Jan. 30th on Equinox 12 Nights

[lola2013]

3 hours ago, bnurick said:

Rating is A+ highly recommend.

 

 

 

Is that the FanTaSea excursion in St. Kitts?

[SandG]

We are also on the March 13 sailing with the same itinerary and grateful for your sharing the Celebrity todays.  There is something I'd love your insight on.  

We had always been in the habit of trying "nice" glasses of wine at Cellar Masters in the late afternoon or early evening or on sea days.  I'm talking about something a little upscale, but that still fits within the premium drinking package budget, but that would not be available in the regular bars throughout the ship. 

 

I was sad to see that Cellar Masters has been replaced with Craft Social.  I'm wondering: do they still have a varied wine list similar to what we might have found in Cellar Masters? 

 

If not, I'm not sure if I will spring for upgrading my drink package to premium.  If there's something you can share in the line of wine lists, etc., to help me decide on this, please do!

 

I'm really looking forward to following along on the rest of your cruise!

 

=Sue 

[39august]

I have had no trouble getting wines from the Premium list at most bars on Equinox. The first time I ask for it, if they don't have it, usually it will be available the next day. If Lito and Hiro are still at the Craft Social, I think they can take care of you. 

[bnurick]

1 hour ago, lola2013 said:

Is that the FanTaSea excursion in St. Kitts?

Wife says it’s called: “Catamaran Fan-ta-sea to Nevis with Snorkel”.  We loved it, huge boat, crew great.  Snorkel water was so calm it was like a swimming pool. I didn’t bother with fins. Good luck!

[bnurick]

1 hour ago, SandG said:

We are also on the March 13 sailing with the same itinerary and grateful for your sharing the Celebrity todays.  There is something I'd love your insight on.  

We had always been in the habit of trying "nice" glasses of wine at Cellar Masters in the late afternoon or early evening or on sea days.  I'm talking about something a little upscale, but that still fits within the premium drinking package budget, but that would not be available in the regular bars throughout the ship. 

 

I was sad to see that Cellar Masters has been replaced with Craft Social.  I'm wondering: do they still have a varied wine list similar to what we might have found in Cellar Masters? 

 

If not, I'm not sure if I will spring for upgrading my drink package to premium.  If there's something you can share in the line of wine lists, etc., to help me decide on this, please do!

 

I'm really looking forward to following along on the rest of your cruise!

 

=Sue 

Hey there Sue!  So on vino I am a spare no expense type. I have been killing their Tignanello for $140 before 20% premium package credit. In Murano, I went all out with the Cardinale at $350.  Now before that they brought out and poured for a cheese course a Grich Celebrity red that I felt was pretty good.

 

My best advice if you like good vino and want some help is to book Murano night #1 and ask their sommelier for recommendations, as in 2-3 options. At that point you will have a base to work with and it’s within their window of options.  Sommelier was very nice and helpful.

 

Hope this helps.  Cheers Sue!

[bnurick]

Celebrity Today, Day Six. Cheers everyone, hope you are planning well!

6 hours in the sun, dinner, vino and a short game of craps…. Exhausted.  …another snorkel tomorrow!  😊 

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by bnurick

[lola2013]

2 hours ago, bnurick said:

Wife says it’s called: “Catamaran Fan-ta-sea to Nevis with Snorkel”.  We loved it, huge boat, crew great.  Snorkel water was so calm it was like a swimming pool. I didn’t bother with fins. Good luck!

We did that excursion last week…it was great!!!

[canderson]

3 hours ago, bnurick said:

I have been killing their Tignanello for $140 before 20% premium package credit.

Great choice!  It's one we hadn't tried before, and compared to shoreside retail, very well priced.  Turned into one of our go to wines for 15 nts.  Assume it's this one?  Gotta find a home supply...

 

 

 

 

[dtagirl]

If you could find out how much is the hot glass class.  I have always wanted to do that!  Thank you.

 

[Mrearl]

The glass class is $120

[Cebse]

11 hours ago, SandG said:

We are also on the March 13 sailing with the same itinerary and grateful for your sharing the Celebrity todays.  There is something I'd love your insight on.  

We had always been in the habit of trying "nice" glasses of wine at Cellar Masters in the late afternoon or early evening or on sea days.  I'm talking about something a little upscale, but that still fits within the premium drinking package budget, but that would not be available in the regular bars throughout the ship. 

 

I was sad to see that Cellar Masters has been replaced with Craft Social.  I'm wondering: do they still have a varied wine list similar to what we might have found in Cellar Masters? 

 

If not, I'm not sure if I will spring for upgrading my drink package to premium.  If there's something you can share in the line of wine lists, etc., to help me decide on this, please do!

 

I'm really looking forward to following along on the rest of your cruise!

 

=Sue 

Interested in this to trying the nice wines not usually served at the main bars.

Could I ask is it possible to upgrade from the included drinks package to the premium one ?

Thanks 

[Cebse]

Looking at the Barbados sheet above it says only guests on Celebrity excursions can disembark but then underneath says fully vaccinated guests can get local taxis etc.

Am i reading this right ? Are you allowed off in Barbados in not on official tour ?

Thanks 

[brzymom]

5 hours ago, Cebse said:

Interested in this to trying the nice wines not usually served at the main bars.

Could I ask is it possible to upgrade from the included drinks package to the premium one ?

