Observations from the Equinox Retreat

[rattanchair]

On board Celebrity Equinox, June 22, 2019 sailing.  The revolution changes are very welcome. Michaels Club is now called the Retreat Lounge, same size, removed the piano, all new, with a small buffet constantly refreshed like MSC Yacht Club lounge. Deck 16, card access (just wave your room key card in front of the access module same as access to your cabin), will find the sun deck with awnings for shade.  Waiters are moved up from Luminae Dining Room to serve a different 5 choice of entrees on this deck. New policy allows suite guests to board the ship and go directly to their cabins to obtain their key cards and leave their carry-on bags in their cabins. Cabins can be locked, but will not be officially cleaned till 1:00.  Then check into the Retreat Lounge deck 5 and wait till the announcement from concierge that the Luminae is open for lunch. Unlike RCCL suite guests that have to wait around, to obtain their key cards, until they open fire doors to cabin hallways, having to drag their carry-ons around for an hour before their is someone on duty at the Coastal Kitchen, to let you in. Your key cards are not accessible until 1:00, after lunch.

     The casino is smoke free and a pleasure to walk through, unlike NCL Breakaway where stale smoke permeates many venues and restaurants. New carpeting and reupholstered and new furniture abound. A more mature group of passengers than we experienced 2 weeks ago aboard the NCL Breakaway, we have not seen anyone pass out or fall out of their chair, like we witnessed in the Haven. But this is day one.

Edited June 23, 2019 by rattanchair
wrong ship in heading

[mysparky]

Happy to hear that your initial impressions of the changes are very positive.  Have a wonderful cruise!

[Klapka]

Very interesting.  We will be on Silhouette next year after similar changes have been made.

 

As to the Retreat Sun Deck, you are saying entrees are served?  At what times?

 

Can I get a drink up there?

[Cruisenouvelle]

Thank you for the update! We'll be on Equinox early September...

[rattanchair]

6 minutes ago, Klapka said:

Very interesting.  We will be on Silhouette next year after similar changes have been made.

 

As to the Retreat Sun Deck, you are saying entrees are served?  At what times?

 

Can I get a drink up there?

Dear Kla,  They have lunch beginning at 11:30.  Lunch is being handled by waiters sent from the Luminae. Special attendants are on hand to supply towels and drinks all the time. It is our first day and we just finished lunch on the Retreat Deck, recommended by our Luminae waiter this morning at breakfast, since he knew he was not going to be stationed in Lumunae today.  How could we refuse?  Perhaps it is his way, of catering to his' group' of tables in the Luminae.

[rattanchair]

16 minutes ago, Cruisenouvelle said:

Thank you for the update! We'll be on Equinox early September...

 Dear Cru,  So many repeat cruisers in the Retreat.  It is 2:00 and they are still serving lunch on  the Sun Deck Retreat. Reminds me of the MSC Divina  Yacht Club, only the Retreat offers shade.

Edited June 23, 2019 by rattanchair
sentence structure

[WonderMan3]

34 minutes ago, Klapka said:

Very interesting.  We will be on Silhouette next year after similar changes have been made.

 

As to the Retreat Sun Deck, you are saying entrees are served?  At what times?

 

Can I get a drink up there?

 

It’s the same as the Retreat menu on Edge. They have 5 or 6 items like shrimp cocktail, burger, etc. If you do a search I’m sure you can find the menu posted in another thread.

[39august]

So, there are now awnings  for shade on the Retreat Deck? That is surely good news. Won't be able to use it until Sept. with our first X suite.

[MaggieAtSea]

So glad to hear about change to cabin access on day of boarding.  We board Equinox in less than a month and we were considering staying at our hotel  (Conrad in Fort Lauderdale) longer that morning to just avoid all the dragging around of luggage and waiting around for access to room.  Dislike that as a way to start a vacation… And dislike the sense of hurrying hard-working room attendants.  It was annoying to be a passenger in a suite and start things off by being herded in Michael’s club to wait in a very crowded room with lots of carry-on luggage until suites were ready - so much nicer to be able to dump the carry-ons in the room and then head somewhere for lunch. Also very happy to hear that drinks are available at the Retreat. 

looking forward to hearing more,  as anticipation is certainly mounting in this household! 

