Equinox Review (April 9 to 19)

[City_Woman]

First time Celebrity Cruisers here.

 

We were excited but nervous. We booked Concierge Class C3.

 

Took a shuttle to the port from the hotel around noon. Boarding was a breeze. It was the first time our luggage was handled with care. Then it was into the enormous building. Never thought I'd think of it as beautiful, but it was. The security staff were nice, smiling, kind. Then off to the line up (which there wasn't any). Took just a few minutes to get our stuff in order and check in. Off to the embarkation photo - "smile" :). It's a tradition to buy the embarkation photo on every cruise.

 

When we were welcomes on the ship we were excited. However, no one told us what to do or where to go. We got our mimosa and then was left with a "now what" feeling. We tried to go to our rooms (as we did on Princess) but the hallway was locked. Now what? Finally hubby remembered we wanted to go to Bistro on Five for lunch. Off we went.

 

Loved, loved, loved Bistro on Five. Had 3 meals there, including our final night's meal. Can't wait for next time.

 

Nice was to begin our cruise. I am not fond of buffets so this was great. Food was terrific and we enjoyed a nice glass of wine and calmness. There was an announcement that our rooms were ready.

 

The room was nice, quite pretty. Was impressed by the brightness of it. Loved the interactive TV and the photo viewing. Although I found it funny to see stranger's photos show up. Did they really think that these folks looked like me and hubby?

 

We had no trouble with the lack of space (as we were told). The drawers, closet and bedside tables did us just fine. What we would do next time is ask the cabin steward to take away the extra pillows. They did get in the way.

 

We had our canapes the first 2 nights and then didn't bother filling out the form for delivery time and request of canapes for the rest of the cruise. Having them or not having them did not impact our cruise.

 

We did take our sparkling wine with us to the dining room on formal night.

 

Loved the bathroom. Thought the balcony was terrific! In fact, for the first time every in 12 cruises we ordered and ate breakfast out there more than one. This was nice. Partly it was because of the size of the balcony and partly because I new there would not be any smoking issues to deal with.

 

The little to no smoking was a real bonus for us. We loved that.

 

Started with Select Dining the first night. Didn't like it at all. Didn't like the atmosphere, didn't like that the tables for 2 were so close together. Didn't like the feeling that I wasn't part of the rest of the dining room.

 

Spoke to an Assistant Maitre'd and to make a really long story short, we ended up with 8:30 dining with a 4-top for just the 2 of us downstairs for the rest of the week. In fact, this experience led to our changing to regular dining at the early seating for our upcoming cruises. Late night dining is not for us, nor is select dining.

 

Loved our waiters, sommolier, assistant Maitre'd. Met the restaurant manager, the bar manager, and the executive chef. All were kind and accommodating.

 

The food was average. My expectations were too high. I enjoyed my food, but I guess I expected more after reading these boards. Our biggest disappointment was the second formal night and the lobster. It was not very good at all. Good job we weren't that hungry.

 

I am lactose intolerant and they handled my needs fabulously.

 

Tuscan Grille was very nice. The food was beautifully prepared and high quality. Portions were huge! We got through our 2 appetizers and we were stuffed! Couldn't eat any more.

 

We probably will steer clear of the specialty restaurants in the future - too much food for us!

 

We did visit the buffet a couple of times. It was very nice. We were shocked by the availability of choices, the quality and the layout. Very nice indeed.

 

Crush Martini bar was the best. Missing our cocktail hour and my margaritatinis!

 

Went to a couple of shows which were very good. We are not show people.

 

Enjoyed the layout of the ship although it did take us a few days to get used to.

 

Booked a future cruise while on board for next April back on Equinox.

 

Not sure what else to add.

 

Enjoyed our cruise very much and I think we're now Celebrity converts.

 

Disembarkation was a breeze.

 

Judy

[sailor2010]

Thanks for the review, glad you enjoyed yourself.

 

Did you do an ship activities during the day or go on any excursions?

[Texed]

City,

Thanks for posting. :)

[City_Woman]

Thanks for the review, glad you enjoyed yourself.

 

Did you do an ship activities during the day or go on any excursions?

 

No ship activities. Probably something in the spa next time.

 

One excursion in Dominica. Accessible Dominica - tour of island, falls, a few stops. It was nice. We only did that tour since we hadn't seen the island before. Did whale watching last time.

 

With so many cruises under our belt, we don't book too many any more.

 

Judy

[jspirit]

Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed your Equinox cruise. You mentioned the whale watch tour you took another time. Did you think it was worthwhile? ( What month and many whale sightings?)

Also, were you happy with CC3 ? What cabin were you in?

Thanks!

