Celebrity Summit

 

Theater

The two-story Celebrity Theater, on Decks 4 and 5 forward, is the venue for major musical productions such as "December '63," a comedic production that follows the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons; live performances such as power ballad covers by a violinist; and ballet productions through Celebrity's new partnership with the American Ballet Theater, though the latter is offered only on select cruises.

Daily Fun

During the day, Celebrity Summit offers the usual variety of trivia and bingo (for an extra fee), along with plenty of classes on how to cook the perfect steak or make the perfect pasta, mixology and wine tasting -- most of which carry a fee. We appreciated the free galley tour, which is open to everyone and attended by all the executive chefs and dining staff (the complimentary glass of Champagne didn't hurt, either).

At Night

Most of Celebrity Summit's evening entertainment venues are located in the forward section of the ship, which makes navigation easy.

Live music-lovers will have their fill, with entertainment available almost every night at Cellar Masters, the Rendezvous Lounge and the Sunset Bar. While the bartenders at the martini bar put on shows themselves, the bar also occasionally hosts DJs to heat up the party. Those who wish to dance can look forward to silent disco parties -- where passengers listen to music through headphones streaming different stations -- and other dance events on the pool deck.

Located on Deck 4, forward from the Grand Foyer, Fortunes Casino is refreshingly smoke-free. There's a bar inside and a range of slot machines, taking bets from a quarter to $2. Table games include blackjack, three-card poker, Texas Hold'em, roulette and craps. Electronic poker and Lotto are also available.

Celebrity Summit Bars and Lounges

While Celebrity Summit doesn't have a "party hearty" vibe, there are still plenty of places throughout the ship to grab a drink, at least until 1 a.m.

Highlights include:

Martini Bar & Crush (Deck 4): This ice-covered bar might seem like a gimmick, but the flashy mixologists keep the atmosphere loose and fun instead of pretentious. Nearby Crush serves vodka flights and caviar.

Rendezvous Lounge (Deck 4): A pleasant and spacious spot with a small dance floor, Rendezvous provides the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink or to unwind with a piano player in the evenings. This is also where evening karaoke is held.

Retreat Lounge (Deck 4): Exclusively for suite passengers and VIPs, the Retreat Lounge is where Summit's top cruisers can go for complimentary drinks and concierge services. The club opens each morning for a light breakfast, while the bar is open most of the day, with hors d' oeuvres served every evening before dinner. A few events are held here each cruise, including a captain's reception and a Champagne tea service, complete with a violin duo.

Cellar Masters (Deck 5): Comfy seats, a knowledgeable bartender and wide range of glasses that were part of our premium beverage package made this the favorite for our group of oenophiles.

Sunset Bar (Deck 10): At the back of the ship, just off the Oceanview Cafe, Sunset Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere with views and a casual vibe. Guitar music is performed here at night -- appropriately -- while the sun sets. One of our favorite spots on the ship -- Sunset's location just off the buffet means it's also a quiet and alfresco area to enjoy a snack or meal.

Sky Lounge (Deck 11): With amazing views and soothing decor, the Sky Lounge serves many purposes: During the day, it's used for trivia, activities and meetings. (The Cruise Critic Connections Party is held there.) At night, game shows and other entertainment take over the space. When it's not in use, the Sky Lounge is also a fantastic spot for whiling away the afternoon over a book and a coffee while glancing out the windows.

Celebrity Summit Outside Recreation

Pools

Celebrity Summit has two outdoor, saltwater swimming pools on Deck 10. One is designated as a family pool, while the other is a much deeper pool for adults only. On sea days, this area can get extremely crowded; get there early if you want to get a lounger. Four outdoor whirlpools surround a center area that has the most coveted cushy loungers. There are no lifeguards at either spot.

The music during the day tends to be happy and upbeat. At night, dance parties, including silent discos, are held on the pool deck.

An indoor thalassotherapy pool designed for passengers 16 and older is forward of the main pools inside a solarium. Although it's covered, the area is sunny and bright and has very comfortable loungers. If things get too loud outside, this makes a nice escape.