Thanks 

I was looking into this myself, and it appears you can do so once on board for $12 per day. Hubby is mostly a beer drinker, so thinking of leaving him on Classic and moving me to Premium. 

[bnurick]

11 hours ago, canderson said:

Great choice!  It's one we hadn't tried before, and compared to shoreside retail, very well priced.  Turned into one of our go to wines for 15 nts.  Assume it's this one?  Gotta find a home supply...

 

 

 

 

Thats it!  It was the highest rated vintage until 2018 at 97 points Robert Parker.  Just starting to develop sentiment.  Cheers!

[bnurick]

9 hours ago, dtagirl said:

If you could find out how much is the hot glass class.  I have always wanted to do that!  Thank you.

 

We did it in June.  We have all the glasses now. With supply chain issues I recommend buying on Amazon, it’s quicker than Celebrity provider.

[bnurick]

5 hours ago, Cebse said:

Interested in this to trying the nice wines not usually served at the main bars.

Could I ask is it possible to upgrade from the included drinks package to the premium one ?

Thanks 

I believe you can, but if you are getting 20% off bottles you should see if you want that.  You can order from any restaurants list, just write down the BIN number.  All staff will call the beverage manager so they work off the BIN number.

[bnurick]

3 hours ago, Cebse said:

Looking at the Barbados sheet above it says only guests on Celebrity excursions can disembark but then underneath says fully vaccinated guests can get local taxis etc.

Am i reading this right ? Are you allowed off in Barbados in not on official tour ?

Thanks 

I believe Celebrity only or Government approved taxi tours.

[bnurick]

15 minutes ago, brzymom said:

I was looking into this myself, and it appears you can do so once on board for $12 per day. Hubby is mostly a beer drinker, so thinking of leaving him on Classic and moving me to Premium. 

You’ll want the best by the glass options.  Look on the app at Murano and Tuscan and see what they offer. Probably the best onboard.  Thanks.

[Andrewgary]

You mentioned the craps game. Is it $10 minimum? Is there a poker game running at night and if so do you know if it's 1/2 or 2/5 NL?

Don't forget to back up your pass line bet with odds!

 

[bnurick]

1 hour ago, Andrewgary said:

You mentioned the craps game. Is it $10 minimum? Is there a poker game running at night and if so do you know if it's 1/2 or 2/5 NL?

Don't forget to back up your pass line bet with odds!

 

Craps and Black Jack are $10.  Don’t worry, I max out the odds. Have to play $25 to go above $20 on odds at $10.

[Andrewgary]

3 hours ago, bnurick said:

Craps and Black Jack are $10.  Don’t worry, I max out the odds. Have to play $25 to go above $20 on odds at $10.

Thanks. Any poker running?

[bnurick]

9 minutes ago, Andrewgary said:

Thanks. Any poker running?

I don’t know. Not my game to seek out. Might be hard to read faces with KN95’s in everyone.  😂 

[bnurick]

Here are updated rankings as well as changes to Dominica plans.

 

 

Celebrity Equinox Rankings Jan. 30th

( as of mid Day 6 )

 

Stateroom Attendant = A+

Note: Efraim is top shelf.

Retreat Host = A (Stepped it up)

Retreat Management = Not giving a rating.

Retreat Request Chat Program = C-

 

Martini Bar = A+ (They are soooo fun with so much energy)

 

Casino = A+ (The staff is very friendly IMO and minimums are perfect)

 

Dinner Lineup

(1) Tuscan Grille = A (Vino = A+)

Note: Juris and Pamala are top shelf.

(2) Murano = A- (Vino = A+)

Note: Vino top shelf.

(3) Sushi on Five = A (Vino = C)

(4) Tuscan Grille = A (Vino = A+)

Note: Juris and Pamala are top shelf.

(5) Luminae = B+

Note: Service was exceptional.  Vino too.

(6) Sushi on Five = 

(7) Luminae = 

(8) Murano = 

(9) Sushi on Five =

(10) Tuscan Grille = 

(11) Luminae = 

(12) Murano = 

 

Port Excursions Lineup

(4) USVI Buck Island Beach/Snorkel = A+

Note: Clean boat. Great crew.

(5) St. Kitts/Nevis Catamaran Snorkel = A

(6) Barbados Swim w/Turtles Shipwreck = B

Note: Can’t compare with #4 and #5.  Different level all together.

(7) St. Lucia Beach/Snorkel = 

(8) Grenada Catamaran Snorkel =

(9) Dominica Private Whale Watch and Champagne Reef Snorkel = 

Note: Slim pickings so we worked with Celebrity to get what we wanted.

(10) Antigua (reworking) = 

 

[bnurick]

6 hours ago, Andrewgary said:

You mentioned the craps game. Is it $10 minimum? Is there a poker game running at night and if so do you know if it's 1/2 or 2/5 NL?

Don't forget to back up your pass line bet with odds!

 

 Noticed this.

 

[TourDeCruise]

On 1/30/2022 at 11:01 AM, bnurick said:

Here we go!  Checked in and waiting to board. We were handed this letter that says more than 1% of crew/passengers tested positive on the last sailing.  To note, doesn’t say the ship name or sailing date.

 

We were on the previous sailing. There were two positive cases of Covid with guests (one symptomatic/went to medical center, one asymptomatic as a result of test to get back to his/her country), and 3 positive cases with crew, asymptomatic as a result of weekly testing. Way under 1%! We also got this same letter at the beginning of our cruise although the cruise before us also had way under 1% of positive Covid cases.