A Few Observations From The Poop Deck Equinox

[morpheusofthesea]

Anonymity. The key to being a good critic. We have just discovered another 'trade secret'. Celebrity has circulated the downloaded photos of our 'horrible pusses' to Retreat staff to recognize. We are bumping into unknown staff  that are greeting us by our surnames. How can any 'respectable' critic complain when the staff 'know where one lives' ? We always would 'chuckle' at the Zenith/Pinnacle types that would have their status 'tattooed' on their foreheads if they could, for the such notoriety. Now we feel we have to be on our best behavior. At last nights chic/gala night we were more 'dressed' and retook our 'mug shots'.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Anonymity. The key to being a good critic. We have just discovered another 'trade secret'. Celebrity has circulated the downloaded photos of our 'horrible pusses' to Retreat staff to recognize. We are bumping into unknown staff  that are greeting us by our surnames. How can any 'respectable' critic complain when the staff 'know where one lives' ? We always would 'chuckle' at the Zenith/Pinnacle types that would have their status 'tattooed' on their foreheads if they could, for the such notoriety. Now we feel we have to be on our best behavior. At last nights chic/gala night we were more 'dressed' and retook our 'mug shots'.

 

They've been doing that for years.  I went to guest relations once to get some stationery and envelopes to write thank you notes and give extra tips to the crew.  Didn't want to bother the butler for such a simple task.  There were like two people in line in front of me.  No biggie.  One of the folks behind the desk swooped down on me and pulled me aside to see what I needed.  Very embarrassing.  

[morpheusofthesea]

I guess the cruise is really over. Tonight the ice cream girl in the Oceanview Cafe warned me that the cherry brandy ice cream tonight was more brandy than cherries. (It was NO cherry/ brandy ice cream). The kitchens on board cut it real close using up stock every cruise. The lunch on embarkation day did not have broiled salmon, a normal menu staple. It was explained that restocking is completed by dinner.

[morpheusofthesea]

Just a couple of parting remarks until our next observations. On this cruise we had a very well behaved, 9 year old dog named Butch accompanying a very gregarious gentleman. He told  us that Butch flies  First Class  and has racked up considerable Hard Rock points (wouldn't surprise me if Butch was a Zenith). We were also told that on the prior cruise on the Equinox they were booked into the Penthouse Suite. (Something DW did not want to hear, fortunately we got this information waiting to disembark ). DW asked if I thought Butch slept on the bed (the same bed we had just occupied). We had observed them lounging on 2 chairs at the pool. We were told they preferred room service (apparently Butch eats better than 99.9 % of the world's population) (I'm guessing Butch had a drink package as well). 

[BennyBrun]

Love the pictures and reviews.  Thank you for sharing.

[morpheusofthesea]

The disembarkation process at Terminal 29 did not go well at all. It might have gone well had we not 9 suitcases. Our car was parked at the parking garage across from Terminal 25 where the Equinox normally docks both coming and going. The notification of the change in Terminals came just 24 hours by email before embarkation. We got a porter who carted the luggage to a waiting shuttle which would only drop off everything at the curb outside the parking garage. Crossing guard would not let us go for the car and load our bags at the curb. We had to drag each bag to the parking garage elevator. Hopefully there will not be a next time. Should have left DW at curb of Terminal 29 with luggage and taken shuttle to retrieve car (would have had to load luggage into car had not the young lady driving the shuttle not flagged down a porter from somewhere). $30 for porter to shuttle, $20 for shuttle driver, $30 for second porter to load car, $135 for parking. What we really need is for Celebrity to have  a 'vetted' car service for their suites. At an additional cost, of course.

