Summit SB - 1st night questions

[Djaye]

We are on the SB sailing of the Summit on 8/19. Some of the folks on our roll call thread are attempting to get together the first night for a drink - or possibly dinner together. In order to try to figure out when and where the following questions have come up:

How early can you board?

What time frame is the buffet dinner offered & at what location?

How are the crowds at the buffet?

How difficult would it be to secure a number of seats/tables together?

Where is the best location to be for the sail away?

Most of us have not had an evening sail away and we're trying to figure out what to expect. If there is anything else about the first night's activities that it would be helpful to know - we'd appreciate any input from those who have returned.

Thanks!

[wa.mama]

Hi,

 

You can board as early as 1:30; X will give you an info sheet on what areas of the ship are open, and what time the buffet is open. I believe it was open for lunch on our sailing as well as dinner. If you go early, getting tables together isn't a problem. Try to get tables near the large windows in the Waterfall cafe - sailaway was beautiful there, with the sun setting. You can also go aft but it's windy.

[Djaye]

Thanks for your response, wamama!

[MBMiner]

If you're looking for a buffet at dinner, there isn't one.

[wdworbust]

We actually boarded at 11:30am and they were waiting with Champagne when we arrived and they escorted us to deck 10 to wait for our rooms to become available. As wa.mama said they give you a sheet telling you all the specifics and we also enjoyed the rear windows and would be there every morning for breakfast. We had brought our swimsuits in a carryon and went to our rooms at 1pm to change. The boat was virtually empty, we did meet a couple that were doing a B2B in the spa area.

 

We also booked and ate dinner at the Normandie that first night and we were pleasantly surprised when they welcomed us by name. My husband asked how they knew who we were and they said there were only two couples who were booked so he guessed. Until we left the resturant we had barely run into anyone and thought we had the ship to ourselves, it was wonderful!

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

Laura

[Djaye]

OK - I am totally confused now. I was told by Celebrity personnel that because we have a 9:00 p.m. sailaway, dinner would be by buffet only. Boarding time is 6:00 p.m. (although I know they usually allow early boarding as soon as the ship is ready).

 

So, wdworbust and MBMinor - you were on the southbound cruise and had no buffett?? :confused:

[Texed]

OK - I am totally confused now. I was told by Celebrity personnel that because we have a 9:00 p.m. sailaway, dinner would be by buffet only. :confused:

 

Whoever told you that it is buffet only is mistaken. There is a "buffet only" at lunch, although the grill is open also. The first night will be open seating with early and late dining determined by when you board. In other words, if you board at 6:00 PM you will be handed a card for late seating the first night no matter what seating you have for the cruise.

Don't be stressed, you'll get to eat.:D

[Djaye]

Guess I should clarify - that all these questions about eating the first night are because we are trying to arrange a little get together with our roll call and we did not know how to arrange that around dinner. It must have really sounded like I was obsessed with eating!

 

Thanks for clearing things up!

[Mancuso]

We boarded the 6/24/06 cruise just before Noon and had the ship to ourselves. Dinner is definitely sit down, open seating. Go early and you'll get your choice of seats. Don't discount enjoying the sailaway up on Deck 10 and then enjoying a later dinner.

 

Have Fun.

[katiekatie]

Can't wait to meet our group somewhere and have a get-to-know-you nightcap before our CC party ...

Until we meet under the Alaskan sun ... :)

Katie