Need a brutally honest comparison of Equinox and Freedom class ships

[C Cruise Dude]

Hi cruisers, I'm booked on Independence of the Seas for 8 days in March and have the opportunity to book Equinox for 10 days in April. I'm ok with the ports on both and can live without Flowrider but not sure about missing the Royal Promenade.

 

I would like to hear from those who have sailed the Freedom class and Equinox. Tell me the best of each ship and things that you don't like. Does Equinox have a ice show? Thank you for your input. Jack

[kevinyork]

No ice shows, surfing or rock climbing. No Royal Promenade however we prefer the Solstace class by far. Those with kids however may not.

[tteettimes]

to consider that March is popular "spring Break" month......

Might be good....might not want to deal with it either

Enjoy which ever you choose

[eyelovcrusin]

Hi cruisers, I'm booked on Independence of the Seas for 8 days in March and have the opportunity to book Equinox for 10 days in April. I'm ok with the ports on both and can live without Flowrider but not sure about missing the Royal Promenade.

 

I would like to hear from those who have sailed the Freedom class and Equinox. Tell me the best of each ship and things that you don't like. Does Equinox have a ice show? Thank you for your input. Jack

 

I have been on Liberty of Seas, sister to Freedom, and am booked for New Years on FOS. I choose FOS because we are taking 2 teenagers and they will enjoy activities like Flowrider, rock climbing wall, etc. My wife and I are booked on Equinox this May and it will be our 3rd time on this ship. IMHO it depends on what is important to you as both are wonderful cruise experiences. I like Celebrity for it's more refined atmosphere, better food and service, as well as a more adult oriented experience. FOS has more activity, family oriented and teenagers will find more to do on board.

Hope this helps. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

[cruisegirl1]

I believe I can offer some good comparisons. I’ve sailed the Freedom at least 5 times and the S Class twice. Disclaimer - I am a frequent RCCL cruiser (I have sailed every class of RCCL ship) with over 60 RCCL cruises and a handful of recent ( last 2 years) Celebrity cruises.

 

The Equinox is like a cross between the Freedom and Radiance class ships. Equinox is large and exciting like the Freedom, but a beautiful classy design like the Radiance class. The ships offer a slightly different experience., BOTH ARE GREAT.

 

If you sailing with extended family or children/grandchildren – Freedom – end of discussion.

 

Not knowing what is important to you, I have listed a few highlights for you to consider

 

Production shows are about the same on both ships. – good to very good

Both had LOTS of activities for adults .

Food is slightly better on Celebrity.

Cabin layout and storage is slightly better( especially storage/drawerspace) on Freedom.

Bathrooms (in standard balcony/veranda cabins up to D on Freedom and AQ on Celebrity) are better on Celebrity.

Ice rink, Flow rider, rock wall , or Dreamworks tie in are on Freedom

No Promenade on Celebrity – but I am not a fan of the promenade design.

Both have nice specialty restaurants, but Celebrity might have an edge.

Celebrity has fewer children. RCCL during spring break ( if that is when you will sail, ) will have MAJOR children.

 

Dress may or may not be important to you. Celebrity cruisers adhere to the dress code/suggestion a bit more than RCCL Freedom class . Celebrity is overall more dressed even on the casual nights. More RCCL passengers think casual is jeans and T’s – perhaps because Celebrity has a slightly older and perhaps a bit more upscale or well-traveled crowd. (Please do not turn this into a dress code thread. These are general observations I can make as a frequent cruiser on both lines. I am sure that there are exceptions on both lines.)

 

Celebrity will give you a longer cruise.

 

I will be happy to answer any specific question you might have.

 

What a great decision – let us know what you decide.

 

M

Edited December 11, 2013 by cruisegirl1

[TomTN]

smoking:(

[A Sixth?]

smoking:(

 

Not as big a dif as it used to be I've heard. Other than the casino that is, where you can loose your money in clean air on Celebrity. :(

 

On Royal Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom and any stateroom balcony.

Edited December 11, 2013 by A Sixth?

[mikechass]

I always say I love Celebrity Service I love RCCL ships.

I was on Freedom in the summer, it was wonderful but if given the choice to have a longer cruise on Celebrity I would take it.

I had my kids with me 12&8 so Celebrity isn't the right fit for them, but if it was just me and my hubby, I would go on Equinox again (we were on it a few years ago)

I find the food/service/shows better on Celebrity, the amount of things to do on RCCL is better though.

