Summit 10/14 LIVE Review: A Semi-Solo Suite Return to Cruising!

[GenerationX]

Hello CC!

 

It’s finally time!!! The day I’ve been dreaming of for almost a year and a half.  

 

I just got my negative COVID test results from CVS and my luggage tags are printed out. Tomorrow I fly to Miami for my return to cruising!

 

I’ve done a few live reviews before, but just a little about me and why this cruise:

 

This photo is me the last time I was on a cruise ship:  my unbelievable Alaska honeymoon cruise on Solstice in August of 2019.

 

I’m an entertainment law corporate  attorney in my late 30’s and I live about an hour outside of St. Louis, MO.  I’m happily  married to an also cruise-deprived husband who will be left at home for this trip (don’t worry, I’ll bring him back something nice).  

 

Celebrity is our go to cruise line and I think if my math is correct, after this sailing I’ll be at “Elite” loyalty level.  Something, to be honest, I’m really only excited about due to the free bag of laundry (which is kind of a big deal for me because, if you’ve followed my previous reviews, you already know that I otherwise tend to sail with an entire season’s wardrobe in tow).

 

After an amazing solo cruise on Equinox a few years ago, I started traveling solo almost as frequently as hubby and I travel together. I spent the latter part of the cruising suspension checking out the world of all inclusive resorts in Mexico (with hubby) and the Dominican Republic (solo).  

 

My love for cruising is primarily fueled by 3 things: the fantastic crew, food and drinks.  So this review will likely focus heavily on those, with perhaps a glimpse into my (extensive) newly purchased return to cruising wardrobe and a few pro tips on how to survive being the last passenger out of the martini bar.

 

This cruise was a complete impulse purchase.  The original plan was for my return to cruising to be on a lifted and shifted 9-night Equinox sailing next month (spoiler alert:  I’m still booked on that one too, so cheers to the excesses of 2 cruises within 30 days of each other).  However, when the 20% sale hit, I figured I’d play around with some bookings and see if I could find a short discounted cruise with a reduced solo supplement that would let me get a taste of the new world of cruising before committing to it for 10 days (and also get me to that free bag of laundry in time to use it on my longer cruise).

 

Sure enough, I came across this sailing, which with the solo discount and 20% discount had sky suites selling for less than I spent during my wine-fueled, quarantine online shopping of the Nordstrom clearance sale.

 

The next thing I did after whipping out my credit card was to pick up my phone and message my fellow cruise addict friend “Red”* in Indiana.  Red and I met on Silhouette a few years ago when we were sky suite neighbors and bonded over our shared love of the Bourbon & Peaches in Michael’s Club and the pork ramen in Sushi on 5, and our husbands’ shared disregard of the agreed upon budget for onboard casino spending.

 

Ever since, we’ve kept in touch via FB and CC and make a point of sharing newly discovered cruise deals, tips and tricks with each other.  When I messaged her to share the great price I’d found on this Summit sailing, it turned out she was at that very moment in the process of looking to book a cruise around the same time. She decided to book as well and I’m looking forward to seeing her in person for the first time in 3 years!!!

 

Red and I are staying in separate sky suites right next door to each other (hubby says “God help your butler” lol) and while we do plan to do a fair share of eating and drinking together, I’m more into the late night scene than she is and she has a far better risk tolerance that takes her much further in the casino.  So our paths will likely merge and diverge throughout the cruise.

 

If there’s anything specific that folks would like me to report back on, please let me know.

 

Right now I’m off to start my pre-cruise tradition…dusting off and watching my dvd of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (side note: aside from my general adoration of all things Marilyn Monroe, this has got to be one of the best cruise-themed movies ever…change my mind) while sipping champagne and packing.

 

I’ll be up at 2am tomorrow to head to the airport for my red eye flight to Miami.

 

Someday is FINALLY here!!!!

 

 

*She hasn’t decided exactly how anonymous she wants to be in this review yet, so names changed to protect the innocent.

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I think semi-solo (cruising solo in a cabin with another solo in another cabin) works right now.  As a frequent solo cruiser, I don't think straight solo cruising works right now.  People seem to be staying in their own pods and avoiding those they don't know.  That's not my idea of fun or why I cruise.  I love meeting new people at dinner.  Most of my cruising buddies are people I've met on prior cruises.  I'm hoping we can soon get over the idea of looking at other people as disease vectors and instead resume seeing them as potential new friends.

