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Celebrity Equinox 10 day Southern Caribbean from Miami on September 14th -24th


GrazieMommy
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We decided that we would go to the show at 7 then go to dinner after so we wouldn’t have to rush through dinner to make the show. The show was comedian Ralph Harris from the last comic standing. He was hilarious. Afterwards we went to the Luminae dining room. We were met by the sweetest hostess Victoria and the Maitre D whom I believe was named Angelina but not sure. They were both so extremely friendly and welcoming. It felt like I was greeted by old friends.

 

Our waiter was Jesus and his assistant Ali. They would take excellent care of us throughout the cruise. Their recommendations were always spot on. Our sommelier Yan was also excellent in her recommendations. By the end of the cruise I wanted to take them all home with us.

 

After dinner we met up with our friends in the Sky Lounge on Deck 14 forward for dancing. Following this DH retired to our stateroom and I joined our friends at the Martini bar where we enjoyed the entertaining bartenders and their martinis before turning in.

 

Day 2 to follow.

 

 

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We were on the Equinox in July and Yan was an excellent sommelier. I think the Maitre'd was Arial, she was also excellent. Our usual waiter was Sevrin (something like that) from Turkey, although I think Jesus took care of us once, too.

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We were on the Equinox in July and Yan was an excellent sommelier. I think the Maitre'd was Arial, she was also excellent. Our usual waiter was Sevrin (something like that) from Turkey, although I think Jesus took care of us once, too.

 

 

 

Thanks. I believe you’re right Arial is her name. I’m awful with names.

 

 

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Really enjoying your review so far. We are the couple sitting by the door in your picture of the embarkation lounge (not the family with the kids). What a peaceful way to start a cruise! This was hands down the quickest embarkation we have ever had! Wanda

 

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Really enjoying your review so far. We are the couple sitting by the door in your picture of the embarkation lounge (not the family with the kids). What a peaceful way to start a cruise! This was hands down the quickest embarkation we have ever had! Wanda

 

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It WAS truly a quick and painless embarkation wasn't it? How funny I captured you in the photo! I thought it was a fantastic cruise, but you'll have to stay tuned into GrazieMommy's thread as she's taking the lead on this one.

 

MisterMet

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Pics from EMBARKATION DAY.

 

 

 

 

 

The last pic is the embarkation lounge.

 

 

 

Is the embarkation lounge only for suite guests?

 

 

 

I believe some of the higher loyalty levels as well as the Suite guests are the only ones able to access the embarkation lounge.

 

 

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We were on the cruise right before yours in a suite. In Luminae, our hostess and maitre'd were Viktoria and Anitsa. Both wonderful. We had Tony as a head waiter but Jesus helped out frequently. He told us your cruise would be his first as a head waiter. Great guy and very funny as well. Yan was a terrific sommelier. She serviced the entire room but was always there with great advice when needed. I mean right when needed, no waiting. Incredibly efficient. We were a group of six for my Dad's 80th birthday. I couldn't ask for a better dining experience than we received on that cruise. Not a single complaint with food or service. Pretty much perfect.

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We were on the cruise right before yours in a suite. In Luminae, our hostess and maitre'd were Viktoria and Anitsa. Both wonderful. We had Tony as a head waiter but Jesus helped out frequently. He told us your cruise would be his first as a head waiter. Great guy and very funny as well. Yan was a terrific sommelier. She serviced the entire room but was always there with great advice when needed. I mean right when needed, no waiting. Incredibly efficient. We were a group of six for my Dad's 80th birthday. I couldn't ask for a better dining experience than we received on that cruise. Not a single complaint with food or service. Pretty much perfect.

 

 

 

Thanks for clearing up Anitsa’s name. Now that you mentioned it I remember. I’m surprised that ours was the first head waiter cruise for Jesus. He was like a pro. I agree Yan was always right there when you needed her. Just amazing.

 

 

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10 Southern Caribbean Celebrity Equinox Day 2:

 

This was our first sea day. I love the sea days as we can sleep in and not stick to a tight schedule. DH and I love to start our day with breakfast on the balcony. Dominic was right on schedule with the breakfast at the appointed time we put on the door the night before. He set the table and poured our coffee. The mornings and evenings were the best times for the balcony as it was too hot during the day to sit out there for long.

 

DH went to the fitness center to work out and I went up to deck 14 for the running track as I prefer to workout outside. I attempted a few laps of running but it was too crowded for running so I did several laps of walking around the deck including going up to deck 15 to the lawn club and back down and up again by the sports court from aft to forward. I always lose track of how many laps I’ve done. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit, but aside from taking the stairs during the cruise, this was the extent of my exercise for the trip!

 

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The pics show some of the decks of 14 & 15 while I was walking but I also included a pic of the cake at the buffet from embarkation day that I forgot to include before. Also I got a pic of another ship that may have been the Carnival Victory that was in Miami the day before.

 

 

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Day 2 continued:

 

After our workouts we went with our friends to the cruise critic meet and greet at the Gastro Pub. Captain Kate McCue and some of the other officers were introduced to us. There was a pretty big turnout. The officers were all very friendly as they were for the entire cruise. I’m so impressed with how visible and friendly the officers are on Celebrity.

