We flew to New York to board the Celebrity Summit for a 7-day cruise to Bermuda. Besides this being to the first time to book on such short notice there were lots of other firsts involved in this vacation; my first time in New York, our first cruise with Celebrity, and our first time to Bermuda. Going into this vacation, we had lots to look forward to!
Packed up and ready to go!
Travel days are always tough. Our whole day can be summed up by "hurry up and wait" to ride a bus, plane, train, or cab! In that order! The flight was uneventful but long, nearly 4 hours to Newark. Managing the Newark airport was an adventure. We had to find our way to baggage claim, then to the air train, then to the hotel shuttle pier, and finally we were off to our hotel more than 9 hours later thanks to the time difference! It all made for a long day. Once we were settled in the hotel we ordered room service and called it a night. The next morning we slept in, took our time getting dressed, and then caught a cab to the pier. We even skipped breakfast since Brenna's tummy was still trying to settle all the cookies she ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (literally!) the day before. 
"The Celebrity Summit"
This was our first time cruising with Celebrity and I was very much looking forward to all the wonderful perks that they impart to their suite guests. Immediately upon arrival we were not disappointed. We got there around 11 AM and were escorted directly to VIP check-in where we walked right up to the counter and received our boarding passes. This would be the first of many suite perks and privileges that we would enjoy. A hostess escorted us over to the picture backdrop for our embarkation photo where she very politely inserted us ahead of the waiting line.
Our home away from home!
Unfortunately, NY sightseeing just didn't fit into this itinerary. We didn't think that at her age Brenna would have a big appreciation for Times Square, the Empire State Building, or the Statue of Liberty. That theory was confirmed after pointing out the Statue of Liberty and receiving a very unenthusiastic and subdued response of "ok".
The ship itself was very elegantly styled with a contemporary feel. Celebrity's catch phrase is Modern Luxury and I think they captured that in their decor. Here is one example of the many art pieces scattered throughout the ship. Do you get it?
Next stop was our suite! We were located mid-ship, portside in what's called a Celebrity Suite. The room itself is just at 500 sq ft with a 100 sq ft balcony. This is considered prime real estate on a cruise ship! We came in to find a beautiful spacious cabin with fresh flowers and chilled champaign. The suite featured a large living room/dining area, separate bedroom, and a full bath. Even the writing desk had an ihome docking station and personalized stationary with our name on it. The room was very comfortable. Jacob and I took the master bedroom and Brenna slept on the pull-out couch in the living room.
Hands down the best part of the room was the view. Floor to ceiling windows stretched the length of the suite and allowed for some fantastic scenery. Everybody has a "Happy Place". Some people like the mountains, some the beach, some like snow. Not me. I love cruising! I enjoy being on open waters and just watching the ocean pass by. It's a kind of peaceful that I haven't been able to find anywhere else. So, to wake up every morning to this was perfect for me!
Finally, just off the bedroom was sliding doors that opened to a his and her split closet that was separated by a large vanity. This kept the bathroom from feeling crowded since I got dressed and put my makeup on here. Compared with other suites we've stayed in, this cabin really had a great layout and suited our family well.
Our first sunset of the cruise!
The rest of the afternoon we spent unpacking and getting settled in. Our butler came by to introduce himself and take our requests for the week. One thing Celebrity goes above and beyond on is service. We've had butler service before but Orlando, our butler with Celebrity, really stepped things up to a whole new level of pampered. I can't say enough about the fantastic job he did taking care of our family. He made our entire onboard experience effortless by taking care of every need and even a few we didn't know we had.
