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

[tnfcruise]

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

 

 

Same here! Hoping our May cruise to Bermuda on the Summit is back to "normal".

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[tuggers]

Ok, one last time. The Celebrity Today said that Bistro was being used exclusively for Aqua Class. We did not try to go there.

If you went and they served you, great but we decided to follow the rules and had our lunch elsewhere.

 

On the 10/25/2014 sailing there were 220+ B2B'ers and they gave us tickets for a 'special' lunch in the dining room. It was not very good and some people read the menu and left. We were seated by the kitchen door so I assume we ticked someone off. The selections were poor, the service no way up to X standards and if offered this again we would go have a hamburger.

[tuggers]

Summit Day 3 10/25/2014 Cruise Roseau, Dominica

Today started with overcast skies and a light drizzle. Forecast was for clearing skies and a high of 84. Because the pool was not looking too good I decided to walk the short distance into town.

When I was here a couple of years ago I found a great spice shop but had never been able to find it on subsequent trips. Since I had nothing better to do I decided to devote myself to finding it. I asked many people about the shop, the last being a taxi driver who turned out to be a block from the shop. When I was telling the woman running the shop how much trouble I had finding them she was amazed. They have been in the same location for 11 years. Either the taxi driver was very new or a very bad taxi driver.

I stocked up on vanilla beans, bird peppers, coconut vinegar (for a vinaigrette dressing) and some other spices I have been running low on. This time I had her write down their address and I put it in my passport holder. Things saved there almost never get lost.

I looked around at some of the other vendors but found nothing I could not live without.

One thing about shopping here is that the people are so nice. No hard sell, no following you once you’ve said no. I made sure to thank each one for letting me look at their wares. Although the beaches here are fairly rocky and not my cup of tea it’s still a pleasant place to shop.

After an hour or so I went back to the ship. The rain had stopped and the sun was trying to come out although it never quite made it. After the heat of the last few days it was actually a nice change.

I went in for lunch about noon and found Roger who was waiting for Cil to bring him some (what else) pasta. She had made it with only oil and garlic so I asked him if he would like some sauce. He jumped at that so I went and got him some bolognaise with

lots of meat. He seemed to really enjoy it. I also got him some Coconut Rum Cake. That was pretty good too and we both enjoyed it.

I had a couple of spare ribs with potato salad and coleslaw. They had a little sauce and were room temperature but still good. It was different. Not sure I have ever seen spareribs on the buffet.

After lunch I went out and sat by the pool for another hour or so. People were starting to

come back from their tours and walks into town. The sun didn’t seem like it was going to

really come out so I wandered back inside, eventually making it back to my cabin in time for a nap before cocktails.

Ashley is having to do double duty as someone on board is sick or had to leave. Not quite sure what the problem is but some of the crew is doing double duty filling in. For the question of whether Ashley will be onboard December 6th: Ashley will be getting off that day to go home for her vacation. As of now she is scheduled to come back here after her holiday.

So Ashley was not at Elite Cocktails until the very end and then she had to tell us to leave because the room was being used for a private function.

We have had excellent service in the Elite Cocktails from Sacha. That may not be the correct spelling. I’ll have to check. She is always right there whenever we need another drink sometimes before we need it! J Donovan is also there but we had already started using Sacha before we realized he was there. Joseph was there one night when there was a party but I mostly only see him at the pool.

I decided to go to the dining room with Cil and Roger. Not a good choice on my part because it was one of my least favorite menus. It’s the one with Rigitoni, Beef Cheeks and some fish I’ve only heard of on here.

I ordered from the left side; escargot, onion soup and a strip steak, very rare. Every thing was okay except my steak was medium rare. No biggie because I was pretty full from the appetizer and soup.

For dessert Roger had (no big surprise here) apple pie and ice cream. Cil and I had the cheesecake. Hers with chocolate sauce and mine with peach.

I left them to their coffee and went to the casino. I think it was the first time on this cruise. I turned $5 in to $10 then back to $0. Am I good or what??

As for my comments about cabin 7115. I have gotten used to being on deck three behind

Guest Relations which I find very convenient. I had a cabin there the first cruise but I had to move for the second one. Also there has been some sort of leak near 7115 because we have had those industrial fans going in the hall for two or three days. That kind of gets to be a nuisance.

The Library is sad. It has the fewest books I have seen on any X ship. They have this great two story library and so few books it is laughable. I brought what I wanted to read and I’m sure glad I did.

