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Celebrity Summit Ship Tour

Last updated: May 2nd, 2024

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Step aboard Celebrity Summit on a video tour of the entire ship from bow to stern. We’ve reimagined the luxury vacation experience to bring you more spacious staterooms, exquisite dining that invokes all senses, and innovative bars and lounges for lively nightlife at sea.

Discover The Retreat®, an exclusive experience that elevates your vacation to new levels of sophistication. See The Retreat Lounge, where guests enjoy quality service, complimentary snacks and drinks, and ocean views, and The Retreat Sundeck, a chic outdoor escape outfitted with stylish lounge chairs, a sparkling pool, and a hot tub.

Complimentary dining options on Summit include restaurants with menus inspired by the destinations we visit. At Oceanview Cafe, enjoy dishes from around the world all in one place. Head to the Pool Grill for comfort foods like burgers and fries, or enjoy lighter fare like salads and fresh-pressed juices at the Spa Cafe.

At specialty restaurants on Summit, we’re bringing favorites like Sushi on Five for the freshest rolls and sashimi at sea, and Tuscan Grille for a taste of Italy.

See the sophisticated staterooms and upgraded suites on the Celebrity Summit ship tour. From the 24/7 services of our Retreat Butler and team in the Penthouse Suite to the sweeping ocean views from the Sky Suite, there are suite options for every need and preference. Premium in-suite amenities may make it hard to leave your bed in the morning, but don’t worry—there’s always room service.

We’ve also upped the ante of our bars and lounges, designing intricate spaces, creative cocktails, and quiet lounges where it’s always time for a glass of wine or an aperitif.

Learn more about the ship and start planning your Celebrity Summit cruise vacation today.

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Celebrity Summit Cruise Review: Post Revolutionized (with photos)

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Celebrity Summit Cruise Review After the Updates (part 1)

We recently cruised on the Celebrity Summit (post-revolutionized) from Cape Liberty, New Jersey to Bermuda, Boston, Bar Harbor and Portland. The combination of 3 port days in Bermuda,  and 3 days in New England made for an interesting 11 day cruise that we couldn’t pass up!

Celebrity Summit Cruise Review Post-Revolutionized (part 1)

We were pretty excited about cruising on the Celebrity Summit, now that it’s been “Revolutionized”. I figure, you probably are too!

So, before getting into the dining, entertainment, and port reviews, I’ll go over our impressions of the ship, post-updates.

Part 1 of this Celebrity Summit Cruise Review, will focus on the details about the ship itself, after the Celebrity Revolution updates.

To give you a bit of background, we have cruised on the Summit twice before, and really enjoy this ship. However, there were areas that were dated and needed a fresher look.

I wrote about what we were most looking forward to before our cruise on Celebrity Summit , and the ship did not disappoint!

Cabins: First Impressions

One of the first things we did after boarding, and having a quick glass of celebratory Champagne upon embarkation, what I think of as one of Celebrity Cruises “Special Touches”, was head to our cabin to put our carry-on and other items down.

We were pleased to know that Celebrity is now trying to make it more comfortable for guests, by allowing a quick drop off of the essentials in the cabin, while the attendant continues to make everything ready.

As we walked up the stairs and down the halls, we saw that the carpets had been replaced and were fresh. However, when we saw our cabin we were shocked.

We were in an Inside Cabin for this cruise, and truthfully weren’t expecting much. However, as we opened the cabin door, we literally gasped. The color palette is serene and upscale, yet it was so warm and inviting.

Plus, it really felt spacious. Having seen photos, they just don’t do it justice.

Now, I won’t say that this inside cabin was as good as a Veranda cabin (let’s face it a balcony is pretty awesome!) , it was a pleasant surprise that the inside cabin was more than livable. It was genuinely very pretty.

The only negatives were not having natural light, and the extra space of the balcony (which we fully expected).

When we’ve had balcony cabins, we really enjoy some coffee outside in the morning and love some time on our own private outdoor space. So we did miss this a little, but still found our cabin very comfortable.

Cabin Layout, Furnishings and Bathroom

For an inside cabin, the space was very efficient and the furnishings were really nice, and practical. If you’ve cruised on this ship (or similar ones) before, you’ll notice that the small sofa was replaced with a large chair, and the coffee table is no longer there.

In our case, the sofa chair turned into a bed at night for our son. We found all beds extremely comfortable, even the sofa bed!

Something to note is that there were electric and USB outlets at both the desk/vanity and night-tables. Nice improvement!

The bathroom was so nice, with good shelving and a glass shower door.

Here’s a quick cabin tour video, where you can see the closet space and more of the furnishings.

More Celebrity Summit cabins: Veranda, Oceanview, and Quad cabins (cabins for 4)

We did a little cabin tour through the online roll call we joined, so here are some photos of the other cabins as well.

Oceanview Cafe (buffet)

We went upstairs to Deck 10 and had a bite to eat at Ocean view Cafe, the buffet.

This is an area that looks completely transformed, and almost doesn’t feel like a cruise ship buffet. It was so spacious, and the colors were light and airy, with different types of chairs and tables in various sections of the buffet.

I overheard someone say that there was wasted space, as they could have fit “more” in. I disagree, as finally we were in a buffet that didn’t feel loud and hectic, and tight on space.

That being said, there are several stations along the sides of Oceanview Cafe, and in the back are were you can find stations such as pasta station, a pizza station, create a sandwich station, salads, and hot grilled items.

One thing we noticed is that the grill station that was there before, was removed in lieu of this hot station. It does include grilled minute steak, chicken breast and fish, however it wasn’t cooked to order.

Tip: At the entrance to Oceanview Cafe, there is an ice cream and snack bar with absolute delicious ice cream and freshly made sorbet. We had the mango sorbet on our embarkation day, and truly it was mouth watering.

Sunset Bar – Only my favorite place on the Celebrity Summit.

#ilovesunsetbar – just sayin’

We experienced Sailaway from here for the first time, at the recommendation of new friends we met. They were right. It had a great atmosphere (despite an overcast sky), including a lovely musical duo playing for us as we departed.

Check out Sailaway at the Sunset Bar for a great aft view as you depart Cape Liberty and head under the Verazano Bridge.

The furniture is so pretty and it’s our favorite place to eat, when we go to the buffet (it’s straight out back).

While we truly enjoy the Sunset Bar, I will pass on some pros and cons about these updates, in my opinion (and heard from some others on board)

Gorgeous new furniture.

A larger, more open bar.

A lighter and airier look with light woods.

Less shade – The covering over Sunset Bar is a wood design with openings rather than full shade in some areas.

Low tables with regular size chairs. These tables were somewhat awkward to eat at, so try and find a high one unless you’re simply having a drink.

Tip: If you enjoy Sangria, the Sunset Bar had an amazing red sangria. As we got back from our cruise ports, we ended the afternoon with a Sangria as we sailed away. Perfect!

Main Pool area

The main pool area seems to have gotten a nice little face-lift. She has new lounge chairs and the pools have been painted a very pretty shade of sea blue.

The Solarium Pool

The thallostherapy pool is definitely a favorite of many Celebrity Summit cruisers. Calming music plays, there is comfortable lounge seating and conversation areas. Plus, it’s a covered pool, that gets a lot of light.

Updates also include a nice updated paint job to the well loved large lady sculpture that adorns the Solarium Pool.

