Equinox, a Royal Suite experience

[wrk2cruise]

I wonder if the new and improved Wim is due to feedback left both on board and in the post cruise survey.  I don't know how long he has been in the role or with Celebrity.  I believe he was an outside hire, not rising through the ranks like many of the stellar people in that role.  I'm happy he is now performing in a manor many experienced suite cruisers would expect..

[jcpc]

4 hours ago, MEcruzr said:

We aren't fans of Luminae, either. We don't eat there... we get a table in the main dining room. We might go for breakfast there once, but that's it. The first time we bailed and asked for a table in the MDR it caused quite a stir. Now they expect it. 

I'm not a fan of the Luminae MENU but since you can order from the main dining room menu in Luminae I have no issue with Luminae.  The atmosphere and the "quieter" environment and personalized service is what I love about Luminae.  I will admit when Luminae first debuted on Summit I felt it was a bit "stuffy".....but don't feel that way at all anymore.  So I'm guessing that you don't like the atmosphere in Luminae and prefer the atmosphere in the MDR.  Is that correct?

Edited October 2, 2019 by jcpc

[MEcruzr]

2 hours ago, jcpc said:

I'm not a fan of the Luminae MENU but since you can order from the main dining room menu in Luminae I have no issue with Luminae.  The atmosphere and the "quieter" environment and personalized service is what I love about Luminae.  I will admit when Luminae first debuted on Summit I felt it was a bit "stuffy".....but don't feel that way at all anymore.  So I'm guessing that you don't like the atmosphere in Luminae and prefer the atmosphere in the MDR.  Is that correct?

Yes, it's just too quiet/sedate... stuffy is a word I've used to describe the feeling I get there. You don't hear lively conversation... or laughter. The waiters are more serious.  And they seem so disappointed that we aren't at all interested in the L menu. We've always had excellent service in the dining room, too. We're happier in the MDR. More comfortable. So that's where we prefer to be.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

7 hours ago, chemmo said:

 

We have never actually cruised in a RS on M class although we have been in one. We made the bad decision on our first M class cruise to book the PH....after that there was no going back.

 

 

 

Booking an M class PH is never a bad decision!  Love those cabins!  Doing a B2B in one on Summit next August.  28 days of bliss and a great itinerary to boot--Iceland and Greenland.

[chemmo]

5 hours ago, jcpc said:

I'm not a fan of the Luminae MENU but since you can order from the main dining room menu in Luminae I have no issue with Luminae.  The atmosphere and the "quieter" environment and personalized service is what I love about Luminae.  I will admit when Luminae first debuted on Summit I felt it was a bit "stuffy".....but don't feel that way at all anymore.  So I'm guessing that you don't like the atmosphere in Luminae and prefer the atmosphere in the MDR.  Is that correct?

 

3 hours ago, MEcruzr said:

Yes, it's just too quiet/sedate... stuffy is a word I've used to describe the feeling I get there. You don't hear lively conversation... or laughter. The waiters are more serious.  And they seem so disappointed that we aren't at all interested in the L menu. We've always had excellent service in the dining room, too. We're happier in the MDR. More comfortable. So that's where we prefer to be.

 

Which really goes to show it is all about personal preferences....

[chemmo]

54 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Booking an M class PH is never a bad decision!  Love those cabins!  Doing a B2B in one on Summit next August.  28 days of bliss and a great itinerary to boot--Iceland and Greenland.

 

Hope you have a fantastic time, I will look out for your posts!

[chemmo]

In summary....

 

When Celebrity announced the Revolution of its S class ships we did have some concerns that the brand we love may change ....We welcomed the idea of a suite deck, the refreshing of cabins but we were concerned that the changes may alter the overall experience.

 

Many of reasons why we keep returning to Celebrity are little ‘attention to detail things’...Things that individually seem to have little value but together offer that ‘value added’ to your cruise experience.

 

glass of fizz on boarding

welcome back drinks and iced towels on port days

consistant high standard of food throughout the ship

a wide range of different bars ranging from casual to classy

a good choice of speciality dining

consistant high levels of service

staff genuinely hoping you ‘have a nice day’.....

