Summit trip journal with pictures (April 18, 2015)

[butterflymama]

Great review. You are keeping me entertained until our upcoming cruise!

 

That drink looks so good. Can't wait to try some!

[misha1]

I am re-living my Southern Caribbean cruise thru your review. Summit is my fave ship. We have sailed her the most and I feel like we are "home" when I cross her threshold. I have always thought about writing a review and my good intentions go away by about the 2nd day of the vacation because it seems to tiring to keep a journal, but if you don't you can hardly remember the details. Well, I have 2 B2Bs coming up and maybe I can try again...that is, if you can keep me away from the martini bar. One does not keep good notes after a Toony or two

[Laurab23]

I will have to try that black forest martini!

 

Laura

[CruisinCrow]

I have always thought about writing a review and my good intentions go away by about the 2nd day of the vacation because it seems to tiring to keep a journal, but if you don't you can hardly remember the details. Well, I have 2 B2Bs coming up and maybe I can try again...that is, if you can keep me away from the martini bar. One does not keep good notes after a Toony or two

 

What I usually do is jot down some notes each night before I go to bed. Otherwise, I won't remember anything 2 days later! But I don't write up my journal until I get home and have the time to process everything.

 

You could always write your notes before you hit the martini bar. :)

[dodger1964]

Thanks for great review...you were on our favorite ship on our favorite itinerary!

[CruisinCrow]

The last day...

 

Here are a few pictures of the pool area.

 

 

 

[CruisinCrow]

St Thomas

 

Friday was our wind-down day so we didn’t want to plan anything too strenuous. After breakfast we did a little packing (boo!) and then met Mama and Daddy to take the sky ride to Paradise Point, an observation deck and bar overlooking Charlotte Amalie harbor. The last time we were in St Thomas, Mama and I had planned to go to Paradise Point on our own while Ron and Daddy went scuba diving. But the dive boat broke down and the scuba trip was cancelled so we all ended up going up the mountain together. Even though the guys were really disappointed that they didn’t get to dive, it turned out to be one of our great cruise memories. Paradise Point was such a beautiful place. Plus, that was when Mama and I discovered their famous Bushwacker, a frozen drink with Baileys, Kahlua, Amaretto, Crème de Cacao, vodka, rum and Coco Lopez.

 

Paradise Point was just as gorgeous as we remembered. On the ride up, I even forgot that I really don’t like sky rides! :) We spent about two hours on the mountain, just talking and enjoying the views and the wonderful breezes. We shared some nachos and Mama and I each got a Bushwacker. I walked around a little to take some pictures and when I got back to our table, Mama had fallen completely asleep in her chair! It really was that relaxing.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 13, 2015 by CruisinCrow

[CruisinCrow]

 

 

[CruisinCrow]

That night I wasn’t up for another 2-hour dinner marathon so I suggested that we eat at Bistro on Five instead. Bistro on Five used to be a crepe restaurant with a $5 cover charge, but recently they’ve added more menu items and upped the charge to $10. It was a good choice, much quieter and more intimate than the dining room. I had the nightly special, braised short ribs with polenta, and a banana and Nutella crepe for dessert. Delicious. And it didn’t take two hours!

 

 

 

After dinner, Daddy and I swapped pictures from our SD cards and we said our goodnights. Then Ron and I went down to the casino for one more round of Black Jack. It was a lucky table and Ron and I both ended up ahead for the week. We had one last drink at the martini bar and then it was time to finish packing.

 

It was a wonderful week, especially all the time with Mama and Daddy which I’ve missed so much since they moved. I also loved the itinerary – pulling into a new port every morning and setting sail every night. I thought we’d struck just the right balance between touring and relaxing. Ron said his favorite island was St Martin. I liked them all for different reasons but I think my favorite was Barbados. Maybe there’s a trip to Sandals Barbados in our future? :)

 

 

Happy Cruising to you all!

~Susan

 

 

Edited May 13, 2015 by CruisinCrow

[kenevenpar]

Wonderful review and pictures! Glad you got to spend time with your parents; I'm sure they enjoyed it as much as you did.

[ediemarie]

thanks so much for taking the time to post your review!

 

our first time to St. Martin was on a cruise. I agree, just beautiful! so much so that we've gone back for a 7 and 10 day stay on the island.

 

thanks again for posting.

 

em

[CruisinCrow]

thanks so much for taking the time to post your review!

 

our first time to St. Martin was on a cruise. I agree, just beautiful! so much so that we've gone back for a 7 and 10 day stay on the island.

 

thanks again for posting.

 

em

 

The water in St Martin was just gorgeous, even right in the port it was turquoise and crystal clear. Where do you usually stay on the island?

[Rada_CMH]

Thanks for the great review and photos.

 

Could you please tell me what time was the boarding time in San Juan for the 8:30 sail away?

 

I think you mentioned the drill was at 7:45, but what is the latest time they want the passenger on board?

 

Thanks,

Rada

[CruisinCrow]

Thanks for the great review and photos.

 

Could you please tell me what time was the boarding time in San Juan for the 8:30 sail away?

 

I think you mentioned the drill was at 7:45, but what is the latest time they want the passenger on board?

 

Thanks,

Rada

 

According to our cruise tickets, check in was between 1 and 7 PM. There were people checking in before 1 (we got on board a little after noon). But 7 is the latest because you have to be checked in for a cruise at least an hour and a half before sailing.

[Arzeena]

Fantastic review and great pictures! Thanks for posting.:) We will be on the Summit next summer.

[h20cruzer]

Thank you for taking the time to write a review and post these beautiful pictures. I wish I would've been able to go on a cruise with my mother and father but I didn't discover cruising until after they had passed away. The pictures of the four of you looked beautiful.

Thank you again Norma

[CruisinCrow]

Thank you for taking the time to write a review and post these beautiful pictures. I wish I would've been able to go on a cruise with my mother and father but I didn't discover cruising until after they had passed away. The pictures of the four of you looked beautiful.

Thank you again Norma

 

Thank you, Norma. We introduced cruising to my parents years ago and now they love it more than we do. :) We've been very lucky to be able to travel with them.

[Jimmanknows]

Great review!

[maggieq]

Great review. Love the southern itins. Looking at the summit for end of nov. This year. We have only been on solstice class. Your pictures of the summit show the ship to be in pretty good shape.

[Jimmanknows]

Great Review!

[cruiseapril]

Very enjoyable review.