Mid-day each day he brought by an elaborate cart loaded with sweet treats and finger sandwiches and a large selection of speciality teas for High-Tea Time. Later in the afternoon he would return with canapés before dinner. Since neither Brenna or I were interested in the very haughty canapés selection (examples, Smoked Salmon Cheese Caviar and Cream Cheese Mousse on Pumpernickel Bread) I mentioned that Brenna enjoyed fruit. From that day on Orlando had a beautiful fruit platter delivered to our room each afternoon with sliced melon, honey dew, pineapple, and strawberries. And just in case you need a mid-day pick-me-up, they also provided complimentary in-suite espresso and cappuccino that Orlando would deliver from Cafe al Bacio, which was a for-fee specialty coffee cafe located onboard. I'm not a coffee drinker, but Jacob enjoyed it. Also, as suite guests we were invited to the nightly Elite Lounge for complimentary before-dinner drinks. We received several invites through-out the week to join in special private events. We only attended one, where we got to meet and mingle with the Captain and Officers and enjoy complimentary drinks and an elaborate buffet.
We had breakfast in our cabin several mornings and everything was hot and delicious. Once Orlando picked up on something you liked, he ensured you had plenty of it. So we found each day the servings of our favorites increased. The waffles were fantastic and I ate more than I should have over the week. We had dinner in our cabin one night and Orlando insisted on serving it by course so everything would be hot and fresh.
All around I thought the food was great. Brenna skipped the kids menu and ordered the pasta dish of the day from the "big" menu each night. The dinner buffet was a little different than other cruiselines. Instead of an ever changing selection of nightly entrees, the buffet was sectioned off into different food stations where your dish was prepared fresh. Among the choices were Sushi, a big stir-fry selection, a pasta bar, Pizzeria, Mexican, Churrascaria (with made to order steak, chicken, and pork), a traditional carving station featuring different meats, a dessert bar, and finally a hand dipped ice cream station with a selection of your favorite toppings. The ice cream server was very generous. Even when we didn't feel like ice cream, he gladly provided us with a bowl of our favorite candies. Brenna loved the endless supply of M&Ms and I liked the Reece's Pieces!
The list of perks didn't just encompass yummy snacks and free spirits. We also received free internet, which on a cruise ship is a big deal. This was the first cruise ever that we were able to stay in contact with family back home thanks to 250 minutes of free internet. Orlando also took care of having all our formal clothes pressed before formal nights and mid-way through the cruise he picked up all our laundry to have everything wash, dryed, and folded! Celebrity definitely knows how to take care of their suite guest.
Another noticeable difference between this cruise and others was the unexpected amount of time that Jacob and I had to ourselves. I'll talk more about why later, but the time allowed us to enjoy a few onboard activities too. Our first day at sea we attended the International Food Fair. They set-up station around the ship and the chefs gave demonstrations. You could learn how to fillet a fish, prepare a rack of lamb, make sushi, decorate with fondant, or construct a chicken lollipop!
Another afternoon we enjoyed a nice lunch together at one of the specialty restaurants called Bistro on Five. They served gourmet crepes and panini sandwiches. The chef cooks behind a glass enclosure that allows to you watch him make the crepes. It was interesting to see.
The unexpected downtime was nice. I took baths in the middle of the day for no reason at all and then would sit out on the balcony and read my book while my hair dried in the ocean breeze. Jacob managed to fit in a few naps and we even enjoyed some of the movies offered on TV.
One night Jacob and I played X-box bowling on the big screen in one of the lounges. This was my first time to ever play an X-box! It was really fun once I got the hang of the movement, especially since it was after dinner and I was bowling in a dress and high heels! I beat Jacob two games in a row and had my highest score ever of 180!
Other nights we went to The Martini Bar which was "the place to be" after dinner. It had an ice-topped bar and some very impressive bartenders. Shakers, glasses, bottles, ice and liquid flew through the air in amazing tricks and stunts. Never once did anything fall, not even a drop. Some tricks seemed to defy gravity! They would line the glasses up across the bar, stack the shakers on top of one another to create a tower, and then pour as many as 5 different martinis all at once. Jacob and I aren't drinkers, but the show was fun and we enjoyed chatting and sharing stories with other couples.
One night I even sat down with Jacob at one of the Blackjack tables and played a few hands. Luckily he won back the money that I lost!
