Equinox - Sweet, Suite Life

[chemmo]

Boarded Equinox yesterday complete with red rose and blue information pack.

No wait at all before we were escorted to Michael's Club and a welcome glass of champagne.

 

Last night we dined in Luminae. Staff were very attentive and the food was fine. A little underwhelming as yet though, no table side presentation......I was also expecting a desert cart rather than a desert menu. I was sure I had read that somewhere but perhaps I am mistaken. Service also rather slow, especially after entree. No offer of mints or chocolate with coffee, again perhaps, something I was expecting but was not on the agenda. Staff could not have been nicer and it was their first night. I am sure the Wow will kick in.

 

Free wifi seems fine and easy to apply (although I am writing this for the second time as my first draft seemed to disappear, apologies if it now comes up twice!). Only problem so far was that the beverage package did not come up on the third guest in our room but our Michael's Club host was straight on the case and it was sorted before we had even eaten lunch.

 

We have cruised in a Royal Suite before and find it ideal when our adult son travels with us. Butler and room staff are, as expected, wonderful.

 

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

[Yorkshire-Pudding]

Glad to hear that you had a fair start to your holiday. Guess with your adult son travelling with you he is sleeping in the sitting room. Question.

 

Is he on the sofa bed or a rollaway?

 

Is he finding it comfortable?

 

My DS will be travelling with us in July and will be 15. He is now 5'11" (and still growing) but was about 5'5" when we booked a year ago so trying to work out best approach.

[chemmo]

Our son is sleeping on the very comfortable sofa bed. He is 6' and has happily cruised before in this room. The beauty of the royal suite is during the day you have all that extra living space and then at night two separate rooms. You also have the benefit of the second toilet and washbasin off the lounge which again adds to privacy and ease when getting ready in the evening.

[deise17311]

We really see value in suite travel - the perks and ability to have areas that are quiet appeal to us. From the dining, drinks, Michaels, butler, etc. etc. we find the increased price worth it for our vacations. Clearly it's a first world problem but we work hard and are grateful to spend our money this way...

[Yorkshire-Pudding]

Our son is sleeping on the very comfortable sofa bed. He is 6' and has happily cruised before in this room. The beauty of the royal suite is during the day you have all that extra living space and then at night two separate rooms. You also have the benefit of the second toilet and washbasin off the lounge which again adds to privacy and ease when getting ready in the evening.

 

Thank you for your prompt and helpful response.

[AugustW]

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

 

 

Thank you so much for your post. We are in a Sky Suite for the next sailing on the Equinox. If you get a chance can you post some Luminae menus.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

AW

[chemmo]

The Menues seem to be following a similar pattern to those already posted re summit. We expected there to be a full folder of the Menues in Michael's so that we could plan out when to dine in the specialities. As yet it is just one day at a time. Hopefully in a few days we will be able to copy several and post them.

 

In the meantime we have just returned from brunch. The menu included lobster benedict and steak. Also the desert cart appeared - a shame I was too full to do it justice.!!!! Service continued to be excellent if a little slow.

[chemmo]

Our holiday continues to be excellent.

 

We have now experienced breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner in luminae and have not been disappointed - I would add not all on the same day!

 

Quality of ingredients and service is what is giving luminae it's wow factor. As the restaurant has become more established service has become quicker although owing to the ambiance of the restaurant it never feels rushed.

 

Last night we dined in Tuscan Grill, a favourite of ours, service and food again was superb!

 

Michael's club has had a range of organised events some of which we have joined in. Our club host Mellica could not be more helpful. Norbert, our bar tender, is quite simply outstanding, making so much effort to personalise drinks to individual taste. Tonight I am simply going to go in and ask him to make me something he thinks I will like.

 

The drinks package is great, although we are not big drinkers, as so many other people have said it is just so nice not to worry about bills. We are also enjoying late drinks on the balcony with our provided spirits (changed to our requests) and simply helping ourselves to beers and sodas from the minibar.

 

I have not given any details re other events, excursions etc in this posting, I have simply tried to express how the enhanced suite package has positively improved our cruise experience.

 

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

[chemmo]

When we boarded Equinox we were informed that Luminae would not be open on port days. Although I had found the 'morning, noon and night' concept appealing i did not feel it was a major problem just a slight disappointment.

 

After returning from an excursion today and scrabbling for a table in the cafe I really feel this is an area for further development. When we saw a very elderly gentleman struggling to find a seat we actually gobbled our last mouthfuls to give him a place. I would add at this point the food I ate in the cafe was excellent!

 

Much as I understand it would probably not be viable to open luminae, blu...all at lunch surely an alternative somewhere could be provided even if it was only soup, salad and sandwiches!

