Head's up, HAL: Luminae is excellent!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I think another poster hit the nail on the head.

 

Unless it is on HAL, it cannot be a good idea. You will never really know unless you try/experience yourself.

 

Very true, there is a whole other world of fine cruising out there. Unless one has tried these other options you have no idea.

[zerbot]

:confused: I think you have answered your own question:D You extra money is buying you the Suite experience and all that comes with it including the dining. If you want to try this dining and the perks that come with it you pay the extra cost and book a suite. If the cost is too high for your budget you go economy just like on a plane. Pretty plain and simple. Again you get what you pay for.

 

I don't think people are getting what I'm saying. Say that cruise line A and cruise line B have comparable suites and restaurants, and the only difference is that cruise line B has suite exclusive restaurant(s), then why would I pay extra for cruise line B? Since cruise line B isn't realizing any income from non-suite passengers in that restaurant(s), then the suite passengers have to be footing the bill for the whole thing. Their non-suite cabins will be less desirable given the restricted choices for dining, and in order to realize equivalent income, prices for suites will have to be increased, not only to entirely cover the expense of the exclusive restaurant(s), but also to cover the lower income realized from less desirable non-suite cabins.

 

Now, I know that there are more differences between cruise lines that muddy the waters, so you can think of it as the same cruise line, just option A is they don't make it exclusive, and option B is they do make it exclusive. With option B, the suites have to go up in price relative to option A. My question is, what is it that makes option B (non-suite passengers can't dine in the restaurant) that makes it worth the increased price? Why would I pay a higher price for a suite on a cruise line just because it had exclusive restaurants? Why wouldn't I pay a lower price for a suite to a cruise line that had comparable restaurants that they didn't make exclusive?

[absolutboy20]

As for comparisons with first class on airplanes or trains, I haven't flown in years, but when I did, you could buy most of the first class amenities even if you weren't in first class.

 

If it's a long haul international route, I don't know of a airline that you can purchase first class amenities on board in another class. The plane is normally stocked for the number of passengers in the cabin, and maybe a few extra meals, but not for sale in another cabin.

 

I don't know of a domestic carrier where you can purchase a first class meal on board in another cabin?

[POA1]

If it's a long haul international route, I don't know of a airline that you can purchase first class amenities on board in another class. The plane is normally stocked for the number of passengers in the cabin, and maybe a few extra meals, but not for sale in another cabin.

 

I don't know of a domestic carrier where you can purchase a first class meal on board in another cabin?

Pretty sure you can't. You also can't buy the extra legroom.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I don't think people are getting what I'm saying. Say that cruise line A and cruise line B have comparable suites and restaurants, and the only difference is that cruise line B has suite exclusive restaurant(s), then why would I pay extra for cruise line B? Since cruise line B isn't realizing any income from non-suite passengers in that restaurant(s), then the suite passengers have to be footing the bill for the whole thing. Their non-suite cabins will be less desirable given the restricted choices for dining, and in order to realize equivalent income, prices for suites will have to be increased, not only to entirely cover the expense of the exclusive restaurant(s), but also to cover the lower income realized from less desirable non-suite cabins.

 

Now, I know that there are more differences between cruise lines that muddy the waters, so you can think of it as the same cruise line, just option A is they don't make it exclusive, and option B is they do make it exclusive. With option B, the suites have to go up in price relative to option A. My question is, what is it that makes option B (non-suite passengers can't dine in the restaurant) that makes it worth the increased price? Why would I pay a higher price for a suite on a cruise line just because it had exclusive restaurants? Why wouldn't I pay a lower price for a suite to a cruise line that had comparable restaurants that they didn't make exclusive?

Sadly I think you are making this a bigger deal than it really is. First off whatever category you book on any cruise line they all have numerous dining options, including specialty restaurants that you pay extra for. Those cruise lines such as Celebrity, MSC, and select NCL ships that have these Suite Dining venues have a dedicated servers and chefs. The dining rooms are not nearly as crowded or noisy and the food is prepared fresh made to order with a much higher quality (not banquet style). The Suite Guest is more pampered. Does that Suite Guest have to ONLY dine in the restaurant? Absolutely not but it is there for them because YES they paid the additional cost for that as one of the many perks.

