Equinox mini review 4/4-4/14/14 Eastern Caribbean

[4cats4me]

Just returned yesterday.

 

 

It was a great cruise. Equinox is still in great shape. Saw some of the same employees that were on board last year.

 

Ship was spotless.

 

Food was very good. We did Aqua class again and it exceeded our expectations

Once again. The wait staff there are excellent, especially Donovan and Juan!

 

Also enjoyed the hostess, Aurora, and the maitre'd.

 

Cabin 1501: The very first cabin on the port side. We actually overlooked the bridge. We were a couple steps from the relaxation room of the spa.

 

Contrary to the spreadsheet info which lists this cabin as a quiet cabin, we found the opposite to be true.

Heard a lot of thumps, thunk-thunk-thunk at different times of the day. Maybe it was the waves crashing against the bow? I don't know, but we just couldn't figure it out. Above the cabin is an observation deck, so we weren't under treadmills or the gym

 

 

Our cabin attendants were Josefino and Aries. Such wonderful young men. We really enjoyed knowing them. They excel at their jobs. We never had to ask for anything, except for an ice bucket on the first day since Celebrity doesn't automatically bring ice anymore. We were furnished with ice two, and sometimes three times a day.

We actually enjoyed the flavored tea every day, as well as the canapés, olives, hummus, tortilla chips, watermelon with feta cheese, melon balls, et cet.

 

I loved the spa jets in the shower and the nice plush towels, the foot stools on the balcony, the heavy-duty robes and all the other little goodies that came in our AQ stateroom. We received two more tote bags, each slightly different than last year's

 

It came to our attention on day 2 that Cellar Master's would be converted to an Irish pub during dry dock.

 

 

We ate every breakfast and dinner in Blu, which was as good as last year.

 

The wait staff there was phenomenal.

 

Buffet: I gave the employees and the food an A. The manager of the buffet was visible all the time, and even thwarted some people from using the buffet as a thoroughfare since they were in bathing suits with no beach cover-ups.

 

However, several fellow passengers received an F from me due to deplorable, unsanitary behaviors exhibited, not the least of which was people sneezing on the food without covering their mouths, coughing in the presence of everyone else WITHOUT covering their mouths, those who bypassed the Purel lady at the buffet, the man whose hairy arms brushed across the entire cheese platter because he reached so far under the sneeze guard to get at that perfect piece of cheddar. I let out an audible gasp upon witnessing his fuzzy arm brush across the the Gouda, cheddar, Monterey Jack and Edam cheeses. OMG

 

 

 

I will always remember this otherwise almost perfect cruise as the coughing cruise.

 

My husband and I always seem to draw the short straw with next door neighbors

On cruises. Last year on the Equinox we had the coughers, and we both got sick upon leaving the ship

 

This year it was way worse: hacking, coughing, nose blowing, not three feet away from me.so I called and reported them and told guest relations that I was not about to put up with their germs floating over to my balcony and asked if people would be quarantined if it was decided that they have a respiratory infection or a cold, to which guest relations replied, absolutely.

They said a nurse would pay our neighbors a visit. After that call was placed, I never heard the person(s) again on their balcony.

 

Music: Was appropriately loud. Was able to have normal conversations at Martini bar without having to shout. The volume was pumped up after 11 pm, which was still not ear splitting.

 

Bands were very good.

 

Shows were so-so.

 

Loved entertainer Jade who sang all Whitney Houston songs. Her husband Sam arranges all the music and is the pianist. Awesome vocals

 

There were 3 deck parties. We went to all three and they were a lot of fun, especially Latin night! Last year there was only one deck party

 

We loved Paul Baya, the CD. Never before have I cared who the CD was, but this guy was the BEST!

 

We had the best CC sail away party ever! Met a lot of very nice passengers.

Met many wonderful people from our roll call

 

Embarkation took 15-20 minutes

 

We went to Bistro on 5 on embarkation day. That was the best move of all

Crepes and desserts were very good.

 

Rooms were ready around 1:05.

 

Disembarkation: we chose express walk- off. We walked off at 7:15 and were at the airport by 7:42 a.m.

Edited April 15, 2014 by 4cats4me

[pmcue]

Was on this cruise as well and agree with most everything. I would add that Michaels was officially turned into private lunge for Zenith and Suite passengers. We attended the ribbon cutting. While we enjoyed it, it was not used much by anyone. I would say I would miss the old michaels, I think the aforementioned Pub can take the place of the Beer and Whiskey normally served there. We really enjoyed Martin the guitar player as well.

