Summit Buffet: Erase my memory! (rant)

[seahorse]

Just got off the Summit Sun. Had a great time. Second time on her and booked another on while on board.

 

My DH and I can`t understand this rant about the buffet. We have NEVER seen so many roast carving stations. If you don`t like the indivdual tins you can plate what you want on most all of the food.

 

I liked the tins most times, I thought they were more sanitary...no tongs or spoons.

 

You could get hot french fries at the sandwich station. I do admit that the buffet was confusing until you got the lay of the land.

 

We had great service everywhere. Staff was very friendly. Ship was very clean and well maintained.

 

I have been on many cruises on different lines over the years and they have all changed. You just have to go with the flow.

[antsnanny]

I was on another thread that showed the dailies of your sailing, and it showed that they did have the afternoon tea at the AQ Spa Café on Summit. It was not on Constellation earlier this month. Must be something new. I'll have to check it out, but how much food can one eat. :rolleyes:

 

Celeb has always had afternoon tea. Years ago, they would have tiny sandwiches, croissants some plain and some with cheese, really fancy cookies and pastries, such as Linzer tarts, coconut macaroons, black and white cookies and on and on. It was like going to the best bakery at 4PM everyday on your cruise. They also had out special teas. One day during the cruise they would have high tea in the dining room, that was very fancy. The tea was in the buffet so while it was fancy, it was available to everyone even those in bathing suites.. It has changed over the years, they located it at Aqua Spa and changed up the food..

[antsnanny]

Just got off the Summit Sun. Had a great time. Second time on her and booked another on while on board.

 

My DH and I can`t understand this rant about the buffet. We have NEVER seen so many roast carving stations. If you don`t like the indivdual tins you can plate what you want on most all of the food.

 

I liked the tins most times, I thought they were more sanitary...no tongs or spoons.

 

You could get hot french fries at the sandwich station. I do admit that the buffet was confusing until you got the lay of the land.

 

We had great service everywhere. Staff was very friendly. Ship was very clean and well maintained.

 

I have been on many cruises on different lines over the years and they have all changed. You just have to go with the flow.

 

I dont understand why you view us expressing our disappointment in the food on Celebrity Summit, especially that in the buffet as a "rant"? We are just expressing our opinion that we did not like it! I have seen no rants on these boards regarding the food on Summit. Geez….for expressing our opinion you make us sound like a bunch of wild and out of control people… Please look up the definition of rant and tell me where on these boards you saw a rant. I am a long time Celebrity cruiser and love the line but they use to be a cut above the others and now there on par with the rest. Some lines have actually made improvements for the better in my opinion.

Going with the flow is embracing the changes and if we do that the food will not get any better and they may take this new buffet idea fleet wide.

[20pluscruises]

Just got off the Summit Sun. Had a great time. Second time on her and booked another on while on board.

 

My DH and I can`t understand this rant about the buffet. We have NEVER seen so many roast carving stations. If you don`t like the indivdual tins you can plate what you want on most all of the food.

 

I liked the tins most times, I thought they were more sanitary...no tongs or spoons.

 

You could get hot french fries at the sandwich station. I do admit that the buffet was confusing until you got the lay of the land.

 

We had great service everywhere. Staff was very friendly. Ship was very clean and well maintained.

 

I have been on many cruises on different lines over the years and they have all changed. You just have to go with the flow.

 

What was the afternoon tea like at the Aqua spa cafe? Pretty sure I would prefer it to still be in the cafe.

 

Are you saying there are no longer HOT french fries at the burger grill? Please don't tell me you have to go to the grill for a burger and then to the buffet for the fries.

 

Did you have the premium drink package?

[richsea]

I dont understand why you view us expressing our disappointment in the food on Celebrity Summit, especially that in the buffet as a "rant"? We are just expressing our opinion that we did not like it! I have seen no rants on these boards regarding the food on Summit. Geez….for expressing our opinion you make us sound like a bunch of wild and out of control people… Please look up the definition of rant and tell me where on these boards you saw a rant. I am a long time Celebrity cruiser and love the line but they use to be a cut above the others and now there on par with the rest. Some lines have actually made improvements for the better in my opinion.

Going with the flow is embracing the changes and if we do that the food will not get any better and they may take this new buffet idea fleet wide.

 

Perhaps you should read the title of this thread. Can you see the word "rant" in it? The OP even gave their "rant" a substantial part of their review.

[seahorse]

Perhaps you should read the title of this thread. Can you see the word "rant" in it? The OP even gave their "rant" a substantial part of their review.

Thank you. Didn`t think I would be criticized for a positive:(

[seahorse]

What was the afternoon tea like at the Aqua spa cafe? Pretty sure I would prefer it to still be in the cafe.

