"LIVE" from Celebrity BEYOND. October 26th, 2022. 9-Night Repositioning. 1st Sailing from the USA.

IsItTimeToCruiseYet? · October 31, 2022

7 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

I think it's big. I haven't seen Luminae in person on other ships, but the size is good I think here on the Beyond. It gets filled up. We are a party of 4 and have always had one of the circular booths. We like them. Booth and chair seating at them. They are comfortable. The tables for 2 are very close.

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I'll post more as well.

Thank you very much for the pictures. I love the new look/location compared to the Edge. Luminae on Beyond is larger with amazing views. I'm enjoying your posts and thanks so much for sharing your cruise with us! Cheers!

PinkSandGirl · October 31, 2022

7 hours ago, hcat said:

love the plant photos..all looking very well cared for..

Retreat area looks very nice and the lunch menu seems fine..nice salad, shrimp cocktail and burger for dh. Is it always the same? Open on Sailaway day?

Luminae is well decorated and has nice lighting, but I am concerned. We will not sit in a long row with 2 people each facing a partner.. but elbow to elbow. That's how it was in Cosmopolitan mdr on Edge... it is really one long table with orders taken in groups .Also find the banquette seats are not very comfy..

. We may have to find some dinner buddies to get a better set up. 4 seems ideal!

Yes, all of the plants look nice.

Yes, the Retreat Pool/Sundeck Menu stays the same. The area was open on Sailaway day, that's where we were when we set Sail. In the fog. 😆 The bar was open. As for food, I'm not sure. I'll ask though and let you know.

Luminae atmosphere is nice. The seating is comfortable. Lighting is good.

Here are two tables of two. This is how all tables of two are spaced. Almost all tables of two, you see them talking to each other because it's like they are a party seated together but with some walking space in between.

Every time, lunch, breakfast, dinner...we have had a circular "booth". I like them. Tonight we had a repeat, the same one as breakfast. Even though we are at a different table each time, we've had the same two sets of servers (except for lunch on Sailaway day). I like the same waitstaff. The round 'booths' are private even though they are surrounded by other booths and tables...it's the way you face each other/others.

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PinkSandGirl · October 31, 2022

The App and Luminae

Yesterday I looked at the Luminae lunch menu and it looked good so we went to lunch. We get there and when seated, look at the menu and it was completely different. It was the menu showing for today. We said something to the server. Before we knew it, the manager came over and looked perplexed. Then there were 4 guys (some with stripes) standing nearby with phones. My boyfriend was looking at the app and the Lunch Menu disappeared!

The manager came over and said they decided to have lunch on a port day (Bermuda) so the menu we went for, was served the day before. He apologized. They also couldn't make anything from it because that's not what was prepped but said to give him a day's notice if he wanted us to have anything made. He kept apologizing. We said we understood. Dinner last night, breakfast today and dinner tonight...he came over to talk and see how everything is. He also will joke by saying things like the menu hasn't changed. 😆

Staff in Luminae have really been excellent. Very friendly. They do not appear short staffed in Luminae or the Retreat Lounge, Sundeck or Pool area.

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PinkSandGirl · October 31, 2022

Captain Kate

Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis said at the presentation this morning that Captain Kate was onboard but she was like Where's Waldo. 😂

Well, we saw her tonight. She walked by us while sitting. We said, 'Hi!' and she said, 'Hi!'. The same way, I say, 'Hi!' to anyone who walks by me and you make eye contact with them. We didn't go over to her when she was sitting. She was in plain clothes. I figured she is on vacation so I didn't want to bother her. I won't say where this was in case it's a usual spot for her. 😉 It was neat to see her.

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hcat · October 31, 2022

Thanks for more Luminae details...it will be a new experience for us. We have been booking AQ Class since it started..except on our last EDGE cruise in a Sunset Veranda ( aft true balc cabin ) with the 4 mdrs... Getting excited!

PinkSandGirl · November 1, 2022

Day 6. Curaçao - Happy Halloween 🎃

At this rate, I won't get a tan. Another rainy day.

Breakfast in Luminae

Got off ship. Picked up pre-booked rental car, checked into the Marriott, went to the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery Tour (poured rain), Lunch at Grand Cafe Gouverneur De Rouvulle and then back to the hotel. Walked in the water (rain went away). We then brought the rental car back.

Dressed as a cat for Halloween. Decided to try a Main Dining Room for Dinner since we didn't like Luminae or Blu. Went to Tuscan, had pre-arranged the night before with Retreat Lounge Concierge.

Went to the show, Elements.

Then went to meet Roll Call in the Club, but no one was there so ventured to the Grand Plaza. Packed. Went to Cafe Bacio for an Iced Tea and then to the buffet for some pizza and a snack. Took a lot of pictures around the pool deck, no one around.

Will give detailed thoughts and pictures. 😉

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PinkSandGirl · November 1, 2022

Day 7 - Aruba

Water Salute. How cute! 😉

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PinkSandGirl · November 1, 2022

Aruba Plans

Rental car, breakfast on land, drop my boyfriend off at golf and then my mom, dad and I check into the Ritz-Carlton for the day.

