Returned from Summit 3/5 10 day. It was a great cruise overall. Only three negs---First negative was embarkation. We arrived promptly but were made to wait a very long time,while travel agents & their guests boarded first so they could tour the ship & eat at the buffet as a marketing tool. Paying guests should always go first & with the need to clear all through scurity this really slowed things down. Almost everyone is Cap Club so unless you are Concierge Classs there will be a wait to get into the terminal through security. Second negative: slight food cutbacks were noticed. Presentataion is not what it used to be. Portions are smaller which is fine for me as I am on a portione controlled meal plan. It was not really a big deal. When I was served two thin asparagus & two slices of potato as the veggies I asked for more & a platter was brought promptly which was shared by the table. The lobster was dreadful as usual--glad I ordered the beef as my meal with the tail on the side.! (Normandie was fabulous as was acqua spa cafe & the casual dining ) Third neg if it is a neg was that hubby was disappointed that the cigar smokers were moved to outside rear of ship while Michael's is often empty. Next Sept I guess he'll be out in the cold smoking in Canada! Thee are the only NEGS out of a wonderful 10 day cruise... I will follow with an actual review if time permits...Summit was a great ship, great ports, great staff etc.....Can't wait to cruise again!
Summit still remains my favorate ship. At the end of your post you mention Hubby having to be out on the back deck again in September. Is that a cruise on Summit as well? Is it the September 17th 14 day? We will be on that cruise and this will be the first time we will be repeating on a ship.
No, I should have been more clear--that's on Constellation to Canada. We loved Summit--those were just the negs--thought I'd post the stuff to rave about a bit later & have already e-mailed some additonal thoughts to some folks who inquired about the ports & the cabins--All in all a really great ship & cruise have fun!
I dont know about you...but I like to Focus on what the Celebrity does well. And give them adivise on what to fix if needed...such as Comment cards...letters to cruiseline. They do pay attention to this. And have made changes when enough people shared.
The positives will appear in my review--if I ever get to it--& I do make use of the comment cards--mostly to praise employees who have really been exceptional.. This was one of our best cruises but I did want to list the negs--embarkation was truly exasperating with all the non-cruising guests.
Speaking of tipping in that restuarant, may I ask how much you did tip, and if you left cash or used your sail and sign card, or whatever it's called. MY wife and I will be dining there on our Summit sailing (4/16) and were unsure of how much to leave. We will not be having wine, and we also have the coupon.
We also are just back from 11 day cruise and only have the best to say about Summit. Thye do something special, and it is very apparent to most everyone who has been on a Celebrity ship. Portions were smaller, but just ask for more and you get a tray full, haha!! Guess thats why I gained 5 pounds.
Went on "ultimate caribian" 3/15-26, and it was WONDERFUL.
We had a very easy time getting on the ship - we arrived early and boarded right away (we did our paperwork in advance by e-mail).
Getting off was a problem, however - never see anything like it in the past 10 cruises I have taken. Big jams of people getting luggage, and no signs to clearly explain where to proceed (would not have been a problem if not so many people).
We had a couple of words with an obnoxious employee who kept screaming at people wandering around looking for the exit "hey you, get to the back of the line" (tough guy, he could have at least said - get to the back of the line grandma). We explained to him that he should have been at the back explaining to people that this is where they should start. We got a blank stare, and he proceeded to holler at people.
But, the cruise was absolutely great (stateroom service, dining service, bar people, casino, shows, etc.).
However, I gotta say that the port tours left much to be desired, but the one we took in Aruba was very good and worth the money we paid. Did not take the train tour in Panama, but two different groups who we met who went said that it was overpriced and that they could not see anything. Also, we could not dock in Costa Rica, but that was just a one-time deal I guess.
Hope to post in the review section early this week & will also try to post some photos--As for tip in the Normandie we left $30 cash & were told it would be divided among all the many individuals who served us including the sommelier. (we had the coupon so felt we should do that) In the casual dining we left $10 each night although they suggested ?4. The traineees worked their hearts out & we thought the food, presentation & service was great--Not like the Normandie, of course but a nice change of pace from the dining room. Also let me mention how nice the free Cap Club wine tasting was, We learned alot & got to sample some nice wine & cheese. The top sommelier,(am I spellingg that right?) a woman whose name I do not recall was very professional & gracious about answering all ques. Thanks for tips on Panama excursions--we do that one next yr on Briliance,
The casual dining you refer to, is that where you still need to make a reservation, like the Normandie, but are not charged for? Where is it located, the Waterfall Grill area? As well, I seem to recall reading that it was the same menus as the Cosmopolitain dining room, only the dress code was relaxed. How relaxed is relaxed, not that we would ever condiser going in shorts, but just curious.
We cruised on the Summit this past December. It was our 20th cruise and first time on a Millineum Class ship. It was wonderful and a very close comparison to the Brilliance of the Sea which we were on only 3 months prior.
Celebrity remains my line of choice, followed by Royal Caribbean. I also like HAL, but by 10:30pm, their entire ship goes to sleep.
The Summit had the right mix of mass market, with some upscale touches. I would go on the Smmit again in a heartbeat. Itinerary? who cares - been there, done that!
Hcat,
Leaving this Sat. on the Constellation and have a question about the informal dining. I realize that you need to make a reservation but how far in advance do you need to this? It seems to me that this might be something you would want to do spur of the moment. Haven't been on Celebrity in a few years. On RCL you do not need a reservation for informal dining.
Connect with Facebook
Summit thoughts-
Linear Mode
