The Summit in dire need of refurbishment

[ccmermaid]

My husband and I have cruised with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. This was our first and probably the last cruise on any Celebrity ship. As some other reviewers mentioned, we expected Celebrity to be upscale and a step above Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We were deeply disappointed on our very first day.

 

Everything started with the embarkation process which was delayed for several hours to allow for an intensive ship cleaning after a norovirus outbreak on the previous cruise.

 

On the first evening I saw that my brand new blouse and my husband's pants we were wearing that day were ruined by the chlorine used to disinfect the buffet chairs. We complained to the Guest Relations Desk. They apologized for it but actually did nothing. No reimbursement was offered nor anything to make us satisfied (a complementary spa or salon service, a dinner in Normandie). We submitted the Personal Property Reports and were told that we would be contacted in two weeks. After a month we have not been contacted yet.

 

The buffet was also disappointing - long lines and we always had to ask for more food from the servers (passengers were not allowed to handle food themselves). Also the stations are set up well, but flow in the cafeteria section itself is poor. People always seemed to end up going in the wrong direction to get their food items.

 

The Summit is quite dated and poorly maintained. The buffet has old tables and dirty, sticky chairs. The pool area, deck chairs, everything is old, stained, broken and rusty. The furniture in the casino is chipped, most of the chairs are old and frayed. We never saw anyone painting or refinishing. The solarium smelled of urine.

 

Our stateroom looked worn. The sofa and the carpet had stains all over. The bathroom was nasty. The shower had mildew spots in the corners. The toilet seat was scratched. The whole bathroom smelled of mildew and the hallways by the stateroom smelled of sewage.

 

On one morning my husband and I got woken up very early by the smell of burning plastic. Once again we complained to the Guest Relations Desk. Again they apologized for it and again did nothing to resolve the problem. Later that day while returning to the ship we smelled the same smell and realized they were burning garbage on the ship.

 

On our last day we came to our cabin to change for dinner only to find the refrigerator locked and our things taken out and left on the coffee table. No one bothered to let us know that the refrigerator was going to be locked on the last evening. So unprofessional!

 

All in all, we really loved the itinerary, the food at the buffet and the pool grill and the entertainment. But the ship needs major refurbishment and interior redesign.

 

I posted some pictures of the Summit on Cruise Critic. If you want to see them just search for the Summit or my username ccmermaid in the Photo Gallery.

[RichS10]

Wow. Those pictures of the condition of the Summit are scary. She looks more like the Regal Empress than a Celebrity ship. Both the Mercury and the Century are in a heck of lot better shape than that!

 

Has the Summit ever received an update since her original launch?

 

Rich

[BEAV]

Has the Summit ever received an update since her original launch?

 

 

We sailed a Transatlantic cruise on Summit in March 2008. Upon arrival at Southampton, she went into drydock for updates and refurbishment at that time. We, personally, had no problems as we sailed on her pre-drydock cruise.

[hcat]

How was your cabin & balcony condition & bedding?

 

Was the shower clean?

[Slumdog Millionaire]

My husband and I have cruised with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. This was our first and probably the last cruise on any Celebrity ship. As some other reviewers mentioned, we expected Celebrity to be upscale and a step above Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We were deeply disappointed on our very first day.

 

Everything started with the embarkation process which was delayed for several hours to allow for an intensive ship cleaning after a norovirus outbreak on the previous cruise.

 

On the first evening I saw that my brand new blouse and my husband's pants we were wearing that day were ruined by the chlorine used to disinfect the buffet chairs. We complained to the Guest Relations Desk. They apologized for it but actually did nothing. No reimbursement was offered nor anything to make us satisfied (a complementary spa or salon service, a dinner in Normandie). We submitted the Personal Property Reports and were told that we would be contacted in two weeks. After a month we have not been contacted yet.

 

The buffet was also disappointing - long lines and we always had to ask for more food from the servers (passengers were not allowed to handle food themselves). Also the stations are set up well, but flow in the cafeteria section itself is poor. People always seemed to end up going in the wrong direction to get their food items.

