Just Embarked the Equinox. IMPRESSED!

[scottam]

ChucktownSteve,

One poster suggested the Zacapa Old Fashioned, I do as well. Very nice cocktail!

Johnnyocean1959

 

 

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Ditto! In fact, if you like rum, anything with Zacapa is pretty awesome! 😀🍹

[scottam]

I hear the World Class Bar, one deck up the stairs right at the Martini Bar, calling to me like the Sirens of Greek mythology long ago.

 

It wound up being my two new, "favorite" bartenders.

 

 

That just happens to be my drink she's about to pour...Johnny Walker Platinum. She impressed me because earlier she was rapidly shaking a drink with her left hand while stirring a drink in a pitcher with her right. Wish I had gotten a picture of that.

 

That's Jelena, right? She was an awesome bartender (and one of our favorites) at the old Molecular Bar on Equinox in Caribbean, Feb 2015! Would be great to have her on our Oct 2017 sailing!

[ChucktownSteve]

That's Jelena, right? She was an awesome bartender (and one of our favorites) at the old Molecular Bar on Equinox in Caribbean, Feb 2015! Would be great to have her on our Oct 2017 sailing!

 

Yep it is and yes you're right. Both of them are awesome!

[ChucktownSteve]

Darn... I hope I don't get "Con"'d as I suspect I use the same big online TA and they always gave me refundable onboard credit.....

 

I'll check early and spend it if I have to I guess.... ChucktownSteve, did you have time to use up the OBC?

 

When I first saw the credit I could have sworn it was OBR and it was below the OBN from Celebrity. Then this morning the TA OBC was on top and OBN.

 

I have $410 OBN to do. Good thing we have two sea days so I guess my DW will benefit something from the jewelry store or I may just buy two more JW Blue and make them match the $99 price instead of two for $310. That would be worth paying duty on!

Edited December 16, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[ChucktownSteve]

Thank you for posting. I have the same amount from same TA, so now I know. For various reasons, I am looking around for another agency. I do have one on the books with them, but, there will be no future ones.Marie

 

I have one I use a lot more because they give good perks, I have the same rep each time and they can do airfare. I've had a couple of people on this cruise ask me her name.

[Beardie]

Darn... I hope I don't get "Con"'d as I suspect I use the same big online TA and they always gave me refundable onboard credit.....

 

I'll check early and spend it if I have to I guess.... ChucktownSteve, did you have time to use up the OBC?

 

Sorry to hear about Steve being "Con"ed. Does this mean that a TA can designate whether their OBC is OBR or OBN? Is it less expensive for them to designate it as OBN? Otherwise, why would they do it??

[ChucktownSteve]

Sorry to hear about Steve being "Con"ed. Does this mean that a TA can designate whether their OBC is OBR or OBN? Is it less expensive for them to designate it as OBN? Otherwise, why would they do it??

 

Apparently because the guest relations representative said the TA dictates the type of OBC and they (Celebrity) can not change it. I have a call into the TA but had to leave a message to get them to return my call.

 

It's not earth shattering and it won't ruin my cruise because I've had a great time, on a great ship with great crew. I doubt I'll get anywhere with the TA's representative since they have a reputation with some for being non responsive. But we'll see.

 

I just heard back from the TA. She said because I had a promotion from Celebrity, the TA also applied their $100 booking bonus and the $50 loyalty bonus as non refundable as a joint promotion. So beware if you use them and expect any of it to be refundable. They don't disclose it. All she kept saying is that when I booked, they were doing a cross promotion. Even though the loyalty amount was because I used them before and had nothing to do with Celebrity. Oh well, the conversation was like talking to a brick wall. At least they returned my call promptly.

Edited December 16, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[cmalagngl]

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.

This will be our 30 something cruise but never been to Mardi Gras. I've read everything on here about it and am not concerned about safety. We will go to the parades and probably Bourbon St. during the day. I'll take very little cash and one credit card off the ship with my hand on my wallet constantly. Pretty much what I did around Rome last spring. I'm going with four other friends and my wife so we should be ok as a group. Book the 2018 after you hear back from all of us on the 2017 and have a blast!

