Celebrity Summit Live report 4/4/15 - First Luminae and new suite benefits sailing

[need2bespoiled]

thx, needs to be spoiled....we board Reflection in a few days for the Trans-Atlantic....

Guess it will continuous dining for at least 6-7 days while crossing.

 

The photos are descriptions are wonderful....and hope they let us in, we are S-2, and have been shut out of Micheal's area in the past, because our suite isn't expensive enough.....

 

Hope to enjoy your items....all look yummy !!!

 

 

You won't be allowed in Michael's Club as that is only for Celebrity Suites, Signature Suites, Royal Suites, Penthouse Suites, Reflection Suite, Zenith and VIPs (unless you're Zenith or a VIP).

 

You will be provided access to Luminae as this is a benefit of Sky Suites.

 

Something I just remembered I was told this morning...that party of 8 last night only had one couple who were suites guests. The rest were their guests and charged $50/head. No idea whose account it went to. The restaurant is set to do 2.1 turns but hasn't done more tops than the number of seats at any given meal yet so getting a table at your desired time has been easy.

 

Our excursion towels were also there last night, Dee had just already packed them.

 

Today's view:

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPad using fat fingers and Tapatalk

[FRMPEI]

 

This is my fav food porn pic so far. Great job so far.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[junetraveler2014]

Jenna and Dee,

Thanks again for a wonderful chapter. Those Danish look absolutely delicious. As for dinner, I think I would have passed and made reservations in Qsine. Nothing really caught my eye. Hope what I am hearing about MC is incorrect. Last Year Loved MC. Someone was always there and if they did not have the makings of a cocktail they ordered it from another bar. Looking forward to your next chapter.. Happy cruising to you both.

Victoria:D

[sealover155]

Jenna,

 

Really appreciate the time you're taking to tantalize us all. The pictures are simply outstanding and your candid comments, so very helpful.

 

One thing for sure, they're certainly taking pains for outstanding and artistic plating. I've always felt that it elevated the dining experience immeasurably. I'm dreaming of that heirloom tomato salad. The quality of preparation must be largely due to "cook to order". But we must all understand that it will take time for the kitchen staff to get it all together. To the best of my knowledge all fine restaurants have "soft openings" to work out the kinks and Luminae is no different. So we need to be patient, as you and Dee certainly are.

 

Thanks again, Jenna. This may be my all time favorite thread!

Edited April 7, 2015 by sealover155

[need2bespoiled]

A massage with a view (even had mirrors under the table so we could see out to the sea when we were face down). Those are open doors to the sea and we could here the water.

 

And lunch with a view.

 

Wonderful day on St Lucia.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPad using fat fingers and Tapatalk

[themutis]

Hi Jenna

 

Thanks for the posts - we are so enjoying them! Were did you spend the day in St. Lucia?

 

Eileen

[BosoxI]

How can I thank you?, Jenna. I have looked only at the first and last pages of this thread, but I know tonight I'll fill in the rest. My wife is on her way to Venice this evening, but when she Skypes tomorrow, I will surely tell her of your wonderful efforts. Trouble is, we'll have to wait until January to give all this a try. It's going to be rough on the two earlier cruises we'll be taking. Maybe we'll make a point of avoiding the area near Luminae :) Suddenly, Blu seems pedestrian.

[need2bespoiled]

Hi Jenna

 

Thanks for the posts - we are so enjoying them! Were did you spend the day in St. Lucia?

 

Eileen

 

We spent the day at Ti Kaye Resort. I have no idea if they advertise this or not or how Dee found it. We knew we wanted a spa day and read about a previous poster on Cruise Critic who did this at Sugar Bay Resort using Spencer Tours for transportation. We wanted to do something similar maybe there, but preferably at Jade Mountain but getting there is not as easy and Spencers boats were too crowded for us, and not our thing. Celebrity offers and excursion and spa day to Jade Mountain for $4700 a person (no typo).

