RCCL Diamond Plus going on Summit in Aug., need advice please!

[CDLTEL]

Hello Folks,

Please give me advise on what to expect.

Help on:

drink package- any discount like Royal?

dining package, types

Feed back on the ship?

elite perks

check in process

and anything else you think is important.

Thanks

 

[Mynki]

Discounts on beverage packages are very rare indeed. I've only ever seen a buy one get one half price offer once. On the Summit of all ships. Is it more cost effective to have one bundled with your cruise rather than purchasing it separately? 

For details on the beverage packages available to you and a list of Elite perks I'd suggest you take a look at the website where you'll find all of the details you're looking for. The detailed lists will be helpful to you. 

The check in process is no different to RCL. 

 

If you want constructive and objective feedback on Summit I'd suggest you read the recent (post revolution) reviews here on Cruise Critic and other travel review sites. Google Celebrity Summit reviews and you'll find many. 

If you're used to sailing on RCL prepare for a more sedate experience. 

 

[davekathy]

Welcome aboard flute of sparkling wine during embarkation.  No inside smoking  including the casino or on balconies, no rock climbing walls, no flow rider, no ice skating rink, no QUEST. You will be elite with 0 points. If you haven't already, call the Captains Club at 1-800-760-0654 to verify your status is documented. No 24 hour dedicated CC HH lounge for elite and elite plus. CC HH is from 5 PM to 7 PM in the Sky Lounge except the evening of embarkation. Unlimited CC HH drinks loaded on your Seapass card (except for the first evening) to enjoy at the bars except at the World Class Bar. CC HH drinks are not served in the dining venues.  No DL buffet set up (like on RC) during CC HH in the Sky Lounge but servers serve snacks along with taking drink orders. Like RC you will receive in your stateroom a full list of all elite perks for your cruise.  We enjoy cruising with both Celebrity and RC. We like the similarities and differences between the two cruise lines.

 

Captain Club tier levels... https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/tiers-and-benefits

 

Edited July 10, 2019 by davekathy

[artvlay]

24 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Welcome aboard flute of sparkling wine during embarkation.  No inside smoking  including the casino or on balconies, no rock climbing walls, no flow rider, no ice skating rink, no QUEST. You will be elite with 0 points. If you haven't already, call the Captains Club at 1-800-760-0654 to verify your status is documented. No 24 hour dedicated CC HH lounge for elite and elite plus. CC HH is from 5 PM to 7 PM in the Sky Lounge except the evening of embarkation. Unlimited CC HH drinks loaded on your Seapass card (except for the first evening) to enjoy at the bars except at the World Class Bar. CC HH drinks are not served in the dining venues.  No DL buffet set up (like on RC) during CC HH in the Sky Lounge but servers serve snacks along with taking drink orders. Like RC you will receive in your stateroom a full list of all elite perks for your cruise.  We enjoy cruising with both Celebrity and RC. We like the similarities and differences between the two cruise lines.

 

Captain Club tier levels... https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/tiers-and-benefits

 

Reading the above link about Elite benefits,  I have a question. I didn't noticed anything about internet access minutes (unless I totally missed that).

[davekathy]

7 minutes ago, artvlay said:

Reading the above link about Elite benefits,  I have a question. I didn't noticed anything about internet access minutes (unless I totally missed that).

Click on the actual tier level (elite). A little more detail in another window. But each elite gets 90 minutes of internet. 

[CDLTEL]

Thanks!! It is nice that they put unlimited drinks on your seapass card. So no drinks on embarkation day?  Do you know  the times for evening entertainment? 

What is you opinion on the specialty restaurants.

 

Thanks

 

[artvlay]

22 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Click on the actual tier level (elite). A little more detail in another window. But each elite gets 90 minutes of internet. 

Thanks for clarifying. With their cutbacks I wouldn't be surprised if they cut them.

Look forward to meeting you in a few weeks. 

Marshall 

[hcat]

14 minutes ago, artvlay said:

Thanks for clarifying. With their cutbacks I wouldn't be surprised if they cut them.

Look forward to meeting you in a few weeks. 

