LIVE BLOG! From the EQUINOX - AUG 25th Sailing - CHICAGOPAUL

[JoePDX]

Always a pleasure to cruise with you and Edward. Thank you Paul for taking us all along!

 

Joe

[h20cruzer]

Paul, looks like you are having a great time. I think Santos is at the world class bar, if you wouldn't mind dropping my and saying hi for me. Also when you get the paperwork for the luggage valet program could you please post it,I just want to confirm what airlines its includes. Thanks

[BettyPC]

What a great live review! We haven't cruised Celebrity yet. We go on Eclipse in March and Reflection in July of 2019!

 

I am going to search and find your other reviews! Great information and I am taking notes on the wine (lol)!

 

Betty

[workingtocruise-59]

Almost the same list as in Luminae on Summit two weeks ago. The Caymus is well worth the $10 upcharge. Try the Freemark Abbey; also quite good, and the Grgich Chardonnay is very good. Our Sommelier had us try the NED Suav Blanc, nice

 

Thank you, will look out for these on our upcoming X cruise.

PS. We like the Ned SB but can buy it in the UK for $9 per bottle!

PPS But the Caymus 2014 is $81 per bottle here!!

Edited August 27, 2018 by workingtocruise-59

[chicagopaul]

We had lunch today at the Gastro Pub and had a couple beers. The food was good! The grilled cheese was excellent. The mushroom cheese flatbread was pretty good but the grilled cheese was definitely the highlight.

 

$12 for the grilled cheese and $10 for the flat bread I believe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[wendyam76]

Paul, loving your review as always - thank you. And I just want to say what an incredibly touching message and way you helped that Dutch couple - that memory will help them so much.

Wendy

[awhfy]

Ah, a Paul/Edward review, we don’t have a cruise on the books until September 2019! 50th anniversary cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii. I’m sure I’ll manage to pop one in between now & then. My DH doesn’t read often on the forum, but always reads a ChicagoPaul review. We met you both years ago (I gave you the wine travel carrier). Cheers

 

 

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[brockmom]

Loving your review...thanks again for sharing all this info. We are pretty basic drinkers so thought we would try the classic package for our next cruise and then pay any difference. Is this do able at the world class and [emoji483] bars? We have only had the premium so not sure. Thank you ! Brockmom

 

 

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[nicksmom67]

thank you for sharing your cruise with us. We are on the Equinox in four weeks. I will note your recommendations as it is our first time on the Equinox.

[RodPat]

I love your live threads. It makes me feel like I am cruising with you and Edward. We don't cruise again until Silhouette Nov. 18 but this will keep me happy as long as you are posting.

 

Pat

[chicagopaul]

Cheers everyone. So it’s 1am. I’ve had a bit to drink per the usual. I’ll update you all in the morning but here are a few quick updates.

 

I played blackjack for a couple hours. Awesome dealers. Londi from South Africa and Robert from Scotland were great, even though they took my money.

 

Zanu is working at the casino bar. We’ve cruised with him multiple times. He’s a great guy and it was an awesome surprise to discover he was on the ship. You can’t ask for a nicer guy.

 

I also need to mans special mention to Gina for fun. Thanks for reading my blog! This photo will make sense to you!

 

 

I’ll update you in the morning with tonight’s activities. But I’ll leave you with this padding thought. Holy crap am I lucky. As always what a wonderful ship, people, Andy incredible partner Edward. I’m very lucky in life. As always thank you to everyone for your continued amazing support and positive comments. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying this journey with us.

 

 

 

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[jadehouse]

Thank you for sharing your cruise with us all, we are on Equinox in October for the first time. It's wonderful to get all your tips.

Have a fabulous time :)

[Princess Fi]

I thoroughly enjoy following your adventures. Thanks for taking the time to share. Will be on the Summit in October and Equinox January. Just booked Infinity for a group of 10 girlfriends for April 2020 where 1/2 will be first cruise. Life is to be treasured and embraced every day!

 

 

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[TommyD3]

12 hours with NO hot water now. Concierge cabin deck 9 towards the stern. Celebrity is "working on it".

[tompeter]

Hey Paul....PAUL...Wake up! I am waiting for the next report!...LOL...Enjoying immensely!

