On Board Celebrity Summit’s First Sailing in 2021

[GeekWithMuscles]

It’s day three on board the Summit, and my mind is blown at the level of service we’re receiving.   This cruise has almost 400 passengers, so there are more crew (700+ from 60 countries) than guests!  We were greeted with thunderous applause, taken on-board 4 at a time. Everything was so smooth in St. Maarten, the crew are overjoyed to see passengers on board.  

 

On the first night we attended a show and there was a presentation “We are back!” with videos from Celebrity employees all over the world.  The theatre went nuts with applause and the Captain was emotional on stage, and he’s not the only one.  From boarding to speaking with crew,   you just want to burst into tears as you realize that cruising is something in your heart, and the crew aboard any vessel is like your family.   Other passengers were also holding back tears during embarkation… it was just like a huge family reunion. 

 

With barely 400 people, everyone is getting to know each other and the vibe is super happy and chill, so much more social than any cruise I’ve ever been on.   Everyone is so excited to be experiencing what we’ve missed so much for 15 months. 

 

The crew are all wearing masks still, but the guests are not.  The theatre and casino have socially distanced protocols in place, and the buffet of course is point and get served.  Other than that, almost everything is the same.   Had an amazing Thai massage yesterday, and was so released, had difficulty finding my way back to our stateroom.  

 

We are booked in a Sky Suite, so the experience is enhanced of course.  The Captains Club is competing for our attention though, as we’re getting many invitations for parties and events.  Talk about being treated like a celebrity.   Last night our bed was adorned with gifts and beach towels for our first port.   Just a beautiful and amazing experience overall.   I will never forget this voyage.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for posting.    You are really helping many of us to get back into the cruise mode.

 

 

[amcb]

Exciting to hear from someone on Summit. We will be cruising on Summit in 3 weeks also in a sky suite. How are Luminae and the Retreat Lounge?

 

🙂 amcb

[Jim_Iain]

Curious of the cost of Air to St. Maarten and any suggestions.      I was just checking out of SFO and the prices round trip in coach are running $800 - 1,300 and travel times of 10-23 hours.    Many have LONG layovers (up to 12 hours).

[LisaDee]

Love your post so much, thanks for letting us share vicariously!  

[Cruising89143]

Sounds like paradise.

[seacruise9]

Hi, 

 

Thanks for your post! I will be boarding the Celebrity Summit in St. Maarten on July 10. It sounds like I will have a great cruise.

 

Continue to have a wonderful time,

 

Chuck

[goldsmip115]

Can you tell me who the Butlers are?  Had Cesar on the Summit and he was amazing!

[Projunior]

12 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Curious of the cost of Air to St. Maarten and any suggestions.      I was just checking out of SFO and the prices round trip in coach are running $800 - 1,300 and travel times of 10-23 hours.    Many have LONG layovers (up to 12 hours).

We are on the Summit for the July 17th sailing. We decided to fly to Charlotte on the 16th and catch one of the two AA nonstops on the 17th. Seemed like less hassle travel-wise and St. Martin-wise re COVID rules, as we will be going straight from the airport to the ship. Ditto for the return, overnighting in MIA as I want to be on the 12:45 AA flight after reading of the SXM mess on departure day. I can't get all the way home from MIA without paying a fortune, but to me it beats standing outside the SXM airport waiting for one of the 3PMish flights out. 

[bdmagee]

1 hour ago, GeekWithMuscles said:

It’s day three on board the Summit, and my mind is blown at the level of service we’re receiving.   This cruise has almost 400 passengers, so there are more crew (700+ from 60 countries) than guests!  We were greeted with thunderous applause, taken on-board 4 at a time. Everything was so smooth in St. Maarten, the crew are overjoyed to see passengers on board.  

 

On the first night we attended a show and there was a presentation “We are back!” with videos from Celebrity employees all over the world.  The theatre went nuts with applause and the Captain was emotional on stage, and he’s not the only one.  From boarding to speaking with crew,   you just want to burst into tears as you realize that cruising is something in your heart, and the crew aboard any vessel is like your family.   Other passengers were also holding back tears during embarkation… it was just like a huge family reunion. 

 

With barely 400 people, everyone is getting to know each other and the vibe is super happy and chill, so much more social than any cruise I’ve ever been on.   Everyone is so excited to be experiencing what we’ve missed so much for 15 months. 

 

The crew are all wearing masks still, but the guests are not.  The theatre and casino have socially distanced protocols in place, and the buffet of course is point and get served.  Other than that, almost everything is the same.   Had an amazing Thai massage yesterday, and was so released, had difficulty finding my way back to our stateroom.  

 

We are booked in a Sky Suite, so the experience is enhanced of course.  The Captains Club is competing for our attention though, as we’re getting many invitations for parties and events.  Talk about being treated like a celebrity.   Last night our bed was adorned with gifts and beach towels for our first port.   Just a beautiful and amazing experience overall.   I will never forget this voyage.

 

 

 

[bdmagee]

Thank you for sharing!  Appreciate any and all info, as we will be on the Summit in a couple of weeks. 

[davekathy]

2 hours ago, GeekWithMuscles said:

It’s day three on board the Summit...,

 

 

 

Yum.

 

If you are elite or above is the CC HH being held in the Sky Lounge? 🍻

[AmberCascades]

Thanks for the great post.  You've answered many questions for me.  You look so happy!!!!  I'm glad you're enjoying the cruise.