Recreation

A basketball court is open on Deck 12 for pickup games. Ping-Pong tables are scattered throughout the ship on Deck 10. This deck is also where cornhole and bottle toss matches are held throughout the day.

Sun Decks

If you're simply looking to tan, loungers abound near the pool on Decks 10 and 11. You can almost always find some peace and quiet aft on Deck 12, where the Rooftop Terrace is located.

Suite passengers have their own, exclusive sunbathing space, The Retreat -- nestled all the way forward on Deck 12. The area is small but well-laid out with a central hot tub and two levels of lounging space. Seating arrangements range from padded deck chairs and shaded cabanas to beanbag loungers and larger couches. Although there is no bar, passengers can order drinks from a menu through dedicated Retreat servers who provide more intimate service.

Celebrity Summit Services

Guest Services, the Captain's Club desk for cruisers who are members of the line's loyalty program, the Destination Concierge and the Shore Excursions desk are located on Deck 3, within the Grand Foyer. The Medical Center on Deck 1 has limited hours; a few over-the-counter remedies, such as Ibuprofen, are offered free from a shelf near the office.

An ATM is located within Fortunes Casino on Deck 4 and charges a hefty service fee. Deck 4 also houses the Photo Gallery and Studio, where passengers can purchase professional photos from their cruise.

Deck 5 is where you'll find all the shops, which sell clothing (including Celebrity logowear), jewelry and watches, accessories, electronics, liquor, toiletries and other products. This is also where the Future Cruise Sales office is; make sure you check your Celebrity Today daily schedule in advance to see what the best offers are. The Art Gallery on Deck 5 hosts a range of sales, auctions and events.

Celebrity Summit's iLounge computer center is located midship on Deck 6 and is open 24 hours. Classes are available for an additional fee and might include editing photos from your iPhone or iPad. (Find Celebrity Cruises internet prices here.)

The two-story library is tucked away midship on Decks 8 and 9. You'll find a nice variety of best-sellers and classics you can check out during your cruise, as well as reference books you can consult within the space. You'll also find a concierge desk on Deck 8, with office hours for passengers staying in Concierge Class cabins. Hours are posted on the door.
Laundry services are available onboard for a fee; there are no self-service facilities.

Celebrity Summit Dining

 

 

Celebrity Cruises has long been touted as one of the best cruise lines for foodies, and Celebrity Summit is no exception. The food quality and service is consistent across every restaurant, whether complimentary or fee-bearing; in fact, we found ourselves craving the buffet -- generally a "last reserve" on other cruise lines -- for dinner one night. While we did run into some hurdles trying to get gluten-free dishes in the alternative restaurants, more popular venues such as the complimentary main dining room, buffet and even room service put specialty items front and center.

Note: If you have dietary restrictions, let your cruise line know ahead of time, and be sure to check in with the maitre d' on embarkation day.

Cosmopolitan Restaurant (Decks 4 and 5): The two-level Cosmopolitan Restaurant features a modern design with soft tones and whimsical touches, such as floral-detail sconce lights and throne-like chairs. It is the main option for dinner and is also open for breakfast, and lunch on select days only.

For dinner, passengers can opt for traditional set seating (same table every night) at either 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. or choose to eat any time, with whomever they want, between 5:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. The nightly four-course menu has two options: classics, such as filet, salmon and escargot, on one side and more modern dishes, such as kale salad and tuna poke, on the other.

Gluten-free, vegetarian, no-sugar-added and lactose-free menu selections are marked.

Oceanview Cafe (Deck 10): On the casual dining front, the Oceanview Cafe serves buffet-style breakfasts, lunches and dinners -- and the food is surprisingly good for buffet quality. The space is open and has a good flow, with various seating arrangements along a wall of windows, as well as outside.

You'll find made-to-order omelets and other breakfast standards in the morning, and various carving stations, pasta dishes, pizza and antipasti, and a slew of internationally inspired dishes, including everything from British bangers and mash to Indian curries at lunch and dinner.

An ice cream bar sits at each entrance to the buffet. Treats include a selection of hand-scooped hard ice cream, freshly baked cookies and toppings like Reese's Pieces and Sour Patch Kids.

