EQUINOX DEUX - 11 Night Ultimate Caribbean - PV Trip Report 3/13/17

[Ozzmund]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for your kind comments. Thanks for stimulating our economy. Hopefully you were here on one of our fantastic fall weather days? We had a great fall and very little winter (keeping fingers crossed for rest of March). Sailing into our home port of Charlottetown is on our bucket list. What HAL ship were you on?

 

Photo of HAL Veendam arriving into the City of Charlottetown.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

 

Kevin,

We arrived on the Zuiderdam.

Our arrival did not find the water as calm as your picture.

[pretty princess]

Thanks! What was the status of the Hot Glass Show on your cruise? Was it Gone? We were never big fans of the Hot Glass Show.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

There is a new company that has taken over the hot glass show. You pay to make your own. Looked like a lot of fun but I never found the time. Always very busy, this was the first week. Items start at forty dollars and up. Maybe next time. Enjoy your upcoming cruise

[mpace58]

I figured that would get a response from you. I was Thinking of you and Beth when typing that.

Mark do you and Beth have anything booked yet for 2019? We have Silhouette March 3 booked.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

Currently we are booked for Feb 10 2019 on Silhouette. :(

[FRMPEI]

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - SLOT PULL


 

Okay! I am saying "sorry" right now if I offend anyone. If I happen to misspell Slot with a "u". I am guilty of that in my previous Equinox Trip Report. First things first... A big thank you to Kevin(not me) for organizing and wrangling all the participants. Kevin did a great job on this. For those not familiar with a slot pull the organizer collects the names of all the interested participants and collect $15 per person. Then arranges to put all of the money into one or more slot machines. Each person has the same number of pulls and if any money is left over at the end the groups decides to either split up the pot or keep going with pulls.

 

 

Today's slot pull was organized for 10:30 AM with the price being said $15 USD per person which equated to five pulls each on the "Wheel ofFortune" slot machine. At this time of the morning the casino was not very busy at all but, they "casino" didn't want our group blocking up the thru fair of traffic. One person had fun making jokes / comments on how busy the casino was and be sure not to block their way. Our five pulls was around the end and we added about $10 and $4 respectively to the pot. At the end of everybody's turn there was almost as much money left in the machines as when we started. So it was decided that we would go thru the list one more time but,this time in reverse order. For Donna's second go at the machine she struck a $100 win and I was lucky enough to get a $40 just missing out on a $1000. At the end of the second round there was still enough left in the machines to payback $18 to each couple. Not bad... $30-$18=$12 for over two hours of fun. The slot pull allows you to mingle and gab with fellow cruise critic members you only know online. Highly recommend that you participate in this fun event.

 

Hi Wes!

 

 

The casino donated prizes to the top three couples in $'s won. Congrats to Tedd & Jean who were the #1 couple while Donna and I were the #2 couple. Please for give me but, I don't remember who the #3 couple was. Sorry!

Your #2 Cruise Critic Roll Call Slot Pull Winners... Donna & Kevin

 

The bounty all laid out. Love the Trophy! I proudly display it in my new home office.

 

Gee! It must be time to eat?

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[bluwes]

Thanks for the photo Kevin. Seems you caught me in a "relaxed" pose.......:D:D

Liz paid $5 for that hat and didn't take it off all cruise !

[FRMPEI]

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - Lunch

Off once again to the Silhouette Dining room for lunch. I ordered the BBQ chicken but, I didn't really care for it. Did not order any dessert because I knew I was going to hit up the Gelato Bar.

 

 

Today's lunch time menu

 

Balinese Satay Beef & Chicken Skewers

 

BBQ Chicken

 

Donna's Spaghetti Bolognese

 

Norma Jean's Seafood Brochette

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[poffles]

BBQ Chicken

 

 

That looks nasty!

[FRMPEI]

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - Afternoon Wandering

 

Donna and Norma Jean headed off to Deck 14 for sun worshipping. I kept my light pale Irish skin out of the sun by wandering around taking photos and videos. This cruise we decided to purchase the cheapest 8 picture package of photos along with the DVD. With our Elite coupon we got a $25 discount. I like the ship photos for use in our annual Apple iPhoto Book that I usually give to Donna for Christmas. Side note never got around to making the Apple photo Book for 2017 yet.

 

Some Wandering Photos...