Persian Gardens

Persian Gardens received a beautiful update and has an upgraded feel. The “aquatic suite”, with an aromatic steam room, sensory showers, salt room, Hamman Turkish bath, Infrared Sauna and heated loungers, is a popular feature on the Summit.

Passes are available for the week, however, if you are cruising in an Aqua Class Veranda, access to Persian Gardens is included. If you enoy spending time at the spa, consider the value of Aqua Class for this benefit (among  others)

Tip: Just inside the doors to the interior of the ship from the Solarium Pool, there is a ladies washroom that is my favorite public washroom on the ship.

What’s so special?

Hairdryers, lotions and an updated and beautiful sauna. If you enjoy  a sauna and don’t have access to Persian Gardens for the week, this one was almost always empty. Maybe, don’t tell anyone 😉

Cosmopolitan Dining Room

With a color scheme as calming as the sea, the “revolutionized” Cosmopolitan dining room is beautiful in every way.

Previously, this main dining room was rich, but dark.

Now, it’s light and modern, with unique but sumptuous seating. No matter where you sat, the chairs were very comfortable.

This cruise, we opted for traditional early seating, which was a pleasure. It was nice to get back to having the same servers every night, as we had done on our earlier cruises, but more on that in Part 2.

Rendez-Vous Lounge

Another area that got a complete change of look and feel, is the comfortable Rendez-Vous lounge that led into the Cosmopolitan restaurant.

The look is now open and bright, and once again feels like a totally different space than what we remember.

Now, there are groupings of chairs and seating configurations for 2, 4, 8 and even 10. This made for a great venue for games and shows in the evening, as well as activities during the day.

When nothing was scheduled, you could see people playing board games or sitting and talking. A really nice space.

There were some updates made to the theater (it was always dark, so being honest hard to see). However, from a passenger point of view, the more comfortable seating was a noted update that we really appreciated. The tones were also neutral and rich, and very much in line with the look of the rest of the ship.

Gone are the dark reds and in are the blues and grays and silver. I didn’t play in the casino, so my only experience is walking through, but the Casino was looking good.

Celebrity Summit Shops and shopping area

In the past, the shopping space on the Summit was called the Emporium. Being honest, I’m not sure it is anymore.

However, this space has been refurbished really nicely with fresh carpeting and a nice long and unique seating “couch” in the center. Blues, grays and silver and a bright look made this space feel nice and bright!

The shops were nice enough – pretty typical cruise stores.

For those that are interested, in addition to a Celebrity souvenir shop, there is an Apple Store, a couple jewelry stores, a Tag Hueur boutique and a small Vintage Rolex collection for sale (pre-owned). This very much interested my son, lol, although no purchase was made ;-).

The Celebrity Summit exterior

You can see that the Celebrity Summit now has a fresh new exterior look as well. She sure looks pretty in Bermuda.

What was not refurbished on the Celebrity Summit?

As much as this was beyond a basic refurbishment, not every space was redone on the Summit.

I’m pointing this out not as a complaint, but so you can have a realistic expectation of what to expect. After all, it is an older ship.

Crush Martini Bar and Sky Lounge

Both of these bars and venues still look pretty amazing and are overall in keeping with the Celebrity Summit “revolutionized” look.

Could they use new, more comfortable chairs? Probably in the near future.

The Grand Foyer and Cafe Al Bacio

I LOVE these spaces and am OK that they were not updated. However, since the rest of the ship was updated in lighter and more modern tones, it surprised us that Cafe Al Bacio’s dark wood and yellow gold look remained.

That said, we LOVE Cafe Al Bacio and always found it a great place to hang out, have amazing coffee and amazing desserts.

Tip: The pastries and desserts are included and are soooo good. Try the lemon tarts which are sinful!

Recommended reading: If you’d like to know more about Cafe Al Bacio and what’s included (menus too), you can read this post .

Cellar Masters

Leading into the Cosmopolitan Dining room on Deck 5 (upper level) is Cellar Masters. This wine bar/lounge didn’t get updated and the color scheme and furnishings do look dark and a bit worn. This was probably the only space that we noticed this.

We heard some info (at a Cruise Critic get together ) that this area was supposed to have been redone, however time ran out. I can’t be 100% sure, but I can see that being a possibility.

Revolutionized cruise ship areas we didn’t see

The retreat deck, lounge and suites.

If you’ve been following the Celebrity Revolution videos and photos, you know that the Celebrity Summit now has a stunning sun deck area at the front of the ship, reserved for guests staying in suites.

I’m sure it’s as amazing in person as in photos!

Overall impressions of the ship and cruise

This was one of the best cruises we’ve had. Truly, although the ship is really as nice (actually nicer), than it looks in photos, this isn’t what makes the cruise.

The Celebrity Summit staff and crew were incredible. Our stateroom attendant was attentive and did a great job. Our servers made every dinner special. The entertainment was excellent. The food and drinks… wonderful. All of this will be in the next part of the cruise review.

Finally, Captain Ioannis was so personable. If you have a chance to go to the Captain’s Talk (was on the last sea day on our cruise), definitely do so. It was extremely informative a great way to spend some time during our sea day .

Recap: Celebrity Summit Review (post-revolutionized)

I hope that Part 1 of this Celebrity Summit (post-revolutionized) cruise review gave you some information about the updates on the ship and that the photos give you a realistic look at what you can expect when you board the ship, for your own cruise vacation.

Have you cruised on the Celebrity Summit? Let me know your thoughts, and please ask me any questions you have and I’ll do my best to answer.

Happy Cruising!

If you’ve found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-)! Please share on Facebook or Pin and save for later on Pinterest (buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Popular Celebrity Cruises posts you may enjoy:

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10 Comments

Thank you for this review.We were on the Summit a few weeks before you as well as last year. We agree with you. It is a great ship with excellent service.I want to go back

Hi Barbara,

Thanks so much – glad you liked it and also had a great experience. I’m right with you…. I just need more vacation time ;-).

I hope you’ve got another cruise coming up on the horizon!

Thanks for the information. I’m very excited about my cruise in October on the summit. I do have one question for you. About seating. Did you find that the chairs are at a good height for people especially older people with creaky bones and wide enough for overweight or obese people???

we were on the anthem in January and noticed that the designers failed to acknowledge passenger weight and age. Chairs were so low and the chairs were made for skinny people.

Hi MaryAnne,

Glad the info was helpful – I’ll have more to come as I sort through all my photos and videos.

Great questions – so I do think this depends on the venue. However, the buffet chairs and even MDR chairs had a very open design, so that chair arms didn’t turn back in (if that makes sense). In the lounges the couches seemed low, however there were some spacious single chairs as well. In the theater, it was bench style seating, so this seemed quite accommodating and comfortable as well.

I hope this helps a bit. Have a wonderful cruise!

Thanks for your unique perspective on the newly-renovated Celebrity Summit. We are sailing out of Puerto Rico for the Virgin Islands from just after Christmas through the New Year. I Am interested in a finding out your thoughts about the updated staterooms & bathrooms & a few other things..

New glass-door showers… Do they provide body wash, shampoo & conditioner dispensers in the showers? Or do we have to bring our own?

Plenty of closet space?

Did you pay for the internet pkg? Not sure about if I want to get it (even the least expensive for one device) but want to get your thoughts.

TV? Channels? My husband can’t fall asleep without it (don’t ask lol!).

There will be eight of us (2 kids under 7 yrs) & we have open seating for dinner. Any reason why you specifically chose the other option?

