Equinox 3-23 to 3-30 Fabulous time

[mfs2k]

On board Equinox after obsessing for 2 months on Cruise critic. Our first Celebrity cruise after 10 Carnival cruises. 

 

Everything is fabulous. Love the Aqua class accommodations; staff; quality of service and the food has been pretty good too. (Still searching for the perfect steak lol but don’t really care. There’s plenty to eat and it’s all tasty and served with smiles. 

 

Embarkation was easy.

 

Totally happy we upgraded to Premium beverage pkg.

 

WiFi package is wonky. We each get one connected device and the connection resets often. Not awful but missed some messages and emails because I didn’t know I was disconnected. 

 

2 dinners in Blu so far. The first night was 75% full. Second night was packed. Our waiter Putra (Putu) and his assistant “Jerrry” are great. Amir our Maitre D’ has been super nice and helpful to us. 

 

We went to the show “Topper” on Sat night. Great singing dancing and costumes. I still don’t understand what the “plot” was. Maybe I drank too much bourbon. 

 

I pre ordered the Premium Celebration package ($249) in advance for our 20th anniversary on embarkation day. When we came back to our cabin after dinner, there was waiting for my wife a bottle of Dom Perignon, dozen roses, chocolate dipped strawberries, a giant cake and included dinner for 2 in a specialty restaurant. Applying it for Murano on Wednesday. I called room service and asked them to pick up the cake and save it for our dinner in Blu the next night. We didn’t have time for it so I asked Amir the Maitre D if he can arrange for us to have the cake in Tuscan Grill tonight. He’s arranging it. I have a feeling this (huge) cake is going to be passed from restaurant kitchen to kitchen all week and never get eaten. Lol. 

 

Yesterday we had breakfast in Blu then went into Key West. We didn’t book in advance ($25pp)  the Conch Train tour but we bought tix at the port ($32pp). We hopped on and off, saw Key West and learned a bit of history. Afterwards we went to Willie T’s for drinks music, conch fritters and Nachos to get us in the mood for Mexico. 

 

We returned to the ship at 230.  I went to Solarium pool and Persian Gardens while my DW napped. Persian gardens was ok. I liked the steam room and the tropical rain showers. The heated tile loungers were uncomfortable to me. 

 

After dinner last night we went to the comedy show (funny guy). He’s doing an adults only show tonight at 11. Then we went to the silent disco. Omg. So much fun and so crowded. I expected 20 people to be there, bored and swaying. The Observation lounge was packed and everyone dancing and singing out of tune with their headphones on. Such a blast. 

 

Today we ran to breakfast in Blu. Got there 2 minutes after closing at 932am. I asked Amir if he would seat us. Our friends were arriving momentarily. He said “for you Mr Michael, absolutely.”  He’s a gem. Reminds me of my uncle. 

 

After breakfast i went (alone) to the Cruise critic meet and greet at Gastrobar. It was fun meeting many of you (Hi Generation X and Gary!). Many officers were there and the Captain spoke. I introduced myself. Nice to see them in a small venue and chat with them. 

 

Today we’re poolside. More kids than I expected on board but aside from the 1 year old screaming loudly behind my lounge chair a lot, the kids are fine and having fun. Someone take the kid away. Lol. 

 

Lots of music by the pool. It’s entertaining. It changes every hour it seems. A little while ago a big crowd was dancing Macarena type stuff. I don’t know. I’m just sitting. Hot tubs are nice. I was in a few and just left one when a mom brought her 2 little kids in. I’m not complaining. I wish I could smoke a cigar by the pool but I can’t. Maybe I’ll light one up when the kid starts screaming again. Haha. I kid. I promise I’m not. The mast bar and sunset bar are our smoking areas. 

 

Doesnt seem to be much interest in poker onboard. They had a sign for a live game on night 1 (2/5 no limit) but no one played. I won $40 in slots. I like gambling but I’m leary of the payout odds on ship casinos. 

 

Tonight we’re going to the show at 7. Captains Chic night greeting in the foyer at 745 and dinner at 830 in Tuscan. Maybe I’ll eat the cake or pass it to tomorrow. Lol. 

 

All in all Great Times. It’s hard not to enjoy this.

 

A few of you suggested over the last few months I not obsess over little things. I’m not onboard. But being the one out of the four of us with the knowledge has been helpful to me knowing where to go and knowing what I wanted to do. So thank you. 

