Back from a wonderful trip on the Summit (Bayonne-Bermuda)

My wife and I just returned from the May 8-15 sailing of the Summit from Bayonne to Bermuda, and I figured I'd share my thoughts.

This will be sort of a mini-review, and if anyone has any questions I'll try my best to answer them.

Overall:

A great ship, even if it shows its age in places - Staffed by a great crew from top to bottom. We couldn't have scripted a better, more relaxing vacation.

About us:

Married couple in our mid-30s, expecting a baby in September - This was our "Babymoon," the last hurrah before it's baby all the time! Purpose of the trip was purely rest and relaxation.

Check-in and boarding:

Seamless. Arrived at 10:45, dropped our bags at the curb, completed security and check-in, and were on board with bubbly (for me) and orange juice (for her) in hand.

Cabin:

Concierge Class (C1) - 6143. Port side aft, back in "Suite Land." Cabin is a good size, and noticeably a bit larger than average. Some of the fixtures were showing a bit of age. The shower was fine. (One hand-held sprayer, no body sprays, and with a curtain). The balcony was huge! Plenty of room for two loungers, two regular chairs, and a table.

Food:

We ate in the MDR every evening at the late seating (8:15). Our servers (Wilword and Jorge) and sommelier (Alberto) were all lovely people and took great care of us. By night two they knew what wine I wanted, and brought my wife a fun new non-alcoholic beverage every night that she always looked forward to seeing.

We usually had breakfast in the Oceanview Cafe (Buffet). It was fine if unremarkable.

Beverage:

We both had the Premium package at booking due to the Go Best promo we booked. It kept my wife in good water and took all of the worry about ordering anything I wanted at the bar.

Onboard activities:

On this sailing the Cruise Director was John and Activities Director was Oz. Both were fun guys that did a great job running the events we attended, which were the late music trivia and mini-shows. These were fun and we met some great people.

Entertainment:

The two house bands were good and played throughout the ship. There was a guitar/vocal duo and a solo guitarist we also caught a couple of times who put on good shows for the smaller venues.

Around the Ship:

We sampled most of the social venues around the ship (Mast bar, Rendez-Vous Lounge, Revelations Lounge, Martini Bar, Casino). Each has its own atmosphere, and most of the time frequented by fellow passengers we found to be friendly and outgoing.

Not to be missed, however, is the Sunset Bar! The weather was perfect for relaxing at the aft of the ship and taking in the view of the ship's wake and chatting with our cruisemates. The bartending team of Dewa, Natalia, Mario, and Lionel is absolutely top-notch. They are a great team together, and really make you feel like a "Regular" at your local pub. Can't say enough about these fine folks.

Chair Wars:

Didn't experience it, didn't want to. If you absolutely, positively must have a seat by the pool, I guess you could struggle since those seemed to be constantly full.

Not sure why you'd even bother though. Deck 11 has enough chairs to seat the passengers on the Breakaway, it seems - And if you explore further you'll find that the Deck 12 areas are rarely full at all, and much quieter and more relaxing than the pool.

Bermuda:

Lovely little island. Loved the open-gangway policy that lets you come and go at your leisure as long as you're back before 4pm Friday!

We played golf at Turtle Hill and went to the beach at Horseshoe Cove. Friday we visited the museum directly next to the port, which is very well done and a great way to stay close to the ship on departure day.

Bottom Line:

In a perfect world I would have called the Concierge and had her keep us on to back-to-back this trip. Alas, life calls!

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, so ask away!

So glad you had a wonderful cruise. Sincere best wishes to you both, your new arrival in September and for future family cruises!

Was the Commissioners house at the museum open? I always like to wander around there.

I board next Sunday. Glad you had a nice cruise.

Laura

How was the solarium pool? Was it very crowded and difficult to get a seat too?

Was the Commissioners house at the museum open? I always like to wander around there.

I board next Sunday. Glad you had a nice cruise.

 

Laura

Friday trip for the wife & I. Spent a few hours there, loads of photo's. I will be posting soon.

So far I only did one of the Breakaway leaving, that's on the other site.

CaptDave

How was the solarium pool? Was it very crowded and difficult to get a seat too?

I liked the new loungers, but there were fewer of them. At times it was difficult getting 2 chairs. The pool butlers did try to monitor unattended chairs, which was nice.

