Equinox 9/5 & 9/17 review from Non-Suite passenger

[LMHSRN]

Just off the Equinox yesterday.  Fabulous time.  9/5/17 arrived at the port at assigned time of about ll:45 (11:30 to 12:00) and we were in our cabin - Veranda with slanted balcony (7286) 7 minutes later.  No muss, no fuss.  No tracelettes.  (happy Dance).  Room keys were outside the door.  Everything in the cabin was spotless.  All previously ordered items in the cabin as requested.  

Cabin was quite small.  Hard to pass each other anywhere in the cabin.  Balcony was WONDERFUL (I ASKED FOR A LOUNGE CHAIR AND IT WAS THERE WHEN WE GOT BACK FROM DINNER).  Bathroom was adequate.  Lots of linens and toiletries.

Of special Interest:

1. We had the DRINKS AND MORE package.  Let me just says this about that.  We requested a different beer, asked for no diet coke but extra regular coke and our requests were honored.  We had the power bars x 2 and Pringles x 2 every day along with the 4 bottles of Tito's Vodka.  Never missed a day of refills.  Small bottles of white wine and red wine were excellent.  The large bottles of red and white wine, not so much...

2.  We had dinner in Murano's the first night.  Excellent food but rather stuffy for our laid back taste.  (example:  we asked to be seated near the window and were told the windows were covered over, "no need for a view while dining here in our dining room")  I guess he told me!

3.  Dinner at Tuscan three times.  Excellent during all three visits.

4.  Shows in the Theater were excellent.  During the first half of the cruise there was a Comedian one evening that really stunk.  The ship asked him to leave at the first port as there were so many complaints.  Trust me, he was really bad.  We actually walked out.  All the other shows were great.

5.  Several programs were with the Cruise Director Eddy and the Activities Director Peter, oh my God, they were so funny.  They make a fantastic team.  No to miss.

6.  Casino, oh boy, were the slots stiff.  Entered the first slot tournament (there were several).  Cost was $25.00 prize was $500 IN SLOT CREDIT - NO CASH.  Didn;' enter any more after that.  Did the math.  10 people playing 4 rounds.  $1,000.00 CASH they took in and paid out in slot credits.  In other words, no one ever received $500.00 as winnings. (as tight as the slots were).

 

More to follow - ask away if you have any questions from a Steerage point of view (lol)

 

 

[LLWS_Uncle_Rick]

How was ST. Kitts?  Did you go ashore?

[runnerswife]

Were masks required on board?  Booked for 12/10 and really looking forward to it.

[mahdnc]

Thanks for posting.  I am surprised about your comment that your balcony cabin was "quite small".  What were you comparing it to?

[wrk2cruise]

Was also onboard both sailings in a C2 cabin on the slant of the hump.   I agree with most that was said.  We were sailing with friends who were also friends of Jim and Iain so we did several things with them and are included in his blog as well.   We often sail in suites and have to say our service in MDR was on par with most any Luminae dining we have experienced.  With the reduced passenger load the noise level in the dining room was very pleasant where we were seated.  We didn't do any excursion an never left the ship.  We stayed pretty much in our little bubble of traveling friends as we wanted to be allowed to continue on the second sailing as well as we have commitments at home which require us to stay healthy.

 

There was an event in Sky Lounge with drinks and a raffle for new cruisers and new to Celebrity one night.   Another night there was a similar event for Concierge Class.   As concierge class we were invited to helipad sailaway on 9/5 sailing and a sail in at 8:15 am on the 9/17 sailing which we didn't attend due to the early hour.

 

To answer the above question, no once onboard masks are not required.  Of our group most chose to wear masks indoors as did probably 10% of the other passengers.  On the 9/5 sailing mask wearing increased substantially after the first announcement of a positive case.  9/17 not so much.  9/17 was a bit younger demographic.  DW who spent a good amount of time in the casino started wearing N95 mask there as there were crowds and no, none, nada social distancing.   Yes the slots were very tight.

 

Only other comment I'll make is that Celebrity could do a better job at social distancing.  At least remind people.  No markers in elevators.   A few times there would be 2 or 3 in the elevator and 6 more would push in.  We would just exit and take the next one.  The last day we ate breakfast in the MDR.   There were maybe 20 tables in use but they sat everyone at adjacent tables in a small section of the room.

 

They ran out of caffine free Diet Coke by the end of the first sailing.   They got none for the second sailing so were totally out.   By the end of the second sailing they were out of ginger ale and limes.   Bar tenders were dreading the first day of the new sailing without supplies.  They were also thankful we had such smooth seas as I guess the demand for ginger ale goes way up with rough weather.

Edited September 27, 2021 by wrk2cruise

[sunsetme]

look forward to the rest of your review, I too am in steerage Oct 20 cruise

[FLCruiser97]

1 hour ago, LLWS_Uncle_Rick said:

How was ST. Kitts?  Did you go ashore?

We were on the 9/5 sailing and we got off in St. Kitts but only in the port area. We didn't have a ship sponsored excursion.

We were also the first cruise ship to dock in St. Kitts since the shut-down 18 mths ago.