All this kid-free time was contributed to one thing. Brenna LOVED the onboard kids club called Fun Factory. There was just over a dozen kids onboard that were her age. For some this would be an issue, but for our family I considered it a benefit. I heavily researched the Fun Factory before booking Celebrity. While Celebrity does appeal to families, it doesn't cater to kids the way Royal Caribbean or Carnival does with large portions of their ships dedicated to rock walls, surf riders, putt-putt golf, and rope obstacle courses. Our ship didn't even have a dedicated kids pool (although it did have 3 pools). The reviews I read repeatedly stated that Celebrity made up for it in the activities and personalized attention that they provide in the Fun Factory.
Brenna's age group never had more than 6 or 7 kids in the Fun Factory at a time. This allowed her to get to know all the kids and she quickly became friends with 3 other girls that stuck together through the cruise. Each time I'd drop her off they'd all come running out shouting "Brenna!" And when I'd come to pick her up they'd all beg "Please let her stay alittle longer!" She kept longer hours than we did and closed down the Fun Factory most nights!
Another benefit to the smaller groups was the varied activities that they were able to do. They were out and about on the ship almost as much as we were. They had egg hunts and games on the sports deck, sundae making in the cafe, a scavenger hunt all over the ship, and dance parties on the pool deck. Throughout the week Brenna came back dressed as a pirate, a princess, a super hero, and a dinosaur. They also had several family activities throughout the week. We enjoyed family Zumba (Brenna loved it!), a family disco, family bingo, and even a family DJ Scratch class where we learned to scratch on a sound board.
The personalized attention carried across the ship as other crew members took time to make Brenna feel special too. Another suite perk was a complimentary dinner at one of the specialty restaurants. We chose Qsine, which has a quirky twist on modern dining. The restaurant has upside down lamps and bold colors. The hostess told Brenna they had been waiting on "The Princess". When we were seated, Jacob and I were seated on one side of the table with small wooden black chairs and Brenna was centered on the other side with a very large high-back bright orange upholstered chair. The hostess told her it was a throne for the princess. The waiter ensured she had a never ending supply of french fries and ketchup as we enjoyed the 7 course meal. The dessert menu was a puzzle box that kept Brenna busy twisting, turning, and building. For dessert she got to decorate her own cupcakes with a selection of different icings in tiny piping containers and an assortment of different sprinkle toppings. We enjoyed beignets!
Of course, I came prepared with a assortment of activities that she enjoyed in the room during downtime. We did water painting, puzzles, mosaic tile crafts, and bubbles on the balcony.
Puzzle boxes at Qsine and DJ Scratch lesson.
Another afternoon we enjoyed a nice lunch together at one of the specialty restaurants called Bistro on Five. They served gourmet crepes and panini sandwiches. The chef cooks behind a glass enclosure that allows to you watch him make the crepes. It was interesting to see.
The unexpected downtime was nice. I took baths in the middle of the day for no reason at all and then would sit out on the balcony and read my book while my hair dried in the ocean breeze. Jacob managed to fit in a few naps and we even enjoyed some of the movies offered on TV.
One night Jacob and I played X-box bowling on the big screen in one of the lounges. This was my first time to ever play an X-box! It was really fun once I got the hang of the movement, especially since it was after dinner and I was bowling in a dress and high heels! I beat Jacob two games in a row and had my highest score ever of 180!
Other nights we went to The Martini Bar which was "the place to be" after dinner. It had an ice-topped bar and some very impressive bartenders. Shakers, glasses, bottles, ice and liquid flew through the air in amazing tricks and stunts. Never once did anything fall, not even a drop. Some tricks seemed to defy gravity! They would line the glasses up across the bar, stack the shakers on top of one another to create a tower, and then pour as many as 5 different martinis all at once. Jacob and I aren't drinkers, but the show was fun and we enjoyed chatting and sharing stories with other couples.
One night I even sat down with Jacob at one of the Blackjack tables and played a few hands. Luckily he won back the money that I lost!
