Jan. 30th on Equinox 12 Nights

[dixi_lynn]

22 hours ago, SharonK said:

We are on the Feb 20 sailing and have a 1:30 check-in time.  Does anyone know can we get there earlier and be able to board earlier?

 

We sailed in November and they were very strict with boarding times. We were lined up outside by our time slot. If the 1-1:30 group finishes early, they will let your line go. We saw guests there 2-3 hrs early, in their respective lines, sprawled out on the sidewalk trying to nap.

[doodlefan]

I have a weird question.   Last time we were on the Equinox, it was in October a few years ago and the water in the Solarium pool was SO cold there was literally one person in there the whole cruise.  I LOVE the solarium and especially the M Class heated Solarium  pools.  Have you used the Solarium pool? If not have you seen alot of other people use it?  

 

Thanks for any info.  I've been following this thread and appreciate you taking the time to post so much information.

 

 

[bnurick]

Today’s excursion in St. Lucia was West Side Treasures by Catamaran.  The Crew was the most professional thus far.  It was very relaxing. Walked off the ship to the catamaran, so no taxi to deal with.  First stop was an island (see pictures) to hike or beach. Then off to see some sights before our swim time.  Lunch after and a long sail back.  42 people onboard and the vessel was very nice.  On the way back everyone was singing, we had a birthday girl that hijacked the Captain’s role for a few minutes. 😂 I’d do this one again as it was nice to have a relaxing day after three snorkels.  Pictures below not organized in any order:

 

[peanut head]

1 minute ago, bnurick said:

Today’s excursion in St. Lucia was West Side Treasures by Catamaran.  The Crew was the most professional thus far.  It was very relaxing. Walked off the ship to the catamaran, so no taxi to deal with.  First stop was an island (see pictures) to hike or beach. Then off to see some sights before our swim time.  Lunch after and a long sail back.  42 people onboard and the vessel was very nice.  On the way back everyone was singing, we had a birthday girl that hijacked the Captain’s role for a few minutes. 😂 I’d do this one again as it was nice to have a relaxing day after three snorkels.  Pictures below not organized in any order:

 

Did you dock when you got to the beach or did you have swim to the beach to snorkel and/or hike?

[bnurick]

2 minutes ago, doodlefan said:

I have a weird question.   Last time we were on the Equinox, it was in October a few years ago and the water in the Solarium pool was SO cold there was literally one person in there the whole cruise.  I LOVE the solarium and especially the M Class heated Solarium  pools.  Have you used the Solarium pool? If not have you seen alot of other people use it?  

 

Thanks for any info.  I've been following this thread and appreciate you taking the time to post so much information.

 

 

At sea days I went through twice and there were people. I did not get into the water to see, but I recall people in the water. I do know I’ve heard they are trying to get people to wear their masks there.  Since our itinerary is two at sea days, 7 ports and then two at sea days we have been in the go since day three.  Enjoy your cruise!

[bnurick]

3 minutes ago, peanut head said:

Did you dock when you got to the beach or did you have swim to the beach to snorkel and/or hike?

There is a public dock.  The vessel cannot stay, so they come back after an hour.  If you want to snorkel or have beach chairs they are for rent. We hiked. 

[SharonK]

1 hour ago, dixi_lynn said:

We sailed in November and they were very strict with boarding times. We were lined up outside by our time slot. If the 1-1:30 group finishes early, they will let your line go. We saw guests there 2-3 hrs early, in their respective lines, sprawled out on the sidewalk trying to nap.

Thanks for your response!

[bnurick]

Celebrity Today for Day Eight!  Craps wasn’t pleasant tonight.  😑 🎰 

 

[bnurick]

Updated Rankings after Day 7 of 12.  There are changes to previous based upon new adventures.  Thanks and Goodnight!

 

 

Celebrity Equinox Rankings Jan. 30th

( as of end Day 7 )

 

Stateroom Attendant = A+

Note: Efraim is top shelf.

Retreat Host = A (Stepped it up)

Retreat Management = Not giving a rating.

Retreat Request Chat Program = B- (Upgraded as it worked off ship which was a big plus to get Antigua request moving)

 

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.  The menu is just not our style many nights, which is fine, everyone has their preferences.

(6) Sushi on Five = A

(7) Luminae = B-

Note: Service was exceptional.  Vino too.  

(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/Hike/Swim = A+

Note: Crew was wonderful.  Island amazing.  Added to our return to list.

(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 Private Grilled Lobster and Beach requested = 

 

[bnurick]

Future Cruise Desk Promotion: So I found a cruise we wanted to book in 2023.  I priced it out online and then met. The only difference is booking onboard you get $400 onboard credit.  $100 change fee if you need to rebook and apply your deposit. Hope this might help some as it all looked confusing until I met with and narrowed it all down.  Cheers!

[Cebse]

Could I ask when it states guests only booked on official Celebrity excursions may disembark the ship, it then say if booked with local government taxi's you can also get off. How do you get these local taxi's ? Do you have to book beforehand or are you allowed off to go and get one. Thanks for all your help.  

[bnurick]

1 hour ago, Cebse said:

Could I ask when it states guests only booked on official Celebrity excursions may disembark the ship, it then say if booked with local government taxi's you can also get off. How do you get these local taxi's ? Do you have to book beforehand or are you allowed off to go and get one. Thanks for all your help.  

My understanding is the taxi’s are the one’s available at the port.  There is usually an area designated for taxi service.  First come first serve, like at an airport.  Thanks.

