Tell me what you love about Summit

[garnet115]

I've done the Bermuda itinerary many times before on NCL and love the port, but decided we needed a change of scenery on the ship. Tell me what you love about Summit! Any must see/do activities and entertainment? Out of the way spots to enjoy the ocean breezes? Don't miss meals?

 

The only thing I love more than being on a cruise is planning for one, so tell me what I should be planning for and getting excited about!

[disfan13]

we just got off on Sunday - we have done NCL to Bermuda as well. The size of the ship is pretty much perfect for us. The demographic and atmosphere is also much more sedate - which was fine for us. There was enough fun to be had but there were plenty of quiet area's of the ship as well. Tuscan Grill is a must.. There was a great quiet area to relax and soak up the sun in the front on deck 12. No waiters made their way up that way though.

Easy to navigate. NEVER felt crowded. We had Aqua class - Blu was worth every penny! The staff in there was awesome.

[armadillo]

I love the Captains of the Summit! The size of the ship is perfect as stated above. We stayed busy all day and evening. I thought the food in MDR was fine, so other options weren't a must do, but always love Qzine and Tuscan. Since Bistro is gone, I'm sure I'll give Sushi a try. It was good on Silhouette. I'm not sure when you are going, but if it's within the next 2 months, plan on the crowds from the America's Cup. Lots of action and people every where, I'm thinking. We are heading there again June 18 for what we hope will be the final races. Enjoy

[Laurab23]

Along with all the other things mentioned,I love how all the officers intermingle with the cruisers. There are events with the officers and you also will see them in the lido dining areas,getting coffee or even have the captain ride the elevator with you. The officers are very visible throughout the whole cruise.

Martini bar is great too.

 

Laura

[JMG]

What is not to love? The size of the ship is great. The crew is amazing. As noted...the officers are very visible. Activities like pool volley ball - officers vrs passengers. Lots of fun! The Martini Bar is fantastic. I enjoy writing on the ice bar. Food is great. If you do the buffet at any time...you need to walk around the entire buffet to see all of the offerings. Pizza on one side..pasta on the other side. Great opportunity to try different cheeses at the cheese station...

 

We did Aqua class but we are one of a few that did not care for Blu. Most tables are for 2 - 4 people. We enjoy meeting and talking to fellow passengers. Just did not happen at Blu..so we opted for MDR. That worked fine for us. Now we enjoy Laminae! Superb dining and service!

 

Only ONE announcement during the day! The Captains report around noon...unless a need arises to announce a change of plans. Last year the Captain announced we were leaving Bermuda early due to weather...(NCL also left early) We enjoyed NOT hearing the CD announce every hour on the hour what activity was about to happen.

 

We definitely preferred Normandy over Tuscan Grill. too bad they decided to get rid of that venue! The lobster was fabulous and Tuscan Grill does not offer that item.

 

It is just a relaxing way to spend vacation!

[denatravels]

I did NOT find the crew to be amazing. Officers were great, but much of the crew I didn't find to be so incredible- dining, stateroom, and cruise staff all underwhelming.

Less crowded than the breakaway; entertainment not nearly as good. Drink package WAS more inclusive but recent changes may have impacted this.

 

 

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[fvalanzola@gmail.com]

We did the Breakaway last year. It was fun, but crowded. Embarkation took a long time and disembarking took even longer. I'm really looking forward to cruising on the Summit on 8/20!

 

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[bbappel]

I like the thalassotherapy pool if it hasn't been removed.

[crisp1]

We did the Gem last month- ships seem very similar in size- we got the UBP on the Gem and have the basic beverage package on the Summit- gem was 11 days Caribbean rt NYC with 5/6 sea days- Summit is Bermuda 7 days rt NJ next month- 4/5 sea days- I plan on comparing the ships/ sea days- without the ports here

[garnet115]

Thanks for the info. I am looking forward to sailing on a smaller ship. I loved the Breakaway (activities, entertainment, specialty dining), but am very happy to have a more chill environment to relax without all of the crowds.

 

How is the evening entertainment? I don't see much posted about it. I think that's the one thing I'll really miss from NCL.

[cocobakerchica]

I've been on an NCL ship(not Breakaway), and the big difference is the size of the ships; Summit is smaller, and you may find yourself getting around and memorizing the ship a lot faster. Even though the ship is smaller, I never feel crowded, and there are lots of nice spots to sit and be cozy.. Definitely don't miss Cafe al Bacio's pastries(no charge), their coffee drinks are fantastic(especially if you have a beverage package), and the lounge itself is nice for sitting and reading while having coffee if you're alone. Definitely check out the burgers and fries at the Pool Grill(and they have turkey and veggie burgers available if you don't eat beef), and the ice cream at the Oceanview Cafe. The Martini Bar is a lot of fun(the 25th Anniversary Martini is great!), and yes, the officers are very visible and friendly and will stop for a chat, especially after they're ending a meeting in the Oceanview Cafe or at al Bacio. One of the nicest things to me is that when I run into the waitstaff in the MDR serving in other venues, I always make sure to say hello and ask after them, everyone on the ship is always pleasant and I'm happy when I see staff from past cruises still on contract and make sure I say hello.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I did NOT find the crew to be amazing. Officers were great, but much of the crew I didn't find to be so incredible- dining, stateroom, and cruise staff all underwhelming.

