Greetings from Summit

Wow- the Cruise Critics really have helped me to have a wonderful time on a great ship.

I want to return the favor and help others to learn about the ship.

Simon Weir is as wonderful as all of you have said. He is a bundle of energy. He is aware of Cruise Critics, and joked that if he ever needed to get another job he would list Cruise Critics as a reference.

Dinners have been wonderful- I have not heard really good things about the Normandie from the couple of people who did go. The one was a bit of a snob, but the other seemed genuinely disappointed.

We have been at the late seating each night. Between Ketchikan and Skagway we had about 20 whale sightings along the side of the ship during the dinner. The poor waiters and Maitre' D didn't stand a chance as people rushed the portholes to catch a glance.

The buffet has been more than adequate, but the Waterfall Cafe actually hasn't been as good as I thought everything would be.

Ketchikan seems like a blur now. We took the Southeast Aviation flightseeing and they did a great job. The town had a 4th of July parade, and it was hilarious. A bunch of the crew from the Ship had a float in the parade as we were the only ship in town.

One of our dinnertable mates caught over 200 pounds of salmon on a day trip. Evidently the guide doesn't normally book through the ship, but did that day, and they were pulling in far more fish than the others- who were trying to follow this expert guide.

In Skagway do not miss the Railroad trip. It was simply gorgeous. Be sure to follow the advice that I got from others and sit on the left side going up. There isn't much on the right, though if you do take the RR both ways you do switch at the top. You can go out on the back platfrom and stand to take pictures.

Skagway also had a cute horse drawn tour- expnsive but a great way to learn about the town.

More later- my wife is getting antsy to get going again.

Rick

Rick..... glad you are having a good time!

Thank's for posting, we're eagerly awaiting our Summit cruise, just wish it was closer.

Stretch

Thank you so much for your post.

We leave on the final trip of the Summit season and cannot wait.

If anyone can find out if Simon will be on the September 17 sailing, and then on to Panama, ending up in Port Everglades, please post it.

We enjoyed him so much on our previous cruise that we are hoping that he will still be there when we FINALLY get on board.

Definitely planning on the train ride. Are thinking about kayaking in Ketchikan.

Thanks again

Hi Robbinsca !

I am glad you are enjoying your Cruise. Summit is a truly wonderful ship, and has some of the friendliest crew in Celebrity's fleet.

I had the pleasure of sailing on Summit in late April '04, and Simon & I spent a fair amount of time together. He is a great Cruise Director.

I will be sailing on Summit again in late November. I am so looking forward to it. Can you ask Simon if he thinks he will be on the ship in Late November of this year ?

Please tell Simon that Andy from Cruise Critic says hello, and that he owes me an e-mail :)

Thank you !

Regards,

Andy

Wow- the Cruise Critics really have helped me to have a wonderful time on a great ship.

 

I want to return the favor and help others to learn about the ship.

 

Simon Weir is as wonderful as all of you have said. He is a bundle of energy. He is aware of Cruise Critics, and joked that if he ever needed to get another job he would list Cruise Critics as a reference.

 

Dinners have been wonderful- I have not heard really good things about the Normandie from the couple of people who did go. The one was a bit of a snob, but the other seemed genuinely disappointed.

 

We have been at the late seating each night. Between Ketchikan and Skagway we had about 20 whale sightings along the side of the ship during the dinner. The poor waiters and Maitre' D didn't stand a chance as people rushed the portholes to catch a glance.

 

The buffet has been more than adequate, but the Waterfall Cafe actually hasn't been as good as I thought everything would be.

 

Ketchikan seems like a blur now. We took the Southeast Aviation flightseeing and they did a great job. The town had a 4th of July parade, and it was hilarious. A bunch of the crew from the Ship had a float in the parade as we were the only ship in town.

 

One of our dinnertable mates caught over 200 pounds of salmon on a day trip. Evidently the guide doesn't normally book through the ship, but did that day, and they were pulling in far more fish than the others- who were trying to follow this expert guide.

 

In Skagway do not miss the Railroad trip. It was simply gorgeous. Be sure to follow the advice that I got from others and sit on the left side going up. There isn't much on the right, though if you do take the RR both ways you do switch at the top. You can go out on the back platfrom and stand to take pictures.

 

Skagway also had a cute horse drawn tour- expnsive but a great way to learn about the town.

 

More later- my wife is getting antsy to get going again.

 

Rick

Rick, thanks for the post. We are cruising next year and I will make a note of all the good suggestions you have given. Any other suggestions you can give will be greatly appreciated!

Garry

Thank you very much. We are sailing on the Summit on July 30th northbound. I take it you too are on the Northbound. Sounds like you are having a great time. I am surprised about the speciality restaurant. We are planning on going there twice. Let me know what you think about Hubbard Glacier and if you have had any luck in the casino. Also, are you all taking the train or bus from Seward? We are taking the train, but I hear we have to be off the ship by 6 a.m.

Enjoy and thanks again!

Walter

Simon is supposed to cycle off in two weeks. Therefore I think he will be back in time for November.

The Casino was not kind to me after the first spin of the roulette whell I lost everything I put down.

I am renting a car in Seward. I have heard that the disembarkation is very early, but I have no wories about catching a bus so it doesn't matter too much.

Mendenhall Glacier is a must see. Try MGT tours just off the dock. $20 gives you a city tour and takes you to the Glacier. What a bargain compared tot he sip tours.

Rick

The casino wasn't kind???!!! Well at least some things don't change :(

Hey Rick,

Can you do another Rick a favor. Tell Stewart the ACD, Rick and Kathy said hi and we had a great time and that we havn't been the same since Barbados. If he acts a little confused. Ask him if he wants some cheese. He'll understand, he's fun loving and loves a good joke. We had a great time with everyone on the ship in April and plan on seeing them again soon.

