Equinox Live Review March 31st - April 7

[Georgia_Peaches]

Greetings!

 

Well into day two of our cruise on Equinox and having a wonderful time. Yesterday's embarkation day was so much fun!! We arrived at the pier around 11:20 and had a drink in hand by 11:45. Once out of the taxi, we looked for a sign called "Special Delivery" because I had read about this in another thread. Well there was no sign but I asked someone at the porter stand. He consulted his clipboard and found our names and they signaled for a gentleman to escort us to the check in desk. We took a private elevator up to the security line and then were handed off to another escort who walked us to the check in desk and eventually up to Michael's club. after meeting our Concierge, we were escorted to lunch in Luminae. Although we have always has great experiences with embarkation on Celebrity in a Sky suite, having the extra touches made the start of our trip very special.

Last night's dinner was in Murano was outstanding! DH and I both had the sea bass and scallop wellington and plenty of wine. We skipped the comedian for the casino where I won $240 bucks. An exciting end to an amazing day.

Footnote...I was asked 1 time if I had a drink package. Not if I wanted one, but if I had one. When I replied that I did, the gentleman told me to enjoy. That was the only time the whole day that we were approached about anything having to do with an upsell.

 

Day 2: Sea day making our way to San Juan...spent some of the day exploring the ship. Made it up to the pool deck around 10:45 and saw more available chairs than could be counted. I did see some chairs that appeared to be reserved but didn't stick around to see how long they stayed unoccupied because there were some many other available places to sit. The same was true with the solarium. Open loungers everywhere. Also, I noticed the Celebrity has put little notices on each chair letting folks know that reserving chairs was prohibited and that belongings would be moved after 30 minutes. Not sure if this is why there were so many open spaces, but I hadn't noticed the little signs in the past.

 

On our walk around the ship we encountered "a taste of Equinox" where display tables were set up outside the specialty restaurants so people could see what food was being offered. We passed by every table and were never asked if we wanted to make a reservation. We were however, told the price in the event that we wanted to. as we were leaving this area, and lady stopped us and told us about a wine tasting event taking place later in the day at the cost of $20 PP. We told her we'd think about it and thenked her for the information. So, in all I haven't felt nickeled or dimed but I do feel like I am more informed about what is being offered as an upsell.

 

Tonight is evening chic and we plan to have a picture taken...not sure if we will buy it, we rearely do. The show is Elysium, which we've seen, so I think we are going to opt for predinner drinks and music before dinner at the Tuscan Grill.

 

More to follow...

Christina

[Georgia_Peaches]

If Emir is your butler you will be in the very best hands, he is one of the best in the fleet. Remember also in the RS you will get complimentary laundry which is is done very well. We did precisely what you did by splurging on an upgrade when the price wasn't much more than what we had paid for CS. We had been on Equinox a few times prior and were able to have our favorite waiter in Luminae so we didn't use the specialty perk at all. Actually we did try to go to a special buffet lunch in Tuscan but was told that wasn't included in the unlimited specialty perk. I was a bit put off by that. All in all I love the RS room and bath but I can't say our experience was really any different than traveling in the lower suites. Of course for the right price I'll do it again in an instant. Love Luminae and MC.

Joe is our butler and he has been wonderful. He set up a lovely breakfast for us this morning and was instrumental in getting maintenance to have our AC turned colder in the bedroom. So far, he has exceeded our expectations!

[ClaudiaB]

Have a great cruise. We have sailed Equinox and Eclipse 4 or 5 times each and recently sailed on Reflection. It was very similar but I hate what they did to the Sky Lounge! They put cabins up there, so there isn't that beautiful panoramic view left to right all the way across the front of the ship. It also seemed a bit more crowded but as we're not pool people that aspect didn't bother us. We were in Aqua this time and Blu had lines (not too long) which we had never experienced before on the other S class ships.

Looking forward to reading your review. We have never sailed in a Royal Suite, the highest we've ever sailed was Celebrity Suite, and that was an upgrade we made because of a price drop to virtually what we had paid for the sky suite.

