Just off Equinox, happy to answer questions

We just returned from the Equinox Feb. 1 Western Caribbean itinerary. Mostly a very positive experience (our 7th on X). This was our first time dining at Luminae, and we did not use our complimentary specialty dining due to the outstanding food and service at Luminae. Our head waiter was Rosario, and he's quite good, very attentive. Thought we would miss Blu, but we did not. Our only disappointment was with the wine list. The list itself is great, with lots of good choices by the glass, however, many of these wines were not on board. No use getting annoyed with the Sommelier since she can only serve what's available, but there should have been a corrected list. We suggested that, and got no response from anyone. If you have been to the ports before, there is nothing much new to see, however, for us, the ship is the destination. Pool butlers were practical non-existent but that's nothing new. The ship itself is still beautiful and public areas very clean. Not sure what's up with Bistro on 5 since we almost never saw anyone dining there. Aqua Spa cafe continues to be an excellent dining choice and I really liked being served at the salad bar so only crew handled the utensils. For the first time, our aft balcony had a soot problem. Or maybe we had a cleaning problem, not sure which. I'm happy to answer any questions.:)

We just returned from the Equinox Feb. 1 Western Caribbean itinerary. Mostly a very positive experience (our 7th on X). This was our first time dining at Luminae, and we did not use our complimentary specialty dining due to the outstanding food and service at Luminae. Our head waiter was Rosario, and he's quite good, very attentive. Thought we would miss Blu, but we did not. Our only disappointment was with the wine list. The list itself is great, with lots of good choices by the glass, however, many of these wines were not on board. No use getting annoyed with the Sommelier since she can only serve what's available, but there should have been a corrected list. We suggested that, and got no response from anyone. If you have been to the ports before, there is nothing much new to see, however, for us, the ship is the destination. Pool butlers were practical non-existent but that's nothing new. The ship itself is still beautiful and public areas very clean. Not sure what's up with Bistro on 5 since we almost never saw anyone dining there. Aqua Spa cafe continues to be an excellent dining choice and I really liked being served at the salad bar so only crew handled the utensils. For the first time, our aft balcony had a soot problem. Or maybe we had a cleaning problem, not sure which. I'm happy to answer any questions.:)

Great to hear from you... If wines were missing from your list in Luminae were alternatives added or did you just have a very limited wine list? Were there also options offered just above the premium limit?

Not sure if this applies as it sounds like you were in a suite, but how were the pillows onboard ... without asking if you could order alternate types?

Also, have they thus far implemented the casino credits instead of cash to use your OBC in the casino? This one I am asking for someone else as we always use the cash we purchase against our OBC in the casino....usually leave piles of it in there, as a matter of fact?

Any shows that are a must see?

Are they offering any of the martinis in a smaller version under the classic package?

What dock / pier are they using in Ft Lauderdale?

If none of these apply...no problem.

Thanks for posting. We are sailing on Equinox next Friday. How formal were the Evening Chic nights? Were there many guys in dark jeans and jackets which appears to be one of the recommendations?

Do you know the name of the Luminae hostess? In Oct/Nov 2015, it was Natalia, but she was leaving on her vacation and not due back until March, I believe. She was very attentive and helpful with our dining arrangements. We sail on Equinox on March 14... the Western Caribbean itinerary.

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Hoping Captain Leo will be Master of the Ship on the March 4th sailing. Any idea if he still will be on the Equinox when we sail? We have heard so many wonderful things about him on Cruise Critic.

