Summit 9/2/18 Sailing – Live Blog, Cat Blog, Vlogs!

[mjmagee]

Thx for this clever, snappy review! Love your (both) styles!

[David Kane]

Question Break!

 

Fianlly, it's time to get to viewer questions. I did actually record a set of less than helpful answers, but it ran on to 15 (!) minutes and even I don't find myself entertaining for that length of time. I have to reconsider how best to present that part, but, in the meantime, here is what I have discovered so far:

 

Q: Who is the Michael's Club Concierge?

A: Anatasia, who is adorable, charasmtic and wonderful. We believe we may even have an angle on who her eventual replacement may be but I want to double-check if it's true and if this individual, who we also like immensely, will be on this ship.

 

Q: When are the performers/staff rotating off the Ship?

A: Aside from going person by person and asking them when their contract is up, which seems somewhat nosy, the general concensus we get is that the majority of the staff and crew will be in place from now unti lthe dry dock in Janurary. Perfomers, on the other hand, tend to vary immensely so who even knows. 'Horizon,' the newest evening performer, got on the ship yesterday, for instance. Yes, it is another Motown act (Motown is starting to wear a bit thin on us).

 

Q: What's the fee for Tuscan Brunch and Taj - X?

A: Taj X is $45 pp with an immediate 20% discount for 'booking early,' whatever that cut off is, so right away it's $36 pp. We go tonight and cannot wait. I think it's another genius move by Celebrity for tapping into the cultural knowledge of their staff to offer more variety to their guests. I expect to see UK-X on our next cruise, which you'd think would be British but actually is a all-potato-based lunch experience from the Ukraine. I am unsure of the Turscan Brunch cost so let's just say $45 pp with a 17% 'booking early' discount to make the math more confusing.

 

Q: Who is the Luminae Maitre'd?

A: Apparently it's Charles, because everyone, and I mean everyone, keeps asking about him! People on the Forums, people on FB, people on the Ship...heck, even people on Tinder (I wonder if Celebrity has a Tinder profile...I bet it does, because they seem to have a web presence everywhere else...). He is due back on in a few weeks, and holding down the position now known as the 'Luminae Matire' Charles' is Yasim, who we find rather pleasent and engaging.

 

Q: Can you hear the door on Deck 4 slam?

A: I...really don't think I have the context for this question. Deck 4 is 2 floors down and the nearest exterior door is over in front of Luminae...I can't even hear myself from that distance (that joke makes no sense). Directly in front of the cabin door you can occasionally hear voices filtering down from the OVC hallway (which the stairs also immediately outside your door deposit you in to thereby skirting the hand sanitizers of public shaming). Inside the cabin there are occasional noises in the bathroom from what sounds like pipes knocking? But you don't hear those in the main room when the bathroom door is closed - aside from that, it's quiet...too, too quiet.

 

Q: Daily Drinks without a Drinks Package?

A: Right now, the key to acquiring drinks without a package is to bring your own straw and follow XZ around, who seems to leave a trail of 1/2 finished drinks everywhere she goes! Aside from that, we have noticed more actually-free tasting events being offered (generally by the shoppes) than before (they darn near killed us at the Johnnie Walker event). The cocktail of the day is listed on the back page of the dailies (today is a mix/match deal where you get to pick two from a pretty standard list for $10 total - that's really not bad pricing if you ask me). I'll see if there are any other opportunities out there for people who don't do the package - I suspect they are and I just haven't been paying attention.

 

Q: Can you take pictures of your Balcony and is there any privacy?

A: I actually have a video of it that's, you know, not 15 minutes long that I will try to edit and post. And no, there is pretty much the opposite of privacy. The Captain of the ship, for instance, can look directly on to your balcony if he so chooses.

 

Q: OVC Bar or Sunset Bar?

A: I...I have no clue here. I always thought it was the Sunset Bar. Regular-sized Rudy (that's a 'Bob's Burgers' reference) told us 'it depends on which was we're sailing' which is a pretty good point. Here is a ship's map graphic showing a Sunset Bar, presumably in the location of the OCV Bar...I'll continue to track this down as it seems to be the minor trivia that is right up my alley.

