Summit Nov 7-14, 2015

Hello everyone

I'm not going to do a long, in-depth review with pictures, but I did want to share a few of my experiences and thoughts on Summit.

We did the Tortola-Grenada-St. Lucia-St. Kitts-St. Thomas route. Our room was 6142- Royal Suite. I will post a few photos of the room at the end.I really did enjoy the layout of this room. It was the perfect room for a 7-night cruise. Was there evidence here and there of wear and tear? Absolutely. Did it in any way take away from the experience? Not at all (and we are fairly critical when it comes to hotel rooms and staterooms). Our butler was good- the butler thing is always a bit odd for us- we really don't ever ask for much. The stateroom attendant was very nice and always did a great job tidying the room. The afternoon refreshments (tea trolly) were always nice, but I will say some of the desserts just were not very good.

Check-In

Quick, quick, quick... we arrived at the pier around 1:30 PM and were on the boat within 20 minutes if I had to guess. Since we were staying in a suite, they had us meet with the Captains Club host prior to boarding to discuss some of the benefits of the Royal Suite. She was very nice. Other cruise lines, such as NCL, have you escorted to suite, but Celebrity does not do this. We did have to queue a bit at the end of gangway/ entrance of the boat, and this was actually the longest portion of the boarding process. Everything else was very smooth.

Dining and Bars

Luminae- I had the strangest interaction with the host at Luminae. We had reservations the first night of the cruise, and when we arrived, the host told me that we had reservations at Qsine as well. I explained that we didn't have any knowledge of Qsine reservations, only Luminae. He then said we had paid and booked reservations for Qsine online. I explained that we did not book any specialty restaurant online, we were in a Royal Suite, and that there wouldn't be any reason for us to do that since the suite includes unlimited specialty dining. He continued to go on and on about how we did have reservations at Qsine (in an almost argumentative way). Finally, in order to just get out of the conversation all together I said, "We are not eating at Qsine tonight. I'm sorry the reservation system shows that we booked online, but we did not. It must be an error. Can we please be seated for dinner?" He then went into this long explanation of "I'm just trying to tell you what is going on..." and at that point I just smiled an nodded until he finally stopped and guided us to our seat...VICTORY! I'm still trying to figure out why he was SO ADAMANT about it. The food for dinner was excellent, but I did not care for any of the breakfast items we had.

Qsine- We ate here twice. So much fun! The staff were so friendly! The food was wonderful, but there was just TOO MUCH of it. They suggest between 5-6 plates to share. We could only get through about 4 each time. The cocktails were excellent, but they do exceed the premium package limit by about $1. Not an issue for us, but it may be for others wanting to stay within the limit.

Normandy- We ate here the last night of the cruise. I wish we had eaten there earlier, as this was the BEST food the entire cruise. We had the chateaubriand for two and the lobster. It was delicious.

Bistro on Five- Never had the chance to dine there.

OceanView Cafe- Possibly the worst buffet on any cruise we have ever been on. The food quality for the most part was ok, but the number and variety of offerings was not good (especially for dinner). We don't often do the buffet, but there were a few times during this cruise when we just wanted to grab a quick bite.

Martini Bar/ Crush- The BEST! Drinks were great. Staff were mixed in terms of friendliness and attentiveness, but overall my favorite bar.

Pool Bar- Staff were so friendly here. Drinks were good.

Cellar Masters- We only attended a wine tasting and Indulgence here. More about Indulgence in a minute, but the "Around the World" wine tasting was great (additional fee applies).

Casino Bar- bleh. That's all.

Indulgence- I really, really wanted to like this, but I just couldn't figure the event out. It reminded me a bit of the VIP Rouge tents at certain Cirque du Soliel performances. It carries an additional fee. Would I do it again? I just don't know. Some people who had attended the event previously, because they were doing a B2B, said it was a risqué show. It wasn't... It just seemed a bit boring. The "actors" (cruise staff) talked more with the guests than they performed. And, the conversation was just general "oh, where are you from?" type of chat. One of the cruise activities staff described it as a "murder mystery" without the "murder." That also didn't really explain it. It was just...odd. Drinks and bites were good, however.

Cafe al Bacio- Excellent coffee drinks and desserts. Very underutilized by guests.

Entertainment

The CD and his staff were very nice, but there was one of the staff members that was just silly. I can't remember the name, but his humor was just painful.

The theatre singers and actors were talented, but the quality of the shows varied. The acrobatics, when incorporated into a show, were always the highlight.

Stars In Their Eyes- The first half was painful to sit through. The second half picked up a bit, but overall it was a D-.

iMagic- We just could not get into this show. I even feel asleep. For us, this was an F.

Sirens- Excellent! Very entertaining. A rating :-)

iHollywood- The show was good, but I just didn't understand the theme. It seemed at first they were going to explore different genres of film, but then it just went off track... Overall, I enjoyed it though. B+

Public Spaces and Services

Grand Foyer- Nice area and a couple of cool acrobatic performances.

Outdoor Pool- Good enough. Difficult to find a chair anywhere near on our one sea day. On port days, we enjoyed the nice red, cushioned loungers.

