bandp407

We are considering our 1st France, Italian Riviera, Greek Island Cruise for September 2023. Perhaps a B2B to include both. It would be on the Reflection which we have sailed several times. We typically take the 1A starboard side deck 8 . The sunset Verandas would add approx $1000 to a 19night sailing. 
 

Would appreciate suggestions for the which location/ deck would be the preferred. We do not care for the balcony cabins on the hump.

Many thanks!

Aring75 ~Thanks much for taking us along once again. Enjoyed your live from the Edge! Can’t believe how much time you take keeping us informed!! 
 

DH & I were on the Summit 3 weeks ago - our first cruise since Nov 2019. With 250 onboard we were so spoiled & it was great sailing once again. The crew & ship were amazing! We will be on the Reflection end of Nov & HAL’s Rotterdam the end of March. We sailed the Nieuw Statendam in March 2019 & loved it. Our March 2020 was cancelled. 😥 . Saw you took the Abbott at home test, which we purchased as well. We leave two days after Thanksgiving & have no idea where we would  find a rapid Antigen test. It’s gotten harder & harder. Would love a backup kit but none are available with an expiration beyond Dec. HOPING HAL EXTENDS their protocols & 100%vaccination requirement through March & beyond 🤞🤞!  We felt safer onboard the Summit than at home in Florida!!
 

Very much look forward to your comparison of Koningsdam & Edge . 
 

‘Enjoy an amazing cruise on a beautiful ship!! 

5 hours ago, rvlandandsea said:

We love Concierge SV.  In 2009, we sailed a Caribbean, followed by a Trans Atlantic, on the Summit and enjoyed looking at the wake from San Juan to Barcelona.  It was quite peaceful.  Those aft cabins, whether on M or S class, are our favorites.  Enjoy!

Rvlandandsea- thanks for your comments on the SV cabins. We are looking forward to the experience! 
 

Jim & Lain ,

Thank you for all the time you take sharing your trips with us. DH & I were on the Summit a few weeks ago & got goose bumps seeing these photos! We actually added a 4 night sailing on the Millennium for February in a Concierge SV cabin. We have never been in an SV cabin & looking forward to trying it after our Reflection sailing end of November. Looks like you are in a starboard side cabin , presumably on deck 11? Just curious- do you not like the SV cabins?

Have a fabulous time! Enjoy every moment!

4 hours ago, jg51 said:

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Hello again, "bandp407."

 

You cannot IMAGINE how happy we are about having asked you to "elaborate, with some detail" about your original music-related comments!  Our eyes nearly popped out of our heads upon reading that Music Soup is aboard the Summit!!!  Here's why ...

 

We first saw and heard them on back-to-back Reflection cruises in 2018.  Our opinion was that they were the BEST musical act we had seen/heard on any cruise boat/ship (going back to 2006). 

 

Because of "Music Soup," we booked another back-to-back Caribbean trip on Reflection in the following year -- 2019 -- BUT we then learned that Celebrity was transferring them to the Solstice (Alaska)!  To show you just how much we loved Music Soup in 2018, we have to tell you that we canceled our Reflection cruises and booked ourselves on the Solstice instead!  It was another fantastic experience.

 

We will now look into the (strong) possibility of booking (at least) two five-night cruises on the Summit -- ASAP.  We cannot thank you enough for helping us.

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Hi JG 51 - sooo very happy to hear your story & that our review has  given you reason to book the Summit. We did a similar thing with a band calledDRevelation on the Reflection a number of years back.  Unfortunately following the band doesn’t always work! However , hurry , you might catch them!!  We are sailing on the Reflection end of November & just booked the Millennium for mid February. Fingers crossed for the same wonderful music!! Our music tastes sound the same- hope to meet you some day! 

Paula & Tom

8 hours ago, shipshipship said:

Were you tested by Celebrity prior to disembarking when you returned to Florida? 

No, we were not tested by Celebrity prior to disembarkation. 