[Silkroad]

Great start, Christina! Thanks for the info. It sounds like the staff on Equinox have listened to passengers’ complaints, and are trying to create a nicer ambience. Enjoy:). Cheers, Michelle

[KateWes]

Following along :) Very interested to hear about it you are feeling nickel and dimed at any point as this is something we are concerned about after hearing differing reviews !

[Georgia_Peaches]

Greetings!!

Day three has begun with a wonderful view of the sunrise from our balcony. Yesterday was great all the way around. After taking a late afternoon nap, DH and I headed to the gym for a workout and then the Persian Gardens. PG on Equinox is not what I expected as compared to Reflection. First, the space doesn't appear to be a large and it doesn't offer an ice room. There are fewer stone beds as well. The pp price is more than I remembered. Last time we paid $75 pp for 7 days and now it's $119 pp. Not sure I'd do it again if we do another Equinox sailing.

Anyway, after burning a few calories we headed directly to the pool deck and ordered a drink from Slush. I had the cocoberry-rita. Delicious! We enjoyed sitting at the pool bar and people watching. I will say that it has been very windy and at times, even a little chilly.

The evening was a little more quiet than I expected. This is a sold out cruise but I haven't really seen many people in any given place. It's just not very crowded and therefore, the vibe is quiet. At any rate, we spent a little time in the casino and then went to dinner at Tuscan grille...we thought. The place was closed for a private event. When we arrived were were told that we didn't have a reservation. Guess wires got crossed somehow so we headed back to Murano and had Chateaubriand for two along with the lobster. It was prepared table side and was absolutely delicious! I would definitely do it again.

More to follow...

Christina

[Georgia_Peaches]

Following along :) Very interested to hear about it you are feeling nickel and dimed at any point as this is something we are concerned about after hearing differing reviews !

I haven't felt that way yet but I can see how some would feel like they are being nickeled and dimed after reading the daily. Today's line up offers mostly for fee activities...for example, teeth whitening, wrinkle erasing, and back pain relief via acupuncture. There's also various tasting experiences from wine to vodka, also for a fee. None of that stuff bothers me though because I can always find something to do that doesn't cost extra. I have to say, we will probably do the hot glass class and make something. I looks really cool.

Christina

[Georgia_Peaches]

Are you on the southern Caribbean itinerary? If so, I’d love to hear about that because we go May 4. I’d also love to know the names (and maybe a little description) of the shows and lounge acts on the Equinox. Thanks for taking your valuable cruise time to fill us in.

 

 

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Our ports of call are San Juan, St. Martin, and St. Kitts. Today is San Juan but we don't arrive until 3:30. I think that's the least favorable part of this trip. I'm not fond of the late arrival time because there's not much going on the ship since they assume most people will get off and stay off. We've been to Puerto Rico before and enjoyed visiting to old fort but I prefer to leave the ship in the morning and return in the afternoon...by 3:30 I'm ready for a cocktail by the pool and a late afternoon nap...oh well tough as it sounds, I'm sure we'll manage ;p.

Christina

[Georgia_Peaches]

Enjoy your trip. I doubt you'll notice any cut backs in the Royal Suite.

So far, you are correct. The Royal suite has been very nice. Although, since it's our first experience in a Royal, I guess I wouldn't know the difference if there were cut backs.

Christina

[nick77]

I would say the bartenders are very aggressive selling the drink packages on the first day. Every time you turned around there was another one trying to sell you a drink package, and if you already had one they would try to sell you the more expensive one. It was very annoying.

[SeaTrailer]

Thanks for the report so far. Great information!

 

I'm not sure I feel that Celebrity offering "fee" activities can be classified as nickel and diming. Everyone has different interests. While I would possible pay for a wine tasting I'm not sure I would pay for other things. To each, their own.

 

Interesting that an entire specialty restaurant was closed for a private party. Had not heard of that before.

 

If your husband likes cigars, have him go to DAS cigars in St Maarten. Has a small shop right there in the port area. Ask for Andi. All hand rolled cigars and very good!

 

Enjoy the cruise!

[Oceangoer2]

Thanks for the report so far. Great information!

 

'Interesting that an entire specialty restaurant was closed for a private party. Had not heard of that before."

Enjoy the cruise!

