No night life on Equinox??

[Gracie115]

We are loyal Celebrity Cruisers..have enjoyed Solstice twice & are booked on Equinox & Summit for future cruises... The night life offered is fine for me--quiet except for a few nights of party events... great Cirque type production shows...nice lounge music

 

However, we just returned from Navigator of the Seas--what a contrast--the place was really alive at night--some clubs did not even get started til midnight..lots of music , events, action & parades & great production shows--even liked the comedian magician... The ice show was enjoyable but not great!!!

 

Live bands (reggae , latin, party, etc) much much better than current X offerings...very big difference if you like music & bands....

 

Food was excellent but of course not the level of Celebrity in quality, slection & service--although Chops equalled Tuscan Grille to us..

 

The ship was bit too big for us--did not like the mall concept & some of the pax were a bit on the rowdy side & "underdressed"--wife beater T shirts, sloppy....

 

But for younger & more lively folks than us & anyone with teens (what a great teen program they had!) I think Navigator would be preferred over Celebrity--even the S classs ships-- we of course remain loyal to X..but open to other experiences!!!

 

 

No question that Royal is more lively....and accented towards a younger crowd. But our recent trip on Solstice was great and the food quality in our mind was FAR BETTER than anything on Royal, even Chops which I really like. But if you're looking for late night entertainment Royal beats Celebrity hands down.

[DHADEN]

No question that Royal is more lively....and accented towards a younger crowd. But our recent trip on Solstice was great and the food quality in our mind was FAR BETTER than anything on Royal, even Chops which I really like. But if you're looking for late night entertainment Royal beats Celebrity hands down.

 

This is funny, because we have cruised RCI about 15 or more times and have recently (the past 2 years) seen the "Live entertainment" decrease. We just went on Infinity, and LOVED the wide variety of late-nite live music for dancing.

 

I thought Celebrity has more entertainment than RCI. I guess it depends on which ship you're on.

[Lsimon]

We've found the lounge entertainment to be very inconsistent on Celebrity over the past few years. Especially for music that rocks a bit.

 

First, let me explain that we're in our 50's and enjoy rock music from the 70's and 80's and some newer music as well - but not hip hop or the more modern disco mix type of music.

 

On our first Celebrity cruises about 5 or 6 years ago they had fantastic party bands from St. Lucia (Voltz and another one). They also had great acoustical guitar players that would mostly play the outdoor aft bar with nice soft acoustical rock music - think Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, etc. The bars were filled and my mid cruise you had to get to the aft bar early to get a seat.

 

Over the past few years we've seen the quality of the rock music drop considerably. Sometimes the party bands are fairly good, and sometimes not, but nothing like the bands that played in the Caribbean in the 2004/2005 time period. The acoustical guitar players have more often been people that play a more mature style of music that is more akin to background dinner music than the acoustical rock songs you'd go to a bar to listen to.

 

Overall the trend has been away from music that rocks and more towards a more mature music that is trying to appeal to too wide an age group - and all this in a time period when the age group that enjoys rock music is aging and cruising more and more. The worst was our cruise in Europe a couple years back where the only decent rock music we heard was at the pool side music trivia with recorded music - shows they had the demographics for the music right but not the live musicians on board.

 

One exception was our last cruise on the Equinox, which was a TA cruise. The party band was fairly good, especially considering it was a longer TA cruise with a more mature crowd. The guitar player was a really good player named Jefferson Ang who played a pretty soft style of acoustical rock but did it exceptionally well.

 

These days we're still sailing Celebrity as we've made so many friends on board and really enjoy other aspects of their cruises. We know they've just replaced the director of entetainment in the head office and hope there will be a return of consistent better quality lounge music to the line.

[Gracie115]

This is funny, because we have cruised RCI about 15 or more times and have recently (the past 2 years) seen the "Live entertainment" decrease. We just went on Infinity, and LOVED the wide variety of late-nite live music for dancing.

 

I thought Celebrity has more entertainment than RCI. I guess it depends on which ship you're on.

 

 

Ah...but I agree with you about Celebrity having MORE live entertainment than Royal. My point was that Royal is "livelier"....pointed more towards a younger crowd. The amount of "live" entertainment has decreased on Royal but they still have much more current music than X. Our Solstice cruise two weeks ago had A LOT of live entertainment, I mentioned it to my husband several times, but it was NOT rock and roll, most of it was pretty mellow stuff, not current music. Which was fine, I thought the entertainment was great....but I'm not 20 and haven't been for some time......

[DavietheScot]

Just back from a 10 day cruise on Equinox, during the day it is fine with various music on at the pool etc and a number of other activites around the ship, BUT I see the original poster asks about dance music at night, well, on the Equinox the live music stopped in the main foyer at 8.30 pm, leaving the main part of the ship dead for the rest of the night. We were not into the shows so if you want dance music and dont like Jazz or Piano music that is available in the lounges outside the resturants( This put me to sleep) you are struggling. There is a few nights when they do have the band playing in the Sky Lounge at 10.00 PM but this was never well attended and it is only on a few nights. Overall we had a great cruise but the entertaiment for anyone who liked a drink and to stay up late was very very poor.

