kimskids2

SHIP: Equinox

CABIN #: 8334

DECK #: 8

CLASS: 1A

AREA: aft

BED NEAR: bath

QUIET?: extremely

BALCONY VIEW: great. no obstructions, except you can't look straight down to the water because the roof of the MDR is there. Balcony so angled so you have a good view up the length of the ship to the hump. Due to the aerodynamics, there seemed to be less wind even though the balcony jutted out. The balconies ahead of ours got wetter in the light rain, interestingly.

BALCONY SIZE: larger than the one beside, but it was a different class.

WIND A PROBLEM?:no

SOOT A PROBLEM?:no

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: Because there is no aft elevator bank, it was a long walk to the stairs/elevators, but we got used to that. Otherwise it is was a great cabin and the steward was amazing. Only in Miami did we park so that we were the port side.

CABIN #: 1140

DECK #: 11

CLASS: A1

AREA: aft view balcony just over the Sunset bar

BED NEAR:

QUIET?: sound from above only late on sea day when they moved the chairs back. Music from the bar in the evenings. :)

BALCONY VIEW: aft wake on sea day, can't see much on port days :(

BALCONY SIZE: HUGE! about 13 feet deep

WIND A PROBLEM?:no wind at all. Gets really hot in port

SOOT A PROBLEM?:just a little. Get an extra towel from the pool for the chairs, just in case

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: The location of this balcony was great! Just one quick flight of stairs to the bar!

We will be on the Summit beginning on Saturday, and there isn't a Molecular Bar. Can you get the same offerings at the Martini Bar?

We cruised with Carnival into Roatan and did Jungle Top Zip Line. It was amazing! It was near the other port, where no ships were docked that day so we had the place pretty much to ourselves. It was the best zip line experience we have had! I'd love to go back and we would do the same! Afterwards we went to Carnivals beach. It was really nice too. You'll have a great time!

I booked Hotel Milano last night as a Priceline Express Deal (where you know the caliber and general location of the hotel, but not the name until after you confirm.) It is non refundable, but I got it for $106 for our March cruise when the going rate does seem to be $185. I have booked this type of reservation before when we are traveling but the exact location is not important. (Like a three star by the airport) I hope this helps you!

We had a similar experience in Barbados where we waited for the taxi to fill up. The driver then went the opposite direction and by the time we'd have gotten to the beach I requested, I was afraid that we would not have time to enjoy it and that we would then be late back to the ship! So we just got off with some others that were in the taxi with us, enjoyed our day and rode the Yellow Bus back to ship. That yellow bus became our favorite experience of the cruise! And it was only $2 each! I'd stay away from the taxis and go straight to the buses on Barbados!

I did the same itinerary with the exchange of Antigua for Dominica. It was amazing! In St Thomas, we went shopping and then on a beach tour which was great. In St Martin, I've done the regatta race which was so much fun! Orient Beach was fun too, but be warned there is a clothing optional section. St Lucia was great zip lining. Barbados ended up being my favorite, but not at first! We hopped in a bus for Crane Beach, but the driver took us the other direction then doubled the price to get us there. We just got out with another couple we met on the bus where we were and found a nice beach. I can't remember which it was though! The highlight of the entire cruise was the $2/pp ride on the yellow bus that took us right back to the pier. Don't miss that!