Maybe sometimes live from the Summit - Miami to New York

[abbydancer2003]

I haven't abandoned this.  Once again, taking a class, and had a major assignment due tomorrow.  I just finished it, so I'll start updating this tomorrow. My next assignment is not due until after the cruise, so I can do the reading for it between updates.

[abbydancer2003]

Summit Day 1 Tuesday 1

 

Today is our last full day here.  Like yesterday, we had breakfast  - today it was scrambled eggs.  We ate at their very nice kitchen island, because the mega Catan board was set up on the table.  Arie said it’s a pain to take down, so maybe we’ll play again. 

 

After breakfast, Cheryl started doing laundry and we took a walk around their complex.  As we walked along the lake, we saw the fake geese with a real bird sitting on one.

 

 

Further along, we saw an interesting bird resting along the sidewalk.

 

 

After the walk, we continued laundry, as they offered, and we accepted, to let us do a load.  By doing that, we will have enough cloths to not be out on the day a ship load started on day 2 would arrive.

 

Since the Catan board was still set up, we decided to play a game.  Before that, though, I decided to look at air for my second cruise to Sydney (b2b Sydney to Vancouver).  It’s a lot and a very long way.  Someone suggested that we get on the preceding cruise Singapore to Sydney.  I looked and I can get a Sky Suite.  I have a holding book on board cruise, so before we played I called and booked that.  Now we’re b2b2b.  I also thought I’d booked air, but apparently I have to put the full deposit down.

 

Our plan was to play part of a game and the go visit the St. Lucie locks, run a couple of errands and then have a late lunch, and snack for dinner.  

 

However, played whole game and I finally won (never won on the Silhouette in October/November).  

 

First stop was a Circle K for them to get their daily free drink.  (Apparently some kind of membership gives you a soft drink a day).   

 

Then we went to the locks.  It appeared they weren’t operating today.

 

 

After observing them, we went to the end of the road to see if we could see the lower river.  It turns out there’s a visitors center there, so we looked at some of the exhibits.  I got a good sense of the reason for the locks.  They apparently connect various waterways, and let boaters go across Florida at Lake Okeechobee.  Saves a lot of time since they don’t have to go around the bottom.  Also, the floats in the picture are removable, and moved when they have enough boats to go around.

 

Here’s the lower end from the visitors center.

 

 

 

 

Following that, we headed to a drive through bank for Arie to get small bills for the trip.

 

And after that, we headed to Flannagans, one of their favorite restaurants for a late lunch/early dinner.  It turned out that their lunch specials run until 4, and we were there just before 4, so we all had them.  Glen and I did burgers, Arie and Cheryl had wings.  

 

After that, back to their house to pack, and watch a little more Lord of the Rings while snacking.  We’re leaving fairly early tomorrow, so they said goodnight around 9:30.  I called my sister - I guess they are sending mom home for home hospice on Thursday.  

 

Tomorrow we board.  

 

[abbydancer2003]

Summit Day 1 - Wednesday 1

 

Today is the start of the cruise.  Adventure part 2 begins.

 

We were up by 7 am and had left over sausage and pancakes using paper plates, so there wouldn’t be dishes to do.  

 

After breakfast we finished packing everything, and put the bags in the hall, and then moved them to the driveway at 8:30.  A few minutes later the driver arrived in his 7 seat SUV.  He also had a luggage hitch thing where my bag went.  The only issue is that it’s soft sided, so the front is a little caved in, because he had to tightly secure it.

 

The drive took just over 2 hours, including a brief stop at a Dunkin Donuts for the restroom.  I wanted to get a donut but there was a very slow moving line, so we passed.

 

We arrived at the port area around 10:45.  The ship is there.

 

 

We pulled up around 10:50, still within our 10:30 window, but barely.  We took our bags to a porter, who noticed we had suite tags, so he moved our bags to the suite drop off outside.  We were then asked to wait for someone to get us.  It took about 5 or 7 minutes.  We were led to the suite area where we showed our passports etc.  We could have gone into their small lounge or go directly to board.  I did see a crew member in there who looked like it could be one of my favorite concierges, Connie.  We however, chose to go onboard.  Note that it was just after 11 and they were doing general boarding.  Usually Princess in LA doesn’t board until well after 11.

