Summit LIVE Bermuda (7/24-7/31) AQ Class Review

[Jazzbo]

I have tears in my eyes at Charla’s and Jim’s comments about the 9/11 museum. My husband and I went to the museum during an overnight stop in NYC near the end of a TA. I started tearing up at the memorial fountains. I barely held it together throughout the museum. I’m glad we went, but I’ll never go back.

My family and I visited Dachau when I was in high school. I’m glad I went, but I’ll never go back.

Memories of both still haunt me, but those of the 9/11 museum more so. Probably because I remember that day so vividly.

[rvlandandsea]

Love your pics, especially by the bridge. Have a great sail away. It’s my favourite after Venice. Bon voyage!

 

 

[cruisebeachgirl703]

Beautiful Pics! Looking forward to your review. Happy Birthday too!!!!!

[GenerationX]

Hello from the Summit!

 

After a 45 minute, $70 Uber XL drive through to New Jersey we arrived at the Cape Liberty cruise port and got our first views of the ship.

 

Embarkation at Cape Liberty was somewhat different from Port Everglades. The attendant at the entrance to the building didn’t check our assigned boarding time or even ask to see our xpress passes, passport, covid test, vaccine cards etc.  In fact, whereas at PE I get asked to see these things 2-4 different times before stepping onboard, no one ever asked to see our passports or vaccine card.  The attendant who checked us in just quickly reviewed our test results. She asked us if we completed the Bermuda travel authorization but when I started to pull my travel file out of my tote bag, she said “oh I don’t need to see it, I just have to ask if you did it.” That was $80 well spent…

 

The lack of paperwork checks did make the process go quickly. We were on the ship within 10 minutes of dropping off our bags.

 

We just finished a massive lunch at Sushi on 5 washed down with an Asian Pear for Jeremy and a Kobe Highball for me and are enjoying our first martinis of the cruise.

 

At around 1pm the announcement was made that cabins are ready, so we may get to unpack before sail away.

 

Cheers from Cape Liberty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lena11033]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

Hello from the Summit!

 

After a 45 minute, $70 Uber XL drive through to New Jersey we arrived at the Cape Liberty cruise port and got our first views of the ship.

 

Embarkation at Cape Liberty was somewhat different from Port Everglades. The attendant at the entrance to the building didn’t check our assigned boarding time or even ask to see our xpress passes, passport, covid test, vaccine cards etc.  In fact, whereas at PE I get asked to see these things 2-4 different times before stepping onboard, no one ever asked to see our passports or vaccine card.  The attendant who checked us in just quickly reviewed our test results. She asked us if we completed the Bermuda travel authorization but when I started to pull my travel file out of my tote bag, she said “oh I don’t need to see it, I just have to ask if you did it.” That was $80 well spent…

 

The lack of paperwork checks did make the process go quickly. We were on the ship within 10 minutes of dropping off our bags.

 

We just finished a massive lunch at Sushi on 5 washed down with an Asian Pear for Jeremy and a Kobe Highball for me and are enjoying our first martinis of the cruise.

 

At around 1pm the announcement was made that cabins are ready, so we may get to unpack before sail away.

 

Cheers from Cape Liberty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sounds of the check reminds me of flying to New Orleans in November. Had to be tested x amount of time before, spent $ on money for the test, stressing it come back in time only for Air Canada staff to look at it for half a second before checking me in. Coming back to Canada had to to the 'required' PCR test which was a couple hundred $ and no one even asked to see it - then got randomly selected at Toronto to be rechecked 🙃

[GenerationX]

A little while ago on our way to check out the pool deck, we stopped by the specialty dinning desk to see if they might know about availability for the the Veuve Clicquot dinner.  The desk attendant ran into oceanview to grab a sommelier to sign me up. I was delighted when he brought back Genesis, my fabulous somm in Luminae on  Summit in October. She remembered me too and we both squealed with excitement on seeing each other and gave big hugs. As we were catching up, out of the corner of my eye I saw another somm walk up and then heard “Miss Charla! Good to see you!” Turns out it was Michael my somm from Equinox in November!

