Summit Christmas Week 2014

[sfcsu]

We just got home, and I wish I had another week on board. We were a group of nine celebrating my parent's 60th anniversary. This was my third trip on Summit, and it just gets better.

 

We ate in the MDR for dinner as there was something even for the three finicky teenagers every night. The dinner choices were varied and well prepared. The only meal that was not as successful was the "Top Chef" night. The Rack of Lamb, Prime Rib, and the Lobster Medley (lobster tail, a couple shrimp and mussels) were favorites. Our waiter and assistant waiter Raoul and Ramazan were attentive and made substitutions and adjustments for us all the time.

 

We always had someone asking for more veggies and they just started bringing them every meal. Personally, I am not a big dessert eater. I was brought a bowl of fresh berries every night for dessert - even though it was not on the menu. Everyone else seemed to like theirs, and frequently ordered extras!

 

We ate in the buffet for breakfast, which was typical but mostly well done. Lunch was also at the buffet, but we often had lunch from the Aqua Spa cafe which was also very good. The pasta bar for lunch was very good, but the lines were long and they were slow. Tea time at the Aqua Spa cafe was a treat with cookies, cakes, fruit, and some small sandwiches.

 

I find the song and dance shows on cruises terrible - we are from the NY area and they are just not for us. We did go to the Christmas show, which we were told the performers just threw together. It was much better than the really awful show the first night that we walked out of. I prefer the live music. Nestor Santorio and the Lost Boys were great. We spent most evenings listening to one or the other at the Sunset bar.

 

The Latin Dance party was the most hopping evening of the cruise. I found the DJ pretty much bar mitzvah party level and just uninteresting. But then, I am in my 50's and prefer live music to recorded music. The house band was also decent.

 

I don't actually care all that much which Caribbean islands we go to anymore. We choose the week we want to go, and just book a cruise. I have been to most of them several times and sometimes don't even get off the ship. We went to the beach in Grenada and St Thomas. Otherwise we just took a short walk, went to the flea markets (I love them), shopped a bit, and returned to the ship. Some of our group took a couple of excursions. I spent some time recovering from a really hectic fourth quarter by the pool with a cold drink and trashy novel!

 

We spent a few days in San Juan at the La Concha before the cruise. I recommend the hotel highly. It is in a nice location and a very pleasant place to stay.

 

It will not be my last time on Summit.

[NorthCarolinaBelle]

"Nestor Santorio and the Lost Boys were great. We spent most evenings listening to one or the other at the Sunset bar"

 

Love the Sunset bar, and our cabin will be right upstairs! Can you comment further on Nestor Santorino and the Lost Boys? Are these two different entertainers?

[sfcsu]

"Nestor Santorio and the Lost Boys were great. We spent most evenings listening to one or the other at the Sunset bar"

 

Love the Sunset bar, and our cabin will be right upstairs! Can you comment further on Nestor Santorino and the Lost Boys? Are these two different entertainers?

 

 

Nestor is a Latin guitarist, and very good. We even picked up one of his CD's. The Lost Boys are a guitar folk duo. One of them was on the Sunset bar every evening. Both were a great way to end the day. Nestor also plays at the Latin dance party - it was great fun.

[spunke]

We will be on the Summit next week. This will be our 4th time on her over the last 5 years. Like you; we pick the week and head out.

 

Can you comment on the Lost Boys any further? Did they play current cover music or original stuff? Last year there was a guitarist from Texas and he was lights out fantastic they had to move the venue twice to accommodate the crowd.

 

We love live acoustic music and appall the dancing shows- probably have seen too many while at sea.

 

Thank you again

[tangerinebunny]

OP, thanks for mentioning LaConcha; we just booked it for our 2015 Summit cruise and now I feel even better about both the ship and the hotel.