 

Tuscan was fantastic. Blu is great service but food was limited at dinners so we ate there when menu appropriate.

 

We had the premium beverage packages and loved the stress free nature of it. Our Butler was awesome about putting water, beer and champagne in our room once he found we had the package. This made it even better.

 

 

 

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[jhans24]

Looks like we got lucky. We were on the Equinox the week before and were able to enjoy Michaels. Alexander was a phenomenal bartender, and for selfish reasons, I hope he is in whatever cellar masters is when it converts and we can see him next March.

[pmcue]

Alexander was amazing and as of right now he is bar tender for the new lounge which fits him well as he has more time to have incredible conversation with guests.

 

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[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[jhans24]

Alexander was amazing and as of right now he is bar tender for the new lounge which fits him well as he has more time to have incredible conversation with guests.

 

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Very good point. His style is more suited to that atmosphere. We nearly had Michael's to ourselves and he could spend a lot of time talking to us.

[FRMPEI]

Just returned yesterday.

 

Also enjoyed the hostess, Aurora, and the maitre'd.

 

Was this Aurora?

 

 

We were on the 3/14/14 sailing and had the same room stewards (1509) agreed they were great.

 

Also had Donovan at Blu but don't thinks our asst waiter was Juan.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[4cats4me]

was this aurora?

 

 

we were on the 3/14/14 sailing and had the same room stewards (1509) agreed they were great.

 

Also had donovan at blu but don't thinks our asst waiter was juan.

 

Regards,

kevin reid

 

 

yes!

[PatC]

Just returned from the same cruise. Everyone on the ship must be Alexander! Our waiter was the best we have had in 32 cruises. Alexander from Serbia. Alexander from Sochi, Russia was in the Martini Bar. Wonderful also.

 

Our cabin steward, not so great but fine.

 

Music I must say was turned down and actually pleasant throughout the ship after day 1. Someone listened.

 

Now, as for that dog!!!! We actually watched it " do it's business" twice on the tile in the Martini Bar. Words were exchanged by our friend with the man. The bartenders and staff were mortified. This was uncalled for and we were not the only people angry to see this dog in the food areas. Maybe we were all coughing because of the dog? I think Celebrity might be advised to more closely check what a true "service dog" means. The dog was for the wife but was his all the time.

 

Okay, now, the cruise was great, met nice folks, sailed with our wonderful friends so now we wait and count down to the next one.

 

 

P a t C

[Cruising89143]

Sounds like it was a good cruise. Thanks for sharing.

[hulamoon]

We loved the cruise too.

 

It was hands down better than our December equinox cruise. I noticed the dog as we disembarked. It did not appear to be a service dog or as well trained as they usually are. Maybe it was a companion dog. But as a dog lover I am appalled an owner would not pick up after it or let it mess up public areas.

 

That is as bad a hairy arms brushing the cheese. Glad I didn't witness these events.

 

Blu was awesome, I agree with 4cats. The staff was stellar.

 

What really impressed me was there was absolutely no bums rush at the end. The staff was as impressive from beginning to end.

 

I also would like to recognize guest services and our amazing Room steward Jose. Without their help I would not have been able to celebrate my husbands big birthday so close to my fathers death. With their assistance I was able to swivel from grief to celebration. Thank you, thank you.

 

Also amazing people on our cruise. Nice to meet so many of you.

[Lois R]

Hi, I want to say hi Dena:).....but can't remember for sure if that

is your name........

 

Thanks for the review....nobody should chastise you for this it.

you gave the pros and cons:)....very balanced.

 

Sorry about the idiots who sneezed near the food:eek::(....talk about

nuts!!!! That guy was a total idiot!

 

Someone mentioned a dog going on the floor at the Martini Bar???

OMG.....seriously?.....hmmm....I would have found a Bar Manager

and/or hotel director about something like that:confused:

[4cats4me]

Thanks for the nice comments, Lois, and you were very close, Dana. :D

 

I do hope that we get to sail together one day, since we almost have twice now.:)

 

Sharie, I am so glad that you sailed with us and that it was so therapeutic for you.

Eldred and I really enjoyed meeting you and Michael.

