Summit Cruise - our first ever

[DZalumni]

Thanks everybody who has chimed in with thoughtful hint and tips

 

We are staying in A2 Cabin 9116

 

We are considering the upgrade to the premium package for beverages - we both love a few glasses of wine and - I am a big coffee drinker.

 

What about the Wi-Fi? I have heard it's certainly not the best both value for money and speed - however I may need to check into work occasionally :rolleyes:

 

Thanks again!

 

We do premium just so there are no surprise bills at the end of the trip. On the classic if you order outside of the package you'll pay full drink price usually $10.50+ so for $11.80 per person per day you can avoid any drink snafus.

 

Wifi on the ships is painfully slow. If you have t-mobile you'll be able to use your phone in every port, free data and texting and $0.20 a minute calling. If you don't I'd pick up a t-mobile phone for the month plans start at $30 for international on a month to month plan and not pay for the super slow internet.

 

Internet on the ships before they started handing out unlimited packages was slower than dial up, I can't imagine how much slower it is now!

[Tangocherie]

I see you're from Canada. You might want to prepurchase some onboard credit. You will be paying in $CAN. The credits will be in $US. Doing it this way gets you a much better exchange rate than the going exchange rate. If during the cruise you need some US funds, you can go to the casino cashier to cash in some of your onboard credit. You will, however, be charged a 5% fee. Still better than the official exchange rate. Don't forget that your account at the end of the cruise will be charged in $US. If you pre purchase a sufficient amount of credit, you will reduce the $US bill at the end.

 

Also, you might want to prepurchase your beverage package upgrade before the cruise. In doing so, you will be paying in $CAN thus avoiding having to pay once onboard in $US.

Have a great cruise!

[NeilMak]

Great responses here - thanks everybody

 

I think we will be upgrading to the premium drink package; sounds simpler and fewer surprises.

[poffles]

I see you're from Canada. You might want to prepurchase some onboard credit. You will be paying in $CAN. The credits will be in $US. Doing it this way gets you a much better exchange rate than the going exchange rate. If during the cruise you need some US funds, you can go to the casino cashier to cash in some of your onboard credit. You will, however, be charged a 5% fee. Still better than the official exchange rate. Don't forget that your account at the end of the cruise will be charged in $US. If you pre purchase a sufficient amount of credit, you will reduce the $US bill at the end.

 

Also, you might want to prepurchase your beverage package upgrade before the cruise. In doing so, you will be paying in $CAN thus avoiding having to pay once onboard in $US.

Have a great cruise!

 

I will add to this that I just booked my cruise in CAD and the rate they used was around .82 cents. I was beside myself excited as it just made it all better. We also chose to pick the option to have drink package and go better and pay $105 more to get the $150 OBC so win win there too ... ended up getting more than the $45 more for the two of use travelling given the better exchange. Consider our actual rate is around .76 cents and add to that what our banks or CC add for the transaction to convert.

 

Very nice Celebrity!

[schlimazel_traveler]

I think Justin Short is back on the Summit as activity host. He's delightfully entertaining and really made the cruise for our group. Be sure to check out the activities he's got going on.

 

And don't miss the ice cream--different flavors every day, made on board!

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Besides a better selection of wine by the glass, another benefit of the premium package is a 20% discount if you decide to order a bottle or 2 of wine.

[NeilMak]

How much US cash to you typically carry with you?

[chrismakris]

Cab fare to and from the ship + any additional tips for exceptional service + whatever you feel parting with at the casino + tips for excursions.

 

Usually we take $600-$800 but we come home with some of it.