 

Jeremy just stood there with crossed arms and a furrowed brow as we all chatted then as we were walking away, he turned to me and said “Does every sommelier in the fleet know you now???  Just how much wine have you been drinking on all these cruises you’ve been doing without me???? No wait, don’t answer that, pretty sure I don’t even want to know.” 🤣

 

Sharing some info on the wine events offered on our sailing as well as the captains club event schedule. I was very amused to see that apparently my loyalty status doesn’t carry over to Jeremy. So they left a list of events for Elite for me as well as for his lower Select status (his sea pass also shows him as Select).  He was less amused by all this than I was. I have a feeling it’s soon going to get much harder to convince him to let me cruise without him. LOL

 

 

 

[GenerationX]

15 minutes ago, Lena11033 said:

The sounds of the check reminds me of flying to New Orleans in November. Had to be tested x amount of time before, spent $ on money for the test, stressing it come back in time only for Air Canada staff to look at it for half a second before checking me in. Coming back to Canada had to to the 'required' PCR test which was a couple hundred $ and no one even asked to see it - then got randomly selected at Toronto to be rechecked 🙃

Ugh how very frustrating!  I will be so glad when the day comes when all of these COVID jumping hoops are over with.

[MarKay525]

Charla & Jeremy - Hope you have a wonderful cruise and enjoy all that Bermuda has to offer.

(Bermuda is one of our favorite places as we honeymooned there and have been back multiple times either by air or via the sea.)

 

Right now the NY Harbor webcam is on the Summit, so hopefully we'll be able to watch your sail away - I'll be looking for that lovely pink dress at the Sunset Bar.  🍹 🛳️

 

Fair winds and Following seas - Kay

[Lena11033]

1 minute ago, GenerationX said:

Ugh how very frustrating!  I will be so glad when the day comes when all of these COVID jumping hoops are over with.

Same here, my cruise is on the 8th and I leave Canada on the 5th for Rome but I'm basically staying home for the last two weeks to try and avoid people. But we're on variants now that EVERYONE is going to get it so it's like treat it like you would a cold or flu.
At least for flights now we don't need testing so that's something otherwise I'd be testing in Canada for Rome, testing in Rome for cruise, testing in Rome for UK, testing in UK for Canada 🤣

[MarKay525]

Port New York webcam:

[PaulaW]

2 hours ago, GenerationX said:

 

Sharing some info on the wine events offered on our sailing as well as the captains club event schedule. I was very amused to see that apparently my loyalty status doesn’t carry over to Jeremy. So they left a list of events for Elite for me as well as for his lower Select status (his sea pass also shows him as Select).  He was less amused by all this than I was. I have a feeling it’s soon going to get much harder to convince him to let me cruise without him. LOL

 

 

Hi Charla,

 

Just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying this review and all of your previous reviews.

 

You can have Jeremy’s status match yours since you’re married.  I did the same thing with my husband.  He had never cruised Celebrity before and once we got married, my TA called and he was upgraded automatically!  

 

Have a fantastic cruise and wonderful birthday!

[Oolie]

[DisneyJen]

Thanks for the great reporting @GenerationX!

 

Please let Sommeliers Genesis and Michael that we will be boarding next Sunday and will be signing up for the Veuve dinner 🥂 We are staying in a RS so we will let the Retreat team know as well.

 

Thanks for the great info @PaulaW. Poor DH doesn't have the same "status" as I do since I have been known to take my Mom our cruises instead of him 🥰

 

 

 

 

[annenj]

Enjoying your review as we are on the Summit next Sunday, Have a fantastic time!

[GenerationX]

Sharing some pics of our AQ class stateroom 9080. Last time I was on Summit I was in a suite so this is my first time seeing a fully revolutionized lower level stateroom.  

 

I feel the same way about it as I did the revolutionized suite.  There are some big pluses but also some pains.

