New Alcoves Equinox!!!

[Loanrngr]

Heading to the  the ABC's in October, has anybody reserved and used the new Alcoves on top of the grass area???  Thoughts a information would be appreciated.  Thanks.

 

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[auggiemom]

Curious on this too.  I am looking at a "port" day, since the at Sea are very expensive.  What is included?  

[1025cruise]

I've got one booked in a couple of weeks....

[hiccups]

49 minutes ago, auggiemom said:

Curious on this too.  I am looking at a "port" day, since the at Sea are very expensive.  What is included?  

Not much is included--four bottles of water and a fruit plate.  You can order food like a picnic, but there is a fee.

We were on last week's sailing and only once during the week did I see anyone in one.  I'd save my money and just sit near the Sunset bar.

Edited June 13, 2019 by hiccups

[the_dylaness]

32 minutes ago, hiccups said:

Not much is included--four bottles of water and a fruit plate.  You can order food like a picnic, but there is a fee.

We were on last week's sailing and only once during the week did I see anyone in one.  I'd save my money and just sit near the Sunset bar.

 

They had them on Reflection in November- almost always empty. what is the point? who books these?

[Turtles06]

56 minutes ago, the_dylaness said:

 

They had them on Reflection in November- almost always empty. what is the point? who books these?

 

They have been on the Silhouette and the Reflection since the very beginning.  Imho, they are a blight on the lawn space and views, and I am sorry to see they are being installed on other ships.  YMMV.

[Brad1185]

We have only seen a couple of them used for the cruise. Tear them out and return the space to what it was. 

 

Their fees are outrageous. 

[waterbug123]

10 hours ago, the_dylaness said:

 

They had them on Reflection in November- almost always empty. what is the point? who books these?

 

Some people like having a comfortable, dedicated/reserved spot to lounge, with potential shade.  Many people book them; we've seen days where most were occupied.  Also, just because you see them empty doesn't mean they aren't reserved.  We've had them several times, but come and go throughout the day so at times ours is empty.  We've seen the same in others.

 

9 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

They have been on the Silhouette and the Reflection since the very beginning.  Imho, they are a blight on the lawn space and views, and I am sorry to see they are being installed on other ships.  YMMV.

 

Here we go again.  The naysayers always say they ruin the view.  But on ships without them, most people who want to look at the views either stand or walk along the outer railing and the alcoves do not block the view there.  They only affect the view if you are in sitting in the middle of the lawn, and usually when we see people sitting in the middle of the lawn they are actually lying on a towel, sunbathing, not paying attention to the view.  You can't get a great view from the middle of the lawn if you're sitting down anyway, you'd need to stand to really have a nice view, and why stand there if you can stand by the railing?! 

[Sonoma fans]

Everyone has their opinions on the alcoves. We have sailed Reflection 9 times and book the alcove for the entire cruise. As a handicapped person, I can not get up from the sun loungers by the pools. The alcove chairs allow me to be able to sit and relax in the sun or shade while being able to come and go without assistance. They also allow me to feel more comfortable wearing shorts as I wear 2 leg braces to help me walk. It is amazing the stares I get while trying to hang in the pool area. The alcove allows us a place to come and go throughout the day without fighting for chairs/space. You may not see folks in them all the time , but they are usually sold out. Are they expensive, yes, but are figured into our cruise planning. We enjoy the alcoves and will continue to book them

[vickidrysdale]

My husband (51 & 53) and I have reserved an Alcove on several cruises...We found it a great place to meet up with the rest of our party and to get away from the congested pool area.  We love them and have booked again for our Christmas cruise this year. Added bonus: our kids 23, 17 & 15 like being able to find us amid the crowd.  In addition, when sailing with older family members they have enjoyed the shade.  Most people are in and out of it all day - so you might not see people there all the time.  

[Cruise a holic]

16 hours ago, Loanrngr said:

Heading to the  the ABC's in October, has anybody reserved and used the new Alcoves on top of the grass area???  Thoughts a information would be appreciated.  Thanks.

 

• We have always enjoyed a few days in an Alcove on the Reflection and Silhouette.  Looking forward to spending time on our upcoming equinox cruise.  While some people do not believe it is worthwhile we do.  Also, we had bar service, wine, fruit and cheese served in the afternoon, and waiter service for a limited lunch menu, with no charge. I would "assume" the service is the same on the Equinox.
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•  Of course for drinks, if you have the package no charge if not, a charge.
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Some people only book inexpensive inside cabins, spend money at the Casino, never dine in specialty restaurants, never go on shore x's, Others spend money on bingo, "art work", photos, etc.  To me the alcove is well worth it.  You have a comfortable spot, no chair hogs to deal with, and a nice meeting place if you travel with friends and family.  IMO, worth it. 

