12 Nights of Luminae Food Photos - Celebrity Edge

[QM2 Cruiser]

Hi Celebrity Forum!

 

Prior to my first experience in The Retreat, I had a hard time researching the food on offer in Luminae. As others have mentioned, some of the menu descriptions aren’t terribly indicative of what is actually served. I thought I’d put together a compilation of Luminae food photos, organized by course. Hopefully it’ll help anyone else who’s trying to decide if Luminae would add significant value to their cruise. 
 

Overall, I enjoyed Luminae very much. Using the Celebrity App, I strategically planned specialty dining to avoid the Luminae menus that least appealed to me, i.e. nights that offered multiple smoked or raw appetizers, venison, sweetbreads, etc.

 

In addition to the rotating Luminae menu, the “classic/always available” items from the main dining room could also be ordered without advanced notice. These items were the same quality and portion as served in the main dining room, just plated on Luminae crockery. On my cruise, an “everyday” fillet mignon was not available in Luminae, which I was expecting after reading other reviews. On my cruise, only the classic NY Sirloin could be ordered as an “everyday” steak option.

 

For me, the desserts were the true highlight of Luminae, especially the Daniel Boulud Raspberry Pistachio Vacherin. The only true disappointment was the bread service, which only consisted of lavosh crackers, a soft dinner bun reminiscent of a frozen “BrownN’ Serve” roll, and a stale sliced whole grain baguette. I really missed having sourdough rolls and crostini, so after a few days I put in a special request for a main dining room bread basket, but they only remembered it on two occasions. 

 

All things considered, I'm definitely looking forward to returning to Luminae and The Retreat on future cruises. 
 

12 nights of Luminae food photos to follow!

Edited November 18, 2022 by QM2 Cruiser
Misspelling

[QM2 Cruiser]

THE AMUSE-BOUCHE

Beet “Tartare” with Lime Segment

Tomato, Basil & Tapioca

Cod Croquette with Squid Ink

Seared Tuna with Lavosh Cracker

Grilled Shrimp with Lavosh Cracker

Crab & Pea Gazpacho 

Balsamic Watermelon & Mozzarella 

Raspberry Macaron 

[QM2 Cruiser]

APPETIZERS

 

Braised Short Ribs, Parsnip Variations, Pomegranate 

Chilled Lobster Salad, Hearts of Palm, Pineapple, Vanilla Dressing

Fennel Soup, Lobster, Pomegranate, Citrus

Ginger Crab Cake, Charred Kabocha Squash, Spicy Peanut Soy Sauce 

Roasted Apple & Hearty Green Salad, Hazelnuts, Scallions, Brown Butter Dressing

Roasted Squab, Pearly Barley Risotto, Truffle, Port Wine Pan Sauce 

Roasted Carrot Salad, Peanut Sesame Mole, Pumpkin Seeds, Crispy Cumin Rice

Duck Consumé, Duo of Duck Breast, Shaved Carrots, Pickled Mushrooms, Scallions

Butternut Squash Ravioli, Brown Butter, Sage, Amaretto Crumble

Pear & Radicchio Salad, Pancetta, Kale, Hazelnuts, Fig

Pork Medallions, Confit Potatoes, Broccolini, Walnut Couscous Pilaf, Whisky Marmalade 

Baby Spinach Salad, Blue Cheese, Candied Pecans, White Balsamic Vinaigrette 

 

Edited November 18, 2022 by QM2 Cruiser

[QM2 Cruiser]

ENTREÉS

 

Cod Basquaise, Potatoes, Clams, Piperade

Alaskan Halibut, Baby Bok Choy, Sesame Sticky Rice, Ginger Broth

Grilled Cape Hake, Artichoke Purée, Leeks, Fava Bean Pesto

Roasted Lamb Loin, Merguez Sausage, Marinated Cucumber Herb Yogurt

Grilled Pork Chop, Potato Confit, Turnips, Riesling Sauce 

Sea Scallops, Pea Mint Purée, Pickled Shallots

Wild Mushroom & Cabbage Ravioli, Bouillon, Tomato & Ricotta Pesto, Asparagus

Pappardelle, Braised Lamb, English Peas, Ricotta, Mint 

Roast Pork Tenderloin, Sweet Potato Purée, Savoy Cabbage, Grain Mustard Sauce 

Butter Poached Lobster, Squash, Savoy Cabbage, Champagne Sauce

Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Oil Oil Purée, Sunchokes, Salsa Verde 

