VERY Long review of Summit TA - April 08

[JanineM]

Here is a belated review of our cruise aboard Celebrity Summit on March 29th through April 12th, 2008. Our sailing took us from San Juan, PR across the Atlantic to the Azores, Spain, France and finally to Southhampton.

 

We used Celebrity Air and flew from Orlando to San Juan on Saturday morning. Flight was fine, and we were met by a happy Celebrity agent at the San Juan airport, and were at the ship by about 12:30 pm. Check in was fast, but the port agents in San Juan are nothing like the pleasant people we have encountered in Florida … they were surly and absolutely not welcoming. Once we got through the port and security measures, the white uniformed X crew were much friendlier.

 

We went up to our cabin, Concierge Class balcony 8083 on deck 8. We had never had a CC class cabin before, and were pleased with the layout and size of the balcony. Too bad the weather didn’t allow us to have many meals out there!

 

Our cabin steward, Hilias was just terrific and always met our every need and request. The cabin itself was in good shape, although the soft furnishings were just a touch worn, especially the curtains. But the bed was comfortable and the tv worked. DH was disappointed that there weren’t PlayStation plugs on the tv as he had brought his gaming system along in the event of poor weather (or if he just had to get away from me! :p).

 

We had main seating in the dining room, and had a table for two on deck 4. We had requested a large table, but as always, we were seated alone. I don’t know if it’s our age (40s) or my food allergies, but we always seem to wind up sitting alone! Oh well, better to have company we know we enjoy than to be seated with people who would drive us to casual dining every night. Our waitress, Pinar (from Turkey) was excellent. Our assistant waitress gave us good service but was replaced half way through the cruise under mysterious circumstances. We ate in the dining room on 9 of the 12 nights, and had casual dining one night (very good, but be aware that the servers are in training!) and in Normandie another night.

 

The food was good in the dining room, and I was especially pleased with our assistant head waiter, Joaquim. I have shellfish allergies and have had a reaction on a cruise ship before. Joaquim came by every single evening and reviewed the next night’s menu selections with me, telling me what I could and could not have. One night there was shrimp mixed in with the rice and he had plain rice prepared specially for me. Best response to food restrictions EVER from a cruise ship employee!

 

Our dinner in Normandie was just excellent … absolutely no complaints about the service or the food. The only negative thing I will say is that I consumed too many calories!!! Normandie (and Ocean Liners on Constellation) are worth every penny of the surcharge.

 

We were thrilled to be invited to the Staff Captain’s table for the final formal night of the cruise. This was a really special experience and we met some nice fellow passengers. The staff captain, Staff Captain Michael Sympouras, was a good host and it was so much fun to come down the stairs in the dining room while the orchestra played Pomp and Circumstance. Don’t ask me how/why we were invited, but it was a real treat.:D

 

As this was a 12-night sailing with 6 days at sea, we were concerned about being bored, but we weren’t. There was a series of watercolour painting classes each morning at sea, and I attended every one. The instructor, Lila Belando, was a great teacher, really patient and helpful. This was the first time X had offered watercolour classes during a sailing, and I hope they do again in the future. I would even pay an extra fee for it!

 

My DH attended some lectures on the Atlantic Ocean and its inhabitants, and he enjoyed most of them. Unfortunately his politics didn’t necessarily jibe with the lecturer, but they were still informational and a nice diversion.

 

DH went to about 4 movies in the theatre, I went to the art auctions to see what was around while drinking some free "champagne", looked in the shops, and spent time in the casino, throwing money away in the slot machines. Oh, and I did a slot tournament, more for curiosity’s sake than anything else. I won the first flight but didn’t win the $400 … but I got a tee-shirt!!

 

We made good use of the library, both reading several books, and leaving a bunch of magazines as our contribution for the next sailing.

 

We had planned to use the thallosotherapy pool several evenings, but the seas were so rough and the weather so lousy that we only made it up there once. It was difficult to use the fitness center when the seas were rough, but DH had several good sessions on the elliptical, and I just made-do with the stairs and walking laps on the deck.

 

For the first time ever, we went up to the disco several nights and watched some of the events (“Dancing with the Stars”), trivia contests, mardi gras, etc. They were fun, and the cruise staff did a good job of trying to get us out of our chairs. The karaoke was okay, but there seemed to be a couple of teenaged boys who thought that we would all enjoy their screaming renditions of Live and Nickleback songs … wrong crowd, guys.

 

The ports were interesting, but our time was so short in each one. We didn’t participate in any excursions (all of the ones we were interested in were full), so walked around and took a lot of pictures. I looked in stores, trying to find some souvenirs, but didn’t have much time to shop. I did find some excellent prices on perfume in La Rochelle, France, and brought home some Hermes for coworkers, paying about 50% of what we would here in the States. There were some wonderful clothing stores, but the affordable stores had stuff of really cheap quality, and the better stores were very expensive.