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Edited June 13, 2019 by Cruise a holic

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

For those who have used the alcoves, are you allowed to bring food from say the Ocean View Cafe or another location? I'm giving serious consideration to reserving one for San Juan and/or Nassau day on my Feb Equinox cruise, but being gluten-free I can't do sandwiches or the other "you can order a picnic" things.

 

You answered my question as to if you can come and go. It seems like a great place I could chill and read a book without having to worry about getting splashed/dripped on and/or fighting for a place on the other decks.

 

One question I do have... The info says you have it from 9-9... Is it the same on a port day where the port does not start until the afternoon?

[PTC DAWG]

Sailing in Sept..I plan on trying for at least one port day out of 11 day cruise..

 

my guess is the 9-9 is consistent.

Edited June 13, 2019 by PTC DAWG

[Cruise a holic]

1 hour ago, Cruise a holic said:

 

Yes you can bring in all the food and drink you like from other areas of the ship.  We also do a Puerto rico day-  Ship usually arrives late and we have been their so many times that we skip it- or just get off for an hour or so then back on board.  since that is a port day- the cost of the alcove is only $99!  A bargain.  Enjoy

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

18 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

Yes you can bring in all the food and drink you like from other areas of the ship.  We also do a Puerto rico day-  Ship usually arrives late and we have been their so many times that we skip it- or just get off for an hour or so then back on board.  since that is a port day- the cost of the alcove is only $99!  A bargain.  Enjoy

 

Awesome! Thanks!!

[Loanrngr]

Thanks everyone for your information...Quite helpful!!!

[yorky]

3 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Yes you can bring in all the food and drink you like from other areas of the ship.  We also do a Puerto rico day-  Ship usually arrives late and we have been their so many times that we skip it- or just get off for an hour or so then back on board.  since that is a port day- the cost of the alcove is only $99!  A bargain.  Enjoy

You see I just don’t see this bargain, on a port day you can more of less have your pick of loungers both in the shade and sun, most people already have a drinks package and food can be brought to your lounger from multiple locations. It appears to be no more than paying $100 for something you can receive for nothing. 

Each to their own of course.

[micheleata]

6 minutes ago, yorky said:

You see I just don’t see this bargain, on a port day you can more of less have your pick of loungers both in the shade and sun, most people already have a drinks package and food can be brought to your lounger from multiple locations. It appears to be no more than paying $100 for something you can receive for nothing. 

Each to their own of course.

 

I completely agree with this.   On a port day the ship is practically empty and you can sit in much more comfy furniture than what is in the alcoves for free.    Not to mention it is HOT up there, especially when the ship is not moving, even in the shade.   

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Yeah... Maybe Disney is different (not much when it comes to port days) and Nassau in particular is NOT a “nearly empty ship”. 

 

As for San Juan, not getting there until 3:30 gives you plenty of time before you’re even in port. It’s almost like getting a sea day for a port day price!

 

Besides... When you have pre-paid grats and bev package and internet - and you don’t gamble, like massages, or see the appeal of shopping, there is not much else to spend OBC on. (Gluten-free and not really comfortable with for-pay restaurants to be safe.)

Edited June 13, 2019 by WrittenOnYourHeart

[ORV]

New? Haven't these been on Equinox at least a couple of years?

[janetz]

They don’t face the water, we have no interest. 😎

[CruiseLifeIsTheBest]

5 hours ago, ORV said:

New? Haven't these been on Equinox at least a couple of years?

Added during the abbreviated revolution but not the same as the alcoves on other  ships. Quite odd IMO. Would have preferred the hot tub was included in the Retreat Deck. 

[CruiseTimeAgain2]

My wife and I were on Silhouette in March and booked them for the entire cruise. We love them. We come and go as we please, eat lunch and have a place to lounge in the shade with top up. We are on the Reflection this November and December on a b2b and have them booked for both.

With the pictures I have seen on the Equinox I am not sure I lie these. Not much shade.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

1 hour ago, CruiseLifeIsTheBest said:

Added during the abbreviated revolution but not the same as the alcoves on other  ships. Quite odd IMO. Would have preferred the hot tub was included in the Retreat Deck. 

The hot tub doesn't generate revenue.  The alcoves do.

[waterbug123]

20 hours ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

For those who have used the alcoves, are you allowed to bring food from say the Ocean View Cafe or another location?

 

One question I do have... The info says you have it from 9-9... Is it the same on a port day where the port does not start until the afternoon?

 

Yes and yes

 

17 hours ago, yorky said:

You see I just don’t see this bargain, on a port day you can more of less have your pick of loungers both in the shade and sun, most people already have a drinks package and food can be brought to your lounger from multiple locations. It appears to be no more than paying $100 for something you can receive for nothing. 

Each to their own of course.

 

Sometimes we enjoy the alcoves well into the late afternoon or early evening hours, long after many folks have returned from port and crowded the pool deck.  Other times, the ship doesn't dock until 2 or 3 in the afternoon so the pool deck is much busier in the later morning and early afternoon.