I honestly do not think you are understanding what the value is in paying extra for this type of perk and why many are flocking to this. Unless one has tried this you honestly would not understand. But it is totally up to what the consumer wants and is willing to pay. You also have to remember that with these passengers not dining in the Main Dining Room it frees up more tables that are already packed. So the cruise line likes this as well.

Cruise lines such as Celebrity and even NCL to an extent are going to a new pricing where with the price you pay includes packages. The Suites include all of the packages such as Dining, Beverages and often times gratuities. Making it a bit more all inclusive.

Depending on the consumer there are basically three types of cruisers those that want the pampering and perks and are willing to pay for it, those that are the bargain hunters, and want the cheapest possible price and worry about being nickle and dimed. Then the smallest group are those that go back and forth between being pampered and enjoying the suite life and occasionally do not mind paying more but will occasionally also go for a bargain. But this group is growing smaller as they find that other cruise lines are offering some pretty sweet amenities in suites ;)

Those willing to pay the much larger dollar amount is a growing area, the special perks such as the specialty dining for suite guests is what the cruise lines want and truthfully need. The cruise lines are in the business to make money. These are also consumers that spend far more money on board in the spa, casino and on tours. As a stock holder I would much rather the cruise lines make more money and find cruisers that want the better experience and want to spend more. BUT there are still options you do not have to book a Suite it is not required you just get what you pay for.

[absolutboy20]

Their non-suite cabins will be less desirable given the restricted choices for dining, and in order to realize equivalent income, prices for suites will have to be increased, not only to entirely cover the expense of the exclusive restaurant(s), but also to cover the lower income realized from less desirable non-suite cabins.

 

Nothing has been taken away from non-suite guests for dining on Celebrity by the addition of Luminae so I don't get why non-suite cabins would become less desirable? The addition was carved out of a section of the MDR, which is still available to all passengers on the ship. So unless for some reason the passenger had a certain table that they favored in that specific section of the MDR that was lost by this addition, what "loss" is created that makes the non-suite rooms less desirable??

 

I don't see how previous posters are differentiating between having a surcharge on board for specialty restaurants, private cabana areas, are any different than a customer paying beforehand for a more premium experience when booking a suite? Both scenarios require the passenger to make a decision based on their budget and preferences, all of which requires more $$ for the extra service. It seems odd that some people find if one cannot pay for the privilege once on board it makes a difference.

 

By some of the posts, where is the outrage at HAL for the Neptune Lounge being exclusive only to suite guests? Or breakfast dining at the Pinnacle reserved only for suite guests? It was mentioned that offering these types of perks to suite only guests would make non-suite rooms less desirable, yet other posters have indicated that suites on HAL seem to be a hard sell due to the lack of bonuses offered compared to other cruise lines.

 

Suites always came with more perks than just the room. Priority line for embarkation, disembarkation, and a private lounge for suite guests. Why is it that having ONE specialty restaurant that is not available to customers who did not pay for the privilege when selecting a cabin category so discriminatory? All of the venues in question, Luminae, suite lounges, are small venues that cannot accommodate everyone on board.

 

Luminae is not an in your face dining area. It is not sitting on a pedestal on an island overlooking the MDR venue so that suite passengers can look down at others. If one was unaware that Luminae was only available to suite guests, the host will most likely point out that the dining area is reserved, much like how I imagine the host at the Pinnacle Grill would politely inform unaware passengers who approach it at breakfast. There is no cauldren of tar that the host drops on non-suite passengers when they approach the entryway.

 

Want a cruise where there is no priority line for suite guests, no surcharges for specialty restaurants, stocked in room bar with no service charge, no private lounges for any passenger and the only difference is the room size? Try Seabourn. I assume that people won't see this as a class issue since everyone is treated the same on board.

Edited July 5, 2015 by absolutboy20

[Aquahound]

Their non-suite cabins will be less desirable given the restricted choices for dining...

 

How is the addition of a suites only restaurant restricting the normal dining choices of a non suite guest? :confused:

[Aquahound]

Those cruise lines such as Celebrity, MSC, and select NCL ships that have these Suite Dining venues have a dedicated servers and chefs.

 

RCI also just went this way. Coastal Kitchen is a suites only restaurant that's been added to Quantum and Oasis Class ships.

[POA1]

Nothing has been taken away from non-suite guests for dining on Celebrity by the addition of Luminae so I don't get why non-suite cabins would become less desirable?

