Another Adventure - Bermuda June 26th Cruise Review

[BratDet]

32 minutes ago, barbpretz said:

Quick question:  How cool does it get on deck (or balcony) for sailaway from New Jersey and on the sea days and evenings before we get to (and from) Bermuda?  It looks like temperatures for Bermuda in July range from 77 to 85 degrees F, so it seems like primarily short-sleeved weather.  What level of warmth would people suggest we bring?

Thanks again for all your help!

I’ve sailed to Bermuda from Bayonne 5 times. We are local to that area, I work the next town over.  Usually quite warm. Last trip in 2019 - it was quite windy. We were on the helipad for sailaway.

bernadette

 

[bnurick]

41 minutes ago, barbpretz said:

Quick question:  How cool does it get on deck (or balcony) for sailaway from New Jersey and on the sea days and evenings before we get to (and from) Bermuda?  It looks like temperatures for Bermuda in July range from 77 to 85 degrees F, so it seems like primarily short-sleeved weather.  What level of warmth would people suggest we bring?

Thanks again for all your help!

So all I can speak to is the sail way we just completed. It was warm out and the sun was very warm. We found some shade until the ship turned and hustled  back to our veranda to watch more…

[bnurick]

We are are settled in and enjoying a lycheetini at the Martini Bar 🍸 before our Chefs Table dinner. We were able to finalize all of our dining plans for the trip. We HIGHLY recommend if you want Tuscan Grill to book online very well in advance.  It’s nuts onboard for that venue.

 

Night 1: Chef’s Table by Daniel Boulud

Night 2: Luminae (Halibut)

Night 3: Tuscan Grill

Night 4: Veuve Clicquot Dinner

              (20th Wedding Anniversary)

Night 5: Sushi on Five

Night 6: Luminae (Lobster/Lamb)

Night 7: Tuscan Grill

 

We are pretty stoked with our culinary lineup, just hoping there is enough people for Night 4 as we don’t want a cancellation! 🥂 

 

Cheers from the Summit!

 

Brian and Cameron

 

Edited June 26, 2022 by bnurick

[FlorenceItaly]

Fabulous culinary line up!  I look forward to your review.  At this time, we are only booked for Tuscan on the first evening.  Also, looking forward to your opinion on the live music and bars on board.  We have the premium drink package.  I have learned to specify premium brand liquor otherwise you will be served well brand.  Thank you so much for taking the time to share your special cruise with us.  It is greatly appreciated.

[jcpc]

10 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks -   We have never met neither of them before but look forward to it.   I've heard some really good comments about them.    If you find out who the Retreat Manager is would love to know who.   Many of the Retreat Hosts get promoted to this post.     He will probably introduce himself as in addition to the Retreat he also manages the Butlers. 

Jim,

 

The Retreat Manager is Dragos.

[bnurick]

Oh what a night…

 

Night one was a hoot.  The 3 other couples that joined us for Chef’s Table were super fun.  Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and, of course, Kentucky we’re represented.  Us and another couple booked online, the others at boarding, although both said it was sold out online.  We met at Cellar Masters for a trio of small bites and a glass of champagne.  The entire dining team came to introduce themselves and after a group picture (to be given to us later in the cruise) we were off to our table in Tuscan Grill.

 

The table setup was beautiful and the optional wine pairing was a must.  One thing we liked about this menu was the wines were listed. On our past Edge experience, it was mystery wines and we were disappointed from some of the selections.  Once everyone was settled in, we enjoyed five courses which included curried cauliflower soup, mushroom risotto persillade, sea bass with za’atar, duo of beef filet and short rib (somehow missed the picture) and a java dessert.  Stuffed!

 

Just before the dessert course and completely unaware, we find out two of us are celebrating 19th and 20th anniversaries this cruise.  The staff presents us with special cakes that are available throughout the cruise as they must be refrigerated.  It was such a thoughtful gesture and surprise to everyone; a magical moment and one we will never forget.

 

We have experienced three or four Chef’s Tables and this is rated number one.

 

After dinner, Cameron went to bed and I grabbed a 20 year tawny port and hit the craps table.  I got caught in the chop and decided to cut my losses and try again on night two.

 

Now for a relaxing day at sea…
 

[bnurick]

Celebrity Today for day number two…

 

[bnurick]

13 hours ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Fabulous culinary line up!  I look forward to your review.  At this time, we are only booked for Tuscan on the first evening.  Also, looking forward to your opinion on the live music and bars on board.  We have the premium drink package.  I have learned to specify premium brand liquor otherwise you will be served well brand.  Thank you so much for taking the time to share your special cruise with us.  It is greatly appreciated.