 

We went up the escalator and joined a fairly long line.  Midway down the line there was a left and right side - regular and suites.  We took the suite side.  Probably saved us 3 minutes.

 

The whole line took 10-15 minutes.  The person who put us on the elevator told us to turn left once on the ship, which would have taken us to the retreat lounge.  However the person at the gangway said to go right, which takes us to Rendezvous, which is our muster station.  Since that’s the way to our room, we went that way, checked in and dropped our stuff.

 

It was about 11:30 by this time.  I looked at the cards in the room for our team, and, while I don’t know the butler or room steward, the retreat concierges are Connie and Conner (cute, huh?).  So the person I saw in the terminal was indeed Connie.  We put our stuff in the safe, and then headed out to let our room steward finish the room.

 

First stop was Al Baccio to say hi to Arie and Cheryl, and then we headed to the lounge.  We met Conner, and he helped us arrange dinner at Tuscan at 7’30 tonight for the first night discount.  Arie & Cheryl said 7:30 at the latest.  Apparently in the computer 8pm was the earliest, but Conner was able to get us 7:30.

 

We sat down, and I recognized one of the bar people.  She’s been on the Equinox, so I think that’s where.  I asked her for a latte, and she said she’d go to Al Baccio for it.  When she brought it down, she had me open it.

 

 

That’s the logo for the retreat.  

 

Turns out on this ship, you get one device, and you can’t concurrently use your loyalty internet, as you could on the Solstice.  Nor do you get four devices as on the Infinity.  So it’s back and forth.  

 

At around 12, Conner left and Connie came in.  She was busy answering questions but eventually, as she walked people out she saw me.  (I’m sure she knew I was there).  Of course we hugged.  (Glen’s comment later was why do people keep hugging you?). She also told us Luminae was full, so we should wait for lunch, which we were going to do anyway.  

 

A couple came in soon after.  She was in a scooter, and I realized I knew them from our 5 day 2021 cruise.  It was nice speaking with them. For future reference they are Gary & Susan.

 

At 1pm we headed to Luminae.  It was crowded still and somewhat loud.  A server came up to us and I realized she was our assistant waiter from 2021.  Her name is Monick, and she’s very nice.  I hope she stays our server.

 

I started with my usual starter, the pea soup.

 

 

And the lunch sized (sort of steak).  

 

For dessert, I asked about ice cream, and she said just the basic chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.  So I ordered the peach colitafores, which I don’t love.  During the meal, Monick came back and said they also had cherry brandy and butter pecan, so I switched to the cherry.  (No wonder they promoted her).

 

After that we went back to the room, and our luggage arrived, as does Pratip, our butler.  The room is similar to the Infinity, but has a few flaws.  For example, the mirror is mounted so low that the sink can’t get to full hot without bumping into it.  Also, they replaced one section of  closet with a bench with two small cabinets underneath it.   And the part of the closet with shelves has fewer shelves and drawers.  And the TV faces the bed, and can’t be rotated to face the couch.

 

We had a cruise critic meeting at 3:30, so we went up for that.  We also had a 4:00 helipad for captains club members.  So I figured I’d go to the CC thing first and then to the helipad.  

 

There weren’t many CC people but I did find Jennifer and Charlie, friends from the Silhouette.  We agreed to go to the helipad together, and I texted Glen to meet us there.  

 

We met Arie and Cheryl as well, so we watched the sail away from Miami,  We passed a Royal and a Norwegian ship on the way out.

 

After the helipad, we went back to the room.  Earlier, an IT guy was there there to attach our DVD player, but didn’t have the cables.  We do, but we didn’t know he was coming.  So our butler called him back and he set it up.  Mostly what we needed was him to attach the HDMI cable, since the TV doesn’t move away from the wall.  To use it, we had to open our 15 foot extension cord and run it across the room from the desk.

