Got off Summit today. My first post!!

[tiderfan]

First of all.....thanks to everyone for all the info posted before my cruise. This was my 2nd Celebrity cruise. First was on the Century April '09. As soon as I learn how to add my previous cruises over the past 25 years, I'll do it. Most of them have been RCCL, Princess and Carnival with some NCL, Sitmar, Pacquet and Disney thrown in.

 

This will be kind of long, but I want to be informative, and hopefully beneficial.

 

My wife and I are in our 40's and we went with our twin girls age 9. We had to fly into LGA and I was determined not to pay $100.00 to get to the port. Where I'm from, a $100.00 taxi ride would included dinner and drinks in the vehicle!!

 

Left from Port Authority in NYC after spending the night in Times Square hotel. Took the bus to Bayonne, and then taxi to the port. Total: $24.00.

 

We are elite CC members, but didn't feel any love upon check-in-no big deal. Two shuttle busses left half full before us and I"m not sure who got to board those first??

 

My thoughts on Celebrity and the Summit..........

 

Positives:

 

Crew was very friendly and they ALWAYS greet you. It must be required, but doesn't come off fake. Ship is in very good shape. I think that has been covered.

 

Great variety of food in the Waterfall Cafe. We could always find a table. MDR food was very good, except the "offered every night" sirloin steak. Think Ryan's Steakhouse...very tough.

We really enjoyed the seaday brunch. Chaotic with all the people, but good food and variety.

 

Bermuda was awesome. Clean, safe, friendly. Went to Horseshoe Beach. Ocean and beach were terrific. Not sure if this has been mentioned. There is a "healthy walk" to the beach from the bus stop. There is a $2.00 pp van that will bring you back up to the top. Nice.

 

Entertainment/bingo/casino all were very good. Some acts really great!

 

My children loved the Kid's Club. Counselors were very good and all the kids seemed to enjoy being with them.

 

 

Negatives (at least to us):

 

Not quite enough going on around the ship to suit our tastes, especially on the Bermuda port days. Of course I understand why, but this was the worst I've ever seen...deadsville!

 

More action needed around the pool. Hey we weren't on Carnival and didn't want to be, but this was the extreme. Even on Century they had a volleyball game in the pool with the passengers and officers...lots of fun.

 

My biggest disappointment was overall the CC elite. The coupons are a waste of paper other than the internet and MAYBE the laundry. My wife and I never one time went to cocktail hour, because we were always in shorts. Shorts are a deal breaker here. I"m not ready to change for a free drink beginning at 4pm over at 6pm. Just me!

 

 

Please feel free to ask me anything you want! Thanks for reading...tiderfan

[Lab Guy]

So sorry you didn't appreciate the Elite get together.My dh and I love it.We find it a great time to get together with fellow cruisers and share our experiences.We don't have a problem with dressing for the occassion.It's smart casual.No big deal...

[librarylady19]

Thanks for posting. What type of cabin did you have. How was the service in MDR? Appreciate any further insight into your cruise experience.

[tiderfan]

We went for the inside this time. Got a pretty good deal and really don't mind the inside cabin. Seems to stay cooler.

 

Service in the MDR was excellent. Our waiter/asst were outstanding and very friendly and efficient.

 

I'd like to add....the internet service is VERY slow. It takes a good 5 -10 mins just to check your email. They even have that posted in the room.

 

Also--the room has a really bad smell. Anyone else notice that??

[dalitos]

Thank you for the review and welcome to Cruise Critic. I am sure you will find it extremely helpful in researching everything related to a cruise vacation.

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[cookie1961]

Thanks tiderfan for your review of Summit. We'll be sailing on her next May and we just can't wait :)

 

I am sorry to hear that you didn't find there were enough activities onboard for you and that the internet was so slow :(

 

Did you enjoy some food at the AcquaSpa Cafe? If yes, how was it?

 

While you were docked in Bermuda, how were the two ships docked? Bow to Bow or Aft to Aft?

 

Thanks again for your review :)

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[mardon]

we enjoyed our cruise to bermuda. we went every day to the elite lounge and enjoyed meeting people from all over. by 5 p.m. we had had enuf of the pool so it was easy to change quickly into casual wear and enjoy that cool drink. i like the idea that SHORTS are NOT ALLOWED at the Elite Lounge. I was happy to see that the Captain's Hostess adhered to the dress code. Alot of people were sent away mad but showed up the next day in casual wear. That is what makes Celebrity a little more classier than the rest of the cruiselines. The newsletter AND the Elite Lounge Card DO SAY "Casual Dress". We also loved Horseshoe Beach. Beautiful beach and my suggestion is to pay the $2 for the ride back up the hill. We look forward to our trip back to Bermuda.