Thanks,

Hey Chessbriar,

I noticed from your post that you were on the summit last april. what did you think?were there a lot of kids?we are going next april,and have never done celebrity before.just wanted input from someone who has been on it?

It was by far our best cruise ever. Regarding kids, Celebrity does a great job keeping the kids away from the adults so I can't give you a a true count. Yes there were kids, but they were never a problem. The ports were great and if you are looking for something to do in Barbados, I can put in in touch with a great little opperation. There are so many stories and so much fun. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions. I can provide you with picture galore.

robinsca...... Have you seen little red man?

And then have you seen littler red men?

..........onboard the Summit?

:D :D

Hey, Rick...

Thanks for checking in...Glad to hear it's going well...

We are in Anchorage right now (I'm posting from the "Business Center" at the Anchorage Downtown Marriott), having been to Fairbanks, Denali and Talkeetna...and heading for Alyeska later today...

We'll be boarding the Summit on Friday as you are getting off...

This land tour portion has been awesome as well...We had a rare completely clear shot of Denali for the train ride between Denali and Talkeetna and the whole time in Talkeetna...Great photos at sunset over Denali...after midnight, of course...

Looking forward to the cruise portion...

Take care,

Steve

Rick...... I am currently watching you pull into the view of Hubbard Galcier!.....via the live web cam.

Did you know: There are only three places on earth where one can see/hear the calving of a glacier? Scandinavia, Chile and Alaska !

Hope there aren't too many big pieces in the water...and that the Captain is able to get real close!

Listen for that awesome sound......White Thunder!

chessbriar,

thanks for the barbados info,but I don't believe our intinerary goes there this time.we are doing,aruba,cozumel,key west,panama,etc. But thanks for the tip,maybe next time!

Hi all, just started the planning process for an Alaskan cruise in 2005 via Celebrity. Any suggestions as to the best time to go? Does anyone know if the 2005 Alaska itenenery is out yet?? Thank you for your response.

Bajanterry

Hi all, just started the planning process for an Alaskan cruise in 2005 via Celebrity. Any suggestions as to the best time to go? Does anyone know if the 2005 Alaska itenenery is out yet?? Thank you for your response.

 

Bajanterry

Terry, is that you?? From the N. Europe on the Constellation last summer? Remember Bob and Garry??? We're going on the Summit Sept. 2, 2005. We don't mind the cool weather, we like the idea of a holiday (Labor Day), and we have cruised Alaska that time of year before. The humpback whales are there, the salmon are running, the eagles are fishing, as well as the bear. Al and Judy are also going with us. How are you and Marlene doing? We so enjoyed cruising with you! We have an aft cabin booked!

Garry

Rick

Please Send Simon my best regards! If Jeff and Brian are onboad same to them to.

Jeff is Asst. AD...and Brian is Production Manager. FYI if you want to see Simon...just hang out in Cova Cafe...he is hooked on Coffee!!

Michael Sinn

Terry, is that you?? From the N. Europe on the Constellation last summer? Remember Bob and Garry??? We're going on the Summit Sept. 2, 2005. We don't mind the cool weather, we like the idea of a holiday (Labor Day), and we have cruised Alaska that time of year before. The humpback whales are there, the salmon are running, the eagles are fishing, as well as the bear. Al and Judy are also going with us. How are you and Marlene doing? We so enjoyed cruising with you! We have an aft cabin booked!

 

Garry

Hey Garry, yup, it's us in the flesh!!! I recently returned to the boards and kept wondering about "Garry"!! I was thinking it must be you. Anyway, great to hear from you. Marlene and I along with another couple and maybe our son, are planning for Alaska in 2005. We're just discussing when would be the best time taking into account work schedules and all. The first suggestion was July, but we could consider September as well. We'll stay in touch and possibly hook up on the same cruise. Best regards to Bob.

Terry & Marlene

Hey Garry, yup, it's us in the flesh!!! Marlene and I along with another couple and maybe our son, are planning for Alaska in 2005. We're just discussing when would be the best time taking into account work schedules and all. The first suggestion was July, but we could consider September as well. We'll stay in touch and possibly hook up on the same cruise. Best regards to Bob.

 

Terry & Marlene

Great Terry! Please tell Marlene hello for me, and I'll be watching for your posts. We have a Roll Call started, so maybe you'll be on that thread. You can always let me know what your plans are there!

Garry

Great Garry, just one more question. How did you get ahold of the 2005 Alaska schedules?? I've been trying to find them without any success. Is the Summit scheduled for the entire Alaska season?? Thanks a million.

Terry

Great Garry, just one more question. How did you get ahold of the 2005 Alaska schedules?? I've been trying to find them without any success. Is the Summit scheduled for the entire Alaska season?? Thanks a million.

 

 

Terry

http://www.celebrity.com/res/quick_reserve.asp?f=DEST&s=118E9C7DAF&m=1&y=2005&find.x=36&find.y=10

Garry

Rick...... I am currently watching you pull into the view of Hubbard Galcier!.....via the live web cam.

 

Did you know: There are only three places on earth where one can see/hear the calving of a glacier? Scandinavia' date=' Chile and [b']Alaska[/b] !

 

Hope there aren't too many big pieces in the water...and that the Captain is able to get real close!

 

Listen for that awesome sound......White Thunder!

You were exactly right on the sounds of the Glacier. We had the chance to hear it several times. We could even hear it over the Celebrity stewards hawking the hot chocolate (in commemoraitve cups of course)!.

The captain did bring us up very close, and we learned a lot about it. After we got to Seward we went to the Exit Glacier as well. Not nearly as cold, and you could walk up there and see it in all of its beauty as well. Not as spectacular as Hubbard, or even Mendenhall, but a nice hike up the trail and no time limits.