We got back from Southern Caribbean cruise on Summit last week (sail date 2/28/09)! It was great - sad to be back in the snow and cold of Boston. We flew Jet Blue to San Juan a day early - to reduce the chances of missing the ship due to the unpredictable weather in the northeast. We stayed at San Juan Marriott Stellaris (which we booked on Priceline). The resort was pleasant and clean with a large pool and casino. We boarded the Summit at 11:30 am (after waiting in line for 30 minutes as we arrived too early). The boarding process was simple and we got right onto the ship. The buffet was open when we boarded - however, the pool was not open until 2:00. We had no problems with our luggage - which arrived at our cabin in enough time to get ready for the early seating dinner. The Muster drill at 5:15 was inconveniently timed -as it ran very close to early seating.

On St Maarten we went to Orient Beach, which had really beautiful water - aqua and blue!! Make sure to head to the taxi stand to the right after getting off ship as the drivers help to fill cabs heading to one destination to decrease price per passenger. When arriving at Orient Beach look at all of the umbrella/chair sections for price. We chose the first place we saw and later found out that it was the priciest. Don't accidentally sit on the nude side.

On Dominica we went on a 4 hour tour with a cab driver. We left the boat around 9:30 and were back around 2 for late lunch at the waterfall cafe. (we had originally planned on just going to the Emerald Pool - however at the taxi stand we joined another couple to reduce prices per passenger.) We ended up going to The Trafalgar FAlls which was excellent. They are double waterfalls which are about a 10 minute hike from the parking lot (lots of steps though) Admission was $5 per person. If you are physically able to go past the viewing point, I would recommend it - there are several steps down to the rocks and then you can walk over the rocks to be surrounded by water fall. Even though it was raining when we were there it was a great experience! OUr cab driver then took us to the boiling pool - a geological feature of the island - a short walk from the street with free admission. We then went to SCREW'S spa - mineral hot springs with 5 different pools to sit in - Admission was $10/person. (bathroom/changing facilities were less then optimal). We tried fresh mango and sugarcane - which was way better then anything at the grocery stores back at home! After staying at the Screws spa for about 40 minutes we went to a viewing point which had great views of the city and Celebrity Summit at the pier. Read more