Happy to share.  I found very little about this itinerary on CC so I thought I would post a lot of information so people can plan.  If you can get Tuscan Grill for the last night online I would grab it and cancel later if you decide to do something else, otherwise that option is essentially gone.  Cheers!

[bnurick]

I read a lot about internet packages. Here is the premium package speed on our veranda this morning. Probably some are still sleeping.

 

Edited June 27, 2022 by bnurick

[FlorenceItaly]

14 minutes ago, bnurick said:

Happy to share.  I found very little about this itinerary on CC so I thought I would post a lot of information so people can plan.  If you can get Tuscan Grill for the last night online I would grab it and cancel later if you decide to do something else, otherwise that option is essentially gone.  Cheers!

Thank you!  I went to do exactly as you suggested and already booked up.  We will have to be happy with our one night there.

[bnurick]

21 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Thank you!  I went to do exactly as you suggested and already booked up.  We will have to be happy with our one night there.

Shucks!  So as soon as you board go to Tuscan Grill and ask to be placed on a ‘wait list’. On embarkation day there is someone at the restaurant that takes reservations at the checkin stand.  Good luck 🍀!

[Kteacher]

Thank you for the review of the Chef’s Table. We also have it booked for Night 1, and want to book the Veuve Cliquot dinner, but were told by the shoreside concierge that it can only be booked onboard.

   We haven’t been on the Summit since it was redone. Does the Retreat deck also serve food or just drinks?

[bnurick]

44 minutes ago, Kteacher said:

Thank you for the review of the Chef’s Table. We also have it booked for Night 1, and want to book the Veuve Cliquot dinner, but were told by the shoreside concierge that it can only be booked onboard.

   We haven’t been on the Summit since it was redone. Does the Retreat deck also serve food or just drinks?

Hey Kteacher, the Vueve dinner is only an onboard booking.  Once onboard head to Luminae for lunch and request the wine events card. This will show the dinner and correct night. Lack of bookings and/or supply chain issues can force cancellation by the Cellar Master.

 

Actually on the Retreat Deck now.  Here is the lunch menu. I was told they only serve lunch.

 

Cheers from the Summit!

 

[levcruiser]

Thanks for this great review!  We will be on in 2 weeks!  Can not wait!  By chance, do you know who the Casino Host is?  Thank you!  Enjoy your fabulous week!

[BratDet]

Since on every Summit cruise we have dined in Luminae- we only went once to Tuscan Grill...service was sub par, wait was lengthy and food- meh....(compared to Luminae)

This upcoming cruise, I'd be tempted by chef's table, but I dont eat seafood- but the menu you posted was a great help as I do eat alot of items on the menu..so I can consider it this trip.

Thanks!
Bernadette

[bnurick]

1 hour ago, BratDet said:

Since on every Summit cruise we have dined in Luminae- we only went once to Tuscan Grill...service was sub par, wait was lengthy and food- meh....(compared to Luminae)

This upcoming cruise, I'd be tempted by chef's table, but I dont eat seafood- but the menu you posted was a great help as I do eat alot of items on the menu..so I can consider it this trip.

Thanks!
Bernadette

BratDet, sorry to hear about your Tuscan Grill experience. It has been awhile since we have tried it and will be sure to do a write up. Cheers!

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

5 hours ago, BratDet said:

Since on every Summit cruise we have dined in Luminae- we only went once to Tuscan Grill...service was sub par, wait was lengthy and food- meh....(compared to Luminae)

This upcoming cruise, I'd be tempted by chef's table, but I dont eat seafood- but the menu you posted was a great help as I do eat alot of items on the menu..so I can consider it this trip.

Thanks!
Bernadette

 

My experiences in Tuscan prior to my April 25 cruise on the Summit had been meh.  But the cost was included with my suite and my friends wanted to go so gave it another try.  Happy to report that the food and the service on Summit were both excellent!

[Laurab23]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

My experiences in Tuscan prior to my April 25 cruise on the Summit had been meh.  But the cost was included with my suite and my friends wanted to go so gave it another try.  Happy to report that the food and the service on Summit were both excellent!

Yes the service on Summit in Tuscan is almost too excellent. I had to use the restroom after we were seated and the maitre'd escorted me to the elevator pushed to button to have it arrive and then after it arrived reached inside and pushed the button for the floor I needed to go to. At that point I almost expected him to enter the elevator with me and wait for me at the ladies room door.

