Celebrity Summit to Bermuda in July

[uptowne001]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about their experiences on Celebrity Summit to Bermuda in July. We currently have a deposit on NCL Breakaway sailing but in looking at the prices I can book an aqua class balcony stateroom on Summit for the same price as a tiny interior stateroom on Breakaway. I am considering changing my reservation.

 

I was originally enticed by Breakaway being a mega ship but the more I read about all the crowds I just don't know if it is the best option for us. It would be me and my husband going on the cruise, we are both in our mid thirties. Any input from those who have sailed either of the ships would be greatly appreciated.

[dkjretired]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about their experiences on Celebrity Summit to Bermuda in July. We currently have a deposit on NCL Breakaway sailing but in looking at the prices I can book an aqua class balcony stateroom on Summit for the same price as a tiny interior stateroom on Breakaway. I am considering changing my reservation.

 

I was originally enticed by Breakaway being a mega ship but the more I read about all the crowds I just don't know if it is the best option for us. It would be me and my husband going on the cruise, we are both in our mid thirties. Any input from those who have sailed either of the ships would be greatly appreciated.

 

Have done Summit several times to Bermuda and am going again in June. If I had the choice between an inside cabin and an Aqua Class, I would grab AQ in a second. Have traveled also on NCL. Celebrity has the edge over NCL with food, NCL over Celebrity with entertainment. Celebrity has perhaps the best smoking policy of all the major cruise lines. No smoking inside on any Celebrity ship including the Casino, NCL seemed like a chimney to me.

 

I have also spoken to people once we got to Bermuda who wished they were on the Summit instead of Breakaway largely due to the crowds and the food not being great.

 

If you go in July prepare for lots of kids on either ship.

Edited March 20, 2016 by dkjretired

[stephluva]

Sailed to Bermuda on the Summit July 2011, and will be sailing again this July! My husband and I (both in our early 30's) LOVE Celebrity. We like the laid back, traditional cruising feel of Celebrity. There's just something "nicer" about it. Same scenario as PP, many people from Norwegian Breakaway wished they were on the Summit, mainly because of the crowd and their disappointment in the food. For cruising to Bermuda, I would choose Celebrity in a heartbeat!

[Wine-O]

We've sailed in July on Summit a few years back. There were lots of kids, but you won't see many in Blu. We were in the MDR and ate at the late searing as most of the kids ate earlier.

 

We just stayed in the Adult areas and had no problems with all the kids (solarium, martini bar, casino).

[rngoofy]

We sailed Celebrity Summit last August, loved it so much we are also booked in Aqua again in July, love Blu! We travel alone so loved not having all the kid activities !

 

 

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[jbuch02]

Sailed Summit twice, once out of San Juan, PR in 2010 and again in 2013 on the Bermuda itinerary that you are considering. Have also been on NCL 3X but not Breakaway.

 

OPs up thread have commented about Celebrity v. NCL and I have nothing to add. They are right. Celebrity >>>> than NCL although I don't agree with NCL entertainment >> Celebrity. Depends on what you like. We like the Production shows and they are incredibly good. Broadway good in terms of singers and dancers. Most of the shows have mixed in aerialists with a Cirque du Soleil feel - very impressive.

 

One thing worth thinking about is that Summit is going through an extensive refurbishment as we speak and comes out in April. We were just on Constellation, also an M class ship like Summit, that went through a similar refurb program. Lots of pluses associated with these M class refurbishments. Celebrity is removing the Normandy Specialty Restaurant on Summit and replacing it with Tuscan Grill. In fact, ultimately, all the Vintage Ocean Liner themed restaurants, which were trade marks of the M class ships, will be gone in a few more years. Sad to see these fabulous restaurants go but time moves on.

 

The demographic on Celebrity has a different feel to it than NCL. Neither better than the other but the NCL crowd is younger and less traveled. There were more kids on the NCL ships that we sailed on compared to Celebrity but timing with regard to kid-load is key and already mentioned.

[Brewster]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about their experiences on Celebrity Summit to Bermuda in July. We currently have a deposit on NCL Breakaway sailing but in looking at the prices I can book an aqua class balcony stateroom on Summit for the same price as a tiny interior stateroom on Breakaway. I am considering changing my reservation.

