Just off the Summit - 1/13 sailing - Aqua Sky Suite

[arubaaruba]

Not that my opinion is any more important than anyone else, but I have to say that it was a wonderful experience onboard the Summit. I have sailed on many lines, in many different types of accommodations, from inside on an NCL to Owners Suite on Azamara. I have also sailed Princess, Disney, Viking and Carnival. This was my first Celebrity cruise.

 

The food was hands-down, the best cruise food we have ever had on a cruise ship. With that being said, we ate in Luminae for the most part with a couple trips to the buffet as well as room service breakfast one morning (that was absolutely the best room service we have had). We never went to Blu because we were allowed to order from that menu in Luminae if we wished (we did order a couple apps here and there) and we had a great server, Kurt from Jamaica in Luminae. I am Gluten-free and had zero problems or concerns on the entire trip. The gluten-free muffins were horrible, I have to add to be fair. We love wine and we drank many really good glasses on board. We found the selection to be reasonable for a cruise ship and did not select any outside of the premium package as there was never a need and were quite happy. We also brought a couple bottles to dinner and were not charged a corkage because we were on the premium package. 

 

We stayed in 6132, an Aqua Sky Suite and found the room to be quite comfortable. The balcony showed some wear, but we still used it every day and loved it. 2 loungers, a love seat and a table with 2 chairs. It really was a great balcony. Our room attendant Jonathan got the job done and kept the room spotless and checked in with us periodically throughout the cruise. On our anniversary, they brought a charcuterie and bottle of sparkling wine to our stateroom. Kurt our server in Luminae, acknowledged our anniversary on the following night as we were in Le Petit Chef on our anniversary. Le Petit Chef was also excellent. 

 

Our goal on this cruise was relaxation and did not go into any of the ports. We had visited them more than enough in the past, this trip was really about the ship experience. We did utilize the Retreat sundeck for 2 full days. Mostly good experience. Not surprisingly, the service was better on port days when things were not as busy for them. The sundeck was never crowded and there were always loungers available. The day we were in Cozumel the ship cleared out quite a bit in the morning, so we used that time to enjoy the cool main pool and also the Solarium. Both were good but on a sea day...... not my cup of tea. It was quite crowded and busy on a sea day. Again, this was a cruise to relax, so under different circumstances it may have been fine.

 

We initially didn't think that we would use the retreat lounge very much, but we did end up going there quite a bit. Karla kept the fridge stocked with my gluten-free beer and was very approachable and pleasant every time we visited. We would go there before and after dinner, after shows and midday on our way to and from the casino and events.

 

The thing about this cruise is, we kept saying to each other how much we were enjoying ourselves and how great the service was. We saw officers all day, every day, everywhere we went. They would wipe tables down as they went by, return glasses to the bar, pick up stray napkins and straw wrappers, check in with Guests as they walked through spaces. That is something I have never seen on any other cruise. I wish I had kept count. I am not saying everything was perfect, we had a few minor inconveniences however, I would be hard pressed to be able to list anything as it was overwhelming fantastic.

 

It truly was a magnificent cruise, and we look forward to cruising with Celebrity again.

[Shiba_Lover]

Good to read a positive review.  Thanks for sharing.  I've got 6131 booked for an upcoming sailing (it is same cabin opposite side).  Is the balcony shape / size good?  We booked this one specifically since we wanted the balcony for the itinerary we have, so hoping it is good.

[tomcruiser1234]

Summit is the perfect size ship. 6132 is a great cabin. 

 

Glad things we’re up to standard. 

 

Did you use the Persian Garden ??

[Moochi]

4 hours ago, Shiba_Lover said:

Is the balcony shape / size good?

It is huge. The shape on the deck plan is not very accurate. It is more of a right trapezoid. One side is the normal depth of an SS balcony. The other side adjacent to the royal suite is double depth. 

[tjunmin]

6 hours ago, Shiba_Lover said:

Good to read a positive review.  Thanks for sharing.  I've got 6131 booked for an upcoming sailing (it is same cabin opposite side).  Is the balcony shape / size good?  We booked this one specifically since we wanted the balcony for the itinerary we have, so hoping it is good.

