NnJ2010

I wanted to be sure to post since I used cruise critic boards to find Woodwind! 

My husband and I were on the Christmas sailing of the Celebrity Summit.  We visited Bonaire on December 26.  First it's a charming island with great people. Very very eco friendly. I look forward to exploring more of the island some day.

We booked online with Woodwind. We have been cruising almost 20 years and while the first few cruises we booked ship excursions, we quickly became frustrated with them. We don't like the crowds or the waiting. But that's just us.  So I emailed to secure our spot and I even had the date wrong originally and they said no worries we already knew which day it was since you had said which ship... Their email information was prompt and responsive. And detailed!  They had a very clear map of where to go when you got off the ship and meet them. Even included photos.

We arrived and got off the ship and were surprised it really was a 3 minute walk from where the ship had docked! Exited, turned right and walked.  One of our guides met us at the time and location they said they would.  Took us to their offices.  Then got the group situated and on the boat.  I would estimate there were around 30 snorkelers on their cat but it never felt like that many. They had at least 5 or 6 crew members on board. They served beverages - a LARGE variety of beverages both with or without alcohol, your choice. They were frequently coming around to see if you needed a refill or were done with your drink, etc.  We went on the longer of the two options and went to two snorkeling locations which also offered lunch and dessert. And the food was really really good.  Even my very picky husband thoroughly enjoyed it!  

The reefs are beautiful and well protected. They also showed us how they are growing new coral. The group was broken down into smaller groups to snorkel in so there were only around 7-9 people per group.  Each had their own guide who would point out things along the way, help anyone who needed it, etc. There was also a photographer who took great underwater photos - both of the people in their own travel groups and of the sea life. At the end of the cruise the photographer gives the option of purchasing all the photos or not. IMO it was worth it - i enjoyed not having to try to get photos and to be able to just float and dive and enjoy the sights!

They were conscious of the traffic in the area, they were conscious of the direction or the tides, etc.  They really think of everything so that you can relax and enjoy. Easily one of the best excursions we've been on! Both from the standpoint of ease and organization (they are probably the best of all the excursions we've done) and from the beautiful reefs and sea life!

I'm not a huge drinker and there was no way that I'd drink that much over a day to make it worth it.

HOWEVER - I did decide to do the premium non-alcoholic package and it was a great decision! smoothies whenever I wanted them, vitamin water, all sorts of delicious non-alcoholic beverages (be sure to try the watermelon tropic and up at the lawn the sparkling raspberry lemonade), specialty coffees and fresh squeezed orange juice, etc etc. I waited till the first full day of the cruise because I was curious as to what I would spend and after seeing just a few beverage purchases on embarkation day...it was worth it. And just the never worrying about what my bill was and if I should or shouldn't have a drink was welllll worth it.

Equinox

Deck - 12

Cabin # - 2108

Class – Concierge Class

Starboard or Port Side - starboard

Bed near?(balcony or bath) – Bath

Quiet Cabin (With comments on problems. Note if connecting. ) –Very quiet - there is a service area for room stewards right outside. Only on the last night when I didn't have clothes in the closet (I think they dampened the sound) could I hear a washing machine inside that room.

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – View out straight or back. couldn't really see to the front since we were on the back side of a bump but larger than normal balcony.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? oversized

Was wind a problem? No - Full coverage even when it rained we stayed dry on the balcony.

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? na

Any specific problems with this cabin? Nope, enjoyed the convenience of the location of this cabin and the larger balcony.

Any other comments? Great room. Would not hesitate to recommend and to book again (if the price for concierge were right - the 'perks' for concierge to me aren't enough to spend on if the price isn't right but the location of the room might be enough to persuade me to spend more!)

We have been on over 70 cruises, ranging from Carnival to Silver Seas. We started cruising in 1984...Royal Caribbean Song of Norway...no balconies, one restaurant..one pool..one bar on the ship. Now, ships have 3 and sometimes 4 pools,dozens of bars, several restaurants, balconies galore. Have cruises gone downhill since then? I don;t know...the ships themselves are so much better. Food and service from crew members have certainly hit a lower standard, but now the ships have between 2000 and 5000 passengers as opposed to the old Song of Norway which had just over 700 passengers. 7 times more passengers! But there are not 7 times more crew members to cook for and to wait on those passengers! Plus, we paid $1500 a person for a 7 day cruise back in 1984. Twentysix years later, we will be are on the Summit in February in a Concierge class cabin for less than $1000 a person for the week and a ship board credit of $200. Tough to say definitively if cruises have gone downhill or not!!

(and at 70 cruises I want to be you :D)