Equinox 9/17 LIVE BLOG; Aqua Class - 1st Time Celebrity! Let’s Cruise!

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, peanut head said:

We had a similar experience where the description of the excursion, in Athens, did not match the actual tour.  We also found the guide to be difficult to understand.  When speaking with the Retreat concierge, she told me to let the excursion's desk know about it for future reference.  I did that, and to my surprise, was told that others had also complained.  The next day, also to my surprise and b/c I did not ask for it, there was a 50% refund applied to my account for the cost of the excursion.  You may want to let the excursion's desk know about your experience, too

 

Yes, I will let the excursions desk know; not so much because I want a refund but because they need to better describe it for future guests! Also want to let them know how excellent today’s excursion in Bonaire was (Exclusive Sailboat Cruise and Snorkel).  More on that later!

 

We are sailing away from Bonaire as we speak; always makes me a little sad when we leave our final destination and head back to the USA; that said, at least it’s a 2 sea day sail back!

 

Some sail away photos from Bonaire; beautiful day! Last photo is a little dull but it was the last glimpse of Bonaire; the salt flats part of the island.

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

9 hours ago, hcat said:

Question about the violin performer..was the violin electrified? 

(Pet peeve of mine.. I do not appreciate electric violins!)

 

It was not! It was a 250 year old instrument; beautiful sound. She had a mike that she wore that she spoke into that picked up some of the sound; so it was often hard to hear the violin over the orchestra (sound mix needed some work); our favorite part was when she played solo.

[TravelBluebird]

Our plans for this evening are:

 

Drinks with the  @dwitt at World Class Bar; then the 7pm Broadway Cabaret cast production show, 8PM dinner at QSine; Queen Mania at 10pm, then maybe Late Night Club Sky at 10pm, or the Classical duo Accoustic Rush at 10:45 if we are feeling quieter (and if we make it that late!)

 

Tomorrow is a sea day, so it’s either sleep in OR get up for Yoga early; hard to say till we see how the night goes!

[TravelBluebird]

We had our breakfast in Blu this morning after the ship docked in Bonaire.

 

Fresh squeezed orange juice, eggs benedict, mushrooms and a macchiato.  I pretty much have the same breakfast every morning on this ship, with the eggs changing, and the occasional lox and bagels. In case I failed to post the breakfast menu at Blu, here it is.

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

Our excursion, originally planned for early AM (I think 8:30) was changed by Celebrity to 11:30. This worked out fine; it gave us the chance to go into the port town before the excursion instead of after.

 

Not a huge port, and some stores were closed, but we enjoyed it. Easy walk into town; basically right off the boat through a small stall market and mini-mall.

We purchased some different Bonaire salts at the market and some Bonaire hats for family at a gift shop, and just enjoyed the quiet town. Besides shopping, there are coffee shops, a drug store (very useful since there are not many sundries on board the ship), gelato, a place for drinks by the water, etc. If you are booking your own tour or taxi, there are stalls offering all that right there as well. There is a walking tour posted if you want to go to the historic buildings, etc.

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

Our 11:30 excursion was fantastic; we really can’t say enough good things about it! It was the “Exclusive Sailboat Coast Cruise and Snorkel”

 

There were only 12 people on this excursion, and if you take it after COVID, there will only be 12 people on this excursion!  Wonderful captain and crew, and wonderful to actually sail. There was one snorkel stop at part of the Bonaire Marine Park; we were the only boat there.

 

It was like taking a private charter with a group of friends; nice way to see part of the island coast, and so relaxing. You can also charter the boat separately (I have contact info; I have to check the rules on posting that on Cruise Critic before I do). 

 

Snorkeling was easy and great variety of coral and fish; about 15 feet on one side of the boat and deeper on the other.

 

Soft drinks rum punch, wine, beer, and a small, nice snack plate is included (meatballs,melons, dutch cookies).

 

The price of the excursion was $139 per person; there was also a $79 sail, beach and snorkel offered; much more crowded boat.

 

 

[hcat]

4 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

It was not! It was a 250 year old instrument; beautiful sound. She had a mike that she wore that she spoke into that picked up some of the sound; so it was often hard to hear the violin over the orchestra (sound mix needed some work); our favorite part was when she played solo.

Wow..  i will look for her on future cruises.  Sounds like something I would enjoy.. I played for many yrs but eventually gave it up. Still have my violin and bows but no longer play... fingers no longer nimble....but I still enjoy listening!

[TXranchgal]

We are enjoying your "take us along" cruise recaps.  We will be on the Equinox in October.  We are in Aqua and love BLU.  But,.. can you order from the Main Dining Menu while in Blu?  There are a few favorites that are only on the Main dining menu.  We have heard that you can request food  and we have heard that you can't...   If you get a chance - Please ask and respond so we will know what to expect.    Thanks.

 

[countess5]

 (I have contact info; I have to checkthe rules on posting that on Cruise Critic before I do). 

