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Summit 8/27/17 Sailing – Live Blog, Photo Blog, Cat Blog, Dog Blog?

David Kane

By David Kane,
in Celebrity Cruises

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JEDMELK

JEDMELK

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BratDet- aka Bernadette and dogmomgail

Thanks for taking the time to look. In the past, when they had them available, it would only be in the afternoons. Definitely not a deal breaker but they were a nice treat to have when you just needed something. Of course there is always something to be found.

 

Hope the weather stays great for your trip and the seas are calm.

Thanks again

Jed

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ChucktownSteve

ChucktownSteve

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They discontinued the black & white cookies before they discontinued the white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the remaining cookies are now small than they used to be.

 

Appears to be profits by a thousand little cuts. Don't worry. Nobody will notice. Famous last words at headquarters.

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kpark895

kpark895

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I heard you guys arrived early due to a medical emergency? I just got off the ship Sunday and we lost 3 passengers. One passed in his cabin and drowned in Bermuda.

 

Sent from my XT1585 using Forums mobile app

 

Looking at the Bermuda webcam, it appears the Summit is just now rounding the tip at St. George's. Wonder where they are going to dock, as two other ships are already at King's Wharf.

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kpark895

kpark895

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According to the Gazette they are going to drop anchor until their regular arrival time tomorrow.

 

Sent from my XT1585 using Forums mobile app

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Wonder where the OP has gone? I know he doesn't have a cell phone, but I thought he was using the ship's internet lounge to post.

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Lookingforfacts

Lookingforfacts

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According to the Gazette they are going to drop anchor until their regular arrival time tomorrow.

 

Sent from my XT1585 using Forums mobile app

That's not what the gazette is currently saying

 

 

The spokesman said the cruise ship, normally due at 6.20am on Wednesday, was set to arrive at 3pm and will anchor at Grassy Bay until a berth is free in DDockyard.

 

Anthem and Dawn both depart this afternoon. I have no idea if dock is staffed to dock the summit today or let pax off ship today.

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chemmo Holiday Sharing Rare

chemmo

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Wonder where the OP has gone? I know he doesn't have a cell phone, but I thought he was using the ship's internet lounge to post.

 

 

Hope you are OK, OP and just too busy enjoying yourself to post yet....Looking forward to your comments.

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David Kane "Live from...." Rare

David Kane

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Day 1 - Embarkation (1 of...a lot)

 

(Annnnnd I'm 3 days behind! Where DOES the time go? I'm taking today, our first full one in Bermuda, to attempt to catch up - however XZ has challenged me to a Shuffle Board...off? I guess that's what one calls it when one is challenged to 'shuffing' so I may be at this well into the evening).

 

We were up an at 'em and on the Rhode (terrible, terrible puns) by 5:30am. 95 South, usually a ribbon of traffic and hilarious truck de-couplings (including one memorable day that XZ was behind an over turned champagne-trailer for 3 hours) was actually pleasant in the coming dawn and, for the first time, it was enjoyable not to be standing in an overly air-conditioned airport in my socks.

 

We made the Cruise Port by 10:20am which must be some kind of crazy record - XZ actually managed to drive the Cross Bronx expressway at somewheres are 45mph, which is impressive consider one usually transits it at, like, 4mph.

 

The Bayonne terminal is absolutely gorgeous, surrounded by Big Box Stores in case you don't want to pay $27 for that sunscreen that you forgot in Bermudian dollars.

 

At drop off, we presented the Skycap (what do you call them at a Cruise Port...Seacaps?) with the first challenge of the cruise, getting THIS ridiculous steamer trunk on to the luggage cart:

 

Trunk1_zpsxupsu2yc.jpg

 

See, one day XZ was driving home from work through the East Side of Providence and saw this trunk discarded on the side of the road. After knocking on the door to the house nearby and inquiring with the resident therein if they really were discarding it, in pristine, 1920s condition she decided to save the garbage men a bad back and absconded with it in the back of her rather tiny car. Since then, she's been dying to pack it up and take it on a Cruise - all 125 lbs of it. And don't you know it, the Port Luggage Handler took one look at it, shrugged her 5'3" shoulders, and heaved it aboard like it was nothing - and, apparently, if the Handlers will take it, the Ship will take it!

