A Few Observations From The Poop Deck Equinox

[LGW59]

11 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

When studying the luxury cruise market one will run into a new 'catch-phrase' called "curated". This new term is used to describe what the luxury cruiser is searching for, an experience expertly over-sighted and organized by professionals. (Sounds more like "Pre-owned "instead of 'used'). For years we have all been swayed by the 'flashy' 'colored' brochures of exotic far away places, only to find when we get there the inhabitants are hungering to be where we live and come from. We love the cruise ship as the destination, the cabin, the crew, the decor, the service, the sea...yes the sea itself !

Most of the cruises that I have been on, I've already been to many of the ports of call on land vacations.  I may get off ship here and there, but like you, the ship and the sea are much of the destination for me.  Exception will be a cruise in 2023, the countries and ports, wow factor.  I will also say, when we book a cruise we tend to look for as many sea days as possible, a day at sea is one of the most relaxing experiences to us.

[morpheusofthesea]

Of course, I spoke too soon. We all had to be tested for covid on Wednesday 2 days/48hours for boarding on Friday and on Saturday night Capt. Tasos, the comedian captain of the Celebrity fleet, was all serious when he came on the loud speakers at 10:30pm Saturday evening announcing that a women was feeling ill and tested positive. She and her closest contact, husband, who tested negative were moved to isolation and will be  escorted off in Jamaica. Do not know nationality, if b2b, but is seems awfully fast if  a Wednesday negative becomes a Friday positive?

[mfs2k]

44 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Of course, I spoke too soon. We all had to be tested for covid on Wednesday 2 days/48hours for boarding on Friday and on Saturday night Capt. Tasos, the comedian captain of the Celebrity fleet, was all serious when he came on the loud speakers at 10:30pm Saturday evening announcing that a women was feeling ill and tested positive. She and her closest contact, husband, who tested negative were moved to isolation and will be  escorted off in Jamaica. Do not know nationality, if b2b, but is seems awfully fast if  a Wednesday negative becomes a Friday positive?

Was anyone else tested on board after she tested positive ?  I think we all know the risk of being exposed and not testing positive for several days. How awful for that couple. 

[andy2032]

Morpheusofthesea could you do me a big favor? I was on the October 29 sailing and lost the address of one of the bartenders. JoJo the bartender at the casino bar gave me his name and address so I could send him something to the ship and now I can’t find it. Would you be so kind as to ask JoJo for his address and tell him it’s for TR the Walmart guy. You can send JoJo’s address to me at trharley1450@yahoo.com. Thank you so much, I would greatly appreciate it. 

[morpheusofthesea]

Today I was reminded of a very personal incident that occurred just a couple of years ago with very different outcomes. We have only recently become introduced to this 'ship within a ship' concept and began booking cabins in the respective suite categories to compare this type of "ultra-luxury " 'upstart'  of mega lines encroachment into this market and comparing. We started out with RCCL in an OS on an Oasis class, then tried an H6 in the "Away' class Haven, followed by MSC Yacht Club in the Meraviglia class and lately have been 'testing' and throughly enjoying Celebrity Retreat class..We have for years been sailing on smaller ships that were big on exotic out of the way destinations. (As I intimated, we were "sold" on the glossy colored brochures). Seemingly 'unforgettable' trips that we still can not forget. Like the time our ship was capable of navigating (with onboard pilot) up the Saigon River to dock at the city center (still called Saigon), a rickshaw ride to the famous Saigon Floating Hotel. DW and I each had our own rickshaw 'runner'. For two reasons we later found out. One this 'poor' elated fellow could barely pull one 'fat' American, let alone a couple: and secondly to 'share the wealth' and increase the protection from pickpockets of 'fat' Americans.

[morpheusofthesea]

I will get back to my "incident"  that occurred today, which shall highlight another characteristic of luxury cruising and attention to detail much touted, but seldom achieved. But first let me finish my Saigon story. We arrived by rickshaw to the entrance of the Saigon Floating Hotel and we had the rickshaw runners wait as we wanted to view the interior of this establishment. We were taught by more experienced world travelers that the best way to get a feel for a new place is to find the best spot within the best 'watering hole' with the best view it had to offer. To do this often times a little $$ helps get the prime spots anywhere in the world. Well, we got our 'spot' in the Floating Hotel Bar/Restaurant seated right next to the river. We ordered drinks and gazed at life 'floating' on by. (we also learned never to drink or eat anything while onshore, no matter what the alcoholic content MIGHT be). Just order and leave it untouched on the table and leave another tip $$. Gazing to the other side of the Saigon River all one saw for miles was lush vegetation, no buildings, no bridges to the other side (all destroyed in the war?) When it rained the power authority shut the electric grid for fear of electrocutions. When we left our rickshaw runners were waiting to take us anywhere else, but there amassed a group of young men that our rickshaw runners began fighting with. Turns out the young men were all pickpockets and the rickshaw runners didn't want us 'fleeced', trying to draw police attention !