 

We post private excursion that include the name of the vendor all the time on CC. Should be no worries.

 

Cheers! 

[Fouremco]

1 hour ago, countess5 said:

 (I have contact info; I have to checkthe rules on posting that on Cruise Critic before I do). 

 

We post private excursion that include the name of the vendor all the time on CC. Should be no worries.

 

Cheers! 

Based on the photos, I'd say it was this company: 

https://www.bluebaybonaire.com/

[TravelBluebird]

10 hours ago, TXranchgal said:

We are enjoying your "take us along" cruise recaps.  We will be on the Equinox in October.  We are in Aqua and love BLU.  But,.. can you order from the Main Dining Menu while in Blu?  There are a few favorites that are only on the Main dining menu.  We have heard that you can request food  and we have heard that you can't...   If you get a chance - Please ask and respond so we will know what to expect.    Thanks.

 

Yes; yes. you can! I know for certain because we dined with some Cruise Critic friends and one of them ordered the escargot from the MDR, and the waiter suggested our friend get the gnocchi from the main dining room instead of the pumpkin gnocchi on the Blu menu, which she did.

 

I wonder if this is less possible (or the food would not be as hot?) when the dining room is more busy? We eat late, 8pm, and between the reduced capacity and the late hour, Blu was very empty. 

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

48 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Based on the photos, I'd say it was this company: 

https://www.bluebaybonaire.com/

 

It was! And as mentioned, I cannot say enough good things about them!

[Jim_Iain]

Loved following along.     I think we spotted you last night.  Beware of the paparazzi.   With such beautiful red hair figured it must be you

 

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

I slept in this morning; slept like a baby. This boat is SO gentle you barely feel it moving.  

 

I was able to sleep in since we are skipping breakfast and having just coffee, since we are having lunch at Murano after our Merengue dance class in the Grand Foyer, and then our Flash Mob Rehearsal.

 

So dear hubby brought me coffee to the room, and then we went to the Sky Observation Lounge, since we haven’t spent time (hoping internet was better than in room; I had trouble last night and couldn’t blog a thing).  Internet was OK not great, so we have decamped to the Library where the Internet is excellent.

 

After lunch have to make some hard choices. Slot tournament? Jared Freieburg and the Vagabonds? Glass class? We shall decide at lunch. 

 

Photos are from the Sky Lounge earlier and the Library just now:

 

 

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

4 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Loved following along.     I think we spotted you last night.  Beware of the paparazzi.   With such beautiful red hair figured it must be you

 

Ha; we’ve been found out!  Yes, that was us rocking out to Queen Mania!  So fun that you got a video of us all dancing and singing.

 

And about the hair; whenever I’m at a convention or other group situation like a cruise, that is indeed, how people find me!

 

BTW, I have SO enjoyed following your blog and your incredible photos on all the islands. Your Bonaire Salt Flats images were especially outstanding; I just love them.

[fstuff1]

On 9/18/2021 at 3:50 PM, TravelBluebird said:

I then headed down to the casino to get us entered in the 2pm slot tournament, and played in the casino a bit. Hit an immediate $60 “bonus game” win! I’m no huge gambler, but I like little wins back and forth; if I can play for a long time and not lose TOO much,  I’m happy.

 

2pm was the aforementined slot tournament!  $25 buy in per person. Three rounds, top 9 people got to advance to the final where the prize was $500 casino credit and a shopping spree. We were in the first round, and managed to be #6 and #7; since top9 from all 3 rounds advanced, we figured that was the end of it. BUT...we had a lightning fast round, and so we made it into the final as #7 an #9!  Our odds of winning the $500 etc were good! BUT....not to be. Game was fun; it was a weird mix of slots and whack-a-mole, or in this instance; whack a ball—balloon; balloons popped up during the slot game and if you you touch screened them fast, you got extra points!  I did sanitize my hands immediately after playing both times (covid):

 

 

read on facebook that the casino hostess (Danielle) went on medical leave.

 

did you see her again since this slot tourny?

if not, is she still on the ship? (ie: covid quarantine?)

 

[TravelBluebird]

10 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

read on facebook that the casino hostess (Danielle) went on medical leave.

 

did you see her again since this slot tourny?

if not, is she still on the ship? (ie: covid quarantine?)

 

I am going down for the slot tourney in a couple minutes; I will find out for you

[TravelBluebird]

2 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

read on facebook that the casino hostess (Danielle) went on medical leave.

 

did you see her again since this slot tourny?

if not, is she still on the ship? (ie: covid quarantine?)

 

Not only is Danielle back off medical leave, but she ran the Slot Tournament this afternoon!  

 

AND...(dramatic drum roll). I WON the Slot Tournament!  $500 Casino Credits was the prize; plus a nifty trophy.  I know what I’ll be doing tonight and tomorrow! 

Edited September 24, 2021 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

OK, my internet is back so I can catch up on a few posts.

 

First, dinner last night!