 

The Summit is quite dated and poorly maintained. The buffet has old tables and dirty, sticky chairs. The pool area, deck chairs, everything is old, stained, broken and rusty. The furniture in the casino is chipped, most of the chairs are old and frayed. We never saw anyone painting or refinishing. The solarium smelled of urine.

 

Our stateroom looked worn. The sofa and the carpet had stains all over. The bathroom was nasty. The shower had mildew spots in the corners. The toilet seat was scratched. The whole bathroom smelled of mildew and the hallways by the stateroom smelled of sewage.

 

On one morning my husband and I got woken up very early by the smell of burning plastic. Once again we complained to the Guest Relations Desk. Again they apologized for it and again did nothing to resolve the problem. Later that day while returning to the ship we smelled the same smell and realized they were burning garbage on the ship.

 

On our last day we came to our cabin to change for dinner only to find the refrigerator locked and our things taken out and left on the coffee table. No one bothered to let us know that the refrigerator was going to be locked on the last evening. So unprofessional!

 

All in all, we really loved the itinerary, the food at the buffet and the pool grill and the entertainment. But the ship needs major refurbishment and interior redesign.

 

I posted some pictures of the Summit on Cruise Critic. If you want to see them just search for the Summit or my username ccmermaid in the Photo Gallery.

A scratched toilet seat? Wow!

[Lois R]

Wow. Those pictures of the condition of the Summit are scary. She looks more like the Regal Empress than a Celebrity ship. Both the Mercury and the Century are in a heck of lot better shape than that!

 

Has the Summit ever received an update since her original launch?

 

Rich

 

Hi Rich,:) yes, she was drydocked in 2008.

 

What is outdated to someone might be just fine to another person.

 

I was on her in January....where has the time gone?:confused:

 

I went with 2 sets of friends I had met on previous cruises and we

had a wonderful time:D

I think she is in fine shape and will be sailing her again 2 months

from now in May:)

 

Sorry the OP had so many issues:(

[TrikeRider]

I felt the same way when I went on the Zenith many years ago. Because of that ship, I try to sail on newer ones. Still won't stop me from using Celebrity in the future.

[Lois R]

My husband and I have cruised with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. This was our first and probably the last cruise on any Celebrity ship. As some other reviewers mentioned, we expected Celebrity to be upscale and a step above Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We were deeply disappointed on our very first day.

 

Everything started with the embarkation process which was delayed for several hours to allow for an intensive ship cleaning after a norovirus outbreak on the previous cruise.

 

On the first evening I saw that my brand new blouse and my husband's pants we were wearing that day were ruined by the chlorine used to disinfect the buffet chairs. We complained to the Guest Relations Desk. They apologized for it but actually did nothing. No reimbursement was offered nor anything to make us satisfied (a complementary spa or salon service, a dinner in Normandie). We submitted the Personal Property Reports and were told that we would be contacted in two weeks. After a month we have not been contacted yet.

 

The buffet was also disappointing - long lines and we always had to ask for more food from the servers (passengers were not allowed to handle food themselves). Also the stations are set up well, but flow in the cafeteria section itself is poor. People always seemed to end up going in the wrong direction to get their food items.

 

The Summit is quite dated and poorly maintained. The buffet has old tables and dirty, sticky chairs. The pool area, deck chairs, everything is old, stained, broken and rusty. The furniture in the casino is chipped, most of the chairs are old and frayed. We never saw anyone painting or refinishing. The solarium smelled of urine.

 

Our stateroom looked worn. The sofa and the carpet had stains all over. The bathroom was nasty. The shower had mildew spots in the corners. The toilet seat was scratched. The whole bathroom smelled of mildew and the hallways by the stateroom smelled of sewage.

 

On one morning my husband and I got woken up very early by the smell of burning plastic. Once again we complained to the Guest Relations Desk. Again they apologized for it and again did nothing to resolve the problem. Later that day while returning to the ship we smelled the same smell and realized they were burning garbage on the ship.

 

On our last day we came to our cabin to change for dinner only to find the refrigerator locked and our things taken out and left on the coffee table. No one bothered to let us know that the refrigerator was going to be locked on the last evening. So unprofessional!

