Live(?) 7-day Equinox August 8, 2021

[helen haywood]

1 hour ago, ROYALBOY said:

For those of us sailing with the classic package, are there drinks in the $9 range?

Yes.  Just about any drink.  Just made with well not call brands.  The specialty martinis at The Martini Bar are over the Classic price point but you can get regular martinis (don’t drink them myself so not an expert…but I mean a gin or vodka martini, a cosmo or lemon drop) at any other bar.  Also if a drink is over $9 you just pay the difference plus 20% gratuity.

[NevadaJo]

On 8/9/2021 at 12:25 PM, hcat said:

Sounds like a great day so far!

What company is running the spa.Canyon Ranch or the one from EDGE?

I visited the Millenium spa several times on our July 30 cruise. I asked about Canyon Ranch and the spa staff told me that Celebrity was now using OneSpaWorld For their services. 

 

[FoxTa8]

For anyone off the ship following, the headlining vocal entertainment was cancelled about 45 minutes before the show, and at around 9:00, Captain Manetas announced a member of the crew had tested positive for COVID-19 with all close contacts testing negative. It has been handled gracefully and I still feel safer on board than on land. No shortage of fun, food, and drinks last night!

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, FoxTa8 said:

For anyone off the ship following, the headlining vocal entertainment was cancelled about 45 minutes before the show, and at around 9:00, Captain Manetas announced a member of the crew had tested positive for COVID-19 with all close contacts testing negative. It has been handled gracefully and I still feel safer on board than on land. No shortage of fun, food, and drinks last night!

 

I get why they canceled but if they tested everyone was it necessary?  I suppose they weren't sure they tested all possible contacts?  Better safe than sorry?

[Seany527]

On 8/9/2021 at 4:39 PM, TeaBag said:

Thank you for posting your impressions.  So nice to read one that is not in a suite.  We also like AQ class.  So sorry for your rainy trip down.  I watched you leave and wondered about the late departure, then saw the two cargo ships inching slowly along, making you even later.  Bon Voyage.

I think most of the “live” reviews are from suite guests because suites get streaming internet. It has been my experience that if you do not have the upgraded internet, you are not able to post to cruise critic while connected to the ships WiFi. 

[zitsky]

9 hours ago, helen haywood said:

Yes.  Just about any drink.  Just made with well not call brands.  The specialty martinis at The Martini Bar are over the Classic price point but you can get regular martinis (don’t drink them myself so not an expert…but I mean a gin or vodka martini, a cosmo or lemon drop) at any other bar.  Also if a drink is over $9 you just pay the difference plus 20% gratuity.

 

I was reading the Celebrity FAQ.  There is a question for each classic $9 and premium $15 package and a separate question explaining the gratuity.  So easy to miss the gratuity if you don't read far enough. 

[zitsky]

4 minutes ago, Seany527 said:

I think most of the “live” reviews are from suite guests because suites get streaming internet. It has been my experience that if you do not have the upgraded internet, you are not able to post to cruise critic while connected to the ships WiFi. 

 

You need a streaming package to post here?  Does that include any other websites?

[Seany527]

29 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

You need a streaming package to post here?  Does that include any other websites?

I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve been on two Celebrity cruises in 2021 and both times I was unable to post. I could only read the comments since I did not have the upgraded internet. I’ve also read other reviews where people have reported the same thing but nothing official. 

[JamieLogical]

Can you tell Z at the World Class Bar that Jamie with the green & purple hair misses her desperately and hopes to see her on the 1/21/22 sailing!

[Jazzbo]

We have the streaming package, but it doesn’t work very well on our balcony. It’s one of the deep covered balconies in AQ on the slant, so I’m guessing the problem with internet on the balcony is the metal on both sides and overhead.

[Jazzbo]

4 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

Can you tell Z at the World Class Bar that Jamie with the green & purple hair misses her desperately and hopes to see her on the 1/21/22 sailing!

We haven’t hit the World Class bar yet, but will do!

[JamieLogical]

Just now, Jazzbo said:

We haven’t hit the World Class bar yet, but will do!

 

You are missing out! They are true artists there.

