Indulge In a Decadent Voyage With Celebrity Summit
To say that the Celebrity Summit is a classy cruise ship is an understatement. How else would you describe a ship which invests in museum-quality pieces in bulk that includes a whopping 800,000 dollar sculpture, or an interior design which suggests more of European chic than anything else? Summit is indeed built for people with refined tastes; this doesn’t mean though that it isn’t for everybody. Sure, the ship is rather high-end, but it is not unusual for you to come across families during your trip, especially during vacation periods.
The two-level dining area has a sophisticated Art Deco look, with accents originally from the SS Normandie (such as the seven-foot full-bronze statue of a woman with a semblance to Athena). There’s a grand staircase to accommodate grand entrances during formal affairs, and a glass wall affords a panoramic view of the entire deck. As posh as it appears, this is only the main dining area of the ship, with set seating arrangements for dinner and open-seating for other meals. The Normandie undoubtedly showcases the ship’s elegance, with the same authentic and elegant accents, a dine-in wine room, and waiters which flaunt a closely-coordinated effort in serving and waiting on tables. The dishes are exquisite, worth more than the measly 25-dollar per-person fee.
The public rooms are examples of onboard decadence at its finest. The ship’s Grand Foyer is built with a Venetian-courtyard design, what with silk lanterns and plush marble floors. A few paces from this area is the Emporium, a veritable shopper’s paradise, and none of the shops carry the usual trinkets found in most ships – no, this 14,000 sq. ft. compound accommodates the outlets of designer labels from Versace to Donna Karan. Elsewhere onboard is the Conservatory, a pseudo-greenhouse of sorts, with arrangements of the freshest blooms. The ship also has a music library (Notes) with an immense archive of 19,000 selections, as well as a two-level library (Words) with a very comfortable lounge area to boot. Posh clubs such as the Cova Café Milano and Michael’s Club are also popular haunts.
The deluxe cabins offer 38 sq. ft. balconies which afford an excellent view of the ports, with convertible double-to-queen beds, and a sitting area. All of the cabins have the basic amenities: a TV, safe, a mini bar, a voice mail-enabled phone, and a hair dryer. Those who want only the best can check into Sky Suite or Penthouse cabins, and enjoy butler services, complimentary champagne, a computer with printer, and the first priority when checking in or disembarking at port calls. The spa area is more of a sprawl than a compound: this 25,000 sq. ft. complex is undoubtedly one of the largest at sea, and features the minutest perks like topiaries and a free-for-all thalassotherapy pool. It is well-equipped with over 40 pieces of workout implements, excluding the free weights and the exercise benches; a regulation-sized basketball and tennis court; a pool with a reverse current, suitable for lap swimming; and a jogging track. The AquaSpa Café also offers healthy meals to complement the theme, and there are scheduled activities like yoga or aerobic programs in store for guests. Celebrity Summit has it all if you’re looking for decadence at sea, and your voyage would undoubtedly be a comfortable one, to say the least.