 

Are you saying there are no longer HOT french fries at the burger grill? Please don't tell me you have to go to the grill for a burger and then to the buffet for the fries.

 

Did you have the premium drink package?

Did not go to any tea...........went to Bacio for my tea and coffee and cakes.

 

The fries were always hot at the sandwich station, they were the skinny fries, (delish) the fries at the grill were fat ones and they were hit or miss.

 

Had the premium package.

[20pluscruises]

Just got off the Summit Sun. Had a great time. Second time on her and booked another on while on board.

 

My DH and I can`t understand this rant about the buffet. We have NEVER seen so many roast carving stations. If you don`t like the indivdual tins you can plate what you want on most all of the food.

 

I liked the tins most times, I thought they were more sanitary...no tongs or spoons.

 

You could get hot french fries at the sandwich station. I do admit that the buffet was confusing until you got the lay of the land.

 

We had great service everywhere. Staff was very friendly. Ship was very clean and well maintained.

 

I have been on many cruises on different lines over the years and they have all changed. You just have to go with the flow.

 

How was the entertainment? Any must see shows? THX!

[20pluscruises]

Did not go to any tea...........went to Bacio for my tea and coffee and cakes.

 

The fries were always hot at the sandwich station, they were the skinny fries, (delish) the fries at the grill were fat ones and they were hit or miss.

 

Had the premium package.

 

Many thanks! I'll make the trek for the skinny fries over the fat fries :) Have to have a burger at least once on the cruise.

 

Did the premium cover most of the wines by the glass? ...or were there cutbacks on the choices? Still deciding on whether to purchase.

[seahorse]

Many thanks! I'll make the trek for the skinny fries over the fat fries :) Have to have a burger at least once on the cruise.

 

Did the premium cover most of the wines by the glass? ...or were there cutbacks on the choices? Still deciding on whether to purchase.

Are you upgrading from the promo?

IMO it is well worth it. This is the second time we have had it. Did not bother with NCL`s, X is much better.

 

Don`t know about cutbacks we always find one we like:D

[seahorse]

How was the entertainment? Any must see shows? THX!

Did not go to the shows..but the entertainment around the ship was pretty good.

[20pluscruises]

Are you upgrading from the promo?

IMO it is well worth it. This is the second time we have had it. Did not bother with NCL`s, X is much better.

 

Don`t know about cutbacks we always find one we like:D

 

Too late to get the 123 freebie...that's why are on the fence purchasing the premium. It's all so confusing as to what it includes.

 

One last question :)...was the casino open while docked in Bermuda?

 

MANY THANKS!!!!

[antsnanny]

The casino was opened while docked in Bermuda but only in the evenings. I believe it opened around 9PM.

[antsnanny]

Perhaps you should read the title of this thread. Can you see the word "rant" in it? The OP even gave their "rant" a substantial part of their review.

 

Rich, I did read the title, I considering the poster I took that as a joke.

[20pluscruises]

The casino was opened while docked in Bermuda but only in the evenings. I believe it opened around 9PM.

 

Thanks!!!

[mapleleafvoyage]

Did not go to the shows..but the entertainment around the ship was pretty good.

 

 

We were first time Celebrity cruisers, so had high expectations.

The entertainment was very good-(well, the stripper for sin city show was different) eek!

A bit disappointed in the buffet, food was very hit/miss- hot/cold- good/bad :D

Did it ruin my cruise? Absolutely not! But as first impressions go- I wasn't overly impressed. Not what we expected. But that being said, our C C group was amazing!!!! Many new friendships made. And plus, we loved Bermuda and booked again to go back..... On the Summit ;)

[NLH Arizona]

I dont understand why you view us expressing our disappointment in the food on Celebrity Summit, especially that in the buffet as a "rant"? We are just expressing our opinion that we did not like it! I have seen no rants on these boards regarding the food on Summit. Geez….for expressing our opinion you make us sound like a bunch of wild and out of control people… Please look up the definition of rant and tell me where on these boards you saw a rant. I am a long time Celebrity cruiser and love the line but they use to be a cut above the others and now there on par with the rest. Some lines have actually made improvements for the better in my opinion.

Going with the flow is embracing the changes and if we do that the food will not get any better and they may take this new buffet idea fleet wide.

I don't think the poster meant any disrespect. The word rant was part of the title of the thread. Thread title by Jediknight: Summit Buffet: Erase my memory! (rant)

[NETSEG]

Just got off the Summit Sunday. Here's my observation about the buffet.

 

If you are willing to wait at the egg station or the pasta or pizza station you get good hot food.