[Jazzbo]

Sorry, no photos of the Blu menu from last night. We met a great couple from Miami (Greg and Richard, I think, but I’ve never been good at remembering names) at the Crush bar in the Martini Bar, and then Julie, traveling solo, who had met Greg and Richard the night before, joined us. We ended up getting a table together at Blu and had a fun evening. Rack of lamb was on the menu and was delicious.  I’m at that point in the cruise when I feel full all the time, so I only ate one chop (and only about a third of the crab bisque — not my favorite).

We made it to Blu for breakfast this morning. I had half a croissant and about half of a muesli parfait, but it was yummy!

We are well north of Tropical Storm Fred. My only concern is that driving back to Orlando on Sunday could be quite rainy.

The wind and waves are up a bit, though and we started feeling the movement yesterday. It’s a beautiful morning, and we are due to arrive in St. Thomas at 11:30. I took this picture from the promenade deck about 8:15 this morning.

[cltnccruisers]

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

 

I get why they canceled but if they tested everyone was it necessary?  I suppose they weren't sure they tested all possible contacts?  Better safe than sorry?

"In an abundance of caution" - it's a phrase used everywhere.

[Jazzbo]

18 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

You are missing out! They are true artists there.

I know! It’s one of our favorite bars. So many bars, so little time!  😂

[cltnccruisers]

How are the on-board shops?  Have there been any "sidewalk sales" for lack of a better word?

[taylortime05]

23 hours ago, Jazzbo said:

Last night’s dinner in Blu was tasty as usual. I had the almond crusted baked Brie and Larry had the smoky gazpacho for starters — both delicious. And they had the short ribs last night — one of our favorites, so we both had that. Larry had the apple tart tatain and I had the creme brûlée. We finished the night losing money in the casino.

Today is a relaxing sea day. 

Thank you so much for sharing.  We're on the Equinox 9/17 and can't wait.  We're in AQ and now I'm wondering if it's a waste to buy the 3 specialty dining package.  Our TA gave us each 1 specialty dining credit.  We have always enjoyed Blu.

 

[zitsky]

1 minute ago, taylortime05 said:

Thank you so much for sharing.  We're on the Equinox 9/17 and can't wait.  We're in AQ and now I'm wondering if it's a waste to buy the 3 specialty dining package.  Our TA gave us each 1 specialty dining credit.  We have always enjoyed Blu.

 

 

If you already have credit from TA plus Blu, I don't see why you would buy the package.  Blu is the reason we booked another cruise on X.

[terrydtx]

6 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

If you already have credit from TA plus Blu, I don't see why you would buy the package.  Blu is the reason we booked another cruise on X.

I agree one night in Specialty is plenty with AQUA and Blu.  We are in the Retreat for our cruise on the Equinox this month but it is 9 nights and we got 2 nights of specialty restaurants with our SS.  

[Jazzbo]

52 minutes ago, cltnccruisers said:

How are the on-board shops?  Have there been any "sidewalk sales" for lack of a better word?

Yesterday was a sea day and they had a “super sale” at the shops on deck 4 starting at 10 am. It was mobbed, and at least some of the items “on sale” for $10 each were $10 the day before. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Jazzbo]

This is first time in years that we’ve docked in Crown Bay. Looking forward to walking into town. 😊

Edited August 11, 2021 by Jazzbo
Correct name of dock.

[cltnccruisers]

2 minutes ago, Jazzbo said:

This is first time in years that we’ve docked in Crown Harbor.  Looking forward to walking into town. 😊

Been a few years but I don't recall Crown to Charlotte-Amalie to be very walkable.  There were always plenty of taxis and shuttles available.

[Jazzbo]

3 minutes ago, cltnccruisers said:

Been a few years but I don't recall Crown to Charlotte-Amalie to be very walkable.  There were always plenty of taxis and shuttles available.

Thanks for the info. A taxi or shuttle it is! I said it had been years. 😊

[cltnccruisers]

10 minutes ago, Jazzbo said:

Yesterday was a sea day and they had a “super sale” at the shops on deck 4 starting at 10 am. It was mobbed, and at least some of the items “on sale” for $10 each were $10 the day before. 🤷🏼‍♀️

It's very rare to get a deal at these but there is usually more merchandise out. 

[Jazzbo]

2 hours ago, Jazzbo said:

We haven’t hit the World Class bar yet, but will do!

Z is at Cafe al Bacio at the moment, so I just told her you said hello. She was thrilled and asked me to say hello to you. She asked if I know you, and I told her only online. 😊