Jim_Iain - Summit Live Post B3B Greenland / Iceland / Canada Aug 7, 19 and 31, 2022

[Jim_Iain]

23 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Last I heard, she is no longer with Celebrity.

I believe I regard the same. 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Oville said:

Looks like a nice day in Beantown for you.

Was just looking.  85 f predicted.   We are thinking of walking to Boston Commons then to Quincy Market area and then back to ship.  
 

Will depend on when we get cleared.  

[Mr. Boston]

I’ve really enjoyed following you and Iian on your travels, definitely on my bucket list in retirement soon.  Looks like we’ll have a nice day for you tomorrow. There’s a very good chance that you’ll be walking past my office at International Place. Would love to say hello if time permits. I can be reached at trainsboston  at warm mail. Hope you have a nice day and welcome. 

[Luv2Crus40]

Thanks for your thoughts on the ship.  We love the Summit and surprised Captain, senior officers not out and about as usual.  We sailed this May but you have a different captain on board now. 

I agree with your assessment of Kelly Hoppin's many ship design faux pas.  She designed furniture with sharp corners in the veranda cabins.  We bring corner guards to put on them in case we bang into them.  Also, one bedside lamp is up on the wall and you have to get out of bed to turn it off.  One closet is too short and our shirts drag on the bottom.   We love the glass door in the shower though.

[calicakes]

When you were talking about the food in the MDR, did you mean the OV buffet?  

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

On 8/14/2022 at 6:45 PM, Ken the cruiser said:

Jim, there were no mandatory mask signs posted at the theater or casino entrances prior to or after the early 6:30. Have you heard any update from your sources as to why not? Here’s hoping their policy has changed and the B2B folks won’t have to be tested prior to transition 

[MarKay525]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Was just looking.  85 f predicted.   We are thinking of walking to Boston Commons then to Quincy Market area and then back to ship.  
Will depend on when we get cleared.  

Hope you enjoy your turn-around day in Boston - my old stomping grounds. Lived there 28 years before we retired down here. Kay

[Oville]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Was just looking.  85 f predicted.   We are thinking of walking to Boston Commons then to Quincy Market area and then back to ship.  
 

Will depend on when we get cleared.  

I’d do the Public Gardens and a Swan Boat ride.  Just across the street from the Commons, so much nicer.

Edited August 31, 2022 by Oville

[Oville]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks Katie.  
 

The next cruise will be fun for me.  Many of the ports I last saw when I was around 12.  

Love your up coming cruise.  Many wonderful stops, make sure you have one meal in the lower city of Quebec.  I’ll try to find the name of our favorite.  Katie

 

Found it:  https://www.bistrosouslefort.com/a-la-carte-menu/?lang=en

Edited August 31, 2022 by Oville

[upwarduk]

• Have you seen this Jim:

• https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2877485-summit-departing-halifax/

[Jim_Iain]

10 hours ago, Mr. Boston said:

I’ve really enjoyed following you and Iian on your travels, definitely on my bucket list in retirement soon.  Looks like we’ll have a nice day for you tomorrow. There’s a very good chance that you’ll be walking past my office at International Place. Would love to say hello if time permits. I can be reached at trainsboston  at warm mail. Hope you have a nice day and welcome. 

Good morning.     I'm up a bit early and can see we are just pulling up alongside the pier.  Looks like a beautiful day but can't see much as we are Starboard and can't see much more than the terminal.

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, calicakes said:

When you were talking about the food in the MDR, did you mean the OV buffet?  

I did... Thanks for correcting.    We did not dine in the MDR.   

 

I've read some comments on our Roll Call about the food and service in the MDR.   @Arizona Wildcat posted her experience and might be worthwhile reading.   As I recall things were a bit rough at the beginning of the cruise about a month ago with service issues but got better as the works learned their new jobs.    She did have some comments about the food.

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

On 8/14/2022 at 6:45 PM, Ken the cruiser said:

Jim, there were no mandatory mask signs posted at the theater or casino entrances prior to or after the early 6:30. Have you heard any update from your sources as to why not? Here’s hoping their policy has changed and the B2B folks won’t have to be tested prior to transition 

 

Don't know why no sign.   Maybe an oversight.  I did see the staff in Casino walking around with a box of masks last night and handing out.

 

B2B were tested yesterday morning.   They never notify you of your results but assure you that if you were positive you would know.     I tested myself after returning from the test for peace of mind and was a solid negative. 