Edited November 29, 2021 by morpheusofthesea

[ChucktownSteve]

10 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

The disembarkation process at Terminal 29 did not go well at all. It might have gone well had we not 9 suitcases. Our car was parked at the parking garage across from Terminal 25 where the Equinox normally docks both coming and going. The notification of the change in Terminals came just 24 hours by email before embarkation. We got a porter who carted the luggage to a waiting shuttle which would only drop off everything at the curb outside the parking garage. Crossing guard would not let us go for the car and load our bags at the curb. We had to drag each bag to the parking garage elevator. Hopefully there will not be a next time. Should have left DW at curb of Terminal 29 with luggage and taken shuttle to retrieve car (would have had to load luggage into car had not the young lady driving the shuttle not flagged down a porter from somewhere). $30 for porter to shuttle, $20 for shuttle driver, $30 for second porter to load car, $135 for parking. What we really need is for Celebrity to have  a 'vetted' car service for their suites. At an additional cost, of course.

@morpheusofthesea Very good Review. TYVM for the detail and effort.  Sorry to hear about the problems getting your vehicle.  If you don't mind, I'll share an alternative we've used for several years at Port Everglades.

 

We have used Park N Go, right outside the port Everglades gate. They're under $10/day depending upon when you book and prepay your space.  It's fenced and manned.  When I pull in, they unload my vehicle, load the luggage onto their van and drop us off at the porters for the cruise.

Then when we disembark, a quick call gets them to our ship in short order.  One time I was the only one being picked up for early disembarkation.  As soon as I was loaded, they took me straight to my car, parked in front of it and loaded my vehicle. 

 

Plus they have a frequent parking program and give you a bottle of water per passenger as you leave.  Last cruise, pre pandemic, I got five free parking nights for a 7 day cruise.  Never had a problem.  Just thought you'd like to consider an easy alternative.

 

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

25 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

The disembarkation process at Terminal 29 did not go well at all. It might have gone well had we not 9 suitcases. Our car was parked at the parking garage across from Terminal 25 where the Equinox normally docks both coming and going. The notification of the change in Terminals came just 24 hours by email before embarkation. We got a porter who carted the luggage to a waiting shuttle which would only drop off everything at the curb outside the parking garage. Crossing guard would not let us go for the car and load our bags at the curb. We had to drag each bag to the parking garage elevator. Hopefully there will not be a next time. Should have left DW at curb of Terminal 29 with luggage and taken shuttle to retrieve car (would have had to load luggage into car had not the young lady driving the shuttle not flagged down a porter from somewhere). $30 for porter to shuttle, $20 for shuttle driver, $30 for second porter to load car, $135 for parking. What we really need is for Celebrity to have  a 'vetted' car service for their suites. At an additional cost, of course.

 

And that would be why I do not park at the port at Fort Lauderdale.  Unfortunately, Pier 29 is a mess, but sometimes the only one available.  I park my car at Park 'n Go right outside the gate to the port, the driver handles the luggage, and they are there to pick me up when I disembark.  I once made the mistake of parking at the port.  We were leaving early due to a hurricane and I feared that the surface lot at Park n' Go might be flooded if the hurricane hit.  It was such a miserable experience I spend turnaround day picking up my car, driving to Park 'n Go, and leaving it there for the second leg.  Those folks informed me that their lot has never flooded.

 

Chucktown Steve and I seem to have been posting at the same time.  And I've never paid $10/night at Park 'n Go.  Always cheaper to book online.

Edited November 29, 2021 by Happy Cruiser 6143

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, ChucktownSteve said:

@morpheusofthesea Very good Review. TYVM for the detail and effort.  Sorry to hear about the problems getting your vehicle.  If you don't mind, I'll share an alternative we've used for several years at Port Everglades.

 

We have used Park N Go, right outside the port Everglades gate. They're under $10/day depending upon when you book and prepay your space.  It's fenced and manned.  When I pull in, they unload my vehicle, load the luggage onto their van and drop us off at the porters for the cruise.

Then when we disembark, a quick call gets them to our ship in short order.  One time I was the only one being picked up for early disembarkation.  As soon as I was loaded, they took me straight to my car, parked in front of it and loaded my vehicle. 