13 hours ago, Lizofwisconsin said:

I am waiting on hold to find out about the vaccination requirement in 2022.  We are supposed to sail on the Zuiderdam January 2.  I had talked to HAL last week and was told that policy for our sailing would be announced 90 days before cruise date, which would be today, which is also final payment date.  So far, they don't seem to know, which surprises me.  Agent on the phone is "talking to my supervisor".  I also will not go if vaccinations are not required, but have so much been looking forward to this cruise.

 

 

Hopefully they extended your final payment date until a decision is made regarding the vaccination requirements into 2022

Thanks very much Kazu! Appreciate the wine list too. I couldn’t access it. 
 

1 hour ago, jg51 said:

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Dear "bandp407,"

Thanks for your enthusiastic report.

 

May we ask you to elaborate -- in some detail, if possible -- about "the music" (outside the theater), which is very important to us too?

 

For example, what kinds of acts performed in the atrium and lounges (house/party band, instrumental combos, soloists [guitar, piano, vocal], duos, etc.).  Did their repertoires include selections from classical music, the Big Band era [e.g. jazz standards], the (genuine) Rock 'n' Roll era [1955 to 1984], etc.? 

 

Finally, was beautiful (or obnoxious) music being played over speakers in the buffet restaurant?

 

Thanks, in advance, for your help!

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jg51~ The House Band primarily played in the Grand Foyer. They played on Deck 4 on a platform. The dancing would have been on Deck 3 - no one was there and neither were we.

The Jazz Band- Music Soup played each evening in the Rendezvous Lounge. They were great to listen and somewhat dance to. Each night they performed the songs of various musicians - Sinatra, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, etc... Four piece with a Female pianist/ vocalist. Excellent!

One night was a Motown performance in the Sky Lounge - lots of fun! You know the music!! Also prerecorded Ballroom Music in the Sky Lounge - we didn't go - need some lessons first!!

Only one DJ set by the pool was "obnoxious" , but the rest very upbeat and appropriate. Oh and a steel band occasionally by the pool. 

Just enjoy - its more music than we have had on some other cruises. 

Greetings all,

Does anyone know if the $100 pp shore excursion credit can be used as OBC either for  gratuity or spa? I’ve called and have been told no. Perhaps those onboard have better insight.
 

Also, I have seen the Clos du Bois listed in a previous post as an $11 glass of wine. That would be included I gather in the SBP. Can anyone confirm if that is a wine regularly offered onboard? Pre pandemic HAL’s included Chardonnay’s were not at all to my liking & there were no options to upgrade the package. On our last sailing we brought wine and paid the corkage. However now the package is included. What is the cost ( with grat) to upgrade? Can 1 person in the cabin upgrade without the other? All I drink is Chardonnay so it became frustrating & I am wondering what my options are before committing to our sailing.
 

Has there been any mention onboard about HAL extending the 100% vaccination requirement into 2022? We are sailing on the Rotterdam in March, but will not go if the vaccination requirement is lifted.  
 

Thank you in advance! 

Just saw this post Jim! How great that you & Lain will be sailing again!!  I am jealous!!

will be following. Have a FABULOUS cruise !! 

On 10/2/2021 at 8:04 PM, GMoney said:

Thanks so much for this thread. I booked the 10/19 cruise today (while on RC Ovation for 3 weeks). I already had the 10:27 canal sailing booked, so now I’m on for 23 nights. 
 

Millennium and Summit are my favorite ships. 
 

anyone know if the buffet is open for dinner? I’m guessing it’s not. 

We just got off a 5 night Summit sailing & yes , the Oceanview was open for dinner. However the dining room was fabulous!

3 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks for your wonderful report.    Sounds like a wonderful cruise.   We have some friends aboard and was waiting to hear from them.

 

Thank you Jim for your wonderful reports !! Followed along on your Equinox sailing!! 
 

yes, it was a great cruise! I neglected to mention the music- it too was great! It’s an important factor for us as we love to listen & to dance! 

I am sure your friends are enjoying!! 