 

Ti Kaye picked us (us and 1 other couple) up at 08:30a in their dive boat and 45 minutes later we were on their beach which was very quiet in the morning. At 11:45a we were driven up the resort to the spa where we enjoyed EXCEPTIONAL massages followed by a wonderful lunch overlooking the water. When we went back to the beach at a bit past 2 there were many more people including 3 catamarans. Like many islands, beaches are public so they can access them from the water. 3pm we departed and I drove (piloted for you nautical folk, literally) the boat back to the Summit. 4pm we were back on board where I sit catching up on a bit of work and teasing you. I give the resort hard product a solid 4-4.5 stars, the staff a solid 5 stars, the food 4.5-5 stars and the view 6 stars.

 

Dinner is at 8pm or 815p tonight, I can't remember, I'm on vacation. I've decided to go in surprised, which means no menu preview, patience for everyone :D

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[vulcan1971]

Jenna - definitely one of the best live blog/reviews I have read in a long time. Thoroughly enjoying all your efforts to educate and entertain us, especially since my next cruise is not till November 2015. :eek:

 

The menus look great! The "food porn" is heavenly!! :D

 

Wishing you and Dee the best on your wonderful trip.

[need2bespoiled]

OMG, I've re-read a few of my posts, like the late night dinner review I did last night, and apologize for all of the typos. I'm posting most of this from my phone as it is far easier to use it for pictures and post from there the full size, glossy pictures. Transferring to my computer, uploading to a photo-sharing site and then inserting is not going to happen on vacation, when tap talk does this well. I just can't see what I type on my phone like I could when I was a little bit younger and I am not taking an iPad to dinner. You'll all just have to read my typonese.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[cruisedad2]

Hi Jenna. Thank you so much for your posts and pics! We are on Summit later this summer in a suite. We have two questions. First, are there Formal Nights like in the Main Dining Room, or is it casual attire in Luminae the entire cruise? (We need to know what to pack!) Second, are the beverages in the dessert menu (coffees, etc.) included in the Premium Beverage package? Thank you much for sharing. Have a wonderful cruise.

Edited April 7, 2015 by cruisedad2

[need2bespoiled]

Hi Jenna. Thank you so much for your posts and pics! We are on Summit later this summer in a suite. We have two questions. First, are there Formal Nights like in the Main Dining Room, or is it casual attire in Luminae the entire cruise? (We need to know what to pack!) Second, are the beverages in the dessert menu (coffees, etc.) included in the Premium Beverage package? Thank you much for sharing. Have a wonderful cruise.

 

1. I don't know. First formal night we were not in Luminae, second formal night we're dining with new friends in Normandie. Our dress will always be appropriate for the night, not just the venue, so we don't worry much. You're not the first person to ask, and I will find out.

 

2. The beverage package works the same in Luminae as anywhere else, so yes, if you have a package that includes the drinks/price point it will be included, if not, you'll pay as listed. We haven't seen a slip for anything but wine in Luminae but they obviously know we have the PALL (premium package). We drink sparkling water to hydrate and counter act the wine. I am definitely going to start to sample some of the tasty sounding cocktails on page one of the wine list. Usually we do a cocktail in advance at a bar, but hey, why not?

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[MartinsCruise]

Sue, have a wonderful time! Thanksgiving, back on Equinox, just sayin!

EW

Hi EW, We'll be spending ours on the Eclipse. Enjoy!

[Ma Bell]

We spent the day at Ti Kaye Resort. I have no idea if they advertise this or not or how Dee found it. We knew we wanted a spa day and read about a previous poster on Cruise Critic who did this at Sugar Bay Resort using Spencer Tours for transportation. We wanted to do something similar maybe there, but preferably at Jade Mountain but getting there is not as easy and Spencers boats were too crowded for us, and not our thing. Celebrity offers and excursion and spa day to Jade Mountain for $4700 a person (no typo).

