JamieLogical's 5/29 Equinox Semi-Live Review

[JamieLogical]

Since I had to spring for the Premium Wifi so I could keep up with email and MS Teams for work this week, I figured I can try to keep a live-ish blog as well. For those of you who have followed my other review threads, I usually so one big post each morning with all of my notes and thoughts from the previous day and then follow that with a big photo dump. So here are my thoughts about yesterday:

 

5/29

I didn't get much sleep Saturday into Sunday because my plane didn't land in FLL until almost 4:00am. We had been scheduled to land at 10:30, but delays due to weather in Newark early in the day cascaded through the rest of the day and there seemed to be some real issues with airport management/staffing as well. Even once we got onto our plane 5 hours late, we sat at the gate for a very long time, because they still hadn't loaded our luggage.

 

I did manage to get a Lyft fairly quickly, despite the late hour, and got to my hotel and was in bed by 4:30. Unfortunately, I couldn't force my body to sleep past 8:00. So I was operating on vary little sleep yesterday. Though, that didn't slow me down too much.

 

My arrival time at the pier was 11:00. Apparently so was everyone else's, because the terminal was PACKED. They weren't letting everyone board at once and it seemed boarding had started a little late due to some deep cleaning from the last cruise, so we all had to sit and wait in the terminal for a while and then were directed to stand and board in groups based on where we were sitting.

 

It still didn't take too long to get onboard. I arrived at the terminal at 11:09 and boarded at 11:36. I was able to watch the muster videos while I waited, so I was efficient with the time, at le

 

Once I was onboard, I went straight to my stateroom. The rooms weren't ready yet and I had a magnetic sign on my door and a little placard on my bed saying so. I dropped off my backpack and snapped a bunch of photos of the room before I could make a mess of it, then I headed down to my muster station. I will say it for the 100th time, but I LOVE muster now. It so quick and easy and you can do it on your own time. Though they will keep making announcements throughout the day reminding people to do it and the announcements get pretty miffed sounding as sail away approaches. So, even though you can do muster on your own time now, please do it ASAP, and spare the rest of us the reminders.

 

We were chatting about it during my pedicure and all agreed that they should refuse to serve you drinks at any bar until you have completed muster. If you try to go to a bar and they scan your card or ask your room number and see you haven't muster, no drink for you! Iva, one of the nail technicians , suggested they don't activate your card to open your room door until you complete muster. And we all agreed that they should shame people by calling their names out over the PA.

 

But, I am getting ahead of myself! After stopping by muster, I did go to the Spa to make a pedicure appointment and got one scheduled for 2:30. Then I was off to the Sunset Bar for my first drink of the cruise! This time it was a mojito and I am happy to report there were both limes and mint onboard, which was not the case for my sailing back on the Summit back in March. I met my first random friends of the cruise and chatted with them for a while. They have been cruising a ton since the restart too.

 

After my inaugural drink, I headed down to the Oceanview Cafe for some lunch. My traditional buffet blend of pizza, "Mexican", and Indian. It hit the spot! I also did a delicious lemon merengue mouse. It was soooo good! Celebrity desserts can often be a bit disappointing, but that one was not!

 

Next up was a visit to the Shore Excursions desk to cancel my excursion in Cozumel. The weather is supposed to be rainy and I decided I'd prefer to spend that money on my pedicure. Then I visited the iLounge to upgrade my wifi to the Premium package, which took a minute, because she was having trouble getting my CC discount applied. But we got that sorted out.

 

I had just enough time for one more drink, so I headed back to the Sunset Bar for a Rum Mule and met a really nice gentleman who I was enjoying chatting with so much that I nearly missed my pedicure appointment. I made a quick dash to the Spa, but the place was a madhouse. Apparently they were doing some sort of raffle and I had to wait in quite a line to get up to the desk to tell them I was just there for an already scheduled appointment. The advantage of it being so busy, though, was that they didn't make me fill out that pre-treatment questionnaire where they ask you all the things you hate about yourself so they can try to upsell you treatments for them.