Is on-board laundry/cleaners expensive? Good turnaround? I hate flying home with dirty clothes. Unless it’s really pricey…

How’s the Kid’s Club/Camp? Know anything about it? If not, I’ll check with Cruise Critic.

I hope I’m not too presumptuous… Hope to hear back when you have a chance. Thanks!

So glad you found this post. Your cruise sounds amazing – love the itinerary from San Juan!

I’ll try my best to answer your questions – I do also have several Youtube videos with some details including a ship tour you might find helpful – here’s one/the main tour, but you”l find others on the channel https://youtu.be/IIOVayS6VvE

They had shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. I bring my own hair products out of preference. Yes, glass shower doors.

Closet and drawer space quiet good. Check video for details.

I didn’t buy the internet. We used our phones instead on port days.

I didn’t watch tv, I would say they are standard and somewhat limited.

We’ve done select dining before and it’s fine, but we wanted to go back to knowing we had a table ready and the same waiters nightly. That said, we reserved tables in the past in open dining and the service was excellent.

If you can reserve times in advance, I would. It’s not fun to wait in line, especially if you’re 8 people.

Laundry was pricey, in my opinion. Although they had a promo for 40$ or so for a bag of laundry towards the end of the cruise. I needed a few pieces washed midway and paid 45$ for just a few items.

My son went to the kids club/teen club in the past and it was very good. I’ve heard of others with yourng children finding it to be good. It’s not a ship with lots of bells and whistles for kids (ie. waterslides and ropes courses), but the pools are great, and there are good activities, including movies at the very top in the back of the ship.

I hope this helps. If you’re on Facebook, there’s a great group called Celebrity Summit 2.0 where people post current info. You may enjoy it :-).

Have an amazing cruise!!

I loved your post! Do you know anything about the new always included perks, especially the classic drinks package? If you do, is it sufficient for most venues, or would you recommend upgrading? I loved your pictures!! Thank you!

Thanks so much! The Summit is honestly one of our favorite ships, especially after the upgrades. Here’s a post about the Always Included. Something to know is the classic package, which is the AI, does not include the martinis and top brand liqueurs, but a lot is still included. The details are here if you need more info: https://lifewellcruised.com/celebrity-cruises-always-included/

Love this post Ilana..so informative.we are cruising in Sept 2022 to Canada..but have a cabin with a window..no balc.left.is the window like the small circle portholes they were years ago or a decent size window now? Thanks for all your info!

When I cruised on Celebrity Summit the ocean view cabins had nice large round windows!

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Celebrity Summit Review: A Refreshed Cruise Ship

Back in 2019, while the Celebrity Edge was grabbing headlines, the Celebrity Summit was subtly undergoing a significant makeover.

Now, four years later, it’s worth reflecting on how this once understated, classic vessel received a revamp that made many take a second glance. We had the privilege of embarking on this newly reimagined ship shortly after its renovation.

Celebrity Summit Ship Specifications

READ MORE: 7 Celebrity Summit Dry Dock Changes

Overall Celebrity Summit First Impressions

It’s fair to say that the ship was due — maybe even overdue — for a freshening up. While Summit was a cutting-edge ship at the time of her 2001 launch, that was (hard as it is to believe) 22 years ago.

Celebrity recently invested about $500 million in a fleet-wide renovation, and, in this case, the influence of Celebrity Edge is evident. Sister brand Royal Caribbean is currently doing the same type of renovation, coined “Royal Amplified.”

The previous refit put Summit’s amenities in line with Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice class ships.

The new-and-improved Summit feels a bit lighter throughout. While the ship (and cruise line as a whole) tended to favor darker colors in the past, the new color palette is overall lighter — leaning more toward tan, grey, and shades of gold than the heavy blues and reds of the past.

It’s amazing how something as simple as the colors chosen for furnishings and other design elements can transform a space from stuffy to contemporary, as has happened in numerous public areas around Summit.

LISTEN: Celebrity Infinity Review 2019

Perhaps nowhere is the before-and-after transformation Summit underwent during the March drydock more evident than in the Cosmopolitan restaurant — aka the main dining room. Some changes here are small (like the dark supporting beams being painted white).

In contrast, others are massive (a stunning new ceiling treatment and all-new furniture, including several tables with high-back chairs that offer an almost cocoon-like experience). What was previously a rather average space now has the “wow” factor that causes guests to stop and take pictures the first time they enter.

That contemporary vibe is reflected throughout the public spaces on the ship, whether it is newly-created lounging areas or already-established restaurants that were given a lighter, but still noticeable, touch-up.

Small touches abound throughout, with many being as practical as they are classy. And some, oddly enough, bring a comfortingly homey element, such as throw pillows on chairs in some of the public spaces.

Another thing one notices while exploring the ship is the striking array of artwork on display, including several fun, Instagram-worthy pieces.

For example, in the pool area, you’ll find a sculpture that looks for all the world, like a fellow sunbather stretched out for a nap. (Just try and resist taking a photo with the guy!)

And as with almost every modern cruise ship, you’ll find interesting paintings scattered about, especially in the stairwells… which gives you added incentive to take the stairs instead of the elevator.

The Staterooms Have A Whole New Look

When ships go into a refurbishment-centric drydock, the staterooms are almost always included in some fashion. More often than not, it’s simply a matter of changing the general look of the cabins instead of making sweeping changes.

But in this case, every single stateroom was not only refurbished but — after being stripped down to the steel frame — essentially rebuilt.

The result is modern because it is minimalistic, with crisp colors and clean lines. This is an incredibly smart move as it’s a somewhat timeless look, meaning it won’t wind up feeling dated a few years later.

READ MORE: Celebrity Summit Cruise Photos

As we’ve already discussed with other areas of the ship, the new staterooms feel brighter and are, thanks to new lighting fixtures throughout the spaces.

There seem to be fewer drawers, more shelves, and more open space across the various categories.

Thankfully, USB ports were installed both on the vanity and by the bedside. And — hallelujah! — the newly renovated bathrooms ditched those awful shower curtains in favor of glass enclosures. Bedding-wise, every room now has Celebrity’s eXhale bedding with cashmere mattresses.

If there’s one thing missing from the rooms, it’s a pop of color. The shades of white, tan, and grey — right down to the wall decorations, which are more tapestry than painting — can feel a bit monotone.

All in all, 30 new staterooms were added across several categories. Guests staying in suites can access several exclusive areas, including their sundeck, restaurant, and The Retreat Lounge (which now resides in the formerly occupied by Michael’s Club).

Fun Fact: 80% of the staterooms on Celebrity Summit offer ocean views.

Dining Options

Although cruise lines are increasingly emphasizing specialty restaurants (all the better to fatten the bottom line, of course), it’s equally important that passengers feel there are both plentiful and quality complimentary options.

That’s the case on Summit, beginning with the venue we mentioned earlier: the Cosmopolitan Restaurant, which serves as the ship’s two-story main dining room.

The menu isn’t all that different from what you’d find in the dining room of any other mainstream cruise line, with a selection of appetizers and entrees that rotate nightly, as well as “timeless” entrees and appetizers that remain the same.

For those who order a bottle of wine and cannot finish it, the sommelier will cork the bottle and serve it at the next night’s meal.

The dining room offers two options: traditional seating (at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.) or Select Dining, which, while offered on a limited basis, allows more flexibility. Interestingly, those opting for the Select Dining program must prepay their dining gratuities.

