4 in suite - Luminae?

[andnosyd]

I guess the other option would be to just change the names and add one adult to our room and one of our kids to the non suite cabin. This wouldn't change the price and one person would have to stay with both kids anyways. This wouldn't be scamming the system in my mind, the price is the same and we wouldn't have to worry about not getting in or trying to cheat the system.

[topside]

I'm sailing in Nov. suite class. On Google, I found a post you wrote with the Luminae menus. I couldn't open it. I tried to find it on Cruise Critic, but couldn't locate it. It was posted May 18, 2015. Could you email it to me. copeymom@aol.com

Thanks

[groryjm]

I'm sailing in Nov. suite class. On Google, I found a post you wrote with the Luminae menus. I couldn't open it. I tried to find it on Cruise Critic, but couldn't locate it. It was posted May 18, 2015. Could you email it to me. copeymom@aol.com

Thanks

 

I have emailed you a couple (lots) of the various menus that have been scanned and posted on various threads

[Phxazzcruisers]

I guess the other option would be to just change the names and add one adult to our room and one of our kids to the non suite cabin. This wouldn't change the price and one person would have to stay with both kids anyways. This wouldn't be scamming the system in my mind, the price is the same and we wouldn't have to worry about not getting in or trying to cheat the system.

 

You are correct. That would be perfect !!! Please enjoy

[chemmo]

So three adults now are entitled to Luminae and one child. One adult and one child will be MDR. Will you discuss with Luminae which three adults are dining tonight (and expect them to accept you logic that you have paid for three so it doesn't matter which three turn up) or will you just hope that they don't notice combination changes?

 

If Celebrity does not agree to your logic and staff do notice changes you are in a situation where whatever adult is named in the standard room may not be allowed to dine at all in Luminae unless you pay the fifty dollars - or have I missed something?

[maggie.1008]

To me this is still scamming the system. Same as when Elite Passengers bring friends that are not Elite to the Happy Hour. They put one Elite member with non Elite in cabin and then change once onboard. If every Elite did this the lounge would be over crowded every night. Same goes for Luminae. What if everyone did this. That is why they charge $50. pp to bring guests, to cut down on the crowd in Luminae.

[Janet987]

Chemmo... glad you are following this; I'm still trying to figure out out how in the OP's mind that this plan is not scamming the system.

 

Just wanted to add some helpful info from X:

******

 

Babysitting (Stateroom Services):

For a nominal fee of $19.00 per hour for up to three children within the same family, parents can arrange for a private, in-stateroom babysitter. Two sitters will be assigned per stateroom. Children have to be twelve months old or older to be eligible for in-stateroom sitting. Babysitting services are available through the Cabin Services Desk onboard all Celebrity ships (except Celebrity Xpedition). Parents are asked to make all private, in-cabin babysitting requests 24 hours in advance. Private, in-cabin babysitting is subject to personnel availability.

 

******

 

You could pick whatever cabin class both adult couples would enjoy, all go together to the same dining room or speciality restaurants, leave the kiddos with a sitter. Sure the one year old doesn't care what cabin class it is. The Family cabins as someone suggested are nice.

[Phxazzcruisers]

As long as the one person always stayed with the children and the same three adults ate in Luminae, I don't see it scamming the system at all.

[andnosyd]

As long as the one person always stayed with the children and the same three adults ate in Luminae, I don't see it scamming the system at all.

 

It would be the same 3 or 4 (if our 4 year old can handle sitting through dinner there, if not she won't be allowed to go) people going to dinner, we wouldn't swap people out, so I don't see this as scamming the system at all.

[cherylroslyn]

We are traveling with another couple (not in a suite) and our 2 kids. Our 2 kids, that are toddlers, won't make it through Luminae dinner so we'd just take them to the buffet. Could our other friends take their spot at Luminae since we have 4 booked in the suite anyways? Just curious, not sure we would still go since someone would have to stay back with the kids, but the thought crossed my mind.

I agree with Curt as far as the practicality of the entire issue. You will likely be asked a room number the first time in Luminae and then never asked again.

 

 

But alternatively I would consider eating in the suite. I guarantee your butler will bring you whatever you want, so you can always do in suite dinning. And have the kids sleeping in the bedroom...its a win/win

Edited August 14, 2015 by cherylroslyn

[chemmo]

Are the same three adults going to be dining every night in Luminae and one adult eat in the buffet every night with the children? It is not going to be much of a holiday for this person.

 

If they decide to change who the buffet person is going to be then they are at risk of Celebrity simply saying 'No' or '50 dollars please'.

 

Holidays are so precious when you have young children, I honestly worry that the OP could get on board and find things difficult. As someone else suggested, babysitting is available. Luminae is great, but it is not the be all and end all to a cruise.

 

I agree with Janet 987, The OP should consider all options. If they did downgrade to a family veranda the money they saved could pay for a couple of nights speciality and a baby sitter and all four adults could enjoy a few adult meals together with no one having to 'sit out'. They could also all share some meals in MDR with them taking turns to take the children out if unsettled. It amazes me how well behaved many toddlers can be in the MDR.

