Celebrity Summit Review: Our Quick Verdict

If you don’t want to read the entire review, here’s our short version.

Would we sail Celebrity Summit again?
Absolutely.

Does Celebrity Summit feel old?
Not nearly as much as you might expect. There are ways you can tell Summit comes from an earlier generation of cruise ships, but during our sailing we were impressed by how well maintained and comfortable she felt.

What did we like most?
The relaxed atmosphere, service, manageable size, surprisingly uncrowded public spaces, Oceanview Café, Café al Bacio, Solarium, Rooftop Terrace, lounges, and abundance of comfortable places to sit.

What might some cruisers dislike?
Summit doesn’t offer the giant attractions or sheer number of venues found aboard many newer mega-ships. You also can’t walk completely around the ship on an exterior promenade.

Who is Celebrity Summit best for?
Couples, adults, experienced cruisers, first-time Celebrity guests, and travelers who value food, service and relaxation more than waterparks and thrill attractions.

Would we recommend Summit to a first-time cruiser?
Yes—especially someone who wants a calmer, more premium cruise experience.

Celebrity Summit at a Glance

Celebrity Summit is part of Celebrity Cruises’ Millennium Series and is considerably smaller than today’s largest cruise ships.

Celebrity currently lists the ship at approximately:

• 2,218 guests

• 91,003 gross tons

• 965 feet long

• 105 feet wide

• 24-knot cruising speed

Celebrity has also extensively modernized Summit, including updates to staterooms, restaurants, lounges, spa areas, retail spaces, and The Retreat.

Those updates are important because they help explain one of the biggest surprises from our cruise:

Summit didn’t feel like an old ship to us.

Does Celebrity Summit Feel Old?

This is probably the first question we’d ask if we were researching Celebrity Summit today.

There are so many beautiful new cruise ships entering service that it’s easy to assume newer automatically means better.

Our experience aboard Summit challenged that idea.

There are two very different questions to ask:

Does Celebrity Summit feel old because it is worn out?

We didn’t think so.

During our sailing, we repeatedly noticed how well maintained the ship appeared. The exterior spaces were bright and clean, furniture and lounges looked attractive, and many of the public areas felt modern and elegant.

The ship had clearly been cared for.

We were especially impressed with spaces such as the main dining room, Solarium, Café al Bacio, Cellar Masters, Sky Lounge, Rendezvous Lounge, and Rooftop Terrace.

Does Celebrity Summit feel like an older design?

In some ways, yes.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Summit doesn’t try to be a floating amusement park.

You won’t find the huge collection of thrill attractions, neighborhoods, giant promenades and elaborate technology that defines some of today’s newest ships.

Instead, Summit feels much more like a traditional cruise ship.

There are lounges looking out over the ocean.

There are comfortable places to sit and talk.

There’s live music.

There’s a traditional theater.

There’s a pool deck, an adults-only Solarium, bars, restaurants, a casino, specialty coffee, and plenty of places where the ocean remains part of the experience.

For us, that worked.

In fact, in some respects we found Summit easier and more relaxing than considerably larger ships.

Celebrity Summit’s Smaller Size Is One of Its Biggest Strengths

We went aboard expecting that a smaller ship might feel more confined.

Instead, one of the biggest surprises was how uncrowded Summit felt.

Even during a sea day, we saw available lounge chairs and plenty of places to sit outside.

That matters.

One of the things that can frustrate us on some ships is having thousands of passengers competing for the same pool chairs, buffet tables and public spaces.

We simply didn’t get that feeling aboard Summit.

And the smaller size has another advantage:

The ship is easy to navigate.

You don’t feel as though you need to plan a 15-minute walk just to get from one venue to another.

For travelers who don’t necessarily want the enormous scale of today’s mega-ships, this may be one of Summit’s most appealing features.

Bigger isn’t always better.

Sometimes easier is better.

Pool Deck and Outdoor Spaces: One of Summit’s Pleasant Surprises

Celebrity Summit’s outdoor spaces were another highlight for us.

The pool and sun decks felt open rather than claustrophobic, and during our sailing there was plenty of seating available.

We also appreciated something that doesn’t always receive much attention in cruise reviews:

Summit Has Shade

Crystal loves being outside but doesn’t necessarily want to spend all day sitting directly in the sun.

Summit had several shaded areas where we could still enjoy being outside without feeling as though we were slowly turning into lobsters.

