Underwhelming drink menu? Suggestions for favorite drinks.

[InTheDrink]

Just now, joyefullcruiser said:

I will be on the Equinox in a few weeks and will definitely be checking this out!

 

I haven't been on the Equinox for some time, but I remember the hours being very limited. It is around the corner from the pool bar, on the starboard side (I think) near the doors to the Solarium.

[neverlaysup]

I tell them exactly what I want and the exact alcohol to use, if they don't know how to make it...I tell them that as well.

[lyndarra]

8 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Why do you even need a drink menu?  Just ask for what you want.  If it is a bit unusual then be prepared to tell them what goes in it.

How can I ask for what I want if I don't know what I want? I am not a regular drinker of cocktails, I never have them at home, only on cruises, so I am not familiar with what's available.

I am disappointed by the lack of drink menus, not only on X.

I ask waiters for a list and their response is similar to yours, "tell me what you want". I have gotten to know a couple of drink types but I like trying something different - "variety is the spice of life?"

 

[lyndarra]

2 hours ago, InTheDrink said:

I think you might like the Slush Bar on the Equinox and Eclipse- I wish it was on more ships! You could always see if bartenders have the ingredients for these.

 

On the whole, I have been less impressed with Celebrity's drink menus recently- I think they are trying to be too "hip," with lots of crazy ingredients that do not always result in a well-balanced cocktail, especially at the hands of certain bartenders.

 

I recently too my first cruise with Princess and LOVED their bar menus and found that their frozen drinks were not overly sweet. I'm going to write down some of my favorites before my next Celebrity cruise and see if a bartender can make them for me onboard.

 

I have done one Princess cruise and was happy to find comprehensive bar menus on tables in the pool area. Lots of choices.

[InTheDrink]

14 minutes ago, lyndarra said:

How can I ask for what I want if I don't know what I want? I am not a regular drinker of cocktails, I never have them at home, only on cruises, so I am not familiar with what's available.

I am disappointed by the lack of drink menus, not only on X.

I ask waiters for a list and their response is similar to yours, "tell me what you want". I have gotten to know a couple of drink types but I like trying something different - "variety is the spice of life?"

 

Here are links to the drink menus (2023): https://profcruise.com/celebrity-bar-menus-2023/

[The Colonel_Cruises]

12 hours ago, numnums said:

On my last ship on the apex in Dec, 2022. I noticed an extremely small selection of drinks available. I have to say it was quite disappointing, as I was expecting some more frozen drinks or the like, preferably without any alcohol. Another unrelated reason was that the bar was overcapacity and I had to flag down waiters or stare at them intensely. I mostly got coffee at Al’s and evians on my premium, with some alcohol at night or during shows.

 

Now I’m not going to ramble about how some service was questionable, but I just want to know if anyone else knows if this is normal? When I went to the spa cafe, I was looking forward to some smoothies but I really didn’t want to have some ingredients included, or I really just wanted one or 3 mixed flavored such as mangoes, strawberries or bananas. The juice selection was quite underwhelming too. Am I missing some shop or part of the ship that offers more variety, or select buffet timings?
 

Are there any othe cruise lines that can offer frozen fruit drinks? Mango lassies, milkshakes? Or do you guys have any suggestions or anything I should ask or look out for. And I love fruity cocktails, but I really didn’t see anything appealing to me on the menu except trying this extremely sweet syrupy mock tail.

 

My next sailing on the ascent is arriving soon, so I think I might just get the zero proof for some variety. Any suggestions, favorite drinks? I might have a go again if I have a better idea what to look for.

I feel your Apex concerns.  Any issue we had on the 2022 translant from Ft Lauderdale to Amsterdam, I just highlighted the issue to the staff and it was resolved for the rest of the cruise.  Literally, they remembered the issue and made an effort to overcome every time they saw us.

[NMTraveller]

13 hours ago, numnums said:

.Another unrelated reason was that the bar was overcapacity and I had to flag down waiters or stare at them intensely. I mostly got coffee at Al’s and evians on my premium, with some alcohol at night or during shows.

 

Which bar was overcapacity?