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heatheranderson13 · November 1, 2022

This is amazing thank you for doing this. Is there anyway you could get a picture of the rooms on 3rd floor 3216 and 3212. Would you think they would be loud? I wish I could see a picture of the room but there is not a lot of info on the porthole rooms on the third floor as of yet.

lola2013 · November 1, 2022

54 minutes ago, heatheranderson13 said:

This is amazing thank you for doing this. Is there anyway you could get a picture of the rooms on 3rd floor 3216 and 3212. Would you think they would be loud? I wish I could see a picture of the room but there is not a lot of info on the porthole rooms on the third floor as of yet.

Not specifically porthole verandah rooms on the third floor, but there are multiple videos of that type of room on YouTube.

heatheranderson13 · November 1, 2022

1 hour ago, lola2013 said:

Not specifically porthole verandah rooms on the third floor, but there are multiple videos of that type of room on YouTube.

Thanks it is hard to find one that is not verandah porthole but rather just the porthole. I am also wondering on noise level between 10 and 7am each evening as it is under the stores and also outside the MDR's. We usually stay on a balcony on higher floors so this is all new to us

jelayne · November 1, 2022

3 hours ago, heatheranderson13 said:

Thanks it is hard to find one that is not verandah porthole but rather just the porthole. I am also wondering on noise level between 10 and 7am each evening as it is under the stores and also outside the MDR's. We usually stay on a balcony on higher floors so this is all new to us

Most of the stores have very little traffic. They are all high end and in 5 E class sailings we have never seen more than 2 people in a store at once with the exception of the liquor/perfume/expensive celebrity clothing store which is on Deck 4 forward

Valpacino · November 1, 2022

Firstly, thank you to PinkSandGirl for a detailed & informative review. I am enjoying following along immensely. We will be sailing on the Beyond on the 13th November in a sky suite for the first time (how excited am I!). Two questions if I may? Opinion on best spot for lunch on embarkation day? We typically do the buffet once on board but am mindful if it's a busy ship that may be a bit hectic. Any other options seasoned sailors would recommend? Also I am sure I saw an electric kettle in one of your photos? I usually pack my own for hot tea in the morning. Are kettles automatically now provided or am I mistaken? Thank you for your time.

Jim_Iain · November 1, 2022

On 10/29/2022 at 5:37 PM, ZORROIZUP1960 said:

Can you please find out for us how or if we can pre book our specialty restaurants onboard prior to sailing? We sail on November 20th which is the week of Thanksgiving. We have pre purchased the 6 night specialty restaurant package and need to eat around 6 or so since My spouse is diabetic. Thank you for any help in this matter.

I've not done the package but my understanding is I believe you can select first night if available otherwise they assign you a different one each evening. Once on board you can make changes. This is only what I heard from guests changing their reservations at the customer service desk. I believe you can also do it at any of the specialties.

Stem to Stern · November 1, 2022

2 hours ago, Valpacino said:

We typically do the buffet once on board but am mindful if it's a busy ship that may be a bit hectic. Any other options seasoned sailors would recommend?

What time are you boarding the ship? We typically board around noon and head straight to Luminae for a burger or lobster roll. It is a great time to get acquainted with the team there.

pawmtweez · November 2, 2022

Thank you very much for your review and pictures (and I am sorry you are having so much rain). We had considered this cruise but couldn't quite make everything come together, so I have a more than usual interest in the live reports.

BUT I am disappointed by the news shared earlier about no fixed seating and the inability to make reservations for dinner at any remotely "preferable" time. We wanted to sail with Captain Kate (and Bug of course 😁) in the spring, but waiting in line for dinner every night is a no-go for us.

Hopefully Celebrity will reconsider this idea and it won't spread to the rest of the fleet, or even this class of ship.

hcat · November 2, 2022

On 10/31/2022 at 6:14 AM, hcat said:

Thanks for more Luminae details...it will be a new experience for us. We have been booking AQ Class since it started..except on our last EDGE cruise in a Sunset Veranda ( aft true balc cabin ) with the 4 mdrs... Getting excited!

I have 2 diff pics of BEYOND Luminae..focus on tables for 2..one area is very nice...good spacing..other us a jammed in area..not good for us ...comments?

PinkSandGirl · November 2, 2022

3 hours ago, Valpacino said:

Firstly, thank you to PinkSandGirl for a detailed & informative review. I am enjoying following along immensely. We will be sailing on the Beyond on the 13th November in a sky suite for the first time (how excited am I!). Two questions if I may? Opinion on best spot for lunch on embarkation day? We typically do the buffet once on board but am mindful if it's a busy ship that may be a bit hectic. Any other options seasoned sailors would recommend? Also I am sure I saw an electric kettle in one of your photos? I usually pack my own for hot tea in the morning. Are kettles automatically now provided or am I mistaken? Thank you for your time.

Thank You!

We ate lunch in Luminae. They serve lunch from 12pm - 2pm on embarkation day. It was nice to have a sit down lunch. We later walked through the buffet, just to see it, and it was very crowded. We were glad to have had Luminae.

Yes, there is an electric kettle in the room. That came. Did not request it.

Any more questions, just ask. 😃

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PinkSandGirl · November 2, 2022

10 hours ago, heatheranderson13 said:

This is amazing thank you for doing this. Is there anyway you could get a picture of the rooms on 3rd floor 3216 and 3212. Would you think they would be loud? I wish I could see a picture of the room but there is not a lot of info on the porthole rooms on the third floor as of yet.

I'll take a walk and take pictures of the hallway area/doors and let you know what the area is like. I have seen a doorway into the hallway.

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hcat · November 2, 2022

1 hour ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Thank You!

We ate lunch in Luminae. They serve lunch from 12pm - 2pm on embarkation day. It was nice to have a sit down lunch. We later walked through the buffet, just to see it, and it was very crowded. We were glad to have had Luminae.

Yes, there is an electric kettle in the room. That came. Did not request it.

Any more questions, just ask. 😃

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What about lite bites up at the Retreat area for first day lunch?

PinkSandGirl · November 2, 2022

On 10/23/2022 at 11:54 AM, countess5 said:

Thanks for posting!

We will be sailing on Beyond B2B this February, part of our 47 day 3 ship winter get away. Two S class ships and this E class. Have sailed Edged and Apex and enjoyed the Sky Suite but with 47 days at sea no way cost wise for suites!

Will be interested to hear of the service and specialty dining. The TA has been a bit of a challenge from reading the post. Our TA will be on the three night sailing before you board so I sent questions for her to ask, but hearing the experience from someone on board will be better!

Safe sails and have a great time!

Cheers!

Service has been great for almost everything. We have eaten in Luminae, Rooftop Garden Grill (2x), Eden Restaurant and Tuscan (one of the Main Dining Rooms). Friendly servers and waitstaff. There are some that are new but they are friendly and accommodating.

Where it was a bit chaotic was Eden Cafe on Day 2. Haven't found the need to go back. I think the set-up isn't the greatest and it's a popular place.

It does appear they are short staffed because every venue has not had tables fully seated. Wherever we have eaten, they are friendly. Other staff onboard have been as well.

I'll give a more detailed review.

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PinkSandGirl · November 2, 2022

We had a day without rain and got some color. 😉

A great day in Aruba!

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PinkSandGirl · November 2, 2022

Look, stars! I think it's the first time they've come out. ✨️

We are really moving and the ship is rocking a bit.

The ceiling is creaking in the cabin. It's usually a corner spot by the bed, but more creaks have come out.

Is it a new ship thing? Creaking? I've never been on a ship so new. Do they have to "settle"?

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PinkSandGirl · November 2, 2022

2 hours ago, hcat said:

What about lite bites up at the Retreat area for first day lunch?

They had lite bites before dinner in the Retreat Lounge. We were in there around 5:30pm. They serve things three times a day in the Retreat Lounge: Continental Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Pre-Dinner Snacks. Some things similar, some things different each time.

As for the menu available on the Retreat Sundeck and Pooldeck??? That I don't know. The drink menus were out, not the food menus. I'll ask tomorrow to see if they serve food the first day.

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PinkSandGirl · November 2, 2022

14 hours ago, heatheranderson13 said:

This is amazing thank you for doing this. Is there anyway you could get a picture of the rooms on 3rd floor 3216 and 3212. Would you think they would be loud? I wish I could see a picture of the room but there is not a lot of info on the porthole rooms on the third floor as of yet.

Hi! I went down and took pictures and assessed the noise levels of 3212 & 3216.

A few observations:

1. Cabin 3216 is part of the first set of cabins once you turn down that hallway.

2. 3216 and 3212 do not share the same 'vestibule'. Cabin 3214 is in between.

3. There is a large square pole (for support) in between the two cabins in the the same 'vestibule'.

4. The entrance to the hallway of the cabins is off of the main corridor from the iLounge and Tuscan Restaurant, closer to Tuscan.

5. Noise Level:

~ While standing in the hallway outside of the cabin, I did not hear any music from the Grand Plaza or noise from the casino. You did hear it at the steps by the elevator and started to once leaving hallway of cabins corridor.

~ What I did hear, was a lot of creaking. (I hear this is my cabin as well, on a different deck)...but definitely more in that hallway.

~ I felt the rumbling of the ship

> I do not know if there is cabin creaking or rumbling.

6. The doorway to the hallway of cabins is to the right of the exposed walls.

7. Since there are two main restaurants down the corridor, it may get noisier when people are around. I only saw one person walking around that area.

8. The other entrance to the hallway of cabins is down by the iLounge.

Let me know if you want to know anything else.

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Entrance to hallway for cabins