[portofrome]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Thanks for the review.

[City_Woman]

Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed your Equinox cruise. You mentioned the whale watch tour you took another time. Did you think it was worthwhile? ( What month and many whale sightings?)

Also, were you happy with CC3 ? What cabin were you in?

Thanks!

 

We don't regret taking the whale watching tour even though we didn't see one single whale or dolphin. That's the risk you take. Would I do it again? No. Would I recommend others do it? Not sure.

 

We were in 1073. Loved the location. In fact we are in the same cabin when we are on the Solstice this fall.

 

Judy

[labeachcomber]

Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed your cruise. We are on the Equinox for a Med cruise this summer and can't wait!

 

You mentioned that you were able to get a 4 top for just the 2 of you, although it sounds like there was some difficulty. Any tips on how to get this accomplished? This would be ideal for us because we too are worried that the 2 tops are too close to each other.

 

Can you please comment on the pool? Was it crowded and hard to find a lounger?

[City_Woman]

Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed your cruise. We are on the Equinox for a Med cruise this summer and can't wait!

 

You mentioned that you were able to get a 4 top for just the 2 of you, although it sounds like there was some difficulty. Any tips on how to get this accomplished? This would be ideal for us because we too are worried that the 2 tops are too close to each other.

 

Can you please comment on the pool? Was it crowded and hard to find a lounger?

 

If you want a 4-top for the 2 of you then I recommend you very calmly and politely speak to the maitre'd. It might not happen for a few nights, but it's not impossible. There are some decent 2-tops that aren't so close together. Ones by the windows are good and ones by the prep stations are good. However, the great tables are 4s, 6s or 8s.

 

Hubby doesn't like laying in the sun so I rarely have a problem finding a lounger where I want to be. Things were pretty busy and depending on the time of day a lounger can be a game of "Where's Waldo?" Plus, I don't need to be by the pool to catch some rays. I always start there and then work my way aft or forward if needed.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[skiiergirl]

Did you visit the casino? Is there a full size craps table?

[City_Woman]

Did you visit the casino? Is there a full size craps table?

 

Sorry. Can't help you out. I'm a slots girl. ;)

 

Judy

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Glad you had a nice cruise.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Podie]

100 days to our Med cruise on Equinox. I'm a little concerned about your MDR food review. I don't expect spectacular, but the formal nights on my Carnival had absolutely wonderful food and I admit I expected Celebrity to be better. Maybe we'll luck out since the reviews seem to change each cruise. Otherwise, there's always Tuscan Grille and Bistro on Five!

[Andy]

Did you visit the casino? Is there a full size craps table?

 

Hi Skiiergirl !

 

Yes, there is a Craps Table. Enjoy your Cruise !

[skiiergirl]

Hi Skiiergirl !

 

Yes, there is a Craps Table. Enjoy your Cruise !

 

Thanks so much!!!

[New Hampshire]

Also just back on 4/19 from ten nights on Equinox. I was part of a group of five and we all loved the food served everywhere; MDR, Bistro, Ocean View, Murano, Tuscan Grille. All improved since last cruise on Solstice in March 2009. The only issue any of us had was dry salmon in MDR from the "always availale" side of the menu.

[trvlrs]

We had no trouble with the lack of space (as we were told). The drawers, closet and bedside tables did us just fine. What we would do next time is ask the cabin steward to take away the extra pillows. They did get in the way.

 

Thanks for the great review... Silly questions: Were they enough hangers in the closets? if not can you ask for extras? Thanks

[klingoncruiser]

Nice review, thanks for posting.:)

[jackdiamond]

City,

Thank you for posting.

Jack

[sharks48]

Thanks for the nice review. We've been thinking about trying the new Celebrity ships.

 

I'm wondering whether you have any comments on the glass show on board. It sounds really neat - but our son is a glass artist, so we're always interested in glass!

[City_Woman]

Thanks for the nice review. We've been thinking about trying the new Celebrity ships.

 

I'm wondering whether you have any comments on the glass show on board. It sounds really neat - but our son is a glass artist, so we're always interested in glass!

 

To be honest we didn't go and see it.

 

Judy

[Lois R]

Thanks for the great review... Silly questions: Were they enough hangers in the closets? if not can you ask for extras? Thanks

 

Hi:) you can always ask for extra hangers:)...I sail solo and there

are times when I need more;). The cabin attendants are always

happy to bring you some.

[Lois R]

Judy, thanks for the review and glad you had a great cruise:)

[trvlrs]

Hi:) you can always ask for extra hangers:)...I sail solo and there

are times when I need more;). The cabin attendants are always

happy to bring you some.

Thank you...always worried about hanging our clothes:)