pinkrosesdeb

Just back from Equinox and we did find it difficult to find a dinner entree most evenings. Quail, pheasant, squab, lamb & duck don't work for us at all. However, every breakfast was wonderful and the absolute best service from crew all over the ship. We ate 2 times in Tuscan and 5 or 6 times in Oceanview when we didn't like the evening menu in Blu. No big deal, we certainly didn't go hungry.

We really enjoyed the quiet, personal service at breakfast in Chops. I was even able to get eggs benedict.

Next week at this time we will be onboard Equinox so we really appreciate the time you took to do this! Thanks, it was beautiful.

We prefer the Freedom class because we find the Oasis class too big and hectic. They are great ships but we have felt really crowded at times. I don't think you can go wrong with either ship, it is definitely personal preference. I really do find the rooms on Oasis class MUCH smaller than Freedom class and that is an issue for me also. If you love lots of activity, choose Oasis. If you want to relax, choose Freedom. Whichever you pick...HAVE FUN!

Windjammer has a pretty big selection. You will find lox and bagels, they also have great oatmeal, grits, bacon, cooked to order omelets or fried eggs, pancakes, donuts etc. I am not a fan of their already cooked scrambled eggs because they have no real taste. The dining room has a serve yourself buffet as well as a sit down breakfast and you can do both. There is yogurt and fruit and granola on the bar for example and the dining room has my favorite...eggs benedict. Even though I am trying to lose weight I have to have it on a cruise it doesn't seem like a cruise without it. All standard breakfast fare is available as well and you don't have to carry your own tray.

We are on Equinox and anxious to try Bistro on 5 but would not try if it changes to Sushi. Especially at those prices. We sail soon for our first time on Celebrity so I guess it may be our one and only time to try Bistro. Change doesn't really affect our choice because we have never gone hungry on a cruise.

We are diamond plus with royal and one of our favorite perks is the BOGO first night in the specialty restuarant of your choice. You can usually book another night while you are there and receive the BOGO again if both of you are diamond plus. I don't know if there is a similar thing for diamond. But, I know you will enjoy the diamond lounge. Go early and get a seat or you will also be given 3 vouchers for drinks at any bar during the happy hour times. If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer for you. Deb

Thank you for the help. We look forward to learning as much about Celebrity as we have about Royal and it did sound from other posts like it was a toss up on first night offers. So we will see what we get.

For all you recent Equinox cruisers...we are Elite for our first cruise as a result of our standing with Royal. When we board Royal we are offered a buy one get one at a specialty restaurant the first night. Is there a similar deal on Equinox? I have seen several differing offers and I guess it seems like it depends on the cruise? That maybe there is NOT a set offer. Can you report on your cruise, please? We enjoy doing specialty on first night. We are considering Tuscan or Murano. Thanks again for all your help going into our first ever Celebrity cruise, we are so looking forward to it. Deb

It all sounds wonderful! Thank you so much! Deb

That is what we have always done on Royal also. I am sure we won't go hungry!

This is our first Celebrity cruise and we booked Aqua based on friends suggestions mostly because of Blu. We don't eat duck or lamb. We stick to beef or fish mostly. Will we be disappointed? We are still pretty easy to please and can usually find something. It just seems lately most posts have been about choices for which we don't care.

OP, as you have seen, there are several of us who DO love that promenade thing and the others who have already sailed after RCL DID enjoy their Celebrity cruises. I am looking forward to my first time on Celebrity with great anticipation and will not go on in a negative state of mind just because there is no promenade!

We love the promenade also but will be on our first Celebrity cruise next month. I will let you know our opinion. I say don't let one feature color your decision because I think we will find many other things to love.

There has been a lot of chatter on the Royal Carib. boards about how firm their new mattresses are. I suspect the OP is trying to compare. I haven't had a problem on Royal, this is first time on Celebrity and it sounds like we will be fine here too. However, one of my friends cruised with us on Royal a few years ago and said she could not sleep at all because her bed was too firm. It is very subjective but I would go with prior advice and maybe ask for a topper asap upon boarding and trying out your bed. Whatever happens, please enjoy your cruise!

Wow, there is nothing on that menu that would prompt me to pay $30 pp. We are pretty easy to please and look forward to Blu but plan to try Tuscan and Murano.

Who worries on a cruise????!!! No time for that, must relax and have fun. I just am trying to figure out what's what on a new line. I could give you all kinds of info on Royal and what to do onboard but on this one I don't have the slightest idea. First times are adventures though so looking forward to the experience. I am not a fan of sushi but it won't affect our fun either way, we would just save $10pp! Thanks again to all you Celebrity alums who are willing to share your knowledge...it is very much appreciated. Deb

We are on Equinox in March, anyone know if Bistro will be changed on this ship? First time on Celebrity so not much info on this line yet but willing to learn

We have looked at MSC but after a travel agent friend of ours took an MSC cruise she said it was the first time she couldn't wait for a cruise to be over. I don't know the particulars that sent her over the edge but it made us nervous. I will be very interested to hear your experience! Always nice to have options. We did try HAL, not for us! Never went back or considered going back. Trying Celebrity in March but they,too, are getting pricey so open-minded about choices. Haven't been on NCL since the 70's but might give it a try.

Every Royal cruise we have ever been on they have the kids from Adventure Ocean dress as pirates and "capture the ship" Maybe they can tie your son's wish in with this on Labadee since it is their private island. Not sure how it would work but they might be able to give you some ideas. I hope his wish is totally granted in a most incredible way! I believe you can make this happen for him and that you will find some willing helpers along the way.

We found waterproof cases at walmart in several different colors. They are just big enough to carry ID, extra cash and our sea pass when in port. I also use it onboard as it is always easy to access.

We also cruised HAL ONCE...would not go back! We did love our staff, they were some of the best. The rest of the cruise lacked all the way around. As said by others, shows were "let's get out of here" bad. When we left dinner it felt like a ghost ship, no one to be seen anywhere and we are not really late night people but we felt super young on that cruise and we were in our 60s. Have not tried Princess but would not rule them out.

Someone in an earlier post stated that the Princess website includes the balcony sq footage in their cabin total where Royal lists them separately maybe this is the confusion. We have never sailed Princess so I am not sure just going by what has been previously posted. I can say we have loved our cruises on the Navigator!

LOL, sorry I, of course, meant LOOK! After 46 years, it is still how I look in his eyes that matters to me. So, if he says "you look beautiful tonight", quite frankly, I don't CARE what anyone else thinks about me. I dress to please the ones I am with not the ones who seem to feel they have the right to judge all others around them. I feel like we do a pretty darn good job of dressing up without having to go to a tux and a long gown. We have done many formal functions and now choose not to have to do so on vacation. I am encouraged by the new change and I believe the vast majority of people will be well groomed and nicely dressed so we won't focus on those who aren't...it is their life and their vacation, won't affect us at all.

I think "chic" is in the eye of the beholder. I don't know that there is an exact definition as it would apply to cruise wear. I think it is going to be just the same as "casual" or "formal" everyone will interpret their own way. If you and your husband are both happy with the way you like you should be fine. I am thinking dressy pants and a nice blouse or a short dress. Maybe a coverup for the dining room but everyone will have their own idea and I am fine with that. Enjoy your vacation your way