 

Looking forward to your report.

Edited October 12, 2021 by Happy Cruiser 6143

[pretty princess]

Have a blast!  Looking forward to your review, was always entertained by your reviews.  Good to see you back

[garyl62]

It will be interesting to read your posts and hear about your experiences, we cruised with you on the Equinox back in '99 and we're boarding the Summit in 12 days so we're feeling a connection to you in multiple ways and look forward to following along!

[Honolulu Blue]

Hi, GenX!  Thanks for sharing!  I was on the Summit a few weeks ago.  If a great crew, great food, and ample drinks are what you want from this cruise, I'm certain you'll get them all in abundance - like I did (well, I don't know about the drinks part, but I suspect strongly).  You'll probably have a lot of company staying in suites, but there may not be too many passengers in the other sections of the ship.  If you happen to hear the passenger count, it would be wonderful for you to pass it along.  Thanks again and have a great time!

[DCPIV]

Happy cruising! 

 

I just got off Summit on Saturday after a fantastic cruise! It was my first solo cruise, and it was a ball. The low passenger numbers (which I suspect you still will have) might seem strange at first, but you'll probably find that you like it in the end. 

 

I wish I still were aboard! 

 

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

I don't think straight solo cruising works right now.  People seem to be staying in their own pods and avoiding those they don't know.

 

That wasn't my experience last week. I had very little trouble meeting and conversing with others. Folks were ready to meet other folks. 

 

I admit that dinner may have been different if I hadn't been in Luminae, and it likely would have been quite different if another group hadn't invited me to join them on the second night and for the rest of the cruise. However, it seems that more and more have been keeping to themselves for dinner, anyhow, covid or otherwise. 

[ETHTrader]

2 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Celebrity is our go to cruise line and I think if my math is correct, after this sailing I’ll be at “Elite” loyalty level.  Something, to be honest, I’m really only excited about due to the free bag of laundry (which is kind of a big deal for me because, if you’ve followed my previous reviews, you already know that I otherwise tend to sail with an entire season’s wardrobe in tow).

 

Glad that I am not the only person who cherishes this benefit. 🤣

[davekathy]

2 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Celebrity is our go to cruise line and I think if my math is correct, after this sailing I’ll be at “Elite” loyalty level.  Something, to be honest, I’m really only excited about due to the free bag of laundry

Once you make elite you may like the other perks/benefits, like priority tendering if your future intinaries require a tender or the 90 minutes each of internet. 

 

Bon Voyage. 🥂 

Edited October 12, 2021 by davekathy

[GenerationX]

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

Once you make elite you may like the other perks/benefits, like priority tendering if your future intinaries require a tender or the 90 minutes each of internet. 

 

Bon Voyage. 🥂 

That is a very good point on the priority tendering! I can see that being a big plus.  

[GenerationX]

2 hours ago, garyl62 said:

It will be interesting to read your posts and hear about your experiences, we cruised with you on the Equinox back in '99 and we're boarding the Summit in 12 days so we're feeling a connection to you in multiple ways and look forward to following along!

Hello Gary!  Yes I remember you guys!  Glad to hear you’re getting back aboard again soon.  I hope you’ll consider live reviewing your trip too. 😁

Edited October 12, 2021 by GenerationX

[vickykay]

Looking forward to anther one of your reviews. 

[sdnich]

I look forward to following you on your cruise also!!

cheers 

[Reel Love]

Loved your last solo review!  So happy to read that you will be sailing again and looking forward to following along.  Have a fabulous time!!   😊

[gbphipps]

We will be boarding the Summit on Nov. 13th so are excited to get a precruise cruise with you!  Have a great time!

[miched]

3 hours ago, GenerationX said:

That is a very good point on the priority tendering! I can see that being a big plus.  

If you sail in suites it is of no value.   You already get a better version of priority tendering.   The priority tendering is a joke as sometimes 75% of the passengers are at least Elite.
 

Basically sailing in suites the only real perk of being Elite is the laundry, and another’s the  breakfast option of the morning Elite breakfast  break.    
 