 

I really like the design and color scheme.  The love seat is much more comfortable and user friendly than that weird faux leather covered bench/couch thing.  Plus the smaller couch and and table give them room much more open floor space, making in-room yoga/workouts more feasible.  There are bedside charge ports on one side of the bed and (hallelujah) a full body mirror inside the closet door.  

 

As far as my gripes, they’re relatively minor but space related. 

 

In the bathroom, those huge bottles of provided shampoo, conditioner and body wash take up the entire shelf inside the shower.  There’s no space for any of your personal toiletries.  I ended up taking the bottles out and storing them under the sink so I had some place to put my shampoo and razor.

 

The closet situation is also rough for a girl like me.  If you pack long dresses, the closet has several shelves at the bottom that cuts off the hanging area length and I had to bunch up the bottoms to get them in. Hopefully for evening chic nights I can just hang my gowns in the bathroom while Jeremy and I shower to steam the wrInkles out.  I do have free pressing of 2 items as an Elite perk, but if I send them out, I still won’t have anywhere to hang them when I get them back where they won’t have to be bunched  up and wrinkled again.

 

Pre-cruise I received an email inviting Aqua class guests to request items from a list of exercise equipment to be placed in your room for use during the cruise.  I was pleased to see that the weights set I request was waiting for me. We also had two yoga mats in carrying cases in the closet. Jeremy quickly informed me that he would not be using his.  

 

After we finish unpacking we’ll talk a little nap and then start getting ready for tonight’s Tuscan Grille dinner.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Redking]

Almost late to the party. Just as well I saw your IG post. Happy cruising and birthday fiesta!

[IsItTimeToCruiseYet?]

Happy 40th Birthday to you GenX!  I LOVE your reviews and I hope to meet you someday.  Your upbeat personality shines on everyone as well as your awesome wardrobe!!!! Bring it on!!!!

 

I appreciate that you and your husband went to the 9/11 memorial. My husbands previous manager/wife was in the plane that hit the south tower. They just had their dream home built in NH and were on their way to CA to meet their first grandchild.  That day will never be forgotten in many ways.  

 

I hope y'all have a fabulous cruise on the Summit!  If you meet Putri (Café al Bacio/Oceanview Café  server from Bali) please tell her that Trish from SC sends her love.  Hubby/I met Putri on the Edge and Captain Kate was involved with helping Kyle to propose to Putri on the bridge.  He plays guitar on the ship. 

 

Looking forward to your awesome review and can't wait to see your hubby dressed in colors to match your amazing wardrobe.

 

Bring in on GenX and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

 

 

[miched]

I may be mistaken but from what I understand your spouse has the same status.    I would go to the CC host and inquire.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[GenerationX]

Good morning from the open ocean!

 

Jeremy is still down for the count so while I rehydrate on the veranda, a report on our first night on Summit:

 

For dinner we took advantage of the first night specialty pre-booking discount and had Tuscan Grille.  

 

Service was a little slow, but the staff seemed to be doing the best they could and were very friendly and apologetic about wait times. I think the issue was that the Chef’s Table event was also being held in the back of the restaurant.  From the looks of the plates and wine going out for that, it has to tie up quite a bit of the resources for the Tuscan kitchen crew and sommeliers.

 

We didn’t mind a slower dinner (nothing to rush to on vacation after all), but felt a little bad for the staff who were clearly getting a workout in keeping up with everything.  Speaking of workouts we ate our way to needing a good one!

 

We started with calamari and the antipasti platter, then had Caesar salads then Jeremy had a filet mignon with a side of eggplant Parmesan and I had my favorite the ribeye with a side of the lobster rigatoni.  For drinks I went with Italian wine while Jeremy kept his tequila streak going for the day and had an Italian Sour.

 

The calamari was done perfectly. Super tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.  I had sworn off the Caesar salad in Tuscan after many disappointments, but the table next to us got one and it looked so good I decided to give it another try.  Finally it was done right!  

 

My ribeye was melt in your mouth tender, but a little under seasoned. A few grinds from the salt and pepper shakers on the table was all it needed though.  

 

That lobster rigatoni, this was my first time trying it and now it’s definitely going in my rotation!  I wish there were a few more lobster chunks in it, but the lobster flavor in the sauce carried it.