 

Ps. The paper straws work great. They’re more like laminated cardboard. Don’t give them a moments thought. 

 

[hcat]

Will you book another cruise on X..?..

Seems you like it better than you anticipated!

[mfs2k]

1 hour ago, hcat said:

Will you book another cruise on X..?..

Seems you like it better than you anticipated!

 

Without a doubt.

[ShonaTay56]

19 hours ago, mfs2k said:

 

Without a doubt.

Do you know the names of the people on the door to Blu? We have been on Equinox twice and are going again in September. Both times we were on there was a lovely girl on the door who even remembered us from the previous trip over a year before. We must have left a lasting impression. Good I hope. Hopefully she will still be on when we get there.

Alan

[CHEZMARYLOU]

What's the gastro bar like? Do they have a good wine selection?

[airlink diva]

Glad to hear!

Sailing only with Carnival for short trips and HAL for my longer trips.  Booked the Equinox for November 2019 and glad to get intel on the ship.

[LMEEE06]

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip!

[mfs2k]

6 hours ago, ShonaTay56 said:

Do you know the names of the people on the door to Blu? We have been on Equinox twice and are going again in September. Both times we were on there was a lovely girl on the door

 

Ill find out at dinner and let you know

[mfs2k]

6 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

What's the gastro bar like? Do they have a good wine selection?

 

Its a very quiet venue. Not a lot of activity. The only time I was in there was for the meet and greet. I’ll look for a wine list 

[Reel Love]

So glad that you are having a great time!!  Always enjoy hearing a fresh perspective from someone new to Celebrity.  ☺️

And thank you for commenting on the Celebration Package.....I don't think I've ever paid attention to it before on the website, but our 20th anniversary will be in 2020.  May have to look into arranging that for when we will be on the Silhouette in Feb 2020.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise, and looking forward to hearing more of your experience!!!  Cheers.

[mfs2k]

I’m Lice from the Ocean. 

 

Ok not lice. Live. 

 

We just left the Cayman Islands headed to Costa Maya

 

Last night we went to the 7pm guest band singing music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. I forget the name. Brian MacGuigan or something. They were excellent. 

 

After the show we watched Captain K, dressed to the nines, taking pics with about 1,000 people in their fancy outfits for chic night waiting in line for their turn. Really??  I’d never wait in a line longer than 75 people for a picture with her. Maybe 100. Ok possibly 150 but that’s the most. 

 

Anyway, while watching these people on line I had an epiphany. The ship photographer was taking the pics and it was like the mall at Christmas. Celebrity will sell those pics with the Captain for a lot of money.   

Captain Kate is SANTA CLAUS!   And everyone wants to buy the picture with Santa.  We didn’t cave to their capitalist ploy.

 

Instead we succumbed to other capitalist ploys onboard and had drinks then dinner in Tuscan Grill. Food was very good. I had the lemon brick chicken. (Tasted like it was cooked sous vide then grilled. 

 

Our anniversary cake was finally served to us for dessert and sadly it was very dry. We thought it was a cheesecake. It wasn’t. It was a dry yellow layer cake with butter cream covered with fake cheesecake glaze. Damn. But who cares?  There’s free desserts everywhere. 

 

After dinner we went briefly to the casino then to the late R rated adult comedy show. He was funny. I forgot his name too. Same comedian as the night before when he had his PG show. Then we went to bed. 

 

More later. 

 

Ps. We’re probably going to stay on board tomorrow in Costa Maya so if you want to send me on a scavenger hunt for pics of venues, menus, wine lists etc I’m open to the idea. Ask away. 

 

 

Edited March 26, 2019 by mfs2k

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Thank you so much for doing this review! I'll be on my first Celebrity Cruise on the Equinox in Aqua Class in Feb 2020!! Seems so far away!!

 

If you go to breakfast again in Blu and think about it, could you ask if they can do the pancakes or french toast gluten-free? If you forget, no biggie. 🙂

 

Again, thanks!

[mfs2k]

Martini Bar. 

 

This would explain why it took so long to order a drink. The guy was busy making these. 

[l1lgreekprincess]

Did you upgrade to premium on the ship? If yes, was it still $11.80 per day?

[mfs2k]

9 hours ago, ShonaTay56 said:

Do you know the names of the people on the door to Blu? We have been on Equinox twice and are going again in September. Both times we were on there was a lovely girl on the door who even remembered us from the previous trip over a year before. We must have left a lasting impression. Good I hope. Hopefully she will still be on when we get there.

