Share your secrets of the Celebrity Summit

[Cinderellie]

I've been on many cruises before, but never on Celebrity. My husband and I (early 60's) are excited about our first Celebrity Summit cruise in May 2022 to Newport, Bermuda, Charleston. As with other cruises, I have asked veterans what their most magical ah-ha moments were... secret spots we should check out, "wish I knew that before" tips, must-do things about the Summit that no one tells you. 

 

Let me know your secrets! Thanks, travel friends!

 

Mary Ellen

[miched]

The. BT a is having an affair with the female bar server 

 

There are no secrets.  Everything is out in the open.  Look around and explore everything.   If in double ask.  
 

One is that the pastries in Cafe al Bacio are available to anyone.   You don’t have to order a drink 

 

Breakfast is available every day in the MDR and lunch on sea days.  Good way to avoid the buffet and have a nice relaxing sit down meal being served instead of jumping up to do self serve in th buffet

 

The Spa cafe has a breakfast every day.  Healthier type of entrees?   There is also a lunch.   The Mast Grill Is good for dogs, burgers, and fries 

 

Beware of the person that is selling elevator passes 🤗
 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Auntiemomo]

The solarium is the best.  Check out the buffet in the evenings back aft.  They have a special themed night with entrees grilled to order.  It's great if you come back late from an excursion and want a relaxing dinner other than the MDR. 

 

Forget dessert in the MDR and have dessert/coffee/after dinner drink at Cafe al Bacio.  Their cakes/pies/pastries are the best.  In the morning, they sometimes have huge, plump blueberry muffins, but they go fast.

[miched]

They also serve a nice selection in the buffet around 4 pm.   They have  many types of sushi and high tea consisting of scones and etc.  good stuff to load your plate up and take back to your cabin watching the waves while sitting on your balcony

 

They  also offer various themes every day in the buffet    The last day is like a grand buffet.    The buffet has a lot of good stuff all day and night until about 1 am 

 

On one evening they have a chocolate table set up near the Martini Bar.   

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[DCPIV]

I agree about Café al Bacio, although that's more a Celebrity secret rather than specific to Summit.  As mentioned, the pastries are both complimentary and delicious, but it's also a nice place to have a drink.  The yellow chairs are about the most comfortable things you'll ever sit in.  The pastries change from morning to afternoon.  The specialty coffees are fun.  The espresso and teas are quite good.  If they are still doing the affogato, that's a very nice treat.

 

The gelato (right next to Café al Bacio) may seem expensive, but it's delicious. 

 

If you like music, don't neglect checking out Rendezvous Lounge and Cellar Masters.  The small acts in there can be fantastic.  Both are rather convenient to the dining rooms and make great places for drinks before dinner.  We rarely go to the shows, but it's not because the shows aren't good.  We just enjoy the lounge acts so much.

 

If Music Soup are on board, DO NOT miss them.  Same goes for Thiago and Gemini. 

 

Even still, do check out the Martini Bar.  I don't know who will be on board in May, but the guys that were on board in August and October were the highest ranked team in the Celebrity fleet.  There also usually is a band playing in the Grand Foyer at night, right next to the Martini Bar.

 

You can customize the smoothies at the Spa Café (but note that they are not the cold, milkshake type smoothies that many are accustomed to).  

 

You can get Sushi on 5 to go.

 

The liquor store usually has tastings and a "deal of the day" that are not published.  Go by and ask.

 

The deck on 4 (especially forward) is a very nice place to go outside and just enjoy the day or night.  If you are staying in a suite, it's very convenient to get a drink in the Retreat lounge and pop outside.  If you aren't staying in a suite, Rendezvous works for the more aft section.

[DCPIV]

Oh, yes.  Also see if they still have a spot with memorabilia from the Normandie.  I think it was on 4, port side, but it could have been on 5.

[mzyonse]

What type of activities are available on summit?  Anyone have a event daily from a 4 or 5 night sailing?  Are they doing fitness classes, karaoke or technology classes?

[DCPIV]

3 hours ago, mzyonse said:

What type of activities are available on summit?  Anyone have a event daily from a 4 or 5 night sailing?  Are they doing fitness classes, karaoke or technology classes?

 

There were fitness classes in October, but that was a lifetime ago under the current circumstances. 

 

Reflection had fitness classes last week, though, so I'd be surprised if Summit did not (unless there was a quarantine issue or something like that).

[jelayne]

3 hours ago, mzyonse said:

What type of activities are available on summit?  Anyone have a event daily from a 4 or 5 night sailing?  Are they doing fitness classes, karaoke or technology classes?

Probably trivia 1-2 times a day, fitness classes,  wine and liquor tastings.  There is no more Bingo  (replaced it’s Deal or No Deal) and I haven’t seen any technology classes offered lately.  