Our thanks to the most AMAZING Crew & our thanks to Celebrity for their Covid protocols. We felt safer onboard than we do at home in Florida & hope they continue with these protocols into 2022!!

This was our first cruise since Nov 2019 & first on the "M" class.  We have only sailed on the "S" class ships & were a bit hesitant about trying the Summit given her age. Well she is just BEAUTIFUL! The revolutionized version really made a difference. The color palatte is soft, light & very appealing throughout the ship. 

Our arrival time was 11:30-12:00. Our passports, vaccine cards & Antigen test was reviewed prior to entering the terminal and several times heading up to the check-in counter. It was very quick & efficient and we were on board before noon. We had a balcony stateroom on Deck 8 near the aft elevators. Everything in the room worked perfectly - including the water pressure in the shower!!

We sailed with only 250 passengers - may never experience that again!  Celebrity's service has always been great, but this crew was really special. They are so very happy to be back and it shows in all they do. They had a special warmth this cruise which was beautiful to experience. We did not feel as if any services were cut given the small number of passengers. Instead of 2 shows a night , there was one at 9PM which was totally understandable.  They were all very good - especially Motown on night 1 and the Tribute to Broadway. How great not to deal with the chair hogs & get a seat around the pool! 

If anyone is looking for a Summit sailing in January or February, she has been chartered for the entire period. While we are going on the Reflection the end of November, we are considering a 4 night on the Millenium mid February. I would imagine she is equally as beautiful having been revolutionized only a month sooner in 2019. 

So happy to be back to cruising!! Bon Voyage to all!!

4 hours ago, Rustyman said:

Hello, we have 6 of us flying in to Tampa in January from the UK for a Celebrity cruise. We’ll have tests before the flight out but they will be more than 72 hours prior to the cruise so we’ll require further Covid tests in Tampa prior to the cruise. We will only have the day before the cruise to get these done and it looks like there are queries about where we can get tests in Tampa. Any pointers would be great.

In the UK Celebrity pay for PCR tests for all passengers and have fall back testing at the port for those who don’t receive their results in time, do you know if they have the same fall back provision in Tampa?

Rustyman- you are a long way off & Celebrity protocols may change  as well as testing locations. Keep in mind what exists today may not be a testing location in January. However good to research ahead. I believe the Tampa airport area is part of Hillsboro county.. Search the county where you overnight and search that area for COVID 19 Antigen tests. You may also want to consider purchasing the Abbott Binax Now test . Check EMed .com However the ones they are selling now expire end of Dec. This will be a work in progress for you I am afraid. We live further south in a different county & just did our Antigen tests this morning for a Saturday Celebrity sailing. It was at a sports complex which has been opened & at times closed. No appointments at all at CVS or Walgreens!!! Good Luck - it will be worth the effort!
 

DH & I will be sailing on the 5 night on 9/25. Can anyone currently onboard post if one showtime and only at 9? I imagine 1 Chic night on night 4? Looks like even with the reduced number of passengers, there is lots of music & dancing options onboard? I did read somewhere on the boards that there are only 300 passengers on this week’s sailing. I doubt there will be many more on the next sailing, but we shall see. Our 1st time on Summit & 1st cruise in 22months!! 

‘Many thanks & enjoy the rest of your cruise!

3 hours ago, goofysmom99 said:

Jim, I just boarded Summit today where I'm staying semi-isolated in a CS.  No problem social distancing; this cruise is in private yacht territory = 300 pax.  I'm alone in al Bacio.  

Hi Goofysmom99~ so happy hearing from someone on the Summit. DH & I board on the 25th , also for a 5 night. We watched your sail away & can’t wait! Our first cruise in 22months!  Hard to believe only 300 pax! Will probably be a similar number for our sailing- a yacht indeed! Would love to hear about your sailing on a separate thread. ENJOY!
 

25 minutes ago, lka1012 said:

 

So do you do your test after you arrive in Port city?

You have to do it within 48hrs of sailing. It’s an app that you download & follow the instructions. Don’t really know more than that as we have not done it yet.