Also which nights are the formal nights? Not sure if you were on the ten or the 11 night cruise. Guess it probably would or could make a difference. Our sailing is the ten night.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Sincerely,

JoAnne

We just returned from the Equinox Feb. 1 Western Caribbean itinerary. Mostly a very positive experience (our 7th on X). This was our first time dining at Luminae, and we did not use our complimentary specialty dining due to the outstanding food and service at Luminae. Our head waiter was Rosario, and he's quite good, very attentive. Thought we would miss Blu, but we did not. Our only disappointment was with the wine list. The list itself is great, with lots of good choices by the glass, however, many of these wines were not on board. No use getting annoyed with the Sommelier since she can only serve what's available, but there should have been a corrected list. We suggested that, and got no response from anyone. If you have been to the ports before, there is nothing much new to see, however, for us, the ship is the destination. Pool butlers were practical non-existent but that's nothing new. The ship itself is still beautiful and public areas very clean. Not sure what's up with Bistro on 5 since we almost never saw anyone dining there. Aqua Spa cafe continues to be an excellent dining choice and I really liked being served at the salad bar so only crew handled the utensils. For the first time, our aft balcony had a soot problem. Or maybe we had a cleaning problem, not sure which. I'm happy to answer any questions.:)

My last couple of Celebrity cruises, Infinity and Equinox, did not have any Bordeaux by the glass though the Medoc is on the menu. Their wine list is a joke since they like to promote themselves as having the best wine list at sea. I guess no one told them they actually were suppose to have it in stock also and not just on the list. It's not a real big deal but it did bother me at dinner every night. I am bringing my own next month when I'm back on the Equinox even though I have the premium package! Otherwise a great ship and I loved the World Class bar!

Hoping Captain Leo will be Master of the Ship on the March 4th sailing. Any idea if he still will be on the Equinox when we sail? We have heard so many wonderful things about him on Cruise Critic.

 

 

 

Also which nights are the formal nights? Not sure if you were on the ten or the 11 night cruise. Guess it probably would or could make a difference. Our sailing is the ten night.

 

 

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

JoAnne

I was on this cruise as well. Capt Leo is on vacation from February 19. Formal nights were 2nd and the 9th of this 11-night itinerary.

What dock / pier are they using in Ft Lauderdale?

 

Same as Oasis & Allure Of The Seas.

Great to hear from you... If wines were missing from your list in Luminae were alternatives added or did you just have a very limited wine list? Were there also options offered just above the premium limit?

No additional wines were added. One night the Sommelier brought me a split of Sancerre, but that's the only time.

Not sure if this applies as it sounds like you were in a suite, but how were the pillows onboard ... without asking if you could order alternate types?

 

Also, have they thus far implemented the casino credits instead of cash to use your OBC in the casino? This one I am asking for someone else as we always use the cash we purchase against our OBC in the casino....usually leave piles of it in there, as a matter of fact?

 

Any shows that are a must see?

 

Are they offering any of the martinis in a smaller version under the classic package?

 

What dock / pier are they using in Ft Lauderdale?

 

If none of these apply...no problem.

The regular pillows are ok. I use a memory foam pillow at home and was happy to get one on board. I don't know about the casino personally, but I heard others discussing the OBC issue, but I don't know myself. We did not attend the production shows, but did enjoy the singer and the smaller venue live music. Don't know about the smaller martini offerings. Pier 18. What a dump!

Thanks for posting. We are sailing on Equinox next Friday. How formal were the Evening Chic nights? Were there many guys in dark jeans and jackets which appears to be one of the recommendations?

There were men in suits and ties, more wore Blazers with slacks. My DH wore khakis with a dress shirt and navy blazer. And a sporty pocket square. He looked quite handsome! I didn't see too many in jeans.

.

 

My last couple of Celebrity cruises, Infinity and Equinox, did not have any Bordeaux by the glass though the Medoc is on the menu. Their wine list is a joke since they like to promote themselves as having the best wine list at sea. I guess no one told them they actually were suppose to have it in stock also and not just on the list. It's not a real big deal but it did bother me at dinner every night. I am bringing my own next month when I'm back on the Equinox even though I have the premium package! Otherwise a great ship and I loved the World Class bar!

The menu had Bordeaux by the glass, but it was not on board. Enjoy your cruise!

Do you know the name of the Luminae hostess? In Oct/Nov 2015, it was Natalia, but she was leaving on her vacation and not due back until March, I believe. She was very attentive and helpful with our dining arrangements. We sail on Equinox on March 14... the Western Caribbean itinerary.

