Equinox 1-5-2019

[edpeeks]

This is my experience, other  experiences are just as valid.  Although this was our first Celebrity cruise, we are diamond on RCCL so they granted us elite level on Celebrity.  We have cruised 57 times so we have some experience.  We loved Celebrity! 

We stay the night before the cruise at Fortune House hotel (in the brickle section of Miami).  It was $209. (yeah, Miami's high season).  Would we stay there again? Probably not.  Some things were nice (full kitchen, good views); but other things were quirky (bad bathroom lighting, furniture arrangement).  However, we were told there are a lot of variations in the rooms; nevertheless, we will probably go back to the Intercontinental; it was nice.

We left the hotel at 10:00.  Uber, and we had taken Uber from the airport to the hotel the day before.  Arrived at port in 15 minutes; traffic was bad, Uber driver not that sharp.  Porters got the cases.  Went directly through the process; sat in the elite waiting area (there were about 15 others there but there were 100's already in the other seating area.  They got us and took us right on board at 10:50 (rooms not ready til 1PM).

This section is about what we experienced as elite level.  Before the cruise I was reading others varied experiences so I really didn't have any expectations until we got on board and saw what this ship on this sail date were going to allow or offer.  Here is the list of perks we had on this sailing:  1x 2 pressed items, 1x 1 dry clean item, 1x wash & fold, 1x port day use of Persian Garden, 1x 3 $5 match play on blackjack, 90 minutes internet, 1x gelato, senior officers party, nightly elite lounge (Sky lounge) party, elite elegant tea, private departure lounge, 3 drinks nightly (every night we chose bottles of water, we don't drink).  We were both elite so we doubled up where applicable (e.g.,we got 6 bottles of water every night).

There were other discounts, percentages off wine, bingo, spa club, photos.  We felt it was a nice package.  We had a $350 OBC so our room tips were taken care of and because I had read a variety of experiences on CC I went down to the purser's desk to ask how we could use the remainder of the OBC (I was wanting to use it in the casino).  Their answer was, "You can use your OBC anywhere on the ship.".  Cool!  I used their money and got $100 of blackjack chips (5% charge, but hey, it was their money.  I would not do the 5% normally).  My wife bought some items in the shops and we got off the ship with a $2 credit!

Other thoughts:  Buffet, at night, had special themes (it is worth inquiring what is coming; e.g fresh fish (many, many choices , you pick the fresh fish and they fix it the way you want it).  At lunch one day they had huge piles of shrimp.  The food over all was excellent.  Buffets opened on time.  Walking track, deck 14,  8 laps = 1 mile.  I use a lap counter  (ebay $4.)  I try not to think on a cruise.  They sent a vase of flowers to our room.  Gym was very nice.  We had cabin 9370.  Larger balcony.  Room had nice night light in bathroom.  Persian garden, while comped, was just OK, ( we would not pay for it).  There is a free dry sauna in the locker rooms.  My wife fell in love with the granola bars at the Aqua cafe.  Your statement ca be checked on the TV as well as the evening menu. 

The ONLY thing that was lacking was the free movie selections on the TV.  For the whole week they rotated, I believe, 4-5 movies (seaview channel).  There were  some other movies on the family channel but that we hit or miss.

The crew was so friendly.  Even though it is ready for dry dock the ship looked great.  Hope this report helps you have a great cruise. 

[39august]

I have gotten casino chips from OBC on Equinox and have never been charged a 5% fee. When you say they will fix the fish any way you want, do you mean you can order it blackened as well as grilled? We are pinnacle on RCI and have mostly changed over the Celebrity after 3 Equinox and 1 Silhoutte cruise. So much more refined than RCI!

[davekathy]

Thanks for sharing your first Celebrity cruise with us. 

[cidymom]

Thanks for the review.  We're Royal Caribbean cruisers trying out Celebrity Equinox this year.  We're also in a 1A Deluxe balcony room on Deck 7.  Did they provide toiletries in the bathroom?  If they do, I'll not pack any for my husband and son and reduce the toiletries to bring on the trip.  Thanks for your help.

[akowilm]

46 minutes ago, cidymom said:

Thanks for the review.  We're Royal Caribbean cruisers trying out Celebrity Equinox this year.  We're also in a 1A Deluxe balcony room on Deck 7.  Did they provide toiletries in the bathroom?  If they do, I'll not pack any for my husband and son and reduce the toiletries to bring on the trip.  Thanks for your help.

 

Yes, and they re-stock daily.  You will have plenty...

[edpeeks]

Cidymom - they provided shampoo, conditioner and bar soap.  Other than those toiletries, you might have to bring your own.

39 August - they must like you more than me, 'cause it cost me a nickel.  We did not do the fish (we had been to the MDR earlier and as was my habit was walking thru the buffet for comparison (that is my story and I am sticking to it)).  But when we briefly talked to the attendant, they were alluding to the preparation.

[micheleata]

Nice review, thanks.

 

cidymom- There is also lotion in the room.   To me it smells like grapefruit..not a fan, so I bring my own.   They replace what you use every day.  It seems like they enter your room every time you leave to make sure everything is perfect.   

 

We cashed in OBC for slot credit and have never been charged..