Answers to various disputed items on Celebrity Board

[AlanAllyn]

There have been a lot of questions and rumors on these boards. Here are my experiences from the Dec. 9 Equinox cruise. It was 11 days to Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Panama. Costa Rica, Belize and Cozumel. It was the first cruise of the season, having just returned from Europe. I plan to post a review of this cruise in the review section. I will try to answer any questions you post.

 

• There are separate vegetarian menus with 2 appetizers, 2 soups, 2 salads, and two main courses. A few of these overlap with the MDR menu, but at least one of each type is always different.

 

• There are daily menus in the Aquaspa Café. There is no grilled salmon or tuna daily, but poached salmon some days.

 

• There is candy on the pillow each night, but no towel animals.

 

• Michael’s Club is open to all and very little going on there.

 

• “Friends of Dorothy” has been replaced by a daily LGBT get together.

 

• Elite cocktails were held in Sky Lounge; no coupons. Breakfast was in Tuscan Grill.

 

• The ship was full. (Someone with a flooded cabin (the only major complaining I encountered) could only be moved for one night, until Grand Cayman, where the occupant was catching up with the ship.) There were a few kids. The median age appeared to be around 70. The ship was not dead after 11pm. When we got out of the Sin City late night adult comedy show (standing room only in Celebrity Central) at 12:15am, Quasar was hopping; the Casino and Martini bar were both busy. We did not check out all the other venues.

 

• Celebrity literature says 2 formal nights on an 11 day cruise; on the first day they listed 3, but the second one became smart casual.

 

• Ships time moves back an hour to CST between Panama and Costa Rica and then moves forward to EST after leaving Cozumel.

 

• Café al Bacio only serves sweets, no sandwiches; it is open 7am to 1am.

Ice cream in Oceanview for 11am to 10 pm

Pizza and Pasta is noon to 1am

Bistro on 5 is 10am to 10pm

 

• Music around the ship has changed

Le Chic Duo - two young ladies from Quebec with guitar and smooth vocals

Sean Golden - guitar, singer

Trio Sunrise - guitar, a little percussion and male & female singer

Elaine Abras Quartet - jazz

7-piece band

party band

 

no a capella group

no piano bar

no string trio or quartet

 

• If you ask Guest Services, they will deliver the news sheet (4 pages) to your cabin daily.

 

• Select Dining uses the whole second floor of the dining room.

 

• Brunch in the MDR held on third (of four) sea day.

 

• Elite coupons include one for a scoop of gelato. Laundry and internet coupons haven’t changed.

 

• Music is often too loud, particularly in the Sky Lounge during the Elite cocktail hour.

[H2OH!]

THanks for sharing!

[NLH Arizona]

Wow, thanks for the complete update.

[C-Dragons]

• There is candy on the pillow each night, but no towel animals.

 

I wouldn't say that is an absolute.c:) On our Adriatic cruise on Silhouette in October, we came back to our cabin on several evenings to find different towel animals (no children with us).

 

• Café al Bacio only serves sweets, no sandwiches;

 

True. This was a change that we found out about also on our October Silhouette cruise.

[Fogtownrog]

• There is candy on the pillow each night, but no towel animals.

 

I wouldn't say that is an absolute.c:) On our Adriatic cruise on Silhouette in October, we came back to our cabin on several evenings to find different towel animals (no children with us).

 

• Café al Bacio only serves sweets, no sandwiches;

 

True. This was a change that we found out about also on our October Silhouette cruise.

 

If one wants towel animals, I would suggest providing your cabin steward a generous tip early on in the cruise and simply ask for towel animals or anything else you want to make your cruise more enjoyable.

[TeaBag]

We got towel animals too on Eclipse. This is only the second time we have had them except on Millennium where we had a little game going and we got them every night. So cute. They were the best room stewards we ever had.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Thanks for sharing. We sail in 9 days for New Years. The only time we've had towel animals was last New Years Eve, but we've always had chocolate on our pillows.