 

Rumors I've heard are that there were  1-3% infection rate.    Many on our roll call were reporting they were in quarantine.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, upwarduk said:

• Have you seen this Jim:

• https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2877485-summit-departing-halifax/

Thanks -- I hadn't seen it.  Nice photos of Summit.  

[chemmo]

13 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

As we approach the end of our third segment I thought I would give a summary of our experience on Summit.

 

Ships Condition -   Summit is showing her age with quite a bit of rust but they are busy daily painting and keep her looking fresh.  You do notice broken things around the ship and she could probably use a drydock.

 

SkySuite -   The rooms are comfortable and well appointed.  Plenty of storage room.   We removed all of the Kelly Hoppen kitch the day we moved into the room.  Personal opinion she has a nice design style but has so many misses she should be forbidden from ever working on the design of a cruise ship again.   Major failures - removal of cocktail tales, stools at the end of the bed which are useless for anything other than banging you knee on,   A mirror over the desk over the desk too high for anyone to use while sitting down, a chair for the desk with arms so high it can't be put under the desk or prevent getting close enough to use the desk.

 

Luminae -   We have commented numerous times that we have had the best food of any cruise we've taken.  They fish has been excellent and perfectly cooked.  The staff are well matched and provide an almost seamless dining experience.   While not terrible the Sommelier, Michael has been a bit of a disappointment.  He just has not met the normal standards of Luminae and when you have only one in the dining room it's noticeable.

 

Theater -  we do not attend the shows as we have seen them so many times and the risk of infection is just not worth the trouble.

 

Retreat Lounge - Excellent - Excellent - Excellent.    Mar is a super star.   Lyle who was a concierge in training came on full time and has come up to speed.   I really believe he has potential.  Cecilia the bar tender is a real delight and very attentive.    We have eaten breakfast there every day and find the continental perfect for our breakfast needs.   Often when we had a late tour we had Tea in the retreat which is laid out nicely.    We have done all of our drinks there an have only occasionally visited other bars.

 

Officer's and Senior Staff -   The Captain and Senior Staff have almost never been seen in the past month.   When they are our they aren't engaging and probably the least friendly staff we have ever noticed.   No big issue but different from ships where the Captain is out and about welcoming the guests.  

 

al Bacio -   Fantastic as always and the pastries are ever present.

 

Main Dining Room -   We have occasionally had lunch in MDR.   All stations except carving station and grill are self service.   I had the fresh cooked chicken one day and it was like chewing on dry cardboard.   Iain usually enjoys just crusty bread and cheese -  the normal cheese selection is VERY LIMITED -  only Cheddar, Jack and a white cheese.   None of the soft cheese, blue cheeses etc.    It's not like they aren't on board as they have them in Retreat daily. 

Salad bar was excellent.   

 

Ice Cream -   very disappointing -  Generally on Vanilla, Chocolate and Straberry with both regular and sugarless.   None of the specials like Rocky Road, Butter Pecan etc etc.   Also the Soft Serve has been broken for the past month.      The regular ice cream is very soft and softer than the regular soft serve.

 

Casino -  Very active and masks are required at all times if sitting down.

 

Staffing -  Many new staff that are learning on the job.   Short staff in many areas which cause longer than normal wait times.   I believe this will be getting worse rather than better as many of the staff will be ending contracts between now and 9/11 end of Cruise #3.  Hear that on next cruise the Butlers may be down to just to handle all the suites.  

 

I'm sure our experience my not the same as others and I respect each of your experience.  

Thank you for your general review….I think a summary often captures the key points that make aspects of a cruise exceptional or lacking.

 

Particularly interested to read you rate the Retreat lounge as excellent. Definitely agree the experience is far more about the staff than the furnishings! Friends of ours are recently off an Edge ship and found the Retreat Lounge sub par in service. It was not so much waiting to be served they found disappointing compared to S and M class it was the lack of the personal service. Not being greeted by name by staff members,  bar staff never remembering your favourite tipple, the concierge staff constantly busy answering questions and never having the time to simply circulate and ask if you are having a nice cruise or if there is anything they can do for you…They still enjoyed their cruise and there were aspects of Edge class they preferred to S and M but they definitely felt that there being so many suites ‘watered’ down the suite experience. 
 