 

All in all, we really loved the itinerary, the food at the buffet and the pool grill and the entertainment. But the ship needs major refurbishment and interior redesign.

 

I posted some pictures of the Summit on Cruise Critic. If you want to see them just search for the Summit or my username ccmermaid in the Photo Gallery.

 

I am really sorry you had so many issues with your cruise.:(

I have never gone around and taken photos of your choices.

Did you not find anything fun at all? Other than the itinerary?

Sorry your week was ruined and didn't find anything good to

take photos of........:eek:

As for mold, I would have asked the cabin attendant to come

in and re-clean it. Usually when you ask they will help, pronto

and if not, their supervisor is the Asst Chief Housekeeper.

 

I guess outdated is personal opinion....I sailed her in January with

friends and had a fabulous time:D

[greg_atlanta]

ccmermaid: I see you sailed RCI Serenade the week before? How did it compare?

[Harley Granny]

I saw your pictures and yes it made the ship look bad.

 

The part of your post that bothers me is when you said you probably would never sail on Celebrity again.

Why is that? Because of one ship? A ship that's 10 years old? Celebrity like the other cruise lines have multiple ships of all different ages.

 

My 1st cruise is going to be on the Monarch of the Seas with Royal Carribean. I'm not going to think that this is the best they have.

 

It's your decision of course but I just thing it's a shame to shun an entire cruise line because of the conditions that you didn't like on one ship.

 

I wouldn't do that but then again...that's just me.

[avalon1025]

Its sad that they can not keep these ships in better condition. We felt the same way about the Infinity and Summit over the past few years. There should be no excuse for some of things we saw on the Infinity pre-dry dock; packing tape holding carpet seams together, broken closet doors in our suite, rust and unvarnished handrails. Its sad, these are lovely ships that need a bit more TLC to fit the image Celebrity marketing projects.

 

We loved the Summit and thought two years ago she was the best kept of the bunch.

[RodPat]

While I am sorry that the OP had such a dislike for Summit, I must say I never have taken pictures of rusty screws on any ship. I am sure that if we all took the time to look like they did we would somehow find things like that on any ship. I cruise to have a good time with friends. Perhaps these people should only cruise ships that are brand new and that would make them happy.

 

Pat

[greg_atlanta]

It's funny that nobody talks about the price they paid for their Summit cruise when complaining about the condition of the ship.

 

Summit cruises out of San Juan have been less expensive that other cruise lines' sailings from San Juan -- and cheaper than similar cruises from Miami and Ft Lauderdale (even considering higher airfares to San Juan).

 

You get what you pay for!

[sarahc78]

I have only been on 3 cruises previously and they were all w/ RCI the first 2 were on the The Viking Serenade and 1 on the Monarch of the Seas. Both were older ships but I had a FANTASTIC time!

[puglvr0507]

I just got off the Summit on Saturday. Had a wonderful time. I did see people painting and doing maintenance the entire time. Yes, there are a few places that are worn. Did this spoil my trip? Absolutely not. You are on vacation...on a cruise, what more could you ask for???

[gisnered]

I just got off the Summit on Saturday. Had a wonderful time. I did see people painting and doing maintenance the entire time. Yes, there are a few places that are worn. Did this spoil my trip? Absolutely not. You are on vacation...on a cruise, what more could you ask for???

 

One could ask that the "old tables and dirty, sticky chairs" in the buffet be new and not sticky. One could ask that in the pool area that the deck chairs not be old, stained, broken and rusty. One could want the furniture in the casino not to be chipped. One might think that the most of the chairs ought not be old and frayed and ask for it. The solarium, of course should not smell of urine.

 

The stateroom should not "look worn", and one could ask that the sofa and the carpet had not have "stains all over". One might expect that the shower not have "mildew spots in the corners". One could ask that the toilet seat not be scratched. One might think it wrong if the whole bathroom smells of mildew and the hallways by the stateroom smell of sewage.

 

One could ask a lot more and not be too far off base. Celebrity, like any organization and Summit, it's product, are not perfect. Older things do wear and need maintenance or replacement. Celebrity, however, is selling the cruise experience on Summit as if it is new and a perfect experience. They claim Summit is "Top-rated among large ships, Celebrity Summit reflects the opulence and innovation of today's greatest ships.") Not everyone is willing to give =X= a pass on it out of loyalty or the sheer joy of being on the water when the experience turns out to be somewhat less than advertised. They're not being unreasonable.

