Celebrity Constellation live report of Luminaea and

[BecT]

Jose on Summit has always swapped out the vodka for rum for my DW in our RS. That perk isn't new. The beer is, though. I'll like that!

 

I only mentioned it because I had learned on CC that you could ask to swap it out, however, when I asked yesterday I was told no, but then he agreed to check for me.

DH really likes the beer too!

 

I seemed to have been told NO a lot yesterday, but no worries, it was all worked out and we are enjoying ourselves. Now time to go see the Easter Bunny! :-P

[ourfab5]

Could you reconfirm that WINE is included...It's not been mentioned in the Perks FAQ's and other places, so would be something new.... Spirits are excluded as you have said, so that makes sense.

 

 

I will ask about the small bottles of wine in the mini bar. They aren't to my taste so it hasn't come up in conversation with our butler. We had our bottle of sparkling wine swapped out with a bottle of Pinot Grigio which Leo had arranged prior to checking into our suite. I was very pleasantly surprised to come back from a busy day of touring today to find another chilled bottle awaiting us in our stateroom with some very tasty snacks. We are truly being spoiled and loving every minute!!

[hughdm]

I only mentioned it because I had learned on CC that you could ask to swap it out, however, when I asked yesterday I was told no, but then he agreed to check for me.

DH really likes the beer too!

 

I seemed to have been told NO a lot yesterday, but no worries, it was all worked out and we are enjoying ourselves. Now time to go see the Easter Bunny! :-P

Sometimes I think they tell you "no" so they can make it look like they moved mountains for you later.

[ourfab5]

Correct, there was no everyday menu. I would have liked to have seen some ice cream also. I didn't ask because I had been told earlier, we could not order off the regular menu.

 

 

 

Almost sailaway time and I just learned the Easter Bunny is at the pool!

 

 

Strange we are on the same cruise with two totally different experiences? The couple at the next table last night ordered off the MDR menu with no problem, we asked and were given gelato for dessert. I had the steak and found it to be seasoned perfectly, rivaled steaks I have had at some of the finest steakhouses in the world, no salt and pepper needed. I guess some variances in service is to be expected with something totally new.

[Dunmore2]

Thanks for sharing all the Luninae menus, pictures and commentary. It is appreciated.

[Shirley C]

Thanks for the updates. We are leaving in three weeks and will be in a suite so I'm anxious to hear all about the new perks.

[Project_gal]

If you are eating in Luminae, you cannot order from the main dining room menu. It's designed to be an upscale experience, which it was for us last night.

 

The new Luminae menus on board Constellation are the same as the other thread. While I loved the menu and experience, my dh prefers something a little less upscale and since we cannot order from the main dining room we probably will not eat in Luminae for dinner again. :-(

I did overhear a conversation of a family dining in the restaurant last night and it appeared the kids weren't particularly thrilled about the menu either and wanted to go to the buffet. :-P

 

 

Thank you for the continuing updates. The offering still seems to fall short of the mark compared with what we were promised:

 

From the May 14th 2014 Suite Class FAQs and also the 18 February 2014 Press Release:

 

"The Suite Class chef can provide a tailor made experience to suite guests and prepare a dish to their liking and the Master Sommelier will select from more than 450 wines to provide the perfect pairing."

 

Nothing has since been published to contradict this statement.

[TommyD3]

Thank you for the continuing updates. The offering still seems to fall short of the mark compared with what we were promised:

 

From the May 14th 2014 Suite Class FAQs and also the 18 February 2014 Press Release:

 

"The Suite Class chef can provide a tailor made experience to suite guests and prepare a dish to their liking and the Master Sommelier will select from more than 450 wines to provide the perfect pairing."

 

Nothing has since been published to contradict this statement.

 

Someone please confirm that wine is not included in Luminae. Only if you have a beverage package and then only to the limit of your package. I suspect most wines in Luminae are considerably over the $13 premium limit!

[Project_gal]

Someone please confirm that wine is not included in Luminae. Only if you have a beverage package and then only to the limit of your package. I suspect most wines in Luminae are considerably over the $13 premium limit!

 

I am sure that is true but Jenna [on the Summit Luminae thread] is reporting fewer wines in Luminae than Murano [and equivalents] which is certainly not 450 wines. The premium package becomes pointless in Luminae if there are insufficient wines from which to choose even if you are willing to pay the additional charge.

[cle-guy]

Sometimes I think they tell you "no" so they can make it look like they moved mountains for you later.

 

As one who spent a lot of his early career in hospitality management, and running hotels, this is the answer.

 

Rule number 1 to guest service and enhancement of one's personal tips:

• under promise and
  
• over deliver
  

 

Ever go to a restaurant and find they say wait is 35 minutes, and within 10 you are seated? Under promised, over delivered.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Thank you for the updates. We're also interested in hearing if the wine from the mini bar is included.

