Celebrity Cruises Summit: proud pinnacle of premium cruising

On the return drive from a tour to St. Lucia's Twin Pitons coastal peaks, with their quintessential island scenery of lush greenery and aquamarine waters, we knew we were headed to yet another summit--Celebrity Cruises' Summit, that is, a proud pinnacle of premium cruising.

The eighth member of the line's nine-ship fleet and third of its innovative Millennium Class vessels--the first cruise liners to feature gas turbine propulsion and exterior glass elevators--the 91,000-gross-register-ton/1,950-passenger Summit more than lives up to the sophistication that is the signature of the Millennium Class quartet (including the Millennium, Infinity, and Constellation).

Like her sisters, the Summit has a museum-quality art collection boasting more than 500 works, highlighted by three major pieces--two of historical as well as artistic value, plus one by a distinguished contemporary artist. You need not be an art or history lover to think these extraordinary works are already worth the price of passage.

The first of the Summit's historic art treasures, gracing the base of the grand spiral staircase in the two-level Cosmopolitan Restaurant, is "La Normandie," a seven-foot-high bronze of a maiden draped like Athena (but with a 1930s hairdo) by Art Deco sculptor Leon Georges Baudry. Acquired by Celebrity executive Demetrios Kaparis, the statue once overlooked the grand staircase of the Normandie, the legendary liner of 1935, built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France--coincidentally, the same shipyard that built the Summit. "Nothing enriches a room like a work of art," said Kaparis.

Making a grand entrance into the Cosmopolitan Restaurant with its stately columns, opulent decor, and musicians balcony, and viewing "La Normandie" is almost like time-traveling back to the golden days of the trans-Atlantic liners. The feeling is recaptured with every entrance, and delights while you savor such dishes as a delectable rack of lamb Provencale or tenderloin steak done to perfection.

"Seeing 'La Normandie' reminds me of another era of cruising--the elegance of great ships like the Normandie that we strive to continue," said Daniel Elias, hotel director. The Summit's specialty restaurant, The Normandie (nostalgic, alternative venues saluting the grand liners are Millennium Class trademarks) is a perfect example of continued elegance. Diners in this exquisite restaurant, with open kitchen and dine-in wine cellar, not only delight in impeccable butterfly service (waiters present and remove dishes in unison) and in the cuisine, prepared or finished tableside, of Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, culinary consultant to Celebrity, but they also feast their eyes on memorabilia from the Normandie. These mementos include stationery, a menu, and table-setting items from the liner's first-class dining room displayed in the restaurant's vestibule, and two artistic treasures inside: two sets of floor-to-ceiling gold panels originally installed in the Normandie's first-class smoking room.

These Art Deco masterpieces, displayed in a circular colonnade in the center of The Normandie, are themed to hunting and depict scenes of stylized foliage, one hunter with a bow and arrow and another with a deer draped around his shoulders. A dinner here involves all the senses: the view of the Normandie's precious panels: the sounds of the music of a jazz band; delectable dishes including an original chocolate and raspberry dessert from the Normandie, "Bombe Surprise," re-created by Roux; the bouquet of a fine vintage from the restaurant's list of 193 wines; and the feel of fine table linens, china, and crystal.

Fee for dining in The Normandie is $25 per-person. At least three couples on our sailing must have thought it was a delicious investment, as they dined in this restaurant every evening of our cruise. Guests who forego dining here may still visit during the day to see the panels and participate in such optional activities held in the restaurant as a wine-blending seminar ($11.75 plus 15 percent gratuity).

More sensory pleasures wait in the ship's 25,000-square-foot Elemis AquaSpa--the Millennium Class has arguably the finest spa facilities afloat, often surpassing those of land-based spas. The aromas of jasmine and ginger greet arrivals to 12 treatment rooms where some 40 therapies include treatments inspired in Polynesian, Asian, and Egyptian rituals, and to such pampering facilities as a Persian Garden thermal suite, Cleopatra's Bath, and Etruscan Chamber with organic mud. There is an oceanview beauty salon and a gym with more than 40 pieces of equipment, including 12 exercise bikes and 14 treadmills, and a glass-domed thalassotherapy seawater pool area, an oasis with pergolas, topiaries, two Jacuzzis, and piped-in New Age music. Early on several mornings I had the thalassotherapy pool to myself, and as the warm saltwater massaged my body, I fancied the Queen of the Nile herself never had it so good.

And my views included the Summit's third outstanding major work of art, this one the creation of noted Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Displayed beside the thalassotherapy pool (unlimited no fee usage) with its two relaxing airbeds, "Woman With Fruit" is a bronze depicting a rotund lady with long hair, lying on her stomach, almost Sphinx-like, with a fruit in her hand. "She bathes with Evian twice a day," hotel director Elias said, referring to the crew's twice-daily washings of the sculpture with mineral water to protect it from saltwater splashes.

The voluminous sculpture--gigantic, because Botero sculpts figures from the perspective of a toddler--inspires many to try the light and yet still scrumptious cuisine (also Roux-supervised) of the AquaSpa Cafe. Adjacent to the thalassotherapy pool, this cafe serves up such delights as fresh papaya and pineapple slices, strawberry and other chilled soups, salads, grilled salmon, cashew chicken, low-fat pastries and pies. The no-fee, buffet-style restaurant offers healthy dishes for breakfast and lunch. And with Celebrity's "Taste of Luxury" enhancements (introduced on the Millennium in the fall of 2002 and implemented fleetwide in 2003), it is now open until 8 p.m.--ideal for a light supper after spa treatments or touring ashore.

