LIVE from Equinox (June 24, 2023), sailing on a budget

[CTSandy]

1 hour ago, lovetocruisee said:

    Sorry to interrupt your evening.  I was just wondering if you had a chance to find what non-alcoholic beer is offered (other than O’Doul’s)

We were on Equinox in March 2023 and they had Heineken 0.

[jagoffee]

2 hours ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

It’s been a great day at sea today. I’m almost through with my book and I plan to finish it over coffee tomorrow. We didn’t make it to the gym (promise already broken) but I do take the “no elevator challenge” and got over 10,000 steps. Did anyone onboard here the horn around 11? We were at the front of the ship and did not see anything. I’m assuming it was someone that was allowed to blow the horn on a tour. I’ve never heard the horn on a sea day without fog!

 

Lunch was great in Oceanview Cafe. They had fancy corn dogs which is a first that I’ve seen at the buffet. I feel like the selections are better than last year, so far. The salads are nicely done and the desserts seem more varied. Like today, there were different types of pies instead of the same type of cake with Different flavored icings. 

 

We spent most of the afternoon reading, playing cards, and bar hopping. The seated bar service has been slow in both Cafe Al Bacio and Craft Social. Both times we’ve been, we’ve ended up ordering at the bar. The drinks are worth it though!

 

We spent some time looking over the menu for MDR and honestly, nothing really stood out to us. I’ve included the pictures below. They still do offer the sirloin, it just did not make the screenshot. Instead, we did DIY 3 course MDR at the buffet. It was not bad at all! We had the made to order ceased salad, cooked to order steak, and it was French night. There was beef bourguignon, ratatouille, a white fish, and a couple other options I can’t remember. Of course there was also a lot of American grill food, like burgers and hot dogs. The dessert was also great with a fresh crepe and various other small, French themed desserts.  
 

 

After our dinner, we went to the show. It was a singer, Crystal Stark. She was on season 5 of American Idol and played songs from powerhouse women singers. There were quite a few “oldies” hits, which made Kaleb and I wonder what these shows will feature in 40 years! 
 

I ended the night watching the Yes or No game show. It was fun to watch, but I don’t think I could do it! The goal is to have a 3 minute conversation with the host without saying yes or no (or adjacent words like “yeah”). Only two people succeeded out of about 10!
 

We’ll have another sea day tomorrow doing about the same things, but I think we will go to the MDR tomorrow since it’s a chic night. I can hopefully provide a good update on it then!

I would like to see a paper menu that list the extra cost Lobster option if you get an opportunity to take a photo.

Thanks.

[lovetocruisee]

7 hours ago, CTSandy said:

We were on Equinox in March 2023 and they had Heineken 0.

     That is very good to hear.   Hope they still have it.

TX. Kevin

[AbbyCruiser45]

9 hours ago, CTSandy said:

We were on Equinox in March 2023 and they had Heineken 0.

Thank you for jumping in! I asked around yesterday, and yes @lovetocruisee Heineken Zero seems to be the only other NA beer they have. The supply changes all the time though!

[zino5]

23 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Would love to see a pic of the necklace full of charms.  We had the necklace appear on our table back in March but I never got around to collecting the charms.  We board @AbbyCruiser45's ship a week from today...maybe I will reconsider the charm collection.

 

Edit:  @thebutlerdidit just added a pic!  Really cute, I might add.

 

I LOVE this.  What a nice thing for your son to do for his g/f.  Sounds like you're raising a good man!

Ok let me get a pic and I will upload

 

[zino5]

23 hours ago, thebutlerdidit said:

One or two per day, usually in the evening. On sea days there were two charms offered. We couldn’t wait to collect the Celebrity “X”!

 

I took this photo for a friend who sailed on her first Celebrity cruise on the Equinox a month ago. 
 

 

 

[zino5]

Thats it 

Thanks !

[iTownPrincess]

On 6/25/2023 at 7:11 AM, AbbyCruiser45 said:

 

I’m in my “happy place” this morning as I start the book that I’ve been saving for this first sea day all summer! I was at Al Bacio a little after 6:30 following a beautiful sunrise. It’ll be a slow day around here, but I will keep the updates rolling 😊

 

As a fellow sun avoider/shade seeker I want to share with you my favorite spot on Equinox. Since you are already at Cafe al Bacio, just walk forward towards the theater. Just before the theater entrance use one of the doors near the ladies room to go outside. This spot on Deck 5 is always shaded, with loungers set up. It’s usually quiet and obviously close to the ladies room (and more importantly near the espresso bar). The corresponding spot on the port side is a smoking area. I spent HOURS here on our cruise earlier this month. I had saved Babel on my Kindle for this cruise and it did not disappoint! Hope your cruise is as lovely as ours was!