 

Just returned from Reflection...tried to book Murano (2 nights) and Tuscan (2 nights)..told they were fully booked with private parties. So 4 nights weren't bookable. Really cuts into dining times available when you have a 4 night dining package.

[Silkroad]

Just returned from Reflection...tried to book Murano (2 nights) and Tuscan (2 nights)..told they were fully booked with private parties. So 4 nights weren't bookable. Really cuts into dining times available when you have a 4 night dining package.

Before your post, and that of the OP, I’d never heard of either of those specialty restaurants being unavailable due to private parties. I suspect these private parties are TA or affinity groups. This doesn’t bode well for the specialty dining packages I’d intended to purchase for our upcoming cruises:(.

[spammie]

Following along! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[madcitymaven]

Thank you, Christina, for doing a live review of your Equinox trip. We will be boarding her on April 7 for our first suites cruise to the ABC islands. Following along with great anticipation!

[Oceangoer2]

Before your post, and that of the OP, I’d never heard of either of those specialty restaurants being unavailable due to private parties. I suspect these private parties are TA or affinity groups. This doesn’t bode well for the specialty dining packages I’d intended to purchase for our upcoming cruises:(.

Had never happened before in our many X cruises...BTW, what is an Affinity group?

[vktr001]

Hi Everyone, My love is working on Equinox and I'll join her on the 22th of april for the whole cruise. I just can't wait...:)

[Georgia_Peaches]

Had never happened before in our many X cruises...BTW, what is an Affinity group?

Not sure what an affinity group is but in our circumstance, I believe a wedding reception was occurring. Must have cost a pretty penny to book the whole place.

[sdnich]

On the infinity in two weeks in an RS for the first time and the suite concierge was trying to find menus for luminae for the 15 days (we loved the restaurant in a sky suite but just wanted to pick nights that we didn’t love the menu)and she is not been very successful so far I trust she will but curious if we should go ahead and just start booking some specialty restaurants now or for a party of two are we easily accommodated in both Quisine and Tuscan?

 

 

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[Georgia_Peaches]

Some how, some way another afternoon has managed to slip away. We thoroughly enjoyed just lounging around, moving from place to place every now and then. After reading today's dailies, my husband asked me if I wanted to play BINGO. I think he thought I would say "no" but he would at least get credit for asking. I showed him and said yes! We paid $49 for the enhanced package which gave us 6 additional BINGO cards. The greatest jackpot offered was $140 for the last round of blackout. Needless to say, we didn't win but still, it was fun. Probably won't do it again, though.

 

We just returned to the ship after walking up to the fort in old San Juan. It was a good walk and counts for our exercise for the day. Now I can get back to the business of the drink of the day...Tequila Sunrise.

 

More to follow.

[Silkroad]

Had never happened before in our many X cruises...BTW, what is an Affinity group?

Actually, it’s not really important because affinity groups usually work with a TA. An affinity group cruises together because of a common interest, such as ballroom dancing, wine tasting, or genealogy.

[bettyboop16]

I would say the bartenders are very aggressive selling the drink packages on the first day. Every time you turned around there was another one trying to sell you a drink package, and if you already had one they would try to sell you the more expensive one. It was very annoying.

 

Our cruise on the Equinox 2/24 to 3/1 wasn't anything like she is reporting. Just like you, we were hound by wait staff to purchase the beverage package on the first day. All through out our cruise we were approached by staff wanting us to purchase specialty restaurant, spa, jewelry, etc. Didn't leave us with a good impression of Celebrity.

Oddly, we weren't hounded by photographers.

 

On sea days there wasn't an available lounger to be found. There were a lot of people laying on the grass with a towel.

[Mike981]

Thank you for taking time out of your well deserved vacation to share with us. I have a long time to wait, January 5th.

[paniflo]

Hi Georgia_Peaches,

 

By any chance, did you see if they have any of the ship models at the gift shop? I am going on Equinox in two weeks so I am hoping that they will have some!

[Georgia_Peaches]

Hi Georgia_Peaches,

 

By any chance, did you see if they have any of the ship models at the gift shop? I am going on Equinox in two weeks so I am hoping that they will have some!

I haven't been to the gift shop yet but I will check it out and let you know!

Christina