Currently On Board Celebrity Equinox 2/15-2/22

[janetz]

55 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

We used TMM Charters in Tortola, my Brother in law was our captain so we did not need a provided captain. He has done over 8 of these charters in the BVI and  passed the company's Captain qualifications. We had three couples and the boat had 3 cabins each with their own bathroom. Our boat was only a year old and was fantastic.  The charter company can furnish a registered captain if you need one for an extra fee. It was one of the bucket list things that we will always remember. The BVI is so sailing friendly, every island has places with mooring balls to tie up  for overnight for about $30 per night. Most islands have at least one restaurant and most have a beach club. We only did breakfast and a few lunches on the boat and all dinner were on shore at a restaurant. All of the islands are very close and only one, Anagorda, do you lose sight of land when you sail to it. Best part with 3 couples the cost per couple was less than a cruise. 

Our son, does the same

He runs his charters from St. Thomas

Cost includes all meals, prepared onboard and all beverages 
Water toys, snorkel gear

With a charter you can see so much more.

We have been blessed  enough to see them all. 😊

Edited February 21, 2020 by janetz

[martiniren]

On 2/19/2020 at 12:48 PM, keesar said:

Today we are in Tortola.  Only one other ship here, Costa.  Clear at sunrise and then a shower around 8 am.  Sun was out at 9 and another monsoon shower at 11. They last for about 10 minutes.   We  took a Celebrity excursion to Norman Island  for snorkeling.  Waters were clear, air temps around 80, and seas at 79 degrees.  We snorkeled in the caves and saw a variety of fish.  Then we went to a second stop on the island where you could snorkel from shore,  swim at a beach, get food and drinks for $ at the  beach club.  We went snorkeling and saw 3 sea turtles and more fish. Coral was alive at this stop.   Fun excursion.

 

Last night, the IT serviceman came by to install a wifi signal booster in our room.  Not sure why but I am not going to argue with him.  

 

Tortola has developed from our last time here.  Small port and very quiet.  It is a pretty island.  Locals are complaining about the winds and rain they have had here for a couple of week.  

Envious that you were in Tortola.  When I booked the March 28 2020 cruise, Tortola was on the itinerary.  It has since been replaced with Samana, D.R.  We stopped at Samana, D.R. several years ago, and were extremely unimpressed.  This year, Samana day will be another Sea Day for us.  

[the_dylaness]

Two things we have missed this cruise:

 

-The cards letting us know the clock was moving forwards or back.  This nearly resulted in a $20 late fee in picking our kids up from kids club on the first sea day because we did not realize until about 1155am (when they close at noon) that the time had changed.  It was printed in the fine print in the daily, apparently, but we have been conditioned to look for the little card.  (Who reads the whole daily?!)

 

-The red channel for Latin music at silent disco was replaced with another channel.  Not that we didn't like the other channel, but we enjoyed the Latin music.  It seems like one channel was maybe 50-60s, one was 70s-80s, and one was 90s +?

[the_dylaness]

Regarding Tortola,

I like this port.  We did not really like our "Virgin Gorda, Baths, and Snorkeling" tour.  It was disorganized.  We did not realize that we would snorkel from the boat, to the island/baths, walk the baths barefoot (and with no glasses for my poor husband who can't see hardly anything without them...) and then all the time on the island was without our bag.  So no reading, no sunscreen, no towel, we did not have any way to bring cash or credit card with us so we could not get even a bottle of water or a snack.  There were too many people on the boat- when it started to rain they made those of us sitting outside come in (reasonable) but not enough seating for everyone, so people sitting on the floor and all over the aisles, very unsafe and kind of nauseating.  We were rushed through the baths (which is where I would have preferred to spend the most time) and then when we arrived at the beach we were given no instructions about when we would leave, so we couldn't really make a great plan.

Edited February 21, 2020 by the_dylaness

[little britain]

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

No jackets or Ties EVER required on ANY Celebrity Cruise.

I can assure you that DH was turned away from the Elite Tea on Century several years ago for not having a jacket on!!

With 'I told you so' ringing in his ears he went back to the cabin to put one on...

[terrydtx]

34 minutes ago, tcmagnum said:

Thank you so much for the information.  We are now researching (3 couples each researching)!!

if you do this fly into St Thomas and take a water taxi to Tortola, much cheaper than flying to Tortola. Water Taxi takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Delta has direct fights from Atlanta to St Thomas.  American has them from DFW and Miami.

