Just Embarked the Equinox. IMPRESSED!

[dodger1964]

Great review...have a great rest of your cruise.

[ruthincruisers]

Cheers for this Steve, been home for two weeks after completing the same cruise on Equinoxl Your posts are bringing back all our glorious memories (you even seem to be having the same weather!)

Enjoy St Maarten, it was our favouite port of call,

Six happy Welsh cruisers who are looking forward to our next Celebrity cruise:)

[ChucktownSteve]

I have a lot to post, however here's why I can't. Maybe some day they'll get this Excellerate wifi excellerated!! I just took this test a couple of minutes ago. REALLY???????????? No Seriously, REALLY??????? Good thing I received the unlimited internet perk for free or you wouldn't have gotten any of my postings. Sorry about this.

 

Hey Queen Lisa. Did you cut back on your wifi like you did the Aqua Class water? ROFLMAO

Edited December 15, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[Davidc5412]

Jelena (pronounced the way you spelled it) works during the day in Cafe al Bacio. Today Darko was bartender at the pool bar. She's the senior bartender.

 

Enjoying the review Steve

 

If you get a chance tell Darko his Aussie family say hi and are missing him

"be honest" was his catch cry

had the pleasure of one of the last cruises with him in the molecular bar on solstice earlier this year

[cormike1]

Thanks for this wonderful review. We are on the Equinox for the Mardi Gras cruise in Feb. and looking forward to being on her. We have sailed on the Infinity to SA and that is the only other Celebrity we have been on so far. The cupboard in the bathroom....is that in all the cabins on the Equinox? We are in a regular balcony room 7020 and I wondered if our bathroom would have those shelves. That looks wonderful for storage. Thanks for your answer in advance and keep up with the great review please.

[ChucktownSteve]

It's just after 2am Atlantic Time. I just took two speed tests. Here's the second one.

 

I have almost 20 pictures to upload but I can't. I'll try to go back to sleep for a few hours and see if the internet improves any so I can post again.

 

There is apparently a serious problem with their wifi system.

Edited December 15, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[ChucktownSteve]

Good morning,

It took forever to upload pics to photobucket but eventually they finished.

 

Docked in Barbados, they supplied free transportation to the shopping terminal.

 

 

There were three other ships sharing the port with us. Here are two of them. Carnival Facination and Costa Magica.

 

 

 

The terminal was packed with small shop after small shop and wall to wall people. Since my DW wasn't with me I didn't book a tour. Saving it for next month when we're here. The taxi to downtown was $25pp. I wasn't about to pay double that for the round trip. So back on the hot bus for the trip back to the ship.

 

 

Part of the lawn club was on vacation today.

 

 

So I grabbed a burger & fries at the Mast Grill. The fries were pretty good. The burger was cooked well done and had been sitting in the pan keeping warm. I also grabbed a Mango Daiquiri from the Mast Bar. That's were Darko from the World Class Bar daylights. Jalana daylights at Cafe al Bacio.

 

Then down to the Oceanview Buffet. Here are shots of the salads available.

 

 

Edited December 15, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[ChucktownSteve]

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...already in progress.

 

My first stop is the World Bar before dinner. But on the way in the atrium is the house band Nu Image.

 

 

Once at the WB, it was Absinthe Night. It's historically described as a distilled, highly alcoholic (90–148 U.S. Prof) beverage. It is an anise flavored spirit. They use a sugar cube that they slowly drip the liquor over into the glass.

 

 

Very nice review, thanks! Should have the crab cake Yelena is my favorite bartender (WCB). Next time you go there, tell her that the lamp look like a sex toy for adult (on the bar) she will tell you that another guest tell her so :p

 

Well B1G, I told her someone on Cruise Critic told me to mention that. She laughed and said, I remember him. For those who don't know what he's referring to, I'll show you the lamp. WARNING: If you're easily offended by this part, please avert your eyes before viewing the rest of this post please.

 

You've been warned. I absolve myself of all responsibility. :-P

 

 

 

 

Now it's time to go to dinner before they close the door.

