Equinox Returner - how good is she today?

[Guinness1000]

We were on over Christmas and NY. Ship was fine. Room was in great shape. We were in Concierge class on deck 10. MDR food was disappointing. The buffet was better. Le Petit Chef was GREAT! Entertainment was mediocre. I honestly think we have better local talent.

[Treasure Hunter]

Currently on Equinox. Food in Luminae strange. We often ordered off the MDR menu and thought it was good and tasty. Buffet excellent. No production shows so the fill-in solo singing acts are the bottom of the barrel. Both comedians very good, Kason Love charming.  Celli and violinist excellent. Staff amazing. Casino empty. Room only has two electrical outlets, bring extender. Bedding in celebrity suite luxurious. 

[TeeRick]

5 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Currently on Equinox. Food in Luminae strange. We often ordered off the MDR menu and thought it was good and tasty. Buffet excellent. No production shows so the fill-in solo singing acts are the bottom of the barrel. Both comedians very good, Kason Love charming.  Celli and violinist excellent. Staff amazing. Casino empty. Room only has two electrical outlets, bring extender. Bedding in celebrity suite luxurious. 

Food in Luminae strange?  Can you explain what you mean by this?

[Treasure Hunter]

9 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Food in Luminae strange?  Can you explain what you mean by this?

There are four choices. A pasta ( sometimes spicy with sausage which I don’t like) a meat dish that they gussy up like  a rib eye thats chopped into big chucks with a sauce-why?) a fish dish and a vegetarian. That’s it. So unless it’s something like the lobster salad appetizer yummy or duck I order from the MDR where there is always something more mainstream for me and the always available.

[TeeRick]

8 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

There are four choices. A pasta ( sometimes spicy with sausage which I don’t like) a meat dish that they gussy up like  a rib eye thats chopped into big chucks with a sauce-why?) a fish dish and a vegetarian. That’s it. So unless it’s something like the lobster salad appetizer yummy or duck I order from the MDR where there is always something more mainstream for me and the always available.

OK thank you.  The Luminae food was just not to your taste.  

[Nemanoxer]

I wonder how the downsides will look like in late April.

 

I do American ships mostly for the outstanding service, the food AND the superb production shows. 

 

With most of that impaired by Covid measures, I am not sure if I should not do the trip at a later date. 🤔

[keesar]

On 1/16/2022 at 3:47 PM, cbfb said:

Is that a regular balcony room? That is what we have booked for May. If so was bedding replaced when they refurbished the ship in 2019? We just got off 1/3 in an aqua class room which was beautiful and comfortable. Hoping the same in the veranda room. 

 

The Aqua Class rooms were updated which included the carpeting, mattresses, linens, comforter, newly upholstered sofa, curtains, etc.  However, not all regular veranda rooms were entirely updated. Much will depend on the particular room.  You may want to check on reviews on your particular room.

 

[PinkSandGirl]

Hi!  I sailed on the Equinox in October 2021.  We were in Aqua Class so the rooms were 'revolutionized' which means new carpet, curtains, bedding, couch reupholstered, pictures & a larger TV so the little shelves that used to be next to the TV are gone.  The table on the balcony is now small (I don't know the reasoning for this).  The Concierge Class rooms were revolutionized as well.  The room was in great shape: no dings, stains or scratches anywhere.  The only thing I would say that showed some age was the wood railing on our balcony.   I understand the salt air is rough but it showed it's age.

 

The ship was well maintained.   There are some areas that have received new carpet, furniture and decor.  There is also Craft Social that replaced the wine venue.  Craft Social was a nice cozy spot.  

 

Service was excellent.  I would venture to say the best ever and we've always thought service was wonderful but it was even better.

 

Food and cocktails (every bar and Cafe Bacio) were great.  We ate in Blu (between the four of us at least one of us ordered something from the MDR menu each night as well) and a few specialty.  The only area for food I think they need help are some desserts. They do some desserts absolutely wonderful and then there are some that they should not even serve again until they get them right. 😉

 

Here are some pictures of my cabin.  AquaClass. 

 

If you want some interior ship pictures just let me know and I will post.  Any particular spots or random.  I have tons of pictures.  😉

 

Enjoy your cruise!   I would say you will still love the Equinox.  😃

 

🍹

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 31, 2022 by PinkSandGirl

[Travelw]

This was our first cruise with Celebrity, so nothing to compare with.  We were in a hump balcony cabin on deck 8.  Loved the location, largest bathroom we have had in 26 cruises.  As others said MDR food was fine, had hard time finding an entree with the selection offered on certain nights.  Ocean View cafe food was very good.

