Observations from MSC Seaside Yacht Club

[Hoofy7]

23 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear Hoof,  Reading your post, you remind me of the gentleman portrayed by Jackie Gleason, "In Father's Delicate Condition";  a very capable human being catering to his family above all else, but still able to appreciate the finer things life has to offer.

I love reading your commentary and post. Though I’m more like Jackie Gleason’s wife! Hahaha Also I think it was gentlemanly that you invited a fellow CC member to YC for a drink with you. I think I shall throw in a quote as well, since all the cool kids are doing it! 😉

 

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both” ~ Dwight D Eisenhower 

 

 

Edited August 3, 2019 by Hoofy7

[rattanchair]

11 hours ago, Hoofy7 said:

I love reading your commentary and post. Though I’m more like Jackie Gleason’s wife! Hahaha Also I think it was gentlemanly that you invited a fellow CC member to YC for a drink with you. I think I shall throw in a quote as well, since all the cool kids are doing it! 😉

 

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both” ~ Dwight D Eisenhower 

 

 

TOUCHE !!   You hit both of us with that one !

Edited August 3, 2019 by rattanchair

[Hoofy7]

49 minutes ago, rattanchair said:

TOUCHE !!   You hit both of us with that one !

I honestly wasn’t meaning to “scold” anyone, I just think sharing is a concept we teach our children repeatedly. If we don’t lead by example, well you see how so many of today’s youth are turning out. It’s scary. 

A little off topic of cruising, but we have been extremely privileged at one point in our lives and also the ones without the exclusive “member card”. Years ago my husband played in the NFL as well as his brother. Unfortunately, no we are not the Manning family! Hahaha We had the best of the best. Then my husband was injured so badly that he would never play again. He was dropped and not only from the roster, but by all the so called friends he acquired. I wish someone would have invited us into the “Yacht Club” after that happened. You learn who your true friends are rather quickly. Now because of that, our children have learned the value of a dollar and that they have to work hard for everything they have. It was a blessing in the long run. One of our daughters is attending Duke med school this fall and I certainly wasn’t able to pull an “Aunt Becky” and buy her way in. She earned  it herself and we are helping pay for it. Lol There is more to life than money and extravagance, and the #1 thing is making connections with other human beings. Treating others how you want to be treated and an act of kindness goes a long way. 

So please make someone’s day by sharing a bottle in YC, as someday it may be that person inviting you in to share a glass of Dom. 

[Europeantraveler1]

I’m very interested in your “cabana” discussion throughout this blog.  Our family of seven will be on the Grandiosa in June, 2020....staying in the YC.  There are seven of us and were thinking of possibly renting a cabana but...how many people can fit in a cabana and how much would it cost per day.  If we decide to get one....is it better to reserve those ahead of time BEFORE boarding the ship?  Thanks!

[rattanchair]

8 hours ago, Hoofy7 said:

Treating others how you want to be treated and an act of kindness goes a long way. 

Dear Hoof,  You are truly an extraordinary individual. I thought you were a man from your posts, sorry. I tend to empathize with my fellow posters. Regarding friends, I like the phrase  'I have the best friends money can buy', because it epitomizes exactly what you described when you experienced fame and fortune, and like the biblical Lot you lost it and discovered this truth. Like Lot, you will recover from your husband's misfortune and your family will be very happy within 'your' close family unit. You are one to be admired.

    I am not a sports fan of any sort. I do admire a strong, determined individual like yourself. It would be an honor and a pleasure to invite you and your family into the Yacht Club for a tour and drinks, whatever it may cost me. RC

[rattanchair]

1 hour ago, Europeantraveler1 said:

I’m very interested in your “cabana” discussion throughout this blog.  Our family of seven will be on the Grandiosa in June, 2020....staying in the YC.  There are seven of us and were thinking of possibly renting a cabana but...how many people can fit in a cabana and how much would it cost per day.  If we decide to get one....is it better to reserve those ahead of time BEFORE boarding the ship?  Thanks!