Here are photos of the 6131 balcony [photo 1][photo 2], taken back in 2018, so the furniture is different, but it gives you an idea of the layout. It is a great balcony.

 

Happy sailing!

Edited January 22 by tjunmin

[arubaaruba]

13 hours ago, Shiba_Lover said:

Good to read a positive review.  Thanks for sharing.  I've got 6131 booked for an upcoming sailing (it is same cabin opposite side).  Is the balcony shape / size good?  We booked this one specifically since we wanted the balcony for the itinerary we have, so hoping it is good.

The balcony was fantastic. Large with great layout. We used it daily. 

[arubaaruba]

12 hours ago, tomcruiser1234 said:

Summit is the perfect size ship. 6132 is a great cabin. 

 

Glad things we’re up to standard. 

 

Did you use the Persian Garden ??

We did not but we are not spa people. 

[jojo_obrien]

Thanks for your post.   We were on the ship after you 1/18.   I thought the Celebrity experience was a well oiled machine.   Everything was super clean......I found it very difficult to find fault in anything.  I didn't eat in Luminae but we ate in Blu on several days.   Staff was professional, bar service was excellent.  We too purchased the Premium package and didn't buy anything outside of it (Caymus, Freemark Abbey, etc) because were were perfectly pleased with the wine selections (and we are wine snobs).   We brought two bottles on board -- but didn't drink those -- took them home.  

 

Buffet was much better than I had anticipated.  Desserts were over the top.   I'm a picky person and I thought the ship was the perfect size. 

 

My only real complaint is that we heard our neighbors in the room with a connecting door yapping all night long when they came back to their room.   If i sail again on this ship, I'm going to bring earplugs.  Walls seem a bit thin.   Were were in 7196.

[sabbo55]

On 1/21/2024 at 11:10 AM, arubaaruba said:

Not that my opinion is any more important than anyone else, but I have to say that it was a wonderful experience onboard the Summit. I have sailed on many lines, in many different types of accommodations, from inside on an NCL to Owners Suite on Azamara. I have also sailed Princess, Disney, Viking and Carnival. This was my first Celebrity cruise.

 

The food was hands-down, the best cruise food we have ever had on a cruise ship. With that being said, we ate in Luminae for the most part with a couple trips to the buffet as well as room service breakfast one morning (that was absolutely the best room service we have had). We never went to Blu because we were allowed to order from that menu in Luminae if we wished (we did order a couple apps here and there) and we had a great server, Kurt from Jamaica in Luminae. I am Gluten-free and had zero problems or concerns on the entire trip. The gluten-free muffins were horrible, I have to add to be fair. We love wine and we drank many really good glasses on board. We found the selection to be reasonable for a cruise ship and did not select any outside of the premium package as there was never a need and were quite happy. We also brought a couple bottles to dinner and were not charged a corkage because we were on the premium package. 

 

We stayed in 6132, an Aqua Sky Suite and found the room to be quite comfortable. The balcony showed some wear, but we still used it every day and loved it. 2 loungers, a love seat and a table with 2 chairs. It really was a great balcony. Our room attendant Jonathan got the job done and kept the room spotless and checked in with us periodically throughout the cruise. On our anniversary, they brought a charcuterie and bottle of sparkling wine to our stateroom. Kurt our server in Luminae, acknowledged our anniversary on the following night as we were in Le Petit Chef on our anniversary. Le Petit Chef was also excellent. 

 

Our goal on this cruise was relaxation and did not go into any of the ports. We had visited them more than enough in the past, this trip was really about the ship experience. We did utilize the Retreat sundeck for 2 full days. Mostly good experience. Not surprisingly, the service was better on port days when things were not as busy for them. The sundeck was never crowded and there were always loungers available. The day we were in Cozumel the ship cleared out quite a bit in the morning, so we used that time to enjoy the cool main pool and also the Solarium. Both were good but on a sea day...... not my cup of tea. It was quite crowded and busy on a sea day. Again, this was a cruise to relax, so under different circumstances it may have been fine.

 

We initially didn't think that we would use the retreat lounge very much, but we did end up going there quite a bit. Karla kept the fridge stocked with my gluten-free beer and was very approachable and pleasant every time we visited. We would go there before and after dinner, after shows and midday on our way to and from the casino and events.

