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

[ev8876]

Thank you so much for posting the menu from the World Class Bar.  It's my favorite bar on the S class ships and I thought I had read somewhere that the drink prices there were above even the premium drink package.  But it's clear that except for a few of the specialty drinks, the rest are all within the price limit for the premium package.  Yeah.  The Ron Zacapa Old Fashion is my favorite! 😃

[Fouremco]

2 minutes ago, cltnccruisers said:

Just kidding when I say run for it.  I'd be more interested in just sitting tight and watching it work its magic.

The trick is to be aware of the boat traffic. If it's just one boat going through, it only opens wide enough to let it pass, then closes. So the delay for pedestrians want to get on or off is only a few minutes. That's worth staying put and watching it work. On the other hand, there can be large or multiple ship requiring the bridge to open all the way for an extended period of time, during which there is ferry service so that you don't get stranded on one side or the other.

 

Ship traffic from inner harbour:

 

 

Bridge wide open:

 

 

Ferry:

 

[jg51]

.

Dear "aring75."

Very early in the thread, we think that we asked you if you could photograph the MDR's children's menus (regular and dessert).  We think that this may have slipped your mind -- which is not surprising, because it is hard to remember such a thing.

 

If they do come to mind during your next visit to the MDR -- or, if you have access to them right now (via app) -- we'd appreciate it if you could post them.

Thanks for that and for all the great menus, etc., that you have already shown everyone!

 

Oh!  We just thought of one more thing -- which could be very helpful to many people, but also could be tough for you to remember.  Here it is:

 

We seem to recall, from "X" cruises of several years ago, that the MDR had a sort of booklet that contained its full wine list -- several pages for wines available only by the bottle ... plus perhaps two or three pages for wines available also by the glass.  We would like very much to see those final pages (wines by the glass), which contained a much longer list than the very short, unchanging list that is found nightly (along with a short list of cocktails) in each dinner-menu's folder.  If you happen to obtain and photograph those pages of wines-by-the-glass, we'd be even more grateful than we already are -- which is almost indescribably grateful.

.

[aring75]

1 hour ago, Islandhop9 said:

Good to hear they still let you visit Aruba and Curaçao! Was wondering if they'd have to do more testing on board with their new rules. 

So far, for both Aruba and Curaçao, we have been told only vaccinated passengers may go ashore without a tour. Masks are required indoors and out (they are little more lenient about outdoor use).

 

Unvaccinated children traveling with vaccinated parents may go ashore only with a Celebrity sponsored tour. 
 

Not sure if things will change for cruises after ours. 

[aring75]

34 minutes ago, jg51 said:

.

Dear "aring75."

Very early in the thread, we think that we asked you if you could photograph the MDR's children's menus (regular and dessert).  We think that this may have slipped your mind -- which is not surprising, because it is hard to remember such a thing.

 

If they do come to mind during your next visit to the MDR -- or, if you have access to them right now (via app) -- we'd appreciate it if you could post them.

Thanks for that and for all the great menus, etc., that you have already shown everyone!

 

Oh!  We just thought of one more thing -- which could be very helpful to many people, but also could be tough for you to remember.  Here it is:

 

We seem to recall, from "X" cruises of several years ago, that the MDR had a sort of booklet that contained its full wine list -- several pages for wines available only by the bottle ... plus perhaps two or three pages for wines available also by the glass.  We would like very much to see those final pages (wines by the glass), which contained a much longer list than the very short, unchanging list that is found nightly (along with a short list of cocktails) in each dinner-menu's folder.  If you happen to obtain and photograph those pages of wines-by-the-glass, we'd be even more grateful than we already are -- which is almost indescribably grateful.

.

 

 

We have not asked for a children’s menu. However, a quick search on the Celebrity website gives information about the in-room dining menu and the MDR menu. See link below. 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/camp-at-sea/kids-menu

 

Also. They are not giving out the wine list “books” and are asking that you use the app for wine in the MDR. I listed screenshots of all available wines by the glass earlier in this thread. See link below. 

