bjahil47

11 hours ago, asnaleah said:

I hadn’t even thought about the amuse bouche! This is new to me, just 3 weeks. Easy at home, but eating in restaurants seems challenging so far. 

I’m happy to answer any of your questions.

8 minutes ago, asnaleah said:

So now I’m gluten free. Probably no desserts for me…

I am gluten free and there is sorbet or ice cream!  Lol…I was told the gelato is not gluten free so I don’t eat it!  I will have the Creme brûlée a few times.  They usually will try to get you something gf for dessert.  They do have macarons in Luminae and gf desserts (cakes are terrible) in Oceanview, Cafe Al Bacio and cookies at Spa Cafe.  I get sad when they bring interesting items to my husband for the amuse bouche and give me a blackberry….every night.  😢😢

4 hours ago, CruisersTimesThree said:

Yes, I know I can sign in to Celebrity’s website and it will show my OBC balance . My question was if in the app can you see it somewhere? 

It will not show up in app until you are on board and then it’s under Account.

Part of the resort is reserved for Virgin voyages only.  I have read many reports that the beach chairs are on top of each other and limited umbrellas, loud music, mold in the pool and long waits to board the tram to get back to ship.  We will be there mid-September and we canceled our excursion we had booked there.  I also heard the public beach next to cruise port is across from a sewage plant and if the wind is blowing the wrong way it’s quite aromatic.

All this is hearsay from others posts.  I have no first hand knowledge..yet..

32 minutes ago, thebutlerdidit said:

My next cruise will be on the Equinox. Day 6 of the current sailing is a sea day and there’s no lunch menu. I don’t really know what to think. Embarkation day snd day 2 (a sea day) do have lunch menus showing. 

I believe we are on same cruise.  I do not think it’s accurate until we board.  If I’m wrong I will treat you to lunch in Oceanview!  

So it seems that the room attendant has been “promoted” to part time Retreat Host 

Or the butler has been “demoted” to part time room attendant.  In either case it’s more work for the now Room Attendant/Retreat Host.  
 

@DingoMom happy you are feeling better and hope you got to enjoy some of the cruise.  Thank you for all your reports!  We will follow up as we will be on Equinox 9/24.  Safe travels home!  

My perfect sea day is to start out with coffee and breakfast (smoked salmon) delivered to the room.  Then go on a walk, stop in casino for a few minutes, then Cafe Al Bacio for a tea or cappuccino and to read either there or outside.  Then meet my husband at Sushi on 5 for lunch.  After lunch go to solarium and hopefully find seats.  Have a swim, read and relax.  Then back to room to sit on balcony with a drink, get ready for dinner.  Go eat dinner, then maybe casino, show, walk the stores, listen to music and then a nite cap of amaretto and bed!  

3 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

My apologies for not reading the thread all of the way through.  Can we still get cookies but in a different venue on Equinox?

I have heard they are free at Oceanview, but they are not warm.  We will find out firsthand in a few weeks

1 hour ago, 2023 said:

Everyone take a deep breath…..

My mother never charged me for cookies right out of the oven!  If she had she would have been a rich woman!  

I eat the chocolates, and I eat my husband’s chocolates because many years ago my mom told me “What’s yours is yours, and what’s his is yours”.  I follow that rule and all is fine here!  Now I will have to bring a bag of Dove chocolates and have hubby put them on both our pillows.  
 

We sail in 29 days on the Equinox.  We are loyal to Celebrity but because of all the changes it may be our last cruise with them.  What’s next?  Pay bathrooms?  

Thank you in advance for all you are doing.  I hope you feel better soon and can enjoy your cruise!

2 hours ago, goofysmom99 said:

I know.  And I also get better attention because of status.  But on last year's TA, macaroons were the only option at al Bacio with my afternoon tea.  At least  they did hide them in the back for me (otherwise they'd be gone).  

Last cruise at day 2 I asked if there were any macaroons made.  There weren’t but the chef made a batch of vanilla and chocolate and they delivered them to my room.  I put them in a baggie and they lasted the entire cruise!  