[laurajc]

Love your post!  We are on the July 10 sailing.   We have a Sky Suite as well.  Are you using the pool deck or Retreat area?  How is Luminae?  Hope you had a fun port day!

[osuchica]

18 hours ago, seacruise9 said:

Hi, 

 

Thanks for your post! I will be boarding the Celebrity Summit in St. Maarten on July 10. It sounds like I will have a great cruise.

 

Continue to have a wonderful time,

 

Chuck

 

We will be, too! And I love reading this because we CANNOT WAIT! 🙂

[Kristal Blade]

I’m not cruising till next year, but it is fantastic to see this review. Loved the photos and video.

 

Enjoy!

[PetiteBerg]

On 7/5/2021 at 12:27 PM, amcb said:

Exciting to hear from someone on Summit. We will be cruising on Summit in 3 weeks also in a sky suite. How are Luminae and the Retreat Lounge?

 

🙂 amcb

We are also on board right now.  Some of the best food I’ve had in Luminae in a long time and somehow there are no lines even though the suites are 100% occupied.  
We don’t tend to go to the Retreat Lounge a lot but it’s been excellent when we have wandered in.  

[DCPIV]

Thanks for the update!  I'll be on board Summit in a few months and am looking forward to it!

[LouChamp]

On 7/5/2021 at 12:15 PM, GeekWithMuscles said:

It’s day three on board the Summit, and my mind is blown at the level of service we’re receiving.   This cruise has almost 400 passengers, so there are more crew (700+ from 60 countries) than guests!  We were greeted with thunderous applause, taken on-board 4 at a time. Everything was so smooth in St. Maarten, the crew are overjoyed to see passengers on board.  

 

On the first night we attended a show and there was a presentation “We are back!” with videos from Celebrity employees all over the world.  The theatre went nuts with applause and the Captain was emotional on stage, and he’s not the only one.  From boarding to speaking with crew,   you just want to burst into tears as you realize that cruising is something in your heart, and the crew aboard any vessel is like your family.   Other passengers were also holding back tears during embarkation… it was just like a huge family reunion. 

 

With barely 400 people, everyone is getting to know each other and the vibe is super happy and chill, so much more social than any cruise I’ve ever been on.   Everyone is so excited to be experiencing what we’ve missed so much for 15 months. 

 

The crew are all wearing masks still, but the guests are not.  The theatre and casino have socially distanced protocols in place, and the buffet of course is point and get served.  Other than that, almost everything is the same.   Had an amazing Thai massage yesterday, and was so released, had difficulty finding my way back to our stateroom.  

 

We are booked in a Sky Suite, so the experience is enhanced of course.  The Captains Club is competing for our attention though, as we’re getting many invitations for parties and events.  Talk about being treated like a celebrity.   Last night our bed was adorned with gifts and beach towels for our first port.   Just a beautiful and amazing experience overall.   I will never forget this voyage.

 

 

enjoy!

[amcb]

5 hours ago, PetiteBerg said:

We are also on board right now.  Some of the best food I’ve had in Luminae in a long time and somehow there are no lines even though the suites are 100% occupied.  
We don’t tend to go to the Retreat Lounge a lot but it’s been excellent when we have wandered in.  

That's wonderful news! Can you tell me how the sail away was? We usually have a champagne toast as we sail away before getting ready for dinner, but we've never had a late sail  away. Did leaving so late diminish the experience at all?

 

🙂 amcb

[Germancruiser]

Geek- wonderful to read your review so far. As I was on the Maiden Voyage of Apex- 2,5 weeks ago- also the first ship of X to sail out of an European port, I can wholeheartlly agree - we had the same spirit- the same vibe. Passengers had tears in their eyes, us included, when we stepped on board an where welcomed with a  big round of applause from many crew members waiting for us to come back.

Those first voyages are in fact- unforgetable.

I never forget my first cruise- neither do I forget the Maiden of Apex.

 

[bandp407]

What a joy  to read this all , especially to see the welcome aboard by the crew!! 
 

Just booked the Summit for September 6 from Miami & can’t wait!! We’ve sailed the Solstice ships but will be first for us on the Summit. Booked A Sunset-view Concierge cabin. If anyone is on board who can comment on any of those cabins & main dining room food that would be great. We love to dance - how have the bands been? Initially hesitant to sail on an older ship, but she looks beautifully refurbished.

 

‘ENJOY EVERY MOMENT!!

[laurajc]

I would love to hear about your port day in Barbados!  We are booked to snorkel with turtles next Monday.  Are you able to visit any of the shops?

 

[GeekWithMuscles]

On 7/5/2021 at 1:01 PM, goldsmip115 said:

Can you tell me who the Butlers are?  Had Cesar on the Summit and he was amazing!

Howdy!  Daisy is our butler and she’s amazing! The ship doesn’t have a full compliment of crew as of this writing though, and I’m not sure how much of the crew has been on Summit before.   Some members of the Cosmopolitan wait staff for example, were on the Equinox prior.  They were notified they would be on this cruise and they were filled with joy. 

[GeekWithMuscles]

57 minutes ago, laurajc said:

I would love to hear about your port day in Barbados!  We are booked to snorkel with turtles next Monday.  Are you able to visit any of the shops?

 

Barbados is the only stop on our itinerary  where you can’t venture out on your own, so we decided to stay on board.   Sadly the impact of the cruise industry not being active can be easily seen, the port was like a ghost town.  😞  We have some friends that really enjoyed the turtle swim though!