I also love the solarium. Freedom didn't have one that I liked. It was there, but not nearly as nice as the X one in my opinion.

Hope it helped!

Chass

[C Cruise Dude]

I'm booked in an oceanview on Indy and would be going to an inside on X. I'm cruising solo and in my mid 50's. I'm more concerned about what to do and where to be if the weather goes sour. Are there lounges on the forward of the ship where you can sit in AC and watch the travel through the sea, I love this on NCL ships. I like shaded area when I sit on deck, in a video of Equinox I didn't see any shaded areas.

 

Is the Solarium covered? Smoking??, I assume that you mean in the casino. I'm more concerned with smoking on the promenade deck than the casino, I just won't lose money :D:D.

 

I spend most of my time just watching the water and relaxing. I will take part in some activities and would attend some shows. Service has been great on every ship that I have sailed, that is never a concern. Thanks

Edited December 11, 2013 by C Cruise Dude
add

[cruisegirl1]

With your follow-up information, I suggest you strongly consider the Celebrity ship. There are several shaded places, a covered solarium and many beautiful areas to enjoy the views.

 

enjoy

M

[swigso]

One of the things that I like about the S class is

The outside areas at the back of the ship where

You can sit and enjoy the wake have a drink or

a snack in the sunshine

The martini bar on the S Class ships are also

A great place to meet people.

[Lois R]

I'm booked in an oceanview on Indy and would be going to an inside on X. I'm cruising solo and in my mid 50's. I'm more concerned about what to do and where to be if the weather goes sour. Are there lounges on the forward of the ship where you can sit in AC and watch the travel through the sea, I love this on NCL ships. I like shaded area when I sit on deck, in a video of Equinox I didn't see any shaded areas.

 

Is the Solarium covered? Smoking??, I assume that you mean in the casino. I'm more concerned with smoking on the promenade deck than the casino, I just won't lose money :D:D.

 

I spend most of my time just watching the water and relaxing. I will take part in some activities and would attend some shows. Service has been great on every ship that I have sailed, that is never a concern. Thanks

 

Hi, I am also in my mid 50s and always sail solo and always sail Celebrity.

There are plenty of places to sit and watch the water:) I can't give

you any comparisons because I have not sailed NCL and only twice

on Royal...on their smaller vessels.

I love Equinox and definitely recommend her:)

[DavidYYC]

The sky lounge is a perfect place to just sit and watch the view..

 

and there is TONS of shade on the open pool deck.

 

If I knew how to put pictures up here I could show you pictures of both...but for some reason I can't.

[drarill]

With your follow-up information, I suggest you strongly consider the Celebrity ship. There are several shaded places, a covered solarium and many beautiful areas to enjoy the views.

 

enjoy

M

 

I agree!! The OP is going to like the Equinox!:)

[TeaBag]

My vote goes to Equinox too..The lounge at the front of the ship has chaise lounges (sp?) where you can sit/lie with your feet up and still see the ocean. They are so comfortable. I've seen many a person so sound asleep on these that you wonder are they going to wake up before the cruise ends!:D

[Cruising89143]

I believe I can offer some good comparisons. I’ve sailed the Freedom at least 5 times and the S Class twice. Disclaimer - I am a frequent RCCL cruiser (I have sailed every class of RCCL ship) with over 60 RCCL cruises and a handful of recent ( last 2 years) Celebrity cruises.

 

The Equinox is like a cross between the Freedom and Radiance class ships. Equinox is large and exciting like the Freedom, but a beautiful classy design like the Radiance class. The ships offer a slightly different experience., BOTH ARE GREAT.

 

If you sailing with extended family or children/grandchildren – Freedom – end of discussion.

 

Not knowing what is important to you, I have listed a few highlights for you to consider

 

Production shows are about the same on both ships. – good to very good

Both had LOTS of activities for adults .

Food is slightly better on Celebrity.

Cabin layout and storage is slightly better( especially storage/drawerspace) on Freedom.

Bathrooms (in standard balcony/veranda cabins up to D on Freedom and AQ on Celebrity) are better on Celebrity.

Ice rink, Flow rider, rock wall , or Dreamworks tie in are on Freedom

No Promenade on Celebrity – but I am not a fan of the promenade design.

Both have nice specialty restaurants, but Celebrity might have an edge.