 

Plus they have a frequent parking program and give you a bottle of water per passenger as you leave.  Last cruise, pre pandemic, I got five free parking nights for a 7 day cruise.  Never had a problem.  Just thought you'd like to consider an easy alternative.

 

 

Thank you. I am printing your response and will give it a whirl on your recommendation. We are booked again on the Equinox this Christmas/ New Years and you will be in my first observation and my last....

[ChucktownSteve]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Chucktown Steve and I seem to have been posting at the same time.  And I've never paid $10/night at Park 'n Go.  Always cheaper to book online.

 

I never have either. But when they add in the taxes and other required charges, it's between $8-10. I just rounded. The earlier I book, the cheaper the rate.  They let you book 6 months out.

[Madio]

On 11/21/2021 at 9:25 AM, 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?

Sorry,  but I didn't see the dates of your cruise on the Equinox.  We were on Equinox Aug. 1-8 with Capt. Tasos.  He is such a hoot!  However, we were told that he was going on leave at the end of our cruise, so that probably wasn't true, depending on the date of your cruise.  We are going on the Reflection Dec. 11....so happy to be back to cruising.  What date was your cruise?  Sounds like a great time...your suite looked wonderful. Our first suite was in August (Sky); this one is Signature (spending our children's inheritance....lol).

[Arzeena]

Morpheus,

Thanks for your cruise review and pictures. I always enjoy reading them.

When is your next cruise and which ship?

[ChucktownSteve]

33 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Thank you. I am printing your response and will give it a whirl on your recommendation. We are booked again on the Equinox this Christmas/ New Years and you will be in my first observation and my last....

 

TY. I like passing it forward as does @happy cruiser.

 

As a matter of fact, I have an Azamara cruise in less than two weeks out of Miami. A lot of people advise not to use off port parking in Miami and their POM parking is $25/night.

 

So using CC boards, I found a great workaround.  I'm using Park N Go with their airport dropoff. Then using SAS Transportation for the transfer from FLL to POM for only $15pp each way.  It adds about 45 minutes or so but will save me almost $200 for 13 nights and I believe my vehicle will be much more secure. 

 

I'm booked with Park N Go for our February Apex out of Port Everglades.

 

Then I'm using SAS for a Regent cruise next year out of Miami but I'm renting a car and dropping it at FLL because I'm flying back into MCO instead.

 

CC threads are great for sharing info!

Edited November 29, 2021 by ChucktownSteve

[morpheusofthesea]

41 minutes ago, Madio said:

Sorry,  but I didn't see the dates of your cruise on the Equinox.  We were on Equinox Aug. 1-8 with Capt. Tasos.  He is such a hoot!  However, we were told that he was going on leave at the end of our cruise, so that probably wasn't true, depending on the date of your cruise.  We are going on the Reflection Dec. 11....so happy to be back to cruising.  What date was your cruise?  Sounds like a great time...your suite looked wonderful. Our first suite was in August (Sky); this one is Signature (spending our children's inheritance....lol).

We just got off the Equinox Thanksgiving cruise 11-19-2021. We were told he was leaving with us. We asked the Retreat waiter who was the new Captain. He didn't know, just that this Captain was on board in quarantine up until a few days ago. Funny thing, we were on the August 1-8 2021 cruise as well. My favorite Capt. Tasos  Kafetzis line introducing his hotel manager, "This is the man tasked with making sure one gets the service one deserves. And should one not receive the service one deserves....then one is not deserving of the service." (audience laughs) He finishes "I am glad we are on the same page."

P.S. I was the 'old coot' in a jacket and tie every evening in the Luminae and tuxedo on gala night.

Edited November 29, 2021 by morpheusofthesea
P.S.

[morpheusofthesea]

48 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

Morpheus,

Thanks for your cruise review and pictures. I always enjoy reading them.

When is your next cruise and which ship?