 

Last edited by DavietheScot; Today at 08:22 AM.

 

 

I put this in another thread and add it hear as my feelings on the subject, that if you like a bit of nightlife Celebrity are not the cruise line to offer it.

[ellbon]

I was on the same cruise as Davie the Scot. I really enjoyed the one hour of music they played on deck 3 each night. Some nights it was better. As far as the Sky bar goes many names it did not have live music..

 

i did enjoyed Michael's club but not as much as on the Solstice. I just was to busy enjoying shows or the martini bar.:D Many nights I went to sleep by 12 as i was up so early.

[DavietheScot]

That's my point Robin, the live music on deck 3 was always popular, but stopped at 8.30 pm ??? Why could they not keep it going until later or even start it again after the 2nd dinner sitting.?? Very poor show I just feel they try and push you into the show which you know we did not like, or the casino which again was not for us. I am not a teenager but for gods sake 8.30 pm ??? is way to early. This is a great class of ship but Celebrity need to have a look at there entertaiment programe.

[ellbon]

That's my point Robin, the live music on deck 3 was always popular, but stopped at 8.30 pm ??? Why could they not keep it going until later or even start it again after the 2nd dinner sitting.?? Very poor show I just feel they try and push you into the show which you know we did not like, or the casino which again was not for us. I am not a teenager but for gods sake 8.30 pm ??? is way to early. This is a great class of ship but Celebrity need to have a look at there entertaiment programe.

 

 

the problem here is many nights it was the same band that was in Skybar that started at 10 pm.. i think it would be great if there was live music form 100 to 11 before the late show or to 12.. it could be anything at all..

also the Celebrity band could be in the theatre and the Caribbean band in skybar so who would be playing there?? the ship needs a dance band I agree. on century i found the same thing.. music before dinner but then n the bar had stuff i was not into at all.

i do not gamble but i did see more shows then you did..but never the late night comic and only did one 12 am show. it was funny.

now write celebrity and see your answer. i got two about the chair hogs.

[GeorgeL]

Just back from a 10 day cruise on Equinox, during the day it is fine with various music on at the pool etc and a number of other activites around the ship, BUT I see the original poster asks about dance music at night, well, on the Equinox the live music stopped in the main foyer at 8.30 pm, leaving the main part of the ship dead for the rest of the night. We were not into the shows so if you want dance music and dont like Jazz or Piano music that is available in the lounges outside the resturants( This put me to sleep) you are struggling. There is a few nights when they do have the band playing in the Sky Lounge at 10.00 PM but this was never well attended and it is only on a few nights. Overall we had a great cruise but the entertaiment for anyone who liked a drink and to stay up late was very very poor.

 

Last edited by DavietheScot; Today at 08:22 AM.

 

 

I put this in another thread and add it hear as my feelings on the subject, that if you like a bit of nightlife Celebrity are not the cruise line to offer it.

 

I totally agree, as I already mentioned in numerous other posts on the subject. If you enjoy nighttime entertainment/dancing (not the waltz)/music (not jazz) then Celebrity is NOT the cruise line for you.

[Kan't Wait]

Granted the 'live' music may stop at a certain hour but the night club will have a DJ and will play music as long as there are people in the club. The OP stated that she likes a late night in the disco or the lounges. I don't think that 'live' music is a must to have a good time especially if the DJ plays music the passengers request.

[GeorgeL]

Granted the 'live' music may stop at a certain hour but the night club will have a DJ and will play music as long as there are people in the club. The OP stated that she likes a late night in the disco or the lounges. I don't think that 'live' music is a must to have a good time especially if the DJ plays music the passengers request.

 

Of course, people can dance and listen to DJ's choices (and put in requests, as I have often done). As you said, DJ will play music "as long as there are people in the club" and the problem with Celebrity is that there AREN'T (m)any people in that particular venue and that's precisely my point. So it's not the band offerings that is the problem but that the types of bands/music/entertainment offered is reflective of the passengers' preferences which in turn are often reflections of their age. This was my point in previous posts on the subject where I stated that, in my opinion, there was a certain "graying" of Celebrity customer base in recent years with the average age of passengers seemingly on the rise. In other words, they play what most folks want to hear. That is why, if you are after some hot and wild nighttime fun (ok, maybe not too wild:)), Celebrity is NOT the ideal venue.

[oldmanbob]

I understand the need to enjoy live bands and all, but having been in my early 20's when disco WAS popular, all the clubs played disco...all of them.. except for a few C & W bars. But at every bar where disco was king, it was unusual to have a live band... most were always DJ's. and the dance floors were always packed.

 

Live bands are great, but disco, IMO, is almost just as enjoyable with a DJ. On the Infinity to Alaska in 2008 they did have a Village People night and the entertainment staff all dressed up like the Village People. It was great fun, lots of laughs and went for 2-3 hours.

 

Now live rock banks that is a different story. But I do wish they would have a band that could give decent renditions of bands like the Eagles, Or CSN or Buffett or YES, .. heck even some Aerosmith, KISS or Queen would be fine.

