Equinox Review Western Caribbean 8-13-17

[OldRockr1]

One more food/beverage thought...I thought that the coffee was only ok. I'm not a fancy coffee guy and the Lavatta they had was just OK. Then again I love 7-11 coffee!

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

Key West has HOT. The weather app had it at 89 feels like 107! Frankly it kicked my a$$ so we headed down to Capt. Tony's to get out of the heat...

 

 

 

Here are a few random shots from around Key West. I need to go back when it is a little cooler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited August 22, 2017 by OldRockr1

[OldRockr1]

One more

 

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

Sorry for multiples of the same pic. I was trying to upload a panorama and it kept cropping the shot.

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

A few shots from around the ship the second evening.

 

 

 

 

Next up 1st sea day

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

On the first sea day we ate breakfast in the Oceanview Cafe and it was pretty good. English bacon? Who knew?

 

We got to the pool around 9:30'and had no trouble finding loungers in the shade by one of the hot tubs. In fact the chair hogs seemed to sleep in most of the cruise!

 

Beautiful day at sea with lots of folks using the pool. Entertainment staff got people involved after lunch. Great day all around. We tried the martini bar but it really wasn't for us. The ensemble lounge was a better choice for before dinner drinks.

 

I really did find the ship relaxing this cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

I often get accused of being a grump so take my complaints with a grain of salt...

 

 

Next up: Costa Maya

 

 

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[richsea]

Really enjoying your thoughts and photos. We'll be boarding Equinox in October for a 10 night sailing. Haven't been to Key West n about 10 years so looking forward to it.

We have toyed with the idea of driving down to Florida for a cruise rather than on Southwest, but I95 keeps us from trying. Its like do we want 2 days of torture or just a half day, lol.

[RichardE954]

Thanks for posting, I'm enjoying your review. We are doing this same cruise departing Dec. 30. I have a couple questions for you:

1) Did you do an excursion in Key West or just walk around on your own?

2) Where is the Ensemble Lounge?

 

Thanks.

[OldRockr1]

Thanks for posting, I'm enjoying your review. We are doing this same cruise departing Dec. 30. I have a couple questions for you:

1) Did you do an excursion in Key West or just walk around on your own?

2) Where is the Ensemble Lounge?

 

Thanks.

We did a self tour. The hop on hop off trolley was $25 each for the day. Worth it for sure.

 

The Ensemble Bar is on deck 5 by the specialty restaurants.

 

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[JaniceB]

Enjoying your review and pictures.

[realnice46]

We did a self tour. The hop on hop off trolley was $25 each for the day. Worth it for sure.

 

The Ensemble Bar is on deck 5 by the specialty restaurants.

 

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Loved your nighttime photos of Key West. We cruise there next month but leave before it gets dark.

[Tiggertastic]

Thanks for a great review, following to read the rest

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

Loved your nighttime photos of Key West. We cruise there next month but leave before it gets dark.

 

 

 

That was sunrise from up one of the top decks.

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

Costa Maya was my favorite port. No fancy excursions just a great day at the beach. I had reserved 2 loungers in advance (no fee) at the Tropicante and Steve the owner sent me some info on the area. The Tropicante is right in the middle of "downtown" and is easily reachable via the tram from the terminal for $3 each. Someone from the Tropicante was waiting for us at stop 2 and we were escorted to the beach club. Cain set us up with chairs under a palm tree right near the water. All they ask is you buy your food and drinks from them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The food was great and the Cervesas ice cold. Prices were very reasonable and in dollars. Bring cash...no cards accepted.

 

Cain and the staff were absolutely awesome. If you are ever in Costa Maya do not hesitate to go to the Tropicante.

 

The port area looks new with a beautiful pool and lots of food, drink and shops. All of which are much cheaper in town!

 

 

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

Here is one of the ship in port.

 

 

 

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[b7440]

Great review, my wife wants to know where she can get the grumpy tee shirt. My family thinks I am always grumpy. One of my staff went to Disney, brought me back a grumpy coffee cup!!

[hcat]

Really enjoying your thoughts and photos. We'll be boarding Equinox in October for a 10 night sailing. Haven't been to Key West n about 10 years so looking forward to it.

We have toyed with the idea of driving down to Florida for a cruise rather than on Southwest, but I95 keeps us from trying. Its like do we want 2 days of torture or just a half day, lol.

 

We have driven back and forth to our Fla condo for yrs..( twice one yr) with cats etc. Long grueling drive, big trucks, rain, etc....This yr we said no more...we bought a car to stay down there...so now just thd SW torture from LI to Tampa ( only non stop)

 

Have fun on Eq...also enjoying the review....love the photos

[JaniceB]

Costa Maya looks very nice!

[oliver1821]

Thanks for your review. The Equinox is a wonderful ship! Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[OldRockr1]

Great review, my wife wants to know where she can get the grumpy tee shirt. My family thinks I am always grumpy. One of my staff went to Disney, brought me back a grumpy coffee cup!!

 

 

 

It was one of those Facebook ads. Now get off my lawn! ;-)

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

We have driven back and forth to our Fla condo for yrs..( twice one yr) with cats etc. Long grueling drive, big trucks, rain, etc....This yr we said no more...we bought a car to stay down there...so now just thd SW torture from LI to Tampa ( only non stop)

 

Have fun on Eq...also enjoying the review....love the photos

 

 

 

A friend of mine has a house down there. They do the drive 4-5 times a year. I could never do it.

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

The next port was Cozumel. We did the Fury Catamaran and Beach Club excursion which we had gone on about 15 years ago. Still a great time. Here's a few pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beach club now has all those blow up slides which the kids there seemed to love. Too much work for too little thrill as far as I'm concerned!

 

After a quick lunch at Margaritaville, it was back to the ship for a nap before dinner. Cozumel always ends up being too much fun.

 

 

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[OldRockr1]

A few more pics from around the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall the cruise was great and the ship is gorgeous. I would give it an overall 4/5 stars.

 

The food was good but not great as I mentioned.

 

The entertainment is not my thing and it never really works for me on any cruise. I'm more the concert type. The shows were...silly. I will say Victor Cruz who played solo guitar, was awesome and we caught him in the Ensemble Lounge most nights before dinner.

 

The service was good overall but a little too impersonal. This kind of hampered the MDR experience for the both of us. The bartenders also seemed a little too quiet. I have to say Carnival's bartenders have them beat.

 

Would I sail Celebrity again? Absolutely. We like the mellow, relaxing vibe. Other than atmosphere was it all that different from Carnival or Norwegian? Not really, at least for us. In the future it really comes down to price and itinerary. As long as it isn't one of those floating monstrosities I'll give any line a chance.

 

Thanks for checking my review out and Happy Sailings and smooth Seas to you all.

 

 

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[champagne123]

Thank you for taking us all on a great ride! :cool:

[joy2travel]

Thank you so much for posting. Thinking about booking this for July 2018 for my 18 year old grand daughter and myself. Was a bit concerned about how rough the seas will be but as we don't have long sea days, I think it will be fine.