Equinox Observations -Good to Odd

[rolloman]

I spent the past week (June 29th sailing) onboard.  Middle aged with 80+ cruises on multiple lines. The good- 11:00 AM Embarkation and 8:30 AM Debarkation-new port facility is great-could not have been better. The ships crew- some of the best I have encountered. Normally, I can think of one or two outstanding people, this cruise, at least 10 folks who made a difference. The food-lots of variety, way ahead of other comparable lines. Specialty restaurants- Qsine, Petite Chef so much fun and the food was fantastic. So much so we went twice to get both menu shows. Sushi on Five-wow, all you can eat for $30.00, try the lobster crab won tons. Delicious. Room service fantastic with the upgraded menu. Just move the bigger inside table out onto the balcony so you can eat outside. The new teeny table is basically worthless. 

 

Not so good: Deck 9 concierge cabin- musty smelling pillows, bathroom door sprung, rusted fridge, frayed carpet in passageway...hard to believe things like this were not addressed during refurb. Room Steward brought different pillows, no smell, but they were brutal to sleep with. The bed was good size but really firm, probably needs broken in. Chair Hogs- out in force, the upside is just ask the pool attendant for a chair and he will quickly find one and clear it. One time so quickly, before my wife and I could get to it (ten steps) the guy in the lounger next to it had flopped his spare towel down, all was good though as I handed his towel back to him. 

 

Odd- Captain Kate, huge following, mile long line for a picture with her on formal night (more so than I have ever seen). Ok now the odd part, she has her own jewelry line onboard and actually spent a good bit of time hawking it one night...my issue, I am US Navy Vet. The Captain needs to stick to being a Captain, being so chummy with the passengers may come back to bite her one day. In the event of certain emergency, a Captain of a vessel in International waters becomes the authority on all matters. Think of it as the ruler of a small nation.  IMO she needs to stick to presenting herself as the commander of the vessel and let her staff play in the pool games. Anyways, that being said, she is a charming individual who is a trail blazer in the industry. I wish her much success in her career.  

 

In summary, great ship, I was on her when she was brand new and also after this refurb so it was an interesting comparison with both equating to a resounding two thumbs up for anyone considering this ship.  Let me know if you have any questions, I will try to answer!

 

[timf264]

Sushi on 5 $30 all you can eat any night?

[helen haywood]

Thanks for your review!  Equinox wound up with a shortened “renovation” when she had to sail to Cadiz due to the Oasis incident at Freeport.  I’ve read reports of mattresses and other goods being delivered to Equinox in various ports...and of refurbishments being done on board.  So hopefully as time goes by more of the renovation/revolution will get done.  I’m just happy the Sky Lounge escaped being chopped!

[rolloman]

17 minutes ago, timf264 said:

Sushi on 5 $30 all you can eat any night?

Yes .....and they only charged me 10.00 for my daughter. Great deal for sure!

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Is there a set schedule for when they do each menu at LPC? I want to do it, but prefer the primary menu rather than the “friends” one.

[rolloman]

24 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Is there a set schedule for when they do each menu at LPC? I want to do it, but prefer the primary menu rather than the “friends” one.

The first two nights (Saturday, Sunday) was the Chef and friends video and the last two nights ( Thursday, Friday) was just the petite chef lobster and filet menu.  I suggest going on the last night or first night and get a 30% discount and 10.00 per child price. Book quickly once onboard. I almost booked on line ahead of time and that would of been a mistake. Basically, I was able to go to both shows for the price of one. Very happy, everyone in my party agreed it was a highlight of the cruise. Show times are 6pm and 8pm. They are very serious about checking in 15 minutes prior and they also get testy if you leave to go to the bathroom. On the second night they made a big deal about letting everyone know there was a 10 minute break after the 3rd course.

