kearney

We were on Equinox late Aug - early Sept. I woke up early on the last sea day and noticed a scratchy throat. I had accidentally turned the heat on in the cabin and thought that dry air might have been the cause. Later in the morning I realized that the symptoms were getting worse and went to medical. ... testing positive they took me back to the cabin and like OP... they had my husband test. The rest or our experience was the same... funny thing...in some ways it worked out better for us than I would have expected. I was dreading our departure. DH needs wheelchair assistance..which has been unpleasant on several of our recent cruises. The issue had nothing to do with the cruise line..but with the port staff. The crew quickly gets you off the ship when your bag # is called.. BUT then you have to sit near the elevators waiting for one of a handful of staff to wheel you into the elevator and through customs. On the first Edge sailing it took an hour to get from the ship past the elevator. But having Covid.. they took us down the crew elevator..and straight to the car.. which took us to the ParknGo. They had taken image of our passport so that step was eliminated.. It was the best process. At the time I asked the driver how many people she thought had Covid..she said 44... later I heard reports as high as 50. My symptoms were pretty mild and the worse lasted about 2 days..then congestion and exhaustion continued for a week..DH caught it as soon as we got home...his congestion was worse than mine..but he did not get the nausea I got the last night at sea. I though Celebrity handled it very well. I did not look into any refund..since the last day was a day at sea...  

I used to pack for DH a jacket, ties, long sleeve dress shirts and a nicer pair of trousers and shoes. During our covid cruises.. I dropped the jacket and ties and for myself I dropped the cocktail dress and various heal options in favor of nice ankle slacks with Chico type flowy tops... which I wear regardless of if the night is chic or casual. At this stage of my life.. I try to lighten up the packing as much as I can...while still having a fresh look. Odds are you will never see these people again...

21 hours ago, Host Anne said:

There is definitely a difference in the size of the balconies of the angled cabins.  7219, the cabin closest to the "hump" cabins (those are the ten flat-appearing balcony cabins that are in front of hte elevators) has the largest balcony.  Likewise, the first cabin with the angled balconies on all sides of the hump (7241, 7264, 7286) have the largest balconies.  Each angled cabin going away from the hump is slightly smaller, although still larger than a standard balcony.  These cabins are always in high demand.

 

One thing I recommend, though, it consider a higher deck (8 or 9) as some of the angled balconies on deck 7  that are smaller ones are somewhat overlooking the lifeboats on deck 6.  There's no lifeboat obstruction if you are on deck 8 or 9 with any of the angled balconies.

 

The angled balcony cabins are definitely better than the standard cabin balconies in my opinion.

 

Hope this helps.

On deck 6 the two angled cabins closest to the flat section.. are generally less expensive than the two angle cabins next to them.. The reason is the lifeboat davit...which gives a bit of an obstructed view.  If you don't mind that chunky bit of equipment.. you can save a few $ while also having a larger veranda. The biggest issue..other than the davit.. is the possible cigaret smoke from the promenade deck on 5.. can't recall if the smoking area is port or starboard..but I do recall periodic odor of smoke. But the verandas are the same size on all the decks above. Generally the angled cabins are a bit more expensive than other veranda cabins..except for the couple I noted with davit view.

Wow... I see all this discussion of internet speed and think back on why we started cruising to begin with. Back in the day.. I actually had a director who called back my boss from the ski slopes because of a problem...that when he arrived back at the office... the director forgot what the problem was..  We began cruising vs other options..because it was the one place I could tell my company that they couldn't reach me unless willing to spend a lot for a call to sea. Never had a problem and since then..I use it to disconnect..only connecting using Elite benefits to periodically check email. Man am I glad I retired before total availability was the norm.

22 hours ago, twincheryl said:

Thanks so much for your comments.  We're on Apex in January 2023 and Oct 2024, as well as Edge in May 2024.  We spend several hours of our day in Sky Lounge reading and socializing, so we'll surely miss that area.  Hopefully we can find another place with some kind of windows to enjoy... or may be a deal breaker for us as well.  

If that ship is like Edge.... you might find some seats on the ramp in Eden... not so good for socializing..but a nice view out the back. I love the S class for the Sky Lounge... we would spend quite a bit of time there, either reading or watching the ship pullout of various ports. Alas there is not place to do that on the E class...unless you don't mind looking at where you have been..vs where you are going. 

I was going to attache a link to a great page that showed the views from obstructed cabins on S, M and E class...but Celebrity has deleted it and replaced it with other info and does not include info on obstructed view...oh well. 

Even if you have not filled out the special needs form... the cabin steward can get distilled water for you. On our last cruise the steward even taped down an extension cord to help us avoid tripping in the middle of the night. If yours doesn't do that.. ask him/her to... it helps.

