 'in your face' for us and we didn't find it relaxing. Just as well we are all different!

[JahHaus]

We are spoiled by Luminae...the best part to us is that there is no rush. We like to take our time at dinner. The service is top notch...reminiscent of the days when they remembered your favorite cocktail, etc. Also, the tables aren’t bunched so tightly...it has a true restaurant feel that you don’t even find in Blu. The food is also fantastic...we say ‘go for it.’

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[K12Guy]

As others have mentioned Luminae is just a small part of the suite experience, regardless of which level suite you might book. Michaels Club is a very nice perk for those times when the suite is suddenly too small, the main dining room is far too large and crowded, the Ocean View is still a buffet, or your favorite bar isn't open at the moment. That said, combine the many perks of suite sailing with the savings benefit of non-suite staterooms, and determine your own value for each dollar/pound/Kroner or whatever currency you use and then you will know the answer for yourself. My answer?

 

Luminae itself is one of the major selling points for suite level staterooms. At least for us. We've sailed in Sky suites and Royal suites and haven't noticed a tangible difference in treatment between the two. Luminae staff go out of their way to make things the best they can be and if there are problems the Maitre` d will normally quickly resolve them.

 

The food quality is typically as good or better than the specialty restaurants, with the exception of table side preparation as is done in the specialty venues.

 

The wait staff and sommelier will know your preferences within a couple days and will make recommendations based on your demonstrated tastes. If something isn't 'just right' it's taken away and replaced with something more suitable to your tastes.

 

That said, I would pay for Luminae again in a heartbeat, even if this were my last planned cruise. Enjoy life and use your cash for those things that make life better for you. Most of us don't know if we will have a chance for another cruise, right?

[Tiggertastic]

The cabin itself would draw me more than luminee, the space is fabulous

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Gracie115]

As others have mentioned Luminae is just a small part of the suite experience, regardless of which level suite you might book. Michaels Club is a very nice perk for those times when the suite is suddenly too small, the main dining room is far too large and crowded, the Ocean View is still a buffet, or your favorite bar isn't open at the moment. That said, combine the many perks of suite sailing with the savings benefit of non-suite staterooms, and determine your own value for each dollar/pound/Kroner or whatever currency you use and then you will know the answer for yourself. My answer?

 

Luminae itself is one of the major selling points for suite level staterooms. At least for us. We've sailed in Sky suites and Royal suites and haven't noticed a tangible difference in treatment between the two. Luminae staff go out of their way to make things the best they can be and if there are problems the Maitre` d will normally quickly resolve them.

 

The food quality is typically as good or better than the specialty restaurants, with the exception of table side preparation as is done in the specialty venues.

 

The wait staff and sommelier will know your preferences within a couple days and will make recommendations based on your demonstrated tastes. If something isn't 'just right' it's taken away and replaced with something more suitable to your tastes.

 

That said, I would pay for Luminae again in a heartbeat, even if this were my last planned cruise. Enjoy life and use your cash for those things that make life better for you. Most of us don't know if we will have a chance for another cruise, right?

 

 

Well said, and we agree.....especially with that last paragraph!!! :D

[jagoffee]

 

For us it is not so much a need, but an added benefit. I do not view it as a negative at all. The several times I have cruise in AC with Blu, I still ordered Escargot from the MDR menu. I was not able to order anything that I wanted from the MDR, but a few things.

 

For us, the Luminae was a smaller more intimate experience when compared to Blu with no waiting. Although the menu is more upscale, it does not have as many options as the Blu menu. (If I remember correctly).

 

It will be interesting to see what you think. Do not forget that you can dine in Blu as well if you wish.

 

Enjoy your first Suite.

[Champagne Cruiser]

Not us...occasionally for an appetizer but that's about it. We love nearly all the items offered at Luminae and plan to enjoy them along with you beginning this Sunday!!!:)

 

Good to know!