 

The thing about this cruise is, we kept saying to each other how much we were enjoying ourselves and how great the service was. We saw officers all day, every day, everywhere we went. They would wipe tables down as they went by, return glasses to the bar, pick up stray napkins and straw wrappers, check in with Guests as they walked through spaces. That is something I have never seen on any other cruise. I wish I had kept count. I am not saying everything was perfect, we had a few minor inconveniences however, I would be hard pressed to be able to list anything as it was overwhelming fantastic.

 

It truly was a magnificent cruise, and we look forward to cruising with Celebrity again.

Thanks for the review.  We are in the same cabin at the end of the month!

[Liao]

On 1/21/2024 at 11:10 AM, arubaaruba said:

Not that my opinion is any more important than anyone else, but I have to say that it was a wonderful experience onboard the Summit. I have sailed on many lines, in many different types of accommodations, from inside on an NCL to Owners Suite on Azamara. I have also sailed Princess, Disney, Viking and Carnival. This was my first Celebrity cruise.

 

The food was hands-down, the best cruise food we have ever had on a cruise ship. With that being said, we ate in Luminae for the most part with a couple trips to the buffet as well as room service breakfast one morning (that was absolutely the best room service we have had). We never went to Blu because we were allowed to order from that menu in Luminae if we wished (we did order a couple apps here and there) and we had a great server, Kurt from Jamaica in Luminae. I am Gluten-free and had zero problems or concerns on the entire trip. The gluten-free muffins were horrible, I have to add to be fair. We love wine and we drank many really good glasses on board. We found the selection to be reasonable for a cruise ship and did not select any outside of the premium package as there was never a need and were quite happy. We also brought a couple bottles to dinner and were not charged a corkage because we were on the premium package. 

 

We stayed in 6132, an Aqua Sky Suite and found the room to be quite comfortable. The balcony showed some wear, but we still used it every day and loved it. 2 loungers, a love seat and a table with 2 chairs. It really was a great balcony. Our room attendant Jonathan got the job done and kept the room spotless and checked in with us periodically throughout the cruise. On our anniversary, they brought a charcuterie and bottle of sparkling wine to our stateroom. Kurt our server in Luminae, acknowledged our anniversary on the following night as we were in Le Petit Chef on our anniversary. Le Petit Chef was also excellent. 

 

Our goal on this cruise was relaxation and did not go into any of the ports. We had visited them more than enough in the past, this trip was really about the ship experience. We did utilize the Retreat sundeck for 2 full days. Mostly good experience. Not surprisingly, the service was better on port days when things were not as busy for them. The sundeck was never crowded and there were always loungers available. The day we were in Cozumel the ship cleared out quite a bit in the morning, so we used that time to enjoy the cool main pool and also the Solarium. Both were good but on a sea day...... not my cup of tea. It was quite crowded and busy on a sea day. Again, this was a cruise to relax, so under different circumstances it may have been fine.

 

We initially didn't think that we would use the retreat lounge very much, but we did end up going there quite a bit. Karla kept the fridge stocked with my gluten-free beer and was very approachable and pleasant every time we visited. We would go there before and after dinner, after shows and midday on our way to and from the casino and events.

 

The thing about this cruise is, we kept saying to each other how much we were enjoying ourselves and how great the service was. We saw officers all day, every day, everywhere we went. They would wipe tables down as they went by, return glasses to the bar, pick up stray napkins and straw wrappers, check in with Guests as they walked through spaces. That is something I have never seen on any other cruise. I wish I had kept count. I am not saying everything was perfect, we had a few minor inconveniences however, I would be hard pressed to be able to list anything as it was overwhelming fantastic.

 

It truly was a magnificent cruise, and we look forward to cruising with Celebrity again.

This review is so spot on!  I was on Summit for the first time, Dec. 2023 and it was FANTASTIC!  I ate in Luminae every night with Kurt as my waiter, the food was great and Kurt was amazing 5 stars!  I had Brian as the room steward and Ronnie as the butler, again, service was impeccable, great guys.  I'd not hesitate to sail on her again, but only if they offer more interesting itineraries.  

[1Virgo]

The Summit. Love it. Old ship with a Soul.   Staff are amazing