Summit 10/14 Review

[Ships R Great]

We arrived at the port about 11:15 and walked right on the ship within ten minutes. We were given our glass of champagne (we were in the cruise CD for about 1/10th of a second) and went to see if our cabin was ready. I know, I know, you are supposed to go eat first but, whatever. It wasn't (surprise!) so we did go eat. But first I went to Guest Relations to ask something or other and promptly spilled my champagne. They insisted I take another glass. What could I do?

 

We moseyed up to the Waterfall and had lunch. I opted for the pasta (it is sooooo good!) and told Patrick he would see me every day. And he did! By the fourth day, when I started to tell him what I wanted, he said, "Madam, I know what you want better than I know my own daughter's name". Good service? You bet. And I had pasta for lunch every single day of the cruise!

 

After lunch our cabin was ready so we settled in. Our luggage came shortly and we were unpacked well before muster. We (Ed, Tom, Diane and I) had lovely tablemates. She was from Scotland originally and he was from the Philippines. He was a doctor who came to America when he was 24 to go to Med school. She was a nurse. They met and the rest was history.

 

The first show was the usual greeting from the CD, John Howell, and a taste of entertainment to come. Very nice, as usual. And we were very happy to find that Jeff Hughes was the Orchestra Conductor. We had sailed with Jeff on the Connie in 2004 and had a long visit with him the last night of that cruise and hoped to see him again. We lucked out because he was due to leave the previous cruise but no replacement was available. We spoke with John after the show and he remembered us from a previous cruise. He was born fairly close to where we live in VA.

 

After the show we made our first donation to the Casino. My thought is they should just install shredders. It would be quicker! Diane had a lot of luck throughout the cruise. Ed did okay, Tom did okay but I was in the negative numbers pretty quick, even with the $125 I won on a nickel slot early on in the cruise.

 

After the Casino, the mandatory trip to the Martini Bar came where we were served by the sweetest crew member, Virginia. We visited her every night, after the Casino. We mostly had the same table. After a few nights when others got there before us, she put a reserved sign on it and that problem was solved. (Mary Jane, Bar Asst. manager okayed that, I think.)

 

The four sea days were uneventful. Filled with Trivia, Tom's Golf Tournament---he came in second over the cruise, art auctions, etc. The CC party was that first sea day. We were happy to finally put faces to screen names. John Howell met with us and filled us in on a few things, i.e. Jerry Lewis was on board (we never did see him but Tom and Diane rode the elevator with him a few times), Brooks Aehern was on board (we were happy to hear that as we had sailed with him before), etc.

 

The shows were all super except for the violinist. He was just TOO LOUD!!!!! We had another long visit with Jeff Hughes mid-cruise and he told us that they wanted the violinist to tone it down but he refused. His playing was very nice but it would have been better had it not been so ear-piercing. We enjoyed Don Bryan and Noseworthy (for the fourth cruise!). The comedian was good, the impressionist very good and Brooks, of course, was super good. He played two afternoon recitals that were "full-house attended". He is such a sweet, charming man and very talented. Of course, the production shows were all good. Three of them were new to us for which we were very glad. The guy who sang the Phantom was super good.

 

We were disconcerted top hear about the earthqauke in Hawaii but fortunately for the islanders, as well as us cruisers, there was little damage and things were back to mostly normal by the time we docked in Maui. That night we went to the Old Lahaina Luau. What fun! There were three couples from CruiseConnections that I know of. Others from the ship too. It was very good. I would recommend it! We were going to take a cab but we started out walking and before we knew it we were there. We did take a cab back, tho'.

Volcano National Park the next day. How amazing a place that is! My daughter had asked for a lava rock but after the scary tales the guide told us of others who had picked one up and "angered Pele" we decided she could live without it. Excursions at Hilo, Honolulu and Kailua Kona were all as expected. Interesting and informative. On these excursions: Ed bought four orchids (while the whole bus waited!!!!), I felt a tremor in Honolulu, we were enchanted by the beautiful flowers, the Painted church, and etc., etc., etc.