 

Unfortunately, the overriding theme of the cruise was the weather. We left San Juan in clear blue skies, enjoying 80ish weather, but within 48 hours the seas were churning and the temperature dropped. By Tuesday evening the dining room was 40% empty because of seasickness. On Thursday you could hear thundering bangs coming from the pool deck; it was pieces of outdoor furniture flying back and forth. The Captain said 14-20 foot seas with 50 naught winds, and I believe it. Thank God for the scopolamine patch … not a moment of illness for me!!! The seas did calm some when we reached Europe, but temperatures were cold (snow in London when we were in Spain!). Was I glad that I packed a decent coat and long-sleeved shirts. DH had to buy a heavy windbreaker on the ship.

 

We arrived to Southhampton on a beautiful, sunny spring morning and immediately boarded a bus to Heathrow (2 hours away ~ I had no idea it was that far). Our Celebrity Air booked the same flights we would have, which meant we were on American Airlines during the week when they were inspecting half of their planes. We wound up being delayed in Chicago and not getting home to Florida til 3 in the morning :(

 

With the poor weather, rough seas, short stays in ports and crazy exchange rates to the Euro and Pound, it was still my favourite cruise. Any complaints I have are so minor that there is no point in even mentioning them … well, maybe they could improve the television channel selection?!

 

I’m happy to answer any questions, and sorry for the long review!

[Peteymil]

Thank you for the great review. I'm so sorry you had poor weather, but you seemed to make the best of it!

We had Hilias in March, and he was so outstanding!!

Thanks again.

[mcnyc]

Great review. I'm looking forward to my first TA ever in April, so this was helpful. Thanks! :)

[WELSH WIZARDS]

Hello Waterbaby..I really enjoyed your review...the main reason is I was also there, and reading about it brought it all back . Would you believe we even had the same waitress Pinar , so we must have been sitting close, unless of course you were on main and not late dinners. I looked you up to see if I could find your photo on our roll call gallery, as I printed one out to keep, and to my surprise, lo and behold, there you were.! I did not get to meet you at the CC meeting, [ I may have forgoten, so many people in such a short time] did you attend ? One of my very few complaints about this trip , [ I like you have a few petty minor ones] was the paltry amount of time we were given for our CC party. A mere 45 mins. after it started a Trivia was begun. I thought that as there were so many at the CC get together, and so few doing the Trivia, the Trivia could have been held somewhere else. Maybe our paths will crose some where else. I am on trips with 8 people from this trip on Summit, and at least 8 more on Solstice.

[Fblack]

Weather and the seas can sure be hit and miss when crossing the ocean. We took the Constellation TA about 2 weeks later. While I would not say the weather was especially warm and sunny, the seas were pretty calm. We had only one day of seas that were a bit rough. Certainly not bad enough to miss a dinner.

[WELSH WIZARDS]

On the forth day of this crossing one of the entertainment staff who was still around, said only 4 of the 9 entertainment staff were working that day, the rest were in their cabins.. !

[IrisTattoo]

Thanks for the great review, Water-Baby! I will be on the Summit in just a few short days. Looking forward to a wonderful cruise.

How lucky you got to seated at the Captain's Table. How did you get selected? I was blessed to be invited to the Captain's Table on our first Celebrity cruise on the Infinity. I must have used the wrong fork or something, because I've never been invited back!!!!:p

[Rick-cruiser]

This was the first time X had offered watercolour classes during a sailing, and I hope they do again in the future. I would even pay an extra fee for it!

 

 

SHHHH!! Don't EVER say that.... that's exactly what cruise lines want to hear... :eek:

[prosenbl]

Really enjoyed reading your review since we were on this cruise as well and enjoyed your company at the Captain's table. How was your flight home with the American Airlines issues?

Paula Rosenblum

[Fblack]

On the second leg of our back to back we were also asked to dine with the Staff Captain.

[nycglitter]

Thank you for the well written and thoughtful review! I enjoyed hearing about the ship's activities, but was really sorry to hear of your weather. Glad you enjoyed the trip anyway.

 

We will be sailing Celebrity for the first time in July and have a CC cabin as well. We are really looking forward to the vacation.

 

What was your favorite CC perk?

[nycglitter]

Thank you for the well written and thoughtful review! I enjoyed hearing about the ship's activities, but was really sorry to hear of your weather. Glad you enjoyed the trip anyway.

 

We will be sailing Celebrity for the first time in July and have a CC cabin as well. We are really looking forward to the vacation.

 

What was your favorite CC perk?

[JanineM]

Hello Waterbaby..I really enjoyed your review...the main reason is I was also there, and reading about it brought it all back . Would you believe we even had the same waitress Pinar , so we must have been sitting close, unless of course you were on main and not late dinners. I looked you up to see if I could find your photo on our roll call gallery, as I printed one out to keep, and to my surprise, lo and behold, there you were.! I did not get to meet you at the CC meeting, [ I may have forgoten, so many people in such a short time] did you attend ? One of my very few complaints about this trip , [ I like you have a few petty minor ones] was the paltry amount of time we were given for our CC party. A mere 45 mins. after it started a Trivia was begun. I thought that as there were so many at the CC get together, and so few doing the Trivia, the Trivia could have been held somewhere else. Maybe our paths will crose some where else. I am on trips with 8 people from this trip on Summit, and at least 8 more on Solstice.

