Equinox LIVE Solo Review March 23-30, 2019

[GenerationX]

6 minutes ago, martiniren said:

GenerationX, can you confirm or deny that the daily newspaper print-outs are no longer available on the kiosks at the Front Desk?  I read something within the past 7-10 days that Celebrity is no longer printing out those pages and putting them out on the kiosks.  We looked forward to the US and Canadian versions, plus the crossword and Soduku puzzles, every morning.

 

Looking forward to escaping New England and settling in on Equinox for 14 nights!

 

I’ve just been down to the kiosk and unfortunately do not see the newspapers.  However there are printouts of the daily crossword and sudoku available.

[martiniren]

2 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

 

I’ve just been down to the kiosk and unfortunately do not see the newspapers.  However there are printouts of the daily crossword and sudoku available.

Thank you, GenerationX, for confirming!

[GenerationX]

This morning I got up early (mission accomplished, hooray!!!) and did some sunrise yoga on my veranda then went to the gym to burn off some of my Silk Harvest calories. The gym was busy but there were plenty of cardio machines for everyone as well as weight machines and free weights.

 

By the time I left the gym at 7:15, the pool deck was already buzzing with people staking out their sea day turf.

 

After showering I went to breakfast in the main dining room. I had the eggs Benedict and chicken apple sausage. The eggs Benedict were just as good as they were in Luminae, but I could swear on Infinity the chicken sausage was in (much better tasting) large links rather than patties.  This was my first time in the MDR this cruise and it was the first place I saw noticeable signs of wear and tear.  The upholstery on lots of chairs was cracked or split.  I know the ship is going into dry dock soon so I assume much of the furniture is being replaced anyway.

 

After breakfast I went down to guest services to deal with an ongoing issue with my stateroom tv system.  On embarkation day, it wouldn’t let me access any of the menu services (viewing account, room service orders/menus, etc.). When I would press “ok” I would get kicked out of the system and onto the shopping tv channel.  I called guest services about it on the first night and a ticket was put in, then as of last night, the system froze entirely.  Guest services assured me it will be fixed this time, so we’ll see what happens when I go back to the room later.

 

After that I went to our Connections event.  It was great to put faces to so many of the screen names on our roll call and meet some of the folks following my review. Hi Michael and Gary!!!

 

Captain Kate and several other officers attended and both Captain Kate and our cruise director, Simon stayed for a while after the presentation to meet and chat with us all.

 

During Captain Kate’s speech she asked if anyone at the event had started a CC post for the cruise. I raised my hand and said I was doing a live review.  She asked my screen name and when I told her she turned to the cruise director and said “hey look! We found GenerationX!”  I guess that answers my question of how much attention Celebrity pays to the CC boards! 😂

 

After the formal presentation Simon mentioned to me that there’s a whole set of activities throughout the cruise called Generation Next for cruisers 18-25.  I don’t think they’ve had this on my previous sailings and I was excited to hear that Celebrity’s actively planning opportunities for younger cruisers to connect and get engaged with the brand! With Virgin Voyages rolling out soon, I think the competition for the younger demographic looking for a higher end cruise experience is going to get stiffer and stiffer.

 

I’ve read a lot about Captain Kate’s energetic and friendly personality and she was just as cool and down to earth in person as I thought she’d be.

 

I just left the officers vs guest archery tournament and now I’m off to Sushi on 5 for the 8-course sushi and sake pairing lunch! So far it’s been a great day at sea!

 

Photos of my morning exploits, including a selfie with Captain Kate, below.

[friendswithdave]

Thanks for sharing your cruise, we'll be on the EQ starting 4/6.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

So cool you got to meet Captain Kate! I follow her cat Bug Naked on insta!

[lola2013]

Didn't BugNaked get to come to the party?  

Susan

[GenerationX]

A quick update: just walked into the sushi and sake pairing lunch and the assistant waiter remembered me and my drink order from embarkation day and came over with evian and a glass of Chandon before I had a chance to say a word.  