Next cruise is Christmas/New years in 3 weeks time. I hope/plan to lose the 10 pounds I just gained on this cruise. It will be the same Equinox. One can not go wrong with a Celebrity ship. I cannot control myself when I visit the dining venues on board so we 'space out' our cruises. According to Freud (Civilization and Its Discontents) we humans are prone to become 'disenchanted' when we have too much of a good thing. I never want to be 'disenchanted' with cruising.

[RealBatman]

3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

The disembarkation process at Terminal 29 did not go well at all.. Should have left DW at curb ....

 

It's funny how my mind stopped mid-sentence and read your comment as shown above! 🙂 

Edited November 29, 2021 by RealBatman

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

5 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

 

TY. I like passing it forward as does @happy cruiser.

 

As a matter of fact, I have an Azamara cruise in less than two weeks out of Miami. A lot of people advise not to use off port parking in Miami and their POM parking is $25/night.

 

So using CC boards, I found a great workaround.  I'm using Park N Go with their airport dropoff. Then using SAS Transportation for the transfer from FLL to POM for only $15pp each way.  It adds about 45 minutes or so but will save me almost $200 for 13 nights and I believe my vehicle will be much more secure. 

 

I'm booked with Park N Go for our February Apex out of Port Everglades.

 

Then I'm using SAS for a Regent cruise next year out of Miami but I'm renting a car and dropping it at FLL because I'm flying back into MCO instead.

 

CC threads are great for sharing info!

 

What an awesome workaround.  Thanks for sharing!  I so hate cruising out of Miami.  I even hate the drive to Miami.  I don't care if it adds 45 minutes--somebody else is having to do the drive from FLL to Miami.  And I'm not fond of paying $25/night to park at the port either.  This won't work on my next cruise because it's a B2B which starts in Miami and ends in Cape Liberty, so just renting a car in Fort Myers and dropping it in Miami & then flying back from Newark.

 

Just to make sure I understand you correctly:  you book with Park n' Go in Fort Lauderdale under their airport program as opposed to their cruise program.  They shuttle you to the airport where you connect with SAS?  I take it SAS is airport to airport.  How do you get from the cruise terminal to the Miami airport?  Cab?  Uber?  Shuttle?  Upon your return, you SAS to the FLL airport & Park n' Go comes & collects you.  Did I get that straight?  Thanks again for the tip!  Maybe you should post that on the Florida board as well.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Next cruise is Christmas/New years in 3 weeks time. I hope/plan to lose the 10 pounds I just gained on this cruise. It will be the same Equinox. One can not go wrong with a Celebrity ship. I cannot control myself when I visit the dining venues on board so we 'space out' our cruises. According to Freud (Civilization and Its Discontents) we humans are prone to become 'disenchanted' when we have too much of a good thing. I never want to be 'disenchanted' with cruising.

 

Morpheus, pray tell how you lose 10 pounds in 3 weeks.  I think a lot of us could use that trick!

[ChucktownSteve]

6 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

What an awesome workaround.  Thanks for sharing!  I so hate cruising out of Miami.  I even hate the drive to Miami.  I don't care if it adds 45 minutes--somebody else is having to do the drive from FLL to Miami.  And I'm not fond of paying $25/night to park at the port either.  This won't work on my next cruise because it's a B2B which starts in Miami and ends in Cape Liberty, so just renting a car in Fort Myers and dropping it in Miami & then flying back from Newark.

 

Just to make sure I understand you correctly:  you book with Park n' Go in Fort Lauderdale under their airport program as opposed to their cruise program.  They shuttle you to the airport where you connect with SAS?  I take it SAS is airport to airport.  How do you get from the cruise terminal to the Miami airport?  Cab?  Uber?  Shuttle?  Upon your return, you SAS to the FLL airport & Park n' Go comes & collects you.  Did I get that straight?  Thanks again for the tip!  Maybe you should post that on the Florida board as well.

 

On the Park N Go website I log in to track the Frequent Parker points for the reservation https://bookparkngo.com/ftlauderdale.php   Then I use the select the airport option on the drop down menu at the top.   