 

Following the meet and greet DH & I went to get a cappuccino and espresso at Cafe al Bacio. Big surprise awaited us. There was Captain Kate herself making and serving the espressos and cappuccinos!

 

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From there we went up to the lawn club to catch some of the bocce ball tournament with the officers vs. the passengers.

 

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Following the meet and greet DH & I went to get a cappuccino and espresso at Cafe al Bacio. Big surprise awaited us. There was Captain Kate herself making and serving the espressos and cappuccinos!

 

Interesting! I've sailed several times with Captain Kate and she did indeed put in appearances in Bacio, but she said they only allowed her to serve treats, not to make coffee. This was back in her days on the Summit.

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Day 2:

 

After some shopping in the ship’s stores we went back to the cabin to rest and enjoy some canapés.

 

This was the first evening chic night and DH loves to look dapper. After dressing for dinner we went to Michael’s club for a drink then met our friends and went to the theater on deck 5 where our butler escorted us to reserve seating. This suite treatment was spoiling us. The show was Topper. This was a Celebrity production. It was a musical/acrobatic type show. It could be that we just didn’t quite understand the theme but our group did not enjoy his show. That being said, we found the rest of the entertainment onboard to be excellent.

 

This was one of our friend’s birthday so we joined them in the Silhouette dining room to celebrate her birthday. They served her a special cake and the food was superb. This was the start of a gastro joyride for me. It always amazes me that I can be so full after a 4 & 5 course meal and then see some sweets and eat more!

 

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Is Luminae a specialty restaurant for suite guests? What is the extra charge please and do you need reservations far in advance? Or can you get them from the concierge right on board.

 

 

 

To my knowledge Luminae is a dining room for suite guests but we asked if our friends in concierge could join us and they said yes. Our butler could make the reservation but they would be charged a $30 upcharge like a specialty restaurant.

 

 

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Interesting! I've sailed several times with Captain Kate and she did indeed put in appearances in Bacio, but she said they only allowed her to serve treats, not to make coffee. This was back in her days on the Summit.

 

 

 

You may be correct. I can’t remember if she made them or just served them but she did serve pastries and cookies to guests directly. She did serve our coffee to us and returned our cards to us. I have video of this but unfortunately Tapatalk doesn’t allow me to post it.

 

We missed this on our time on the Summit as she was on vacation then, so we were so glad to meet her on the Equinox.

 

 

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Count me as one of those who was on this cruise as well. I think the worst part of the cruise was the embarkation day (Celebrity was not using their usual terminal and was understaffed, thus the long conga line) and the disembarkation (was part of group 6 that had differing instructions between what was issued to the passengers verses the crew, plus I could not find the group 6 luggage). I did appreciate how Captain Kate was a participant in many shipboard events and greeted us as we left the ship.

 

As for Key West, there were two groups... one for US citizens that took place on Deck 14 and one for everyone else in the MDR-Deck 4. The line moved fast, and I swear, the customs agent spent about 15 seconds total staring at my passport then telling me to go on through. This meant that no customs back in Key West. I could have caught a slightly earlier flight.

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Count me as one of those who was on this cruise as well. I think the worst part of the cruise was the embarkation day (Celebrity was not using their usual terminal and was understaffed' date=' thus the long conga line) and the disembarkation (was part of group 6 that had differing instructions between what was issued to the passengers verses the crew, plus I could not find the group 6 luggage). I did appreciate how Captain Kate was a participant in many shipboard events and greeted us as we left the ship.

 

As for Key West, there were two groups... one for US citizens that took place on Deck 14 and one for everyone else in the MDR-Deck 4. The line moved fast, and I swear, the customs agent spent about 15 seconds total staring at my passport then telling me to go on through. This meant that no customs back in Key West. I could have caught a slightly earlier flight.[/quote']

 

 

 

I will say it was confusing to me after my DH dropped me off at the terminal. I couldn’t find a sign to direct me to the correct entrance. I wound up dragging our carryons through a huge crowd of people leaving the ship only to finally ask someone, and then drag them back to where I had already come from before.

 

I don’t know if it was because we got there so early or because we were suite guests, but we had no problems once we got to the correct entrance. We’re not going in a suite next time as this was a special treat. Thanks for the heads up on your experience.

 

 

 

 

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We were on the cruise right before yours in a suite. In Luminae, our hostess and maitre'd were Viktoria and Anitsa. Both wonderful. We had Tony as a head waiter but Jesus helped out frequently. He told us your cruise would be his first as a head waiter. Great guy and very funny as well. Yan was a terrific sommelier. She serviced the entire room but was always there with great advice when needed. I mean right when needed, no waiting. Incredibly efficient. We were a group of six for my Dad's 80th birthday. I couldn't ask for a better dining experience than we received on that cruise. Not a single complaint with food or service. Pretty much perfect.

 

 

 

We had Yan as a first time sommelier on Equinox a few years ago. We’d have never guessed it was her first cruise as a sommelier if she hadn’t told us. So glad she’s moved up

 

 

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