Equinox 8108 with 3 boys ages 9,9,8 review 6/11-6/18

[ginger123snaps]

Last time we sailed celebrity was to Alaska. I was nervous about not having the waterpark in the carribean. Let me just say that we ALL had a BLAST!

 

We had the family room 8108 just like we did on the Solstice. The setup is exactly the same. Two bedrooms, living room, dining area, balcony, and 1 bathroom. There are not a lot of drawers in the room. Bring collapsable cubes to store your things like socks/underclothes or hanging storage pouches.

 

Fun Factory: My boys were in two separate groups...and they LOVED it!!!! They were having so much fun that they wanted to stay in the fun factory instead of visiting a St. Thomas beach (we have been there before several times). This says a lot about the fun factory. They played gaga ball, time bomb, arts/crafts, basketball, dance parties, etc. We did the VIP pass for each kid. It was ninety seven dollars per kid but well worth it! They got a private bridge tour and backstage theater tour. The VIP pass also included all the parties (late night and dinner/lunch parties on port days). The club is a little small compared to others they have been in but they did a good job of moving them around to different areas. My kids had a great vacation and did not miss the water slides this time. One thing to note...on the last night my boys came back with pillow cases and shirts from the fun factory...we did not have much space as our bags had to be out by 10pm the night before for debarkation. Keep an extra bag out...I was glad i did!

 

Pool: Never went to the pool. Yes with 3 boys we did not go. It was always too crowded....kind of gross with that many people in a pool. We stayed away.

 

Casino: We only played black jack. They have ten dollar tables going up from there. First couple of days they only had one ten dollar table but then they opened up another table. The dealers were all very friendly aside from one or two that had been on the boat way too long! You could tell they were not interested in chit chatting after 8 months on a boat.

 

Service: The service was phenomenal! Everyone went out of their way with friendly smiles. We were not disappointed at all! They really do try their best!

 

Cafe Baccio: I enjoyed the Caramel Macchiato, nutella croissants, almond croissants! Loved this coffee shop!

 

Food: Overall quality was better then other ships we have been on. We typically do not pay for specialty dining as we have already paid for food on the ship. More importantly we felt their were enough options that we did not need to pay for food and the quality was good. I hope they don't change their quality like other lines have. I feel like other lines have gone down in quality and choices to get you to purchase specialty dining.

 

Shops: Not a very big kid selection...but otherwise they had all the same things that other cruise shops have. Michael Kors store, makeup, perfume, etc.

 

Entertainment: We enjoyed the two shows we attended. We are not much into broadway style shows. We did enjoy the comedian and cappella group.

 

Bars: My husband enjoys beer...his favorite was the gastrobar. It was fun to watch the bartenders do tricks at the martini bar. We also enjoyed the world class or molecular bar...they had some very different cocktails to try. I had the classic package because I mostly drink margaritas which was included. My husband had the premium which was worth it for him.

 

We had a fantastic time and were not disappointed! If you have other questions please feel free to message me.

Edited June 19, 2017 by ginger123snaps
forgot to mention bars

[musik07]

I am wondering about what was included at Cafe Al Bacio on your Classic Package. Also how did you do with drinks during the day. Was there a good variety? I am happy with Pina Coladas, Fruity Frozen Drinks, Blue Hawaiians, Vodka and Lemonade etc.

[shanebbb]

Great review at an appropriate level of detail!

 

Thank you for not telling us the cab drivers name on your way to the airport!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[rebeccalouiseagain]

Thank you. My son has been on many cruises and he loved the Fun Factory so much- much more so than other cruise lines. We did a Meditteranean cruise one year with his grandparents and he never wanted to get off the ship- because he had so much fun in the FF. I agree with the pool situation. The pools are small and when there are so many people it is gross sharing. I feel the same way about the hot tubs. When I see a bunch of people in there- I'm turned off. I've stopped using them.

[ginger123snaps]

I am wondering about what was included at Cafe Al Bacio on your Classic Package. Also how did you do with drinks during the day. Was there a good variety? I am happy with Pina Coladas, Fruity Frozen Drinks, Blue Hawaiians, Vodka and Lemonade etc.

 

Only one warm coffee alcoholic beverage was included in the classic package...the rest of the menu were $10 up drinks (so you pay the difference if you order one of those). The drinks you mentioned are all included. Beverages upto $9 are included in the classic package. They give you a flyer with a list of everything included....just pick up one of those from the people trying to sell you upgrades on the first day.

 

All nonalcoholic drinks are included in the classic package at the coffee shop. All pastries are complimentary. They have some delicious stuff there.

[cruisetimeforme]

Thanks! Sounds like you enjoyed

Did you happen to keep any of the dailies? Did the ship dock at Crown Bay while in St Thomas?

[musik07]

Only one warm coffee alcoholic beverage was included in the classic package...the rest of the menu were $10 up drinks (so you pay the difference if you order one of those). The drinks you mentioned are all included. Beverages upto $9 are included in the classic package. They give you a flyer with a list of everything included....just pick up one of those from the people trying to sell you upgrades on the first day.

 

All nonalcoholic drinks are included in the classic package at the coffee shop. All pastries are complimentary. They have some delicious stuff there.

 

Do you happen to have a picture of the menu? I have one from feburary and everything is $9 or under. This means they must have changed a bunch of menus!

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.

[Bkchero]

Were there a decent number of kids on the ship? It sounds like there were a few. Thanks.

[ginger123snaps]

Plenty of kids on the ship. Not as many as other lines but still enough to keep them busy and having fun.

 

Docked at Crown Bay in St. Thomas. A few shops are located in the port but nothing exciting. After sailing the caribbean so many times it all seems like the same stuff at the shops.

 

Did not keep any dailies or pictures of menus but happy to answer any questions you may have.

[ginger123snaps]

Do you happen to have a picture of the menu? I have one from feburary and everything is $9 or under. This means they must have changed a bunch of menus!

 

Baileys is not included in the classic package and so this put most of the alcoholic coffee menu at $10 to $12. The only coffee included in the classic package is one that has Kahlua, Spanish brandy and espresso. It was very good! You pay the difference if you order one of the other drinks. Everything NONalcoholic was included at the coffee bar.

[cruisetimeforme]

Did you happen to notice if Murano and Tuscan offered lunch ? Probably would have been the last sea days. Looking to spend some OBC for them on upcoming cruise

[patsfan9404]

Thank you for the review! We are on the Equinox July 2nd and are bringing our two daughters on their first cruise - ages 8 and 5. You mention the VIP package for the FF - is this something you can purchase when you embark or should I call now to reserve? I think they would love that. Thanks!

[ginger123snaps]

When you go to the kids club to finish signing paperwork the first day (even after signing up online)...sign them up at that time. You will ask for the VIP for each child. Have fun! Its a blast!