Pier290

BACK IN 2017 WE WERE ON EQUINOX AND RANDOMLY RECEIVED AN INVITE IN OUR CABIN TO JOIN A SELECT FEW TO THE HELIPAD FOR CHAMPAGNE AND SAIL AWAY FROM ST THOMAS.....IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!!

DO THEY STILL SEND THESE INVITES OUT?

We went in November.

Bought turtle farm tickets at the door.

Taxi took us from port....kinda far....over 20 minutes away.

No taxis at turtle farm for return.....there's an outdoor podium with a few turtle farm employees , they will call u a cab....we had to wait a bit for one to take us to 7 mile beach after the turtle farm.

Is it easy to navigate around via golf cart??

We don't want to waste time looking at a map all day to get lost and waste the day in Bonaire!!

Looking to see a few of the most famous sites but really looking to hang at a few awesome beaches/bars as well.........

Is this for us?? 3 women and a golf cart?! ???

Anyone been to Aruba Barcelo RECENTLY via the day pass?  All inclusive etc....

How is it?? Beach? Food? Drinks?  GOOD???

WORTH IT?? 

13 minutes ago, justcrusn said:

Yes, category matters for this.

If you are in a suite or concierge there is a lunch just for you!

If not then you have 3 options without extra cost.

1. The buffet (excellent but crowded)

2. Aqua spa cafe in the solarium (limited menu)

3. Mast grill by the pool!  Yes, its burgers fries and hot dogs but they are sooooo good! We rarely eat burgers and fries, but somehow on the ship they are a treat.

Agree...Mast Grill is delicious!!!!

13 minutes ago, CruiseAF said:

And also, where can I smoke other than the sunset bar and pool bar? 

Smoking isn't allowed inside the ship at all. Including in your cabin or balcony.  

Really looking for a fun beach time from 8am til 1 or 2 with loungers and booze...not really interested in food....is Calico Jack's worth it or should we head to Royal Palms again ??  

1 minute ago, AnnemarieC76 said:

The Summit - 

We sailed Summit to Bermuda.....lovely ship!! We are early 40s...sailed on her 9 years ago....great cozy vibe on that ship!!! Incredible service.....one of our most favorite cruises.....

Enjoy and you be you !!!😎🍷🛳️

We've done both....

Celebrity excursions are more costly and shorter duration....we hated paying so much for a 3.5 hour excursion that only got us 2 hours or so of excursion time.

We've booked several excursions on our own and they have been incredible!  Just research on Trip Advisor or other internet sights for reviews!!! Super helpful.

What ship are u on ?

I know it's still hurricane season....and the ABCs are not in the hurricane belt..... wondering what other cruisers have experienced in September as far as weather, seas, hurricanes go.....Grand Cayman, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Key West mid-Sept.....

Good, bad, ugly stories?!  😜😝

Get pool loungers early.

Baked Items in Cafe Al Bacio are free.

Don't miss the Martini "show"

Love Equinox.....sailing on her again for 10 days in September.

Enjoy your cruise !!!!🛳️😎🌴

I know they tender to Cayman but do they dock at ABCs?

Hearing they are doing away with plastic?  True that the Evian is in glass bottles on Equinox? 

Please don't direct me to the Bonaire board as there isn't any current info there...

Anyone go to Spice Beach Club in Bonaire?  Yay or nay?  Close to port? Accessible via rented golf cart?  Fun? Food good? Good drinks? Nice beach????

Looking for stops as we are renting a golf cart for the day.....love a good sunny beach and good booze!!

3 hours ago, keesar said:

We just returned from a really enjoyable cruise on the Equinox. Highly recommended.    Here we go:

 

Highlights

- There was a great variety in music with the House Band playing on several evenings in the Atrium and Ensemble Lounge.  Performed in the theater as well.

- The bakery chefs were just outstanding.  The desserts tasted as good as they looked!  Great bread and rolls.

- No waits at bars for drinks. Note straws are now made of paper.

- The Celebrity Whale Watching Excursion in Samana was exceptional.  Saw numerous whales but the seas were rough as we approached the opening of the harbor. Bags were provided....     North  Atlantic humpbacks winter there with  the babies.

- The Staff in Blu was exceptional and worked as a team.  Food was of high quality and served hot.

- Discounts were abundant for the Specialty Restaurants.     20-30%.

- Improved production shows with familiar songs added.  Singers and dancers were just  on  board in their 3rd week and were really good. Excellent nightly entertainment.

- Dinner 5 in Oceanview was  a Fish Market theme.  8 varieties of grilled fish for you to choose from.  I ordered Red Snapper and  swordfish.