[Bearsthatsail]

Interested in all comments.  We are on Deck 6 for October 20 cruise.  

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

No limes?  Another limeageddon brewing?  Supply chain woes, no doubt.  I'll bet the ship could have acquired some limes at one of the Caribbean ports.  They've been known to acquire seafood ashore during a cruise.  Why not limes?  And ginger ale?  And your diet beverage.

[BillfromWV]

We were on the 9/17 sailing.  33% passengers on board.  Only ONE positive covid case.  Some masking.  Not many.  Not crowded.  Never more than 4 on an elevator.  Shows are decent except violinist.  Passport bar staff awesome.  Didn't think casino was crowded.  Food was good.  Staff excellent.  Were also on 8/15 sailing.  Excellent both times.

[LMHSRN]

15 hours ago, LLWS_Uncle_Rick said:

How was ST. Kitts?  Did you go ashore?

It was great.  Did a tour and it was beautiful.  Could not go to Nevis tho.

[LMHSRN]

15 hours ago, runnerswife said:

Were masks required on board?  Booked for 12/10 and really looking forward to it.

No, no masks on ship but required in every port.  inside and outside.

[LMHSRN]

15 hours ago, mahdnc said:

Thanks for posting.  I am surprised about your comment that your balcony cabin was "quite small".  What were you comparing it to?

Princess and Holland America

[LMHSRN]

13 hours ago, Bearsthatsail said:

Interested in all comments.  We are on Deck 6 for October 20 cruise.  

Good chance you might get moved.  Seems deck 6 is being utilized for staff and entertainers.

[LMHSRN]

12 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

No limes?  Another limeageddon brewing?  Supply chain woes, no doubt.  I'll bet the ship could have acquired some limes at one of the Caribbean ports.  They've been known to acquire seafood ashore during a cruise.  Why not limes?  And ginger ale?  And your diet beverage.

No limes, No ginger ale, first part of cruise ran out of diet coke and whole milk.  Both legs of the cruise ran of of Moscoto wine.

[LMHSRN]

7 hours ago, BillfromWV said:

We were on the 9/17 sailing.  33% passengers on board.  Only ONE positive covid case.  Some masking.  Not many.  Not crowded.  Never more than 4 on an elevator.  Shows are decent except violinist.  Passport bar staff awesome.  Didn't think casino was crowded.  Food was good.  Staff excellent.  Were also on 8/15 sailing.  Excellent both times.

Total of 980 passengers on 9/17 cruise.  Casino never crowded, payouts were slim.

[cruise47]

Excellent review  of our cruise.

[Ipeeinthepools]

16 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

... Only other comment I'll make is that Celebrity could do a better job at social distancing.  At least remind people.  No markers in elevators.   A few times there would be 2 or 3 in the elevator and 6 more would push in.  We would just exit and take the next one.  The last day we ate breakfast in the MDR.   There were maybe 20 tables in use but they sat everyone at adjacent tables in a small section of the room.

 

I understand your concerns but I don't think social distancing is in Celebrity's plans.  The cruise lines will need to rely on vaccinations and testing to keep Covid under control.  The cruise lines need to get back to normal passengers levels as soon as possible to stop the hemorrhaging of cash.  Social distancing just isn't feasible at normal passenger loads.

 

We were on the Equinox in August and it did feel a little uncomfortable to be in the elevator with more than one or two other people. We just haven't reduced our personal space bubble back to pre-Covid levels.  No one seemed to mind the close contact in the casino or martini bar but I can't imagine what will happen in the theatre when it's packed and you are sitting next to strangers on all sides.  

 

Cruising will be different for the quite some time.  Just like your group, everyone will need to do what makes them comfortable and not rely on anyone maintaining social distance.  Maybe this means wearing N95 masks, avoiding bars, shows, tour buses and anywhere else that you might be expected to sit next to a stranger for a long time.  Anyone that is not prepared to make these concessions or willing to accept the lack of social distancing should avoid cruising at this time.

Edited September 28, 2021 by Ipeeinthepools

[Jim_Iain]

21 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

Was also onboard both sailings in a C2 cabin on the slant of the hump.   I agree with most that was said.  We were sailing with friends who were also friends of Jim and Iain so we did several things with them and are included in his blog as well.   We often sail in suites and have to say our service in MDR was on par with most any Luminae dining we have experienced.  With the reduced passenger load the noise level in the dining room was very pleasant where we were seated.  We didn't do any excursion an never left the ship.  We stayed pretty much in our little bubble of traveling friends as we wanted to be allowed to continue on the second sailing as well as we have commitments at home which require us to stay healthy.

 

There was an event in Sky Lounge with drinks and a raffle for new cruisers and new to Celebrity one night.   Another night there was a similar event for Concierge Class.   As concierge class we were invited to helipad sailaway on 9/5 sailing and a sail in at 8:15 am on the 9/17 sailing which we didn't attend due to the early hour.

 

To answer the above question, no once onboard masks are not required.  Of our group most chose to wear masks indoors as did probably 10% of the other passengers.  On the 9/5 sailing mask wearing increased substantially after the first announcement of a positive case.  9/17 not so much.  9/17 was a bit younger demographic.  DW who spent a good amount of time in the casino started wearing N95 mask there as there were crowds and no, none, nada social distancing.   Yes the slots were very tight.

