Just back from Equinox 6/22 sailing..

[minimotorin]

This was my first Celebrity cruise and my 15th cruise over all.  I've sailed Disney, NCL, Carnival, Viking, Princess and Royal Caribbean and by far this was my favorite cruise.  Left out of Port Everglades and hit San Juan, Tortola, St. Thomas and Nassau.  Wife, 13 yrd Old DD and myself with another family.  Feel free to hit me up with questions.

[pd7277]

What cabin/category? 

 

Could you tell if the cabin was refreshed?  New carpet, bedding, verandah furniture? 

 

If in a verandah cabin, can you describe the verandah furniture?  Table height (cocktail or dining)?  Reclining chairs or not?  Footstools?

 

Were the door locks changed to RFID (you would be able to use a cell phone to open the door)?

 

Was there a coffee table in the cabin?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Regina67]

 We will be on the Equinox in October. Would love to hear about the entertainment and the main dining room.

 Which pier did you dock at in St Thomas? Trying to decide if we can head to Water Island for the day.

 Thanks in advance.

 

[pd7277]

9 minutes ago, Regina67 said:

 We will be on the Equinox in October. Would love to hear about the entertainment and the main dining room.

 Which pier did you dock at in St Thomas? Trying to decide if we can head to Water Island for the day.

 Thanks in advance.

 

You will dock in Crown Bay, so easy access to Water Island. 

[minimotorin]

Yep crown bay.

 

Cabin was a verandah, #8209  

Furniture seemed average wear, so maybe not new.

Bedding was new. Carpet was new.

Veranda chairs were reclining and table on veranda was small cocktail height?  Did use it for foot rest.

Did have table in cabin, slightly larger than outside table

Never checked the app to see if I could open door but door locks were open by key pass touch

Entertainment was solid, main theater shows were not up to say Broadway standing but still very enjoyable and the sets/costumes were great.  Singing talent was top notch.

Main dining was excellent, never had one item I didn't like.  I did miss having sausage gravy/biscuits on the buffet but that was my one food complaint.  Murano food seemed at level of main dining room and I don't see a reason to do that again.  Food and show in La Petite chef was a cut above, highly recommend that option.

 

 

[poffles]

1 hour ago, minimotorin said:

This was my first Celebrity cruise and my 15th cruise over all.  I've sailed Disney, NCL, Carnival, Viking, Princess and Royal Caribbean and by far this was my favorite cruise.  Left out of Port Everglades and hit San Juan, Tortola, St. Thomas and Nassau.  Wife, 13 yrd Old DD and myself with another family.  Feel free to hit me up with questions.

 

So glad you liked your cruise and to have it be your favorite is great to hear.  I sailed on other lines before Celebrity too (DCL, Carnival, NCL) and Celebrity has become my favorite ever since.    Refreshing to hear someone new with fresh eyes enjoying Celebrity having sailed others lines.

 

I've read so many lately saying Celebrity has gone downhill and mass market cruise line etc and I try to reconcile that with my experience and it doesn't align.  I personally love the more calm feel to Celebrity, compared to other lines on which I felt it was constant line ups for everything or battles to find clean tables in buffet or something similar.  I wish the entertainment was a bit more varied and also wish they have a real pub type area that didn't feel so 'fancy' to hang out at but I realize such changes may alter the calm so guess I need to be careful what I wish for.

 

After NCL, if you are non smokers, I bet you loved the no smoking anywhere interior ... that ROCKS!

 

Thanks for sharing!

[deliver42]

Thanks for your review, and very happy you liked it. We are going in December, and can't wait.

[minimotorin]

14 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

After NCL, if you are non smokers, I bet you loved the no smoking anywhere interior ... that ROCKS!

 

Thanks for sharing!

Yes, it was great to only deal with smoking on the outside deck(smoking half).

[micheleata]

Glad you had a great time!  We LOVE the Equinox.

 

I look forward to using the new balcony table as a footrest in October.

 

We also love the food in the MDR and love that there are few smoking areas.   

 

Did you gamble at all or do any excursions?

[minimotorin]

I played the slots each night and finished the week down about $40 so not bad.

Wife did snorkeling excursions in Tortolla and St. Thomas. 

Family went to The Atlantis in Nassau, totally rained out but Celebrity refunded our money

[Zigster]

Appreciate your review and happy that you enjoyed your sailing.    On a past Silhouette sailing we enjoyed lunch in Murano on a sea day.  Wondering if Equinox offers this option.  

Thanks!

 

[CulverCityCruisers]

Do you recall what the bath products are in the standard balcony cabins ?  Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash?

 

Did you use the shampoo and conditioner, and if so thoughts and impressions??  Would love not to have to bring from home if decent stuff.

 

Thanks

[jbethel11]

9 hours ago, minimotorin said:

13 yrd Old DD

How was the teens club? Did they have enough activities for her not to get bored? Was she separated from the older teens (15-17-year-olds)? 

