First time Celebrity Cruisers- Equinox 9 night nov

[blueskadoo]

Hello all- as the title states above, the DH and I are headed on our first celebrity cruise for thanksgiving this year. I feel optimistic given we are both vaccinated and it is outside the CSO so I’m indulging myself in research. We’ve had a cruise on Edge get shifted to 2022 and I don’t feel too optimistic about our RC cruise scheduled for the end of this July either. So I would love to hear thoughts on the Equinox as we booked this on a whim and I’ll confess I did very little research. We are doing the 9 night cruise over thanksgiving and have a sunset veranda on the 7th deck. Any must dos? Any pitfalls of the 7th deck? I tried doing some research here on the boards but it’s been very focused (understandably) when will we sail so good info is hard to come by. Looking forward to your thoughts! 

[cruisestitch]

Dozens of reviews can be accessed on Cruise Critic.  Perhaps they will help focus your thoughts.

[39august]

Since you mentioned RCI, I will give you some differences. Celebrity will be a more up-scale experience with fewer children than RCI, especially on this longer cruise. Lots of places on board to view the sea. Best lounge for this is forward deck 14 in the Sky Lounge. The Sunset Bar is on deck 15 aft, next to the lawn club, two great spaces for out door viewing. Not as many activities as RCI and no water slides, kid zones, etc. This will be a more laid back, relaxing experience. Entertainment will not be as varied as on RCI. On the other hand, we greatly enjoy the guest speakers that each X ship has on their cruises. Equinox is our favorite ship and is elegant. Cafe Al Baccio is the coffee lounge with many delicious specialty offerings, at a price of course. Pastries there are at no charge, whether you buy a coffee or not. The lemon tarts are to die for! There used to be, and I assume still will be, free ice cream in the Oceanview Cafe, their buffet. It is made daily, flavors vary and it is very good! The ice-topped martini bar is a happening spot whenever it is open. 

[clivey]

Not sure I could write anything that could relay how awesome this ship is!!  We were RCI cruisers before trying the Equinox in July ‘17 with a back to back cruise.  It was unbelievable!  We have sailed on her 10 times since then.  The main thing is the crew!  They are unbelievable!  Love the Martini Bar and have made friends with many of the bartenders.  We have only sailed in Aqua or a suite so never went to the main dining room.  I’m sure it’s just as wonderful.  We love the restaurants you pay extra for as well.  The coffee shop with the pastries/desserts is great.  We just booked her again for August 8th.  Let me know if you have any more questions!  Enjoy!!

[lola2013]

My first Celebrity cruise was on Equinox...Med cruise...fabulous!  I had a Princess cruise booked for a year later but immediately cancelled and re-booked on Equinox again.  I also love Princess, but really loved the Celebrity experience.  Our group (six cabins I believe) booked standard verandahs but was upgraded to Concierge on deck 9.  I didn't see the value in Concierge so have not booked that class again.  But I did switch to SV on a Solstice cruise and won't go back!  

If I had one "challenge" with Celebrity, it would be that singles are not their target market.  And I have had a conversation with corporate about it.  I understand paying a premium to have a room to myself; but my friends got an upgrade when we travelled together (on Reflection) and I didn't.  The response when I questioned that was "well, there's two of them...and you're a single."  Hmmm, but I did pay the same price.  Other than that, Celebrity is now my cruise line of choice.  

39August made excellent points about the amenities!  

Enjoy!

[JsMom2]

I’ve been cruising RC since the 80’s.  I’d been wary about upgrading to Celebrity as I thought it might be a bit stuffy.  I took a chance on the Equinox in Feb 2018, and became addicted to that ship.  Went on her again in 2018 and then twice in 2019.  Two of those cruises I was solo.  I absolutely love the ship, the shows, the food, activities.  There is a special feeling on that ship, and I always feel like I’m home when I’m onboard.  There is a more “grown up” vibe than on RC.  But not in a stuffy way.  More of a “hey we don’t have kids to take care of, we can really party”. I was in Aqua class twice, and really enjoyed Blu and the Persian Garden.  But the MDR food is so much better than RC.  And specialty restaurants are excellent.  Le Petite Chef is a fun experience, and the food is wonderful.  I could go on and on.  

