Live From The Decks Of The Summit B2B 10/19 & 10/25/14 /14

[JaneStarr]

It may have been unique to Summit out of New York to Bermuda this summer. This cruise tends to be more of a party group than others may be, being out of NYC area and thus this type of entertainment works for the crowds.

 

I believe it was final night or night before, in sky lounge, they decorated, and had staff dancers etc there. Just a fun party in the lounge for late nighters.

 

We had the "Frozen" party the 2nd to last night on the 10/5 Canada/NE Sailing. This is where a couple of ice sculptures appeared (like those on former cruises at midnight buffet...then changed to sea day brunch...then at some sort of deck party before being discontinued). They also had a dancer on stilts and a couple of cirque-style performers. It was up in Revelations. We enjoyed it, along with most of the late night entertainment up there. The only thing that really flopped, in our opinion, was the 4 repeat performances by a Sin City comedian. We went to his first show and found him to have too hostile an edge. Not funny and gratuitous swearing, because he was going for cheap laughs. We're not prudes and understand about "adult" comedy, but we just didn't find this particular comedian funny. The warm up guy had potential. Not sure why they repeated the same show 4 times.

Jane

Edited October 25, 2014 by JaneStarr

[tuggers]

Summit Day 5 10.19.2014

Today we are in St Thomas docking at Havensight. HOT again but at least we are not boxed in with ships on both sides so maybe a little breeze will get through.

Had a brilliant idea this morning. Well, okay, mildly smart. Before I went to Normandy I made a stop by Café Al Bacio and picked up pastries that Cil, Roger and I would eat. And we ate them all so there was no waste. It has been driving me crazy that they are serving plates with 8 or 9 pastries, people eat two or three and the rest has to be thrown away. With the Lox they are packing huge pieces on two tiny little mini bagels. I don’t get how this is better. The serve yourself sure seems like less waste to me. Plus the service is not that great. Someone comes in and they sit. Someone else comes in 5 minutes later and they get served right away while the first person is still sitting there waiting on someone to notice them. Ashley can keep it running smoothly while she’s there but her desk hours start at 9 so she has to leave with another hour of service left in Normandy.

I really did not want to go out but decided to do a little shopping. It is VERY humid. We were getting off at the back of the ship so you had to walk the length of the ship to get through the gate. I was lucky in that a taxi was coming by and I asked him if he would drop me off over near Al Cohen’s. Best $2 I spent all day. Bought my gifts and then went into the liquor portion of the store to price vodka for Roger. Would you believe they were closed for inventory? I have such good luck. J Stopped by the drug store for a large bottle of water for my cabin ($2.50 as opposed to $4.00 and it’s a much bigger bottle) and caught the real shuttle back to the ship. Maybe this coming week Al’s will be open.

Random off topic thought: My cabin has (in another wire basket, I tell you they got a deal) several snacks on the desk. One of them is a personal size can of Pringles, there are some chocolates, all very small portions. You are invited to enjoy them for $5 EACH. Even in a convenience store those little Pringles are only $1.50 so $5 seems really excessive. There is also a small bottle of Evian which can be yours for the same price.

Put my bathing suit on and went up by the pool. Not many people were there so I had my pick of chairs. Sat for about 30 minutes and went in for a sandwich. I don’t know why they have so many different opening times at the buffet. The sandwich portion opens at 12:15, pizza opens at 12:30, main buffet opens at noon and the pasta bar at 12:30. So you end up with people standing around with plates and their little elementary size trays that barely fit a plate and a drink. I think X got a bargain price on those trays along with the little wire baskets and the tiny metal casserole dishes. BTW, the baskets hold 5 to 6 steak fries.

Finally got my egg salad sandwich on roasted garlic bread and it was wonderful. As were my 5 french fries! J Actually the best thing was the ice water. I was pretty parched just from a little while out by the pool. No dessert not even ice cream. Wow! So not like me,

I went back out, made a couple of phone calls and decided I would be much better off to take a cold shower and a nap before the 4PM meeting for the B2B’ers. Good thing I was feeling pretty good after my nap because the woman who gave the information had a very heavy accent which left a large portion of the attendees scratching their heads and muttering ‘huh?’. I can safely say I learned more reading the paper they sent to our cabins than I got from the meeting. Someone else needs to run these meetings if they continue because she is just too hard to understand. Personally, I wouldn’t waste my time going again. Besides most of us have done b2b’s and don’t need much more than the time and place we are to meet.

