Celebrity Summit review of pool..

I've just returned from the repositioning cruise of the Summit from Bayonne to San Juan. It was a very nice cruise with a relaxing 3 days at sea. The Summit is an older ship and does not have the same wheelchair access features as the new ones but the cabin was perfect and the crew went out of their way to be helpful.

HOWEVER -- I have an issue with the pool access. I was excited to see that they now have pool lifts on board (which they didn't the last time we sailed with this ship). When we boarded, I asked the pool butler if the lift worked into the inside (spa) pool. He assured me that the lifts worked and that, while it couldn't put me into the pool, just the hot tub, it would get me up to the pool level.

When I was ready to use it, I asked for it and after an hour of going back and forth, it turned out that there was a controller missing, which had to be ordered. This was not acceptable. I had given plenty of warning that I was going to use it and was assured that I could. My expectations were high and then were dashed. All of the accessible equipment should be maintained and checked before each cruise. I spoke to the officer in charge, who apologized and sent us a bottle of wine and chocolates. That was nice but I would prefer an assurance that the needs of the disabled are taken as seriously as the other passengers. This is not the first time that I have had a problem on a celebrity ship.

I'm sorry you experienced this, Zellalamb. I know from first hand experience that the M Class ships of Celebrity can have many accessibility problems. I agree that whenever I've been on Summit, the pool lifts did not work, and could not be used. The other problem I had were with their doors to the outside decks---the ones that had auto openers. There were two that were broken and the auto feature didn't work at all, so I could not access that deck. Very frustrating. I spoke to guest services, and while they were polite, I knew nothing was going to be done.

We did B2B the last two Januarys on the Summit out of San Juan. I'm not much of a pool person but what got me was the new cinema. They moved it from below decks to the back of the sports deck and there is no elevator access for the new movies at night. I was looking forward to those and there was no mention that they would not be on the pool deck near bars. The only answer I got from their front desk was "it's a temporary set up". He did not mean it would become accessible but that it is only for the San Juan cruises. We like that size ship and love the aft end large cabins but they are rapidly saying "sorry" to too many things that should be accessible.

I'm sorry you experienced this, Zellalamb. I know from first hand experience that the M Class ships of Celebrity can have many accessibility problems. I agree that whenever I've been on Summit, the pool lifts did not work, and could not be used. The other problem I had were with their doors to the outside decks---the ones that had auto openers. There were two that were broken and the auto feature didn't work at all, so I could not access that deck. Very frustrating. I spoke to guest services, and while they were polite, I knew nothing was going to be done.

I agree with you about the M class ships. We sailed on the Summit in August and my DH uses a walker. I found the ship not to be very good for disabled passengers. Some of the thresholds were high and the doors to the outside were not very accessible either. Please be careful with those auto doors because my DH got hit with it on the Summit. He was halfway through with his walker when the doors started to close. We should have reported it. Don't think we would sail an M class again.

We did B2B the last two Januarys on the Summit out of San Juan. I'm not much of a pool person but what got me was the new cinema. They moved it from below decks to the back of the sports deck and there is no elevator access for the new movies at night. I was looking forward to those and there was no mention that they would not be on the pool deck near bars. The only answer I got from their front desk was "it's a temporary set up". He did not mean it would become accessible but that it is only for the San Juan cruises. We like that size ship and love the aft end large cabins but they are rapidly saying "sorry" to too many things that should be accessible.

You are so right. Since my DH became disabled and has to use a walker we are finding out how some areas of ships are inaccessible and some need to be refurbished to accommodate. We just returned from the NCL Gem which is a wonderful ship and most areas are accessible, except we had an awful disembarkation with them and I am addressing that direct with them.

I agree about the pool lifts. My mom is disabled. I have found that the pool lifts are in disrepair or trying to find a crew member who even knows how to operate them is impossible.

We did B2B the last two Januarys on the Summit out of San Juan. I'm not much of a pool person but what got me was the new cinema. They moved it from below decks to the back of the sports deck and there is no elevator access for the new movies at night. I was looking forward to those and there was no mention that they would not be on the pool deck near bars. The only answer I got from their front desk was "it's a temporary set up". He did not mean it would become accessible but that it is only for the San Juan cruises. We like that size ship and love the aft end large cabins but they are rapidly saying "sorry" to too many things that should be accessible.

There is an elevator access now - my Dad used it last week. It's pretty cool. It's all glass, uncovered, and doesn't move unless the doors are closed and you control it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernLite View Post

We did B2B the last two Januarys on the Summit out of San Juan. I'm not much of a pool person but what got me was the new cinema. They moved it from below decks to the back of the sports deck and there is no elevator access for the new movies at night. I was looking forward to those and there was no mention that they would not be on the pool deck near bars. The only answer I got from their front desk was "it's a temporary set up". He did not mean it would become accessible but that it is only for the San Juan cruises. We like that size ship and love the aft end large cabins but they are rapidly saying "sorry" to too many things that should be accessible.

There is an elevator access now - my Dad used it last week. It's pretty cool. It's all glass, uncovered, and doesn't move unless the doors are closed and you control it.

Great to read this as we are booked on the Summit for next year.

There is an elevator access now - my Dad used it last week. It's pretty cool. It's all glass, uncovered, and doesn't move unless the doors are closed and you control it.

It would be nice IF RCCL told their customer service reps on board this kind of information. I would have preferred an answer that an elevator would be added at the upcoming dry dock and maybe casino credit or a decent bottle of wine to star gaze on our balcony that night.

As for the pool lift problems the only changes seem to come after letters directly to the home office as those on board really can not fix such things.

Customer service reps are very low paying jobs. They have never been on any of the ships , so know nothing.

I was on the Summit Late July 2016. The "so called lift" was not operable. It's a one person, keep on pushing the button type of lift. However, needs a key to operate. Three times I was up there...all three times no key, no phone up there and no one to ask. When I finally spoke with an officer he stated there were too many kids on this Bermuda cruise and that Inshould call him if I wanted to use it. As much as I appreciated his response, it's just poor planning, another "non caring" attitude and unrealistic attempt to make "us" happy. For once up, it may be only 15 minutes before one wants to fome down. So frustrating! Vicki

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I hear you Vicki! I had a long chat with several officers about this issue. I even spoke to Captain Kate. I guess it doesn't really matter. I'll be on the Summit again in April and my expectation is that I just won't use the pool.