Summit 042316

Summit 04.25.15 8 night repo plus SJU 1 day prior.
Cruise 65, 66. Cabin 6133 Royal Suite.

San Juan, Puerto Rico then St.M; St.T. NO Tortola, Bermuda overnight and ending in NJ.  Master: Captain Kate McCue, the 1st female Captain on Celebrity; Hotel Dir.: Mark McSorley, traveling with his wife and child and replacing Paul Kelly who moved to Viking cruises; GRM.: Roy Aidor; Cruise Dir.: John Grantham;` Capt Club Host.: Emma Rigby, Michael's Club Concierge: Sara Gouveia, Head Butler: Jose Fernandez, Room Steward: Princy; Asst: Gavin, Waiters in Luminae Boyan and Dominick; Rest Manager: Karol Swerdon x6509; MatreD- Luminae: Godze Orkun  m6586; Blu: Constantine; Select: Alfredo; Asst C.Housekeeper Adrijana Pesic x6425.

Day 0- We've done this cruise each of the last few springs because it is so convenient as it is a one way cruise back to NJ.  This time cousins Larry and Nancy joined us. The car picked us up at 3am, for a 7am flight. We flew Delta down at $200pp, JFK to SJU. We had breakfast at the airport while waiting to fly. We would have skipped that meal if we realized that we were served a breakfast sandwich on the plane. That's seemed to be something from out of the past. The flight was a breeze.

We arrived at El Convento around 1130am. The room rate this time was $250 plus tax. Nancy and Larry loved the hotel and boy, were they surprised to see their room. 
After dropping the luggage, we did the regular pub and restaurant crawl; starting at Marilyn's for drinks.

Tapas followed with more drinks at El Picoteo. Randi picked up some socks at Ralph Lauren for Andrea. Around 3pm we got our rooms. Ours was #311 and theirs was #319.

Their room turned out to be a mini-suite with a living room and a bedroom. This was an unexpected perk that they loved along with the rose petal turn down in the bedroom.

At 6 o'clock each evening, El Convento does a wine and cheese hour. We each had a couple glasses of wine and some nice cheeses, including a Boursin; a yummy goat herb cheese. The Borsao Garnacha Red was very nice too.

Next we headed to dinner at Messa Verde, but had our first incident on the way. It was raining in between the sunshine all day and the ground in some places remained wet. It was wet on the blue downslope from the sidewalk to the street. Randi lost her footing and slipped on her butt. Nothing but her pride was hurt so we continued on, a few blocks to dinner.

Messa Verde was the 2nd highest rated restaurant in Old San Juan according to Trip Advisor and we found out why. Although mostly vegetarian, it also had fish on the menu.

I had the tuna and there were two halibuts ordered along with a scallop over beans and veggies. All delish.

We were pretty much done after that, being up from 1 in the morning, so we strolled home through the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, and back to El Convento to sleep.

Day 1- The next day we had breakfast at Mallorca, a half a dozen or so blocks away. A local place which was packed with people and offering some tasty breakfast sandwiches (Mallorcas) and platters.

Wearing our DeMartino Family reunion shirts, we asked a policeman to take our picture, then slowly strolled back to the hotel before our cab ride to the ship.


The driver was outgoing and a very quick driver; so much so that before long, we had a police car, pulling us over to issue him a present. After about a 10 minute wait we were back on our way to Summit.
  
We got to the pier about around 11:30 and boarded soon after. After the Champagne welcome, we figured we'd hang at the pool until the bags were ready in the room. While chillin' we had something from the grill for lunch. While we were strolling, Randi negotiated a 2 for 1 price for dinner in Qsine for Larry and Nancy, which would be our treat, since we were 'comped' in the Royal Suite.

When the rooms were ready we went to see how the newly remodeled Royal suite looked. All the old furniture had been changed out with new. The new couches and captain's chairs looked very comfy.

The dining area was redone with a oval table on grey tile and a bench seat surrounding the table.

The bathroom now had a double sink, a new jet tub, new shower with a rain head and a wand, and new grey tile. Soon our bags arrived, we unpacked them and only had to send two items to be pressed. Meanwhile, I set up the internet on the devices so Randi could work when she wanted to.

Diner was 815 in Qsine right after the 745 muster drill. Larry and Nancy enjoyed the multi-course presentation and unique dishes served. During dinner we sailed away from Puerto Rico to our new cruise adventure.

Day 2- The cruise itinerary this year was switched so St. Thomas became the first port rather then St. Martin. After breakfast in Blu we walked to Kmart because Nancy forgot a few items.

We split up on the way back so they could visit Magens Bay on the north side of the island. We picked up some mouse pads for Randi's co-workers and went back to the ship where it was nice and quiet. We ate lunch at Bistro on 5 and learned it will soon to be replace by a sushi restaurant. We both had potato soup and an entree each.

Later that day, we went to Michael's Club to have a cocktail and saw some of our old friends. Marilyn and Frank were there, as well as Albert, the Ambassador of the Summit. We told them Gail would not be on this cruise as she cancelled at the last minute to take care of a sick friend. We also met Jackie and George from CA and Gail and Vinny. The next night we met Kevin and Lori.

We eventually met up with Larry and Nancy and  went to the show to see Vox Audio. They were five performers who used no instruments other than their voices to create full instrumentation and vocals.

