Torn between booking EDGE or EQUINOX (here's why...)

[Aqua water]

I just made the same decision.  We have cruised on different ships and in different staterooms.  Here is how I made our decision between Edge and Equinox.

1. Cost for value.  The Edge is more $$$.

2. The lack of the Sky lounge on the Edge is a factor.  We enjoy sitting in the front of the ship to watch the waves and coming into ports.

3. Balcony- We like a traditional balcony but could adapt to Edge but not for more money

4. Location of Aqua class rooms and the fitness center and Persian garden.  The Aqua class rooms are not close to the fitness center and spa .the Edge.  The dining room is nice with water views on the Equinox.

We decided to go with the Equinox for these reasons.  Either would have been fine but the Equinox has better value for the money for us.  

Hope this helps.

Edited October 24, 2019 by Aqua water
typing error

[Caribbean Chris]

Equinox. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

Another vote for Edge.  Equinox was nice but is probably my least favorite ship in the fleet.  IMO Edge offers so much more.  Also, keep in mind that the veranda staterooms on Edge aren't really....again, in my opinion.  To me they are spaces with a large window that opens.  Not much different from a large OV...except one opens, the other doesn't.

[NCHPcruiser]

I think a lot of US university spring breaks begin Friday, March 6th.  Others begin the following week.  I don’t think Celebrity is a popular cruise line for spring breakers though so I wouldn’t worry too much about that.  If I were considering Carnival or RC I would definitely steer clear of those weeks!  

[NMTraveller]

The photography is also below par on Edge.  They have the green screen and end up taking fewer poses on board Edge. If there is a pose where someone is not smiling it will be multiplied by about 8 backgrounds.  On Princess they would check the picture and retake if need be.

[Cruisegirl6]

I have been on 92 cruises so far and finally going over to Celebrity, we are booked on the Edge for December 15th....my sister and brother in law also have taken numerous cruises and they also finally went over to Celebrity....two month sago they were on the Equinox and trust me, my brother in law complains about anything he could not find a single negative thing to say about that ship!  They are going on the transatlantic sailing on the Edge November 1st, they worried they won't like the Edge only because they so much loved the Equinox.  The Equinox has alot more music venues and bars the Edge not so many.  They loved the Equinox Sky Lounge ALOT as well as the Oceanview bar in the back of the ship.  The pros here are you find alot more shady open outside places to sit where the Edge is more in the sun.

 

We ALWAYS have balcony staterooms, but we are taking my widow father in law and we got him one of those single Infinite Balconies and need to be close to him so we chose two staterooms away from him an Panoramic Oceanview room...I have looked at videos and pictures and to be quite honest, I don't like the heat and we really never get to use the balcony...if I used a balcony on any of my past cruises I have to say we didn't even get more than an hour use of it, so I am very excited for the Panoramic Oceanview having that floor to ceiling window with that view is going to be very nice, the couch will be next to that window so we can sit out and look out and there is also a chair to move and sit to look out if you like.  The room is larger because you don't have that balcony.  I think this is perfect for me, as well as the obstruction, its only looking down, you can look straight ahead and have a great view!!  I don't mind the lifeboats they are not in the way looking out, you have more than enough open view in these rooms.

 

People have claimed the Edge is packed and noisy, honestly, I can't see it being that bad as the ship only holds 2918 passengers and the Equinox holds 2850 definitely no difference really.  The noise people are talking about probably music playing and Eden shows.  I did hear Eden can get crowded but that depends on the people on your sailing everybody is different and wants to be in different places....same goes with being on a ship with a smoking casino it depends on how many people are smokers on the ship so I can't see the Edge being that crowded, or people wouldn't keep going back as they do.

 

If you decide the Equinox, skip the Concierge class, you really get nothing much or worth while.  Aqua Class I heard is nice if your into the spa stuff and I heard Blu is over rated, same menu's and I personally prefer to try going to all the 4 different MDR.   I heard people prefer the Tuscan Grill over the Fine Cut Steakhouse but honestly, I haven't heard anybody say the Fine Cut Steakhouse was not good.

 

My sister is ready to go back on the Equinox, you have two great ships, so whatever you choose it be excellent.

[TeeRick]

You cannot go wrong with either choice.  What does you gut say?

[39august]

I also urge you NOT to book a concierge class balcony on either choice. There is no size difference from the ordinary balcony cabins. The cheap bottle of wine , generally awful canapes, and lunch from a very small menu on embarkation day is all you get for the extra money.

[LSKC]

1 hour ago, 39august said:

I also urge you NOT to book a concierge class balcony on either choice. There is no size difference from the ordinary balcony cabins. The cheap bottle of wine , generally awful canapes, and lunch from a very small menu on embarkation day is all you get for the extra money.

 

The only reason we looked at Concierge was b/c it was only $20 more /wk and I thought I read that those rooms were the ones that actually got a bit of a makeover (new carpet or something?)

 

[39august]

Yes, there is new carpet, drapes and bedding. Certainly not a reason for me to pay more! Carpet, drapes and bedding were fine before they were changed as far as we are concerned. I believe all balcony cabins got new balcony furniture. 

