LIVE from the EQUINOX June 1-June14

[sldispatcher]

Day 1 - Embarkation

 

Although the airlines did their typical song and dance of mechanical issues and lost luggage, we recovered within 24 hours and spent some fun times working the sights of Barcelona. A vacation is about balance. How much adventure one wants versus how much quiet time.

 

Having stayed at the Eurostars Grand Marina before a little out of the hustle and bustle of downtown, we picked a hotel right near the “Times Square” of Barcelona. Catalunya Plaza Catalonia was pleasant and very well located. Metro stops, hop-on/hop-off, La Rambla and numerous eateries surround the block we were on. The elevators were the equivalent of circus clown car. If you turned just right, you could get two people and 2 pieces of luggage onboard. Otherwise, they were vertical coffin cars. This was not or claustrophobics.

 

We had an outstanding dinner at Cera 23 the night before the cruise. I’ll leave it at that. IF you can find it, you will enjoy it.

Getting onboard the ship was about a 20 minute process. There was definitely a wait for less than “frequent cruiser”, Aqua Spa and suite guests. No one really seemed to be in a bad mood about it though.

 

Actual check in was very efficient and we were aboard through the Martini Lounge entrance in no time. Off to Bistro on 5 where we were initially one of 5 tables. It was quiet. By no later than 130 the rooms were already prepped for guests.

 

Now some words about the onboard experience. The ship is extremely fresh. The changes to the Wine Cellar area really opened up the light and experience in the area. Food samples were out for display. Considering how the room always seemed underutilized in previous cruises, this was probably a smart move.

 

The ship is in fabulous shape. Apparently, more than 16000 square feet of carpet were replaced just a month ago during the dry dock. The staff seems very comfortable in their skin. Professional, polite and non-obtrusive.

The average age cruiser is probably in late 40’s or early 50’s. I was expecting an older crowd, but that is not the case.

 

Sail away was in a sun drenched and low 70’s pattern with light winds and Grecian blue waters. Oceania, Aida, Norwegian, and RCCL all had ships in port today.

 

We are in aft verandah staterooms. Eugene, the room attendant was present shortly after our arrival. Again, he had the air of experience, hospitality, but not planning on being obtrusive. The verandah dividing screen was opened within 10 minutes of our request and luggage came quickly and not all at once.

Tonight, dinner was in Tuscan Grill. Quality was above average for a comparable stateside meal. Service was friendly, efficient, and professional. You really can’t ask for more than that. We did not have a single bad dish. The beef ravioli appetizer, onion soup, and fried goat cheese and arugula salads were standouts.

 

We had purchased the 5 for 3 specialty dining package. I quickly made my way to Murano after boarding and then learned more details. Apparently, dining package folks are taken care of “last” with regards to times. Individually booked reservations are given priority for dates and times. I actually don’t mind that as this is a business and would always expect the person paying full price to get the top consideration. After a few minutes of working dates, we had or two Tuscan Grill, two Silk Harvest, and one Murano (5 for 3 is limited to one trip to Murano) times addressed. At sea day formal nights were obviously the highest in demand.

 

A walkabout after dinner revealed a ship that almost seemed deserted. Certainly with the 845 show, full dinner going on in MDR, and people having most likely flown in today, there was not a lot going on. The casino had 6 or 7 patrons. The shops were practically empty. The Martini Bar had 4 patrons. Things will liven up as the cruise continues for certain.

If you have seen any of my “live from” on either the Riviera or Marina, you know I will wander a bit with my comments and get stuck on the little things. I felt the need to write a general overview this evening as I watch the wake slip off into the inky darkness of the Mediterranean.

 

Our traveling companions, who are new to Celebrity and quite particular about quite a few things regarding travel, are blown away by the Equinox so far. For them to be so positive speaks volumes as to how well Celebrity still stands regardless of the ocean of negative comments seen on this board from time to time.

 

Being able to provide a sense of individualized service to a rather large audience takes an army of people on the front lines as well as behind the scenes. That’s a balance that can be difficult to obtain in many service industries. However, it seems that Equinox is well named. That perfect balance was met on day one.

[Christine Frances]

Looking forward to more!!! Can't wait until October:D

[cruise47]

Sit back, relax and enjoy your cruise.

[Majkman]

Beautiful!!

 

Looking forward to you painting an outstanding picture.

 

Continued tranquil sailing and enjoy every moment!!

 

Andy

[vulcan1971]

I'm glad to see your live streaming report and look forward to following your thread as you post your experiences.

 

If you get a chance to spend time in the Gastropub, please let us know your thoughts on any of the food items you may try. Thanks!

 

Sent from my Samsung Note 2 on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network

[Chazteach1]

Will be on her later this month!