The ship itself is in good shape. I think it was redone in 2012 and it’s holding up well. I really have no complaints. The pool loungers are new, the pool towels are new, the solarium pool area is in good shape and both my cabins have been in good repair. Some changes are kind of weird. Like those kindergarten size trays they have on deck 10. They are a little strange for adults. And all the mini wire baskets for fries and empanadas, the single serve metal casserole dishes filled with chili and short ribs must surely have been bought at a closeout sale. I still predict they are cute enough and interesting enough to find their way into a few suitcases! J

I must be happy with Summit because I just booked the spring B2B Repo. Mark and Randi I know you are coming. How about it Jeff and Kevin. Can I talk you into it????

Bye For Now!

[am+a]

Ok, one last time. The Celebrity Today said that Bistro was being used exclusively for Aqua Class. We did not try to go there.

If you went and they served you, great but we decided to follow the rules and had our lunch elsewhere.

 

 

We did not intentionally try to "break the rules." There was no sign at the restaurant and we did not see that in the newsletter probably because we were too excited to get on board. Just wanted to let others know our experience.

[Dave's Florida Girl]

Hi Gail,

I know you're going to hate to see this B2B come back to port.

Except for the sciatica this seems to have been a good cruise for you, Roger, & Cil.

Too bad you can't pick your favorite ship, your favorite ship mates, all your favorite foods and entertainment, the best crew you've ever had and just pack your things to stay on board throughout retirement. :) Don't wake me up - I do believe I'm having a dream of a lifetime.

See you soon!

[celebrity cruiser]

Hi Gail.

Lurking and Living through your cruise enjoyment! Glad you booked spring repo, just to be with us :). Rodger and Cil too??

Enjoy and regards, to you and R & C.

Smooth Sailing,

Mark and Randi

[tuggers]

Summit Cruise Day 4 10.25.2014 Granada

Well, for the first time on this cruise I over slept. I stayed up until after 3 AM trying to finish a book. It was by a new author (to me) and I was determined to finish it. But, sad to say I had to save the ending for tomorrow. My eyes were just not focusing so I had to give up. Next thing I knew it was almost 9:30 and I was close to missing my morning Mimosa.

Cil and Roger were already in the Normandy when I arrived. In fact they were the only

people left. I ordered the Salmon Plate and it arrived very quickly. Plates are pre-made and by 9:40 the bagels were getting rubbery. This perk has been used less this cruise than the one before and it was not busy then. Hardly anyone seems to like this new concept. So a perk that I personally used to love is now just a drag and not really worth the effort

is what I’m being told. However, you notice I’m still there every day.

I went on up to the pool. I had gotten off yesterday and walking those uneven streets and going up very uneven steps into a couple of shops put me back to using my cane. I hate the darn things but sometimes it’s a necessity. The old body just isn’t what it used to be.

But with a rolled towel under my knee and one under my neck it’s about the most comfortable I am going to be.

Today is sunny and hot enough that I’m in and out of the pool at least every 30 to 45 minutes. We are docked and there is hardly any breeze. Still I can’t think of any other place I would rather be.

I had bought a beach bag the other day when they had the Bijou Terner $10 things out by the pool. After two days one of the handles pulled out. Looks like it was hardly sewn. So check the handles if you buy one of these. I haven’t asked yet if they will exchange it but maybe they will. I have had very good luck with the BJ brand overall, buying evening bags, watches, etc with no problems.

I went in for lunch and had a roast beef with provolone on rye. Today the fries were a mixture of steak fries and skinny fries. They were okay but when you fry two different sizes of potatoes together neither one gets cooked exactly right. I wish they still had chips at the sandwich bar. I would like those once in a while. And good pickles.

For some reason I have not been hitting the ice cream like I usually do. In fact I’ve only had it 4 or 5 times. Strange for me. But I have been drinking the heck out of bottled water. Not enough to justify buying a package but I am drinking a lot. And I can get my wine and diet coke fix at the cocktail hour.

I’m trying to perfect my tan so I did stay out at the pool until 2. That’s about all I can stand. Then its back to the cabin for a cooling shower and a nap. The air conditioning sure feels good after the heat and the crisp, cool sheets make it just about perfect for an afternoon nap.

Elite cocktails were not very well attended. I think some people got back late from tours or wore themselves out in the heat. Cil, Roger, Terry, Gloria and I were at our usual table by the windows with our excellent bar server, Sasha. She is terrific. Donavan is still working this venue but when we moved up with Terry and Gloria Sasha was already serving them. She is really good. We never want for a drink. Don’t know the names of the two who serve us the canapés but they also keep us well stocked.

Selection is about the same: mini egg rolls, bite sized fried chicken and fish, fried cheese, fried shrimp, and the usual cold array. Tasty.