Edited July 9, 2019 by rolloman

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

5 minutes ago, rolloman said:

The first two nights (Saturday, Sunday) was the Chef and friends video and the last two nights ( Thursday, Friday) was just the petite chef lobster and filet menu.  I suggest going on the last night or first night and get a 30% discount and 10.00 per child price. Book quickly once onboard. I almost booked on line ahead of time and that would of been a mistake. Basically, I was able to go to both shows for the price of one. Very happy, everyone in my party agreed it was a highlight of the cruise. Show times are 6pm and 8pm. They are very serious about checking in 15 minutes prior and they also get testy if you leave to go to the bathroom. On the second night they made a big deal about letting everyone know there was a 10 minute break after the 3rd course.

 

Thanks. I was under the impression that this was filling up before boarding. So I should be safe waiting until I board?

[sheffield]

I agree that the Captain of the vessel needs to maintain a professional relationship with the passengers. I have always found it strange how people talk about her as if she’s a personal friend. The fact that she is selling her own personal line of jewelry just leaves me almost speechless. How can that be allowed to happen?

[hubofhockey]

2 hours ago, sheffield said:

I agree that the Captain of the vessel needs to maintain a professional relationship with the passengers. I have always found it strange how people talk about her as if she’s a personal friend. The fact that she is selling her own personal line of jewelry just leaves me almost speechless. How can that be allowed to happen?

 

Do you think it compromises her ability in terms of safety to her crew or passengers?  If Celebrity believed that this was in any way negatively impacting any voyage, they.wouldn't allow it.  

 

I wasn't even aware that Celebrity had a female captain.  Good for them.  That profession is one lacking in diversity and inclusion  and if she can bring some positive attention to that, good for her and Celebrity as long as it does not impact safety of the ship.

 

 

[rolloman]

7 hours ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Thanks. I was under the impression that this was filling up before boarding. So I should be safe waiting until I board?

History will indicate first and last night are typically not sold out, hence the discount to persuade guests. I will say there were empty chairs each time I attended.  However, there is no guarantee.

[rolloman]

I forgot to mention the casino, I actually came out ahead this voyage.  They allow "select" free drinks while playing for everyone. In all my years of sailing, this is a first.  Also, I believe they had some new crew working the tables. One night at the roulette table a guest placed a chip on the number 8 and it barely, and I mean barely was not centered in the box. The number 8 came out and the dealer paid a split, the guest said you underpaid me and the dealer said no your chip is touching the line. After a semi- heated exchange the dealer asked the pit boss to come over for his opinion and of course the boss looked at her in a baffled way and said pay the man. 

[poffles]

6 minutes ago, rolloman said:

I forgot to mention the casino, I actually came out ahead this voyage.  They allow "select" free drinks while playing for everyone. In all my years of sailing, this is a first.  

 

By chance do you know if any beer is included in the 'select' free drinks.  I have always had the drink package so never asked about it but next cruise I am without a package on my next cruise and now wonder about this.

Edited July 9, 2019 by poffles

[Islandbuoy]

5 hours ago, hubofhockey said:

 

Do you think it compromises her ability in terms of safety to her crew or passengers?  If Celebrity believed that this was in any way negatively impacting any voyage, they.wouldn't allow it.  

 

I wasn't even aware that Celebrity had a female captain.  Good for them.  That profession is one lacking in diversity and inclusion  and if she can bring some positive attention to that, good for her and Celebrity as long as it does not impact safety of the ship.

 

 

Does  anyone know for a fact that Kate is getting the proceeds and not celebrity?

[teacher2cruiser]

We also stayed in a 9th deck concierge cabin and our cabin was perfect (well except for the small balcony table, you are right, it is worthless).........Pillows were great with no smell and our refrigerator appeared to be brand new as I could still see some packing tape on the small shelf inside.  As another poster said, the dry dock didn't go off as planned so it looks like changes continue to be made during sailings.

[oneputt18]

38 minutes ago, Islandbuoy said:

Does  anyone know for a fact that Kate is getting the proceeds and not celebrity?

It's jewelry from Kallati called the Captain's Collection, Starboard is the vendor on Celebrity and I doubt Capt Kate gets a kickback.

[TeeRick]

9 minutes ago, oneputt18 said:

It's jewelry from Kallati called the Captain's Collection, Starboard is the vendor on Celebrity and I doubt Capt Kate gets a kickback.

