Whereas Heidi and I are likely to sail on newer mega-ships, we determined to do one thing totally different this vacation season. We took the household to Puerto Rico for a Southern Caribbean cruise on the 24-year-old Movie star Summit. How did this older, smaller vessel examine to the likes of her large sisters, Movie star Past and Movie star Ascent? Effectively, we’re again and share our trustworthy suggestions on this Movie star Summit ship assessment.
Our Trustworthy Movie star Summit Ship Evaluate
Informal Eating
Given Movie star Summit is a ship holding simply barely over 2,200 friends at double occupancy, there are just a few choices in relation to informal eating. The Oceanview Café, the ship’s buffet, was open many of the day for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. Fortunately, the Oceanview Café held up when in comparison with different ships within the Movie star fleet.
This buffet included varied cold and hot breakfast picks, a number of customized omelet stations, and breakfast meals from around the globe.
For lunch and dinner, the buffet provided some normal stations, together with Mexican and Asian favorites. Along with different choices like a customized salad bar, sandwiches, and a pasta station, there have been additionally themed Chef’s Alternatives. One thing new was provided every day, like Caribbean specialties or American classics.
On the final day of our cruise (the one sea day), the buffet featured an extravagant lunch, full with a shrimp cocktail station and chocolate fondue tower.
The Oceanview Cafe additionally had a pizza nook on the very again. This was open into the late evenings for these needing a snack earlier than mattress. Whereas not one of the best pizza at sea, it was nonetheless higher than sister model Royal Caribbean’s Sorrento’s pizza.
As well as, the Pool Grill is outdoors on the pool deck. This fast service counter affords hamburgers and sizzling canines from about midday to six PM daily. The burgers right here don’t stack as much as the freshly ready choices on Carnival or Holland America, however I do must say that the one burger I attempted was higher than what you usually get on a Movie star Cruises’ ship.
Within the Solarium on Movie star Summit, there’s the Spa Café as nicely. This more healthy, grab-and-go various provided small plates for breakfast and lunch. The picks right here ranged from muffins within the morning to small plates of pre-made salads and lightweight bites for lunch. This venue additionally options juices and smoothies, but they have been typically out of substances to make them.
Considered one of our favourite spots on any Movie star Cruises’ ship is the espresso store, Café al Bacio. Positioned on Deck 5 midship on Movie star Summit, we frequented Café al Bacio a number of occasions every day. Together with serving specialty espresso that’s included within the cruise line’s drink packages, Café al Bacio affords breakfast bakery objects and small pastries all through the day like cookies and slices of cake.
Nonetheless, not like Princess Cruises or Royal Caribbean, Cafe al Bacio doesn’t have a big choice of meals objects like sandwiches.
Whereas there have been fewer eating venues on Movie star Summit than most fashionable mega-ships, we by no means went hungry. The meals high quality and picks have been just like newer ships within the Movie star Cruises’ fleet, and we all the time assume this cruise line has among the best buffets at sea. Nonetheless, the Oceanview Café did get busy at sure occasions, so discovering a seat did take some work.
Pool Deck
One place Movie star Summit confirmed her age was the pool deck. Whereas many public venues did obtain intensive revitalization in 2019, it didn’t seem that the out of doors decks bought many updates.
The principle pool space is midship on Deck 10. But, it felt somewhat closed off with two smaller swimming pools and 4 whirlpools raised barely above the pool deck. After all, we’re used to the expansive and chic Resort Pool on the Edge Class ships.
Given this seven-night cruise included 5 ports, we didn’t spend a lot time on the pool deck. On the one sea day, we had no points discovering loungers on Deck 11 subsequent to the Mast Bar and our nephew loved some pool time. When strolling by way of the pool space at different occasions, the house by no means appeared overly busy.
Movie star is a premium cruise line, so one good perk is that you just don’t have to fret about towels. A lot can be found on the pool deck, and also you don’t have to swipe your card to get one like on Royal Caribbean.
Along with the principle swimming pools, the Solarium is ahead on Deck 10. Once more, its design felt lower than rejuvenating. Additional, just one aspect had loungers, because the starboard aspect contained tables with chairs for the close by Spa Café.