 

Gastro Bar (Old Cellar Masters)

Library Deck 10

 

More library. Occupies Deck 10 & 11

 

Pool Bar. Officiers vs. Guests volley ball

 

 

Looking down of Deck 15 Starboard side

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

That looks nasty!

 

Agree! I don't I liked the Skewers either.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - Captains Club Cocktail Hour

 

Donna and I are going to Tuscan this evening our first of Four Specialty Dining Package we purchased online. Some where during the morning and 5 PM I tweaked my left Knee because, boy! oh! boy! was it ever sore. After writing these notes I know realize that I hurt my knee by just going up and down to many stairs.

 

Our Tuscan reservation is for 6:00 PM and since we were all prettied up and no other place to go we decide to try/visit our first ever "Elite" Captains Club Cocktail Hour from 5-7 PM up in the Sky Lounge. Boy! what a SNOOZE FEST. Kind of loses it's impact and importance since so many guest come on board with beverage packages. I think we lasted at least 15 minutes at this event before we bailed. Can't see rushing back to this "Elite" event until it become more attractive.

 

Speaking of Attractive here is my lovely wife bearing the Snooze Fest.

 

Complimentary Drink

 

The Sun was setting and gave some neat light for photos. Donna being the photographer here.

 

 

 

One of our purchased photo.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[cardiffman]

The Sky Lounge looks nicer than the Skywalker on Princess ships, because I like headroom (ironically, I'm 5'6" so I don't need it). In fact it seems like quite a few rooms/spaces are two-stories high. That picture of the main dining room is another nice example.

[FRMPEI]

Yes! The sky Lounge is a very nice venue at the front of the ship. A place I wish we would visit more.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - TUSCAN GRILLE

 

We arrived right on time for our 6:00 PM reservation. Ken and Norma Jean were not joining us tonight so we were seated at one of those excellent tables for two right by the wake windows. I was disappointed that Tuscan no longer offered chop salad and I also did not see the Tuscan french onion soup offered either. Personally I preferred the Main dining room french onion soup over Tuscan's.

 

 

Left side of Tuscan Menu

 

Right side of Tuscan Menu

 

Donna and I basically ordered the same thing... Filet Mignon. Donna went outside of her boundary again and ordered it medium well but, I could tell when she cut into it was way to pink for her. Donna was not quite feeling 100% this evening. I think the ship motion up at the Sky Lounge's Elite Snooze Fest got to her.

 

Decisions Decisions...

 

 

I am not normally a big bread eater but at Celebrity's many eating venues it is hard to resist "The Bread Basket".

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - TUSCAN GRILLE cont'd

 

Donna loved this Goat Cheese & Arugula salad.

 

I also enjoyed my Minestrone soup

 

Donna's

 

Kevin's

 

I had ordered Polenta Fries thinking they were some type of potatoe. Wrong!

 

Sidenote: UPDATE!

If anybody remembers my comment about the men's washroom in the Ensemble Lounge from my 2014 Equinox Trip Report? Well! That potential danger of showing one's package still exists if standing at the first urinal and the door opens. Did not happen to me.. Just saying.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - TUSCAN GRILLE cont'd

Dessert menu Left side

 

Dessert menu right side

 

Donna... Limoncello Cheese Cake

 

It had the word "gelato" in it. So I got the... Fig Gelato. This trip I also discovered that I like Caffe Latte.

 

Tonight's visit to Tuscan would be our first of two. During our second visit Ken and Norma Jean join us.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - GOOD NIGHT!

Donna and I met up with Ken and Norma Jean in the entertainment court around 8:10 PM and people were already lining up for the 9 PM show in the Equinox Theatre... 3 DIVAS. Without a doubt these three ladies can sign. But, (you should know by now I always have a BUT) the banter between these three women did not seem natural and came off as phony and well rehearsed. Just my opinion. Most of the people who saw the show LOVED it. The generally consensus among the four us was... Nah! No thanks! We would not line up to see them again.

 

My knee was really continuing to hurt so we stop by the bar at the Fortune's casino and took back four glasses of ice to cool down my knee. We are not much for the late night actives and usually call her quits around 11 PM. Tomorrow is our first port day in Limon, Costa Rica.

 

Next day's treasures awaiting our return.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - CELEBRITY TODAY & INSERTS

Celebrity Today Thursday March 16, 2017

 

Front Page

Inside Left Page #2

 

Inside Right Page #3

 

Back Page #4

 

Daily Insert

 

Daily Insert

 

Regards

Kevin Reid

[mpace58]

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - Captains Club Cocktail Hour

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

Very nice photos!!

