Summit is mid-sized, and virtually everyone we spoke with said it's that perfect "not too big, not too small" size. For sure, it is pretty darned impressive, but this was our first cruise ever so we are making no comparison here. One very experienced Celebrity cruiser we met said that while it certainly is beautiful from its recent renovations, when you look closely you can see some signs of aging that you just don't see on the newer ships. I will say that each of the venues, whether restaurant, lounge or outdoor area was just great-comfortable, clean and new. Here is where I could write a book but I will restrain myself and comment on two: the hip, lively atmosphere and very entertaining servers at the martini bar made it our first stop every evening, and the Thalassotherapy spa was the most entrancing hot tub experience there is (best experienced while actually out at sea, for the effect of the swaying of the boat).

As for the upcharge restaurants, none of them could make the main dining room, The Cosmopolitan pale in quality. And while they do give the feeling of exclusivity, keep in mind that if you go with the Select Dining package you can always have the benefit of reserved, private tables in the main dining room, but still have to pay the upcharge in the other restaurants. That being said, since we saw no sacrifice in quality in the main dining room, we actually never went back to any of the upcharge restaurants a second time. The ship's buffet, Oceanview Cafe did leave us wanting for more choice and better quality. Anyone who has been to Vegas will understand when I say this wouldn't compete with even the least impressive of the big casino buffets.

With a 1-to-2 ratio of crewmember to passenger, you basically have 2,100 passengers who do not have to lift a finger and there was never a shortage of clean table or available lounge chair. Empty drink glasses and dirty dishes and used towels were hardly ever visible. Read more