[lovetocruisee]

38 minutes ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Thank you for jumping in! I asked around yesterday, and yes @lovetocruisee Heineken Zero seems to be the only other NA beer they have. The supply changes all the time though!

That’s great, good news!   I know sometimes they have it and some ships don’t.  The other one they offer (IMHO) is undrinkable.   Enjoy your second sea day.

[Cruise till you drop]

 

11 hours ago, hiccups said:

Curacao was fun just to walk around--not sure if we'll book something this time

 

 

https://www.gonecaribe.com/private-day-tours
 

Gone Caribe was a great experience in Curaçao 

 

 

 

Edited June 26, 2023 by Cruise till you drop

[KKB]

12 hours ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Can you not have two accounts? If you’re with Amazon Prime you should be able to have at least two separate logins per account. My parents and I spilt a prime membership and I have a different login than they do.
 

Also if you don’t know, Libby books don’t leave your device if the return window passes while you’re in airplane mode. It is still “returned” in the ether, so the person behind you in line still gets it on time. I stack my holds to release all at once, then I shut my kindle into airplane mode for a month or two at a time. You just have to be careful though because if you ever take it out of airplane mode, you’ll lose access to the expired books immediately! 

DH uses my old iPad so I guess it is still linked to my Libby account (via our public library). 

Probably could log out & log him in, lol.

I always have a number of books on my Kindle account so it's not a huge deal.

I have Hoopla but rarely find much there.

GOOD tip about the books not being "returned"--my iPad is only turned off airplane mode on a trip when I need to connect to Wifi at a hotel or such.

[Alsmez]

8 hours ago, iTownPrincess said:

As a fellow sun avoider/shade seeker I want to share with you my favorite spot on Equinox.

This is indeed a great little spot on S-class ships! 

[AbbyCruiser45]

We’ve had a slow, relaxing day so there hasn’t been too much to report! When I woke up this morning, the water was the calmest I’ve ever seen it. It was beautiful.

I finished book three of the trip, so that should give some insight into what I’ve been doing! The weather has been nice but the ship has been moving a bit this afternoon. I’m not one to get sea sick, but for some reason sitting at a bar top in the theater this afternoon upset my stomach. 
 

We did try our luck at Bingo today! I was happy to see this on the schedule. Apparently, they’ve just brought it back after 3 years. It was a lot of fun. I think there were 10 winners across three games. The total pot for each game ranged from $1,400-$2,500. I came so close in the last game! Just one away on one board and two away for the other. 

It’s the first evening chic night of the trip, so we are heading to the main dining room for the first time. I’ll share later how it goes! 

[lovetocruisee]

1 hour ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

We’ve had a slow, relaxing day so there hasn’t been too much to report! When I woke up this morning, the water was the calmest I’ve ever seen it. It was beautiful.

I finished book three of the trip, so that should give some insight into what I’ve been doing! The weather has been nice but the ship has been moving a bit this afternoon. I’m not one to get sea sick, but for some reason sitting at a bar top in the theater this afternoon upset my stomach. 
 

We did try our luck at Bingo today! I was happy to see this on the schedule. Apparently, they’ve just brought it back after 3 years. It was a lot of fun. I think there were 10 winners across three games. The total pot for each game ranged from $1,400-$2,500. I came so close in the last game! Just one away on one board and two away for the other. 

It’s the first evening chic night of the trip, so we are heading to the main dining room for the first time. I’ll share later how it goes! 

  Nice sea day.  👍🏽

[AbbyCruiser45]

20 hours ago, jagoffee said:

I would like to see a paper menu that list the extra cost Lobster option if you get an opportunity to take a photo.

Thanks.

Here is the paper menu! 

[jagoffee]

2 hours ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Here is the paper menu! 

Thank you.  It will interesting to see if the second Chic night includes Lobster as is customary.  Many people are suggesting that this Premium Lobster option will be the only lobstered offered in the MDR.
Premium selection are certainly less expensive than the Specialty restaurant prices.

