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Just home from Equinox!

HammerTownGal

By HammerTownGal,
in Celebrity Cruises

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HammerTownGal

HammerTownGal

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Awesome time....just wanted to let you know a few things that people were wondering about before we left:

 

-The $45 bag of laundry was offered but not until the 3rd to last of the cruise

-On one of the sea days (can't remember which) there was a fantastic brunch

-Only 2 formal nights on a 13 day cruise (that surprised and DELIGHTED me:)

 

Feel free to ask any questions....I did one shore excursion with Celebrity and the only reason I did it was because I could not find an alternative online (I did private shore excursions the rest of the ports). It was over-packed and slow and I was not pleased with it at all....I know that sounds harsh. The cruise on a whole was fantastic!!! I even got an "upgrade" as my room was so noisy (from an inside room to a balcony...I was beyond pleased).

 

The only thing I would "complain" about was the shore excursion in Salerno (to Herculaneum)...too many people, couldn't hear the guide, the usual.

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HammerTownGal

HammerTownGal

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I did! I ordered the flat breads....both of them and the beer cheese soup...I think it came to $25. I am a hard liquor drinker so I can't tell you about the beer other than that they were expensive (only one beer was covered under the classic).

 

The food was excellent...we ate there twice actually (more like drunk, late night nibblies:)). The mushroom flat bread was MUCH better than the tomato (IMHO) and the soup is fantastic.

 

On another note, if you drink mixed drinks and hate "fountain" pop like myself, drink at the Gastrobar as they use coke and diet coke (and other pop) from the bottle and/or can. It makes all the difference...the passport bar as well. I found that if I politely asked, most bars would use canned or bottled diet coke for me but you don't even have to ask at the Gastrobar. They also play all the premier league games if you are into that...my father was there a lot:)

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HammerTownGal

HammerTownGal

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Oh and the wine....there are about 5 or 6 red wines (by the glass) covered in the classic package. I only had red wine at dinner (as well as prosecco a few times)....and they were decent. BUT, if you are serious about your wine, definitely upgrade to the premium package.

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d4m

d4m

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Awesome time....just wanted to let you know a few things that people were wondering about before we left:

 

-On one of the sea days (can't remember which) there was a fantastic brunch

 

Held in the MDR or Buffet?

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DebbieMacG

DebbieMacG

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HammerTimeGal, Can you clarify regarding the soda? Is the soda "fountain style" now? As of March they were only serving cans of soda, no matter where you ordered it from.

 

Thanks,

 

Karen

 

I think they are meaning soda in a mixed drink, not just a can of coke etc :)

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tbmrt

tbmrt

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Thanks for helping!

 

I know the following isn't the same on every Equinox cruise, but am curious about the following:

 

1. Did they have any theme nights (White Party, Red/White/Green, etc)? Did many people dress up?

 

2. Did you enjoy the Cruise Director/planned activities? Name?

 

3. What entertainment did they have? Did you enjoy?

 

Thanks

Barbara

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jonsmum

jonsmum

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Thanks for helping!

 

I know the following isn't the same on every Equinox cruise, but am curious about the following:

 

1. Did they have any theme nights (White Party, Red/White/Green, etc)? Did many people dress up?

 

2. Did you enjoy the Cruise Director/planned activities? Name?

 

3. What entertainment did they have? Did you enjoy?

 

Thanks

Barbara

 

Hi - we were also on this cruise. I was not aware of any 'theme nights' as such, but I think there was probably that thing that they do when activities staff dress up in gowns and masks? We're not into this sort of thing so can't help a great deal as didn't look for it!

The cruise director was Paul Baya - same as in Feb when we were also on the Equinox. We heard him sing a duet with one of the performers and he has a seriously good voice - we were very surprised! We did not enjoy the entertainment/activities in Feb (in the Caribbean), but this cruise was MUCH better IMO. We thought the shows were pretty good - the Cirque du Soleil style one, especially so. The 'Broadway' style was also very good. There were some excellent Guest Entertainers - the Violinist and the Magician particularly. We didn't rate the pianist and the supposed 'household' name direct from the West End singer was good, but definitely a 'show' performer rather than a soloist singer. The String group that was at least 3 possibly 4 members in Feb, had been reduced to just 2 cellists and my OH nicknamed them the Titanic duo! On the other hand the Ray Brown Jn jazz group were great and we looked for them every night. Solidly behind many of these acts were the Celebrity Orchestra and have to say, we thought they were very good indeed. There were a few other things going on but these are all that we took note of and therefore what I can remember. Also - we know of other people who loved acts that we walked away from, so I guess it's all down to personal preferences.

 

Hope that helps a bit.

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snorklinbarb

snorklinbarb

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Hi - we were also on this cruise. I was not aware of any 'theme nights' as such, but I think there was probably that thing that they do when activities staff dress up in gowns and masks? We're not into this sort of thing so can't help a great deal as didn't look for it!