Less crowded than the breakaway; entertainment not nearly as good. Drink package WAS more inclusive but recent changes may have impacted this.

 

Sorry you didn't care for the crew. I'm just off the repo and I thought the crew was amazing! Best ever. And Captain Kate is fantastic.

[maryred]

Just off the Summit and can not wait to begin to plan another trip to Bermuda on her. Have sailed NCL's Breakaway and will never again because of the small staterooms, the mass of overcrowded venues, and the need to reserve everything that is interesting but still having to show up 30-40 minutes before hand that my seats would not be handed out to those on the un-ticketed wait line (PS dislike CCL's Vista for most of the same reasons). May try the Gem when she around NYC just in case the Breakaway's failings are only due to her size. Also was treated most of the time on par as a newbie on =X= with what I expect with Platinum (& casino) status on CCL.

First off the Cape Liberty check-in was a breeze - no big lines, plenty of staff of handle the 2,200 to 3,000 passengers the Summit carries. A free welcome aboard mimosa, champagne, or fresh OJ upon boarding, then multiple venues to choose from for embarkation lunch. Cabin ready upon boarding with no need of special status (cabin level nor loyalty tier), was able to drop off carry-on immediately and the rest of our luggage was at our door when we finished lunch.

Did the Spa tour (escorted as a couple not part of a large group) and did not receive any pressured sell pitch to book appointments, but was gently reminded that salon appointments were filling fast for Cruise Chic nights. Best of all the thalassotherapy pool is in the (free) Adult Only Solarium so no need for a Spa Pass unless we wanted the thermal suites (which BTW if you do book a massage or facial appointment on or before boarding day you get a same day pass to the thermals). The Lido deck pool and hot tubs felt bigger than the one on the Breakaway but due to weather it was not utilized much on our sailing and surprisingly the the enclosed Solarium water features were never really packed though seats could be hard to come by (again I believe this was due to the unseasonably cold weather preventing many from lounging outside).

The food was better than anything we have had on any other cruise lines, to the point we ate only in the MDR and buffet. Next trip we will try the specialty dining or 3 just to see how much better it is. We loved the Cafe Biaco for coffee breaks (went twice a day) and the fantastic (free) pastries that put Carlos bakery to shame. We had select time dining and the hostess staff bent over backwards (without us asking) to get us the same service team each night after we expressed how much we like the waiters we had the first night. Also we never had more than a 10 minute wait for a table, including the wait in line to get to the hostess. (Please note here we usually attended the early production or specialty act show each evening, afterwards stopped for a cocktail at the Rendezvous lounge watching the game show for 10-15 minutes, then proceeded to the MDR, if going earlier the line may be longer.) In addition to our 2 intuitive waiters, a bar server and a sommelier stop at our table each night. We generally ate breakfast and lunch in the buffet because of the great variety of made to order items it offered, and finding seat was only a small chore achieved before the food cooled off. Here's a hint if you want bar service while in the buffet, leave the little drink menu upright, if you don't want to be bothered lay it down sideways. Also the Solarium had a great healthy options mini buffet for breakfast and lunch, with (at fee) made to order smoothies.

If we did have any complaint it would be about the activities, during the daytime most were enrichment programs like learn to how use social media to your advantage or better digital photography, but that did not stop us from finding things to do to keep active. We like the more of an audience participation things like name that tune, trivia, or deck (or atrium) games such as bocce or bean bag tosses and wish they offered more of those. At night the entertainment was good we had 4 productions (2 showings 7 and 9pm) done by the on board entertainment staff (with live band), 2 comedians (adult level comedy without resorting to shock jock swearing, both used innuendos well), and a specialty singer. Each show was 45 minute to an hour long not the Broadway quality of Rock the Ages but at least something different for each night an more than adequate seating between the orchestra, loge, mezzanine, and balcony), also all orchestra seats had drink tables every 2 seats. Game shows or competition every night at 8 pm in the Rendezvous lounge followed by a live musical entertainer(s) (guitar/piano duo, piano soloist, rock/pop band, cool jazz ensemble, or classical). But where they missed big time was the dance club, no real theme nights just an hour here or there with a live band doing a particular decade or genre, the rest of the time just a DJ that really did not have the pulse of audience. But what was shocking is the dance club and most other lounges closed by midnight. The Martini bar and casino general stayed open till 1/1:30 am but that was just about all available for night owls.

If the water slides, rock climbing, mini-golf, or the full court sports deck that the Breakaway offers are important to you or your family this ship might be a disappointment. The kids clubs did seem to do a good job with the little ones, there were only 53 under 12 years old on board our sailing but and more than once we overheard a child asking how soon they could go back to the Fun Factory activities.

Debarkation was as effortless as the embarkation was from the time our zone # was called till getting pass customs to the pick-up aea it was less than a 1/2 an hour. The longest wait, maybe 10 minutes, was to get a porter for our bags.

