NCHPcruiser

As much as we enjoy the ship, and it is a big part of why we enjoy cruising, we couldn't imagine not getting off the ship to at least walk around and get some exercise (outside of the gym). You are obviously younger than many (if not the majority) of Celebrity cruisers. I think you might begin to feel cooped up after a week with no port visits.

I look forward to your review! I was on the Equinox five years ago and am looking forward to being aboard again in September.

Thank you for the replies. We enjoy the extra space of the sky suites and are considering an Asian itinerary on the Millennium.

How do sky suites on the M-Class ships compare size wise with those on S-Class ships? I am thinking they may be somewhat smaller but thought I would ask the wise folks on CC.

Our Mediterranean cruise last September was a "motorcycle cruise". We would never have known had we not signed up for a special dinner with a couple that was part of the group. It was interesting to here about all of the security involved with this group. Each bike is thoroughly searched when it returns to the ship after a port ride and only a small amount of fuel can be remaining in the tank. The riders then go through regular security. Cycling clubs in port meet and plan rides for them.

Lawn Club Grill may be our favorite as well and we will miss it on the Equinox in September. While on the Silhouette in February it was never busy!

We are looking forward to trying Sushi on 5 having tried Bistro several times in the past. It was just okay we thought.

My husband looked at the new menu a few days ago and is excited. I enjoy a little sushi but don't typically make a meal of it. The menu looks like it has several cooked items so I'll probably be happy, especially after reading one of the previous post. The prices do not seem out of line, assuming the quality is there. The couple we will be traveling with are also looking forward to the change.

My husband and I, unknowing, had an accessible sky suite booked for our upcoming Spain/Portugal cruise. When I discovered what our TA had done, he explained, as I have read in other post, that we would be moved to another SS when one became available and that the accessible SS was the only one available at booking. A short time later when friends decided to join us on the cruise, they were able to book a SS (through our TA). While happy for them, we were upset with the TA (and Celebrity) for not switching us to another SS when one was available. We simply couldn't live with knowing that we could be depriving someone of much needed space that we could do without. We ended up moving to another (more expensive) SS as that was all that was available. Our TA thought we were crazy to pay more for less space! It seems that Celebrity (and our TA) couldn't have cared less who booked the accessible cabin!

Thank you for such a well thought out review. While issues like formal nights are not important to us (we have ample opportunity during the year for this and really don't want to pack and carry the additional luggage this would entail although we have on past cruises brought the gowns and tux) I respect your opinion and preferences and wish you had enjoyed a better experience with Celebrity. We did not have stellar service from our butler last September aboard the Reflection and I also had to complain about very slow bar service. I would encourage you to try a S-Class ship, although "dress code" issue would be no different. They really are wonderful ships!

How much time do we need to allow for check-in, security, finding correct platform etc. for a train leaving Madrid? Our tickets will have already been purchased. Unfortunately, we will not be traveling as light as I wish!

Thanks everyone for the replies. The questioning doesn't seem to be standard but I think a letter from the doctor is still advisable to be on the safe side.

Be prepared for a phone call a week or two ahead of embarkation even in a Sky Suite. We have been in a SS on our past two cruises and each time have received a phone call prior to leaving to ask if we had any special request. We are not Elite if that makes a difference.

Thanks Debbie (Groovybusybee) for your reply. I thought the questioning was unusual so hopefully we will not encounter it. However I do think a letter from her doctor will be good to have. I will have to broach this subject with her husband.

Friends recently returned from a land trip in Spain. On their return through Madrid airport they mentioned that people traveling together were put in separate lines and questioned (even her 18 year old son was separated). She was asked the usual (What brought you to Spain) but also asked how many children she had, what work she did (then had to explain what a housewife was), she added she was a volunteer and then was asked what exactly a volunteer did.

Is this the protocol with Barcelona airport security as well? We are traveling with a friend (58 years old) who has memory issues and I am concerned with her being separated from her husband and questioned.

Thanks!

My husband and I are obviously in the minority but we never liked Molecular and we tried on multiple occasions. We weren't crazy about our drinks (for the most part too sweet) but really it was the poor service that turned us off. They were always out of an ingredient that was key to the particular cocktail we ordered and of course it was always the drink the bartender had just recommended. Last summer on the Reflection it was empty (or almost) when visited. Hopefully WCB will offer better service while we are aboard the Equinox in September.

I wore white capris for many of our excursions last year in mid-late September on our Med cruise. Many, many others did as well. I also wore white dress pants and white dressy jeans several evenings. I plan to do the same this September on our Spain/Portugal cruise. BTW I am North Carolina southern girl and most definitely wear white pants well before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. My 80 year old mother does as well though she probably wouldn't have 20 years ago.

You have so much to look forward to!! I hope you and your in-laws enjoy your cruise.

Very informative! Thank you for taking the time to write this comparison (and posting your photography) as well as the review on the Celebrity forum. We have only sailed on Celebrity S class ships but after your comparison now know that we could easily be happy on a Princess Ship, at least we could be on the Ruby.

Surprisingly I like the Blue Martini (usually not a fan of blue drinks) and the chocolate martini's are wonderful too (better than the ones my husband makes)! I immediately bought Hpnotiq upon returning from our last cruise and have tried with limited success to duplicate the ones I enjoyed on the Reflection and Silhouette. White cranberry juice is very hard to find! Looking forward to both drinks aboard the Equinox in September!

Although I realize the itineraries in Asia are not terribly popular so this is unlikely but I would love for an S class to sail one occasionally.

It's interesting that the F&B manager said the dispensers were popular. Perhaps they are however I've spent quite a bit a time in Cellar Masters and never saw anyone use them. Has Cellar Masters been changed to Gastro Pub on some ships?

We usually board between 11-12. It's a good time to have a quick bite to eat and spend time exploring the ship especially if you are like us and it's a new ship. All of our cruises (only five) have been on different ships, all Celebrity. We like to stop by the Specialty restaurants to make any reservations we want for the rest of the week. If you are interested in any of the classes in the gym, it's also a good time to sign up for those as some fill up fast (especially spin classes).

We have been Aqua Class on five cruises and have always been checked in promptly with no waiting. Perhaps we have been lucky. We always arrive between 11-12. We think Aqua is absolutely worth it (primarily because Blu is great!) but would not pay more for Concierge.

Am I to understand that you would not be able to get a cosmopolitan at any of the bars? But could order vodka, cranberry juice and cointreau separately?

We really, really like Blu but we LOVE Luminae! It is one of the main reasons we book a suite. We don't find Luminae staff to be stuffy or too intrusive at all. Looking forward to Luminae again in September and will likely try Blu once or twice as well. Perhaps we are too easy to please!