Summit - 10-4 (good buddy) & Live(ish)

[DCPIV]

I’m currently sipping champagne on a Royal Suite balcony aboard the lovely Celebrity Summit.  The day as of yet has gone absolutely swimmingly, and I have no reason to believe it will take a turn for the worse. She is a fantastic vessel with an outstanding crew, just like she was a couple months ago when we got off. 

 

Upon arriving at the terminal shortly before 11 AM, a porter quickly came over to me as I exited my Uber ride.  He looked at my luggage tag and asked me to follow him to the Retreat entrance.  I complied, of course, and a very nice lady checked both my negative covid test and vaccination card to make sure I had them (the porter also made a point of asking me if I had them on my person instead of in the luggage he would take).  After confirming that all my papers were in order, I was handed off to another very nice lady (Sandra, I believe?) who escorted me into the terminal, invited me to have a little refreshment, and then took me to registration.  Maria, yet another very nice lady, scanned my boarding pass and examined my vaccination card and negative test (she may have photographed them, but I do not recall, as I was chatting with all the other nice folks around).  Once Maria confirmed that I was good to go, yet another very nice lady escorted me aboard (after inviting me for some refreshment in the Retreat boarding lounge) and eventually to my stateroom. 

 

I did notice that there were a small number of passengers hanging out in the terminal, so it seems that may be an option for early arrivers.  I did not confirm that, so please do not take my statement as anything other than speculation.

 

As I approached my stateroom, I was very warmly greeted by Rogelio, my Retreat Host (f.k.a., Butler).  It was quite warm, as Rogelio also was our Retreat Host a couple of months ago.  It was a genuine pleasure to see him again.  Since he was very busy (of course) and I already knew the lay of the land, we dispensed with the typical room orientation.  I did not need to take any more of his very precious time, and I also knew that he would be there for me if I needed anything at all.

 

All the above took about 20 minutes to occur.  What a lovely whirlwind.

 

After a little unpacking, I went off to run a couple errands.  As soon as I exited my room, I ran into Nikola who is my Room Steward and also served as such a couple months ago.  Once again, we had a warm greetings—another great person is Nikola—and he let me know that my luggage was waiting for him to bring it to my room.  I then went off to confirm spa appointments and check in at my muster station (I watched the videos earlier in the morning).  Everything went so smoothly that I was in front of Luminae a few minutes before noon.  I am so very impressed that all this happened within roughly an hour after I got out of the car.

 

Danilo threw open the doors to Luminae right at the crack of noon, and more warm greetings occurred as I got to catch up with all the wonderful crew in there.  Raj is going to take care of me, once again, and Genesis will be filling my cups.  I went with the ceviche and lobster roll, as I was very much in a seafood mood, and enjoyed some of that nice Ferrari Carano fume blanc alongside both.

 

I have to tell you, this has been one of the most wonderful coming aboard experiences I’ve ever had and likely will ever have.  The small number of passengers aboard Summit a couple months ago allowed us to get to know the crew more broadly and deeply than any other cruise we’ve ever been on.  That made more of a difference today that I ever expected.  I cannot count the number of crew that have greeted me warmly and enthusiastically and by name.  I really can’t—it’s that many.  Officers, waiters, bartenders, spa staff, concierges, etc.  It’s almost constant.  The thing that makes it even more special is that it is genuine warmth and enthusiasm, not something like “I’m supposed to remember you or I vaguely remember you, so I’m going to act like I’m so happy to see you.”  The comfort level on all our parts is the sort that took the first week to form.  It’s quite touching and lovely and special.  I hesitate to say it’s like a homecoming, but . . . it’s like a homecoming.  While I look forward to more familiar faces throughout the day or, at least, the cruise, I’m so dadgum happy right now that it wouldn’t bother me if that didn’t happen.  The only source of bother would be wanting to know if those faces were doing well.

 

After lunch, I had a lovely bamboo massage and then came back to the room to pop the cork on that champagne and write this.  Now that it’s 4 PM, I think it’s about time I popped down to the Martini Bar to (hopefully) catch up with a few more good folks, have a fantastic dinner, and then see where things go from there.