 

Lowlights

- Arrival in San Juan.  We pulled up to the pier at 3:10 and did not get off until 4:30.  Told by an officer "This one you can blame on the Captain".  We were surprised to hear that!

- Floors were slippery in the OceanView Buffet. There was one nasty fall and we noted others slipping.  Wear shoes with good traction.

 

Other Info:

- Walk off by self began shortly after 7:35 a.m.  3 agents checking Passports in Miami but we got through quickly.  Made it to FLL before 9 am.

- Our excursions included St John's Trunk Bay Snorkel,  Atlantis Aquarium in Nassau and Whale Watching in Samana--all thru the excursion desk.

Discounts on specialty restaurants....were they for specific nights at specific restaurants or just discounts overall?     Wondering because we booked Murano for our second to last cruise night on Equinox and I'm thinking I might cancel it if they offer discounts once on board??

Is it worth it?? What's the difference between Chef's Table and just a regular dinner night in the specialty restaurants??  Is there an extra charge above the $40-50pp??   When is it held typically?  Is it popular? Crowded?  

We have Tuscan one night and Murano one night booked on our 10 day in Equinox..... wondering if we should try this Chef's Table experience???

We are also on this cruise in September....we are staying at Lago Mar and have done so several times 😎

7 hours ago, miamilady305 said:

How long did it take to get to the resort from the cruise port. We are only there for 6 hours and they take you back 2 hours prior to boarding time. That's not much time . Just trying to see if it would be worth it.

 

They told me both at Shore Excursioneer and the hotel that it's about a 30 minute drive.

7 hours ago, Jwood9149 said:

I would love to hear your thoughts on the Barcelo. I am looking at purchasing an afternoon pass for my family. I see that shore excursioner has a pass but I don't see an afternoon option. I see an afternoon pass on carribbeandaypass.com but they don't have a kids price. Who did you purchase your afternoon pass from? Thanks!

We got them thru Shore Excursioneer for the entire day....they are good til 6pm

Hello back from Chicago!  Perfect time to be escaping our winter ....it definitely has been a long February....anyhow we're going on the 10th day Southern on Equinox in September..... looking forward to your Edge review!!!  Happy sailing!! 🍸🍾🍷

Took Silhouette from Venice on Greek Islands cruise..... absolutely perfect ship!!! Loved her. Incredible food and service.  Bon voyage!

14 minutes ago, Ozzmund said:

Another satisfied golf cart renter here.

We brought a little cooler filled with bottles of water.

Be sure to pack sunscreen.

We stopped and swam at the 1,000 steps, very refreshing.

Enjoyed the flamingos as well.

If you are not diving or snorkeling in Bonaire, the golf carts are a must do.

Enjoy

Reserved ours for September!! We don't dive or snorkel so I'm super excited for this!!!! Thx for the info!!🌴😎🍹

17 hours ago, TTEllis said:

Yes, it is pricey and I weigh all that out. But unlike many day passes that aren't completely inclusive, this day pass includes great transportation(to the resort and back to the ship). I had 3 Bloody Mary's and 3 Santa Barbara Sunsets, straight up $20 a pop cocktails all included, I'm not one to get hammered, great buzz all day but not hammered, we left this place blistered in more ways than one. Drinks were fabulous. I was hammered when we left the resort, and so was everyone else.

 

For lunch I had the Ultimate Nachos and Mahi-Mahi tacos were AWESOME, included,  anything we wanted we got. Food was great.

 

This is important, go back to your right behind the Beach Bar and walk the beach, beach, water, sand is some of the nicest in the Caribbean.  Boardwalk about 75 ft. off shore that connects both ends of the beach it's genius. Walk it, I did, it's really something different and a really nice touch.

I tried to figure this place out, I walked out to the beach looked back at the hotel it's absolutely magnificent, here's what I came up with.

Swiss/Bavarian with a north African accent smothered in Southern Caribbean. I know that sounds crazy but that's the closest thing I can come up with to describe this place. 

Your in for a wonderful experience. You've made the wisest choice. 

I'm looking forward to reading your review, one last thing and this is the most important thing you can do when you get to the property. Go straight to the bar and get a Bloody Mary, right off the bat. The rest of the day will take care of itself. Hope that helps Todd

 

🍹🍸😎🌴

5 minutes ago, AugustoEverAfter said:

Perhaps someone can help me with this as well. We've had drink packages with other cruise lines and they always seem to have a limit per day. For example: Cannot spend more than $89. If you go over that, you have to pay for the extra. Is this the same for Celebrity? If we decide to do a bev package we will be purchasing it since it didn't make sense to get it as a perk when we booked (We saved almost $1000 PER PERSON by booking a resident rate). 

 

Thanks for all the help in this thread everyone. Im really enjoying it!

No limits!