Early trip report - our much needed vacation on the Celebrity Equinox

[MixerDave]

Aml3679 and I have a power strip that has 4 USB ports for charging our various devices and 4 regular plugs. We came on board with it without any issues and have been using it since day 1. They certainly are allowed.

 

 

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Just because you have one, does not mean they are allowed. There are multiple threads on here where members have reported their strip has been confiscated. I also saw a photo posted of a table filled with power strips for passengers to pick up as they leave the ship.

[Pier290]

The ones with surge protection are NOT allowded...all others ie...USB ports etc ARE ALLOWED

 

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[lovecruzin]

We dock at 6:30 and our shore excursion leaves at 8:15 -- sail away at 7pm.

.

 

Thanks! I was actually wondering what time is the last tender back to the ship for passengers?

[TeaBag]

Great review aml with lots of useful info. I hope you go back to Spring when your cruise is over. We are on Equinox in Oct.

[Redokie]

I m really enjoying your review, Thanks for taking the time to do it! We are going in May

[aml3679]

Thanks! I was actually wondering what time is the last tender back to the ship for passengers?

 

Sorry to get your hopes up - last tender is at 3 and we are already underway from beautiful Grand Caymen. We had a fabulous time- we visited the turtle farm and then stingray city - so much fun.

 

At the turtle farm they have turtles of every age and size. Too short a visit. To get out to stingray city it takes 35 minutes by boat - it was crowded - there were 4 ships in port. Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Reflection, RCI and MCS.

 

Once in the water, the guides make sure each person gets to hold, pet, kiss, get a massage and their picture taken with the stingrays. They sell a portrait package for $50 which we thought was worth it.

 

Decided to go to Sushi on Five for dinner.

 

We also plan on hitting up the casino or is it the other way around 😝 and then catching the last show in the theater. Our vacation is lasting forever and then again going by so quickly.

[aml3679]

Great review aml with lots of useful info. I hope you go back to Spring when your cruise is over. We are on Equinox in Oct.

 

Thanks, I am glad that you are enjoying it. Today, it is in the 80's back home. My husband said the weekend will be in the 50's - a mini heat wave for New England.

[aml3679]

After a relaxing dinner at Sushi on Five, we went to the Corning Hot Glass Show - they are talented. We could only stay awake for them to make a seahorse and an angel fish.

 

We are having an iced cappuccino and a double expresso before breakfast in the main dining room.

 

We will dock in Cozumel in 2 hours and we are going shopping with Cozumel highlights- chocolate factory, tequila factory and city highlights.

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

Once in the water, the guides make sure each person gets to hold, pet, kiss, get a massage and their picture taken with the stingrays. They sell a portrait package for $50 which we thought was worth it.

 

Decided to go to Sushi on Five for dinner.

 

This made me laugh......

First we kissed the seafood....then we ate it! HAHA!

;p

[aml3679]

We had a great day in Cozumel - 80 and sunny. We went on the Best of Cozumel with Shopping. It was a nicr tour but bring water and a snack - it is 5 hours long.

 

First, we went to Cozumel park where they have minature replicas of temples and churches around Mexico. A gentleman made a bracelet with my granddaughter's name in 3 minutes. My husband had a shot of tequila snd got to keep the shot glass.

 

Next we went to a chocolate factory and got to see how chocolate was made and sample a chocolate drink and chocolate. There are some colorful birds and a nice gift shop.

 

Next we went to a tequila factory whete my husband got to sample tequila. We had 20 minutes to browse the shopping stalls. I picked up a handwoven tablecloth for $40 - she wanted $75.

 

Then we stopped at a famous lookout for pictures on the ocean.

 

We then stopped at Pancho's backyard to shop. Then back to the port.

 

We ate at Margaritaville next to the ship but disappintingly, they don' serve dessert,

 

Back on ship, my husband is on deck

15 and after I got a double scoop cone of mandarin orange and strawberry, I am at the Solarium pool.

 

It had been a great trip. Tomorrow is our last day at sea before we arrive in Fort Lauderdale. We are anxious to get home to our two babies - 😽😽

[Pier290]

Enjoy your last day at sea! It's been wonderful following your journey the last 10 days...we are boarding Equinox tomorrow!

 

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[aml3679]

Thank you for following everyone. I hope I have helped someone. As I anxiously anticipated our cruise, I could not get enough information.

 

As I wait for my husband to get ready, I am drinking an iced cappuccino at Cafe el Bacio.

 

For my birthday and graduation with my BSN in nursing, my husband booked a 90 minute massage at the Canyon Ranch Spa.

 

Last thoughts:

 

Embarking: smoothest ever. Got to the pier around 11 and got right on.

