Equinox or larger RCI Ship?

[Taylor D]

We just booked a Caribbean cruise on the Equinox for next July. My wife and I, daughter and spouse and son and spouse all in the mid twenty's.

I chose it because of the 4 perks and obc, it's just seems like a great deal and my wife and I just got back from a cruise on the Constellation in Europe with 2 perks and it was really nice.

The problem comes from my daughter she thinks on the 2 sea days their won't be enough to do compared to a larger RCI ship. I really would like to stay with Celebrity, any comments I can show my daughter.

[jelayne]

If your daughter would use things like rock wall, flow rider, zip line, mini golf, ice rink then she probably won't enjoy the sea days. If she likes going to the gym, Zumba, hanging by the pool, trivia, bingo & relaxing she will be fine.

[TeaBag]

You are right. The deals that Celebrity has offered on Equinox for the sailings between Apr 24 to Nov 6, 2017 are great. This is because Equinox will be sailing in the Caribbean year round and will not be sailing in Europe starting with the summer of 2017. I don't think we will see deals like this again. I would stick with Celebrity.

[hcat]

We were on both Connie and Eq recently as well as Royal Oasis...Equinox is a great ship with excellent food, service and atmosphere. Much more up to date than Connie...very attractive design, nice restaurants, bars, lounges.

 

Lots to do on Sea days and 2 of them are just perfect..fabulous .spa, gym, zumba or other classes....music, wine tasting, bingo, trivia..poolside activities, shopping, gambling, lectures, movies, gastropub...

 

But no rock wall, flow rider, zipline ice skating.....the larger Royal ships to us are very crowded, advance res needed for almost all shows and event and better geared to families with children....spray park, carousel, cotton candy, character events...

 

There is a more lively nightlife on Royal but I bet in July there will be a younger crowd on X...and more late night activities...and maybe fewer kiddies...

 

I'd stick with X...great perks too!

Edited August 29, 2016 by hcat

[Taylor D]

Thank you for the input, It's a great deal and we need to stick with this cruise.

[wfbmurph]

We just booked a Caribbean cruise on the Equinox for next July. My wife and I, daughter and spouse and son and spouse all in the mid twenty's.

I chose it because of the 4 perks and obc, it's just seems like a great deal and my wife and I just got back from a cruise on the Constellation in Europe with 2 perks and it was really nice.

The problem comes from my daughter she thinks on the 2 sea days their won't be enough to do compared to a larger RCI ship. I really would like to stay with Celebrity, any comments I can show my daughter.

 

As I tell my children of similar age, if they don't like what I've planned, they are more than welcome to book and pay for something else. So far I've planned every trip perfectly with no complaints! LOL

[wallie5446]

We were on the Mariner in 2007 with over 4000 pax, and the Freedom in 2011 with 4200. It was near impossible to use the rock wall or flow rider, let alone ever get a slot to ice skate or see the show. And the evening party :eek: wall to wall bodies. It was impossible to sit in Vintages and enjoy a glass of wine.

We are Diamond in C&A.

 

We were on the Reflection in 2013, and the Equinox in 2014 & 15, and are booked again for 2017.

 

Our DD now 34 worked on ship for RCCL, 12 yrs ago, and prefers to cruise on Celebrity.

Edited August 29, 2016 by wallie5446

[easyboy]

As I tell my children of similar age, if they don't like what I've planned, they are more than welcome to book and pay for something else. So far I've planned every trip perfectly with no complaints! LOL

Right. Who pays, decides.:)

[chemmo]

We just booked a Caribbean cruise on the Equinox for next July. My wife and I, daughter and spouse and son and spouse all in the mid twenty's.

I chose it because of the 4 perks and obc, it's just seems like a great deal and my wife and I just got back from a cruise on the Constellation in Europe with 2 perks and it was really nice.

The problem comes from my daughter she thinks on the 2 sea days their won't be enough to do compared to a larger RCI ship. I really would like to stay with Celebrity, any comments I can show my daughter.

 

Sea days are great days to book a speciality restaurant in the evening....suggest Murano's with its table side flambé.....much better than RC specialities.

[phoenix_dream]

Right. Who pays, decides.:)

 

I agree 100%, but I don't see where the OP states he/she is paying for everyone's cruise??? Maybe that is the case, but I think we are assuming.