On 9/10/2022 at 10:30 AM, SECdawg said:

We are on Equinox on Oct. 6th. How was the entertainment? Any where to watch college football?

Thx

I hate to tell you this.. but college football was spotty. Oh there will likely be a game but not necessarily the one you want. They have two ESPN channels, but not sure programming will be college football or another sport. DH wanted to watch the ND - Ohio state game... so I checked the bars and found that they have the same channels the room has... so no extra broadcast opportunities. There was some College football but not big games. If I recall we did see Wisconsin - Illinois..that was about it. Craft Social and casino bar have TVs.. so if there is a game.. those are places to watch.

It is hard to avoid being near one of the setup areas... getting far from the kitchen is easier. I have not seen the beverage area..so I am not sure where that even is..  In general we have been seated with the same wait staff on each cruise we have done using select dining. DH has mobility issues and the host/hostess has done a good job of seating us fairly close to the entrance. Things are busy during dinners and there are lots of busy areas with passengers coming and going. If you get early and snag a window seat..it is away from most of the noise and traffic flow. 

I received my docs 30 days before the cruise..and I booked directly with X... I would call.  You don't need them if it is on your app...but..things happen and I like to have hard copy. Last cruise..which I booked and used my credit card ..etc...when we showed up ..they had my husband in the system..but not me. We had to go to the counter to straighten things out... now I didn't actually need the hard copy..but as I panicked..I had the comfort of having additional proof that I was supposed to be on the ship. Turns out I was on the ships database..but somehow not on whatever system they had at the terminal.

16 minutes ago, judatt said:

We did 2 cruises out of port Everglades in January. One was 12 days and one 11 days. We drove to the port and parked at port Everglades. We considered parkngo but decided to park in a covered building and near the ship. Yes, it was $15 a day but off site parking wasn’t cheap and all of it left your car sitting in the sun and subject to hail, etc 

on our first cruise, the slip we were in was changed to a distant part of the port. I dropped our bags and my wife and I went to park in the garage. There was a shuttle waiting and I was back to the terminal in 5 minutes. After the cruise we rode the same shuttle to the garage - no lines and we were there in just a couple of minutes. 
on the second cruise our slip was right across from the garage. Easy walk. After the cruise we walked with our bags to the garage and we’re there in a couple of minutes. 

I like parkngo..in part because DH has mobility issues and it is nice to have someone else handle the bags... our daily cost is less than $10 day.. the difference adds up on a long cruise. Everytime we have used them our bags are loaded quickly and usually only a few minutes wait for any additional passengers.. the wait on the back end has been short as well.. Again having someone lift my 50pound suitcase into the shuttle and then into my trunk.. is worth it..and not walking for DH...   We used to park in the terminal but I prefer this route... but it is nice that there are parking options ... keeps the lines leaving the garages..shorter.

As a side note..apparently hail is unusual in Florida something about the aveage temperatures melting ice before it hits the ground and if an issue it will be in the spring. Just did a google search ..so blame them if wrong:) 

We have parked at ParkNgo on Eller Dr. They take you to and from terminal in a shuttle…unload and load luggage. If you make an advanced reservation…you estimate arrival times…earlier you do this the cheaper it is. The only bad thing is that they park the car  and hold onto the keys. I have photographed the exterior or the car and do a walk around when I pick it up…just in case. But there service is great and cheaper than at the terminal 

Passport bar has a number of zero alcohol cocktails.. the run about $5 so the classic package is all you need for those. I assume you can get these at other bars as well. I tried to alternate regular cocktails with one of these... they were quite good... some perhaps sweeter than others.. you can also get virgin versions of drinks too

On 8/19/2022 at 2:01 PM, scidee said:

Any chatter as to where the "covid cabins" are located?   

Also we sail Aug, 28.  Have you heard about how many passengers wil be aboard?

I hope you mean Equinox on Aug 29th... cause otherwise someone will either be early or late

Lately is seems that if you see a deal on a cruise that is coming up soon..it will be for cruise only vs AI. I am sailing in a week and after months of unfilled ships..that one looks quite full.  I have been tracking prices on that cruise and each 'sale' has been higher than the one I booked... they keep raising the gross price of the cabin so they can offer what appears to be aggressive deals. I would just keep track of prices and if you find a better deal..try to get OBC. 

13 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

As the lines start NOT requiring test, it will be harder and harder for those passengers that do have to get the test done to actually find one.  I doubt the proctoring service can survive without a certain number of customers.  

 

I think this will be what drives most lines to NOT require testing..folks just won't be able to find one.  

I think you raise a valid point. Some of the locations we looked at back in Dec no longer do testing or are not doing the rapid antigen test. I have an appointment next week at a place called test4free.org... They are in a parking lot. I keep going on line to make sure they are still there. Now so far..it appears that they are still "test for free", but I warned DH that we could be surprised when we get there.