 

Concierge lunchen: very nice way to start. Caesar salad followed by chicken palliard and warm apple pie with ice cream and then our room was ready.

 

Room: C3 - bathroom small but well laid out. Round shower with a bar to shave my legs. Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bar soap, body lotion, shower cap - no cotton swabs.

 

Towels are replaced twice a day. Nightlight built in so no need to bring one. A cupboard that has 6 shelves to store toiletries and what nots. Bought an over the door organizer but did not need it.

 

Comfortable bed with a ton of storage. Put the robes, 4 suitcases and a backpack under with no problem.

 

2 storage cupboards above the bed. 2 very small nightstands.

 

A large tv, hairdryer, tote bag, small storage for papes. 5 drawers. A safe and a mini fridge.

 

A desk and chair and a large couch with a coffee table.

 

Then the piece de resistance, a deep balcony with 2 reclining chairs, 2 foot stools and a table.

 

Cabin attendant: Tanya wonderful. Made up our room twice a day.

 

Cafe el Bacio: great coffee, etc

 

Gelateria: delucious

 

Main dining room: service outstanding and food good.

 

Gastropub: we did not care for

 

Murano's: prepared to be spoiled. Chateaubriand - the best cut of beef ever.

 

Sushi on Five: good food and relaxing

 

Tuscan Grill: best view and grest cheese board

 

Silk Harvest: our favorite - going tonight

 

Outdoor pools x 2: nice but loud - spring break so a lot of kids.

 

Solarium pool: my favorite- peaceful

 

You will love it.

[Pier290]

Lots of kids! Hoping that's the case on our sailing tomorrow! Our kids are excited to meet other kids and hang!!!

 

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[aml3679]

Almost already packed- we took advantage of luggage valet - free on Southwest.

 

I loved my hot stone massage - very relaxing.

 

Had our first lunch in the main dining room - fried chicken with honey, cole slaw, johnny cakes and key lime pie.

 

Having our last dinner in Silk Harvest -- so good.

 

We are going to skip the show, there is a 7 am breakfast for concierge that we want to make,

 

Our flight home is at noon. We will be home by 6pm.

 

If anyone has any questions let me know.

[lindy sails]

Absolutely loved your report filled with positive comments and very helpful information. You and your husband know how to have a fun filled cruise. Congratulations on receiving your BSN[emoji310]

 

 

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[Pier290]

How do u know if your airline offers FREE luggage valet?

 

And...7am concierge breakfast....where?

 

Thx!!

 

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[beloum]

We got it for free but everyone in the same room does not have to have the same package. Just the peace if mind not having to worry about costs are priceless.

 

The other day i had:

2 cappuccinos = $8

2 premium oj = $8

4 diet Sprites = $14

4 bottles of water = $8

4 martinis = $39

2 glasses of wine $22

 

That is a total of $99 - win/win. To each their own.

Where did you get the premium OJ? And can you pick up bottled water at any Bar? Thanks so much for all the information. We will be on Equinox in September in a C3, so all the info is so helpful.

 

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[margsipie]

Thanks very much for your report! It was such fun to follow along and reminded me of my cruise routines. Helped pass the time while waiting to sail on the Solstice in a month!

[aml3679]

Thank you everyone for your nice comments and feedback. Both my husband and I agree that it was the best vacation ever. That being said, we are anxious to get home to our two babies (5 year old tuxedo cats - Sylvester and Sophia).

 

Luggage valet: they will deliver a paper to your stateroom about 4 days in. Southwest is the only one that is free all the others I believe charge at least $25. On your last day, they will deliver the tags along with your airline tickets. Have your bags in the hall by 10 pm and they will deliver them to your home airport.

 

Bottled water is everywhere - all bars and restaurants and Cafe el Bacio.

 

Concierge benefits;

Separate check in

Luncheon while you are waiting for your stateroom to be ready

Champagne

Footstools on your balcony

Tote bag

Breakfast before leaving

5 points per night towards Captain's Club status - after ournext cruise we will move up a group

 

Diet sodas: Coke Zero, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero - Sprite Zero was hard to find towards the end

 

Premium oj is available from the sommeliers.

 

Free beverages - oj, apple juice, ice tea, lemonade, coffee and tea

 

By deck:

 

15: Corning Hot Glass Show, lawn club, putting green, bocce, Sunset Bar where one can smoke

 

14: Oceanvirw Cafe - large selection of food and soft serve ice cream

 

12: 2 outdoor pools, 4 hot tubs, indoor adults only with 2 hot tubs, Aquaspa Cafe and The Canyon Ranch Spa.

 

On negarive comment: chair hogs. If you don't put your towels out by 8 am forget it. Our first day a game came over to a couple next to us and accused them of taking their spots.