[numnums]

8 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Which bar was overcapacity?

It was the bar at the pool, it was very busy all the time actually(On almost all the days!) Though It being an apex ship and people coming back to cruising, I understand. It was very new, and I still have an amazing experience.

 

I believe the bar somewhere in the top floor in the back, behind a buffet or something was a little less busy? 

1 hour ago, The Colonel_Cruises said:

I feel your Apex concerns.  Any issue we had on the 2022 translant from Ft Lauderdale to Amsterdam, I just highlighted the issue to the staff and it was resolved for the rest of the cruise.  Literally, they remembered the issue and made an effort to overcome every time they saw us.

Yea, I feel like I should have said something, I usually just ignore it when I'm alone but I really hate when people I'm with have to experience something that might be discomforting.

 

I think next time I'm just going to go to the desk right away on the first day about being overlooked on accident. Not as a staff problem thing, but that perhaps I'm someone that just needs a little more assistance. It happens to me frequently day to day, I believe it might have something to do with my short stature and maybe looking very meek? For some reason, I tend to be easy prey for people to do what they want, I had passengers straight up throw away my drink and take my table at the buffet. Being ignored, cut, etc. I am very happy to say that the staff in general is very lovely, and the ones that were so kind to me really make up for any mistreatment or being ignored. Most of my painful

experience was just other passengers and older folk. I was in my early twenties during this, and heading to my mid twenties on my next sailing!

 

3 hours ago, lyndarra said:

I have done one Princess cruise and was happy to find comprehensive bar menus on tables in the pool area. Lots of choices.

As a new cruiser and vacationer, I LOVE comprehensive menus. It helps me be more decisive about what I want.

 

I have issues with memory(health problems) so trying to remember every ingredient to make the drink I want is a bit taxing. If I have to tell them how to make it, I prefer to say a popular drink or one with very simple ingredients. A menu in general just feels so helpful for those with and without cognitive problems.

[numnums]

6 hours ago, InTheDrink said:

I think you might like the Slush Bar on the Equinox and Eclipse- I wish it was on more ships! You could always see if bartenders have the ingredients for these.

 

On the whole, I have been less impressed with Celebrity's drink menus recently- I think they are trying to be too "hip," with lots of crazy ingredients that do not always result in a well-balanced cocktail, especially at the hands of certain bartenders.

 

I recently too my first cruise with Princess and LOVED their bar menus and found that their frozen drinks were not overly sweet. I'm going to write down some of my favorites before my next Celebrity cruise and see if a bartender can make them for me onboard.

 

 

Oh my gosh!! Now this just looks divine!

 

I think i have a sailing for one of them on 2024! 

 

I'm currently writing everyone's suggestions down and ingredients on a notepad so I can bring it with me on the ship, lol! I'll have my own personalized menu then!

 

Gosh, I would love that coco berry rita and El blanco! The mint cookie one just makes me hungry!

 

I agree, some of the ingredient combinations that I read did not appeal to me at all... The drink was either very bitter, too sweet & syrupy, or alcohol overwhelming the flavor(Though might just be my buds not used to drinking). I wonder why they don't improve their drink menu, I think it would be very helpful for newcomers such as I who are trying to learn everything and not miss out.

 

6 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

Quite possible that another bar will be able to prepare the drinks you desire... there are quite a few on the ship...

 

I Am thinking the bar at the pool might be the place to go for this...

 

Cheers and bon voyage

Yes, Next time I'm going to try to visit all of the different bars!

 

I haven't been able to squeeze myself in the bar pool, it was always so very busy. I'm going to try next time on the ascent, but maybe that will be very crowded too since it is the new ship.

 

Many thanks!

[Bo1953]

3 hours ago, lyndarra said:

How can I ask for what I want if I don't know what I want? I am not a regular drinker of cocktails, I never have them at home, only on cruises, so I am not familiar with what's available.

I am disappointed by the lack of drink menus, not only on X.

I ask waiters for a list and their response is similar to yours, "tell me what you want". I have gotten to know a couple of drink types but I like trying something different - "variety is the spice of life?"

 

Sounds like some research is on order before sailing....