 

After disposing of the car in the pristine parking garage literally connected to the Terminal we were in, and through, security and check-i, by 10:33 and just in time for, you guess it, early boarding at 10:45am (they REALLY have got the turn-arounds down to a science).

 

The back corridor, gorgeously lit, almost like walking into Disney, fast tracks Suite guests right to the escalators, although, to be fair, I didn't really see anyone standing in any type of line; Suite, Concierge or regular boarding regardless.

 

By 10:51am we were in Michael's Club where we had the pleasure of meeting both the new Host, Anatasia, and, perhaps, the hardest working bartender on the Ship - Norbert, who we have taken to following around to the various bars on the ship and getting a drink from him at each of them - he seriously that good.

 

Next Up: A Tour around the refurbished areas, an odd concert choice, a first look at the room and meeting all the guests.

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Bo1953

Bo1953

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They discontinued the black & white cookies before they discontinued the white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the remaining cookies are now small than they used to be.

 

Appears to be profits by a thousand little cuts. Don't worry. Nobody will notice. Famous last words at headquarters.

 

Given the fact that there is no additional charge for the cookies at Al Bacio, currently, one can order up two (2) cookies to compensate for their reduced size.

 

bon voyage

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Bo1953

Bo1953

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Who needs cookies when they have all those delicious cakes, pies and chocolate mousse and yes my DH will get 2 chocolate mousse (or is it mousses).

 

LOL, to be safe, two (2) bowls of mousse.. change the plural to the container, while leaving the noun singular because it is the same in both... :halo:

 

Never mind, just as long as he likes it, that is all which matters...

 

bon voyage

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Bo1953

Bo1953

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We both like it but I only order one. Need to save room for dinner.

 

I know the feeling. I, usually, have desserts specifically created and made for me as I Am vegan, so waiting until dinner is the only real option.

 

On our last sailing the pastry chef surprized me by having a few vegan tarts at Cafe Al Bacio for me.. of course I had one, then went back for a 2nd and it was snapped up quickly! LOL Next time I will order both at the same time!

 

bon voyage

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David Kane "Live from...." Rare

David Kane

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Thanks to all for the kind words, and the questions. We have dinner tonight with the Hotel Director, so we'll be getting your answers directly from her! In the meantime, here is what I have found out and will hopefully find out (more) tonight:

 

>Are Cans of Soda included in the Classic Package?

 

 

Seems to depend on your height. If a guest is over 5'7", you get the whole can. On a side note; we met one of the other Butlers in the hallway the other day and he looks exactly like Jason Stratham. Like seriously. Whomever is in 6142 to 6122 will be the safest guests on the ship. In addition, I was going to ask the bathroom attendant, but when I saw him literally polishing the faucets in the men's room at 2am I could only say 'thank you.' This must be the cleanest ship I have ever seen...a woman was buffing the elevator doors with a cloth at 6am this morning.

 

 

>Cellar Masters

 

 

So far, we went for a Whisky Tasting there and I was drunk almost under the table by two retirees from Rochester. Be wary of drinking with your elders - they are no joke!

 

 

>Luggage Valet EWR

 

 

You know, I have seen this question asked like 7 times - in vague seriousness I will try to find out where I can get this answer tonight and check back in!

 

 

>Black/White Cookies in Al Bacio?

 

I forgot to check for the cookies, but that's because Norbert was pulling a shift there and made a drink for XZ called, I think, "the Norbert." It's not on the menu, but if you have nothing to do for the next 2 hours aside from lay on the floor of your cabin and watch the world spin - this is THE drink for you.

 

>Trunk Thoughts

 

The Trunk doesn't go under the bed; it's actually freestanding, with drawers and a whole hanger system. So far, I have only smashed into it 3 times in the night.