 

Once I was back inside the salon area, it was peaceful and quiet. There was another woman there already receiving a pedicure from Iva, who did my pedicure the last time I was on the Equinox in January. She was as friendly as ever and I was thrilled to hear she was really enjoying her contract. This is the first time she has ever worked on a ship and when I saw her last, she had just started and seemed homesick and a little overwhelmed. Now she says the time has flown by and she is going home in July, but has already put in a request for a new contract back on the Equinox.

 

I had been supposed to meet up with some people from my CC Roll Call at the Mast Bar at 3:00, but my pedicure appointment went until 3:30, I was wearing those disposable flip flops they give you after a pedicure, and it was raining. So, I just went back to my room. My luggage had arrived, so I went ahead and finished unpacking and changed into my cruise uniform. This is the standard outfit I wear on Celebrity, since jeans, sneakers, and graphic tees (my real life uniform) are not allowed. My cruise uniform consists of wide-legged pants with some king of pattern/print on them, a color-coordinated camisole, and and a linen shirt over the camisole. Turns out this outfit is actually quite comfy and is cooler in the Caribbean climate than my jeans anyway.

 

I headed down to the Ensemble Lounge in the hopes one of the bartenders from my January sailing might be there, but no luck. I did meet a great new bartender who came onboard in February and enjoyed a couple of drinks before the World Class Bar was set to open at 5:00. I was there by 4:55, eagerly awaiting the arrival of my favorite person I have ever met on a Celebrity sailing, Z! She was the bartender at World Class on my first Celebrity sailing back in July and I love her so much. When I heard that she was back on board last week, I almost cried, I was so excited. I had missed her by ONE DAY back in January. She disembarked the same day I embarked. But she is back and I get to see her every day for the next 6 days and I am so happy. She saw me and recognized me right away, remembered my name, and gave me a big hug! But then the bar got slammed and she was working by herself for some reason, so we didn't get to chat too much. I told her I will be back once things quiet down. The first day is always nuts. I did at least get to enjoy a couple of drinks.

 

I headed over to the MDR for dinner and asked for a sharing table. There weren't any started yet, but I said I was willing to start one and was quickly joined by an older couple (woman was 87 and her husband was 93, but they looked great!), then another solo sailor, and finally another older couple. We had a great time chatting all around. I know some people hate sharing tables and I know I could never do one with my husband, but I do enjoy them when traveling solo. I like having company at dinner and I have, luckily, never really had an bad tablemates. The nice thing about the sharing tables during Anytime dining on Celebrity is that you aren't locked into having the same tablemates for the whole cruise.

 

For dinner I went with a beef spring roll our waiter recommended for an appetizer (it was very good!), the spinach and ricotta ravioli, and some chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert. Service was slow, I think, but I really didn't notice, since I was having such a nice time chatting with everyone. All I know is it was 8:30 by the time I left and I had gotten there just before 6:00!

 

Since it was so late, I went to the casino to make my daily sacrifice. I couldn't have the Sun God mad at me for not paying my tithes to the Inca machine. I had to stop by the cashier first to get my pre-paid credits applied to my card.

 

I lost the requisite amount of money and then it occurred to me I hadn't seen any room service cards or even a room service menu in my stateroom while unpacking. I went to Guest Services to ask about getting some cards so I could order breakfast for the morning and they told me they would have some sent to my room. I then went up to Oceanview Cafe for a late night snack and headed back to my room to sleep, but my room service cards still hadn't arrived. I called down to guest services again and they said they would send someone. I had actually fallen asleep briefly by the time there was a knock on my door. I quickly filled out one of he cards and then I passed out for the night.

 

This morning we are docking in Key West. Not sure if I will go ashore or not. Depends on the weather I think.

 

Day's Drinks: Mojito, Rum Mule x2, French 77, Strawberry Fields, Birthday Cake Mojito, Elderflower Blush

 

Edited May 30, 2022 by JamieLogical

[JamieLogical]

[evandbob]

Thanks for your review and pics!  We were on the previous Equinox sailing, and I just want to mention that there was hardly any cruisers (escept us and a small handful of others) who wore masks inside the ship.