 

 

Q: Did a guest really tumble off the gangplank and in to the water yesterday morning?

A: Somehow they did! And a Crew member headed in right after them because Celebrity's dedication to customer safety is no joke! Apparently all turned out ok, someone even noted they saw the passenger, still soaking wet, on the trolley later that morning headed in to town.

 

Q: Did the Summit also lose power yesterday?

A: Yup. How weird is that? Not as across-the-board as the Equinox, and I don't even think most passengers noticed, but some crew areas were getting rather warm by the afternoon.

 

Next Up - Day 3 - Whisky a go-go!

 

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[FlorenceItaly]

David, wonderful question and answer format. MANY THANKS! I would be thrilled with the daily drink special of 2 for $10. I hope it continues on the New England/Canada run. Paul was posting live from the Equinox and I never saw this listed. I am HOPING it stays on the Summit daily since I am thinking they want to change as little as possible on each daily sheet. A girl can rationalize and dream, LOL. At one time, on the M class, inside the blue drink book in the lounges there was a "happy hour special" insert card. It was never advertised and only listed in the blue drink book. I have not noticed this recently. Thankfully, 90% of the time we have the drink package. For this cruise we are in an inside due to cost and the fact we have 2 more after this cruise before the end of the year.

 

Thanks again to you and your beautiful wife for the LIVE posting. It sounds like you are having a fabulous time and making the most of every moment. Cheers!

[David Kane]

Day 3 - Ready, Set, Go, Go, Go!

 

We started Day 3 out with a breakfast at Luminae - we usually go to the Buffet for the Variety, but wanted to give Luminae at least a little love. Check out this brea arrangement - we don't photograph food as a general rule, but the symmetry here struck me as quite pleasing.

 

 

From there, we went to hang out at MC for a bit before our favorite presentation activity - the Sushi making demonstration! This is the 'show' to attend if you are interested in learning some fun tricks for Sushi making at home and want to score either 20% your next visit or an unlimited go for $30 pp (this time the offer was 20% off). The Sushi chefs are just great, each of them with their own sense of humor and a quick patter. Their skills make everything look ridiculously easy even while you absolutely know it is not. This time, the chef carefully made a roll and then showed us how he makes it in a busy kitchen, taking about 1/3 the time - it was impressive! Also, if you ask at the end of the demo the chef may let you examine his knife - a rare opportunity to handle a quality instrument.

 

 

Immediately thereafter we dined at Sushi on 5; the upcharge may rankle some folks but the quality of the ingredients is far superior to what used to be offered in the buffet. This time both the Salmon Sashimi and the Unagi Nigiri were excellent. In addition, the Snow Maiden sake continues to impress.

 

 

From here, we noticed a Johnnie Walker Whiskey Tasting being offered in the Shoppes that didn't seem to have an upcharge attached. We figured it was just a typo but, no, in fact, it was not. After watching a brief video about the somewhat mythologized history of John Walker (Comment of the day "They have to add English closed captioning to someone speaking in English.") and a quick overview of the offerings the attendantsbegan passing around PLATTERS of Whiskey shots. They covered Black, Double Black, Gold and Blue. We couldn't believe it. A little presentation and a little generousity goes a long way towards making a sale and XZ spent 1/2 an hour after the demo ended going over prices and figuring out exactly how much we could take home with us!

 

 

 

Next Up - 3rd time's still a charm with the officers and we prepare for the evening.

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[DelawareTom]

You mentioned that Anastasia will have a replacement. Do you know when this replacement will happen? We are sailing on 9/23 and just wondering who will be the MC concierge for that cruise.

[jcpc]

You mentioned that Anastasia will have a replacement. Do you know when this replacement will happen? We are sailing on 9/23 and just wondering who will be the MC concierge for that cruise.

 

 

 

Anastasia is not leaving until November! [emoji1]

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Welland]

Anastasia is not leaving until November! [emoji1]

 

 

Do you know when in November?

[CapeLibertyGirl]

Was the invite for the luncheon in Blue with Officers from Michael's Club Concierge or Capt. Club Host ? Was it for all suites ?