 

Great to read your review!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[drarill]

Excellent start!! looking forward to more!!:)

[Pushka]

Thankyou for this - down to 40 days for me. :p

 

How are you finding the internet? When we sail we may have a major business move happening, so my partner tells me :o, so internet may be required.

[cazzi]

HAVE A great time cant wait for the read

[smdubowsky]

So glad that you are pleased with the ship. We will be on the Equinox next month for a Rome to Barcelona trip. We are even staying at the same hotel as you in Barcelona. Please keep your reports coming. Did they upgrade anything in the staterooms? We've been on the Equinox before but are looking forward to the additions.

[wallie5446]

I'm glad to see your live streaming report and look forward to following your thread as you post your experiences.

 

If you get a chance to spend time in the Gastropub, please let us know your thoughts on any of the food items you may try. Thanks!

 

Sent from my Samsung Note 2 on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network

 

Yes! Please. We have 160 days till our turn:)

[theopup]

Looking forward to hear more about your journey and the ports

[johnlcruise]

We just got off this beautiful ship on Sunday. Venice to Barcelona. What a Great Cruise. Ship was full but never felt like it was. Staff where great. Always with a smile and a hello. It was very hard to leave our home of 12 nights. Now we are enjoying Barcelona for a few days.

What a Most Excellent Adventure.

[sldispatcher]

Day 2 – AM – Arrival into the French Riviera

 

Ahhh…morning at sea. Pastel clouds were thinly draped in random patterns across the sky. Each was topped with a white foam of sunshine kissed vapor.

I was able to stand against the railing and watch the wake greet the morning here in the French Riviera. Like groundhogs popping out of their holes, people would come out of cabins to take a look around, bob their heads in a wordless “good morning” and then retreat into the comfort of their rooms.

 

A single tall masted sailing boat with very white sails looked much like the dorsal fin of a shark resting at the surface of the water. It crossed the wake right to left ever so slowly and into the horizon.

 

Not a word or sound was heard during the night. No vibration issues, rattling or otherwise. Moving along the corridor to the midship elevators (why-oh-why did they put just 2 banks of elevators on these solstice ships????) we did not encounter a single person.

 

The Oceanview Café was fairly full. The crew was in an immensely good mood and very playful. One waiter from Turkey was softly singing Puccini while another stood in the middle of the buffet welcoming everyone with a twist of his hips and a wave. The egg station that serves as the pasta station during the day had nowhere near the wait that the rest of the areas had. Almost every table was full.

 

Tender tickets today but the line lasted less than 3 minutes. We have a 1030 private 4 hour tour today to Eze, Monte Carlo and the surrounding area. The French Riviera is one of the most beautiful places I have been in terms of seaside settings. The hills and cliffs are obvious inspiration for artists.

 

Low 70’s today with the filtered sun and very calm waters. We’ll see how our first day unfolds.

[HelenfromMelbourne]

It's great to read your excellent review, especially in light of the less than good reports lately. We are really looking forward to our next Celebrity cruise in January. Thanks for posting.

[snorklinbarb]

Like Christine Frances, we're getting excited about the Oct. TA on this ship!:)

 

Is Paul Baya your CD? We've sailed with him a few times on Norwegian and also Celebrity. Could you possibly find out what his schedule will be and if he or someone else will be on for the Oct. crossing. Thanks.:cool:

 

Can't wait to hear more!

 

How is the entertainment? House band? Lounge entertainers? Any info highly appreciated!

[Crusin-Suzan]

Looking forward to,your posts!!!! Love them! Always nice to hear positive reviews.

[scotslizzy]

So glad you enjoyed your cruise and focussed on the positives and ignored the rest.

 

Can you tell me was there a late night show (think it is called Sin City ) on the Med cruises ?

 

We saw this on Equinox in Feb and it was really good. Not sure if it would be on a med cruise do the the different nationalities onboard.

 

Thanks

 

Scotslizzy

[vulcan1971]

David - as other posters have indicated, I do hope you have a wonderful cruise and we all look forward to hearing about it... even imagining ourselves there with you as you enjoy your vacation. I certainly hope your cruise is only filled with positives, but should you encounter any issues, please let us know what they were and how they were addressed, if time permits. Thanks!

[chamima]

Thanks for posting.

I'm enjoying your review.

If you get a chance could you post pictures of the new Gastrobar.

So glad to hear it is more light filled than Cellarmasters!

[shoelover536]

Thanks for the review! Great so far. :) If you get a chance, can you share when the formal nights are! Many thanks! Enjoy your cruise.

[sldispatcher]

Day 3 – Riviera Ramblings

 

Lightning fast tender tickets and operation into Villefranche.

 

We had a private tour and were able to hit Eze, Monaco, and Nice in 4 hours. We had the driver drop us off in Nice just so we could wander a bit.

