Equinox June 23 2018 Suite

There is a new way of cruising called suite class which we gave a try. We booked a cabin S1 Sky suite, 300/59 sq ft cabin/balcony. We find that 300 sq.ft is ample room to move around without getting in each others way. Balcony could be a bit larger, had 2 adjustable chairs and a table. We would have preferred 2 lounge chairs. This is important ,otherwise you will be out of luck trying to find an available lounge on deck. You will discover that your fellow passengers get up early, on sea days especially, to commandeer all available lounges and disappear until much later. Cruise line threats of removing towels and personal items from unattended lounges go unheeded and are empty threats. We arrived early to port and were some of the first to board. This did not help us, our luggage still arrived after boat drill around 4pm. Late arrival means you can not get back to your cabin after boat drill (forget the elevators) to unpack, shower and prepare for dinner. To get from boat drill deck 5 to our cabin deck 11 meant the stairs. It took us 30 minutes to get back to our cabin and our waiting bags. Elevators can not accommodate the entire ship at the same time. Exhausting, and we still had to unpack. Our recommendation would be choose a cabin near deck 5, eat much later or stay young. Suite class restaurant is the Luminae, excellent. We had several menus to choose from, the dedicated Luminae menu, The Main Dining room menu, or a Classic menu. Suite guests also have the option of eating at the Blu restaurant, no reservation necessary though suggested and all are complimentary. Suite class came with 4 very much appreciated Perks. The Premium beverage package allows complimentary drinks throughout the lounges and bars. We "heard" the average passenger avails themselves of 32 drinks per day, I can not imagine they are all alcoholic drinks. The entertainment was not so good. Specially disappointing were the productions of Topper and Elysium. The cast members were good, but the productions lacked so much that we may change our booking for next year to another Celebrity ship. On port days the Luminae is closed for lunch, not on embarkation day, so we advise guests to try the Aqua Spa Cafe for either the grilled chicken or grilled salmon. We seldom venture far from the ship on port days, having been there, done that sort of travelers , nor are we buffet diners anymore, recalling the years of the midnight buffet long gone. Liars Club needs a bigger venue for the standing room only crowds. Enjoyed Michael's Club, will be returning not only for the pastries. Disembarkation was a delight. Suite guests meet in Michael's Club and are escorted by our concierges, off the ship before all other passengers, right to our waiting bags in the terminal. U.S. citizens no longer need a customs declaration, just a passport through customs.

I was on Equinox for two weeks in July. I never saw any sort of grilled chicken or salmon at Aqua Spa Cafe. I know they used to do that, but now only cold foods are served. The salmon salad was pretty good and the chicken salad looked tasty. I enjoyed several of the breakfast and lunch options there. But there was no grilled food. How did you manage to get that?

I looked at the posted sign and read the words Grilled Salmon Or Grilled Chicken. I proceeded to take out my notebook and wrote this all down for the next time we travel on board this ship. I carried my notebook with me at all times and wrote much more, the good , the bad, and the ugly.

I fear the posted menu is incorrect, at least on Equinox..

I looked at the posted sign and read the words Grilled Salmon Or Grilled Chicken. I proceeded to take out my notebook and wrote this all down for the next time we travel on your clothes board this ship. I carried my notebook with me at all times and wrote much more, the good , the bad, and the ugly.

Another option with your clothes is to pack first nights dress in your carry on.

You can have 2 lounge chairs in a sky suite. Just ask your butler. They'll be more than happy to get them for you. Sorry you did not know this. We have done that in 2 sky suites and a celebrity suite. The loungers just have to be positioned sideways except if you have an angled celebrity suite then they can face forward. You'll just have to stack the footstools and put them off to the side in the corner.

Also, in the Aft M class C1 cabins, we've always have our stateroom attendant get us loungers without any trouble.

The posting of a sign , not a menu, grilled salmon and grilled chicken at the Aqua Spa was on a port day when the Luminae is closed. We will be checking this out again on the Equinox next summer. This time though we are trying out a Celebrity Suite because we do not want to arrange the lounges sideways like recommended in the Sky Suite . We did book the Celebrity Edge for December in a Sky Suite which we were told has a 165 sq.ft. balcony and should accommodate 2 lounge chairs at any angle. We will let you know. Also we booked another suite on board another line which touts that suite guests arrive at their room with all their luggage at the same time. We will see and let you know...

You can have 2 lounge chairs in a sky suite. Just ask your butler. They'll be more than happy to get them for you. Sorry you did not know this. We have done that in 2 sky suites and a celebrity suite. The loungers just have to be positioned sideways except if you have an angled celebrity suite then they can face forward. You'll just have to stack the footstools and put them off to the side in the corner.

 

Also, in the Aft M class C1 cabins, we've always have our stateroom attendant get us loungers without any trouble.