That may sound like a minor detail, but if you enjoy reading outside or spending long periods on deck, good shaded seating can make a significant difference in your cruise experience.

There are also multiple bars and outdoor areas, so the upper decks never felt as though everything had been squeezed into one location.

Rooftop Terrace: One of Celebrity Summit’s Hidden Gems

One area we weren’t expecting to like as much as we did was the Rooftop Terrace on Deck 12 aft.

It’s tucked away enough that it almost feels like you’ve discovered a separate little resort area.

There are comfortable lounge chairs, beautiful views off the back of the ship, and an outdoor movie screen.

What surprised us most was the atmosphere.

It almost felt like something that should have been reserved for suite guests—yet it was available to everyone.

If you sail Summit, don’t spend the entire cruise around the main pool.

Go find the Rooftop Terrace.

For us, it’s one of the most underrated public spaces aboard the ship.

The Solarium: A Major Plus for Adults

Celebrity’s adults-only Solarium is another space that fits Summit’s personality extremely well.

Rather than high-energy pool attractions, the Solarium is designed for relaxation.

You’ll find:

• An indoor pool

• Hot tubs

• Comfortable loungers

• A quieter atmosphere

• Spa Café nearby

The Spa Café offers lighter food options, although we seemed to have an uncanny ability to arrive between operating hours during our cruise.

Still, the Solarium itself was an excellent retreat.

This is one of the areas where knowing what kind of cruiser you are matters.

If you’re looking for waterslides, surf simulators and thrill rides, Summit probably isn’t going to impress you.

If your idea of a great afternoon is finding a comfortable lounger with a book and relaxing near the water, Summit starts making a lot more sense.

Celebrity Summit Food Review

Food is subjective, but dining was one of the areas where Summit made a particularly positive impression on us.

Celebrity generally positions itself above the mainstream cruise experience, and we felt that difference in several dining venues.

Oceanview Café: One of the Best Parts of the Ship

Celebrity Summit’s Oceanview Café was one of our favorite dining venues.

The first thing we liked was the layout.

Instead of forcing everyone into one enormous buffet line, food is spread among different stations. That improves traffic flow and makes the buffet feel less chaotic.

During our cruise, we found a substantial variety of choices, including:

• Hot entrées

• International selections

• Fresh breads

• Bakery items

• Desserts

• Gluten-free choices

• Vegan choices

• Ice cream

• Soft serve

• Multiple toppings

We especially enjoyed Scoops, where ice cream was available throughout much of the day.

There is seating both inside and outside, and the Sunset Bar area provides another great place to enjoy food while looking out over the ocean.

We eat at a lot of cruise ship buffets.

Oceanview Café stood out.

Mast Grill: Convenient Poolside Food

For something quick outside, the Mast Grill offers the familiar pool-deck choices such as burgers, hot dogs and fries.

One tip from our experience:

If you’re ordering a veggie burger, give yourself some time.

Ours took roughly 20–25 minutes because it needed to be prepared separately.

That’s hardly a reason not to sail Summit, but it’s exactly the kind of little detail that’s helpful to know before ordering.

Main Dining Room: Traditional Cruising Done Well

Celebrity Summit’s two-story main dining room is one of those spaces that reminded us why traditional cruise ship design still has plenty of appeal.

It feels grand without feeling excessively crowded.

We particularly liked the large aft-facing windows, which provide beautiful views and help make the room feel even more open.

The overall design felt elegant and upscale.

And importantly, tables didn’t seem packed together in a way that made the dining room feel cramped.

Café al Bacio: The Heart of Celebrity Summit

If we had to pick one venue that captures Summit’s personality, Café al Bacio would be high on the list.

During our sailing, one staff member referred to it as the heart of the ship.

We understand why.

Café al Bacio isn’t simply somewhere to grab coffee.

It’s somewhere you naturally find yourself returning to.

You can order specialty coffees and teas, enjoy sweet treats, sit and talk, people-watch, or simply relax between activities.

We also appreciated the table service.

Instead of feeling like a grab-and-go coffee counter, Café al Bacio feels like an actual café.

It’s a small distinction, but those are exactly the little touches that contributed to our overall impression of Celebrity.

Cellar Masters and Summit’s Comfortable Lounge Culture

Café al Bacio flows naturally into Cellar Masters, another venue we really enjoyed.

The seating, atmosphere and design gave the area a refined feeling without making it feel stuffy.

During the day, it works as another comfortable place to sit.

