BSinPNS

SHIP: Solstice

CABIN #: 1630

DECK #: 11

CLASS: AQ2

AREA: Aft

BED NEAR: Bath

QUIET?: Steward closet is across from 1632 and we occasionally heard some noise about 6AM. Although you could faintly hear entertainers from deck 3 in the hallway, you could not hear them in the room.

BALCONY VIEW: Standard AQ

BALCONY SIZE: Standard AQ

WIND A PROBLEM?: No

SOOT A PROBLEM?: No

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: Six cabins aft of the elevator area. Access through the balcony partition to 1628 is easy, but access through the partition to 1632 is very restricted by the strut going up to deck 14. We enjoyed the large overhang as it kept the rain and sun off our veranda. Directly above the gap between lifeboats 15 and 17.

Master - Yannis Berdos (Greece) (arrived in early March)

Chief Engineer - Stavros Zannikos (Greece)

Staff Captain - Panagiotis Kiousis (Greece)

GRM - Jeff Potts (Canada)

Hotel Director - Ryan Kingston (England)

Cruise Director - Ian Cresswell (Australia)

F&B Manager - John-Paul Lamb (Canada)

Executive Chef - Robert Sauer (Australia)

Captains Club Host - Chandru Advani (India)

Chandru is the ultimate CC host who knew everyone by the second meeting. Ian Creswell is a good cruise director who was appropriate for the Australian cruise season.

The rest of the officers stayed away from guests unless absolutely required. Only Ian attended the CC gathering on both legs and then for just a few minutes. This was very different than the Eclipse in November 12 when all the senior officers and others attended. (Of course Host Andy was there along with his mom.) In talking with the crew, it appears that about half the crew is turning over before the Alaska runs begin. Of course most will return after two months at home. I was amazed that over 90% of the crew returns for a subsequent contract; certainly a credit to Celebrity.

Full drydock in Great Bahamas Shipyard last year before going to Europe for the summer and on to Australia and Alaska. See http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1540739. Equinox has not yet visited the yards.

Master Nikolaos Frantzis

Chief Engineer - Emmanuel Archontakis

Staff Captain - Dimitris Petras

GRM - Bosco Pires

Hotel Director - Chroistophe Belaubre

Cruise Director - Esperanza Gambrodues

F&B Manager - Karl Halberg

Executive Chef - Jason Banyon

CC Hostess - Rose Dalisay

Ship: Eclipse

Cabin #: 1560

Deck #: 11

Class: AQ1

Area: Forward

Bed near: Window

Quiet?: Very quiet

Balcony view: Good. Window washing equipment four cabins forward

Balcony size: Standard

Wind a problem?: No

Soot a problem?: No

Problems/comments: Loved large overhang on sunny and hot Caribbean 14-day cruise

We arrived and walked off the Zuiderdam about 12:50 and took a quick peek at the twelve or so shops inside the terminal before we met Bully who was waiting for us before our scheduled time. What a great person and tour guide. We had previously scheduled a three hour tour of the island with him. He explained that it was hard to set a schedule due to traffic and that anything over three hours would be "on the house." As we were departing the city (in heavy traffic), he showed us the best shopping areas for later, talked about the government jurisdictions, explained the school system, economy and lots of other things. He was a true ambassador of the island. We saw most of the highlights including ?the big hill?, the desert and many cacti, the former natural bridge and it's smaller cousin, Bushiribana gold mine with its gorgeous views, California lighthouse and its views, Alto Vista chapel, the high-rise and low-rise hotels and condos before arriving back at the ship. Bully had some refreshments in the car and stopped at his favorite bakery and treated us to a local delicacy. After about three and a half hours, he dropped us in the shopping area with precise instructions about how to get back to the ship. We took lots of pictures from just the right places as Bully knew exactly where they were and how to get the right lighting.

Thanks for maintaining the thread and the great information and responses.

We are driving in on Friday (11/11) and boarding on Monday; planning to stay at the Homewood Airport (Dania Beach). Loking for suggestions on how to spend Saturday and Sunday - interested in boat tours and other things to do. Also any idea for light meals - will get plenty of food on the Zuiderdam. Thanks for keeping this thread.

Equinox

Deck - 11

Cabin # - 1623

Class – Aqua

Starboard or Port Side - Port

Bed near?(balcony or bath) – Balcony

Quiet Cabin (With comments on problems. Note if connecting. ) – Reasonable quiet, but there was airflow noise. I suspect that it is either from the intakes to the diesels or an intake in 1625. Noted that the balcony overhead in 1625 is lower than other with an air intake.

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – The bulge precludes some views directly toward the bow.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? – Normal for class.

Was wind a problem? No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? No

Any specific problems with this cabin? Wonderful cabin.

Any other comments? Best part about Aqua is dining in Blu.