[JustinAllen]

There are three ways to get to town. Walk, water taxi and vehicle taxi. It's a little confusing knowing which direction to walk to the water or vehicle taxi. So I'll try to explain.

 

As you enter the shore shopping, to take the water taxi, follow the crowd that's walking to the left. To walk into town or take a taxi you keep to the right stores. Once you get past the duty free liquor (overpriced) store, turn right and you'll see the taxi pavilion.

 

 

Walking to town is Free. But too far for me. The water taxi is $7pp all day or $5 one way. The vehicle taxi is $3pp. I opted for the vehicle. It took about 10 minutes in (obviously) heavy traffic.

 

Time to shop for my liquor. I stop in three different stores to compare pricing before deciding where to buy. Definitely want to get as good a deal as possible.

 

But before I go into the pricing between St. Thomas, St. Kitts and St. Maarten (ironic they are all Saints. Did Saints drink?) let me address JustinAllen's Dom Perignon question.

 

 

And one more of the numerous wine by the bottle pages.

 

 

Thanks again ChuckTownSteve!!

[Morgsmom]

thanks for the live notes!! love it.. and it looks like we will bring on our own bottle of Dom!!

[ghstudio]

You have to know prices, even in st Martin. I found stoli elit offered at $60 a bottle which is more than home. Found it for $40 at some stores. Bought it for $35. Lagavulin $95 at home...69 in st Thomas, 65 in st Martin...bought for $60. You can get some great buys. Friendly duty free...16a front st is one of the stores..don't have the other with me...which has a much larger selection....it's on the same side as friendly but a ways up the street. I tasted some really top end stuff and actually bought a Blanton bourbon single barrel, barrel proof I never saw in the us.

 

 

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[Beardie]

Apparently because the guest relations representative said the TA dictates the type of OBC and they (Celebrity) can not change it. I have a call into the TA but had to leave a message to get them to return my call.

 

It's not earth shattering and it won't ruin my cruise because I've had a great time, on a great ship with great crew. I doubt I'll get anywhere with the TA's representative since they have a reputation with some for being non responsive. But we'll see.

 

I just heard back from the TA. She said because I had a promotion from Celebrity, the TA also applied their $100 booking bonus and the $50 loyalty bonus as non refundable as a joint promotion. So beware if you use them and expect any of it to be refundable. They don't disclose it. All she kept saying is that when I booked, they were doing a cross promotion. Even though the loyalty amount was because I used them before and had nothing to do with Celebrity. Oh well, the conversation was like talking to a brick wall. At least they returned my call promptly.

 

Thanks Steve......at least we'll know on day one when we board in May!

[MrsB05]

DH and I are booked for November 2018 so a long way off but am excited to try Celebrity and this beautiful ship!

We're in a C2 on Deck 10; already anticipating the nice touches!

[ChucktownSteve]

DH and I are booked for November 2018 so a long way off but am excited to try Celebrity and this beautiful ship!

We're in a C2 on Deck 10; already anticipating the nice touches!

 

I believe you'll really enjoy yourself on this ship. It's not too big and not too small. I've run into several Royal Caribbean people on this cruise who have admitted they enjoy Celebrity more now. Plus your status will transfer to the equivalent Celebrity club status. Just make sure you register for Captains Club now.

 

Only 37 days till my next cruise!!!

[red4lisa]

Thanks for sharing your experience! The ship looks lovely. Glad you are enjoying your cruise.

[ChucktownSteve]

OK took my nap and ate lunch. But before I show you the food porn, I've got some other pictures to post.

 

Here's a pic of the floating tree in the elevator atrium from Deck 3.

 

The Passport Bar off the lobby (opposite Guest Relations) before opening.

 

 

The I found a Menorah tucked alongside the stairway facing Guest Relations.

 

 

Here's the internet package promotion for our 10 day cruise.

 

 

And the laundry promotion I found when I came back to my cabin today.

 

 

Now to prepare you for the promised food porn, here's a great way to get started. My usual Americano at Cafe al Bacio. Even if I paid for the classic package, I would have probably gotten my money's worth just on coffee and waters...well maybe not lol

 

[ChucktownSteve]

I'm going to first address the posts (either here or in another thread) about lettuce and cold cuts.