 

Celebrity... you read these posts... are you paying attention?

[scrustyrock]

Granted the 'live' music may stop at a certain hour but the night club will have a DJ and will play music as long as there are people in the club. The OP stated that she likes a late night in the disco or the lounges. I don't think that 'live' music is a must to have a good time especially if the DJ plays music the passengers request.

 

It's not only live music that's the problem, the shows we saw were lacking and there was very little other entertainment to be had in less you wanted to listen to borning music. In fact on our Equinox cruise on September 9 the CD did at least one show all be himself since they didn't have any entertainer, we were sitting near him in a restaurant and he was conplaining about this. During the day they had very little to keep you occupied. One sea day it was raining and there was so little going on people were in the game room play board games. I only took this cruise because it was so port intensive and I felt even though the entertainment was low keyed it would be OK was I ever wrong!

[Kan't Wait]

It's not only live music that's the problem, the shows we saw were lacking and there was very little other entertainment to be had in less you wanted to listen to borning music. In fact on our Equinox cruise on September 9 the CD did at least one show all be himself since they didn't have any entertainer, we were sitting near him in a restaurant and he was conplaining about this. During the day they had very little to keep you occupied. One sea day it was raining and there was so little going on people were in the game room play board games. I only took this cruise because it was so port intensive and I felt even though the entertainment was low keyed it would be OK was I ever wrong!

 

That's too bad that you weren't entertained enough. We never depend on the cruise line to entertain us. On sea days we just relax by the pool, go eat, relax some more. At night we have late seating and then just end up at a bar/nightclub/lounge. Cheesy shows don't interest us so we never depend on going to them for something to do. We might check out a stand up comic or sit in on the kararoke but mostly we just chill out and do our own thing. We are never bored. The ports are where we have our adventure. I guess we are fortunate that we enjoy just being on a cruise and are happy doing absolutely nothing.

[Ray_Ray]

I share your concerns. I'm sailing on Solstice in less than 3 weeks, and I'm 24 and enjoy a few late nights on the cruise. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

If you enjoy a few late nights you're in luck, there will be few late nights on the Slostice. The ship is very chic but half the pax are 70+ so prepare to be in the minority.

[FinelyCruising]

With only half 70+, if that's even true, you are not in the minority. I don't agree that 70+ represents that demographic from cruise to cruise. And even if it did, I am sure that half of them don't look to be that age or act like they are ready for a crypt.;)

[BMT]

The new Solstice class ships are gorgeous and just made for the new generation of younger, more sophisticated, middle-aged cruisers.

 

They are just stuck in a timewarp and need young blood on their team.

 

Obviously, profitable enough as they are.

[Aquahound]

On my last Solstice cruise, the nightlife was dead in the disco. There were never any more than just a few people in there.

 

I'm ok with it. DW and I are in our mid 30's and we prefer the martini bar or the Sky Lounge over the disco.

[Kan't Wait]

We decide to make our own party and within a few days we notice that more and more people come to the club. Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd.

[ProfessorandtheGeek]

I noticed the cruise you are taking and you will have a great time with the ports you are doing. Feel free to contact me with any questions and I have a lot of photos and can give you names of some great tours that I have been on down in that area ! Bob

 

Bob,

 

 

Can you send me the information on this itinerary?

 

Thank you,

 

Cynthia

[teacher_md]

I love the service, food and ambience of Celebrity but after getting off the Millennium earlier this month I felt like the entertainment was lacking. I wish Celebrity was a smidge more lively, hipper, and catered to a younger crowd. I guess you can't have it all! Is it possible to have the classy, polished experience while having a more exciting, lively entertainment package? I don't want to be on a trashy, loud booze cruise, but I want to "have a few late nights" as previous posters have mentioned. NCL and RCL are more FUN, but they don't compare in service, food and atmosphere.

 

Can't we have it all?

[librarylady19]

I love the service, food and ambience of Celebrity but after getting off the Millennium earlier this month I felt like the entertainment was lacking. I wish Celebrity was a smidge more lively, hipper, and catered to a younger crowd. I guess you can't have it all! Is it possible to have the classy, polished experience while having a more exciting, lively entertainment package? I don't want to be on a trashy, loud booze cruise, but I want to "have a few late nights" as previous posters have mentioned. NCL and RCL are more FUN, but they don't compare in service, food and atmosphere.

 

Can't we have it all?

 

I totally agree! If Celebrity is touting a cruise "designed for you" they need to target their entertainment offerings to the right demographic. If the older folks are already in bed, then why not offer music that appeals to the younger crowd (by that I mean 40s and 50s). For me, that would mean some Bruce!!

[Kan't Wait]

If you go to the night club and you don't feel that they are playing "good enough" music...you go to the DJ and ask to step up the music. You give him a list or ideas. Most of the nights we were up late the DJ was extemely cool and made the nights fun. If you want the night club to be a happening place you need to ask people to meet you there. When you meet people on the ship suggest a late night drink and people will go. I can't understand how so many people complain about there not being enough entertainment.

Celebrity provides the bars and the nightclub it's up to the passengers to make it fun.

You have to be fun to have fun!