Photo Review: Celebrity Summit 2/1/14 Southern Caribbean

[HeatherC430]

 

[HeatherC430]

After three full days of non-stop adventurous excursions, we were much looking forward to a relaxing island tour. With it being our first trip to Grenada we wanted to do an island tour. We booked independently with Mandoo. All the reviews I read online in advance were very good. Below is the description he gave me of the tour for the day. It was supposed to last 4 hours (from 8:30am-12:30pm). We paid $45 per person for the tour.

 

In advance (regarding the description below), I’ll tell you I was sad that we didn’t get to see the Mona monkey! I’m still a little sour that I didn’t get my photo taken with a monkey from those people on the streets with the monkeys in St. Kitts (like I have in the past) because we were so exhausted in St. Kitts after that volcano hike! I was hoping this would be my opportunity to see another monkey. Unfortunately, no monkeys came when Mandoo did his monkey call on the tour. Also, there was no optional beach stop at the end of the tour, just a drop off back in town. This was fine, because by the end of the tour we were pretty much ready to get back on the ship. I wanted to mention it in case others are interested in the same tour/description.

 

Island Tour: Spice Plantation Route - The spice plantation route is going to give you a great feel of the island. Douglaston spice depot. There will be a presentation on all the spices. Drive through the lush volcanic mountains to see the spices, cocoa and bananas plantations. Great photo stops.The Grand Etang crater lake, also a presentation on the lake and surrounding areas. Rain forest. Small walk on the nature trail if so desire. May see the Mona monkeys. Annandale waterfall. Optional beach stop at the end of the tour

 

We were told that we’d meet Mandoo right inside the welcome center at the port. He arrived shortly after we arrived at the meeting spot – of course we were about 30 minutes early. I went up to him as soon as I saw him, recognizing him from other review photos I had seen. He instructed us to sit and wait in an area until the rest of the group assembled. I believe he had enough people that filled two vans full of people. We were in the van with Mandoo and he was our guide for the duration of the tour. Of all the independent tours we took, this one clearly had the most people. I think there was about 12 people in the van.

 

The first group of photos below are from our stop at Douglaston spice depot. Mandoo did a very informative presentation and passed around various spices and such for the group to touch & smell all of the spices.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 13, 2014 by HeatherC430

[HeatherC430]

 

 

 

 

 

[HeatherC430]

 

After the presentation, Mandoo allowed enough time for everyone to stroll the grounds, purchase any additional spices they sold at the depot and use the restrooms before boarding the van to our next stop.

[AlbertaCruisers]

Just as a note, we were on the week of Jan 25, and we ate the first night at Normade for 1/2 price and it was AMAZING. I loved it. They weren't advertising the 1/2 price thing, but my husband went up and asked and said we were able to get 1/2 the first night in November and they said sure. Never hurts to ask! FYI - my husband tried later on in the cruise to ask for 1/2 again and it was a no go, they said only first night.

[HeatherC430]

Next stop was crater lake. Mandoo gathered the group and did another presentation at this area on the crater lake. Afterwards, we were given adequate time to use the restrooms at this stop & stroll the kiosks that were setup in this area.

 

 

 

 

 

(Be prepared - these women dressed up with the fruit on their heads - if you took a picture of them - or let me rephrase that, if they "see" you taking a photo of them, they'll charge you $1! lol)

 

Edited February 13, 2014 by HeatherC430

[HeatherC430]

 

 

[Cruisin KLS]

Carrot cake is my favorite variety of cake too! Like I said, every time I passed and it was there, there were only a few pieces left! Next time, I'll take it to go (even if I'm already stuffed). I'm still kicking myself for not trying it! I'm making mental notes of your other suggestions as well. Thanks! :D

 

 

We would stick it in the "fridge" for later ;)

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[HeatherC430]

I will say that at the last stop (Crater Lake), those at the vending tables were a tad pushy for my liking in terms of wanting you to look and/or buy things from them. This theme continued at the next stop as well, but got progressively worse.

Next stop was Annandale Falls. Again, there were a few vendors setup when we exited our van upon arrival. One guy was singing with his guitar and would follow you and sing to you until you gave him a “tip”. My DH said he’d give him money if he moved onto the next person (and left us alone) – at which point he prompted me to fish a few dollars out of my purse because he didn’t have any small bills. Then we walk down the small path to where the falls are. The falls are definitely worth a stop.

However, the following kind of rubbed me the wrong way. So there’s two guys there trying to drum up interest and lure you into they’re about to jump from the top into the waterfall – all for your “donation” and thanking you for their “support”. Now I realize this is how these people make their money, but I just felt a tad too heckled for my liking. Can’t I just enjoy the sight of the waterfall (give you a tip in your donation box – or not) then go on my way? As a whole it was fine, but it would have been nicer had we not felt heckled at various stops. Also, my DH was considering doing the jump down the waterfall with the jumpers, but I told him not even to THINK about it! He wasn't allowed! :)

I did really enjoy seeing the island. Mandoo did a great job with his presentations. Also, as you drove through the island from place to place he showed you all of the local fruits, vegetables, & spices growing alongside the roads. This tour truly did give you a “feel for” the island as Mandoo had promised during our email exchanges. One of the only negatives was that you were inside the van – and personally – I’d rather have a vehicle with the windows open (or down) so that you can take photos. When taking photos inside the window (at least with my camera) I always get a glare, so I just didn’t take any while we were driving for that reason.