Dear ET1,  As you can see from our photo of our cabana/alcove on the ship in the Yacht Club, there are only 6 and 2 are reserved for the 2 Royal Suite. There are only 2 lounge chairs and we set up a 3rd regular chair with our back to the scorching Caribbean sun. We checked out our reserved cabana every morning to see if it was to our liking, no sun and breeze. It was only good for us on a few occasions, mostly the mornings (if not raining) and rarely the afternoons. The steward was kind enough to prepare our cabin while we ate breakfast. We told him that we came for the ship and do not take excursions, that we will be using our balcony every day. He had it prepared for us every day after breakfast. There is no room for more guests. We are booked on the Meraviglia in a regular YC balcony suite and are considering renting a cabana for the week. It gives us the option of either balcony or cabana, depending on the sun. Hey, do we only live once?

[rattanchair]

Dear George  C,  You are at the head of my list of most admired CC posters. One day I hope we meet!

[rattanchair]

To all,  I  have another observation, that may be off base. We were on the Divina for Christmas and I remarked to DW that the security people checking passengers on and off both the Divina and Seaside this summer were speaking to each other in Hebrew. It did not dawn on me until we met Captain Massa this summer on Seaside at the CC meet and mingle, when one of us brought up the Achille Lauro . I was talking about the ship, the Captain was talking about the founder of Msc, that  Achille Lauro started out as a Captain. His name sake vessel was attacked by terrorists. I surmise that the owner and founder of MSC vowed to never let there be a repeat of what happened to any of his cruise ships again and has determined to hire the world's finest to protect his cruise fleet. Again, this is only an observation.

[JAGR]

On 8/2/2019 at 6:03 PM, rattanchair said:

Dear J,  We were on the Divina this past Christmas, when we met this divine Scot, who flew in from Scotland, traveling with her daughter and grandson in adjoining cabin in the Yacht Club. I immediately recited the aforementioned 'of mice and men' to her , one of my most favorite. She replied to me "Oh, Robby Burns". It sounded to me as Robbie or Robby. Please forgive me for mis-hearing . She proceeded to quote verses from  "Poor Willie's Prayer" her father's favorite. We hit it off being Robert Burns fans. I sit and read his letters to 'Clarinda' to this day.

    On my past posts on other threads ( specifically NCL Breakaway Haven Observations) a poster accused me of being a SNOB, can you imagine that! I told her that it was so bourgeois a term. I much prefer 'elitist'. I see we are comrades. But I will take the chance of offending my fellow elitists in the Yacht Club by inviting a fellow CC poster, for a drink and tour of our Royal Suite in the Yacht Club. I do not think the exemplary staff will refuse anything a Royal Suite asks. They have not refused us yet. We will post our observations. We invite you as well, should we ever meet. You are truly a scholar and a gentlemen in every sense of the words.

Thanks for your response.  I do appreciate your clarification of intending to only offer temporary respite in the Royals Suite for the promised (and appreciated) refreshment.  That was the point I was trying to make.  A brief walk-through of the YC area would be fine.  My objection was to allow a guest to avail themselves of YC amenities in the public areas.  To my small mind, it sends the wrong message.  What you want to do in the confines of your personal area if of no import to me.  Happy sailing.  I look forward to meeting you on a cruise in the near future. 

For a' that, an' a' that, It's coming yet for a' that. That Man to Man, the world o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that.

Warmest regards, John

[rattanchair]

4 hours ago, JAGR said:

For a' that, an' a' that, It's coming yet for a' that. That Man to Man, the world o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that.

Warmest regards, John

Dear John,    During our possible brief walk-through of the YC area, do you think the delightful back ground music might be drowned out by a slurry of pompous harrumphs as we walk by?  I just guess ' that man to man, the world over, shall brothers be' pertains only to those within the confines of the YC.  I am alluding to Groucho's famous remark " I could never join any club that would have me as a member." Be that as it may, I do enjoy the perks we all enjoy in the YC. I find they come to us at a very affordable price. Funny how most of us are so humble when we are part of the proletariat , but as we climb the ladder of success we take on the 'air' of the aristocracy. Of course not you or I, but maybe my alter ego  Mr.. RC Hyde.

