Newbie, Basic ??s for Summit

[roothy123]

Web site isn't that great; trying to determine where main dining room is on Celebrity Summit - what deck, and rear or forward?

 

Are there any particular cabin areas that aren't good from a noise standpoint? Only cruised the Summit once before, and we chose an inside cabin right next to the room that the cabin stewards/stewardesses used to stage room service, other food, etc. It was kind of noisy with the door banging all the time, although not a huge deal. Is there any way to determine where those areas are?

 

I'm probably going for an ocean view this time. Are there any particular things I should know? The first cabins that come up on the web site seem to be all way forward or way back. Is that generally the situation (at least for cruising in the Caribbean, with only 4 months left before cruising) or are there mid-section cabins available if you keep looking for those? Being either close to the dining room, or close to where you disembark, or just mid-ship to be close to most things might sway me in my choice. I don't care that much stability-wise, as I don't mind a rocking ship, so that isn't really much of a consideration. Besides, I think the Caribbean is usually pretty calm.

 

Do you generally embark/disembark fairly far forward, mid-ship, or what?

 

Thanks for any info you can give me!

[kitty9]

The dining room is aft, decks four and five----it's a two story dining room.

 

You don't want a cabin under the buffet. It can be terribly noise at all hours.

 

Mid ship cabins are generally balcony cabins.

 

Embarkation and disembarkation is generally mid ship.

[roothy123]

Thanks, that's very helpful. One more question, though - is the buffet aft? I can see something that says "Grill" - assume that's the buffet area? if so, I won't book below it!

 

Also, just out of curiosity, is the service and food any better if you select one of the established dining times? When we cruised before, we selected the "anytime dining" or whatever it's called. We liked the flexibility, but wondered if the service and food was better with the set dining times. (Yes, I know it's the same food, but maybe the wait staff and cooks are more rushed in one situation or the other - don't know!!)

[CruisinCadie]

We had anytime dining on the Summit recently. If you want a specific time, you'd better make your reservations as early as possible. We finally ended up showing up around 7:30 for a minimal wait, but that may vary from cruise to cruise. Since we didn't have a standing reservation, we ate in a different section almost every night. The headwaiters were uniformly fantastic. So were most of the assistants, although you could tell who was new on the job and just learning his responsibilities.

 

As for food quality, the four in our party all agreed that we never, ever, had a bad meal. Everything was great, and believe me, we'll send something back if it's not up to standard.

 

We had an oceanview cabin on deck 3, midship forward. But we booked 10 months ahead of time. I don't know what might be available 4 months out. Even though we were right off the atrium and below the casino, we had no problems with noise. The only place you might have a noise problem is below the RendezVous. The dance bands can get pretty loud early, although I don't remember how late they play. I think the after dinner music moves up to the top deck.

 

Enjoy your trip.

 

Kathy

[katrocity1]

What level do you enter the ship on?

[roothy123]

Thank you to both. I finally was able to figure out where the dining venues were, but it's hard to read that little print on the deck plans, so thanks!

 

I'm leaning toward an ocean view cabin way forward on 6, so I think the noise won't be an issue there, and I kind of like the idea of having a window at the very front of the ship. On 6, I assume there's no obstruction, but perhaps I will call Celeb just to make sure. I'd hate to pay for an OV only to find I'm looking out at the helicopter pad and a white barricade! As for noise, I forget where the lounge is, but don't think that should be a problem - especially if any noise ends by 11 PM or so.

 

With select dining, is it possible to make your reservations a little before you want to go to dinner? We found last year that normally we could walk in without too much wait if we went no later than 7, but one night when we went around 7:30 it was almost a 45 minute wait. Is the secret just showing up fairly early, or can I go at, say, around 7, to see if we can come back at 7:30 and hopefully be seated within 5 minutes or so? Will they do that? Also, is the lower level for the 6:30 and later seating, and the upper level for Select, or how does that work?

 

We found the food very variable - some was great, but sometimes a part of it was dreadful. Veal Cordon Bleu, the chef's recommendation one night, comes to mind...but the veggies and side dishes were wonderful! However, a Summit regular told me the food was a bit "off" on our cruise...lucky me! Oh well, the price was right, and we had a great time. You certainly can't see and do as much on your own for the price. I love cruising!

