Just off Equinox....some thoughts

[ISABELLA]

The facilities for the larger suites on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships are now excellent. I was on Allure last year. Private sun deck with bar (if you want that sort of thing), reserved seating for shows, the suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen for meals. They've done a good job, but I felt it was a very different experience to Celebrity. Not worse, just different.

 

For the price RC charges for larger suites - I will book more upscale cruise line.

[Mynki]

Hi Isabella,

I will consider Aqua class option next time, if I'll choose X again. Thanks for the advice, I had read good reviews about AQ indeed.

 

 

 

Italian Cruiser

 

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The term Modern Luxury is simply marketting fluff. In a regular verandah room you are for all intents and purposes travelling on a mass market cruise line. I agree completely with your thoughts on the buffet, whilst the food is acceptable it can be an awful place to dine and does come across as cheap.

 

On the other hand Celebrity has worked hard to improve the experience for their suite guests. The suite only restaurant Luminae is a world away from other places on the ships. The rooms on the S class ships are more spacious than regular verandhas and you have easy access to great customer service via your butler.

 

Most travel agents sell suites with premium drimks packages included so you don't have to worry about high prices charged either.

 

Obviously you'll pay a premium for a suite, but on some sailings the sky suites offer very good value if you're looking for a more luxurious experience. It won't match Oceania or Regent, but you might just find it very good value. Sadly you'll still be stuck with the same pool area though!

[DaisyFire]

Hi Isabella,

I will consider Aqua class option next time, if I'll choose X again. Thanks for the advice, I had read good reviews about AQ indeed.

 

 

 

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Thanks so much for your insights. Reading through your review below - it seems like you compared RC Oasis to your Celebrity experience - expecting Celebrity to exceed it somehow strictly based on the term 'Modern Luxury". As others have noted, RC has been stepping up their game a bit, and so you will probably not see as many differences as you might have several years ago.

 

Since cabin was one thing you expected to be more luxurious - I wanted to point out that the AQ cabins are not really much different than any other veranda cabin on an X ship. They do have slight differences in the bathrooms and the spa access included - but since you really liked the MDR - I am not sure that having Blu as a restaurant option is going be the thing that gives you the modern luxury you are looking for.

[andrea2609]

Thanks so much for your insights. Reading through your review below - it seems like you compared RC Oasis to your Celebrity experience - expecting Celebrity to exceed it somehow strictly based on the term 'Modern Luxury". As others have noted, RC has been stepping up their game a bit, and so you will probably not see as many differences as you might have several years ago.

 

 

 

Since cabin was one thing you expected to be more luxurious - I wanted to point out that the AQ cabins are not really much different than any other veranda cabin on an X ship. They do have slight differences in the bathrooms and the spa access included - but since you really liked the MDR - I am not sure that having Blu as a restaurant option is going be the thing that gives you the modern luxury you are looking for.

 

 

 

Yes, you are probably right. But I was not looking for a luxury cruise, I just had a higher expectation due to their own advertising. Once again I did not dislike the cruise. I just was not expecting the mass and poor quality at the buffet, as well as the crowded pool decks...these were the main points that disappointed us.

Thanks

 

 

 

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[DYKWIA]

Yes, you are probably right. But I was not looking for a luxury cruise, I just had a higher expectation due to their own advertising. Once again I did not dislike the cruise. I just was not expecting the mass and poor quality at the buffet, as well as the crowded pool decks...these were the main points that disappointed us.

Thanks

 

 

 

Italian Cruiser

 

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Celebrity would be more honest if instead of saying "Modern Luxury" they said "we're a bit like one of those big fancy hotels in Vegas...but floating".

 

 

3000 people trying to use pools on a ship is always going to look like human soup.

 

It's very nice, we love it, but it isn't luxury.

[wallie5446]

 

Since cabin was one thing you expected to be more luxurious - I wanted to point out that the AQ cabins are not really much different than any other veranda cabin on an X ship. They do have slight differences in the bathrooms and the spa access included - but since you really liked the MDR - I am not sure that having Blu as a restaurant option is going be the thing that gives you the modern luxury you are looking for.

