Luminae or Not?

We will be going on Summit soon and usually go straight to the Buffet after getting on the ship. We have never been on the Summit and was told by the on-shore concierge that we should go to the Luminae for lunch on embarkation day rather than the Oceanview. Just wondering if anyone has any opinions about which would be better.

Also, I have read the official view of what is appropriate attire for Chic nights but "wearing whatever you feel comfortable" is too vague. Do people really wear any level of dress-up and feel comfortable? Is a sports jacket with no tie ok?

Regarding Luminae for lunch. Yes!! The buffet is so crazy at that time. Luminae you are seated - not looking for a seat. That alone is worth it to me.

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I interpret the Evening Chic as 'Dress UP as you see fit'. Up being the operative word vs dressing down. So if dressing up to you is sports coat, no tie that's perfectly fine. If it's a kilt and all the accoutrements that's fine. Tuxedo, fine too. I pretty much think I've seen all possible options. But what I have not seen is people dressing down - shorts, flip flops, etc. They may be there, I just haven't seen it.

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Definitely have lunch in Luminae on embarkation day. So relaxing, and delicious.

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It is great to board and go to Luminae for a leisurely lunch. It does close early, however, I think 1.30pm...

The only snag is if you have a full meal you will never manage another meal later. The burgers are really good...After the first day lunchtime burger splurge if we dine in Luminae at lunch (only open sea days) I tend to stick to a soup and salad!

Luminae is only for people booked in suites.

Luminae is only for people booked in suites.

If the concierge on shore contacted them before the cruise and suggested it I would hope that they are in a suite. You never know with Celebrity though as it may have just been a rep from Celebrity calling as a "courtesy" call and gave out bad info as usual.

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

Upon boarding, you can either head directly to Luminae for lunch (I believe they are open from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm for lunch on embarkation day), or if you prefer you can head directly to Michael's Club to introduce yourself to Manuela, the Michael's Club concierge and then go to Luminae after meeting Manuela. You will board the ship on Deck 4 (probably pretty close to the Martini Bar). Both Michael's Club and Luminae are on Deck 4 - Michael's Club is forward and Luminae is all the way aft. Luminae is much much better than the buffet for lunch on embarkation day.

On a recent Solstice cruise the level of dress on evening chic nights, in Luminae and elsewhere was all over the map. Nothing surprised me. Baseball caps, even.

Luminae on Solstice was better for lunch than dinner. Service was inferior to Blu. Menu options were also fewer. But Blu isn't open for lunch so I know that doesn't help decide on a place for embarkation meal.

I assume you're in a Suite. The designated dining room for Suites is Luminae.

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Assuming you are in a suite make sure you are aware of the other perks like Michael's Club and a butler....

Yes, we are in a Celebrity suite. We have not sailed Celebrity in 20 years; we have been loyal RCCL cruisers. On the Quantum and Anthem, the suite restaurant (Coastal Kitchen) is not open on embarkation day for lunch that I know of, so we go to the buffet and fight the crowds. On the Oasis we go to the Cafe for a roast beef sandwich. We are really looking forward to the smaller ship experience of the Summit and hoping the food is better than RCCL.

Thanks for everyone's input, looks like we will head to Michael's then the Luminae.:cool:

Luminae is a much quieter experience than the buffet. The food can be heavy, though. I'd have a light breakfast that day before getting on the ship, for sure.

Luminae is great for lunch on embarkation day. We first go to Michael's Club to meet the concierge, and then about noon we head down to Luminae. The concierge at MC just holds our carry on bags.

Their burger is wonderful. I get mine without the bun. Don't need all that. It's good, but don't need it. I skip the fries too and ask for a bowl of greens with some light vinaigrette. No matter what is on the menu, you can always ask.

Often for lunch during the cruise, on a sea day, I will ask for a big plate of greens and a grilled chicken breast, and dressing on the side. It is NOT a menu item but they have lettuce back in the galley and getting just a big salad is for me, anyway, a better option. I don't like to eat a heavy meal at lunch.

I also like their chicken and waffles, also on the lunch menu. I get them to bring me ONE piece of chicken (it's like a chicken tender) and ONE waffle. I think the regular serving is at least two each which is ridiculous.