[kwokpot]

8 minutes ago, little britain said:

I can assure you that DH was turned away from the Elite Tea on Century several years ago for not having a jacket on!!

With 'I told you so' ringing in his ears he went back to the cabin to put one on...

I agree that USED to be their policy(I first sailed with them in 2002 on the Millie - remember when each table had 2!! assistant waiters?) but ever since they went to the Evening Chic dress code there's no more requirement for a jacket. My husband and I never bring suits or jackets on Celebrity cruises anymore. Slacks and nice dress shirts are perfect for Evening Chic and slacks and polo type shirts for all other evenings.

[janetz]

28 minutes ago, the_dylaness said:

Two things we have missed this cruise:

 

-The cards letting us know the clock was moving forwards or back.  This nearly resulted in a $20 late fee in picking our kids up from kids club on the first sea day because we did not realize until about 1155am (when they close at noon) that the time had changed.  It was printed in the fine print in the daily, apparently, but we have been conditioned to look for the little card.  (Who reads the whole daily?!)

 

-The red channel for Latin music at silent disco was replaced with another channel.  Not that we didn't like the other channel, but we enjoyed the Latin music.  It seems like one channel was maybe 50-60s, one was 70s-80s, and one was 90s +?

LOVE the Silent Disco 😊

[Quo Vadis?]

4 minutes ago, janetz said:

LOVE the Silent Disco 😊

But silence is golden...

 

[Purplsmurf]

46 minutes ago, the_dylaness said:

Regarding Tortola,

I like this port.  We did not really like our "Virgin Gorda, Baths, and Snorkeling" tour.  It was disorganized.  We did not realize that we would snorkel from the boat, to the island/baths, walk the baths barefoot (and with no glasses for my poor husband who can't see hardly anything without them...) and then all the time on the island was without our bag.  So no reading, no sunscreen, no towel, we did not have any way to bring cash or credit card with us so we could not get even a bottle of water or a snack.  There were too many people on the boat- when it started to rain they made those of us sitting outside come in (reasonable) but not enough seating for everyone, so people sitting on the floor and all over the aisles, very unsafe and kind of nauseating.  We were rushed through the baths (which is where I would have preferred to spend the most time) and then when we arrived at the beach we were given no instructions about when we would leave, so we couldn't really make a great plan.

This information is good to know. While I will be canceling since my husband can’t do this tour my daughter and her bf are still planning on doing it. We talked about them bringing water shoes for the hike,  but if they are snorkeling how can they carry water shoes? Wondering if they should consider canceling this tour. We leave in 3 weeks and are still so undecided about Tortola. 

[janetz]

46 minutes ago, Argo. said:

But silence is golden...

 

True 😊

Great  choices of upcoming cruises!

[Roo B]

2 hours ago, kwokpot said:

I agree that USED to be their policy(I first sailed with them in 2002 on the Millie - remember when each table had 2!! assistant waiters?) but ever since they went to the Evening Chic dress code there's no more requirement for a jacket. My husband and I never bring suits or jackets on Celebrity cruises anymore. Slacks and nice dress shirts are perfect for Evening Chic and slacks and polo type shirts for all other evenings.

 

Just of the ship last week - the guy in front of me was wearing cammo shorts and a t-shirt to the dining room on Chic night and had no trouble getting a table. They won`t turn you away for not having a jacket.

[RickT]

29 minutes ago, Roo B said:

 

Just of the ship last week - the guy in front of me was wearing cammo shorts and a t-shirt to the dining room on Chic night and had no trouble getting a table. They won`t turn you away for not having a jacket.

Not to start a discussion on dress code but I have seen people in shorts turned away and believe that’s the right thing for X to do.  The required dress code is fairly relaxed but shorts are not on the list of acceptance attire.

 

 

[keesar]

4 hours ago, hcat said:

That's a first ......usually BLU not crowded for breakfast.   Glad they are following rules/ guidelines.   Wonder why BLU was preferred...what are Luminae hrs versus BLU???

The view at breakfast when about to dock is a factor.  Another reason is the muesli.

[calicakes]

I am the member that was visited by the "head housekeeper", an officer.  He said all the emails I sent to X in Miami were heard and they would be ordering new footrests that were going to be ready in a month.  That was last September 2019.  LOL. 

 

I was in an accessible room and was given a plastic shower stool for a foot rest.  Then, they took that away and brought me a giant round wicker table(???) for a foot stool. 