[SoSem75]

Thanks for the info. I am looking forward to sailing on a smaller ship. I loved the Breakaway (activities, entertainment, specialty dining), but am very happy to have a more chill environment to relax without all of the crowds.

 

How is the evening entertainment? I don't see much posted about it. I think that's the one thing I'll really miss from NCL.

 

 

I, too, would like to know about the evening entertainment. This is my first cruise on Celebrity and I'd like to know what to expect. I was on NCL's Gem years ago and the entertainment was great. (The rest of the cruise was only adequate.)

[kenevenpar]

I like the thalassotherapy pool if it hasn't been removed.

 

Not removed, but changed slightly. The water features that act like a hydro-message have been removed.

 

Before:

 

 

After:

 

 

The bubbling seats on the side are still present.

[bayonnejoe]

Not removed, but changed slightly. The water features that act like a hydro-message have been removed.

 

Before:

 

 

After:

 

 

The bubbling seats on the side are still present.

 

Onboard two weeks ago. the tubes are back.

[LA_CA_GAL]

Getting in and out of Bayonne is a big plus. Very convenient parking and embarking.

[miched]

Captain Leo and Captain Kate being on the ship at the same time when she came on board to be the first American Female captain.

 

Both are real assets to Celebrity and make the cruise more enjoyable.

 

happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

[MartinsCruise]

Sorry you didn't care for the crew. I'm just off the repo and I thought the crew was amazing! Best ever. And Captain Kate is fantastic.

We just got off last Sunday and totally agree with this. I really believe how good the crew is starts at the top with the captain. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. On Sunday morning Captain Kate wished all mothers a Happy Mother's Day and sent extra love to the 60 some crew members onboard who were also mothers.

 

Sue

[TPCRUISER2]

Would agree with many on the things they like about the Summit! Just a unique Bermuda experience! Feel like I keep very busy on the Summit whether at sea or in port. Looking forward to another trip to Bermuda on the Summit before the end of this 2017 Bermuda season!:D

[st5310]

Just got off the Summit on May 14 (Bermuda). Ship is old and needs some TLC here and there, but cruise was among the best I've taken.

 

Many on this thread have already offered details, so I don't wish to be redundant. We did not dine in the MDR; As suite guests we ate in Luminae every evening and most breakfasts and lunches. The food was excellent. The filet mignons were superior to Royal ships' Chops Grille. Service overall was great, we had no complaints.

 

We had full Go!Best with which we were delighted. Drinks (premium package) were "free" anywhere, anytime--from espresso at Cafe al Bacio, to chocolate martinis in the Martini Bar.

 

Returning to the Summit July 7. Most of the service people we loved will still be on the ship. Good thing I tip well! Neil

[clr315]

Love the martini bar! In the ocean view walk to the very back and there is a grill where you can have steak, fish, pork, chicken etc grilled to order. I'm not a buffet person but this area is great. Oh and the pasta station where you order past as you like it. Yum.

[garyl62]

We have not sailed to Bermuda, but have done the Caribbean the last two years on the Summit (we loved it so much the first time we booked on board to go back the next year!) and had a great time. As most have said, the crew is great, both captians are very personable. While at the officers meet and great with Captian Kate after we took the typical photo with her she stops us and says "ok, now it's time for a funny face photo!" Where else do you get that?! We have tried the speciality resturants, but we've had a suite both times and really enjoy Luminae so we have decided for us we'll skip them in the future. We have enjoyed the outdoor movies and TV on the top deck (both years we watched NCAA tournament games at night). Coffee in the morning at Café Al Bacio is great, but get room service for breakfast, sit on your balcony and avoid the crowds. Be sure to check out the spa and even head up there to take a shower in the large shower room or enjoy the steam room sometime. More than one night we've sat around the martini bar and enjoyed some live music, or taken a glass of wine outside on deck 4 and sat on a lounge chair and watched the ocean go by, no one is ever there. One of the things we really like is the fact there are 3 banks of elevators so you hardly ever wait, although on port days the center group does get busy.

 

Hope you enjoy her as much as we do!

[Cruise a holic]

We have sailed on the summit about 7 times to Bermuda- Also once on NCL Breakaway. Unless you are in the Haven, the Breakaway is very crowded. The Breakaway- has tiny cabins. We love the Summit- we always sail in a sky suite or above. The cabins, albiet not new, are clean, comfortable with ample storage. The restaurants-luminae, specialty and buffet are also very good- we used to like bistro on five- and hope this year isn't sushi on five- The Suite lounge, Michael's club is wonderful. Entertainment fair to good- We love the adult pool, comfortable seating around all of the pools. The Martini Bar is a wonderful place to hang out before and after dinner. Also Cafe al Baccio is great. I think you will enjoy the ship.

[tetons]

For those of you who did snorkeling, would you recommend the Devil's Isle or the Catamaran one the last day in Bermuda? It looks like the catamaran one on the last day is the only time that snorkel is offered. I tried to find an excursion post but was not able to find one that worked for this question. Also for those in Bermuda, was the ship by a dock or did you have to tender and how long do the ferries take to St. George or Hamilton? How long does the ferry take to America's Cup Village?