First Celebrity Cruise, must do?? Mainly cruise DCL

[kmulhern]

Hi all,

 

My Fiance and I will be on the 12/21 holiday cruise on board the Equinox and would greatly appreciate a "cheat sheet" since this is our first Celebrity Sailing.

 

For reference we are 30 and 27 with no children.

 

We have cruised several DCL cruises including a TA and am somewhat nervous about our upcoming cruise since its all "New" to us. We have become familiar with DCL ships and crew and are also DVC members.

 

What are some must dos aboard the Equinox? We have booked specialty diners in all 3 restaurants. We enjoy live music and also the daily tastings and drink courses that DCL offers. Does Celebrity have classes such as whisky tastings, cocktails courses, ect...?

 

Any tips, tricks, positive or negative feedback will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank You

[KKB]

What you are going to find is that most cruise lines are more ALIKE than different.

 

We did DCL once with children--won't again. We did love Palo & the sports bar, but nothing else made it worth the 30%+ more price.

 

Typcially most lines offer wine/cocktail tastings, but it can vary from ship to ship & cruise to cruise.

 

You will find a casino.:D

 

I was told Celebrity has a slightly older clientele (tho they seem to be trying to move away from that...) but 5 day Caribbean cruises over spring break is a CONSIDERABLY younger crowd (try 1/2-2/3 spring breakers!!)

 

Since yours is a 12 nighter, you may find a slightly older crowd, though being over Xmas you may get more families.

 

Now, if someone wanted to pay my way on another DCL cruise, or we won it--I'M IN! I can just find a better cruising value out there than DCL.

Edited December 14, 2015 by KKB

[kmulhern]

Thank You!!

 

Do you have any must do items? We are not the casino type but If its there I will most likely stop by and hopefully eventually leave.

 

We are expecting a somewhat older crowd but we tend to mingle with the older crowd anyway.

 

If the cost was the same between DCL which would you pick and why?

[MarKay525]

Hi - we really enjoyed the Hot Glass show while on the Equinox - went every day. Some do not find it worth the time, but we did. While costly, the "behind the scenes" tour was fantastic as we got to see so many areas of the ship not open to passengers - ask about it at the Customer Service Desk when you board if interested. Great views from the aft tables is the Tuscan Grille - enjoy your dinner there.

Everyones taste is different, but these are things we enjoyed.

 

Edited note-did you know - if you click on Celebrity Equinox at the top of this forum you get a compilation of all the threads about Equinox - might find some good info there.

Edited December 14, 2015 by MarKay525

[chemmo]

Book Tuscan Grill first night of your cruise, not too long after sail away time. Request a window table. Watching lights disappear as you enjoy good food and elegant surroundings....Excellent way to start your cruise!

 

Have a wonderful holiday!

[4774Papa]

We have done 9 cruises on X and it is our favorite line.

 

Most X cruises have some wine tastings that can be fun.

 

We like eating lunch or breakfast (unless it is cool outside) at the buffet at the Sunset Bar, the aft portion of the ship next to the buffet.

 

There are several bars on each ship and some have live entertainment, which can be excellent.

 

Never been on the Equinox and don't know where you are sailing. Suggest you check out your roll call for the specific cruise for activities organized by the roll call, like cabin crawl, bar hopping or even murder mystery. Also, the roll call is a great place to find cheaper private tours.

[kmulhern]

Book Tuscan Grill first night of your cruise, not too long after sail away time. Request a window table. Watching lights disappear as you enjoy good food and elegant surroundings....Excellent way to start your cruise!

 

Have a wonderful holiday!

 

That sounds nice!!!

[Texed]

You might want to try the waffles. ;)

Edited December 15, 2015 by Texed

[Champagne Cruiser]

Don't miss the Sushi at 5:30 in the Oceanview Cafe. Take it to the Sunset Bar and have a glass champagne or wine while you watch the wake.

[kmulhern]

Don't miss the Sushi at 5:30 in the Oceanview Cafe. Take it to the Sunset Bar and have a glass champagne or wine while you watch the wake.

 

Exactly the kind of tips I am looking for. When and where items are available. I did go for the "Go Best"

 

Thank You

[MR_T]

If you like trying different style cocktails then you must try the world class bar... IMHO Jelena the bar person there is one of the best crew members on onboard and she will make you some great drinks [emoji483][emoji4]

[KKB]

I would still take X (I would only take DCL if it were considerably cheaper than other lines.

 

Why?

 

1--casino. We love to gamble & have won 2 cruises playing poker while on other cruises...we usually do not lose our gambling budget but at worst break even

 

2--I thought DCL MDR food was the worst MDR we have sailed.

 

3--Children--now, we did cruise at Xmas so there were ALOT of kids (including our own); but now that we have teens or cruise as a couple, DCL has little draw (both for our teens, and would rather avoid that many kids...)

 

4--we like to dance & drink late--the nightclub area was DEAD at 10PM on our cruise. Again, may have been the Xmas cruise.

[Champagne Cruiser]

Exactly the kind of tips I am looking for. When and where items are available. I did go for the "Go Best"

 

Thank You

 

We also love Cafe al Bacio. The specialty coffee and tea drinks are very good (try the ice tea, fresh made on the spot.). The pasties are free.

[kmulhern]

I would still take X (I would only take DCL if it were considerably cheaper than other lines.

 

Why?

 

1--casino. We love to gamble & have won 2 cruises playing poker while on other cruises...we usually do not lose our gambling budget but at worst break even

 

2--I thought DCL MDR food was the worst MDR we have sailed.

 

3--Children--now, we did cruise at Xmas so there were ALOT of kids (including our own); but now that we have teens or cruise as a couple, DCL has little draw (both for our teens, and would rather avoid that many kids...)

 

4--we like to dance & drink late--the nightclub area was DEAD at 10PM on our cruise. Again, may have been the Xmas cruise.

 

I am looking forward to MDR food if it is better than DCL. Eating at Remy on Fantasy was one of my most enjoyable meals. I will be going to the specialty restaurants to check them out. I consider myself a foodie.

 

Does celebrity have adult only areas?

 

We definitely had the same experience with the late night dying early. Good thing we usually meet a few groups to hangout at night.

 

Thanks for the reply

[kmulhern]

We also love Cafe al Bacio. The specialty coffee and tea drinks are very good (try the ice tea, fresh made on the spot.). The pasties are free.

 

 

The cafe shop was one of the reasons I went to premium drink package.

 

Are there times in the day that cheeses and meats are served in coffee or other locations?

 

Thank you.