Advice needed for arranging cocktails, champagne and dinner in our RS for my husband's birthday

[quicklabs]

My husband will celebrate a birthday while aboard the Equinox.  I really want to make his birthday very special this year  I would like to arrange a little celebration with pre dinner cocktails and champagne in our Royal Suite, and to invite my sister and BIL (sailing in Aqua class) to join us.  I would like a bottle of Perrier Jouet Brut  to mark the occasion.  I often read about such parties in the upper suites, but have no idea as to the specifics of arranging them or the costs involved.  Do we pay  extra for meals for our 2 guests?  Are we limited to the room service or MDR menus?  Do we buy the champagne separately?  Any info about this would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[WonderMan3]

When you are contacted by the shoreside concierge prior to a sailing you can advise your requests at that time. They will contact the Suites Manager onboard who will then follow up with you once you board. If you don't hear from them within a day of boarding then raise it up through your butler (or host or whatever they are calling them now). You get a complimentary bottle of champagne (which was always Perrier Jouet when I sailed prior to Covid) with your suite in case you are unaware. If you want an additional one then you may be able to get that in exchange for one of your two included bottles of alcohol that come with the suite or if you don't want to swap those then there will probably be a charge for the additional bottle. You should be able to order from the MDR menu with no issue and since it's a special occasion perhaps you could order from Luminae too (they might say no but wouldn't hurt to ask - might be a charge for your guests on that if they are not suite guests).

 

I had a celebration like this in a Royal Suite a few years back to celebrate my sister's wedding onboard. We didn't do a full meal en suite but had a whole group of canapes provided at no cost. Did a similar celebration for my husband's birthday too where they also set up some decorations and provided a small cake. They are wonderful at setting up these nice little celebration moments.

[garyl62]

Unless his birthday is the day your board, or maybe the next day, just discuss everything with your Butler after you are onboard.  They will handle everything for you and most likely you will not see any charges.  Provide him/her with an extra tip when you make the plans as it is an extra request you are having and I'm sure it will be a night to remember.

 

As far as meals, just go with the flow, tell him/her which night you'd like to do it, and ask if you could see the menu from Luminae that that evening.  Ask if you could order from there and if it could be served in courses.  Both those requests are normal options so I'd assume you can do that easily and probably not be charged anything.  If you are, charged for your guests in the end, it's just as if you brought them to Luminae but you've had a private dinner in your suite instead.  Enjoy!

[WonderMan3]

5 minutes ago, garyl62 said:

Unless his birthday is the day your board, or maybe the next day, just discuss everything with your Butler after you are onboard.  They will handle everything for you and most likely you will not see any charges.  Provide him/her with an extra tip when you make the plans as it is an extra request you are having and I'm sure it will be a night to remember.

 

As far as meals, just go with the flow, tell him/her which night you'd like to do it, and ask if you could see the menu from Luminae that that evening.  Ask if you could order from there and if it could be served in courses.  Both those requests are normal options so I'd assume you can do that easily and probably not be charged anything.  If you are, charged for your guests in the end, it's just as if you brought them to Luminae but you've had a private dinner in your suite instead.  Enjoy!

Ordering from Luminae in a Royal Suite is actually not a normal option but an occasional exception that is made. The only suite I have been told by staff where they accommodate the request regularly is Penthouse on S and M class. Not sure about Edge class since they have a couple different upper suite room categories.

Edited August 29, 2022 by WonderMan3

[JFontaine]

Another suggestion - maybe you thought of this - is to have the pre-dinner party in your suite with champagne and hors d'oeuvres,  and then go to Luminae or a specialty restaurant for dinner (food will be hotter, if there's something missing you can get it easily corrected).  After dinner say you want to go back to your room for a sweater (or something), and a surprise bottle of champagne and mini desserts or a birthday cake and decorations are set up. Your husband will know about the pre-dinner party, but not the post. 

Edited August 29, 2022 by JFontaine

[quicklabs]

7 minutes ago, JFontaine said:

Another suggestion - maybe you thought of this - is to have the pre-dinner party in your suite with champagne and hors d'oeuvres,  and then go to Luminae or a specialty restaurant for dinner (food will be hotter, if there's something missing you can get it easily corrected).  After dinner say you want to go back to your room for a sweater (or something), and a surprise bottle of champagne and mini desserts or a birthday cake and decorations is set up. Your husband will know about the pre-dinner party, but not the post. 

