Summit to Bermuda - June 1 - this and that

[sue58]

I was on the June 1 - 8 Summit cruise to Bermuda and will write some bits and pieces about my cruise.

 

Transportation: took a taxi from Newark airport to the ship. Met a couple in the taxi line that was also going to the Summit so we shared a cab, no problem. There is an attendant at the taxi line who gives you a slip stating the fare to the ship - $49. You also pay any tolls - $8 and tip.

 

Going from the ship to the airport on the last day I took a shuttle - get off the ship and turn left and walk towards the taxis. The shuttle to Newark is $16, plus tip. There were 8 of us in the van. It was less than 60 minutes from the time I disembarked, got my bag, went through immigration, caught the shuttle and checked in at the airport. Would definitely do the shuttle again instead of paying close to $30 for the ship transfer to the airport.

 

Embarkation and disembarkation both seemed to go fairly smoothly, especially the actual disembarkation. On the morning of the last day the buffet on 10 didn't open quite on time and there seemed to be some confusion and a lot of empty coffee pots. I overheard an officer talking into his walkie-talkie saying that 10 was a mess. The Normandie didn't have enough chairs available for the passengers waiting in there to disembark.

 

I was travelling solo so I didn't do a lot of the things I often do when travelling with my husband. This is also the 5th time I have been on the Summit in the past two years so there were things I skipped this time.

 

I had a very good cabin on deck 2 with excellent cabin attendants. If I can't get one of the back corner verandah cabins then my favourite spot to be is OV on deck 2. The cabins are basically clean but there never seems to be enough time for a thorough dusting or cleaning of the mirrors. I also hate that the glasses in the cabins are not replaced with clean ones - they are merely wiped out like they do in hotels. I took a stack of the paper coffee cups from deck 10 to use in my cabin for the week.

 

Food: I was a bit apprehensive about the food due to some of the negative comments on this forum but I was very pleased with what I found. I didn't go to the MDR during the cruise - not that type of holiday for me this time.

 

I mainly liked the way the buffet on 10 was serving individual portions of most of the foods. I thought there was a great selection and found many things I liked and I liked how quickly I could get my food instead of waiting in lines. There were always the pizza, pasta, stir fry and carving stations as well as other options.

 

They didn't have a brunch this cruise but some of the things the brunch used to have seemed to be available on certain days at the buffet. One day they had a chocolate fountain, another day there was a huge assortment of cakes, they also had days with the mini cakes on sticks and desserts in glasses.

 

I did go to the Bistro on 5 and was very happy to see they have expanded their menu to include some non-crepe entrees. I had an excellent steak dinner there one night.

 

Afternoon tea is now served at the Aqua spa cafe. Liked it better at Oceanview cafe where there was more room.

 

Went to breakfast one time at the Normandie. The buffet is now gone and you are served a 3-tier cake tray with meats/cheese, fruit and pastries. What happens to the foods on these individual trays that aren't eaten? are they thrown out or moved to a new tray for the next person? Neither option seems very good to me.

 

Shops - same old, same old.

 

Casino - thought/hoped it might be a bit fun/loose on the first day but no luck. I played a bit on the first day and about 15 minutes on the second day and then saved my money for other things. Didn't hear anyone speak well of the casino on this trip.

 

Library - very sad. Where have all the books gone? Each time I return to the Summit there are fewer and fewer books. This time at least half of the books were in languages other than English. Luckily people still leave books behind, I always leave 3 or 4. If you like to read on your trip it might be best to bring a couple of books with you.

 

Talks - by the Engineer and the Captain were both very good and interesting. The Captain's talk on navigation especially was interesting and funny.

 

Entertainment - Passed on the production shows. They have been the same shows, different cast, for the past 2 years....couldn't sit through them again. Liked the comedian, didn't like the singer. Liked the group of 4 gymnasts/acrobats.

 

Bermuda - another good visit. Went to St. Georges this time and really enjoyed it - much quieter and smaller than Hamilton. Ended up going to Hamilton twice. I was going to go to Hamilton just the once but found the Dockyards so lacking that I popped back to Hamilton for a second time.

 

Ferry and bus service is very good. There is a ticket booth on the dock when you get off the ship so you can get maps, timetables, tokens and day passes. Although there is a stated schedule for the ferries between the dockyard and Hamilton often the ferries run more frequently. Loved the volunteers in their pink shirts at the buses and ferry landings - very friendly and helpful with information.

 

Random: Didn't like the new lounges - very nice to look at but not so comfortable to sit on. Would love them to put some chairs on the decks, especially deck 4 so you can sit comfortably out there.

 

Liked the new toiletries better than the old ones.

 

Liked the Captain's Toast being held at the top of the stairs in the evening instead of in the theatre.

 

I saw/heard people on deck 2 having a wonderful time. I heard a woman from a suite complaining about the food, the accommodations, the lack of perks and everything else she thought she was entitled to. There are going to be conflicting opinions on everything so go with a good attitude and try to have a good time. Do what works for you on your cruise, not the things you think you have to do - it's your holiday!

 

That's about all I can remember right now. Overall it was a very good trip. My husband and I did this same trip two years ago in July and I much preferred this trip. This time the ship was a lot less crowded and hectic since there weren't as many people on board compared to the cruise in July 2012 that had so many large family groups on board.

 

For those about to sail - enjoy!

[cocobakerchica]

sue58;

Thank you for your thoughts, and for coming on and sharing them. I'll be on the 8/31 sailing of the Summit(not my first, third or fifth trip), and I'm glad you had a good time.

 

Wow, Taxis are charging $49 for a less than 10 mile trip, plus tolls? Definitely the shuttle is the best way to go, I didn't know the prices for passengers flying into EWR(I knew of the high expense from NYC for an even closer ride to the terminal). I'll pass this on to any friends flying into Newark for a cruise, thank you.

 

I agree the volunteers at the ferry docks are very helpful and wonderful, and always great to talk to.

 

I'm unhappy about the library, but I've also been using my Kindle, so no more lugging books in my suitcase(more room for shoes);)

 

Thanks again for upping my excitement for my cruise

[megr1125]

The $16-ish shuttle does NOT go FROM EWR to the pier..your other option is booking a car service...

 

Yes, it's expensive (cabs)...car service is around the same price...

[patty1955]

What shuttle did you use to go to the airport? Thank you

[sue58]

Yes, unfortunately there isn't the shuttle option from Newark airport to the ship, so it is the ship transfer, a cab or car service,

 

I wanted to get to the ship, from the airport, asap instead of waiting for the ship transfer and was planning on taking a cab, luckily I ran into another couple also going to the ship.....good to split the fare.

 

Using the shuttle from the ship to EWR was easy and fast. The price was $16 and it looked like most of us were giving the driver a $20. You paid the driver when he dropped you off.

 

cocobakerchica -> I'm still old school reading actual books, perhaps one day I will join the 21st century and go electronic. ;)

[sue58]

What shuttle did you use to go to the airport? Thank you

 

Once you get off the ship, collect your bags, go through immigration and go outside you go right towards the ship transfer shuttles or go left towards the taxis. Just before you reach the taxis at the far end there is a section for a shuttle. You wait until there are enough people to fill the vans - about 8 people and then you go. The shuttle I was on dropped people off at all 3 terminals at Newark.

[portofrome]

Thanks for the review.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[CruisingChick]

Hi thanks for your review.

 

Agree with you about the new loungers (as do our friends we sailed with), very uncomfortable.

 

My DH and I have to respectfully disagree about the Captain's Toast. I could not see or hear anything. It was SO CROWDED, trying to fit the entire ship into the atrium area at once was a nightmare. Only good thing about it is we got seats at the Martini Bar because everyone else had gotten up and crowded around the outside, so we sat at the Martini Bar and ordered a drink. Never could find anyone handing out champagne.

 

Never stayed on deck 2 but good to know that you had no problems with your stateroom.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to post your thoughts.

[NLH Arizona]

 

Food: I was a bit apprehensive about the food due to some of the negative comments on this forum but I was very pleased with what I found. I didn't go to the MDR during the cruise - not that type of holiday for me this time.

 

I mainly liked the way the buffet on 10 was serving individual portions of most of the foods. I thought there was a great selection and found many things I liked and I liked how quickly I could get my food instead of waiting in lines. There were always the pizza, pasta, stir fry and carving stations as well as other options.

 

Thank you for your review. With some of the negative opinions on the buffet, it is really nice to see that not everyone feels the new set up is bad.

[richsea]

Thanks for your thoughts! I'm glad that you enjoyed Summit, & it's nice to hear more positive feedback regarding the new buffet setup.

 

I find it ironic that for the past year or so, many have been complaining about Summit's lounger chairs, & how they should be replaced; & now that they have been replaced, there are complaints that the new ones are uncomfortable. I guess that falls into the category of "be carefully what you wish for"---- go figure.

[cle-guy]

I was on the June 1 - 8 Summit cruise to Bermuda and will write some bits and pieces about my cruise..

[snip]

For those about to sail - enjoy!

 

This review could just have well been written by me and my experience on the May 25th sailing. :)

[Beachdude]

Good stuff, thanks.

 

Burt

[mmp13]

I found both the old chairs and the new deck chairs equally uncomfortable...Something about the angle of the back. but I will say that my swimsuit dried much faster on the new chairs.

[sue58]

This review could just have well been written by me and my experience on the May 25th sailing. :)

 

Sounds like we have similar travel styles - do our own thing and what works best for us on our holiday. :)

 

p.s. what does "pied piper" in your listed cruises mean? I'm curious. :)

Edited June 11, 2014 by sue58

[wwcruisers]

Thanks for the review -- we're also booked on the Labor Day sailing -- our first time on Summit. :cool:

[malbec]

I was also on the Bermuda cruise. For the first time in all the cruises I have taken, we found it necessary to have a private meeting with the guest relations staff. We were in aqua class, deck 11 aft. I can't begin to list all the little irritating problems over the course of the week. We are not high maintenance and have never lodged one complaint prior to this cruise. All I can say is, we are finished with the Celebrity summit ship. We were on this same ship a few year ago, and the general attitude and attention to details is sorely lacking. I go on a cruise with a positive attitude, and will remember the good times on the beautiful island of Bermuda, but will not cruise on this ship again.

[cle-guy]

I was also on the Bermuda cruise. For the first time in all the cruises I have taken, we found it necessary to have a private meeting with the guest relations staff. We were in aqua class, deck 11 aft. I can't begin to list all the little irritating problems over the course of the week. We are not high maintenance and have never lodged one complaint prior to this cruise. All I can say is, we are finished with the Celebrity summit ship. We were on this same ship a few year ago, and the general attitude and attention to details is sorely lacking. I go on a cruise with a positive attitude, and will remember the good times on the beautiful island of Bermuda, but will not cruise on this ship again.

 

Would be helpful to hear of some issues you had...

 

I've heard a lot if issues related to the new cabins added on Summit and Connie for Aqua for example...a lot plumbing related, HVAC related etc.

[cruiseforus]

I was also on the Bermuda cruise. For the first time in all the cruises I have taken, we found it necessary to have a private meeting with the guest relations staff. We were in aqua class, deck 11 aft. I can't begin to list all the little irritating problems over the course of the week. We are not high maintenance and have never lodged one complaint prior to this cruise. All I can say is, we are finished with the Celebrity summit ship. We were on this same ship a few year ago, and the general attitude and attention to details is sorely lacking. I go on a cruise with a positive attitude, and will remember the good times on the beautiful island of Bermuda, but will not cruise on this ship again.

 

I also would like to know what some of the problems. We are going on the Summit next Sunday. Were the problems with Aqua Class & Blu or the Cruise in general?