The ship’s buffet — the Oceanview Cafe —is set up as a series of stations or islands, each representing foods from different parts of the globe.

The stations are mirrored on the port and starboard side, and the entire design makes for fairly easy navigation and a lack of “crowd bunching”, which can happen when cruise buffets are set up as one continuous line instead of islands.

There’s plenty of seating, including a great outdoor area on the aft of the ship, meaning you can dine al fresco while taking in the incredible views.

At breakfast time, the items are pretty spread out, although lunch and dinner seem a more organized and well-thought-out proposition. One of the items I use to judge a buffet is pizza, and what was offered here was pretty solid.

Looking for a grab-and-go meal while hanging out by the pool? They serve up decent burgers (including a veggie burger) and fries at the Pool Grill.

Specialty restaurant-wise, the ship offers Tuscan Grill (a high-end Italian steakhouse), Sushi on 5 (which serves exactly what you’d expect) and Qsine, which puts an unexpected twist on some familiar favorites. This last restaurant is quirky enough that it’s probably not for picky eaters. But meals here are as Instagrammable as they are experimental. The coffee shop onboard is Cafe al Bacio, which serves gelatos, pastries, and different coffees.

Suite and AquaClass guests can access two private dining areas, Luminae at The Retreat and Blu.

Fun Fact: When the ship debuted in 2001, the Normandie Restaurant was in the space where Tuscan Grill is now located. This was the line’s nod to the SS Normandie.

Public Spaces

Wandering the ship, it quickly becomes evident that each of the bars on board has a distinct personality. As a result, people tend to find the one which best meets their needs and become a regular there.

For me, it was the Cellar Masters wine bar (although a close second had to be the Sunset Bar). The latter is located at the rear of the ship on deck 10 and offers not only a very nice watering hole, but also a variety of seating options — perfect for gazing out at the sea — and often, live music.

Another popular space is the Martini Bar, which comes complete with an ice-top bar and bartenders who occasionally do some pretty nifty tricks. Right next to the Martini Bar is Crush, which features vodka flights (making it a great place to stop before heading to one of the nightly parties).

One of the big differences between Celebrity cruise ship and their competition is that the casinos, fleet-wide, are smoke-free. As a result, the casino bar can be a pretty popular place, especially on rainy sea days and in the evening.

More than a few people could be heard raving (and, of course, complaining) about the fact they could hang out in the casino without dealing with the smoky atmosphere found on other ships.

The forward-facing Sky Lounge on deck 11 is a great multi-purpose space. While it serves as the nightclub after dark, during the day the floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable seating make it a great place to chillax. The bar here offers a nice twist by offering a drink for each astrological sign, in keeping with the “sky” theme (which is also reflected in the cool blue colors which dominate the space).

Rounding out the collection of bars is the Rooftop Terrace, which is on the aft of deck 12 and reminds me of nothing so much as one of those great rooftop bars you find in New York City. There are comfortable chairs (including couches perfect for two), a massive screen on which to watch movies or sporting events, and a bar offering up all sorts of libations. The entire space is perfect for chilling, taking on a slightly different atmosphere after dark. The vibe feels slightly different… in an oddly inexplicable way.

Entertainment & Nightlife

These days, most midsize ships tend to be big on through-the-decade type shows, and Celebrity is no different. They offer various production-cast type shows, depending on the sailing. On ours, we took in a performance of December ’63, featuring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

I’m not a show guy, but these performers knew their stuff, and the audience loved every minute of it.

Summit also offers something rarely seen on cruise ships, thanks to Celebrity’s partnership with the American Ballet Theater. Not only can you take in a ballet performance (at which you can, as did I, wonder how the heck they manage to remain on tippy-toe — which I now know is called “en pointe” — on a moving ship!) but sign up for a class.

Wander the ship after dinner and find live music at various venues. Want to dance to music only you can hear? Hit the poolside Silent Disco. During the day, a live band usually entertains guests around the pool.

People often ask how “lively” the ship is as the night progresses.

While the casino can stay hopping fairly late, and the nightclub can keep people dancing, generally speaking, this isn’t a ship on which you’ll find people rocking out until the wee hours of the morning. That crowd tends to go for ships with more bells and whistles than will be found on Summit, where the average age range probably skews between 40-60.

Spa and Fitness

Bad news: You likely won’t be able to use “there wasn’t any available equipment” as an excuse not to hit the gym while on Summit, as there’s a nice selection of machines — if perhaps an overabundance of treadmills — in the fitness center. There’s also an upper-deck track on which you can jog, with seven laps equaling a mile.

In conjunction with Celebrity’s partnership with the Canyon Ranch Spa, the revitalized spa promotes healthy living and wellness. You’ll find a variety of massages and treatments offered, along with beauty services.

The Persian Garden relaxation area (think: thermal spa) includes a eucalyptus-infused steam room, sauna, rain shower, and heated ceramic loungers perfectly positioned to relax while staring out at the ocean. (Guests staying in the Aqua Class staterooms have unlimited access to the Persian Garden.)

Directly outside the spa is the solarium, offering a thalassotherapy pool and complimentary healthy eating options at the Spa Cafe.

For the Kids

Let’s be honest: Celebrity is not necessarily the most kid-friendly cruise line. That’s not to say children aren’t welcome and parents won’t find things to keep them busy, but there aren’t waterslides, kiddie pools, and splash zones on Summit (or other ships in the fleet, for that matter). Camp at Sea is Celebrity’s kid club, and the spa teams up with them to offer mini manicures, pedicures, and the like. There’s also an arcade, ping pong, basketball, and more for the whole family.

Final Thoughts of Celebrity Summit

A few short months ago, Celebrity Summit was a ship that had seen better days. But as so often happens with older ships, an infusion of cash and a TLC-fueled dry dock have helped do something even better than restoring her former glory; it’s brought her into the modern age of cruising in a way that makes the ship worthy of the fleet in which she sails.

This ship won’t be for everyone, especially those with young kids, but for cruisers looking to set sail on a ship that feels new despite having been around the block (or the world) a few times, Summit will check all the boxes.

Celebrity Summit Video Tour

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By: Doug Parker Title: Celebrity Summit Review: A Refreshed Cruise Ship Sourced From: cruiseradio.net/celebrity-summit-cruise-ship-review-2019/ Published Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 02:28:42 +0000

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Celebrity Summit Cruise Review: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on Published: 11/14/2023

While I’ve always admired the sleek Celebrity Cruise Line ships from afar when docked at various ports, I had never sailed on this cruise line. Recently, for my annual friends’ cruise, we decided to go outside our comfort zone and sail on a new cruise line. We booked a four-night sailing on the Celebrity Summit, with stops in Nassau and Bimini Bahamas .

I enjoyed my experience on the Celebrity Summit and my first cruise with Celebrity Cruises. If you are considering sailing on this beautiful ship, read our Celebrity Summit review. Any questions? Leave us a comment below!

Disclosure: We paid full price for our sailing on the Celebrity Summit. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Check prices for a Celebrity Summit sailing here .

About the Celebrity Summit

The Celebrity Summit came into service on October 1, 2001. Her most recent refurbishment was in 2019, when Celebrity Summit completed The Celebrity Revolution with $500+ million in upgrades. The ship feels very modern, with a crisp, soothing decor.

The ship has 11 guest decks, with 1,079 staterooms, which can accommodate 2,158 guests, double occupancy. The ship never felt crowded during our sailing, but we did see plenty of people on board and in the public spaces.