 

Not sure if it’s because of the special pairing menu or just because it’s a sea day, but the restaurant is completely full and people without reservations are having to wait, something I’ve never seen in several Sushi on 5 sea day lunches on both M and S class.

 

As I sipped my bubbly I received the menu for the lunch and the waiter told me that: (a) the sake pairings are being served in 3/4 full champagne flutes rather than small sake/shot glasses and (b) the last course is being paired with a “sake bomb”.  I haven’t drank anything with the word “bomb” in its name since my sorority’s homecoming party in my junior year of college...

 

Charla may be a LOT of fun this afternoon at the pool. 

 

[GenerationX]

5 minutes ago, lola2013 said:

Didn't BugNaked get to come to the party?  

Susan

 

Sadly, BugNaked did not attend! We asked Captain Kate about it and apparently BugNaked had a conflict and was in charge of “hosting” a bridge tour during that time.  

[lola2013]

Now I'm even more upset that I'll miss Captain Kate on my next two Celebrity cruises!!!  She's a riot. 

I'm hoping that I have at least half as much fun on my solo cruise as you are having.

 

Susan (I mean "Lola")……..wait...it really is Susan...sitting at my desk dreaming about sea days in the Caribbean....…….😎

Edited March 25, 2019 by lola2013

[GenerationX]

45 minutes ago, lola2013 said:

Now I'm even more upset that I'll miss Captain Kate on my next two Celebrity cruises!!!  She's a riot. 

I'm hoping that I have at least half as much fun on my solo cruise as you are having.

 

Susan (I mean "Lola")……..wait...it really is Susan...sitting at my desk dreaming about sea days in the Caribbean....…….😎

 

Susan/Lola so glad you are enjoying the report!!!  

 

If the next few days continue to go like the last 2 have, I may be down at future cruises pricing myself a solo sail on Edge with Captain Kate. I really feel like her practical, guest focused approach filters all the way down and I can’t wait to see what it does for all the potential that Edge has!

 

Remind me, what are your next two sailings and which one(s) will you be solo?

 

If the dates work out for my court docket and my TA can work some magic, I feel like a GenerationX and Lola2013 tandem ladies’ solo review could be fun. 😁

Edited March 25, 2019 by GenerationX

[lola2013]

12 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

 

Susan/Lola so glad you are enjoying the report!!!  

 

If the next few days continue to go like the last 2 have, I may be down at future cruises pricing myself a solo sail on Edge with Captain Kate. I really feel like her practical, guest focused approach filters all the way down and I can’t wait to see what it does for all the potential that Edge has!

 

Remind me, what are your next two sailings and which one(s) will you be solo?

 

If the dates work out for my court docket and my TA can work some magic, I feel like a GenerationX and Lola2013 tandem ladies’ solo review could be fun. 😁

My next cruise is "Family & Friends Reunion" on RCCL Jewel of the Seas ...roundtrip Rome with stops in 5 Greek ports and then Naples...just 64 short days away (but who's counting).  All of my expandable pants are already packed in anticipation of the pizza, pasta & gelato I plan to inhale in Rome.

 

My Edge cruise is with a friend of mine whose husband has had enough of the Caribbean (how is that even possible?).  We sail December 1 in a Sunset Verandah.  I get chills just thinking about it.  Stops in Tortola, St. Maarten and San Juan.  250 days till we sail.  I see no emoji for "happy dance", but that's what I'm doing!

 

My solo cruise will be on Equinox next May 13, 2020...10 night Southern Caribbean...also a Sunset Verandah.  I was in 8344 on Solstice a few years ago and that's the same cabin I'll be in on Equinox.  414 days to go!  Excursions already selected...beach, beach, beach.

 

I'm pretty sure that I've seen responses from Captain Kate on Instagram (yes, I am a stalker) with her schedule.  When she's done with her current time on Equinox, she'll vacation and then head to Edge.  I'm pretty sure she'll be back on vacation by the time December rolls around.  And most likely, she won't be heading back to Equinox for May, 2020.  

