Upper Suite Benefits

[Cruise Gopher]

Just boarded Millennium in the Penthouse. Let’s just say we are well stocked in the fridge. 😁

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'm not a robe or pajamas type person - so that's one less thing to be concerned with from my standpoint!  🙂

 

Tom

[Whinenowine]

10 hours ago, Cruise Gopher said:

Just boarded Millennium in the Penthouse. Let’s just say we are well stocked in the fridge. 😁

 

 

 

Which suite?  147 or 148?

[Cruise Gopher]

7 hours ago, Whinenowine said:

 

Which suite?  147 or 148?

147

[chemmo]

17 hours ago, Cruise Gopher said:

Just boarded Millennium in the Penthouse. Let’s just say we are well stocked in the fridge. 😁

 

How we loved that fridge! We at least left some space for food too!

 

We always ask the butler to ‘leave a bit of something’ to enjoy on the balcony late at night…Lots of space in the M PH fridge for plenty of options and it stays much colder than in S class.

 

Hope you have a fantastic cruise, our M PH cruises remain among our most memorable! 

[Gracie115]

19 hours ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

 Luminae, based upon what I have read in many threads from this site, seems to be throttled often by the Sky/Celebrity suite crowd. As I understand it, those class of staterooms do not include dining elsewhere?

 

 

We were just in a Celebrity Suite on Apex and had dinner nearly every night in Luminae. While they were busy we never had long waits during dinner.  I don't think you would find Luminae "throttled" on the Edge class ships, it is a larger venue than the M or S class.  No Sky & CS suites do not include free specialty dining, but Luminae is better than most specialty dining anyway so it's all good.

[C-Dragons]

1 hour ago, Gracie115 said:

 

We were just in a Celebrity Suite on Apex and had dinner nearly every night in Luminae. While they were busy we never had long waits during dinner.  I don't think you would find Luminae "throttled" on the Edge class ships, it is a larger venue than the M or S class.  No Sky & CS suites do not include free specialty dining, but Luminae is better than most specialty dining anyway so it's all good.

We were on the same sailing, also in a Celebrity Suite, ate primarily in Luminae and agree with you about Luminae. 👍

[flviking]

21 hours ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

Luminae, based upon what I have read in many threads from this site, seems to be throttled often by the Sky/Celebrity suite crowd. As I understand it, those class of staterooms do not include dining elsewhere?

Don't ever spend money on a Royal Caribbean suite on a ship with Coastal Kitchen.  If you think Luminae is "throttled" with Sky and Celebrity Suite passengers you'd love the inside cabin Pinnacles filling the Coastal Kitchen to the exclusion of paid suite passengers.  Unless you want to dine next to the kitchen door at 9:00pm.  They are easily recognized by the DYKWIA name tags. Really!

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

1 hour ago, Gracie115 said:

 

We were just in a Celebrity Suite on Apex and had dinner nearly every night in Luminae. While they were busy we never had long waits during dinner.  I don't think you would find Luminae "throttled" on the Edge class ships, it is a larger venue than the M or S class.  No Sky & CS suites do not include free specialty dining, but Luminae is better than most specialty dining anyway so it's all good.

Based my observation on comments in various threads. Some have stated that Luminae can be a crush of people and harried service staff. I deduced it likely to be from staterooms with no other (default) dining option (in this case, SS and CS pax).

 

Good to hear that it isn't overwhelmed at all times.

 

Is Luminae then considered itself a premium (food, not the service) experience? I keep reading that the specialties are a step up from assigned dining venues, including Luminae.

 

I may have to rethink this -

[islabahia]

Luminae is an acquired taste.  We are not fans and either eat en suite r in a specialty restaurant.  TETO

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

35 minutes ago, flviking said:

Don't ever spend money on a Royal Caribbean suite on a ship with Coastal Kitchen.  If you think Luminae is "throttled" with Sky and Celebrity Suite passengers you'd love the inside cabin Pinnacles filling the Coastal Kitchen to the exclusion of paid suite passengers.  Unless you want to dine next to the kitchen door at 9:00pm.  They are easily recognized by the DYKWIA name tags. Really!

While I am giving Celebrity a try in 2023 with two cruises, I am also trying their sister cruise line RCL for one cruise.

 

Decided to take my family (with two younger kids) on Harmony of the Seas. I booked the Royal Loft Suite and both Star Loft Suites. The balconies appear nice size, as do the rooms. I believe I am to have access to a "genie" of sorts to help facilitate my schedule. I understand that Coastal Kitchen is the assigned dining for my staterooms.

 

However, I also understand that my staterooms include unlimited dining venues. I expect to dine in all specialties for dinner. Was at least hoping Coastal Kitchen breakfast would be a viable option for my group.

 

Sounds like Coastal Kitchen will be as chaotic and overwhelmed as is Luminae on Celebrity, at least in terms of difficult to find seating and rushed servers. That's a shame.