 

Regarding doggies, there was a thread on Princess approx 2 months ago labeled The Dog Cruise, and apparently 35 people brought dogs on board claiming to be service dogs, yet they really were not:rolleyes:

[lydnsyd]

I was also on this cruise & it was a enjoyable cruise. Sadly, I got the coughing bug -luckily for me it was 3 days before the end of the cruise and even now I'm still slowly recovering. I've never heard so many people coughing, you literally couldn't go anywhere on the ship without experiencing the coughing. Before getting the bug or whatever it was - we would sit our on the balcony and literally hear people near & far coughing!! I'm meticulous about washing my hands etc but still got it:(

 

The Dog - a Shih Tsu ( appropriately named) was another problem. It was a really cute dog but the owners in my opinion were a disgrace. Not only did it do it's 'business' at the Martini Bar but it also did it in the Casino & goodness where else. Although not ideal -It wouldn't have been a real problem if the owners had cleared up after the dog!! Our dinner companions witnessed it doing a 'do do' in the Casino and alerted the male owner to the fact but he just ignored him and wandered off without clearing it up ...unfortunately our friends wife hadn't seen the mess and trod in it! She was furious and went to complain to Guest Relations who in her opinion weren't interested - in the end she asked to speak to someone with more authority but even then they didn't seem to be taking the situation seriously! She said they had offered to clean her evening shoes but she explained that there was NO way she would be wearing them ever again! This dog was also allowed to accompany the owners into the MDR.

The other unusual thing was seeing people in the MDR with Shorts & T shirts. This happened 2 days running and some people complained to the MaitreD - he must have spoken to them as after that they came down to dinner in Jeans.

With the exceptions of the above - we did have a great cruise.

[Lois R]

Ohhhhh...sorry...yes, Dana:D..hi...and yes, it would definitely be

fun to sail together one day:)

[NCruiser2012]

Thanks for the nice comments, Lois, and you were very close, Dana. :D

 

I do hope that we get to sail together one day, since we almost have twice now.:)

 

Sharie, I am so glad that you sailed with us and that it was so therapeutic for you.

Eldred and I really enjoyed meeting you and Michael.

 

Regarding doggies, there was a thread on Princess approx 2 months ago labeled The Dog Cruise, and apparently 35 people brought dogs on board claiming to be service dogs, yet they really were not:rolleyes:

 

We went to Disney World last year. There were so many service dogs we could not believe it. This must be a new trend.

[4cats4me]

We went to Disney World last year. There were so many service dogs we could not believe it. This must be a new trend.

 

Evidently, it is quite easy to get a bogus "service" dog certificate on line :rolleyes: based on what others have told me.

[ExRockyMountainGal]

We were on the same cruise, probably our best ever. We were able to spend time in Michael's Club, and agree that Alexander is awesome. His knowledge of just about everything, especially whiskey and spirits, is incredible.

 

The officers were very visible, and the staff were wonderful. The Equinox is our favorite ship. We can't wait to sail her again.

 

Kathy

[NLH Arizona]

Evidently, it is quite easy to get a bogus "service" dog certificate on line :rolleyes: based on what others have told me.

What seems to be happening, is that doctors are writing letters that little fluffy is an emotional/comfort dog for those that don't want to leave their little darling home. This is not approved by the ADA and anyone actually calling these dogs service dogs can be fined in some states.

 

We were discussing emotional/comfort dogs on another thread some time ago and I called Celebrity and asked them about it. They said if someone says their dog is a service dog, they have to take it onboard. Unfortunately the dog doesn't need any documentation that it is a true service dog, only that it has had the proper shots. Also, any company has the right to refuse or kick out a true service dog if it messes on the floor or has behavior issues.

 

I keep saying that I will make my obnixous 3 year old Old English Sheepdog Sadie a comfort dog and bring her on a cruise. Trust me, after just one day with her trying to be best friends with everyone, the cruise line would probably change their attitude of letting on dogs that are not true service dogs on the ships.

[Cruising89143]

The guests on the OP's cruise who left the dogs "bombs" should have been held responsible for not cleaning it up. No excuse for that.

 

This was an interesting thread on one of the other boards about service animals being allowed on board.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2004541&highlight=animal

 

Personally I think the entire service animal thing is getting out of hand. It's actually hurting those that really need a service animal. Can't remember if it was the X or RCI board but there was a thread about someone who brought their dog on board and wheeled it around in a baby carriage and had it at their table for meals. I like animals but no way do I want one at the table when I'm eating.