 

At 7pm we decided to go to the Rendezvous lounge and listen to their recorded ballroom music.  It was instrumental arrangements of old standards, much as it had been on the Eclipse last summer.  Not really danceable.

 

At 7:30, we were meeting Arie and Cheryl at Tuscan.  They arrived just before we did.  We ordered the antipasto board fo share, as everyone does.  I had the Kalameta  bruschetta and Caesar salad to start, and today I had the skirt steak with the gorgonzola and peppercorn sauces.  For dessert, I had their strawberry shortcake dish, which was very nice.

 

 

Glen had tiramisu.

 

 

 

 

After dinner, we went back to Rendezvous and listened to the dance band, Ocean Beats.  They were good and played good dance music.  They’re from Buenos Aires.  

 

Following a set there, we called it a night.  Tomorrow is the first of 6 sea days.

 

 

[hcat]

Hope you have a smooth cruise...

Could u clarify abt only 1 device? 

[SPacificbound]

Happily following along, we will be on Summit August 6-30, so looking forward to it.  😁

 

[abbydancer2003]

3 hours ago, hcat said:

Hope you have a smooth cruise...

Could u clarify abt only 1 device? 

Yup.  On the Infinity last month, our premium internet package included 4 devices at a time.  We were told it was fleetwide for both premium and basic internet.  Apparently, it's not, since if I want to go to my laptop, I have to switch to that device.

Hope that helps.

[abbydancer2003]

Summit Day 2 Sea Day Thursday 1

 

We were up in time for breakfast today.  Before going, we put out our fist bag on laundry.  Needless to say, we were, thanks to our friends, nowhere near 30 items.  Before we left, though, we asked Pratip to bring a second laundry bag for a pressing of his jacket.  After that, we arrived at Luminae just before they closed.

 

I started with:

 

(pretty boring, I know)

 

And pancakes with blueberries.  Good, but there is too many.  (And had my usual side of bacon.  Pretty good on this ship).

 

 

After that we went to the retreat lounge.  I have a class project due on Sunday, and because of what the class is (Linux for those who know - if not, don’t worry about it - I only said it for the curious) I had a second laptop with me.  I put the internet on that, and worked that for a while.  I took a break to go to the casino, and use the restroom.  No water.  I thought I just couldn’t get those sinks to work, so I went every restroom on deck 4.  No water in any.  So I went back to the room, which doesn’t have an automatic sink.  No water there either, so I guess the water was out.

 

It took about an hour all told to come up.

 

At some point during all this Conner gave us new room cards.  Apparently, they are for the Aqua suites, and they just came in yesterday.  He did say to call them if we try to use our Aqua perks and they don't take it.

 

 

After doing the first part of my project, I dropped the laptop off, and  the next stop was lunch.

 

I started with the Frissie lettuce salad with poached eggs and lardons.  

 

 

The egg is hiding under the lardons and there are pickled shallots.  I’m not a fan of the lettuce, but I’m thinking next time, I’ll look up a salad Lyonnaise, and see if I can switch the lettuce, since lardons were great.

 

For my entree I had the usual day 2 steak, and for dessert I had my favorite - white chocolate mousse with balsamic etc.  Still pretty

 

 

At some point I got a text from Arie about today’s games.  We agreed to meet upstairs to play Splendor and Fluxx.  We did two Splendor and one Fluxx, and  and then I went to Al Baccio with them.  I did see Maureen there, who is a Zenith member who seems to like the same cruises I do, since this is the 4th one together.  It was nice to say hello.

 

Around 4:45 I headed back to the room to get ready for dinner and the officers Soiree in the Retreat Lounge.  

 

There, we met a few officers, and then talked to Gary & Susan, who were the people Beth and I met in 2021 on this ship.  A little while after they headed out the the Chef’s Table dinner, Connie brought the captain by, and we had a nice chat about our time on the Infinity last month, and about our amazing visit to Valparaiso.  