Celebrity Summit Stateroom Types

There are lots of different options for staterooms when booking a sailing on the Celebrity Summit. You’ll choose your class of service and room type when initially booking. Here are some of the Celebrity Summit Cabins to choose from:

The Retreat is a full, premium experience for suite guests. It includes special areas just for retreat guests, including Luminae Restaurant, the Retreat Sundeck, and the Retreat Lounge as well as priority check-in. We didn’t have a suite, so I didn’t have the opportunity to check out these areas first-hand.

AquaClass is another perk level that includes access to the onboard restaurant Blu, complimentary access to the Persian Garden in the spa, a spa concierge, and special in-room amenities. AquaClass guests can take fitness classes at no cost.

Concierge Level is another option you can choose when booking a room. This is what we booked for our sailing. It came with a special sit-down embarkation lunch, an invitation to a sail away party on the Helipad (closed-toe shoes were required), a pillow menu, a bottle of sparkling wine, evening canapes delivered to the room, and access to a concierge.

We especially enjoyed the sit-down lunch on the first day in the main restaurant. It was relaxing, and a great way for us to sit with the schedule for our sailing and talk about our plans for the next four days.

Room types on the Celebrity Summit include the following:

• Penthouse, Royal, Celebrity, and Sky Suites
• AquaClass Staterooms
• Concierge Class Staterooms
• Family Verandah Rooms
• Verandah Rooms
• Ocean view Staterooms (window, but no balcony)
• Inside Staterooms

Handicapped accessible staterooms are also available, in various stateroom types.

Our concierge room had a balcony, but it unfortunately was smaller than a regular balcony and had an obstructed view. It was fine for us because we didn’t spend much time in our stateroom with so much to do around the ship.

The room had a bed that could be turned into two twin beds, a chair, two bedside nightstands, use of umbrellas, binoculars, and robes, a television, and a hairdryer. We found that there was plenty of room in the closet and drawers to store our clothing and other items, and while the bathroom was small, there was ample space for toiletries.

The room decor is very pretty and neutral, with blue and tan tones and a gray wood finish. It felt modern and elegant.

Amenities and Activities on the Celebrity Summit

We had two port days and one sea day during our sailing, and there were plenty of activities scheduled to keep us busy. In addition, there are some great amenities on the ship to take advantage of during your time on board.

Pool Deck: We enjoyed two days sitting on the pool deck. There seemed to be plenty of chairs, some with some great shade and others in the bright sun. The deck offers pools and whirlpools, along with a bar and a grill.

Solarium: As adults traveling without kids, this was definitely our favorite area of the ship. The Solarium is 16+, with a few hours dedicated to families. It’s a glass-covered area with two hot tubs, the Solarium pool (which is salt water and very warm), a cafe, and lots of seating.

The Rooftop Terrace: An outdoor seating area with a large TV, and comfortable seating. There were many different movies and sporting events shown on the TV during our sailing, and some guests told me this was their favorite part of the ship.

Kids’ Clubs: While our sailing only had a handful of kids on board, there are some kids’ clubs to keep them busy. These clubs are separated by age groups and include many activities that the kids seemed to enjoy.

Casino: I don’t typically visit a casino on my sailings, but I did enjoy a quick slot tournament on our first day. The casino onboard offers tables and machines and isn’t smoky at all. There were times on the schedule where active participants could get complimentary drinks.

Shops: I always love to browse in the shops in the evening, and there’s a nice selection on board the Celebrity Summit. Options include duty-free goods, Effy jewelry, luxury handbags, logo merchandise, artwork, other jewelry, and more.

Spa: In addition to a full-service salon and spa, you can also book access to the Persian Garden, which includes saunas, steam rooms, and spa showers. There’s also a fitness center which is open to all guests, and classes, which are offered at an additional fee.

There was a lot of fun to be had on board as well. The app and a paper schedule list everything to do, with times and locations. Activities on our sailing included trivia, game shows, karaoke, entertainment shows, movies, comedy shows, and more. There were also several fun activities pitting the ship’s officers against guests.

We found a nice balance between attending activities, watching the entertainment, and sitting by the pool and in the Solarium.

Food and Restaurants on the Celebrity Summit

You’ll never be hungry on the Celebrity Summit. There are lots of options for food – some included and some specialty restaurants that are offered for an extra fee. Room service is also available.

Cosmopolitan Restaurant – this two-level restaurant serves as the Celebrity Summit main dining room. It’s a beautiful restaurant, with a menu that changes each night. You’ll be assigned a dining time and can eat here or choose one of the other options.

Oceanview Cafe – You can have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night bites at the ship’s buffet restaurant, the Oceanview Café. There are lots of different cuisine types including Indian, Mexican, and Italian.

Our favorite, however, was the freshly made pizza. Don’t miss the croissants in the morning, though. You can even watch them being made.

Spa Cafe – If you are looking for some lighter fare, the Spa Cafe, located in the Solarium, offers some delicious options. I had lunch and breakfast here when hanging out at the pool deck, and enjoyed chicken salad, tomatoes with mozzarella, and avocado toast. You can also get smoothies and juice for an additional fee.

The Mast Grill – Spending the day at the pool deck? You won’t have to go far to get a quick lunch. The Mast Grill, right on the pool deck, offers hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries.

Qsine (Le Petit Chef) – Reservations and an additional fee are required for this incredibly unique restaurant. Watch a tiny chef “prepare” your meal using 3D mapping technology. It’s so fun and unique, but also delicious.

Tuscan Grille – This restaurant requires reservations and an additional fee. If you love Italian food, steak, and fish, it’s a great option. They also make homemade pasta, and you can get a half-order if you’d like to try something else as well.

Sushi on 5 – This a la carte restaurant serves sushi, sake, hot pot, and noodles. We didn’t eat there on our trip, but did walk by. Everything we saw looked delicious.

Café al Bacio & Gelateria  – I found myself visiting Cafe al Bacio twice a day during my cruise. This premium coffee shop offers traditional coffee drinks as well as teas and some unique offerings. You can order at the counter, or sit at one of the many tables and get table service.

They also have a display cafe filled with delicious treats. In the mornings, the Nutella croissants were a big hit. Then, in the afternoon, the case was filled with more traditional desserts.

Across the way, there’s another counter offering gelato for an additional fee. This cafe was one of my favorite places on the ship.

Because we weren’t in Aqua Class or the Retreat, we didn’t have a chance to dine in the two restaurants specific to those classes – Blu and Luminae.

There are also some great lounges and bars located throughout the ship, some of which had live music. These include the following:

• The Sunset Bar
• The Sky Lounge
• Martini Bar and Crush
• Rendezvous Lounge

Entertainment on the Celebrity Summit

When you sail on the Celebrity Summit, you’ll be treated to a different show each evening in the main theater. There are generally two different showtimes, which can accommodate most guests around their mealtimes. Some of the shows are performed by the cast of the Celebrity Summit, while others are performed with guest performers.

During our sailing, we had two guest performers – a singer and a comedian. Both were only onboard for our sailing, however, so this type of entertainment will vary for each cruise.

There were also two shows performed by the cast of the Celebrity Summit. Both were more concert-style than a show with a plot. I prefer shows rather than concerts, but I still enjoyed these productions.

Life was performed on our second night. This show features aerial gymnastics, as well as excellent vocalists, and a live band.