[maggie.1008]

Looking forward to this Saturday on the Summit and dining in Luminae. Will they let you bring the Champagne from your room and trade for wine ? The menu`s look good to me. I would doubt kid`s would like. I would enjoy more starter salad`s on the menu.

[sassyw]

Thanks for the updates. We are leaving in three weeks and will be in a suite so I'm anxious to hear all about the new perks.

 

What TA will you be on?

[Shirley C]

What TA will you be on?

 

We aren't on a TA -- 17 day Panama Canal - FLL to San Francisco.

 

Shirley

[cherylroslyn]

Correct, there was no everyday menu. I would have liked to have seen some ice cream also. I didn't ask because I had been told earlier, we could not order off the regular menu.

 

Almost sailaway time and I just learned the Easter Bunny is at the pool!

I think the woman posting the Summit thread was able to get ice cream, in fact she suspected it was gelato from Al Bacio. I think ice cream is pretty standard and is usually available to some extent at every restaurant even if not listed on the official menu. I would just ask.

[Balloon Man]

We are on board Constellation also in a RS. We did not dine in luminae but we did stop by and checked it out. The lunch menu looked wonderful, but we chose to eat in Bistro on Five. We have dinner reservation fot luminae tonight for dinner.

 

For those sailing next week, your Concierge will be Garreth from the UK. Other than the stated hiccups, we are absolutely enjoying ourselves! They are taking very good care of us. :-)

 

I may be wrong but I think there is only one r in Gareth. However assuming it's the Gareth we had on Infinity he is very good.

[cle-guy]

I may be wrong but I think there is only one r in Gareth. However assuming it's the Gareth we had on Infinity he is very good.

 

If anyone has the email to Michael's Concierge on Constellation, kindly email me (link in signature). I've tried the standard email to concierge, but not sure what Connie's 2 letter code is - CO, CS and CN didn't work when I changed the format of the email that I've gotten from other ships.

 

Gareth has yet to send me a welcome email, and I have a few things I need tended to for my TA that leaves on Thursday.

[I-Cruiser]

You got mail.

[ourfab5]

The wine in the mini bar is not included but they have so far given us 2 complementary bottles. Bistro on 5 is included and we had an amazing lunch there today. We received vouchers for the Parisian Garden that were supposed to be for port days but they honored it today without question. We also received vouchers for free laundry service and wine tastings. The only time we have had anyone say no to us was when my husband tried to help our butler set up our room service and we were told no that it was our job to do nothing but be pampered! I'm attaching last night a menu and this mornings breakfast, both beyond delicious!! The service has been truly amazing. For example, we left dinner last night without being able to enjoy the special chocolates after dessert, I seriously could not even think about eating one more bite. Our waiter showed up at our door around 1030 with a tray full of the special chocolates. He said he could not stand for us not enjoying a sample. :)

 

 

The last pic is of the one side of the restaurant. Sorry, picture truly does not do it justice. I will try and get a better shot later,

[BecT]

BecT: Thank you for taking the time to explain your DH opinions. This puts much more light on the menu, choices and preparation. I am sure many more of us will get a lot more info from your postings than what Celebrity puts out.

 

You are very welcome. I am glad to help.

 

To some others though, I may be giving the wrong impression, we are having an absolutely wonderful time. As I mentioned earlier, I expected a few hiccups with the new suite perks implementation, but Leo has been great at getting answers and taking care of things. As a matter of fact, he told me earlier in the cruise that if Celebrity said it, then they would honor it, and he has done exactly that. Thank you Leo, you're the best!

 

I guess I look at customer service a little differently than some. I don't always expect things to go perfectly the first time as everyone is only human. It's how things are handled after being told no that truly matters to me. I don't believe anything that was told to me was meant to dampen my experience or make me feel extra special for going out of their way to give me something that I should have had to begin with. Again, I think it was just inexperienced hiccups in the implementation of a new program. Trust me, you didn't see me on Solstice, when they wouldn't remove a mini bar charge for a soda that we didn't consume. That soda charge was eventually removed. ;-)

 

This is only our 3rd cruise on Celebrity as we recently have been travelling a lot in suites on NCL. There is currently a rather lengthy and at times, heated debate on the NCL threads on CC about the new service charges being implemented on NCL ships. As I compare the two, I do believe that Celebrity has the promise of attracting guests that normally sail in suites on NCL over to Celebrity. I know more of my dollars will go to the cruise line that says to me, " if we said it, then we will honor it." Nice job Celebrity! It seems NCL can't make that statement.

 

I apologize for incorrectly spelling Gareth's name. I read his name tag without my glasses. Please accept my apology Gareth.

 

As for the wine, I did confirm the bottles in the stateroom are included. Yippee! I have not tried them, but here are the names:

Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve cabernet Sauvignon 2012

La Crema Sonoma Coast 2011 Chardonnay

 

I did not pay close attention to the wine list at Luminae, so I cannot comment about the number of selections, sorry. I did ask for a recommendation for a glass of wine. At the end of dinner, the sommolier (spelling ?) did ask for my room key, but I was not charged for the glass. So I am assuming the wine is not complimentary in Luminaire, but I am not positive.