No production shows, entertainment was a mixed bag, some were excellent, some not so much.
Ship was a little over  1/3 capacity which was nice, loungers always available by pool.

In general cruise was good, we prefer Princess though.  With that said we would sail Celebrity again with the right Itinerary.

[SonuvaBeach]

On 1/12/2022 at 11:22 AM, Nemanoxer said:

Hello there.

 

I did cruise on Equinox a lot in her first three years. She was just amazing.

I hear a lot that CC are not the same they used to be ten years ago when it comes to service, food and other details.

Well, I pay for older Equinox and not for modern Edge, so I maybe should not expect 11 out of 10 anyway.

 

Still, I would love to hear what I can expect from my old Eqionox today. Is she still in good or very good shape? How is staff and atmosphere on board (aside from Covid feelings)? I understand the veranda staterooms were not transformed to the new styles?

Would appreciate anybody giving me an idea about if a real Equinox lover will merely just be doing OK or if she is still a bit like what I knew from her. Thanks 😊

We were on the Equinox in September...Loved it...Here are my 9 youtube videos ( one for each day) of that trip. There are lots of ship photos and shore photos as well as pics of us!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piZxnvIOVg4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO_MSrE-Hcg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YLrdKUAlis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffz97-rKtaM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auQd0r5ZgeQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFbOEEtXsAE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObvrUXsR2NY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSNk7XPg-2U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqxZRF7XaZQ

[Oceansaway17]

nice to hear the upgrades for Aqua class were done.  I am going in November this year and it will be my first time in Aqua class so I am looking forward to it.

 

I also have heard the food in Luminae was odd due to sauces.  

[Nemanoxer]

Did anybody hear any rumors about when or if at all any of the Covid measures could be dropped?

 

Wearing a mask is one thing, not getting to see those magnificent production shows is something else.

 

I wonder if that stuff will be normalized any time soon.

[Rayhorn]

3 hours ago, Nemanoxer said:

Did anybody hear any rumors about when or if at all any of the Covid measures could be dropped?

 

Wearing a mask is one thing, not getting to see those magnificent production shows is something else.

 

I wonder if that stuff will be normalized any time soon.

I didn’t realize they weren’t doing production shows. That’s disappointing. What’s the justification for this? Don’t have enough entertainment crew due to covid? It can’t be about gathering in the theater when they have guest entertainers putting on shows…🤔

[Nemanoxer]

@Rayhorn

 

Last cruise I did was in December on a German cruise ship which is part of the same company.

 

They said they were not allowed to do production shows due to limitation of show staff for Covid related precaution reasons.

 

 

[JamieLogical]

3 hours ago, Nemanoxer said:

Did anybody hear any rumors about when or if at all any of the Covid measures could be dropped?

 

Wearing a mask is one thing, not getting to see those magnificent production shows is something else.

 

I wonder if that stuff will be normalized any time soon.

 

I just came off the Equinox last Sunday and there were production shows... They did Topper, L.I.F.E, and I think the other one was Elysium?

[Nemanoxer]

That's funny.

Some earlier replies said production shows aren't available these days.

 

[JamieLogical]

56 minutes ago, Nemanoxer said:

That's funny.

Some earlier replies said production shows aren't available these days.

 

 

There were no production shows on the sailing before mine because some cast members were in quarantine and a new troupe of performers who had been brought onboard were under their mandatory quarantine. The reduction in production shows in the last month or two has been due to quarantined performers, not standard mitigation measures.

[zitsky]

Sorry that this is off topic, but @JamieLogical, can I ask?  What is the story of the Anakena Cabernet Sauvignon on your table?  Was that something for elites, did it come out of the mini fridge?  Was it good?  Thank you.

[JamieLogical]

26 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Sorry that this is off topic, but @JamieLogical, can I ask?  What is the story of the Anakena Cabernet Sauvignon on your table?  Was that something for elites, did it come out of the mini fridge?  Was it good?  Thank you.

 

It was a gift for being on the first sailing of the Equinox's restart. They gave us a new gift every day! I didn't drink it though, as I am not a big wine drinker.

[zitsky]

Just now, JamieLogical said:

 

It was a gift for being on the first sailing of the Equinox's restart. They gave us a new gift every day! I didn't drink it though, as I am not a big wine drinker.

Ok thank you.  I guess there are plenty of places to get drinks onboard.

[Covepointcruiser]

The angled balcony stateroom photos look a lot like the Celebrity Suite we have had on the Equinox, especially the big bathtub.   Don’t think there is a separate shower but I could be forgetting.   Separate very small bedroom.

[Nemanoxer]

I am following the latest developments on Covid measures and restrictions. My trip shall start on 24 April, and I hope anything eases up til then.