 

First the quiz. See if you can guess the cold cuts?

 

 

The sandwich maker station.

 

 

The make your own sandwich station.

 

 

Four types of lettuce on the salad bar.

 

 

And the pizza. Right to left, Pepperoni, Fungi (mushroom)

 

 

Vegetarian & Cheese

 

[ChucktownSteve]

As you can see, the most popular station in the house. The Ice cream line. Sorry but I couldn't get close enough. I've learned early, nobody wants to give their space even for a pic. HA. (You really didn't want that arm right?)

 

 

While we're still on the topic of lunch and before I show you the MDR menu for tonight, yesterday while eating lunch in the MDR a guy attempted to crash into the dining room bare chested and in shorts. Well maybe crash was a little harsh, but he was turned away after a lengthy discussion. Good for them enforcing proper dining attire.

 

 

We'll be departing St. Maarten in about two hours. Then the shops open and I can use up the OBN. Two days at sea ahead.

 

The afternoon hors d'oeuvres arrived. OMG more food. Shrimp, Brie, chips & garlic humus.

 

Edited December 16, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[ChucktownSteve]

Hey JustinAllen,

 

I had a thought if you want to make it special. Dom could be considered by some as over rated. Although I will admit it is very good. Consider a bottle of Perrier Jouet's Fleur hand painted bottle with two glasses. The set I bought years ago had the glasses hand painted too with the fleur design. That's a bottle she'll keep and remember the cruise every time she sees it. It's very good also and is reasonably priced at Wines & More near me for about $130. Dom near us is $150.

 

Your cabin attendant will ice if for you and there's no corkage if consumed in your cabin. My wife still has hers and the glasses from our first cruise together in the 90's. Just a thought.

Edited December 16, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[BILL-WI]

Jelena and Darko are currently the bartenders at World Class Bar.

 

 

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I

 

I have been trying to run into you at the world class bar, maybe I've met you and just don't know it. We are usually there are each evening from five until six. And then again around 8 o'clock.

BILL

[BILL-WI]

Steve, it was great running into you last night at the world lass bar. Had a great chat, it was fun, hope to see you a couple more times before the cruise ends.

 

BILL

[MrsB05]

I believe you'll really enjoy yourself on this ship. It's not too big and not too small. I've run into several Royal Caribbean people on this cruise who have admitted they enjoy Celebrity more now. Plus your status will transfer to the equivalent Celebrity club status. Just make sure you register for Captains Club now.

 

Only 37 days till my next cruise!!!

 

We have many Royal Caribbean cruising pals who seems to be "jumping ship" to Celebrity and in particular this class of ship.

 

One question I'm trying to determine. I did know our Diamond status on RCI transfer over to Elite on Celebrity. Other than access to the lounge, do we get any other on board benefits?

TIA

[always_chasing]

I

 

 

 

I have been trying to run into you at the world class bar, maybe I've met you and just don't know it. We are usually there are each evening from five until six. And then again around 8 o'clock.

 

BILL

 

 

Hey Bill,

 

Jeff and I usually go there every night, but generally around 6-7 or 9-10 (before and/or after dinner in Blu). We were the couple with the aqua class cabin from the cabin crawl. Maybe we'll bump into you there or elsewhere at some point over these last few days aboard.

 

Diane

 

 

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[ChucktownSteve]

Steve, it was great running into you last night at the world lass bar. Had a great chat, it was fun, hope to see you a couple more times before the cruise ends. BILL

 

Ditto. You and your charming wife are good peeps. I ironically just looked at the Celebrity Today to see when the WC bar opens. Not till 5 so I suppose I have to hit the Martini Bar which opened at 4. rofl Peartini here I come.

 

OMW

[ChucktownSteve]

One question I'm trying to determine. I did know our Diamond status on RCI transfer over to Elite on Celebrity. Other than access to the lounge, do we get any other on board benefits?

TIA

 

Here's the easy way to find out. The Elite Benefit page on Celebrity's web site.

http://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/membership/captains-club-overview#captains_club_tier_elite/captains-club/membership/captains-club-tier-elite?subtab=true