[Jim_Iain]

While not a secret there is a Aqua Spa Cafe in the Solarium and is open to all.  They serve lighter, healthier small plates.     Most of cruisers are jammed into the Ocean View and never discover this gem.

[kwokpot]

Although there was extensive renovations of the Spa and fitness area and the facilities were reduced in size ( One of the locker rooms was removed to add cabins and the other one was made into two; the fitness center was also reduced in size) there's still a complementary sauna in the Men's and Women's locker room that is available to everyone. It's a quarter of the size of the original and there's no window like the original saunas but they do the trick. 

[patty1955]

The t-pool on the Millennium class ships is my favorite. It wasn't working (covid protocol) on our last cruise but I'm hoping it is for our October cruise. 

[Stockjock]

There is a super easy way to sneak into the Suite only area (outdoor chairs and such).  I'm not going to tell you how, as you will need to figure it out if you care to.

This might be the point where someone or other tells us that this would be a terrible thing and we will surely get caught and banned forever!  Or perhaps we didn't pay to enter their rarified air, and it's not fair, and it's stealing and it's just not right!

Well, we just passed through.  Didn't sit.  Didn't get a drink.  But wanted to check it out, mostly to see if it seemed like something we might be interested in.

It was not interesting to us.  In fact, this area was nearly vacant.

Edited February 13, 2022 by Stockjock

[Big_G]

4 hours ago, Stockjock said:

There is a super easy way to sneak into the Suite only area (outdoor chairs and such).  I'm not going to tell you how, as you will need to figure it out if you care to.

This might be the point where someone or other tells us that this would be a terrible thing and we will surely get caught and banned forever!  Or perhaps we didn't pay to enter their rarified air, and it's not fair, and it's stealing and it's just not right!

Well, we just passed through.  Didn't sit.  Didn't get a drink.  But wanted to check it out, mostly to see if it seemed like something we might be interested in.

It was not interesting to us.  In fact, this area was nearly vacant.

 

Agreed there really isn't anything interesting up there. No bar but there is bar and food service. If you like a quiet area it's probably the quietest outdoor area on the ship. If you like people watching by the pool it's probably not for you.

[LGW59]

5 hours ago, Stockjock said:

There is a super easy way to sneak into the Suite only area (outdoor chairs and such).  I'm not going to tell you how, as you will need to figure it out if you care to.

This might be the point where someone or other tells us that this would be a terrible thing and we will surely get caught and banned forever!  Or perhaps we didn't pay to enter their rarified air, and it's not fair, and it's stealing and it's just not right!

Well, we just passed through.  Didn't sit.  Didn't get a drink.  But wanted to check it out, mostly to see if it seemed like something we might be interested in.

It was not interesting to us.  In fact, this area was nearly vacant.

We don't need to figure it out as we stay in Retreat class, so all good, but now that I know what you look like, be careful, I will rat you out 😄

[Bo1953]

On 1/29/2022 at 9:27 PM, Cinderellie said:

I've been on many cruises before, but never on Celebrity. My husband and I (early 60's) are excited about our first Celebrity Summit cruise in May 2022 to Newport, Bermuda, Charleston. As with other cruises, I have asked veterans what their most magical ah-ha moments were... secret spots we should check out, "wish I knew that before" tips, must-do things about the Summit that no one tells you. 

 

Let me know your secrets! Thanks, travel friends!

 

Mary Ellen

For us, it is the ability to drive to the port!!!

 

For me, the ability to get a late morning mint tea with a side of Macallan's... and if a special baker is aboard, having a few vegan pastries to go with them...

 

bon voyage

Edited February 14, 2022 by Bo1953

[occasional cruiser guy]

The pool in the solarium has built in loungers that are delightful. 

 

If dining in blu, the MDR menu is always available to you as well.  

 

The production shows are nice but the house band and solo artists can be very good. 

 

The sunset bar is a terrific spot to watch sail aways prior to dinner.

[JamieLogical]

I was surprised to find a good selection of beer in Cellar Masters. My husband's favorite Belgian beer (actually brewed in Canada), La Fin Du Monde from Unibroue is available there.

 

As others have mentioned, the T pool in the Solarium is wonderful.

 

I will also agree that Rendezvous Lounge and Cellar Masters have great live music acts!

 

Lastly, if you play slots, there is a machine in the casino... wish I could remember the name... something about "coins" I believe, that has a button that lets you bet just your winnings from the previous spin to try to multiply them. It's really fun!

[NCTribeFan]

Can I jump in here?  I've sailed over 40 times but have my first on X coming up in April.  It was a 4-night Infinity that was moved back a year, changed to Summit, and had a night added (with no fare change and even extra OBC given).  I'm really looking forward to it.