 

I do not like that they try and stuff every seat full on inbound tenders in the afternoon. I understand why they do it, but I don’t like that they do so. Only so much of humanity any one person should be subjected to at one time.

 

Buying a ticket for the train or Tram in Nice was a nightmare. Needed the Euro Visa/Mastercard with the chip to complete the English transaction. All coin machines were in French only. Waited in ticket line after a very long walk. Finally got on train partly by guessing which platform to be on. Once we got back in Celebrityland we were much improved. Lesson was to have plenty of 1 Euro or 2 Euro coins available when going native here.

 

The weather was brochure level with low 70s’ and crisp blue skies that reflected perfectly in the crystal clear waters of the Med. This scene has been my favorite port stop from a previous Med cruise. The villas, the location, the colors, the mountains all transform the view into something magical. It would be easy just to sit on the ship and enjoy the sights.

 

We enjoyed Old town Monaco and the drive along the Grand Prix route (which was just two weeks ago). Hands down though, the old town of Eze could well take the better part of 4 – 6 hours for a leisurely discovery tour. Perched high above the water on the cliffs this old city is a maze of crooked narrow walkways and steps. There is more altitude change here walking down a “street” than one can imagine. It is NOT for those who cannot keep up with the physical rigors. However, one can easily get lost in the nooks and crannies of shops and lanes here.

 

We also crammed in 45 minutes of a perfume factory tour. Not fragrances, the actual “parfumes”. The company has produced many of the world’s well known fragrances. The companies simply by rights to the scent combination produced in the factory. The chemists can only work 2 hours a day. They are not allowed to drink coffee or tea or alcohol. They are gifted with being able to smell many hundreds of scents. Anyway, the most important part is that I was not able to leave the store without leaving 35 Euros at the counter on the way out. At least the DW now has some real “parfume”.

 

Equinox continues to have a friendly crew with top notch service. Dinner in the MDR tonight was not one of my favorite menu combinations, but the waiter brought out two additional entrees for us to try. I wish I had followed my instinct and gone for the veal tenderloin. The fellow at the table next to us had that dish. Geraldo Rivera would have had more luck finding Jimmy Hoffa than finding a trace of food left on his plate.

 

The lemon pepper chicken I ordered had a crisp crust as advertised and all foods came out piping hot. The Asian consommé was a winner in my book.

 

I will acknowledge that Celebrity is gunning for a younger, more active demographic with some of the onboard programming. At this point, I do not find any of the music to be too loud or the activities to be too out of hand. In fact, you don’t have to attend anything other than that which you choose.

 

The lights of the coast of France are twinkling to my right as we motor along towards Livorno. The air has cooled off and a faint hint of dusky orange is holding on for dear life in the West. A jet is on final to the airport in Nice. Clouds that had meandered out over the ocean and along the coast earlier in the afternoon have since retreated to their fortresses up in the French countryside. They never did more than just take look at us today and never threatened rain. In fact, they served more as umbrellas up and down the coast to give a welcome respite from the sun from time to time.

 

Are we having a good time? Absolutely! Is Celebrity on top of their game? In our book, absolutely! And as a matter of reference, our last cruise was on Oceania Riviera just a few months ago. That can be a stout comparison in some categories. Is this ship perfect? NO! Has everything been spot on? Nope.

 

Have the expectations been met? Nope. They’ve been exceeded. And in my book, that earns any service industry a 5 star rating.

 

That’s something I can ramble about for a while.

[sldispatcher]

We will give it a shot in a couple of days for lunch. Menu looks great and even a little adventurous.

Just imagine the Wine Cellar with the center entryway doors removed and the all of the brick and wood to the left and right removed. Windows opened up and lots of light. I am not too familiar with the previous Wine Cellar so I just notice the light coming in and it is now much more inviting.

 

I do hope that it is not going to be in all 5 ships. I'd rather see it in 2 or 3 and a different concept in the remaining. I'm a believe that the ship is as much a destination as the itinerary. Therefore, not having everything exactly the same makes one want to try each ship. But that's just me.

[sldispatcher]

Just so you'll know, this is a hard-to-find itinerary. 14 nights covering the highlights of the Med. This itinerary should be offered annually in my book. It is a GREAT introduction to the Mediterranean.

 

Our formal nights are on the 2 at Sea Days plus tomorrow night for Livorno.

[ClaudiaB]

Thank you so much for this review. We're also on the TA in October and we were on the ship in January so looking forward to the changes/updates.

I was initially under the impression that the gastropub was going to be just little appetizer bites/tapas, but apparently it's actual meals (if you want it to be). Interesting and great to have a new venue. I may be in the minority but sure wish they had a Lawn Club Grill.