 

Once that completely broke up, we danced to the party band, and then went to Cellar Masters to listen to the solo guitarist do a Beatles set.  We didn’t love it, so we went back and listened to another set of the party band.  

 

After that dinner.  I started with the baked brie from Blu, which still looks a little more fried, but this was pretty good.  It was the best of the 3 baked bries from Blu that I’ve had this year.

 

 

I had a veal chop with polenta from the main dining room, which was decent, and it had polenta.

 

 

I finished with the hazelnut cake from Luminae.  The cake was OK, but the gelato was really good.

 

After that we went back to the room.  I called my sister, because earlier, I’d had a text from her that my mom had been sent home for home hospice care and it was a S** show - she was home but her meds were not there, and there were a few other things.  By the time I called, it had been straightened out, and mom was on care with meds, etc.  Two of my three nieces, a couple of cousins and and a good friend of my mom’s were also there. (A cast of thousands).

 

So we put in The Two Towers and watched that for a bit before bed.  Tomorrow another sea day.

 

 

 

 

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, abbydancer said:

Yup.  On the Infinity last month, our premium internet package included 4 devices at a time.  We were told it was fleetwide for both premium and basic internet.  Apparently, it's not, since if I want to go to my laptop, I have to switch to that device.

Hope that helps.

 

It is definitely not.  One device per person in a Sky Suite on Millennium.  I believe Royal Suites and above may receive two devices per person but cannot confirm as we’ve never been in a Royal Suite. 

 

I am using my Travel Router in the room to connect multiple devices but have to drop that when we take more than one device outside the room. 

 

[DaKahuna]

Abby  -  Let me know if I can help with your Linux classes.  I might know a thing or two about that subject.  

 

[abbydancer2003]

21 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Abby  -  Let me know if I can help with your Linux classes.  I might know a thing or two about that subject.  

 

 

Thanks, but I used to teach Unix, so this class is for fun (and review in case I want to ever take Red Hat up on their offer to teach for them if I get the certifications on my own.)

 

21 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

It is definitely not.  One device per person in a Sky Suite on Millennium.  I believe Royal Suites and above may receive two devices per person but cannot confirm as we’ve never been in a Royal Suite. 

 

I am using my Travel Router in the room to connect multiple devices but have to drop that when we take more than one device outside the room. 

 

We are too.  Glen can teather either his phone or Ipad, so will use Ipad if he's leaving it in the room.

 

I don't know why the concierge on the Infinity said what she did.

[abbydancer2003]

Hi all,

 

I was going to update tonight, but have to call my sister and then going to bed early.  To update you all, my mom passed away yesterday (sleeping so not chocking to death as she feared), so I've been dealing with some of that during my posting time.  (Also have this weeks class assignment, but I will finish that tomorrow for sure).  

 

I will get a post out tomorrow and try to do two a day for the last 3 days of the cruise.

 

My friends here on the ship have been great.

Edited May 4, 2023 by abbydancer

[wendyam76]

Oh I am so sorry to hear that but I’m glad she went peacefully. You are in my thoughts. 
Wendy 

[Norwaylady]

So sorry to hear❤️ 

My sincerest condolence for you at this time. 

[dazey]

We are so sorry for your loss.  Not sure how you are dealing with it while on the ship.  We understand is you cannot post anymore comments.

[hcat]

prayers and condolences on the loss of your mom....

[Altamar]

Sorry to hear.

[pamkev]

So sorry for your loss

[ecslady]

So sorry to hear about your mom's passing.

 

[Spikedr]

I am so sorry about your mom,

[Laurab23]

I am so so for your loss.

 

Laura

[CruisinBanka]

Sorry to hear about your mom.

[DisneyJen]

May your Mom's memory be a blessing 🙏

[LisaLeone]

I am so deeply sorry. Sending prayers for comfort and for strength in navigating the season that awaits. 

[abbydancer2003]

Thank you all.  I appreciate all your comments, very much.