 

I was originally enticed by Breakaway being a mega ship but the more I read about all the crowds I just don't know if it is the best option for us. It would be me and my husband going on the cruise, we are both in our mid thirties. Any input from those who have sailed either of the ships would be greatly appreciated.

 

We have done both. We did Bermuda on the Summit 3 summers ago and sailed on the Breakaway on the recent NY Year's cruise. I do have to say the entertainment options were better on NCL with the Second City and Howl at the Moon shows in a club setting. We had the Specialty Restaurant Package on NCL and not sure if I would do the Breakaway without it since the food was excellent and I heard mixed reviews on the MDR of the Breakaway since it is the same menu on a daily basis. Although, we really liked the Breakaway, we booked the Summit for another round this Summer as well. We really liked the ship the last time we were on it (food, Solarium was outstanding, overall a really nice cruise) Between the 2, I would definitely do the AQ on Summit vs booking the inside cabin. I think the Breakaway would be better with a larger group and I think you will really enjoy the Summit AQ as a couple over the Breakaway.

[faeriedust101]

I haven't been on the Summit yet, but I'm booked to go to Bermuda on it in June. I have been on the Breakaway too. For me it was a no brainer to choose the Summit over the Breakaway. It is cheaper and we got more perks. My husband and I don't need all the rope courses and water slides that are on the Breakaway. For what it's worth I didn't find the Breakaway to crowded. I thought they did a good job managing the crowds.

[DottieV]

We did the Bermuda cruise last July on Summit in AQ. Chose deck 9 portside for the shade on balcony. A wise choice because of the rainy days. The weather was so hot that we stayed onboard one day and it was delightful to use the Persian Garden and thalassotherapy pool with no crowds. Blu was excellent.

[madibeme]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about their experiences on Celebrity Summit to Bermuda in July. We currently have a deposit on NCL Breakaway sailing but in looking at the prices I can book an aqua class balcony stateroom on Summit for the same price as a tiny interior stateroom on Breakaway. I am considering changing my reservation.

 

I was originally enticed by Breakaway being a mega ship but the more I read about all the crowds I just don't know if it is the best option for us. It would be me and my husband going on the cruise, we are both in our mid thirties. Any input from those who have sailed either of the ships would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have done both. If you had kids I would say maybe stay with the breakaway. Just adults run to the Summit. Third July on it this year.

[uptowne001]

Thanks so much everyone! We have taken the advice and switched to the Summit! I really do think it is a better match for my husband and I. We have a 2 year old but he will be staying at home with grandparents. I think the more relaxing environment is the way to go!!

[Cruise a holic]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about their experiences on Celebrity Summit to Bermuda in July. We currently have a deposit on NCL Breakaway sailing but in looking at the prices I can book an aqua class balcony stateroom on Summit for the same price as a tiny interior stateroom on Breakaway. I am considering changing my reservation.

 

I was originally enticed by Breakaway being a mega ship but the more I read about all the crowds I just don't know if it is the best option for us. It would be me and my husband going on the cruise, we are both in our mid thirties. Any input from those who have sailed either of the ships would be greatly appreciated.

 

We have sailed on both- each ship has positives and negatives. When on the Breakaway, we stayed in the Haven. Excellent experience. It is a ship within a ship and you get a private restaurant, bar, pool with a retractable sun roof and the area is air conditioned, sundeck and priority everything! In the regular area it is a mob scene. The cabins are relatively small and if you do not get up at 6:00 AM you might not find a lounge chair on any deck. The entertainment is very good- even a superior jazz club. We also found the speciality restaurants very good.

 

On the Summit, most cabins are dated and haven't been redecorated during the dry dock. The food is okay- was very good in the Specialty restaurants- blu was ehh- but Lumanie if like it's sister ships should be very good with great service. Entertainment a C. Service typically excellent. Many fewer amenities especially for kids and teens and singles on the Summit v. the Breakaway. Public space on the Summit IMO better then the Breakaway.

 

It really depends on what you are looking for in a vacation. If you can afford the Haven, I wouldn't hesitate to book. If not, be aware of the crowding. If you have young kids- not many facilities for them on the Summit-many more on the breakaway.

 

Having said all the above, we will for I think the 5th time, sailing on the Summit this August to Bermuda- with family.

 

Enjoy your cruise.