Loungers for Sky Suites is somewhat ship/butler dependent. I've had two butlers on one ship ( summit) say that they aren't allowed on the standard SS balconies, only possible on the 4 deeper ones.

You butler would have unpacked your clothes. 🤔🤗

It is assumed that all perks come with a suite but they don’t always. It depends on the promo and cruise. I was recently looking at a exciting deal that lists a cruise we have booked. A SS was listed at a price that was less than what we paid. I proceeded with the booking and it was for a guarantee with no perks. It then offered all 4 perks for a cost that made the price way more than what we paid.

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Thank you for the post on 2 lounge chairs not allowed on the small 59sg.ft. Sky Suite balcony on the Equinox. Your post prompted me to go back to my photos of the balcony. It is unlikely any 2 lounge chairs can be placed next to each other without climbing over each other. The photos were downloaded with this review on August 5 2018 on the Cruise Critic reviews, but the article is yet to be posted by the Cruise Critic. Perhaps one lounge chair in back of the other sideways if we removed the round table you see in the photo.

Thanks again for the info on the angled Celebrity Suite fitting 2 lounge chairs forward. I went back and checked our booking and we did book Suite 1110 which appears to be angled. We have found that our top priority on a cruise is a balcony that can accommodate 2 lounge chairs forward looking out to that wonderful ocean view.

Thank you for writing a positive review on my next cruise :D Sounds like you had a (mostly) wonderful sailing!

Did you utilize Cafe al Bacio much? Always a favorite of mine. Yum.

To get from boat drill deck 5 to our cabin deck 11 meant the stairs. It took us 30 minutes to get back to our cabin and our waiting bags. Elevators can not accommodate the entire ship at the same time.

Oh yes, this brought back some sad memories for me. :loudcry:

We were traveling with friends who were slowly working their way up the stairs (and down) for the muster drill, and while waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs (we're not spring chickens but got there first with the wave of people pushing and rushing us down the stairs), I saw a few people who were in obvious physical distress - pausing and gulping for air, shaking, hanging onto the rail, etc. - and I looked across to the man monitoring the elevators and thought PLEASE don't let them continue. Please point them over to an elevator, even if they have to wait - and please have a few chairs made available for those who just can't make it.

My husband sprang to assist them, but I wonder if Celebrity couldn't offer a little training that if the attendants see someone struggling to get them off the stairs. It would be far better than having to call the squad and remove someone from the cruise before it even starts!

You will discover that your fellow passengers get up early, on sea days especially, to commandeer all available lounges and disappear until much later. Cruise line threats of removing towels and personal items from unattended lounges go unheeded and are empty threats.

Seems like this is a common complaint on every cruise line now. Maybe it's time for the cruise lines to go back to the (really) olden days where they had pool attendants who checked you in and out for chairs? They "assigned" and led you to your chairs and you had to use them right then (no holding with towels, etc. for a much later time, i.e. putting stuff down at 7AM, coming back after lunch). They also gave you your towels, and you told the attendants when you were leaving so they could free up the chairs, return the towels, etc. If you wanted to grab a quick lunch they made a note and you had to return within a certain amount of time - you couldn't just leave your chair for hours - or they would remove your items and those chairs were freed up.

It seemed to work well back then, anyway. Pretty civilized, so probably wouldn't fly nowadays though!

Teacher42...thanks for taking us along on your cruise.

Hard to tell from your remarks...did you have a good time or would you pass on the suite experience next time?

Another option with your clothes is to pack first nights dress in your carry on.

Doing that is especially helpful for anyone with disabilities or health problems, or even someone with low stamina who may be exhausted on embarkation day.

By having everything you need for the first night and the next day with you in your carry-on, there is no pressure of feeling the necessity to unpack and get everything put away before bedtime the first night.

(You also have a change of clothing readily available in case you spill something on yourself.)

After a good night's sleep, there will be plenty of time to unpack at your leisure the next day, which is often a relaxing day at sea.

For me, whether to unpack right away or leave it until the next day depends very much on the mood I am in at the time.

If you are in a suite, you can have you butler unpack for you, but we have never done that, and none of our travel companions have either, all of us being "Please mother, I'd rather do it myself" types.

(If anyone still remembers that old commercial...... )

Also we booked another suite on board another line which touts that suite guests arrive at their room with all their luggage at the same time. We will see and let you know...

If this is RC check your Suite category and check this perk applies. We were in a suite (not a Genie one, the top suites are the only ones this perk applies to) and our luggage arrived at 7.50pm....we had boarded at 11.30am.

If this is RC check your Suite category and check this perk applies. We were in a suite (not a Genie one, the top suites are the only ones this perk applies to) and our luggage arrived at 7.50pm....we had boarded at 11.30am.

