LIVE!! FROM THE EQUINOX PRESIDENT's Cruise August 27th, 2017 - ChicagoPaul

[chicagopaul]

We went to Gastro Pub for lunch today. We ordered the burger which was pretty good and it came with fries. The burger is $12.

 

I really like the build out of Gastro Pub. It was pretty dead at lunch today but I saw it was crowded yesterday in the evening. It's definitely nice to have an additional lunch option.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Mr&MrsBee]

Anybody have any of the questions and the answers from the Q&A? Anything said about the website?

[Oolie]

I was also very impressed by Lisa. She is doing quite a bit to improve diversity especially in areas that have been predominantly male over the years. Her commitment to the crew was evident.

 

She was asked about Cuba as a port. Apparently even the Millennium class ships are too big to dock there and the infrastructure is not able to support tendering. But if and when the situation improves they would like to include Cuba as a port but not as a destination. In other words, as a day visit but not for several days as some cruise lines currently do.

 

They are also going to replace Choice Air with new flight services in conjunction with cruises since 82% of passengers fly to the departure ports. I don't recall exactly but something like Flights by Celebrity is the branding and it will incorporate some kind of mileage program. All still under development.

 

I left before it ended but no question had been asked about the web site. But they had another blurb on the daily schedule today asking us for our comments specifically on web access. Sounds like they know there are issues!

 

 

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[Ma Bell]

I was also very impressed by Lisa. She is doing quite a bit to improve diversity especially in areas that have been predominantly male over the years. Her commitment to the crew was evident.

 

She was asked about Cuba as a port. Apparently even the Millennium class ships are too big to dock there and the infrastructure is not able to support tendering. But if and when the situation improves they would like to include Cuba as a port but not as a destination. In other words, as a day visit but not for several days as some cruise lines currently do.

 

They are also going to replace Choice Air with new flight services in conjunction with cruises since 82% of passengers fly to the departure ports. I don't recall exactly but something like Flights by Celebrity is the branding and it will incorporate some kind of mileage program. All still under development.

 

I left before it ended but no question had been asked about the web site. But they had another blurb on the daily schedule today asking us for our comments specifically on web access. Sounds like they know there are issues!

 

 

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Just think, they'll be able to charge us more for flights too.

[pl281]

There is another thread about something that was mentioned in regards to the Summit and NJ - Can you fill in anything or was it just a mention as it relates to the 5yr plan?

[Schmoe38]

Paul

 

Glad to hear you are going to check out the Whisky House. It is probably one of the best kept secrets on Equinox. We sailed on Equinox in March 2016 and we attended the scotch tastings in the Whiskey House. We actually went there 3 different nights during our 10 night cruise and the number of people in attendance never reached more than 8 people. There was no "sales process" that we experienced. Often times, tastings become a "been there...done that" kind of an event. The Whiskey House on Equinox is far from that experience.

 

I don't know if the Whiskey House concept is on any other S Class ship. If not, hope it gets incorporated at some point.

 

Randy

 

 

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[happicruzer]

Would love to have a Celebrity ship out of Port Canaveral- my dream come true!

[awhfy]

ChicagoPaul & Edward! Thanks for taking time out of your vacation to update us. Will finally get to meet you on Eclipse (26 Nov 17) after enjoying your blogs. Enjoying your perspective

 

 

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[Bo1953]

Just think, they'll be able to charge us more for flights too.

 

.... or one can continue to book independently, too.

 

bon voyage

[IrishMis]

Is Lee Moreau gone for X all together? I thought she had been head of loyalty

[Alakegirl]

Lee is not at Celebrity any longer. She works for Royal now. Her position had not been filled, but apparently now it has, by someone named Andrea.

[nikel]

Just think, they'll be able to charge us more for flights too.

 

My thoughts exactly !!

[chicagopaul]

Thank you Oolie for your comments! I forgot to mention Cuba as that was an interesting question. If you left early you didn't miss too much else.

 

I have to laugh at the complaints about the Choice Air. Of course Celebrity is going to try to earn more business through you. That's common sense. But if they're able to pre negotiate flight deals that only helps you and then. I was speaking with someone today about a non stop flight for an upcoming TA. The flight was business class from Rome to New York for $1,200 one way. Booking independently would've cost nearly $4,000. We booked economy one way through Celebrity once from Rome to Chicago for only $460pp. Ridiculous deal. If celebrity didn't have these options then TA cruises wouldn't be an option for us.