 

Mary Lou

[CruisingGatorGirl]

Just wanted to add we are classic (whatever the first level is called :D) members and also got the gelato :)

[judla]

Thanks for the several "heads up" comments. We leave on the same itinerary in 7 days. Can't wait. How were the ports? Any suggestions? How was the weather? Really don't care for the towel animals, had a lot of them on Disney. How was the main dining room food? What did you mean about the second formal being smart casual? Don't tell me I am going to have to replan my clothes. Ugh!!! It is hard enough to plan this with the holidays around the corner.:eek:

[gimletgal]

What did you mean about the second formal being smart casual? Don't tell me I am going to have to replan my clothes. Ugh!!! It is hard enough to plan this with the holidays around the corner.:eek:

 

I think what he meant was initially they listed 3 formal nights even though it should have been 2 - so one was changed back to smart casual. :)

But they did in fact have 2 formal nights.

Edited December 22, 2013 by gimletgal

[AlanAllyn]

Thanks for the several "heads up" comments. We leave on the same itinerary in 7 days. Can't wait. How were the ports? Any suggestions? How was the weather? Really don't care for the towel animals, had a lot of them on Disney. How was the main dining room food? What did you mean about the second formal being smart casual? Don't tell me I am going to have to replan my clothes. Ugh!!! It is hard enough to plan this with the holidays around the corner.:eek:

Beth is correct; we had two formal nights, first sea day and Cozumel. We had three or four days of rain, never had that before. We only toured in Costa Rica. The Veragua Rainforest tour (by Celebrity) was excellent, but involved much more walking and standing than was described. We are restricted to fish and vegetarian. We enjoyed the MDR every night.

 

Alan

[lovemylab]

Thanks for the several "heads up" comments. We leave on the same itinerary in 7 days. Can't wait. How were the ports? Any suggestions? How was the weather? Really don't care for the towel animals, had a lot of them on Disney. How was the main dining room food? What did you mean about the second formal being smart casual? Don't tell me I am going to have to replan my clothes. Ugh!!! It is hard enough to plan this with the holidays around the corner.:eek:

 

 

I was also on this cruise so thought I would reply to your questions.

 

We loved the ports. This was our first time visiting them and it was a nice change from the usual beach type ports that you get on Eastern/Southern Caribbean itineraries. The weather on our sailing was not great - a lot of clouds and rain; however, we didn't let that stop us from enjoying our vacation. Our cavetubing excursion in Belize was cancelled due to heavy rains the night before; however, the tour company we booked with (VIV tours) offered us a tour of the city and some Mayan ruins. It ended up being a great day. Several ships tours were cancelled for this port which left people scrambling. Others I talked to who had private tours booked were also offered alternate tours in this port.

 

We packed rain ponchos which ended up being especially helpful on our Panama Canal Ferry Tour. We were delayed in the canal for several hours and it was pouring for at least 5 or 6 hours. While others on the tour were getting soaked (or staying inside) we were able to wander the open decks of the ferry while staying dry. I bought them at the dollar store and we just threw them out afterwards. Might be something worth adding to your packing list.

 

Here is what we did in other ports:

 

Grand Cayman - walked around the city in the morning and spent the afternoon onboard. Due to rain didn't go to the beach.

Cartagena - city tour with Dora the Explorer shared with cruise critic roll call members.

Costa Rica - white water rafting booked through Celebrity. One of the most fun excursions we've ever done!

Cozumel - spent the day at Nachi Cocum.

 

No complaints about the MDR food. We dined there most nights (Select Dining) and found the service efficient and friendly.

 

I was underwhelmed by the brunch at sea held in the dining room. The food wasn't much different then what you get at the oceanview cafe. It was crowded and while the displays were nice, you couldn't enjoy them due to how close together the tables were and due to the number of people. A lot of people wouldn't wait their turn and cut into a line. People would be trying to get pictures which often slowed things down for others (for example, my husband had someone at the chocolate fountain ask him to wait while he took several photos). Personally, I wish they would open it up early for viewing/pictures only and then allow everyone to eat afterwards. Royal Caribbean used to do this with their midnight buffet and it worked well.

