Dining advice for those who sail in Royal & Penthouse suites

[CharlieCharlieCharlie]

On 7/9/2022 at 9:20 PM, asnaleah said:

We enjoy Luminae so much we rarely eat in specialty restaurants even when included because of sailing in a Royal suite. Murano is good once or twice, but I can skip Tuscan. Porch is great for lunches!

I fully agree.  Luminae is almost always the best choice. 

The show on Le Petit Chef is cute if you've never seen it, (maybe lunch) but the food is just ok - be sure it is at least the steak and lobster. Tuscan Grill view is nice if you dine before dark, but the food is just okay, usually no flavor, just tons of salt, unless you specifically mention zero or low salt.  The porch is super good for lunches, especially if you enjoy seafood.  Plus of course you can plan with your (butler) Retreat Host to dine in your cabin or on the balcony.  Murano is elegant and delicious.   Lawn Club Grill is very good, but it is not on Equinox they have the Hot Glass show in that area.  We have not tried the Chef's Table, there is just so much delicious food that it is tough to choose.  And in the Royal Suite, your "Host" or the Retreat Concierge will be sure you have everything you like.  I hope you enjoy this cruise.

[sfoltz]

I very much appreciate all of the input.  Quite a bit of information to digest (pun intended). 😀

[George C]

I disagree on le petit chef I love the show and see it ever year , agree food might be better in other restaurants but show is worth it.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

1 hour ago, CharlieCharlieCharlie said:

After your sailing I hope you'll post your comparison, we have considered Regent, but not followed through with a booking.  It just seems like if the itinerary is similar, you get so much more with Celebrity for the prices.  Equinox is wonderful, as are the other S Class Ships - especially Silhouette, we love the retreat deck there, and think Reflection will be even better than it already is when it is updated.  

We were discussing this tonight…Celebrity offers the Royal suite which is comparable in size to the Regent penthouse suites. Celebrity pricing is much lower. Regent includes everything and it’s shore excursions. So..the comparison will be food and service. At our age, we no longer care where we go …but look for a luxurious environment, great food and wonderful service. 
I will let you know!

sheila

[CharlieCharlieCharlie]

1 hour ago, George C said:

I disagree on le petit chef I love the show and see it ever year , agree food might be better in other restaurants but show is worth it.

Yes, food is definitely subjective. I have always had a good time at Le Petit Chef, the show is very cute -- we have eaten there on four cruises.  If we are with someone who hasn't eaten there, we would go back, so they can see the show and enjoy a meal.

[C4HCG]

On 7/8/2022 at 10:28 PM, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

They were only in a sky suite.

Oh no, how did they cope only being in a sky suite, poor things 😂😂😂😂🤪🤪🤪

[Whinenowine]

On 7/21/2022 at 8:51 PM, George C said:

I disagree on le petit chef I love the show and see it ever year , agree food might be better in other restaurants but show is worth it.

 

Given the show, how difficult is it to order non-standard items (i.e. due to food allergies or just plain picky eaters)?  I know the food won't match the video, but will the restaurant accommodate?

[Whinenowine]

On 7/21/2022 at 9:27 PM, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

We were discussing this tonight…Celebrity offers the Royal suite which is comparable in size to the Regent penthouse suites. Celebrity pricing is much lower. Regent includes everything and it’s shore excursions. So..the comparison will be food and service. At our age, we no longer care where we go …but look for a luxurious environment, great food and wonderful service. 
I will let you know!

sheila

The Regent ships are much more luxurious (some may say over the top with all the marble, etc...?), but also a totally different vibe and only 700-750 people.  That works for some but not for others.  When pricing it out, don't forget to also adjust for the pre-cruise hotel that comes with the Regent Penthouse suites.

[canderson]

30 minutes ago, Whinenowine said:

 

Given the show, how difficult is it to order non-standard items (i.e. due to food allergies or just plain picky eaters)?  I know the food won't match the video, but will the restaurant accommodate?

No problem swapping out items if you advise in advance, but it's definitely not the same experience.

 

[George C]

35 minutes ago, Whinenowine said:

 

Given the show, how difficult is it to order non-standard items (i.e. due to food allergies or just plain picky eaters)?  I know the food won't match the video, but will the restaurant accommodate?

I don’t normally stay with the prime menu for all the courses , I pick and choose between primary and alternative menu , it’s still fun , I will definitely keep on going to this restaurant if I am in penthouse or sky suite.

[Whinenowine]

34 minutes ago, George C said:

I don’t normally stay with the prime menu for all the courses , I pick and choose between primary and alternative menu , it’s still fun , I will definitely keep on going to this restaurant if I am in penthouse or sky suite.