 

Only other comment I'll make is that Celebrity could do a better job at social distancing.  At least remind people.  No markers in elevators.   A few times there would be 2 or 3 in the elevator and 6 more would push in.  We would just exit and take the next one.  The last day we ate breakfast in the MDR.   There were maybe 20 tables in use but they sat everyone at adjacent tables in a small section of the room.

 

They ran out of caffine free Diet Coke by the end of the first sailing.   They got none for the second sailing so were totally out.   By the end of the second sailing they were out of ginger ale and limes.   Bar tenders were dreading the first day of the new sailing without supplies.  They were also thankful we had such smooth seas as I guess the demand for ginger ale goes way up with rough weather.

 

I hate to admit it but I was told that I got the LAST ginger Ale on the ship.     They seem to be running low on many items so will have to work on that.

[blueboro]

9 hours ago, LMHSRN said:

No limes, No ginger ale, first part of cruise ran out of diet coke and whole milk.  Both legs of the cruise ran of of Moscoto wine.

Odd, several at our table in MDR had Moscato every night...even the last evening.  Maybe it was just certain bars.  Also same with Diet Coke as we got it last sea day in Oceanview.

[LMHSRN]

20 hours ago, blueboro said:

Odd, several at our table in MDR had Moscato every night...even the last evening.  Maybe it was just certain bars.  Also same with Diet Coke as we got it last sea day in Oceanview.

Really odd as we were in MDR last night 9/25, and were told that the Moscato was gone.  
We were able to get Diet coke after a port stop I think in Aruba.  

Whole milk was available to second half of B2B but out on the second day of the first half.

[Andrewgary]

On 9/27/2021 at 1:18 PM, LMHSRN said:

Just off the Equinox yesterday.  Fabulous time.  9/5/17 arrived at the port at assigned time of about ll:45 (11:30 to 12:00) and we were in our cabin - Veranda with slanted balcony (7286) 7 minutes later.  No muss, no fuss.  No tracelettes.  (happy Dance).  Room keys were outside the door.  Everything in the cabin was spotless.  All previously ordered items in the cabin as requested.  

Cabin was quite small.  Hard to pass each other anywhere in the cabin.  Balcony was WONDERFUL (I ASKED FOR A LOUNGE CHAIR AND IT WAS THERE WHEN WE GOT BACK FROM DINNER).  Bathroom was adequate.  Lots of linens and toiletries.

Of special Interest:

1. We had the DRINKS AND MORE package.  Let me just says this about that.  We requested a different beer, asked for no diet coke but extra regular coke and our requests were honored.  We had the power bars x 2 and Pringles x 2 every day along with the 4 bottles of Tito's Vodka.  Never missed a day of refills.  Small bottles of white wine and red wine were excellent.  The large bottles of red and white wine, not so much...

2.  We had dinner in Murano's the first night.  Excellent food but rather stuffy for our laid back taste.  (example:  we asked to be seated near the window and were told the windows were covered over, "no need for a view while dining here in our dining room")  I guess he told me!

3.  Dinner at Tuscan three times.  Excellent during all three visits.

4.  Shows in the Theater were excellent.  During the first half of the cruise there was a Comedian one evening that really stunk.  The ship asked him to leave at the first port as there were so many complaints.  Trust me, he was really bad.  We actually walked out.  All the other shows were great.

5.  Several programs were with the Cruise Director Eddy and the Activities Director Peter, oh my God, they were so funny.  They make a fantastic team.  No to miss.

6.  Casino, oh boy, were the slots stiff.  Entered the first slot tournament (there were several).  Cost was $25.00 prize was $500 IN SLOT CREDIT - NO CASH.  Didn;' enter any more after that.  Did the math.  10 people playing 4 rounds.  $1,000.00 CASH they took in and paid out in slot credits.  In other words, no one ever received $500.00 as winnings. (as tight as the slots were).

 

More to follow - ask away if you have any questions from a Steerage point of view (lol)

 

 

 

[Projunior]

Was the crew masked? Neither the crew nor the passengers were masked on our July 17 Summit cruise out of St. Martin. It was heavenly and for seven days I could look around the ship, with nary a mask in sight, and dream I was cruising in some prehistoric era, like 2019.

[OZ.]

On 9/27/2021 at 4:23 PM, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

No limes?  Another limeageddon brewing?  Supply chain woes, no doubt.  I'll bet the ship could have acquired some limes at one of the Caribbean ports.  They've been known to acquire seafood ashore during a cruise.  Why not limes?  And ginger ale?  And your diet beverage.

There was a lime shortage on one of our cruises in 2018. You would think they could easily get them from one of the islands. Now sure why they didn’t.

[MartinsCruise]

On 9/28/2021 at 5:17 AM, LMHSRN said:

No limes, No ginger ale, first part of cruise ran out of diet coke and whole milk.  Both legs of the cruise ran of of Moscoto wine.

 

....and no Hpnotiq liqueur for Blue Martinis!