Complicating tomorrow’s schedule is the fact that the three of us have to move. Cil and Roger are going to a cabin near where I am now on deck 3 while I have to go to deck 7. And they want it finished by 8AM. They’ve promised help but based on how little help I got moving Cil and Roger this week I’m not counting on anything except being exhausted from moving us both.

This all sounds like I had a terrible day and there’s another one to come tomorrow but that’s not true. Anytime I’m on a ship with water all around I’m a happy camper. And when they’re giving away wine I’m even happier! I wouldn’t have missed this cruise for anything. I’ve met some really nice people, gotten reacquainted with some old friends I haven’t seen in years and seen a couple I’m rather happy aren’t doing a b2b. J

Cil and Roger went to the dining room tonight but I decided to go to the buffet with Gloria and Terry. The nightly buffet has really been quite good. Tonight I had

ham (sliced off the bone), a baked potato, crusty olive bread and a cappuccino crème brule. Very good. And a glass of white wine. (note to whoever asked what wines are available in the Elite lounge I will have to write them down day after tomorrow and post)

I came back to my cabin and dozed off watching TV. At 11:20 I sat straight up realizing I had to go to the casino and draw our some non-refundable credits or I would lose them. Once I was up and dressed, of course I had to play a little. I finally left the casino about1:15 and it was still going strong. Lots of folks playing table games with a lot of hooping and hollering so I guess some people were winning.

I really should be getting my things together to move tomorrow but I think I’m going to call it a day (it’s now 2:30) and get up early tomorrow. We’re not docking at the piers that are downtown but at the one near the bridge that’s kind of out of the way. I’m sure I’ll stay onboard and get some more pool time.

Bye For Now.

[Cancruz]

Some of your adventures pre boarding were atypical for you. Glad to hear that you are getting a rest. You are really a good soul to help your friends and to keep your CC followers up to speed.

 

Buffet "baskets"? Guess they're trying to curb Noro. Really enjoyed making my own salad at lunch. I have seen a lot of wasted food left on tables. Better to make a second trip than to waste, but 5 fries? Tell me it isn't so.

 

We also like elite breakfast as a way to transition into the day. Love fresh fruit with an almond croissant and café mocha. Ambience is the best way to start a cruise day.

 

Great to hear from you!

Edited October 25, 2014 by Cancruz

[DebbieMacG]

Really? Was it free for them or did they have to pay the $7.00 cover charge? Why didn't they just have them have lunch in Blu? :confused:

 

I would be very unhappy if I wasn't able to have lunch in Bistro on embarkation, it's become a kind of tradition for all our family now :(

 

Thanks for the great review Gail xx

[tuggers]

DebbieMacG, not sure about their paying but it was only for them. No idea why they didn't use Blu but I did hear some griping about it not being open to everyone. We have gotten used to eating there on embarkation day so we weren't very happy about it either.

 

Cancruz, thanks for reading. They were steak fries and not the little skinny ones but yes, there were only 5. We need to cruise together again! :)

Edited October 27, 2014 by tuggers

[tuggers]

Summit Day 6 10.19.2014

Ok, my friends know that I am famous for not following ‘rules’. To me, what most consider the ‘rules’ or the ‘law’ are merely suggestions. I have lived my life pretty much by that standard. But today I decided to play by the rules. By 8AM I had my breakfast and was ready to call housekeeping to take my luggage to my new cabin. What happened when we arrived? The passengers in the room I was moving to were not only still in the cabin, they were asleep! If this is what following the rules gets me I’m going back to my old ways!

Called Cil and Roger to see if they needed any help but they had everything ready waiting on housekeeping. Of course housekeeping was waiting on the passengers in their new cabin to vacate. And so we wait. I went up to Café al Bacio to wait. Cil and Roger followed. Their luggage was also left to be moved by housekeeping.