[Wine-O]

we enjoyed our cruise to bermuda. we went every day to the elite lounge and enjoyed meeting people from all over. by 5 p.m. we had had enuf of the pool so it was easy to change quickly into casual wear and enjoy that cool drink. i like the idea that SHORTS are NOT ALLOWED at the Elite Lounge. I was happy to see that the Captain's Hostess adhered to the dress code. Alot of people were sent away mad but showed up the next day in casual wear. That is what makes Celebrity a little more classier than the rest of the cruiselines. The newsletter AND the Elite Lounge Card DO SAY "Casual Dress". We also loved Horseshoe Beach. Beautiful beach and my suggestion is to pay the $2 for the ride back up the hill. We look forward to our trip back to Bermuda.

 

We leave Sunday and looking forward to the Elite Lounge. Thanks for your assessment.

[hcat]

we enjoyed our cruise to bermuda. we went every day to the elite lounge and enjoyed meeting people from all over. by 5 p.m. we had had enuf of the pool so it was easy to change quickly into casual wear and enjoy that cool drink. i like the idea that SHORTS are NOT ALLOWED at the Elite Lounge. I was happy to see that the Captain's Hostess adhered to the dress code. Alot of people were sent away mad but showed up the next day in casual wear. That is what makes Celebrity a little more classier than the rest of the cruiselines. The newsletter AND the Elite Lounge Card DO SAY "Casual Dress". We also loved Horseshoe Beach. Beautiful beach and my suggestion is to pay the $2 for the ride back up the hill. We look forward to our trip back to Bermuda.

 

glad to hear the Elite gathering is being kept nice on Summit we have about 6 or 7 weeks til we cruise to Bermuda...did they serve any treats there? Did you try the Elite breakfast?

 

How was the ship docked? wondering if we'll have a port or water view...

[hcat]

First of all.....thanks to everyone for all the info posted before my cruise. This was my 2nd Celebrity cruise. First was on the Century April '09. As soon as I learn how to add my previous cruises over the past 25 years, I'll do it. Most of them have been RCCL, Princess and Carnival with some NCL, Sitmar, Pacquet and Disney thrown in.

 

This will be kind of long, but I want to be informative, and hopefully beneficial.

 

My wife and I are in our 40's and we went with our twin girls age 9. We had to fly into LGA and I was determined not to pay $100.00 to get to the port. Where I'm from, a $100.00 taxi ride would included dinner and drinks in the vehicle!!

 

Left from Port Authority in NYC after spending the night in Times Square hotel. Took the bus to Bayonne, and then taxi to the port. Total: $24.00.

 

We are elite CC members, but didn't feel any love upon check-in-no big deal. Two shuttle busses left half full before us and I"m not sure who got to board those first??

 

My thoughts on Celebrity and the Summit..........

 

Positives:

 

Crew was very friendly and they ALWAYS greet you. It must be required, but doesn't come off fake. Ship is in very good shape. I think that has been covered.

 

Great variety of food in the Waterfall Cafe. We could always find a table. MDR food was very good, except the "offered every night" sirloin steak. Think Ryan's Steakhouse...very tough.

We really enjoyed the seaday brunch. Chaotic with all the people, but good food and variety.

 

Bermuda was awesome. Clean, safe, friendly. Went to Horseshoe Beach. Ocean and beach were terrific. Not sure if this has been mentioned. There is a "healthy walk" to the beach from the bus stop. There is a $2.00 pp van that will bring you back up to the top. Nice.

 

Entertainment/bingo/casino all were very good. Some acts really great!

 

My children loved the Kid's Club. Counselors were very good and all the kids seemed to enjoy being with them.

 

 

Negatives (at least to us):

 

Not quite enough going on around the ship to suit our tastes, especially on the Bermuda port days. Of course I understand why, but this was the worst I've ever seen...deadsville!

 

More action needed around the pool. Hey we weren't on Carnival and didn't want to be, but this was the extreme. Even on Century they had a volleyball game in the pool with the passengers and officers...lots of fun.

 

My biggest disappointment was overall the CC elite. The coupons are a waste of paper other than the internet and MAYBE the laundry. My wife and I never one time went to cocktail hour, because we were always in shorts. Shorts are a deal breaker here. I"m not ready to change for a free drink beginning at 4pm over at 6pm. Just me!

 

 

Please feel free to ask me anything you want! Thanks for reading...tiderfan

 

thanks for the review-- Bermuda sounds nice-- can;t wait to go back there--it's been many yrs-- we cruise in sept..

 

sounds like Royal might be better for you in terms of activity & different dress rules for the nightly get together--

 

how was the music on board? (Royal is uually better in that area for us)

[roe2ship]

Thanks for posting your thoughts on the Summit.

 

Can you tell me a little bit about the activities in the children's program? Do you have to register children on the first night? Or during the day?

 

About Bermuda - going to Horseshoe.....is the bus the only option? I keep reading about this steep hill and was wondering if you can take a ferry to get there rather than paying for the taxi/van to get up or down the hill.