Host Andy's Insights - Live From Equinox

[TommyD3]

I had read that Luminae was closed for lunch on PORT days only. Could you verify? We will be in a suite on TA April 27th. Can't wait!!!:)

 

I am onboard currently. Port days have breakfast but not lunch. Sea days have a brunch from 10 to 1 instead of breakfast and lunch. Luminae was NOT open on embarkation day until dinner.

[TommyD3]

I think if they would open Gastropub on Embarkation Day (like they do with Bistro), it would attract more passengers. We went there once when we were onboard Equinox in February and it was actually quite good. But we were the only ones there!

 

I'm wondering how people feel about the Passport Bar being turned into Gastropub. In the past, that bar seems to attract a lot of people.

 

I am onboard currently. Gastropub was opened at 12 noon on embarkation day.

[ProjectRunning]

Thanks for the review. we will be on board in Europe in July and staying a few doors down from the room you are currently in! We will be using Luminae and are interested in how that develops over time. Interesting comments about the Resort Deck being used as a training ground for newbies. You'd think they would be careful about putting their best foot forward there. I assume the crew will continue to shift before they bring her over to Europe.

 

I am a little confused about all the bars and stuff. I guess since it will be my first time on board I won't know the difference (although a Wine Bar would be nice for my tastes). Is the Cellar Master gone?

 

I am excited though!

[TourDeCruise]

Andy, thanks for your well-balanced and honest reports, which are particularly valuable to us now as we board on Monday with the Transatlantic cruise. It is disconcerting to hear about the near future replacement of port agents; we recognize how important it is to start off the cruise experience with good customer service and efficient operations starting with port check-in. Sure hope the food improves for your cruise and by the time we board. Have you heard any feedback on Blu?

 

Keep enjoying your cruise and I will continue to follow this thread and the "Ask questions" thread until we board the ship on Monday morning.

 

Kathy

[A Sixth?]

Hi Everyone,

 

 

Entertainment : Mostly Excellent with one exception. We were totally wowed by the Beatles tribute show a couple of days ago. it was by far, the best Celebrity show we've ever seen. We hope Celebrity will offer more shows like this going forward.

 

It sounds like the Beatles tribute act/band we saw last year on Celebrity... the absolute best I have ever seen. And I have seen a few!

[midwestchick]

I encourage everyone that when the food in the MDR is not satisfactory, please keep bringing it to the attention of all concerned. That is the only way to make sure that things change/improve. If you suffer in silence , nothing will change.

 

 

I also agree.

And, I would most certainly mention your cabin attendants to the HD, Andy.

[tbmrt]

Guess we're in the minority!

 

We saw the Beatles Show last December on the Equinox and thought it was the worst show we've ever seen on a cruiseship...not exaggerating.

 

Loved Miami DJ.... Much better than the house band that played in the foyer. Really thought the woman's voice was pretty bad.

 

Also liked DJ Gio and Jane Curry.

 

Something for everyone I guess.

 

By the way DH is 72 and I'm 66 so we're not "kids" who love hip-hop music, etc. and surely were around for the Beatles, many years ago.

[grandgeezer]

It sounds like the Beatles tribute act/band we saw last year on Celebrity... the absolute best I have ever seen. And I have seen a few!

 

It's probably the same one we saw on the Equinox, last year when we cruised over Halloween. Besides their theater shows, they did one in the atrium on Halloween. Every floor was filled with guests listening and grooving out. There were even people riding the elevator up and down, just to see and listen to them. One of the guest entertainers that I would actually pay to see on land.

[A Sixth?]

It's probably the same one we saw on the Equinox, last year when we cruised over Halloween. Besides their theater shows, they did one in the atrium on Halloween. Every floor was filled with guests listening and grooving out. There were even people riding the elevator up and down, just to see and listen to them. One of the guest entertainers that I would actually pay to see on land.

 

I'm embarrassed to admit that I've been on so many cruises lately, I can't be sure what Celebrity ship I was on.... :o:p

[tonyd285]

We got off the ship when you got on. Our experience was mostly very positive. We were Aqua Class so had breakfast and dinner in Blu, lunch in the MDR on sea days and found the food to be very good. We had lunch mostly off the ship on port days. We found the entertainment to be a mixed bag. The DJ's and the group singing on Deck 3 were terrible. We are not fans of the ship ensemble programs and found them boring. The "magician/math guy who left the ship so you wont have to endure his sad performance was awful. The music at the pool was MUCH to loud. We used the solarium instead for some relative peace and quiet. Our cabin was sparkling clean, the staff were delightful. Overall a very nice cruise on a very nice ship.

[jsf]

Andy, We are boarding on Monday for the T/A to Spain so don't wear everything out.I wonder if a lot of the crew will be heading home or just starting this week. I have faith that you will have them all working to the max so we will have an enjoyable cruise. Have a great time and we will wave to you as we get on Monday.

