journeycollector Posted December 19, 2017 #1 Share Posted December 19, 2017 The CC boards were invaluable when planning our Alaskan cruise last year, so it's time to pay it forward again. We just got back from a 7-day cruise on the Celebrity Equinox from Miami. I like to live vicariously through everyone's trip reviews, so I'll blog a little bit about each day, excursions, and ship activities. Fair warning: I LIKE PHOTOS! This was our first experience with Celebrity. About Us I'm Joe. My husband is "B." We were married in April, but have been together nearly 10 years. Instead of honeymooning right away, we decided to save a big trip until December to escape winter in Wisconsin (brrr!). We're both in our 30s--although I'll be the big 4-0 towards the end of next year (I think we should celebrate with a cruise, don't you?). I work as a research librarian at a university and B is a reporter. Choosing this Cruise This is only our second cruise...still newbies compared to most people on here! Price is a major factor in on our decision, but we're also not willing to go "bottom of the barrel" either. We don't need water slides or raucous crowds to have a good time. For us, a vacation is intended for us to R-E-L-A-X. Around mid-May, I started checking cruise prices and we found a good deal with Celebrity so we booked it! Then came the hurricanes... The original itinerary was San Juan--St. Maarten--St. Kitts. St. Maarten was axed and replaced with Punta Cana, then St. Croix, and then finally switched to St. Thomas. It didn't really matter to us. We were happy to escape the cold in Wisconsin and knew that Celebrity would get us to warm and sunny places. Any inconvenience pales in comparison to what the people in the Caribbean are going through in recovering from the hurricanes. Prior to the cruise, we decided to spend two nights in Miami Beach--a place neither of us had been to prior. Itinerary Thursday, Dec. 7: Fly to Fort Lauderdale, spend night in Miami Beach Friday, Dec. 8: Miami Beach Saturday, Dec. 9: Leave Miami on Celebrity Equinox Sunday, Dec. 10: Day at sea Monday, Dec. 11: San Juan Tuesday, Dec. 12: Saint Thomas Wednesday, Dec. 13: Saint Kitts Thursday, Dec. 14: Day at sea Friday, Dec. 15: Day at sea Saturday, Dec. 16: Return to Miami, Everglades Ecotour, Fly home More to come!...here's a little photo collage I did of 3 photos I took. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted December 19, 2017 #2 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Will be following your review. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeycollector Posted December 19, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Thursday, December 7 - Heading South to Miami Beach! So B and I have this tradition on our vacations of booking the earliest flight possible to maximize our sightseeing on Day One. The alarm clock went off at 3am to catch our 5:30am flight out of Milwaukee. We flew Southwest, changed planes in Orlando, and then made the quick hop over to Fort Lauderdale, getting in around Noon. We got an Uber from FLL and headed down to Miami Beach. Traffic was heavy and it took almost an hour. I had booked us into the Chesterfield Hotel and Suites on Collins Avenue. The hotel was a quick walk to the beach and restaurants. After checking in (and changing into shorts!), we walked over to the restaurants on Ocean Drive to have a bite to eat. Then it was time to relax and walk along the beach. Here's me: And here's B: Seeking warmer climes! ...and when in Miami, have a mojito! This is at Larios on the Beach - owned by the Estefans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 19, 2017 #4 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Nice start, following.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xara27 Posted December 19, 2017 #5 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Me too! Looking forward to the rest of your review. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeycollector Posted December 19, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Thursday, December 7 - Art Deco Self-Guided Walking Tour After dinner we walked along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue taking in the Art Deco hotels. Here are a few of those pics: Colony Hotel Leslie The Carlyle The McAlpin Beacon Hotel Ocean Drive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnritt Posted December 19, 2017 #7 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Love Miami Beach (actually I like it but my wife loves it, so we love it) and the Equinox is our next scheduled cruise. Looking forward to reading you review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeycollector Posted December 19, 2017 Author #8 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Friday, December 8 - Beach day Being from Wisconsin, a beach day was definitely in order. Well, we do have beaches on Lake Michigan...but up here, a "beach day" in December is no fun (unless ice fishing counts)! Weather was great in Miami Beach on Thursday and Friday: 80-84F / 26-28C. We entered the beach around 9th Street and got an umbrella and two chairs and had a relaxing morning and afternoon lounging and swimming. Despite the nice weather, the beach didn't feel too crowded. R-E-L-A-X After getting in our required beach time, we walked along Ocean Drive and then headed north on the boardwalk. The former Versace mansion The famous Fontainebleau Hotel. B is a huge James Bond fan. The hotel was featured in "Goldfinger." Some art installations on the beach Along the boardwalk... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeycollector Posted December 19, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Love Miami Beach (actually I like it but my wife loves it, so we love it) and the Equinox is our next scheduled cruise. Looking forward to reading you review. We loved the vibe and the architecture, but found it pricey! :D Next time if we were leaving from Miami again we would probably just fly in the day before and stay closer to the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeycollector Posted December 19, 2017 Author #10 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Saturday, December 9 - Embarkation at Miami OK, OK, on to the stuff that matters...the cruise! Our documentation from Celebrity said to show up anytime between 11am and 2:30pm. At 10:30am, I called for an Uber to take us from Miami Beach to the Port of Miami. The cloudy skies started to get a bit darker, then it started sprinkling, and then the heavens opened up and it was pouring down rain as we were approaching the cruise terminal. Our attitude is always, "were on vacation" and a little rain won't stop us! I've read lots of reviews about the length of the boarding process. I don't know what it was in our case. The bad weather? The early arrival? I timed it: From curbside to ship, it was 11 minutes! Let me repeat that...11 MINUTES!!!! And we do not have fancy, schmancy priority-elite-platinum-blood of your children status. We just got lucky. I felt like I barely blinked and all the sudden I was on board with a glass of not-quite-champagne-but-I'll-drink-it-anyway. B and I did our usual gawking, had lunch in the Oceanview Cafe, and awaited the announcement that staterooms were ready. First impressions of the ship: classy, elegant, and clean. Here are a few pics: Look, can this librarian get a job here, lol! Us "cheapies" booked an inside stateroom on Deck 7... We don't spend a lot of time in our room...just to sleep, so it's never bothered us. It was actually pretty roomy with 2 soft chairs and desk chair and plenty of storage. It had a lot more room than what we had on a Crown Princess inside cabin last year. Cloudy Miami Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeycollector Posted December 19, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Saturday, December 9 - Sail away, sail away, sail away... Because I had to sit through the required muster drill, you should also be forced to watch the " " video like we did. There...now you can have that song stuck in your head like I did! Even though it was still spritzing a bit, we went to the upper decks and watched sail away. Cloudy skies did not matter...we were on vacation! Will post more tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NemoCrownie Posted December 19, 2017 #12 Share Posted December 19, 2017 This is a fantastic read and your photos are phenomenal! Thank you for doing this review!!! Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted December 19, 2017 #13 Share Posted December 19, 2017 I am following this. Great narrative and enjoying all of the photos. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardE954 Posted December 19, 2017 #14 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Next time, fly in early and spend a few days in Fort Lauderdale/Wilton Manors. You'll find it less expensive and you'll have a nice time. Nice pictures, what type of camera/phone are you using? My husband and I are doing the Equinox for New Years Eve, leaving on Dec. 30 so I'm looking forward to the rest of your review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearldentist Posted December 19, 2017 #15 Share Posted December 19, 2017 I will be on the equinox in just a few days with the same itinerary!!! Your posts are making me so excited!! I love your pictures. You are also hilarious!! Thank you for taking the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Toronto Posted December 19, 2017 #16 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Really enjoying your review! Keep it coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micheleata Posted December 19, 2017 #17 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Your pictures are fantastic.. Going on the same itinerary Equinox in February, so really enjoying your report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Raider Posted December 19, 2017 #18 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Wow ...thanks so much for the pictures. We've sailed on the Equinox a few times and on S-class even more. I never realized there were any cabins without a sofa. Good to know!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrylinden Posted December 19, 2017 #19 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Really enjoying your review.Brings back memories of our time on the Equinox last May .Beautiful ship and good food.Loved that ship and will sail on her again!!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kag19 Posted December 19, 2017 #20 Share Posted December 19, 2017 You are making more me excited for our upcoming trip on the Equinox in February, which I didn't think was possible! ;p Can't wait to hear the rest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portofrome Posted December 19, 2017 #21 Share Posted December 19, 2017 I'm enjoying your review and pics so much! Please keep going! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adonisr Posted December 19, 2017 #22 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Menus - menus - menus - we want menus :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeycollector Posted December 20, 2017 Author #23 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Saturday, December 9 - first night My mom and I usually get each other travel-related gifts for our birthdays. For my birthday, she gifted us 3 nights in speciality dining for this cruise. After muster drill, B and I headed over to the specialty restaurant area on Deck 5 to get our reservations squared away for the week. Tuscan Grille was offering 30% off Saturday night so we dined there that night, which meant our dining schedule for the cruise was: Sat (Tuscan Grille), Sun (Murano), Mon (eat dinner in San Juan), Tue (MDR), Wed (MDR), Thu (Silk Harvest) and Fri (Murano). Then we started exploring this beautiful ship! We had 6pm dinner reservations in Tuscan Grille. The food was good! We started with the antipasti board. I had the grilled branzino for my entree, but also got a side of shortrib pappardelle because I wanted to taste a bit of pasta. B has a gluten intolerance which they easily accommodated. He had a seafood pasta. For dessert, B got into his usual creme-brulee-every-night routine and I had the tiramisu. Complimentary limoncello shots were delivered, but you can't convince me that it doesn't taste like lemon furniture polish in liquid form...hah! Service was excellent. That evening we attended the 9pm production of "Topper" in the Equinox Theater. Entertainment is definitely subjective and we go into these shows knowing it's mainly music and dancing...and very little plot. But we enjoyed it. Equinox Theater: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeycollector Posted December 20, 2017 Author #24 Share Posted December 20, 2017 This is a fantastic read and your photos are phenomenal! Thank you for doing this review!!! Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk Thanks! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeycollector Posted December 20, 2017 Author #25 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Next time, fly in early and spend a few days in Fort Lauderdale/Wilton Manors. You'll find it less expensive and you'll have a nice time. Nice pictures, what type of camera/phone are you using? My husband and I are doing the Equinox for New Years Eve, leaving on Dec. 30 so I'm looking forward to the rest of your review. Thanks for the tip...will definitely stay there in FLL area next time. We just wanted to try Miami Beach to say "been there, done that!" :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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