 

 

11: staterooms

 

 

10: open air library - not very quiet and staterooms

 

 

9: card room (there are a lot of board games snd staterooms

 

 

8 staterooms

 

 

7: staterooms

 

 

6:Apple I Lounge and staterooms

 

 

5: Cafe el Bacio, Galeteria, Fortunes Casino, shopping - high end jewelry and watches, Nautica for men, Michael Koors, and perfume. The portrait studio, the martini bar, the world class bar, all specialty restaurants andvthe Ensembke Lounge where tribia and scrapbooking go on. Also the theatet.

 

 

4: Gastropub, where you first board the ship, shopping - liquor, sundries, womens clithing and jrwelry, main dining room, Luminee.

 

 

3: Guest relations, shore excursions, passport bar:

 

 

2: gangway for shote excursiond

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

My husband has a shellfish slergy and they are very conscious about allerfies.

 

 

There are about 7 free movies you can watch in your stateroom - pay-per-view movies cost $15 each - bring something to stream movies on

 

 

For artificial sweeteners they have Sweet-n-Low, Equal and Splenda

 

 

Laundry: wait for the laundry bag challenge.

 

Some costs:

Dresses - $11

Pants- $7

Shorts - $5.50

Underwear - $3.00

 

I washed my bras in the sink. Ladies: bring ectra bras - you will sweat through your clothing

 

Adult beverages are very strong - i

Had to ask them to put half the amount of alcohol in

 

Have to go to bed a very busy day tomorrow.

[champagne123]

Have a safe trip home and thank you sooooo much for taking us all on this wonderful ride!!!!! Great review and very helpful tips for all of us about to sail the fabulous Equinox!!!! :cool:

[aml3679]

Good Morning!

 

It is 6:20 in the morning and we are safely back in Fort Lauderdale. Starting yesterday, you could feel the weather get cooler. We did not use the pools yesterday.

 

Unfortunately, I picked up a cold and need a decongestant- at the Fort Lauderdale airport.

 

After our concierge breakfast at 7 in Silk Harvest, we will take an Uber to the airport. We used an Uber for the first time on the way here. Must faster and cheaper than a taxi. For anyone who has not used them, download the app and it will tell you what to do from there.

 

Originally, we had a 10:30 flight ( which would have worked out) but I changed it to noon because my husband thought it was cutting it too close by the time we cleared customs-better than rushing around.

 

We leave Fort Lauderdale at noon and will arrive in New Hampshire at 5:35 pm.

 

Last thoughts:

 

We were in cabin 9306 - great - near the elevators.

 

Bring comfortable shoes - you will do a lot if walking and your feet will swell in the heat.

 

We went through 3 cans of sunscreen - on the ship, you will pay at least $20.

 

Bring magnetic hooks and 3 swim suits each (we bought 2 and one was always damp).

 

Do not hesitate to buy a specialty dining package, all of them are good.

 

Bring a tote bag - some shore excursions require you to bring a towel. It is also good for shopping.

 

Use luggage valet, we are walking off the ship with just our jackets, one purse and a backpack.

 

Book another cruise while on board - you get money off, on board credit and your choice of 2 between the premium beverage package, gratuities or internet.

 

Do not feel like you have to do it all - it is your vacation to do as little or as much as you want, to eat and drink what you want.

 

You can bring home up to $800 per family - shop your heart out.

 

Take pictures to capture all of your memories.

 

Voice only legitimate concerns - they asked and we told them about our Gastropub experience and they credited our account.

 

Have fun

Relax

Salty kisses and sandy toes

[spammie]

THANK YOU so much for taking us along on your cruise! We board our favorite ship Equinox in 3 weeks and can't wait! Safe travels home.

[aml3679]

At the extremely busy Fort Lauderdale airport waitint to board our flight. Took a taxi - the meter said $7 plus a $3 airport fee. The driver tried to say his meter was broken andvwanted $20 - I gave him $15.

 

What? We can't use our seapass for coffee? 😆

[ischeer]

Luggage valet: they will deliver a paper to your stateroom about 4 days in. Southwest is the only one that is free all the others I believe charge at least $25. On your last day, they will deliver the tags along with your airline tickets. Have your bags in the hall by 10 pm and they will deliver them to your home airport.

 

Just to clarify: The cost for Luggage Valet is $25 per person, plus the airline baggage fees. On Southwest there is no fee for the first two bags (p/p), but you still pay $25 ( p/p)

[aml3679]

Just to clarify: The cost for Luggage Valet is $25 per person, plus the airline baggage fees. On Southwest there is no fee for the first two bags (p/p), but you still pay $25 ( p/p)

 

No, Southwest flies 2 bags per person for free - all other participating airlines charge at least $25 per person. Southwest is a favorite for a reason.