Just realized I glossed over the time it took from curb to ship on embarkation -

Arrived curbside at 10:50 or so, on the boat with drink in hand at 11:30.

thank you for your review! I'm on her on the 5/22 sailing. We also have a concierge room and wondered what time did you disembark? (not to rush the trip-just have someone picking us up!) Thanks and congrats to you and your wife! :)

thank you for your review! I'm on her on the 5/22 sailing. We also have a concierge room and wondered what time did you disembark? (not to rush the trip-just have someone picking us up!) Thanks and congrats to you and your wife! :)

Thanks!

We picked the 9:00-9:15 window and we were off somewhere reasonably close to that time even though the ship was about 30 minutes late to the dock.

Customs was actually speedy and we were at the pickup zone by like 9:20 or so.

Thanks for the info! ;)

Did you get a chance to meet Capt Kate?

Did you get a chance to meet Capt Kate?

They twice had get your photo with Capt Kate, so yes for us.

CaptDave

Captains Club gathering 05/11/16:

Glad the BIG house (commissioner) house is open, it was closed the first time we were in Bermuda due to repairs

Nice report, thanks.

to NCMountains. first off, congrats on your upcoming September arrival(go Virgos)we will be sailing on June 12th and according to your great review,the excellent Sunset Bar team of Dewa(aka handsome man),Natalia,Mario,and Lionel are still there.we had a wonderful time last May when we went.this bar crew is Awesome! Thank you for your info. cant wait to see them again.good luck to you and your family

We were also on this sailing, but alas, we were on NCL Breakaway. We have always sailed Summit to Bermuda, but for some crazy reason, we decided to try something different this year. BIG mistake! Everyday, I would gaze longingly at Summit and wish I were there. My husband nearly cried, he was so disappointed with Breakaway.

We are now in the process of booking our Summit to Bermuda for 2017! What a relief!

we have sailed the Summit to BMD 5xs and cant wait to get back on her for the June 12th sailing. we have had cruisers from the Breakaway on past sailings asking all kinds of questions about the Summit, and all I could tell them was it was time to Break Away. welcome home.

We are going in August, just one question, how is the Breakaway docked to Summit? We are in aft balcony and are hoping not to be backed up to that as our view. Thanks!

That was our view. Breakaway was directly behind us. There is no way to predict which way either ship will dock, as they change for a variety of reasons. From our aft cabin, you could still see some of dockyard, and across the harbor, some of the rest of Bermuda.

We are selling also in August and also have a Aft balcony on the Summi. I have been checking out the Port of Bermuda cam the last couple weeks for last couple weeks. It looks as though the Breakaway docks the same way each time. (Facing the dock the forward on the left and the the aft on right.) whereas the Summit which docks behind the Breakaway ( has docked alternatively with their forward and alt facing the forward of the Breakaway on alternative weeks)

We are selling also in August and also have a Aft balcony on the Summi. I have been checking out the Port of Bermuda cam the last couple weeks for last couple weeks. It looks as though the Breakaway docks the same way each time. (Facing the dock the forward on the left and the the aft on right.) whereas the Summit which docks behind the Breakaway ( has docked alternatively with their forward and alt facing the forward of the Breakaway on alternative weeks)

There is no schedule and it can change week to week depending on different things like maintenance or crew drills. Good views either way!

We are selling also in August and also have a Aft balcony on the Summi. I have been checking out the Port of Bermuda cam the last couple weeks for last couple weeks. It looks as though the Breakaway docks the same way each time. (Facing the dock the forward on the left and the the aft on right.) whereas the Summit which docks behind the Breakaway ( has docked alternatively with their forward and alt facing the forward of the Breakaway on alternative weeks)

Breakaway does not dock the same way every time. I have pictures from the last two years that prove that!

we have sailed the Summit to BMD 5xs and cant wait to get back on her for the June 12th sailing. we have had cruisers from the Breakaway on past sailings asking all kinds of questions about the Summit, and all I could tell them was it was time to Break Away. welcome home.

"Like" Sorry, we strayed.....won't happen again

We are selling also in August and also have a Aft balcony on the Summi. I have been checking out the Port of Bermuda cam the last couple weeks for last couple weeks. It looks as though the Breakaway docks the same way each time. (Facing the dock the forward on the left and the the aft on right.) whereas the Summit which docks behind the Breakaway ( has docked alternatively with their forward and alt facing the forward of the Breakaway on alternative weeks)

We sail June 26, and it looks like Summit will be the only ship in port while we are there.