[calicakes]

When was the short dry dock?  We sailed back in Sept 2019 and I could have sworn there was a "refresh".  My AQ room looked like the OP's room.  There was a tiny table on the balcony too. 

[helen haywood]

I always save the first day’s program.  It has the whole cruise itinerary on it with arrival and departure times along with what nights are evening chic and when the clocks are out forward or back.

[Purplsmurf]

1 hour ago, calicakes said:

When was the short dry dock?  We sailed back in Sept 2019 and I could have sworn there was a "refresh".  My AQ room looked like the OP's room.  There was a tiny table on the balcony too. 

It was approximately June 2019. It was supposed to have a full refurb,  but couldn’t due to the crane accident. It had a partial refurb, so that’s what you saw

[keesar]

4 hours ago, calicakes said:

When was the short dry dock?  We sailed back in Sept 2019 and I could have sworn there was a "refresh".  My AQ room looked like the OP's room.  There was a tiny table on the balcony too. 

The same tiny table is still there. People used it as a footstool.  Attendant laughed when it was brought up.  

[keesar]

Today the Equinox arrived in Nassau.  As usual, there was early rain as we made our way to Nassau.  Then at 11 am, the rain stopped shortly before we docked.  There was only one other ship and that made for little traffic on our way to Atlantis Resort.  We went there for the marine aquarium which was wonderful.  Many colorful fish, sharks, rays, etc.  and we were there for the feeding at 3 pm.  Amazing.  It was a pleasant day overall.  We were on the port side  of the ship and had a great view of the lighthouse, peninsula, and water.  No obstructed views this time and we could not hear the loud Disney songs from that ship.

 

Our Captain is a man of few words.  He just gives us the facts after his greeting.  No self-promoting or advertising for shops.    We have been early or on time at each port..  He got the job done.  

 

I had to use up my  nonrefundable OBC today as at 10 pm, it disappears and goes back to Celebrity.  Gave some to our room attendant and some to myself.  

 

Empty tables at the Specialty Restaurants.  Many last minute cancellations and  no shows tonight. This is from two managers of restaurants.  

 

Sad night, as packing.  We are doing  the Luggage Valet Program.  $25 fee per cruiser plus applicable airline baggage fees.  I used OBC for that.

 

 

 

[RickT]

Enjoyed following you on the Equinox.  Hope you’ve left her in good condition for me (I board in 2 weeks).  Curious, when you save you gave some of your shipboard credit to yourself, did you find a way to turn that to cash or did you just treat yourself to something?

 

Safe travels home.

[keesar]

2 hours ago, RickT said:

Enjoyed following you on the Equinox.  Hope you’ve left her in good condition for me (I board in 2 weeks).  Curious, when you save you gave some of your shipboard credit to yourself, did you find a way to turn that to cash or did you just treat yourself to something?

 

Safe travels home.

 

You have to use your nonrefundable OBC before 10 pm on the final evening.  Despite paying for bus transportation to the airport, Luggage Valet, extra money to my stateroom attendant,  and excursions, I did have funds left.  I went to the casino and opened an account.  Then I transferred funds from my OBC to my casino account.  You have to play 10% of what you transferred.  Then I cashed out.  With the cash, I tipped my server and his assistant and kept some for myself. You can only designate your stateroom attendant or butler directly with OBC.  You can designate to the dining staff, bar staff  and other departments  but it is pooled.

[hcat]

How much was the admission to Atlantis Aquarium?  Did you take a taxi?

Def on our list for any future Nassau stop!

[keesar]

Good Morning,

     It was quite a night on the ship.  Really rocky between Nassau and FLL,.  Just like when we left.  I felt like I was going to be thrown out of bed.  Looked for a seatbelt. 😀

 

    Walk offs began around 7:15 and numbers were called at 8:10 am.  Long lines for walk offs.  Really long. But if you had an excursion or bus transportation thru the ship, there was a separate exit  with non lines.

 

    With facial recognition, getting off was a breeze.  No lines like in the past and you are inside.  Really fast.   

 

  

[keesar]

3 minutes ago, hcat said:

How much was the admission to Atlantis Aquarium?  Did you take a taxi?

Def on our list for any future Nassau stop!

 

We booked thru Celebrity and it was $40.99 per person.  I think that price reflected a 20% off sale price.  It included round trip  shuttle transportation, tour and admission to the Aquarium.  The nice part is that you could take any shuttle back with the last one being at 5 pm.