bayonnejoe

The wife and I were looking at A1 on the Summit reposition in April 2016. Can't believe we were cut off by one trip. That's the cruise they stopped at.

 

We are not doing our Panama Canal A1 on the Infinity till Sept 2015, so booking on the ship won't help for this cruise, it will be out by then.

 

CaptDave

I have taken this repo for four years now, and I am already booked for next year. The new cruise roll-out for the Summit begins with this one every year. For the newest one, it was available for booking around April 10th, give or take a few days.

I have said this before, Celebrity is not the same experience it was that drew DW, her mom and dad, and myself to their brand. I still believe they give a good product for what the price, especially if you factor in the free beverage package. I hold no illusions about what the fare would be if we were to expect and get the same experience of the early days of Celebrity in food, entertainment, and service.

We will be on the Summit repo cruise in Oct. For the first time we will not be In AQ with access to Blu since we wanted to try the specialty restaurants. Since the Summit only has Qsine and Normandie do you think the ultimate dining package is worth it?

I have inquired about it. Customer service told me they do not offer the ultimate package on the Summit.

My only disappointment here is that DW and I are both beer aficionados. We loved Michael's Club in its biergarten incarnation because with the premium package we were able to try many of the different offerings. They have moved a few to Cellar Masters, but not very many. I think Celebrity's mistake with Michael's when turning it into a beer venue, never really realized what Michael's needed to be when doing this. They should have put in some televisions and offered sports viewing as much as possible. This is the kind of crowd that would have been drawn to such a place.

This is absolutely not true. Of course those drinks are included in the premium package (except the sangria if it's served by the pitcher.) I've dined in Qsine on both my cruises and had the premium package both times, and my BF and I both ordered drinks from the menu on the iPad, and they were included. Where are these crazy imaginary policies coming from? :confused:

I can only tell you what happened on our last Summit cruise (the repo in April 2014). We were told by our waiter the specialty drinks were not included. We were also on the repo in 2013. Perhaps the policy has changed. It is possible we ordered from the specialty drink menu on that one, but I do not remember.

We recently booked the Summit to New England/Canada based on our experience on the Constellation and eating in Blu. However, we were looking forward to eating one evening in the Tuscan Grill. If I am reading this correctly, there is no TG :eek: and the restaurant instead is Qsine ? :(

 

We have dined in Qsine on the Silhouette. It was an enjoyable experience with others, but we have no desire to try it again. We have also dined in Ocean Liners on two occasions. We prefer Tuscan.[/QUO

 

Normandie is an Ocean Liners clone. Couldn't agree with you more about Tuscan Grille as opposed to Qsine. We sail Summit twice a year and took the Constellation last January for the first time in four years. We were somewhat skeptical about Tuscan Grille, expecting possibly something like Olive Garden. We were very pleasantly surprised to find it very good for its Italian offerings. We ate there twice, and now wish Celebrity would replace Qsine with Tuscan Grille on the Summit. Qsine is good for the experience once or twice.

We recently booked the Summit to New England/Canada based on our experience on the Constellation and eating in Blu. However, we were looking forward to eating one evening in the Tuscan Grill. If I am reading this correctly, there is no TG :eek: and the restaurant instead is Qsine ? :(

 

We have dined in Qsine on the Silhouette. It was an enjoyable experience with others, but we have no desire to try it again. We have also dined in Ocean Liners on two occasions. We prefer Tuscan.[/QUO

My husband and I celebrated my birthday at Summit's Qsine on June 2 and were very surprised (OK - shocked is more like it!) that our server told us we could only choose 4 items for dinner from the iPad menu. My husband questioned her, because someone at the pool had told him it was unlimited choices, but she reiterated that we could only choose 4 for dinner.

 

The food was good; we had a good time with only the 2 of us; and we're glad we tried it after all this time, but decided it wasn't worth $45 pp, plus tip (the Manager told us we were expected to tip as we would at any land-based restaurant), plus drinks (our Premium Beverage packages were not accepted in Qsine).