 

 

[robinsra]

Again thanks for the review. In the specialty restaurants, especially The Tuscan Grill, how does it work like one appetizer one entree and one dessert? Can you get a couple of starters or apps? Also was it very good?

Thank you

Edited August 24, 2021 by robinsra

[aring75]

20 minutes ago, robinsra said:

Again thanks for the review. In the specialty restaurants, especially The Tuscan Grill, how does it work like one appetizer one entree and one dessert? Can you get a couple of starters or apps? Also was it very good?

Thank you

 

The way it has always worked for us is, you can basically choose one entree or main dish. Then you can choose several appetizers (or an app and a salad or soup) and as many “sides” as you like. Also, you can get more than one dessert as well. We just never have that much room at the end of the meal. 
 

We have always enjoyed Tuscan. I’ve heard some people say it’s not as good as the other specialty restaurants, but I’ve always had a good meal. I could cut my steak last night with a fork. I know because I did it to show Mark. 
 

If you dine here, get an order of the lobster pasta to share (or you can get a half portion as one of your sides). I didn’t get it and I regretted it. 😩

[aring75]

Waited until after lunch to walk into Willemstad. Skies were clearer, but it was definitely humid. 
 

There were a few shopping kiosks right at the pier, but not many. There was also a taxi stand that said they also offered tours. 
 

 

 

 

If you want to walk into town, turn right at the end of the pier. You will follow a well-marked pathway toward downtown. 
 

 

 

There are several benches along the way in case you are worried about how far it is. 
 

[aring75]

Along the pathway, there are several great places to stop for a ship photo. 
 

 

Keep walking and within five to ten minutes you will come upon a large shopping/restaurant area and fort at the Renaissance Resort. This is not the downtown area, but would be a much shorter distance if you want a little shopping, but not a lot of walking. 
 

 

 

[aring75]

Walk along the pathway another 5-10 minutes and you will come to the Queen Emma Pedestrian Bridge. 
 

 

 

This is a pontoon bridge which swings open to allow maritime traffic into the harbor area. 
 

 

This is also where you can stop for your Curaçao “postcard” picture. 

 

 

The other end of the bridge let’s you off right at the downtown area. 

 

 

 

At this end of the bridge you will see the Punda Love Heart sculpture. You can bring a lock or ribbon and attach it to the wire frame. 

 

 

[aring75]

The downtown area feels very European. It is easily walkable, pedestrian friendly, and has benches and gardens throughout. 
 

 

 

 

[cltnccruisers]

36 minutes ago, aring75 said:

 

The way it has always worked for us is, you can basically choose one entree or main dish. Then you can choose several appetizers (or an app and a salad or soup) and as many “sides” as you like. Also, you can get more than one dessert as well. We just never have that much room at the end of the meal. 
 

We have always enjoyed Tuscan. I’ve heard some people say it’s not as good as the other specialty restaurants, but I’ve always had a good meal. I could cut my steak last night with a fork. I know because I did it to show Mark. 
 

If you dine here, get an order of the lobster pasta to share (or you can get a half portion as one of your sides). I didn’t get it and I regretted it. 😩

Whoa!  You had to prove to Mark you could cut it with a fork?  He didn't take you at your word.  For shame, Mark, for shame.  😄

[Beba-Beba]

 

My favorite in World Class

 

Thanks

[aring75]

27 minutes ago, cltnccruisers said:

Whoa!  You had to prove to Mark you could cut it with a fork?  He didn't take you at your word.  For shame, Mark, for shame.  😄

Lol. Mark is always convinced that the filet is better than the ribeye. And don’t get me wrong! I tasted the filet and it was just as mouth-wateringly tender. 
 

But OMG the rib-eye was SO good. I prefer a little bit of marbling and my steak was perfect. I gave him a large piece of it and even he had to admit it was more flavorful. 

[mayleeman]

Your pix have convinced me to just do a walking around visit.  Thx!

 

Are casinos open in Curacao?

