TeeRick

We have done Eclipse in a Sky Suite and we just did Equinox in a CS suite. Equinox was partially revolutionized. It has the Retreat Lounge (former Michael's Club area) and a Retreat Sun Deck - front of ship, deck 15- a lot of stairs to access it. We used the Retreat Lounge and concierge, and of course Luminae. The premium WiFi on StarLink was excellent. We enjoyed the premium drink package but honestly don't drink enough to make it worth it to us. We used the extra OBC for specialty dining (Murano and TG) and Spa. But we never really used the Retreat Sundeck. We used our balcony instead. The E-Class has all of these things in one area and it is definitely better for suite passengers. But the smaller Luminae on Equinox (and Eclipse) and ability to order from the MDR menu is a very good trade.

Hi @DisneyJenfrom State College! My son went to school there. We just got off Equinox 3 days ago. We were in a suite and pretty much only sail in suites these days. So we usually go to Luminae for lunch when we board the ship. And dinner the first night too. Like others stated, we like the Luminae folks to know who we are and vice versa. But this is just a preference. You will dine there many times and there really is no consequence for missing the first night and going to Murano. We had a hard time booking Murano pre-cruise, even through the shore-side Retreat Concierge. But once on ship we went directly to Murano and they had a good number of openings with decent dining times available. Same for Tuscan Grille. We are E+ so we got the discount without reserving in advance. On Equinox, Luminae was a great experience- both food and service top notch. I can honestly say that for us, the price of Murano ($140 extra) did not get us any better food or service than Luminae. Same for TG. But there is more variety of course. And TG on Equinox has amazing views! Best of luck!

Not one size fits all. Let our friend Google and written reviews help with this for each port. And Trip Advisor. And your Roll Call. Yes the big tour sites (Viator, Tours By Locals, etc.) are usually very good and also safe. But in some ports and itineraries there might be better options. Depends on what you want to see and do. This was the case when we went around S. America and had penguins as a must see. And if we ever get back to St. Petersburg the local companies are excellent. One time we use ship tours - tender ports especially with longer excursions from the port.

Rich- we noticed a few minor changes in Retreat Class last week on Equinox. We were in a CS. Typically we would get fresh flowers in our cabin and at least some kind of fruit bowl. Not this time. We did get the bottle of Celebrity-brand sparkling wine and chocolates on the pillows. I asked the Retreat Concierge - she said they eliminated the flowers but just ask the butler for the fruit. Of interest, the next day we had fresh flowers delivered. All in all. Luminae was great, food was not cut back at all, and the Retreat Lounge was excellent. We did not use the Retreat Sun Deck.

We took the 9 night cruise out of FLL that did Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Curacao and Bonaire. Really great cruise. Equinox is a high service, friendly ship. We had about 2500 on board.

Just off Equinox. The OVC at dinner was as you described - but no grill station.

Tell your sister that I just came off Equinox two days ago. We had a great cruise!

Sheila- probably a fine plan. Just speak to the maitre 'd to let them know what you are doing would be my advice.

The lobster tail is the size of a single jumbo shrimp or prawn. I would need to eat several to feel satisfied at dinner.

Here is how I view things. Fell free to scroll past if you do not care. There is an Ignore Button too. Yes this is called Cruise Critic but in reality it is an open discussion board for all cruise topics. I read and also post both positive and negative opinions on all types of topics. But my opinions are trying to be honest and balanced (to me) but of course the members here will judge for themselves. I expect that and welcome the feedback. I try not to be nasty or dismissive but again you are all the judge. Some days things might come across the wrong way. Sorry for that in advance. As for reviews on cruises or topics, I try to use the idea that the trend or majority of similar posts holds the most weight to me. No one post or opinion is a review. Just a post. Except there are certain long time posters here that I listen to just a bit more because over time I have learned to value their balanced opinions. I still learn a lot here and enjoy it- or why come here at all? Happy cruising.☺️

My dw had the lobster tail (warm water) prepared table-side in Murano last week on Equinox. Nice show at least. She enjoyed it but it was so small that she hardly was satisfied. The person at the next table asked (and received two) so definitely try that. Not sure if Murano has an upcharge for two. But at $140 (incl tip) for the two of us it was not really worth it. But we did have a lot of OBC too. As an aside, we also did the Tuscan Grille. The fried calamari were so rubbery that we struggled to cut them with a knife! I told our waiter that they should call them Goodyear Calamari! However the calamari served in Luminae were cooked correctly and delicious.

