just back from Summit 8/3/14

[inforem]

Great cruise, except for 2 things that I will discuss at the end as I don't want to be flamed by the celebrity employees/posters.

 

I will start off by saying this is the 4th year in a row on this itinerary, 3rd year in the same room. Handicap accessible (for my mother) room 8127 - Sky Suite.

 

Embarkment was less than 15 minutes, if that long. The suite guest and elite went to a separate line where the people were waiting for you. Everything went smoothly. I like the idea that once you board the ship the suite guest (maybe elite) went to Normandie for lunch. This was new to us. So far so good….

 

We had Sebastian as our butler... 10 stars, Sandy as our room steward…10 stars, Ribaldi (spelling?) as his assistance…10 stars. We asked as on previous cruises that the butler bring shrimp cocktails at 3:30 - 4:00, as I learned this from previous posters. I also informed Sebastian not to follow it with little sandwiches as it would just go to waste.

 

We had late seating table 212, and had Orlando…10 stars as our waiter and Dolliphon as his assistant …10 stars. They were both great and very attentive. We found the menu to be different, but we felt it was much better then before and had no problem deciding what to order. Everyday Orlando suggested a dish and he was on target. If you can request him, do it, as well as Dolliphon. The only problem was the maître d' (spelling) named Limba. She was worthless (let the flaming begin). In 7 days she did not come to our table once…did we smell? We took showers everyday before dinner. She basically hung out at 2 tables, kissing their a$#, and forgetting about her other tables. No loss, except for her.

 

The buffet was good, and the small plates was not a big deal. They had made to order items and everyone looked happy. Trays were always available, but believe it or not spoons weren't. You needed to search for spoons.

 

The entertainment was excellent. Mike Price the juggler was 10 starts, Dan Wilson the comedian was 10 stars, Tenors of Rock was 10 stars and the Summit Singers and Dancers was also 10 stars.

 

Disembarkment also went without a hitch, within 30 minutes I was at my car.

 

Now here is the dissapointing parts. We booked this particular week because it was the Ranger Alumni Cruise where four Ranger Alumni would be onboard. When we went to sign up for the activities onboard I was dismissed from the event table and told we were suppose to sign up previously…***? We paid our money to be part of this event, but was dismissed…no one dismisses me. I spoke to Monica Gomez (Assistant to the Head of Guest Relations) and Christain Cal…the Head of Guest Relations. I simply asked them to show me in writing were it stated that a guest has to sign up for the Ranger Alumni activities prior to board. I was told by Monica she will have an answer for me within 24 hours…over 48 hours an numerous unanswered phones and lies from the other guest relations telephone answers I had a meeting with Christian who proceeded to inform me that they had nothing in writing, and it was all my travel agents fault (We originally booked through Celebrity and my travel agents just picked up the reservation, number and all). In the interim I spoke to Adam Graves at breakfast and he was kind enough to come and sit with my mother. In jewish you call him a "mensch". I was informed that we would be invited to the BBQ on Saturday night as this was the only event left. Another lie from Monica and Christian as there was a breakfast on Saturday morning. We went to the MDR for breakfast without having any knowledge of the Ranger breakfast. After the Ranger breakfast Graves saw my mother and came to where she was sitting and sat with us. A true gentlemen and an asset to the Ranger organization. My mother will never forgot those moments. No thanks to Celebrity Cruise Line. Christian during our meeting also made some really stupid comments that I will handle with Celebrity tomorrow. I also had a problem m with onboard credits due. Make sure you bring everything documented as to what you are owed on OBC. They have a tendency to forget what they owe you.

 

And for the poster about the chocolate…only for suites we were told (we were in a suite) except for formal night. And if you paid for three guest in a suite (over $1000) for the third guest, they would still only give you two oreos. Can you say cheap, cheap, cheap. How much are they really saving. Raise the price by $10.00 a person instead of nickel and dimming the guest and coming up with a ridiculous answer. Now I know where Monica and Christian get their training from.

 

All in all it was a great cruise and i will still consider Celebrity my line of choice. As long as they don't make me wash the deck because they laid off people to save money.

 

Let the comments and flame throwing begin…I am so ready.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

 

In the end, this only opinion that counts is each of our own.

 

Glad that overall you had a great cruise.

 

Keith

[portofrome]

Thanks for the review.