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

So let's talk about tonight. Tonight was San Juan Puerto Rico. There was a presidents event in San Juan which was free. Here are some photos. I'll upload video later. The event consisted of live music, free drinks, small food items, deserts, and some casino games. Lisa was standing in front greeting everyone. I was able to meet her and she could not have been nicer. Our captain was also there shaking everyone's hand.

 

 

 

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

Tonight we are in Murano. Because of the event in port we moved our reservations to 9:30. We showed up a bit early and we're seated right away at our favorite table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

a

 

We had a nice nightcap at Sunset Bar with Milton and watched the sailway. It was a beautiful night to leave Puerto Rico. My treat was seeing a beautiful runway lit up as we pulled away.

 

 

 

 

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[Ma Bell]

Thank you Oolie for your comments! I forgot to mention Cuba as that was an interesting question. If you left early you didn't miss too much else.

 

I have to laugh at the complaints about the Choice Air. Of course Celebrity is going to try to earn more business through you. That's common sense. But if they're able to pre negotiate flight deals that only helps you and then. I was speaking with someone today about a non stop flight for an upcoming TA. The flight was business class from Rome to New York for $1,200 one way. Booking independently would've cost nearly $4,000. We booked economy one way through Celebrity once from Rome to Chicago for only $460pp. Ridiculous deal. If celebrity didn't have these options then TA cruises wouldn't be an option for us.

 

 

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That's right. Choice Air has always been a wonderful option for booking flights, especially one way tickets to Europe. I use them all the time. It remains to be seen if it remains that way with Celebrity taking over. Maybe I'm a little cynical because I've been around for a long time and have seen what has happened to pricing since Lisa took over. I'll be willing to admit if I'm wrong, but I'll be surprised if I am. Let the pricing games begin again.

 

I am enjoying your posts.

[Tommy3putts]

a

 

We had a nice nightcap at Sunset Bar with Milton and watched the sailway. It was a beautiful night to leave Puerto Rico. My treat was seeing a beautiful runway lit up as we pulled away.

 

 

 

 

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"Let it snow...."

[Lftmarjen]

I already see "Flights by Celebrity" on their new website. Looks and works exactly like Choice Air but has a different banner. I checked it for my upcoming return flight from Japan and everything, including price, was the same.

[BEAV]

That's right. Choice Air has always been a wonderful option for booking flights, especially one way tickets to Europe. I use them all the time. It remains to be seen if it remains that way with Celebrity taking over. Maybe I'm a little cynical because I've been around for a long time and have seen what has happened to pricing since Lisa took over. I'll be willing to admit if I'm wrong, but I'll be surprised if I am. Let the pricing games begin again.

 

I am enjoying your posts.

 

I share your apprehension. We've used Choice Air a number of times .... all great....but nothing beats the $855 we paid for nonstop business class Amsterdam to San Francisco on KLM this past May following the Silhouette Transatlantic. I'd hate to see these kind of rates go bye-bye. I'll remain cautiously optimistic any new air product will remain as good as the current.

[Ma Bell]

I already see "Flights by Celebrity" on their new website. Looks and works exactly like Choice Air but has a different banner. I checked it for my upcoming return flight from Japan and everything, including price, was the same.

It's been called that on the new website since they changed.

[kelmac]

It's been called that on the new website since they changed.

 

I'm getting banner ads for "Flights by Celebrity" on different sites. You can click on it for more details.

[RichardE954]

Paul - Thanks for posting and I'll be following closely. My husband booked Equinox for a New Years Eve surprise for me and accidentally let the cat out of the bag! I'm glad he did because now I have the excitement of looking forward to the cruise. I may have a few questions for you along the way. We've been on this class ship before, but not the Equinox specifically. We will have a concierge class cabin, so thanks for posting the video. Where do you recommend having lunch on boarding day? Is the GastroPub open for dinner? We are having dinner New Years Eve in Murano!

[chicagopaul]

I share your apprehension. We've used Choice Air a number of times .... all great....but nothing beats the $855 we paid for nonstop business class Amsterdam to San Francisco on KLM this past May following the Silhouette Transatlantic. I'd hate to see these kind of rates go bye-bye. I'll remain cautiously optimistic any new air product will remain as good as the current.

 

 

 

Now that is a crazy good deal!!! Fingers crossed we can grab something like that for our next TA.

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

Good Morning Everyone! I finally had a solid nights sleep and feel wonderful this morning. Maybe it was the cognac nightcap that helped.

 

Today is St. Maarten. We get into port at 11am and leave at 6. Weather today is pretty warm with some decent humidity. Not a cloud in the sky. We've been to this port many times. It's one of our favorites as we find it so easy to navigate but we may stay on the ship today and use the pool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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