Live From the Summit, 8/7 to 8/31, from an Aqua passenger viewpoint

[Ken the cruiser]

We received a brochure in the cabin this morning noting that Celebrity excursions onboard was able to create 2 excursions for their B2B guests. First, there is a Panoramic Reykjavik bus tour for $69 per person, which is now sold out, that leaves at 10 am and goes around the area and stops at a few popular locations for about 2.5 hours. Then there is a Relaxing in the Blue Lagoon excursion for $310 per person for those that what to go take a dip in its Icelandic thermal waters.
 

Luckily, we got down there early enough and were able to book the bus tour around Reykjavik before it sold out. Unfortunately, it appears we’ll miss out on seeing the fissure. But maybe the tour guide will be able to share some up to date information about it while we’re on the touring around the area. 😁

 

[kathynorth]

Ken, when we went on an Alaska cruise Celebrity provided us with a comfy throw blanket for use on our veranda and also had them set up on the loungers that were out on deck. Do they have throw blankets available for guest use on this trip?

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, kathynorth said:

Ken, when we went on an Alaska cruise Celebrity provided us with a comfy throw blanket for use on our veranda and also had them set up on the loungers that were out on deck. Do they have throw blankets available for guest use on this trip?

 

Thanks for mentioning that. There aren’t any in our cabin, but we did see folks using them down near the Spa Cafe around the pool where we have lunch every day. But I’ll bet if someone wanted to, they could sneak a couple of them back to their cabin. 😁

[wallysdtr]

Our favorite DJ from the Constellation signed up to be on the Summit.  Can you tell me if DJ Sly (aka Eli) is still on the Summit?   he was so great and played all the songs you wanted him to play.  

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, wallysdtr said:

Our favorite DJ from the Constellation signed up to be on the Summit.  Can you tell me if DJ Sly (aka Eli) is still on the Summit?   he was so great and played all the songs you wanted him to play.  

From the Today, as of today, it does appear he’s still performing on the ship.

 

[Barwick Cruiser]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

 

Thanks for mentioning that. There aren’t any in our cabin, but we did see folks using them down near the Spa Cafe around the pool where we have lunch every day. But I’ll bet if someone wanted to, they could sneak a couple of them back to their cabin. 😁

You don’t need to sneak them…on our previous  Alaska cruise we took a couple of them down to our cabin and used them frequently on the balcony. We would often return to our cabin and our room steward would have them nicely folded on our chairs, ready to use again. 
 

By the way, very much enjoying your report from a non suite perspective! Thanks for doing this!

[Jim_Iain]

 

We may be getting some new entertainment.    I saw  a couple of people boarding in Newfoudland  and one had a couple guitars with him.

Edited August 13, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[CruisinBanka]

19 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

This evening after another tasty dinner in Blu, it was off to see the production show, Intimate Broadway Cabaret. But IMHO I have to say we must have been spoiled by the E and S class production shows (since cruising started back) up because the shows we’ve seen so far on the Constellation (in Dec) and now on the Summit have just not been up to Celebrity standards. But, like I said, that’s just my opinion.

 

 
Then it was off to the evening game show in the Rendezvous Lounge to have a good laugh. Tonight is was Friendly Feud.

 

 

 

Thanks for your humble opinion on the entertainment on the M class entertainment Jim! Glad to hear it wasn’t just us thinking this. We were on the Summit in June and it was by far the worse entertainment, especially production shows, that we have experienced on a Celebrity ship. We have been on the Summit on 8 previous occasions and always enjoyed the entertainment. Don’t know if it relates to post Covid staffing issues of getting better talent fleet wide or that the better entertainment gets sent to the E class and then S class leaving the M class with “The C team”, sort of speak. 

[Redking]

7 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

BTW I’m sitting on the balcony with the current temperature at 49F, with a light coat on of course. But another perk of booking an aft-facing cabin is that there is usually very little breeze, if any, while the ship is moving. So you can do something like this if you’re addicted to the balcony during downtimes like I am. 😁

 

Love those balconies. Had them on the infinity round South America. Bit to handy for snacks from the OV. Loving your review!