At night, music and drinks change the atmosphere.

This is something Celebrity Summit does particularly well:

Spaces don’t exist for just one purpose.

A lounge might be quiet during the morning, become a gathering place in the afternoon and feature live entertainment at night.

That makes a smaller ship feel as though it has more usable space.

Specialty Dining on Celebrity Summit

Summit also offers several specialty dining options.

Tuscan Grille

Tuscan Grille is Celebrity’s Italian-inspired steakhouse and one of the more distinctive specialty venues aboard Summit.

It’s somewhat tucked away, which makes arriving there feel like you’ve reached a destination rather than simply walking past another restaurant.

We also liked the ability to see into the kitchen area.

Sushi on Five

Sushi on Five is another specialty dining option.

We did not dine there during this sailing, so we’re not going to pretend to review the food.

That’s an important distinction for us: if we haven’t personally eaten somewhere, we’d rather tell you that than simply repeat a cruise line’s description.

Le Petit Chef

Summit also offers the interactive Le Petit Chef dining experience.

We did not experience it on Summit, but we have tried Le Petit Chef aboard another Celebrity ship and enjoyed the combination of dinner and animated projections across the table.

It’s definitely more than simply going out for dinner—it is designed to be an entertainment experience as well.

Celebrity Summit Service: It’s the Little Things

One of the strongest impressions we took away from Celebrity Summit had less to do with any particular room or restaurant.

It was service.

There seemed to be a crew member around when you needed someone.

But what we really noticed were the little conveniences.

Things such as:

• Cold towels in the fitness area

• Infused water

• Towels available without having to sign them out

• Sunscreen and aloe near the pool

• Table service at Café al Bacio

• Attentive crew throughout the ship

None of those things by themselves makes or breaks a vacation.

Put them together, however, and they create a noticeably different experience.

Sometimes premium cruising isn’t about a massive chandelier or expensive décor.

It’s about removing little annoyances before you even think about them.

Celebrity did that particularly well on Summit.

Spa, Persian Garden and Fitness Center

The spa and fitness complex also impressed us for a ship of Summit’s size.

The area includes treatment rooms, a salon, fitness facilities and the Persian Garden, Celebrity’s thermal-suite experience.

The Persian Garden carries an additional charge unless access is included with your booking category or package.

The fitness center itself was spacious and offered plenty of equipment during our visit.

Again, we noticed the little things—cold towels, regular towels and infused water—which made the space feel more polished.

For a ship that has been sailing for more than two decades, the entire wellness area felt thoughtfully maintained.

Entertainment and Nightlife: Is Celebrity Summit Too Quiet?

This is another area where knowing your own cruise style matters.

Celebrity Summit is not a party ship.

But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing happening after dinner.

Our sailing included live music, theater entertainment, bars and evening activity throughout several areas of the ship.

Rendezvous Lounge

One of our favorite nighttime venues was the Rendezvous Lounge.

During our sailing, the house band was excellent and created one of the best evening atmospheres aboard the ship.

This is the type of nightlife Summit does well:

live music, comfortable seating, drinks, conversation and dancing.

Theater

We also thought Summit’s theater was particularly well designed.

Its curved configuration provided good sightlines from numerous areas of the room, and we never felt as though you needed to find one particular “perfect” seat to see the stage.

Martini Bar

Celebrity’s Martini Bar, including its distinctive chilled bar top, provides a somewhat livelier atmosphere and makes a natural gathering point before or after dinner.

So, is Summit boring at night?

We didn’t think so.

But if your definition of nightlife requires huge clubs, giant parties or major attraction-based entertainment, there are certainly ships better suited to that style.

Summit’s evenings are more about music, lounges, shows, cocktails and conversation.

For us, that fit the ship perfectly.

Celebrity Summit Casino

One feature we appreciated immediately was that Celebrity Summit’s casino was non-smoking during our sailing.

For guests who don’t smoke—or simply dislike walking through cigarette smoke to get from one place to another—that can make a substantial difference.

We also liked the spacious layout.

Machines and tables didn’t feel packed tightly together, and the casino was easy to navigate.

If you’re an active casino player, check Celebrity’s current casino program and onboard policies before sailing, because benefits can change.

Sky Lounge: Some of the Best Views on Summit

High on the ship at Deck 11 forward is the Sky Lounge, one of Celebrity Summit’s most attractive indoor venues.

Huge windows wrap around the space and provide sweeping views across the ocean.