2 hours ago, goofysmom99 said:

I'm stuck on Constellation for 16 nights (have reached the point I wish I weren't going). Somewhere on that boat someone had better have a take-away gluten free cookie available at times other than the very few hours the Spa Cafe is open.  The Cafe al Bacio gluten-free cakes are awful; according to my friends who've tried them, much worse than the regular cakes.  BTW, if you think the MDR menus look unappealing, just look at them from the perspective of someone with celiac.  Glad I've booked business class to Rome since I'll need the extra checked bag to carry gluten-free foodstuffs.  I also like the macaroons but usually they're the ONLY decent GF option; sixteen consecutive days is going to be tough.  BTW, appears as though they've eliminated creme brulee from the room service menu = zero GF dessert options now.

I agree with you about the gluten free cakes.  Just horrible.  I love the macaroons but after a few days I am sick of them.  The Spa Cafe GF cookies are good but they are not open all the time.  Creme Brûlée is my favorite.  It’s still on my room service menu.  I may have to bake some gf cookies to bring along with my gf bagels and crackers!

Enjoy your cruise!

3 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Al Bacio was one place that had gluten free cookies. !!!!!! 

Spa Cafe also has gluten free cookies.  They are very good.

I have searched and can’t find an answer.  We are on a B2B next month on Equinox.  We have a lot of NOBC and will not touch our OBC that is refundable.  Usually we just get a credit on our credit card but I want to avoid losing credit card points and would like to use the cash on second leg of trip.  Can I go to Guest Services and ask for this money in cash?  Is there a dollar limit you can ask for that they will give you cash?  Can I ask for it any time during our first leg?  
Thank you!

We love the Retreat on Equinox and next month will be our 7th cruise on ship.  The Retreat Deck is very windy and no hot tub or bar, but Retreat Host will get you whatever you want.  The Retreat Lounge is bright and updated and we like sitting there having a drink and snacks.

Looking at the current menu on Equinox in MDR, I would say they are starting to cater to us old folks  that have digestive issues (or no teeth) as every entree is accompanied by mashed potatoes, puréed parsnips or puréed potatoes.  Oh, and carrots and green beans!  🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️. It’s really sad considering last October when we sailed the food was excellent and varied!

14 hours ago, CruisinBanka said:

Unfortunately you only get to submit one question. Tough to decide which one to ask, with all the recent food and service downgrades, but I’ll probably go with the one she can’t legitimately defend because it is a health concern for all guest and employees …..Vaping

I asked several questions.  I just kept going back to email and clicking the link.  

From Celebrity website:

EVENING CHIC

Each itinerary features one to two “formal” nights we call Evening Chic. Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jean, an elegant dress top or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos. The Daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening. If you do not wish to participate in Evening Chic, Smart Casual attire is acceptable for dining and theater.

2 hours ago, 39august said:

Terry, what date is your cruise, please? We go on EQ Sept. 24. Hope you are reporting before our date. 

We are on same cruise in Retreat.

2 minutes ago, Dreamer68 said:

Thanks for the info about the SS and RS! It helps me adjust my expectations! Now I'm wondering how to give this info to my travel agent without coming across like I don't trust her info. My first time returning to booking via a travel agent in 15+ years. 

If you booked any of those cabins you will still love them!  We have a RS (different one) booked for a B2B next month.  Your TA should know about the crane accident and that a few ships were not completely done.  Have a great cruise!

9 minutes ago, Dreamer68 said:

Really interesting thread about the extent of "revolution" of the Equinox. The Celebrity corporate page implies this ship has been revolutionized as in completely so. Even my travel agent responded today to my inquiry about the extent of "revolution" that "per Celebrity, 80% of the ship was revolutionized during Covid. 100% of the staterooms were revolutionized. " I am disappointed to read and see photos of minimal changes in Veranda staterooms as recent as May (we're looking at booking those). Do bathrooms have shower curtains vs glass doors? 

I would say about 20% was redone.  Michaels Club updated to Retreat and they did the Retreat deck .  We were in a SS and RS last year and in both the furniture was worn, carpets ragged.  In RS table had a crack and blinds broken.  But still our favorite ship!  It’s a warm, inviting feel and the crew is the best.  

1 hour ago, jbcallender said:

Confirmed by our butler last week.  Takes efffect August 18th..

What was confirmed and what takes effect August 18th?

40 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Did you contact either shoreside concierge for clarification?

Yes, no reply as of yet.

I just received an email from Shoreside Retreat welcoming me to my cruise in September on Equinox in RS.  We are doing a B2B.  I received an email from Shoreside Retreat about a month ago and booked everything for entire cruise through her.  Todays email pertained to my second leg and was from someone else.  Wording for Butler has changed…