Marshall 

Doubt those minutes will be cut in the near  term...there would be  quite a protest!

 

There is an active Summit Dining thread you can check.out...Not that many Specialty dining choices on Summit. Tuscan, Q sine ( without the Le Petit Chef show ( as of now) and Sushi on 5.  I believe Celebrity website has sample menus....

 

There are sev recent reviews that cover music and shows.  

Edited July 10, 2019 by hcat

[CDLTEL]

Also , is there a breakfast for Elite

Thanks

[hcat]

7 minutes ago, CDLTEL said:

Also , is there a breakfast for Elite

Thanks

Yes, usually held in Tuscan.

 

From what I recall it features rolls, pastries,  fruit,  yogurt, cold cereals, cheese, salmon,  cold cuts   boiled eggs, coffee etc. Nothing cooked to.order.  I think capuccino..not sure about smoothies.

 

  Sometimes  it is plated, sometimes a buffet...which we prefer.

[George C]

Entertainment us way better on rccl, buffet is way better on celebrity. We also like Tuscan grill prefer it over most rccl specialty. Suite perks are great if you are lucky enough to be in a celebrity suite. 

[cynbar]

2 hours ago, CDLTEL said:

Thanks!! It is nice that they put unlimited drinks on your seapass card. So no drinks on embarkation day?  Do you know  the times for evening entertainment? 

What is you opinion on the specialty restaurants.

 

Thanks

 

The unlimited drinks on your sea pass card are only good during the designated HH hours, I think 5-7 but the exact times may vary. And it is only good on certain drinks, unless this has changed (I'm sure someone has recent info on this.) Some sailings, there is a designated HH lounge where you can go for your free drinks. Other sailings, they are loaded on your card. You don't get both, seems to depend on how many Elites are onboard. We usually have a beverage package so don't utilize this too much.

[late2cruisin]

2 hours ago, hcat said:

Yes, usually held in Tuscan.

 

From what I recall it features rolls, pastries,  fruit,  yogurt, cold cereals, cheese, salmon,  cold cuts   boiled eggs, coffee etc. Nothing cooked to.order.  I think capuccino..not sure about smoothies.

 

  Sometimes  it is plated, sometimes a buffet...which we prefer.

 

Yes, espresso drinks like cappuccino are included, as well as smoothies and Mimosa, Bloody Mary, and Bellini.

[late2cruisin]

1 hour ago, cynbar said:

The unlimited drinks on your sea pass card are only good during the designated HH hours, I think 5-7 but the exact times may vary. And it is only good on certain drinks, unless this has changed (I'm sure someone has recent info on this.) Some sailings, there is a designated HH lounge where you can go for your free drinks. Other sailings, they are loaded on your card. You don't get both, seems to depend on how many Elites are onboard. We usually have a beverage package so don't utilize this too much.

 

As others have mentioned, this has changed in the last few months. You do get both- happy hour with served hors d'oeuvres in the designated lounge from 5-7 pm and also unlimited drinks (from a very limited menu) during those same hours at any bar except World Class Bar (or restaurants). No happy hour on embarkation day. 

 

The shows are usually 7:00 and 9:00.

 

And for the OP, don't forget the laundry benefit (something that Royal doesn't offer) A bag of laundry per elite member (wash and fold only), 2 items pressed, and one item dry-cleaned. 

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, late2cruisin said:

 

As others have mentioned, this has changed in the last few months. You do get both- happy hour with served hors d'oeuvres in the designated lounge from 5-7 pm and also unlimited drinks (from a very limited menu) during those same hours at any bar except World Class Bar (or restaurants). No happy hour on embarkation day. 

 

The shows are usually 7:00 and 9:00.

 

And for the OP, don't forget the laundry benefit (something that Royal doesn't offer) A bag of laundry per elite member (wash and fold only), 2 items pressed, and one item dry-cleaned. 

Correct. The Captain Club changed to unlimited drinks on our Seapass cards February 2019 no matter the ship, itinerary or the number of elite and elite plus on the cruise. Kudos to Celebrity.  