 

From a Celebrity sales perspective, perhaps luminae could allow other guests in on port day lunches with a minimal menu - pressure would be released from the cafe, suite guests would have a restaurant and other guests could have a taster of the quality of luminae products and its atmosphere. I don't know how you would decide who could come in (elite, perhaps?) but I am sure some criteria could be trialled.

 

Luminae not being open at lunch to me is not a deal breaker but it seems very odd in the evening I am totally spoilt for choice and at lunch I am struggling to find a seat!!!

[Yorkshire-Pudding]

 

...After returning from an excursion today and scrabbling for a table in the cafe I really feel this is an area for further development. When we saw a very elderly gentleman struggling to find a seat we actually gobbled our last mouthfuls to give him a place...

 

Lunch

Reading your comments and those of Needstobespoiled on the Summit thread daily with interest. The issue of lunch on port days is an area of concern. My party includes my 85 year old MiL and she will not be up to wondering around looking for a table. This is an area where the marketing hype may be short of the reality and it will be a potential issue for her.

 

Appreciate that it is still early days of Luminae and from your comments the service levels have improved in a matter of days on you cruise. We don't sail until July but have just made final payment on two senior suites on our first Celebrity cruise so do expect them to deliver on what they said they would offer - morning, noon and night suite dining. Is there a buffet lunch in Michael's as an alternative to the buffet?

 

Room Service

Question for you. It was my understanding that there would be an enhanced suite room service menu possibly delivered from Luminae, but so far from the various reviews have not read anything about this.

 

Appreciate your very measured updates. Please keep your comments and observations coming as you continue with your holiday.

 

Regards

[drarill]

Our holiday continues to be excellent.

 

We have now experienced breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner in luminae and have not been disappointed - I would add not all on the same day!

 

Quality of ingredients and service is what is giving luminae it's wow factor. As the restaurant has become more established service has become quicker although owing to the ambiance of the restaurant it never feels rushed.

 

Last night we dined in Tuscan Grill, a favourite of ours, service and food again was superb!

 

Michael's club has had a range of organised events some of which we have joined in. Our club host Mellica could not be more helpful. Norbert, our bar tender, is quite simply outstanding, making so much effort to personalise drinks to individual taste. Tonight I am simply going to go in and ask him to make me something he thinks I will like.

 

The drinks package is great, although we are not big drinkers, as so many other people have said it is just so nice not to worry about bills. We are also enjoying late drinks on the balcony with our provided spirits (changed to our requests) and simply helping ourselves to beers and sodas from the minibar.

 

I have not given any details re other events, excursions etc in this posting, I have simply tried to express how the enhanced suite package has positively improved our cruise experience.

 

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Thanks for the report!! Looking forward to enjoy the suite life on the Equinox in July. Please, tell Norbert to learn the secret behind the Molecular Bar ginger mojito before it goes away!! :)

Thanks for taking the time from your vacation to inform us about Luminae and the suite life!!

[Champagne Cruiser]

I am following your report with great interest. I would think that the multiple port days on the Bermuda itinerary would definitely be a disappointment with Luminae being closed for lunch. How is the room service menu for lunch?

[MiaPortia]

Hi, Chemmo – Thank you so much for sharing your observations on Luminae and the new suite benefits – your thoughts and time spent are very much appreciated! 

 

We, too, absolutely agree that lunching in Luminae – whether during sea days or while in port is an essential element of suite benefits. For us, port days are sometimes treated (in whole or in part) as “sea days,” and, usually, we simply prefer to have a quiet lunch onboard after spending several hours out and about. The intimate dining experience that Luminae offers is often the keystone of the cruise experience and should include lunch each day! :)

 

Thanks again, Chemmo, for posting your reviews! :)

[chemmo]

Sorry for my delay in replying to queries but I am on my holidays!

 

At present there are no plans to open luminae on port days. Michael's had some very tasty canopies but no substantial offerings. The room service menu is as before with a range of soups, salads and simple mains. Not fine dining but perfectly ok. We asked our concierge in Michael's about extended room service menues today and as yet there are no immediate plans. She did confirm, however, that bistro on 5 is available as part of the speciality dining for royal and penthouse guests. For us it really is not a major issue but if I was a little older....

 

All f and b staff are really keen on getting feedback both on quality of luminae food and our experience. They are also really very keen to ensure everyone has the best vacation possible. I really feel if anyone in your suite party found port day lunchtimes a major issue they would work with you to resolve it. We have always believed if we are not happy with something the best policy is to discuss it with celebrity and give them the opportunity to resolve rather than moan about it later. My advice would be if lack of speciality dining is a major issue for you on port days start discussing it with your concierge when you get your 'is there anything we can do for you' email about a week before boarding.