 

 

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It was Ana Maria, but she's moving to the Infinity.

Hoping Captain Leo will be Master of the Ship on the March 4th sailing. Any idea if he still will be on the Equinox when we sail? We have heard so many wonderful things about him on Cruise Critic.

 

Also which nights are the formal nights? Not sure if you were on the ten or the 11 night cruise. Guess it probably would or could make a difference. Our sailing is the ten night.

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

 

Sincerely,

JoAnne

Captain Leo was indeed terrific, but he is leaving this month. We were on the 11 night itinerary, and the evening chic nights were the second and ninth days. Enjoy your cruise JoAnne!

Pier 18. What a dump!

I think you must be referring to a different pier at Port Everglades. Pier 18 is the newest & best, built to handle Oasis and Allure. Very modern, lots of space and usually efficient.

Since Equinox is not disembarking or embarking on the weekend when Oasis and Allure are in port, it uses pier 18.

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It was Ana Maria, but she's moving to the Infinity.

I think Natalia is coming back from vacation and will replace Ana Maria.

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I think you must be referring to a different pier at Port Everglades. Pier 18 is the newest & best, built to handle Oasis and Allure. Very modern, lots of space and usually efficient.

 

Since Equinox is not disembarking or embarking on the weekend when Oasis and Allure are in port, it uses pier 18.

 

 

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We had a different experience. Perhaps it did not arrive back to Port Everglades at 18. Anyway, it was awful.

We did a back to back, Jan 22 and Feb 1. We were at terminal 18 both times. Embarkation was the easiest we have ever experienced, no lines at all when we arrived at the port at 11:30 Am on the 22nd. On the Feb 1 sailing, we left the ship for an excursion and returned at 1 PM. No lines at all. My brother and his wife joined us for the second leg of our cruise and they arrived at 11 and experienced no lines at all.

There were long lines at customs on Feb 1 when we went on the excursion, but they moved quickly.

We did walk off on February 12 and left the ship at 7:30. Breezed thru customs with no stops at all, but we used Valet service. We were at the airport around 8 AM.

None of our group of 6 cared for the production shows, but that is a matter of taste. The other entertainment was excellent.

Too bad you will miss Captain Leo. He was the best we have had in over 20 cruises.

As Equinox alternates 11 and 10 night cruises, she will eventually wind up embarking or debarking at the same time as the Oasis or Allure. In that case Equinox will have to use the older terminal. If you board or debark on a Saturday or Sunday this will be the case, unfortunately. Any other day (baring some problem that caused either Royal ship to have to return early) you will have the newer terminal.

There was a long line to clear CBP on the 12th Feb, they had a "incident" that delayed the process one hour.

We boarded on the 12th - no lines to check in (11:30), but we had to wait in the lounge until after 1pm (given a number of reasons, including the computers were down). No biggy - cabins were ready by the time we got to board.

The regular pillows are ok. I use a memory foam pillow at home and was happy to get one on board. I don't know about the casino personally, but I heard others discussing the OBC issue, but I don't know myself. We did not attend the production shows, but did enjoy the singer and the smaller venue live music. Don't know about the smaller martini offerings. Pier 18. What a dump!

Thank you!

As Equinox alternates 11 and 10 night cruises, she will eventually wind up embarking or debarking at the same time as the Oasis or Allure. In that case Equinox will have to use the older terminal. If you board or debark on a Saturday or Sunday this will be the case, unfortunately. Any other day (baring some problem that caused either Royal ship to have to return early) you will have the newer terminal.

Not sure how you figure this. The 11 night is Monday to the following Friday, the 10 night is Friday to the following Monday. We embarked at #18 on a Monday (Jan 11) and disembarked on a Friday (Jan 22) at #18. Very smooth for us.

I was on this cruise as well. Capt Leo is on vacation from February 19. Formal nights were 2nd and the 9th of this 11-night itinerary.

Thank you so much for the answer to my question but geeze what a bummer. I was so looking forward to sailing with him. Hopefully perhaps another time........

Sincerely,

JoAnne