 

If they go ahead as planned they could end up with disagreements with staff. No matter how you may sympathise with the OP, technically they are in the wrong if they expect a person not in a suite to be allowed in Luminae without paying.

 

Sincere best wishes to the OP, family and friends. Please consider all options rather than just getting on board and 'hoping for the best'.

[drarill]

I guess the other option would be to just change the names and add one adult to our room and one of our kids to the non suite cabin. This wouldn't change the price and one person would have to stay with both kids anyways. This wouldn't be scamming the system in my mind, the price is the same and we wouldn't have to worry about not getting in or trying to cheat the system.

 

If the same person stays with the children every day then you won't be scamming the system. But if you are planning to have someone different staying with the kids each night then you are indeed breaking the rules.

Andnosyd; we have been cruising with our children in- suites since they were 2 and 3 years old and believe me, we never got the "value for our money". When we started cruising with them the suite provided us with a bathtub, lots of space and great room service. But we couldn't enjoy many of the suite perks.

We just returned from a cruise on the Equinox and we only had breakfast in Luminae once because we liked to dine with our friends. I don't know what type of suite you booked, but if you are in one of the upper suites the MC concierge might bend the rules for you. But don't count on it. I saw our concierge telling one of his guests that her grown up children were not allowed there or in Luminae.

BTW, we had plans to skip the first formal dining in Tuscan Grill. After the formal night was moved twice there was no way to change the reservation again and we had to have diner on the MDR. The concierge offered us to go to Luminae with all our friends that night (we were nineteen), but after checking the menu we decided that we couldn't ask our friends to pay $50 for that limited menu. I have to say that I was surprised by his offer, couldn't believe that they had availability for all of us on a formal night. My best guess is that many suite guests, like us, were skipping Luminae to dine with non-suite friends and family.

You also said that you are paying a full adult fare for your children. Every time we book our children with us on the same suite, the third and fourth passenger only pays a fraction of the first and second guest fare. If they are charging you the same, maybe you should check this out.

I have been on your shoes, and enjoyed every cruise with our children. I don't regret missing many shows or dinners, cruising with them has been a beautiful adventure. Yesterday my daughter was telling me that our next cruise (Oasis on a suite), will be my son's last one as a minor. I almost cried, remembering the first time we left them on a kids club to go t a specialty restaurant. This was on a Disney cruise and we kept checking the beepers they gave us in case they needed us. Then I remembered the first time we took them to a specialty restaurant on a RCCL cruise. Andnosyd, please have fun and happy cruising. :)

[maggie.1008]

I wish X would make a comment about this and where they stand.

[bhughey]

Just an opinion here... but it seems really simple... Luminae is for passengers STAYING IN SUITES. Period. It doesn't matter that you paid for it, you knew the circumstances before booking the cruise. You paid the cruise fare for yourself, your husband and your children to stay in that particular cabin. The perks that come along with that cabin apply ONLY to those people you booked in that cabin. I really see no gray area here.

 

If dining with friends is priority - then visit the dining room, specialty restaurants, etc. We would not book a cabin in Aqua or a suite if travelliing with friends we planned to dine with each evening simply because we know they don't have access. Additionally, even if they don't check the sea pass cards - does X even have a cabin that accomodates 4 adults?

Edited August 15, 2015 by bhughey

[andnosyd]

We put 3 adults and 1 child in the suite. On the nights where we decide to go to Luminae, the same 3 adults and possible 1 child will go. The other nights we'll go to specialties or a different venue when we all want to eat together. This isn't a gray area in my mind, it just made the most sense. The 3 adults that would go to Luminae would appreciate it more than I would, so I really don't mind not going. Thanks for the feedback though, it's been a good read.

[FKGirl]

We put 3 adults and 1 child in the suite. On the nights where we decide to go to Luminae, the same 3 adults and possible 1 child will go. The other nights we'll go to specialties or a different venue when we all want to eat together. This isn't a gray area in my mind, it just made the most sense. The 3 adults that would go to Luminae would appreciate it more than I would, so I really don't mind not going. Thanks for the feedback though, it's been a good read.

 

This seems to be a good solution, and perfectly within the rules. Enjoy your cruise!

[richsea]

TO call it Illegal is a BIT of a stretch....No one is going to the brig.

 

I appreciate all the thoughts, but unless someone explains to me why I pay for 2 and only get benefit for 1, the arguments will be lost. It's that simple......

 

You don't pay for 2, you pay for one. The cruise fare for one in a room is generally double that of 2. That's what the cruise line charges. If you would like to have a second person in your room, & hence dine with you in Luminae, then book with a second person.....its that simple.

[true45]

And yes the solo cruiser is paying a supplement but the cruiseline does not get any discretionary spending from the 2nd cruiser. No drink purchases, gambling, excursions, photos, etc. from the 2nd cruiser that is not there either.

[KW Cruisers]

Stayed in a suite in June and not worth the (double) price compared to a balcony cabin IMHO [emoji41]

 

That's what is great about a cruise...pay for a suite if you want the extra service, don't pay if you don't.