 

So, as a lowly interior solo cruiser, just which areas are NOT (supposedly) open to me?  Are all these great suggestions above (other than the Retreat area) open to everyone?  And all the dining areas (except the known specialty restaurants and gelato) no additional charge?

 

I do have a bunch of OBC to spend but plan on purchasing casino credits, and some will go to specialty dining and to cover tips (which were not included in my fare).

[JamieLogical]

Just now, NCTribeFan said:

Can I jump in here?  I've sailed over 40 times but have my first on X coming up in April.  It was a 4-night Infinity that was moved back a year, changed to Summit, and had a night added (with no fare change and even extra OBC given).  I'm really looking forward to it.

 

So, as a lowly interior solo cruiser, just which areas are NOT (supposedly) open to me?  Are all these great suggestions above (other than the Retreat area) open to everyone?  And all the dining areas (except the known specialty restaurants and gelato) no additional charge?

 

I do have a bunch of OBC to spend but plan on purchasing casino credits, and some will go to specialty dining and to cover tips (which were not included in my fare).

 

Yes, only the Retreat areas and Blu would be off limits to you. Specialty dining will obviously be an upcharge. Access to the spa areas would also be an upcharge. The Solarium is open to everyone... the cafe in the Solarium is open to everyone... all of the bars (except the Retreat Lounge) are open to everyone.

[davy jones]

On 1/29/2022 at 9:27 PM, Cinderellie said:

I've been on many cruises before, but never on Celebrity. My husband and I (early 60's) are excited about our first Celebrity Summit cruise in May 2022 to Newport, Bermuda, Charleston. As with other cruises, I have asked veterans what their most magical ah-ha moments were... secret spots we should check out, "wish I knew that before" tips, must-do things about the Summit that no one tells you. 

 

Let me know your secrets! Thanks, travel friends!

 

Mary Ellen

Looking forward to the answers because we are literally on the same boat as you.

[Stockjock]

Although she's lived in the US for most of her life, my GF is from the Philippines and they cooked her a terrific 3-course Filipino meal.  So I guess that a tip could be, don't be afraid to at least ask for off-menu items.  Remember that many of the chefs are either Filipino or Indian.  We had a Filipino chef on our recent sailing on Summit in the MDR.  

The Filipino food was very good and it's also what many in the crew eat, although it was probably more meaningful to someone like my GF, as it was what she grew up eating.

Edited February 14, 2022 by Stockjock

[DCPIV]

7 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

I was surprised to find a good selection of beer in Cellar Masters. My husband's favorite Belgian beer (actually brewed in Canada), La Fin Du Monde from Unibroue is available there.

 

They actually had that at the pool bar when I was on Summit in October.  I had two! 😁

[parrothead33]

On 2/14/2022 at 9:18 AM, JamieLogical said:

I was surprised to find a good selection of beer in Cellar Masters. My husband's favorite Belgian beer (actually brewed in Canada), La Fin Du Monde from Unibroue is available there.

Would you happen to have recent pictures of the craft beer selection in Cellar Masters.  Thanks.

Cheers

[JamieLogical]

1 hour ago, parrothead33 said:

Would you happen to have recent pictures of the craft beer selection in Cellar Masters.  Thanks.

Cheers

 

I don't have a photos and it would take a lot of screenshots of the app to show the full list, but here is what is currently listed on the menu for Cellar Masters in the app for my upcoming March sailing on the Summit:

 

Lagers

• Anchor Steam Beer
• Lagunitas Pils
• Sapporo
• Esrtrella Damm
• Estrella Daura
• Dos Equis
• Sam Adams
• Kronenbourg 1664
• Stell Artois
• Carlsberg
• Red Stripe
• Paulaner Salvator

Belgians

• Chimay Grand Reserve Blue
• Chimay Premiere Rouge
• Delirium Tremens
• Duval
• Leffe Blonde
• Orval

Wheat Beers

• Blue Moon
• Franziskaner
• Hoegaarden
• Hacker-Pschorr

Ciders & Perry

• Angry Orchard
• Magner's
• Strongbow
• Woodchuck Amber
• Woodchuck Pear

Lambics

• Lindeman's Framboise

Ales

• Brooklyn Brown Ale
• Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA
• Fuller's ESB
• Goose Island 312
• Lagunitas Lil' Sumpin Sumpin
• Newcastle Brown Ale
• O'hara's Irish Red
• Rogue Farms 7 Hop IPA
• Sam Adams Rebel IPA
• Sierra Nevada

Porters & Stouts

• Fuller's London Pride
• Rogue Chocolate Stout
• O'hara's Irish Stout