[Beba-Beba]

On 2/4/2022 at 9:25 PM, brzymom said:

So how do you do get the Captain's Club Discount on the upgrade to premium package? There is nothing to this effect on the website. After following this thread I want to upgrade, and just don't see a way to do it online. Thanks for your help!!

 

Hi Tricia

 

Call in before you sail to get the discount for Elite and above.  I paid $108 for the 12 night and $81 for the 9 night.

 

Mary

 

Edited February 6, 2022 by Beba-Beba

[Beba-Beba]

On 2/5/2022 at 7:04 AM, chamima said:

 

@chamima

Looking forward to seeing you and Allan on the Feb 11 sailing.

 

Mary

[brzymom]

20 minutes ago, Beba-Beba said:

Hi Tricia

 

Call in before you sail to get the discount for Elite and above.  I paid $108 for the 12 night and $81 for the 9 night.

 

Mary

Thanks Mary!! I hope you are having a wonderful cruise!! I called and got it all sorted yesterday. And passed the word to my group as well. I am always getting great info from fellow cruisers!!

 

By any chance have you met our erstwhile reporter @bnurick? His posts are informative and fun!! Think we’d enjoy sailing with him! He is making me long for my cruise for sure!! Just 14 days to go!! My board has livened up a bit and we’ve many new cruisers joining us of late!! Cannot wait!!

 

Enjoy every minute of the next two weeks. Been a long time coming!!

 

Cheers!!

 

Tricia

[Kik35]

1 hour ago, bnurick said:

My understanding is the taxi’s are the one’s available at the port.  There is usually an area designated for taxi service.  First come first serve, like at an airport.  Thanks.

So this sounds like you would be able to catch a cab and go to the beach🤞
 

Will add along with the others, saying how much I appreciate your info about this cruise.  Sailing on Equinox soon and find your posts esp about ports, excursions, entertainment on board very helpful!!

[Ipeeinthepools]

24 minutes ago, Kik35 said:

So this sounds like you would be able to catch a cab and go to the beach🤞

 

That's really the million dollar question that I haven't heard answered.  Are the government approved taxi tours limited to just a ride around the island or can they drop you off any place that you want?  If they can drop you off then you are interacting with the general population, so they might as well let you walk out of the port.  

[Wrunkles]

Thank you so much for sharing your trip!    Did you happen to take any pictures of the whole catamaran you were on in St. Lucia?  Were there any bathroom facilities?  

[bnurick]

Well before we head out for an excursion, I wanted to get the math down on wine bottle charges and my Onboard Account to be sure they were accurate.  Below is the calculation and the two charges you ultimately see.  Note, the 30% discount for Captain’s Club Elite is for one time I have learned.  My experience is you have to specifically request to use it and they call to confirm.  I did find some errors in the discount calculations, but they were not material to fuss over.  Cheer!

 

[bnurick]

45 minutes ago, Kik35 said:

So this sounds like you would be able to catch a cab and go to the beach🤞
 

Will add along with the others, saying how much I appreciate your info about this cruise.  Sailing on Equinox soon and find your posts esp about ports, excursions, entertainment on board very helpful!!

Thank you!  I don’t think there is more demand than supply on taxi’s.  Also, I think, but am not sure, the taxi’s have a few tours to choose from.  I do not get the feeling you have wing it, but I might be wrong on this…. Have fun and plan well!

[bnurick]

13 minutes ago, Wrunkles said:

Thank you so much for sharing your trip!    Did you happen to take any pictures of the whole catamaran you were on in St. Lucia?  Were there any bathroom facilities?  

I did not.  The we’re on each side of the vessel, a men’s and women’s.  I actually visited the men’s and it was very clean, paper towels to dry hands and all.  My Wife said the same for the women’s.  Cheers!

[bnurick]

37 minutes ago, Wrunkles said:

Thank you so much for sharing your trip!    Did you happen to take any pictures of the whole catamaran you were on in St. Lucia?  Were there any bathroom facilities?  

One other suggestion is to buy these at Walmart (not Amazon) they are about $1 and totally worth having in your bag.

 

[bnurick]

On a roll this morning.  Cafe al Bacio menu.  Never really focus on everything they offer.  Pivoted from my double shot vanilla latte with 3 pumps of vanilla to a Coffee Americano with 3 pumps of vanilla and cream.

 

[RetroSister]

22 hours ago, bnurick said:

Today’s excursion in St. Lucia was West Side Treasures by Catamaran.  The Crew was the most professional thus far.  It was very relaxing. Walked off the ship to the catamaran, so no taxi to deal with.  First stop was an island (see pictures) to hike or beach. Then off to see some sights before our swim time.  Lunch after and a long sail back.  42 people onboard and the vessel was very nice.  On the way back everyone was singing, we had a birthday girl that hijacked the Captain’s role for a few minutes. 😂 I’d do this one again as it was nice to have a relaxing day after three snorkels.  Pictures below not organized in any order:

 

Thank you for this review! I just booked this, and now I'm so glad I did. It's impossible to get a feel for what a tour is really like based on the description, so I truly appreciate you taking the time to give us your honest opinion. 

[dixi_lynn]

4 hours ago, bnurick said:

On a roll this morning.  Cafe al Bacio menu.  Never really focus on everything they offer.  Pivoted from my double shot vanilla latte with 3 pumps of vanilla to a Coffee Americano with 3 pumps of vanilla and cream.

 

Thank you for sharing! Can't wait!