[Miaminice]

16 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

Equinox.  Edge is too crowded and loud and shouty. Buffet on Edge is packed, specialty dining is packed,   Spa is packed on sea days.  They took some of the entertainment venues out on Edge.  Eden is packed.  Magic carpet is either very windy or extremely windy.  I missed Muranos on Edge and Fine Cuts was too noisy.

 

If they were both the same price I would still choose Equinox.

 

Except for missing Murano I can’t second any of your statements but rather say that our feeling was different. 

[Miaminice]

We stayed in 6130 - Panoramic Oceanview with obstructed view.

The obstruction didn’t bother us at all. Despite the fact that we are usually balcony fans, we didn’t miss it here.

 

[hcat]

5 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

The photography is also below par on Edge.  They have the green screen and end up taking fewer poses on board Edge. If there is a pose where someone is not smiling it will be multiplied by about 8 backgrounds.  On Princess they would check the picture and retake if need be.

Our photo experience on EDGE was quite different.  They had the best , professional photographers on board,  very modern green screen technology and a  great digital.photo center.  We were Celebrating a big birthday ( mine)  on board  and loved the results. Best cruise photos ever in quality abd composition!   We took a small digital package and they threw in free porfolios, frames, pics of EDGE. Very generous!

 

Only snag was that  the digital downloads did not work our older tablet at first,  but the  photo guys and amazing Apple rep work very hard to work it out. If anyone goes with a  digital package  suggest you try your dwnloads before leaving the ship.

 

Can't wait to get some more EDGE photos in a few weeks!

 

 

[NMTraveller]

27 minutes ago, hcat said:

Our photo experience on EDGE was quite different.  They had the best , professional photographers on board,  very modern green screen technology and a  great digital.photo center.  We were Celebrating a big birthday ( mine)  on board  and loved the results. Best cruise photos ever in quality abd composition!   We took a small digital package and they threw in free porfolios, frames, pics of EDGE. Very generous!

 

Only snag was that  the digital downloads did not work our older tablet at first,  but the  photo guys and amazing Apple rep work very hard to work it out. If anyone goes with a  digital package  suggest you try your dwnloads before leaving the ship.

 

Can't wait to get some more EDGE photos in a few weeks!

 

 

We got the full digital package and there were about 20 percent that needed to be tossed.  The modern green screen screen is the same pose for all backgrounds.  What a disappointment.  We felt like we were shorted on pictures.  It took two weeks to get the download link after the cruise was over.

 

At a minimum there are a lot fewer poses taken on Edge.

 

On Princess the photographers were very high end.  On Edge I did not see them taking much time with anybody.

 

The poses were unimaginative.

 

There were fewer photographers on Edge.

Edited October 24, 2019 by NMTraveller

[NMTraveller]

42 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

 

Except for missing Murano I can’t second any of your statements but rather say that our feeling was different. 

I suspect that it is an early dinner vs late dinner experience.  Best to go to the venues when they are not packed.  Late dinner seems to be the way to go on Edge.  We did not have any problem booking late dinners in the specialty restaurants but we are early dinner people so we did not.

[Campari231]

I have sailed on The Edge last March.. I have sailed Celebrity Mille, Silhouette .  We are mid 60.s

We had the IV cabin on deck 7

As others have stated Most of all cabins on deck 6 of the Edge have some type of obstruction from 25% to 75%.. Either life boats, the window washing equipment or big metal ladders.

We didn't mind the IV " Balcony"   which gave you more cabin space and also you could still sit and look at the ocean even if it was raining.  But the captain has the ability to Lock the windows so even on a sunny day some people had their windows locked for the entire day.

I found the entertainment lacking on the Edge.. Now this might have changed because due to many passenger comments we were told ( I am a cruise TA) that Celebrity was going to rethink the entertainment.. Especially in Eden.  

Also as others have stated.. Skip the Concierge cabin and use the money for other things. Just not worth the extra charge.. The Edge has no real intimate drinking or dancing area.. We like to have a pre dinner dance or 5 and a cockt"ail .. in a lounge .. That does not exist on the Edge.. Yes you have the big Martini bar but very noise and crowded and very little slow dance music.

 

So I also suggest that you look at all the video's on the web to really get the feel of the Edge.. It is a beautiful ship but we found many Celebrity offerings lacking.

best wishes.

 

 

[NMTraveller]

20 minutes ago, Campari231 said:

I have sailed on The Edge last March.. I have sailed Celebrity Mille, Silhouette .  We are mid 60.s

We had the IV cabin on deck 7

As others have stated Most of all cabins on deck 6 of the Edge have some type of obstruction from 25% to 75%.. Either life boats, the window washing equipment or big metal ladders.

We didn't mind the IV " Balcony"   which gave you more cabin space and also you could still sit and look at the ocean even if it was raining.  But the captain has the ability to Lock the windows so even on a sunny day some people had their windows locked for the entire day.

