matondo

We were on her Oct 10-16. Crew was fantastic! Food in dining room was a bit hit or miss HOWEVER we always found something that was good and the wait staff never batted an eye when we asked for something different. They told us we were at 69% capacity but that was the weekend of the Southwest fiasco so lots of last minute cancellations. Loved the new muster drill. Walked on ship went directly to muster station and 5 minutes later we were done. Shortly before sailaway they did another briefing over the PA but it was probably another 5-7 minutes. Going on the Vista in January!

Our cruise was for November 2020 we got our taxes refunded in November and we just got the rest of our refund last week! We do not plan on booking any cruises until cruising has officially been underway for a few months. Had three cruises cancel on us and I do not want to get excited about cruising until I know it is really going to happen. I will be back hopefully in the not too distant future.

I am not sure what to think. Tonight I was able to log in. I can now book excursions at all 3 of the ports of call. The option to check in for the cruise is available. It almost seems too good to be true. This is so crazy. 

1 hour ago, IsanTom said:

I am booked for 11/1/20 MSC Seaside on a B2B, so still planning on sailing. Also we are booked on a B2B on Seaside in December. I'm just ready to sail anywhere. How about you?

I totally agree. When they changed the ports, I really did not care because I was needing my cruise fix. Not sure how we are going to celebrate our 40th anniversary which was 2 months ago. This was our third cruise we had booked for this. I asked DH what he thought about an all-inclusive and he said would rather cruise so we might just wait until 2021 and see if we can do something then. I keep reminding myself....first world problem.

We are paid in full for the November 1, 2020 MSC Seaside out of Port Canaveral. For the past month when I have logged into the MSC website I get this pop up  "Plan my Cruise and Cruise Details sections are not available for now. You can still access your account settings and MSC Voyagers Club. Thank you!". We are 42 days out, when do we get to start planning our cruise if it really is going to happen? Sigh

Here is my two cents...first to answer your question, there are quite a few tables for two...go for it. What would be rude would be asking to sit at a table for four and demand no one be seated with you when you would have no need for a larger table.

My thoughts...our last HAL cruise (December 2018) we tried anytime (or whatever it is called) dining for the first time and loved it! We sat at a table for two every night..the first night we walked up without a reservation. Got our table for two but we were next to a table with three children who were out of control. They were so loud we could not carry on a normal conversation and left before we even had dessert as I was getting a headache from the crying, whining and carrying on. We have three small grandchildren my tolerance is very high for noise and crazyness but this was even was beyond that. 

The next day we walked around the dining room scoped out the tables that were more "isolated" and started making reservations. It worked out really well. Please note that availability of the tables were limited so our dining time choices were either before or after the prime time for that cruise. We were good with that...we had nowhere we had to be...Bon Voyage!

Thank you for taking the time to review your B2B2B...I am a long time fan. We are Celebrity fans and have sailed twice on the Equinox.

Not sure if I missed it, but did you post any updates on your children. I think most of us long time followers feel like we watched them grow up starting with your first review of your B2B2B2B.

I have yet to try open dining on HAL but have done it on Celebrity on more than one occasion. I love the freedom of being able to head down to dinner when I am hungry not when it is time for me to be hungry. 

Terrydtx we are like neither time works for us for set time dining so I was thrilled when they rolled out the my time dining.

We will be sailing HAL for the first time in 8 years. Since that time we have mainly been sailing on Celebrity. It will be interesting to see what we think now we have been away for so long.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.

I have cruised both lines. Carnival is much more of a party ship. HAL is more quiet and a great cruise if you are looking to relax. I would also do some research on the actual ships that you are looking to book. HAL ships usually have a smaller passenger load. Carnival ships, the newer and bigger ones have a lot more bells and whistles.

Visit both cruise lines boards, maybe that will help you in your decision. Bottom line any day at sea beats just about any day on land.

A co-worker of mine is on this same cruise. I look forward to reading about your experiences. Have a great trip and enjoy!

Looking forward to reading your post. Our 9 night Navigator is over a year away.

