Should I switch to Summit???

[CTCruiser74]

My wife and I just had a wonderful cruise on Oasis of the Seas and while on board we rebooked for the same week this year. Just the other day my wife said she would really like to visit Bermuda again so I mentioned a 7 day on the Summit

 

We are from Connecticut, in our forties/fifties so driving a couple of hours to the Port is very attractive.

 

We have never been on Celebrity so have no idea what kind of entertainment, dining options are available compared to Royal Caribbean and to a lesser extent, Disney Cruise Line.

 

On the Oasis, we loved Central Park and some of the nightly entertainment, 70s Party, The Quest, Love and Marriage.

 

I would appreciate any feedback from seasoned X cruisers!

 

 

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[champagne123]

I have been on both and to be honest, you really cannot compare the two ships, as they are very different. We also love, love, love the Oasis class, but the Summit is wonderful. I would describe it as "classy" and more "white glove" service than the Oasis. Of course the Oasis has much more entertainment any many more venues...but still, the Summit has wonderful entertainment also. BERMUDA IS AMAZING....especially if you are staying more than one day in port because there is soooooo much to do and see.

[Lois R]

My wife and I just had a wonderful cruise on Oasis of the Seas and while on board we rebooked for the same week this year. Just the other day my wife said she would really like to visit Bermuda again so I mentioned a 7 day on the Summit

 

We are from Connecticut, in our forties/fifties so driving a couple of hours to the Port is very attractive.

 

We have never been on Celebrity so have no idea what kind of entertainment, dining options are available compared to Royal Caribbean and to a lesser extent, Disney Cruise Line.

 

On the Oasis, we loved Central Park and some of the nightly entertainment, 70s Party, The Quest, Love and Marriage.

 

I would appreciate any feedback from seasoned X cruisers!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Good morning, I have never sailed OASIS or any of the Floating Cities

but can tell you Summit is older and much smaller. The evening shows

will be much different than those giant vessels....there are normally

2 shows in the theater and sometimes a 3rd. They sometimes offer

a comedian as well. They usually have a few different musical

groups (duets, trios) playing at different times. One may be in Cafe

Al Bacio and the other outside at the Sunset Bar (that is located all the

way AFT beyond the buffet).

They do sometimes have the New Newlywed Game but Celebrity has never

done "The Quest" game.

 

Dining options, main dining room and there are 3 specialty restaurants

on board.....Tuscan Grille, Qsine and Sushi on 5. There is also the

Aqua Spa Cafe but that is only open for breakfast and lunch.

 

I have sailed Summit many times over the years...she is in the 90,000

ton range and compared to OASIS she may seem quite small to you.

I like the smaller size so she is good to me.

 

As for Bermuda, you know the ship is more like a hotel for this

itinerary. The gangway stays open 24/7 so you can come and go as

you please.

 

I am sure others will chime in too.........have fun making a decision:)

[Champagne Cruiser]

You really can't compare those two ships. We have sailed the Summit 6 times and love her but met a couple who had only sailed Royal and were very disappointed. They felt very closed in. They missed the soaring atrium feel of the Royal ships and the more plentiful venues. However if you are sailing when school is out you might find less children on the Summit if that matters to you. I would troll the message boards to get a feel for the demographics of the passengers.

[HokiePoq]

There were many family groups on our July Summit cruise last summer.

If you cruise for destination as I do, I highly recommend the three days in Bermuda. We enjoyed the Summit. However, if the ship and its attractions are as much of a draw, you might consider the NCL Breakaway out of New York. It has the big ship entertainment plus the same amount of time in Bermuda. We had a great time on the Summit but would also consider the Breakaway. HAL has a ship going to Bermuda, out of Boston I think, which docks in Hamilton unlike all the bigger ships. I might consider that next time as we didn't get around to seeing the Hamilton area last summer and it would be more centrally located in Bermuda if you go out on your own as we did. Entertainment would be similar to the Summit.

[champagne123]

There were many family groups on our July Summit cruise last summer.

If you cruise for destination as I do, I highly recommend the three days in Bermuda. We enjoyed the Summit. However, if the ship and its attractions are as much of a draw, you might consider the NCL Breakaway out of New York. It has the big ship entertainment plus the same amount of time in Bermuda. We had a great time on the Summit but would also consider the Breakaway. HAL has a ship going to Bermuda, out of Boston I think, which docks in Hamilton unlike all the bigger ships. I might consider that next time as we didn't get around to seeing the Hamilton area last summer and it would be more centrally located in Bermuda if you go out on your own as we did. Entertainment would be similar to the Summit.

