Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Summit Southern Caribbean Cruise Dining
Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Summit Southern Caribbean Cruise Dining
Cruising the Southern Caribbean on Celebrity Summit
By Jeannette and Dan Dudek
Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Summit Southern Caribbean Cruise Dining
A major part of cruising for most people involves enjoying delicious food, prepared to perfection and beautifully presented. The dedicated galley staff on the Summit will not disappoint you; you will be treated as a celebrity. You have numerous options to indulge and satisfy your food appetite throughout the day in a number of venues. For our review we tried many of the Summit’s dining choices, and we did Fixed Seating for the first cruise and Select Seating for the second cruise of our Back-to-Back.
Summit Dining Options
The Summit offers several dining options. This section will explain the options available and provide you with some input to help you make your selection of your dining preference. If you have not indicated your dining preference on-line prior to departure you will need to do so once on the ship.
Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Summit Southern Caribbean Cruise Dining
Cosmopolitan Fixed Dining
Early dining is 6 pm and late dining 8:30 pm. You are offered the choice of table size, so it depends on the number in your party, and how you wish to interact with others. For a couple, we recommend you request a table for six or eight people. This gives you the opportunity to really get to know at least a few of your fellow passengers.
Cosmopolitan Select Dining
A newer concept in cruise dining, this allows you flexibility to dine in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant anytime from about 6 to 9:30 p.m. You can simply walk-in anytime or make a reservation for a specific time you wish to dine, and you can change the time each day if you so desire. There may be a slight wait if you “walk-in” without a reservation at certain peak times, e.g. 6:00 p.m.
Oceanview Cafe
If you do not wish to dress for dinner, the food at the open buffet is quite good; be sure to walk around the entire serving area as some of the best choices may be at a station at the far end of the dining area.
Room Service
This option is not normally advertised, but by the end of the cruise many people have learned that this option is available, and for no additional charge.
Celebrity Summit Normandie Specialty Dining Restaurant
Specialty Restaurants
Celebrity Summit offers the opportunity of a fantastic culinary experience by dining at two specialty restaurants – Normandie and Qsine. The charge for this experience is $40 per person per meal (and $89 per person if you elect a wine pairing option in Normandie). Since your dining room meals are included in your cruise price, you have to decide if paying a surcharge for a meal in a specialty restaurant is worth it to you; and within your budget.
Celebrity Summit Qsine – M’s Favorites
Note: We highly recommend you have at least one dinner in a specialty restaurant during each week of your cruise.
Bistro on Five
A casual, yet stylish European café style venue. It serves several different types of crepes, soups, salads and temptingly delicious desserts throughout the day and into the early morning. A modest surcharge is applied.
Blu
A restaurant reserved for those who book AquaClass staterooms.
Extra Servings
You can order additional appetizers, entries, desserts, etc. at all (Fixed or Select Seating) meals in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant (at no additional charge); you can even order an extra main item, e.g. the lobster, and choose to skip the included vegetable and/or potato (Note: Dan loves escargot and stuffed mushrooms so if available he usually orders one of these appetizers along with one of the daily appetizers.)
Dinner Dining Alternatives
| Alternative | Time | Dress Code | Food | Time Required | Service |
| Cosmopolitan Fixed Seating | 6 or 8:30 p.m. | Business Casual (shirts must have collars; no shorts)Formal Nights: Cocktail Dress or Gown for woman; Jacket and tie for men | Quality standard items available all nights, plus daily selection of special appetizers, soups, entrées and desserts | 2 Hours | Same waiter and assistant every night; they can help you with your selection |
| Cosmopolitan Select Seating | Anytime from 6 to 9:30 p.m. | 1 ½ Hours | Different waiter each night | ||
| Oceanview Cafe | 5:30 to 10 p.m. | Casual | Numerous items always available | 1 Hour | Self-serve |
| Mast Grill(Pool-side) | Noon to 6 p.m. | Casual | Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and French Fries | ½ Hour | Self-serve |
| Specialty Restaurants | 6 to 10 p.m.Reservations Required | Smart Casual | Finest food available anywhere | 2 ½ Hours | Table side preparation of dishes when feasible; superior service |
| Bistro on Five | 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. | Casual | Crepes, eggs, soups, salads and temptingly delicious deserts | ½ Hour | Modest Surcharge of $5 |
| Blu | 7:30 to 9 a.m.6 to 9:30 p.m. | Smart Casual | “clean cuisine” | 1 Hr. for Breakfast; 2 Hours for Dinner | Only for AquaClass guests |
| AquaSpa Café | 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Casual | Healthy Alterna-tive Lunch Buffet | Extra fee | |
| Gelateria | 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Casual | Italian Gelato | Extra fee | |
| Café al Bacio | 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Casual | Sandwiches | Extra fee | |
| 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. | Pastries | Extra fee |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fixed vs. Select Seating in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant
Fixed seating is always at the same time during the cruise, and you sit at the same table with the same set of people. This allows you to get to know them very well, and long-term relationships can be formed. In addition, your waiter gets to know your preferences and will go the extra mile to help you. He/she may suggest you “double down” on an appetizer as the serving is on the small size. He/she will also provide you with extra servings of anything desired without a question. If you have any food allergies or diet restrictions, all you have to do is tell your waiter and he will discuss with you the next day’s dinner and inform the cook as to your wishes.
Select Seating gives you tremendous flexibility as to when to go to dinner each night. If you want to see the comedian’s late show, you can choose to dine early; if you had a late lunch, you can choose to have dinner late. A couple can choose to sit by themselves, or to “share” a table with other people.
One enjoyable surprise was the Pool Side Mast Grill. After trying one of their deluxe sirloin hamburgers supplemented with some of the best tasting, non-greasy French fries you can imagine, do not be surprised if you return later in your cruise for another meal at this grill!
Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Summit Southern Caribbean Cruise Dining
The midnight buffets of past years have been replaced by most cruise lines by a Brunch that is held one day each week, normally on a “Sea Day”. This event is not to be missed. The galley staff goes all out to produce ice sculptures and an overwhelming number of delicious culinary delights for you to enjoy in a spectacular presentation.
Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Summit Southern Caribbean Cruise Dining
Read More of Jeannette and Dan Dudek’s Celebrity Summit Review:
Overview | Pre-Cruise Documentation | San Juan Airports & Embarkation | Sunset Balcony Staterooms | Dining Options | Normandie Specialty Restaurant | Qsine Specialty Restaurant | Excursions | Production Shows | Bridge & Engine Room Operation | Senior Officer Interviews | General Info | Disembarkation in San Juan |
If You Go:
Bio
Jeannette and Dan Dudek travel extensively domestically and internationally; visited over 30 countries; and have been to most U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Jeannette’s career has included teaching elementary school classes; as well as English classes for middle school students; she also as has been a business manager and accountant for several firms. Jeannette’s passion is gourmet cooking and hosting special gatherings for friends and family.
Dan spent his career as an international consultant; assisting large firms implement computerized project and portfolio management systems. Besides international travel, Jeannette and Dan enjoy traveling North America in their RV, as well as handgun competitions, sailing, hunting, hiking, biking and other outdoor sports.