 

 

I ordered the country style pate and the poached anjou pear. They were good. I also ordered the waiter's recommendation, Beef Bourguignon. It tasted just as it looked. I guess they over ordered carrots when they were provisioning.

 

 

Someone else ordered Pappardelle con funghi (funghi is mushrooms) It's a vegetarian dish but it looked good so I ordered it too. It was very good as a compliment to the previous dish.

 

After that, I went back to the WC bar & skipped the show which was titled Elysium. It was described in the Celebrity Today as "A journey through the seasons to a land of paradise known as Elysium. Featuring the Production Cast singers and dancers.

 

Well my friends, Thank you for following my voyage. This is the first extensive picture review I've ever done because I never had the time on my hands when traveling with the DW. So thankx to her, you can continue to suffer through this. It is past time for my Americano. I'll see you on the flip side.

Edited December 15, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[ChucktownSteve]

The cupboard in the bathroom....is that in all the cabins on the Equinox? We are in a regular balcony room 7020 and I wondered if our bathroom would have those shelves. That looks wonderful for storage. Thanks for your answer in advance and keep up with the great review please.

 

I can't speak for all the cabins but I've been told that all the balcony cabins are the same. Thus I would presume so.

 

I thought I would take this opportunity to show some other storage in the cabin. Besides that side two cabinets, there are two drawers and the garbage bin in the bathroom as well as a shelf under the sink.

 

 

 

In the cabin there are five small drawers next to the refrigerator. The bottom drawer is open all the way.

 

 

Then on both sides of the bed are two shelves.

 

 

Then the closet which has shelves at the top on both sides.

 

 

This is the light switch panel as you enter the cabin. The top is a Master that shuts everything off. the next turns on the light over the sofa. Then the round one is a dimmer that when pushed turns on the four cabin ceiling lights. The bottom lighted switch turns on the bathroom.

 

[ChucktownSteve]

There are two wall sconces on either side of the bed. The other one by the couch has only one switch which turns that sconce on. This one near the balcony has two switches. One operates that sconce and the other operates the ceiling lights.

 

 

Next to the desk is the fridge and the safe.

 

 

Then venturing out while everyone is eating breakfast, sleeping in or having their cuppa in Cafe al Bacio. I strolled the empty deck 4. This is where they placed the Smile, Snap, Share kiosk. Other ships I've seen it near the Guest Relations Desk lobby.

 

 

You can select from two Celebrity backgrounds then snap the picture and if you like it, email it to someone or yourself for free. You can also post to Facebook, Twitter or one other social media I don't remember. I wanted to made sure I wasn't in the shot so I took the pic from the side.

 

Then a stroll through the Casino. Unlike the M class ships that funnel you through a bottleneck passageway that's clogged with people, this ship has wide passageways on both sides of the casino to accommodate a lot of people passing through.

 

 

Edited December 15, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[ChucktownSteve]

Is Ricardo at Martini Bar, I see pictures of Catalin. They were both fabulous.

 

Catelin said Ricardo is now working the Oceanview Cafe bar.

[cmalagngl]

Great picture review. We will be on the Equinox for the New Orleans cruise which will be our third time on her. When we sailed on her in September the crew could not have been better. I really like the Equinox. Thanks again for sharing, especially the pictures.

[ChucktownSteve]

could you by chance run by the on-board shops and see if they sell bottles of Dom Perignon and if so, how much they are. Thanks a bunch and keep up the great work on the review!!

 

Stopped by the liquor store. Unfortunately they don't have any wines or Champagne in there. They may have it on the wine menu or wine package.

[ChucktownSteve]

Great picture review. We will be on the Equinox for the New Orleans cruise which will be our third time on her. When we sailed on her in September the crew could not have been better. I really like the Equinox. Thanks again for sharing, especially the pictures.

 

TYVM. I agree wholeheartedly that the Crew could not have been better. They're all right up there and seem happy to be working here.

[cheeseheads4ever]

Cmalagngl,

Have you ever did this New Orleans cruise before? Just wondering how it is? I know good right? But how safe at Mardi Gras?