Cil. Roger and I went to the dining room tonight. I have only been to the dining room four or five times on these two cruises. Select Dining is really not my cup of tea. I much prefer a large table at 8:30. Dining is such a big part of the cruising experience that I feel kind of cheated. I don’t think I will do this again. Call me old fashioned but I want my same waiter and my same table every night. And a variety of people to talk to!

The menu wasn’t bad. In fact it was one of the better ones. I had the Beef Carpagio,

Crab Cake, Short Ribs (without the polenta) and a baked potato. For dessert I had one scoop of cherry frozen yogurt. It was all good. I’m still drinking that $54 bottle of Pinot Noir I bought.

After dinner I went to the casino. Played the penny machines for a while. I turned $5 into $12, then turned that into 4 cents. Hey, you lose some and then you lose some more! J

So it was back to the cabin TV and the World’s Series. Lots of grousing about the fact that there was no show in the Celebrity Theater but they chose to show a movie, Captain America, in place of using that room to play a big screen baseball game. I think the game

was on in the casino bar but that’s really small and doesn’t accommodate a lot of people,

From what I heard passengers were expecting a large place to enjoy America’s favorite sport with maybe some hot dogs and popcorn. I’ve been on ships, Celebrity ones,

where a party accompanied a big sporting event. Not sure who dropped the ball. Could have been the CD or X. Whoever it was the passengers were the losers.

Someone brought up the subject of chocolates on the pillows after turn down service. They wanted to know when X stopped that little nicety. The first cruise of this B2B we

never had them at all. On this cruise they made a towel something or other one night

and used two wrapped Oreo’s for eyes. That’s been it.

Lots of little things have been stopped: no q-tips in the bathroom, body wash only if you ask, no water pitcher in cabin (but they will sell you a small bottle of Evian for $5), pool

music is now mostly DJ which is definitely a step down from a live band,

etc. etc. Things do change but I still think X is a good value for the money. And there are lots of things I do like: No shorts in dining room at night (seems Royal is allowing that now), no announcements every 5 minutes reminding you Bingo is now being played,

enough Internet minutes free for Elite Plus to make it worthwhile, ditto for the free laundry and the beds and linens are definitely an upgrade from a few years ago.

I still love X and have been loyal for years but like I’ve been hearing onboard once you are Elite Plus the next tier is so far out of reach that the ‘I’ll never live long enough to

make it so I may as well try other lines’ sentiment seems to be growing. I’ve had almost a dozen people come up to me and ask me to write about this. Like I said, the sentiment seems to be growing.

I’m tired. This vacation thing can be exhausting! J

Bye For Now!

[tuggers]

Diana, from your mouth to God's ear! What a dream that is but I would miss you (and the babies!).:)

 

am+a, just read what I wrote. What's so funny is I'm the original 'rules are just suggestions' girl. I was way up on my horse with that one! Sorry.

 

Mark and Randi, well, of course I booked it to be with you! Would be cool if we could talk the boys into it again! This cruise we are on now could be the last for our friends. Couple of falls and some other things. They are booked, however so you never know!

[am+a]

am+a, just read what I wrote. What's so funny is I'm the original 'rules are just suggestions' girl. I was way up on my horse with that one! Sorry.

 

 

No Problem! I'm really enjoying your review. Maybe I'm just a little jealous that you were on the B2B and I had to get off in Puerto Rico!

[triona]

What a fantastic review. We are on the Summit in January 2015, our first time. So looking forward to a smaller ship ( 2 x Solstice ) Thank you for keeping us informed with the good and the good :D What can be so bad on a floating hotel. Again thank you. Triona

[tuggers]

Just walked in the door 20 minutes ago and I am in bed! I promise I will

finish this up tomorrow. Just too tired tonight.

 

Plane was on time arriving in Tampa (4:35) but luggage did not arrive for about 40 minutes. Then we waited another 30 minutes for shuttle from

Intercontinental Hotel Valet parking. Another 25 minutes getting everything to fit in my car. Finally got on the road at 6:20.

 

We made one stop in Ocala for a quick bite. Arrived from the 235 mile Tampa to Valdosta trip at 10:20. Not too bad but my back and leg are KILLING me. Otherwise everyone is fine.

 

Bye For Now.

[Dave's Florida Girl]

I'm so glad you made it home and got some rest. But I know you hate it when any of your cruising vacations end. Especially when you don't have another one already planned. :)

 

I've been so busy I don't know if I found this rope or lost my horse, but you'll e glad to hear I've been feverously working on our 50 year reunion day and night.