Celebrity has fewer children. RCCL during spring break ( if that is when you will sail, ) will have MAJOR children.

 

Dress may or may not be important to you. Celebrity cruisers adhere to the dress code/suggestion a bit more than RCCL Freedom class . Celebrity is overall more dressed even on the casual nights. More RCCL passengers think casual is jeans and T’s – perhaps because Celebrity has a slightly older and perhaps a bit more upscale or well-traveled crowd. (Please do not turn this into a dress code thread. These are general observations I can make as a frequent cruiser on both lines. I am sure that there are exceptions on both lines.)

 

Celebrity will give you a longer cruise.

 

I will be happy to answer any specific question you might have.

 

What a great decision – let us know what you decide.

 

M

 

I pretty much agree with the above. I look at Celebrity as the RCI for adults. Love both lines but now lean more to X due to the better smoking policy, fewer announcements and children.

Edited December 12, 2013 by cruisingator2

[H2OH!]

Hi cruisers, I'm booked on Independence of the Seas for 8 days in March and have the opportunity to book Equinox for 10 days in April. I'm ok with the ports on both and can live without Flowrider but not sure about missing the Royal Promenade.

 

I would like to hear from those who have sailed the Freedom class and Equinox. Tell me the best of each ship and things that you don't like. Does Equinox have a ice show? Thank you for your input. Jack

 

We have sailed on Freedom of the Seas and Equinox.

 

We liked FOS but LOVE Solstice class (Equinox). For us, we love the non-smoking policy on Celebrity and the fact there are less children. We have sailed on several solstice class ships...Solstice x2, Eclipse and Equinox x2 and it never felt really crowded...except for buffet during peak times. It is an open ship with lots of light...airy feeling. You should come join us 1/10/14 sailing!!! Great roll call!

On FOS, we felt the promenade was often crowded, especially in the evening...you could barely move. At times the crowds energized us and other times drained us. Also felt it was darker than it should have been. We cruise to enjoy the ocean and hang out on our balcony relaxing..not to be stuck inside in the promenade! We liked the ice show but dont miss it on Celebrity. WE did love the RAdiance class ships (Jewel of seas is one of our favorite ships)...open and airy...plus beautiful. DH misses Johnny rockets chili dogs from FOS...lol

 

Hope this helps.

Edited December 12, 2013 by H2OH!

[gimletgal]

Plenty of shade in Solarium depending on angle of sun:

Also, shade in main pool area depending on angle of sun:

[Lois R]

Hi Beth, love that photo of The Solarium Pool:)

[4cats4me]

My vote goes to Equinox too..The lounge at the front of the ship has chaise lounges (sp?) where you can sit/lie with your feet up and still see the ocean. They are so comfortable. I've seen many a person so sound asleep on these that you wonder are they going to wake up before the cruise ends!:D

 

Are you referring to the relaxation room in the spa area or is there another lounge outside that I missed?:confused: When we were on the equinox a few months ago we went to the relaxation lounge but it was limited to spa guests and AQ guests only

[C Cruise Dude]

You convinced me, I booked. I appreciate everyone's input. Thank you. :D

[GiannaD]

The Equinox has a lawn with real grass on the upper deck and there is a Corning Hot Glass show where the artists blow glass while you watch. It is really amazing. Don't miss it.

[cruisegirl1]

You convinced me, I booked. I appreciate everyone's input. Thank you. :D

 

Terrific! enjoy the cruise. Come back afterwards and let us know how you liked it

 

M

[drarill]

The Equinox has a lawn with real grass on the upper deck and there is a Corning Hot Glass show where the artists blow glass while you watch. It is really amazing. Don't miss it.

 

I really like the glass shows!!:):)

[Cruise a holic]

Hi cruisers, I'm booked on Independence of the Seas for 8 days in March and have the opportunity to book Equinox for 10 days in April. I'm ok with the ports on both and can live without Flowrider but not sure about missing the Royal Promenade.

 

I would like to hear from those who have sailed the Freedom class and Equinox. Tell me the best of each ship and things that you don't like. Does Equinox have a ice show? Thank you for your input. Jack

 

Like one responder stated, different venues. The Equinox has a glass blowing show and some other good entertainment. But if you are traveling with children, they will definately prefer the Freedom Class RC ships. They will (and you will) flip over the Oasis class ships and can get some really great rates.

 

IMO we truly are Celebrity fans- but also enjoy RC.

 

Enjoy your cruise.