Keep enjoying your cruise.

Edited June 27, 2023 by jagoffee

[Mark_T]

5 hours ago, jagoffee said:

Thank you.  It will interesting to see if the second Chic night includes Lobster as is customary.  Many people are suggesting that this Premium Lobster option will be the only lobstered offered in the MDR.

According to the app, the lobster tail is due to make an appearance on day 7 as a choice on the main menu, not just as an up-charge.(double cheeseburger is day 6).

 

So it looks like it is still there for cruises over 6 days.

 

The rest of the menu that night is not particularly inspiring though with roast lamb as the meat alternative if you do not favor lobster, and flank steak as the 'always available' beef option...

Edited June 27, 2023 by Mark_T

[vickykay]

Lamb chops were always on the smart casual menu the first day ( Eclipse this past May).  My husband’s favorite!). He ordered the roast lamb and found it inedible ( tough and full of gristle). And he’s not at all picky). Our assistant waited replaced it but it was exactly the same.  Hopefully was a one off.  I can’t remember what I had ( excellent) but seems no longer on the menu.
 

[Older Sister]

Question regarding Evening Chic nights:  do you see many people in formal wear (long dresses on women, dark suits on men)?   Hubby and I are cruising in August and we both love to dress up . . . I’m taking a couple of formal dresses, but don’t want to be too conspicuously overdressed.  Thanks!

[bikerunner]

58 minutes ago, Older Sister said:

Question regarding Evening Chic nights:  do you see many people in formal wear (long dresses on women, dark suits on men)?   Hubby and I are cruising in August and we both love to dress up . . . I’m taking a couple of formal dresses, but don’t want to be too conspicuously overdressed.  Thanks!

You see a mix.  There are a good bunch that do dress up in Tuxes and formal dresses and also a mix from sportscoat for men and cocktail dress for women.  Also see many with very casual also.  You wont be overdressed.  

[AbbyCruiser45]

Good morning from Aruba!! We had a beautiful sunrise this morning. I caught it around 6:10 and then went back to bed for another hour. 

 

The main dining room was uneventful last night! It was a fast meal, only about an hour and 10 minutes. I feel like the portions sizes were large last night. I normally do fine ordering a pasta and another entree but I couldn’t finish the pasta or steak last night. Has anyone else noticed this? The server didn’t acknowledge the premium selections. I went with the yellow corn soup, Cesar salad, pasta primavera, and the steak. The steak was medium instead of medium rare, but not bad enough for me to return it. We ended the night by watching the sunset up by the basketball court and listening to music. It was a perfect night!
 

 

We had a smooth sail in to Aruba this morning. They started letting people off about 10 minutes early and we’ll be following soon to head to Renaissance Island! 
 

[AbbyCruiser45]

What a day on Renaissance Island in Aruba! We got off the ship a little after 9 and we were able to walk off with no lines. Renaissance Island is the private island for hotel and spa guests of Renaissance Wind Creek Resort but Marriott. It was about a 15 minute walk from our ship, but the Royal ship was much closer. We were the furthest. We checked in at the spa at the hotel and then you board a boat in the atrium for the island! 

There were flamingos were on the beach as promised! We explored the island a bit and then swam and lounged until noon. They provided towels, which was great. Since we were there early, it was easy to find a pair of chairs in the shade. This would be more difficult later in the day, but it never felt crowded. 

 

We tried to go on the nature walk trail but it was super buggy. We got swarmed by mosquitoes. Somehow, Kaleb didn’t get bit but I got probably a dozen. We dove in the ocean right away and that helped. Most of my bites aren’t noticeable now which is great because one was right on my face. We talked to another couple afterwards and they said the nature walk is their favorite part because it leads to a secluded beach. They said they haven’t been able to do it the last two visits because of the bugs. So proceed with caution if you go!
 

At noon we had our massage and oh my god. It was fantastic and so relaxing. It was open air with the waves crashing and the wind hitting some chimes. It felt like we were there 5 minutes but it was actually an hour. 
 

Lunch was included in our package. It was just one entree, but they brought us some chips on the house. We had the perfect ocean front seat. Service was slow but we did not care since we had our free drink (only 1 per person) and the perfect view. I had shrimp tacos and Kaleb had a whole, grilled snapper. 