Alan

 

Lara is the restaurant hostess tonight in Blu

Amir is the Maitre D 

[mfs2k]

23 minutes ago, l1lgreekprincess said:

Did you upgrade to premium on the ship? If yes, was it still $11.80 per day?

 

I upgraded a week before we left for $11.80 per person per day. It’s the same cost on the ship 

[MizDemeanor]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

Martini Bar. 

 

This would explain why it took so long to order a drink. The guy was busy making these. 

 

This is why timing at the venue is everything, expect to be delayed, come prepraredv,bring the video for the memories to share. Enjoy!!

 

[helen haywood]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

 

I upgraded a week before we left for $11.80 per person per day. It’s the same cost on the ship 

 

Since it’s the same price onboard, I suggest people wait until onboard to upgrade as the bartender selling the upgrade will receive the gratuities and you will have made a friend.

[Luvcrusn]

Glad to see you're have a nice time. I'm one who said "wait and see and make your mind up" but it looks like all the pre-cruise preparation was good for you. As for Topper, don't worry about having too much to drink and missing the plot, there really isn't one, but the singing and dancing was enjoyable, so you got it! We saw it sober and had the same reaction.😉 Have a great cruise.

[mfs2k]

3 hours ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

If you go to breakfast again in Blu and think about it, could you ask if they can do the pancakes or french toast gluten-free? If you forget, no biggie. 🙂

 

I got your answer. 

 

 If you let your servers know the night before, they will arrange with the kitchen to have the ingredients for you to have Gluten free pancakes or French toast the next morning. 

 It’s not something they routinely carry in the blu kitchen but they can take care of it for you with a little preplanning. 

[mfs2k]

38 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

Glad to see you're have a nice time. I'm one who said "wait and see and make your mind up" but it looks like all the pre-cruise preparation was good for you. As for Topper, don't worry about having too much to drink and missing the plot, there really isn't one, but the singing and dancing was enjoyable, so you got it! We saw it sober and had the same reaction.😉 Have a great cruise.

 

Thanks!  We really are having fun and the entertainment is far better than Cruise Critic posts would lead you to believe. 

We’re currently singing along at AbbaMania and lovin’ it. 

 

[Luvcrusn]

6 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

 

I got your answer. 

 

 If you let your servers know the night before, they will arrange with the kitchen to have the ingredients for you to have Gluten free pancakes or French toast the next morning. 

 It’s not something they routinely carry in the blu kitchen but they can take care of it for you with a little preplanning. 

That's what they told me to do with the lactose free muesli preparation, simple order it the night before. I've always found them to be extremely accommodating to special orders in Blu. 

 

[Luvcrusn]

Just now, mfs2k said:

 

Thanks!  We really are having fun and the entertainment is far better than Cruise Critic posts would lead you to believe. 

We’re currently singing along at AbbaMania and lovin’ it. 

 

Order a Frozen Toasted Almond and remember who recommended it! Have fun!

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

6 hours ago, mfs2k said:

 

I got your answer. 

 

 If you let your servers know the night before, they will arrange with the kitchen to have the ingredients for you to have Gluten free pancakes or French toast the next morning. 

 It’s not something they routinely carry in the blu kitchen but they can take care of it for you with a little preplanning. 

 

Awesome! Thank you so much for finding out!!

[mfs2k]

If it’s Tuesday this must be Cayman

 

Yesterday I woke at 630 am while DW slept. I went on the balcony to catch the sunrise over George Town, Cayman Islands.  

I went down to Cafe Bocciball and got an Americano to bring to the upper decks as we arrived at our anchorage spot. I got a nice pic of MSC Seaside pulling in between us and Adventure of the Seas.

 

i went back to the cabin at 8 which was when I was asked to wake.DW for breakfast. We went to Blu. 

 

Kat, my DW enjoyed the Eggs Benedict (hold the spinach) while I had scrambled eggs. I asked Putu for fresh eggs and not the liquid eggs. He said “we only use fresh eggs in Blu.”  Good to know. 

 

I also asked him about the smoked salmon shortage a few weeks back as discussed on CC. He said in that particular cruise there was heavy demand for smoked salmon the first day so they rationed it for the rest of the cruise. Some guests were simply told it was unavailable for a few days.

 

After breakfast we packed a bag for Cayman, went to Quasar for our tender ticket number which was called 5 minutes later. It took about 40 mins from the time we got in line to when we stepped off the tender in Cayman. (Ps avoid the forward lower deck of the tender. It’s HOT and you’re the last of 150 or so to get off.)