The only exceptions to the beverage package in Qsine are the specialty drinks that you will see on your Ipad. They are not available with any package including the Premium Package, even with the small upcharge of anything over $13, and this included the Sangria. This was the policy as of my last visit in October, and one that I think Celebrity needs to reconsider. All other package rules apply.

My wife and I will be on the Summit this Sunday and have been thinking about trying Qsine one night. The issue is I heard from other guests that it is better to go with more than two people . Is that accurate? Can the two of us enjoy the experience?

Thanks,

Steve

My suggestions for any size party at Qsine is not to touch any of the bread offered, and to ask for the really good stuff (steak and lamb chops earlier rather than later when you are filled.)

Thank you for your response. We are only taking two small rolling bags so we could carry those straight to where we are staying in the city. Our budget is not super tight but we don't feel like paying extra if we need could avoid it.

 

If we parked at Journal Square how early should we arrive? How long is the trip from there to the Pier and then the taxi from that stop to the ship?

I very seldom chime in on this thread, unless someone mentions something very local. I would not recommend leaving your car at any Journal Square parking lot in Jersey City for the duration of your cruise. You are far better off just driving to the port and paying the extra few bucks.

Several years ago some people complained that because of some type of work that was going on at Cape Liberty, their cars had spray paint when they disembarked their ship. Is there still a problem today?

No. If there is painting going on at Bayonne dry dock, they cover the cars.

An assumption made by the OP, who has not returned, is that Celebrity has fallen. That assumption does not hold in my case. The Celebrity experienced has been enhanced for me since the implementation of the new loyalty program. I now enjoy a free premium beverage package, practically unlimited internet, a private lounge, Suite amenities no matter what cabin I book, free cashing out of NOBC at Casino and more. I prefer my balcony to the pool. Don't do trivia or Zumba. Enjoy discussions with crew and fellow passengers. Not everything is perfect. I don't like cutbacks and loud music. My favorite Rib Eye in Tuscan Grill is not as appealing as it was. However, when I look at the sum total of my experience on my most recent cruises I can only conclude that for me Celebrity has greatly improved.

My wife and I have been loyal to Celebrity since 1995. 16 cruises in total. I cannot see how you think the Celebrity of today compares to the experience before Michael Bayley took over, let alone of 15 to 20 years ago when Celebrity was head and shoulders above the other mid-priced cruise lines both in service and food. We still cruise Celebrity, but do not expect the Celebrity of old with prices in line with other mass market cruiselines.

Sorry if I'm posting incorrectly this is my first post!

 

We will be sailing on Celebrity Summit on May 25. We will be driving to Cape Liberty and parking there. Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of the parking lot, distance to terminal, etc. Also, what is the shuttle - there seem to be mixed comments on other boards. Some say shuttle from parking lot to terminal, others say from terminal to ship. Which is correct and how long of a shuttle drive is it? Also, what type of shuttle? The reason I'm asking is I may need to carry off my own luggage from the ship because I have to get to a wedding shower about an hour away the day we return. Is it easy to get the luggage on and off the shuttle?

Shuttle is two minutes. from terminal to ship and vice versa. Taking your luggage onto the shuttle will only make any difference if you are a walk-off and thus one of the first off and through customs, otherwise you will pick up your luggage just before customs in the terminal. The shuttles are the kind of buses you would see at an airport only double. unless you need to be out in a hurry, it will not make that much of a difference. From the terminal it is only a very short walk to where you would pick up your car from the terminal.

Whichever one I'm going on next.