 

So much for an elevated experience. 

Edited November 20, 2022 by 4-2-N-8

[flviking]

3 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

While I am giving Celebrity a try in 2023 with two cruises, I am also trying their sister cruise line RCL for one cruise.

 

Decided to take my family (with two younger kids) on Harmony of the Seas. I booked the Royal Loft Suite and both Star Loft Suites. The balconies appear nice size, as do the rooms. I believe I am to have access to a "genie" of sorts to help facilitate my schedule. I understand that Coastal Kitchen is the assigned dining for my staterooms.

 

However, I also understand that my staterooms include unlimited dining venues for all three of my rooms. Sounds like Coastal Kitchen will be as chaotic and overwhelmed as is Luminae on Celebrity, at least in terms of difficult to find seating and harried staff.

 

So much for an elevated experience. 

Never did a Genie Suite. We did Crown Loft Suite. Cabin was awesome. Coastal Kitchen was bad. Although specialty dining was not included we enjoyed all we went to. On Wonder TA we just bought the Unlimited Specialty dining but didn't pay for a suite.  I'm guessing that the Genie will solve all issues for you.

The biggest advantage of Luminae for us vs specialties is that we don't need a reservation.  Even in a RS we've always needed reservations for specialty. For us Luminae is below specialties but above Blu and MDR. We value the flexibility.  Sounds like some great experiences for you and your family!

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

4 minutes ago, flviking said:

Never did a Genie Suite. We did Crown Loft Suite. Cabin was awesome. Coastal Kitchen was bad. Although specialty dining was not included we enjoyed all we went to. On Wonder TA we just bought the Unlimited Specialty dining but didn't pay for a suite.  I'm guessing that the Genie will solve all issues for you.

The biggest advantage of Luminae for us vs specialties is that we don't need a reservation.  Even in a RS we've always needed reservations for specialty. For us Luminae is below specialties but above Blu and MDR. We value the flexibility.  Sounds like some great experiences for you and your family!

Appreciate your take on CK.

 

Very helpful.

[Gracie115]

47 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

Based my observation on comments in various threads. Some have stated that Luminae can be a crush of people and harried service staff. I deduced it likely to be from staterooms with no other (default) dining option (in this case, SS and CS pax).

 

Good to hear that it isn't overwhelmed at all times.

 

Is Luminae then considered itself a premium (food, not the service) experience? I keep reading that the specialties are a step up from assigned dining venues, including Luminae.

 

I may have to rethink this -

 

We love Luminae.  We find the service to be at least as good as any of the specialty dining areas.  The food is very good.  While we didn't get to the steakhouse on Apex because they were booked we enjoyed the Rooftop Grill, but it certainly was no better than Luminae.  At Eden we did the tasting menu which is something not offered in Luminae so hard to compare.  It was good, some of the items very good, but overall I don't think any better than Luminae.    There are some dinner menus at Luminae that we don't particularly care for but they have several options that are available anytime including a filet mignon which is excellent.

 

I would recommend based on our experience that you try to be seated in the area directly behind the entrance to Luminae on the Beyond, which should be the same as the Apex.  It is a quieter area than the rest of the restaurant.  We were lucky we sat in this area for every meal we ate there except one and the service team was just outstanding.  They will do anything they can to make you happy.  

[C-Dragons]

20 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

While I am giving Celebrity a try in 2023 with two cruises, I am also trying their sister cruise line RCL for one cruise.

 

Sounds like Coastal Kitchen will be as chaotic and overwhelmed as is Luminae on Celebrity, at least in terms of difficult to find seating and rushed servers. That's a shame.

 

So much for an elevated experience. 

You could keep an open mind and wait to experience Luminae for yourself. 😉

We have been sailing in suites on X exclusively for many, many years and have never found service in Luminae to be overwhelmed or chaotic in any way.

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

4 minutes ago, Gracie115 said:

 

We love Luminae.  We find the service to be at least as good as any of the specialty dining areas.  The food is very good.  While we didn't get to the steakhouse on Apex because they were booked we enjoyed the Rooftop Grill, but it certainly was no better than Luminae.  At Eden we did the tasting menu which is something not offered in Luminae so hard to compare.  It was good, some of the items very good, but overall I don't think any better than Luminae.    There are some dinner menus at Luminae that we don't particularly care for but they have several options that are available anytime including a filet mignon which is excellent.

 

I would recommend based on our experience that you try to be seated in the area directly behind the entrance to Luminae on the Beyond, which should be the same as the Apex.  It is a quieter area than the rest of the restaurant.  We were lucky we sat in this area for every meal we ate there except one and the service team was just outstanding.  They will do anything they can to make you happy.  

Very much appreciate your feedback.

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

2 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

You could keep an open mind and wait to experience Luminae for yourself. 😉

We have been sailing in suites on X exclusively for many, many years and have never found service in Luminae to be overwhelmed or chaotic in any way.