Edited November 21, 2021 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Well the couple that was quarantined just left the ship. Low key. Ambulance. The lady appeared in good spirits giving a little wave. She was dressed in a hazmat type suit, both were wheel chaired off ship and she was strapped onto a gurney and put in the back of the ambulance. The gentleman walked from the wheelchair in his street clothes and climbed into the side of the ambulance. Their luggage, 3 suitcases were all shrink wrapped.

[morpheusofthesea]

"Discretion being the better part of valor" we decided to have the rickshaw runners get us back to the ship as fast as their feet would allow, as the 'pickpockets' did not look intimidated by the rickshaw runners. We made it back safely and gave the runners what we originally agreed upon and then doubled it.

The incident: While in port oft times the maintenance crew proceed to wash the exterior of the ship. Most passengers leave the ship, but we love to stay on board and enjoy the ship. Me, I love the balcony, and today was no exception. Well the high pressure washer was approaching slowly and saw me on my lounger reading. I looked up and he said hello. He stopped and has not returned. Now a couple of years ago on the MSC Seaside in the Royal suite I was in the same situation when I heard this manned semi automated window washing apparatus approaching, I got up off my lounger to see how close and what floor just as he came in front of me. I got completely drenched, as the crew member smiled by me. This is what I call attention to detail.

[morpheusofthesea]

This afternoon the ship disembarked a couple with covid. We left Falmouth and returned to Falmouth docking at 8:30 pm to disembark another 'medical emergency'. Another ambulance and a passenger wheeled out of the ship on a gurney. What a terrible to start to any cruise. Something else to consider when one books small cruise ships versus mega ships. Is there a difference?

[lorimay]

I recently overheard a conversation between two fellow passengers on my non-Celebrity cruise. One woman said she had been a ship's doctor on Carnival for many years. She commented that it was a tough job, but that situations were either really easy or really terrible. She said that cruises in the Caribbean were easy - anything serious happens and you offload the patient at the nearest island or by helicopter. But she said trans-Pacific cruises were the worst because you were responsible for the patient when the nearest hospital was three days or more away. I had never thought about that risk before.

[lv2cruisgrl]

12 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This afternoon the ship disembarked a couple with covid. We left Falmouth and returned to Falmouth docking at 8:30 pm to disembark another 'medical emergency'. Another ambulance and a passenger wheeled out of the ship on a gurney. What a terrible to start to any cruise. Something else to consider when one books small cruise ships versus mega ships. Is there a difference?

Hope it wasn't another covid case!

[morpheusofthesea]

There is still more to say about "exotic far away places". We returned the following year on the same small ship up the Saigon River only this time we opted for the cruise lines more "curated" bus excursion. There were three bus loads of us and three "curated" stops.  (I emphasize "curated") The stops were divided up so no 2 buses were at the same stop. At the first stop there were street hawkers selling Vietnamese currency and stamps. DW being a teacher and carrying small bills in her 'fanny' waist pack I asked her to get out $ to pay for the souvenirs. Fine, we get back on the bus. Next I notice the street hawkers are now on mopeds following the bus. At the next stop we where accosted by pickpockets especially DW, directed by the same street vendors. We jumped back on the bus and skipped the tour. At the third and final stop, a museum, I asked our tour guide where the bus will be to pick us up. He pointed to a spot just feet away. We exited the museum and no bus.. We had to run a Saigon City block to get to the bus while 4 pickpockets surrounded DW and I caught one with his hand in her fanny pack. She slapped his hand away and he laughed at getting caught. Fortunately they got nothing from us but another of our group lost his wallet and passport. He complained to the tour guide, who went back to the museum and got the gentleman's passport, but no wallet. This was our first experience with "curated" tours.

[morpheusofthesea]

Just got back from a delightful lunch in Luminae and am settling into a beautiful breezy shady afternoon on the balcony, my window seat on the world. I notice that the deck of my terrace is wet but the toweled lounges are dry, so the continued washing occurred during lunch (attention to detail). Service has been great in the Luminae.  Last night we saw the show "Topper". When we saw it performed for the first time a couple of years ago here on the Equinox, it was just so-so. Last night was a really good performance. The pool is a little more crowded as the Solarium pool has been roped and netted for some reason. It was fine and in use yesterday. The Retreat Sun Deck is not as popular as on the Edge. A pool would help. (I remember CD Martin said it was to be part of the renovation back in May 2020 that never took place, yet).

[FLCruiser97]

Well, well, Mr. Morpheus. I just caught up to your "Observations from the Poop Deck". It is good to see you and DW back at sea. I so enjoy your reviews. Oh, BTW, that bathroom in your suite is big enough to be a dance floor. LOL. I was on the Equinox back in September and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Fair winds and following seas for you and DW.

[morpheusofthesea]

Many of the entertainers and staff are changed from a few months ago. Those that are still here are going on vacation and of those they will not be returning to the Equinox. Instead they are opening the new Beyond.

  Last nights show was interesting. A green laser light instrument that begins with a spot on the stage floor and projects 10-12 beams of laser light to the ceiling. A tone is produced by hand breaking the light beam. Reminds me of a harp, only beams of light 'plucked' instead of strings. 