As instructed we went to the Rendez Vous at 9:15 to be escorted off the ship. But first

they had to call the names of all 220+ B2B’ers and give us our new sea pass cards. It was

actually after 10 when we lined up to go to the terminal. Once there we stood around for

a while until we had our passports checked and headed back to the ship. Then we stood

around some more until we had sea pass cards inspected and allowed back onboard.

Pictures taken we finally were back and legal. Just needed to make a stop by Guest

Relations to see if they needed our credit cards again. They had taken our sea pass cards

for the first cruise and we told we could get them back later in the day at GR.

I have my cards from every cruise I’ve ever taken and I wasn’t going to lose this one.

By this time it’s after 12 and we took our special ‘tickets’ to the dining room for the B2B

lunch. Kind of disappointed in the menu. I had the Mushroom Risotto (good) and the

Goat Cheese and Onion Tart (ordinary) and the old menu standby Moehr en Hand. That

was wonderful. Service okay but not to X standards.

I was tired because I couldn’t sleep the night before. My sciatica was killing me. I had

slept from 6AM to 6:45AM so by 2 I was exhausted. I headed back to my cabin for a

nap.

We did dinner early (6:15) because they do a 7:45 Muster and we wanted to be finished

with dinner by the time the announcements started. They will literally take your

dinner off the table, finished or not, and send you to your stations. In fact we were

walking to Michael’s Club (I guess Muster is the only time we will see that venue

unless we decide to start staying in suites) when a 20 something walked by us

shoveling pasta with LOTS of garlic into his mouth. People were like that stuff

stinks but he kept right on eating.

Dinner was very good with great service by Paul and Don. I had missed the Prime

Rib on the last cruise so I was looking forward to it today. I asked for a very rare

piece and that’s what I got. Had a Thai Spring Roll, Mushroom Soup and Cheesecake

for dessert. All of it was yummy and just what you expect when traveling on X.

Michael’s was jammed but I did manage to get a seat for Roger and Cil sat on her

Rollator. Muster was a little longer than usual and we did sit and let the foot

traffic settle down a little. I went outside to call Teri and Judy as we were sailing.

When I finished my calls the casino still wasn’t open so I went up to Café al

Bacio for a decaf cappuccino and then back to my cabin and an early night.

All things considered it was a very good day.

Bye For Now!

[Champagne Cruiser]

If you don't mind I have a few questions about the Summit after the summer "experiments" if you could comment when you get a chance:

 

1. Are they still doing embarkation lunch in BLU for Aqua and Normandie for Suites?
   
2. Are they still doing Liquid Nightclub at the Aqua pool one night, and Indulgence in Cellar maters one night?
   
3. Still doing Frozen - White Party one night in Sky lounge?
   
4. is buffet still serving any hot foods in the single-serve ready to go metal baskets and pans? I've read they are still doing many cold items in single ready to go servings and the hot foods had gone away, but were possibly coming back after some tweaking.
   
5. Are they still doing an omelet station at the poolside bar in the mornings?
   
6. have the small tea-sandwiches returned to the afternoon buffet or to the aqua spa cafe tea time (4-5pm) (as opposed to the "open faced" versions only at Aqua spa cafe for the summer tea hour)
   

 

I sailed Summit 2 times this summer, and experienced these things, and was curious if they would remain after the Bermuda season.

 

Just off the Summit repo cruise. Haven't read through all the responses, but here are my answers to your questions

1.No, much to my disappointment.

2. No and I think no, but didnt see it mentioned in Cellar Masters

3.Yes

4. I don't know on this one

5. Yes

6.Still had open faced sandwiches in the Aqua Spa cafe for afternoon tea.

[tuggers]

cle-guy,

 

Bistro on 5 is reserved on embarkation day for Aqua class. Don't think they were charged.

 

'Liquid' is still done in the Spa.

 

Yes to the individual portions for cold items, baskets and metal casserole dishes. They are out in droves!

 

 

 

[tuggers]

Summit Day 1 10.25.2014

Well we seem to have successfully boarded a whole new crowd for this 7 night San

Juan to San Juan cruise. We only have one sea day and a whole bunch of ports starting

off today with St Croix. I have been here a lot of times, always on Sunday and always

found most everything closed. What is up with that?

