Jim_Iain - 9/5 and 9/17 Equinox B2B - Come along for a Live Blog

[kokopelli-az]

23 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Tracelets were discontinued at the end of the last cruise.    I  asked why and our room attendant who sill had his on his belt.   He said --- he heard they werent' working.    Whatever that means.   So NONE on this cruise. 

When we were on the Equinox last month my husband and I both received a call (different days) saying our Tracelets were not working and to go to Guest Services for a replacement, which we did.   I overheard a lady later on in the cruise say that hers stopped working and she never exchanged it.  So I don't know if anyone's worked the whole cruise.

[kokopelli-az]

23 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

Officially those aren't allowed.    I use to always travel with one but got called to the Naughty Room once and they confiscated it.     

We were on the Equinox August 8 and they did not have a Naughty Room, it was a Naughty Table.   When we disembarked, the Naughty Table was right there and everyone's Naughty Items were in bags with their names on them.   

[upwarduk]

1 hour ago, fstuff1 said:

Al bacio in buffet?

Where??

Near one of the entrances, but I can’t remember whether it was port or starboard( on Silhouette). I thought it was the bar at first, but noticed it was called Cafe al Biaco 2.

[funatseascott]

Here a couple pics at 3:30 of the 2 pool areas on 12.  A few dark clouds, so might get some rain.

[funatseascott]

Here’s some pics on the retreat sun deck.  We like the solarium area on most cruises but figured we would take advantage of this private area while we can.  Never more then 10 people up here anytime we have visited.  One side gets shade while other gets sun, so can suit whatever u like.

[Arzeena]

2 hours ago, pasta1 said:

We are from Sussex County. Thank you for your observation!

We are from Mercer. I am hoping all was well at your end during the recent storms. We were safe.

[stunned]

Is there drink service pool side?

 

Judy

[goofysmom99]

11 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

Near one of the entrances, but I can’t remember whether it was port or starboard( on Silhouette). I thought it was the bar at first, but noticed it was called Cafe al Biaco 2.

It's the bar on the port side entrance to Oceanview.  Ice cream is on starboard.  😉

[Arzeena]

1 hour ago, funatseascott said:

As we are waiting for our food in Sushi, here are a few pictures.

 

Had one other couple in Sushi but nobody else now.  Bacio and Martini Bar seem to be the busier places.  At Bacio, can still find a seat, if desired, and not long of waits for coffee or treats.

 

Sophia had the Kobe slider as advertised, I had mine “plain”.

 

We had too! Loved it! Loved the noodle bun.

[funatseascott]

18 minutes ago, stunned said:

Is there drink service pool side?

 

Judy

Yes, enough pool servers to keep you “hydrated”.  I bring a 32 oz hydrapeak container.  It keeps the beverage colder longer compared to a glass.  It holds at least 2 drinks, so I never run out.

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

Thanks; any additional info on this would be much appreciated.

 

I just found out this morning that last Thursday I was exposed (for like 2 hours!) to someone who just tested positive for COVID yesterday. No symptoms for me, but I’m so paranoid with the cruise coming up I may see if I can get an unproctored home test today just to calm my mind.

I bought 2 of those double packs and have them on the cruise with me.   One thing of interest.   Last night I was talking to Jonathan (Concierge in Retreat).   During the pandemic he said he got a job with an American Lab proctoring Covid Tests.... I aske him if it were Abbott and he looked at me and said ==How did you know.    He said 8 hours a day watching people stick quips up their noses was a bit unusual. 

 

 

[mac_tlc]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Thanks much.  

 

We all have our tastes.    While many don't spend much time in their room, we have a tendency to spend more time in our room than in the general area of the ship.    We no longer lay by the pool and try to limit sun exposure. Due to Covid we are spending much more time in our room and are trying to avoid area where spacing is limited. 

 

 

 

This sounds like my wife and I the last few years. The main attraction of the Suite is the extra room space, more than the Retreat areas, etc. As I have said before, I don’t want to shuffle sideways past the bed one at a time as my wife waits to go in the other direction 😂😂. 
 

No choice is wrong, just different for different folks! We are all entranced by the same wonderful ocean views.

 

mac_tlc

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, pasta1 said:

What would you say is the percentage of guests wearing masks indoors and thank you for all your detailed information and photos, they are great. We will be joining the next cruise on the 17th. Tim and Malou. Will be 5th time on the Equinox!

I would say it varies by time  of day and which floor level but about 10-15% but notice a good 30-40% have them on their wrist or hanging from their lanyard for cases when  6' distancing is difficult.  

 

In St. Croix today,  masks are mandatory in all places inside and everywhere on the grounds of resorts except when swimming, eating or drinking. 

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, Arzeena said:

Alexandru and Anja there (at eh OV Al Bacio) are the best! They are there in the mornings. We were also given excellent service by Abel. I miss them all!

