Tell me about Bermuda and the Summit

[davekathy]

I'll give you my honest opinion...I find the ships that need to be soon refurbished or sold now do the Bermuda itinerary. 1990 is when Celebrity first started doing the Bermuda ...so many have done it that it has lost it's customer base.

 

My guess...it's nowone of the less expensive cruises with Celebrity...this is your fisrt clue as to ship condition, crew, etc.

 

I also disagree. The Summit also Cruises out of San Juan and the Ports are fantastic. I wouldn’t consider those itineraries “less expensive Cruises with Celebrity”. Of course that’s my opinion. When was the last time you sailed on the Summit?

[jayoldschool]

The Bermuda government has been considering some major work that would let larger ships dock in Hamilton & St. George's

 

THIS would get me back to Bermuda ASAP!

 

I'll give you my honest opinion...I find the ships that need to be soon refurbished or sold now do the Bermuda itinerary. 1990 is when Celebrity first started doing the Bermuda ...so many have done it that it has lost it's customer base.

 

My guess...it's nowone of the less expensive cruises with Celebrity...this is your fisrt clue as to ship condition, crew, etc.

 

I'll add my disagreement here, too. Bermuda is usually expensive. Summit isn't going anywhere. As others have pointed out, Zenith and Horizon have left us, but they were unique in their ability (for X) to dock downtown and St George. I sailed Horizon on my first X voyage, and took Zenith to Bermuda, and both ships were great. I miss them.

[ORV]

We have sailed Summit to Bermuda and absolutely would do it again. We actually enjoyed having the 3 days in one port ---- no rushing to get back to the ship each afternoon, the chance to get off the ship in the evening, the lovely views from both sides of the ship. Bermuda is clean, prosperous, friendly with absolutely breathtaking scenery and gorgeous pastel houses (and moon gates!). No rental cars, but most cruisers buy a pass that includes all the ferries and buses, makes it really easy to get around on your own. Buy a good guidebook and just plan out what you want to see, but highlights are Horseshoe Bay beach, St George's (a pleasant historical town with good beaches nearby), Swizzle Inn, the caves and gardens, the bustling town of Hamilton across the harbor from the cruise ship dock --- I could go on and on. Summit is an elegant, more old fashioned ship but very well kept. We would definitely go again.

 

I'm curious about Swizzle Inn, is it doable from Hamilton by the bus? Is in on the beach? We're there on a cruise for almost 3 days in Apr and considering going there.

[rednose83]

We did the Bermuda itinerary on the Summit last summer. We loved the island of Bermuda. We were never approached by kids seeking "donations," women braiding hair, or dudes selling drugs. A refreshing change from the usual places. (Note: I personally have never been asked to buy drugs in ANY port but we have been pestered for donations, hair braiding, and tours.) Bermuda feels like a nice, clean island that is safe to walk around without worry.

 

We didn't find the sea days to be too excessive and I am usually a port over sea day person.

 

I cannot compare Celebrity ships to one another because I've only been on the Summit. I did like the "made for you" food at the pasta bar and the stir fry area. I also loved the waffles in the morning.

 

I was surprised by how dated the ship looked. We usually cruise on Carnival and I was expecting the Summit to be much nicer but it was not (IMO). It was just decorated less over the top.

[Lois R]

I'm curious about Swizzle Inn, is it doable from Hamilton by the bus? Is in on the beach? We're there on a cruise for almost 3 days in Apr and considering going there.

 

Hi,:D I went to The Swizzle Inn and this is what my itinerary was for the

day....I took the Ferry to St George and walked around for a bit. Then

I took a bus to "The Crystal Caves". I can't remember which bus but

it is very easy to find out. I went on a tour of the caves and THEN

went to the Swizzle Inn. It is definitely walkable from the Caves.

I had a wonderful lunch and RUM SWIZZLE:D.....then I took the bus

to Hamilton (the bus stop is at The Swizzle Inn).....when I got to

Hamilton I walked around a bit and then took the Ferry back to the ship.

It was a great day for me:)

[ORV]

Hi,:D I went to The Swizzle Inn and this is what my itinerary was for the

day....I took the Ferry to St George and walked around for a bit. Then

I took a bus to "The Crystal Caves". I can't remember which bus but

it is very easy to find out. I went on a tour of the caves and THEN

went to the Swizzle Inn. It is definitely walkable from the Caves.

I had a wonderful lunch and RUM SWIZZLE:D.....then I took the bus

to Hamilton (the bus stop is at The Swizzle Inn).....when I got to

Hamilton I walked around a bit and then took the Ferry back to the ship.

It was a great day for me:)

 

Thanks Lois, Is it on the beach, or where you can see the water? We're looking for a place to have lunch and a drink, and this sound like what we're looking for.

[Lois R]

Thanks Lois, Is it on the beach, or where you can see the water? We're looking for a place to have lunch and a drink, and this sound like what we're looking for.