[bigbeergut]

12 hours with NO hot water now. Concierge cabin deck 9 towards the stern. Celebrity is "working on it".

 

Celebrity must have recognized your CC status as a "Cool Crusier"

[hcat]

12 hours with NO hot water now. Concierge cabin deck 9 towards the stern. Celebrity is "working on it".

 

Gee..I hope they fix it soon. Did they tell you why no hot water and extent of the problem?

 

Not surprised when things go wrong on M Class ships, but S Class would be concerning..

 

Enjoying this blog, but keep us posted on the hot water.

[Holey]

Cheers everyone. So it’s 1am. I’ve had a bit to drink per the usual. I’ll update you all in the morning but here are a few quick updates.

 

I played blackjack for a couple hours. Awesome dealers. Londi from South Africa and Robert from Scotland were great, even though they took my money.

 

Zanu is working at the casino bar. We’ve cruised with him multiple times. He’s a great guy and it was an awesome surprise to discover he was on the ship. You can’t ask for a nicer guy.

 

I also need to mans special mention to Gina for fun. Thanks for reading my blog! This photo will make sense to you!

 

 

I’ll update you in the morning with tonight’s activities. But I’ll leave you with this padding thought. Holy crap am I lucky. As always what a wonderful ship, people, Andy incredible partner Edward. I’m very lucky in life. As always thank you to everyone for your continued amazing support and positive comments. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying this journey with us.

 

 

 

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Thank you for your wonderful blog I am getting so excited now it feels that i am nearly on Equinox

[chicagopaul]

12 hours with NO hot water now. Concierge cabin deck 9 towards the stern. Celebrity is "working on it".

 

 

 

Wow hope they’ve fixed it! We’re deck 10 forward and thankfully no problems.

 

 

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[maggie.1008]

Thanks for all the great info ! I have been away from X for 2 yrs. You are making me very excited for my Solstice cruise in a few weeks. Cheers, Heather

[chicagopaul]

Cheers everyone. It is 10am and I’m relaxing at the sunset bar listening to captain Kate’s morning announcement.

 

Per the usual here is today’s Daily

 

 

 

 

 

Norma, you asked about the luggage valet program. Here is the sheet.

 

 

 

 

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[crzr4lf]

Wow hope they’ve fixed it! We’re deck 10 forward and thankfully no problems.

 

 

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We are on deck 12 aft and the same thing no hot water.

[chicagopaul]

So I guess I did post late last night a little drunk and auto correct took over and made “Edward” Andy on the post. So just need to make that little correction.

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

I would like to briefly comment on the passengers on this cruise. It’s definitely a big drinking cruise. The bars are crowded and they’ve been staying open later than usual. Or maybe I’m just used to the Transatlantic crowd? Haha

 

We’ve run into multiple people we’ve cruised with before which is always a nice surprise. As far as crew goes there have been several we’ve sailed with. We ran into bartender Zanu as I mentioned at the casino bar and I’m keeping my eye out for anyone else.

 

Last night was of course Murano again. Another night of great execution. The staff in Murano has been great. They’ve been very energetic each evening. It reminds me of the first time we ate in Murano when we just started cruising. Nenad the Maitri D continues to make each night special. If you’re coming on the Equinox anytime soon you’ve got to meet him.

 

So what did we eat last night? We started with a cheese plate. Then we both had lobster bisque and we then had the chateaubriand and lobster to share. Dessert was just espresso and some vanilla ice cream.

 

Overall the food was excellent. The steak was cooked exactly how I like it. The smell of the lobster in Murano is always the best part. I swear they could turn that smell into a glade plug in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

As mentioned in my late night post I went to the casino and played some blackjack after dinner. It was unfortunately a losing proposition.

 

The casino bar late is a fun little place. It seems to be filled with passers by who stop for one last night cap and are then on their way. They’re a little tipsy but typically in a great mood.

 

Edward wanted room service last night. I didn’t. I won. Haha, he would’ve been asleep by the time it arrived anyway.

 

When we got back to the room we did have a little happy anniversary surprise. Our actual anniversary is on the 16th of August, celebrating 8 years. They had a rose in the room, a card, and a little banner above the bed.

 

 

 

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