Indoor Thalassotherapy Pool and hot tubs- great place to relax.

WIFI- The worst of any cruise I've ever been on.

Canyon Ranch Spa- We had a few treatments. They were good, but nothing outstanding. We got a few free passes to the Persian Garden. It was a bit pointless- sauna was ok, turkish bath was just barely warm, and aromatherapy steam room had no aromatherapy.

Dis-emabarkation

Very disorganized. We were going to do self- assist walk-off. No announcement was made until well after the ship was cleared. So, by the time we realized people were piling off of the ship and started to make our way down to the gangway, they came on and made an announcement that people could start to leave the ship and called luggage tags 1-7! By the time we made it to level 4, there was a HUGE line to disembark. At that point, any advantage that self-assist usually offers (fast and convenient) was out-the-window. On all of our previous cruises, no one was allowed down to the gangway until after an announcement was made that the ship had been cleared. We were selected randomly by immigration for a passport check, however, so we go to skip the customs line!!! That was nice, as it was a VERY long line. The immigration check lasted less than 4 minutes.

Overall, we very much enjoyed the cruise. I will definitely cruise Celebrity again. Our favorite port was Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. The people were friendly and polite. The other ports just had sales hecklers selling trinkets and crafts that were TOO AGGRESSIVE. All of the islands were beautiful. We had LOTS of rain, but it really didn't deter us. Just make sure if you are at the beach when it rains that you get out of the water before the run-off from the town makes it down to the beach. It's like black sludge. This happened in Grenada and we barely escaped in time :)

If you are going on the Summit, you will have a wonderful time. I wish were still there! If you are staying before or after the cruise in San Juan, I would encourage you to try El Convento in Old San Juan. Excellent hotel!

Suite photos are attached:

Thanks for the report and pictures.

I think the key for the self dis-embark is getting to the meeting place before clearing of the ship. On Summit a couple of weeks before you, the meeting place was Normandie, which from our SS on 6 was extremely difficult to get to. Having said that, one of the crew took "pitty" on us and escorted us directly out. What a breeze.

I enjoyed your review and photos.

Thank you.

Keith

We were on the same sailing (the end of our three week B2B2B). We love the Summit. The dis-embarkation was interesting. We had luggage tag 7, and when I called front desk the night before and said we have an early flight and asked if we could get an earlier number, the lady told us to just leave when number 5 was called. So we went to the Rendevous lounge at about 7:20 and sat right by the exit door (the meeting for tag 5 was that lounge at 7:50). When dis-embarkation started there were no announcements. A couple of self assist people were standing by the door so they went first, the lady at the door then looked at the few of us sitting there and said that if we were ready we could go. So we were about the 6th people off the ship, no lines, right out and to the airport just before 8:00.

As an FYI in San Juan, I don't know if it is still the case as there were no lines when we left this time, but in the past, getting a porter has allowed you to by-pass the long lines, but I don't know if that is still the case.

I had the strangest interaction with the host at Luminae. We had reservations the first night of the cruise, and when we arrived, the host told me that we had reservations at Qsine as well. I explained that we didn't have any knowledge of Qsine reservations, only Luminae. He then said we had paid and booked reservations for Qsine online. I explained that we did not book any specialty restaurant online, we were in a Royal Suite, and that there wouldn't be any reason for us to do that since the suite includes unlimited specialty dining. He continued to go on and on about how we did have reservations at Qsine (in an almost argumentative way). Finally, in order to just get out of the conversation all together I said, "We are not eating at Qsine tonight. I'm sorry the reservation system shows that we booked online, but we did not. It must be an error. Can we please be seated for dinner?" He then went into this long explanation of "I'm just trying to tell you what is going on..." and at that point I just smiled an nodded until he finally stopped and guided us to our seat...VICTORY! I'm still trying to figure out why he was SO ADAMANT about it.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the host was Franko. Our group of approx 100 people found out that their reservations were all messed up, and Franko blamed it all on our TA, even though our TA was on the cruise, and his reservations were messed up, too. Franko was extremely nasty to all of us.

there was one of the staff members that was just silly. I can't remember the name, but his humor was just painful.

Could it have been Mark or Justin?

If you have upgraded to a premium package, how is it possible to go over on price of mixed drinks?

Nice review.

When we were on Summit in a Celebrity Suite in August, the concierge in MC (Kim) took us off the ship and bypassed the line.

When we boarded, Kim brought us on the ship and took us to MC.

You didn't mention MC. Did you go there?

When we were on Summit in a Celebrity Suite in August, the concierge in MC (Kim) took us off the ship and bypassed the line.

 

 

 

When we boarded, Kim brought us on the ship and took us to MC.

 

 

 

You didn't mention MC. Did you go there?

We did go there. Kim was great; she helped us with another issue we had (our formal wear never made it to San Juan). No assistance/escort with embarkation or disembarkation, though. In all fairness, however, we never inquired.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the host was Franko. Our group of approx 100 people found out that their reservations were all messed up, and Franko blamed it all on our TA, even though our TA was on the cruise, and his reservations were messed up, too. Franko was extremely nasty to all of us.