 

See attached and ask for whatever strikes your fancy sans alcohol...

 

Cheers and bon voyage

 

Unusal Cocktail List For X.pdf

[lyndarra]

1 hour ago, Bo1953 said:

Sounds like some research is on order before sailing....

 

See attached and ask for whatever strikes your fancy sans alcohol...

 

Cheers and bon voyage

 

Unusal Cocktail List For X.pdf 1.96 MB · 13 downloads

Thanks. Have printed it.

[markeb]

Honestly I like seeing a good bar menu. I have a short list of usuals (mostly classics and not frozen drinks), but I’ll find things on a drink menu that interest me and give them a try. I also find it’s useful (harder at times on a busy cruise ship bar) to just talk to the bartender. Most will ask you what you like. I normally drink Manhattans. A good bartender might have a twist on that or a Rob Roy, for instance. The servers are less likely to suggest. 

[hcat]

8 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

Sounds like some research is on order before sailing....

 

See attached and ask for whatever strikes your fancy sans alcohol...

 

Cheers and bon voyage

 

Unusal Cocktail List For X.pdf 1.96 MB · 18 downloads

great list with ingredients.. that should be a big help to OP..

 

We always see drink menus in each bar area as well as in the buffet..never been an issue for us

[Bo1953]

37 minutes ago, hcat said:

great list with ingredients.. that should be a big help to OP..

 

We always see drink menus in each bar area as well as in the buffet..never been an issue for us

hc and everyone else - I need to write that I did not create this list, it is from one of our esteemed posters of yore... around 2012, if they are around, please step up and identify yourself... 

 

I Am sure there are more to add here, please feel free to do so and let us know about them...

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[hcat]

50 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

hc and everyone else - I need to write that I did not create this list, it is from one of our esteemed posters of yore... around 2012, if they are around, please step up and identify yourself... 

 

I Am sure there are more to add here, please feel free to do so and let us know about them...

 

Cheers and bon voyage

hi Bo..

I still remember you as one of the Original  "EDGIES"..with Vt Cruiser and others!

Hope to meet you on board some day!

[Bo1953]

3 hours ago, hcat said:

hi Bo..

I still remember you as one of the Original  "EDGIES"..with Vt Cruiser and others!

Hope to meet you on board some day!

hc - Yes, those were the days AND that was the forum with lots of decorum!!!

 

I look to meet you as well... 

 

bon voyage

[Payd]

It wasn't long ago that Celebrity used to have quite extensive menus located at the bars. I think that a  fun thing to do on vacation is to try something new. There have been quite a few drinks that we never heard of before seeing it on the menu! These are posted from 2025 sailings . . . I cannot remember when they stopped posted them.

[DaKahuna]

 I am old and stuck in my ways. 

 

 Rum Old Fashioned

 New Fashioned

 Old Fashioned

 Side Car

 Spicy Margarita

 Margarita on the rocks

 

 and of course just good rum or bourbon on the rocks. 

 

 

[PTC DAWG]

6 hours ago, Payd said:

It wasn't long ago that Celebrity used to have quite extensive menus located at the bars. I think that a  fun thing to do on vacation is to try something new. There have been quite a few drinks that we never heard of before seeing it on the menu! These are posted from 2025 sailings . . . I cannot remember when they stopped posted them.

From the future, I like it. 

[tigervixxxen]

Each bar in the Celebrity app has their menu listed of their “specialties” to give you some ideas of what you can order there. In general my favorites are the martini bar, lots of fun flavors to try. The Mast Bar has been my go to for the frozen fruity drinks. On my last cruise they had peach, mango, strawberry, lemon (or just plain daiquiri), and pina colada. I now now about French Caribbean I’ll give a try. I’m also partial to mojitos, you can ask for just about any flavor they have syrup for. The Casino bar is another one with extensive supplies that’s easy to hit in the evenings while walking about the ship. Cosmopolitan, Amaretto sour, Lemon drop are some easy drinks that any bar should be able to make. 

[Payd]

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

From the future, I like it. 

Oops . . . 2015 . . . love the response DAWG!!!!!