 

We met headwinds on the way back which put us in San Pedro late. Some people were very upset about having to change flights but it was not the cruise line's fault that winds were heavy. The Captain really put the pedal to the metal after that. They cut the stabilizers so while the water was calm there was a bit of a sway to the ship. Did not bother us. We like to feel the "motion of the ocean".

 

Debarkation was much easier that I had expected. We opted to be last off the ship because we were overnighting in Long Beach and were not in a hurry. The four of us relaxed in the Normandie, playing bridge until time to leave.

 

It was a very good cruise. I enjoyed the Summit but still like my little Zenith best. She is leaving the fleet in April, after our last cruise on her. I will miss her but I can live with the other X ships.

[Eliger]

....

We were disconcerted top hear about the earthqauke in Hawaii but fortunately for the islanders, as well as us cruisers, there was little damage and things were back to mostly normal by the time we docked in Maui. That night we went to the Old Lahaina Luau. What fun! There were three couples from CruiseConnections that I know of. Others from the ship too. It was very good. I would recommend it! We were going to take a cab but we started out walking and before we knew it we were there. We did take a cab back, tho'. ..

...

Thanks for posting your review. Pleased to hear that you enjoyed the entertainment. We have also heard Brooks Aehron. In fact he was there the two times we sailed Summit, and I presume he will be there again on our December cruise. We don't mind seeing him again.

 

You mention that you were "docked" in Maui. The information we have is that we will tender there. Did you mean "docked"?

 

Gerry

[patnjohn]

Lovely review. Did John Howell do "Old McDonald". He did on our cruise & I laughed so hard that I cried. I am laughing now, just remembering it.

[GaryfmCol]

Brooks, of course, was super good. He played two afternoon recitals that were "full-house attended". He is such a sweet, charming man and very talented. Of course, the production shows were all good. Three of them were new to us for which we were very glad. The guy who sang the Phantom was super good.

 

It was a very good cruise.

 

Hi Patty!

We agree with your review 100%.

Susan really enjoyed Ed..they had a long conversation one

night while we were losing our nickels :mad:

I enjoyed spending

our time with you, Ed, Diane and, Tom...good people.

 

We also, really enjoyed Brooks 3 concerts.

I wanted to tell you this quick story.

I tried to buy his CD twice at the liquor store aboard the ship.

The lines were too long, as you know.

So, long story short,

I never got to buy one of his CD's.:mad:

It pays to grouse!

Guess what?

Today, in the mail I received 2 of them! :D

They were sent to me by a wonderful couple from Florida

that are regular cruisers and, have listen to Brooks concerts

several times in the past. I had no idea they were

coming. It was a wonderful surprise.

I had mentioned to them when we returned from

the cruise that I missed getting his CD's...

This particular couple we met on the T/A, B2B last May.

 

Also, I wanted to tell you, that when the "Phantom"

sang his song to Christine, from the audience, he was

standing 2 feet from me...

WOW!!!!

That was AWESOME!

You are correct..he was SUPER GOOD!

 

Also, THANKS to you, for the great

suggestion to enjoy the Old Lahaina Luau.

That was really special too.

[Ships R Great]

 

You mention that you were "docked" in Maui. The information we have is that we will tender there. Did you mean "docked"?

 

Gerry

 

My bad, Gerry. We were tendered in Maui.

[Ships R Great]

Hi Gary and Susan, We really enjoyed meeting you and all the impromptu chats throughout the cruise. We had a great time, didn't we? The reason the lines were so long for Brooks' CDs is that he is so personable. He takes time to chat with everyone. This two weeks is his "special" cruise where he plays private concerts, has a special event on shore, dines with his group and other goodies planned throughout. I wish we could do that one sometime. We get a flyer every now and then but it never seems to be the right time for us. Maybe some day. He told us he was on board one cruise early to get acclimated. We were lucky! Mahalo!

[Eliger]

Thanks for getting back to me. It must be the same itinerary than ours of December 9th. We will have two dockings and two tenderings. I presume that was the case for you also. :)

 

Gerry

[jen826]

We did the same cruise right before you (Sept. 30 - Oct. 14). I wish we would have done Maui overnight. That was my favorit port, and we were only there 8? hours.