 

Cheers, yall!

[lhsail]

Please keep us posted on the rest of your cruise. Can’t wait to see all those wonderful people again later this month. 

[Laurab23]

I would love pictures of you cabin and balcony. I love seeing them all. I hope to some day book a Royal Suite.

 

Laura

[steveweese]

Thanks for your time. Looking forward to more. 

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for taking the time to post.   We have some friends aboard and they have been texting since boarding.     From what I'm hearing is the passenger load is REALLY low.  Don't recall the exact number but what comes to mind was less than 500.

 

Can you update us on how many passengers and if there are any kids aboard?

 

[SraLiz]

Thanks for taking us on your journey... we board Saturday and are looking forward to it! CHEERS!

[sail2day]

Thanks for the feedback! My wife and I are on the October 14th sailing of the Summit.

 

We are really looking forward to it!

 

The low passenger numbers sound great!

[DCPIV]

12 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Can you update us on how many passengers and if there are any kids aboard?

 

The numbers I hear vary, but they've all been between 250 and 270, and suites are sold out. It was approximately 450 when we were on board a couple months ago, and I thought that was empty. 

 

I've seen no kids, so far.

[DCPIV]

Reporting from Café al Bacio. 

 

The rest of yesterday also went wonderfully. The helipad sailaway was cancelled due to rain, but I hadn't planned on going there, anyhow. 

 

My visits to the Martini Bar and Retreat Lounge were great fun--many familiar faces and fun catching up. It's obvious that they are concerned about their futures, but they also are optimistic with bookings on the rise. Don't think for one moment, though, they are bringing things down with their concern. Not at all. Their smiles are quite obvious and pleasant even from behind a mask. 

 

Dinner was fantastic. I'm very glad I got the duck!

 

I spent some time in the casino seeing about turning some of this OBC into cash (with relative success). Man, these low numbers are wild. There were times I was the only one at a table, and I don't recall seeing more than 3 at any table other than craps at any time (usually fewer), and the craps table never was more than half full.  Again, though, the dealers are just as pleasant and fun as can be. The biggest difference is that hands go mighty fast when it's only 1 or 2 at a table (and I was playing 2 hands at a time at blackjack).

 

After that, I spent a little time catching up with Eugene at Cellar Masters and enjoying Thiago's brilliant guitar. Unfortunately (for me at the moment), Alexandra has been transferred to Millennium, so I missed her. Fortunately (again for me), I'll be on board Millennium next month. 

 

The day ended with a nightcap on the balcony and a very nice sleep. 

 

Today is a sea day, so I slept in. I'm not typically much for breakfast, so I skipped that for some quality balcony time. It's a beautiful day out here, something to be savored and never taken for granted.

 

Sushi sounds good for lunch, but I might go down a deck to get the world famous Luminae Burger. Dinner will be at Tuscan Grill (gotta get the porterhouse). There's no telling what might happen between now and then and after, but don't be surprised if find me having a schvitz in the Persian Garden. 

 

Life is but a dream. 

[DCPIV]

13 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Can you update us on how many passengers and if there are any kids aboard?

 

 

Let me update that I have seen a few teenagers, but that's about as young as I've seen. 

[Jim_Iain]

Is the Alexandra you were speaking of the ever funny bartender that was at Summit Retreat?

 

[DCPIV]

3 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Is the Alexandra you were speaking of the ever funny bartender that was at Summit Retreat?

 

 

No, she was in Cellar Masters and also served us at the wine tasting where they break out the really good stuff. She's a lovely person in every respect. 

 

While DW and I were enjoying Cellar Masters last cruise, we noticed that she took a champagne cage and worked it into the shape of a chair. She was making that for another passenger. We remarked about how cool that was (and it was!)  While at the wine tasting (that included a champagne), she presented DW with a "chair" of her own (from the bottle opened at the tasting). It is and always will be one of our very favorite and treasured cruise souvenirs. 

[DCPIV]

These low numbers are flat out bizarre. I just took this. Again, it's a perfect, gorgeous sea day. 

 

 

Yes, that's an empty hot tub in the photo. 

