Quick review of my January 23 Summit cruise

[mombach1]

Here is a quick review of my January 23rd Summit cruise:

 

BACKGROUND -This was a short 5 night with port stops in Cozumel and Nassau.  I was traveling with 3 friends (all them first time cruisers).  This was my return cruise since Covid…..My last was a Christmas 2018 on the Equinox.   We booked 4 cabins in Aqua Class on deck 11 and all us had upgraded drink and wifi packages.  We are all in our mid to late 50’s and live in Washington, DC.  I generally cruise with Celebrity and currently have Elite in Captain’s Club.

 

SHIP- This was my 6th cruise on the Summit and have never seen this ship look better.  In my opinion, the retrofit was a success and made this ship fresh and contemporary.  For being 22, that ship is aging well.

CABIN-Aqua Class 1140 (deck 11 aft veranda)-I managed to snag 1140 when booking this cruise last summer and would definitely choose again on any of the M class ships.  The cabin was clean and looked great in the greige color pallet.   The veranda had 2 lounge chairs, 2 regular chairs and small table.  This cabin was very quiet with minimal through traffic in the hallway. On the veranda, you could hear  people below (Sunset Bar) and the movie from the Terrace above.  This wasn’t obtrusive and I was was able to read and relax on sea days.  My only complaint would be the wardrobe space.   Closet space was reduced with the retrofit and might pose a challenge for 2 people (especially on a longer cruise).  I had an amazing Cabin Attendant (I Putu) who handled all my special requests…….ice and a carafe at turn down and canapés (even though it isn’t offered to Aqua anymore).  I did tip him extra at the beginning and end of the cruise.

 

Aqua Class Cabin 1140

 

 

CREW-I found the crew to be friendly and approachable on all levels.   The service was very good and I never felt ignored or rushed.  The officers were regularly visible and engaging.  The majority of the crew seem to hail from Indonesia, Philippines, and India.  The officers and entertainment team was a North American and European mix.

 

Food-I know food is subjective and needs vary from person to person.  With that said, I didn’t go hungry on this trip.  I dined in Blu for the majority of my meals (breakfast and dinner) and found it to be good.  The service was attentive and all special requests were filled.  My friends and I ordered from the Blu and Cosmopolitan menus (interchangeably) and one was even able to create a surf and turf on Chic Night. The Maître d’ (Serkan) was engaging and often inquired if we were satisfied.  We loved the nickname he coined for us… “ the fab four “.  Our sommelier (Ritchie) was excellent and paired wines for our entrees and desserts.  Overall the Blu team was very good.   On the first night we dined in the Tuscan Grille (this is on going tradition of mine) and found it good and worth the up charge.  I had 2 lunches in Sushi on 5 (on embarkation day and mid cruise) and both were good…..I enjoy the quiet in that restaurant.

 

I didn’t dine in Qsine, Spa Cafe, Cosmopolitan and OVC.  I did notice (while walking through the OVC) the amount of stations closed during the evening hours.  Overall, (despite the cutbacks) I was happy with dining on this cruise.

 

BARS-The Martini Bar was my pre and after dinner bar choice.  This bar is always the heart beat of a Celebrity ship and was lively every night.  I generally ordered a vesper (not on the menu) and it was not a problem to do so.  The Sunset Bar was my go to for drinks in cabin or veranda (convenient when below your cabin) and the bar team quickly learned my gin preferences.  I had equally good service in the Rendezvous and Sky Lounge.

 

PORTS-I have been to both Cozumel and Nassau many times before and did not do any Celebrity excursions.   In Cozumel, we took the ferry to Playa del Carmen and spent the day there.  In Nassau, we did a day pass at the RUI resort on Paradise Island.

 

Playa del Carmen 

 

Nassau/RUI Resort

 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS-It was great being on a ship again and I thoroughly enjoyed this cruise. My friends are now addicted and we are planning another in January 2024 and I am looking forward to my 10 night Silhouette cruise in April.  Yes, Celebrity is evolving as a cruise line and it is much different than it was years ago (my first was on the Zenith in 1995) and was fortunate to experience those years.  I am evolving too and want a contemporary vacation that fits my lifestyle……which Celebrity does.   Yes, there are cutbacks here and there, but in my opinion, Celebrity still provides a solid product at a good value.

 

 

Harry

Edited January 29, 2023 by mombach1
Misspelling

[horseymike]

Glad you had such a good time on the Summit.

We celebrated our 1st anniversary on her 22 years ago. It is nice to hear she is aging well with the 

“ revolution refurbishment “ she has undergone.

Safe travels 👍🍀🚢

[Texed]

Harry

Thanks for posting.  😊

[NJRonbo]

As someone who is taking their first Celebrity cruise in June (to Bermuda), it was great to read your review.

 

Congrats on obtaining an AFT cabin.  That's a very difficult cabin to secure.  Though I booked early, none was available and my concern in getting one was possible limited view and noise from the bar and theater.  It's nice to read you had no issues.

Another great thing to read which is of great concern is the Blu menu.  I love the idea of eating at an exclusive dining venue but not the healthy menu.  It was great to hear that you and your friends were able to successfully order off of the MDR menu.   That's very important to me and I hope by June the policy still stands that it can be done.



 

[mombach1]

1 hour ago, NJRonbo said:

As someone who is taking their first Celebrity cruise in June (to Bermuda), it was great to read your review.

 

Congrats on obtaining an AFT cabin.  That's a very difficult cabin to secure.  Though I booked early, none was available and my concern in getting one was possible limited view and noise from the bar and theater.  It's nice to read you had no issues.

Another great thing to read which is of great concern is the Blu menu.  I love the idea of eating at an exclusive dining venue but not the healthy menu.  It was great to hear that you and your friends were able to successfully order off of the MDR menu.   That's very important to me and I hope by June the policy still stands that it can be done.



 

We just asked to see the Cosmopolitan and it was immediately brought over inside a Blu menu cover (had a discreet white label that said Cosmopolitan).  No questions where asked.   Serkan will still be running Blu for Bermuda season….he just started his contract.   I like the intimacy of Blu, the service and would book again.

 

Out of my group we managed to get 3 of the aft cabins…..1130, 1140, 1133. The other was in a side cabin 1119.  

[mombach1]

4 hours ago, horseymike said:

Glad you had such a good time on the Summit.

We celebrated our 1st anniversary on her 22 years ago. It is nice to hear she is aging well with the 

“ revolution refurbishment “ she has undergone.

Safe travels 👍🍀🚢

The Summit is a favorite of mine and had some great cruises on her.

[stellarose]

I can't wait to be on the summit again.  its been 10 years. 

[KellyCz]

Thanks for your review. I'll be on the Summit for the first time next month. Can't wait!

[peanut head]

Could you please elaborate on the RUI resort?  How far from the port, how you got there, cost and what was included?  Thanks. 

[FullyBooked]

Love to hear this! We'll be taking our first Celebrity cruise on Summit in June to Bermuda. We've only sailed two other lines before and I think this will be a very different experience. 

[Tralfie]

Lovely, quick review. I'm doing Celebrity Summit -- my first time with this line -- in June, to Bermuda, and am weirdly excited about the Sunset Bar. It just seems like the. type of place where I could spend quite a bit of time... also looking forward to Blu and Luminae (as I'm staying in an Aqua Sky suite, which has access to both) and finding out how The Retreat compares to NCL's The Haven, which is really my only other experience with that level of stateroom/service. 

[katjoeus]

Did you have any issues finding the Premium drinks? I've read elsewhere people saying that a lot of those weren't available....I'm about to book for October and am debating whether to upgrade from Classic to Premium Drinks package....