 

We hung around the island a bit more before heading back. On our way off the ship in the morning, we each got $10 vouchers for free for the Windcreek casino. So on the way back to the ship, we tested our luck. I made $30 off the free money! Pretty good luck. 

Now we’re back in the ship without a plan, which is a great place to be. I’ll update later tonight or tomorrow about dinner!

[lovetocruisee]

1 hour ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

What a day on Renaissance Island in Aruba! We got off the ship a little after 9 and we were able to walk off with no lines. Renaissance Island is the private island for hotel and spa guests of Renaissance Wind Creek Resort but Marriott. It was about a 15 minute walk from our ship, but the Royal ship was much closer. We were the furthest. We checked in at the spa at the hotel and then you board a boat in the atrium for the island! 

There were flamingos were on the beach as promised! We explored the island a bit and then swam and lounged until noon. They provided towels, which was great. Since we were there early, it was easy to find a pair of chairs in the shade. This would be more difficult later in the day, but it never felt crowded. 

 

We tried to go on the nature walk trail but it was super buggy. We got swarmed by mosquitoes. Somehow, Kaleb didn’t get bit but I got probably a dozen. We dove in the ocean right away and that helped. Most of my bites aren’t noticeable now which is great because one was right on my face. We talked to another couple afterwards and they said the nature walk is their favorite part because it leads to a secluded beach. They said they haven’t been able to do it the last two visits because of the bugs. So proceed with caution if you go!
 

At noon we had our massage and oh my god. It was fantastic and so relaxing. It was open air with the waves crashing and the wind hitting some chimes. It felt like we were there 5 minutes but it was actually an hour. 
 

Lunch was included in our package. It was just one entree, but they brought us some chips on the house. We had the perfect ocean front seat. Service was slow but we did not care since we had our free drink (only 1 per person) and the perfect view. I had shrimp tacos and Kaleb had a whole, grilled snapper. 

 

We hung around the island a bit more before heading back. On our way off the ship in the morning, we each got $10 vouchers for free for the Windcreek casino. So on the way back to the ship, we tested our luck. I made $30 off the free money! Pretty good luck. 

Now we’re back in the ship without a plan, which is a great place to be. I’ll update later tonight or tomorrow about dinner!

   That trip to the island looks like fun 👌🏽

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

1 hour ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

What a day on Renaissance Island in Aruba! We got off the ship a little after 9 and we were able to walk off with no lines. Renaissance Island is the private island for hotel and spa guests of Renaissance Wind Creek Resort but Marriott. It was about a 15 minute walk from our ship, but the Royal ship was much closer. We were the furthest. We checked in at the spa at the hotel and then you board a boat in the atrium for the island! 

There were flamingos were on the beach as promised! We explored the island a bit and then swam and lounged until noon. They provided towels, which was great. Since we were there early, it was easy to find a pair of chairs in the shade. This would be more difficult later in the day, but it never felt crowded. 

 

We tried to go on the nature walk trail but it was super buggy. We got swarmed by mosquitoes. Somehow, Kaleb didn’t get bit but I got probably a dozen. We dove in the ocean right away and that helped. Most of my bites aren’t noticeable now which is great because one was right on my face. We talked to another couple afterwards and they said the nature walk is their favorite part because it leads to a secluded beach. They said they haven’t been able to do it the last two visits because of the bugs. So proceed with caution if you go!
 

At noon we had our massage and oh my god. It was fantastic and so relaxing. It was open air with the waves crashing and the wind hitting some chimes. It felt like we were there 5 minutes but it was actually an hour. 
 

Lunch was included in our package. It was just one entree, but they brought us some chips on the house. We had the perfect ocean front seat. Service was slow but we did not care since we had our free drink (only 1 per person) and the perfect view. I had shrimp tacos and Kaleb had a whole, grilled snapper. 

 

We hung around the island a bit more before heading back. On our way off the ship in the morning, we each got $10 vouchers for free for the Windcreek casino. So on the way back to the ship, we tested our luck. I made $30 off the free money! Pretty good luck. 

Now we’re back in the ship without a plan, which is a great place to be. I’ll update later tonight or tomorrow about dinner!

 

Looks super fun!! Did they have non-fish/seafood options at lunch?

[hcat]

21 hours ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Here is the paper menu! 

we'd pass on any of the meals with up charges..esp with current good but not great quality of food on X!