  The Solarium pool was fixed within hours. The slush ice kiosk was open at the pool.(It wasn't a couple months ago). Sushi on 5 is open for lunch while in port. (Like Le Bistro is on Edge).

[morpheusofthesea]

Another observation, though perhaps obvious to seasoned cruisers, is that laundry service on board any ship and any category of stateroom, does not matter. Just do not send out your finest clothes. When they come back 'cleaned' they come back 'bleached' and cleaned. Something to consider when booking longer cruises.

  An example of the service of our cabin steward. We usually go to the pool deck and pick-up 6-7 lounge towels to sit on in the cabin and balcony. When we got back from dinner our steward had 10 more deck towels stacked on our living room table. (In luxury 'circles' this is called 'anticipatory' service.)

  There are two hand-washing lavatories just outside the Ocean View Cafe. The doors were propped open, a men's on one side and ladies on the other. Guests would walk right on by and some would even refuse the added squirt of hand sanitizer. Noticed one gentlemen had a bowl of cereal eating it with his fingers before self serving himself the milk.  The cruise passenger is his own worst enemy.

[FLCruiser97]

25 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Another observation, though perhaps obvious to seasoned cruisers, is that laundry service on board any ship and any category of stateroom, does not matter. Just do not send out your finest clothes. When they come back 'cleaned' they come back 'bleached' and cleaned. Something to consider when booking longer cruises.

  An example of the service of our cabin steward. We usually go to the pool deck and pick-up 6-7 lounge towels to sit on in the cabin and balcony. When we got back from dinner our steward had 10 more deck towels stacked on our living room table. (In luxury 'circles' this is called 'anticipatory' service.)

  There are two hand-washing lavatories just outside the Ocean View Cafe. The doors were propped open, a men's on one side and ladies on the other. Guests would walk right on by and some would even refuse the added squirt of hand sanitizer. Noticed one gentlemen had a bowl of cereal eating it with his fingers before self serving himself the milk.  The cruise passenger is his own worst enemy.

100% agree on the cruise passenger. You can't teach someone if they don't want to learn.

Edited November 23, 2021 by FLCruiser97

[Pinboy]

15 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

(In luxury 'circles' this is called 'anticipatory' service.)

 

15 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Guests would walk right on by and some would even refuse the added squirt of hand sanitizer. Noticed one gentlemen had a bowl of cereal eating it with his fingers before self serving himself the milk.  The cruise passenger is his own worst enemy.

A few comments:

A-- Your posts are excellent , well written, and very informative. 

You certainly spend a lot of your vacation time doing this-- I hope others appreciate it as I do.

B-- While we do not sail in " luxury circles "  suites ( ?? ) ,( a balcony on the " hump " suits our needs ), we have always received " anticipatory "  service from our Room Steward and Waiters. 

Examples : Ice water always in our cabin--- Shrimp cocktail( s ) with every meal, --- etc.

C-- It's a disgrace how some people are re health standards and behavior in the " Slugfest on 14 " .

 

 

[GeriatricNurse]

17 minutes ago, FLCruiser97 said:

100% agree on the cruise passenger. You can't teach someone if they don't want to learn.

As well, you can't fix stupid!

[FLCruiser97]

27 minutes ago, GeriatricNurse said:

As well, you can't fix stupid!

That's what I was thinking but didn't want to say it..LOL for fear of offending. 

[ChucktownSteve]

2 hours ago, FLCruiser97 said:

That's what I was thinking but didn't want to say it..LOL for fear of offending. 

 

Usually the people it's directed towards are too "stupid" to realize you're referring to them anyway. 😄

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I agree with your comment about the laundry service.  I only send to the laundry things that have been washed and dried many times at home.  The rest I have dry cleaned.

 

Another laundry tip:  lots of times I travel with a friend, although both of us have our own cabin.  We will pool our laundry, sending out darks one time and lights another.  I've had a bad experience with comingling the two, so I don't do that any more.

[morpheusofthesea]

Many of us non gamblers (  those of us that believe that Fate only dishes out just so much 'good fortune' in ones life span. And chooses to have whatever good fortune there might be, squandered on Love than at the gaming tables) will find that their accumulated non-refundable OBC hard to find items to spend it on. The shops on board are having the same supply problems as the shops at home. The boutique's claim they deal direct with suppliers, like Lancome, but are not able to get product delivered.

    I do understand that one can go to guest services and fill out a form designating the full name of the service provider one wishes to bestow added gratuity, but does the employee actually get the 'full' amount bestowed ? Giving cash directly gives the service provider options. Accolades are great for promotions, but cash buys groceries back home.

[morpheusofthesea]

Well here is something really unusual in the annals of maritime cruising. Docked right across from the Celebrity Equinox is a real life "Hotel California", The FREEWIND.  A very 'storied' cruise ship indeed. It is docked rather permanently here in Aruba. It is a Retreat for Scientologists. 

[Covepointcruiser]

Docked there permanently?   What’s the problem as they look prepared to board fellow Scientologists.   Those folks are certainly alive and well in Clearwater.