I like RCCL ships...

actually the Mariner class.... I'm worried that I'll get bored on the Equinox. We're first time to X, so we're not sure what to expect. I liked the Promenade and the shops and the bars and the open space, lol... Not sure if X will make me feel 'smothered'... I didn't really enjoy the Allure, so it's not the size that I'm concerned about.

Anyhow, any helpful comments will help.. No slammers, lol. I'm not complaining, I'm just askin'. :)

We have only cruised with Celebrity on Infinity for 42 nights. To me it was quieter, which I didn't consider good or bad, just different.

Mariner is actually Voyager class which is also our favorite ships. We have been on Explorer, Mariner, and Adventure .. and will be on Navigator in February. We sailed Equinox a couple years ago and loved it. Did miss the promenade but found the Equinox to be classier. Loved the pool deck, bars, and specialty restaurants. Murano's is the best specialty restaurant we have found on any ship. Also, LOVED the smoke free casino .. the pasta bar, sushi, and eggs Benedict in the buffet.

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Mariner is actually Voyager class which is also our favorite ships. We have been on Explorer, Mariner, and Adventure .. and will be on Navigator in February. We sailed Equinox a couple years ago and loved it. Did miss the promenade but found the Equinox to be classier. Loved the pool deck, bars, and specialty restaurants. Murano's is the best specialty restaurant we have found on any ship. Also, LOVED the smoke free casino .. the pasta bar, sushi, and eggs Benedict in the buffet.

 

 

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That is correct, regarding Voyager class.. it's been a while, lol.

Glad to hear from someone that knows both ships! This helps a lot and I'm feeling a little better. Food options sound awesome, Royals food has gone down the toilet.. Guess it's a Royal Flush, ha!

Anyhow,thanks again!

The Voyager class is probably one of my favourites too because of the layout, activities and food, but the Equinox is a gorgeous ship! I think it's probably the nicest ship I've sailed on.

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The Voyager class is probably one of my favourites too because of the layout, activities and food, but the Equinox is a gorgeous ship! I think it's probably the nicest ship I've sailed on.

 

 

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Wow, that's good to hear! We like nice.... It definitely seems like a step up.

It seemed like on every Royal cruise, the food was getting progressively worse. We took a CCL cruise in between, most in our group, including us, thought that the food was better on CCL. Anyhow...

Wow, that's good to hear! We like nice.... It definitely seems like a step up.

It seemed like on every Royal cruise, the food was getting progressively worse. We took a CCL cruise in between, most in our group, including us, thought that the food was better on CCL. Anyhow...

I have to agree with you about the food. We thought Carnival was better as well.

We are going on our first Celebrity cruise next week and sure hope the food is better than RCCL.

I have to agree with you about the food. We thought Carnival was better as well.

 

We are going on our first Celebrity cruise next week and sure hope the food is better than RCCL.

After 37 cruises on every line except Disney, RC has the best wow factor for mega ships and entertainment but the worst food, Celebrity is 100% laid back luxury, with a more refined crowd, Carnival never disappoints ..lots of bang for the buck, and always fun.

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I had the exact same concern when we were trying Celebrity for the first time. Having sailed on the Adventure and Mariner, really didn't know what to expect on Celebrity Silhouette (same class as Equinox)

We absolutely loved the Silhouette and as you can see from my cruise history below, we went right back over the next 2 years as well. This year we managed to cruise on our 3rd Voyager class - Explorer of the Seas - and we sorely missed the Celebrity S class ship. If we had to chose between these 2 classes - we'd chose Celebrity every single time. They are newer and fell more modern.

I love Royal Caribbean, we love their big ships, but honestly you can't beat Celebrity's S class ships. They feel the same size as the Voyager class, yes we miss the Royal Promenade, but the Mast Grill on the top deck makes up for it. I'm sure you will really like the Equinox - its alot more open, and alot more classier than any other ship.

The Equinox and S class ships are bright and modern - lots of natural light and open space. They don't have the large mall like Voyager but they have a huge central atrium that stretches from Deck 3 all the day up to Deck 14.... with a live tree planted half way up!

These photos are on Solstice, but Equinox shares same Deck plan.

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actually the Mariner class.... I'm worried that I'll get bored on the Equinox. We're first time to X, so we're not sure what to expect. I liked the Promenade and the shops and the bars and the open space, lol... Not sure if X will make me feel 'smothered'... I didn't really enjoy the Allure, so it's not the size that I'm concerned about.

