Two weeks in Canada & New England on the revolutionized Summit: my review with photos

[TeeRick]

Turtles06- I am glad I took the time to go through your review and read all of the wonderful comments.  We took this same cruise on Summit a couple of years ago and loved it.  Your review brings back great memories and the desire to go again.  Much appreciated!

[Walfam]

Thank you for your lovely and very informative review!  We are cruising almost the same itinerary in HAL next year.  Your opinions and input have been most helpful.  And Beaver Tails are now on my bucket list.  LOL

[CruisinCons]

Great review!  We're on Summit the day after tomorrow and can't wait!

 

One question if you're around in next day or so @Turtles06, did the Captain tell you before leaving that you'd be sailing past the SoL?  I want to be ready to record it if we do - I'm hoping we can as it's the repo to San Juan so she's saying good bye to the NY Harbor.  I'm sure I'll be able to tell by the direction we are heading, but I want to be in a good location to periscope if we do. 

[Turtles06]

11 minutes ago, CruisinCons said:

Great review!  We're on Summit the day after tomorrow and can't wait!

 

One question if you're around in next day or so @Turtles06, did the Captain tell you before leaving that you'd be sailing past the SoL?  I want to be ready to record it if we do - I'm hoping we can as it's the repo to San Juan so she's saying good bye to the NY Harbor.  I'm sure I'll be able to tell by the direction we are heading, but I want to be in a good location to periscope if we do. 

 

Thanks for reading along and for the kind words.

 

Yes, at the end of the muster drill, Capt. Matt announced that we'd be doing a sail by the Statue of Liberty.   And once we did, the ship of course turned around to head south, so both sides got a good look at her.    

 

Also, as you said, you will certainly be able to see if the Summit, which backs into the pier and docks with her bow facing toward the harbor, pulls out and turns to port (which is toward the SOL), or immediately turns right, in which case you'll be heading directly toward the Verrazzano. 

 

Have a great cruise!

Edited October 19, 2019 by Turtles06

[OnTheJourney]

Ours did not go quite as smooth as yours. Just finishing the 10/6 sailing. Had to change itinerary due to 2 storm systems and so lost Bar Harbor and Charlottetown. Instead went to Saguenay and overnight in Halifax. Then also had a medical emergency and had to return to dock. Captain Matt was fantastic though and thoroughly explained why the changes needed to be made in order to avoid rough seas. For me, having just gone through the Viking Sky ordeal, it was just a bit unnerving at times. Great cruise though. 

[Turtles06]

18 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Ours did not go quite as smooth as yours. Just finishing the 10/6 sailing. Had to change itinerary due to 2 storm systems and so lost Bar Harbor and Charlottetown. Instead went to Saguenay and overnight in Halifax. Then also had a medical emergency and had to return to dock. Captain Matt was fantastic though and thoroughly explained why the changes needed to be made in order to avoid rough seas. For me, having just gone through the Viking Sky ordeal, it was just a bit unnerving at times. Great cruise though. 

 

I hope the guest who was taken off is okay.  I'm sorry about the weather and the changed itinerary, but so glad you had a great cruise nonetheless!   And I think it's fantastic that you have gotten "back on the horse."  

[OnTheJourney]

The captain said that the person who was taken off may well have gone blind had we not returned to port, so possibly a retinal condition. Unfortunate for those who were so counting on Acadia excursions as well as Anne of Green Gables in PEI, or just for those who came far to see some of these ports. Saguenay was incredible though and certainly helped to make up for losing the others.

 

Thanks for your kind words. We felt good about the cruise and put a deposit on a future sailing (as yet to be determined - has to be between April 2020 and May 2021). Summit is very nicely redone but, wow, did those suite guests ever get an extensive and pretty nice private "retreat" up there in the front of the ship! Almost seems a bit over-the-top IMHO. 

Edited October 21, 2019 by OnTheJourney

[Turtles06]

22 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

Summit is very nicely redone but, wow, did those suite guests ever get an extensive and pretty nice private "retreat" up there in the front of the ship! Almost seems a bit over-the-top IMHO. 

 

As I commented early in my review here, I really dislike the direction in which Celebrity has gone in this respect with the "revolution" and the new builds -- denying everyone but suite guests access to the only forward-facing exterior deck on the ship.

[OnTheJourney]

Not to step on any suite guest's toes...but...I have to agree. A tad like the old days, e.g. the difference between what first class got and what everyone else didn't get. We walked around up there the one day - the gate was open (and later closed...lucky we didn't get embarrassingly trapped up there!) as it seemed to be from time to time, and I was pretty astounded. They even have their own private hot tub there. I can see a private area, but, really? The whole front of the ship? Just read in some guy's blog who is doing solo / suite on the way to San Juan that apparently they had a private sail-away on the helipad (?)  How nice.... ;0)

Edited October 21, 2019 by OnTheJourney

[Turtles06]

13 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

Just read in some guy's blog who is doing solo / suite on the way to San Juan that apparently they had a private sail-away on the helipad (?)  How nice.... ;0)

 

Celebrity has been opening the helipad to invited guests for awhile -- sometimes suite guests, sometimes concierge class, and maybe others, who knows.  (But the suite guests, in my personal experience on last fall's westbound TA on the Silhouette, got the very best sail-in of the cruise -- the sail-in to New York.)  One thing I can say for the first HAL cruise we took in the summer of 2018 is that the bow was open for *everyone* during sail-aways and sail-ins, and I really appreciated that.

