Just returned from Summit -- Quick Hits

[Durkman]

Hi all,

 

I don't/won't have time for a full review but I wanted to pass along a few words from our just-completed Summit cruise. We don't cruise nearly as much as many on these forums, but this is our third Celebrity cruise--we've averaged one every 3 years for the last 6. Definitely our line of choice compared to the others we've tried (RCCL, Carnival x2 and P&O).

 

 

Some other thoughts and comments:

• We stayed in a suite (S1, cabin 6146) for the first time. As has been reported, this cabin is directly next to one of the two Penthouse suites and is decorated just like the PH. We absolutely loved it. Our butler Keith was amazing and really helped make the experience. Even though we were "lowly" S1 passengers :rolleyes: he invited us to dine with the Staff Captain on the 2nd formal night--we regretfully declined as we were travelling with some friends and didn't want to leave them on their own (especially because our regular table was directly next to the Captain's table--to say the least it would have been awkward to be sitting at the Captain's table with them right next to us).
  
• The balcony does not have loungers or even footstools--it has a good-sized table and 3 chairs. We asked our butler and cabin attendant for lounge chairs but were told that it was not allowed because our balcony and several others along the back end of these cabins serves as an emergency/fire escape from adjoining balconies (for this reason, the balcony partitions don't lock). I did see a recent review (and video) from a fellow CC poster who had loungers on the deck, so I wanted to update this info for anyone that follows us.
  
• Only one US electrical outlet in the entire cabin! It is in the desk/vanity area. All of the other outlets, including the one in the bathroom, are European style. Very strange, and not something that I have seen widely reported on these forums. We managed but if I had known this in advance I would have brought a small power strip and/or a Europe to US power adapter.
  
• Cabin and public space temperatures were fine. I was a bit worried by some previous reviews indicating the Oceanview Cafe was a sweatbox. It was definitely warmer than the lower spaces which don't have sliding doors opening and closing constantly, but in my opinion it was not uncomfortable.
  
• I thought the MDR food was fine, and I have not seen a noticeable decline from my last two X cruises (3 and 6 years ago). If you have unrealistic expectations based on long-ago cruise memories you may be disappointed but otherwise I think you'll enjoy the MDR just fine.
  
• Gambled quite a bit at the Texas Holdem (electronic) table. It was packed most nights, but I was eventually able to get into the cash game each night that I wanted to. Because we were a port-intensive cruise we only had tournaments (3 total) on our one sea day. If you want to play a tournament, sign up early in the cruise--the 24 openings (8 x 3) filled up quickly, with many players signing up for 2 or 3 of them. Casino rake in the cash game is 10% of each pot up to a maximum of $15 per hand--that's pretty huge. I had great luck (and skill :)) at the tables (walked away ahead each of the 4 nights I played, up over $600 for the week), but for the most part the only "player" that consistently won was the House!
  
• Ports were good. St. Kitts: did the day trip to Nevis with lunch. Nevis is nice but there is not much there. Lunch was fine but basic. It's a choppy 45-60 boat ride to Nevis--if you are prone to motion sickness I wouldn't recommend it.
  
• Dominica: did Trafalgar Falls/Sulfur Springs. Falls were cool, but it is about a mile hike up and down some hills/stairs. Don't go if you are not mobile. Sulfur Springs were totally lame. Not a bad tour for the price.
  
• Grenada: tried to walk around St. Georges on our own instead of doing a tour and did not enjoy it at all. Vendors, taxi drivers, and just about every other local (it seemed) accosted us at every corner trying to sell us goods and services. And don't even think about pausing to look at a map or you will be surrounded. We've been around the World and seen all kinds of pushy vendors, but these ones were about as bad as we've ever seen. You couldn't just walk around and enjoy the spice market/etc. We found the antique store we were looking for, took shelter within, and then headed right back to the ship with our heads down. For us, their behavior was counterproductive--we might have spent more money (any money) if we had been able to browse in peace. I hope others with the same experience let X know--if enough people comment about it maybe word will get back to the locals and their behavior will eventually change.
  
• St. Thomas: rented a private sailboat with our friends (High Pockets, http://www.sailhighpockets.com/). Can't say enough about the boat, the owner Kathleen and her first mate Melissa. A great experience and one that I highly recommend. So much better than a ship tour, and great value compared to the same.
  
• Overall I thought the entertainment was great. Production shows were just OK, but consider where you are--we were not expecting Broadway. Musicians, comedian, juggler, pianist were all terrific. Lisa the cruise director is fun and talented (she sings!).
  
• Crew and fellow passengers were as friendly and cheery as I have always remembered.
  