[Cobraman]

A few years back, the Summit was doing the San Pedro/Hawaii 14 day R/T run. We had a sky suite with butler and it was the most enjoyable cruise ever. The ship showed its age a bit, but overall it was clean and maintained.

 

Sorry to hear it may be slipping a bit.

[tally10]

Did you have a scratched toilet seat too? Pretty funny stuff.

 

I think the OP has made some valid points. Everyone's standards are different. We sailed on the Constellation three years in a row and obviously loved our cruise experience. However, we noticed that the Constellation needed some cosmetic refurbishment back in 2005 and it was not done the three consecutive years we sailed on her. Yes, cracked and chipped toilet seats which are not too expensive to change out, chipped and cracked vanities, worn carpets, sad looking chairs on the balcony, rust, etc. What the OP should do is maybe stick to the newer ships on whatever cruise line if it is bothersome, which is what we now do. There is always a choice and we have never had a bad cruise on any cruise line, but have enjoyed some ships a whole lot better than others for various reasons.

[jackdiamond]

Folks, we cruised on the Ruby Princess in a mini suite; and, we met some nice folks who were on the Summit at Runaway beach in Antigua. Those folks loved theSummit. By the way, this was March 17, 2010-St. Pats Day. So who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of man-THE SHADOW DO!

[Slumdog Millionaire]

I think the OP has made some valid points. Everyone's standards are different. We sailed on the Constellation three years in a row and obviously loved our cruise experience. However, we noticed that the Constellation needed some cosmetic refurbishment back in 2005 and it was not done the three consecutive years we sailed on her. Yes, cracked and chipped toilet seats which are not too expensive to change out, chipped and cracked vanities, worn carpets, sad looking chairs on the balcony, rust, etc. What the OP should do is maybe stick to the newer ships on whatever cruise line if it is bothersome, which is what we now do. There is always a choice and we have never had a bad cruise on any cruise line, but have enjoyed some ships a whole lot better than others for various reasons.

Very logical. Thanks for sharing. My goal is to spend as little time in my cabin as possible. That is what I want in a vacation.

[Smartcookie]

I looked at the photos and have to say, they're pretty scary.

 

This is NOT what I expect from Celebrity, even if the cruise was a bargain. It's just not up to X standards and if I were a Celebrity executive I'd make refurbishing this ship a top priority.

 

There's old and then there's poorly maintained and in disrepair. From the looks of those photos, Summit belongs in the latter category.

[geojobes]

I'll see for myself come May. When we were planning our cruise on Empress of the Seas, people reported that it was a "rust bucket." We didn't see a single problem with it & had a very great cruise, although the weather didn't cooperate. Same thing with Grandeur of the Seas. She's & the Century are our favorites.

 

I WILL report back after our cruise. I am not a cheerleader for any cruise line, we've tried & liked 4 different ones. I've sailed on the best maintained ships in the world with the US Navy. I know this site is anonymous & anyone can say anything, but you can always take what I say to the bank.

[cruisingsaw]

I guess I am not looking in the right place. Where are the photos.

 

Thanks

[bplazo]

I looked at the pictures and I can see why the op was dis-satisfied with the condition of the ship. As for the scratched toilet seat it could become an issue if germs build up in the scratched part and you sit on it.

[luannsimon]

I'll see for myself come May. When we were planning our cruise on Empress of the Seas, people reported that it was a "rust bucket." We didn't see a single problem with it & had a very great cruise, although the weather didn't cooperate. Same thing with Grandeur of the Seas. She's & the Century are our favorites.

 

I WILL report back after our cruise. I am not a cheerleader for any cruise line, we've tried & liked 4 different ones. I've sailed on the best maintained ships in the world with the US Navy. I know this site is anonymous & anyone can say anything, but you can always take what I say to the bank.

 

I am on the Summit in May as well. And I too will report back. I am sail on all the different cruise lines, and will give my honest report.