[rattanchair]

[chemmo]

Rattanchair, sincere thanks for your post, we board September.

 

If you get the chance could you find out if they are planning to add any new items to the Luminae menu?

 

[rattanchair]

14 minutes ago, MaggieAtSea said:

So glad to hear about change to cabin access on day of boarding.  We board Equinox in less than a month and we were considering staying at our hotel  (Conrad in Fort Lauderdale) longer that morning to just avoid all the dragging around of luggage and waiting around for access to room.  Dislike that as a way to start a vacation… And dislike the sense of hurrying hard-working room attendants.  It was annoying to be a passenger in a suite and start things off by being herded in Michael’s club to wait in a very crowded room with lots of carry-on luggage until suites were ready - so much nicer to be able to dump the carry-ons in the room and then head somewhere for lunch. Also very happy to hear that drinks are available at the Retreat. 

looking forward to hearing more,  as anticipation is certainly mounting in this household! 

Dear Mag, My sentiments exactly. Took some early morning photos. Yes the basketball court is still there. Not only did we have to drag the carry-ons into Michael's Club, we had to drag them to Luminae for first lunch as well (we were on Equinox in March before the Revolution) . As S2 on deck 12, a mistake, rolling thunder all night and into the morning hours from above. We are presently on our CS . The Retreat Sun deck is nice, but it hot even in the shade, compared to our balcony which juts out over the ocean catching a delightful Caribbean breeze as we sail for San Juan. Also the over hang is providing more shade that was slowly being eroded away on the Sun Deck Retreat.

[MaggieAtSea]

We are in PH, so not sure how much we’ll use Retreat, but we surely will to check it out and be social, lol!  

It is our first Caribbean cruise in the summer.  We were originally booked on the Edge but didn’t like how Edge Villa was looking so jump to this instead.  Price too good to pass up!  It will be an interesting experience, this Caribbean sailing in the summer... I wonder if it will be too hot for us! But the water looks beautiful, can’t wait to jump in on our excursions. 

Great photos...thank you for sharing!  Enjoy your time.

 

[jj6961]

19 minutes ago, rattanchair said:

Dear Mag, My sentiments exactly. Took some early morning photos. Yes the basketball court is still there. Not only did we have to drag the carry-ons into Michael's Club, we had to drag them to Luminae for first lunch as well (we were on Equinox in March before the Revolution) . As S2 on deck 12, a mistake, rolling thunder all night and into the morning hours from above. We are presently on our CS . The Retreat Sun deck is nice, but it hot even in the shade, compared to our balcony which juts out over the ocean catching a delightful Caribbean breeze as we sail for San Juan. Also the over hang is providing more shade that was slowly being eroded away on the Sun Deck Retreat.

Hi

 I’m in a CS in August...did you notice if there any upgrade at all to the suite?  Think the retreat deck looks great but agree it needs more shade to be comfortable.

 

thanks and enjoy your cruise 🚢 

[rattanchair]

18 minutes ago, jj6961 said:

Hi

 I’m in a CS in August...did you notice if there any upgrade at all to the suite?  Think the retreat deck looks great but agree it needs more shade to be comfortable.

 

thanks and enjoy your cruise 🚢 

Dear JJ,   Can not tell you, it is our first time In CS.

[rattanchair]

Dear Chem, I am posting as I experience.  Our waiter talked us into lunch at the Retreat  Sun Deck, and tomorrow night he talked us into something he only described as different in Qsine Restaurant, Le petite chef, a light show, a holograph? I  will let everyone know.

[miched]

Don’t want to quote and repost all the photos like many do that takes up a lot of space in a post just to ask or make a comment.

 

 Are all those photos of the outside areas  in post #10 the Retreat area that are now  for suite passengers only? 