 

I want to be clear that I have nothing against people who are sailing in suites.  And as I said earlier in my review, I have absolutely no problem with suite guests having things like their own dining room and lounge.  There are equivalent spaces for everyone else.  But I do have a problem when access to unique public spaces, like the only forward-facing exterior deck on the ship, is denied to everyone but suite guests. 

Edited October 21, 2019 by Turtles06

[Minya]

Turtles 6:  I recently returned from my two European cruises and have just  read though your wonderful posts and brilliant photos. Tthankyou so much for taking the time and trouble to do this and patiently answering questions. One ship I was on was Cunards very beautiful Queen Victoria and the rif- raf like me were also not allowed in the better upper forward deck area reserved for grilles passengers, along with the helicopter pad. They access their  exclusive domain by cruise card in the lift which recognizes them. However ,early  one morning , someone must have activated it and then gone . I rode to the floor accidentally. the lift stopped ,  it looked like a new area and then I quickly realized I had  reached the no go zone. A crew member  pleasantly greeted me with a smile then escorted me showing me around a little and allowing me to take photos where I  wished in their  courtyard then restaurant.Grilles passenger cabins can be on various floors shared by all. Someone who was just around the corner from the grandest suite  of all on a shared floor for all ,told me where it was and he had seen it because the door was wide open one day.  I investigated and luckily the door was again wide open,  no sign of anyone so I walked back  and forth several times past the entrance  having a good look but respecting privacy not taking photos. Ive seen some pretty luxurious  suites but this one was fit for royalty. It was really stunning.

[SC_Floaters]

On 9/26/2019 at 10:07 AM, Turtles06 said:

Let me get the following out of the way before moving on to the happier parts of our cruise.  There’s one major change brought about by the “revolution” that I really don’t like –  the fact that Celebrity has taken the only forward-facing exterior deck and turned it into the Retreat Sundeck, restricted to suite passengers.  I have no problem with suite guests having their own restaurant, lounge, and similar facilities, but there’s no space on the Summit (or other Celebrity ships) equivalent to that exterior deck.  For folks like me who love the ocean and cruise to be connected to the water, it’s an important public space; I like to have that forward view during sailaways and sail-ins (especially for photography), and just generally when we are at sea.  To cordon off an open deck this way feels like the creation of second-class citizenship, a return to the era of the Titanic.  This was a big turnoff for me.    

 

I would agree with that. I hope you made your feelings known to Celebrity in some manner...

[OnTheJourney]

2 minutes ago, SC_Floaters said:

 

I would agree with that. I hope you made your feelings known to Celebrity in some manner...

 

As I've already expressed, I have the same feelings about such a large area being converted to a private space, but I don't expect anything to change. I believe this was patterned after a similar space on the Edge, likely in the future all ships being 'revolutionized' will probably include the same thing. 

[TeeRick]

On 10/20/2019 at 9:53 PM, OnTheJourney said:

Not to step on any suite guest's toes...but...I have to agree. A tad like the old days, e.g. the difference between what first class got and what everyone else didn't get. We walked around up there the one day - the gate was open (and later closed...lucky we didn't get embarrassingly trapped up there!) as it seemed to be from time to time, and I was pretty astounded. They even have their own private hot tub there. I can see a private area, but, really? The whole front of the ship? Just read in some guy's blog who is doing solo / suite on the way to San Juan that apparently they had a private sail-away on the helipad (?)  How nice.... ;0)

Here's the thing.  You too can be a suite guest.  Nobody is stopping you. It has nothing to do with first class or any class distinction.  It is a buying choice just like many things in life.   And suite guests pay very dearly for that choice.  But I absolutely agree that on existing ships taking away the forward open space for all passengers and turning it in to a suite-exclusive area was not a great thing to do.  But that is the direction they are taking right or wrong depending on your perspective.  Almost all cruise lines are going in this direction with private suite areas for big $$$.  

[OnTheJourney]

Point well taken....

[MEcruzr]

54 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Here's the thing.  You too can be a suite guest.  Nobody is stopping you. It has nothing to do with first class or any class distinction.  It is a buying choice just like many things in life.   And suite guests pay very dearly for that choice.  