The second show was Soundtrack, featuring music from movies. The movies featured included Moulin Rouge, Pitch Perfect, the Wizard of Oz, and Singing in the Rain. I preferred this show to Life, but both were entertaining and worth attending.

Itineraries on the Celebrity Summit

During our four-night sailing, we traveled from the Port of Miami to Nassau and Bimini Bahamas. We arrived the night before our sailing and enjoyed an evening at the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, South Beach . I would recommend staying there – it has beautiful rooms, is reasonably priced, and is in a great location.

The Summit will be sailing from Miami through April 2024. Ports of call during this time include Nassau and Bimini, Nassau and Cozumel, Key West and Bimini, Key West and Cozumel , Key West and Nassau, and Cozumel. These are four and five-night sailings.

Then, in April 2024, she moves to Los Angeles, CA, with a 14-day sailing through the Panama Canal. From there, she’ll sail from LA to Vancouver on a 6-night sailing. From there she’ll spend the summer on an Alaskan itinerary.

After Alaska, the Celebrity Summit sails back to the East Coast and settles into a home port of San Juan Puerto Rico.

I would highly recommend this ship for adults traveling solo or with older kids. While it was my first time on one of the Celebrity ships, it definitely won’t be my last.

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Celebrity Summit Deck Plans & Reviews

Celebrity Summit

Activities & entertainment

• Sky Observation Lounge
• Basketball Court
• Celebrity iLounge *
• The Casino *
• Mixology Classes *
• Wine Tasting Seminars *
• Jogging Track
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Hair Salon *
• Whirlpools (5)
• Persian Garden *
• Team Trivia
• The Shops *
• Art Gallery *
• Photo Gallery and The Studio *
• Video Arcade *
• Camp At Sea _ Kids Club
• X Club _ Teens Club
• Rooftop Terrace
• The Retreat Lounge _ Suite Guests
• The Retreat Sun Deck _ Suite Guests
• Guest Relations
• Shore Excursions *
• Future Cruise Vacations *
• Captains Club
• The Meeting Place
• Medical Center
• The Theatre
• Comedy Shows
• Disco and Dancing
• Rendezvous Lounge
• Outdoor Movie Screen
• Enrichment Lectures
• Cosmopolitan Restaurant - Main
• Blu - AquaClass
• Oceanview Cafe - Buffet
• Cafe Al Bacio - Coffee Bar *
• Tuscan Grille - Italian Steakhouse *
• Pool Grill - Pool Grill
• Pool Bar - Pool Bar *
• Gelateria - Gelato *
• Spa Cafe - Healthy Fare
• Sushi On Five - Sushi *
• Martini Bar - Martini Bar *
• Crush - Martini Bar *
• Mast Bar - Pool Bar *
• Luminae - Suite Guests
• Qsine - Unique Fare *
• Cellar Masters - Wine Bar *
• Sunset Bar - Panoramic Bar *
• Room Service *
• Excellent 84
• Very Good 49
• Terrible 17
• All languages ( 181 )
• English ( 177 )
• French ( 2 )
• Danish ( 1 )
• Spanish ( 1 )

Upcoming itineraries

Celebrity Summit

Hello and welcome to our review of the Celebrity Summit cruise ship, which whilst one of the oldest and smallest to cruise for the Celebrity cruise line , it is a ship that has seen a whole new lease of life after undergoing a full refurbishment in 2019.

That has seen the ship been able to offer the same standard of furnishings, public areas and staterooms that you would expect from the newest Celebrity ships, all whilst been able to keep its small ship charm.

That makes its it a great choice for those who love the line but who prefer to keep away from its larger ships, such as those of the Solstice and Edge classes of ships.

But as fans of bigger ships, just how would we find the Summit for our transatlantic cruise from Reykjavik in Iceland to Boston in the United States ?

In this Celebrity Summit review, we take you through what we liked about the ship, what could be better and take you through all aspects of cruising onboard the Celebrity Summit cruise ship.

Celebrity Summit Review

• Onboard Experience - 8.7/10 8.7/10
• What’s Included - 9.2/10 9.2/10
• Entertainment - 8.8/10 8.8/10
• Food and Drink - 9.5/10 9.5/10
• Accommodation - 9/10 9/10

User Review

Great Food Cafe Al Bacio Good Entertainment Variety Friendly Staff

Limited Activities

We sailed onboard the Celebrity Summit in August 2023, where we embarked on a 12-night adventure across the north Atlantic Ocean.

We started in the Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik, before heading north to the Icelandic fjords and the ports of Isafjordur and Akureyri.

Then came the highlight of our trip as we sailed across the Atlantic to Greenland and an exploration of the Prince Christian Sound.

After that, we visited the small town of Nanortalik before heading across the Labrador Sea to St Johns and Halifax in Canada .

Our journey finished at the port of Boston, in the US state of Massachusetts, from where we flew back to the UK.

Having only sailed on larger ships with Celebrity, it does have to be said that it is a different experience when cruising onboard the Summit than onboard the Celebrity Silhouette , the ship that we had previously sailed onboard with Celebrity.

A lot of the differences we experienced can be put down to things such as the Summit been both a smaller and older ship, but a lot can also be put down to the types of cruises that we sailed on.

Our journey on the Summit was more of an exploration style of cruise where we visited some of the worlds smallest and remotest cruise ports and that is something that the Summit really is perfect for.

The vibe onboard the ship was a lot more relaxed and there was also more of a sense of community onboard as we shared stories of what we had done once onshore with fellow cruisers.

With relatively few people onboard for a mainstream cruise ship and with the ports been so small, we would constantly see the same people and that added to the atmosphere onboard the ship having the feel of living in a small village, where everybody knows everybody but certainly not in a bad way.

As mentioned, our cruise was something of a 1 off and a break from the usual cruises that the ship offers but we still got a great insight into the style of the cruises offered onboard the Summit.

If you have sailed with Celebrity Cruises before you will likely recognise the style as it is somewhat standardised across all their ships.

During the day, the dress code is relaxed, and the atmosphere is a stress-free but somewhere the ship does perhaps change from the newer ones offered by the line is that the days and nights onboard are much more structured.

Due to a lack of space and available options, activities tend to be similar and take place around the same time at the same place each day whilst evening entertainment tends to be centered around 7 and 9pm theatres shows followed by later night entertainment in the observation lounge.

The dress code on an evening is smart/casual with more dressy up nights given the billing of chic nights, where it is suggested, you dress up for you, but on a cruise such as ours where most people packed winter and wet weather clothes, not too many got dressed up to the nines.

For our cruise, we added a package to our cruise that included tips (gratuities), internet and basic drinks included in the price, so we had plenty included in the price.

For us, one of the great things about sailing with Celebrity is the Café al Bacio, a tearoom where most speciality teas and coffees are included in the basic drink package and where pastries at breakfast and cakes throughout the day are included for all.

Onboard the Summit, it has a large seating area and plenty of extra seating around the atrium which meant we always got a seat no matter what time of the day we visited.

Each bar on the ship also offered a good selection of included drinks for our package with one other aspect of the ship we liked was the number of places where you could simply grab a can of coke (or coke zero in our case).

So many lines nowadays require you to go to a bar and get a glass or soda poured, which just slows things down for everybody.

If you haven’t booked a drinks package, there is still plenty that is included in the base price of a cruise onboard the Summit.

