EMBARKATION - This was the worst part of the cruise and the worst embarkation experience we have ever had. We arrived at the Cape Liberty terminal at about 12:15, about 45 minutes after embarkation was to begin. Since we arrived early we expected a crowd, but we didn't expect that Celebrity would not be able to handle the crowd efficiently. There were four different lines: (1)suites, (2)concierge class, (3)select/elite captain's club members and (4)everyone else. Except for the suites line the others were very long. The problem was that Celebrity didn't have enough agents to handle the crowd well. There didn't appear to be more than two agents handling any of the lines and we saw four or five empty positions where additional agents could have been stationed. This was our first indication that Celebrity might be trying to save money through reduced staffing. Finally, there weren't any chairs in that area. I have a bad back and had nowhere to relieve my pain and discomfort. All the seating was in the large area we were only permitted to enter after checking in.

DISEMBARKATION - This was a breeze. Passengers were assigned a number and told to go to one of the public rooms at a specific time. We and other concierge class passengers were assigned to the theater where coffee and pastries were available. When our number (22) was called at precisely the correct time we went to the gangway and into the terminal. Our luggage was easy to find and there were many porters to help us through customs and to the area where we could meet our transportation.

CONDITION OF THE SHIP - The Summit is about nine years old, but is still in great shape. We found her to be clean, comfortable and carefully maintained. During the cruise they were even putting down new carpeting in our corridor. The workman told us the carpeting was replaced about every six months. Read more