That makes more sense.  Or I was thinking perhaps confusion with Kate Spade jewelry?  If you look on the Kallati website under "where to buy" they list Land and Sea options. Under Sea they list 13 different cruise lines have their jewelry.   No way Celebrity would sell a personal line of jewelry from one of their captains (or any other crew) unless of course for charity.  That would be well publicized and known here.  This thread is a good example of how unusual rumors get started. 

Edited July 9, 2019 by TeeRick
none

[miched]

10 minutes ago, oneputt18 said:

It's jewelry from Kallati called the Captain's Collection, Starboard is the vendor on Celebrity and I doubt Capt Kate gets a kickback.

 

I am sure she can keep  the TIPS she receives while serving coffee in Cafe al Bacio 🙄💰

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[rolloman]

2 hours ago, poffles said:

 

By chance do you know if any beer is included in the 'select' free drinks.  I have always had the drink package so never asked about it but next cruise I am without a package on my next cruise and now wonder about this.

Budweiser is included.

[rolloman]

16 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

That makes more sense.  Or I was thinking perhaps confusion with Kate Spade jewelry?  If you look on the Kallati website under "where to buy" they list Land and Sea options. Under Sea they list 13 different cruise lines have their jewelry.   No way Celebrity would sell a personal line of jewelry from one of their captains (or any other crew) unless of course for charity.  That would be well publicized and known here.  This thread is a good example of how unusual rumors get started. 

I pointed out she has a jewelry line she specifically stands in the jewelry store pitching prospective buyers. This is no rumor. Furthermore I mentioned nothing about where proceeds go. If the ship ran aground while she was busy pitching jewelry it would not look good for her in the media would it? 

[hubofhockey]

5 minutes ago, rolloman said:

I pointed out she has a jewelry line she specifically stands in the jewelry store pitching prospective buyers. This is no rumor. Furthermore I mentioned nothing about where proceeds go. If the ship ran aground while she was busy pitching jewelry it would not look good for her in the media would it? 

 

What difference does it make?  If it doesn't impact her work, why should anyone care?  She's a very positive role model.  I just read the article about her in the NY Times.  

 

Also, what if someone told you that she spends as much or more time in the Captain's bridge than other captains, would that change your opinion of how she spends her time?  Quite honestly, if this were a male captain playing pickup basketball in a regular game, would you even bring up "if the ship ran aground" or does it look kinda bad, because, you know, she's a woman?  Get use to it.  There will be more Captain Kates coming to Celebrity and other cruise lines and they can all thank Kate McCue for leading the way.

[sjb317]

We were on this cruise also, and we had a great time.  I did think it was strange to have the captain promoting jewelry. It was advertised in the Daily Planner as a special sale with an opportunity to hear Captain Kate’s stories of the jewels involved in each piece.  

 

Sherri🙂

[sjb317]

7 minutes ago, hubofhockey said:

 

What difference does it make?  If it doesn't impact her work, why should anyone care?  She's a very positive role model.  I just read the article about her in the NY Times.  

 

Also, what if someone told you that she spends as much or more time in the Captain's bridge than other captains, would that change your opinion of how she spends her time?  Quite honestly, if this were a male captain playing pickup basketball in a regular game, would you even bring up "if the ship ran aground" or does it look kinda bad, because, you know, she's a woman?  Get use to it.  There will be more Captain Kates coming to Celebrity and other cruise lines and they can all thank Kate McCue for leading the way.

I don’t think it has anything to do with her gender. I agree she is a positive role model and it is wonderful to see more women moving into positions such as captain.   It is just a little weird to see the captain basically trying to move some jewelry.  And I would feel the same if a male captain was doing it.😁

 

Sherri🙂

[maggie.1008]

I have seen other male Captains in the jewelry stores promoting. 

[helen haywood]

So one wonders if Captains both male and female have been promoting jewelry....does this mean that corporate Celebrity is asking/making them do this?

[tarps14]

Let's get back to these free drinks in the casino.  So Bud Light is included.  What else?  Any mixed drinks?  This is great news as we are cruising on a resident rate so no free perks for us.  Wow.  Cruise ship casinos finally catching up to land based ones.  'Bout time. 😎