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Equinox Live June 16-23, 2018

BermudaBound2014

By BermudaBound2014,
in Celebrity Cruises

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BermudaBound2014 Great Review Rare

BermudaBound2014

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We have arrived in key west after Smooth seas and a great nights sleep. Had coffee delivered this morning and currently sipping on the balcony.

 

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Firstly, I did not see one single long sleeve shirt worn last night. Not one. Things were quite casual. We didn’t dine in the MDR but were all over the interior of the ship. As others have mentioned, pay zero attention to the long sleeve rule.

 

After my last post we went on deck and found some very nice loungers to watch Miami fade in the distance and stayed for an uneventful sunset. So far, it’s the little things that make this ship extra nice. All of the loungers come with a padded topper on top of the vinyl straps- so comfy.

 

For the person asking about shade- I am quite fond of shade myself and find it a premium on most ships. Not this one. Yes, the loungers in shade face the sea, but I can’t picture how that would be different than loungers facing perpendicular. I’ll grab photos for you for a definitive answer.

 

We also watched the hot glass show. Joe and Jeff were entertaining and the piece they made was exquisite. The show was so well attended they agreed to do a second impromptu showing at 9:00 pm. I was originally going to make a piece, but based on reviews decided to pass. I was never quite sure why the hot glass gizmo was put on a cruise ship- I mean, what could go wrong with a 2000* oven at sea? But after watching I appreciate the novelty and also understand why Celebrity is exchanging for revenue generating space.

 

Onto more little touches. So far, the equinox reminds me a bit of sailing in the “old” days. The service is nothing short of outstanding. The crew onboard is either truly happy, well trained in hospitality, or a combination of the two. We have not come across a single person who has not went out of their way to say hello welcome us onboard. I’m talking from the meat carver to the bathroom attendant and including the officers. Class act all the way.

 

Speaking of days gone by, celebrity still offers complimentary room service from the dining room menu. And the table on the balcony is a decent size to eat at. Not huge, but not one of the tiny tables that barely hold a drink and book. We are in a regular balcony and the space is generous when compared to other main stream lines. I appreciate the teak over plastic and the fact that the lounge chairs recline to nearly vertical. If I can’t have a chaise on my balcony, this is a close second.

 

Is this ship showing some wear? Sure, things age. She’s 10 years old now. I’m showing a bit of wear too over the last 10 years. Like all of us, you can find A little rust here, some scratches there. Overwhelmingly, she is in fine shape and has been up-kept well.

 

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And speaking of days gone by, those are chocolates on the pillow. 635a6dfc99f2c48ca50e1b7b018fedd4.jpg

 

 

 

 

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BermudaBound2014 Great Review Rare

BermudaBound2014

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After watching the hot glass show and loosing our daily limit in the casino we were feeling too relaxed to change for dinner and decided to eat in the buffet. Last night was “burger extravaganza”. To be honest, I’m not quite sure what was extravaganza about it- at the grilling station there were minute steaks, pork chops (which were very good), burgers, chicken, and dogs. I suspect that’s pretty much the usual. They did have a pan of grilled onions and mushrooms. No bacon or cheese other than American (which would turn my burger into an extravaganza). Had I went for the burger I would have added bacon bits from the baked potato station and a different cheese, but I opted for a Caesar salad and grilled pork chop which was perfectly acceptable. For desert I tried the low fat mandarins yogurt and it won’t be my last.

 

To clarify, I’m not sailing with hubby. He does cruise with me (last year Norway, year before Venice and the Greek isles), but hubby is a land lover and cruises for the ports. This year, our big trip is a 3 week hiking “extravaganza” in glacier national park. Unlike hubby, I get giddy just watching cruise webcams and have been to the Caribbean so many times I don’t always get off the ship.

 

I’m on the equinox as part of a girls trip. We travel every year- a group anywhere from 2-20. This year there are just the 2 of us, me and my bestie, but we are mighty. She also has gills and we travel together splendidly. The last time cin and I sailed together we were on the MSC divina in the Yacht Club. I’m not a MSC hater, but I’m not a loyal fan either. I mention this only because we have had more attention in ONE day from our room steward than we had the entire week from our “Butler.”

 

It went like this- our room steward knocked on the door and introduced himself (I’m terrible with names but will write it down one day). He then asked us to please take a seat so he could explain the room. We smiled and promptly plopped on the couch where he went through a 15 minute speech about the step into the bathroom, how to work the safe, keep the balcony door closed, etc... neither one of us had the heart to tell him we are veterans to the sea (not veterans like many of you with 100s of cruises, but this is number 30 for me over the last 31 years, so I consider myself reasonably knowledgeable). After he left we both commented how professional the whole process was. When we stated we did not need the room serviced twice daily he replied, “please allow me, you are on holiday”. Once we realized chocolates were involved it was game on.

 

We have found information readily available. Outside the buffet is a scrolling sign with the buffet “special” of the day. I saw “baked crumble” night during Cozumel and was hooked. I’ll try to grab photos for you. Little touches like the weeks mdr menu available on the TV (which would handy if making speciality reservations). For the person asking about menus I took a photo off the T.V of the entire week. It will be blurry but I think it will get the job done without me having to whip out the iPhone in the MDR.

 

Day 1

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momjkm

momjkm

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Very excited- going on the 7th of July. How did you get from hotel to pier? Also, things that cost “extra” - is there a way to know the cost before showing up? It isn’t on the dailies right?

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SWFL Cruisers

SWFL Cruisers

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Why were you not allowed at the Lawn Club?

If you saw the "Wedding Games" (we won) it was one of our answers and the next morning during Maarten's announcement he joked that I was not allowed at the Lawn Club anymore...….:evilsmile:

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charleysmom

charleysmom

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Thanks so much for posting “live!” Your photos and descriptions are getting me really excited for our departure on July 28. Quick question… Do you know how much they were charging for the weekly pass to the aqua spa? Thanks!

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maggieq

maggieq

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Oh, YOU were the one banned from the Lawn! And who was the guy dancing at all the theater shows...can’t remember his name.

 

 

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Alan was the older gentleman dancing at the pool and the theater. We never saw him the last day.

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BermudaBound2014 Great Review Rare

BermudaBound2014

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We are safely back on board. I think this is the first I’ve ever spent time in key west reasonably sober. We walked around downtown this morning and it was deserted. Of course, once majesty of the seas pulled in and the bars opened, so did the town.

 

My aunt lives in the keys and met us at the margarita resort. She is in her 70s so we took it easy on her and ended up w/ a special Father’s Day brunch on the water bistro245. It was a bit pricy but you have to love a restaurant that cuts the shell off the crab for you. We dined on lobster, mimosas, an array of very fresh caught fish. Had a great afternoon reminiscing about my mom when she was younger and me as a toddler.

 

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I was able to grab a few photos of the lounge chairs in shade for the person inquiring-

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And the solarium which is air conditioned with lovely spa music piped in

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