 

Thanks canderson/GeorgeC!  We're in a PS next month and figure we'd give it a shot--but between my food allergies, my wife's (different) food allergies and my kids' pickiness (which they never did seem to outgrow!) I want to be sure it would still work.

[Stu UK]

A helpful thread. Has anyone had restaurant food/ special meals in their suite. We have a PH next month. 

[chemmo]

7 hours ago, Stu UK said:

A helpful thread. Has anyone had restaurant food/ special meals in their suite. We have a PH next month. 

Stu, I have replied to other posts recently and the response is similar in that it can vary from cruise to cruise and also can be dependent on your butler and the suite management.

 

Technically, you have access to all the suite restaurants on board (minus things like chefs table) but room service is restricted to what is listed.

 

However, we have been treated to a few special meals in our suites over the years including one or two not on any menu. However, we have never requested this more than once per cruise and always arranged it at least 24 hours in advance with the butler. I use the word ‘treated’ because it isn’t a ‘right’ of the room. It is something the butler and M’D have arranged for you.

 

I am sure others will respond saying they have never or frequently been able to do this…

 

From chats with suite staff we are aware that one or two ‘demanding’ guests can overload ‘treats’ by expecting this nightly and without advance notice. 
 

I suggest you do one of two things to get the best reply to your query…Either start a new post entitled something like ‘Recent experiences of in suite dining in a PH’ or simply board and ask your butler…

[dcbiker97]

My experience mirror’s @chemmo   It will be ship and butler dependent on whether it’s allowed as the official policy is just room service items. We

never requested any special meals unless we were in the PH.  In the past, we have had  Indian food and a Mexican fajita buffet. I chose those items as they were readily available in the buffet and didn’t require extensive staff time.  

[chemmo]

1 hour ago, dcbiker97 said:

My experience mirror’s @chemmo   It will be ship and butler dependent on whether it’s allowed as the official policy is just room service items. We

never requested any special meals unless we were in the PH.  In the past, we have had  Indian food and a Mexican fajita buffet. I chose those items as they were readily available in the buffet and didn’t require extensive staff time.  

We also on one occasion opted for an Indian buffet as well delivered ‘family style’…As you say not over demanding. Certainly not needing the critical timing that steaks might…It tends to be our personal belief that (land or sea) if we opt for room service we opt for tolerant food!

 

[peanut head]

3 hours ago, chemmo said:

We also on one occasion opted for an Indian buffet as well delivered ‘family style’…As you say not over demanding. Certainly not needing the critical timing that steaks might…It tends to be our personal belief that (land or sea) if we opt for room service we opt for tolerant food!

 

 

I echo Chemmo and DCBiker97 regarding meals in the suites.  Per Chemmo's sage😉 advice years ago, I have a printout of our requests (that had been given to the on-shore concierge prior to the cruise) which I give to the butler and stateroom attendant.  It lists the days and times of the restaurants we would like to go to and also our other preferences.  In addition, dependent upon the length of the cruise, we may opt for in-room dining at least 1 night and go over the menu with the butler.  Typically, we request an Indian dinner and ask the butler which night would work best for him/her/they.  Usually, the butler will ask that we have the dinner the same night that Taj is being offered so that he/she/they can just bring the food to us in the privacy of the suite.

 

We also have the last night's dinner in the suite--just pizza, salad and some brownies.   This way we can finish packing and unwind and enjoy the last night in our little haven on the sea.😁

[chemmo]

9 hours ago, peanut head said:

 

I echo Chemmo and DCBiker97 regarding meals in the suites.  Per Chemmo's sage😉 advice years ago, I have a printout of our requests (that had been given to the on-shore concierge prior to the cruise) which I give to the butler and stateroom attendant.  It lists the days and times of the restaurants we would like to go to and also our other preferences.  In addition, dependent upon the length of the cruise, we may opt for in-room dining at least 1 night and go over the menu with the butler.  Typically, we request an Indian dinner and ask the butler which night would work best for him/her/they.  Usually, the butler will ask that we have the dinner the same night that Taj is being offered so that he/she/they can just bring the food to us in the privacy of the suite.

 

We also have the last night's dinner in the suite--just pizza, salad and some brownies.   This way we can finish packing and unwind and enjoy the last night in our little haven on the sea.😁

Goes to show you are never too experienced a cruiser not to pick up a new tip…We have never thought of tying in an Indian dine in night to the Taj night at Sushi…It just makes so much sense…

 

Chatting with the butler about what night/time fits in with him is great advice. We always avoid asking for anything special at the times the butlers are on escort duty at the theatre and afternoon tea duty at the Retreat Lounge although we have pre requested afternoon tea in our suite…