runningtide

Excellent article, especially from a partners point of view. One comment I’ll make, the CDC ratings are a joke. We sailed on Equinox last May on a 9 night ABC out of Port Everglades. The trip was all we hoped it would be. We are frequent cruisers on Celebrity and RCI. Upon leaving the ship, we learned there were over 200 cases reported. This came from a confidential crew member in the medical facility, as well as other passengers, one who cancelled his back to back after hearing the infection rate. Also, three days later, both of us tested positive at home. My point is, neither Celebrity or the CDC reports actual numbers. Equinox was rated Orange, but that rating only indicated if I remember, 1% or greater reported infection rate. The “or greater” line means, our cruise if reported 10% , would still be rated Orange. There have been so many previous cruises that clearly indicates a much larger infection rate, than 1 or 2%. And with the new strain now, the infection rate will only grow, regardless of vaccination and testing protocols. So for the foreseeable future, cruising is on hold for us. All the best my friends. See you on the next tack !

Like you, I was watching Equinox arrive. We just got off May 15th on the 9 night ABC. Cant wait to get on the next cruise. I assume departure times will be the same regardless of docking early. I'll bet a lot of late night last calls at the bars tonight. I know Id be at the Sunset bar watching the rain, or with my favorite bartender in the casino bar, Joe Joe. Hope everybody had a great trip and safe journey home !

If you get the chance, so hello to Joe Joe at the Casino bar. Linda and I had a great time with him a few weeks ago on a 9 day ABC. Also love the Sunset bar. Must have spent have the cruise there reading at the bar. Enjoy ! BTW he knows me as Michael 9211 . He also took off the mask for a quick picture . F1EFA0AE-56BA-40F7-97E2-C3FE37A1972E.MOV

We had a private table for two, my time dining, on Equinox a few weeks ago. Loved it and we were away from other dinners.

I hate to disagree, but in my opinion the CDC dashboard is useless. For example, Orange is If I remember, 0.4% or “greater” Equinox is Orange, and I got off her last week after a 9 day ABC. It’s reported by several sources, that over 200 out of 2200 Covid cases on board. I also tested positive last Friday. That is nearly 10%. A significant higher threshold than 0.4%. Until Celebrity and CDC start reporting actual numbers, my cruising days are over for the foreseeable future.

I’m feeling good overall and would not have given the slight sore throat a second thought except for the reported infection rate on Equinox. Much different than my first bout with the original Covid 19. Best of all a neighbor and great friend is also my Cardiologist , whom I’ve already chatted with. All the best my friend…….See you on the next tack !

Just joined the Covid positive list today, 5 days after leaving Equinox 9 day ABC. Tested twice negative this week, but scratchy throat this morning had me test again..., and this time positive. Dual vaxed, boosted, and had original Covid 19 before vaccinations. Considering Equinox had over 200 cases on last day, would not be surprised if twice that may, or more now are positive. No regreats about the trip, but no more cruises on schedule until quarantine protocols and reported Celebrity Covid case rate transparency undergoes major changes. All the best my friends.........See you on the next tack !

Oh well...add me to the Covid positive list....🤪 Got up this morning with a slightly sore throat and very mild headache. Ive tested twice since Sunday negative, but figured Id try it agin today before going out. Linda tested negative yesterday and no symptoms. Considering the five days since I left the ship, must have picked it up on last sail at sea, or during disembarking. Ofcourse no real way to know. Im dual vaxed and boosted, and had original Covid 19, treated at home. Hope my symptoms remain mild. No regrets about the cruise, but no more in the future until some major changes in quarantine protocols and infection rate disclosure occurs. All the best my friends....See you on the next tack !

Just off Equinox 9 Day ABC Sunday. Over 200 passengers reported Covid, though Celebrity does not give official numbers. We had about 2200 passengers. Great cruise with fantastic crew, but many posted on another thread Covid numbers around 10 %. for this trip. And that doesn't include the "post cruise" infection rate. As for the CDC orange listing for Equinox, 0.3% or higher, Id ignore it. The CDC is not reporting actual numbers, certainaly 10% would pale the ship in a different category of risk. I am not planning another trip until quarantine protocols and reported numbers change dramatically. All the best.....See you on the next tack !

Just got off Equinox Sunday. Sunset bar was my favorite hangout. Still grass on both sides.

I want to add something about the Covid numbers on this cruise. Consider about 200 Covid cases with 2300 total passengers. That is nearly 10 %. And one other point. If two of you are traveling in the same cabin, you have a close to 20% chance of one of you in that cabin being infected. I am tired of the CDC color chart for this ship indicted Orange status being 0.3% or "higher" This indicator means nothing. If Celebrity reported 200 cases to the CDC for this cruise, as they are supposed to, how in the hell does that qualify for "Orange" status. When making decisions on cruising, all of us must have solid data to develop an accurate risk assessment. Though I had a wonderful cruise as I had hoped for, had I known these numbers could develop on a 9 day trip, I would have cancelled. As most, Im not so worried about catching the virus again, but being quarantined on deck 3 under the sad conditions of treatment I have read. If Celebrity will not change their policy about reporting Covid cases, the CDC should force the cruise lines to provide the numbers and stop using this 0.3% or "above" as an accurate indicator of ship safety. I love cruising but I will not book another trip until some major changes are implemented. All the bet my friends..........See you on the next tack !

We also just left the Equinox. Great trip and fantastic crew. Crew indicated about 2300 passengers on this 9 day ABC. Noticed many black SUVs arriving from our veranda all morning today while passengers left the ship. BTW, never heard the Captain report the number of cases during his morning announcements, but I did miss some of them. Several crew and passenger sources on the ship indicated between 150 and 200 Covid cases by the time the ship docked. Not sure if some numbers represent close contacts. One passenger we met in the airport cancelled their back to back on this cruise and left the ship due to the high Covid rate. He managed to confirm the number by talking to a supervisor at the passenger service desk. It was interesting as this passenger indicted he has about 45 cruises with Celebrity, so he doesn’t jump on a rumor. I’d be very concerned if the quoted numbers were all positive test. Think of the number of contacts that would also generate. I guess we’ll never know how many post cruise infections will happen. All the best my friends………See you on the next tack !

Both Linda and I tested negative this morning, so I guess I better start packing for our flight tomorrow. After previous cancelled cruises, we leave on Equinox May 6th. Been three years since our last cruise and we are both looking forward to being on the ship . We plan to take reasonable precautions, but hoping for a great trip. Al the best.....See you on the next tack !

My book will have a hack saw hidden inside 🙂

If Celebrity management still follows CC…I have a message about the “furniture” on the veranda . That one downside change would cause me to not cruise on this ship, regardless of any positive reviews. I love the balcony option, but this is insulting !