Summit Review June 9th-16th

[CruisersTimesThree]

Just alittle background...

We weren't really planning on taking this cruise, as my DH and I had done the same exact one last June to celebrate our 30th anniversary with another couple. We have a slightly disabled son and I always felt bad that we didnt take him, so in Feb I started looking at prices to see how they compared to last year and then read about the promos that were offered on Bermuda voyages. I kept watch everyday, then knew it was being extended and free parking was thrown in too. The price dropped about $1500 for the suite I wanted and I booked it on April 20th. I booked Royal Suite 6139, the same one we had last year. With the promo we had chosen the drink package, was given $500 OBC for a suite booking, another $100 for being a NY resident, and the free parking voucher....all in all I was happy with the price we got and the extras.

 

Embarkation Day

We live on Long Island, so it was a simple drive to Bayonne for us. We left home around 10am, arriving at the port just before 11:30. Knowing the procedure, my husband pulled in to a spot, a porter helped us with our bags, my husband parked in the adjacent lot, while our son and I waited for him just outside the check-in area. At this time a lot of people had arrived at the same time we did and there was a long line formed. I couldnt remember if we went through security first and then the check-in last year and knew that there were separate areas according to your cabin, so I questioned a woman who was moving people along. She told me it was security first, then check-in, but she would be awaiting us on the other side to escort us to VIP, which I found to be very accomadating as to the amount of people that were on line. The line moved quickly (Celebrity really has it down pat at Bayonne!) and we had no problem with our 2 larger bottles of wine getting through.

The woman I spoke to was right where she said she would be, walked us over and we were checked in within minutes. Coincidentally, a young man (Tim, the maitre d' at the Normandie) who I recognized from last year was also helping out at the desk and when he saw our name (its very unusual) he remembered us and instantly asked if we would be dining in his venue again this cruise. We told him we planned to on our anniversary that Wed evening and he right there and then made our reservation for that and also Qsine. Service right from the start was impeccable!

We were on a bus and aboard the ship within another 10 mins, greeted with a welcome glass of champagne and smiles.

The one thing I needed to take care of then, since Tim already booked our restaurants was to get our beverage package upgraded and buy our son a soda package. We went straight to the Martini Bar and it was done in no time. Then off to Bistro on Five for delicous crepes and paninnis for lunch.

The steak pannini is sooooo sooooo good (had it twice this cruise) and the Italian crepe is a big favorite of my husbands. Bloody Marys were delish and were ordered quite often on this trip.

Rooms were ready somewhere betweent 1-1:30 and my husband and I were very excited to let our son open the door to our suite. When I saw the smile on his face, I knew we made the right decision to do this again.

 

 

More to come later......I have to get dinner going and a few things done around the house. I will try to get more written later tonight.