 

I also asked Leo about ordering from the main restaurant menu, he said if the item is on the everyday side then it can be ordered in Luminaire. Yippee again!

 

As I mentioned earlier, please don't judge my husband's take on the food at Luminaire as a negative. He really is a picky eater. His steak came with a sauce that he chose not to put on his. I tried his steak and it was indeed unseasoned, but it was still good to me. It was very tender and perfectly cooked medium rare.

 

We ate dinner at Tuscan Grill last night and the meal and service was outstanding. DH ate the spaghetti dish ( forgot the name) and I had the filet. Steak was wonderfully seasoned and DH liked his spaghetti.

 

I hope I answered what questions I could and if there are anymore questions I can help get answered I will try.

 

Becky

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Thanks for your posts. There does seem to be confusion over wine in the mini bar as to it's inclusion in a Royal Suite. Since we don't sail in a RS for 2 years I'm sure it will work it's self out. Meanwhile we'll have to contend ourselves with the CS, unless prices come down a bit.

[Shirley C]

You are very welcome. I am glad to help.

 

To some others though, I may be giving the wrong impression, we are having an absolutely wonderful time. As I mentioned earlier, I expected a few hiccups with the new suite perks implementation, but Leo has been great at getting answers and taking care of things. As a matter of fact, he told me earlier in the cruise that if Celebrity said it, then they would honor it, and he has done exactly that. Thank you Leo, you're the best!

 

I guess I look at customer service a little differently than some. I don't always expect things to go perfectly the first time as everyone is only human. It's how things are handled after being told no that truly matters to me. I don't believe anything that was told to me was meant to dampen my experience or make me feel extra special for going out of their way to give me something that I should have had to begin with. Again, I think it was just inexperienced hiccups in the implementation of a new program. Trust me, you didn't see me on Solstice, when they wouldn't remove a mini bar charge for a soda that we didn't consume. That soda charge was eventually removed. ;-)

 

This is only our 3rd cruise on Celebrity as we recently have been travelling a lot in suites on NCL. There is currently a rather lengthy and at times, heated debate on the NCL threads on CC about the new service charges being implemented on NCL ships. As I compare the two, I do believe that Celebrity has the promise of attracting guests that normally sail in suites on NCL over to Celebrity. I know more of my dollars will go to the cruise line that says to me, " if we said it, then we will honor it." Nice job Celebrity! It seems NCL can't make that statement.

 

I apologize for incorrectly spelling Gareth's name. I read his name tag without my glasses. Please accept my apology Gareth.

 

As for the wine, I did confirm the bottles in the stateroom are included. Yippee! I have not tried them, but here are the names:

Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve cabernet Sauvignon 2012

La Crema Sonoma Coast 2011 Chardonnay

 

I did not pay close attention to the wine list at Luminae, so I cannot comment about the number of selections, sorry. I did ask for a recommendation for a glass of wine. At the end of dinner, the sommolier (spelling ?) did ask for my room key, but I was not charged for the glass. So I am assuming the wine is not complimentary in Luminaire, but I am not positive.

 

I also asked Leo about ordering from the main restaurant menu, he said if the item is on the everyday side then it can be ordered in Luminaire. Yippee again!

 

As I mentioned earlier, please don't judge my husband's take on the food at Luminaire as a negative. He really is a picky eater. His steak came with a sauce that he chose not to put on his. I tried his steak and it was indeed unseasoned, but it was still good to me. It was very tender and perfectly cooked medium rare.

 

We ate dinner at Tuscan Grill last night and the meal and service was outstanding. DH ate the spaghetti dish ( forgot the name) and I had the filet. Steak was wonderfully seasoned and DH liked his spaghetti.

 

I hope I answered what questions I could and if there are anymore questions I can help get answered I will try.

 

Becky

 

Thanks again for taking time out of your vacation to answer questions and post updates. It's really appreciated.

 

Shirley

[john_galt]

Hi, Cle-Guy

 

I just emailed you the email address you need.

[wineluvr]

Thanks for the information! We are in a suite on Equinox next month and are looking forward to experiencing Luminae.

[BecT]

Well our cruise is over. For those interested, we left Michaels Club at 7:35. We were escorted by Leo off the ship all the way to Customs. We grabbed a taxi to the airport and were sitting in the Delta Sky Club by 8:05. Now that is what I call priority debarkation! As a result we were able to change our originally scheduled flight to catch a 9:45 flight to Atlanta. Thanks Leo and Gareth, we had a wonderful time.

 

One other thing...we ate lunch in Luminaire on Wednesday. The signature hamburger was great and the chocolate fondant was the best dessert that I had ever eaten while on a cruise ship. Both are a must try at least once.

 

Celebrity's new suite perks score an A+.