I am one of the posters that has continuously pointed out that Spiny or Warm Water "lobster" on ships is a crawfish and is not an actual lobster- a term reserved for cold water varieties with claws. So I am guilty as charged. I grew up in New England, spend time every summer at dw's family place in Maine, and I taste the difference. Sorry- did not mean to come across as a snob or offend you. My favorite shell fish is nicely prepared scallops, even over fresh Maine lobster. All of this is coming out specifically due to the OP's thread title. No other reason.

In general I agree with you. But the combined, consistent feedback of many individuals on a single issue sometimes has the intended effect.

Yes that was our current situation. But honestly we have really been enjoying the cruise and other than the OVC cutbacks for dinner (which we don’t do anyway) the overall cruise has been pretty normal. But we are in a suite so we don’t use the MDR either.

I admit I grew up in the Boston area and go to Maine every year. I would venture to say that we have rarely been served real cold water lobster (with claws) on cruises. Unless advertised as such specifically. We had real lobster on a Canada and NE cruise, and once in Fine Cut on Edge. The Spiny or Caribbean lobster served on most Celebrity cruises is not even classified as lobster. It is a large crawfish. A different species and family entirely. So Lobster night in the MDR is actually Crawfish night. False advertising. Unless from the Southern US would people really order crawfish? I find it funny that there are so many threads about lobster or extra charges here. Do most people know what they are actually eating?

I am a frequent cruiser and in fact cruising on a Celebrity ship now. The overall cruise product has changed over the years. Some changes better and some worse. During the pandemic days when cruising stopped I definitely missed it. But I also learned that there were many other vacation choices to spend my money. I took off my “cruise-only rose colored glasses”. I did different things and enjoyed them as much as cruising. For those mad about the current Celebrity cruise product (including new ships) just spend your money elsewhere and find something you will enjoy. I would never go on a cruise thinking in advance that I will be disappointed. What is the point?

The Tuscan Grill lists Lobster Rigatoni Alfredo tonight as one entree.

Lobster on the menu in Luminae tonight on Equinox. Listed as Butter Poached Lobster. It is probably the spiny version. We will miss it as we dine in Tuscan Grill tonight. We dined at Murano this week and dw ordered lobster. It was prepared at the table. It was definitely the spiny tail. Small.

Back to the topic of this thread. We are on day 7 of a 9 night Equinox cruise. In my evaluation and observation, there has been plenty of good food and food choices in the OVC for both breakfast and lunch. Not much different from before. Most of the usual offerings. They vary a bit each day particularly lunch. They always have Asian, Mexican and vegetarian choices as well as the standards. And egg stations with made to order including poached. And waffles. I remember grill stations but maybe only on M-class. The OVC has only been dramatically cut back at dinner. The dinner is pizza, pasta varieties, salad fixings, and a single hot station with hand-carved roast meats, and a choice of other hot selections plus side dishes.

On Equinox currently and today is an At Sea day so the OVC is packed for lunch. Overall selections are good but I do agree with you about the cheese. LOL. There are a few pieces near the salad bar and a few at the hummus bar. Provolone, Swiss, Cheddar, American. Standard cuts. Not a large amount of any. I have seen fancier cheeses in the Retreat Lounge at afternoon tea time. That’s it. Not sure what the deal is with providing cheese!😟 they have plenty of everything else.

We have had them in Luminae a couple of times this cruise. I have not seen them anywhere else on board.

We come back on Monday Jan 30.

I think the app is accurate once on board but not really too accurate pre-cruise with things like menus.

We also take a couple of Covid self-tests with us just in case.

Jim I have been pleasantly surprised by the Retreat Lounge on Equinox. I was expecting the worst I guess, but I really like it.