MiaPortia

 Hubby and I, like others, had previously booked several Celebrity sailings based upon Celebrity’s introduction and marketing of Suite-level benefits -- of which (for us) dining in Luminae, INCLUDING lunch on port days, was a key component. After the initial Luminae debacle, we cancelled several of our booked cruises, but kept a 2017 sailing hoping Celebrity would work out what appeared to be “startup” issues. It seems clear, however, that Celebrity is unable or unwilling to provide the promised Luminae experience, and, as mentioned before, at Celebrity’s price point for upper-level suites, many choices for luxury cruise vacations exist -- without this problem or aggravation.

So looking forward to your comparative impressions and analysis! :) Have two wonderful voyages . . . and thanks for allowing us to "vicariously" sail along!!

Mia

Hi all,

 

We are excited about launching Luminae for our Suite Class guests. Luminae is now 100% operational across the Celebrity fleet. Beginning with each ship's next sailing, we will welcome our Suite Class guests for three meals a day, beginning with lunch on embarkation day.

Celebrity: Thank you for clarifying! Lunch in Luminae each day is an essential component of suite benefits for us. Hubby and I often treat “port days” as “sea days” where we enjoy long, leisurely lunches -- and when we do spend several hours out and about in port, we always look forward to a quiet, epicurean lunch back onboard. Celebrity’s advertised suite-level benefits, most importantly Luminae’s daily, intimate dining experience for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, enticed us and we are delighted that Celebrity’s suite-level concept has evolved into viable option in the arena of luxury cruising. :)

Oh so am I. My fingers have been all over the Internet looking at options for New Zealand, and they sure do exist.

Agree. :) At Celebrity's CS price point and above, there are numerous luxury sailing options available (i.e., SilverSea, Seabourn, Oceania, Regent, etc...) without Celebrity's silly issue of no luxury dining for lunch on port days. :)

Hubby and I, like others, recently booked several upcoming Celebrity sailings based upon Celebrity’s introduction and marketing of Suite-level benefits -- of which (for us) dining in Luminae, including lunch on port days, is a keystone component. And I, too, hope this situation of no mid-day meal in Luminae on port days is simply a “start-up” issue which will be appropriately addressed and resolved. However, if not, at Celebrity’s price point for upper-level suites, many choices for luxury cruise vacations exist -- without this problem or aggravation. :):)

Hi, Jazzbeau - More likely that in this type of situation folks just usually end up sailing on another cruise line that better meets their expectations!! :)

So many choices these days!! :)

I agree that Celebrity’s new position of no mid-day meal on port days is extremely disappointing. The pull back from their original advertising clearly undercuts the luxury dining experience Luminae was marketed to provide. While “brunch” encompasses breakfast and lunch (which is fine), no lunch (or brunch) on port days equates to no “noon” meal in Luminae, an advertised and expected element of suite benefits. Just because a ship is in port does not mean that many suite guests would not enjoy a leisurely Luminae lunch (or brunch) or partake in a mid-day Luminae meal after – or before -- spending several hours out and about exploring. The unique, intimate dining experience that Luminae was marketed to offer should be available as advertised: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner.

From the original press release:

 

The new Suite Class will include:

 

Private dining - A dedicated private restaurant reserved exclusively for all Suite Class guests will be available morning, noon and night. Each meal will feature unique menus that offer sumptuous dishes not available anywhere else onboard. Guests can truly immerse themselves in the local culture with specially crafted menus inspired by the local destination, and enjoy the world's best ingredients. Memorable and inspiring dishes will be served, from locally caught seafood, to the freshest pasta. The Suite Class chef can provide a tailor-made experience to suite guests and prepare a dish to their liking, and the Cellar Master - Celebrity’s head sommelier - will select from more than 450 wines to provide the perfect pairing.

I agree that Celebrity’s new position of no mid-day meal on port days is extremely disappointing. The pull back from their original advertising clearly undercuts the luxury dining experience Luminae was marketed to provide. While “brunch” encompasses breakfast and lunch (which is fine), no lunch (or brunch) on port days equates to no “noon” meal in Luminae, an advertised and expected element of suite benefits. Just because a ship is in port does not mean that many suite guests would not enjoy a leisurely Luminae lunch (or brunch) or partake in a mid-day Luminae meal after – or before -- spending several hours out and about exploring. The unique, intimate dining experience that Luminae was marketed to offer should be available “morning, noon, and night,” as advertised.