Hi Chemmo, we're on a short taster cruise from Southampton next weekend on Independence of the Seas. We're in an Owners Suite. I'm feeling very apprehensive about how it will compare to Celebrity! It doesn't really matter as it's only 3 nights, and my expectations are low (being used to Celebrity suite experience) I'm sure we'll have a great time, but...... Have you sailed in a similar suite? If so any info you can share would be great....[emoji4]

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Thanks again for the info on the angled Celebrity Suite fitting 2 lounge chairs forward. I went back and checked our booking and we did book Suite 1110 which appears to be angled. We have found that our top priority on a cruise is a balcony that can accommodate 2 lounge chairs forward looking out to that wonderful ocean view.

We have been in 1110 a number of times and there is loads of space on the balcony to move the loungers about. I always ask for them when the shoreside concierge calls me.

We are in 1114 in Feb/Mar which is a regular depth balcony which may be a bit more constricted although we always manage in a RS despite the bath taking up so much room.

This did not help us, our luggage still arrived after boat drill around 4pm. Late arrival means you can not get back to your cabin after boat drill (forget the elevators) to unpack, shower and prepare for dinner. To get from boat drill deck 5 to our cabin deck 11 meant the stairs. It took us 30 minutes to get back to our cabin and our waiting bags. Elevators can not accommodate the entire ship at the same time. Exhausting, and we still had to unpack..

We always try and slip into Michaels Club and wait out the rush which works fine unless you are on the Eclipse with Silvia as the concierge. She closed the place for cleaning because it had been full of non suite guests, Had to slum it in the Ensemble bar.

Thanks to you all for the wonderful suggestions. Yes, Michaels Club came to mind after the boat drill, but only after the cruise was over did we think of it. Thanks for the info on CS 1110, we picked it out while on the Allure docked next to the Equinox in some Caribbean port, it appeared to be able to fit 2 lounge chairs, it also prompted us to remember to bring a small pair of binoculars. The cruise line that touts your luggage arrives with you as a suite guest is MSC. We have never been on before. We snapped up the Sophia Loren Suite #16007 on the Divina and will let you know. We are both germophobes, we try to disinfect the cabins before WE unpack. Will not let anyone touch our cloths. That and being misanthropic we still manage to catch colds ... "the best laid schemes of mice and men gain aft agley and leave us naught with grief and pain for promised joy" (R. Burns)

Thanks to you all for the wonderful suggestions. Yes, Michaels Club came to mind after the boat drill, but only after the cruise was over did we think of it. Thanks for the info on CS 1110, we picked it out while on the Allure docked next to the Equinox in some Caribbean port, it appeared to be able to fit 2 lounge chairs, it also prompted us to remember to bring a small pair of binoculars. The cruise line that touts your luggage arrives with you as a suite guest is MSC. We have never been on before. We snapped up the Sophia Loren Suite #16007 on the Divina and will let you know. We are both germophobes, we try to disinfect the cabins before WE unpack. Will not let anyone touch our cloths. That and being misanthropic we still manage to catch colds ... "the best laid schemes of mice and men gain aft agley and leave us naught with grief and pain for promised joy" (R. Burns)

There should be a small pair of binoculars in the suite. They are usually on top of the safe in the wardrobe.

We actually booked a cruise with MSC earlier this week for next year.

Hi Chemmo, we're on a short taster cruise from Southampton next weekend on Independence of the Seas. We're in an Owners Suite. I'm feeling very apprehensive about how it will compare to Celebrity! It doesn't really matter as it's only 3 nights, and my expectations are low (being used to Celebrity suite experience) I'm sure we'll have a great time, but...... Have you sailed in a similar suite? If so any info you can share would be great....[emoji4]

 

 

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Hi there!

We have cruised in an OS on Navigator and the RS on Freedom both similar ships. The OS is very light and airy. Nice bathroom with separate shower and tub. Spacious lounge/dining area. No issues with RC room design and layout.

Your suite luggage should be prioritised, our experience has been hit and miss although other than on Oasis it has usually arrived within a reasonable time. Many guests will probably have carry on luggage anyway for three days....

The difference you will find is re service levels. If, for example, you book room service it is simply delivered by room service, no course by course as your butler may do for you. Also no afternoon treats.....You can either book your speciality restaurants yourself or ask the concierge to do it for you. Chops is OK, MDR can be quite noisy....

The concierge lounge isn’t large although it is quite comfortable, it can be quite busy. We have had mixed feelings about RC concierges....even when in a RS it has been hit and miss re those little extra treats like bridge tours, being invited to dine with the Captain....

No separate suite restaurant although they open up one of the speciality restaurants for suite guests to take their buffet food to at breakfast and lunch which is better than nothing. They do offer to get eggs etc for you but it is quicker to just sort yourself....A few years now since we have traveled on this class of ship so this could possibly have changed...

The ice shows on these ships are worth a visit. I would say shows generally are better.

There is a suite only area poolside.