 

I'll leave the fun review to you...if I'm not typing on my desktop here at work (shh, the boss is in the next room), it's not happening.  And I absolutely don't know how to attach a picture on these boards.  But perhaps GenerationX can give me a few lessons.

 

SEE YOU ON BOARD!!!

Lola

Edited March 25, 2019 by lola2013

[GenerationX]

Hello from the pool deck!  I’ve been here for the past few hours swimming, reading, making friends and drinking bottled water to dry up from the sake pairing lunch (more on that in my next post).

 

 The temps are in the low 80’s and the sun is shining. The pool is a perfect temp. Not too cold but a nice refreshing break from the sun. There’s been great live music almost constantly since I got here after lunch, including the fabulous Cardinals house band!

 

Earlier cruise director Simon had quite the poolside dance party going, but I was too busy rocking out to “Don’t Stop Believin’” to take any pictures.

 

I feel like there was some other scheduled activity I wanted to do this afternoon that I’ve now missed, but the sun, relaxation and sea breezes have been too good to leave.

 

I met a fun group of 20-something girls in the pool and as we were floating around we had a great conversation about how we’d improve the Celebrity app if they put the GenX/millennials in charge.  Ideas included:

 

-real time push notifications of new account charges and new balance

 

-app based seapass (where the bartender or shop can just scan your phone rather than pulling out your card).

 

-geolocation within the ship with the ability to share your location with others if you chose (so you can look for your friend and see they’re in the casino, at the pool, buffet, etc.). For the nerds on the board, essentially a Celebrity Marauders Map!

 

-all Generation Next activities (and generally all activities) included in the app schedule rather than having to look back and forth at the app and the printed daily (this one seemed pretty basic to me, to have all activities, especially those targeted at 18-25 year olds NOT be in the mobile app seems like a miss for a connected demographic) 

 

-in-app social media feeds showing everything being publicly posted from the ship’s social accounts and/or with the ship’s hashtag.

 

Shortly I’ll take one more dip in the pool, have one more Blue Note Punch and then head to the room to read with my sunset view for a little while before I start getting ready for formal night dinner at Tuscan Grille!

Edited March 25, 2019 by GenerationX

[mfs2k]

6 hours ago, GenerationX said:

After that I went to our Connections event.  It was great to put faces to so many of the screen names on our roll call and meet some of the folks following my review. Hi Michael and Gary!!!

 

Hi!  Great meeting you!!!

[GenerationX]

I’m all ready for evening chic night!

 

I’ve noticed the trend has been for formal night on cruises to become less formal.

 

But, forgive the corniness, somewhere deep inside me is a tween Charla still in love with the scene in Titanic where Kate Winslet is standing at the top of the stairs in her stunning, ornate evening gown and Leo DiCapprio is in his tails and white gloves. 

 

So when Jeremy and I are sailing together, at my insistence we tend to go full black tie.  I wear an evening gown and make Jeremy wear a tux.

 

Since I’m solo this time I did tone it down slightly but I’m still in a full length dress and wearing my sparkly Jimmy Choo wedges and carrying  the vintage Balenciaga handbag that my grandmother left me.

 

I’m off to meet some ladies I met on the pool deck for a pre-dinner cocktail then it’s Tuscan time!

[Citymom92]

I think it’s great you dress up in formal wear for formal nights! I try to be a little dressy, but have never gone full gown. You inspire me to maybe don a gown on my cruise this July. You look fab!

[GenerationX]

1 hour ago, Citymom92 said:

I think it’s great you dress up in formal wear for formal nights! I try to be a little dressy, but have never gone full gown. You inspire me to maybe don a gown on my cruise this July. You look fab!

 

 

Thank you! Please do try it! Trust me you will feel like a million bucks!  There’s something about being dressed to the nines on a cruise ship!