All this kid-free time was contributed to one thing. Brenna LOVED the onboard kids club called Fun Factory. There was just over a dozen kids onboard that were her age. For some this would be an issue, but for our family I considered it a benefit. I heavily researched the Fun Factory before booking Celebrity. While Celebrity does appeal to families, it doesn't cater to kids the way Royal Caribbean or Carnival does with large portions of their ships dedicated to rock walls, surf riders, putt-putt golf, and rope obstacle courses. Our ship didn't even have a dedicated kids pool (although it did have 3 pools). The reviews I read repeatedly stated that Celebrity made up for it in the activities and personalized attention that they provide in the Fun Factory.
Brenna's age group never had more than 6 or 7 kids in the Fun Factory at a time. This allowed her to get to know all the kids and she quickly became friends with 3 other girls that stuck together through the cruise. Each time I'd drop her off they'd all come running out shouting "Brenna!" And when I'd come to pick her up they'd all beg "Please let her stay alittle longer!" She kept longer hours than we did and closed down the Fun Factory most nights!
Another benefit to the smaller groups was the varied activities that they were able to do. They were out and about on the ship almost as much as we were. They had egg hunts and games on the sports deck, sundae making in the cafe, a scavenger hunt all over the ship, and dance parties on the pool deck. Throughout the week Brenna came back dressed as a pirate, a princess, a super hero, and a dinosaur. They also had several family activities throughout the week. We enjoyed family Zumba (Brenna loved it!), a family disco, family bingo, and even a family DJ Scratch class where we learned to scratch on a sound board.
The personalized attention carried across the ship as other crew members took time to make Brenna feel special too. Another suite perk was a complimentary dinner at one of the specialty restaurants. We chose Qsine, which has a quirky twist on modern dining. The restaurant has upside down lamps and bold colors. The hostess told Brenna they had been waiting on "The Princess". When we were seated, Jacob and I were seated on one side of the table with small wooden black chairs and Brenna was centered on the other side with a very large high-back bright orange upholstered chair. The hostess told her it was a throne for the princess. The waiter ensured she had a never ending supply of french fries and ketchup as we enjoyed the 7 course meal. The dessert menu was a puzzle box that kept Brenna busy twisting, turning, and building. For dessert she got to decorate her own cupcakes with a selection of different icings in tiny piping containers and an assortment of different sprinkle toppings. We enjoyed beignets!
Pirate Brenna and her balloon sword just back from scavenging the ship!
Super Hero Brenna and bubbles on the balcony
Puzzle boxes at Qsine and DJ Scratch lesson.
Family Zumba on the pool deck!
Family Disco on the pool deck!
Couch cushion pallets and bubble baths aren't just for home either! She loved her bath robe!
We did spend sometime at the pool, but the water was freezing, so we quickly moved over to the hot tub. Brenna didn't mind a bit. Especially once the daily Zumba class started and she was able to do the lesson in the hot tub!
We only saw two shows while onboard, but Brenna loved them both. One was a magic show by Jason Bishop. He was fantastic and by far the best magician we've ever seen live. Brenna was convinced he was magic. The other show was a broadway style show called Sirens about three mermaids and their adventures with a pirate ship and its crew. Brenna danced and clapped her way through the whole show. On the way out of the theater she got to meet some of the cast and told them adamantly it was the best show she ever saw!
I had no doubt that Brenna would enjoy the beaches and our time in Bermuda, but as it turned out she enjoyed her time onboard the ship more. It was wonderful to see her make friends and enjoy all the activities. I think she may have enjoyed the vacation more than us!
On our first port day we visited Bermuda's most famous pink sand beach, Horseshoe Bay. We woke up to breakfast served in our room, got dressed, and then easily made our way off the ship. One benefit to docking at the same port for 3 straight days is that everyone isn't trying to get on and off the boat at the same time. We stopped by the transportation center located right on our pier and purchased our tickets for the round-trip bus to Horseshoe Bay Beach. Bermuda is a very small island (actually a collection of 180 small islands connected by bridges) only 22 miles long and 2 miles wide. No matter where you are on the island, you're almost certain to see ocean. Enroute to the beach we passed over the world's smallest draw bridge. It was made of wood, hand drawn, and measured no more than 24 inches wide. It's just big enough for the mast of a small boat to pass through.