 

 

 

 

 

Could it have been Mark or Justin?

It wasn't Justin (although he did get on my nerves a bit at Indulgence because he insisted the collar on my polo shirt had to be popped...over...and over again), so it must have been Mark. Very nice guy but I guess we just weren't fans of his humor.

If you have upgraded to a premium package, how is it possible to go over on price of mixed drinks?

 

Nice review.

There is a $13 limit and featured cocktails at Qsine are $14 and more. So, you just pay the difference.

Which wifi package did you have? I am not sure which one the suites include (we are in an interior in april). We enjoy our wifi for work purposes and I am a little concerned regarding your remark about the wifi being not that great.

Which wifi package did you have? I am not sure which one the suites include (we are in an interior in april). We enjoy our wifi for work purposes and I am a little concerned regarding your remark about the wifi being not that great.

We had unlimited WiFi as a suite perk. We could not connect to it at all in our suite (6142). When we did connect to it in public spaces it was very, very, very slow. We usually use an app to view the status of our security system and security cameras at our home when we are away and the WiFi wasn't even strong enough to power the app on my iPhone. We went to the iLounge so we could get on one of the hard wired computers to complete a few financial transactions. It took 30 minutes to log into the Bank of America site, conduct three simple transactions, and log off...no joke.

We had unlimited WiFi as a suite perk. We could not connect to it at all in our suite (6142). When we did connect to it in public spaces it was very, very, very slow. We usually use an app to view the status of our security system and security cameras at our home when we are away and the WiFi wasn't even strong enough to power the app on my iPhone. We went to the iLounge so we could get on one of the hard wired computers to complete a few financial transactions. It took 30 minutes to log into the Bank of America site, conduct three simple transactions, and log off...no joke.

\:eek: Sounds like what I experienced before on RCCL explorer last year. Well I need it on the ship for work and monitoring cameras at home so I will have to grit my teeth and bear it.

Wifi on the cruises is slower than GoGo. Skype is nearly impossible to use and streaming videos is not an option.

Your at sea, relax & disconnect.

Unfortunately I don't have the luxury to disconnect from work or checking on children and relax even when on vacation as some people can do. Maybe when I retire and kids move out... that being said, hopefully when summit goes to dry dock, some improvements will be made with wifi. Wishful thinking.

Hello. Can you PLEASE give me the age demographic on this ship? Me &my husband are in our late 30's/early 40's. Love the Southern Caribbean itinerary for this ship and want to go in late January 2016. We have never cruised Celebrity. Our fear is- last year, we ended up on a RC trip with an alarming amount of seniors with walkers, scooters, oxygen tanks, etc. There was absolutely no night life whatsoever. We don't need to party like the college kids on Carnival, but would like to be on a ship that has some late-night life & a better atmosphere. Please help!

Hello. Can you PLEASE give me the age demographic on this ship? Me &my husband are in our late 30's/early 40's. Love the Southern Caribbean itinerary for this ship and want to go in late January 2016. We have never cruised Celebrity. Our fear is- last year, we ended up on a RC trip with an alarming amount of seniors with walkers, scooters, oxygen tanks, etc. There was absolutely no night life whatsoever. We don't need to party like the college kids on Carnival, but would like to be on a ship that has some late-night life & a better atmosphere. Please help!

The demographic on our cruise was pretty mixed, but I will say skewed somewhat older. There was only one "nightclub" that stayed open past midnight. We are in our 30s but typically don't stay out past midnight. There was always plenty to keep us entertained in the late evenings.

The demographic on our cruise was pretty mixed, but I will say skewed somewhat older. There was only one "nightclub" that stayed open past midnight. We are in our 30s but typically don't stay out past midnight. There was always plenty to keep us entertained in the late evenings.

I was on Summit right after you and I thought there was also a large

mixture of ages. Revelations had quite a few events up there and as

long as folks were there, they were open and the Martini Bar always

seemed to be busy to me.

I don't usually stay up late either (although I am a bit older than ya'll).

I know I did see large mixture of all ages though.

Which wifi package did you have? I am not sure which one the suites include (we are in an interior in april). We enjoy our wifi for work purposes and I am a little concerned regarding your remark about the wifi being not that great.

Wifi was awful. We were just off the 11/21 sailing. I barely made connection from our cabin and needed to use the laptop set up at the iLounge. Then it took 35 minutes just to connect to my e-mail. I stuck with it because I paid for the minutes and was determined to check my e-mail and sent e-mail to my family. My husband spent an hour or more on an acupuncture appointment and by the time he caught up to me, all I was able to do was send 2 e-mails...

The demographic on our cruise was pretty mixed, but I will say skewed somewhat older. There was only one "nightclub" that stayed open past midnight. We are in our 30s but typically don't stay out past midnight. There was always plenty to keep us entertained in the late evenings.

We were on the same sailing and I would guess the majority of the folks were 40 - 60. We hung out at the back bar most nights and it was fun to listen and sign along with the acoustic guitarist. We never made it to Revelations, as most of the time we tried to go there was a private event. Usually made it to about midnight before making our way back to the room.