[flyers10]

Love the report.  My dw and I will be on 4/6 for a B2B.  Thanks.

[GenerationX]

Good morning everyone!  I’m writing this report while eating room service breakfast on a beautiful morning on the way to Grand Cayman!

 

Before dinner I met some new friends for a drink at the Senior Officers soiree.  The line for formal photos with Captain Kate was a mile long and since I already got a selfie with her earlier, I decided to skip it.  Her makeup looked better than mine anyway so best not to highlight my short comings 😁 

 

After that I was off to Tuscan Grille.  For comparison, Jeremy and I had a very good service experience and good food in Tuscan on Infinity in December. On our sailing before that in February 2018 on Silhouette, we skipped Tuscan entirely because our experience before that, on Reflection in 2017, was so disappointing.

 

Today, I finally understand where all the Tuscan Grille super fans are coming from.

 

When I arrived, the maitre d greeted me warmly and quickly escorted me to a table by the window overlooking the wake.

 

The sommelier Madelyn came over and she was one of the best I’ve had in the past 3 Celebrity Cruises.  I had some OBC to spend so I was looking for a good Amarone or Super Tuscan by the bottle with the plan to cork the rest and have it with my dinner tomorrow. Madelyn took her time going over the wine list with me and gave me a wonderful recommendation based on my desired price point and what I ordered for dinner. 

 

In another mold break for me, instead of having soup or salad for the first course as I usually do, I had the calamari. Then I ordered the ribeye steak (my favorite cut) and a half order of the gnocchi (my favorite pasta) on the side.

 

The calamari was cooked very well.  Very tender and the lemon cream dipping sauce was delicious.  I wanted to demolish the whole appetizer but knowing I still had steak and pasta due up in the lineup, I stopped myself.

 

The gnocchi was in a light but flavorful cream sauce and very good.

 

My ribeye...was OUTSTANDING.  I ordered it medium with the sauce on the side (once again, tried a bite with it and it didn’t need the sauce) and the seasoning on the steak was sooo good! I did have to cut around a lot more fat than on the ribeye in Tuscan on Infinity, but that fat also added so much more flavor to the meat.

 

I went back to a high point from Infinity and had the fig gelato for dessert with a double shot of espresso.

 

After dinner I listened to the Starlight Duo in Ensemble for a little while then got out on the dance floor for the Cardinals grand foyer set.

 

I was planning to go to the 11pm comedian show but then I remebered I have to be up, dressed and assembled for my shore excursion in Grand Cayman at 8am. So I just made a quick stop at the martini bar and had Dewa make me a green apple martini and give me an ice cold Evian to take to bed with me.  He calls my nightly bottled water to go “Ms. Charla’s night cap” 😂

 

When got back to my cabin I went out on the veranda and just stared up at the stars for about 15 minutes before going to bed.

 

This is another favorite cruise activity of mine.  I’m an amateur astronomer and you get some great views of the constellations on a clear night at sea.  I like to look up and think about the ships that sailed these routes hundreds of years ago with only these same stars to navigate their way.  

 

One of these days I’m going to bring my telescope along on a cruise if I can downsize my wardrobe enough to fit it in my suitcase.  For some reason I think I remember on one of my first Celebrity Cruises a few years ago there being a star viewing/lecture offered as an activity one evening but I don’t think I’ve seen it on a daily since.  Would love to see that come back!

 

 

[GenerationX]

When I got back to the room last night I saw that my tv was fixed.  Hooray!  Guest services also called and left this note to make sure I was taken care of.

 

For a moment reading the note in my Amarone and apple-tini haze, I was very confused.  I’m definitely NOT on the Reflection, but anyway I totally appreciate the follow up!

[GenerationX]

2 hours ago, flyers10 said:

Love the report.  My dw and I will be on 4/6 for a B2B.  Thanks.

