Summit 042911

8+1 night repo to NJ. Cabin 6106, our 1st Celebrity Suite. Master: Captain Costas Nestoroudis, who is an Emril look alike; Hotel Director, Sheldon Thompson; Asst HD, Touch; Guest Relations Mgr., Jaque DeGuzman; F&B Mgr. John Paul Lamb; Cruise Director, Damian de Lorenzis; Capt Club hostess, Korina; Room Steward; Butler Armando; Waiter, Weiwee; Asst, Frannie who reminded us of Diana Diaz; Wine Steward, Fabulous Franando; & asst matre'D, unsure: Executive Chef, Andy Bouchard; Future Cruises, Wes Savery.

The first port of call, was a favorite, St. Martin. We walked up front street; saw Steven Spielberg's yacht; bought a couple bottles of liquor at Gulmars and a necklace for Randi at Ultimate Jewelers. We waited while they changed the chain to something more dainty for my young bride.
While we were on board, the ship's newspaper proclaimed that Osama bin Laden was dead. You could feel the contained hurrah among the pax and crew and it made the small talk for the next couple days.

Ports: SJU, St. Martin, St Thomas; Tortola; overnight in Bermuda and two sea days. Our driver picked us up at 4am for our ride to PHL. We flew Southwest Flight 1069 which left on time at 735 AM.


When we arrived at Puerto Rico we went to the Sheraton Old San Juan.
Randi was able to secure this room after being locked out for the single night stay and she also avoided the much higher price. She tracked it on GetARoom.com for $169. Nice room with a full sitting area and walk out veranda. We really like this hotel since it is in the center of old San Juan, next door to CVS where you can get just about everything. We bought soda
and beer here. What you can't get there, you can get in the grocery in the square. At the grocery, we bought some wine.
Of course we took our walk up the hill to get a pocketbook at Dooney Outlet but not before we had lunch in an outdoor cafe. Then a nap was in order to refresh and restore. We decided on an easy dinner in the hotel's ground floor, outdoor burger place. Nice, relaxing and not a bad burger either.

That nights sleep was wonderfully relaxing.
After the buffet breakfast the next day, we took off for the Pan American pier around the bay with the Summit as our destination. She came in early that morning. You can see her behind Princess. There is a small convenes store at the pier that I forgot about. They sell liquor and many other last minute things.

While we were waiting to board, who out walks but Touch, a friend of ours from many other cruises. He now holds the Assistant Hotel Director position. He seems to be busy 24-7. We were able to spend about 45 minutes with him during the cruise, having a drink and chatting. He was kind enough to send us a bottle of wine. We brought him a leather passport cover from home that he liked.

We boarded the ship soon thereafter and got to the stateroom early. I don't think the attendants minded that we were there early because it was a suite. Although it had no veranda, it had full ceiling to floor windows. When Summit is revamped in Jan., it is getting a balcony added to this stateroom. That is why we booked the same cabin for next year, at the pre balcony prices.

The cabin was open floor plan with a living room, a large screen TV, dining room, computer desk and full bedroom with a walk-in closet and another large screen TV.



Joan and Al, our sailing and table mates arrived in the late afternoon. We were seated at dinner at a table, originally with 3 couples but the 3rd couple decided to dine alone, and left us on the third night.


The first night we were comped for dinner in the Normandy Restaurant, normally a premium priced venue. Although everything was fine, I didn't feel that the cover charge would justify dining here. It was just average in my estimation.




The first port of call, was a favorite, St. Martin. We walked up front street;
saw Steven Spielberg's yacht; bought a couple bottles of liquor at Gulmars
and a necklace for Randi at Ultimate Jewelers. We waited while they changed the chain to something more dainty for my young bride.


While we were on board, the ship's newspaper proclaimed, OSAMA BIN LADEN DEAD. You could feel the contained hurrah among the pax and crew and it made the small talk for the next couple days.

Stayed away from the shows for the most part but got to see Mark Preston, a former Letterman. He was quite good and we enjoyed him very much.

I always try to get to the "life at sea".
talks and enjoyed this one with
the Captain and his staff.




St. Thomas was another port on this cruise. We bought napkins for Andrea at Mr Tablecloth and shirts for Zach and Devyn.



Bermuda was an overnight stay where we walked around Kings Wharf the first day and took the ferry to Hamilton on the second day. I highly recommend the ferry for get around.


And lets not forget British Tortola, with it's lovely beaches and beautiful landscapes.


Randi made friends with Executive Chef Andy from TX., who gave her the Celebrity Dressing recipe. The proportions were wrong however, and we got a green batch of something but it tastes good.




We had excellent service from our wait staff, Weewei and Fanny.



Although we didn't get many beach days in as planned, there is always next time.
That's all for now. To see all the pix of the cruise, copy & paste or go to: https://picasaweb.google.com/markdegennaro/Summit043011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM2PlaWnjfyS0AE