We have two large groups onboard. One a hosted singles cruise that Vacations To Go

put together. Mostly women. They must not have explained the dress code for the

Elite Cocktails because some showed up in shorts. But then if they are Elite shouldn’t they know the dress code? The other is a gay group of about 60. Not sure who organized that one but looking forward to meeting both groups. sounds like fun!

Someone wanted the wine available in Elite Lounge:

Celebrity Sparkling Wine

Beringer White Zin

Santa Helena Chard

Anakena Cab

Aresti Sauvignon Blanc (my favorite)

Man Vintners Shiraz

Cocktails

Kir Royal

Mimosa

Vodka or Gin Martini

Apple Martini

Cosmo

Manhatten

Screwdriver

Sidecar

Spirits

Absolut Vodka

Seagrams VO

Beefeater Gin

Bacardi Rum

Jim Bea, Bourbon

Dewer’s White Label Scotch

Courvoisier VS Cognac

(what we need added to this list is Tequila!)

Heinekin

Bud Light

O’Doul’s

Sodas, Juices and Bottled Water

Again this morning I went to the Café al Bacio for pastries (the Apple Turnovers are GREAT!) and Cil, Roger and I ate what I brought to the Elite Breakfast. I think I brought 3 or 4 for each of us.

There was no waste. I just hate to see all this food being wasted.

I only saw two servers in Normandy this morning. One was working really hard and an older one spent 10 minutes or so teaching a table how to fold napkins. And they must not have been quick studies because he spent a lot of time with them. We didn’t lack for anything as it was a small group eating there but I felt sorry for the one doing all the work.

After breakfast I went up to lay by the pool. Again it was a small group as most people

got off. And that’s how I like the pool area – all mine!

Football today was on the in cabin TV’s as well as on the larger screens at the casino bar. As far as I know the World’s Series was only on in the cabins. I was a little surprised they didn’t have some venue set up with big screens, hot dogs and popcorn. That’s what most of the ships have done for Sunday football and especially the World’s Series. Maybe the new CD isn’t a sports fan. J

For lunch I again had a nice sandwich from the buffet. Tuna on rye with tomato and provolone, then grilled. And 5 more French Fries! Marvin and Harriet joined us and he said the potato salad was good. Truthfully I couldn’t finish my sandwich so I didn’t try even a spoonful of the it. Maybe tomorrow. Wish someone could answer the question of why all these little different buffet areas don’t open at the same time. Annoying when

people in a group want to eat together but want different things.

I came in from the pool around 3. Had a very nice cool shower. It was hot out there

and I was tired enough to take a nap for an hour before having to get ready for drinking!

Tonight is formal night but we aren’t going to get dressed and go to the dining room. Roger just isn’t up to it. He didn’t have a nap and he really needs that in the afternoon.

He HAD to see the Patriots game! Me, I gave it up for a nap when they were 25 points

ahead.

We have seen quite a few staff and crew we’ve had before: Ivo who was in the dining room and now works the buffet at night, Joseph the BEST EVER drink server when we had him in the Elite Lounge. Now he works special parties and around the pool. A couple of Asst Maître D’s and Jon, a waiter we had in regular dining and now does

Select. It’s so nice to keep seeing the same people from cruise to cruise. Makes me feel at home!

We stayed in Revelations till 7:30 and then Gloria, Terry and I went up to the buffet to

meet up with Cil and Roger. He was so exhausted that they left shortly after we went up.

I hope he gets a good nights sleep tonight and takes a nap during the day.

I had a couple of slices of Roast Pork and a very small baked Potato. They had the German Chocolate Cake that was so good the other night and I could not resist it. It was

pretty good tonight, too!

Stopped by the casino but decided to come up and watch the Saints game.

It’s been a very good day. Anytime I get pool time, reading time, food I don’t have to cook and free drinks is a great day for me!!

Things are wonderful except for one thing. My friend who is at my house taking care of the animals tells me my 100+ pound German Shepherd is in a mutual love affair with her 3 year old grandson who probably doesn’t come up to Sarge’s back. Apparently he can lead Sarge around any way he wants! I may have to break out some special treats to get my big baby back to being a mama’s boy! J

Bye For Now!