 

Geeezzzz, I completely forgot about the Breakaway. We also did the 7 day to Bermuda on her. We had a fabulous time on the ship also and you are correct...much more entertainment, venues, restaurants, etc. The ONLY thing I did not care for was the size of the pool area. It was so small...but if this does not bother you, I agree that the Breakaway is another good option. :)

[Fish Lover]

Since you live within a reasonable drive to Port Bayonne, I can tell you it is the absolute best boarding and disembarkation experience ever. A breeze. No horror stories to begin or end a vacation on. Wold's apart from Manhattan.

[hcat]

Have cruised on both...and disliked everything about Oasis other than the adult only Solarium and Diamond cocktail event

 

If you really liked Oasus Summit may not be enjoyable...smaller, cozier, lo tech...feels more like a ship than a mall...But Bermuda is lovely no matter what

[Charles4515]

There were many family groups on our July Summit cruise last summer.

 

If you cruise for destination as I do, I highly recommend the three days in Bermuda. We enjoyed the Summit. However, if the ship and its attractions are as much of a draw, you might consider the NCL Breakaway out of New York. It has the big ship entertainment plus the same amount of time in Bermuda. We had a great time on the Summit but would also consider the Breakaway. HAL has a ship going to Bermuda, out of Boston I think, which docks in Hamilton unlike all the bigger ships. I might consider that next time as we didn't get around to seeing the Hamilton area last summer and it would be more centrally located in Bermuda if you go out on your own as we did. Entertainment would be similar to the Summit.

 

 

 

Breakaway has attractions but is more crowded than Oasis. Unless you book Haven. Breakaway also has a smoke filled casino that opens into the central public areas making them smokey. That alone is why I won't book Breakaway again. Pool areas on Breakaway are poor. Summit or Veendam are the only ships doing seven days I would consider for Bermuda. Bermuda is the main attraction on a Bermuda cruise not the ship but Summit and Veendam are pretty good ships.

Edited January 14, 2017 by Charles4515

[JMG]

We like both lines.

 

Royal has more activity going on throughout the day. On the larger ships, the shows are often amazing. Staterooms tend to offer a little more storage space.

 

On Celebrity, you are greeted on board with a glass of champagne. The shows are the type that existed on all ships many years ago...singers, magicians, comedians. Coming back to the ship after a hot day in port you are offered a cool towel to help cool down before entering the air conditioned ship. The ship tends to be quieter. There are no hourly announcements from the CD. Typically there is only one announcement during the day and that is the Captains Report.

 

Price wise..we find that we get better prices on Celebrity. Being able to select the Big/Better/Best packages is also a plus.

 

If you really like lots of activity then you might want to consider a shorter Bermuda cruise on The Anthem out of Bayonne.

[Tatka]

It is two different experiences, but we loved both. Allure and Summit. Summit offers much less in terms of innovations, but more refined.

[CTCruiser74]

Thank you everyone for the feedback!

 

Now the fun of making a decision!

 

 

Thanks again!

 

 

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[LA_CA_GAL]

Have done the Summit, Oasis, Allure (and others).

 

What is not to love about all of them?

 

As previously mentioned, driving to Bayonne is a real plus, easy getting there, checking in, disembarking, not having to deal with airports, hotels, flying.

 

We had a great time on the Summit, and spending three days in port, especially Bermuda was great.

[Tatka]

Summit has great thalasso pool. Just great.

And guitarist in Sunset outside aft bar ...

 

Bermuda is one of the best destinations.

 

We were blessed with Captain Leo in 2015, but from what I heard he is gone.

[Cruise a holic]

as a previous poster stated the ships are totally different. we love both but totally different experiences The Oasis is larger has so many wonderful entertainment venues, dining restaurant choices and many more childrens activities. The ship is spectacular.

 

The summit is smaller, no gltz. no iceskating rinks, rock climbing walls, wave pools or neighborhoods. The summitstaff is great, food good and typical ship board entertainment Those looking for night life might not love it. We go on the Summit almost every August to Bermuda. We spend three days in Bermuda and busy all day. We enjoy the relaxed pace of the summit for our summer vacation. Last summer we were joined by one of our sons and two granddaughter. They enjoyed the ship also. We also sailed in the Haven on the breakaway and loved it. However, The ship is great but as crowded as walmart on black Friday. Cabins in other categories cabins tiny with tiny balconies. Have been on quantum and would not recommend the anthem as the experience and ship was negative. nothing like the freedom or oasis class ships.

Edited February 1, 2017 by Cruise a holic