 

There is more than 1 Swizzle Inn. The one I went to is not on the

beach. I would suggest asking this question on the Bermuda forum.

There are some VERY HELPFUL folks over there and I know you will

be able to get the answers to your questions from them:)

Edited January 12, 2014 by Lois R

[Spender Nui]

Thank you for all your replies. I've wanted to see Bermuda for a long time. We don't dislike children...we have grandchildren....what we do mind is children who misbehave and their behavior is allowed by their parents. 200 children is a lot...will definitely be doing more research in the upcoming weeks.

 

If you're concerned about kids consider going early or late in the season when they are in school.

[Viva_la_Vida]

Thank you for all your replies. I've wanted to see Bermuda for a long time. We don't dislike children...we have grandchildren....what we do mind is children who misbehave and their behavior is allowed by their parents. 200 children is a lot...will definitely be doing more research in the upcoming weeks.

 

 

Unlike many of the southern schools, NYC and most of NY schools aren't out until the very end of June. You may want to keep that in mind if lots of kids are a concern. We're on the June 1st sailing to Bermuda and very much looking forward to it! It will be our first time on the Summit and first time to Bermuda. Thanks for the thread!

[Ellen S]

Hi,:D I went to The Swizzle Inn and this is what my itinerary was for the

day....I took the Ferry to St George and walked around for a bit. Then

I took a bus to "The Crystal Caves". I can't remember which bus but

it is very easy to find out. I went on a tour of the caves and THEN

went to the Swizzle Inn. It is definitely walkable from the Caves.

I had a wonderful lunch and RUM SWIZZLE:D.....then I took the bus

to Hamilton (the bus stop is at The Swizzle Inn).....when I got to

Hamilton I walked around a bit and then took the Ferry back to the ship.

It was a great day for me:)

 

Lois, We try to go to the Swizzle Inn while in Bermuda. We like to make a day of it also. Took the ferry to St. George, walked around to the bus then got off at the Swizzle Inn (Had been to the Caves the first time we went and then to the Swizzle Inn). Then took the bus to Hamilton and the ferry back to the ship. If this is the OP's first time in Bermuda they may want to take some kind of an excursion. After that just bus or ferry around the Island. Hoping to get back to Bermuda in August and will definitely go back to the Swizzle Inn. Bought a T Shirt that says Swizzle Inn and the back says Swagger Out. Love the shirt!

Jonathan still remember you from one of the Bermuda trips. It's nice to see you on CC.:)

[stasya70]

Agree with all previous posts. We were sailed two years ago repositioning from San Juan to Bermuda on Summit. Great ship and it was refurb i think that year. A thalasotherapy pool as must.

No extra charge and you can use up to 9 p.m. ,sauna with huge window with great view of Bermuda when U docked.

We did cruise with 6 years old boy who liked so much kids club on the ship. We also had a good chance to enjoy a ship and amenities because kids club till 10 p.m.

 

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[stasya70]

"Martini flight" at Martini Bar on Summit will add good taste of You cruise. Enjoy this lovely ship.

 

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[dkjretired]

Once September rolls around there are usually less kids. Summit's Bermuda

run only goes to the very beginning of Sept. She has been doing 14

night New England/Canada cruises for the past few years. They usually take up almost the entire month of Sept going into the middle of Oct.

 

Oh, Summit had a 3 week drydock in Jan 2012 and because she does

Bermuda? That does not mean she is being sold:eek:

 

The last cruise to Bermuda in 2014 ends the Sunday after Labor Day. Most schools in the Northeast go back to school that week. I did that cruise in 2012 and there were some kids on board but not a lot. If you are looking to pretty much get away from them, do the early June cruises. The schools in the Northeast get out mid to late June depending on the number of snow days..

 

Great cruise, I just wish that they would change their schedules and get there a day earlier like they used to now that the casinos can be open in Bermuda while docked.

[stasya70]

When we did are relpositioning we go Bermuda late due some delay in previous port plus havy rain. Still enough to get some Bermuda idea. Don't expect a lot of beach time because this time of the year you lucky if water 70 f . But we spent a few extra days in Puerto Rico Fajardo. Lequillo beach are favorite. Several beach hotels , a lot to do around.

 

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[dkjretired]

I'll give you my honest opinion...I find the ships that need to be soon refurbished or sold now do the Bermuda itinerary. 1990 is when Celebrity first started doing the Bermuda ...so many have done it that it has lost it's customer base.

 

My guess...it's nowone of the less expensive cruises with Celebrity...this is your fisrt clue as to ship condition, crew, etc.

 

Actually it was done in 2012, the prices are higher than many of the European cruises and Celebrity used to run there with their two newest ships. NCLs Breakaway is brand new and does Bermuda. Problem with Bermuda now is the ships are too big to go into Hamilton or St. George and have to dock at the Wharf.