I agree with you they are both really nice.    I'm on deck 11 and Ocean View is on  2 floors up while Al Bacio is down and up 6 floors. 

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, jgmorgan said:

Hmm...wonder if you could apply it as a deposit for a Future Cruise for one of your avid followers?😂

Unfortunately that isn't permitted.    I'm thinking of getting a new iPad.    I kidded Iain last night and said while passing the high end jewelry store said we should go in and ask them if they have any unset diamonds for 1,000.    LOL  

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, SHIP TRAVELER said:

I always take one of these immersion thingies to Las Vegas for a first cup of tea in the room while dressing.  It is a real hassle in a huge hotel to get room service drinks IMO.  I am cruising out of LA in October with a long post cruise stop over in Las Vegas.  I was going to take one of these along for the post  trip.  I would never bother on the ship because of many better options.  I wonder if they will give it back post cruise so that I can take it with me.

Not a problem.  They just hold it for you and give you a receipt.   On disembarkation you just stop by the naughty desk and pick it up. 

[Jim_Iain]

8 hours ago, missmom said:

Thank you so much for taking us on your trip with you!  My sister and I were able to sail on the Edge this past July, and it was fabulous to get back on board again.

 

Adding to your book recommendations - Greg Isles, a writer from Natchez, MS.  His books are fabulous.  There are some stand alone books, as well as the Penn Cage series.

 

Thanks --- just  added to list. 

[Jim_Iain]

8 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

We never had kids, by choice, so no college bills.  Paid off 2 mortgages early and all of our cars early while still saving for retirement.  With our income we choose to sail in RS or PH but only once a year typically, again our choice. Our 1st cruise was 1997 on Zenith all the way forward with a port hole.  Still took a few more cruises to get to a balcony because there were not many balconies on Zenith. 

I agree with you.    Some of us are lucky enough to have the discretionary income to book more expensive cabins.    Like you said it's a choice.    Also many drop a pretty penny in the Casino I haven't event hit Pearl Level yet.    That's their choice and I respect what their choice of what they want to do for enjoyment. 

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, Margarita Jane said:

We were on the Equinox the first two weeks in August, also. Jim, your picture of the tree turned out much better than mine… 😁.

 

We really enjoyed Eddy Jenkins, the cruise director, snd his team. One evening the put on a skit in Celebrity Central called “Cruise Line Is It”, a take off on “Whose Line Is It”. We thought it was hilarious, and enjoyed it as much as any of the shows. 
 

I saw some posts about wine, and one we really enjoyed was Mer Soleil, a Chardonnay. Sometimes it was hard to find (we were in an SV first week and Aqua second week), but sommeliers would usually find it for us. 
 

 

Iain also enjoys te Mer Soleil.    He has been drinking Louis Jadot Chardonnay.   They have both Oak and Non-Oak

 

Last night I had a wonderful Fre  Red  Jul 2021 --- LOL    

[fstuff1]

St Croix:

No more $25 taxi tours at pier.

 

In 2019, there was a sign that said $25 taxi tours and a whole bunch of taxi's were lined up at the pier.

 

Now, I can't even find taxi to take me to chistenstead. 😞

 

just walked around the streets near the pier.

went back to ship after an hr

 

Edited September 8, 2021 by fstuff1

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

Al bacio in buffet?

Where??

Located on Starboard entrance adjacent to  the free Ice Cream on the Port Side.

 

On many of the other ships it has a sign -   Al Bacio Segundo 

 

 

Edited September 8, 2021 by Jim_Iain

[fstuff1]

55 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I agree with you they are both really nice.    I'm on deck 11 and Ocean View is on  2 floors up while Al Bacio is down and up 6 floors. 

 

Is the al bacio in ov the same place where bartenders make drinks?

 

Edit:

Went up there and saw the latte machine.

So yeah

 

Edited September 8, 2021 by fstuff1

[Arzeena]

12 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

St Croix:

No more $25 taxi tours at pier.

 

In 2019, there was a sign that said $25 taxi tours and a while bunch of taxi's were lined up at the pier.

 

Now, I can't even find taxi to take me to chistenstead. 😞

 

just walked around the streets near the pier.

went back to ship after an hr

 

Sorry to hear that. We did find a taxi (in August) to take us to Christensted and bring us back. We spent about 3 hrs there, had lunch, strolled around. It was $25 per person round trip.

Edited September 8, 2021 by Arzeena

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, funatseascott said:

It was great meeting the both of you last night as well.  Now, we will probably run into each other every few hours now.  LOL

Agree Scott.    Was a pleasure meeting you.     Iain often smokes at the smoking area on 5 which is were we were coming from while you were at Al Bacio. 

[Jim_Iain]

Scott's picture at the entrance to the gallery is where the Wine Dog is locaed on the left