[cle-guy]

I'm guessing the issues with the Rangers package, was you had to book it thru the special booking number, and not just book a cruise with celebrity, so your reservation would be captured within the group code to have it flagged to provide the extra perks and invitations.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/htmlpage/new-york-rangers-promotion?cid=ge_mul_mul_brndgn_1401_nypg_mul_ny_6694&cS=vanity#&panel1-2

 

Likely the cabin prices may be a bit more than other booking channels due to the perks and amenities included.

 

As it's a one-off cruise, likely the onboard staff really don't know much about it, instead the group leader would be the best person to track down.

 

They really need to control access to such special events and group,s thus the kneed to book within their group.

 

I travel with a group often, and always have to book thru them to get the privileges that come with the group, sometimes it costs extra than booking direct thru the X website outside the group.

[wwcruisers]

No flamin' here, Man -- Thanks for the review! Do you happen to remember who the Captain was? Some of us who are sailing over Labor Day (last Bermuda run) were wondering. :cool:

[inforem]

It was Captain Leonardo…a great captain. Always around. We have sailed with him before.

 

As to the Ranger deal. It should have been posted on the Celebrity website about how to participate in the event. That is my opinion. I would think since you are advertising it as a Ranger Alumni cruise it would be sponsored by Celebrity. Do only certain guest participate in the Top Chef cruises. I know I was able to eat from the Top Chef menu in the main dining room without paying more as it is advertised by Celebrity to go on the cruise.

 

Just Saying

[inforem]

I'm guessing the issues with the Rangers package, was you had to book it thru the special booking number, and not just book a cruise with celebrity, so your reservation would be captured within the group code to have it flagged to provide the extra perks and invitations.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/htmlpage/new-york-rangers-promotion?cid=ge_mul_mul_brndgn_1401_nypg_mul_ny_6694&cS=vanity#&panel1-2

 

Likely the cabin prices may be a bit more than other booking channels due to the perks and amenities included.

 

As it's a one-off cruise, likely the onboard staff really don't know much about it, instead the group leader would be the best person to track down.

 

They really need to control access to such special events and group,s thus the kneed to book within their group.

 

I travel with a group often, and always have to book thru them to get the privileges that come with the group, sometimes it costs extra than booking direct thru the X website outside the group.

 

Thank you for the link…nobody onboard was able to access it, or that just didn't want to. The prices listed is what I paid and nowhere does it say anything about joining a "group" The only options are the excursions, it even says the bbq is included as well as autograph sessions and q and a's. Celebrity will be called mañana

 

 

Thanks again for the web page

Edited August 10, 2014 by inforem

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[JonnyCT81]

Heading on this same cruise next week, hope that they aren't that cheap with the Oreos', they were very good last time we were on the ship!

 

Great review as well, thanks for the insight! :-)

[DonnaK]

thanks for the review! We are onboard next Sunday!

 

Who was the cruise director?

[Christine Frances]

Thank you for the link…nobody onboard was able to access it, or that just didn't want to. The prices listed is what I paid and nowhere does it say anything about joining a "group" The only options are the excursions, it even says the bbq is included as well as autograph sessions and q and a's. Celebrity will be called mañana

 

 

Thanks again for the web page

 

 

Yes but your TA should have insured that you were booked correctly. As you found out, not everyone on that sailing was included. I think you should be calling your TA Mañana not Celebrity

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[New Hampshire]

Who or what are the Rangers? I'm confused.

[NYcruzzer]

thanks for the review! We are onboard next Sunday!

 

Who was the cruise director?

 

I was on same cruise. The CD was Ken Mills. He was excellant. Very visable.

[DonnaK]

I was on same cruise. The CD was Ken Mills. He was excellant. Very visable.

 

 

Thank you - sounds like fun!

[bboop51]

I thought your review sounded honest and objective. Our first cruise (Celebrity) went terribly wrong (for me) with a service promised and not fulfilled. I was very upset. Plus issues with our cabin. Our calls went on deaf ears and calls not returned surprised me. Our "mensch" was Jeff Potts the Guest Relations Manager. Although it was too late to turn back the clock we received dinner at Qsine AND a generous credit toward another cruise. We did not expect the credit. It was a win/win. Without the credit I'm not sure we would have cruised again and if so, I'm certain it would NOT have been with Celebrity. Our second cruise (w/ the credit) was so awesome, we are diehard fans.

Thanks for posting your review. It really is a good lesson.

[bighairtexan]

Thank you for the review. I'll be sailing the end of this month.