 

Last night, we ate at Q Sine. Such a charming concept! We sat next to each other on the “couch” side of the table, so we had the same perspective. It was the Le Petit Chef and Family Menu. I don’t want to spoil it for people so I did not take any videos, and will only do a few photos. There were 2 menu choices for each meal; the first menu is the one that is “produced” by the animation. It is good that there were 2 menus because my husband does not eat peas so could substitute for the soup.

 

If you are not familiar with the concept, your table and plate animates and there is a “show” with your dinner. I think it is amazing that everyone gets their food at the same time, and it is hot and fresh. Very, very good food; the filet was outstanding

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

Before dinner and the 7pm show last night, we met @DWitt and some other folk  I really like the drinks offered at the World Class Bar, and the black and white design is classy.

 

Drinks ordered including the very colorful and fun Bulleit Infusion; as the server pours the drink, he spins the glass, and then you get the little carafe with the rest of the drink. I had the Johnny Walker Citrus Gold again; I really love it!

[TravelBluebird]

We have so been enjoying the Celebrity Production singers and dancers, so we made sure to see the 7pm Broadway Caberet. Featured the 6 principal singers. 

 

Excellent show! There are some unique voices in the cast; incredible tone and range. I liked that they didn’t just do the “trite” Broadway tunes everyone knows, but also some lesser known tunes. Sailing, from a New Brain, was outstanding.  The well-known songs picked were also outstanding including I Could Have Danced All Night (Lucy is a classic soprano!) and a very heartfelt Bring Him Home from Les Miserables.

 

And I just need to interject something here, about what it feels like to be on a cruise ship again after the pandemic. I got chills during the performance last night, and even a bit teary eyed. Travel, new places, new friends, live entertainment, and done all so well by Celebrity. Gosh, I’ve missed this. I’ve taken about 15 cruises in my life; I remember them all in some way, but this will be one of the most memorable. The incredible staff, the feeling of freedom and being out of quarantine; traveling with like-minded people (who want to be COVID safe, yet adventurous).  If you are on the fence about cruising now, DO IT. Obviously neither I nor the cruise lines can promise you a COVID free cruise, its a risk, but if you are healthy and have the opportunity, this is a special time. AND, I can heartily endorse cruising with Celebrity; my husband and I already know we’ll be back to cruise with them.

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

Thanks to @Jim_Iain above, you can see first hand a bit of the Queen Mania last night (part of our after-dinner entertainment!). It was fun; some very enthusiastic singing and dancing passengers. Wish more had joined in, but thanks to Eddy the cruise director and Peter the activities director and the DJ etc, it was a blast.  I photographed one moment in the midst of it all, but if you are a Queen fan you’ll immediately get the visual from Bohemian Rhapsody:

[TravelBluebird]

Which brings us to the rest of today!

 

I’ve covered some of our great sea day above (including my win in the slot tournament! I am evidently lucky on ships; 2 cruises ago, I won $250 at Bingo!). 

 

Before the slot tournament, we had our luncheon at Murano. It was offered to us at our dinner, and we readily accepted another chance to eat at Murano for the great price of $25 per person.  

 

I very sadly did not get a photo of the menu; and when I asked to take a photo of the menu after luncheon, I was given the standard dinner menu. SO, apologies; I will have to show you//tell you what we had.  We both started with the seared scallops and the risotto with the foam, mushrooms, carrots..both delicious (we asked the waiter which to order, and he said have both! So we did.) I then had the lobster tail (done a little differently than the dinner one; with baby vegetables, again great) and Russ had a lightly seasoned Sea Bass on a bed of pureed squash. We both had the chocolate souffle with vanilla gelato for desert; small personal sized souffles and one of the best I’d ever had! 

[TravelBluebird]

Right after the slot tournament, I caught the matinee 2:30 show of Jared Freiburg and the Vagabonds. Everyone loved his first show, and this one was packed and rocking! Song included Hound Dog, Great Balls of Fire..so much more.

 

This is their last cruise ship show until next January when they’ll be back with Celebrity. In the meantime there will be a new Million Dollar Quartet Christmas show touring the South and Midwest, which Jared will be starring in (I believe as Jerry Lee Lewis).

 

 

[maggieq]

7 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

I slept in this morning; slept like a baby. This boat is SO gentle you barely feel it moving.  

 

I was able to sleep in since we are skipping breakfast and having just coffee, since we are having lunch at Murano after our Merengue dance class in the Grand Foyer, and then our Flash Mob Rehearsal.

 

So dear hubby brought me coffee to the room, and then we went to the Sky Observation Lounge, since we haven’t spent time (hoping internet was better than in room; I had trouble last night and couldn’t blog a thing).  Internet was OK not great, so we have decamped to the Library where the Internet is excellent.

 

After lunch have to make some hard choices. Slot tournament? Jared Freieburg and the Vagabonds? Glass class? We shall decide at lunch. 

 

Photos are from the Sky Lounge earlier and the Library just now:

 

 

 

 

We missed not having the sky lounge on the edge.