Aleppo-Honey Glazed Salmon, Mirin Turnips, Spicy Sesame Kale, Edamame, Simeji Mushrooms, Dashi Broth

Daniel Boulud Signature Moroccan Chicken Tagine, Safron Cous Cous, Turnip, Cauliflower, Preserved Lemon, Olives

Edited November 18, 2022 by QM2 Cruiser

[QM2 Cruiser]

DESSERTS 

 

White Chocolate Macadamia Cake, Praline, Pistachio Gelato

Chocolate Palet, Fleur de Sel, Carmel Gelato

Chocolate Caramel Custard, Pretzel Gelato

Daniel Boulud Signature Raspberry Pistachio Vacherin, Vanilla Ice Cream 

Creamy Pineapple Custard, Coconut Sorbet, Orange Tuile 

Lemon Chiboust, Citrus Cookie, Honeycomb

Chocolate Sphere, Milk Chocolate Mouse, Dulce de Leche Gelato, Spiced Mango

“Luminae” Baked Alaska, Italian Meringue, Neapolitan Ice Cream 

Chocolate Bar, Caramelized Banana, Sesame Nougatine, Peanut Gelato 

[kenb]

There should be a rule about posting pictures like these! I just drooled on my key board!

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Thanks for the pictures, especially the lamb with the sausage. I was wondering how much lamb vs. sausage since I can't eat spicy food at night.

[chemmo]

Thank you for such a clear pictorial review…
 

I assume from your name you are a regular Cunard traveler? So how would you rate/compare the following on both lines?

 

Luminae vs Queen’s Grill

Suite rooms

Butler service

overall cruise experience

price

 

As someone who has been looking at Cunard for the first time, very interested…

[yvonneh]

Thank you for posting these wonderful pictures! 😋😋😋

[RealBatman]

What a terrific menu! Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to post these images. We will be on Edge in January and looking forward to experiencing this menu in Luminae! Excellent work!

[Cap_D]

Thank you for the time and care taken in posting.

[39august]

Mary Lou, there was more sausage thea lamb when I ordered this dish on Equinox in Sept. I won't order it again.

[TheHawk1]

Thank you for the pictures.  Compared to the vague descriptions of the menu items in the app, this actually gives me a sense of what is being offered in Luminae for my upcoming February cruise.

 

However, if the photos are also an indication of the portion size that's being served, then I'll probably be heading to the buffet after my dinner for a snack 😆

[Texed]

 Bryan,

Thanks for posting.  😊

[Alsmez]

I did a pretty comprehensive review of Luminae a few years ago - many of the same dishes remain on the menu to this day. If you want more photos and some details about preparations, take a look: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2667167-the-ultimate-luminae-review-51919-summit-to-bermuda/

[hcat]

Great job of presenting the photos with names of the dishes.

 

Tasting is the Ultimate test.

 

We just had our fIrst experience in Luminae on BEYOND. Sorry to say,   it was sub-par and disappointing...otherwise we truly loved BEYOND  and  the Retreat .

 

In Luminae, a beautiful venue,  the shrimp cocktail shrimp were  small & mushy, the sauce was like ketchup.. We only ate there 3 out of 5 nights.  Overall the menu was uninspiring... For 2  nights, I had the aways available salmon, onion soup or salad. ( all excellent) .  The chic night menu was okay  I had the scallops and two of the tiny lobster tails which were  succulent and sweet.   The vegetables sparse on the plate  were mostly burned and not edible.   Desserts look great but we don't eat  them very often.? We decided not to return to Luminae.

 

We also ate on Raw in Five which was outstanding..lots of non sushi chouces..  The last night we went to  BLU (our old favorite) Had nice fresh shrimp cocktail, filet mignon to perfection..  very impressed! There was a full bread tray on the table..not doled out liked in Luminae..and the  nice butter and veggie spreads...we prefer that over the amuse bouche...