Yes! I think of it like first class on a plane... bigger seats, better service, no luggage fees, pillows and blankets, free drinks and a hot meal. Anyone can sit there who is willing to pay for it. Similarly, anyone can have access to the retreat sundeck, lounge and Luminae... anyone who is willing to pay for it. I never get on a plane and think, "Gee... why do THEY get all of the seats up front?"

[Turtles06]

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Here's the thing.  You too can be a suite guest.  Nobody is stopping you. It has nothing to do with first class or any class distinction.  It is a buying choice just like many things in life. 

 

Yes, of course it's a "buying choice" in terms of the literal meaning of those words; no one has said otherwise.  But, by the same token, many people are not in any position whatsoever to make that "choice," as much as they might like to; it's not correct that anyone can be a suite guest.  And, calling it "buying choice" or not, it still creates a class distinction on the ship, whether you call it "first class" (as on the Titanic and ships of that era) or "suite class."   And, as on the Titanic and ships of that era, Celebrity is going back to a class distinction in terms of prohibiting access to certain public spaces by the lower classes, call them what you will (steerage, second class, third class, or the more modern: balcony, inside, OV, etc.).

 

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

But I absolutely agree that on existing ships taking away the forward open space for all passengers and turning it in to a suite-exclusive area was not a great thing to do.  

 

Thank you for acknowledging that. 

 

Edited November 15, 2019 by Turtles06

[Turtles06]

19 minutes ago, MEcruzr said:

Anyone can sit there who is willing to pay for it. Similarly, anyone can have access to the retreat sundeck, lounge and Luminae... anyone who is willing to pay for it.

 

No, it's not just "willing" to pay for it.  It's also "able" to pay for it.  Very big difference.

[Turtles06]

3 hours ago, Minya said:

Turtles 6:  I recently returned from my two European cruises and have just  read though your wonderful posts and brilliant photos. Tthankyou so much for taking the time and trouble to do this and patiently answering questions. One ship I was on was Cunards very beautiful Queen Victoria and the rif- raf like me were also not allowed in the better upper forward deck area reserved for grilles passengers . . .

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this thread and for your very kind words, which I greatly appreciate.  And thanks also for your Cunard story.  I can just picture you as the lift doors opened to ...surprise!   It's a great story, thanks for sharing it.   

[davekathy]

We were on the same cruise as Turtles06 was. One of the sea days I walked up the stairs toward the Retreat Sundeck. Stopped at the locked gate and was videoing. A crew member was leaving the Retreat Sundeck and held the gate open for me. Thank you, did more videoing and sat down for awhile. 

[Turtles06]

20 minutes ago, davekathy said:

We were on the same cruise as Turtles06 was. One of the sea days I walked up the stairs toward the Retreat Sundeck. Stopped at the locked gate and was videoing. A crew member was leaving the Retreat Sundeck and held the gate open for me. Thank you, did more videoing and sat down for awhile. 

 

I guess my mistake was walking up those steps when no one was around to unlock the gate. 😁

[davekathy]

3 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

 

I guess my mistake was walking up those steps when no one was around to unlock the gate. 😁

Timing is everything. 😀

[happy cruzer]

Love the pictures of New York.  Next year it is round trip from Boston.  Any opinions of Boston vs. New York for the home port?

[TeeRick]

22 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

Yes, of course it's a "buying choice" in terms of the literal meaning of those words; no one has said otherwise.  But, by the same token, many people are not in any position whatsoever to make that "choice," as much as they might like to; it's not correct that anyone can be a suite guest.  And, calling it "buying choice" or not, it still creates a class distinction on the ship, whether you call it "first class" (as on the Titanic and ships of that era) or "suite class."   And, as on the Titanic and ships of that era, Celebrity is going back to a class distinction in terms of prohibiting access to certain public spaces by the lower classes, call them what you will (steerage, second class, third class, or the more modern: balcony, inside, OV, etc.).

 

 

Thank you for acknowledging that. 

 

Turtles06 - I respectfully have to disagree.  Nothing personal.  It is an opinion.  I enjoy your posts.  But it is my opinion that it is correct that anybody can be a suite guest if they choose to do so.  Many do for many reasons.  Special occasions or anniversaries.  For whatever reason some choose to pay the extra money and others do not.  It says nothing about whether they can afford it or not.  Just their choice.  Is it a class distinction in your opinion if people choose to pay for Aqua Class and dine in Blu?  Or if people sail Concierge Class and get a lunch on embarkation day?  People pay for what they want.  It is a cruise vacation not an economic class distinction.  We are not in the days of Titanic.  Not sure why this keeps being brought up.  A lot of others compare themselves to being in Steerage.  Again we are all very fortunate people affording Celebrity cruising vacations.  Suite or not.

[happy cruzer]

On 11/16/2019 at 7:09 AM, happy cruzer said:

Love the pictures of New York.  Next year it is round trip from Boston.  Any opinions of Boston vs. New York for the home port?

Any opinions?  Thanks.