 

After desserts of fig gelato and limoncello cheesecake, we headed to the martini bar for an espresso martini pick me up and met a nice couple from Norway.  Then we headed to Rendezvous Lounge to watch live band karaoke with our house band Hey Mama.  

 

After shutting down Rendezvous, we initially planned to head to bed, but then a couple we met on the dance floor invited us to join them in the sky lounge…readers of my prior reviews already know where this is heading.  Yep. 2am. My margarita soaked husband and I. Covered in sweat from dancing. Stumbling arm in arm back to our stateroom across a rocking pool deck. 

 

When I did my yoga this morning, I felt every bit of my nearly 40 years in my lower back.

 

Some pics of the fun below. Now I think I better go drag the mister out of bed so we can go get some Blu breakfast before it closes.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kteacher]

18 hours ago, GenerationX said:

A little while ago on our way to check out the pool deck, we stopped by the specialty dinning desk to see if they might know about availability for the the Veuve Clicquot dinner.  The desk attendant ran into oceanview to grab a sommelier to sign me up. I was delighted when he brought back Genesis, my fabulous somm in Luminae on  Summit in October. She remembered me too and we both squealed with excitement on seeing each other and gave big hugs. As we were catching up, out of the corner of my eye I saw another somm walk up and then heard “Miss Charla! Good to see you!” Turns out it was Michael my somm from Equinox in November!

 

Jeremy just stood there with crossed arms and a furrowed brow as we all chatted then as we were walking away, he turned to me and said “Does every sommelier in the fleet know you now???  Just how much wine have you been drinking on all these cruises you’ve been doing without me???? No wait, don’t answer that, pretty sure I don’t even want to know.” 🤣

 

Sharing some info on the wine events offered on our sailing as well as the captains club event schedule. I was very amused to see that apparently my loyalty status doesn’t carry over to Jeremy. So they left a list of events for Elite for me as well as for his lower Select status (his sea pass also shows him as Select).  He was less amused by all this than I was. I have a feeling it’s soon going to get much harder to convince him to let me cruise without him. LOL

 

 

 

We’re doing the Veuve dinner as well. We did the Chef’s Table last night, and had so much fun with the other two couples that we convinced them to sign up as well. It will be a great group 🍾

[GenerationX]

The pool deck is jam packed this morning.  By the time we finished our Blu breakfast and made our way up, the only loungers we could find were one deck up by the solarium roof.

 

I had to go to guest services this morning and they have signs up saying that the ship has sailed at full capacity and no upgrades are available.

 

We’re going to relax and read for a while (btw here’s my book for this cruise, any other Below Deck mega fans following?) then figure out a lunch plan.  Jeremy wants to spend some time in the afternoon in the casino, and while he’s doing that I’m thinking I may make my way to cellar masters for a wine flight and do some window shopping in the vintage handbag boutique.
 

 

 

 

[Kteacher]

[Redtravel]

Full capacity.  Finally they admit to being full.  The cruise that I was on in June was very crowded even though there were various capacity number quoted. It was hard to avoid being caught in a crowd. Got covid.  Be careful. Stay safe.  

[GenerationX]

30 minutes ago, Kteacher said:

YES!!!! Where can I buy this??? I NEED before my November cruise!

[Daneenm]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

The pool deck is jam packed this morning.  By the time we finished our Blu breakfast and made our way up, the only loungers we could find were one deck up by the solarium roof.

 

I had to go to guest services this morning and they have signs up saying that the ship has sailed at full capacity and no upgrades are available.

 

We’re going to relax and read for a while (btw here’s my book for this cruise, any other Below Deck mega fans following?) then figure out a lunch plan.  Jeremy wants to spend some time in the afternoon in the casino, and while he’s doing that I’m thinking I may make my way to cellar masters for a wine flight and do some window shopping in the vintage handbag boutique.

 

 

 

Hubby is a Below Deck Fan.  We will have to check this book out.  We do love Captain Lee!

Edited July 25, 2022 by Daneenm