 

Here's the next sea day 

 

Summit Day 3 - Sea Day 2 - Friday 1

 

We were up around 8 today, our second full day and second of the two pre-port sea days.  We ordered some coffee from our butler.  When he arrived, we noticed he had nowhere to put it.  There was no little table in the room.  On both the Summit and previously on the Infinity,  there had been one.  So Pratip placed the coffee on one of the camp chairs at the back of the bed and came back with a table.  Apparently, it’s supposed to be there.

 

This was my view enjoying the coffee.

 

 

We did finish getting ready in time for breakfast, so we went to Luminae.  First, I stopped at Al Baccio for an almond croissant.  There was a small line, but Pratip was there, and he asked what I wanted.  When I told him, he went over to the staff and quickly got me three.

 

When we arrived at Luminae I put one of the croissants on my bread plate, and gave one to Mema (assistant waiter) and one to Monick.

 

I had on of my usuals, scrawled eggs with cheese.  Monick brought it, and we both noticed it didn’t have cheese, so she took it back and tried again.  (This will become a recurring theme on this cruise).

 

The corrected version.

 

 

After breakfast I stopped at the Effy store for the charm of the day.  Occasionally, I do fill the lockets.  The salesman there was nice enough to give me the ones I missed yesterday, and two of each.  So, since I have two lockets in the room, I’ll do one for one of my nieces.  

 

Today, we’re meeting Arie and Cheryl to play Catan this morning.  We met that at the Oceanview.  His base game has a lot of add ins so today we added another one.  We’re now playing with 3 or 4.  And, as usual, Arie won.  We chatted with them for a while and then went to lunch.

 

It took a little while to order but we were in no hurry and we like it when the room empties out.  I started with the Bibb lettuce salad, always good, and then ordered my “butterflied” half Luminae burger.  Glen ordered the turkey gyro, which was made totally wrong.  Instead of tziki and hummus there was curry or mustard.  Gary, who was at the table near us reported the same thing.

 

For dessert I had the coconut panna cotta.  It was pretty good, but I’m not sure I’d order again.

 

 

After lunch I went to the casino to meet Jenny and Charlie to plan our after port calls slot pull.  We found the casino host and he agreed to provide some prizes.  We then tried a couple of machines,  and picked the same one that we’d used on the Infinity.  It’s located in the anteroom of the casino so lots of room for people.  I did try it and another one, and ended up about a dollar ahead, so I cashed out.

 

After that, I went to the retreat sundeck for a while.  It was kind of windy, but nice.

 

At around 5, we dressed and I went to Friday night services.  I ran into Arie and Cheryl on the way, so talked to them for a bit.  

 

The services had 4 people, so we did a very quick one - a couple of blessings, ate the bread and wine, and called it done.

 

On the way back, I ran into Jenny and Charlie, so I sat with them for a little while.  

 

Once back in the room, my sister did a FaceTime with us, so we talked to her, all of my nieces (two are in California with her, and the third was on FaceTime on her sister’s phone from Romania, where she’s doing a college program) and my mom.  It was nice talking to everyone.

 

Since it was formal night, we got reserved seating in the theater.  The show tonight was Life, and I’ve seen it before.  It’s OK, but just a collection of songs.  The cast however, was good, so that was nice.

 

After the show, we went to the Captain’s Club Welcome event.  Arie and Cheryl were there with a table for us, and the Dance band was playing.  We talked to a couple of officers in the way in, and danced a bit.

 

After the presentation of most traveled people, and a couple of thank you speeches the band continued, so we danced a bit more.

 

I also found Clare, who is the HR director.  She’s a friend from our 2021 trips, so it was nice talking to her and introducing her to Glen.

 

Finally, at about 8:45 we went to dinner.  I started with a spinach salad and had the lamb from Blu for my main.  For dessert I had the mascapone cheesecake, which is always good and confuses people who order it for the first time.

 

 

From there it was back to the room and calling it a night.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by abbydancer

[bespin]

5 hours ago, abbydancer said:

After breakfast I stopped at the Effy store for the charm of the day.

If you don’t mind, could you please share a photo of the locket and the charms? Do they have a list of the available charms, and what they cost? Thanks in advance!