Carnival Cruiser Trying the Equinox...What should I know???

[Super27]

The title pretty much says it all. I took my first cruise in late 2018 on Carnival, and got addicted. I just got off my 10th Carnival cruise, and although I still enjoy Carnival, I've decided it's time to try something else. So, I just booked a 7-night on the Equinox for August in a Concierge Class balcony guarantee cabin.

 

So...for anyone who has done both Carnival and Celebrity...what do I need to know? Any must-do's as far as specialty restaurants? Are the drink packages worth it? And most importantly, how is the casino??? Any advice for a first time Celebrity cruiser would be greatly appreciated!!!

[C4HCG]

Never sailed Carnival so can’t help with any comparisons, have sailed on Equinox though and would say for us the drinks package is worth it but recognise for others it won’t be, depends how much you drink! A few minor bits of advice, best bar is the Sunset Bar, try to get an early boarding time as exploring the ship on the first day is great, and as someone who loves that ship, am sure you will enjoy it. 

Edited February 27, 2023 by C4HCG

[39august]

Casino is nonsmokng. and drinks are free while you are gambling. No smoking anywhere inside the ship. Very few children on board most cruises.  We always get a drink package. Ice cream in the buffet area is very good and no charge. All the sweets displayed at Cafe Al Bacio are no charge whether or not you buy a coffee. You can get specialty coffees at the bar inside the buffet area as well as at Al Bacio. The Aqua Spa Cafe is open for all not just Aqua class passengers. The food there is no charge, but there is a charge for specialty smoothies and such. 

[Bo1953]

You may want to visit the Roll Call for your sailing, as well for some additional input...

 

bon voyage

[LMHSRN]

You will fall in love.  I am Diamond on Carnival and have not been back for 12 years.  that should tell yu something.  Love the Equinox.  Casino about what Carnival does.  Can't expect much when not regulated (per se).  Tuscan Grill ok,  Murano's a little better.  Drink packages include all beverages, coffee, juices, sodas, canned water, etc.  Worth it for me.  Always take a few cans back to room at night.  

[scubamargie]

One of the biggest differences is that on Carnival you can enjoy the Adults Only Serenity deck. Celebrity did away with this, replacing it with "The Retreat" which is only for Suite guests. Consequently it's difficult to find a quiet area, but Celebrity usually has fewer kids and caters to a more mature audience. Still, we miss the area in the front of the ships that used to be for everyone.

 

[LMHSRN]

13 minutes ago, scubamargie said:

One of the biggest differences is that on Carnival you can enjoy the Adults Only Serenity deck. Celebrity did away with this, replacing it with "The Retreat" which is only for Suite guests. Consequently it's difficult to find a quiet area, but Celebrity usually has fewer kids and caters to a more mature audience. Still, we miss the area in the front of the ships that used to be for everyone.

 

there is always the Solarium.  Always quiet.  NEVER crowded...(never say never)

[39august]

Whether those forward decks on 14 and 15 are available to all depends on what ship you are on. Some still have those areas open for all. The E class ships do not. The Solstice, Eclipse and Reflection all have these areas open to all. Deck 15 on Equinox is Retreat only, but deck 14 with the basketball court is still available.  The Solarium is adults only and I have never seen it crowded. 

Edited February 27, 2023 by 39august

[C4HCG]

12 minutes ago, scubamargie said:

One of the biggest differences is that on Carnival you can enjoy the Adults Only Serenity deck. Celebrity did away with this, replacing it with "The Retreat" which is only for Suite guests. Consequently it's difficult to find a quiet area, but Celebrity usually has fewer kids and caters to a more mature audience. Still, we miss the area in the front of the ships that used to be for everyone.

 

We find deck 14 quieter, granted you have take a flight of stairs to the pool area though. Park ourselves starboard side, near the OVC entrance, handy to call to the bar for drinks and toilets close too.

[jean87510]

12 hours ago, Super27 said:

The title pretty much says it all. I took my first cruise in late 2018 on Carnival, and got addicted. I just got off my 10th Carnival cruise, and although I still enjoy Carnival, I've decided it's time to try something else. So, I just booked a 7-night on the Equinox for August in a Concierge Class balcony guarantee cabin.

 

So...for anyone who has done both Carnival and Celebrity...what do I need to know? Any must-do's as far as specialty restaurants? Are the drink packages worth it? And most importantly, how is the casino??? Any advice for a first time Celebrity cruiser would be greatly appreciated!!!

If you can, price out always included and add the classic package, wifi, and gratuities.  It's so worth it.  Unless you are a top shelf individual with every drink, get the classic and just pay the difference.  It's what we did and we STILL had OBC left.  I was in AquaClass so I had Blu but did eat in Tuscan grille for a special lunch that had food from all 3 places.  This was really good.  There are 3 restaurants.  Food wise, well, I happen to like Guys pig and anchor plus the burgers so Ill give the edge to Carnival for that.  It is an older crowd.  I'm 58 and I was a kindergartener with HS kids!  But there were a lot of kindergarteners with me.  I like both lines but I have to give the edge to Celebrity.  We are pretty simple folks who don't like a lot of noise or fawning or bells and whistles.  The clientele is much better and politer on Celebrity.  Carnival is fun and we will be back on a 4 day this August out of Jacksonville (😳).  I think you made a great choice.  What are the ports?

I'm actually writing this at the airport after I disembarked my Equinox trip!

[jelayne]

The lunch options on Carnival are better.  
No Guys Burgers.