 

Edited August 5, 2019 by rattanchair

[JAGR]

41 minutes ago, rattanchair said:

Dear John,    During our possible brief walk-through of the YC area, do you think the delightful back ground music might be drowned out by a slurry of pompous harrumphs as we walk by?  I just guess ' that man to man, the world over, shall brothers be' pertains only to those within the confines of the YC.  I am alluding to Groucho's famous remark " I could never join any club that would have me as a member." Be that as it may, I do enjoy the perks we all enjoy in the YC. I find they come to us at a very affordable price. Funny how most of us are so humble when we are part of the proletariat , but as we climb the ladder of success we take on the 'air' of the aristocracy. Of course not you or I, but maybe my alter ego  Mr.. RC Hyde.

 

Dear Rattan:

To quote Samuel Butler, "The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, and pride, and arrogance."  No harrumphs from me if you escort your chosen ones through the area.  Behind the Scenes Tours go through the YC at least three or four times during a week, and the 'unwashed' are not harassed, to my faint memory.  While I support egalitarianism in principle, I also recognize that there are rules and protocols in a society.  Would you pay for a first-class seat on an airliner and then invite a coach passenger to sit on your lap as you feed them your cocktail nuts?  I suspect not, since you realize that the airline frowns upon seat sharing if the second person is not an infant, or qualifies as a laptop child.  The FAA specifically prohibits two in a seat, and I suspect fellow passengers in first class would frown upon the behavior of another passenger sharing a seat.  By all means, send a drink or an extra packet of premium snacks back to your adopted passenger.  Better yet, go back and join him, or best yet, go back and give him your seat and you take his.  I have exchanged my seat, BTW, a number of times for active duty soldiers and for veterans wearing their military ball caps.  I have never asked the veteran to sit with me.

 

I personally think you are taking your position of being landed gentry too far, sir.  I don't begrudge you breaking MSC's rule and bringing someone into the area that is, by contract, not allowed in the area, just so you can ply him or her with drinks from your cache in the Royal Suite.  You want to break a rule because of a sense of entitlement, so be it.  But then, call it what it is.  You are trying to be "outgoing and social," but in reality you are playing a patrician to the hilt. I believe in following rules.  I believe all of us are entitled to what we have bargained for, nothing more, and nothing less.  If you choose to ignore societal norms and mores, so be it on you.  Have a good day.

[rattanchair]

33 minutes ago, JAGR said:

I personally think you are taking your position of being landed gentry too far, sir.

Dear John,  I like you more and more with each of your postings. I did not mean to touch a nerve. Really, are not we all playing a role on life's stage? I happen to agree with you, but sometimes I get a 'kick' out of playing the devil's advocate. In all reality I am a misanthrope, not very 'outgoing or social'. On rare occasion I do extend an invitation; I had to otherwise I would not have found my DW. I enjoy the relative recluse of the YC, a table for two and being catered to by white gloved butlers, and escorted to and fro. I even enjoy the staff in the YC addressing me as 'Sir RC' which only furthers my illusion ' of being landed gentry'. I turned to DW and said perhaps I could get them to address me as 'Lord RC'.  Yes DW says I am delusional as well.

   Please do not ever take offense at anything I might say.  Life is too short and you are too fine a fellow.

[js]

1 hour ago, JAGR said:

Dear Rattan:

To quote Samuel Butler, "The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, and pride, and arrogance."  No harrumphs from me if you escort your chosen ones through the area.  Behind the Scenes Tours go through the YC at least three or four times during a week, and the 'unwashed' are not harassed, to my faint memory.  While I support egalitarianism in principle, I also recognize that there are rules and protocols in a society.  Would you pay for a first-class seat on an airliner and then invite a coach passenger to sit on your lap as you feed them your cocktail nuts?  I suspect not, since you realize that the airline frowns upon seat sharing if the second person is not an infant, or qualifies as a laptop child.  The FAA specifically prohibits two in a seat, and I suspect fellow passengers in first class would frown upon the behavior of another passenger sharing a seat.  By all means, send a drink or an extra packet of premium snacks back to your adopted passenger.  Better yet, go back and join him, or best yet, go back and give him your seat and you take his.  I have exchanged my seat, BTW, a number of times for active duty soldiers and for veterans wearing their military ball caps.  I have never asked the veteran to sit with me.