Edited June 1, 2021 by JsMom2

[39august]

I forgot to add a most important point. No smoking anywhere inside the ship, not even in the casino. The casinos on RCI ships I was on the past few years ( before my switch to Celebrity) had become simply the "smoke hole" . Remember those in high school?

[ECCruise]

Although a 9 day sailing will mitigate it some, just remember that a Thanksgiving cruise will have more children than is normal, even on Celebrity.  We discovered that a few years ago. 

[DENIE]

I've sailed on her "sister", the Silhouette.  These are beautiful ships!  Although our next cruise is a splurge on a smaller line, we have loved each of the 3 Celebrity cruises we have been on.  It feels like "home".  We don't need/want all the water parks, roller coasters, flow riders, etc.  The amenities on Celebrity suit of just fine.  Be sure to book at least one dinner in Murano!!

[blueskadoo]

Thanks all for the info so far. We tried to book the retreat but it is sold out- is that because it’s a holiday sailing or is that just standard for celebrity? We were told to keep checking back for cancellations. Is it worth it or will we be good where we are at? Also, our deal came with a classic beverage package. Is that usually good enough or do people typically do the upgrade? We aren’t huge drinkers, usually hubby will have a few beers and I like a frozen daiquiri every once and a while so I’d think we will be okay? Now sodas are a real addiction and my understanding is that they are included so we’ll definitely make good on that. Finally I saw someone mention a restaurant to try. When should I start picking reservations or is there ever luck with walk up? We couldn’t get the anytime dining but are waitlisted. Next, my husband is a gambler, so it’s great news that is non-smoking in the casino (maybe..sometimes I can get him out quicker if it’s smoky lol) and the rep said they have baccarat on the boat. Can anyone confirm? She didnt sound too certain when I asked. Oh! And any way to know if our cabin will be quiet? The rep on the phone said we were sandwiched between floors of rooms, but the internet said we were near the restaurant. If so, do you call to change your room location? Thanks again everyone! 

Edited June 2, 2021 by blueskadoo

[wrk2cruise]

Suites on Celebrity can sell out early and I'm not surprised if this is a holiday sailing.   Generally around final payment some people will cancel and some will show back up.   Price difference between a SV and even a sky suite is going to probably be 2.5x or more.

 

From the sound of it you should be fine with the classic package.  If not you can upgrade 1 or more package into the sailing paying only for the number of days left.  So it's best to try it and upgrade onboard if you find it necessary.

 

I love the aft view on any ship to me deck 7/8 is great if you use the stairs.  The aft should be very quiet as the only traffic back there are people from adjacent cabins.  You didn't say which cabin you picked.

 

There is one in the center, I'm not exactly sure which one but has a bigger balcony (wider).   Also 7358 and 7309 adjacent to the corner S1 suites are very private as there is another door (my red line) closing off the little hallway going to just those 2 rooms making an alcove outside your room.  Your seapass card opens both the hallway door and your cabin door.   These 2 cabins show as connecting but that's the only way in which they are connected by the shared exterior space.

 

Edited June 2, 2021 by wrk2cruise

[DENIE]

blueskadoo - I would also agree with wrk2cruise about the beverage package.  Our first Celebrity cruise we booked the Classic package (now it is included), and it was pretty good.  The last 2 cruises we did upgrade once we were on board.  We enjoyed the selection of additional wines that were available by the glass (Classic was good, but limited to 2 or 3 whites and 2 or 3 reds).  We also enjoy the Martini Bar.  Keep in mind, though, that you can always pay the difference if you want something nicer.  My recollection of beers was that they had a decent selection.  We just felt the additional cost was worth it, so we weren't always having additional $$ added to our tab.  Enjoy your cruise! 🙂