 

On day 4 or 5, the Captain announced the ship reached a positive COVID positivity rate of 1% of passengers, perhaps 25 total.  Mild cases, but they were still quarrantined.  He instituted mandatory mask wearing for the theater and casino. 

 

Seems like folks entering the theater complied until they reached their seats and then many removed their masks or lowered them to chin straps.  There were no staff inside the theater to maintain mask wearing.  BTW, he suspended drink service in the theater as well.

 

Not the case in the casino, where staff reminded anyone removing or relaxing their mask posture to either put them back on properly or leave.

 

Elevators had maybe 40% wearing masks and perhaps 60% not.  It was not mandatory to have masks on here.  We did not enter several elevators with 4 or more not wearing masks.

 

OP, enjoy your cruise, and stay safe!

 

 

Edited May 30, 2022 by evandbob

[JamieLogical]

9 minutes ago, evandbob said:

Thanks for your review and pics!  We were on the previous Equinox sailing, and I just want to mention that there was hardly any cruisers (escept us and a small handful of others) who wore masks inside the ship.

 

On day 4 or 5, the Captain announced the ship reached a positive COVID positivity rate of 1% of passengers, perhaps 25 total.  Mild cases, but they were still quarrantined.  He instituted mandatory mask wearing for the theater and casino. 

 

Seems like folks entering the theater complied until they reached their seats and then many removed their masks or lowered them to chin straps.  There were no staff inside the theater to maintain mask wearing.  BTW, he suspended drink service in the theater as well.

 

Not the case in the casino, where staff reminded anyone removing or relaxing their mask posture to either put them back on properly or leave.

 

Elevators had maybe 40% wearing masks and perhaps 60% not.  It was not mandatory to have masks on here.  We did not enter several elevators with 4 or more not wearing masks.

 

OP, enjoy your cruise, and stay safe!

 

 

 

The Captain announced yesterday that masks are required in the Theater and Casino. Not a problem for me as I am wearing my mask indoors when not eating or drinking anyway.

 

I would say most people are not wearing masks, but I am trying not to let it bother me. They are not required and I know many people don't like masking. I am hoping my KN95 is at least mitigating my risk somewhat, but I know it's not possible to stay completely safe on the ship unless I lock myself in my room.

[tompeter]

Great to have you reporting again!

[kokopelli-az]

Following.   We have been on the Equinox several times and it is absolutely our favorite ship.  We will be on her again in August.    Our first stop when we board is the Martini Bar (well, after checking into our muster station).

 

What kind of a stateroom do you have?  Your photos look great!

[viperfoth]

Great post.  Can’t wait to be back June 25!

[deliver42]

We love the Equinox, and will be on a 10 day next March.

[JamieLogical]

36 minutes ago, kokopelli-az said:

Following.   We have been on the Equinox several times and it is absolutely our favorite ship.  We will be on her again in August.    Our first stop when we board is the Martini Bar (well, after checking into our muster station).

 

What kind of a stateroom do you have?  Your photos look great!

 

I am one of the bump-out balconies on deck 7. I left a note for my room steward asking for a foot rest for my balcony and when I came in last night, I had two out there, so those aren't in the pictures.

[helen haywood]

We just disembarked the day you boarded!!  One thing I will say is if people think they are distancing and so forth…the morning of our disembarkation everyone forgot all about it!!  We saw elevator after elevator after elevator absolutely crammed to the gills full with only a handful wearing masks.  They were in for a LONG elevator ride as people on lower decks had to take an up elevator to find space…and then ride it back down.  And the ride was made even longer as every deck had pushed the button so the elevator stopped and it often stayed stopped because people impatiently waiting would continually press the down button which kept the elevator doors open.  We finally looked at each other and realized we should just walk three decks down.  But I would suggest walking down regardless of what deck you were on, if able.

 

And now to return to looking forward to reading more of your review!!  Hope you have a wonderful time!!

[graphicguy]

Great start….this made me chuckle….