 

So - anyone know about the 6 far forward cabins or the Select reservations policy?

[Lois R]

What level do you enter the ship on?

 

That can vary depending on the port but usually, deck 4.

[Lois R]

Thanks, that's very helpful. One more question, though - is the buffet aft? I can see something that says "Grill" - assume that's the buffet area? if so, I won't book below it!

 

Also, just out of curiosity, is the service and food any better if you select one of the established dining times? When we cruised before, we selected the "anytime dining" or whatever it's called. We liked the flexibility, but wondered if the service and food was better with the set dining times. (Yes, I know it's the same food, but maybe the wait staff and cooks are more rushed in one situation or the other - don't know!!)

 

Hi, I have sailed Summit multiple times (I love her:)) The Grill is

actually at the pool:D......the buffet is definitely aft.

[roothy123]

Hi Lois (or anyone!) TA said she thought helicopter pad was on deck 6, which meant I might have a slightly weird ocean view cabin view at the very front of the ship. On her site, it shows 6 to be the deck that juts way out front, which I assume is the helicopter pad. However, Celebrity's site, I believe, shows that to be deck 5. Person I called at Celebrity said 6 was NOT the helicopter deck. Can I assume he's right, and that a front of the ship cabin (6002 in this case) would have a true ocean view?

 

I just canceled my 6002 hold a little while ago but now I think I want to get it back if I can - but would feel better if there's someone who has been on the Summit and can reassure me that the pad is on 5 and 6 has regular windows! Thx.

Edited November 23, 2013 by roothy123

[CaribbeanBound]

We just got off the Summit two weeks ago. I posted VERY detailed information about the ship and ports at: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/summit.html

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[roothy123]

We just got off the Summit two weeks ago. I posted VERY detailed information about the ship and ports at: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/summit.html

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Excellent! I just printed it out to read! We're on same itinerary.

Edited November 23, 2013 by roothy123

[Lois R]

Hi, I have stayed all the way forward on deck 7 before. The cabin

is much larger than a normal window AND the window itself is larger

too:).....not sure if those cabins on deck 6 are the same as on 7.

[roothy123]

Hi, I have stayed all the way forward on deck 7 before. The cabin

is much larger than a normal window AND the window itself is larger

too:).....not sure if those cabins on deck 6 are the same as on 7.

 

Wow, just looked those cabins up, and they look great. However, they're not available on the cruise I picked - and deck 6 doesn't have those big cabins! Oh well! They would probably be out of my price range anyway.

[boogs]

I'm leaning toward an ocean view cabin way forward on 6, so I think the noise won't be an issue there, and I kind of like the idea of having a window at the very front of the ship. On 6, I assume there's no obstruction, but perhaps I will call Celeb just to make sure. I'd hate to pay for an OV only to find I'm looking out at the helicopter pad and a white barricade! As for noise, I forget where the lounge is, but don't think that should be a problem - especially if any noise ends by 11 PM or so.

 

A comparison of the deck plans shows that the deck 6 forward staterooms are above the theater, a little forward of the stage's position. Whether there is any noise from the shows below I can't say.

 

As I described on your other thread, the deck 6 staterooms look out over the helipad. You will see straight out unobstructed, but not down to the water.

 

Edited November 23, 2013 by boogs

[Lois R]

Wow, just looked those cabins up, and they look great. However, they're not available on the cruise I picked - and deck 6 doesn't have those big cabins! Oh well! They would probably be out of my price range anyway.

 

Hi, you might be surprised...sometimes those windows are quite

reasonable:) (depending on your pricepoint of course;)).

[CruisinCadie]

What level do you enter the ship on?

 

On our Canada/New England cruise, we entered either on Deck 1 or Deck 3. It probably varies with the tides and itineraries.

 

Kathy

[katrocity1]

Interesting that there are different doors into the ship. I didn't know that. Anybody sailed on Summit out of Bayone,NJ and know what level you enter the ship on?

[cruisestitch]

At least partially that depends on the tides.

 

Could be deck 3 or deck 4.