Finally, to all those who are worried from some recent negative reviews, I can confidently say--don't be! If you go in with the right attitude and not nitpick every little detail you will have a great time. Yes, there were some pink "stains" on the floor of the massive bathroom in our suite--my response to that..."First World Problems!" :D (check out the meme). But there was absolutely nothing that made me think that X is going downhill. For the last 6 years X has been our line of choice, and it will remain so in the future.

 

In hindsight I guess maybe these were not "Quick Hits." :) Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed them. Let me know if you have any specific questions or comments.

 

-Chris

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

The balcony does not have loungers or even footstools--it has a good-sized table and 3 chairs. We asked our butler and cabin attendant for lounge chairs but were told that it was not allowed because our balcony and several others along the back end of these cabins serves as an emergency/fire escape from adjoining balconies (for this reason, the balcony partitions don't lock). I did see a recent review (and video) from a fellow CC poster who had loungers on the deck, so I wanted to update this info for anyone that follows us.

 

Thanks for your quick review.

 

I wonder if your butler and cabin attendant were being a bit disingenuous about the loungers/footstools. I have stayed several times in the concierge class cabin next door to yours which is also part of the fire escape system and we always had loungers.

[gelo7]

Sounds like a fairly comprehensive report to me, thanks for sharing.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[Durkman]

Thanks for your quick review.

 

I wonder if your butler and cabin attendant were being a bit disingenuous about the loungers/footstools. I have stayed several times in the concierge class cabin next door to yours which is also part of the fire escape system and we always had loungers.

 

Possibly, but I think that the balcony in the CC cabin next to 6146 is pretty deep and can likely accomodate loungers without blocking the escape path right along the railing. (Unlike the residents in that cabin next to us, who peeked over a couple of times, we never did the same :), but I could see through the crack in the divider and it looked deep). I'm not sure you can say the same about the balcony in 6146. While it is quite long, it is relatively narrow (about 4 feet) and it seems logical that a lounger or two would not leave enough room along the railing.

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Nice review! We agree...thoroughly loved our cruise on the Summit. We were happy campers from start to finish!

[ljk76]

Lots of us are sad to be back...lots of Summit reviews from our cruise. We also took a great sail/snorkel out of Red Hook, with Pat on the Independence. Easily the best excursions we ever take, I've heard great things about "your" captain and boat as well.

[Texed]

Durk,

Thanks for posting.

[Pompein]

Thanks for posting. Going to Bermuda on Summit in June.

Have a question. Do the balconies open between S1 or S2 cabins?

I've never seen this about the fire escape on that deck.

 

I have 3 adjoining AQ1's booked, but am considering Suites, but only if we can move between balconies.

 

Thanks!

[Seago2]

Thanks for your post! Good to learn anything and everything I can-

[varoo]

Thanks for posting. Going to Bermuda on Summit in June..........

 

I have 3 adjoining AQ1's booked, but am considering Suites, but only if we can move between balconies.

You can if you are willing to book one of the penthouse suites with its adjoining S1 and CC.

As stated, the balcony dividers between them are not locked so you can move freely between them.

[Pompein]

Thanks. Just wanted to clarify if it were only the penthouse/S1 or all the S1's.

[Durkman]

Thanks. Just wanted to clarify if it were only the penthouse/S1 or all the S1's.

If the S1 is part of an emergency escape route then the dividers will open. Otherwise, I can't say. It is probably the same as the dividers in any other balcony cabin--I believe that on S class all dividers are retractable upon request but that may not be the case with M class. I'm sure someone here can advise you.

[Durkman]

I neglected to add my comments about our hotel on Friday night (copied from a reply I made in another thread):

 

We stayed at the Embassy Suites on Friday as well, but missed the happy hour as we did not arrive until around 1 am Saturday. We were happy with the room (once we got reassigned to a different "nonsmoking" room that didn't smell like a chimney), and I loved having the separate living area as I had some work to finish up on Saturday morning while DW slept in.

 

One caution for those taking taxis in San Juan--ask how much it will cost before you get into the cab. Even though rates are set and "should" be consistent we got "robbed" on our ride from the airport. The hotel is about 1 mile from the airport and our taxi driver charged us $19 :eek:. When I questioned him he quoted me $11 for the fare, $1 for each of our four bags, and $4 for "gas." It was late and I was tired so I didn't argue too much (and I only tipped him $1 for $20 total), but I am still unhappy about it. I think the "gas" charge was a bunch of BS, since neither our taxi drivers from the hotel to the ship and our return from the ship to airport charged this fee.

[huskerc]

Glad you liked it. We loved the Summit out of San Juan and would go back for the other itinerary. Heck, we'd probably go back for the same itinerary.

 

We had exactly the same experience with Grenada, and several others on our sailing did as well. I would be unlikely to get off the ship there in the future.