[minimotorin]

21 minutes ago, CulverCityCruisers said:

Do you recall what the bath products are in the standard balcony cabins ?  Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash?

 

Did you use the shampoo and conditioner, and if so thoughts and impressions??  Would love not to have to bring from home if decent stuff.

 

Thanks

Had all three, but don't remember the brand.  Not the best/worst..I'd say just average.  I ended up using the items I brought.

 

[minimotorin]

11 minutes ago, jbethel11 said:

How was the teens club? Did they have enough activities for her not to get bored? Was she separated from the older teens (15-17-year-olds)? 

13 - 17 were grouped together.  She stayed busy with them every night.  We had to force her to join us for activities.  They played games, one night they had the adult pool to themselves, etc.  She did join us for the 2nd night of the silent disco after she saw my video of the first night.

 

Edited July 1, 2019 by minimotorin

[Wannabeworldtravelor]

Did they have any happy hours onboard?

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

We also just returned form the 22 sailing. Nice ship. Few changes. Had an OV cabin. Very nice. Shower head not removable. 3 pump lotions in the shower. A pump lotion next to the sink. Bed was comfortable with a topper on it. We were in 3170 next to the atrium. Excellent location. Bed was by the window giving us a ton of room. Table in front of the couch. No food was excellent, however all was very good. Crew was excellent, cruise director Maarten was excellent, only 28 years old and I think he was born to be a cruise director. Captain Kate was fantastic and all over the ship to meet and greet. Saw her at the helm actually controlling the ship with the double joy sticks. So extremely skilled. Shows were good, comedians stunk. DJ music was extremely loud on deck three for the "PARTY LIKE GATSBY"  It was so loud they even had to close the fire doors. No excuse for that at all. You had to scream to be heard by your partner. Casino was good to us. Only one slot tournament. Last night of bingo was awesome for 5 people. A drawing gave a person $1,000.00 towards the next cruise. 4 bingo winners 1st was about $330.00 2nd was about  500.00 3rd was $770.00 and cover all gave the winner $1,077.00 only one winner for each game and the place was super crowded. Will not book the Equinox again. We liked the Reflection better.

[Minorhawk]

Any idea of the approximate cost for the Persian Garden pass for the entire 8 day cruise? 

 

Thanks,

 

Shelly

[aml3679]

We love The Equinox - last on in April 2017 and we have 2 future cruises one in Feb 2020 and my 60th birthday cruise in Feb 2021 - birthday being March 5th.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

On 6/30/2019 at 11:26 AM, minimotorin said:

This was my first Celebrity cruise and my 15th cruise over all.  I've sailed Disney, NCL, Carnival, Viking, Princess and Royal Caribbean and by far this was my favorite cruise.  Left out of Port Everglades and hit San Juan, Tortola, St. Thomas and Nassau.  Wife, 13 yrd Old DD and myself with another family.  Feel free to hit me up with questions.

 

On 6/30/2019 at 12:50 PM, poffles said:

 

So glad you liked your cruise and to have it be your favorite is great to hear.  I sailed on other lines before Celebrity too (DCL, Carnival, NCL) and Celebrity has become my favorite ever since.    Refreshing to hear someone new with fresh eyes enjoying Celebrity having sailed others lines.

 

I've read so many lately saying Celebrity has gone downhill and mass market cruise line etc and I try to reconcile that with my experience and it doesn't align.  I personally love the more calm feel to Celebrity, compared to other lines on which I felt it was constant line ups for everything or battles to find clean tables in buffet or something similar.  I wish the entertainment was a bit more varied and also wish they have a real pub type area that didn't feel so 'fancy' to hang out at but I realize such changes may alter the calm so guess I need to be careful what I wish for.

 

After NCL, if you are non smokers, I bet you loved the no smoking anywhere interior ... that ROCKS!

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

Thank you! It is good to hear some positive.

 

I’m typically a Disney girl but am at the moment booked on Celebrity for Feb Break this upcoming school year on the Equinox. Reading all the doom and gloom and whining on these boards has made it very hard to be positive (just putting that justification there in case someone who likes to point out that I have been hesitant since my first post and seems to stalk me on here to say I have never been excited about it reads this) about the cruise and has me thinking maybe I should just do Disney instead even though it would be 2 nights shorter. But hearing positive from people who have done both helps.

[Cruise a holic]

9 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

 

Thank you! It is good to hear some positive.

 

I’m typically a Disney girl but am at the moment booked on Celebrity for Feb Break this upcoming school year on the Equinox. Reading all the doom and gloom and whining on these boards has made it very hard to be positive (just putting that justification there in case someone who likes to point out that I have been hesitant since my first post and seems to stalk me on here to say I have never been excited about it reads this) about the cruise and has me thinking maybe I should just do Disney instead even though it would be 2 nights shorter. But hearing positive from people who have done both helps.