Appreciate it. Some responses in various threads depicted concerning commentary.

[Gracie115]

32 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

While I am giving Celebrity a try in 2023 with two cruises, I am also trying their sister cruise line RCL for one cruise.

 

Decided to take my family (with two younger kids) on Harmony of the Seas. I booked the Royal Loft Suite and both Star Loft Suites. The balconies appear nice size, as do the rooms. I believe I am to have access to a "genie" of sorts to help facilitate my schedule. I understand that Coastal Kitchen is the assigned dining for my staterooms.

 

However, I also understand that my staterooms include unlimited dining venues. I expect to dine in all specialties for dinner. Was at least hoping Coastal Kitchen breakfast would be a viable option for my group.

 

Sounds like Coastal Kitchen will be as chaotic and overwhelmed as is Luminae on Celebrity, at least in terms of difficult to find seating and rushed servers. That's a shame.

 

So much for an elevated experience. 

 

We were in a Crown Loft suite on Harmony and an Owner's suite on Anthem this past year.  We thought Coastal Kitchen was very good.  Certainly not chaotic as you describe unless something has changed drastically.  Since you are in the best suites on the ship with your own "genie"  you will receive the very best service they can offer.  Coastal does a very nice job with all 3 meals.  Unlike Luminae I would not rate the food itself as good as Chops or 150 Central Park or even Jamie's which we really liked. 

[George C]

2 minutes ago, Gracie115 said:

 

We were in a Crown Loft suite on Harmony and an Owner's suite on Anthem this past year.  We thought Coastal Kitchen was very good.  Certainly not chaotic as you describe unless something has changed drastically.  Since you are in the best suites on the ship with your own "genie"  you will receive the very best service they can offer.  Coastal does a very nice job with all 3 meals.  Unlike Luminae I would not rate the food itself as good as Chops or 150 Central Park or even Jamie's which we really liked. 

I like CK for breakfast and lunch, for dinner we do specialty restaurants, love the UDP , celebrity Luminae is definitely superior to CK at least that’s our opinion. 

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

2 minutes ago, Gracie115 said:

 

We were in a Crown Loft suite on Harmony and an Owner's suite on Anthem this past year.  We thought Coastal Kitchen was very good.  Certainly not chaotic as you describe unless something has changed drastically.  Since you are in the best suites on the ship with your own "genie"  you will receive the very best service they can offer.  Coastal does a very nice job with all 3 meals.  Unlike Luminae I would not rate the food itself as good as Chops or 150 Central Park or even Jamie's which we really liked. 

That's good to hear. I can appreciate that different days, different staff, different seatings all can influence an experience. 

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

Just now, George C said:

I like CK for breakfast and lunch, for dinner we do specialty restaurants, love the UDP , celebrity Luminae is definitely superior to CK at least that’s our opinion. 

Good to know. TY.

[canderson]

1 hour ago, C-Dragons said:

You could keep an open mind and wait to experience Luminae for yourself. 😉

We have been sailing in suites on X exclusively for many, many years and have never found service in Luminae to be overwhelmed or chaotic in any way.

Our experience as well until our recent Reflection TA (Oct 31 - Nov 13).  Have never had food arrive so slowly.  Best we could tell, the problem was in the galley.  Ship at about 50%, but suites full.

[livvys]

Iconic suite question— how does check in differ ( Fort Lauderdale), or does it at all? When I spoke to shoreside she wanted to know how many pieces of luggage we have and what time we are arriving so she “could make sure I have enough staff there waiting”……. 
 

also, will it be a problem that we will have 2 people not staying in the iconic ( sky suite for them) with us when we arrive? 
 

thanks! 

[danceswithphones]

5 minutes ago, livvys said:

how does check in differ

We were in an Edge Villa and boarded the Beyond from T25 on 11/08. A fellow with a tablet identified us as 'upper level suite' and called an escort over to guide us through boarding. Other than a slight pause to have our pictures taken, we never stopped moving. The escort lead us to our cabin, opened the key card envelope, and made sure the cards worked. She alerted the butler and he showed shortly thereafter. Best boarding experience ever. 

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

12 minutes ago, livvys said:

Iconic suite question— how does check in differ ( Fort Lauderdale), or does it at all? When I spoke to shoreside she wanted to know how many pieces of luggage we have and what time we are arriving so she “could make sure I have enough staff there waiting”……. 
 

also, will it be a problem that we will have 2 people not staying in the iconic ( sky suite for them) with us when we arrive? 
 

thanks! 

I like that room. Wanted to book it as part of a family cruise, but instead booked the Royal Loft and two Star Lofts on an RCL Oasis ship, due to younger children.

 

Iconic has a great balcony otherwise, just can't see all that stateroom space for just two of us. An EV is ideal (the overhang blocking PH and RS balcony sunshine is attrocious). Interested if service level improves for Iconic, then maybe.