Celebrity Equinox - disappointed

[locksley10]

Oh boy very disappointing for us to hear the bad reviews of the Equinox. We have a b2b coming up in January. They are both sold out. Sounds like 3000 people will have a terrible time on the ship.

Thanks for the heads up now we know what to expect.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 12/21/2023 at 10:17 AM, iTownPrincess said:

Unfortunately our Caribbean Princess cruise was IMO one step up from a Carnival cruise - partly our fault for booking a cruise

on an old ship.... IMHO, of course. 🙂

 

We sailed on Caribbean Princess in 2016 and said - never again on an old ship. It was OLD in 2016, and I can't even imagine how much worse it got since then. Her only redeeming qualities were our MDR waiting team (still think about the most superb service we ever received while on a cruise) and the ABC island itinerary. 

 

Now we sail only Royal class and younger and have absolutely zero problems or issues.

Edited December 22, 2023 by Itchy&Scratchy

[CruiserMickey]

On 12/20/2023 at 8:08 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

Have heard many complaints, but this is the first I've heard a complaint about storage.  Sounds like Princess has a lot more storage

Having cruised both Majestic Princess and the Equinox this fall, I can confirm that Princess’ storage and closet situation is heads and tails above the S class ships. That would not deter me from sailing Equinox again, though!

 

The balconies on the Majestic are pathetically tiny! I would take an Equinox balcony any day over a balcony that small.

 

In fact, there are 12 of us (new friends from this trip!) that loved our Equinox cruise so much that we have booked on her next year for a Med cruise.

 

I hope that the dry dock can addresss some of the Equinox “tired” areas (hello Ensemble “Cave” Lounge!), but the crew we interacted with were lovely, the food was great and the bartenders were as attentive as they could be at the busy Martini Bar (our preferred meeting place).

[CruiserMickey]

4 hours ago, locksley10 said:

Oh boy very disappointing for us to hear the bad reviews of the Equinox. We have a b2b coming up in January. They are both sold out. Sounds like 3000 people will have a terrible time on the ship.

Thanks for the heads up now we know what to expect.

We just had a fabulous cruise on the Equinox! Don’t let someone else’s opinion affect your attitude towards your trip. Your experience may be very different like mine. 😊

[C4HCG]

2 hours ago, CruiserMickey said:

We just had a fabulous cruise on the Equinox! Don’t let someone else’s opinion affect your attitude towards your trip. Your experience may be very different like mine. 😊

We were on the Equinox this year too and loved it.  Although according to some here we have low expectations 🤣. Just go and see what you find @locksley10 you may love it or hate it but no point worrying about it in advance.

Edited December 22, 2023 by C4HCG

[KKB]

On 12/19/2023 at 2:29 PM, HUNKY said:

So far so good!

 

Embarkation was quick and painless.  Onboard in under ten minutes!

 

A quick hello to our muster station and we headed to lunch in the dining room (concierge perk).  Short ribs were excellent as was the butternut squash soup.

 

A can of Coca-Cola is $5.08 with tax and tip.  (still in port)

 

Fajar our cabin attendant just stopped by explaining a few details.

 

Rust is visible, but the ship is headed to dry dock in April 2024.

Say HI to Crystal the CD for us! We met her on the Edge 2 years ago & have remained in contact every since.

[BPCW]

On 12/22/2023 at 6:16 AM, locksley10 said:

Oh boy very disappointing for us to hear the bad reviews of the Equinox. We have a b2b coming up in January. They are both sold out. Sounds like 3000 people will have a terrible time on the ship.

Thanks for the heads up now we know what to expect.

Not sure why people cannot express disappointment or downgrading of quality/service from previous X experience without these over the top “I guess everyone will have a terrible time” or “your expectations are out of line” type posts…

 

Many, many experienced X cruisers, us included, have felt this. X still has a good product and you’ll still have a good time but that doesn’t change people’s opinions that X is on a downhill trajectory. 

[toledo_cruiser]

On 12/19/2023 at 11:21 AM, HUNKY said:

The balcony on the Regal Princess class ships are quite small.

 

So true. I was quite surprised and very disappointed at the size as my wife and I spend lots of time on the balcony. Made me appreciate the older Princess ships more. 

Jim

[woneill63]

We sailed on the Equinox in late May and have no complaints whatsoever.  She is probably my favorite ship after 30 something cruises.  Service was excellent and the dining was spectacular.  We are looing forward to sailing on this class ship again in the future. 

[flvol77]

We had a completely difference experience as we were on the Equinox twice this year, a 6 day and a 8 day cruise, and we enjoyed both of the cruises. 

 

We did have an Aqua Spa Cabin, so dining in the blu was always amazing. 

 

We are Elite with Celebrity and a couple of cruises shy of Elite on Princess.  

 

In contrast, we were on the Caribbean Princess in June, and it doesn't even come close to comparing to the Equinox; I wouldn't go back on the ship if it were free; the sewage smell was god-awful most days, and it was terrible in the gym and spa areas.  

 

We hadn't been on a Princess ship in 12 years, and I forgot why: their Caribbean Class is an awful design.

 

The ship was nowhere near as well taken care of as Celebrity Ships.  And don't start with me about their smoking casino on a higher deck that permeated the Piazza and surrounding areas. 

 

Also, talk about being out of touch; they still print out all their pictures and post them in the main walkway as they did 10 years ago; what waste and this ship was refurbished around the same time as the Equinox.  

 

We have booked the new Sun and Star Princess ships, but no more Caribbean Class ships from Princess. 

 

We aren't loyal to one brand, as most can see in my signature and I don't think Celebrity is perfect, but we felt the crew, the ship, the food, and overall entertainment were head and shoulders better on the Equinox.  

 

[Moby Jones]

On 12/19/2023 at 1:31 PM, hcat said:

 

 

World Class Bar was introduced as a cutting edge Concept Bar..only serving the drinks on the MENU.  That's what we have always ordered..even on BEYOND, which we enjoyed.   Won't know about ASCENT til next month!  

It always struck me as an advert for Diageo brands more than anything. 

[cruising diva]

We have been on the Equinox several times this year and have an upcoming cruise in 9 days. We love the ship and crew. We are in a suite and Luminae was superb in both food and service. I will be sorry to see her leave Florida.

 

[tallcva3344]

The Equinox is going in for 3 1’2 weeks of repairs and improvements in April 2024

[tallcva3344]

10 hours ago, Joanne G. said:

Uh-oh, frequent Carnival cruiser here following this thread because I will be on the Equinox for a fabulous Mediterranean itinerary next September.   Thankfully, I expect my fellow passengers will be less judgmental than expressed in the attitude above.  And I bet most of them won't be able to tell that all my recent cruises were on Carnival.  😁

 

Notice I didn't say I was a "Carnival type" cruiser.  That's because after multiple Carnival cruises, I still would not be able to describe that "type."  That being said, one should move on to another cruise line when no longer satisfied with their preferred line. 

You will love the Equinox.

[NMTraveller]

13 hours ago, Joanne G. said:

Uh-oh, frequent Carnival cruiser here following this thread because I will be on the Equinox for a fabulous Mediterranean itinerary next September.   Thankfully, I expect my fellow passengers will be less judgmental than expressed in the attitude above.  And I bet most of them won't be able to tell that all my recent cruises were on Carnival.  😁

 

Notice I didn't say I was a "Carnival type" cruiser.  That's because after multiple Carnival cruises, I still would not be able to describe that "type."  That being said, one should move on to another cruise line when no longer satisfied with their preferred line. 

Barbecue dress code vs fine dining.  Fight nights vs theater shows 😂

[Moby Jones]

1 minute ago, NMTraveller said:

Barbecue dress code vs fine dining.  Fight nights vs theater shows 😂

Are you referring to Carnival vs Celebrity? 
 

Or Regent vs Celebrity 2024? 

[NMTraveller]

8 minutes ago, Moby Jones said:

Are you referring to Carnival vs Celebrity? 
 

Or Regent vs Celebrity 2024? 

Good question…

 

I originally was going with Celebrity vs Carnival.

 

But seeing how Celebrity and Carnival are becoming more similar, I think that Regent vs Celebrity would be the right answer.

 

Guys in the OVC without shirts…

 

Edited December 31, 2023 by NMTraveller

[Moby Jones]

2 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Good question…

 

I originally was going with Celebrity vs Carnival.

 

But seeing how Celebrity and Carnival are becoming more similar, I think that Regent vs Celebrity would be the right answer.

 

 

At least Carnival are honest about the product they sell. It’s a cheap no frills budget experience. I’d compare it to a Ford car. 
 

Celebrity these days massively over sell their experience. I see their marketing for their new ship Xcel is marketed as “game changing”. For gods sake it’s just another E class ship. What is game changing about it? 
 

incidentally the only fight I’ve ever witnessed aboard a cruise ship was in the Retreat sun deck area aboard Apex…..

[NMTraveller]

13 minutes ago, Moby Jones said:

At least Carnival are honest about the product they sell. It’s a cheap no frills budget experience. I’d compare it to a Ford car. 
 

Celebrity these days massively over sell their experience. I see their marketing for their new ship Xcel is marketed as “game changing”. For gods sake it’s just another E class ship. What is game changing about it? 
 

incidentally the only fight I’ve ever witnessed aboard a cruise ship was in the Retreat sun deck area aboard Apex…..

Celebrity used to hold their customers to a higher standard.  Dress codes and shirts in the ovc.  No teens running the halls…

[Moby Jones]

1 minute ago, NMTraveller said:

Celebrity used to hold their customers to a higher standard.  Dress codes and shirts in the ovc.  No teens running the halls…

Indeed. Now they treat them like cash cows. I’m very tempted to post their CEO one nickel and one dime to help her with their bottom line… 

[Cruiscs]

3 hours ago, tallcva3344 said:

The Equinox is going in for 3 1’2 weeks of repairs and improvements in April 2024

Any info what will be done?

[mickey89]

On 12/19/2023 at 4:55 PM, PTC DAWG said:

I was on Equinox in the fall of last year, no issues..balcony cabin, storage is fine for the Wife and I. we have sailed her 4 times..two post covid..
 

The WCB will pour any liquor they have straight up, or make a cocktail from the menu.  
 

Your review doesn’t come close to anything I have ever experienced on Celebrity. 
 

 

We cruised Equinox in Nov/Dec 2022 and Nov/Dec 2023.   

Agree with PTC DAWG 2022 cruise was excellent but the most recent ....not so good.

 

A lot of the problems stem from the ship's capacity, 2022 cruise was 75% full whist 2023 was near to 100%.   At 100% capacity the service suffers considerably and the the overall experience fell significant short of past experiences.   Has Cruising changed.........I'm afraid so.

[C4HCG]

3 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

Celebrity used to hold their customers to a higher standard.  Dress codes and shirts in the ovc.  No teens running the halls…

Which cruise were you on when you saw teens running the halls? We have done 3 post covid, 28 nights in all, not seen this happen once.

[gold1953]

I do find your comment on storage exaggerated. There are 3 drawers under the TV ( they hold all of our undergarments, sleepwear and simple t-shirts , shorts etc.) There is a full wardrobe for hanging a lot of clothes. We are short people and can reach the overheard storage while standing on the floor. The drawers in the bathroom are small ( they hold my cosmetics ,but there is also the glass door cabinet with shelves.

[NMTraveller]

28 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

Which cruise were you on when you saw teens running the halls? We have done 3 post covid, 28 nights in all, not seen this happen once.

Millie.  Several times so far.

 

Edited December 31, 2023 by NMTraveller