Mill99 Posted January 14, 2014 #1 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Hi Our first cruise last year was on Equinox which was fabulous and we've recently booked our second cruise, this time on Eclipse. I'd assumed that both ships would be very similar, but having read a few threads it seems that some people are saying that Equinox is better than Eclipse. Are there major differences between the 2 ships? If so what? Having done our first ever cruise on such a wonderful ship, I'm hoping we don't risk being disappointed next time round! Thank you in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwr235 Posted January 14, 2014 #2 Share Posted January 14, 2014 (edited) Hi, Relax...If you loved the Equinox...you'll love the Eclipse !! My first experience on an S Class was Equinox...superb ! My second S Class was Eclipse...just as, if not, more superb !! Major differences...Qsine on Eclipse, instead of Silk Harvest !....thats about it !! And here's what I do with ship reviews...once I have decided on a cruise, and will definitely be going (barring an emergency that might prevent my doing so) I stop reading any reviews...and begin looking forward to finding out myself how wonderful the ship/cruise is going to be ! :) Enjoy !! Woody Edited January 14, 2014 by rwr235 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drarill Posted January 14, 2014 #3 Share Posted January 14, 2014 HiOur first cruise last year was on Equinox which was fabulous and we've recently booked our second cruise, this time on Eclipse. I'd assumed that both ships would be very similar, but having read a few threads it seems that some people are saying that Equinox is better than Eclipse. Are there major differences between the 2 ships? If so what? Having done our first ever cruise on such a wonderful ship, I'm hoping we don't risk being disappointed next time round! Thank you in advance. We have cruised on both and loved them. We really like the glass show and missed it on the Silhouette, but also loved cruising on her. Cruising on the Reflection this summer and can't wait!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSinPNS Posted January 14, 2014 #4 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Have sailed on both (1xEq; 2xEc). With the exception of Silk Harvest/Qsine difference, they are the same physically. We did notice on our last Eclipse cruise (November 2013) that the crew on Eclipse was much more visible and engaging. The combination of Sue Denning as CD and Dimitrios Manetas as master may have contributed to this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirl1 Posted January 14, 2014 #5 Share Posted January 14, 2014 We sailed both ships this past year and the ONLY difference on the actual ship as noted is in the one specialty restaurant. On a personal note, we actually liked the food much better on the more recent Eclipse but that is the function of both our taste and the particular chefs who can go from ship to ship. Enjoy M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHEZMARYLOU Posted January 14, 2014 #6 Share Posted January 14, 2014 We've sailed on both and did not find much of a difference. We just got off Equinox and saw the captain and staff all over the ship. One Maitre'D saw us drinking a bottle of wine at the buffet before we decided what to eat for lunch and got us a cheese and cracker plate to go with the wine. Mary Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamthesea Posted January 14, 2014 #7 Share Posted January 14, 2014 We liked both ships Equally. ;) We enjoyed our Equinox (Eastern Mediterranean) cruise better than the Eclipse (Caribbean). No difference in ships to us. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miched Posted January 14, 2014 #8 Share Posted January 14, 2014 I think the Eclipse is better for this reason only and I am assuming something here. The Equinox from what I have seen only offers 10 or 11 day cruises and the Exlipse's cruises are 14. 14 days on a cruise beats 10 or 11. Therefore the Eclipse is better. ⛄💨🍻🍸 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggertastic Posted January 14, 2014 #9 Share Posted January 14, 2014 The only difference we found was that the eclipse had qsine and equinox had silk harvest The tree was different in the middle of the escalators and the art work on display differed Other than that - identical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mill99 Posted January 14, 2014 Author #10 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Thank you all very much for your replies! That's reassured me and I'm looking forward to our holiday even more now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychoos Posted January 14, 2014 #11 Share Posted January 14, 2014 We've been on both twice, and Eclipse just has the edge for us. Don't know why, but there it is,lol Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chitown12562 Posted January 14, 2014 #12 Share Posted January 14, 2014 We've been on the Eclipse and will be on the Equinox in a few moves. I say Eclipse is better due to QSine. I loved the variety of food there. Silk Harvest,....I don't know. I look forward to seeing what their menu says. I'm sure it's good, but if you are comparing Silk Harvest to QSine is there even a contest? I woulder why Qsine did not replace Slik Harvest on the Equinox? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix_dream Posted January 14, 2014 #13 Share Posted January 14, 2014 The one and only reason I would put Equinox ever so slightly above Eclipse is the décor. I personally feel her décor is the prettiest I have ever seen on a ship (and I have sailed on many). Other than that, they are very similar. It mainly just depends on the current crew, the weather, and the itinerary as to which is 'better'. I would go on either again in a heartbeat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ghstudio Posted January 14, 2014 #14 Share Posted January 14, 2014 I think the real answer is that with the exception of the specialty restaurants, the difference is the officers and staff on board for your cruise....the tone of the ship, if you will. We have had outstanding cruises on both and we've had some where the crew was just out of sync and things didn't flow smoothly. I wouldn't have any qualms about booking either one. If the restaurants were the basis of a choice, we much prefer qsine...not because it's that good, but because silk harvest was bad enough that we walked out after the sushi appetizer....the rolls must have been made a day earlier, they were that bad....but there are those that love silk harvest, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidYYC Posted January 14, 2014 #15 Share Posted January 14, 2014 We did Equinox (Med 2010), Eclipse (New Year 2011/12) Equinox (Spring TA 2013) and are booked to do TA on the Eclipse in April. I liked them both equally, but I think Equinox has the edge simply because it was the first cruise we went on and we had a perfect time. Physically both ships are very similar. I think Qusine is a bit better than Silk Harvest but I'm not a food snob so don't sweat things like that. The staff has always been fantastic, and I think the entertainment on the Eclipse was marginally better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lastdance Posted January 14, 2014 #16 Share Posted January 14, 2014 (edited) My first Med cruise was on the Equinox, and I fell in love with everything about it! Then, I did the Western Med cruise on the Eclipse; loved that one too, but the Eastern Med is still my favorite because of the itinerary. On the Eclipse, my DH and I befriended a wonderful waiter named Winnie, who was from Bali. He made dinner wonderful. Lucky us, he moved to the Silhouette, and we did the Adriatic with him. That was fantastic...great ship, and superb waiter! It totally depends on time/place/people! You will love whatever you do as long as you remember that happiness is a choice that you can make. Don't expect anyone else to be in charge to make you happy!:)Enjoy! Edited January 14, 2014 by Lastdance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseclues Posted January 26, 2014 #17 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Good information...thank you. :):):):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Raider Posted January 27, 2014 #18 Share Posted January 27, 2014 In another area of this site, there is a way to look this up based on those that have submitted reviews. Under this area, the Equinox reviews show "93% of cruisers loved it' whereas under the Eclipse, the reviews show "89% of cruisers loved it". I am sure the Eclipse is perfectly lovely, but the staff of the Equinox is just so outstanding that I would tend to think these reviews are right on the money. We sailed on the Solstice about 6 months after sailing on the Equinox. I feel the Equinox was far superior even though we had a perfectly wonderful time on the Solstice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted January 27, 2014 #19 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Another vote for the Eclipse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maligator Posted January 27, 2014 #20 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We found the ships themselves to be equal. Kinda like twins, where you can only tell them apart by looking at the name. Put a gun to my head and make me choose and I'll pick Eclipse for Qsine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2OH! Posted January 27, 2014 #21 Share Posted January 27, 2014 (edited) I think the real answer is that with the exception of the specialty restaurants, the difference is the officers and staff on board for your cruise....the tone of the ship, if you will. We have had outstanding cruises on both and we've had some where the crew was just out of sync and things didn't flow smoothly. I wouldn't have any qualms about booking either one. If the restaurants were the basis of a choice, we much prefer qsine...not because it's that good, but because silk harvest was bad enough that we walked out after the sushi appetizer....the rolls must have been made a day earlier, they were that bad....but there are those that love silk harvest, etc. This is exaclty what I was going to say which is why I pick Equinox. We a have been on Equinox x3, Solstice x2 and Eclipse x1 (out of miami for 7 nights in 2012). All three of our cruises on Equinox and the two on Solstice have been outstanding due to fabulous crew. Equinox wins due to 10 night itin. On our Eclipse cruise everything was just off...MDR was a disaster the entire week. could not get a drink to save our lives that week ...sigh. Also fellow passengers were some of the most rude we have every experienced. Crew not helpful at all. We had a sky suite, the butler Igor was the best. thank goodness for him!! :D Crew and fellow passenger mix can make a big difference. happy sailing. Edited January 27, 2014 by H2OH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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