Thanksgiving on Summit

[Sailing12Away]

First time trying Celebrity was going to be next October in the Galapagos, so figured we would take a short Thanksgiving trip first to get a "real feel" before the super fancy trip. Long time NCL travelers, so will be hard to not keep comparing the two experiences, but keep thinking the two lines will be more similar than they are different at the end of the day.

 

Hubby and I will be in a celebrity suite, my MIL will be across the hall in an accessible sky suite with a cousin. So far she had wheelchair assistance at JFK, and thank goodness as we are boarding from terminal 4 (super long walk). Once we get to the port in Miami we've requested wheelchair assistance for her to get on board. Then there should be a motorized wheelchair waiting for her in the cabin. First time trying this, so we'll see how it goes.

 

Will check in as we can, but for now just enjoying the sun coming up and excited to get going.

[Cruise a holic]

Have a great cruise.  I think you will be very happy sailing on Celebrity vs. NCL.  You are in for a better experience.  IMO much more upscale and the ships are easy to navigate.  The public spaces are designed so much more logical.  

 

I do not think a short cruise will give you the true flavor of sailing on Celebrity.  If you can, when on board, book a future cruise on an Edge class ship.  Enjoy.

[hcat]

nice photo

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Sailing12Away]

At the gate there was a family with 6 cases of pastries with them. Hubby commented that it was making him hungry, so they gave him some. Ton of kids on our flight, my guess is about a 30% passenger count. Holiday travel I suppose...

 

Should only be about a 2hr flight from JFK down to Miami, so that's always a plus. 

 

If this trip goes well we have our eye on a 2025 Mardi gras trip that we may book while on board. We shall see...

[cruisestitch]

Marriott Gras cruise out of Tampa? That will be on another M class ship, similar to the Summit which you will be on.

[Sailing12Away]

Flight was nice and quick. MIL was sitting next to a pilot on the way so he was kind and helped her with a few small things. In the Uber on our way to the port.

 

Had a nice view of our ship as we were landing.

[SouKnoMe]

I’ve been on the Summit for a NYE cruise previously. It was very nice. I hope you and your family enjoy it. 

[horseymike]

Hope you all have a great cruise 🚢.

My wife and I were on the Summit in Spring of 2023 for a 4 nighter , we had a super time.

There was fresh roasted turkey 🦃 in the buffet and it was amazing.

Happy Thanksgiving.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Have a great cruise! I was on the Summit for the first time this summer and LOVED her!!!!

[Sailing12Away]

Check in was a breeze, on the ship in about 10 mins. Wheelchair service took her from the curb to her room. The motorized chair was in there waiting for her. Learning curve to drive... This will be fun.

 

Her room is nice, ours looks amazing. Enjoying the bubbly then going to wander until the sail away on the helipad.

 

Handicap room on deck 6 photos below.

[Sailing12Away]

Photos from our celebrity suite.

[Sailing12Away]

Met up with the cousin and we all headed to Luminae for lunch. NCL Haven is good service, but I must admit celebrity definitely takes it up a notch. Maybe a bit too fancy and attentive for our low brow style, but it's something we can get used to.

 

Dinner in the MDR will be a thanksgiving feast with both turkey and ham, Luminae is doing Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Apparently their turkeys are still getting boarded on the ship today so they need a day to prep.

 

Headed to the martini bar next to chip away at the whole menu before we disembark.

[hcat]

glad u are settling in  !

your suite looks nice!

[May B]

Whoa, Nellie! Thx for taking us with you! Have an absolute blast!

[SouKnoMe]

Aw the Summit is looking so good to these landlocked eyes. Love the suite, and the other images you’ve shared. Thank you for allowing me to take this journey with you. Enjoy your vacation!!

[Sailing12Away]

Ok, first complaint. At the martini bar and if I want two drinks I need to bring two room cards with me. Once they see the one I'd a retreat card they don't force me to go get the second one, but really? I can't get two drinks at one time?

 

Regardless, we're making good progress through the martini menu despite the snafu. Bartenders also won't go off menu at all. There was a cherry martini on a previous menu we saw but since it's not in our sailing they won't make it for us.

[doghog]

11 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Ok, first complaint. At the martini bar and if I want two drinks I need to bring two room cards with me. Once they see the one I'd a retreat card they don't force me to go get the second one, but really? I can't get two drinks at one time?

IMO, not a biggie to show two Seapass cards. 🙄 They are only doing their job. 

Edited November 23, 2023 by doghog

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

As far as I know you've always had to show the number of seapass cards for the number of drinks when you're dealing with included drinks - they have to verify that they are being accounted for the correct way. If you were paying by the drink then they'd only need one.

[gold1953]

36 minutes ago, doghog said:

IMO, not a biggie to show two Seapass cards. 🙄 They are only doing their job. 

too many try to share which has caused this

[Lastdance]

13 minutes ago, gold1953 said:

too many try to share which has caused this

Yes, one of my favorite bumper sticker's says...”we are all governed by the s%@^!"...so true!

Edited November 23, 2023 by Lastdance

[Sailing12Away]

I should have prefaced my complaint with acknowledging these are first world problems.

 

Leaving Miami from the helipad...

[Sailing12Away]

Visited the retreat lounge, made some new friends and grabbed some more drinks.

 

Bartender is having her birthday today, so introduced her to a black and tan with Strongbow cider. Going to clean up and head to dinner. I think the consensus is to return to Luminae. 

 

Definitely a fan of the grab and go drink cooler. Also grabbed a spiked iced coffee from cafe baccio which was lovely, didn't take a photo of that as I was running out of hands from the free Effy locket the shop people pushed on me when we were looking at watches. I pawned that off on MIL and told her to go on a scavenger hunt each day to get the free charms. Just not my thing.

 

Took a bit of time and some crew help to connect to the WiFi, but we've shared our new knowledge with other travelers. Paying it forward...

[SouKnoMe]

4 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Ok, first complaint. At the martini bar and if I want two drinks I need to bring two room cards with me. Once they see the one I'd a retreat card they don't force me to go get the second one, but really? I can't get two drinks at one time?

 

Regardless, we're making good progress through the martini menu despite the snafu. Bartenders also won't go off menu at all. There was a cherry martini on a previous menu we saw but since it's not in our sailing they won't make it for us.

Thanks for the menus. 

[oteixeira]

5 hours ago, doghog said:

IMO, not a biggie to show two Seapass cards. 🙄 They are only doing their job. 

She is comparing it to the NCL Haven as that is what they normally sail.  Just trying to compare.  The bigger issue for me is not going off script on the drink menu, that would have me a lot more flustered.  I love going to the haven bar and saying "make me something fruity with rum, or make me something refreshing with fresh xyz in it".  

[horseymike]

Looks like you all are off to a great start.

Thanks for sharing and the pictures.

Have a super time 🚢