Live from the Equinox 9-24-23: Day-1

[TwoBeAtSea]

Testing!  Is this thing on?  OK, at least the Starlink Internet is working... 

Hello from the Equinox. 

 

Day-1 (so far): 
I used "Flights by celebrity" to get here.  Huge mistake.  

My docs said "Someone will meet you at baggage claim." 

That did not happen.  

I talked to the airports transportaiton aid desk, after I woke her up, she seemed surprised to hear there are cruise ships in Florida. No help there. 

So I called the help line, After 15 minutes of on hold music I gave up an grabbed a waitibng cab.  $20 and 5min later I arrived at the port. They did eventually answer and explained I was supposed to get a bus that ran every half hour but were not clear where I should have gone to find it.

 

Check-in and boarding could not have gone smoother.  In the door to on the ship 5-min tops. 

On a side note, I used my spanking new "Passport Card" at both the airport and the terminal with no issues, my passport book never left my bag. 

 

At my room, the envelope with my keycard had been opened,  I seemed to be the only one along my hallway (that sill had a card) that happened to. 

Is there supposed to be something in the envelope other than the card? I have checked my account and there were no charges, I'll keep an eye out. 

 

Very impressed with my room steward (Is that the right term?) she is very helpful.  I'm allergic to down pillows and she had them replaced in no time, I also requested she empty the mini-fridge and that happened while I was doing my initial walk about. 

 

Setting up the WiFi was a breeze, I was getting  a very sad 0.3mb speed to start but now it seems to be up to a comfortable 3-6mb.  I can stream so that's all I need. 

 

If anyone is interested, I did get around YoutubeTV (and other sites) geofencing. 

I setup premium WiFi on my Android. 

I have an OpenVPN config on the Android back to my home LAN,  (Setup as a full tunnel) 

I then used the Android as a hotspot that the laptop connects to and as far as websites can tell I'm still sitting at home. 

 

I did an initial "tasting" tour of the open fast food spots, the Grill hot dog was cold, the pizza grocery store frozen pizza quality. 

I had a couple of Pina coladas, There was a noticeable difference in quality  between bars.  More on that later. 

 

I have dinner at Morano tonight so I'm looking forward to that,,,,   

[FRMPEI]

Thanks for taking time out of your vacation to Share with us. Let us have it.

 

Regards,

Kevin

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for posting a live review.   

 

As a pointer for future cruises,   when you arrive at either MIA or FLL you will find the agent in the Baggage Area with a Big Celebrity Sign.   You will see other cruise line agents also.    You contact that person and she will give you a sticker  with a number on it and will direct you to a porter who will take your bags.    When your bus arrives your bus number will be called and you will be escorted to the bus.

 

Unless you get free transfer as part of booking with Flights By Celebrity I would forego and just grab an Uber.    The price they charge is far more expensive for 2 than just using a ride share or taxi.

[NBliving]

Looking forward to your Live from the Equinox. Boarding in about a month!

[horseymike]

Hope you have a great cruise 🚢 

[JuliaMS]

We sail 10/14, looking forward to your review. Could you please post the costs for the glass blowing items? Thanks

Edited September 26, 2023 by JuliaMS

[TwoBeAtSea]

22 hours ago, JuliaMS said:

We sail 10/14, looking forward to your review. Could you please post the costs for the glass blowing items? Thanks

The prices range up to $200. If you zoom in I think you can see all the current prices 

I have this on my schedule for tomorrow so if you have any other questions, now's the time to ask. 

[TwoBeAtSea]

On 9/25/2023 at 11:54 AM, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks for posting a live review.   

 

As a pointer for future cruises,   when you arrive at either MIA or FLL you will find the agent in the Baggage Area with a Big Celebrity Sign.  

That was NOT my experience.  There was no one from any cruise line in the baggage area. 

[TwoBeAtSea]

Day 2 & 3

We had our first port day today.  I’m doing a solo sabbatical cruise so I do not plan to go ashore and did not in Grand Cayman.  I will note the tenders pulled up outside my balcony window about every 20min.  So that’s about what you can expect if you are using them.

 

The ship was more crowded than I expected for a port day.  For the first time I had issues finding a place to sit at the buffet.  I visited Sushi on Five for lunch.  Wow! That was some good food.  I plan to return to try other things, probably several times.   I have yet to make it to the main dining room for a meal.  I read so many tepid reviews that I just haven’t bothered. 