 

Celebrity website indicates 2 formal nights on an 11 day cruise; however, when we first boarded the ship, the Celebrity Today newsletter stated we would have 3 formal nights (the first seaday, the 3rd seaday and then the day we left Cozumel). However, this was later changed to two formal nights (the first seaday and the day we left Cozumel).

 

Loved the ship and the itinerary. Wouldn't hesitate at all to book this sailing again. Enjoy your cruise :)

Edited December 22, 2013 by lovemylab

[Andy]

Hi AlanAllyn,

 

Thanks very much for your insights. Glad you had a great time on Equinox. Welcome Home, and Happy Holidays !

[drarill]

Great review, thanks for sharing your cruise experience with us. BTW, we got towel animals most nights on the Eclipse.

[judla]

Thanks Lovemylab. It makes me more excited to go. How was Nachi Cocum? We have reservations there too. Sad that a few people can spoil the brunch. I do remember RCCI letting us take pictures first, Celebrity should do this also. Any other tips?

[rjrpar]

Good info, thanks

[SSFrance69]

• If you ask Guest Services, they will deliver the news sheet (4 pages) to your cabin daily.

 

By news sheet, do you mean the daily list of activities on board?

[joeandmaria]

So just to verify then, when you were in Belize the ships time was Eastern time and actually one hour ahead of Belize time? Just trying to figure out excursions.

 

Thanks

[AlanAllyn]

So just to verify then, when you were in Belize the ships time was Eastern time and actually one hour ahead of Belize time? Just trying to figure out excursions.

 

Thanks

No. The ship was on CST, the same as Belize.

[AlanAllyn]

• If you ask Guest Services, they will deliver the news sheet (4 pages) to your cabin daily.

 

By news sheet, do you mean the daily list of activities on board?

No. I believe it was USA Times, with news, sports and weather around the country and world. There were also other editions, including Canada.

[Cruising89143]

Thanks for the updates. Sounds like it was a nice cruise.:)

[seeyakids]

Thanks, good info. We will be Elite virgins on a TA next October aboard Equinox. Is the Elite gathering still 5-7pm and how crowded did it get?

[ghstudio]

Thanks, good info. We will be Elite virgins on a TA next October aboard Equinox. Is the Elite gathering still 5-7pm and how crowded did it get?

 

yes it's 5-7 on all ships....and every cruise is different and the number of elites varies widely so the experience on one cruise on one ship tells you nothing about how it will be on your cruse.

[kevinyork]

I agree re the brunch. Very little that could not be enjoyed in the buffet. Presentation was different but it was a bit of a scrum on Eclipse this July. Wont rush to the brunch next time.

 

Worst was that they had big sides of salmon but unfortunately they were not cooked and were very very raw. When I mentioned it to the server they said they always serve salmon pink. This wasnt pink it was still breathing.

[Carolwesterly]

Thanks, good info. We will be Elite virgins on a TA next October aboard Equinox. Is the Elite gathering still 5-7pm and how crowded did it get?

 

The TA's tend to attract many Elites and in some cases too many to be accommodated at once in the large forward lounge. When that happens, your room steward will deliver 3 coupons a day per person to your stateroom to be used in the lounge, or in many of the other bars throughout the ship. The last two TA's we took (most recently in May) had nearly 1,000 Elites so we had the coupons. I personally liked it a lot - the large forward lounge wasn't as crowded, and we could mix things up a bit and try some of the other bars on the ship. The coupons are good only for that one day and 5-7 timeframe. If there aren't a large number of Elites on board, then everyone just goes to the large lounge (and usually someone at the door checks your ID to verify Elite status), although sometimes it can be difficult to find a seat. The only minor disadvantage to the coupon system is that no canapés are served, presumably because Elites are at various bars on the ship. But we certainly get enough food on a cruise anyway, so I don't consider that to be a loss at all. In my experience, we never had a waiter ask to see our sea pass card to verify we were Elite, and I know passengers were sharing their coupons with non-Elite traveling friends.:)