[CruisingChick]

cle-guy,

 

Bistro on 5 is reserved on embarkation day for Aqua class. Don't think they were charged.

 

'Liquid' is still done in the Spa.

 

Yes to the individual portions for cold items, baskets and metal casserole dishes. They are out in droves!

 

 

 

 

I guess they switch things up depending on the itinerary.

 

We didn't have Liquid on our 14 Night Canada/New England cruise 9/21-10/5 but had it on our Bermuda cruise 5/25-6/1 (wouldn't have gone again if the did - it was lame in our opinion). Same with the individual portion baskets. We had them on our Bermuda cruise but not on our Canada/New England cruise. I spoke to the Hotel Director Paul Kelly about them and he said they needed to tweak things and get some new equipment in before they reinstated the small plates/individual portions in the buffet.

[Andy]

Hi Gail,

 

As always, thank you for your updates. Sorry about your sciatica - hope it settles down very soon. Enjoy the next leg of your B2B !

[tuggers]

Hey Andy,

Even sciatica is better on a ship! A few drinks to deaden the pain and I'm good!!!:D

[tuggers]

I am in St Kitts. There are two golf carts who bring people back and forth for a $1 tip. Pretty good deal. Carts seat 4 to 6 people.

This Internet I am using is through the little place where the drivers assault you :p and turn to the right. It's on the left side and they have 7 computers. 15 min is $4 an hour is $6. Trust me, you'll need the hour. It's not very fast but to dump emails and post on here its good.

Going to try to find a pharmacia.

Bye For Now.

[MGK]

Love your updates, and I love the Summit. However, the deck chair thing continues to be my only complaint. Did you go to guest services? I did back in August on my 2nd Summit cruise, and again they did nothing.

[MonaCK]

cle-guy,

 

Bistro on 5 is reserved on embarkation day for Aqua class. Don't think they were charged.

 

'Liquid' is still done in the Spa.

 

Yes to the individual portions for cold items, baskets and metal casserole dishes. They are out in droves!

 

 

 

 

 

Wait - this isn't right. We were not Aqua Class, and were able to eat at Bistro on 5 on Embarkation (I was on the Repo portion of this cruise with you)... I was concierge, and my table mates (my dad and his girlfriend) just a regular veranda. No idea why you were told this. We heard others being told that there was a wait and to come back at another time... but not that it was for Aqua Class only.

[Champagne Cruiser]

I know others who sailed Veranda and ate in Bistro on Five on Embarkation Day.

[lovecruzin]

We ate in bistro on 5 boarding day for the 6 day repo. We are in Aqua and we were charged. The B2Bers from the Canada NE cruise were not charged. ;)

[tuggers]

No one told us but it was in the Celebrity Today. So we didn't bother to go.

On our current cruise it did not say it was unavailable to anyone except Aqua. We thought it was strange as we always eat there on Embarkation Day and would have liked to try the expanded menu.

[tuggers]

Summit Day 2 10.25.2014 St. Kitts

Now that we have everyone onboard and we successfully made it through another Muster

and the ‘newbies’ have made it through their first night things will be back to normal. Most, I’m sure are suffering their first headaches after using their drink packages a little too freely. J

The Café was way too busy to stop and get pastries so I went straight down to the Normandy. With all the changes in menus attendance has been very low but today with a new cruise starting and a port intensive week I don’t think we will see many customers for the Elite Breakfast this whole cruise.

Cil and Roger came in after a trip to the buffet. I had told them that the waffles this trip were pre-made and doughy. Not the light, fluffy ones we have grown to love. Roger wanted whipped cream and when he took a little longer than the cook thought he should have, he told him to ‘just get what you want and move on’. Roger took a fall and injured his right Rotator Cuff a few months back and even after physical therapy the arm is still weak and it takes him a little longer to do things. Too bad I wasn’t there. As my friend Judy would say I’d either have the restaurant manager or the Captain down there and fast! Don’t mess with my favorite old people! J

After breakfast I did get off in St Kitts. There were two white golf carts who would take you to the end of the pier where the stores started. Tips only. After I got on I realized I had no small bills so I asked if he would trust me to pay him on the way back. Whether he thought he would ever see me again or not, he smiled and said sure. He even directed me to an Internet Café/convenience store. I wanted to clear some of my 1500 emails that have accumulated since I came onboard. Used an hour ($6) and didn’t make much of a dent. I think they were stealing their Internet from our ship because it was even slower that what we have onboard! J

Looked in one store trying to find a t-shirt for that little dog stealing 3 year old but they were 3/$27 or $10 each. Too rich for the little dear who has stolen my babies heart! Seriously, things were expensive in St Kitts. Most people looked and now plan to buy in

St Thomas.