Hi, Kool – Thank you for posting your Luminae impressions!

SO delighted to learn that you were able to have an excellent cheese course!!! :) Sounds like dinners have been delicious, and, hopefully, it won’t be long until Luminae is also serving her scrumptious lunches each day, including port days.

Looking forward to your further Luminae observations. 

Hi, Jenna - I just wanted to thank you again for all of the excellent information you have provided to us all; it has been so kind of you to allow us to vicariously experience the new suite benefits!! :)

Just to note again my thoughts about lunch in Luminae:

As I previously posted, for us, lunching in Luminae -- whether during sea days or while in port -- is an essential element of suite benefits. We sometimes treat “port days” (in whole or in part) as “sea days” and simply prefer to have a quiet lunch onboard after spending several hours out and about. The intimate dining experience that Luminae offers is often the keystone of the cruise experience and should include lunch each day!

Also hoping future Luminae dinners will include an interesting "Cheese & Fruit" course! :)

Thanks again, Jenna; wishing you smooth sailing, sunny skies, and balmy breezes for all of your future cruises! :)

Mia

I totally agree that Jenna's review is fabulous (and so much appreciate her taking time from vacation to post), and I “second” her sentiments. In a fine dining venue – be it at sea or on land – appropriate decorum is expected from ALL guests. :)

Hi, Jenna – Your observations and reflections are so insightful and appreciated . . . Would love for you to continue posting! :)

Hi, Chemmo – Thank you so much for sharing your observations on Luminae and the new suite benefits – your thoughts and time spent are very much appreciated! 

We, too, absolutely agree that lunching in Luminae – whether during sea days or while in port is an essential element of suite benefits. For us, port days are sometimes treated (in whole or in part) as “sea days,” and, usually, we simply prefer to have a quiet lunch onboard after spending several hours out and about. The intimate dining experience that Luminae offers is often the keystone of the cruise experience and should include lunch each day! :)

Thanks again, Chemmo, for posting your reviews! :)

Absolutely agree that lunching in Luminae -- whether during sea days or while in port -- is an essential element of suite benefits. For us, port days are sometimes treated (in whole or in part) as “sea days,” and we simply prefer to have a quiet lunch onboard after spending several hours out and about. The intimate dining experience that Luminae offers is often the keystone of the cruise experience and should include lunch each day! :)

I agree, a cheese course or as an offering for dessert, would be a welcome addition. We do like our port and cheese. :D

Ditto. . . a fine port unequivocally complements the cheese and fruit course!! :) :) Mia

Hi, Jenna – Your cheese plate looks absolutely fantastic, and thank you so much for sharing that yummy photo with us all! :) Whether from a cheese cart -- or as a chef’s choice selection -- we hope that Luminae will be incorporating this deliciously enjoyable component into their leisurely, epicurean experience. :) :)

I appreciate your response, Jenna! BTW, I so agree that the dessert offerings (i.e., almond cake w/ mascarpone; hazelnut cake; dark chocolate mousse; bittersweet chocolate tart) sound impressive, and the photographed morning pastries also look to be melt-in-the-mouth sensational! It appears that Celebrity’s vision for Luminae is right in our wheelhouse: creatively conceived, freshly prepared, scrumptious dishes paired with (for us) an earthy, full-bodied red and followed by delectable dessert and robust cappuccino. Just wondering – have you heard any discussion of a cheese course? Including an interesting cheese and fruit course would be a very welcome addition... :) :)

 

We are really looking forward to experiencing Luminae and the other Suite amenities on upcoming Celebrity voyages and await more of your delightful, expressive, Luminae posts… Thanks again, Jenna!

Hi, Jenna – Your informative reviews have been so thoroughly enjoyable and appreciated! The new Suite Class and included amenities have been enticing Hubby and I back to Celebrity from the smaller luxury lines, and we have been keenly awaiting the debut of Luminae’s intimate, epicurean dining experience. I was also wondering about sea-day activities: Are any enrichment speakers included among the offerings? Thank you again, Jenna, for not only your insights, but also for taking your time to post “live.” :)

My hubby and I will be traveling on the Constellation in a Sky Suite in a few weeks and so much appreciate the peek at what we can expect! Thank you so much for posting your video tour!!

Mia