These three day cruises can attract more of a ‘party crowd’ rather than a more family mix....Take ear plugs just in case!

We try to take RC for what they offer rather than compare to X although the fact we rarely now cruise RC says something! The ships themselves are attractive and well designed just rather loud and busy rather than the relaxed and restful....They provide a contrasting experience.

Remember the ambiance will be very different to a RC cruise, for example, in the Mediterranean outside school holiday time so consider this re future cruising options...

Hope you have a fantastic cruise!

Hi there!

 

 

 

We have cruised in an OS on Navigator and the RS on Freedom both similar ships. The OS is very light and airy. Nice bathroom with separate shower and tub. Spacious lounge/dining area. No issues with RC room design and layout.

 

 

 

Your suite luggage should be prioritised, our experience has been hit and miss although other than on Oasis it has usually arrived within a reasonable time. Many guests will probably have carry on luggage anyway for three days....

 

 

 

The difference you will find is re service levels. If, for example, you book room service it is simply delivered by room service, no course by course as your butler may do for you. Also no afternoon treats.....You can either book your speciality restaurants yourself or ask the concierge to do it for you. Chops is OK, MDR can be quite noisy....

 

 

 

The concierge lounge isn’t large although it is quite comfortable, it can be quite busy. We have had mixed feelings about RC concierges....even when in a RS it has been hit and miss re those little extra treats like bridge tours, being invited to dine with the Captain....

 

 

 

No separate suite restaurant although they open up one of the speciality restaurants for suite guests to take their buffet food to at breakfast and lunch which is better than nothing. They do offer to get eggs etc for you but it is quicker to just sort yourself....A few years now since we have traveled on this class of ship so this could possibly have changed...

 

 

 

The ice shows on these ships are worth a visit. I would say shows generally are better.

 

 

 

There is a suite only area poolside.

 

 

 

These three day cruises can attract more of a ‘party crowd’ rather than a more family mix....Take ear plugs just in case!

 

 

 

We try to take RC for what they offer rather than compare to X although the fact we rarely now cruise RC says something! The ships themselves are attractive and well designed just rather loud and busy rather than the relaxed and restful....They provide a contrasting experience.

 

 

 

Remember the ambiance will be very different to a RC cruise, for example, in the Mediterranean outside school holiday time so consider this re future cruising options...

 

 

 

Hope you have a fantastic cruise!

Thank you! You're always so helpful.

We're going with a completely open mind. It would probably have been wiser to do a week-long cruise as a tester as service levels on the shorter cruises can often be a bit low. We're looking forward to the "fun factor" - ear plugs are a good idea - our cabin is near the lifts so I suppose we might be in a noisier area potentially....

I'm looking forward to it.

Thank you again for your help and advice. Xx

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Thanks to you all for the wonderful suggestions. Yes, Michaels Club came to mind after the boat drill, but only after the cruise was over did we think of it. Thanks for the info on CS 1110, we picked it out while on the Allure docked next to the Equinox in some Caribbean port, it appeared to be able to fit 2 lounge chairs, it also prompted us to remember to bring a small pair of binoculars. The cruise line that touts your luggage arrives with you as a suite guest is MSC. We have never been on before. We snapped up the Sophia Loren Suite #16007 on the Divina and will let you know. We are both germophobes, we try to disinfect the cabins before WE unpack. Will not let anyone touch our cloths. That and being misanthropic we still manage to catch colds ... "the best laid schemes of mice and men gain aft agley and leave us naught with grief and pain for promised joy" (R. Burns)

While I think that you will love MSC, unfortunately your luggage does not arrive with you. On both Seaside and Divina, there will be a white Yacht Club tent where the "butlers" will take and retag your bags.

Unfortunately, I don't have much memory either way in how fast the bags arrived in the cabin afterwards.

Oh the nostalgia for cruise lines long gone by. Our favorite was Home Lines, their Atlantic and Homeric. You could always find a 2 lounge chairs where ever you wanted, provided you sign up at the very beginning of the cruise and pay $6.00 per day per person in advance. They had 2 dedicated deck stewards that only catered to these passengers on deck. You would approach one, he would check your name in the beginning, ask where you would like to sit, sun or shade, and retrieve one deck chair at a time from the stack of wooden loungers found today only in movies, and bring it to whatever spot you selected. Next, he retrieved lounge cushions from another stacked pile and then covered the entire lounge with clean towels. Finally, he wrote down your last name on a small label and placed it in its accompanying place on the lounge, should you get up to go any where no one would appropriate your lounge chair. They would always ask if you were coming back soon, if not they would remove everything and re-stack the chair. Come back after lunch and the sun had shifted, you pick out a new spot. Our request was always shade, no children and we were always accommodated. " Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end." Oh yes one other thing we have learned, after the first hundred cruises you do forget and only remember the last one. Godspeed !