 

The use of the baskets and tins was confusing for people who like to graze . It was hard to figure out where things were if you did not want a basket or tin of something preselected for you. Each day some things were moved around like toast, yogurt, fresh fruit, so you had to circle the buffet to find it. Or, if you just wanted sausage or bacon, you had to cut in front of the omelet line. For the most part, the food was good just hard to figure out. Also, I think the staff was confused as well.

 

The silliest happening was the one day at lunch when they completely ran out of plates - for a long time. At one point, the boss in the white shirt said plates were on their way and a few minutes later I heard him on the phone saying he could not find plates. Then the silverware ran out. Made for an interesting lunch as people were circling the buffet looking for plates and silverware.

[JEDIKNIGHT]

things like plates running out and butter running out, consistently, has nothing to do with better germ control. It can’t be explained away with “aww shucks, a cruise is what you make of it”. It’s just plain disorganization, and slight lack of competence.

 

Celebrity can do better. IF pax ask them to, of course. IF pax just take it in stride that’s fine, but things will get worse if we LET them get worse.

[Redtravel]

Fortunately, that did not happen on the May 11th cruise. There was a lot of disorganized stuff. It seemed like the buffet arrangement was being tried for the first time. I would hope that by now they would have had their act together.

[Beachdude]

Just got off the Summit Sunday. Here's my observation about the buffet.

 

If you are willing to wait at the egg station or the pasta or pizza station you get good hot food.

 

The use of the baskets and tins was confusing for people who like to graze . It was hard to figure out where things were if you did not want a basket or tin of something preselected for you. Each day some things were moved around like toast, yogurt, fresh fruit, so you had to circle the buffet to find it. Or, if you just wanted sausage or bacon, you had to cut in front of the omelet line. For the most part, the food was good just hard to figure out. Also, I think the staff was confused as well.

 

The silliest happening was the one day at lunch when they completely ran out of plates - for a long time. At one point, the boss in the white shirt said plates were on their way and a few minutes later I heard him on the phone saying he could not find plates. Then the silverware ran out. Made for an interesting lunch as people were circling the buffet looking for plates and silverware.

 

It all kind of makes sense now, Celebrity has replaced the old style of food service with a new one. Call it cuts or whatever, the staff isn't trained and is lost. We saw the exact same thing when the Noro virus hit the Solstice. The staff had to change their normal routine and habits to accommodate policies for a ship with Noro. The result was very slow and chaotic service. We saw the food service crews having meetings every night trying to adjust to the situation. But it seemed only the passengers where the ones adjusting, the service was always the same.

 

That was our first cruise on Celebrity and by far the worst of our 20 or so cruises. Not because of the virus, it was gone by our sailing. It was our worst because every day was a challenge to plan around a crew untrained for the new policies. Some folks say it’s OK and to enjoy the cruise, but for many of us, even just the experience of eating a meal is part of the plan for enjoying the vacation. To be honest, I am surprised Sally scheduled another cruise on a Celebrity ship.

 

Of course anyone who has had any experiences on ship dealing with Noro will tell you that it is a lot more challenging and complicated than just a chaotic breakfast. We sail on the Summit in two weeks. I’m sure we will have a great time, but it kind of feels like Solstice all over again.

 

Burt

[20pluscruises]

It sounds like they are moving the Aqua Spa cafe into the buffet.

[seahorse]

Fortunately, that did not happen on the May 11th cruise. There was a lot of disorganized stuff. It seemed like the buffet arrangement was being tried for the first time. I would hope that by now they would have had their act together.

May 18 cruise was the 2nd week of the change. The senior staff was all over the buffet at all times.

[mapleleafvoyage]

May 18 cruise was the 2nd week of the change. The senior staff was all over the buffet at all times.

 

I only hope it improved that week, because I know for our week (the May 11th) cruise, it sure was a mess... that, among many other things had me scratching my head..

 

I do wonder though, if this is the way it is, and we should be happy to be on vacation and accept this new way(even though, us new people know nothing else for Celebrity)

 

We the brand new clients are just trying Celebrity for the first time..(and I may add I have a pocket full of yearly vacations, and am looking to cruise more than once a year... just finding who to give our money to each year :) ....

I did enjoy my cruise, I keep saying that over and over. It was a nice vacation... but I didn't feel it was one up over the Royal cruise we went on, and we were totally expecting to be whisked off or feet and blown away ... it didn't happen...

To me... first impressions, are HUGE... but, we will give Celebrity another chance.... in 2016 :D

[antsnanny]

Celebrity can do better. IF pax ask them to, of course.

Quoted from Jediknight. VOICE OF REASON.