 

We didn't make it to the CC party ... we had pulled the curtains tight the night before, and didn't wake up til after 9. I wish they would schedule them for a bit later in the day!!

 

Where was your table situated? I didn't look around too much ... and mainly saw the table of 6 at the window, and the large table of about 10 (speaking German, I think). Did you have the blonde assistant waiter who was dismissed? I am curious to find out what happened to her, whether it was a personality conflict or if she had to return home. I felt really badly because I doubt she received any of her gratuities.

[JanineM]

Really enjoyed reading your review since we were on this cruise as well and enjoyed your company at the Captain's table. How was your flight home with the American Airlines issues?

Paula Rosenblum

 

Hi Paula!

 

We left Heathrow on time and had a really pleasant flight to ORD. Once we reached Chicago we were delayed for about 2.5 hours. Seems like I am always delayed when flying through Chicago! We weren't too impressed with the ground crew, they were not great about sharing updates. But we got home eventually, and our driver had fortunately checked the flight information so she didn't have to hang around the airport for hours on end.

 

How was your trip home, were you delayed at all? You had a direct flight - to NY wasn't it? And how was your day at work on Friday!

 

Janine

[JanineM]

Thanks for the great review, Water-Baby! I will be on the Summit in just a few short days. Looking forward to a wonderful cruise.

 

How lucky you got to seated at the Captain's Table. How did you get selected? I was blessed to be invited to the Captain's Table on our first Celebrity cruise on the Infinity. I must have used the wrong fork or something, because I've never been invited back!!!!:p

 

We have no idea why we were invited. At least one other couple is a Cruise Critic regular (and she posted here), so we wondered if that had anything to do with it. As I mentioned in the review, we got to know our Assistant Head Waiter quite well, and we wondered if maybe he passed our names along? Wish we could figure out the secret so we are invited again!

 

I'm jealous of your upcoming cruise. Hope you have a wonderful time!

[JanineM]

Thank you for the well written and thoughtful review! I enjoyed hearing about the ship's activities, but was really sorry to hear of your weather. Glad you enjoyed the trip anyway.

 

We will be sailing Celebrity for the first time in July and have a CC cabin as well. We are really looking forward to the vacation.

 

What was your favorite CC perk?

 

If I have to pick a favourite it would be the balcony big enough for dining, and breakfast served on a linen tablecloth with flowers. My second favourite was the pillow menu. We wound up with about 8 pillows on the bed :p. The champagne for sailaway is a nice perk (we saved it for before dinner on day 2).

 

Poor DH - that CC cabin spoiled me!

[prosenbl]

I am glad to hear that you were not too delayed. I envisioned you spending 2 days in Chicago based on what we were hearing on the news. Our flight was fine. One of the advantages of living in NY are the numerous direct flights. Work is fine - looking forward to our next trip. We have a lot of transatlantics booked but work will determine which one we take.

[WELSH WIZARDS]

Where was your table situated? I didn't look around too much ... and mainly saw the table of 6 at the window' date=' and the large table of about 10 (speaking German, I think). Did you have the blonde assistant waiter who was dismissed? I am curious to find out what happened to her, whether it was a personality conflict or if she had to return home. I felt really badly because I doubt she received any of her gratuities.[/quote']

We were on a table for six....and next to the window. I am a large lady , and I was wearing Indian type long over tops embroidered with lots of beads, with trousers in bright colours for the formal nights, so if you saw me you would probably remember me.! Our table companions were the newly weds who caused quite a stir around the ship with their confession during the Newly Wed game. LOL..!! I know nothing about the blonde waiter. We liked her and though she was quite good. We were just told she had got off at whatever port we were in due to family reasons. We were not told anything about her being dismissed.

[nycglitter]

If I have to pick a favourite it would be the balcony big enough for dining, and breakfast served on a linen tablecloth with flowers. My second favourite was the pillow menu. We wound up with about 8 pillows on the bed :p. The champagne for sailaway is a nice perk (we saved it for before dinner on day 2).

 

Poor DH - that CC cabin spoiled me!

 

Sounds awesome! Thanks!

[JanineM]

We were on a table for six....and next to the window. I am a large lady , and I was wearing Indian type long over tops embroidered with lots of beads, with trousers in bright colours for the formal nights, so if you saw me you would probably remember me.! Our table companions were the newly weds who caused quite a stir around the ship with their confession during the Newly Wed game. LOL..!! I know nothing about the blonde waiter. We liked her and though she was quite good. We were just told she had got off at whatever port we were in due to family reasons. We were not told anything about her being dismissed.

 

I think you were seated behind me ... so my DH would have seen you every night!

 

I really, really hope that newlywed couple was joking in their response to that one question. I'm sure they were, but it certainly made for interesting conversation ... did anyone bring it up at your table?

[WELSH WIZARDS]

I am sorry I have not replied until now, I only just noticed your post. If you had meet Bob and Joy you would not be so certain it was not true. :D They were very good table companions and yes we discussed the alleged incidence many times. They were adamant it was true...but knowing them ...they could have been kidding us as well. I think that good table companions make a large contribution to a good cruise.