The cruise director was Paul Baya - same as in Feb when we were also on the Equinox. We heard him sing a duet with one of the performers and he has a seriously good voice - we were very surprised! We did not enjoy the entertainment/activities in Feb (in the Caribbean), but this cruise was MUCH better IMO. We thought the shows were pretty good - the Cirque du Soleil style one, especially so. The 'Broadway' style was also very good. There were some excellent Guest Entertainers - the Violinist and the Magician particularly. We didn't rate the pianist and the supposed 'household' name direct from the West End singer was good, but definitely a 'show' performer rather than a soloist singer. The String group that was at least 3 possibly 4 members in Feb, had been reduced to just 2 cellists and my OH nicknamed them the Titanic duo! On the other hand the Ray Brown Jn jazz group were great and we looked for them every night. Solidly behind many of these acts were the Celebrity Orchestra and have to say, we thought they were very good indeed. There were a few other things going on but these are all that we took note of and therefore what I can remember. Also - we know of other people who loved acts that we walked away from, so I guess it's all down to personal preferences.

 

Hope that helps a bit.

 

Do you have any idea how long the jazz group will be on? We'll be on the TA end of Oct. and realize entertainment changes.

 

Similar question: wondering if Paul Baya will be on still Oct. 27? We've sailed with him several times at Norwegian and also Celebrity. Yes, he has a wonderful voice!

 

Were there any lounge entertainers, guitar/piano/vocals?

 

Does anyone have copies of the latest menus? Search engine brings up a few from the spring. The TA will be 14 nts so but at least many of the nights would be the same.

 

For both posters, thanks for yr reviews! Did either of you by chance go into the casino? Any idea if they're offering slot pkgs.? They were avail. last yr's TA only at the very beginning of the cruise.

 

Thanks!:) Glad you had a good time.

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Cooso

Cooso

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Englisgh Premier League football (soccer)? OOOOOOOOooooooooo!

 

Stuart

 

 

Haha Stuart. We're on the Equinox in April and hubby will be very happy if he can see some footie! Bet they don't have Jeff and sky sports news playing though! lol.

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lola2013

lola2013

Posted
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HammerTownGal,

Thanks for the great info. I was on Equinox (first Celebrity cruise) last October and will be returning in February. I LOVED the sea day buffet, but have been told that has since been eliminated. Glad to hear that it is back!

By any chance, do you remember if Andres from Espana was on board as part of the entertainment staff? He did zumba classes at the pool and also guided us in the Michael Jackson "Thriller" flash mob. I read as recently as about two months ago that he was still onboard Equinox. Would be a real treat if he is still there!

Thanks!:)

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HammerTownGal

HammerTownGal

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I will try to answer everything here...forgive me if I forget something: My initial room was 9248 and we were beside some sort of utility room...unbelievably noisy; it sounded like metal...clashing together. Amost like someone was repeatedly dropping a metal tray on a metal floor...lol. I am sure that wasn't the case but that's what it sounded like. The door beside us was steel....or aluminum or something and it was unmarked so I truly have no idea what was happening in there.

 

The brunch was in the Oceanview cafe and was VERY nice.

 

I am referring to "mixed drinks" with fountain soda. If you ordered a rye and coke at the pool bar it is made with fountain soda unless you specify otherwise...if you order a coke, then you would get a can of it.

 

I did not go to any of the shows (dropped in on the broadway one for a bit, it was good but not my thing). I can't really comment on the shows. I did not attend any theme nights and cannot remember if there were any!

 

Paul was the director and Esperanza was the activity gal. There were tons of things happening at the pool (volley ball, basketball hoop competition one day, "olympic" events done with teams etc. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. I know there were things happening throughout the ship at night but I was in bed by 11 (yes, I am a wild party) most nights:)

 

There were the 2 ladies playing string instruments almost everyday in different parts of the ship and I often saw an acoustic guitar performance....same guy, different place most days. He was excellent...doing acoustic covers just him and his guitar.

 

Disembarkment: It seemed smooth to me although I really don't know how it is they ensure you are getting off when you are "supposed" to. We had to put our suitcases outside by 11...I am not sure if you will be given the opportunity to keep them with you or not. I just put my suitcases out and left when my number was called. Having said that, I would not want to be in line for a cab in Barcelona...the line-up was unbelieveable...in the heat (crazy sun) and people CONTINUALLY butting in line. Honestly, the rudeness astounds me. Luckily we arranged a private transfer to the airport.

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lola2013

lola2013

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Sounds wonderful...I am counting the days until I return (142!!!)...our brunch was done in the main dining room...fabulous selection of food & ice sculptures on the main floor with seating upstairs. Don't care where they do it...as long as they do it...it was that good...diet be damned!

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