 

When we arrived back at the port, Mandoo collected our money from the tour and we went on our way. Like I mentioned, there was no beach stop as I had read. I’m sure if we pressed the issue, he would have dropped us at a beach (and we could have taken our own ride back to port) but we were pretty tired and wanted to get on the ship. They do have a “mall” of sorts right there at the port. We walked through a few of the shops before getting back onboard.

 

 

 

 

 

[HeatherC430]

 

 

 

 

[HeatherC430]

The falls from a distance...

 

 

[HeatherC430]

Back at the port...

 

 

 

 

 

Inside the shopping mall at the port...

 

[CruisingYiayia]

We were on Mandoo's tour with you in Grenada. I spotted my husband in a couple of your pictures. :)

 

I had communicated with Mandoo via e-mail prior to the cruise, and had arranged for him to drop us off at the beach after the tour, and then bring us back to the ship later in the day. When he approached us about the beach drop-off, we were tired and hungry and opted to return to the ship with the group.

[HeatherC430]

We were on Mandoo's tour with you in Grenada. I spotted my husband in a couple of your pictures. :)

 

I had communicated with Mandoo via e-mail prior to the cruise, and had arranged for him to drop us off at the beach after the tour, and then bring us back to the ship later in the day. When he approached us about the beach drop-off, we were tired and hungry and opted to return to the ship with the group.

 

Small world on CC! That's funny! I had told Mandoo via email that we were interested in the optional beach stop as well. When we finished the tour and paid him, he didn't say anything about the beach stop - and like you we were happy to get back on the ship.

[HeatherC430]

Just as a note, we were on the week of Jan 25, and we ate the first night at Normade for 1/2 price and it was AMAZING. I loved it. They weren't advertising the 1/2 price thing, but my husband went up and asked and said we were able to get 1/2 the first night in November and they said sure. Never hurts to ask! FYI - my husband tried later on in the cruise to ask for 1/2 again and it was a no go, they said only first night.

 

Good to know! Thanks! I'll keep that in mind on my upcoming cruise! $45 for two would be a great deal, I'm sure!

[HeatherC430]

Back onboard the Summit…Here are a few photos from the top decks

 

Edited February 13, 2014 by HeatherC430

[HeatherC430]

 

 

 

 

 

[HeatherC430]

 

 

 

 

[CruisingYiayia]

Just as a note, we were on the week of Jan 25, and we ate the first night at Normade for 1/2 price and it was AMAZING. I loved it. They weren't advertising the 1/2 price thing, but my husband went up and asked and said we were able to get 1/2 the first night in November and they said sure. Never hurts to ask! FYI - my husband tried later on in the cruise to ask for 1/2 again and it was a no go, they said only first night.

 

Did you dine in Blu? I thought the 50% discount the first night was only offered to those in Blu.

[HeatherC430]

And the guys from XtaSea are back out again tonight! I wish I would have known about them earlier in the week!!! :D

 

 

 

[HeatherC430]

 

[AlbertaCruisers]

Did you dine in Blu? I thought the 50% discount the first night was only offered to those in Blu.

 

Nope, just a regular 2C cabin and we are only select. I think elite or elite plus might get a discount based on status? Back in November they were actually advertising it the first day for everyone, i.e. if you walked by the desk they set up by the buffet they told you they could give you 50% off tonight. This time, they weren't saying anything, but when my husband asked, they agreed.

[CruisingYiayia]

Nope, just a regular 2C cabin and we are only select. I think elite or elite plus might get a discount based on status? Back in November they were actually advertising it the first day for everyone, i.e. if you walked by the desk they set up by the buffet they told you they could give you 50% off tonight. This time, they weren't saying anything, but when my husband asked, they agreed.

 

That's good to know for our next cruise on Summit. We saw the tables set up outside the buffet, but no one said anything about a discount for Normandie, and we didn't think to ask. They were offering the 20% discount for the entire week for Qsine. We are Elite, but didn't receive any notice of a discount based on our status. We don't usually like to go to a specialty restaurant the first night because we like to meet our tablemates. But, this cruise, our table of 10 turned out to be our group of 6 for the entire week because the 4 others never showed up all week. So, it wouldn't have mattered if we went to the specialty restaurant or not.

[wallie5446]

We were on Mandoo's tour with you in Grenada. I spotted my husband in a couple of your pictures. :)

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Claudia in the pic in post 128 Greg really looks interested in the talk about spice! More like, finish and show me where the beer is!:D

 

Keep em coming Heather!

[CruisingYiayia]

Claudia in the pic in post 128 Greg really looks interested in the talk about spice! More like, finish and show me where the beer is!:D

 

Keep em coming Heather!

 

lol...EW, he actually did find it interesting. Missed you guys, wish you were with us!!