 

I get what you're trying to say, but backing into it, you're saying that Luminae is not more desirable. If not having Luminae is not less desirable, having Luminae cannot be more desirable. Just so you know, I think that giving the high value guests more is fine. It's just that your argument doesn't quite make the case. ;)

[absolutboy20]

I get what you're trying to say, but backing into it, you're saying that Luminae is not more desirable. If not having Luminae is not less desirable, having Luminae cannot be more desirable. Just so you know, I think that giving the high value guests more is fine. It's just that your argument doesn't quite make the case. ;)

 

 

Never stated that Luminae is more or less desirable, just that the addition of the dining venue did not equate to a loss of an on board experience. I would understand the frustration if a cruise line took an entire venue that used to be included as part of the fare and made it all a fee based area or reserved for suite guests, but this is not the case. Everyone still has access to the MDR.

[iancal]

It is really simple.

 

Just vote with your feet and with your wallet. We seldom cruise on HAL any more. We voted with our feet and our wallets.

 

If you have not tried Luminae or been on a ship that features it, and we have not, why knock it when you have zero knowledge of it? Same with other similar venues on other cruise lines.

 

And instead of getting in an apparent tizzy about it, why not just vote with your feet and wallet and not consider a cruise on a ship that does not feature it?

 

Why is it such a big deal? Ultimately customers will decide it's fate when they too vote with their wallets and feet. There are lots of people out there who have different tastes, budgets, wants than we do. Nothing wrong with that.

 

From our perspective it is not just Celebrity or perhaps Luminae that are giving HAL a run for their money. For us, a few other cruise lines are doing that and we think as time goes on it is becoming easier for them to do just that.

Edited July 5, 2015 by iancal

[doublebzz]

As a 4 star mariner, I find the perks about equal with suite status. The trade off, besides more space, is breakfast in the Pinnacle and the Concierge Lounge versus 1/2 off on honor bar, wine packages and dinners in specialty restaurants. To me, the latter is more valuable than the Pinnacle/Concierge perks.

 

DIFFERENT SUBJECT: In the last 2 days, when I receive an email alert to this thread, a malware pop-up is triggered which freezes my computer. Anybody experiencing similar problems?

[avalon1025]

Great that Celeb has it, you should also enjoy Cunard, they have different classes too, Hal doesn't and that's the way we like it...

 

oh please don't be fooled, HAL certainly does. My last HAL cruise I was i a Neptune suite and ate in the Pinnacle for breakfast and had exclusive access to the Neptune lounge and I choose to pay for the Pinnacle on other nights to avoid the large MDR. Really both are no that different from the dining and one lounge reserve for Grills on Cunard. I would say NCL and Celebrity have created more of a class system than Cunard. And they honestly should, how do they compete and attract those who wanted to pay $500 a week and those paying $500 a day?

[zerbot]

The dining rooms are not nearly as crowded or noisy and the food is prepared fresh made to order with a much higher quality (not banquet style). The Suite Guest is more pampered. Does that Suite Guest have to ONLY dine in the restaurant? Absolutely not but it is there for them because YES they paid the additional cost for that as one of the many perks.

 

How does this differ from a specialty restaurant that isn't exclusive, like the Pinnacle Grill or Le Cirque? As I understand it, it is also an uncrowded, quiet venue with fresh food made to order, and higher quality. You pay a surcharge to get that, you just don't have to be a suite passenger.

 

I honestly do not think you are understanding what the value is in paying extra for this type of perk and why many are flocking to this. Unless one has tried this you honestly would not understand.

 

Exactly. I don't understand what it is about making the restaurant exclusive to suite passengers that makes it worth paying extra. I understand completely why Pinnacle Grill and Le Cirque have surcharges. I don't understand what would make it worth paying even more for a suite to have them be exclusive to suite passengers. It's the exclusivity that I don't understand as a perk. Why is keeping out the non-suite passengers (even if they are willing to pay the surcharge) worth paying extra? Let's say I try it and go to Luminae, what is different about it that wouldn't be there if non-suite passengers were allowed to eat there? Tell me what I should be looking for so I don't miss it.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

How does this differ from a specialty restaurant that isn't exclusive, like the Pinnacle Grill or Le Cirque? As I understand it, it is also an uncrowded, quiet venue with fresh food made to order, and higher quality. You pay a surcharge to get that, you just don't have to be a suite passenger.

