Edge v. Equinox: MDR and Blu fare

[AnneDieuLeVeut]

For those of you who've sailed on both the Edge and the Equinox, how would you compare the fare in the MDRs (Silhouette vs. Cosmopolitan/Normandie/Cyprus/Tuscan)?  Also, if you've sailed in Aqua Class on both ships, did you notice any appreciable difference between the fare at Blu on one ship or the other?  We loved our recent cruise on the Equinox, but none of us cared for the Silhouette Dining Room (the cavernous space, the pre-made food, etc.).

 

Trying to plan for our next trip.  

 

Thanks!

Edited July 18, 2019 by AnneDieuLeVeut

[jelayne]

The food on the Edge was the best we have had on 20+ cruises on Celebrity.  We were in AQ so dined in Blu.  Also tried the Oceanview Cafe, Mast Grill, Roof Top Grill, Fine Cut Steak House and lunch in Eden- all were excellent.  We have sailed on the Equinox 4 times,  always in Blu.  We found Blu on the Edge was a step above the Equinox or other X ships. 

[hcat]

We have been in AQ class/BLU  on EQ  ( awhile ago ) and EDGE ( in January)

EDGE is overall  superior in the  BLU dining  category ( same menus) esp  for service and  food quality.   But we found the location of BLU on EDGE disappointing.  It was out of the way, and you have to walk through a dark spooky corridor to get there. There  no views of the sea & curtains are  kept closed.  It was also very noisy  and crowded when we dined...around 6 pm. Sev nights the kitchen was very slow. But we enjoyed  most of the meals we had there...dinners and breakfast. Most folks really enjoyed it!

 

We had lunch  twice in Cosmopolitan on EDGE, had  good food and  prompt service, We tried  the the Elite breakfast in Tuscan and .loved that space . These dining areas  are larger than BLU but we liked the diff areas compared to a  single MDR concept . Enjoyed lunches at EDEN cafe on EDGE.

 

We are ready to try something other than BLU, having been dining  there since it started,  For our next EDGE cruise we are trying a Sunset Veranda with the Select Dining 4 mdr plan...looking forward to it.  Something different. Made our dining res already!

 

Edited July 18, 2019 by hcat

[candr]

We  have sailed many times in Aqua because of the ability to dine in Blu for breakfast and dinner.  We were on the  Equinox in Aqua last fall and on the Edge in Aqua in March.  The menus in Blu were the same.  We enjoyed the food in Blu on the Equinox but thought the food in Blu on the Edge was slightly better.  What we didn't like about Blu on the Edge was its design and ambiance.  Unlike the Solstice class ships where Blu has large windows looking out to the ocean and a light, airy feel, on the Edge the windows are small, look out on the deck/lifeboats and the curtains on all but one were kept closed so there is no view and the feeling is dark and closed in.  (Interestingly, Blu is the only restaurant on the Edge that doesn't offer expansive views of the ocean.)  Blu has several outside tables on the deck which was good in concept but we were told they couldn't be used because guests complained of too much wind.   Compared to Blu on the Solstice class ships we thought Blu on the Edge felt more crowded, the tables were closer together and  because the outside tables can't be used they need to turn the inside tables over more quickly to handle all the Aqua guests and the service was more rushed.  With the smaller main dining rooms on the Edge, all of which seemed to us more open and airy than Blu, we aren't sure we will sail Aqua class again on the Edge or newer Edge class ships unless they make changes to Blu's design and location.

[jelayne]

Maybe it was because we dine 8-8:30 we never had a wait at Blu on the Edge.  It was never crowded and service was excellent and we weren’t rushed.   We knew some of the waiters and 1 of the Sommeliers from past cruises and they had time to stop by and chat most evenings.

Unlike hcat, we didn’t find the corridor at all spooky- we loved the quirkiness of the corridor.  

 

[AnneDieuLeVeut]

Thank you jelayne, hcat, and candr.   If our next trip is on the Equinox we're pretty sure we'll book AquaClass for Blu.  Still deciding about Edge, though.

 

Can anyone comment on differences between the food in Equinox's Silhouette Dining Room and Edge's Cosmopolitan/Normandie/Cyprus/Tuscan?  The four smaller spaces, each with a different personality, is much more appealing, but is the food is essentially the same as Silhouette's?

[miched]

Been in Blu many times on the S and M class and 2 weeks on the Edge.

 

Can’t say the food is any better or worse.  Basically the same menus depending on length of cruise.  

 

We have had the same item on the same ship in Blu but different cruises and it could be prepared and presented different. 

 

We always sat sat at a table for two with high back chairs in Blu on the Edge that was along the rail overlooking the stairs..   The area is more isolated and intimate.  

 

Don't care about looking out the windows when dining especially when they always close the shades because of the sun 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

[Cruise a holic]

Having sailed on both- the EQ 4 times, soon to be 5 in both AQ and suites.  The Edge in a suite and will again in a suite.  First, no longer a fan of AQ.  IMO a waste and blu was not great.  The rest of the EQ is really nice- and the food good.  The edge is a different experience then the other Celebrity ships.  Loved the restaurants, shops and venues- except didn't like eden- silly and poor food- If in a sky suite and above, the suite deck and amenities were excellent- the EQ  didn't get a total makeover so missing some amenities for the suite deck as promised.

 

I do not think you can go wrong with either ship   If you haven't been on an S class ship, you will surely love both!  Also try the Silhouette or Reflection  someday- our favorites. I would "assume" the edge costs the most, so do what works best for your budget.  

[AnneDieuLeVeut]

These replies are all helpful.

 

Any comments regarding differences, if any, in the food quality in Equinox's Silhouette Dining Room and Edge's Cosmopolitan/Normandie/Cyprus/Tuscan?

 

Cruise a holic:  Celebrity's Silhouette wasn't on our radar, but we might prefer it to either the Equinox or Edge.  Thanks for the suggestion!  The  Lawn Club Grill looks great, and The Porch is another dining option beyond those on the Equinox.  I'll follow the reviews, especially after the January 2020 revolution. 

[Disneyland MBCruisers]

On 7/18/2019 at 12:03 PM, jelayne said:

The food on the Edge was the best we have had on 20+ cruises on Celebrity.  We were in AQ so dined in Blu.  Also tried the Oceanview Cafe, Mast Grill, Roof Top Grill, Fine Cut Steak House and lunch in Eden- all were excellent.  We have sailed on the Equinox 4 times,  always in Blu.  We found Blu on the Edge was a step above the Equinox or other X ships. 

Do you happen to have any of the menus from Blu. We are going on the Solstice Aug.23 to Alaska. First time in Aqua class. We love the Persian Garden, & Solstice. Thank you

[Cruise a holic]

On 7/22/2019 at 9:48 AM, AnneDieuLeVeut said:

These replies are all helpful.

 

Any comments regarding differences, if any, in the food quality in Equinox's Silhouette Dining Room and Edge's Cosmopolitan/Normandie/Cyprus/Tuscan?

 

Cruise a holic:  Celebrity's Silhouette wasn't on our radar, but we might prefer it to either the Equinox or Edge.  Thanks for the suggestion!  The  Lawn Club Grill looks great, and The Porch is another dining option beyond those on the Equinox.  I'll follow the reviews, especially after the January 2020 revolution. 

Give the Silhouette a chance-" try it -you will like it!"