 

Thanks

 

happy cruising🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Edited June 23, 2019 by miched

[WestLakeGirl]

No, clearly not.  The first photo shows the main pool and the third has the film screen

Edited June 23, 2019 by WestLakeGirl

[Lastdance]

3 hours ago, MaggieAtSea said:

So glad to hear about change to cabin access on day of boarding.  We board Equinox in less than a month and we were considering staying at our hotel  (Conrad in Fort Lauderdale) longer that morning to just avoid all the dragging around of luggage and waiting around for access to room.  Dislike that as a way to start a vacation… And dislike the sense of hurrying hard-working room attendants.  It was annoying to be a passenger in a suite and start things off by being herded in Michael’s club to wait in a very crowded room with lots of carry-on luggage until suites were ready - so much nicer to be able to dump the carry-ons in the room and then head somewhere for lunch. Also very happy to hear that drinks are available at the Retreat. 

looking forward to hearing more,  as anticipation is certainly mounting in this household! 

 

Wow, I was never herded to Michael's Club...maybe it is because I am short...but I totally agree about the new way to drop off carryons.  I really enjoyed my Edge TA over to Europe...and may just cancel my Equinox cruise for my western TA a few weeks before it, as I have yet to hear about any new carpeting, drapes etc in the suites.  

 

I think you made a wise choice not doing the villa..small spaces and so much up and down!

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise!

Edited June 23, 2019 by Lastdance

[Lastdance]

2 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear JJ,   Can not tell you, it is our first time In CS.

 

Hope you enjoy a wonderful cruise and thanks for sharing as you experience each day!

[hiccups]

8 hours ago, rattanchair said:

On board Celebrity Equinox, June 22, 2019 sailing.  New policy allows suite guests to board the ship and go directly to their cabins to obtain their key cards and leave their carry-on bags in their cabins. Cabins can be locked, but will not be officially cleaned till 1:00. 

 

This policy is for all passengers, not just suite guests.

[jj6961]

5 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear JJ,   Can not tell you, it is our first time In CS.

As you can see it’s a great space.  I liked closing the bedroom door so the Butler could leave  a carafe of latte, berries and muesli and the good pastries from Luminea  🥐

have a wonderful cruise 

[chemmo]

10 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear Chem, I am posting as I experience.  Our waiter talked us into lunch at the Retreat  Sun Deck, and tomorrow night he talked us into something he only described as different in Qsine Restaurant, Le petite chef, a light show, a holograph? I  will let everyone know.

 

Thanks,

 

Hope you enjoy Le Petit chef, we giggled like children right through...Whatever you do don’t google/YouTube it as it takes away the novelty, go in fresh!

 

Re Luminae, it is the special dishes that chef Daniel Boulud is supposed to be introducing we are interested in. Wondering when they will be introduced, if there will be just one or two throughout the cruise or one per evening.

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to all us ‘desperate to find out’ future suite guests. Hope you continue to enjoy your cruise!

 

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by chemmo

[mmeg29]

11 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear Chem, I am posting as I experience.  Our waiter talked us into lunch at the Retreat  Sun Deck, and tomorrow night he talked us into something he only described as different in Qsine Restaurant, Le petite chef, a light show, a holograph? I  will let everyone know.

We enjoyed this on the Edge.  If the show does not change though I am pretty sure it is a one and done novelty.  Enjoy!

 

[lola2013]

17 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

 

It’s the same as the Retreat menu on Edge. They have 5 or 6 items like shrimp cocktail, burger, etc. If you do a search I’m sure you can find the menu posted in another thread.

WonderMan3...

apologies for momentarily hijacking this thread but no other way to contact you and thank you for last year's Med review.  I just returned from a nine-night sailing on RCCL (only because when we booked, Edge had not yet been introduced to the Med and the other Celebrity ships had been moved to other areas of Europe).  Anyway, I contacted several of the same vendors that you used for excursions and they were all wonderful.

Many thanks...I now have Edge and Equinox to look forward to.  

Susan