31 minutes ago, Julma said:

I had not received an invoice just a confirmation email.  I called this AM, asked for an invoice and stayed on with agent until I received the emailed invoice.  All Included was not on the invoice. I then explained to agent that my confimation states AI.  After he understood what had happened he sent me to resolutions.   I was on the phone 75 minutes from beginning to end.  I emailed agent from resolutions a screenshot of my trip summary.  I had several screenshots along the way, but the trip summary was enough and Celebrity honored it.  Most of the time spent on the phone was on hold while they figured out how to make it work.  Resolutions was able to send me a new, correct invoice.  Fingers crossed that it carries over to the ship!  The screenshot saved the deal.  Without it, I have no doubt I would have a cancelled cruise.  I will always take screenshots going forward.  While this has taken a chunk of time it was worth it.  I hope you all have it as easy and thank you to the folks on this topic for their help.  Appreciate it!

Good to know... I am a belt and suspenders person...so I always bring hard copy of everything..just in case. Last cruise.. DH and I were checking in.. the port agent looked at DH and said.. are you traveling alone? They did not have me in the system... had to go to the counter and straighten things out. Eventually it got straighened out.... but it took a while.. not sure if all my paperwork helped but it did show that I was the 'owner' of the reservation... which made it even more of a mystery ... why I disappeared and he remained. Technology..isn't it grand

Nothing like an age limit on a tour to make you feel old....Just turned 70 and need to check my booked excursions.  Where is the shuffle board when you need it...

On 8/14/2022 at 9:07 PM, UKYgirl said:

I did the promo code…..got a great deal, and when I went to print everything out, it left off the “all included”……no gratuities,drinks or Wi-Fi on my documents, but it did have the $100 OBC…

thank goodness I’m such a paranoid person I screen shot everything because I have had problems in the past!  I have a screen shot of the pricing where it’s all included. Calling Celebrity tomorrow.

 

EVERYONE…..CHECK YOUR DOCUMENTS!!!

Let us know what happens... if they honor the info on your screen shot

On deck 6 there are a few angled cabins that are considered obstructed...forward facing 6207, 6209, 6208 and 6210. These have generally been priced the same as other obstructed cabins on deck 6.. they have the lifeboat davits partially blocking the view. Personally I have no issue with this and have booked these a number of times. The other obstructed angled cabins are 6243,6241,6240 and 6242. the other angled cabins tend to be priced a the higher end of the regular veranda pricing. Using not a large difference.. but the deck 6 angled obstructed I felt were a pretty good value. (I am referring to Equinox.. the category names differ a bit on other S class but the obstructed cabins on 6 are still grouped with the lower priced ones on 6

17 minutes ago, OT-Miami said:

The games were not available on the stateroom TV.

That is promising for other games.. I assumed that they would be the same offered in the cabins.. 

7 minutes ago, OT-Miami said:

DH & I (long-suffering but still hopeful Dolphins fans) have sailed twice on Equinox during football season, and we were able to watch every game that aired during our sailings (3 games in total) at Craft Social.  Miami plays twice during our next Equinox cruise in October, 1:00 PM the first Sunday and SNF the second Sunday, so I’m fairly confident that they will air onboard.

Do you recall if those same games were available in you room or just in the bar?

I had a similar question for a college game. If I recall correctly they carry ESPN 1 and 2..so you might check their schedule for that day. Alas the ND - Ohio State game is on ABC. I think we can stream that on DHs laptop ..but will have to upgrade wifi to do so.  I believe that the televisions in the casino likely are carrying ESPN 1 and 2..not sure they get another service..if so..why not offer that to passengers as well? Checking the link below it looks like the game you want to watch is on CBS and Paramount plus. You might be able to stream that ..we are novices to streaming but I think..if you have cable that you might be able to log onto your cable provider account and stream Paramount plus if they carry that... but still trying to figure this out for myself..   https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/nfl-tv-schedule-2022-fox-nbc-cbs-espn-amazon-tnf-snf-mnf/

If it were me... I am a nervous nilly... I wouldn't try it. I have an additional reason to the ones stated... just the planning and thoughts about risk..would impact my ability to enjoy the last day at sea. So for me... and this is a personal thing.. I am willing to take more time... so that I can enjoy every day of my cruise... but that is me... I always have back up plans for my back up plan.

12 hours ago, helen haywood said:

Thank you for your review and glad you had a good experience!  Just a note re the over the bed storage bins, they should have been completely empty and totally just for your use.  If anyone encounters this situation, just ask your steward to remove the items.

That surprised me too... we have never noticed items up there. Perhaps they were place there temporarily and the room steward forgot them? Glad OP had a great cruise... we were on Equinox back in April and will be again in a few weeks. I love this ship and the others in this class.