 

Laura

[FrannyK]

2 hours ago, Laurab23 said:

Yes the service on Summit in Tuscan is almost too excellent. I had to use the restroom after we were seated and the maitre'd escorted me to the elevator pushed to button to have it arrive and then after it arrived reached inside and pushed the button for the floor I needed to go to. At that point I almost expected him to enter the elevator with me and wait for me at the ladies room door.

 

Laura

LOL

[bnurick]

Celebrity Today for day three…. Cheers!

 

[bnurick]

First at sea day is in the books and waking up to an hour AHEAD 😑 so it’s a room service morning…

 

Yesterday, we started the day in Luminae for a classic wake-up breakfast and then for lunch the udon noodles from the spa cafe along with room service, so we could eat in the room.  The ship is fairly crowded based on prior sailings and as an example all the tables in the solarium were taken.  I think it’s safe to say things are pretty close to back to normal, which makes planning ahead very important once again.  The official passenger count is 1,925.  However, we did spend some time on the retreat deck and did not feel crowded to us there and seemed like there was always a chair available albeit in the sun ☀️ (no shade).  They had drink and lunch service and also passed around fruit skewers which was a refreshing touch.  As to the pool decks, they were very crowded and felt fully back to normal.

 

Post lunch, I really needed a haircut and was able to secure a 315pm appointment.  I was asked if I wanted a shave too…. 🤔 Well, I never had a shave from someone else before, so I indulged.  Now I’m not gonna sugar coat it, when the shaving blade is squarely on my throat I had some Game of Thrones scenes running through my head 😂.  Around the same time Cameron went back to the room and Alfred (our amazing Retreat Host) delivered our requested 3pm cheese plate.  At the beginning of the cruise, he mentioned they weren’t serving canapés to the rooms anymore, but we could request something.  He suggested a cheese plate at 3pm and we gave the winner winner chicken dinner signal.  We love a good cheese plate and that worked out well very well.  As mentioned, Alfred has been a great retreat host and knows how to navigate, literally, everything.

 

After cleaning up, we headed to the Retreat Lounge for a 5-6pm officers meet and greet.  This was our first and it was very fun.  We were able to meet many of the folks in charge of keeping the ship on their respective tracks.  It was also a good opportunity to tell them who was going the extra mile to make this experience memorable.  Once the Sushi on Five small bites and the music stopped, we headed to Luminae for supper.

 

Luminae had a short wait as everyone showed up at once. Knowing we preferred a window table we were told it was a 30 minute wait (those are taken first, thus turn first).  30 minutes on the dot we were seated and the wine we pre-selected service was flawless and we’re looking forward to some halibut.  Of note, the main dining room menu was also offered for any course.  We elected to start with a cheese plate from the dessert menu, a lobster salad, halibut and the chocolate dessert from Luminae and the apple crumble from Cosmopolitan.

 

After we were filled up, we hit the casino for an hour before the show started at 9pm.  The show is called Life and we sat in the back at the bar row so we would have easy access in and out without being stuck in a crowd of people.  Next, we were back to the casino for 20 minutes to play a little more craps before silent disco.

 

I promised Cameron I would do 15 minutes of silent disco.  It was so much fun and I think I stayed 45 minutes!  Everyone should do this once, I’m sold and hope they do it again this cruise.

 

Before heading to bed I hit the craps table one more time and got caught in the chop AGAIN, so I cut and ran to the stateroom to fill out the breakfast room service tag and get some zzzz’s 😴 🛌.

 

Cheers from the Summit!

 

Brian and Cameron
 

[bnurick]

21 hours ago, levcruiser said:

Thanks for this great review!  We will be on in 2 weeks!  Can not wait!  By chance, do you know who the Casino Host is?  Thank you!  Enjoy your fabulous week!

So I met Paul from Romania 🇷🇴 finally.  He was very nice and provided me with the Bluechip Club tiers.  I was told to ask for a casino rate when booking either onboard or three days after a sailing once your play is updated to your account.  Hope this help…

[levcruiser]

Thanks so much bnurick!  Your review is getting us more excited for our cruise!  Enjoy the rest of your cruise!
 

[mcclarke1]

This lovely Veuve Clicquot Champagne Dinner reminder card arrived at our suite today!  Can’t wait and even better that it will be our 20th wedding anniversary!🥂🍾 @bnurick

 

Edited June 28, 2022 by mcclarke1

[JFontaine]

If the pianist (sorry I dont recall his name) has a return appearance on this cruise, that's a show not to miss.