Lastly, aft on Deck 12 is the Rooftop Terrace. This space options an out of doors tv exhibiting films and sporting occasions all through the cruise. There’s additionally a wide range of seating choices for these trying to soak up a flick or catch the sport. Nonetheless, given the itinerary, and the film schedule, we by no means spent any time right here.
Sports activities Deck
Movie star Summit affords restricted out of doors sports activities areas and facilities. Granted, Movie star Cruises caters extra to {couples} than households. We wish to say Movie star Cruises is family-friendly, not family-focused.
Nonetheless, the sports activities courtroom aft on Deck 12 did provide each organized actions and free play. Standard sports activities included basketball and pickleball. Again on the pool deck, there have been two ping pong tables and cornhole, which have been accessible many of the day.
The ship’s health heart is ahead on Deck 10. We felt the health club was a superb measurement for this ship. It housed loads of cardio gear, weight machines, and free weights. Whereas there have been Peloton bikes, that they had indicators saying, “out of order”. So, undecided in the event that they have been accessible for friends to make use of.
The Deck 11 sundeck doubled because the jogging observe as nicely, with over 9 laps equaling one mile. Simply watch out, as solely the middle part of the observe makes a whole loop. The jogging observe on the aft portion has useless ends.
On condition that we have been off the ship many of the day, the restricted out of doors sports activities services didn’t influence our journey.
Onboard Actions
Regardless of the port intensive itinerary, the cruise director Manuel and the actions workers hosted a wide range of occasions along with different self-led actions.
As an illustration, every day, there have been puzzles and grownup coloring. Plus, board video games and playing cards have been accessible within the Sky Lounge or Rendezvous Lounge for these staying onboard.
There have been daytime competitions and totally different trivia periods, and there was even axe throwing one afternoon within the Grand Lobby. Be aware that no actual axes have been used within the competitors.
There have been additionally family-friendly sport exhibits and karaoke periods all through the cruise, to not point out bingo periods on a number of days. We couldn’t resist a spherical of Deal or No Deal, however sadly, nobody in our social gathering walked away with any prizes.
Although, given we have been crusing over Christmas, we’d have anticipated a number of extra holiday-themed occasions all through the week. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, actions ranged from a household bazaar to a go to from Santa Claus and a Christmas-themed silent disco.
Whereas Movie star Summit did provide a number of of the same old cruise actions, we couldn’t assist however really feel just like the onboard ambiance wasn’t as enjoyable and fascinating as standard.
Nightlife
Being accustomed to the high-energy feeling and dynamic venues on the Edge Class, we have been shocked at how subdued the nightlife was on Movie star Summit.
We scheduled most dinners with Movie star Choose eating for round 6:15 PM. This gave us loads of time for our typical routine of dinner, sport present, primary theater efficiency, and a nightcap and/or social gathering.
The Rendezvous Lounge was the second leisure house and residential to a nightly sport present at 8:15 PM. Whereas these sport exhibits have been typical exhibits like True or False, Sure or No, and 60 Seconds or Much less, they lacked enthusiasm and felt rushed. At occasions, it appeared the workers have been merely going by way of the motions. The exhibits have been nowhere close to as participating as they’re on different cruise strains, like Princess Cruises.
The musical acts on the cruise have been fairly normal. They included a duo, a solo guitarist, and a few bands. These acts rotated by way of venues like Cellar Masters and the Rendezvous Lounge. Generally a band or DJ would additionally play close to the Martini Bar on Deck 4. Total, not one of the acts have been memorable although.
There have been a number of events too, just like the Silent Disco and 80s social gathering. Because of the cruise director, Manuel, these occasions have been a bit extra full of life. Manuel was an ideal cruise director. He was in every single place on the ship, and he wasn’t shy about going all in to get amusing.
Even the Martini Bar, the same old hub of exercise on many Movie star ships, didn’t have its typical vibrance.
Given we had some lengthy days ashore, we have been okay retiring sooner than standard within the evenings. However, if the itinerary have been totally different, we could have been uninterested in the dearth of livelihood on the ship.
Leisure
Like most cruises, we attended a number of of the exhibits in the principle theater. Over our seven nights, there have been three manufacturing exhibits and 4 headliner acts.
Total, the manufacturing exhibits have been fairly common cruise revues with a solid of singers, dancers, and aerialists.