[Ken the cruiser]

After another wonderful dinner in Blu, we headed to the theater to watch A Tribute to Elton John by Craig Meyer, and what a great show it was from beginning to end!!

  

 

 

 
Unfortunately, since we left the theater at 7:30, it was too late to go to the game show in the Rendezvous Lounge which was 60 Seconds where the officers compete against the guests. But we’ve seen it many times before, so we instead headed back to the cabin.

[Ken the cruiser]

When we got back to the cabin, some paperwork was waiting for us on the bed. First, there was one for B2B folks. It seems we’ll have to wait until Tuesday, Aug 16, before we found out if we have to pass an antigen test before continuing on the next leg back to Boston.

 

 
Then there was one that explained the details of the tender service tomorrow in Qaqortoq, Greenland. For those who are Elite and above, they won’t need to get tender tickets. Since this will be the first time we’ll take a tender as Elite on a Celebrity cruise, it will be interesting to see how that works since we don’t have an excursion booked.

 

 

Edited August 13, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 8 - Aug 14 - Qaqortoq, Greenland

 

 

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

On 8/12/2022 at 4:24 PM, eyelovcrusin said:

Ken,

  Thanks for checking.

I saw this sommelier recommendation at the bottom of the Blu menu this evening. Unfortunately, you will need a Premium Beverage package to get the “cheaper” ones free by the glass as I think Classic only goes up to $8 or $9. Not sure if Premium goes high enough to cover the $19 charge though either. In any event, you would probably only have to pay the difference (to include the increase in gratuities) regardless of which package you had.

 

[abbydancer2003]

8 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I saw this sommelier recommendation at the bottom of the Blu menu this evening. Unfortunately, you will need a Premium Beverage package to get the “cheaper” ones free by the glass as I think Classic only goes up to $8 or $9. Not sure if Premium goes high enough to cover the $19 charge though either. In any event, you would probably only have to pay the difference (to include the increase in gratuities) regardless of which package you had.

 

nope, not enough for either Opulence.

[wrk2cruise]

I thought I saw it reported that 1600 passengers were  Elite or higher.   Wonder how the priority tender will work?  Maybe I got the number wrong?

[Covepointcruiser]

Guess that is why they are asking you to meet in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant.   The only space large enough for 1600 passengers.   Hope they all don’t want to go ashore at the same time.

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

I thought I saw it reported that 1600 passengers were  Elite or higher.   Wonder how the priority tender will work?  Maybe I got the number wrong?

I know @Jim_Iainposted the numbers on his thread earlier which were quite significant. But I would think its to be expected with a longer more “boutique” cruise like this one. We’ll just follow the instructions in the letter and see what happens. But we’ll probably head over to the Cosmopolitan restaurant after 10 or so. 
 

Hopefully, a lot of them have booked excursions. One can hope anyway. 😂

Edited August 14, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

It’s 5:47 am and there are icebergs all around as we are cruise continue slowly to approach Qaqortoq. 
  

 

[Norwaylady]

Love this view😍 
have a great day🤩

Best rgds from sunny Bergen and 18c at 10am🇳🇴

[Ken the cruiser]

Here are some more pictures of the cruise up the channel as we get ready to anchor in a few minutes. The temperature at 6:30 am local is 45 degrees with a few spots of blue sky trying to peak out. Yay!! 😁

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, Norwaylady said:

Love this view😍 
have a great day🤩

Best rgds from sunny Bergen and 18c at 10am🇳🇴

Thanks!! Wow, a little toasty there in Norway! 😂

[Ken the cruiser]

Of course I had to do a speed test just to see what it was up here now that we’re anchored at Qaqortoq. Pretty quick!! 😁

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Looks like we definitely lucked out with the weather today. Just a little chilly, but at least there is very little expectation for rain! 😁

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

The tendering process began at around 7:30. Looks like a pretty short ride. 
 

 

[travelwide]

Can someone check to see when the CD is getting off? TYIA