 

I second what Daisyfire said. We were in a standard deck 8 veranda in 2014, and a deck 11 Aqua 2 last year. The cabin's proper were the same 194 sq ft.

 

My wife and I liked Blu, but did not consider the food quality to be above that in the MDR. Escargot and shrimp cocktail were not on the menu, and had to be fetched from the MDR.

 

Marguerite you and Hutch should look at switching to Nov 6th 2017 and sail with us since you missed last yr! ;)

EW

[sbtagent]

Celebrity does not use the PA system all the time as they do on RCCL, ex Bingo, Bingo, Bingo!!! And all the sales taking place. It is more quiet on Celebrity.

[excitedofharpenden]

For the price RC charges for larger suites - I will book more upscale cruise line.

 

I've thought about this before and in the final analysis have decided it just depends on the individual. A more upscale cruiseline like Siverseas or Seabourn whilst more inclusive and luxurious can't compete with the wide range of facilities onboard the Royal ships. Royal Caribbean really do a good job and the ships are fun. I'm not into the formality of the luxury lines and those Royal ships are a bit big for my tastes. Had a lot of fun though. Something in between. We as cruisers are very fortunate to have such a choice. Sometimes forgotten by many.

[Karynanne]

Celebrity does not use the PA system all the time as they do on RCCL, ex Bingo, Bingo, Bingo!!! And all the sales taking place. It is more quiet on Celebrity.

 

Just one of the things I like about Celebrity!

 

To the poster that feels like Celebrity is a "Vegas-like" floating hotel. I have to disagree. The glitz and noise levels of Vegas aren't apparent on a Celebrity ship. And no smoking in cabins or public spaces.

[DaisyFire]

...

Marguerite you and Hutch should look at switching to Nov 6th 2017 and sail with us since you missed last yr! ;)

EW

 

Hello EW!

 

When I saw that you all are sailing again in 2017 I definitely considered it - but really need the extra days that the Thanksgiving Holiday are giving us to avoid needing to use too much vacation time. We've got family obligations in Illinois and Florida that are using up quite a bit of our vacation time and so I have to economize a bit. Are you sure we can't convince you all to 'jump ship' and join us instead? ;) :D

 

~Marguerite

[excitedofharpenden]

Celebrity does not use the PA system all the time as they do on RCCL, ex Bingo, Bingo, Bingo!!! And all the sales taking place. It is more quiet on Celebrity.

 

I'd love them to do away with the piped music throughout the ship in the interests of Modern Luxury (whatever Modern Luxury means!).

[Mynki]

"Modern Luxury" is a term that Celebrity coined that maybe isn't well defined for the non-US passenger.

 

Personally, I'm not sure what that term really defines.

 

Or even US passengers it would seem! :D

Edited August 16, 2016 by Mynki

[Cindy]

How we all have such different experiences!

 

After cruising Allure a few years ago (after many RC cruises) we were put off for ever, a main issue being the 'mad' buffet restaurant and the 'scramble' for chairs in the pool areas!

 

I would also add we always book suite rooms on Celebrity and do feel the additional space and amenities make it very worth while, we feel we have the bonus of large ship facilities but then the service and ambience of a smaller ship feel when we want it. I would add even though we also booked suites on RC we never felt this difference.

 

We were very apprehensive when we went on Oasis, but we LOVED it! I think a lot of that had to do with being in a suite and never crossing the threshold of the Windjammer!:D We ate most breakfasts in Coastal Kitchen, as well as some lunches and dinners. We ate in the MDR once, and all our other meals were specialty dining. It was one of our best Caribbean cruises! I think if you went back on one of the Oasis class ships, you would find that the addition of the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen has really changed the experience for the suite passengers.

[andrea2609]

Celebrity would be more honest if instead of saying "Modern Luxury" they said "we're a bit like one of those big fancy hotels in Vegas...but floating".

 

 

 

 

 

3000 people trying to use pools on a ship is always going to look like human soup.

 

 

 

It's very nice, we love it, but it isn't luxury.

 

 

 

You couldn't use better words!

