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First time cruise (Summit)! Some questions...

official_wilko

By official_wilko,
in Celebrity Cruises

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official_wilko

official_wilko

Posted
Posted

Hello,

 

First time on a cruise, first time post! I've been through a few pages of this forum and I have a few questions to ask.

 

We are going on a cruise from New York to Bermuda on Summit in August this year. We are flying in a couple of days before from the UK and then flying out a few days after.

 

In relation to what's on board, I want to make sure we have budgeted properly and can enjoy everything we'd like to without feeling I didn't research everything as much as I could beforehand that we might need to pay extra for.

 

If anyone can help with the following questions it'd be much appreciated:

 

1) We rarely drink alcohol and any cocktails we might like are definitely worth paying as we go (probably one or two each across the whole trip). However, at breakfast/dinner, what soft drink choices are generally available? Do these come with a cost?

 

2) We'll probably look to play bingo one evening. I read in another forum post the prices for games started from about $40 for three games. Will this be the same on the Summit?

 

3) Are the slots and machines in the casino regular $1-$5 machines? We'll likely set some money aside for a night in the casino so again, just wanting to get an idea on how much to bring.

 

4) Meal wise as this is our first cruise the main restaurant and buffet options look amazing. At this stage I don't think we'll spend on any speciality dining (unless we win bingo). However, are there any other costs you think we might want to be aware of as first timers?

 

Thank you for any help,

 

Tom

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dkjretired

dkjretired

Posted
Posted
Hello,

 

First time on a cruise, first time post! I've been through a few pages of this forum and I have a few questions to ask.

 

We are going on a cruise from New York to Bermuda on Summit in August this year. We are flying in a couple of days before from the UK and then flying out a few days after.

 

In relation to what's on board, I want to make sure we have budgeted properly and can enjoy everything we'd like to without feeling I didn't research everything as much as I could beforehand that we might need to pay extra for.

 

If anyone can help with the following questions it'd be much appreciated:

 

1) We rarely drink alcohol and any cocktails we might like are definitely worth paying as we go (probably one or two each across the whole trip). However, at breakfast/dinner, what soft drink choices are generally available? Do these come with a cost?

 

2) We'll probably look to play bingo one evening. I read in another forum post the prices for games started from about $40 for three games. Will this be the same on the Summit?

 

3) Are the slots and machines in the casino regular $1-$5 machines? We'll likely set some money aside for a night in the casino so again, just wanting to get an idea on how much to bring.

 

4) Meal wise as this is our first cruise the main restaurant and buffet options look amazing. At this stage I don't think we'll spend on any speciality dining (unless we win bingo). However, are there any other costs you think we might want to be aware of as first timers?

 

Thank you for any help,

 

Tom

 

At meals you can have free of charge, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, iced tea and usually lemonade.

 

Can't help with the bingo.

 

Most of the machines in the casino are penny machines, there are some 1s and 5s but not many.

 

For meals, don't forget the grill located at the pool and also the Aqua Spa cafe, they are free options. Cafe albacio is the coffee shop with specialty drinks but the pastries, cookies, etc are free with or without a purchase.

 

Other costs are excursions, souvenir's.

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CruisersTimesThree

CruisersTimesThree

Posted
Posted
Hello,

 

First time on a cruise, first time post!

 

1) We rarely drink alcohol and any cocktails we might like are definitely worth paying as we go (probably one or two each across the whole trip). However, at breakfast/dinner, what soft drink choices are generally available? Do these come with a cost?

 

2) We'll probably look to play bingo one evening. I read in another forum post the prices for games started from about $40 for three games. Will this be the same on the Summit?

 

Soft drink selections onboard are products by Coca-Cola...Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Barq's Root Beer, etc. There is a charge for soft drinks, so if you plan on having several per day, you might want to look into purchasing the soda package offered by Celebrity.

Bingo price packages go according to how many "faces" you want to play. Last August on the Summit the prices were:

$39 for 3 faces

$49 for 6

$59 for the largest package, don't remember how many faces were on it, as I didn't purchase this one.

The largest package came with an extra paper sheet of 3 faces that gets played on the last game of each session.

They also gave you a tear off type game that gave you a chance of winning cash.

There were only 3 games per session.

Bingo on the Summit cruise was only played on sea days, in the afternoon around 3:30-4pm, not in the evening.

If you're planning on playing each session, there would be 3 days that they do it (Mon, Tues, Sat)

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cruisestitch "Live from...." Rare

cruisestitch

Posted
Posted

Here is a list I compiled a while ago -- all of these are extra charge items. You can decide if anything appeals to you.