Pool Grill (Deck 10): Located in a covered area near the pool (natch), the Pool Grill is the main place for those in swimsuits (which are discouraged in Oceanview Cafe) to grab burgers, fries, hot dogs, fried chicken and waffles and occasional barbecue bites.

Spa Cafe (Deck 10): Within the enclosed solarium encompassing the thalassotherapy pool, the Spa Cafe serves up light breakfasts and lunches, as well as smoothies and juice mixes (for an extra cost). The complimentary chocolate beet muffins were so tasty, you'd never know they were healthy.

Blu (Deck 5): Blu, which is exclusively open to passengers sailing in AquaClass cabins, features modern blue-and-white decor, soft lighting and a menu inspired by spa cuisine. Though the food does not seem overly healthy, the restaurant features smaller portions than what you typically find in the main dining room or buffet. Breakfast also is available to those staying in AquaClass cabins. Suite passengers have the option of dining at Blu, as well but only if there is availability.

Luminae (Deck 4): Luminae is the private restaurant for cruisers sailing in the suite stratosphere. Suite-class passengers can dine at Luminae for breakfast, lunch or dinner, every day of their cruise, without reservations. Meals are a step above AquaClass cuisine, with more inventive options. There's also a separate menu developed by New York City-based celebrity chef, Daniel Boulud, with French-inspired dishes available gratis every night.

Room Service: Available around the clock, room service is free of charge, although there's a $4.95 fee for all orders made between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Passengers can choose from a variety of soups and starters, salads main courses and desserts; there's also a separate kids' menu. We were impressed by the beverage choices, which list unusual options, such as prune juice, and special items, like lactose-free and soy milk. Arizona Iced Teas and alcoholic beverages are a la carte.

Tuscan Grille (Deck 3); $45 for dinner, $35 for lunch: Despite the high cover charge, we feel the quality of the food at the line's signature Italian restaurant is worth the splurge. Start with calamari or beef carpaccio and definitely split an antipasti board with house-cured olives, meats, cheeses, crackers and fig jam; then close out with a grilled branzino, rosemary snapper or filet mignon. Select menu items carry an additional fee.

An Italian cocktail menu is on hand, in addition to a lengthy wine list, to match your meal. Ports, specialty coffees and Italian desserts, like a tiramisu or spumoni doughnut, are also available to sweeten the palate. Drinks are an additional cost.

Lunch is offered on the final sea day of each sailing, with a scaled-down version of Tuscan's full dinner menu.

Sushi on Five (Deck 5); a la carte: The ship's casual sushi eatery, open for lunch and dinner, serves up Japanese-fusion dishes and a variety of rolls that can be paired with imported sake and beer. Despite its location near the Grand Foyer (atrium), Sushi on Five never seems to get overcrowded.

Cafe al Bacio (Deck 5); a la carte: A mixture of for-fee and free, Cafe al Bacio offers specialty coffee beverages and complimentary pastries in a coffeehouse lounge that surrounds the atrium. Don't miss the housemade gelato in a freshly made waffle cone; it's worth the extra fee ($4 for a small, $6 for a large, $7 for a sundae). Plenty of offbeat but enticing offerings can be found on the menu, like espresso with blackcurrant jam and fresh wild berries with cream or hot chocolate with espresso, crushed amaretti biscuits and peaches.

Qsine (Deck 11); $45: Now a Celebrity fixture on most ships, Qsine is a super-sleek and inventive dining venue that offers innovative, global cuisine served in unexpected ways (think sushi lollipops and chocolate-covered strawberries on a bed of real grass). The venue also features an experience called Le Petit Chef, during which table tops "come to life" with a 3D animated chef who prepares a digital version of your meal as you wait for the real one to arrive. The experience costs $55.

Chef's Table (location varies); $199 per person, $279 per couple: This special event includes a private galley tour, a multicourse dinner and wine pairing, and a Celebrity Cruises cookbook. Expect the executive chef to make an appearance to see how the evening is progressing. It's typically held in an intimate venue, like the Cellar Masters tasting room, once per cruise.