Setting Sail

This was our maiden cruise. Both mid-40's with a 10yo son. Our cruise left from San Juan for seven nights in the Caribbean. This is a lengthy review but we summarize our "top-tips" at the end so if you are in a hurry (or bored) skip to the end. As first timers, we knew mistakes would be inevitable and we didn't have long to wait. We booked our cruise "air inclusive." That meant a 7:00a.m. departure from Dallas on USAir through Charlotte into San Juan. Turned what should have been an easy two hour flight into a grueling all-day affair arriving at Summit just before 6:00p.m. Similarly inconvenient connections heading home -disembark by 9:00a.m., depart San Juan at 4:30p.m. arrive Dallas after midnight! Boarding Summit was a snap. First impression is the jarring contrast between the immensity of the ship as viewed from the dock and the inevitably more confined feel onboard. We booked Concierge Class (cabin 7191). We knew the room would be small and well, it sure was. That said, the balcony is usable for two and the beds are quite comfortable. The bathroom is very small but cleverly designed to make the best of a tight situation. I read in the promotional literature that the towels were some fancy European brand -they should have added "vintage" since ours had loose threads and bare spots.

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