[David Kane]

Day 3 - Officers and Galore

 

After lunch and a queit afternoon we breifly fell asleep (always a dangerous proposition! Hours can accidentally pass this way...) and then prepared for Dinner, with a Senior Officer's meet and greet in MC beforehand.

 

Tonight, XZ went for what we're calling 40's Cigarette-Girl Chic (thus dressing with the current offering of music on the ship) while I...well...I was trying out alternative vest colors and I thought to myself 'Self, I bet you'll look great in Copper.' Only somewhat later did it occur to me I looked less fancy and more like 'I am the Pumpkin King!'.

 

 

 

We went to Luminae for dinner, followed by MC for another set of drinks and the Casino for more Sexy Sax. During this visit we had one of those encounters which demonstrated the true professionalism of the Celebrity Staff. We had just won a *staggering* jackpot ($3.60) and the Sax was blowing its top when a senior-level staff member (who will remain anonymous to protect the truly innocent) came over and started chatting with us. We were having a fun time when, all of the sudden, another guest a few machines away turns around and snaps at us to quiet down. At first, XZ and I thought they were being sarchastic, as we were rolling in potentially hundreds of pennies, but no, they were quite serious. Seeing whom we were speaking to, they then snapped 'Do you work here?' in a seriously offended tone to which, in the most level tone of voice I have ever heard, the senior staff member relied "Yes" and went back to chatting with us. There has been a lot said about dealing with unruly or quarrelsome passengers but quiet de-escalation seems to remain the best method (said guest may have realized exactly which staff member they snapped at as they turned around somewhat embarassed and wandered away). For what it's worth, we also observed this guest attempting to feed snacks to the Food Inspection German Shepard at the disembarkation pier the next day so, you know, we were likely not dealing with the brightest bulb on the ship.

 

 

After this, we returned to MC for a night cap. Being a huge Jack Kerouac fan (in particular, 'On the Road') I've been trying to get Wine Spodie-Odie for some time ("A shot of Port Wine, a Shot of Whiskey, a Shot of Port Wine - a sweet jacket for all that baaad Whiskey") and the MC bartender was able to accomodate!

 

 

The perfect pre-bedtime drink put XZ to bed and, it being 1 floor down, I stopped by the see the Kareoke. It was hosted by Gigi who I hadn't seen on the Activities Staff before, but is a wonderful ball of enthusiastic energy. One of the bartenders here, Keisha, is also a true gem; it is rare to find someone with close to my wrankled sense of humor, but she absolutely has it!

 

The singers ranged from the cringe-worthy to the professional. There was an enthusiastic woman who sang and danced AND performed in sign language which has to give you automatic bonus points. One gentleman in pleated pants and a button down izod tried 'Rappers Delight' - a bold choice if I might say. And then there were the three clear veterans, a fellow who was either on Love Boat or worked in Television, a younger woman wrangling with Adele (Adele songs are so, so difficult to Kareoke) and finally the last singer who must have been, like, the back-up singer in Toto or something. He was just that good and a touch cagey about his previous experience which makes me believe he was someone of some skill and/or reputation. But hey, everyone who got up had more guts than I did so kudos to them.

 

Afterwards, it was off to bed!

 

Next up - Questions, Answers and Day 4, wherein we finally get to relax and kick off the Ship Olympics!

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[Barwick Cruiser]

Have to jump in and commend you both on your attire and attitude! This is what vacation is all about! Just wondering how much luggage you bring to the ship to carry all those outfits? As for the person in the casino who tried to shush you..did they mistake the casino for a library?? Geesh.

 

Keep up the good work, enjoying the pics and postings!

[lynncarol]

Hi David

Several years ago your dad originally provided the link for your cruise online activity. We enjoyed your blog so much that we insist he let us know each time you guys are sailing so we can again follow your antics (Love the clothing choices). Hope that hurricane doesn't disrupt the cruise.

Carol and Lynn

[hvbaskey]

Absolutely loving this live review! appreciate your time, effort, zest for life, and amazing attitude. Your attire is freaking awesome!