 

“The advantage of it being so busy, though, was that they didn't make me fill out that pre-treatment questionnaire where they ask you all the things you hate about yourself so they can try to upsell you treatments for them.”

 

Because cruise ship spas try to pass themselves off as a “medical” treatment facility, I usually don’t go there unless I have a lot of OBC.  The form you speak about is a little invasive, I’ve always felt. Does a masseuse really have any idea about what the meds are I’m taking and how they might affect a massage?  Nope.

 

Anyway, when I see some of the “afflictions” they ask about, I make up some sort of medical Latin sounding non-sensical words as the treatments I have and/or meds I take.  The masseurs usually don’t try to go into the particular malady or cure they would offer to alleviate them.

 

I sometimes ask them how their particular treatments or elixirs would help my “venti-auto-iridescence”?  The conversation usually stops there.

 

Looking forward to the rest of the review!!!!!  🙂

[CHEZMARYLOU]

I just leave most of the questions unanswered or write "none or N/A". They've never given me a hard time.

[kokopelli-az]

9 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

I just leave most of the questions unanswered or write "none or N/A". They've never given me a hard time.

They have zero obligation to protect any of your personal medical information.   

[toddmanka]

Great live review. Looking forward to the rest of the trip. 
Have you heard how many passengers on ship.

[JeanieC,Aston]

2 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I am one of the bump-out balconies on deck 7. I left a note for my room steward asking for a foot rest for my balcony and when I came in last night, I had two out there, so those aren't in the pictures.

Hi

Wot no kettles!!😉

[Barwick Cruiser]

Looking forward to reading all about your daily adventures! Lucky you to get a proper stool for your balcony…last time I asked there were none available but my steward brought a shower stool! Did the job so no complaints here lol. 
 

I really like your idea of no bar or other service until muster is complete, since it’s so easy to do now there’s no excuse for delaying it. 
 

Have fun and stay safe! 

[runningtide]

If you get the chance, so hello to Joe Joe at the Casino bar. Linda and I had a great time with him a few weeks ago on a 9 day ABC. Also love the Sunset bar. Must have spent have the cruise there reading at the bar. Enjoy !

BTW he knows me as Michael 9211 . He also took off the mask for a quick picture . 

 

Edited May 30, 2022 by runningtide

[MarKay525]

5 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

Since I had to spring for the Premium Wifi so I could keep up with email and MS Teams for work this week, I figured I can try to keep a live-ish blog as well. <snip> So here are my thoughts about yesterday:

5/29

<snip> My luggage had arrived, so I went ahead and finished unpacking and changed into my cruise uniform. This is the standard outfit I wear on Celebrity, since jeans, sneakers, and graphic tees (my real life uniform) are not allowed. My cruise uniform consists of wide-legged pants with some kind of pattern/print on them, a color-coordinated camisole, and and a linen shirt over the camisole. Turns out this outfit is actually quite comfy and is cooler in the Caribbean climate than my jeans anyway.

 

My day started with laughter thanks to your comments on No muster-No drinks, upselling in the spa and the Inca Sun God in the casino.

If you are not adverse to being photographed, I'd love to see some of your cruise uniforms. I tend to wear denim capris and knit tops - WAY too hot for the Caribbean. Thanks to posts from Gen X, I'm expanding my cruise wardrobe to include sun dresses. Loose slacks and linen shirts sound ideal as well!

Thanks in advance - Kay

[Laurab23]

My friend is on this cruise with her parents and nephew. She is from Long Island and her parents live in Fl. 

 

Laura

[davekathy]

And for those wanting to wear jeans and sneakers, they are allowed on Celebrity even in the evening in the MDR or at any other time. 

[catspaw1]

I was horrified to read about the lack of social distancing,  no masks & sitting with others for meals. This is a prime way covid will be transmitted thoughtout the ship! We were supposed to leave this week on the Summit but got covid so cant go. I wear an N95 mask always indoors & still got it. Covid is no joke & it's the sickest I have been in over 40 years. I did get paxlovid  & that has helped. But come on folks- masking & social distancing is a no brainer! Please keep us posted on the number of covid cases. Stay safe.