[phoenix_dream]

To reply to the OP's original request - my now 30 year old son has cruised with us on Celebrity for years. I will confess he preferred the RCI Freedom of the Seas because of more to do for young people, but he absolutely loves Celebrity. We have been on many cruises with a number of days at sea and he loves just relaxing, like we do. He brings his laptop and plays video games or watches movies he has loaded, he may watch a movie in the cabin, he reads, he goes to the gym, we swim together, we play board games or games like Yahtzee, and in general just chill out and enjoy spending some quiet family time together.

[Taylor D]

I did not state I was paying but they all don't know at this point it's going to be a Christmas present to all of them so in the end yes we are paying.

[phoenix_dream]

I did not state I was paying but they all don't know at this point it's going to be a Christmas present to all of them so in the end yes we are paying.

 

Can you adopt me??:D

[NordicPrince]

A little known secret to do is when you first get on the Equinox: go to the spa and buy a 10 day pass to the spa. They only sell a limited number of these. This will give you unlimited visits to the Persian Gardens. DW likes to lay on the heated stone tile beds and take a shower in the tropical mist shower that they have there. It is very peaceful in there or so she tells me.

 

Another thing is that on one sea day they have a special lunch at the Lawn Club grill where you can cook your own steaks and seafood (or the crew will do it for you).

 

It's pricey but anyone I've spoken with has said it is outstanding.

 

I guess you've never been to the Solarium on the Equinox. A very nice quiet place which is enclosed with overhead shade panels so you can sun yourself without getting overly tanned. They have wooden loungers with thick pads to stretch out on. A nice smaller pool to cool yourself off. And it's for adults only.

 

It's on the same level as the Oceanview Cafe buffet area so its its easy to bring a plate of food back if you would like.

 

In the morning there is a little area in the Solarium where you can get a light breakfast.

 

Later in the afternoon it is fun to sit back in the Sunset Bar in the stern of the ship and watch the wake of the ship. Nice padded seats there to have a drink and enjoy the view.

 

Cafe al Bacio has some nice coffees, very good cappucino and expresso, ad you can get very nice baked goods here. They have a gelato bar nearby.

 

The Oceanview Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and late afternoon snacks as well as for dinner.

 

You can go up to the Lawn Club and play bocce and croquet if you would like.

 

There's always the casino too.

 

I think if you're looking for relaxation and a variety of activities to go with it you can't go wrong on Equinox.

 

If you're looking for Flowriders and skating rinks and a Promenade and hairy leg contests and cannonballs into the pool you're not going to find it on Equinox.

Edited August 30, 2016 by NordicPrince
typos

[NordicPrince]

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/shiptour.php?ship=Celebrity-Equinox&deck=Resort&r=1015

[wallie5446]

The Equinox does not have the Lawn Club Grill, it has the hot glass studio.

Only the Reflection and Silly have the LCG.

 

But the Equinox does have the wonderful GastroBar with 35-40 specialty craft beers.

 

ps: if you ever sail on the 2 that have the LCG, it is well worth the cost. And the lunch is only $25 pp.

Edited August 30, 2016 by wallie5446

[cruisehome]

wally

 

it is carol from one of the previous x cruises we met briefly on - my daughter lives in texas also??

 

what sailing in October 2017 are you on

 

carol in ct

[riclop]

We just booked a Caribbean cruise on the Equinox for next July. My wife and I, daughter and spouse and son and spouse all in the mid twenty's.

I chose it because of the 4 perks and obc, it's just seems like a great deal and my wife and I just got back from a cruise on the Constellation in Europe with 2 perks and it was really nice.

The problem comes from my daughter she thinks on the 2 sea days their won't be enough to do compared to a larger RCI ship. I really would like to stay with Celebrity, any comments I can show my daughter.

 

RCI is so much more fun and better.

[wallie5446]

wally

 

it is carol from one of the previous x cruises we met briefly on - my daughter lives in texas also??

 

what sailing in October 2017 are you on

 

carol in ct

 

Hi Carol!

That was the Equinox in 2014, I think ;) there are 8-10 from that cruise, and 4-6 from last yr on the Nov 6, 2017.

[loubetti]

RCI is so much more fun and better.

 

Ignore the above. He just likes to add to his post count.

 

My opinion: GO CELEBRITY, and let the younger folks get some adult cruising experience. Don't plan your cruise based on a rock wall, flow rider, etc.

[Taylor D]

Thanks to everyone for all your in put, I am going to share all of it with my kids this weekend, it's always fun going through a long winter knowing we have a cruise to look forward next summer.

With our kids all grown up it's really hard to take a vacation all together so I am hopping this one works out and no one bails out on us.