After this enjoyable and unique show we headed for dinner in BLU.

Day 3 -St Martin was the next port. We decided to take the water taxi with Larry and Nancy. Everyone was on a mission to find Interlude perfume for Nancy but it was not to be found. Randi found all the perfume that she wanted. I was able to get my liquor order filled and Randi had her ankle chain fixed at Sams, the ultimate jeweler. While she was waiting, she found a lovely, diamond teardrop pendant.

Back on board, we had chicken and egg salad sandwiches on ten aft then spent the afternoon at the pool. Dinner tonight will be in Blu.

Somewhere before dinner we headed again to see our friends in Michael's Club. While we were chatting, the Master walked in and sat down. Capt. Kate McCue was very down to earth and approachable. She was so sweet to answer many of our questions. She reminded me of Sandra Bullock. We got a chance to snap a picture with the first female Captain in the fleet!

This was not a good night. Randi wasn't feeling good since lunch. The onions in the salads did not agree with her. What did her in, I believe is when the first course was served in Blu. She got sick at the table. Although I tried to get her back to the room, she felt she would be more sick if she left. Finally we got back to the room and got her to bed but she was now ok. Everyone was concerned. Even the medical staff called the cabin to check on her. Tomorrow was a new day.

Day 4 Sea- Randi woke up being totally embarrassed about last night's sickness. She did not want to go back to Blu for the remainder of the cruise so we had breakfast in Luminae. All the managers must have known that we were in Luminae, since each came over and tried to make her feel more at ease.

After breakfast we spent most of the day outside, in the pool area soaking up the Caribbean sun.

It was such a nice day today, everyone seemed to be at the pool. There were mermaids keeping score at the pool volleyball game.

Even Captain Kate strolled poolside to check out all the activity.

Day 5 Sea- You could tell today we were heading north, as the temps were lower. There was a dash to the lounge chairs by the pool on deck 10 where it seemed warmer, but we didn't win the dash. Instead we ended up on the upper deck, 11.

Tonite we dined in separate restaurants. The short ribs in Luminae were very good. After that we stumbled into the casino where we saw Larry & Nancy winning roulette so Randi gave it a try too. She won a little but by midnight we called it quits.

 Day 6 Bermuda 1- Welcome to Bermuda! Welcome to rain! Although we had all intentions to go to St. George today, we missed the 930am ferry because the ship wasn't cleared in time. Instead, we made it only as far as the Clocktower Mall at King's Wharf. Randi said we should take the next ferry to St. George (she's a trouper) but after a walk around the mall and with it still raining, we headed back to the mother ship to enjoy.

Tonight's show was a comedian, Rich Aronovitch who was pretty hysterical. Afterwards we enjoyed wonderful steak dinners in the Tuscan Grill.

Day 7 Bermuda 2- Made the 915am ferry to St. George, which was maybe a 40 minute ride. On the way over, we traveled with a gentleman who wore a shirt with a saying on it that reminded us of cousin Gary, so we took his picture.

We walked around this quaint little town and stopped in the shops, churches and parks along the way. After visiting an art gallery, the owner suggested visiting the perfume factory a block down.

We got there just in time as the clouds once again opened up. We were shown a video and the vats where the mass perfume is created and stored. Both Randi and Nancy, found some nice Bermudian perfumes to take home with them.

Larry and Nancy were nice enough to treat us to a nice lunch at a wharf side restaurant. It was all good and we also enjoyed feeding the Parrot fish, alongside the restaurant.


We went back to the cabin around 530 and got a call from Sara, in Michael's club, sort of in a panic asking if we were joining the Guest Relations Manager, Roy for dinner. I told her that Randi responded 'no' yesterday because we were traveling with family. Although she said bring them, obviously, none of us could be ready in 20 minutes.

The show tonight was titled, 'December 63.' For those of you guessing, it was the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Although enjoyable entertainment, it was nothing like seeing the Jersey Boys on Broadway.

We had plans to eat separately tonight so we were in Luminae and cousins were in Blu dining on Lobster; ours were poached, theirs was broiled. We had plans to meet in the casino. Randi and I played until about 11 pm then figured that they hooked up with friends possibly in a bar so we called it a night.

 Day 8 - Sea. After breakfast, we decided to pack early and get that out of the way. We enjoyed brunch in Luminae, however I do miss the brunch they used to have in the main dining room. It was rocky this morning and this afternoon, but Randi is now a seasoned pro and didn't feel seasick.
 
Four o'clock was bingo but it was a "bingo bust" for the four of us. The grand prize was $1300 and they also gave away $1000 toward a cruise to another lucky winner.

We knew the last supper was soon to be upon us, so we all dined and enjoyed in Luminae.





Day 8- Morning came early but it went like clockwork. We had our bags on the pier set to disembark at 8 but we got off around 830 so finding the bags was easy, since they were the few remaining. After grabbing a Porter, we breezed past the lineup and through Customs and out the door. After a quick call to Air Brook, the driver pulled up, loaded, and we were home by 10 am. On the way home Randi found Interlude, the perfume Nancy wanted, on the internet. She quickly ordered four bottles.

 This was another great cruise, made only that much more fun, going with Larry and Nancy! See you in November aboard Reflection, which will be a first time on that vessel for us.