 

 

Acupuncture

Airport transfers

Alcove rental (S class ships only)

Apple products and Ilounge classes

Art Auctions

Beverages -- Alcoholic, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water

Bingo

Bottles of wine

Casino

Dining Room upcharge items

Duty free liquor and cigarettes

Fitness classes

Flowers

Gelato

Gift shops -- jewelry, souvenirs, perfumes, purses

Gratuities

Hair and nail salon

Internet

Laundry/pressing/drycleaning

Luggage Valet

Medical Center

Mini bar

Shore Excursions

Pay-per-view movies

Photos & cameras

Room service up charge items

Room service late night delivery fee

Shore Excursions

Shuttle to town (some ports)

Spa -- massages and treatments

Specialty restaurants

Teeth Whitening

Voyage in Review DVD

Wine and liquor tastings

Zumba

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rieann

rieann

Posted
Posted

I'm gonna piggyback on this and add...

 

Does celebrity allow you to bring on sodas and beverages? I was reading about room service and saw that the drinks you may order from RS are not included in the bev package. >:( Sooo..If I want a v8 with my breaky but I don't want to leave my room (hence roomservice) ..can I bring a pack of v8?

I heard you can slap a luggage tag on a case of beverages and it will be delivered to your room, but I may consider another smaller (heavy) "beverage bag" lol

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official_wilko

official_wilko

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Another question I have for planning purposes. Do Celebrity give you towels to take to the beach when in Bermuda? We most likely will do our own sightseeing when on the island but it's just whether we buy towels in NY prior to boarding. I'm not using valuable luggage room up on towels from home, will have too much outlet shopping to bring back!

 

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Forums mobile app

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champagne123

champagne123

Posted
Posted
Another question I have for planning purposes. Do Celebrity give you towels to take to the beach when in Bermuda? We most likely will do our own sightseeing when on the island but it's just whether we buy towels in NY prior to boarding. I'm not using valuable luggage room up on towels from home, will have too much outlet shopping to bring back!

 

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Forums mobile app

Beach towels are supplied. Do not bring your own. When you come back to the ship (after being on beautiful Horseshoe Bay all day) ...there will be a large bin to deposit your sandy, wet towels. You will also be welcomed back to the ship with a lemon/water stand to quench your thirst :D

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Doctor G

Doctor G

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Posted
Another question I have for planning purposes. Do Celebrity give you towels to take to the beach when in Bermuda? We most likely will do our own sightseeing when on the island but it's just whether we buy towels in NY prior to boarding. I'm not using valuable luggage room up on towels from home, will have too much outlet shopping to bring back!

 

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Forums mobile app

 

Celebrity does provide beach towels that are different than the pool towels. I always bring a 12 pack of soft drinks, put a luggage tag on the paper carton, and give it to the porters that way. However, last time it arrived partially torn apart. So, I may try something different next time.

 

Carolyn

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Essiesmom "Live from...." Rare

Essiesmom

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V-8 juice is on the room service breakfast menu for concierge and above...But I wrote it in for a regular cabin and they brought it. Glasses are small, so I usually had two. So, I ordered four and put two in the fridge for the next morning. EM

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varoo

varoo

Posted
Posted (edited)
Celebrity does provide beach towels that are different than the pool towels. I always bring a 12 pack of soft drinks, put a luggage tag on the paper carton, and give it to the porters that way. However, last time it arrived partially torn apart.

That can easily occur if you only use one luggage tag.

 

Instead, I suggest picking up a handful of luggage tags at the pier, writing your cabin number on a few of them (just in case), peeling off the backing and attaching them all around the pack to hold it together.

Doing it that way takes a little more time, but there is no problem with it coming apart.

Edited by varoo
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varoo

varoo

Posted
Posted
Hello,

 

First time on a cruise, first time post! I've been through a few pages of this forum and I have a few questions to ask.

 

As you enter the ship for the first time at embarkation, everyone is greeted with Welcome Aboard and offered a welcome aboard drink (choice of sparkling wine, mimosa or orange juice). There is no charge for it.

But when you go up to deck 10 and are again greeted with Welcome Aboard and asked if you would like a welcome aboard drink, if you accept, there is a charge for that one (unless you have a beverage package). clear.png?emoji-frown-1741

When you first enter your cabin, there should be a copy of Celebrity Today (the ship's daily newsletter) there waiting for you.

They typically list the time and place to meet for a free tour of the ship (public areas only) on the first day of the cruise.

 

You could walk around from deck to deck and find all the places they show you on your own, but the advantage of taking the tour is having a guide right there with you to provide the commentary and answer your questions as you go along.

 

4) Meal wise as this is our first cruise the main restaurant and buffet options look amazing
It looks like others have already answered your questions, so I will just add some suggestions.

 

Take a walk in a loop all around the buffet area (at the back of deck 10) to see what is available on both sides and at the front and back before deciding what you want to eat.

 

Some people start picking up food as soon as they enter, and later discover that there is something else they didn't see that they would have preferred instead.

 

There is an open deck with tables and chairs (and a bar) right behind the buffet at the back of deck 10, a lovely place to enjoy your food and the scenery in nice weather.

 

In the main dining room, you are not limited to picking only one course from each category on the menu, but may mix and match, however you wish.

 

 

The staff and crew on the Summit are wonderful, very friendly and helpful.

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise, and that it is only the first of many more to come.

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