So it *is* possible to eat there and not have a heavy meal. On some sea days I recall eating there 3 times a day. My breakfast go-to, no matter if it's Oceanview, MDR, Luminae, or room service is a small portion of yogurt, fresh berries, and granola and I mix it all myself.

Have a great cruise. Enjoy your suite benefits.

Mythbuster: Since you are in a Celebrity Suite you likely will be escorted to Michael's Club when boarding. We have been in suites on both M- and S-class ships, and actually prefer Luminae on the smaller M-class ships. We also prefer the layout of the Michael's Clubs on the M-class ships as compared to the S-class ships. Hope you have a great cruise.

Yes, we are in a Celebrity suite. We have not sailed Celebrity in 20 years; we have been loyal RCCL cruisers. On the Quantum and Anthem, the suite restaurant (Coastal Kitchen) is not open on embarkation day for lunch that I know of, so we go to the buffet and fight the crowds. On the Oasis we go to the Cafe for a roast beef sandwich. We are really looking forward to the smaller ship experience of the Summit and hoping the food is better than RCCL.

 

Thanks for everyone's input, looks like we will head to Michael's then the Luminae.:cool:

You will find Luminae more of a refined dining experience than coastal kitchen....you will also find Michael's has a more 'club' experience than the RC concierge lounge....

On the negative side, Celebrity's entertainment is less varied than RC's....Also Summit is an older ship and both your room and the ship in general will reflect this.

We loved our Summit cruise, enjoy!

One thing to keep in mind while dining in Luminae: you can also order anything from the Main Dining Room menu too. When I was on Summit in July I saw many tables "mixing it up" with some items from the MDR. Just ask your waiter to see the MDR in addition to the Luminae menu.

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Mythbuster: Since you are in a Celebrity Suite you likely will be escorted to Michael's Club when boarding. We have been in suites on both M- and S-class ships, and actually prefer Luminae on the smaller M-class ships. We also prefer the layout of the Michael's Clubs on the M-class ships as compared to the S-class ships. Hope you have a great cruise.

We also like the layout in both Luminae and MC better on the M class ships.

We have sailed in Celebrity Suites twice and a Royal Suite once and have only been escorted to MC once because we asked one of the maître d's what deck we boarded on. Luckily we have sailed many times so know where it is located. Have to see what happens next Friday.

Mythbuster: Since you are in a Celebrity Suite you likely will be escorted to Michael's Club when boarding. We have been in suites on both M- and S-class ships, and actually prefer Luminae on the smaller M-class ships. We also prefer the layout of the Michael's Clubs on the M-class ships as compared to the S-class ships. Hope you have a great cruise.

The last few times we sailed from Bayonne, there was no escort to Michael's Club (we were in either RS or PH). But you really don't need one as you embark onto the ship very close to Michael's Club!

I always go there for CELEBRITY KOBE BEEF hamburger and Lobster Bisque.

Its delicious.:)

My DH has worn a sport coat and open necked shirt with no tie for Evening Chic nights since formal nights disappeared. He always feels very appropriately dressed, despite the fact that some gentlemen will be more formal and many will be less. Pretty much anything goes.

One thing to keep in mind while dining in Luminae: you can also order anything from the Main Dining Room menu too. When I was on Summit in July I saw many tables "mixing it up" with some items from the MDR. Just ask your waiter to see the MDR in addition to the Luminae menu.

 

 

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You can order from the Blu menu as well.

You can order from the Blu menu as well.

You can request a table at Blu but I don't think you can get items from the Blu menu in Luminae

You can request a table at Blu but I don't think you can get items from the Blu menu in Luminae

We have gotten a entree from Blu once in Luminae; on the M class ships the 2 dining rooms are close together. On the S class ships Blu & Luminae are no where close to each other so you are probably correct about not being able to order items from Blu.

We have gotten a entree from Blu once in Luminae; on the M class ships the 2 dining rooms are close together. On the S class ships Blu & Luminae are no where close to each other so you are probably correct about not being able to order items from Blu.

It doesn't matter whether the dining rooms are close together, but whether the kitchens are. On M-class all three kitchens are adjacent, so Luminae waiters can easily pick up something from any of the three. I haven't had a galley tour on S-class so don't know how that works.