 

Tastes differ but we know many others who wish the BLU menu was served in Luminae.  We will probably book Retreat/ Beyond again but would try to avoid Luminae as much as possible...unless we hear the menu and  food  improve.

 

We had hoped to be impressed, but unfortunately were not!

 

[bigbenboys]

Great pic's. I saw the ones I always get. Saw some that I might try. My favorite dessert is creme brulee or the sphere. Just a thought have dessert in Luminae and have creme brulee sent to the suite. 

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks -  Great photos and presentation     I plan on bookmarking so I can look up various dishes.   As often as I've had them so many don't match the menu description. 

[jcpc]

3 hours ago, hcat said:

Great job of presenting the photos with names of the dishes.

 

Tasting is the Ultimate test.

 

We just had our fIrst experience in Luminae on BEYOND. Sorry to say,   it was sub-par and disappointing...otherwise we truly loved BEYOND  and  the Retreat .

 

In Luminae, a beautiful venue,  the shrimp cocktail shrimp were  small & mushy, the sauce was like ketchup.. We only ate there 3 out of 5 nights.  Overall the menu was uninspiring... For 2  nights, I had the aways available salmon, onion soup or salad. ( all excellent) .  The chic night menu was okay  I had the scallops and two of the tiny lobster tails which were  succulent and sweet.   The vegetables sparse on the plate  were mostly burned and not edible.   Desserts look great but we don't eat  them very often.? We decided not to return to Luminae.

 

We also ate on Raw in Five which was outstanding..lots of non sushi chouces..  The last night we went to  BLU (our old favorite) Had nice fresh shrimp cocktail, filet mignon to perfection..  very impressed! There was a full bread tray on the table..not doled out liked in Luminae..and the  nice butter and veggie spreads...we prefer that over the amuse bouche...

 

Tastes differ but we know many others who wish the BLU menu was served in Luminae.  We will probably book Retreat/ Beyond again but would try to avoid Luminae as much as possible...unless we hear the menu and  food  improve.

 

We had hoped to be impressed, but unfortunately were not!

 

Totally agree with your assessment of Luminae on Beyond.  Both the food quality and the service was definitely sub-par on our October 26th sailing.  And there is definitely no "personalized" service in Luminae on Beyond.....and no "teamwork" as I've seen in Luminae on M-Class ships.  If your waiter was busy your dirty dishes would sit on your table for over 20 minutes until he had time to come pick them up -- nobody jumped in to help.  I was extremely disappointed in Luminae on Beyond.  Some examples of the quality:  ice cold cappaccino after the meal, frozen "beehives" of butter (and could not get butter replaced with a "non-frozen" version, no silverware in place when entree was served, ordered soup - no soup spoon - had to literally flag down a head waiter to get a spoon (by that time soup was cold), entrees served lukewarm, asked for sour cream for baked potato and was told they had no sour cream!!!! etc. etc.  It was pretty bad.  I'll still with M-Class or S-Class

 

Other than Luminae the Beyond is spectacular.  Le Voyage was over the top great as was all other dining venues.  But Luminae needs a new team and new management.

 

Edited November 19, 2022 by jcpc

[jcpc]

@QM2 CruiserThanks for posting the pictures.  These pictures represent what I usually see while dining in Luminae (just not on Beyond).  You take great photos.

 

[lakegirl16]

Thanks for posting.  Looking forward to Luminae in December!

 

[-Lew-]

20 hours ago, TheHawk1 said:

However, if the photos are also an indication of the portion size that's being served, then I'll probably be heading to the buffet after my dinner for a snack

 

We were on the Edge for 36 days including the TA.  We never had a problem customizing any dish to our liking...including extra lobster and lamb chops.  Waitstaff was eager to accommodate our requests.

[bjahil47]

Thank you for taking the time to take photos and posting!  Everything looks so good!

[CruisinBanka]

Thanks for the “food porn”! I agree the Daniel Boulud Vacherin was the absolute best desert when we were on the Edge! 

[SingBill]

Thank you so much for posting pictures with descriptions. Very helpful