 

After that I went to the SAS Transportation web site http://ridesas.com/  I made a reservation to POM. They confirmed the reservation with an email instructions telling me where their pick up location is at FLL  Since they transport multiple people in the van to the POM, you won't have to worry about getting from MIA to POM.  On the return I do the reverse. I have an SAS reservation to FLL and I"ll call Park N Go to pick me up at FLL. 

 

BTW if you've used Park N Go before without joining their Frequent Parker program, you can join then email them the previous reservation numbers.  They should give you the credit for them.  They did for me.

 

January '23 we're flying to LA for a Regent Panama Canal cruise ending in Miami.  But we'll only have a short rental car drive to Central FL compared to your EWR drive home .

Edited November 30, 2021 by ChucktownSteve

[morpheusofthesea]

6 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Morpheus, pray tell how you lose 10 pounds in 3 weeks.  I think a lot of us could use that trick!

When Covid 'hit' the world stage and obesity was determined to be a comorbidity, this gave me the impetus (fear) to finally lose 50 lbs. I stopped drinking alcohol and wine, cut out carbs and red meats, no sweets no desserts and walk (not run or jog) for 45 minutes every day (read somewhere that our hearts are programed at birth with just so many beats, so why 'rush' things?) and have eggs and glass of water for breakfast, salad with chicken or tuna  and glass of water for lunch, cooked not steamed bowl of mixed vegetables with one chicken breast or piece of salmon with glass of water for dinner. No between meal snacks  just another glass of water. Now you understand why I go 'haywire' and go on so many cruises.

[morpheusofthesea]

People are creatures of habit. The secret to achieving most anything is to make it a habit. And the key to making something a habit is to 'force' oneself to repeat the action for 21 days.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Sounds like a recipe to lose weight.

Other than the parking, how was the disembarkation at T29? Someone mentioned needing to show their passport, that they were not using facial recognition which could slow things down.

[morpheusofthesea]

34 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Sounds like a recipe to lose weight.

Other than the parking, how was the disembarkation at T29? Someone mentioned needing to show their passport, that they were not using facial recognition which could slow things down.

It went rather well this time. There were more customs agents on duty at 7 am. No lines when we got off. Had to wait for our luggage to be unloaded off ship. Had to show passports to agent, who questioned DW twice " Are all those bags yours ?"....

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

4 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

 

On the Park N Go website I log in to track the Frequent Parker points for the reservation https://bookparkngo.com/ftlauderdale.php   Then I use the select the airport option on the drop down menu at the top.   

 

After that I went to the SAS Transportation web site http://ridesas.com/  I made a reservation to POM. They confirmed the reservation with an email instructions telling me where their pick up location is at FLL  Since they transport multiple people in the van to the POM, you won't have to worry about getting from MIA to POM.  On the return I do the reverse. I have an SAS reservation to FLL and I"ll call Park N Go to pick me up at FLL. 

 

BTW if you've used Park N Go before without joining their Frequent Parker program, you can join then email them the previous reservation numbers.  They should give you the credit for them.  They did for me.

 

January '23 we're flying to LA for a Regent Panama Canal cruise ending in Miami.  But we'll only have a short rental car drive to Central FL compared to your EWR drive home .

 

Oh, I'm definitely a member of their frequent parker program.  I enjoy those free parking nights!  And trust me, I'm not driving home from EWR.  Flying.  Anyway, thanks again for the tip!

[morpheusofthesea]

It just dawned on me the reasons why I decided to park at the port. First and most tragic was our reliable car service gentleman died of a heart attack (young man with daughter still in college) because of no work due to covid.  I read (or perhaps misread ?) the CDC technical agreements with the cruise lines. That those that test positive that are returned to home port and are fully vaccinated can retrieve their vehicles and drive home and are advised to quarantine for 14 days. No Taxis, ubers, commercial transport.. Park & Go requires shuttle driver to get to lot and may be a 'technical' not allowed?