[davekathy]

4 hours ago, artvlay said:

Thanks for clarifying. With their cutbacks I wouldn't be surprised if they cut them.

Look forward to meeting you in a few weeks. 

Marshall 

You're welcome. Looking forward to the September Summit cruise. But we aren't wishing the summer away either. 😉

[davekathy]

Captain Club HH beverage menu...

[CDLTEL]

Guys

Thank you so much for all the info!!!!! Bloody mary for AM is a super perk also. What time does breakfast go to?

Also, I read that Elites are invited to hellipad on sail away.

[davekathy]

21 minutes ago, CDLTEL said:

Guys

Thank you so much for all the info!!!!! Bloody mary for AM is a super perk also. What time does breakfast go to?

Also, I read that Elites are invited to hellipad on sail away.

As well as Bloody Marys you can also have Mimosas and Bellinis. The elite breakfast in the Tuscan Grille runs from 8:AM to 10:AM.  Breakfast in the MDR is from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. 

Edited July 11, 2019 by davekathy

[late2cruisin]

1 hour ago, CDLTEL said:

Guys

Thank you so much for all the info!!!!! Bloody mary for AM is a super perk also. What time does breakfast go to?

Also, I read that Elites are invited to hellipad on sail away.

The sail away on the helipad is not a specified perk of Elite, so you may or may not get an invite (most of the time, we didn't) It 's nice that the elite breakfast goes until 10, since the MDR breakfast (and Blu and Luminae) end much earlier.

[chemmo]

7 hours ago, CDLTEL said:

Guys

Thank you so much for all the info!!!!! Bloody mary for AM is a super perk also. What time does breakfast go to?

Also, I read that Elites are invited to hellipad on sail away.

 

See the Captains Club Host either at the evening reception or at breakfast and let her know you would like to experience a helipad sail away. Depending on itinerary there are usually a couple...

 

There will be a list of events in your cabin on boarding. Usually a galley tour or a behind the scenes theatre tour, a wine tasting....Keep your list safe as you will not get any further reminders. For some events they do like you to confirm if you will attend.

 

Re speciality restaurants although Summit has little variety Tuscan is well worth a visit. We find dining on Celebrity a nicer as well as tastier experience than RC.

 

The Bellinis are great at breakfast!

 

Check your copy of ‘Today’ for live music etc as there are no ongoing announcements during the day. The Captain does a quick chat at 10am on some cruises this can be quite amusing...

 

Overall we find RC the cruise line for action and entertainment and Celebrity for rest and relaxation.

 

Sincere best wishes for a fantastic cruise.

[CDLTEL]

Thank you for all the insight !!!!! We are looking to move to a more relaxing atmosphere and better service.

Can elites use the suite only area on the top deck while in port? 

[hcat]

Post reno, Is the designated  Elite Cocktail hour in the upstairs lounge on Summit?

 

That was always a nice spot..  It has been  tinkered with a few times over the years...but still nice views, hopefully!

[hcat]

20 minutes ago, CDLTEL said:

Thank you for all the insight !!!!! We are looking to move to a more relaxing atmosphere and better service.

Can elites use the suite only area on the top deck while in port? 

 

No....suite area is for Suite guests and parts (?)  of it for Zenith.

There's plenty of room in other areas, esp on port days.

[Mynki]

43 minutes ago, CDLTEL said:

Thank you for all the insight !!!!! We are looking to move to a more relaxing atmosphere and better service.

Can elites use the suite only area on the top deck while in port? 

 

Nope. I'll have to be a little blunt, but don't confuse Elites as being important.  On some transatlantic sailings there may be over 1,000 elite members onboard as it's very easy to attain. 

I realise I may get flamed for this, but I have noticed that RCL cruisers seem to be more conscious about their loyalty status then X cruisers. Particularly when achieving diamond status or higher. 

The suite experience on Celebrity is a little different to other mass market lines as you have access to not only a suite only dining room but specific areas of the ship and other services etc. 

It's actually very good, costly, but a great experience. You could always consider upgrading if this was of interest to you. 

Edited July 11, 2019 by Mynki