April 22 - Summit Reposition Review

[jakzak10]

1st week back to work is always a problem, so I might have to finish this up tomorrow

 

A little background, this cruise was just for myself (57) and wife (61). Our first real vacation without the kids, aged 26 and 21. We all love cruising and this was the 30th for both myself and Cheryl. We have sailed on a good many of the lines including NCL, Carnival, RCCL, Princess, Sitmar, Bermuda Star Lines, The Big Red Boat, Home Lines and of course Celebrity. As far as Celebrity is concerned we have sailed on the Century, Galaxy, Constellation and now the Summit. We have never had a bad experience with Celebrity and after sailing the Summit that still holds true.

 

We departed Newark Airport on Thursday April 20 at 7:00. We flew Jet Blue and the flight departed 5 minutes early and we arrived into San Juan 20 minutes early. I purchased the extra leg room seats, row 2 and it was almost like flying in the old first class section of an aircraft. Plenty of room to stretch out. With the extra legroom seats, JetBlue also gives an expedited TSA line. We did not need it for this trip as we went through the process and enrolled in the TSA precheck program. Best 85.00 you can spend. Very small line, no need to remove shoes, belt etc.

 

We arrived in San Juan at 10:30am, claimed our luggage by 10:50am, grabbed a taxi and was at the Cond ado Plaza by 11:10am. I signed up for the Hilton Honors program and on Wednesday the 19th, I received an email allowing me to pre-check into the hotel. A room was assigned on Wednesday and when we got to the front desk, the gentleman handed my our key pack and we were in our room by 11::20am. I prebooked a mini suite with a city view as we wanted a larger room and gave up the view for the size. We lucked out and our room was actually a oceanview room with a good view. The hotel offered free American breakfast with our package and that was a plus.

 

Now let me say, I always check, check and check again the rates for all my bookings, whether its a hotel, cruise or flight. When I initially booked the hotel I was given a rate of 195.00 per night, mini suite including breakfast. 4 weeks before the cruise, Hilton was running a suite special at the hotel and I was able to get the Condado Plaza for 50% off my current rate and paid only 95.00 per night, including the breakfast. So essentially I was paying only 65.00 per night for the hotel as the nightly credit for breakfast was 32.00 per couple.

 

Hotel was nicer than I thought it would be. We normally stay at Hyatts, but all in all the Condado Plaza faired very well. The pool area was great, 4 pools, including 1 salt water pool. a very nice swim up bar that was not overpriced, most drinks in the 10.00 range. A small beach, protected by reefs. Very friendly staff that always had a smile on their faces.

 

For lunch we took a walk down the street to the Condado Vanderbilt. Upscale, beautiful grounds. We went to the waterfront Taco restaurant and the food was good, not great but good. The service was also just okay. Took a while to get water refilled. Thursday night we ate at the Texas Sol Brazil at the Sheraton. Very good meal, a bit overpriced at 44.00 per person +, but the service and quality of the food was good. We than took a taxi to the La Concha to try the casino and look around. Very lively lobby area, excellent pool area. Would consider staying here if the price was right, but at 300 a night compared to our mini suite at 95, I would stay at the Plaza again.

 

On Friday we just hung out at the pool and I had a 50 minute beachside massage. Wow, that was great. I could hear the ocean as I just relaxed and left all the stress from home leave my body. Did I mention the pool bar was great. Spent a good deal of time there..lol. Friday night we were fortunate to sign up for a pre-cruise dinner with some of our cruise critic family. Buckeye Cruiser set up this dinner at Barrachina, the home of the original Pina Colada. I believe 22 of us showed for the dinner. It was great finally putting faces to the posts we have been reading and contributing to for the past 8 months. The only down side was part of the family that started the reservation for dinner was unable to make the cruise due to illness, but their daughter finalized everything and it was a great night. The hotel also provided a Flamenco show that was very entertaining. We then went back to the hotel to get a good night sleep, as we were leaving in the morning for the Summit.

 

Part 2 ( the cruise ) will follow tomorrow. But the theme would have to be Captain Kate, you are a rock star!

 

Jakzak - Alan

[easyboy]

Nice start. Following.

 

 

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