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David Kane "Live from...." Rare

David Kane

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Embarkation (2 of...a lot):

 

XZ is currently going for a massage, so I'm stealing a few moments after taking a drubbing at Shuffleboard to try and get caught up.

 

When last we left off, we were at home, which is what we call Michael's Club, enjoying our embarkation cocktail and setting out on a quick go around the ship. We had not been on the Summit since Jan., 2016, which was before the dry dock, so there had been some changes:

 

--The Casino got de-themed! Gone are the statues and busts, replaced by television screens. Numerous of the video slots have been changed out and upgraded well. However, there are still several full sets of classic reel penny games and our always favorite $1 roulette wheels. The casino host was very friendly.

--The back deck area is AWESOME. The large screen TV comes with a fantastic audio system. Both the television and the sound are crisp and clean, even in the wind and the daylight - a great use of this space. Aside from movies, they play concerts during embarkation, and, yet again, I got to date myself as I had to explain to XZ who "Chicago" was...

--The Solarium looks, well, you know, it never looked worn in the first place, so it was hard for me to gauge what the total strip-down and re-furbishment did. Probably something to do with the grates and the decking, but it looked good as it always did.

 

After our quick jaunt, Luminae was opened for lunch. It's interesting - we felt it was a very different experience than the Luminae on Reflection. Maybe it was because the Summit Luminae was our "first," or maybe it's because there are less suites on this class of ship, but we found the atmosphere here to be far more convivial - we enjoyed both the company of our fellow cruisers and the staff. The Signature Burger remains as delicious as ever, and having a dedicated and attentive Sommelier greatly enhances our meals.

 

After lunch the rooms were made available. We opted for 6146, in the back, next to the Penthouse, because it has furnishings in common with the Penthouse, and a huge bathroom. We immediately met our stateroom attendant, Eliseo, and he is reflective of what we have come to expect from the staff of the Summit - gracious and unflaggingly competent. While unpacking, XZ and I exchanged our boarding gifts - she managed to find me a Waltham Company pocket watch from 1884 and I had hunted down a number of silver and turquoise pieces from some of her favorite Navajo and Kewa Pueblo artisans.

 

Sail away was a bit understated - our Roll Call had done a great job in the face of the always-'exciting' Celebrity website of organizing itself (and a cabin crawl for just thereafter) but we didn't get around to a sail away or a slot pull. Captain Alex spun us by the Statue of Liberty and under the GW (that IS the GW, right? sorry, I'm from Upstate, not NYC) and out to sea.

 

But before we go further, let's see what the vacation-growling Fuzzy Menace has to add to our awesome experience do far:

 

Muff5_zpslwy9e4zp.jpg

 

So, it's interesting. I think we all understand this ship has been at sea for, what, 16 years? And sure, there simply have to be some rust spots and some worn lacquer. But when I saw a dude squee-geeing kids finger prints off the glass doors at 3 in the afternoon I realized it's not the wear, but the care, that makes a ship presentable. And the Summit is definitely presentable because it is constantly being cared for - in 'dire need of repair' is my hairline - the Summit is just fine, as everyone on board is about to find out later this evening (minor foreshadowing!).

 

Now, to counteract Ms. Fuzz, let's see what the Doggo has found:

 

Doggo%202_zpse3pzin2z.jpg

 

Good dog! Yes, he is all that, and more. We've had the pleasure of cruising with 'the Voice from Above' twice now, and while some people may not give a toot about the crew of the ship; having such a caring, personal and professional Captain at the helm is about to prove itself worthwhile in a very visceral fashion.

 

Next Up: We go to dinner, we head back to New York, I meet an awesome bartender, I wake my wife up for no reason, and Captain Alex begins 48 rather 'exciting' hours at the helm.

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LA_CA_GAL

LA_CA_GAL

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..... but we didn't get around to a sail away or a slot pull. Captain Alex spun us by the Statue of Liberty and under the GW (that IS the GW, right? sorry, I'm from Upstate, not NYC) and out to sea.

 

....

 

Veranzanno

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