9 minutes ago, lka1012 said:

I hope the different cruise lines will come up with a solution for their customers (passengers). This is becoming a logistical nightmare for this boondoggle. Most of us are completely in agreement with a test, but since many of do arrive in part city prior to sailing. Just telling us to learn to swim by throwing us in the deep end does not work.

 

We need a better way to find the tests, in the port city, to get the accepted test. If I had a list, I could find my way there, uber, lyft, shuttle, etc. Continue to share options and locations. We can help each other through this. Viva la Crusing

The latest - as promised, we received our tests yesterday. They take a lot of " stress" out of the excitement of cruising.!

Fellow cruisers ` 

We maybe sailing on the September 25th sailing & tried to book an appointment for our Rapid Antigen test for next Thursday.. We live in Florida & tried numerous CVS locations. Not one appointment at all!! Then tried Walgreens & the closest location was in Kentucky!! A sports complex  offering them , did not have dates posted yet for next Thursday & Friday. The other issue with them if it rains , like today, they close!! Well this now became a major concern. 
 

Followed the link on the Celebrity website & purchased the Abbott Binax NOW COVID 19 Antigen card home test. It was $69.99 For a 2 pack. Received an email this morning that it shipped via FedEX & we should have it tomorrow. I guess a small price for piece of mind!! I will try to submit to Medicare , but didn’t see any other option. By the way the expiration is Dec 31, 2021.

Just wanted to share as I am sure many are facing similar testing difficulties to meet the 48hr requirement.

Now all we need are the storms to cooperate & stay faraway!

Does anyone on Edge know how much longer Captain Kate will be at the helm ? 

On 9/7/2021 at 8:33 AM, Miaminice said:

Celebrity Apex 2021 - Greece - Day 4 - Rhodes
Rhodes is another perfect example of a port where you can spend a brilliant day without booking a tour. As you can see on the first image, 
everything is right there in front of the ship. Go out and explore, go with the flow. I can highly recommend the website of Tom´s Port Guide which provides a walking tour map - it’s been a great help when we were in Rhodes for the first time many years ago.

 

 

So our plan of the day was not to have a plan... We had the delicious breakfast at Eden Café that we already told you about and then headed out sometimes later in the morning.

As always we went to the right following the bay. The boats selling sponges and shells are a feast of color and a perfect photo opportunity along the way.

 

 

 

We passed the many excursion boats and walked to the old Mandraki harbour. The entrance of the port is framed by two columns, home to two statues of deer named Elefos and Elafina - the emblem of Rhodes. It is said that they mark the footprints of the ancient Colossus of Rhodes.

 

We walked back and entered the bright white cupola of the Nea Agora (New Market). Once a fish market, it is now a bazar and home to restaurants and shops.

 

 

 

 

Leaving the market through the side exit, we followed the city wall back towards one of the gates. In a niche of the wall we found a little stall selling fresh juice and decided to sit down in what felt like a small courtyard. Some basic tables and chairs, shaded by a roof of parasols and decorated with some plants along the background of the city wall made it feel cozy and welcoming.

 

 

The lady owner was very friendly and when we got talking, she recomended us to do the 30 minute walk throught the medieval moat starting just around the corner.
Since we hadn´t done that before we decided to try it. After just a few minutes we were happy we did. Walking in the moat litterally provided a new perspective. When we looked down into the moat on our previous trips we thought: it´s big. Now, looking up at the canyons of thick stone walls, it was impressive and gave us an idea how impenetrable it was. I wouldn´t want to be the knight in shining armor trying to get up there. We were already sweating in shorts and T-shirts without anyone shooting arrows at us or trying to hit us with boulders 😁.

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the moat we entered the city wall.

 

 

I won´t mention the different points of interest and, because of the lack of better words, just quote what I read about Rhodes Town: “an intricate network of busy little commercial streets delightfully alternating with quiet alleys, walls, towers, fountains and domes and minarets of Ottoman mosques, in what is a very much alive town consistently dwelt in over the last two thousand years.”
While you really can’t get lost in the old town, we´d encourage you to lose yourselves in the alleys and to explore. And don´t forget to have a "Mythos" or a good Greek lunch in one of the tavernas.