This includes the buffet, which is one of the best we have experienced in terms of quality and for a ship the size of the Summit, its Oceanview Café (buffet) is a decent size with a good range of options including numerous cook-to-order options.

For those wanting a sit-down meal, the large Cosmopolitan main dining room offers the chance to choose a traditional style set dining offering on deck 4 and a dine when you want offering on deck 5.

Snacks such as burgers and hot dogs can be eaten at the pool side grill whilst those wanting a healthier option can head to the spa café in the solarium.

In the buffet and spa café it is possible to get included fruit juices, water, tea, coffee and hot chocolate, with the buffet also making it easy to grab an included drink and head to the sunset bar at the rear of the ship or to drink around the pool.

Aside from food and drink, there is lots included in the price of your cruise onboard the Summit including all your entertainment in the onboard theatre and for our cruise this offered a great selection of musicians, comedians, impersonators and production shows.

There are also plenty of activities that take place in the observation lounge, around the pool and in the foyer and in the numerous bars, lounges and in the main atrium there were musicians performing throughout the day and evening.

The top deck has a outdoor big screen that shows movies throughout the day and night but on our cruise, many of these were moved to the theatre as it was too cold outside.

As is the case on the majority of ships, things like swimming pools (the main outside pool and the solarium pool) and the gym are free for everybody whilst the Summit also has an outdoor basketball court that can also be used for football, pickleball and other sports.

As is the way nowadays, there are somethings that are not included in the base price of your cruise and need to be paid for once onboard, but thankfully these are not things you need to spend on as they are added extras.

The biggest 2 extra cost things on the ship are speciality dining and the spa.

Spa treatments are all an extra cost but there are big discounts if you visit on a port day whilst savings can also be made on speciality dining if you book in advance and especially if you visit the Tuscan Grille, Sushi on Five or Le Petit Chef on the first night.

If you haven’t paid for a beverage package, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks throughout the ship and hot drinks at Café al Bacio will cost extra.

Free ice cream is available in the buffet but will cost extra at the Gelato station and both art bought at the onboard art auction and any gambling undertook in the onboard casino will all come at an extra cost.

The same is also true for the onboard shops, where everything is an extra cost- as you would expect.

A huge credit should be given to the line for the entertainment on our holiday as even though the ship was away from its homeport for around 3 weeks and in some of the remotest parts of the world, they still provided a wide variety on entertainers.

We love going into the theatre when on holiday and for us Celebrity offers one of the best theatre experiences and the Summit was no different.

There was a good selection of acts, including singers, comedians and impersonators whilst the inhouse production shows where of a high quality.

One thing we should also mention is that the Summit had a full house band in the theatre which is great to see when so many other lines are cutting that particular cost at a huge testament to the cruising experience.

All of the bars, lounges and even Café al Bacio had musicians performing at different times of the day and the observation lounge, atrium and pool area also had a number of activities to keep people entertained.

One great thing about our cruise was that the line had a couple of experts onboard to give talks, with one been a natural world expert giving talks on the artic region and the animals we would see along our cruise of the region.

One of the biggest reasons why we choose to cruise on Celebrity is the quality of food on offer, which was something we were slightly worried about before the cruise due to the remoteness of the cruise and its small size.

Whilst some of those concerns came true with regards to the variety of food on offer, the actual quality of the food was once again top notch.

We mainly ate in the buffet on an evening, but we did dine in the MDR on sea days, especially at lunch time and no matter where we ate and at what time, the food was something to enjoy.

Despite the small size of the budget, we never struggled for a table, and it featured a number of cook-to-order stations and even the food that was prepared in advance was always warm and never stood waiting too long.

2 of the things we really loved about the ship from a food and drink point of view was the fact that there are plenty of places around the ships to grab a can of soda, which is great if you are in a rush and also the Café al Bacio.

We love to visit tea rooms in general and the Summits onboard offering can match any you will find on the high street or in an upmarket hotel.

With so many sea days on our adventure, we loved to grab a table in the tea room, have a drink and also grab a couple of the mouthwatering included cakes.

Our stateroom (8119) was an inside cabin, on deck 8 in the mid-ship area. This proved to be a great location that offered easy access to all parts of the ship and meant we used the glass lifts on a daily basis.

The room was spacious, especially for an inside cabin, and featured all you would expect from a Celebrity room including a huge comfy bed, lots of storage, a number of USB ports, a big tv, a comfortable seating area and a large bathroom with a glass shower door.

Our journey took us on an Arctic /North Atlantic adventure that embarked in the Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik and ended in the American city of Boston.

Along the way, we visited the ports of Isafjordur and Akureyri in Iceland before heading out into the open ocean and to the incredible Prince Chrisitan Sound (Prins Cristian Sund) in Greenland.

After sailing through the sound, we visited the remote town of Nanortalik in Greenland before heading across the Labrador Sea to Canada .

We visited the picturesque city of St John’s in Newfoundland before heading south to the city of Halifax in Nova Scotia.

After 1 more day at sea, we arrived in our final port of Bostin in Massachusetts, USA.

As a smaller and older ship, we would say that this is a cruise ship best suited for older cruisers and for couples who don’t mind a slower pace to a holiday.

There is little to do for younger cruisers and little for families to do together, although it does have children’s clubs which may work during school holidays but on our cruise there were few kids which would probably make them boring for all but the youngest children.

To start with, I’ll say outright that we loved our cruise on the Summit, so most things we found to be good with few negatives.

For this review, I will just mention the things that really added to our holiday.

To start with, we love the theatre on the Summit as not only is a great venue that really feel like an actual theatre but it offers a great variety of entertainment.

This includes having a house band, something so many lines are phasing out, good in-house production shows and a good range of acts including singers, impersonators and comedians.

Long term viewers will know that we love the Café al Bacio tearoom on Celebrity ships and one problem we have found with it is trying to find an available table.

That wasn’t a problem on the Summit however as no matter what time of the day we went, we also got a seat and as ever the service, food and drink was top notch.

The staff onboard the Summit were also some of the friendliest we have come across and really added to our adventure.

If you are used to sailing onboard larger ships, even with the same line, you will find that the size and age of the ship does mean that there are some differences.

One of the biggest issues for us was the lack of variety in most aspects as a holiday on the ship is quite structured but that actually turned into a positive.

We prefer port intensive cruises but with many sea days on our transatlantic sailing, the structured days actual helped pass the time.

The food in the buffet was of a high quality but due to its small size, there was a lack of variety throughout the sailing.

A similar thing occurred with the entertainment onboard where the same musicians played in the lounges and the atrium at the same time of the day.

One minor negative that we came across was the lack of information from the captain. On previous cruises, we would get an informational announcement from the captain on sea days and a quick welcome back/update on port days but on the Summit, this was kept to the bare minimum.

All of those were small issues but one big problem onboard was the lack of availability in the dining room. Celebrity offer a dine when you want choice in the Main Dining Room but from day one, the only availability for us was from 8:30pm onwards, which was just too late.

The Celebrity Summit was launched on 9th March 2001 before been handed over to Celebrity Cruises in October the same year and then finally entering service in November.

Originally known simply as the Summit until 2008, the ship became known as the Celebrity Summit when the whole line changed their name to include the line name in the ship name.

She was built by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St Nazaire, France and cost $350,000,000.

Originally the ship was registered out of the port of Monrovia in Liberia, before switching to Nassau in the Bahamas in 2002 before changing once again tog the port of Valletta in Malta in 2009.