 

I played in the blackjack tournament, that was a fiasco.  They had one (grumpy) table/dealer  for the event so all we had so sit around for four other rounds.   Made it a waste of time in my opinion.  I also played the Texas Holdum tournament, that was run very well. A great dealer that really knew his job.  I got robbed with AJ vs A4 but that’s poker. 

 

I took the “Behind the Scenes” tour of the ship.  That is great fun.  I did not expect to see a living room set that looks like it came from the set of Bewitched in the middle of the bridge but there it is. I came away with a better appreciation of how much work it takes to make cruise easy for us guests.  Bravo to the entire crew.

 

The main dining room still alludes me.  I read such tepid reviews of it that I have not made the effort to visit it yet. Perhaps I’ll try it for lunch tomorrow.  Although sushi might be calling to me….

 

Housekeeping has been like an efficient ghost.  I know she’s been coming but I never see her…. 

I griped about the food on day-1, I will note it’s improved on day 2/3.  Still nothing to write home about (expect for the Sushi) but worth noting.

 

For the most part the ship does not seem overcrowded, I haven’t had to wait more than 5min for a drink and the buffet (Other than early today) has not been crazy busy. 

We have been through two thunderstorms so far, amazing to watch from the balcony.  As an experiment I placed my toothbrush (a small electric one) up on it’s end and so far it has not fallen over despite some whitecaps outside.

 

Tomorrow is my turn at glass blowing and the Tuscan Grill.  

 

 

[wonton]

Regarding the glass blowing. I have tried enlarging your pic but still unable to see the prices. Do you have another picture? Second question on pricing, is the listed price for the item in addition to the cost paid for the class? TIA

[thebutlerdidit]

12 minutes ago, wonton said:

Regarding the glass blowing. I have tried enlarging your pic but still unable to see the prices. Do you have another picture? Second question on pricing, is the listed price for the item in addition to the cost paid for the class? TIA

I’d also like clarification on how the up-charge works for the glass items. I’ll be onboard on the 8th. I can’t make out the prices, but it looks like nothing is under 3 digits. 

[kywildcatfanone]

Thanks for your review.  It does seem a lot of poor review for the MDR, so we are not planning to go there either.  How is the Oceanview cafe for you?  Good food, good selection?

[TeeRick]

11 hours ago, TwoBeAtSea said:

We had our first port day today.  I’m doing a solo sabbatical cruise so I do not plan to go ashore and did not in Grand Cayman.  I will note the tenders pulled up outside my balcony window about every 20min.  So that’s about what you can expect if you are using them.

Thanks for the live review.  Much appreciated.  I was on Equinox earlier this year,  When we stopped at Grand Cayman, most of the bars on the ship were closed all day in port.  Except the Pool Bar.  Still the case?

[Cruisegirl6]

Thank you and keep enjoying your cruise, some questions:

 

 We have to take a few work calls and zoom conference twice on our October 14th cruise and have premium do you feel we be able to get access to these features and on YouTube and our cameras at home?

 

Others have written that the ship feels overcrowded do you feel this also?

 

In the MDR are we able to get a table for 2 ok?

 

How was Murano, hope you enjoyed it!

 

What is your favorite bar and place to sit in the daytime and at night?

 

Do they have a live band in the evenings and where will I find it if they do?

 

What ports are you going to?

 

 

[LMHSRN]

On 9/27/2023 at 8:48 AM, thebutlerdidit said:

I’d also like clarification on how the up-charge works for the glass items. I’ll be onboard on the 8th. I can’t make out the prices, but it looks like nothing is under 3 digits. 

Just did glass blowing on August cruise on EQ.  Price for the piece is included in cost up to the cost of the show.  i.e.  If you paid $125.00 you can choose a piece up to $125.00.  Otherwise, you just pay the difference.

[C4HCG]

6 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Thank you and keep enjoying your cruise, some questions:

 

Others have written that the ship feels overcrowded do you feel this also?

 

In the MDR are we able to get a table for 2 ok?

 

What is your favorite bar and place to sit in the daytime and at night?

 

Do they have a live band in the evenings and where will I find it if they do?

 

 

I know your questions were at the OP but we sailed on the Equinox early September so can offer you our experience on 4 of your questions.

 

our ship was sailing full we were told and it didn’t feel overcrowded but finding a table in the OVC at peak breakfast and lunch times could be a challenge.

 

We were a party of 4 and got seated fine at the MDR each night - and as an aside we found the food fine there.

 

Sunset bar our favourite both day and night. All the bars are worth a visit though.

 

A live band plays in the Grand Foyer every evening.

[kathynorth]

On 9/26/2023 at 8:58 PM, TwoBeAtSea said:

The prices range up to $200. If you zoom in I think you can see all the current prices 

I have this on my schedule for tomorrow so if you have any other questions, now's the time to ask. 

Thank you for posting about the glass class. We really enjoyed watching the Hot Glass Show when Corning Glass was hosting those shows. We didn’t watch any of the classes last time we had the chance, but I may take a class when we’re onboard this Feb. Unfortunately, I cannot see the prices. Would you mind letting me know how much it is to make the turtles? I’m interested to know what you decided to make? Have you ever made a piece of glass in the past? Did you find it was worth it to do this on board?

[saffy12]

I also enjoyed the Corning glass show on the Equinox back in 2012, and have been a bit disappointed to hear that I now have to pay for the experience myself, as I have no need for one of the items for sale.   Do they allow people to watch the classes, if not making something?   Do they still do any shows for people who want to view and not participate?

[TwoBeAtSea]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:21 PM, kathynorth said:

Thank you for posting about the glass class. We really enjoyed watching the Hot Glass Show when Corning Glass was hosting those shows. We didn’t watch any of the classes last time we had the chance, but I may take a class when we’re onboard this Feb. Unfortunately, I cannot see the prices. Would you mind letting me know how much it is to make the turtles? I’m interested to know what you decided to make? Have you ever made a piece of glass in the past? Did you find it was worth it to do this on board?

$200 For the turtle. I did the Turtle.  I have not done it before, it was a unique experience that I very much enjoyed.  5 - Stars.  

 

[TwoBeAtSea]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:51 PM, saffy12 said:

I also enjoyed the Corning glass show on the Equinox back in 2012, and have been a bit disappointed to hear that I now have to pay for the experience myself, as I have no need for one of the items for sale.   Do they allow people to watch the classes, if not making something?   Do they still do any shows for people who want to view and not participate?

They did a show the first day of the cruise, you can watch other people making items during the cruise. I watched several people make items before my time so I had some idea of what to expect. 

[TwoBeAtSea]

I'm back home, my overall impression of the cruise is primarily negative.  Celebrity is a solid "No thanks" to any future cruise.  From stranding me at the airport on embarkation day, to unreliable Internet to the main issue: Food quality. 

 

The food was as bad as dozens of threads here warned me about. 
The Orange Juice was like water with a drop of orange coloring.  I took to adding orange slices from the buffet to give it some flavor.  Most everything was low end, like I would expect from a Golden Corral restaurant.  Not the "high end" they promote.  

"Sushi on five" was the exception, even allowing for the extra cost it was wonderful.  I ended up there a couple of times.  Murano and Tuscan Grill both served the quality of food I expected from the main dining room but fell short of what I expected from a premium price restaurant.  Hower ever I will note service across the board was excellent.  

[TwoBeAtSea]

On 9/28/2023 at 9:51 AM, Cruisegirl6 said:

Thank you and keep enjoying your cruise, some questions:

 

 We have to take a few work calls and zoom conference twice on our October 14th cruise and have premium do you feel we be able to get access to these features and on YouTube and our cameras at home?

Internet was unreliable.  It would work for a few hours then I had to disconnect/reconnect to get it back.  When it was up, streaming was not a problem.  Also outside of my cabin Internet was stable.  

On 9/28/2023 at 9:51 AM, Cruisegirl6 said:

 

Others have written that the ship feels overcrowded do you feel this also?

I did not feel that at all.  The crowds were manageable.  Never a long wait at the bars or buffet.  The anytime dining did have lines from 6-7pm but that' to be expected. 

 

In the MDR are we able to get a table for 2 ok?

I only went to the MDR once and had no trouble getting a table for one.  You should have no issues with a table for 2. 

 

How was Murano, hope you enjoyed it!

Service was great, food was good.  Nothing to write home about but way above what was being served in the MDR. 

 

What is your favorite bar and place to sit in the daytime and at night?

At night, my balcony.  During the day I liked the Sky Observation Lounge.  Craft social made the best drinks (in my opinion).  

 

Do they have a live band in the evenings and where will I find it if they do?

Probably, I'm not much of a late night person.  

 

What ports are you going to?

We went to Grand Cayman (Nice!), Cozumel (a dive unless you like getting blind drunk then its' a great place), and Bimini (A new port not much there other than the beach, but really what else do you need?) 

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2023 by TwoBeAtSea

[cruise47]

We saw your ship leaving Port Everglades yesterday. The ship did not look liked it was full ?