 

 

Italian Cruiser

 

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[andrea2609]

Celebrity does not use the PA system all the time as they do on RCCL, ex Bingo, Bingo, Bingo!!! And all the sales taking place. It is more quiet on Celebrity.

 

 

 

I don't agree. Bartenders were always pushing to sell drink package, or upgrade it, all the time. At the entrance of the buffet, there was a permanent desk with fellows trying to convince us to book specialty restaurant. I never felt this pressure while on Oasis, nor I heard bingo announcements.

 

 

Italian Cruiser

 

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[andrea2609]

Just one of the things I like about Celebrity!

 

 

 

To the poster that feels like Celebrity is a "Vegas-like" floating hotel. I have to disagree. The glitz and noise levels of Vegas aren't apparent on a Celebrity ship. And no smoking in cabins or public spaces.

 

 

 

What I noticed on board Equinox was a lot of people smoking on all open desks.

 

 

 

 

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[oneputt18]

I don't know about Med sailings but Equinox Caribbean cruises you are limited to Deck 5 ports side, Mast Bar starboard sidebar , pool deck port side rear and Sunset Bar port side. All can be avoided if the smoke bothers you.

 

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[Pavovsky]

I don't agree. Bartenders were always pushing to sell drink package, or upgrade it, all the time. At the entrance of the buffet, there was a permanent desk with fellows trying to convince us to book specialty restaurant. I never felt this pressure while on Oasis, nor I heard bingo announcements.

 

 

Italian Cruiser

 

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I agree completely. The pressure the first few days we were on board on the beverage packages was extremely pushy. We both experienced this on the most recent cruise.

[Karynanne]

What I noticed on board Equinox was a lot of people smoking on all open desks.

 

 

 

 

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Smoking is only in specific areas.

[Pavovsky]

Smoking is only in specific areas.

 

 

 

True - but there were a lot of smokers and it was quite noticeable.

[Kwaj girl]

We are Regent regulars but sail Celebrity occasionally as it financially suits some of our friends budgets. Aqua only for us....but why do they not open Blu for lunch? We abhor the crowds at the feeding trough...aka buffet.

[TMaine]

We have noticed a steady decline over the years of some of the small things that really made our Celebrity cruises special. I know they're worried about making money for their share holders so have implemented cost saving measures, I get that but it shows. With that said, we are still going to sail Celebrity until it just doesn't work for us anymore. We would try an RCCL cruise or other line but when we are planning our vacations, the others either don't have the itinerary we want or the price doesn't make sense.

[Pavovsky]

We have noticed a steady decline over the years of some of the small things that really made our Celebrity cruises special. I know they're worried about making money for their share holders so have implemented cost saving measures, I get that but it shows. With that said, we are still going to sail Celebrity until it just doesn't work for us anymore. We would try an RCCL cruise or other line but when we are planning our vacations, the others either don't have the itinerary we want or the price doesn't make sense.

 

 

 

Fair points. Good arguments.

 

I just feel that it is important that there are balanced views on these boards. People spend good money and time on their holiday and all they need is legitimate and fair expectations of what they are going on in terms of both cruising and the cruise line.

[griffy116]

Just one of the things I like about Celebrity!

 

To the poster that feels like Celebrity is a "Vegas-like" floating hotel. I have to disagree. The glitz and noise levels of Vegas aren't apparent on a Celebrity ship. And no smoking in cabins or public spaces.

 

Just as an FYI, You don't get the PA announcements in your cabin on Royal either. They'll announce a sale going on at the pool deck occasionally. There's no smoking in Vegas hotel rooms or public spaces either, unless you are talking about the casino. :D

[2theship]

I don't agree. Bartenders were always pushing to sell drink package, or upgrade it, all the time. At the entrance of the buffet, there was a permanent desk with fellows trying to convince us to book specialty restaurant. I never felt this pressure while on Oasis, nor I heard bingo announcements.

 

Everyone's experience is different, but I've never had a bartender even offer to upgrade a drink package for me. As to the people selling the specialty restaurants, I just walk by them. They're doing their job, I'm on my vacation. No need for one to interfere with the other.