 

I think I'd be upset too, but I'd be upset w/ my TA b/c it seems s/he is the one who dropped the ball and didn't have you booked w/ the group. As has been said before, there are often cruises with special events for the group, but you have to be booked through the group. Now maybe YOU didn't know that and if you'd booked directly with Celebrity this would have come up (hopefully). But if you discussed it w/ your TA and they were aware of your desire to participate in the events, s/he totally messed up. Shame on them, and I don't blame you for being peeved, but I also don't blame Celebrity if you weren't booked w/in that special interest group.

[Tak8]

Thanks for the review. I'll be doing the Christmas sailing. I'm curious about lunch the first day. How did you know about Normandie? I'm travelling with one person who isn't a fan of buffets, so a seat down would work better for us.

[jjikids]

Thanks for the review. I'll be doing the Christmas sailing. I'm curious about lunch the first day. How did you know about Normandie? I'm travelling with one person who isn't a fan of buffets, so a seat down would work better for us.

 

Normandie is for those in suites to have lunch the first day.

[jjikids]

Who or what are the Rangers? I'm confused.

 

N.Y Rangers hockey team. You are cruising with retired players.

[cle-guy]

It was Captain Leonardo…a great captain. Always around. We have sailed with him before.

 

As to the Ranger deal. It should have been posted on the Celebrity website about how to participate in the event. That is my opinion. I would think since you are advertising it as a Ranger Alumni cruise it would be sponsored by Celebrity. Do only certain guest participate in the Top Chef cruises. I know I was able to eat from the Top Chef menu in the main dining room without paying more as it is advertised by Celebrity to go on the cruise.

 

Just Saying

 

Several of the activities related to the Top Chef Cruises are at an additional fee, some activities are not.

[Tak8]

I'm sailing on Celebrity for the first time and have a suite booked. As a newbie, how would I know I can go to Normandie for lunch the first day. I know some lines try to keep certain things hush. Will they tell me that when I board?

[cle-guy]

I'm sailing on Celebrity for the first time and have a suite booked. As a newbie, how would I know I can go to Normandie for lunch the first day. I know some lines try to keep certain things hush. Will they tell me that when I board?

 

The Normandie embarkation lunch is only on Summit and when you board as s suite guest they will escort you there or tell you about it when you are waiting in Michael's Club.

 

Same for Aqua Guests getting embarkation lunch in BLU, also ONLY on Summit for now, and qua guests are told as part of the embarkation process.

 

Both lunches are new this summer when Summit arrived Bermuda, not sure if it swill roll out fleetwide or even continue on Summit after the Bermuda season is ended.

[Tak8]

Thanks for the info. I'm on the Summit at Christmas. I'll have to wait and see if lunch carries over to the San Juan sailings.

[tymike]

I'm sailing on Celebrity for the first time and have a suite booked. As a newbie, how would I know I can go to Normandie for lunch the first day. I know some lines try to keep certain things hush. Will they tell me that when I board?

 

I just returned from the Summit having sailed in a sky suite. When we checked in at the pier, we were given a blue envelope type thing and it had a small card in it 'inviting' us to go directly to Normandie for brunch after embarkation. What's kind of strange though is that we overheard the woman ahead of us in line being told by the staff to go there (this was in the suite check in area) and when our check in person didn't say it I asked where we should go for lunch. There was some back and forth between two employees and they told us to go to deck 10 (the buffet). We only went to Normandie because we looked at what was in our blue envelope.

 

I'm not sure what the confusion was, but in the moment I figured maybe sky suites weren't entitled to Normandie brunch. In any case, it was all great and my advice is to check your blue envelope if you're in a suite and are being told to go to deck 10 for lunch!

 

Have a great cruise!!

[need2bespoiled]

I just returned from the Summit having sailed in a sky suite. When we checked in at the pier, we were given a blue envelope type thing and it had a small card in it 'inviting' us to go directly to Normandie for brunch after embarkation. What's kind of strange though is that we overheard the woman ahead of us in line being told by the staff to go there (this was in the suite check in area) and when our check in person didn't say it I asked where we should go for lunch. There was some back and forth between two employees and they told us to go to deck 10 (the buffet). We only went to Normandie because we looked at what was in our blue envelope.

 

I'm not sure what the confusion was, but in the moment I figured maybe sky suites weren't entitled to Normandie brunch. In any case, it was all great and my advice is to check your blue envelope if you're in a suite and are being told to go to deck 10 for lunch!

 

Have a great cruise!!

 

Please post a review, I'd love to know how your cruise went, and know about any bad advice or info I gave you ;)

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna