Celebrity EQUINOX - Inaugrual Transatlantic 5th November 2009

[Blazerboy]

Hello Larry and David!

 

And Bill, I think I remember your screen name. Did you do an Eastbound crossing on the Constellation in '06?

 

Marcus, I'm a fan of Cunard as well...but haven't yet sailed on QM2. We were supposed to return on her this Fall, but she's being 'refreshed' starting on 22/10/08 surely just to enhance all your hard work!;)

 

Francois, as my family are originally from Nova Scotia (well, originally from Scotland...) I also take pride that Samuel was Canadian...

 

Andrew

[rnmikey]

Hi all. Mike & Bruce from Kansas City. I happened on this thread and after checking celebrity website am ready to book. Since this would be our first mainstream cruise was wondering how gay friendly celebrity cruises are? We are not the in your face type, but don't want to feel uncomfortable either. Since this would be our first transatlantic would it be better to add airfare in as part of the cruise or would it be better to book separately? Thanks.

[Blazerboy]

Hey, there. I'm very 'out' but not necessarily 'in your face' either. "Hi, I'm Andrew and this is my partner, Ed" is about as radical as I get. We have never had any issue, either with staff or fellow passengers. I've kissed his cheek good night when we've parted late at night, he to the casino and I to dance. He's touched my hand with affection in the Martini Bar when he wanted my attention, and called me "Honey" at the dinner table the same way any couple would. We've danced together in the 'disco' without any issue (Well, to be fair, there were about 30 gay men mixed in with 100 straight folks, the straight women were encouraging us, and the DJ was playing 'It's Raining Men" by Martha Wash...:rolleyes: )

 

All this to say that I feel very comfortable. There is usually an Friends of Dorothy gathering in the daily activities sheet, sometimes thrice, sometimes every night.

 

Oh, and airfare...book with it, and cancel later, up until final payment I believe, if you find a better deal. We;ll probably use Jet Blue to the East Coast and back, and then buy a one-way from NYC to Rome.

 

Hope it works out for you, and hope this was helpful.

 

Andrew

[rnmikey]

Andrew, thanks so much for the information. Made our reservations this evening. Only bad part was prices increased $400.00 (total) since yesterday. Guess I shouldn't have procrastinated. Noticed that all suites are sold out and not too many veranda rooms left. We did add our air travel since it seems to be a better price than we can get on our own, but will keep an eye out for better deal. Hopefully we can accrue frequent flyer miles for the flight even though we added flight into our cruise booking.

[Prada Cowboy]

Andrew, thanks so much for the information. Made our reservations this evening. Only bad part was prices increased $400.00 (total) since yesterday. Guess I shouldn't have procrastinated. Noticed that all suites are sold out and not too many veranda rooms left. We did add our air travel since it seems to be a better price than we can get on our own, but will keep an eye out for better deal. Hopefully we can accrue frequent flyer miles for the flight even though we added flight into our cruise booking.

 

Hey Mike and Bruce,

 

I know my TA has blocked rooms for the old pre sell price! If you want I can give you her info. I bet you can get a good deal, especially since I know she still has Sky (aft) Suites, Aqua, Concierge and regular Balcony cabins.

 

Let me know, if you are interested...

munichmarcus@yahoo.com

 

We also take jet blue to NYC and then Eurofly (Business Class for $1200) over to Rome.

 

We have done many cruises...

[daviddfld]

Hi Everybody ...

 

We paid the deposit, so we're set to go ... albeit such a long time away!

 

Larry & I are from Deerfield Beach, FL and have done quite a bit of cruising. Larry is a self employed Interior Designer, and I am a Cruise Specialist with Cruises Inc.

 

We have been together for 30 years (it will be 32 by the time the Equinox sails!). We've done 3 previous transatlantic sailings and found that they are our favorite. We especially like the westbound sailings as they "drop us off" about 30 minutes by car from home. We recently did the NCL Jade (formerly the Pride of Hawai'i) from Miami to Barcelona ... and really hated that long flight home!

 

I hope we get to know you all a bit on this board before we sail.

[rnmikey]

David & Larry, welcome to the group. 30 years together...congradulations! I'm Mike & my partner is Bruce. Your sure right that cruise is a long way off. Luckily we are booked on RSVP Eurodam in Feb 09 as well as the Equinox. This will be our first mainstream cruise and our first transatlantic. Had I not discovered CC site doubt we would have gone. Had no idea FOD even existed. Guess we lead a sheltered life here in Kansas City.

[Prada Cowboy]

Welcome to all the NEW guys on here! It will be defenitely a special cruise and I believe a lot of "Family" members will be going.

[Prada Cowboy]

:mad: It looks like I will go by myself, my partner said he most propably will have business meetings that time of the year. That means I would need to downgrade from my Celebrity Suite with him to a Aqua Class by myself...cry...cry...cry!!!

[Blue Peter]

Marcus,

Seriously, it is rather sad that your partner will not be able to attend the crossing to Fort Lauderdale. ... But you seriously see me sadden to the fact that you will now have to be downgraded to "Aquaclass". ... such a shame! But it shall be a splash!

 

[lkushnerid]

Greetings Everyone,

I am Larry, David's other half. I wanted to introduce myself and say hi to some of our fellow travelers that we have met before. You know who you are!:D It in nice to see so much action on the boards so early on.

 

We will be traveling with friends this trip, Monica (F of FOD) so "The Stiletto Gang" would certainly be welcome, Stephen and Keith, Fred, Kirk and Glenn and we are still working on more so combined we should have quite a large FOD/GLBT group. Should make cocktail hour at the Martini bar loads of fun.

 

Looking forward to meeting you all and spending time together, getting to know each other.

 

Regards,

Larry

[GLOLIN96]

We are booked and really looking forward to this cruise!!! :)

[daviddfld]

And welcome to the board. Do you have any information about yourselves that you'd like to share? I'm sure by 11/09 we'll have a chance to get to know each other pretty well!

 

David

[rnmikey]

Marcus, sorry to hear your partner won't be coming. Cruise is a long way off so maybe his schedule will change. Thanks for Jean's email address. Looks like we have a TA again to work with for upcoming cruises.

Golin96, welcome. Will this be your first cruise?

Mike

[Prada Cowboy]

I have cancelled this trip! Celebrity called in and raised the price for our Celebrity Suite to almost 13K, due high demand...LOL!!!

 

To be honest it is too much K for what it will be delivered on Celebrity! It is still a main stream cruise! I would have not been happy in a Aqua Class...so I did cancel the whole thing!

 

Will see if something comes up closer to sailing!

 

Have all a great cruise...

Marcus

[averageblokes]

Do you think there will be room for two aussies? to bad anyway just booked. Partner dosent know yet as we are leave Aus two weeks tomorrow to sail on infinity 28 April San Fran to Alaska cant wait.

It will be a surprise when he is on a downer when our holiday ends next month.

Cheers

Terry and Neil

[Blue Peter]

Terry and Neil,

You are mostly welcome. This maiden transatlantic crossing for MV Equinox sure will be exciting. ... Quite ahead of time, and yet a momentum can be felt. ... Hopefully your partner (Terry or Neil) will not read this thread so not to spoil the surprise when you return from your Infinity Alaskan cruise. He shall be thrilled.

Regards,

[Blue Peter]

Marcus,

Hopefully something will come up and we will welcome you back onboard as you did initiate this roll call, it is sad to see you go.

[Prada Cowboy]

Marcus,

 

Hopefully something will come up and we will welcome you back onboard as you did initiate this roll call, it is sad to see you go.

 

I am sad myself, but if Celebrity is not coming up with my original price of the Suite, I will not go. There is a limit to something and after 3 failed atempts to cruise with Celebrity with very poor customer service, I am not sure if I even want to.

[Blue Peter]

Marcus,

Was it not there a deposit to guarantee the rate of the Suite before Celebrity raised it?

[Blazerboy]

Hey all, and welcome to the new roll call members.

 

Marcus, sorry to read of your problems. If booked through the US, and with a deposit, they shouldn't be able to change the price. They do sometimes (all cruise lines) cancel the booking if the first name on the booking cancels. If your partner's name was first, that may have been what happened. I would keep after them. That said, shoreside service on RCCL/Celebrity is woefully lacking, but I've had similar issues on Cunard and Crystal. The good news is that, once you're on ship, service has been very good. Hope something works out for you.

 

Andrew

[Prada Cowboy]

Celebrity can even see the fare in my history, but will NOT grant it...due the high demand for the true luxury Suites on the ship and particular cruise. The cabin was part of a group and only a minimal deposit was asked to secure the room. The gentleman from the Celebrity reservation was not even willing or interested to help me in that matter. He just said ... you want it you pay the new price or I have a list of passengers who would even pay the double. It is gone now anyhow, I let them have it!

I guess Celebrity is a flea market who auctions the Suites!

[RMS Olympic]

I am on the inaugural Dec this year...wish there were postings about that sailing.

Please send some family over to my sailing. Aussies......the best people at sea.....send a single one so I have a dinner companion.

By the way...if anyone fails to get on your crossing....consider the Nov 15, 2009 transatlantic on the Regent Navigator. I got a standard suite for about $2300 as a single and that includes tips and all beverages....Funchal to Ft Lauderdale...8 days at sea in the lap of luxury.

[Prada Cowboy]

I am on the inaugural Dec this year...wish there were postings about that sailing.

Please send some family over to my sailing. Aussies......the best people at sea.....send a single one so I have a dinner companion.

By the way...if anyone fails to get on your crossing....consider the Nov 15, 2009 transatlantic on the Regent Navigator. I got a standard suite for about $2300 as a single and that includes tips and all beverages....Funchal to Ft Lauderdale...8 days at sea in the lap of luxury.

 

I know...I am really thinking about jumping on the Navigator, but also do the 8 days pre cruise to Funchal. The deal is to good and service, food defenitely better then any mainstream and the liquor and Champagne is included. So...should I pay 13K for mainstream or under 3k for true luxury?

[Blue Peter]

Andrew,

Is Hubble a Corgi?