 

I personally think you are taking your position of being landed gentry too far, sir.  I don't begrudge you breaking MSC's rule and bringing someone into the area that is, by contract, not allowed in the area, just so you can ply him or her with drinks from your cache in the Royal Suite.  You want to break a rule because of a sense of entitlement, so be it.  But then, call it what it is.  You are trying to be "outgoing and social," but in reality you are playing a patrician to the hilt. I believe in following rules.  I believe all of us are entitled to what we have bargained for, nothing more, and nothing less.  If you choose to ignore societal norms and mores, so be it on you.  Have a good day.

 

Just FYI, this post was my first ever "like" on CC.

[seahags]

On 8/3/2019 at 7:43 PM, rattanchair said:

To all,  I  have another observation, that may be off base. We were on the Divina for Christmas and I remarked to DW that the security people checking passengers on and off both the Divina and Seaside this summer were speaking to each other in Hebrew. It did not dawn on me until we met Captain Massa this summer on Seaside at the CC meet and mingle, when one of us brought up the Achille Lauro . I was talking about the ship, the Captain was talking about the founder of Msc, that  Achille Lauro started out as a Captain. His name sake vessel was attacked by terrorists. I surmise that the owner and founder of MSC vowed to never let there be a repeat of what happened to any of his cruise ships again and has determined to hire the world's finest to protect his cruise fleet. Again, this is only an observation.

...so thankful for the security on ships not being taken for granted.  We sailed through 'pirate' waters from Dubai to/thru the Suez Canal escorted by USN vessels...the crew of our ship(RCCL) was up the entire night on deck with flashlights in hand.  The Caribbean has not been a haven for terrorist activity to date, however it IS comforting to know that those enforcing the security have been well vetted!  Kudos!

[JAGR]

18 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear John,  I like you more and more with each of your postings. I did not mean to touch a nerve. Really, are not we all playing a role on life's stage? I happen to agree with you, but sometimes I get a 'kick' out of playing the devil's advocate. In all reality I am a misanthrope, not very 'outgoing or social'. On rare occasion I do extend an invitation; I had to otherwise I would not have found my DW. I enjoy the relative recluse of the YC, a table for two and being catered to by white gloved butlers, and escorted to and fro. I even enjoy the staff in the YC addressing me as 'Sir RC' which only furthers my illusion ' of being landed gentry'. I turned to DW and said perhaps I could get them to address me as 'Lord RC'.  Yes DW says I am delusional as well.

   Please do not ever take offense at anything I might say.  Life is too short and you are too fine a fellow.

No offense taken, and not offense intended on my part.  Centuries ago, I was active in Intercollegiate Forensics and Debate, so I appreciate advocatus diaboli.  I also know informal fallacies, such as straw person, false dilemma, and unwarranted generalization.  Oh, well.  To each his own.  I do look forward to a discussion on board some day.  Happy sailing, My Lord!

 

[rattanchair]

The Suite Life A.K.A. La Dulce Vida

 This maybe my final observation on this thread til Thanksgiving. I hope I have not bored you too much. I thank the CC board and its posters for indulging me in my fantasy as an undercover investigative reporter uncovering the luxury provided by three of the top cruise lines. I will include RCCL Allure OS, here as a must, but recommend everyone try not to cruise should there be many non-suite paying Pinnacles on board. The limited CK staff can not cater as quickly to fill your drink orders, or seat you in the CK dining room as quickly for fear of repercussions from these demanding guests. We, unfortunately, cancelled our future cruise on a Symphony suite because of them. Yes we lost $500 deposit, no problem though, MSC was happy to book us in their Yacht Club once again. Totally our decision and not any fault of the cruise line, except for their policy of allowing non-suite paying passengers into suite venues.

    What I will attempt to do is compare three cruise lines and their ‘ship within a ship’ concepts, NCL The Haven, Celebrity’s The Retreat, and MSC’s The Yacht Club. From a strictly non-elitist’s point of view any of these three venues are a good choice. I recommend you try all three.

    I began this summer by trying out NCL’s Breakaway, H6; followed by Celebrity’s “revolutionized” Equinox, a work still in progress into 2021 for its Retreat pool and hot tubs dry dock, in CS; and finishing our summer on MSC’s Seaside, RS.