 

Ti Kaye picked us (us and 1 other couple) up at 08:30a in their dive boat and 45 minutes later we were on their beach which was very quiet in the morning. At 11:45a we were driven up the resort to the spa where we enjoyed EXCEPTIONAL massages followed by a wonderful lunch overlooking the water. When we went back to the beach at a bit past 2 there were many more people including 3 catamarans. Like many islands, beaches are public so they can access them from the water. 3pm we departed and I drove (piloted for you nautical folk, literally) the boat back to the Summit. 4pm we were back on board where I sit catching up on a bit of work and teasing you. I give the resort hard product a solid 4-4.5 stars, the staff a solid 5 stars, the food 4.5-5 stars and the view 6 stars.

 

Dinner is at 8pm or 815p tonight, I can't remember, I'm on vacation. I've decided to go in surprised, which means no menu preview, patience for everyone :D

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

We spent a very nice day there a couple of years ago. We were silly enough to climb the stairs to the resort.

[need2bespoiled]

The special bread tonight was lemon pepper and very good. Just the right hint of lemon and pepper.

 

Here is the menu:

 

A typically set table:

 

We've ordered all four apps. I ordered the tuna and crab, dee order the snap peas and velouté. For mains Dee is having tortellini and I'm having the Lamb.

 

The Amuse-Bouche was a mini fried cannelloni and tasty.

 

 

One other note, we never deal with dirty silverware. It is always cleared and replaced.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

 

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[need2bespoiled]

Dee's soup was heavenly. Outstanding. Excellent.

 

My tuna tartar was good, but noting special. I prefer bigger pieces, less like a pate

 

Service tonight has been very prompt and when we arrived at 8:30p there are only 6 tables and 13 diners.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

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[need2bespoiled]

My crab cake was good, maybe a tad salty but the mango helped. I was able to split Dees's salad which was refreshing and well dressed.

 

 

 

An hour in and we've finished our mains. They were a tad salty but excellent.

 

My lamb was probably the best cut of meat of had on Celebrity. The sausage was also excellent and veggies delightful. Dees tortellini was richer than you'd expect but she had to be bribed with lamb to share. Definitely the best meal yet.

 

 

 

I just notice my lamb looks rare but cutting into it provides the perfect medium rare temperature.

 

Dessert menus are on the table. It can't get much more "live".

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

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Edited April 8, 2015 by need2bespoiled

[need2bespoiled]

Dessert!

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

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[cruisedad2]

Hi Jenna. Thank you very much for responding to my earlier questions...the reason I asked if the coffees on the dessert menu were included in the premium drink package is that we have never had that before...our summer cruise will be the first to have that. Are those included in the package? Thanks also for finding out about the dress in Luminae on formal nights in the MDR. We really like Celebrity and are excited about the cruise in the summer. It will be our first in a suite. Your pics and updates are just great! I am enjoying it so much.

[need2bespoiled]

Everything under $8 besides wine and spirits is included. Any wine and spirits up to $13 are included. Everything on the dessert menu is included.

 

Dress in Luminae is smart casual every night including formal night. I don't know how people dressed in practice or will experience it until next week as we're skipping Luminae on Thursday and dining in Normandie instead. I'm guessing it will be a full range.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

 

 

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[need2bespoiled]

I took a bite of this pre dessert treat before the pic, sorry! Lol, I couldn't resist.

 

Dessert looks great and tasted great though my dark chocolate mouse was RICH. Dee's sorbets and meringue was sooo good. She won the ordering dessert prize.

 

 

Before:

 

After:

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

 

 

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[fomo]

Am I correct that regular American coffee or decaf which is included in the MDR is $6 in Luminae?

[Aloha 1]

Regular coffee would be free. The cafe americano pictured above is a barista drink as made at Cafe al Bacio.

[need2bespoiled]

I have no idea if it is the same but I'm guessing it is the Cafe Al Bacio fresh ground / made version as Aloha said. I also wouldn't let it bug me either way but it f you ask for the MDR coffee you'll probably get it (free). Have you had it before? Reports are its improved but still not desirable.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[need2bespoiled]

I have tonight's menu. It looks awesome. Best yet (but if course that is subjective) BUT do to the overnight cruise critic forum problems I can't login with TapTalk...so...you'll have to wait. If someone could let cruise critic know that even though the forums are back TapTalk is not working, that would be splendid.

 

I need to get back to my hard work on the beach at today's paradise location.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna