Family of 4 (including 2 20 something sons)-1st time on Summit

[MaraZee]

Hi,

We are celebrating our younger son's college graduation on the June 4th Bermuda cruise. We have booked a Royal Suite for the 4 of us. None of us have been to Bermuda and are looking forward to it. We have cruised just once as a family on Norwegian Gem about 7 years ago and were on the concierge level which is why we thought a RS might have comparable services (butler, etc.).

I have a couple of questions that I was hoping I can get some help with:

 

1. While the hubby and I are perfectly content to sit by the pool and do nothing all day with a cocktail, the boys need to be somewhat busy. Is there enough for them to do on this ship? The younger son just turned 21 so they are looking forward to the bars and the casino but is that enough on Sea days?

 

2. What is the best way to schedule excursions in Bermuda and which ones do you recommend? We like beach and water sports.

 

3. Do I have to book meals now or do I wait till we are on board? Also, is it safe to assume that we will eat as a family or do we share tables with others?

 

Thanks in advance for your comments!

[Gonzo70]

Just off the Summit, beautiful ship and amazing staff.

 

While suites do come with outstanding perks, four adults sharing a Royal Suite is a little tight with not much privacy. I believe there is only one bathroom, there is only one bedroom - so I would think the other two would be sharing a sofa bed in the living room. The perks are much better with the Royal Suite, but two less expensive rooms may be more comfortable/practical.

 

For dining if you stick with the suite you will dine together and not with strangers. Suites have a special dining room called Luminae. Much nicer than the main dining room IMHO; quieter, more attentive service and elevated cuisine. It is anytime seating, but there are fewer tables for four (it is mostly tables for two), so would recommend speaking with the Maitre D' on day one to see if he recommends certain times to arrive. You also will receive unlimited specialty dining as a Royal Suite perk; not sure if it includes all four in the room or only the first two people. No need to book in advance; can do it yourself on board or via the Michael's Club concierge (that is what I did) or via your butler.

 

There are some activities that may interest young adults, but Celebrity generally caters to people older than your children (their sister line Royal Caribbean International tends to have far more people in their age group as well as far more activities and venues geared towards them). In addition to the bars and casino there are pools, a gym, a spa, a coffee bar, movies on the outdoor rooftop deck, karaoke, comedy shows, production shows, live music, bingo, wine tastings, trivia contests etc. They may find some peers their age to spend time with, but probably not a lot.

 

For excursions I recommend visiting both the port of call board here on Cruise Critic as well as the Roll Call board (there you can chat with others who will be sailing on your specific sailing - you can see what others have planned and often Roll Calls put together their own excursions). Trip Advisor can also be a good place to search for what is available (I almost always book excursions independently rather than through the cruise line - have found on average I receive much smaller, more personalized tours and often save some $$$ to boot).

[Loracpin2]

Since you asked for comments and input, I will respectfully give it. While Celebrity is definitely our cruise line of choice, and we have been on the Summit multiple times, IM0 (as a grandmother of 8), there is not enough activities for young single adults to do on the ship. There aren't any "new bells & whistles" to keep them occupied during the day.

 

Have you also considered RCI'S the Anthem of the seas, which also leaves out of Bayonne as an option? Although it is only a five day cruise, it has a Sky Diving simulator, Flow Rider (surfing), and many more activities to make all ages happy. In fact, we are sailing to Bermuda in July to celebrate a milestone Anniversary with our children and grandchildren, and have chosen the Anthem for this very reason.

 

I also agree with the previous poster about a suite for adults. If you do sail the Summit, book two Aqua class rooms (the new ones are on either Deck 11 or 12..can't remember) and you can dine in BLU every evening. BLU is to the private restaurant for Aqua class only and serves both breakfast and dinner.

 

Hope this helps.

[dkjretired]

Have been to Bermuda last four years, 3 of which were on Summit. Don't know where you are from but would suggest you check the East Coast Departures board. There is a thread there called Port Liberty 411 which has loads of info on hotels, shuttle info and general information on the area. There is a lot of construction in the area and this board will give you hints.

[Softball20]

Just chiming in about the question about your sons' ages and if there is enough to do.

 

We have taken our daughters on several cruises on Celebrity (which we all love) and other lines. When they were 17 & 20 we did a Med cruise and then several months later (they were 18 & 21 by that point) we did a Caribbean cruise, both on the Equinox. They both loved it, and there were no issues of them finding things to do. Right away they met others their age, especially on the Caribbean sailing which was over a holiday. On both occasions we were cruising with friends (only one of which was in their age group and that was just on the second one) and we all hung out/did our sight seeing together. In the evenings, if we were doing something in which they were not interested, they always found things to do. We've also taken them on RCCL - they were a bit younger on those, and we decided to try it to check it out. They were not really impressed with all the gimmicks. Sure, we went to an ice show or two, and they climbed a rock wall once, but they have both said that they have never missed those things on the other ships we've been on. They would both take Celebrity any day over some of the others.

[CruisinNewb]

I agree that there will be plenty to do to occupy your boys. Our daughters 22 and 19 now starting cruising at 14 and 11. They have enjoyed every cruise we have been on and when given the opportunity to choose Royal Caribbean instead of Celebrity said they liked Celebrity.

 

They spent time with us, enjoyed the shows, the various activities during the day, the pool, the eateries and spent plenty of their time on their own.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[cjmx]

Hi, Congrats on your sons soon to be graduation. We love cruising with our kids and have been on both royal and celebrity.

I have been on the summit Bermuda twice in the summer and have notice a small amount of young twenties around. I suggest they bring entertainment with them because the summit entertainment was lacking and it's a small boat. But most importantly, , your boys are very gracious ,my boys like to meet people and entertain,they have always insisted on there own cabin, sometimes we got lucky with connecting, and it's a large balcony. The boys always bring a Bluetooth speaker and sometimes they make their own pool party with about 20 young kids.

Lastly, in Bermuda, I've rented a pontoon boat for the day and it was great!

 

 

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[Sheeba67]

No one has mentioned it, but if they can both get the drink package and like to drink, they will do just fine on the Summit. It is a little subdued, but if they like hanging out with you and easily meet others, they will have a good time. A cruise is what you make it.

[runner15km]

Your sons will be bored. The ship is geared to 50+. I would go with NCL and get separate cabins. In Bermuda just take the bus to the beach or into Hamilton.

Edited December 8, 2016 by runner15km

[Iamthesea]

No, the ship is not geared toward 50+. :rolleyes: It really depends on the itinerary. A Bermuda cruise in the summer will have all ages. ;)

 

My daughters, in their early 30's have enjoyed the sister ship to the Summit. Plenty to do at night in the disco. In the daytime, when not on a shore excursion, they enjoyed hanging out around the pool, or meeting up with new friends.

[MaraZee]

thanks much for your input...very helpful!

[caribsun]

I have been on the Summit two times to Bermuda. Great ship for adults but not much to do for 20 year olds. Look at NCL Breakaway, you can get a Haven Suite geared for adults and the sons can enjoy activities on the Lido Deck and clubs. :)

[hcat]

Nice pub menu and music at the Frog and Onion at the dockyard...walkable from the ship!

 

Also a beach bar at the dockyard beach area..I believe there's a fee to enter...

 

Ship has a nice gym.....and there will be a DJ someplace on board

Edited December 8, 2016 by hcat

[Iamcruzin]

Your sons will be bored. The ship is geared to 50+. I would go with NCL and get separate cabins. In Bermuda just take the bus to the beach or into Hamilton.

 

I agree, especially in early June. When we were on the Summit we were bored and I am in my 50's. I wouldn't even ask my kids 21 and 24 if they wanted to join us. I also agree with the poster who suggested you book 2 rooms instead of the suite. Also it's a good idea to read the roll call for the week you will be sailing. You will learn a lot about the crowd by the conversation and activity of the roll call.

Edited December 8, 2016 by Iamcruzin

[whatevergoes]

We travel in a RS on the Summit to Bermuda every year. We have 2 teenage boys. One sleeps on the sofa bed and I have the Butler get us a rollaway bed for the other boy. Room is plenty big for four. We are always out at the pool or spa pool area. You are in Bermuda 3 days to get off the ship and explore. There are shows at night, bars and a casino. They will probably make friends. You can all eat together every meal at the suite restaurant, Luminae. It is wonderful. All the other specialty restaurants are also complimentary for you. ALL of the restaurants will have tables for four. The Butler will arrange all reservations.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to stay in the RS on Summit. Have a great sailing!

[dkjretired]

I agree, especially in early June. When we were on the Summit we were bored and I am in my 50's. I wouldn't even ask my kids 21 and 24 if they wanted to join us. I also agree with the poster who suggested you book 2 rooms instead of the suite. Also it's a good idea to read the roll call for the week you will be sailing. You will learn a lot about the crowd by the conversation and activity of the roll call.

 

I have done both early June and in July. Early June has very few kids until East Coast schoolsfinish third or fourth week in June. After that ship is full of families. I can't see how anyone could be bored on the ship or in Bermuda.

 

Might also point out that I have spoken to people on the Breakaway who wished they had booked Summit because of crowds and not being able to get good food unless you pay extra. I have sailed two different NCL ships to Bermuda and agree.

 

Also, don't know if it matters but Celebrity has a strict policy of no smoking indoors. NCL felt like a smokestack especially near the casino.

Edited January 2, 2017 by dkjretired

[Fish Lover]

As long as you are sailing when school is out (college age), then there will be many more young adults. Also, at their age it really is up to them to make their own good time. Rock walls aren't going to make a difference.

 

I too would highly recommend you change to 2 veranda rooms (Aqua if possible) rather than cram yourselves with two adult sons into a RS. Aqua will give you breakfast and dinner in Blu, and you can easily have a table for 4 every night. The food is a step up and served more to order than the main dining room. Actually, I think it's very odd to have 4 adults sharing a cabin, where 2 have to be on a fold-out sharing or even a roll-away. Beside, if you get two connecting cabins, you can have engineering remove the partition between the two balconies and share one large balcony of you so choose.

[harryspotter]

Hi,

We are celebrating our younger son's college graduation on the June 4th Bermuda cruise. We have booked a Royal Suite for the 4 of us. None of us have been to Bermuda and are looking forward to it. We have cruised just once as a family on Norwegian Gem about 7 years ago and were on the concierge level which is why we thought a RS might have comparable services (butler, etc.).

I have a couple of questions that I was hoping I can get some help with:

 

1. While the hubby and I are perfectly content to sit by the pool and do nothing all day with a cocktail, the boys need to be somewhat busy. Is there enough for them to do on this ship? The younger son just turned 21 so they are looking forward to the bars and the casino but is that enough on Sea days?

 

2. What is the best way to schedule excursions in Bermuda and which ones do you recommend? We like beach and water sports.

 

3. Do I have to book meals now or do I wait till we are on board? Also, is it safe to assume that we will eat as a family or do we share tables with others?

 

Thanks in advance for your comments!

 

Hi, what did you do in the end? Please spill the beans..

 

Mark

[dkjretired]

Hi, what did you do in the end? Please spill the beans..

 

Mark

 

Most don’t come back, the OPs last post on Cruise Critic was over a year ago.