    Always the smart first step after choosing a cruise ship is to check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vessel Sanitation Program, website, to get the latest most up to date rating on the vessel of your choice. A score of 85 or lower is NOT satisfactory, and ‘a word to the wise’ make another choice until the vessel gets ‘its act together’. Breakaway had a 98 on 6/30/2019. Equinox had a 100 on 6/10/2019, and Seaside 92 on 2/23/2019. All the ‘washy, washy’ in the world will not help us all if the staff and crew are not following proper protocol.

    We were happy with every cabin. Sure, the Breakaway and the Equinox need upgrading, but on the whole very comfortable, clean and spacious. The itinerary for those of us elitists is really unimportant. We could care less where the ship was headed, we have ‘been there, done that’ kind of cruise enthusiast. The ship is our destination and the amenities are our desire. It is just dates that matter, and price could influence one’s decision very easily.

    The most important, for cruisers like us, is the suite restaurant fare. Breakaway, Haven restaurant is smaller than the other two and so cannot accommodate the entire Haven contingent. So NCL throws in 3 free specialty dining restaurant choices for Haven guests. I highly recommend you book these specialty restaurants before you get on board. This was our first time on NCL Haven, and the normally your concierge can accommodate your choice of time and date, but on the Breakaway this is not the case. We enjoy dining at a certain time every evening and the Haven can accommodate if the time is early enough, but we discovered that the Haven Restaurant menus are the same every breakfast, lunch and dinner. Very monotonous !   One is really ‘forced out’ of the Haven to get some variety. When we realized this situation we went to the Haven concierge and he told us he could not guarantee a time or date.  Be prepared for dinner in the Haven restaurant to be a 2 hour affair should you request no salt added to the entrée. Dining in the Celebrity Equinox is more standard for Retreat guests in the Luminae restaurant, everything is prepared to order as all the suite restaurants, but the wait is as should be expected. The maître d’ is most attentive to all the guests and trys to accommodate each of our requests. Best part of Luminae is besides their upgraded menu, one could choose an entrée from the MDR menu as well. Only draw-back to the Retreat dining is that the Luminae restaurant is closed when the ship is in port, ‘forcing’ suite guests to the buffet (never us) or room service. The Seaside YC restaurant was open for guests like us while in port.  We found the service to be as good if not better than Luminae, though we tipped both waiters the same $200 for a week of service. I mention the dollar amount because I have found the great appreciation these hard -working individuals have shown us when presented with the cash. They are not paid a living wage by American  standards and they are not your indentured servants. I never know if it is enough, until I receive a reaction. One last mention about the cuisine. I find the subject of cuisine very subjective and I thought all the suite restaurants did an outstanding job in presentation and quality, but I am one who is happy if I can digest my meal properly.

     The best suite pool deck is found on the Breakaway. It has 2 floors of air-conditioned splendor. One could really just book the lowest Haven category and forget their balcony. Shade is another important aspect of our cruise experience. Retreat had a nice area covered by cloth canopy which I thought would provide what looked like shade, but allowed the UV radiation to burn the hell out of me. Sunscreen and UV clothing essential under this ‘shade’. The Seaside provided only 14 lounges under shade. Everyone in the YC was out on the pool deck for lobster grill lunch in the hot Caribbean sun. It was not available in the YC restaurant only YC pool side and the pool deck was packed. Be advised to bring UV umbrella that can be attached to your lounges. The Retreat provided lunch on their Retreat deck by Luminae waiters every day.

    Theatre reserved seating was the best in the Haven. Show up in the Haven lounge prior to show times and a concierge will escort you down to the theatre a backway elevator used by staff, before the show is opened to the general public. They have a roped off section for Haven guests, but in an empty theatre you can sit anywhere. The Retreat has reserved seating only on Chic nights up to 15 minutes before the performance. YC provides butler escort every evening to reserved section, no reservations needed and they hold the reserved section till show time.

    Port debarkation was nothing special with the Haven or Celebrity, but the YC provided its guests an escorted separate gangway to depart and embark.

    Casino on the Breakaway was smoky, which permeated other venues. Equinox was better. Seaside was small and also little smoke free.

   All in all, they each have their set of cheerleaders. Each has or will have added venues to attract more cruisers. I recommend trying them all.

   Thank you for your patience.  RC

  

[bigblue1952]

Loved your review and your comparison of ships.  

[Host Jazzbeau]

Disirregardless that food is subjective, how would you compare the quality of the food in YC vs Luminae?