My spot for the morning!
Finally, we did capture some portraits from our two formal nights onboard. Here's our family all dressed up!
"Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda"
On our first port day we visited Bermuda's most famous pink sand beach, Horseshoe Bay. We woke up to breakfast served in our room, got dressed, and then easily made our way off the ship. One benefit to docking at the same port for 3 straight days is that everyone isn't trying to get on and off the boat at the same time. We stopped by the transportation center located right on our pier and purchased our tickets for the round-trip bus to Horseshoe Bay Beach. Bermuda is a very small island (actually a collection of 180 small islands connected by bridges) only 22 miles long and 2 miles wide. No matter where you are on the island, you're almost certain to see ocean. Enroute to the beach we passed over the world's smallest draw bridge. It was made of wood, hand drawn, and measured no more than 24 inches wide. It's just big enough for the mast of a small boat to pass through.
By vacation standards, we got an early start and were beach bond by 9am. After a short bus ride we made our way down the half mile stone walk to the bay below. As the trial opened up to the beach, it was a beautiful sight to see! The rock formations were beautiful, the pink sand was so soft, and the waves were gorgeous!
We purchased two beach chairs and an umbrella and found a nice stop just down the beach. It was fairly early and the crowd was thin. We started out with beautiful weather. I made an attempt at getting the umbrella to stay up but after being blown away twice, I closed it and laid it behind the chairs in favor of sunny skies. I thought "Oh well, that was a waste of money!"
My spot for the morning!
The waves were BIG and the water was COLD! This didn't seem to bother Jacob or Brenna at all, but it definitely kept me on the sand. After a short adjustment period, Brenna decided that the waves were awesome! She's never been to a beach with swells like this and she immediately declared that she wanted to surf!
Warming up to waves!
Time to get the surf board for some body surfing! Inflatable of course, since this did have to fly from Texas to New York!
There were some wipe-outs!
Jacob swam out to the buoy where the waves coming in were very high. The lifeguards said there was a strong undertow. Once Jacob was out more than shoulder deep the waves were easily over his head. Here's some pictures as they were breaking over him.
Jacob decided to take the water proof camera out for a swim. The first picture is the wave cresting in front of him and the second is him inside the wave! Also, notice the sky. After about 2 hours at the beach, the skies became overcast and dark.
While Jacob was riding the waves, Brenna decided to build a sand castle.
While Brenna was playing in the sand, the clouds opened up and suddenly the bottom fell out! And this was no drizzle, oh no! The rain poured down in slanted sheets. I quickly grabbed up all our stuff and shoved the umbrella into the ground as deep as it would go (money well spent after all)! The umbrella edges dropped all the way to the sand and both beach chairs fit under it perfectly. Brenna huddled under the beach towels and I protected my camera and equipment. All the while, Jacob bobbed up and down in the ocean. There was no thunder or lightening and he was already wet anyway! And besides, there was no room under the umbrella for him! This lasted for about 20 minutes before the rain finally slacked off. Since we already had more than two good hours at the beach and my least favorite thing to be is cold and wet, we decided to head back to the ship. The lunch buffet and our jacuzzi tub was calling my name!
So that was our first day at the beach! I had to tell myself that even a rainy day in Bermuda is better than the hot humid days back in Houston!
So that was our first day at the beach! I had to tell myself that even a rainy day in Bermuda is better than the hot humid days back in Houston!
"Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda"
We spent our second day in Bermuda at Snorkel Park Beach which was just steps from our pier. Snorkel Park is located on the outside shoreline of the Royal Naval Dockyard. The parameter of the park is lined by the huge stone walls of the fort. There were two beach areas that were part of the park, but we chose the smaller alcove beach since it was more kid-friendly. No waves here, just soft sand, blue water, and snorkeling. Also, the water was significantly warmer here than at Horseshoe Bay.