[aring75]

20 minutes ago, mayleeman said:

Your pix have convinced me to just do a walking around visit.  Thx!

 

Are casinos open in Curacao?

Yes. They are open, but we didn’t go in. There is one hotel-based casino right along the walkway to town. And I saw two smaller casinos in the downtown area. 

[Beba-Beba]

Is a Veuve Clicquot champagne dinner planned on your sailing?  If yes, is it in Murano's private dining room?  Same question for a Chef's table?

Edited August 24, 2021 by Beba-Beba

[aring75]

3 minutes ago, Beba-Beba said:

Is a Veuve Clicquot champagne dinner planned on your sailing?  If yes, is it in Murano's private dining room?  Same question for a Chef's table?

I think Chef’s Table was scheduled, but we were told they are not doing the specialty pairing dinners for the time being.

 

I specifically checked on the Veuve dinner. Mark’s not a big wine drinker so that would probably be the only one he’d be willing to do. Not sure when they will start them up again, but I would check with the specialty dining department first thing when you board, just in case. 

[zimadog]

I don't normally ask questions of people who do these kinds of posts.  I just enjoy reading them.  But we are going to be on the EQ in Oct. and I was wondering if the LePetite Chef offers a lunch on the last full day of the cruise.  We did that a couple years ago and had a blast.  But it was only offered while onboard (no pre-booking this).  So if you could check on this, I'd appreciate it.

[Louise245]

We will be on the Equinox on October 29 and I just want to let you know that I enjoy reading your posts!

Louise

[jg51]

8 hours ago, aring75 said:

We have not asked for a children’s menu. However, a quick search on the Celebrity website gives information about the in-room dining menu and the MDR menu. See link below. 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/camp-at-sea/kids-menu

.

Thanks again.  This is perfect.  We never would have expected to find this level of detail at the "X" site, so we failed to look for it there.

.

8 hours ago, aring75 said:

... They are not giving out the wine list “books” and are asking that you use the app for wine in the MDR. I listed screenshots of all available wines by the glass earlier in this thread. ...

.

Thanks for this too, "aring75."  We saw that post of yours (#186) several days ago, and we made a note of it.  At the top of that post, you stated, "These are the wines available by the glass," but you didn't add the words, "in the MDR."  Because of this, we assumed that what you had provided was just a general, aggregate/collective list of "wines by the glass" provided throughout the whole ship (some here, some there, etc.).  That's why we asked about the MDR wine "books."

 

Although you said that "they are not giving out the wine list 'books,'" we feel sure that they would provide one to guests who have no phone (and thus no app).

.

Edited August 25, 2021 by jg51

[aring75]

1 hour ago, zimadog said:

I don't normally ask questions of people who do these kinds of posts.  I just enjoy reading them.  But we are going to be on the EQ in Oct. and I was wondering if the LePetite Chef offers a lunch on the last full day of the cruise.  We did that a couple years ago and had a blast.  But it was only offered while onboard (no pre-booking this).  So if you could check on this, I'd appreciate it.

I just checked for our sailing and Le Petite Chef doesn’t offer any available lunch reservations. If I hear that they do anything on our last two sea days, I’ll post it here. 

[aring75]

Had dinner in Murano again tonight. Delicious as always. 
 

Just wanted to post a couple photos of items we had that were different than earlier in the cruise.

 

Amuse bouche was salmon mousse with a homemade crouton. 
 

 

 

Heirloom Tomato Salad 

 

 

 

Diver Scallop Wellington

 

 

 

I had the lobster again, no mushrooms this time. 
 

But Mark decided to try the lamb chops. 
 

[aring75]

Tonight after dinner we decided to try the cheese plate. 
 

They bring around the cheese cart and describe the various options.

 

 

 

You can choose what you’d like or you can do like we did and just say “Surprise me.”

 

 

 

We tried the two different soufflé choices. Both were great. 


Dark chocolate 

 

 

 

Grand Marnier

 

[brockmom]

Grand Mariner….omg…..I LOvE this ! 
sooooo. Good…..