Other Taste of Luxury features include complimentary champagne at embarkation, sunset happy hours with live music and savories, a Sushi Cafe, frosty towels by the gangway, and an enhanced enrichment program--including crafts, wine appreciation ($8 plus 15 percent gratuity), computer lessons (a few complimentary, most $20), and lectures (on films, finances, and stress reduction during our sailing). Additionally, a Celebrity Concierge Class stateroom has been introduced as an option between a cabin and a suite. It offers extras like chilled champagne, fresh flowers and fruits, afternoon canapes, duvets, pillow menu, Egyptian cotton towels and Frette bathrobes, two hair dryers, Handsgrohe showerhead, and priority services.

Another new luxurious treat is found poolside on Resort Deck (10): frosty towels and sorbet service that cool sun worshippers as well as those taking advantage of the golf simulator, shuffleboard, and the jogging track on Sunrise Deck (11), above the main pool. Other active options include a basketball court, volleyball, and paddle tennis, up on Sports Deck (12).

On Resort Deck, convenient to the main pool, is the Waterfall Care & Grill, the casual restaurant with bountiful buffets: breakfasts (including made-to-order omelets), lunches, and teas. Informal dinners are offered most nights and include such options as the Sushi Cafe, pizza and pasta station, and buffet/table service by reservation (suggested tip, $2 per-person).

Our 10-night Ultimate Caribbean voyage out of Fort Lauderdale last winter provided four relaxing days at sea, going to and returning from exotic ports like St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and Barbados plus popular stops like St. Maarten and St. Thomas, so we had ample time to enjoy the Summit's many outdoor and indoor amenities.

Most indoor public areas are on two decks, Promenade (4) and Entertainment (5), linked by the three-level Grand Atrium, another Millennium Class trademark. The atrium, inspired by a Venetian courtyard, is highlighted by a back lit onyx grand staircase and towering silk lanterns.

Promenade Deck has an outside, shaded stretch for walking, but it does not encircle the ship. Indoors, guests find the 18-station internet cafe, Online@CelebrityCruises; the French-themed Fortunes Casino; the Photo Shop and Gallery; and the Mezzanine of the three-deek-high/900-seat Celebrity Theater, located forward. Michael's Club, elegant with rich woods, a mural, and the feel of a colonial country club, is no longer the cigar bar (part of a pilot program), but rather a piano lounge (cigars are permitted only out on Deck 10 aft in the evenings). The RendezVous Lounge, also on Promenade Deck, near the Cosmopolitan Restaurant, is a popular spot for pre-dinner cocktails, warmly decorated in wine-reds and beige, and featuring a musical duo.

Immediately above on Entertainment Deck, and overlooking the circular dance floor of the Rendez-Vous Lounge, is the Martini/Champagne Bar that offers caviar and pate service. Amidships on Entertainment Deck, the cozy Cova Cafe di Milano, serving specialty coffees, wines, and cocktails, is a favorite spot for people-watching, particularly when a harpist or quartet entertains in the evenings.

The Emporium, some 14,000 square feet of designer boutiques--including Donna Karan, Swarovski, Versace, and others--sells everything from novelty items to fine jewelry and is located between the Cova Cafe and the third level of the Celebrity Theater.

A compact cinema is on Plaza Deck (3), also the site for The Normandie restaurant, guest relations, shore excursions desk, bank, and the first level of the Celebrity Theater. This circular, state-of-the-art show lounge sets the scene for revues performed by a cast of 17 singers and dancers, in addition to variety shows that included a Broadway singer, concert pianist, magician, and comedian on our sailing. It has excellent sightlines, six screens, comfortable seating, and a decor accentuated by faux "flames" in niches (silk fabric, lit and fanned) and giant pseudo "torches" by the stage.

Other outstanding public spaces are the amidships Words, a pleasant, two-level library with comfortable wing chairs and sofas on Sky Deck (9) and Panorama Deck (8); Notes, the music library with 19,000 mp3 files in 12 individual listening stations on Vista Deck (7) and Penthouse Deck (6); and The Conservatory, amidships on Sunrise Deck, a sort of "Secret Garden" at sea with fresh and silk flowers, plus olive- and orange-tree creations by Emilio Robba of Paris, who introduced this facility on the Infinity. The Conservatory is not only a quiet spot for stopping to smell the flowers, but also the site of floral arranging demonstrations. Another favorite haunt of ours was Revelations, forward on Sunrise Deck, the observation lounge/nightclub with views on three sides, pleasing earth toned decor, a circular bar, and oversized circular skylight above the dance floor. Revelations is a hub for many activities, including trivia and bingo during the day and dance parties under the stars at night.

The Fun Factory children's club--with play area, movie room, crates section, computer games, and video game arcade--is aft on Sunrise Deck. Teens have The Tower--with plasma televisions and disco--near Revelations on Sunrise Deck.

All of these facilities and a full roster of activities kept our cabin-time to a minimum, but our stateroom was attractive and comfortable with a balcony where we enjoyed breakfast a couple of mornings at sea, and such thoughtful features as bathrobes, an umbrella for use during the cruise, and souvenir fabric shopping bag. In-cabin internet service was another convenience; a kit @ $25 a day, with the first 50 minutes included, plus our laptop was all it took to be connected.

Conveniences and comfort, sophisticated interiors with an extraordinary art collection that guests will remember long after their voyage, premium cruising with a taste of luxury--summing up the Summit in a sentence: She is a peak experience!

COPYRIGHT 2004 World Publishing, Co. (Illinois)
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group