LIVE - Equinox 8/15/21 - Ultimate Caribbean - It’s finally here!

[davekathy]

35 minutes ago, aring75 said:

Mark says he feels validated with so many supporters. 

 

For those of us who don’t hate using their phones on vacation…

 

They have USB chargers in the cabana. 

I know I shouldn't speak for others but we all are glad you are using your phone while on your cruise and sharing your cruise with us. 

Edited August 17, 2021 by davekathy

[aring75]

Lol. So I told Marko how much I loved that Veuve from yesterday. He’s going to bring it again today. 
 

It is very easy to feel spoiled in the cabanas. And I’m wondering if you get all the same stuff if you book a port day. 
 

When we booked port day/sea day pricing was $79/$199. On board pricing is $99/$249. If you get all this for $99 for the day…that is a pretty great deal. 
 

I’ll find out. 

[cltnccruisers]

For anyone who was experiencing wacko website behavior, I just got a msg that indexing was taking place.  A minute later all my missing items returned.  You may have to disconnect and log in fresh for it to take effect.

 

[39august]

Are there still orchids in the ladies' public restrooms, please?  I so enjoyed that classy touch on prior X cruises. 

[leela8]

I am trying to find out the information on the Alcoves for my Equinox on 9/5, what's included, price and can you book prior to cruise and how?

[Beba-Beba]

Thank you, thank you, thank you Angela.  I'm loving this review, pics and the folks following are a hoot too!!

 

I have a some questions too:

 

MDR - Are the tables spaced further apart than usual or are fewer guests assigned per table or are guests assigned to every other table?  Any large tables - 8/10 people?  I am solo so prefer sitting with same folks nightly.

 

Any sense of how many children are onboard?  Is the crew enforcing mask wearing requirements for children when parents are not following the protocols?

 

Where is the best place on board for wifi/internet.  I understand that internet is VERY slow.  I just have wifi in Always Included.  Pre-pandemic a friend thought it was best if she sat on the floor by the cabin door to be closer to the routers in the corridors.

 

For Chic night did people dressing up or was it even more relaxed for these early cruises?

 

You made me fall in love with the cabanas.

 

Mary

 

 

[aring75]

14 minutes ago, 39august said:

Are there still orchids in the ladies' public restrooms, please?  I so enjoyed that classy touch on prior X cruises. 

You know? I’m not really sure. I’ve been avoiding public restrooms so far. But I will check and see. 
 

Probably no photos in the restroom though. People think I’m weird enough as it is. 😂

 

1 minute ago, leela8 said:

I am trying to find out the information on the Alcoves for my Equinox on 9/5, what's included, price and can you book prior to cruise and how?

We booked ahead of time. You will find them in the “Specialty Dining” section of the cruise planner. You have to book each day separately.

 

As far as what’s included. There is seating enough for four as long as you like each other pretty well. I, personally, feel like it’s more comfortable for two or three. You get:

 

- Bottled water all day

- Charcuterie plate

- Fresh fruit plate

- Bottle of premium wine from the Murano wine list (you can substitute a bottle of Grey Goose vodka if preferred)

- You can order from the room service menu for lunch

- They will bring anything you want from the bar (free with the drink package)

- Towels are provided 

- They brings cold towels (cooled with ice) several times throughout the day 

 

I will let you know if I remember anything else or if there’s anything additional that comes up. 

[Fatty_Nicky]

1 hour ago, cltnccruisers said:

Well, you're from Jupiter.  Maybe it's not an interplanetary warranty.  Sorry - it was just hanging out there......

Ya think Uranus would have a better warranty? Should I move? 😜

 

Found other hooks that are being delivered tomorrow, thank you..

[aring75]

6 minutes ago, Beba-Beba said:

Thank you, thank you, thank you Angela.  I'm loving this review, pics and the folks following are a hoot too!!

 

I have a some questions too:

 

MDR - Are the tables spaced further apart than usual or are fewer guests assigned per table or are guests assigned to every other table?  Any large tables - 8/10 people?  I am solo so prefer sitting with same folks nightly.

 

Any sense of how many children are onboard?  Is the crew enforcing mask wearing requirements for children when parents are not following the protocols?

 

Where is the best place on board for wifi/internet.  I understand that internet is VERY slow.  I just have wifi in Always Included.  Pre-pandemic a friend thought it was best if she sat on the floor by the cabin door to be closer to the routers in the corridors.

 

For Chic night did people dressing up or was it even more relaxed for these early cruises?

 

You made me fall in love with the cabanas.

 

Mary

 

 

Most of the tables seem spaced out a little more. I did see a couple sets of tables for two that seemed close, but not sure if both are filled. 
 

I have seen larger tables 8, 10, 12 people, but I don’t know if they are traveling together.

 

Internet:

We have the “stream” package. It’s not super fast, but it’s been adequate and definitely better than some cruises we’ve been on. Part of that HAS to be that fewer passengers onboard means fewer people are trying to connect at the same time. Internet speed is quite good on deck in the cabana. And also pretty good in the cabin. 
 

Don’t know if these are in every cabin, but we have one of these on the wall above the desk. 
 

 

Tonight is our first Chic Night, but we are dining in Sushi on Five. I will let you know what we see around the ship. 
 