[FRMPEI]

Very nice photos!!

 

Why Thank You Mr. Mark

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA

I never even tried to catch the the sunrise this morning. The alarm was set for 7:30 AM but, we were up at 7 AM. This morning we used one of our two "Elite" laundry coupons. To me this is a real perk with real $ value. This is where the packing tape that was used to stick our flags to glass of the balcony comes in handy with the laundry bag. The supplied Celebrity laundry bags are pretty flimsy and you will want to stuff them to the max. So you get one complimentary laundry bag each. I had no problem stuffing 26 items into the bag for a total saving of $115 USD. Not Bad! If I say so my self. The laundry came back in two bags.

 

 

This morning rather than going to the main dining room for breakfast we went up to the Oceanview Buffet for a very nice table outside aft near the Oceanview Bar. This was actually the first time this cruise that we ate something from the buffet.

 

 

The sun was shining brightly with a forecasted high of +30. We get use to putting the + or - signs in front of weather temps here in Canada. Scheduled arrival time in Puerto Limon was 9 AM. Lots of time to get back down to the room gather up camera gear and set up on deck 5 forward starboard side. I gave Norma Jean a challenge today... to take at least 100 pictures. She did win the challenge.

 

But first a few photos from our breakfast.

 

One of Norma Jean's Challenge photos

 

A beautiful wake and blue sky close to the equator.

 

Crew member putting out the Flag.

 

Lawn Club Starboard side with Puerto Lemon in the distance

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - Arrival

Port in sight

 

The HAL Zuiderdam would be sharing the port with us today. The Zuiderdam was already docked and we would be docking on the side which was a commercial container port.

 

 

This island is very close to the port.

 

Norma Jean taking it all in

 

 

The sun beaming down full force on Donna

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - Arrival

Yours truly along with my faithful Sony pistol grip handycam fastened to the rail

 

Coming along side

 

 

 

Are you ready for the sun?

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[FRMPEI]

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - DOLE PLANTATION

Generally when we visit a port for the first time we tend to book an excursion thru the ship. Donna did the research and decided upon a Banana Plantation Tour. Gathering time for this excursion was 9:15 AM Equinox Theatre. After two days at sea we were greeted with a very comfortable air conditioned coach. The tour guide was able to move a few folks around to get us four onto the bus. Ken And I were in the very last row while the women were a few rows of seats ahead of us.

 

 

 

 

Our tour guide for this trip was Humberto. I must say that he was the best and most informative tour guide that we have ever experienced on a cruise excursion. Humberto was a true professional and you could tell he loved his job. After a few minutes into the tour Humberto put the mike down and went down the entire length of the bus asking each person their name and where they were from. He was very knowledgable of the geography of where people were from. Personally I wish I had know a little more about Costa Rica before our visit.

 

Humberto "the Great"

 

The bus driver was also good. He stoped about a half an hour into the drive to hand out a banana to each person cut from a banana stock he was holding. The bus driver then came and collected all the banana peels. Humberto later explained why it so important not to allow a ripened banana peel in the banana plant because of the peel off gas that causes a green banana to ripen to yellow. ( I did not know this.)

 

 

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[mpace58]

I'm not a banana fan. But bananas that have ripened on the tree are so much better.

[FRMPEI]

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - DOLE PLANTATION

Before arriving at the Dole Banana Plantation the bus driving stopped one more time along the road because he had spotted Howler Monkeys in the trees. I remember Howler Monkeys from a season of Survivor Costa Rica.

 

Photo taken from bus through window. Monkey in the middle of the photo.

 

When we arrived at the banana farm and processing plant we first had to disinfect our footwear by stepping onto this spongey wet mat.

 

 

 

We were greeted by a senior farm worker who gave us a background story of the banana and the industry in Costa Rica. He opened the floor to question from the arrivals. When questions were finished it was our tour guide Humberto who took us into the "packaging" facility and led the tour.

 

 

I did not have to cover my hair with a hairnet because I had a hat.

 

Their "babies" as the senior worker referred to the stalks of bananas.

 

The big take away from this excursion for me. Bananas grow on a plant and not a tree. I love bananas and have a special appreciation for them now when I see that Dole Costa Rica sticker on them in my local grocery store.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

Edited March 11, 2018 by FRMPEI