 

 

 

Exactly. I don't understand what it is about making the restaurant exclusive to suite passengers that makes it worth paying extra. I understand completely why Pinnacle Grill and Le Cirque have surcharges. I don't understand what would make it worth paying even more for a suite to have them be exclusive to suite passengers. It's the exclusivity that I don't understand as a perk. Why is keeping out the non-suite passengers (even if they are willing to pay the surcharge) worth paying extra? Let's say I try it and go to Luminae, what is different about it that wouldn't be there if non-suite passengers were allowed to eat there? Tell me what I should be looking for so I don't miss it.

Well.... I guess you just need to spend the money to find out....Frankly I am done trying to explain Suite amenities. Either it is something you want or something you want to argue about that you are not willing to pay for as a complete Suite package.

[zerbot]

Pretty sure you can't. You also can't buy the extra legroom.

 

The extra legroom is a function of the seat, in much the same way as the extra space in the cabin is a function of the suite. I was speaking of the additional things like yes, first class meals. You had to order and pay for it ahead of time, but you could get them. Like I said, I haven't flown in years, so maybe they have squashed all that (the upcharge to a first class meal was pretty stiff, I don't know of anybody who actually ordered one). You could get the same drinks as in first class, they just wouldn't be complimentary.

[AZNative2000]

Sadly HAL doesn't have enough specialty restaurants on their ships - not even on their new one coming out - to set aside one restaurant for just suite passengers.

 

As previously stated, the Luminae space was created by taking part of the existing main dining room. So, nothing was lost.

 

We're giving Luminae a try in December. The X onboard all-inclusive booking incentives and availability of schedules far into the future continue to make it very attractive to keep booking some of our travel with Celebrity. The new dining room is just icing on the cake.

 

That said, Celebrity's main dining rooms on all classes of ships have usually seemed much more crowded, rushed and noisy to me than the HAL dining rooms, so Luminae may have been added to address that complaint for the suite passengers. And Celebrity really excels in their specialty dining in my opinion, though at a higher price than Pinnacle.

 

I think you will love the Luminae experience. In April, we spent almost three weeks aboard Solstice and never ate in the main dining room. While HAL deals with 5-700 at a time in the MDR, Celebrity Solstice can handle nearly 1000. It seems more crowded and noisy because it is.

 

The food IS prepared to order and it was always hot. Unless it was supposed to be cold.:)

 

We also found that 50% of the tables in Luminae were 2-tops. Our favorite.

 

Cheers!

Edited July 5, 2015 by AZNative2000

[zerbot]

oh please don't be fooled, HAL certainly does. My last HAL cruise I was i a Neptune suite and ate in the Pinnacle for breakfast and had exclusive access to the Neptune lounge and I choose to pay for the Pinnacle on other nights to avoid the large MDR. Really both are no that different from the dining and one lounge reserve for Grills on Cunard. I would say NCL and Celebrity have created more of a class system than Cunard. And they honestly should, how do they compete and attract those who wanted to pay $500 a week and those paying $500 a day?

 

I've read here before that for breakfast, the food in the Pinnacle is identical to the food in the MDR, so serving suite guests in the Pinnacle is just a way of making extra seats available. Perhaps a minor perk for the environment. And the Neptune Lounge is a windowless room that simply makes it so you don't have to run to the front desk for service or to a restaurant to get snacks. There isn't anything in the Neptune Lounge you can't get elsewhere. It isn't a "we serve awesome food here, but you can't get it unless you're in a suite, even if you want to pay for it" place.

[iancal]

So what? No one cares.

 

If you do not want the Luminae experience or resent it's presence then don't book a cruise on a Celebrity that has it.

 

How simple is that? Problem solved.

Edited July 6, 2015 by iancal

[Wastegirl]

Well being a member of Steerage Class myself (well ordinary balconies anyway) and having travelled 3 times on the Oosterdam and just done a 18 day cruise on the Solstice, I think I can comment from the point of view of a non suite person.

 

Myself, my DH, Sister and her DH all felt a subtle (and in some cases less than subtle) class difference. Was it enough to put me off sailing Solstice, no not really but enough I would think twice.

 

Do I care if suite people get extra perks, no I don't but when it impacts on my enjoyment I do. Imagine if they shut down most of the Crows Nest between 5 and 7 each evening and only left most passengers with a little corner to sit in. This is what the Solstice did, they literally kicked us out of the Sky Lounge each evening to have their Elite and Suite Passenger Cocktail hours. It was not a gentle push, it was officious people telling us to move. One lady refused to move (as we were going through a scenic area) and as they almost wrestled her out of her seat she was crying 'they wouldn't do this on Princess' and other people around her were commenting the same.

