Celebrity Summit Caribbean 12/13-12/20

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andreaschuetz

Guest
Hi -
This is my first cruise...I've got a few questions:
1. I am staying in cabin 7085 which is a balcony cabin...can you not smoke a cigar on the balcony anymore?
2. I'd like to bring a few bottles of champagne and a few bottles of wine...on the website it says the limit is 2 bottles per room, are they strict on this? (Anyone been recently? All I can find is from 2004...and times have changed!)
3. Where is it easiest to bring on said alcohol/wine? (Port we disembark from or other ports)
4. Where is it best to stow said alcohol/wine?
5. Anyone been on this particular cruise? Stopping in St. Maarten, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, and Aruba...found any activities worth doing?
6. Is the general tone of the cruise more "family", "young singles", "young couples" or all of the above?
7. Anything else you'd give me tips on? Anything I can't miss??!! :)


Thanks for any answers/advice! :)
 
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Conniemc

Guest
Hi Andrea,

1) Cannot smoke in cabin OR veranda - and they can at will - disembark you at your own expense for violating the policy. That's not a joke. I've seen it happen. Or they can add a huge charge to your bill for "cleaning" your cabin of smoke. That's why I stopped cruising Celeb this year.
2) Yes, they enforce the liquor policy
3) Most people bring it on board at embarkation
4) I would imagine VERY CAREFULLY in your carry on bags, although I've never BYOB'd
5) Hopefully someone else knows much more about these ports, I would suggest reading the excursions available for each port on the celebrity.com website, to at least give you an idea of what each island has to offer.
6) Any other time, I would say NONE OF THE ABOVE. Singles, young couples (under 30), families exist of course, but don't frequent the line. More of an upscale adult cruise line, married, in general of course. I've always cruised alone, and I'd say less than 3% of the cruise are single travelers, both male and female. Less than 20% are under 30. However, since you are sailing so close to the holidays, you will find more families with children. But Celebrity is so NOT Carnival, the average age is 35-65.

Would also suggest going through recent postings on Summit and Celebrity in general the last few months for more information....hope that helps you a little anyway.
:daisy
 
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andreaschuetz

Guest
Thanks! That helps...I am nervous about the alcohol thing - I've heard that the prices for drinks would count as robbery on the mainland. I'd much rather bring alcohol and spend my money on activities...

That really dissapoints me about the smoking, my boyfriend was so excited to get a balcony so he could smoke a cigar on it overlooking the ocean...apparently that's what he thinks of when he thinks "cruise."

I've done some digging on celebrity.com, about as much as I can and have found things like the "Rum Rhunner", waterfall tours, etc. I don't really understand paying $70 to sit on the beach...? Maybe I am missing something (all inclusive drinks?) that would make it worth while.

I just don't want to be on the ship, it be too late to do something and me sitting around saying "ugh I wish I would've done that!" You know? :)

Thanks again! :)
 
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Conniemc

Guest
Not sure where you live, but I'm in the Northeast, and the drink prices are cheaper on board. For example, I pay up to $9 for a mixed drink in various restaurants here. Not nearly that much on board. I only drink Mumms Napa (sparking wine) on board and its $28 a bottle on board, and $36+ in local restaurants. So you heard wrong. Now, on the other hand, never buy a "specialty drink" they push on you in a fancy "souvenier" glass that you "get to keep" :cool:

That's a waste of money.

A lot of people cancelled when Celebrity pulled out the no-smoking after October 1st without informing booked passengers. Some of us were already booked and cancelled. Like me.

Yes, you're correct. Stay away from the dumb "sitting on the beach" tours (unless you've never seen a beach). All tours are overpriced, but if they give you a great idea - hey we could go there - grab a cab and go on your own. Saves time and money. And bargain with the cab drivers or try to share a larger van with other people you meet on board.

No to all inclusive drinks...and if you go through the Celebrity website - HONESTLY - you'll find out everything you need to know. Just use the search engine.
 
A

andreaschuetz

Guest
No to all inclusive drinking tours?

I didn't realize that drinks aren't so expensive - everyone says "that's where they getchya!"...I'm from CA, so drinks are about the same as what you pay. The corkage fee in the restaraunt is $25, so $28 for a bottle is great.

Thanks for all of your help! I will definitely take your advice and look into planning things on my own :)
 
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Conniemc

Guest
Hey Andrea,

A lot of cruisers are from more rural areas and the midwest, they don't pay our prices. LOL

Yes, they have some "all inclusive drink" tours, but in my experience it's because the tour is so excruiating, you NEED to get drunk. LOL. They have the "fun boat" type tours where they serve watered down punch type drinks, etc. I'd take a pass.