 

We did not dine in luminae last night as we also want to mix in some of the other dining venues. Last night we dined in murano - as always superb food and service. We are looking at the luminae menu in the morning and making our choices then about where to dine. Tonight the luminae menu looks really good so we will return.

 

Our perspective so far on 'The suite life' continues to be very, very positive. We liked the product before and the new enhancements are being very much enjoyed.

 

For those of you boarding in a few weeks I am sure that many 'niggles' will have been resolved.

 

Other small points which may be of interest.

 

When we boarded our minibar was stacked with items both complementary and chargeable. To avoid confusion we simply asked the butler to remove all items not included in the package. This also made more space for our preferred beer.

 

We often like a late night snack on the balcony as we dine early. Our butler has happily delivered us prawns, cheese plates with afternoon tea. These have been placed into our chiller until later.

 

Just about to go for a swim and maybe a cocktail....

 

If I have missed any queries or if you have any new queries I will try my best to answer them.

 

Chemmo

[Yorkshire-Pudding]

Thanks you're a star.

[S&G1968]

Great read!

 

~Steve

[Project_gal]

Sorry for my delay in replying to queries but I am on my holidays!

 

When we boarded our minibar was stacked with items both complementary and chargeable. To avoid confusion we simply asked the butler to remove all items not included in the package. This also made more space for our preferred beer.

 

Chemmo

 

Chemmo

 

No need to apologies - you are on a cruise and any contribution you make is much appreciated.

 

Thank you for confirming that they will remove the chargeable items from the mini-bar. We has a "problem" with guests selecting chargeable items on our last cruise and we did not wish to sound mean by refusing. I was planning to request that chargeable items be removed to avoid the issue again. [i do have to defend our guests because they had not realised that a free mini-bar was not already available to PH guests at the time.]

[Dunmore2]

Thanks for reporting to us. It is great to read about the Sweet Suite Life. 10 days until we are there too.

 

I was wondering about formal nights, as we like to dress up. Have you seen formal wear in Luminae?

 

Do we need a Luminae reservation, or can we show up when we've finished a drink in Michael's?

 

Enjoy your holiday.

[need2bespoiled]

They prefer reservations but you can be somewhat general.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[missm]

Can you recall what items in the mini bar in your suite are "freebies"?

 

Thanks so much!

Mary

[need2bespoiled]

Can you recall what items in the mini bar in your suite are "freebies"?

 

Thanks so much!

Mary

 

Water, soda and beer for sure. Wine is still a bit of a question, we were told it was included but we haven't consumed any in our cabin.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[missm]

Water, soda and beer for sure. Wine is still a bit of a question, we were told it was included but we haven't consumed any in our cabin.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

Thanks, Jenna!

 

Water and soda will make us very happy! Anything else will be a bonus!

[chemmo]

Greetings from Puerto limon where we have spent the morning watching sloths and monkeys!

 

To answer a few questions , I would say although luminae is classed as smart casual on formal night most men had shirt and jacket, even if not a tie, and women smarter dresses....some had tuxedos but not many. I will monitor again on second formal night.

 

We tried bistro on 5 for lunch last port day. It had nice soups but the mains are a bit heavy for us if fine dining later. Today we returned to the cafe, the ease of just getting a quick snack appealed to us more than sitting down to a meal. Fortunately the cafe was a little less crowded today.

 

Meals in luminae continue to be exciting. We are really enjoying most of their offerings although a few are not to our taste but that is what we would expect. We are also really pleased that they continue to want constructive critism. For example, I had a fettuccine last night which I loved the flavours of but had too much pasta and I could have really enjoyed a couple more of the delicious prawns!!!! Others may have felt differently. It is only after running for a few weeks they begin to see patterns developing. In the meantime we will continue to try new things. We have asked for a few 'off menu' items and have not had a problem. These, I think, have been exclusively desert items when we have wanted a simple ice-cream to finish with because we are full of mains....service continues to be very attentive. Timing, as indicated on last report, continues now to be fine.

 

Quality of care of ourselves by room attendants, butler and Michael's club staff continues to be faultless.

[need2bespoiled]

Thanks, Jenna!

 

Water and soda will make us very happy! Anything else will be a bonus!

 

Just to be clear, this is Royal Suite and above.

 

I also agree with chemmo's observations.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[missm]

Just to be clear, this is Royal Suite and above.

 

I also agree with chemmo's observations.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

OOPS! Thanks for the clarification. We're "only" in a SS this trip. How bad can it be?

 

Mary