On night time two, the manufacturing present Life was a mashup of very literal songs. Most songs had the identify life or dying within the title.
On the final night time, Soundtrack was a present marketed as “redefining film music”. However the setlist included a number of pop songs with preparations within the type of early Twentieth-century jazz. Plus, we’re fairly certain not all songs have been prominently featured in films.
On Christmas night time, the manufacturing solid placed on a Vacation Spectacluar. The present featured a reasonably typical setlist of Christmas songs that undoubtedly bought everybody into the vacation spirit.
On the opposite nights, the headliner acts have been run-of-the-mill.
We’re fairly certain we’ve seen the Welcome Aboard comic on one other cruise. Her first-night set was sufficient for us, so we by no means made it to her adults-only present later within the week.
Moreover, there was Evolution Motown, a trio of singers that performed predictable songs and Zak McAllister, a two-time gold medal juggler within the World Championships of Juggling.
Bars and Lounges
Movie star Summit boasts 9 bars and lounges, lots of which provide signature cocktail menus.
Our go-to on any Movie star ship is the Martini Bar. Whereas the drinks right here have been the identical, the ambiance wasn’t as full of life and the bartenders weren’t as high-energy. Earlier than you ask, sure, that they had espresso martinis on faucet!
The Rendezvous Lounge was one of many primary pre-dinner or post-dinner venues. Subsequently, we couldn’t cross up the She’s With the Whiksy and the Candy Berry Smash. One deck above, Cellar Masters typically provided mild music paired with its customized wine listing.
The cosmically-themed cocktails on the Sky Lounge, just like the Libra or the Most cancers, have been good for sipping throughout one of many nightly events. For these searching for a extra conventional poolside drink, the Mast Bar on Deck 11 combined up frosty concoctions and traditional cocktails.
To not point out, aft on Deck 10, the Sundown Bar paired nice views with refreshing takes on boat drinks, like a Pickford Punch. The resident espresso store, Café al Bacio, additionally provided dessert cocktails and candy treats all through the day. Even the On line casino Bar provided some distinctive drinks not discovered on some other bar menu.
We by no means waited lengthy for drinks in any of the bars. Though, there weren’t many servers within the venues. Usually, we ordered from the bar and took the drinks again to the desk on our personal.
Principal Eating Room
Just like the informal eating, the 2-story Cosmopolitan primary eating room on Movie star Summit delivered on a number of fronts.
Our three-course meals have been well-timed, with dinner normally lasting not more than 90 minutes for our group of six. Plus, all of our dishes have been served on the acceptable temperature and as requested. With two meals allergic reactions on the desk and a number of other particular requests, the waitstaff had no points making our lodging.
Whereas Movie star Cruises does nonetheless provide conventional eating, we opted for Movie star Choose eating. We made reservations pre-cruise for six:15 PM every night time. All evenings however one, we have been sat on the identical desk with the identical waitstaff.
The service staff of waitress, Kim, and assistant waitress, Win, took glorious care of our group. They have been among the many highlights on the ship when it got here to service. By our third go to to the restaurant, sommelier Elmer knew our desk’s order, which included wine and cocktails.
Among the many stand-out dishes was the signature Movie star Tournedo, a young reduce of beef cooked to a medium uncommon temperature. On night time 1, the Fried Masala Potatoes was a spicy addition to a somewhat bland welcome aboard dinner lineup.
On Christmas Day, our desk raved concerning the vacation classics together with the Previous Original Honey Glazed Virgina Ham, Broiled Lobster Tail, and Sluggish Roasted Turkey. Prime rib, a traditional cruiser favourite, was served on the final night time. And, the Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli and the Rigatoni Boscaiola have been decadent pasta dishes with parts that have been simply the best measurement.
For dessert, we couldn’t cross up the apple pie a la mode and the Tiramisu cake, amongst others. However, Heidi was disillusioned that there was no Baked Alaska this crusing.
Specialty Eating places
Movie star Summit has just a few specialty eating places. On Deck 11, Le Petit Chef at Qsine affords a dinner and present. This distinctive digital eating expertise is unique to Movie star Cruises. We have now dined at Le Petit Chef on different Movie star Cruises ships and loved it. Nonetheless, our 12-year-old nephew was not within the menu.