Honestly, having sailed on Disney three times, I would actually book The Oasis class on Royal.  Disney is no longer IMO the best for children and the cost is crazy.  Too see people dressed in costumes and paying more for nothing special isn't worth it. Food not great, only the entertainment is good.  But so much better on the Oasis class ships.

 

Celebrity is great, but you will not see the catering to kids type activities- Have heard the kids club is very good on Celebrity.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

20 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

Honestly, having sailed on Disney three times, I would actually book The Oasis class on Royal.  Disney is no longer IMO the best for children and the cost is crazy.  Too see people dressed in costumes and paying more for nothing special isn't worth it. Food not great, only the entertainment is good.  But so much better on the Oasis class ships.

 

Celebrity is great, but you will not see the catering to kids type activities- Have heard the kids club is very good on Celebrity.

 

I am a solo adult. And I have no desire to sail Behemoths of the Seas. And in terms of food and entertainment (shows...I do not do pools, etc because I find them gross), and service, I find Disney far superior to RCCL (Radiance Class) and HAL (the other 2 lines I have sailed that are still in existence. Fathom did not come close in any aspect, but they had Cuba)

Edited August 2, 2019 by WrittenOnYourHeart

[Cruise a holic]

17 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

I am a solo adult. And I have no desire to sail Behemoths of the Seas. And in terms of food and entertainment (shows...I do not do pools, etc because I find them gross), and service, I find Disney far superior to RCCL (Radiance Class) and HAL (the other 2 lines I have sailed that are still in existence. Fathom did not come close in any aspect, but they had Cuba)

As a solo adult, just curious what appeals to you about Disney?  The new ships aren't exactly small?  Oasis class, has water shows, ice shows, regular shows,  a broadway show, comedy, many specilty restaurants- not just one,  etc.

 

If you haven't sailed the ships in a long time, just give it a try.  Not really as big as you think.  Ships are constructed, so with the exception of a parade really aren't crowded.  I do not like the Anthem as the layout isn't great and yes the ship feels very crowded more like NCL.  We also have sailed on the Freedom class which is also very good- Didn't like the Adventure of the Seas not sure what class that ship was..

Edited August 2, 2019 by Cruise a holic

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Just now, Cruise a holic said:

As a solo adult, just curious what appeals to you about Disney?  The new ships aren't exactly small?  Oasis class, has water shows, ice shows, regular shows,  a broadway show, comedy, many specilty restaurants- not just one,  etc.

 

If you haven't sailed the ships in a long time, just give it a try.  Not really as big as you think.  Ships are constructed, so with the exception of a parade really aren't crowded.  I do not like the Anthem as the layout isn't great and yes the ship feels very crowded more like NCL.

 

They may not be small (still smaller than Oasis Class) but they look and feel like SHIPS not floating hotels. To me the level of everything on Disney exceeds my experience with the other lines I have sailed. I also go to Disney Parks as a solo adult (though I do not wear short shorts or eat pretzels). Whenever I have had an issue with Disney or Disney Cruise Line, I have gotten personal phone calls from them. On Royal it was a stock “Sorry, so sorry” email response.

 

I do not want or need ice skating, water shows, etc. If I want theme park experiences I go to theme parks. If I want a Broadway show, I take the subway into Manhattan and have my pick of legit shows. I don’t find comedy amusing. If I want a park, I have one walking distance from my apartment and the real Central Park a subway ride away. 

 

Other than Palo brunch on Disney, I do not see the need for specialty restaurants. And food-wise I am gluten-free due to a wheat allergy and Disney is the only line I have not had an issue with. A head server on Royal tried to tell me - and the mom of a Celiac girl at the table next to mine that faro was “not really wheat” when it is 100% wheat after we questioned why that dish was marked as gluten-free! So yeah - not trusting them in keeping me safe food-wise.

 

A totally full Dream Class has a capacity of 4000 - Oasis Class 5400. That is a LOT more people.

 

You like that class and all that stuff and obviously need all that on a cruise. I do not need that. I cruise to CRUISE - not pretend I am not on a ship.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

52 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

As a solo adult, just curious what appeals to you about Disney?  The new ships aren't exactly small?  Oasis class, has water shows, ice shows, regular shows,  a broadway show, comedy, many specilty restaurants- not just one,  etc.

 

If you haven't sailed the ships in a long time, just give it a try.  Not really as big as you think.  Ships are constructed, so with the exception of a parade really aren't crowded.  I do not like the Anthem as the layout isn't great and yes the ship feels very crowded more like NCL.  We also have sailed on the Freedom class which is also very good- Didn't like the Adventure of the Seas not sure what class that ship was..

 

Also, just to be clear, I was THANKING the two posters I originally quoted for making me feel better about Celebrity. Not posting to have to once again defend my personal feelings and experiences and preferences.