John

[Tiggertastic]

Andy we had a really annoying noise in the bathroom and found that if you go to the air extractor the Central circle screws round and by moving it the noise stopped

 

Give it a go

[Northern Aurora]

Host Andy:

 

Thanks so much for using your valuable vacation time to update us on the Equinox. We did a B2B on the Equinox two years ago and have a B2B2B scheduled on her this coming fall. It is a lovely ship.

 

Even though we will be in Blu I have found your comments on the impact of Luminae on the MDR regarding entrance into the MDR and change in natural light very interesting. But have you noticed if the MDR seems more crowded or if the tables seem closer together as compared to your pre-Luminae experience?

 

Thanks.

[stinsowm]

Just a quick note to wish you and yours a wonderful cruise Andy! Thanks for your updates

 

 

Walter

[upwarduk]

I will add that on our last cruise there was more of an effort to get feedback on all of the food and service not only in the Main Dining Room but in the Buffet as well. Our waiter asked us every night for feedback stating that he is responsible for our satisfaction with all food and beverage in both locations. I had never noticed this much direct questioning before.

 

One of our table companions complained that the French onion soup was salty.

EVERY NIGHT thereafter the Maitre'd came to taste the soup!

[chamima]

Hi Andy

Thanks so much for taking so much time out of your vacation to keep us all so informed.

On another thread the "Attention to Details" cards came up and that reminded me that Christophe had revamped the wording and made it much better.

I noticed it but forget to make a written note to myself.

If you get a chance could you please either take a photo of the new card or just let us know exactly what it says.

Thanks!

 

Have fun - it's back to late fall weather here! :(

[sassyw]

Since on sea days there is no breakfast early, how about suite dining in Blu??

[Andy]

Hi Everyone,

 

Im working on getting replies from the ask Equinox questions thread. Unfortunately, work is keeping me busy (what else is new ? LOL), and I'm running out of minutes, but will try my best to post at least some replies while onboard.

 

Kathy : as you are sailing on Monday, I will try to answer your questions first.

 

Thanks for everyone's wonderful comments !

Edited April 24, 2015 by Host Andy

[batuceper]

Hi Everyone,

 

Im working on getting replies from the ask Equinox questions thread. Unfortunately, work is keeping me busy (what else is new ? LOL), and I'm running out of minutes, but will try my best to post at least some replies while onboard.

 

Kathy : as you are sailing on Monday, I will try to answer your questions first.

 

Thanks for everyone's wonderful comments !

 

Hello Andy,

 

I will be in cabin #2104 on Monday, so make sure you get the cabin steward to leave it in the best possible state! :D

 

Whatever you can't fix in the cabin, let me know....;)

[Oceangoer2]

well done!!! Honeymoon??:d

lol...!

[Oceangoer2]

Host Andy:

 

Thanks so much for using your valuable vacation time to update us on the Equinox. We did a B2B on the Equinox two years ago and have a B2B2B scheduled on her this coming fall. It is a lovely ship.

 

Even though we will be in Blu I have found your comments on the impact of Luminae on the MDR regarding entrance into the MDR and change in natural light very interesting. But have you noticed if the MDR seems more crowded or if the tables seem closer together as compared to your pre-Luminae experience?

 

Thanks.

On the Silhouette a few weeks ago, we found the MDR to be very cramped...tables almost abutting each other with very little room between. Servers were getting a little impatient with the closeness which doesn't provide adequate room for them to do their job easily. I'm sure we'll get used to it as there have been many changes since we started cruising and we have adjusted.

[TourDeCruise]

Hi Everyone,

 

Im working on getting replies from the ask Equinox questions thread. Unfortunately, work is keeping me busy (what else is new ? LOL), and I'm running out of minutes, but will try my best to post at least some replies while onboard.

 

Kathy : as you are sailing on Monday, I will try to answer your questions first.

 

Thanks for everyone's wonderful comments !

 

Thanks, Andy. You are wonderful spending so much of your time helping us and that is why we express wonderful comments.

 

You already answered about Bistro on Five going up to $10 during your cruise. Don't worry about Croque Madame at Bistro on Five; I will find out on Monday!

 

The one answer that would be helpful was did Celebrity provide blank or pre-printed name tags at the Connections Party? They did not for most of our cruises but some rollcall members said they got them on their cruises.

 

Kathy

Edited April 24, 2015 by TourDeCruise

[alexspepa]

Hey Host Andy - do they still have the live Texas Holdem table in the casino? I saw where you mentioned extra slot machines so I was concerned they may have removed some stuff to make room.

 

thanks for the great report!

[Aloha 1]

Hey Host Andy - do they still have the live Texas Holdem table in the casino? I saw where you mentioned extra slot machines so I was concerned they may have removed some stuff to make room.

 

thanks for the great report!

 

Still there with a start time around 9:30 PM most nights.

[DevilinaBluDress]

On the March 27th cruise, Celebrity had sticky name tags printed with our names for the Connections party. One of our Roll Call members made tags with our CC username, first name and hometown on it.