 

I for one love Luminae and the service that come with the Michael's Concierge. Not waiting in long lines for embarkation, debarkation, tenders, dinner times...that's more than worth the price for me.

 

Shawn

[tarheelmjm]

I'm posting this without being 100% knowledgeable about the 'kids across the hall' program. I know enough to say that X will let your kids occupy a different cabin in the vicinity of the parents'. There's got to be some age limit on it (i would think), and I believe that OP said she had little little ones.

 

But - discounting the age thing for a second - say that skates by X no prob...

 

 

I would say that for me, the #1 no-sweat, low anxiety version would be to definitely get all 18+ names on that Suite and the u18 names on that cabin. Everyone gets the perks, coupons, bev pkg, etc. There would be no possible wrinkles with priority privileges, special invites.

 

Next best, again IMO, would be the 3+1 and 1+1. Even if OP didn't even try to switch out folks some nights (again, sweat, anxiety) OP would only have to pony up the $50+ for the nights that the 18+ in the 1+1 cabin wanted to dine out specialty, and any bev pkg upgrade. This option may even represent $ savings from upgrading that 4th to a suite.

 

Max worry for me would be trying to 'switch' with the as-is cabin arrangement. I would have my bloomers bunched up every time, wondering if we were going to be 'found out'. And this, in itself, would limit my own enjoyment of an occasion. I don't know what kind of 'punishment' X would mete out for this sort of thing. It would certainly be sheety to be put on some sort of probation, or have ones perks limited for trying to take advantage.

 

I suppose that one could limit the possible snafus by running this entire concept up the managerial flagpole on the boat for approval. My suggestion from years of [not-cruise] travel would be to kindly lead with minimum $20 at each step in that process. But, for us, the questions would remain: How much of my vaca would I have to spend dealing with this, and to what possible end: they could always say 'no' after all your running. What if a hostess was on duty who had not been 'briefed' on how to deal with your situation? That could lead to not-a-little embarrassment in front of the venue. :confused:

 

 

 

 

Considering the group that's going -for this trip I might look into two of the monster family verandas. Then add unlimited specialties and bevs to kick up the trip for the adults, and plenty of $ left for sitting for the littles. Save the butler and perks for when the adults can go alone or the kids are old enough to enjoy.

[DYKWIA]

Going off slightly at a tangent ....

 

In the UK a few years ago we had a bit of kerfuffle when it was found that several of our Members of Parliament were swapping houses and occupancy of houses, to makes lots and lots of money. Some decorated these houses extravagantly with Duck Houses, paid for swimming pool maintenance and so on. Their defence was that technically it wasn't breaking any rules.

 

Was this in the spirit of the rules? No way was it, and when people found out those MPs were shamed. The rule makers clamped down, almost certainly impacting on a lot of MPs who weren't playing the system.

 

So maybe doing what is proposed here with splitting the kids and adults across the cabins isn't breaking any rules but was it what Celebrity intended when it set up Suite Dining? I doubt it. Okay one or two people might do it and perhaps no one, including Celebrity, will really care, but when more people decide this is a perfect way for 6 people to enjoy suite benefits for the price of 4 that might change.

[DYKWIA]

Duplicate post

Edited August 18, 2015 by DYKWIA

[cle-guy]

And yes the solo cruiser is paying a supplement but the cruiseline does not get any discretionary spending from the 2nd cruiser. No drink purchases, gambling, excursions, photos, etc. from the 2nd cruiser that is not there either.

 

Also no expenses for extra meals, laundry, free beverages, Captain's Club perks for the 2nd occupant linked to the 1st, etc. It probably comes out net even position, especially with someone who cruises regularly and doesn't spend much extra when on board - in which case the cruise line is making money via those savings.

 

And in a suite, especially RS or PH, it's nearly impossible to find a way to spend money since all is already included, especially for anyone who booked on board and during the all-in 123 program with the extra OBC that was gifted. Only place to spend it is in the Spa, which is run by a 3rd party who takes the bulk of the onboard spend, which is coming from free money given out by X.

[Project_gal]

And in a suite, especially RS or PH, it's nearly impossible to find a way to spend money since all is already included, especially for anyone who booked on board and during the all-in 123 program with the extra OBC that was gifted. Only place to spend it is in the Spa, which is run by a 3rd party who takes the bulk of the onboard spend, which is coming from free money given out by X.

 

Really? We never use the spa and still manage to run up bills of a few thousand for 14 nights. Luminae and the premium beverage package probably saved us about US$1,000 but that's all.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Project_gal

[cle-guy]

Really? We never use the spa and still manage to run up bills of a few thousand for 14 nights. Luminae and the premium beverage package probably saved us about US$1,000 but that's all.

 

But how?!?

 

I do pay for upgraded glasses of wine. I pay for the occasional $25 wine tasting, and sometimes a special dining experience depending on the crowd I meet on board an who wants to do it. But this all adds to about $400, and I have $750 OBC on my upcoming cruise. So all I've done is spent the house's money, and am left with taking $300 cash out in the casino.

 

I DIY my shore excursions, I don't buy photos, don't get ripped off in the shops or duty free, don't do bingo, don't buy art, don't gamble at all.