I know many people really don’t like the cabanas. But we’ve definitely enjoyed them every time we’ve booked them. It’s not always easy to find reviews though, so I thought this info would be helpful. 😁

[wrk2cruise]

21 minutes ago, Beba-Beba said:

Is the crew enforcing mask wearing requirements for children when parents are not following the protocols?

 

If the rules are still the same as they were in mid July masks were only "recommended" for children under 12.    Unvaccinated 12 and over masks were required.

[CruiserRob]

3 hours ago, Fatty_Nicky said:

Thank you, I just went to purchase these hooks when I get the strangest message from Amazon saying they are unable to ship these hooks to my area due to warranty restrictions etc…. Weird!

That link is Amazon Canada.  Perhaps that's the issue.

[aring75]

Today’s planner (Day 3 - second sea day)

 

 

 

 

[goofysmom99]

31 minutes ago, Beba-Beba said:

For Chic night did people dressing up or was it even more relaxed for these early cruises?

 

 

 

I did not see many dressed up people on the Aug 1st, 7-night cruise.  First time I'd ever seen knee-length jean shorts and shower-style flip flops in the MDR, much less on chic night.  It was the most casually dressed cruise I've ever been on.  I'm still taking something a little dressy on my next cruise on the 27th because it's a little bit longer.

 

Edited August 17, 2021 by goofysmom99

[aring75]

26 minutes ago, Beba-Beba said:

 

Any sense of how many children are onboard?  Is the crew enforcing mask wearing requirements for children when parents are not following the protocols?

 

Sorry. Missed this part. I have only personally seen two kids so far. One was maybe 12-13 (so possibly vaccinated) and the other was, maybe, 6-8. Neither was wearing a mask, but really not many children onboard. 
 

The crew has ALL been wearing masks so far. We have also seen a few guests wearing masks. The only time I felt like I needed to was in the casino last night. It just felt crowded and people were close together. 

[aring75]

Wanted to add this information. Found this on the stateroom television this morning. 
 

 

 

[rvlandandsea]

13 hours ago, aring75 said:

Had lunch in the cabana. You can order from the room service menu basically. 
 

Mark got the Celebrity Burger. 
 

 

 

I got the pepperoni pizza. 
 

Guys. I did not realize this pizza was big enough for three people. I felt terrible that I could only finish three slices. It was delicious. But seriously. I’m going to have to invite some friends next time. 
 

We once ordered 4 in our room thinking 4 portions. The room attendant must of thought we were crazy. Obviously only ate one and a half and felt badly. Cruise and learn. 

[countess5]

 

Cafe Diablo!   For Me!!!  

 

Cheers! 

[NCHPcruiser]

16 hours ago, Tee & Chilli said:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B083DFFS6T/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A15A5X3ECOJ9R0&psc=1

These are the same magnets we use along with Master Magnetics Round Base Magnet (16 lbs) also from Amazon.  

[aring75]

48 minutes ago, countess5 said:

 

Cafe Diablo!   For Me!!!  

 

Cheers! 

Looks yummy!!

[zimadog]

My questions are - are they separating out vacced and non vacced people in the dining rooms  and theaters?  Do they have vaccinated only activities?

[luckybecky]

2 hours ago, aring75 said:

Lol. So I told Marko how much I loved that Veuve from yesterday. He’s going to bring it again today. 
 

It is very easy to feel spoiled in the cabanas. And I’m wondering if you get all the same stuff if you book a port day. ...

I hope you saw my message last night regarding Marko and said hello, if it's the same Marko. He's great.

 

Thanks again for the excellent review. Love following along with you. I'm very surprised by the photo of the senior staff in post #315. You have a different captain than we did just 3 weeks ago. Captain Tasos was a highlight of the cruise, hysterically funny. Even did an evening comedy show with the cruise director, and some Greek dancing on the lido deck. I'm surprised they are changing out captains so soon after returning to cruising. 

[Fatty_Nicky]

1 hour ago, CruiserRob said:

That link is Amazon Canada.  Perhaps that's the issue.

Ahhh, that actually makes perfect sense. Thank you, nice catch although the interplanetary explanation made sense too 😊

[PTC DAWG]

3 hours ago, aring75 said:

Lol. So I told Marko how much I loved that Veuve from yesterday. He’s going to bring it again today. 
 

It is very easy to feel spoiled in the cabanas. And I’m wondering if you get all the same stuff if you book a port day. 
 

When we booked port day/sea day pricing was $79/$199. On board pricing is $99/$249. If you get all this for $99 for the day…that is a pretty great deal. 
 

I’ll find out. 

We got it all on a port day in Sept of 2019 on Equinox...

[aring75]

58 minutes ago, zimadog said:

My questions are - are they separating out vacced and non vacced people in the dining rooms  and theaters?  Do they have vaccinated only activities?

I don’t know if there’s vax/non vax areas of the dining room. I haven’t even really heard of very many non-vaxxed passengers. 
 

I have seen a few items in the planner that say vaccinated passengers only, but just a few. Importantly, I think, many of our ports require vaccinations. If I hear anything different or notable I will post it. 

[aring75]

Lunch in the MDR

 

 

Caesar salad (still good)

 

 

BBQ Chicken 

 

 

 

Roasted Salmon (this was delicious)