 

So glad you’re enjoying the report. Have a wonderful time on your B2B.  I just messaged my DH to make sure he checked our mega millions ticket from last week.  Was really hoping I magically had the funds to quit my job and just hang out on this ship until they kick me off for the refurb.

[Blazn7]

31 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Good morning everyone!  I’m writing this report while eating room service breakfast on a beautiful morning on the way to Grand Cayman!

 

Before dinner I met some new friends for a drink at the Senior Officers soiree.  The line for formal photos with Captain Kate was a mile long and since I already got a selfie with her earlier, I decided to skip it.  Her makeup looked better than mine anyway so best not to highlight my short comings 😁 

 

After that I was off to Tuscan Grille.  For comparison, Jeremy and I had a very good service experience and good food in Tuscan on Infinity in December. On our sailing before that in February 2018 on Silhouette, we skipped Tuscan entirely because our experience before that, on Reflection in 2017, was so disappointing.

 

Today, I finally understand where all the Tuscan Grille super fans are coming from.

 

When I arrived, the maitre d greeted me warmly and quickly escorted me to a table by the window overlooking the wake.

 

The sommelier Madelyn came over and she was one of the best I’ve had in the past 3 Celebrity Cruises.  I had some OBC to spend so I was looking for a good Amarone or Super Tuscan by the bottle with the plan to cork the rest and have it with my dinner tomorrow. Madelyn took her time going over the wine list with me and gave me a wonderful recommendation based on my desired price point and what I ordered for dinner. 

 

In another mold break for me, instead of having soup or salad for the first course as I usually do, I had the calamari. Then I ordered the ribeye steak (my favorite cut) and a half order of the gnocchi (my favorite pasta) on the side.

 

The calamari was cooked very well.  Very tender and the lemon cream dipping sauce was delicious.  I wanted to demolish the whole appetizer but knowing I still had steak and pasta due up in the lineup, I stopped myself.

 

The gnocchi was in a light but flavorful cream sauce and very good.

 

My ribeye...was OUTSTANDING.  I ordered it medium with the sauce on the side (once again, tried a bite with it and it didn’t need the sauce) and the seasoning on the steak was sooo good! I did have to cut around a lot more fat than on the ribeye in Tuscan on Infinity, but that fat also added so much more flavor to the meat.

 

I went back to a high point from Infinity and had the fig gelato for dessert with a double shot of espresso.

 

After dinner I listened to the Starlight Duo in Ensemble for a little while then got out on the dance floor for the Cardinals grand foyer set.

 

I was planning to go to the 11pm comedian show but then I remebered I have to be up, dressed and assembled for my shore excursion in Grand Cayman at 8am. So I just made a quick stop at the martini bar and had Dewa make me a green apple martini and give me an ice cold Evian to take to bed with me.  He calls my nightly bottled water to go “Ms. Charla’s night cap” 😂

 

When got back to my cabin I went out on the veranda and just stared up at the stars for about 15 minutes before going to bed.

 

This is another favorite cruise activity of mine.  I’m an amateur astronomer and you get some great views of the constellations on a clear night at sea.  I like to look up and think about the ships that sailed these routes hundreds of years ago with only these same stars to navigate their way.  

 

One of these days I’m going to bring my telescope along on a cruise if I can downsize my wardrobe enough to fit it in my suitcase.  For some reason I think I remember on one of my first Celebrity Cruises a few years ago there being a star viewing/lecture offered as an activity one evening but I don’t think I’ve seen it on a daily since.  Would love to see that come back!

 

 

#FoodPorn!

 

Agree, the steak in Tuscan Grille was delectable! We also very much enjoyed the meatball appetizer. Your gnocchi appears to be in a different sauce from what I sampled, and yours looks much better. All in all another great specialty restaurant!

[parrothead33]

Charla, thanks so much for taking us along on your cruise.  I'm so glad you're having a great time.  Loved your formal night outfit, you looked lovely.  Enjoy the rest of your sailing and have an apple martini for me!