Once again, we rented beach chairs and I found a comfortable spot to settle in! Brenna made a new friend shortly after we arrived and they played together for the day. Slides, snorkeling, and sand castles summed up the entire day. This time we had beautiful weather and perfect skies.
My spot for the day!
Brenna and her friend enjoying the slide!
Jacob ventured out beyond the alcove to do some snorkeling.
The girls decided they wanted to try out the water trampoline. The trampoline was a good distance away, beyond the alcove in very deep waters. Even once you reach the trampoline, you have to maneuver the rope ladder to get up onto it. The dads courageously swam them out there. Unfortunately, both girls were alittle nervous after the efforts it took just to get out to the trampoline and made a quick return trip back to the safety of the alcove.
However, Jacob did give the trampoline a try!
After several hours in the water, the girls decided to take a break and build sand castles.
Notice all the green shards on her castle. That was glass they had collected from the beach to make windows for their castle. That was a real Mom of Year moment for me! My child had been scavenging broken glass for over an hour and I had no idea! I saw them looking through the sand and I asked what they were doing. They just responded "We're looking for things to decorate our castle." I thought they were looking for shells! Good thing we wore water shoes!
Can you tell we both got alittle sunburned!
"Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda"
After two straight days of fun in the sun and a very severe sunburn, Jacob declared he was done with beach for this vacation. So our final day in Bermuda was spent exploring the Royal Naval Dockyard. The dockyard was built in 1809 by the British. It was from here that British forces set sail for the attack on Washington, D. C. and Baltimore during the War of 1812. The Royal Navy occupied the dockyard until 1951. It was abandoned until 1982 when more than $60 million was poured into the location for refurbishing. It was transformed into Bermuda's biggest tourist attraction and most visited site. The west end area is beautiful.
The Commissioner’s House overlooks the Dockyard and is the oldest cast-iron frame residential building in the western hemisphere. The building now houses the National Museum of Bermuda which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II herself during one of her visits.
The whole area has been converted to one big tourist attraction with activities like Dolphin Quest, Snorkel Park, Bermuda Fun Golf, museums, shopping, restaurants, and craft markets. We spent the morning browsing through the Clock Tower shops picking up souvenirs. We stopped at Bermuda Glass Works to watch them fire and blow glass. This was my first time to watch this done. It was incredible to see glass inflated as easily as blowing up a balloon. The glass is HOT as its pulled from the furnace and the pipe that they blow from is long to compensate for the heat conduction.
Brenna playing in the Anchor Fountain in front of the Clock Tower.
After shopping, we decided to visit Bermuda Fun Golf. Bermuda is known for its golfing. We aren't golfers, but Brenna loves putt-putt. Bermuda Fun Golf was a tribute to Bermuda's great golf courses with a putt-putt twist. The course was beautiful and set up like a true golf course with sand traps and water hazards. The course was situated high on a hill overlooking the beach and dockyard and the views were gorgeous!
Jacob and Brenna fishing my ball out of one of the water hazards.
Each afternoon on the way back to the ship we saw two baby stingrays that swam just under the surface at the pier near the ship. Brenna liked to stop and watch them everyday and on the last day she insisted that I take a picture. I didn't have my zoom lens so the brown blob in the picture below is the stingray.
The new Norwegian Breakaway was docked head-to-head with us during our stay in Bermuda.
Our final sea day we rested and enjoyed the downtime. The next morning we got up and enjoyed breakfast, packed up, and headed down to one of the restaurants that was set up for suite debarkation. We got there about 5 minutes before our assigned time and were called off almost immediately. Debarkation and customs was quick and smooth. We had arranged for a cab to pick us up at the pier and were on the New Jersey Turnpike headed to Newark in no time.
Pack-up and ready to go back home!
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