I just shared this thread with DH....we got off our cruise September 4 and I asked him when the cruise ended for him. He informed me he was still on it.:rolleyes:

I would say the last bong on the way off the ship....next cruise we have booked is over a year away...sigh....

We just got off the Equinox on September 4. It was a wonderful cruise. So happy you are enjoying it as well.

I think the name of the group is December 63 they performed on our cruise as well. It was so funny we were all standing and singing along. I looked down and thought how cool the whole crowd is swaying to the music and then I realized it was the ship movement causing everyone to sway in sync.

On the Equinox for the President's cruise there was 2 nights of comedians (different ones), 1 comedy magic act, 3 production shows (Elysium, Life, and Topper), a Broadway revue style show with the singers and dancers, and I can't remember the other night (8 night cruise).

 

The other night was December 63, they were a Frankie Vallie and the 4 Seasons group. Which was also very enjoyable.

 

We only made it to 3 of the shows we were too busy having fun elsewhere.

Eating breakfast in your pj's!

If you are not at sea hanging you wet bathing suit out to dry.

We will also be cruising with you! Thank you for taking the time to post the 10 pictures a day. So excited someone with more experience in reporting on a trip will be on the same cruise DH and I are on.

Looking forward to running into you on the cruise.

I think you will love the Equinox!

We will be on the President's Cruise this coming Sunday. If it had not been for the Roll Call we would not have heard about any of the special offerings.

We have a special night in San Juan that is complimentary. A couple of special excursions. Several special beverage events and food events that are themed to the Caribbean as opposed to the more generic wine tastings, mixology classes and food events. I am really excited!

However, I do have to confess we were originally supposed to go to Alaska during that time period and due to unforeseen circumstances we had to cancel. The only other cruise that fit the parameters we had set was the President's cruise. No regrets here....it was a happy ending.

Leaving on the Equinox one week from today...August 27....your review will tide me over until I can experience the real thing once again.

Thank you!

I have been on the Enchantment when it first came out AND after they stretched it. It is a beautiful ship. Love their solarium. And pool deck/bars. Lots of. Nice features on it. It is older in comparison to Equinox. Size? I guess Enchantment is a bit smaller... I personally WOULD go on it if you want a smaller ship. When is the Enchantment sailing to the ABC islands? I can't find it on RCL website. I see the Freedom and Adventure....

:o:confused: It's not it is the Navigator of the Seas....I was having a moment...........so if you all could reflect on your responses keeping in mind...I really, really need a vacation...2 weeks from today cannot come soon enough.

I am sorry about the misinformation.

We are on the Equinox for the August 27, 2017 President's sailing...any word on any special entertainment they might be bringing aboard?

Thank you for your review. We are getting ready to sail on the Equinox for the second time later this month!

I have a question and I think you would probably be able to give me a good answer. I found a cruise on RCCL that has the ABC islands at a time of year both hubby and I are able to take vacation. However we have never cruised RCCL, this is the Enchantment of the Seas ship. DH loves to spend a lot of time in the cabin and on the balcony. I love how Celebrity ships rarely feel crowded and participating in activities.

I know this is totally subjective but in your opinion do you think we should go for it?

Looking forward to reading your review.

We board the Equinox two weeks from tomorrow. Question....we seem to be of the minority that did not get a drink package....could you please see if there are any type of adult beverage specials?

Bon Voyage!

Thank you for taking the time to post.

We are getting ready to cruise Celebrity for the third time and while we love Celebrity I would like to try out a different ship with more bells and whistles.

IMHO when it comes to cruise reviews those of us hard core review readers would rather have more than less. If it doesn't interest us we know how to skip ahead to read what we want.

I am excited for you as well. My goal is to always have a another cruise booked before I get off my last cruise. So far it has NOT worked out for me...LOL:(

We leave in two weeks for our first cruise together in almost 3 years, I snuck in a Mother-Daughter cruise Dec 2015 so I am with you about being excited. However, my DH does not share my excitement and against my better judgement I brought up what he was going to wear for the dress up nights....he kindly told me it is too far out to think about what he will be packing.

So happy to know that there are kindred spirits out there who like to think about and plan their cruises way in advance.