There’s a bar, plenty of seating and a small stage area used for entertainment and gatherings.

During the day, it can simply be a beautiful place to sit and enjoy the view.

At other times, Celebrity uses the space for events and live entertainment.

It’s another good example of something we enjoy about more traditionally designed ships:

You are constantly reminded that you’re at sea.

What We Didn’t Love About Celebrity Summit

No ship is perfect.

Our overall experience on Summit was extremely positive, but an honest Celebrity Summit review needs to acknowledge its limitations.

1. There Is No Full Wraparound Promenade

We enjoy ships where you can walk completely around an exterior promenade deck.

You can’t do that on Summit.

There are wide exterior sections where you can walk and relax, but they don’t form one continuous lap around the ship.

Was this a major problem?

No.

Would we prefer a full promenade?

Definitely.

2. Some Venues Have Limited Hours

The Spa Café was one example for us.

We seemed to arrive just as it had closed between meal periods more often than we’d like.

It’s a minor issue, but if there’s a particular venue you want to experience, it’s worth checking the Celebrity app or daily schedule rather than assuming it will be open whenever you happen to walk past.

3. Summit Doesn’t Have the Attractions of Newer Mega-Ships

We don’t personally view this as a major negative—but you might.

Summit isn’t the ship to choose because you want:

• Waterslides

• Surf simulators

• Massive waterparks

• Dozens of specialty restaurants

• Huge family attractions

• An enormous resort-style ship

That’s simply not what Summit is.

And that leads to one of the most important questions in this review.

Who Is Celebrity Summit Best For?

We think Celebrity Summit makes an especially good choice for cruisers who value:

A Relaxed Atmosphere

Summit has activity and entertainment without constantly feeling frantic.

Good Food

We particularly enjoyed Oceanview Café and appreciated the variety of dining environments around the ship.

Service

The attentive staff and numerous little conveniences consistently stood out during our cruise.

A Manageable Ship

You can get where you’re going without feeling as though you’re crossing a small city.

Comfortable Ocean-View Spaces

Sky Lounge, Rooftop Terrace, Café al Bacio, Cellar Masters, Sunset Bar and other areas give passengers plenty of places to relax.

Live Music and Traditional Entertainment

If you prefer lounges, musicians and theater entertainment to amusement-park attractions, Summit may suit you extremely well.

Couples and Adult Travelers

Although families can certainly sail Summit, the ship’s strongest features naturally lend themselves to couples and adults looking for a more relaxing cruise.

First-Time Celebrity Cruisers

We also think Summit can provide a good introduction to what people like about Celebrity Cruises: service, food, polished public spaces and a somewhat calmer atmosphere than many mainstream cruise ships.

Who Might Want to Choose a Different Ship?

Celebrity Summit isn’t necessarily the best choice if your priorities are:

• Having the newest ship available

• Thrill attractions and waterparks

• A major family-resort environment

• Large numbers of specialty restaurants

• Huge nighttime parties

• Cutting-edge ship design and technology

There’s nothing wrong with wanting those things.

It simply means a different ship may provide a better vacation for you.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a cruise is asking:

“What’s the best cruise ship?”

We think the better question is:

“What’s the best cruise ship for the kind of vacation I want?”

For the right cruiser, Celebrity Summit can be an excellent answer.

Celebrity Summit vs. Newer Celebrity Ships

If you’re deciding between Summit and one of Celebrity’s newer ships, remember that you’re choosing two somewhat different cruise experiences.

Celebrity’s Edge Series ships are substantially larger and offer more dramatic contemporary design and newer concepts.

Summit offers something else.

Choose Summit if you prefer:

• A smaller, easier-to-navigate ship

• A more traditional cruise ship layout

• Intimate lounges

• A relaxed pace

• Familiar public spaces

• Less emphasis on spectacle

Consider a newer Celebrity ship if you prioritize:

• Cutting-edge architecture

• More dining and entertainment variety

• Newer ship concepts

• Larger-scale public spaces

• Having the latest Celebrity experience

We wouldn’t say one is automatically better.

They’re different.

And after sailing Summit, we came away appreciating just how much a smaller, older ship can still get right.

Our Favorite Places on Celebrity Summit

If you’re getting ready to sail, these are several spaces we’d make a point of finding:

Rooftop Terrace

Our pick for an underrated place to get away from the busier parts of the ship.

Café al Bacio

Coffee, desserts and one of the best places for simply sitting and enjoying the ship.