We have found sommelier service in Luminae sometimes excellent, and sometimes hit and miss. I think this has often depended on how busy the restaurant has been. Only really poor once, I remember the look of shock on our faces once on Equinox when the sommelier came over with a bottle in each hand and asked us if we wanted red or white! We rarely dine in Luminae now, generally preferring  the speciality restaurants, so it was nice to read such positive reviews from you about the food.

 

Re Refit…Just so many impractical choices…and all those cushions! We were on the Silhouette in the PH last year and loved the colour choices but the removed piano hadn’t been replaced with anything useful. There is enough space in that area to place two comfortable recliner chairs and a small table sea facing. Instead there was a rather odd storage unit (as if you needed anymore storage in the PH)…

 

Sincere thanks for reporting in such detail, reading your reviews has become my morning coffee escape to the sea…

 

 

 

[floridatravelersforlife]

12 hours ago, abbydancer said:

I noticed much the same, and did the same about removing the tshatshkes.  On the second cruise we might have switched the desk chair with the balcony chair since on the first cruise, the second bed (with sister so separated) was next to the desk and we couldn't get around the chair.  On the second cruise the nightstand was next to the desk so we had a bit more room.   Still not at all practical.

 

I assume the bathtubs were very high before the revolution.

I published a Ship Review on CC, which was published yesterday. With three reviews so far, lots of similar themes on clutter, awkward positioning of furnishings.  

[Jim_Iain]

Early morning showers have passed by

 

Ship was cleared at 7:15 and walk offs have begun

 

 ire from our room. 
 

 

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

51 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Don't know why no sign.   Maybe an oversight.  I did see the staff in Casino walking around with a box of masks last night and handing out.

 

B2B were tested yesterday morning.   They never notify you of your results but assure you that if you were positive you would know.     I tested myself after returning from the test for peace of mind and was a solid negative. 

 

Rumors I've heard are that there were  1-3% infection rate.    Many on our roll call were reporting they were in quarantine.

Have a great time on the rest of your cruise Jim! It was fun “sharing the load” with you on the first 2 legs and I’m sure one day we’ll cross cruise paths again! 😁

[NJ Gal]

Jim,

Thanks for your review of the Summit.  We were on a Summit  May cruise and August  7,  but did not get to meet you and Ian.

The food in Luminae was excellent on both cruises-- better than our dinner in Tuscan. I had to send my veal dinner back & it was replaced with a steak.  

 

 We were in a CS on both cruises and the tub is an accident waiting to happen.  Celerity needs to put some grab bars in the tub area.  We were lucky that the seas were calm & smooth on both cruises.  I am very short and it was a challenge to get in and out of the tub. 

 

Most of the staff and crew were excellent and knew us by name.  Our next cruise will be on the Beyond.  I am wondering how that experience will be in comparison to the Summit.

 

Happy Cruising.  I hope we will meet you in the future.

[5:00_Somewhere]

@Jim_Iain we're supposed to have beautiful weather today in Boston: sunny, only reaching about 85° and relatively low humidity (for us). Hope you get to enjoy it. I do recommend a walk through the Public Garden if you get as far as The Common. It's just across the street, and much more picturesque. One of my favorite things about our fair city is how walkable it is. Enjoy your day, and take care of "our ship" for us. We'll be boarding when you disembark. 👍

[Luv2Crus40]

A big thank you to all of you who took those beautiful photos during the b2b cruise to Iceland.  It made it be real for those who are unable to go on the Iceland cruises, and exciting for those who will be doing the Iceland cruises next year.

[Luv2Crus40]

What time does the Summit leave port today?

Edited August 31, 2022 by Luv2Crus40
Wrong port name.

[abbydancer2003]

3 minutes ago, Luv2Crus40 said:

What time does the Summit leave port today?  I hope to watch it on the NY Harbor Webcam. 

Isn't it in Boston?  

[Luv2Crus40]

Just realized that.  Sorry.

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, 5:00_Somewhere said:

@Jim_Iain we're supposed to have beautiful weather today in Boston: sunny, only reaching about 85° and relatively low humidity (for us). Hope you get to enjoy it. I do recommend a walk through the Public Garden if you get as far as The Common. It's just across the street, and much more picturesque. One of my favorite things about our fair city is how walkable it is. Enjoy your day, and take care of "our ship" for us. We'll be boarding when you disembark. 👍

We had a great time.   As you said the weather was perfect and a nice breeze which made it especially pleasant.