 

i was indecisive about going to Calico Jacks or Royal Palms Beach Club. We chose RPBC. We flagged down a taxi who took us for $6 pp.  

 

We arrived at RPBC at 11.  We paid $2 pp to get in. It was crowded but there were still some available lounge chairs ($12 ea) plus we got an umbrella for $15. The waiter took our drink orders (Pina Coladas) and asked  12 oz or 20 oz?  We said 20 oz. He said $46. We said “never mind. 12 oz instead.”. He said $26. We gave him the cash. I learned later after I tipped him, the price included a 15% gratuity. 

About 20 mins after we sat they ran out of lounge chairs and umbrellas. The early bird catches the worm. We enjoyed the crowded beach, clear water, and pool. There’s a swim up bar. The roped off cabana areas near the pool looked appealing. Comfy lounges and a table and chairs behind them with a canopy for shade. Idk the cost. We could have stayed for lunch but we didn’t. 

 

The last tender back to the ship was at 2:15. We decided to head back at 1245 so we could have lunch at the buffet. We were ushered to a cab with 14 seats. We were the last to board. ($5 per person). What a racket. $70 total for a 10 minute ride. Nyc cab drivers would love that. The tender back was easy and painless. No lines at this time. 

 

Interesting tidbit. We joined a conversation on the tender with the woman next to us boarding with luggage. As it turns out, she was Ashlie Amber Harris, the next night’s show, performing Whitney Houston songs. She was lovely. I asked questions. She will stay on board through the beginning of the next cruise (Eastern Caribbean) where she will perform again before disembarking in Puerto Rico. She’s in a performer cabin previously occupied by one of the musicians or comedian who boarded in Key Weat and disembarks in Cayman. It’s all figured out like a puzzle. Ashlie loves her job. 

 

So anyway. Then was lunch, lounge chairs, cocktails, a cigar st Mast Bar and cabin time where we watched a movie we brought with us on my iPad. Thanks to CC posts, I brought an HDMI cable, universal Samsung remote and my lightning HDMI adapter and watched the movie on the cabin tv. Not sure if this will be possible after the revolution but it works now. 

 

We met our friends for the 7 pm big song and dance show of “Elysium.” Again I thought the singing and acrobatics was great. The choreography was very “flowy” (lots of swaying arms and prancing about) and the costumes were over the top. And again, I know there was a plot but I’m not sure what it was. I think they miraculously fixed a dancers foot and brought another back to life after he died and his costume changed from black to white so I guess there’s symbolism somehow. Who knows. I napped for 10 minutes after he fell in the hole in the stage. I woke up refreshed for dinner. 

 

We had dinner in Blu after drinks in Ensemble lounge. 

 

Did I mention how the 4 of us are loving the musical entertainment on board?  They’re all quite talented and diversified. We’re very pleased with the music. Something for everyone except Opera lovers. There’s nothing for you yet. 

 

Service in Blu was great as always. Putu, Jerrold and Angela the Sommelier are taking good care of us. We weren’t thrilled with the evening’s menu choices.  We mentioned that to Putu. He brought us a MDR menu for that evening and said he could get us anything from there. I was surprised because I knew from CC the MDR kitchen on S Class ships was on another deck and not right below us. Putu said “don’t worry about it.”  To be honest I’m not sure if this option is available to everyone or just us because we’re tipping additional most nights to the 3 of them. We decided to order off the Blu menu. 

3 of us had the herb chicken breast. I had the loin of veal after summer rolls (delish but very small portion ) and escargot. We also got a half order of spaghetti made with meatless vegetable “bolognese” This was amazing. After dessert and an Americano we hit the casino for 30 mins then crashed and went to bed. 

 

This morning I woke at 630 and wrote this post on my phone. Today’s plan as of now is to stay on the ship in Costa Maya. Dinner will be in Murano.  I’m bringing the bottle of Dom Perignon from the Celebration package for the 4 of us to share. Hopefully I won’t need the champagne stopper I brought from home. We’re aleo going to see Ashlie Amber Harris perform. 

 

Ps. I thought this post was inadvertently lost deleted when I lost my WiFi connection. Thank you CC for having the ability to save this work !!!  I’m copying it now though just in case it doesn’t go through. Wow. I was annoyed I lost an hours work and now I’m relieved.