 

Thank you for sharing ...

[David Kane]

Question Break!

 

Q: How much luggage did you bring?

 

A: On the Bayonne cruises we can drive to the port, so we bring as much as is possible. This trip I convinced XZ not to burden the staff with a Steamer Trunk the size of a Burro so, instead, we each brought 1 carry on, 1 small suitcase, 1 larger, hard shell suit case and I brought an additional suit bag. The real key are the large hard shells as they prevent the hats from getting crushed. When we have to fly our carry on are the largest 2 pieces available, and...which one is it, Southwest? Jet Blue? still had/had free checked bags? and they also have a direct flight from RI to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. Otherwise, we just have to pay for some additional luggage - we're used to it - we also always pay for the $10 "no shin kick" upgrade (you pay $10 and the staff doesn't get in a free low kick before you board - it's a new thing Delta is rolling out to alleviate staff tension).

 

Q: Hopefully the Hurricane won't impact the return trip.

 

A: Hurricane...what...Hurricane? I haven't looked at a weather report in like a week. Is it still September?

 

Q: Who was invited to the Captain's Table Lunch?

 

A: Seemed to be Suite Guests. We sat next to the folks from one of the Penthouses and we're only in a Sky so it seemed to be all classes of Suites. Unsure on Zenith participation.

 

Q: When is Anatasia getting off the ship?

 

A: Anatasia got off in July. Her twin sister is the MC Conceirge.

 

Q: Do they still have 'Happy Hours' in the Blue lounge service books?

 

A: They have...books in the lounges? Huh. I always go up to the bar. I'll have to take a look around tonight and tomorrow and let you know. I DID find one at the OVC/Sunset Bar/Whatever; it is posted as follows:

 

Next up - Some paperwork and a relaxing day! Kinda!

 

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[cmhdoogalsatsea]

Question Break!

 

- we also always pay for the $10 "no shin kick" upgrade (you pay $10 and the staff doesn't get in a free low kick before you board - it's a new thing Delta is rolling out to alleviate staff tension).

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

 

What?! Delta just charged me $25 for the NSK and said it was the "medallion special rate"!

Loving your updates. I hope y'all are enjoying the cabin-- i really like the balconies in 6131/32.

[miched]

It looks as if you and your wife lost some weight since your last cruise.

 

You guys look great. Love the costumes.

 

I am a fan of the old style. Those were great times. Except for the Horse S..., out houses and etc.

 

We were listening to the old rockabilly on Sting Ray and Jerry Lee Lewis was singing “Wine Spodie Odie”. Never heard of it before. My wife asked her cousin who is a reckneck from way back that “knew everything”. He said it was any cheap wine. Wrong.

 

Funny how things also seem to come back around and pop up when not expected. Never heard of wine spodie odie before and you found someone that knew what it was and made it.

 

Life is great and meant for great times and fun.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise and continue to live your fantasy.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[cathykb]

Totally enjoyable read! Love your dressing for dinner philosophy....hope we run into you both sometime!

 

Cathy

[David Kane]

Let's do some paperwork!

 

Dailies - check out those drink specials!

 

Day 3

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[David Kane]

Dailies Day 4 -

 

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[Bimmer09]

David, as always, a super-fun read with lots of wit and joie de vivre!

Great photos, particularly your stylish clothing and accessory touches.

Never a dull moment....great stuff!

Thanks!

Norris

[cricketts]

Loving this, and your “H” rating!!

[David Kane]

Day 4 - The Ship Olympics Begin!

 

Day 4 begins with the arrival and their first day in Bermuda. See how I said "theie" right there and not "our"? Kinda implies "we" didn't actually get off the ship, doesn't it? Interestingly enough, we usually don't on the first day (or, perhaps any day) of the Bermuda itinerary (Bayonee - sailing - docking at Bermuda - fleeing from a Hurricane) as up to 80% of the other passengers do and we like to enjoy a nearly deserted ship. Seriously, one never realizes exactly how many attendees there are at the Buffet until you show up there for lunch on the first Bermuda day and 7 staffers rush to help you selecting your choice of roll.