 

Well all these little things are still present and correct! Equinox has had a makeover but her heart and soul remain the same...No matter what room category you book you will enjoy a great cruise!

 

If, like us, you splurge on a suite life has got sweeter! Whilst far from perfect with the Retreat Deck only partially completed it still offers a quiet haven. The Retreat Lounge is a comfortable place to relax and socialise, it is brighter and lighter than Michael’s but it’s focus remains to offer a comfortable lounge with excellent service...

 

Our sincere thanks to all the staff who have looked after us this cruise. 

 

Special mentions to Mudit our butler and Wayan our room attendant who has kept our room spotless...

 

Also special thanks to the staff of Murano’s and Tuscan whose fantastic service has taken our speciality dining experience to a new level. Savio and Nedim (apologies if the spelling is wrong), the sommeliers who have introduced us to wines we never would have chosen ourselves and Marco and Marco the M’Ds who even on busy nights always try to ensure ‘speciality dining’ is a ‘special memorable event’ for all who visit...

 

Finally sincere thanks to the over 9,000 of you who have read this post, I hope you have enjoyed...Just about to start the packing before lunch with the Captain and a final farewell dinner in Murano’s....It is almost exactly a year until our next planned cruise so we will be looking to enjoy the experiences of others in the meantime!

[MEcruzr]

Awesome review... thanks SO MUCH for sharing your experiences with all of us! Safe travels home and hope you have a wonderful rest of today.

[MikeMary4449]

Thank you, Chemmo, for taking the time to post such a thoughtful review of your experience

on the Equinox.  Your opinions and observations are always truly appreciated.

We look forward to meeting you on a future cruise.

Mike and Mary

[chemmo]

1 hour ago, MEcruzr said:

Awesome review... thanks SO MUCH for sharing your experiences with all of us! Safe travels home and hope you have a wonderful rest of today.

 

Thanks! Packing part done, time to relax now and enjoy the rest of the day!

[chemmo]

18 minutes ago, MikeMary4449 said:

Thank you, Chemmo, for taking the time to post such a thoughtful review of your experience

on the Equinox.  Your opinions and observations are always truly appreciated.

We look forward to meeting you on a future cruise.

Mike and Mary

 

Thanks! It has been fun to do...

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Thanks for a great review and for answering my questions. Enjoy your last day on board and have a safe trip home.  

[jcpc]

15 hours ago, MEcruzr said:

Yes, it's just too quiet/sedate... stuffy is a word I've used to describe the feeling I get there. You don't hear lively conversation... or laughter. The waiters are more serious.  And they seem so disappointed that we aren't at all interested in the L menu. We've always had excellent service in the dining room, too. We're happier in the MDR. More comfortable. So that's where we prefer to be.

MEcruzr,

I understand what you're saying.  My experience is on Summit only.  When the restaurant first debuted I think Celebrity wanted it to have that "stuffy" atmosphere.  I will tell you, though, that over the years Luminae (on Summit at least) has evolved quite a bit.  I don't feel it's the least bit "stuffy" anymore, although I will say it is quieter and dinner is at a more relaxed pace than the MDR.  Sure, there are still a few of those tables where the occupants are what I would call "stuffy" (i.e. they think they're better than everyone else!!) but for the most part most people are jovial and laughing a lot in Luminae.  The waitstaff seems to be able to tell if you are a "fun" table or if you are a "stuffy" table and act appropriately.  Actually the last 2 times I ate in Luminae on Summit (both this year) I commented to my traveling companion that the frivolity level in Luminae is starting to match the MDR.  

 

Anyway....different strokes for different folks.  And it's all about personal preference and what you're happy with.  I'm sure you'll enjoy your cruise no matter where you eat!!

 

BTW - I met you once on Summit (maybe a year or two ago).  You were staying in PH with your mom and another friend and I was in RS down the hall.  Chip, our butler, quickly introduced us one day in the hallway.

[jcpc]

chemmo,

Thanks so much for posting your review.  I really enjoyed reading it.  Enjoy your last day onboard.  Wishing you a safe trip home.

[Gordoncruickshank]

Thanks for your review.

