Celebrity Equinox Sept. 7 cruise review with photos - hopefully!!

[MsB1254]

We were three couples travelling together from Virginia for this 12 night cruise on the Equinox. This review will primarily be about the ports since the cruise was really port intensive and we had sailed on the Equinox previously. We flew from Dulles International to Barcelona on Air France. We had booked the flights with premium economy seats but were able at check to upgrade to business class which was wonderful

On the return flight we had the original premium economy seats which were also much better than the regular economy. I'm not sure I would fly to Europe again and not book business class. We are all in our sixties and for me it's all about the comfort. Four of us flew in on the Air France flight and other couple a different airline. When we arrived not one of the six of us received any luggage. We eventually all received them at varying intervals over the next two days. The final bag had to be picked up at the airport the morning the ship departed.

 

We chose to stay the two nights pre-cruise at the Hotel Curious and we all loved this hotel. Two of us booked the twin double rooms and they were fine. The economy double was very small and I would recommend the upgrade. The hotel staff was warm, welcoming and very helpful especially with trying to locate the lost luggage with the airport and delivery service. The location was perfect - just a side street off the Las Ramblas

 

view of hotel

 

hotel lobby

 

Las Ramblas

 

view of street from our room

[MsB1254]

We decided to use Barcelona Day Tours for a half day shared tour. There were sixteen people on our city tour and we loved our guide Aida. We viewed the outside of the La Sagrada Familia designed by Antoni Gaudi.

 

 

 

 

our guide Aida

[MsB1254]

Included in our tour was skip-the-line tickets to Park Guell - a public park also designed by Gaudi

 

 

our motley crew inside the park

 

another building designed by Gaudi

[MsB1254]

 

 

 

[MsB1254]

We were asked to delay boarding until 2:30 p.m. due to an outbreak of illness on the previous sailing. We arrived close to 2:30 and dropped off our luggage.

We had to wait for a few minutes for the other couples to arrive by taxi from the hotel and then into the building for check in. We are select with Celebrity so went to the priority check in with a short line and then straight on to the ship. One of the easiest embarkation processes I have ever experienced.

 

 

 

We all had balcony cabins on deck seven. The rooms were not ready until about 5:00 p.m.

[tings66]

Loving your review so far. Looking forward to more!

[MsB1254]

That's very nice to hear as I'm certainly not a very good writer and it is fairly time consuming. We did love the trip and I wanted to acknowledge all the great tour operators we used in the various cities. More to follow . . . .

[searoses]

Already enjoying your review!....was it expensive to upgrade at check in for the flight?.....trying to decide what and when to book...

[purpletequila]

Thanks for taking the time. I'm considering the Equinox for my next X cruise so I love seeing pictures and reading your take on it.

 

Did you hit the Gastropub at all?

[nekzaadvakil]

Excellent review. I know these reviews take a lot of time and effort. Especially with the pictures. The biz class seats look excellent! Great way to start a holiday.

[Blondie008]

Lovely pics! Keep them coming please - excited to be bringing EQ back across the pond in three weeks time. We did NCL Epic ex Barcelona last October - loved that too - totally different of course - hoping the weather will be as good for us as last year's crossing was.

Is Equinox in good shape? Looking forward to your review - thanks for taking the time!

[MsB1254]

Already enjoying your review!....was it expensive to upgrade at check in for the flight?.....trying to decide what and when to book...

 

It was only $236 per person to upgrade and all four of us were given the option when we checked in. It's a gamble though because we all tried on the return flight even at the airport and business class was completely sold out.

[MsB1254]

Thanks for taking the time. I'm considering the Equinox for my next X cruise so I love seeing pictures and reading your take on it.

 

Did you hit the Gastropub at all?

 

No - sorry we did not.

[MsB1254]

Lovely pics! Keep them coming please - excited to be bringing EQ back across the pond in three weeks time. We did NCL Epic ex Barcelona last October - loved that too - totally different of course - hoping the weather will be as good for us as last year's crossing was.

Is Equinox in good shape? Looking forward to your review - thanks for taking the time!

 

I think she is really in excellent shape. We had sailed on her previously and I really couldn't see any difference. Enjoy your cruise back across. I am not sure I would like all the sea days but might try it one year.

[hcat]

Great review so far....excellent photography....look forward to more,

 

Let us know if the deep cleaning was successful...thanks

[clarkg]

Loving the review.

[MsB1254]

Great review so far....excellent photography....look forward to more,

 

Let us know if the deep cleaning was successful...thanks

 

None of the six of us got sick and we did not see or hear about any others who were sick so for us at least it was very successful. Or course we washed our hands often.

[lola2013]

Enjoying your review so far. My first cruise with Celebrity was on the Equinox two years ago. We also began in Barcelona and visited some of the places you did that first day. Looking forward to the rest.

Susan

[MsB1254]

We used a private tour for the six of us. Our guide for the day was Catherine D'Antuono. She owns Tour Designer in Provence and I found her here on Cruise Critic and also on Trip Advisor under Aix-en-Provence. She was waiting for us at the dock and her tour was truly outstanding with her warm personality and extensive knowledge of her region and country.

 

ship docking in port

 

 

me taking photos as usual

 

the beautiful provencial countryside

 

Catherine demonstrating how narrow the streets can be

 

our group having a great time with Catherine

[Texed]

We are on Equinox in Europe next July, so thanks for posting. :)

[MsB1254]

We visited the Provencal market in the historical center

 

 

 

 

other views of the city

 

Bob & Betsy

 

 

Betsy & Lynne with the organ grinder

[MsB1254]

It was a pleasure driving here with Catherine in her very comfortable Mercedes van.

 

The weather was absolutely perfect - low 70's with a slight breeze blowing

 

 

other photos of Cassis

 

 

 

 

Wayne & Lynne

 

our group

[MsB1254]

I have to apologize here - we had a wonderful lunch of French bread with goat cheese, figs and drizzled with honey & Balsamic vinegar and we do not remember the name of the cafe. Usually I take a photo of each place we eat but for some reason did not.

 

Really - the best bite for me of the entire trip.

 

other photos of Cassis & Aix in Provence

 

 

 

 

[MsB1254]

Today we did another full day private tour. This time our guide was Ingrid of Kultours and we could not have been happier with our choice. After meeting her at the dock, we drove to the little village of Eze and arrived before the large tour buses got there so I think it was much nicer to experience without the crowds

 

Ingrid stopping for a coffee!

 

one of the narrow streets

 

Wayne & Ingrid in Eze

 

Our group at a scenic view of Nice

 

we could see smoke from a fire in the distance

[MsB1254]

another view of the narrow streets

 

Our stop for lunch

 

 

 

another beautiful day