In 2009, the ship spent 3 weeks in a dry dock to have a major refurbishment and to be brought up to the standards of the line’s newer ships.

In conclusion, we have to say that the ship is a great option for those wanting to visit smaller ports that bigger ships just cannot visit as you will certainly have a great holiday.

We still prefer larger ships and Celebrity wise; we still prefer the Celebrity Silhouette but if the Summit was sailing an itinerary that was of interest to us, we would certainly sail on her again.

Her full refurbishment really hides her age, as does to new paint job she has had and the onboard experience is up there with the other ships of the line we have sailed on.

There were some minor negatives, such as the lack of dining times and the lack of variety in food and entertainment but those are only small annoyances and really didn’t impact our experience in any way.

Celebrity Summit Review and Guide

Thank you for taking the time to read our review or the Celebrity Summit cruise ship. We hope that you found it useful and hopefully if you were unsure on whether to sail on her or not, you have taken the plunge as we are sure you will have a great time.

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Every detail has been elevated, every comfort refined.

Celebrity Summit® is making even more waves in the cruise world. From adding brand new staterooms and elevating design concepts and technology across the ship to adding The Retreat®, an exclusive experience including The Retreat Sundeck and The Retreat Lounge, the results are phenomenal. These new venues combined with our award-winning Luminae are sure to please. Slip into new eXhale® bedding featuring Cashmere™ Mattresses that will surround you in luxury—literally. Marvel at completely new bathroom modernizations. Wine and dine in reimagined restaurants and lounges, including the main dining room, Oceanview Café, Sunset Bar, and Rendezvous Lounge. Surrender your senses in the newly redesigned spa. Shop in new retail boutiques. Change the way you experience the world aboard Celebrity Summit.

Explore the venues on Summit

Grand foyer.

Our stunning foyer greets you with a spectacular onyx staircase, marble floors and the first panoramic ocean-view glass elevators at sea.

Rooftop Terrace

We've created a chic spot to kick back and catch a flick under the stars with themed cocktails and snacks.

The Pool Deck

Spend the day by the Pool. Relax with a book or have a bite at the grill. Enjoy the serenade of the music from the bandstand and dance your heart away on the dance floor. For a refresher, take a dip in the pool or rejuvenate in the whirlpool.

With Lady Luck by your side, spin the roulette wheel or play the slot machines in our tastefully decorated casino.

The Theatre

The Theatre is the premier live performance venue. While accommodating a generous audience, it retains a comfortable, intimate atmosphere, bringing you production shows, beautiful musical arrangements, and sidesplitting comedy.

Rendezvous Lounge

The ideal meeting place, our Rendezvous Lounge offers guests quiet niches and plush, comfortable seating.

Cellar Masters

Inspired by the vineyards of the world, Cellar Masters brings to life the experience of a global wine tour, while you learn about and taste a large variety of wines from around the world. A welcoming and unique onboard environment, you'll discover new wines, receive recommendations and enrich your knowledge of the world of wine.

Don't look back, look forward and be amazed by the breathtaking views in our ultimate observation lounge. The floor to ceiling windows will captivate and the expansive space will please you as you relax in the comfy seating all around. The lounge is versatile and can be transformed to suit any occasion.

Let the serenity surround you at this indoor pool reserved for adults only. The sound of waterfalls will transport you to a divine state of relaxation while you stretch out on thickly padded lounge chairs or melt away stress in the hot tub.

The Retreat Sundeck

Exclusive lounge for guests of The Retreat. Our luxurious outdoor area rivals any high-end resort, featuring a spacious lounge area, plush, stylish furniture and an inviting pool and hot tub.

The Retreat Lounge

Exclusive lounge for guests of The Retreat. Enjoy complimentary beverages, gourmet bites, and a stylish place to unwind in style, along with the services of a dedicated concierge.

Here, you'll find state-of-the-art workstations featuring MacBook Pro® laptops and iMac® desktops where you can take a class, check your email, surf the web or print a boarding pass. Certified staff will help you master the latest audio and video products.

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Enjoy an amazing array of flavors and a wide selection of restaurants to suit every mood. Our menus are inspired by, and sourced from, the incredible regions we visit.

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Top Reasons Why Grandeur Of The Seas Delivers Epic Family Cruises

The best family cruises happen naturally onboard this longstanding vision class favorite.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on May 21, 2024

A cruise is always a fun vacation for the whole family. First of all, most family-friendly cruise ships are loaded with fun cruise attractions for kids, cruise activities for teens and experiences that encourage bonding across generations. Getaways at sea are convenient, too, allowing guests to see multiple destinations while only having to unpack once. Many ships also offer childcare options, ensuring a seamless, stress-free experience for if you’re cruising with a baby. But with so many cruise ships out there to choose from, how can you make sure you’re picking the best option for your crew?

One of my favorite cruise ships for family vacations is Grandeur of the Seas by Royal Caribbean. It’s an older ship, but to me that just gives it more charm. I personally love that it doesn’t have crazy water slides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag and some of the other cruise attractions for kids that larger ships are known for. Why? Because the lack of distractions makes it easier for me to spend quality time with my loved ones and for us to disconnect as a family. 

That’s not to say there’s nothing to do onboard this Voyager Class ship — on the contrary. Grandeur of the Seas offers plenty of cruise activities for families — they’re just more low-key and traditional (which I love). The ship has a massive rock-climbing wall that I love to challenge my husband to first thing in the morning when we sail together. It’s our way of making our daily workout fun. An arcade that my brother and father can spend hours in together, going head-to-head with newer games and old-school classics. And a great pool deck where we can all come together and unwind as a family, watching as bellyflop competitions and dance contests unfold throughout the afternoon. 

On a much larger cruise ship, everybody would be pulled in different directions based on their preferences — my brother making a beeline for the water slides and the glow-in-the-dark laser tag course, my golf-obsessed husband hitting the putt-putt course over and over (and over) again and my parents hunkering down on the pool deck to load up on sunshine, sea breezes and tropical drinks. But this particular cruise ship’s smaller size and classic activities help create a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere that encourages us to slow down and focus on making memories together. Here are just some of my favorite cruise activities for families sailing onboard Grandeur of the Seas .

1. Hit The Rock-Climbing Wall

2.Spend A Few Hours In The Arcade

3. Bond Over Memorable Family Meals

4. Level Up Your Poolside Bonding

5. Drop The Kiddos Off At Adventure Ocean®

6. Get Together For The Perfect Movie Night

7. Plan A Night At The Theater

Royal Caribbean is known for delivering exceptional family-friendly cruise entertainment, and this ship lives up to that reputation. Pencil in time to enjoy one of the wow-worthy productions onboard, including the stunning musical, Broadway Rhythm & Vine, and the dazzling Tango Buenos Aires — a love letter to Argentina’s most iconic dance styles. During your sailing, you can also look forward to impromptu musical performances throughout the ship, flash mobs, themed nights and plenty more. Just check your Cruise Compass daily for details.

These are just some of the many unique activities and experiences onboard Grandeur of the Seas that help set the stage for the best family cruises. I know my loved ones and I have had a blast experiencing all of the above together on past vacations at sea. That said, the cruise ship offers lots more activities, attractions and family-friendly things to do beyond these highlights. To see what else awaits onboard, check out a full run-down  or browse itineraries .

grandeur OF THE SEAS

STARTING FROM 

9 NIGHT SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

SAIL From Ft. Lauderdale

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