What a nice idea!

[garyl62]

18 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

Ordering from Luminae in a Royal Suite is actually not a normal option but an occasional exception that is made. The only suite I have been told by staff where they accommodate the request regularly is Penthouse on S and M class. Not sure about Edge class since they have a couple different upper suite room categories.

Could be.  Only going on my experience and I've always been told by my Butler any time we want in-suite dining to let him know and he'll get us dinner from Luminae and bring it course by course.  Didn't matter if we were in a Sky Suite or PH.  Only time it was discouraged was when it was Lobster night and we were in a Sky Suite, but our butler told us about that on embarkation day when he said he'd "do it anytime, except....."

 

Regardless, my guess is for a special occasion and being in a RS that would be accommodated, but @JFontaine has a good idea too.  It would be nice to get up and move around like that as well as the added surprise for dessert.

[JFontaine]

Another suggestion: have the pre-dinner party in The Retreat.  As long as there's no event in The Retreat that night, I'm sure they would allow you two guests - just coordinate in advance. Have the Retreat host reserve a table for four, with a plate of hors d'oeuvres, etc. (By the way I saw a photo here of a gorgeous charcuterie tray prepared by Celebrity.  The standard cheese and crackers, shrimp cocktail,  etc. should be free of charge.) Order cocktails from the bar or have champagne on ice there.  Ask a photographer to stop by?After-party in your suite. Or reverse!  I did this once and it worked out great.

 

For a very small amount of money ($20) you can buy things now on Amazon,  etc to enhance the experience - flameless birthday candles, personalized napkins, balloons.  I've had a few "suite" birthdays on board different ships and it seems like the butlers have a stash of stuff that they use to decorate,  probably left by previous guests. The results have varied widely (all very sweet). If you want to be sure of decor or a theme, bring your own (or have your SIL pack the decorations).  If you don't care,  or don't want any of this, just tell your butler. 

Edited August 29, 2022 by JFontaine

[George C]

I would much rather have champagne and hors d’oeuvres in suite then dinner at Luminae or better yet Tuscan grill which has a spectacular view of the ocean I sure concierge could arrange a great table. But someone would need to pay for your guest meals since yours are free. 

[chemmo]

Lots of ways to make the day special. Decide what will work best for your husband.

If you feel he would enjoy the full meal in suite discuss it with your host on boarding. Most of the time butlers are willing to arrange something a bit special if they are given warning…It often helps them if you avoid 7pm - 8pm when general room service can be busy meaning they can focus on you more. Also avoid the time they need to be in the theatre escorting suite guests to their seats (chic evening). They will, when you discuss it wIth them, come out with some suggestions of their own. For example, they may suggest a shared starter like a selection of items from sushi or charcuterie boards. They arrange these meals regularly and know what works well.

 

However, your Aqua relations may enjoy being invited to the Retreat for pre dinner drinks and a meal in Luminae. The concierge should be willing to arrange for your guests to access the Retreat Lounge for a limited time and for your guests to dine with you in Luminae (additional cost). Again, you need to be time sensitive, on chic night there is a usually a meet the officers evening when the lounge is really busy, you may be asked to avoid this time. You could then post dinner invite your relatives back to your suite for coffee and drinks and arrange for your butler to have a cake waiting for you..

 

You could plan to start the day in a special way too. Why not arrange for you relations to join you in your suite for a champagne breakfast? Arrange a set time with your butler. It will make your butler’s life a bit easier if you keep the order similar (all fruit plates, all full breakfasts…). 
 

Re room decorations…We have had our room really decorated on one occasion but on another just a cake with a sprinkle of confetti type decorations around it. If you would like a good display I agree with JFontaine, I would take a few things on board with me.

 

Just a final note, your two free bottles to bring on board can be additional champagne or perhaps your husband’s favourite (expensive) vintage. Your butler will put champagne on ice for you and obviously serve you your wine. In our experience free extra champagne or being provided bottles of wine in suite has been mixed…

Sincere best wishes for a fantastic cruise!