 

Also, I'm confused by the statement that "Seaside was small and also little smoke free" – could you explain?  I have read that smoke drifts from the NCL casinos throughout the atrium, which is a fatal flaw IMHO.  Can a smoke-phobe avoid it on Seaside?

[George C]

Never saw luminae closed other than for lunch on port days

[rattanchair]

8 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Disirregardless that food is subjective, how would you compare the quality of the food in YC vs Luminae?

 

Also, I'm confused by the statement that "Seaside was small and also little smoke free" – could you explain?  I have read that smoke drifts from the NCL casinos throughout the atrium, which is a fatal flaw IMHO.  Can a smoke-phobe avoid it on Seaside?

Dear HJ,    My pedestrian palate enjoyed all 4 cruise lines suite venue galley fare, never had a bad meal. Generally ordered 2 entrees every meal, except breakfast, where I indulged myself with 5 or 6 pastries to accompany my egg white cheese omelette. ( I ordered egg WHITES to placate DW).  Oh yes the portions were all a little skimpier by American standards, which justified a second entree.

     Seaside casino was smaller than the other 3 cruise lines, 10 tables, 2 of which were roulette. Never crowded, half the tables were unused on our trip. We could do our walkabouts through every casino , but the Breakaway was terrible, smoke'o'phobes beware, it permeates beyond the confines of the casino and presents a real problem. The Seaside casino was practically smoke free since there were so few gamblers to begin with.  Of course they all had an over abundance of slots.

Edited August 7, 2019 by rattanchair
additional info

[rattanchair]

8 hours ago, George C said:

Never saw luminae closed other than for lunch on port days

Dear GC,  Of course you are correct.  Suite guests, like ourselves, that do not tour off the ship are 'forced'  to get room service on port days. We never go near buffets, we are germophobes. We discovered that the room service had a very tasty grilled chicken sandwich for lunch.  I wonder if we can order the same grilled chicken sandwich in the Luminae, that they have for room service? I just do not want to offend the Luminae chef.  The YC is open for lunch port days and is a real treat being the only ones in the restaurant. One can feel the slower paced more relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant.

    Thank you for all your help and encouragement, you made my postings all worthwhile.

[Dr. Cocktail]

13 hours ago, rattanchair said:

The Suite Life A.K.A. La Dulce Vida

 

 

 

    What I will attempt to do is compare three cruise lines and their ‘ship within a ship’ concepts, NCL The Haven, Celebrity’s The Retreat, and MSC’s The Yacht Club. From a strictly non-elitist’s point of view any of these three venues are a good choice. I recommend you try all three.

RC

 

  

Good morning!

 

This pesky occasionally working has slowed down my responses ....

 

Great comparison!

 

I thought I might highjack this thread a bit and like many posters, make this all about me!

 

I posted a rather long comparison in May between the YC, The Haven (I could hear you booing as I typed that ...), Viking and Celebrity, all of which I sailed in suites last year.

 

For when you're bored ....

 

 

[rattanchair]

58 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

I thought I might highjack this thread a bit and like many posters, make this all about me!

Dear Dr. C,  Your comments and posts are always welcome on any thread I start.

[rattanchair]

10 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Disirregardless that food is subjective, how would you compare the quality of the food in YC vs Luminae?

Dear HJ,  I do recall, now, one incident.  I was quite constipated the first few days into my trip. My usual regiment of 2 prunes at breakfast was not working for me until I had a quite tasty spaghetti with calamari. It went right through me and alleviated my constipation entirely. I was fine the rest of the trip.

[George C]

2 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear GC,  Of course you are correct.  Suite guests, like ourselves, that do not tour off the ship are 'forced'  to get room service on port days. We never go near buffets, we are germophobes. We discovered that the room service had a very tasty grilled chicken sandwich for lunch.  I wonder if we can order the same grilled chicken sandwich in the Luminae, that they have for room service? I just do not want to offend the Luminae chef.  The YC is open for lunch port days and is a real treat being the only ones in the restaurant. One can feel the slower paced more relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant.

    Thank you for all your help and encouragement, you made my postings all worthwhile.

 We did rccl oasis recently and only advantage Costal Kitchen there suite restaurant had over Luminae was that it was open for lunch, thanks again for all the great info.