Came back to the ship in time to wait for parts of the buffet to open. Had a grilled roast beef and provolone on rye. The fries today were a mix of skinny and steak fries in the little metal baskets and there were lots! Maybe they read on Cruise Critic where 5 fries

was a little chintzy?? No dessert, no ice cream but I did pick up two chocolate coconut (gluten free) cookies for later.

I stayed out by the pool but after 1 o’clock it was brutally hot and I didn’t last long. Sitting next to a bigger ship blocking the breeze made if even hotter. I’ll do extra tomorrow. This tan deal is my job and I’m falling down on it! Can’t go home without

a tan!

Tonight (well, 5PM) cocktails were very sparsely attended. We didn’t sail until a few minutes after 5 and since shorts aren’t allowed I think people just decided to either hit another bar or take the time to shower and rest. Besides, they were having the Captain’s Club Celebration in Revelations at 7:45 to 8:30 and you had to leave if you went for the 5 to 7 and come back at 7:45. Kind of crazy. I’ll try to find out if it was well attended. Obviously we didn’t go.

Cil and Roger went to the dining room. They were going to have the Veal Chop which I disapprove of on several levels so I let them go there and I went upstairs with Terry and Gloria. I wasn’t very hungry. Had a 3” piece of Chicken and Apple Sausage, a very small baked potato and applesauce. No dessert.

Stopped by the casino but it wasn’t bustling so I headed up to my cabin. Still not crazy about 7115 but I guess I’m getting used to it. It’s a good ways from everything but I can use the exercise. I guess. L

Tomorrow is Roseau, Dominica. I think I’ll get off for a little while. Maybe.

Bye For Now

Note to MGK - I've always been able to find a chair so haven't reported it to anyone but if I needed to tell someone I would go for the Head Housekeeper. The Pool Butlers come under that officer.

[CruisingChick]

so I headed up to my cabin. Still not crazy about 7115 but I guess I’m getting used to it. It’s a good ways from everything but I can use the exercise. I guess.

 

What do you mean you are not crazy about 7115? That's mid-ship deck 7. We have stayed in those rooms 7105 - 7119 numerous times. We have always found them convenient. You are 3 decks down from the buffet and 3 deck up from the MDR and Martini Bar. So sorry you are not happy with the location.

Edited October 28, 2014 by CruisingChick

[Sloop-JohnB]

Hi TUGGERS,

 

Enjoying your B2B LIVE Trip Report very much.

 

Cheers!

[runon]

Hi Tuggers,

 

I would be greatful if you could find out whether Ashely, the Captain's Club hostess will be on the Summit for the December 6 cruise. She was the hostess for our December 7 cruise last year and was just terrific. She made our cruise!

 

Thanks!

Mike

[am+a]

I would be very unhappy if I wasn't able to have lunch in Bistro on embarkation, it's become a kind of tradition for all our family now :(

 

Thanks for the great review Gail xx

 

We were on this cruise and had lunch in the Bistro. We are not Aqua and we were not even asked nor was anyone else that came in (we were right by the hostess stand).

[A Sixth?]

We ate in bistro on 5 boarding day for the 6 day repo. We are in Aqua and we were charged. The B2Bers from the Canada NE cruise were not charged. ;)

 

Did the B2B last January and part of the 'deal" was that all the B2Bers staying on the ship on the turnover day got a free pass to Bistro. It was packed and we were warned that we should go earlier if we wanted to use the freebie

Edited October 28, 2014 by A Sixth?

[lovecruzin]

Did the B2B last January and part of the 'deal" is EVERYONE staying on the ship on the turnover day gets a free pass to Bistro

 

For the repo and the following 7 day, there are too many of us so no free lunch at the bistro :(