 

It let me know a bit more about what had not been done in the revolution. We are on the ship for a b2b in a CS in February/March 2021 for which we did pay a Revolution premium - The amount that Celebrity uplifted the fares in anticipation of all the work having been done - and at the moment I feel that we have overpaid a shade based on what was not done. That will be our first trip on Equinox.

 

Most of our Celebrity cruising to date has been on the Eclipse and the Silhouette with them being based in the UK in the summer but with the Silhouette following the Eclipse to South America we probably won't be on either again after next February which left a choice of the Equinox or the Reflection for available S Class ships.

 

We picked the Equinox over the Reflection purely on the basis that the Revolution work will be done (plus I don't like all the extra suites on the Reflection with no increase in the size of Luminae). 

 

We are on probably our last Silhouette cruise (after their Revolution works) in February next year and it will be interested to see the difference on there. 

 

Do you know if they are planning doing the rest of the work on the Equinox while the ship is sailing?

 

Thanks and safe onward travels

Edited October 3, 2019 by Gordoncruickshank

[chemmo]

2 hours ago, jcpc said:

chemmo,

Thanks so much for posting your review.  I really enjoyed reading it.  Enjoy your last day onboard.  Wishing you a safe trip home.

 

Thank you!

[chemmo]

3 hours ago, Gordoncruickshank said:

Thanks for your review.

 

It let me know a bit more about what had not been done in the revolution. We are on the ship for a b2b in a CS in February/March 2021 for which we did pay a Revolution premium - The amount that Celebrity uplifted the fares in anticipation of all the work having been done - and at the moment I feel that we have overpaid a shade based on what was not done. That will be our first trip on Equinox.

 

Most of our Celebrity cruising to date has been on the Eclipse and the Silhouette with them being based in the UK in the summer but with the Silhouette following the Eclipse to South America we probably won't be on either again after next February which left a choice of the Equinox or the Reflection for available S Class ships.

 

We picked the Equinox over the Reflection purely on the basis that the Revolution work will be done (plus I don't like all the extra suites on the Reflection with no increase in the size of Luminae). 

 

We are on probably our last Silhouette cruise (after their Revolution works) in February next year and it will be interested to see the difference on there. 

 

Do you know if they are planning doing the rest of the work on the Equinox while the ship is sailing?

 

Thanks and safe onward travels

 

As far as we know further work is not planned for the Equinox whilst sailing. The rest of the work will be done during her next dry dock so she is now at the back of the queue. Even if a date for that has been confirmed I wouldn’t rely on it as Eclipse’s refurb has recently been put back again. Certainly the rooms have had a light refresh and there is new (but not necessarily better) balcony furnishings...If you do feel you have paid a premium I would monitor prices carefully.

 

I am unsure about all the missing work but key features were the addition of part of Deck 15 (basketball area) into the Retreat deck which would include a spa pool and the addition of a Reflection Suite and Signiture Suites in the same area as they are on Reflection.  The lack of a water feature in the Retreat Deck area is sadly missing...lovely as the area looks it isn’t very user friendly at present being very hot and with limited shade...

 

The ship is more like Eclipse than Silhouette in that she still has a glass making area rather than the grill and porch.

 

So the good news re Equinox is no additional suites filling up Luminae but I am unsure if the Retreat deck will be finished...

Edited October 3, 2019 by chemmo

[MEcruzr]

5 hours ago, jcpc said:

MEcruzr,

I understand what you're saying.  My experience is on Summit only.  When the restaurant first debuted I think Celebrity wanted it to have that "stuffy" atmosphere.  I will tell you, though, that over the years Luminae (on Summit at least) has evolved quite a bit.  I don't feel it's the least bit "stuffy" anymore, although I will say it is quieter and dinner is at a more relaxed pace than the MDR.  Sure, there are still a few of those tables where the occupants are what I would call "stuffy" (i.e. they think they're better than everyone else!!) but for the most part most people are jovial and laughing a lot in Luminae.  The waitstaff seems to be able to tell if you are a "fun" table or if you are a "stuffy" table and act appropriately.  Actually the last 2 times I ate in Luminae on Summit (both this year) I commented to my traveling companion that the frivolity level in Luminae is starting to match the MDR.  

