mhafod

IF this is your first time to cruising from Miami, I would suggest you stay in Miami. There are a couple of nice hotels next to Bayside market and are also very close to port of miami. Miami beach is a a few miles from there. 

It might be also interesting to stay in Miami Beach. A lot of restaurants there with some very good choices. A visit to Wynwood district is suggested.

As for transportation, I would recommend Uber or lyft. At the end of the day, it is much cheaper than renting a car. Traffic in Miami can be quite challenging.

If you have time, a visit to the Everglades national park is also something to do at least once.

As far as Equinox is concerned, Murano is the best followed by Sushi on Five. Silk harvest is being replaced by another restaurant. 

Other than that, Equinox is very relaxing and I am sure you will enjoy it. 

Happy cruise !

26 minutes ago, A2Mich said:

 

Good point, but their laws are the laws.  However, I mostly noticed this on the French side.  Curious if the same holds true on the Dutch side.

I don't think the same holds on the Dutch side. Houses on the dutch side are well maintained. Even after the hurricane of last year, the dutch side was up and running in a couple of months while the french side was still in shambles (we were there in july 2018 almost a year after the hurricane). From what I understood, the french side has a lot of red tape which makes people try to evade taxes as much as they can.

On 4/5/2019 at 10:13 PM, A2Mich said:

Was just thinking of one bit of trivia that Mailman told us.....as you drive around, you will see many houses that are occupied, but have portions of the house that are unfinished, and have been for a long time.  Was told that if a house isn’t completely built and painted, then the owners are not assessed property tax, so homeowners will leave a wall unfinished or unpainted, or an addition only built with block supports, but no walls, etc. 

very true! but the added bonus is that they will say they are unsure whether to complete the whole house because of the hurricanes. The taxman knows it is not true ...

We used them twice and they were excellent. If you can, ask to be with Mr MAILMAN. He is very accomodating and excellent. Free drinks are available and they stop on the french and dutch sides. You will have a pleasant day in St Maarten !

20 hours ago, jkgourmet said:

 

Appropriate answers when someone asks questions that are none of their business:

 

1.  Why would you ask that kind of question?  (accompanied by that look on your face and shaking your head).

2.  I'll forgive you for asking that, if you'll forgive me for not answering.

 

Comments we have utilized with unremittingly negative people:

 

1.  Oh, what a shame you're not enjoying yourself.  We are!!!!!  (said with a note of glee)

2.  REALLY???? Gosh, we haven't had that experience.  Maybe we just have different perspective.  Or the crew likes us better?  (said with a hint of humor, but meant seriously).

3.  If absolutely necessary, tell them nicely that you're not having a bad time, and would prefer not to hear about if they are.

 

25+ cruises and we've only asked to change tables once.  In all other cases, the "ugly" passengers went away to find somebody else to listen to them.

 

One thing we always remember about cruising:  With very, very, very rare exceptions, we'll never, never, never see these people again.  If they're annoyed, so be it.  If they see us dressed in the same outfit several nights at dinner, who cares.  And if they annoy us, we can walk away. . .

I believe the last paragraph in your comment is the key to a really nice cruise. Let's call them jkGourmet 4 commandments to enjoying a cruise !

Pricing for Celebrity Equinox Dec 2019 vs Dec 2018 (western caribbean christmas cruise)

Veranda Stateroom Deck 8 MIDSHIP

2018 3400$ CAD with 2 perks (gratuities and internet) included

2019 6666$ CAD without perks (as of today)

As stated by many, these prices won't stand the test of time. I know Equinox is going thru refurbishment but I will keep waiting for a better offer.

Murano is nice on sea days !

1) No major differences between the two although people tend to dress a little more formal in the evenings on Celebrity.

2) We have been on Equinox in December and this time the quality was much better. However, on RCCL, the shows are a little better overall. But then, it depends on the ship and shows on the bigger ships (RCCL) are more broadway like.

3) Water and lemonade are complimentary.

4) Celebrity allows you to bring bottled water.

We cruised with RCCL and Celebrity and this time we are going with RCCL and I must say that I am a little apprehensive going back to RCCL. Just got used to Celebrity !

Better if you take a tour that goes around the island (french and dutch side) with plenty of stops (orient beach, maho beach, etc.). I would recommend bernards tours and I am sure they will get you to the ship before it leaves :)

This is what we did on our new year's eve sailing on the Equinox: we headed directly to the solarium where we spent some time in the pool. The aqua spa café had some light snacks ready as pointed out by keesar. Very few people in there as most headed to the oceanview café. 

As for specialty restaurants, we did go to Murano and sushi on five. While it was for lunch, the price was far below the advertised price. Our waiter in the MDR did the reservations for us. No need to stress at all!

Thanks Mike for reassuring us. Of course, anything above 70º is paradise !

Thanks for all the info. We will be on the Equinox on the Dec 29 sailing. Since we are coming down from Montreal, what should we expect weather wise  at this time of the year especially in Miami?