I found the entertainment lacking on the Edge.. Now this might have changed because due to many passenger comments we were told ( I am a cruise TA) that Celebrity was going to rethink the entertainment.. Especially in Eden.  

Also as others have stated.. Skip the Concierge cabin and use the money for other things. Just not worth the extra charge.. The Edge has no real intimate drinking or dancing area.. We like to have a pre dinner dance or 5 and a cockt"ail .. in a lounge .. That does not exist on the Edge.. Yes you have the big Martini bar but very noise and crowded and very little slow dance music.

 

So I also suggest that you look at all the video's on the web to really get the feel of the Edge.. It is a beautiful ship but we found many Celebrity offerings lacking.

best wishes.

 

 

In my opinion the entertainment is still lacking on Edge as of Sept.

 

We are the ones that get early to the theater and sit in the front row.  It is a beautiful theater but needs better acts.  We skipped some of the shows and we never have before.

 

We ate in the Eden restaurant 3 times and thought that the skits were sophomoric.  A lot of talent but not a coherent show.

 

I used to like watching the pre dinner dancing.

Edited October 25, 2019 by NMTraveller

[Campari231]

10 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

In my opinion the entertainment is still lacking on Edge as of Sept.

 

We are the ones that get early to the theater and sit in the front row.  It is a beautiful theater but needs better acts.  We skipped some of the show and we never have before.

 

We ate in the Eden restaurant 3 times and thought that the skits were sophomoric.  A lot of talent but not a coherent show.

 

I used to like watching the pre dinner dancing.

Well I am sorry to hear that the changes we were promised have not been made... They even had a special online meeting for the TA's about it!  I totally agree with you.  I am in theater and pretty "hip" and I didn't like Eden shows at all . I agree very "new age nothing"  Yes theater is beautiful and shows are not.  I also used to love people ballroom dancing.. Didn't exist.. No quiet place to have a drink and Talk.. We actually were told to  shhh in Eden when we were having a drink with friends and they weren't doing the show!!! For me the Edge was one and done.. and I couldn't justify the higher prices for Everything.  Glad I did it because it is a stunning vessel  and we were lucky cause we paid " pre build " prices.. 

[aml3679]

The Edge is too expensive for our budget - we love the Equinox - have 2 upcoming sailings on her - 1 in 2020 and 1 in 2021 for my 60th birthday.

[Miaminice]

14 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

I suspect that it is an early dinner vs late dinner experience.  Best to go to the venues when they are not packed.  Late dinner seems to be the way to go on Edge.  We did not have any problem booking late dinners in the specialty restaurants but we are early dinner people so we did not.

We always book Select Dining. We always arrive during peak time like 7pm. On Edge (fully booked cruise) we tried all four restaurants, always arrived at around 7pm without a reservation and never had a problem getting a table. After trying all of the four we more or less stuck to Normandie and were even able to request a specific waiter without a problem. As mentioned, even without a reservation.

Besides the general design, the 4 dining room concept sold us on Edge. We usually book Aqua to have a smaller and quieter dining room. On Edge each of the four venues had a less rushed ambiance and were quieter than the large MDRs of S and M class. We did not even miss Blu. That´s how much we enjoyed it.
So we really had a different experience.

Edited October 25, 2019 by Miaminice

[TeeRick]

7 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

In my opinion the entertainment is still lacking on Edge as of Sept.

 

We are the ones that get early to the theater and sit in the front row.  It is a beautiful theater but needs better acts.  We skipped some of the shows and we never have before.

 

We ate in the Eden restaurant 3 times and thought that the skits were sophomoric.  A lot of talent but not a coherent show.

 

I used to like watching the pre dinner dancing.

It is pretty clear from all of your posts that you were not a fan of Edge.  It does get mixed reviews but I have noticed a lot more favorable as time goes on.  We sailed in January and I can say the entertainment across the ship was excellent and the theater layout and technology was extremely well done.  But I agree that the theater shows across Celebrity ships could use a boost especially the production shows.  Not just an issue on Edge.  My opinion based on my tastes.  But some of the guest entertainers are really good.  We could not sit through the "show" at Eden but I hear it has been changed perhaps for the better since we sailed. We did not try the Eden restaurant at all but loved the Eden Cafe for lunch.

[bbeltmom]

We are from Ontario and have sailed on both the Equinox and the Edge.  

 

While we were on the Edge b2b in February, I knew I was going to book for New Years on either the Edge or the Equinox.  

I waited until we spent a full week on the Edge before making my decision and went with the Equinox.

 

It is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL ship, but it was designed for fashion over function. 

We have sailed 12 times with Celebrity (always in at least a balcony) but we have viewed ALL classes.  I would not give up my balcony.  Take the Concierge on the Equinox early in February and you will NOT regret it.

 

I would suggest the Edge if you require an accessible cabin and ONLY if you REALLY require it.  Those were the only cabins that were well though out (unless you can afford the villas).

 

That having been said - we did enjoy the Retreat Sun Deck on the Edge which does not have comparable on the other ships - even though they are trying to market it as such I don't think it works without being attached to the Retreat Lounge and Luminae and without a pool.