Edited October 5, 2021 by DCPIV

[Jim_Iain]

1 minute ago, DCPIV said:

 

No, she was in Cellar Masters and also served us at the wine tasting where they break out the really good stuff. She's a lovely person in every respect. 

 

While DW and I were enjoying Cellar Masters last cruise, we noticed that she took a champagne cage and worked it into the shape of a chair. She was making that for another passenger. We remarked about how cool that was (and it was!)  While at the wine tasting (that included a champagne), she presented DW with a "chair" of her own (from the bottle opened at the tasting). It is and always will be one of our very favorite and treasured cruise souvenirs. 

 

Thanks -----

[lhsail]

1 hour ago, DCPIV said:

 

No, she was in Cellar Masters and also served us at the wine tasting where they break out the really good stuff. She's a lovely person in every respect. 

 

While DW and I were enjoying Cellar Masters last cruise, we noticed that she took a champagne cage and worked it into the shape of a chair. She was making that for another passenger. We remarked about how cool that was (and it was!)  While at the wine tasting (that included a champagne), she presented DW with a "chair" of her own (from the bottle opened at the tasting). It is and always will be one of our very favorite and treasured cruise souvenirs. 

She might have been making that for us. 😉

[DCPIV]

22 minutes ago, lhsail said:

She might have been making that for us. 😉

 

It's something to chair-ish, isn't it? 

[lhsail]

11 minutes ago, DCPIV said:

 

It's something to chair-ish, isn't it? 

🤣🤣

[sail2day]

3 hours ago, DCPIV said:

These low numbers are flat out bizarre. I just took this. Again, it's a perfect, gorgeous sea day. 

 

 

Yes, that's an empty hot tub in the photo. 

I love the photo! Lot's of chairs are available. Very strange though...

[DCPIV]

On 10/4/2021 at 4:50 PM, Laurab23 said:

I would love pictures of you cabin and balcony. I love seeing them all. I hope to some day book a Royal Suite.

 

Laura

 

Here are a few unedited photos taken by an amateur who's been enjoying a sea day. Please view with that in mind. 

 

I realize that I forgot to take one of the bathroom. That'll have to come a little later, as I don't expect to return until after dinner. 

 

 

Cheers! 

 

 

Edited October 5, 2021 by DCPIV

[Laurab23]

1 hour ago, DCPIV said:

 

Here are a few unedited photos taken by an amateur who's been enjoying a sea day. Please view with that in mind. 

 

I realize that I forgot to take one of the bathroom. That'll have to come a little later, as I don't expect to return until after dinner. 

 

 

Cheers! 

 

 

Beautiful pictures. Thanks.

[canderson]

On 10/4/2021 at 8:53 PM, Jim_Iain said:

Can you update us on how many passengers and if there are any kids aboard?

 

266 pax, ~750 crew!  Those aboard seem to be loving the 3:1 ratio, but saying the low pax count does make the ship feel a little weird - something we seem to be hearing often these days.

 

Here's a link to another CC thread that gives a hint as to the level of service on this cruise.  Posts #2664 and #2665.

 

 

and #2656 and #2657

 

[jg51]

.

Dear "DCPIV,"

May we ask a favor of you?

 

Could you please display photos of the "activities" page of two of your "Celebrity Today" issues (for example, October 4 and 5 (or October 5 and 6)?  We're referring to the page that gives detailed times and topics, possibly with all the musical performances summarized in the lower right-hand corner?  [We don't need to see any of the other pages.]

 

Thanks, in advance!

[Laurab23]

Is there any way you can find out if the bed in the penthouse can be 2 twin beds? 

 

Laura

[Bo1953]

2 minutes ago, Laurab23 said:

Is there any way you can find out if the bed in the penthouse can be 2 twin beds? 

 

Laura

l - I Am sure they can configure the beds in the penthouse as desired, with enough notice...

 

Sweet dreams and bon voyage

Edited October 6, 2021 by Bo1953

[goldsmip115]

On the Summit it is a king bed that cannot be separated.  Sorry.  Spent 20 nights in that suite after the revolution.