On the corkage fee - EXACTLY - that's why they do it, they figure it will discourage people from BYOB. Unless you bring some kind of rare vintage, or Dom or something, or you're into drinking alone in your cabin, what's the point? Plus, the tips are "built into" the price of the drink (15%)- so no tipping renecessary at bars. Also on Celebrity, you can pull up your "tab" on the interactive tv in your cabin anytime you want. So, every "morning after", I pull up my account from the privacy of my cabin to see how much I spent last night. Makes it nice and easy for you to stay within budget, without having to ask anyone what your balance is for on board purchases. It's in "real time", so the second they swipe your card, you can see your new balance in your cabin on the TV.
 
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Conniemc

Guest
And BTW - to take your very first cruise on Celebrity's Summit, I think you'll be blown away. Just don't expect to be happy with any other "lower" line after you've cruised on Summit!
:king
 
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andreaschuetz

Guest
Well this makes me not feel so bad if I don't bring on a few water bottles filled with alcohol and they get tossed! My boyfriend (hist first cruise as well) thinks it's ridiculous that there's a rule that you can't bring alcohol with you, thinks I'm mistaken actually...and he plans to waltz on with a handle of rum from the local distillery in Puerto Rico...I can't wait until it gets confiscated! :)

Thanks again for all of your help, you're great! If you have any more tips, let me know! :)

Also - great tip for the non tipping at the bar! I would've double tipped :)
 
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andreaschuetz

Guest
About cruising on Celebrity Summit - I'm glad it's a good line! I didn't do any research, and I'm lucky I didn't get burned! I picked the trip purely on itenerary (boyfriend is a plane fanatic and HAS to see the airport at St. Maarten). Got a great deal - 7 nights for $570 pp out the door (fuel & taxes incl)...Apparently Oct. is the month to buy the cruises!! :)
 
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Conniemc

Guest
Yes, they WILL take his rum when you reboard the ship ...make sure you videotape it for future amusement. They keep it and return it to you the night before disembarkation. Although I seriously doubt anyone will "sniff" you vodka water bottles. LOL

And don't feel bad, I double tipped the first few Celebs, because I just never read the receipts...no wonder they loved me so much!

With the current economy and people dropping like flies, the cruise lines are offering up more and more incentives, especially now that they built those billion dollar "mega ships" they need to fill. But I think you'll appreciate the size of the M Class ships. Approx 2000 people, enough for a lot of variety, and lots of lounges and clubs, but not a "mob" or "claustrophobic" feeling.

This website, by far, is the most comprehensive information source out there. Menus, deck plans,etc. Everything you could possibly want to know about any ship is here. I bookmarked the Summit for you...happy researching!!

http://cruiseclues.com/shipstips/summit.htm
 
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Ted_D

Guest
Andrea,

Go to: http://www.cruiseclues.com

There you can see copies of the actual bar lists and prices for Celebrity ships (all the same) and get a very accurate
picture of what drinks/wine will cost. Do remember that they will automatically add a service charge (aka tip) to the
prices shown. For most types of drinks, Celebrity prices are about what we pay here in bars or restaurants.

Ted
 
B

BSeabob

Guest
I think that pretty well everything has been covered.

I have been know to "Sneak" a bottle or two of booze on board. Use your luggage at departure port. Make sure it's packed safely. In Caribbean ports I've found that a bottle (just one bottle) stuffed in swimming gear and making no issue of it worked for getting past security. Carrying the big cardboard box of 4 bottles and/or making an obvious sneaking attempt almost guarantee's it will be taken form you to be returned at end of cruise. I also sometimes use the Jedi method.... Of waving my hand across the space between me and Security "A la" Star Wars and saying something Luke like... like. "YOu do not need to take my booze from me" ......worked once or twice.... Be very quiet so no one else hears you though except the Security lol. (Doesn't work when there is a big line.)
Wine is two bottles per stateroom and just carry it with you. Last sailed out of Seattle this fall and we took 4 bottles of really good wine so the Corkage was still way cheaper. The people checking just looked at us and said nothing.... I had a line set up with some folks ahead of us just to wave at me when I told Security that I was carrying for two other people also. didn't have to use it.
We don't usually do that but we drove to the Port . When flying it's too much of a hassle. And the wine mark ups per bottle are actually way cheaper than some of the restaurants here in BC also.

enjoy planning.
 
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andreaschuetz

Guest
Thanks a lot to all of you! :) I'm so excited! I joined a roll call group and everything! :)
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
THERE you are Bob!!! ROFL....Jedi mind trick.....:D

What's up with the nosy penquin? :lol
 
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BSeabob

Guest
[quote Conniemc]

What's up with the nosy penquin? :lol[/color][/quote]

Just trying to keep you on your toes. Interesting eh??
You are in fact the only one that can see your details...no one else here. I see mine :) Of course there is big brother that see's all...
PS the holder of the sign changes !!!
 
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