I travel 14A to 14 back and forth to work everyday. So far, there have been no incidents at all. One caveat, a lot of schools are off this week. This has been previously mentioned, so things may change. One recommendation I can give (having experienced this myself), is that when the shoulder, which has been turned into a third travel lane is open at peak times, specified by a green arrow, anyone not familiar with the road should get into the shoulder lane as soon as possible after getting onto the bridge, and stay there until the Bayonne 14A exit. If you don't, and traffic is heavy, you may find yourself in a situation where you will miss the Bayonne exit, as the lane crosses the exit itself. The best analogy I can give is trying to make an exit ramp from the middle lane of a highway. I will post back at times, especially around cruise days, if I see any potential problems for inbound drivers to the port.

I want to thank all for the information as to how to reach Port Liberty. The traffic advisories recently posted by 138east have been very useful in helping me to come to a decision. I have been considering a Bermuda cruise on Celebrity Summit after our family's get-together in Maryland. But, with what I have been reading in the advisories, I am not going to book a cruise from Port Liberty if I expect to drive to the port.

Don't sweat it. The turnpike extension may see a little extra traffic on a Sunday, when the Summit is in town, but nowhere near enough to cause any headaches.

Going from Newark Penn Sta to the port, does one need to use the Skyway to get there? Not familiar with it? If so any work around?

No. You will get a cab and take the quickest way via either Raymond Blvd to Truck 1&9 North into Jersey City to 440 South into the port or 1&9 South to the Turnpike extension into Bayonne and then to the port. Your driver will make the best decision for the driving conditions at the time.

Thanks Bob and bayonnejoe. Until the new terminal is finished it's my understanding that you have to shuttle from the ship to a tent like terminal. Are there shuttles going to the airport from there? If so....approx. cost. I've read that cabs are in the $50-$60 range. Does that sound about right?

They most likely will not give you a cab from the port to EWR. They save the cabs for the far pricier runs. You will be directed to the shared van, which has been correctly priced at $16 per person.

Scheduled arrival shows on the itinerary as 7am.

You should be fine. I wouldn't go for anything earlier than noon, though.

Don't rat-out my sneaky secret!!! :eek:

 

Been doing it for years!

1-Ok....Probably it was answer before....A flight at 11:00 am would it be considered safe for return from the Quantum ? I know it say 08:00 arrival but ships normally arrived around 5-6 in the morning in Florida so i presume in would be the same in Port Liberty ??

 

2- I know its cold at the end of February but how long it take to reach warm weather on a 9 days cruise ??

 

Thank you

11:00 is definitely gambling on everything going perfectly. I would not book anything before noon, and that might be pushing it.

Carol -

 

With all the snow we have had recently - is the 911 Memorial accessible? Has the road to it been plowed? I read somewhere else the road had not even been plowed.

 

On another note - has construction started on the new terminal? I also heard that the bridge into Bayonne (from the NJ TPK) is only one lane in each direction. How bad is the traffic?

 

Any help on these questions is appreciated.

There is no snow on the road. DW and I were just there today. With the construction area fenced off, there is very limited parking at the Memorial parking area. Construction has not started per se, but they are getting ready. There is no problem with traffic on the turnpike extension.

Thinking of taking this along for my cruise this summer!

 

 

Tommy, I can't resist. Your screen name suggests that you should get this line. "It looks good on you, though."::D And by the way, DW loves the jacket. And I would be proud to wear it to any elite function.

Lots of great choices. I can only give you some advice. Go with a bunch of people if you can, so you can try everything. Also, stay away from any bread they will offer you, bread is bread, and it will only fill you up. Oh, and the chicken kabob is a sight to behold, if you can find room for it. Worthy of a main course dish anywhere.

I'm on this cruise next week and was wondering what night is formal night? Hoping its a sea day.

The formal night was the least formal I have ever seen on Celebrity. There was an announcement during the day that all that would be required was a collared shirt and tie, or jacket, shirt, and tie. We saw many people walking in to the MDR with just shirt and long pants, jeans included. You will not feel out of place whether you go this route or go dressed to the nines. This is the first short cruise we have ever done on Celebrity, and I guess they are far more relaxed with the dress code on them.