Kym

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

Good morning everyone!  I’m writing this report while eating room service breakfast on a beautiful morning on the way to Grand Cayman!

 

Before dinner I met some new friends for a drink at the Senior Officers soiree.  The line for formal photos with Captain Kate was a mile long and since I already got a selfie with her earlier, I decided to skip it.  Her makeup looked better than mine anyway so best not to highlight my short comings 😁 

 

After that I was off to Tuscan Grille.  For comparison, Jeremy and I had a very good service experience and good food in Tuscan on Infinity in December. On our sailing before that in February 2018 on Silhouette, we skipped Tuscan entirely because our experience before that, on Reflection in 2017, was so disappointing.

 

Today, I finally understand where all the Tuscan Grille super fans are coming from.

 

When I arrived, the maitre d greeted me warmly and quickly escorted me to a table by the window overlooking the wake.

 

The sommelier Madelyn came over and she was one of the best I’ve had in the past 3 Celebrity Cruises.  I had some OBC to spend so I was looking for a good Amarone or Super Tuscan by the bottle with the plan to cork the rest and have it with my dinner tomorrow. Madelyn took her time going over the wine list with me and gave me a wonderful recommendation based on my desired price point and what I ordered for dinner. 

 

In another mold break for me, instead of having soup or salad for the first course as I usually do, I had the calamari. Then I ordered the ribeye steak (my favorite cut) and a half order of the gnocchi (my favorite pasta) on the side.

 

The calamari was cooked very well.  Very tender and the lemon cream dipping sauce was delicious.  I wanted to demolish the whole appetizer but knowing I still had steak and pasta due up in the lineup, I stopped myself.

 

The gnocchi was in a light but flavorful cream sauce and very good.

 

My ribeye...was OUTSTANDING.  I ordered it medium with the sauce on the side (once again, tried a bite with it and it didn’t need the sauce) and the seasoning on the steak was sooo good! I did have to cut around a lot more fat than on the ribeye in Tuscan on Infinity, but that fat also added so much more flavor to the meat.

 

I went back to a high point from Infinity and had the fig gelato for dessert with a double shot of espresso.

 

After dinner I listened to the Starlight Duo in Ensemble for a little while then got out on the dance floor for the Cardinals grand foyer set.

 

I was planning to go to the 11pm comedian show but then I remebered I have to be up, dressed and assembled for my shore excursion in Grand Cayman at 8am. So I just made a quick stop at the martini bar and had Dewa make me a green apple martini and give me an ice cold Evian to take to bed with me.  He calls my nightly bottled water to go “Ms. Charla’s night cap” 😂

 

When got back to my cabin I went out on the veranda and just stared up at the stars for about 15 minutes before going to bed.

 

This is another favorite cruise activity of mine.  I’m an amateur astronomer and you get some great views of the constellations on a clear night at sea.  I like to look up and think about the ships that sailed these routes hundreds of years ago with only these same stars to navigate their way.  

 

One of these days I’m going to bring my telescope along on a cruise if I can downsize my wardrobe enough to fit it in my suitcase.  For some reason I think I remember on one of my first Celebrity Cruises a few years ago there being a star viewing/lecture offered as an activity one evening but I don’t think I’ve seen it on a daily since.  Would love to see that come back!

 

 

 

That meal in Tuscan looks delicious!! I may have to give it a try...I'm still nervous about a new line and being gluten-free (Disney is amazing with food allergies; Royal Caribbean was great my first time, not so much the second), but I know steaks are safe... 😄

[mrsgoggins]

Enjoying reading your review ...... and you’ve just reminded me about fig gelato in Tuscan ..... yum!   I’ll be having one myself very soon I’m happy to report.

[jojoshumate]

Enjoying your review, re-visited Celebrity last year on Summit and think we need to do another!  If you can download apps on board—SkyView Lite is fun—point phone up and see what stars are there!!  Enjoy your cruise!!