Sky Lounge

Fantastic forward-facing views through enormous windows.

Solarium

A great choice when you want quiet relaxation away from the main pool.

Sunset Bar

An excellent outdoor spot to enjoy a drink—and one of the areas that reminds you why you’re on a cruise in the first place.

Rendezvous Lounge

One of our favorite venues for evening live music during our sailing.

Is Celebrity Summit Good for Older Adults?

We think Summit can be an especially attractive option for older travelers, although age alone certainly shouldn’t determine which ship you choose.

The reason has more to do with the ship’s design and atmosphere.

Summit is comparatively manageable to navigate, provides lots of comfortable seating, doesn’t require passengers to walk enormous distances between venues, and emphasizes food, service, lounges and relaxation.

For travelers who don’t need a ship filled with physical attractions, those can be significant advantages.

Of course, mobility needs vary considerably from person to person, so anyone with specific accessibility requirements should review Celebrity’s current accessibility information before booking.

Is Celebrity Summit Good for First-Time Cruisers?

Yes—for the right first-time cruiser.

If someone told us:

“We want good food, great service, a beautiful ship and a relaxing week together.”

Summit would absolutely be a ship we’d consider recommending.

If they told us:

“We have teenagers who want nonstop attractions, waterslides and high-energy activities all day.”

We’d probably look elsewhere.

That isn’t a criticism of Summit.

It’s about matching the traveler with the right ship.

Frequently Asked Questions About Celebrity Summit

Is Celebrity Summit an old ship?

Celebrity Summit has been sailing for more than two decades, but she has undergone substantial modernization. During our cruise, we thought the ship was very well maintained and did not feel nearly as old as her age might suggest.

Does Celebrity Summit feel crowded?

Our experience was just the opposite. We were surprised by how much available seating we found, including during a sea day. Obviously, crowding can vary from sailing to sailing, but we found the ship’s layout very comfortable.

Is Celebrity Summit good for couples?

Yes. We think couples are one of Summit’s strongest audiences because the ship emphasizes dining, lounges, live music, relaxation and comfortable spaces rather than family-focused attractions.

Is Celebrity Summit good for families?

Families can absolutely enjoy Summit, but families looking primarily for waterslides and major kid-focused attractions may prefer a different ship.

Does Celebrity Summit have an adults-only pool?

Celebrity Summit has an adults-only Solarium with a pool, hot tubs and lounge seating.

Is there a buffet on Celebrity Summit?

Yes. Oceanview Café is Celebrity Summit’s main buffet venue, and it was one of the dining highlights of our sailing.

Does Celebrity Summit have specialty restaurants?

Yes. Specialty options include venues such as Tuscan Grille and Sushi on Five, along with Le Petit Chef. Availability, menus and pricing can change, so check Celebrity’s current information for your particular sailing.

Is Celebrity Summit too old to book?

We don’t think so.

If you’re expecting Summit to offer the features of the newest mega-ships, you may be disappointed.

But if you care more about food, service, comfortable spaces and a relaxing cruise experience, we think Summit remains a very appealing ship.

Would We Sail Celebrity Summit Again?

This is the easiest question in the entire review.

Yes.

When we finished our Celebrity Summit cruise, we said the ship had risen to become one of our favorites.

We meant it.

Summit reminded us that a cruise ship doesn’t have to be the newest, biggest or most technologically advanced to provide a fantastic vacation.

Sometimes what matters more is how a ship feels.

Does it feel comfortable?

Can you find somewhere to sit?

Is the crew attentive?

Do you enjoy the food?

Can you find quiet places when you want them?

Is there enough happening when you want entertainment?

And, most importantly:

Do you find yourself wanting to come back?

For us, the answer aboard Celebrity Summit was yes.

We’d have no hesitation sailing her again if the itinerary and price were right.

Want to See the Entire Celebrity Summit?

This review focuses on what we thought about Celebrity Summit and who we think should consider sailing her.

But if you’re researching an upcoming cruise and want to see the ship for yourself, we’ve also filmed a complete Celebrity Summit ship tour that takes you from top to bottom through the ship’s major public spaces.

And if you’re trying to decide whether Celebrity Summit—or Celebrity Cruises in general—is right for you, leave us a question in the comments.

We’re Crystal and Marshall from Cruising with Crystal and Marshall, and our goal is to help you cruise smarter, choose the ship that’s right for you, and get more out of every vacation.

Thanks for cruising with us!