 

Anyhow, any helpful comments will help.. No slammers, lol. I'm not complaining, I'm just askin'. :)

Equinox is a beautiful ship and has a lot quiet spaces to relax in. The S class ships are about the same size as Voyager class ships, and while Celebrity tends to be more of a "relaxing cruise", you will not get bored. We have cruised on Voyager and Navigator, both are great ships. We agree with your views of the Promenade, great place to sit, snack and watch the world go by. We do enjoy activities like Quest on RCL, but there are still lots to do on Celebrity. You will also enjoy Café al Bacio, just a nice/quiet place to enjoy coffee/lattes and the wonderful (free) desserts. Food is much better on Celebrity, we have always found that on RCL, the MDR menu gets "worse" as the cruise gets nearer to the end. Oceanview buffet is similar to Windjammer buffet, but quality and selection of food is better, especially on S class ships.

I'm sure that you will have a great time on Equinox. (As long as aren't late coming back from an excursion and miss your ship! LOL! Really enjoyed reading about your "misadventures" in Nassau. Didn't know whether to laugh or cry with you as you went through your ordeal.) Happy cruising.

The only thing you will miss is the Promenade. The we have been on most of the Freedom and Mariner class ships and they are our favorites, but there is nothing wrong with the Equinox but it is different. Many inside venues are small, like the Movie theater, and some cruisers spend all day there it seems. If you are active and seek some real workout or sports, there is nothing outside of the workout room in the spa. Not even a place to play ping pong where cruisers cannot walk in front of the table just when you want to serve.

I still like the Equinox and I'm booked for the Xmas and NY cruises.

The Equinox and S class ships are bright and modern - lots of natural light and open space. They don't have the large mall like Voyager but they have a huge central atrium that stretches from Deck 3 all the day up to Deck 14.... with a live tree planted half way up!

We really loved the S class, but I have to say, I'm a huge fan of RCCL's Radiance class.IMHO, there are no other ships that offer as much natural light, and breathtaking views of the sea from the most ventage points, even the elevators.

On Silhouette I really missed being able to see the ocean from the central public areas. I found many areas of the Silhouette dark and enclosed.

actually the Mariner class.... I'm worried that I'll get bored on the Equinox. We're first time to X, so we're not sure what to expect. I liked the Promenade and the shops and the bars and the open space, lol... Not sure if X will make me feel 'smothered'... I didn't really enjoy the Allure, so it's not the size that I'm concerned about.

 

Anyhow, any helpful comments will help.. No slammers, lol. I'm not complaining, I'm just askin'. :)

If you like hussle and bussle - you would not like Celebrity.

If you like good food and service - you will like Celebrity.

If you like Big " Broadway" type production shows - there are none on Celebrity. But only you can tell if you like it or not after you try.

Wow, I really appreciate the feedback!

So better food, better service, laid back atmosphere but classy, some open space, nice views....

I guess most here that have cruised on RCCL felt the same way, sort of worried/nervous on sailing on X after enjoying RCCL ships. BUT, what I'm feeling is that everyone was more than satisfied and happy after cruising on X. We enjoyed RCCL for fun, activities, promenade and for the kids. Same with CCL, we always seemed to enjoy the ambiance, activities and food.

It's time for something new, this is a big anniversary for us, so might as well go large, lol!

Just need to get acclimated to the hot spots, the sushi joints, the beer joints, the actual name of the places..... I know CCL and RCCL ships like the palm of my hands.

We can't wait, thanks ALL!!!

Oh, Canada17, I will NOT miss the ship this time! Glad I was able to entertain you ;) Laughing AND crying were both appropriate, lol!

We've been on Voyager, Mariner and Navigator each 3 times and Equinox twice, plus a number of others. Equinox is our absolute favorite. Booked on her sister ship Eclipse.

actually the Mariner class.... I'm worried that I'll get bored on the Equinox. We're first time to X, so we're not sure what to expect. I liked the Promenade and the shops and the bars and the open space, lol... Not sure if X will make me feel 'smothered'... I didn't really enjoy the Allure, so it's not the size that I'm concerned about.

 

Anyhow, any helpful comments will help.. No slammers, lol. I'm not complaining, I'm just askin'. :)

You will get board !!!!!

We cruise RCCL when sailing from convenient Port Liberty. Lots of activities and space! However we always come back to Celebrity for the class, refinement and FOOD! In our experience, Celebrity always gives us more bang for our buck too, in the form of perks. Unless it's changed, Royal never offers an included beverage package. Plus $$$ in OBC, plus gratuities, etc.

We're Diamond on Royal and have booked our first cruise on Celebrity for June 2017. We are anxious and excited. The food on our last Royal cruise in July was very disappointing. We have a short cruise with Royal in December to celebrate my Grandson's college graduation and then we found this cruise on Celebrity and booked it. The timing seemed right to try Celebrity. We got all four perks offered and that made it much more affordable for us. We know all the ships so well on Royal that this feels a little out of our comfort zone but I think we will be pleased. I know we will miss the Promenade deck. I do, however, feel like the drink package, the OBC, the internet package and the gratuities....along with what I'm told will be better food, will make up for this.

Sounds like the food and service alone are worth 'moving up' to X.

Actually glad now that we booked after reading these posts, thanks all!