We would love do do a cruise to Mardi Gras. It seems like so much fun.

[ChucktownSteve]

There has been some discussion on other threads about a night light in the bathroom. This has the night light on automatically all the time when you switch off the light.

 

 

Above, light on. Below, light off.

 

 

We're about two & half hours from St. Maarten. Passing some island. Not sure which one. But it's only a few nautical miles from us.

 

 

Here's the MDR lunch menu since we don't dock until 2pm local time.

 

[ChucktownSteve]

So with extra time on our hands, what is there to do? Why of course, SHOP.

 

Here's a crowd of mostly women waiting for the staff to allow them to shop. A lot of the items were inexpensively priced. But then again, they were inexpensively made. :-D (saving my pic posting for real pictures)

 

 

I must admit I succumbed to buying an item for the DW I though she might like.

 

For cigarette smokers, these are for you.

 

 

Then of course, there's always the Officially Licensed Equinox dust collector.

 

Edited December 15, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[JustinAllen]

Stopped by the liquor store. Unfortunately they don't have any wines or Champagne in there. They may have it on the wine menu or wine package.

 

I appreciate you checking!!

[ghstudio]

Some observations

 

No pickles or hot peppers anywhere in the buffet....chopped jalapeños only at Mexican station,

 

Have to disagree with Steve on the beef borginon...it was awful...they cook the beef separately and then add some veggies and sauce. Result is tasteless dry beef cubes in a nice sauce. However most mar dishes are pretty good.

 

Internet has been fine....new system works well.

 

Plenty of open chaises....but this is a really senior cruise....maybe not as bad as Hal but the avg age has to be over 70.

 

Music level is excellent...loud enough as background but you can actually talk.

 

Wonderful crew...I keep saying that but they are that good.

 

I had two perfectly cooked poached eggs in the mdr breakfast this morning and that's a first....cudos.

 

Our cabin attendant is a ninja....no matter when we leave the cabin, he's in to clean, etc....terrific.

 

As stated before, you might avoid the Tuscan grill on this ship.....not worth extra cost

 

You kind of have to bar shop if you want to try different high end liquors on the premium package...ensemble lounge seems to have the best variety.

 

Martini bar is serving no all kinds of drinks even on the classic package. Really nice guys behind the bar.

 

The photo folks have become pushy again....you can say no but you will be asked three or four tim s as you get off the ship...and they set up blocking the entrance to the ensemble lounge ...very tacky.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited December 15, 2016 by ghstudio

[ChucktownSteve]

I appreciate you checking!!

 

I asked for the wine by the bottle menu at lunch. I'll post it overnight but you better be sitting down when you see the more than $350/btl.

 

You may want to buy it at home and bring it on the ship yourself.

[Richard&JohnSTX]

There has been some discussion on other threads about a night light in the bathroom. This has the night light on automatically all the time when you switch off the light.

 

 

Above, light on. Below, light off.

 

 

We're about two & half hours from St. Maarten. Passing some island. Not sure which one. But it's only a few nautical miles from us.

 

 

Here's the MDR lunch menu since we don't dock until 2pm local time.

 

 

You were passing St Eustatius - a nice little island!

[klfhngr]

See you on board... at the bar!!

 

Sounds like a plan!

 

Loving these posts!

[Jiminy1955]

There has been some discussion on other threads about a night light in the bathroom. This has the night light on automatically all the time when you switch off the light.

 

 

Above, light on. Below, light off.

 

 

 

I've said it once & I'll say it again! I am loving your review & pictures, especially all the details. Now I know I don't need to bring a night light for our inside cabin :)

[ChucktownSteve]

ghstudio when you said "Have to disagree with Steve on the beef borginon...it was awful...they cook the beef separately and then add some veggies and sauce. Result is tasteless dry beef cubes in a nice sauce."

 

We were actually agreeing even though you didn't think so. When I said it tasted like it looked, I meant I thought it looked like crap. I just wasn't as descriptive then as I am now. lol It was awful.

[lauraapp]

We will be self disembarking. We are hoping to be off by 7am...if you could please let me know what time they are predicting. Thank you.