 

 

 

 

We didn´t forget and had lunch on the roof terrace of Archipelagos restaurant overlooking Hippocrates Square. 
 

 

 

 

Continuing our walk, we eventually reached the imposing Palace of the Grand Master. From there the Street of the Knights leads down the hill. The street is lined by the inns of the different nationalities of the Knights of the Order of St. John who once ruled Rhodes Town and is one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe.

 

 

 

 

 

Walking the streets of Rhodes and the area around the palace feels like time travel. And time does travel fast. So we went back to the ship and spent the rest of the afternoon on board. 

It was Chic night so we dressed up and enjoyed another fantastic meal in Blu. Although the shows on board are obviously really good, Birgit and I rarely go to see them. We really really enjoyed the peace and quiet in Cafe al Bacio instead - only interrupted by the refreshing and genuine laughter of the waitress - her bright eyes smiling at us above her face mask. This is cruising for us… and we have missed it sooo much.

 

 

 

Your pictures are AMAZING!  Thank you so much for taking your time to post them & for  taking us along on your return to cruising! DH & I , like you & Birgit, have missed it so much. Our last cruise was November 2019. We have the Reflection booked for November- so far off! 
 

We have not sailed on the”E” class. Not sure about the infinite verandas. We are thinking about the sunset veranda. Have you sailed in one? We love our balcony & are concerned we would miss it. Thoughts?  Your photos  & comments make me want to sail on Apex tomorrow!!

Also we love music & dancing. The atrium dance floor looks very small & there is no Sky Lounge. Any comments on what you have seen. I know they have The Club. 

Thank you once again & enjoy every moment of your long awaited cruise!!

4 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

The Spa pass just came available to purchase for our 10/20 TA on the Rotterdam.

 

The price is $429 for the couples pass.....14 day cruise.

 

Two years ago, the price was $449 for the Nieuw Statendam 14 day TA when we bought it pre-cruise and I recall checking when onboard and the price was more.

 

It seems better to buy pre-cruise.  I'll check the price onboard next month, for sure.

 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

The Spa pass just came available to purchase for our 10/20 TA on the Rotterdam.

 

The price is $429 for the couples pass.....14 day cruise.

 

Two years ago, the price was $449 for the Nieuw Statendam 14 day TA when we bought it pre-cruise and I recall checking when onboard and the price was more.

 

It seems better to buy pre-cruise.  I'll check the price onboard next month, for sure.

 

Thanks for the info! Have a wonderful cruise on the beautiful Rotterdam. We are sailing her the end of March & can’t wait! Bon Voyage!

 

 

1 hour ago, JRWLOBO said:

If you go in to book the cruise and do not find the cabin you desire, just type in the cabin number in the upper right corner of the page where it states:  Look up stateroom.  I have been surprised here of late to see how many times the cabin I want shows up to book.  

Good luck getting the cabin you want.

1 hour ago, JRWLOBO said:

If you go in to book the cruise and do not find the cabin you desire, just type in the cabin number in the upper right corner of the page where it states:  Look up stateroom.  I have been surprised here of late to see how many times the cabin I want shows up to book.  

Good luck getting the cabin you want.

JRWLOBO - you are brilliant  Thank you so much for the hint!  I didn't book just yet, but will use this option when I do! Thanks again. 

Just got our booster shots (🎉🎉) & are considering the Summit 5 night for Sept 25. Without going to concierge & forward we are looking at cabins on Deck 7. The only ones available are forward of the mid ship elevator & suites. All other cabins aft of the elevator are taken. I checked the “M” class spread sheat & none of the recommended are available. We can’t help but wonder why so many of the deck 7 midship are available. Can anyone who has sailed on the Summit comment? We did price sunset view, but would need to book Concierge which is $400 higher. Not sure if it is worth it for a 5 night cruise.

Many thanks in advance!