 

If Jim can put it together, hopefully this reunion is going to include a few days on a cruise ship right after our weekend at the hotel resort for those that aren't ready to say goodbye just yet. Most likely a Caribbean trek. But as with everything else with our newly retired old friends - it will all come down to the bottom $$ line. :)

 

Welcome home!!!

I really missed you!

[DebbieMacG]

Glad you got home safe, thanks for a great review :)

[Cinzia]

Hi Gail, glad you made it home safe and sound. Sorry to hear about Roger & Cyl. Guess I will be in that category soon. Tell me how was the Summit this trip. Sounds as tho some things have dramatically changed. Some hints would be appreciated before we go in May. My sister is not Elite, so I guess that means no breakfast or cocktails?? You can email me if you like. Enjoyed your reviews, as always. Quite enlightening!!

Love, Fran

[celebrity cruiser]

Gail

Wishing you a big Georgia HELLO!

Glad you are back home with the kids.

NEXT TIME a back to back to back to back is required!

GET SOME REST.

Talk soon, Mark & Randi

[Cancruz]

Hope you had a great time. You're a great friend to fellow travelers. Loved to sail vicariously through you. Welcome back to the frozen South.

 

Can't wait to read your summary after a much needed rest.

[tuggers]

Summit Day 5 10.25.2014 Sea Day

We have been in ports everyday of this second cruise so a sea day is a wonderful

thing! Except that a pool lounger may ne a little hard to find!

Went to the Elite Lounge for breakfast this morning and the attendance was at an all time

low. Five tables counting mine. There was some coming and going but there were never more than five tables. This started out as such a delightful perk and a great way to start the day.

After breakfast I went up to the pool and was lucky to get my preferred chair in the elevated area between both pools. I started out with 2 spray cans of Austrailian Gold

SPF 4 and I think I may have exactly enough to finish the cruise. I hate to pay $15 on here when Publix has it for $8. There’s that cheap streak showing again! J

Again it was hot by the pool and getting in the water was necessary to being able to stay

there. For a sea day there was only a very slight breeze. And we had some white caps. First ones I have seen on this cruise!

Lunch in the buffet was shared with Marvin and Harriet who told me they too have booked the Spring repo. Price was right and they really enjoyed this one. I think I had corned beef on rye. Wished I had gotten a burger but they were grilling out by the pool

and it was a mob scene. This is the second time they have done this with no mention of it

in the daily. Look like they would want people to know. Or maybe they just figured we would see the flames and figure it out???

I managed to hang by the pool until after 2 and then I had to go back to the cabin and take a nice cool shower. Watched a little news but it’s always pretty much the same thing. Worked like a charm to put me to sleep for a nap! J

Turns out Roger did not bring a jacket so dinner in Select was out for formal night. They offered him one from the dining room but that sounded kind of yucky so we made up our minds early that we would be going upstairs with Terry and Gloria.

Elite cocktails was pretty well attended but for the umpteenth time we were asked to leave right at 7 because of a private function in Revelations. It’s the Vacations to Go

Singles (almost all women) cruise. There’s a couple hundred of them and we have gotten kind of used to being run out of our venue. Getting the boot is getting OLD!

But we are all team players so after negotiating a deal we left peacefully. We took the elevator to deck 10 and were met with men flooding the solarium with water to clean it.

This was at 7:15! How can they make getting to the buffet so unsafe? We had a 90 year old and one person with a walker. What a nightmare that was trying to get them across the pool area without a fall. I was a basket case by the time we made it to the buffet.

My nerves were still fried when I had to stand in line for 10 minutes to get Roger’s stir fry. They had one (slow) guy cooking with only one pan (two burners so he could have

done two pans)! There were only 3 of us wanting stir fry but it took forever. A couple behind me gave up and I surely would have liked to but Roger was stuck on stir fry. I started to get some carved beef for myself but when I saw the guy struggling to cut it with his carving knife I knew I’d never be able to manage it with the butter knives they give you. Terry did try it and it was indeed, tough!

I have certainly enjoyed seeing Terry and Gloria again. It’s been years since we were on a cruise together. The last time was when the Grandeur limped into Baltimore 12 hours late. That was the last time I saw Joe and Mary Ann Dunn, too. Where are you guys?

After dinner I went to the casino for a while. Actually broke even which is better than I’ve been doing. Didn’t stay late because the Saints game was on in the cabin and I wanted to watch it. Once again it was watch it in your cabin or don’t see the game.

Tomorrow is St Thomas and they are closing the gangway from 10:30 until 12:30. I wanted to get off but I sure don’t want to be stuck off the ship for two hours. I may try to

get off early. Wish I knew when the stores opened.

Bye For Now!