 

After a quick breakfast in the Buffet we head to MC for a morning night cap (wait...) and to let everyone clear off the ship. Since staff has a emergency drill this morning we get to see some familiar faces rambling about in life jackets for...what seems like too long a time. Apparently, the first people to get off the ship this AM were rumored to have chosen the 'Priority-Disembarkation-via-Hancuffs' Package, which, if actually true, was handled so discreetly by the Crew that very few people were any the wiser that it happened at all!

 

As mentioned earlier, the *next* priority-debarkation passenger exited via falling off the gangway so, all in all, an eventful morning for the staff on top of their routine emergency drill.

 

At this point, XZ and I began the Ship Olympics, which is a running competition without any clearly defined ending point that consists of rounds of Cribbage, Shuffleboard, Bean Bag Toss, Ping Pong, Yahtzee, and whatever X-Box 360 Free Play game we can figure out how to work.

 

 

 

At the same time, the Staff is apparently having a cookout for what appears to be most of the Restaurant or Service Crew. If you look closely at the 2nd picture, just next to the Silver Cars, you can see a man wheeling out an entire roasted pig, head and all!

 

 

 

Lunch was at the the Mast Grill and then again at the Buffet because variety is the spice of life when there are no lines and you've been dieting for 3 months leading up to this sailing to fit back in to the Tuxedo you got married in.

 

We also noticed this advert for a Taste of Film - the only activity we managed to not sign up for this trip!

 

 

Next Up: The Rise of the Ottoman Empire and Chandelier.

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[David Kane]

Day 4 - Dinner and a Date with a Singing Lamp

 

After lunch we trade a few more rounds of cards and dice. We then played Pool Bingo, whereby we hop in and out of each and every Pool, Hot Tub, and Sauna on the ship in a random order determined by rolling dice. After drying off, we decided we would like to attend the early show, for once, which can put pressure on getting dressed and over to dinner exactly on time.

 

Instead, we had a relaxing time in the room getting ready. As someone who enjoyed hair loss starting at about 24 I am always in search of new and exciting hat options (also, the ship's AC is 'cold on the dome', so to speak). We were watching an episode of Sherlock Holmes, (the excellent BBC version featuring Jeremy Brett) when, in early episode, in an effort to figure out what Holmes is detecting, Watson puts on his 'thinking Fez!' And that is exactly the hat I was in search of! In addition, XZ and I exchange cruise gifts on the ship, and for this trip she got me a walking stick with a built in monocular, for use in the theatre, as I like to sit in the back so I can leave upon the third Motown Song in a row or any time Raegar Unlimited reaches for a Harmonica (XZ's comment from the last crusie "I love the sound of a man spitting into a whistle.").

 

XZ elected for a silver gown that matched the Lead in Chandelier but, for some reason, I don't seem to have a full picture of it.

 

In addition to the fine walking stick, XZ also found me a pair of "Schloss Lutz"emblems which will make absolutely no sense to anyone who hasn't seen the 'Grand Budapest Hotel' by Wes Andersen.

 

In the end, I was rather pleased with this look. The Guests thought I was a Shiner. The staff, including the excellent Yasim, the Maitre'd for Luminae, thought I was Turkish, and, oddly enough, no one guessed Civil War Era Zouave. I was going for a Grand Budapest homage, but, really, I'll take any of the above!

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[FetaCheese]

Thank you for all your posts and photos. It has made for very enjoyable and hilarious reading! We will be on the ship September 23rd for Canada New England cruise. We were on her 3 years ago on the same Canada and New England cruise, however it was Captain Kate McCue's first cruise. I see that they have returned to having a Greek captain on the summit . You have provided so much information for us regarding the ship and activities. I really can't wait to get back on!

[Mosttoyswin]

Great review. Love the walking stick. Did it work well? I bought a set of inexpensive opera glasses for the last cruise, they were ok but not strong enough. I have to use a scooter for long distances ie more than 10 yards and the only accessible seating is in the very back. I know there is some up front accessible seating on some ships but my XY will not sit that close.

[riclop]

Thanks for sharing.