 

Anyway....different strokes for different folks.  And it's all about personal preference and what you're happy with.  I'm sure you'll enjoy your cruise no matter where you eat!!

 

BTW - I met you once on Summit (maybe a year or two ago).  You were staying in PH with your mom and another friend and I was in RS down the hall.  Chip, our butler, quickly introduced us one day in the hallway.

YES!!! I remember!!! That was January of '17. Mom got sick last winter and we had to cancel our cruise... but we're making up for it now. We will be on the Equinox in 3 weeks and back on Summit in May. She says there's a long time between those cruises, so who knows... may squeeze another one in. 🙂 

 

Based on your description of the changes you've seen, it's probably time for us to give it another go and see for ourselves. Thanks!

Edited October 3, 2019 by MEcruzr

[Gordoncruickshank]

2 hours ago, chemmo said:

 

As far as we know further work is not planned for the Equinox whilst sailing. The rest of the work will be done during her next dry dock so she is now at the back of the queue. Even if a date for that has been confirmed I wouldn’t rely on it as Eclipse’s refurb has recently been put back again. Certainly the rooms have had a light refresh and there is new (but not necessarily better) balcony furnishings...If you do feel you have paid a premium I would monitor prices carefully.

 

I am unsure about all the missing work but key features were the addition of part of Deck 15 (basketball area) into the Retreat deck which would include a spa pool and the addition of a Reflection Suite and Signiture Suites in the same area as they are on Reflection.  The lack of a water feature in the Retreat Deck area is sadly missing...lovely as the area looks it isn’t very user friendly at present being very hot and with limited shade...

 

The ship is more like Eclipse than Silhouette in that she still has a glass making area rather than the grill and porch.

 

So the good news re Equinox is no additional suites filling up Luminae but I am unsure if the Retreat deck will be finished...

The fact that the RS, CS and well positioned SS suites sell out so early means that you have little  choice but to stick with what we booked in February this year. I always revisit all of our. bookings  to see if there are any deals that would make it worthwhile changing but even this far out there is little availability and pricing is always dearer once the initial release of cruises has passed. Because we are b2b I couldn’t change to another CS or RS and stay in he same cabin.

 

We have managed to change a few cruises over the years but since our second oldest daughter decided to try cruising it leaves even less wriggle room. She has just decided that she is coming for our 12 night on the Silhouette in Feb next year. This will be her second cruise.after which he will be Elite. Not bad for bunkering down in our lounge for two cruises!!

 

 

[Oville]

Chemmo, I have so enjoyed sailing along with you and thanks for a great review.  We are sailing in our first RS one the Silhouette in November and your post have been very helpful.  Katie

Edited October 4, 2019 by Oville

[chemmo]

4 hours ago, Gordoncruickshank said:

This will be her second cruise.after which she will be Elite. Not bad for bunkering down in our lounge for two cruises!!

 

 

 

Our son has got to E+ without spending a penny!!!

[chemmo]

2 hours ago, Oville said:

Chemmo, I have so enjoyed sailing along with you and thanks for a great review.  We are sailing in our first RS one the Silhouette in November and your post have been very helpful.  Katie

 

Glad you have enjoyed. Have a fantastic cruise!

[Gordoncruickshank]

2 hours ago, chemmo said:

 

Our son has got to E+ without spending a penny!!!

We are not wuite as generous as that. Our’s pays the extra cost relating to her but she does get a cruise in a CS/RS for 12 nights for around £1600.

[groryjm]

3 hours ago, chemmo said:

 

Our son has got to E+ without spending a penny!!!

Our daugter will also make E+ next year when she again cruises with us next year in the Baltic. Not bad at 21 😎. At least she may have a chance to make Zenith in her lifetime. 

[groryjm]

Chemmo, it has been lovely to sail along and get an insight into the revolutionised S class suite experience. We have one more sailing on Silly (next week) before she changes and have been worried we might not like the change. You have reasured us that the stark artists renditions are not as bad as we had feared and that X's suite life is still good. Thank you.

Edited October 4, 2019 by groryjm