Likewise, Sushi on 5 affords its namesake Japanese delicacies with a small menu of different Asian specialties. Given our relations’ less-than-adventurous palates (Heidi included), we additionally handed on this restaurant.
However, you’ll be able to’t go improper with Italian meals! So, on night time two, the six of us settled in to mangia on the Tuscan Grille.
Maybe essentially the most difficult a part of eating at this restaurant is discovering it. However after making our means down the starboard aspect hallway on Deck 3, we have been handled to a culinary feast.
Alongside varied Italian breads, dinner began with hearty appetizers like do-it-yourself meatballs and fried calamari. As anticipated, Heidi couldn’t cross up the Rooster Parmesan, and I went with the Brief Rib Pappardelle Ragu. Each have been wealthy meals paying homage to the genuine flavors you’d discover in Boston’s North Finish.
Lastly, for dessert, I couldn’t say no to the Limoncello Cheesecake. This citrus-infused, mild, and ethereal cheesecake was the proper ending to this satisfying meal.
Staterooms
Movie star Summit acquired a multi-million-dollar refurbishment in 2019, and fortunately, the staterooms have been a part of this main makeover. The truth is, we have been very impressed with the furnishings and stylings of our Prime Veranda, stateroom 9023. This class V1 stateroom was on the portside, ahead of the ahead elevators.
In response to the Movie star Cruises web site, this stateroom is 170 sq. ft with a 38-foot veranda. Whereas smaller than the balcony staterooms we usually keep in, the structure was acquainted.
Instantly upon coming into the room, the toilet was on our proper. Likewise, our mattress was additionally on the best wall, going through aft. After the mattress, a small desk and outsized chair have been located close to the balcony.
Close to the doorway to the room was the closet and a wall unit containing some over-head cupboards with cabinets, a collection of drawers, and the mini-fridge. We had simply sufficient hangers and cabinets to neatly retailer all of our clothes. Utilizing a few of our cruise cabin hacks, we have been in a position to get all of our equipment organized as nicely.
The lavatory on this Movie star Summit cabin was a welcomed shock. It too acquired a serious facelift and truly resembled these on the Edge Class, full with a glass-door bathe and marble finishes.
Our cabin was immediately beneath the pool deck; thus, we had {a partially} obstructed view on account of some help beams and roofing. Nonetheless, we have been in a position to make the most of the veranda to observe the sail-ins and sail-outs from our ports of name. Awkwardly although, the chairs have been mounted ready someplace between upright and reclined, so that they weren’t very snug.
Total, whereas smaller than typical, our Movie star Summit stateroom was a cushty and trendy dwelling away from dwelling for our vacation household cruise.
Our Total Movie star Summit Ship Evaluate
Admittedly, it has been some time since we sailed on an older, smaller Movie star Cruises ship. But, Movie star Summit held as much as her large sisters in a number of methods.
The informal eating and primary eating room served up well-prepared and flavorful dishes. Service was additionally well timed and pleasant within the Oceanview Café and the Cosmopolitan Restaurant. Additional, our household dinner on the Tuscan Grille was among the best eating experiences we had all 12 months on a cruise ship.
Likewise, a number of bars and lounges provided distinctive atmospheres and specialty cocktail menus. These venues have been by no means too busy, so we might relax and loosen up with a drink in hand whereas watching a sport present or listening to reside music.
Equally, our renovated stateroom was trendy and nicely laid out. Whereas the veranda was not splendid, it was a wonderful place to loosen up after an extended day ashore.
Nonetheless, some areas of the ship did present indicators of getting old, notably the out of doors areas. The pool deck had an ungainly structure and felt dated. The sports activities deck and Rooftop Terrace additionally appeared to get little to no updates.
To us, Movie star Summit additionally lacked character. The ship felt like a set of venues and other people, somewhat than exuding a definite vibe that different cruise ships provide. On different Movie star ships, the Atrium or Grand Lobby are normally full of life spots for actions and occasions. But, there didn’t appear to be a central hub that cruisers gravitated to throughout this voyage.
Nonetheless, with the ports of name being the principle draw for our household throughout this cruise, Movie star Summit was a pleasant backdrop. She provided lush lodging, scrumptious meals, and sufficient actions and nightlife to maintain us entertained as we sailed from one port of name to the following.
Feedback
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