I took the Summit out of San Juan last winter and from what I remember ...
1)The buffet, the poolside snackbars and I think some of the items at the gelato place;
2) Yes. The ship leaves at 8:30 p.m., but people board much earlier.
3) Yes.
4) No.
5) I don't think they publicize that ahead of the cruise, unfortunately.
6) I think you can board as early around 11 or noon. They give you a suggested boarding time with all the pre-cruise info they send you.
7) Not sure.
8) Not sure.

At www.cruisecritic.com there is a message board devoted to Celebrity--those folks will have all of your answers.

One other thing. The port isn't that close to old san juan. If you stow your luggage, you'll still need to take a cab there and back.

#4. You don't need your passport, but take a copy to carry with you. I've been to many countries and have never been asked for my passport othe rthan immigration or at the hotel.

#7. When we took Celebrity from SJ a few tears ago, their port was quite remote. Check with your TA about luggage. It is a great place. When we took RC, we were able to drop off our luggage and explore OSJ from their dock.

#8. Cruise lines make big bucks from alcohol. So I bet corkage applies to any brought on alcohol wherever consumed. If you buy alcohol on the ship, they store it until you disembark.

Celebrity offers a pre-pay alcohol and drink plan. If you plan on drinking more than average, it can be a good deal.

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard/tabLanding.do?pagename=onboard_beverage_packages

The "corkage" fee is if you want to drink it in the dining room. If you drink in your room there is no fee.

They also offer anytime dining. If you choose it instead of a pre-set dining time, you won't have to worry about show conflicts. We've done the anytime dining twice with Princess and wouldn't have it any other way.

We are looking at this cruise in November. Please post a trip report when you return. I would be interested in how you liked it. We've cruised Princess and Carnival, but not Celebrity.

Are you doing a pre-cruise stay in San Juan? We are thinking 3 days before. If so, have you picked a hotel?

Thank you all so much for your helpful replies. I did just discover Celebrity has posted an electronic booklet in my online account so a few of those questions were answered (such as cabin safes) but not many. I think I will switch to the anytime dining option. Though I'll likely be hungry by 8:30 it sounds more relaxing to vary that and then I won't miss an entertainment that happens at that time. There is no extra cost except prepaid gratuities which we would pay anyway at the end. We only plan one night dining in a specialty restaurant on board.

The shore excursions are going to add up.

I'll be happy to post a trip report when we return.

We've been to San Juan before - I thought we saw the cruise port right next to OSJ. Is that not correct? Is there anothr port?

We love OSJ but have already done a walking tour. Fly in the night before the cruise so booked one night at the Conrad San Juan Condado Beach hotel. I would have booked at El Convento but they (and everything else near the OSJ port was full). We will probably do some kind or a day tour in San Juan but not sure yet. Have alredy seen El Yunque Rainforest and Luquillo beach. Our one and only cruise was 25 years ago, NCL Western Caribbean out of Miami in (hot) August. Things will probably be a bit different but we did enjoy that one.

I believe the port next to OSJ was for cruises dropping in for the day, not for those originating in San Juan.

If you look on the cruise critic boards for your cruise ship/itinerary, you may find someone who recently finished a similar cruise and posted photos of the "dailies".

The Dailies are what's happening on board that day (port/onboard demos/music/entertainment etc) and you'll usually find the one for the next day in your cabin before you go to bed.

You will enjoy your cruise on Celebrity, it is one of our favorite lines. We just returned from a 15 day transatlantic starting in Southampton, England and ending in Miami, Fl. Our ship was Celebrity Constellation and we loved the ship. As others have indicated, go to www.cruisecritic.com and search for Roll Calls, Celebrity, then Summit. You will find others going on the same cruise as you w/ lots of helpful suggestions, organized tours in the ports, etc. You can also post your questions there. I use CC for all my cruise planning.

As far as dining is concerned, there are 3 categories: 1) anytime or select dining meaning you can dine whenever you like. I have never done select but think you call the # for select dining and make your reservation. Others on CC boards can advise you. The other two options are: early dining (time varies on each ship but perhaps 6:30 and late dining (typically 8:30 dining). We like late as if we have been out in a port, we don't have to rush to get to dinner. We like to stop in one of the lounges and have cocktails before we go to dinner.

Each day you will receive a newsletter in your cabin (put there by the cabin steward the evening before). In this newsletter you will find information on the activities for the following day, arranged by the times of each activity. I usually tear off the portion w/ the activity listings and bring it w/ me every day. This way, I know exactly what time each activity is taking place and you can plan what you want to see and do. You will also know about the entertainment for the next day also. On our ship most of the evening shows took place at two times: 7 pm and 9 pm and occasionally a late show at 10:30ish so late diners can go to late show. You will not have to rearrange your dinner schedule as the shows are coordinated around dining times. Most cruise lines follow the same procedures but times may vary. There will also be other entertainment in the lounges, perhaps an ensemble playing music, singers, etc. The newsletter will tell you which lounge or area of the ship you can find these different groups.

One other thing which is very important pertains to going ashore in the ports. You MUST be back onboard the ship for sailaway and they will tell you what time that will be when you leave the ship for the day. We usually are back onboard 45 min. or sooner than departure so we don't miss the ship.

Have a wonderful cruise. Do check out the Cruise Critic Roll Calls.