If you get a suite with no perks the cocktail HH could be  a plus but it isn’t really required as you can get more of a variety in the Retreat Lounge all day long 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Janthere]

My friend and I are cruising on Summit on Nov 3 so I will be reading along on your Live review with interest! Hope you have a fabulous time! 

[RollWave]

10 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Someday is FINALLY here!!!!

 

 

 

 

GREAT POST! 

Someday is FINALLY here!!!!

This is exactly how I felt when we stepped on board Summit two weeks ago. I really could not believe it was happening. I was teary eyed!

Have a great trip!

[GenerationX]

Good morning, cruisers!

 

Nothing like rolling out of bed at last call at the bar time to catch a plane.  I hope the flight attendants have made coffee.  Lots of coffee.

 

It turned out I probably could’ve slept in another half hour because with priority bag check and TSA pre it took less than 15 minutes to get from the curb to my gate.  

 

You can never tell how long things will take these days though, and I’d much rather be sitting at my gate getting a head start on my vacation reading (I know, it’s a corny romance novel…I read contracts for a living, don’t judge me) than risk making a mad dash or trying to rebook a missed flight. 

 

Even at this ungodly hour STL airport is already busy. I’m flying American and sadly there were still a lot of people in the terminal who were trying to rebook on AA after their Southwest flights were canceled this weekend.

 

My flight, which as of last week looked only about 50% sold now has a 10 person standby list.

 

Red and I’s flights land within 10 minutes of each other, so the plan is to meet up in baggage claim at MIA.

 

Boarding starts in 20 minutes then it’s next stop, Miami.  It’s the final countdown! Summit here I come!

 

 

[jimbri]

Have a great trip!

[kpark895]

Looking forward to another one of your reviews.  My very first cruise was in 2018 on the Summit, and I have two more scheduled for next year.  So I'm looking forward to your review of the ship.

Edited October 13, 2021 by kpark895

[lola2013]

I just booked Reflection on Monday...just happened to look at my captain's club recap and saw that Celebrity shorted me on points when I sailed solo a few years back.  Once they correct that error, I will soar to new heights:  Elite!!!  And I had to laugh when I read your first post because the most important perk for me will be ONE FREE BAG OF LAUNDRY!!!  Hey, a girl needs stuff...and when the girl needs a lot of stuff, she needs laundry!!!

Enjoy your cruise; look forward to reading about your adventure!

Susan

[GenerationX]

3 hours ago, kpark895 said:

Looking forward to another one of your reviews.  My very first cruise was in 2018 on the Summit, and I have two more scheduled for next year.  So I'm looking forward to your review of the ship.

 Thank you! This is my first time on Summit and first time on a ship that’s been revolutionized, so I’m looking forward to new experiences.

[GenerationX]

Bienvenidos a Miami! It’s a beautiful, sunny, humid 85 degree day here!

 

My flight was smooth and on time.  Nothing like an inflight Bloody Mary while watching the sun rise. 

 

I was pleasantly surprised to see that AA first class is back to full tray meal service. Normalcy! Signs of glorious, glorious normalcy!

 

Red and I’s flights were at carousels right next to each other in baggage claim so we found each other easily and both had all our priority tagged luggage in minutes.  After assessing the total baggage situation, I determined that we were going to need an Uber XL for the trip to the hotel.

 

We got our early check in at the Hyatt Centric Brickell and are getting settled in our rooms then we’ll head out to a light lunch then hit the pool!

[KAE27]

I was reading your first post and thought, "This is a person whose writing and living style I'm going to love to read," and then got to your picture and realized I'd enjoyed a prior "live" (or two?) from you!  You were with your husband on the one I recall.

 

Anyway, just wanted to mark this thread so I could be sure to follow along.  Nice to see that American is back to full meal service; I flew Delta last week (long flights, SEA-DTW and back) and got a box lunch in first class.  😞 

 

Excited to read along with you on your trip!  I'm doing a solo cruise of my own in a week (Pacific Coastal on the Millennium, also in a Sky Suite) so particularly interested in reading that part, although you're "semi-solo."

Edited October 13, 2021 by KAE27

[Speasda]

looking forward to the adventure.  We are on the Oct 30 4 day cruise so hoping to get all the tricks from this.