 

We had a very good waiter in our MDR, for a number of nights he was seconded to the Luminae when they were short, leaving us short and our poor assistant waiter trying his best. Short changing us so their suite guests can be kept happy - not a nice feeling.

 

I haven't travelled on the Solstice pre Luminae, but the MDR tables seemed very squashed together. During the construction of the Luminae they were offering suite guests dinners in any of the speciality restaurants, personally if I was a suite guest that would appeal to me more, the ability to eat in any restaurant on the ship without extra cost, it would make more sense as you can then mingle if you want or eat quietly in your choice of venue, or even be joined by non suite friends as they can pay extra, something you can't do with Luminae.

 

Now on the Oosterdam I never felt I was different to any other passenger on the ship, in the back of my mind I knew suite passengers had the Neptune lounge, Pinnacle Grill for breakfast, etc but I only knew because of reading CC, wouldn't have known otherwise.

[cruz chic]

Well being a member of Steerage Class myself (well ordinary balconies anyway) and having travelled 3 times on the Oosterdam and just done a 18 day cruise on the Solstice, I think I can comment from the point of view of a non suite person.

 

Myself, my DH, Sister and her DH all felt a subtle (and in some cases less than subtle) class difference. Was it enough to put me off sailing Solstice, no not really but enough I would think twice.

 

Do I care if suite people get extra perks, no I don't but when it impacts on my enjoyment I do. Imagine if they shut down most of the Crows Nest between 5 and 7 each evening and only left most passengers with a little corner to sit in. This is what the Solstice did, they literally kicked us out of the Sky Lounge each evening to have their Elite and Suite Passenger Cocktail hours. It was not a gentle push, it was officious people telling us to move. One lady refused to move (as we were going through a scenic area) and as they almost wrestled her out of her seat she was crying 'they wouldn't do this on Princess' and other people around her were commenting the same.

 

We had a very good waiter in our MDR, for a number of nights he was seconded to the Luminae when they were short, leaving us short and our poor assistant waiter trying his best. Short changing us so their suite guests can be kept happy - not a nice feeling.

 

I haven't travelled on the Solstice pre Luminae, but the MDR tables seemed very squashed together. During the construction of the Luminae they were offering suite guests dinners in any of the speciality restaurants, personally if I was a suite guest that would appeal to me more, the ability to eat in any restaurant on the ship without extra cost, it would make more sense as you can then mingle if you want or eat quietly in your choice of venue, or even be joined by non suite friends as they can pay extra, something you can't do with Luminae.

 

Now on the Oosterdam I never felt I was different to any other passenger on the ship, in the back of my mind I knew suite passengers had the Neptune lounge, Pinnacle Grill for breakfast, etc but I only knew because of reading CC, wouldn't have known otherwise.

Celebrity puts out a poor product. Maybe it was more about that than having a separate dining area for suites.

[RuthC]

Well being a member of Steerage Class myself (well ordinary balconies anyway) ....

I hate to tell ya, but "ordinary balconies" is several steps up from "Steerage Class". (take it from someone who does sail steerage. ;))

[Wastegirl]

I hate to tell ya, but "ordinary balconies" is several steps up from "Steerage Class". (take it from someone who does sail steerage. ;))

 

Ruth, think of me as Steerage in Training - due for retirement in the next 5 years so doing balconies while we can, then upgrading (as in doing more cruises due to having more time) to Oceanviews :) Unfortunately can't do Insides as I am mildly claustrophobic.

[Host Anne]

Funny ~ we're booking our next cruise on HAL because we're not happy with the direction Celebrity is heading. I've got no problem with suite guests getting more benefits (they pay more money) but when the rest of the general passengers begin to see a drop in service, food quality, entertainment, etc it makes us look elsewhere.

 

Seems like Celebrity is so concerned with suite passengers, that they are forgetting about the other 85% of their passengers. That's OK....there are lots of other cruise line options out there.

 

I love HAL's smaller ships and our past HAL cruises have been great. Looking forward to returning.

[scamper]

If this is what you like, please never book on HAL again.

 

I don't think anyone has the right to tell anyone else what cruise line they can or cannot (or should or should not) sail with. Life's always much better when people mind their own business.