[SerraG]

7 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

Though they will keep making announcements throughout the day reminding people to do it and the announcements get pretty miffed sounding as sail away approaches. So, even though you can do muster on your own time now, please do it ASAP, and spare the rest of us the reminders.

We just got off the Equinox.  We checked into our muster station right away on Embarkation day, but got a phone call around 4pm asking if we’d done it yet, so something might be little screwy with their system.  
 

Also, there was very little masking on our cruise. We always wore N-95s indoors and ate outside exclusively for the first 5 days (so we could our reduce our chances of getting sick before an excursion in Tortola).  After that excursion, we kept the mask on but did eat indoors at a couple of specialty restaurants.  It was like Covid wasn’t even acknowledged until day 6 and then many people ended up testing positive, including a friend that we had spent a lot of time with. In any case, I am glad we were so diligent with masks, even though it felt a little awkward since almost no one else was wearing them.  

[JamieLogical]

1 hour ago, catspaw1 said:

I was horrified to read about the lack of social distancing,  no masks & sitting with others for meals. This is a prime way covid will be transmitted thoughtout the ship! We were supposed to leave this week on the Summit but got covid so cant go. I wear an N95 mask always indoors & still got it. Covid is no joke & it's the sickest I have been in over 40 years. I did get paxlovid  & that has helped. But come on folks- masking & social distancing is a no brainer! Please keep us posted on the number of covid cases. Stay safe.

 

I am sure that from Celebrity's perspective it doesn't matter if a group of 6 traveling together or a group of strangers sit together in the MDR... The virus doesn't care if you know each other or not... Should they only being allowing people sharing a stateroom to sit together? That doesn't seem very feasible or enforceable. If people feel comfortable sitting with strangers, then that is their prerogative and not really up for Celebrity to police.

 

Social distancing in public spaces is similar. if people want to sit closely at a bar or in a lounge, I don't think Celebrity is going to go around asking groups for their room numbers to make sure they are all in the same cabin.

 

The good news is, it's fairly easy to maintain social distancing for yourself, if you desire. Like right now, I am at cafe al baccio at a table by myself and there is definitely no on inside of 6 feet.

 

For me, the scariest part of this trip has been flying. With airports crowded for the Holiday weekend and lots of flight delays and then the planes themselves, I was unable to socially distance from hundreds of non-mask-wearers for over 14 hours on Saturday.

Edited May 30, 2022 by JamieLogical

[Bluewake]

1 hour ago, SerraG said:

We just got off the Equinox.  We checked into our muster station right away on Embarkation day, but got a phone call around 4pm asking if we’d done it yet, so something might be little screwy with their system.  
 

Also, there was very little masking on our cruise. We always wore N-95s indoors and ate outside exclusively for the first 5 days (so we could our reduce our chances of getting sick before an excursion in Tortola).  After that excursion, we kept the mask on but did eat indoors at a couple of specialty restaurants.  It was like Covid wasn’t even acknowledged until day 6 and then many people ended up testing positive, including a friend that we had spent a lot of time with. In any case, I am glad we were so diligent with masks, even though it felt a little awkward since almost no one else was wearing them.  

We also were on the May 21st cruise and among the few passengers who, like you, wore a mask in all interior areas of the ship. While the official report was a 1% infection rate as of Friday, of course, that is the rate known to the ship.  Based on the increasing number of people we encountered who were sniffling and coughing as the week passed, it wouldn't be surprising if the actual rate was higher but people hadn't reported being ill.  Did you happen to notice the line of black SUVs parked on the pier next to the ship when we disembarked? One of them brought a couple to their car which was parked near ours.  The driver was dressed head-to-toe in hospital gown, hat, shoe covers, and mask.  I assume they were allowed to drive home.  Not sure where others were taken.  For what it's worth, we didn't feel that the precautions we took detracted from our enjoyment in any significant way.

[nashville15]

Following.. sounds like you are having a great time so far!😁