No comedy club.
No water slides, mini golf or other amusement park things on Celebrity.  

Fewer children on Celebrity.
Cabin are nicer on Celebrity.

Service is better on Celebrity.

 

[George C]

You will find far less children, ship is almost entirely non smoking including the casino . Celebrity and rccl are our favorites my one and only carnival cruise was almost 40 years ago. 

[LMHSRN]

3 hours ago, 39august said:

Whether those forward decks on 14 and 15 are available to all depends on what ship you are on. Some still have those areas open for all. The E class ships do not. The Solstice, Eclipse and Reflection all have these areas open to all. Deck 15 on Equinox is Retreat only, but deck 14 with the basketball court is still available.  The Solarium is adults only and I have never seen it crowded. 

No more Basketball Court.on Equinox    Now second level of retreat

[LMHSRN]

2 hours ago, jelayne said:

The lunch options on Carnival are better.  
No Guys Burgers.

No comedy club.
No water slides, mini golf or other amusement park things on Celebrity.  

Fewer children on Celebrity.
Cabin are nicer on Celebrity.

Service is better on Celebrity.

 

Carnival = Party Boat usually - lots of rowdy crowds

Celebrity = Classier n- More Laid back

[39august]

Not so on Equinox. Still has basketball court. Only deck above that is Retreat sun deck. I was  just up there a month ago. That is true of Silhoutte. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

If you have a drinks package on Celebrity they do not cut you off at 15 drinks (alcohol) like they do on Carnival.  I would likely fall overboard if I had 15 alcoholic drinks a day but I do like the idea of being able to order a drink and if I don't like it, put it down and try another.  

[horseymike]

You will find Celebrity a calmer , quieter atmosphere as compared to Carnival.

 

[Super27]

10 hours ago, 39august said:

Casino is nonsmokng. and drinks are free while you are gambling. 

 

Do you have to earn a certain number of points or anything to get the free drinks? Or is it like Vegas where they just give them to all gamblers?

[Super27]

9 hours ago, jean87510 said:

If you can, price out always included and add the classic package, wifi, and gratuities.  It's so worth it.  Unless you are a top shelf individual with every drink, get the classic and just pay the difference.  It's what we did and we STILL had OBC left.  I was in AquaClass so I had Blu but did eat in Tuscan grille for a special lunch that had food from all 3 places.  This was really good.  There are 3 restaurants.  Food wise, well, I happen to like Guys pig and anchor plus the burgers so Ill give the edge to Carnival for that.  It is an older crowd.  I'm 58 and I was a kindergartener with HS kids!  But there were a lot of kindergarteners with me.  I like both lines but I have to give the edge to Celebrity.  We are pretty simple folks who don't like a lot of noise or fawning or bells and whistles.  The clientele is much better and politer on Celebrity.  Carnival is fun and we will be back on a 4 day this August out of Jacksonville (😳).  I think you made a great choice.  What are the ports?

I'm actually writing this at the airport after I disembarked my Equinox trip!

 

Definitely looking forward to cruising with a less obnoxious clientele...I was shocked how rude people were on my last Carnival cruise, and the cruise before that the level of obnoxious and even violent behavior I witnessed was unbelievable. 

 

Ports are Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Bimini. Probably will stay on the ship in Cozumel (been there done that) but Bimini is a new one for me so that's always exciting!

[Super27]

4 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

If you have a drinks package on Celebrity they do not cut you off at 15 drinks (alcohol) like they do on Carnival.  I would likely fall overboard if I had 15 alcoholic drinks a day but I do like the idea of being able to order a drink and if I don't like it, put it down and try another.  

Good to know! I don't typically drink enough to hit the 15 on Carnival but I also don't like feeling like I have to finish a drink I don't really enjoy just because I'm limited.

[NutsAboutGolf]

8 minutes ago, Super27 said:

 

Do you have to earn a certain number of points or anything to get the free drinks? Or is it like Vegas where they just give them to all gamblers?

 

It's like Vegas, not like Carnival where you need to earn some tier points

[NutsAboutGolf]

22 hours ago, Super27 said:

The title pretty much says it all. I took my first cruise in late 2018 on Carnival, and got addicted. I just got off my 10th Carnival cruise, and although I still enjoy Carnival, I've decided it's time to try something else. So, I just booked a 7-night on the Equinox for August in a Concierge Class balcony guarantee cabin.

 

So...for anyone who has done both Carnival and Celebrity...what do I need to know? Any must-do's as far as specialty restaurants? Are the drink packages worth it? And most importantly, how is the casino??? Any advice for a first time Celebrity cruiser would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Specialty = Murano

 

Celebrity's motto is Relaxed Luxury, you often need to make your own entertainment in the day time on a sea day or read a lot or just get drunk by the pool.  At best you'll have a 45min lecturer that day..  Every night they'll be a 7pm main show that's repeated at 9pm, one night the main show will be a comedian, one night a magician and the rest are musicals.  I have been on X sailings without a comedian or without a magician but that is rare.  With X's production shows (musicals), they'll have the exact same shows (Rock City, Broken Strings, etc) fleet wide on each sailing.  Also every night at 8pm the Activities Director will do a passenger participation show.  This is a bit different than Carnival as they have (and we love) that they offer the multiple comedians and multiple comedy shows per day, the sing along piano bar, karaoke, the house band playing in the atrium and this is all in addition to the main show

 

Overall if you're okay with the relax part (many bring their own board games and cards) you'll have a great time

 

Bonus tip, if you want to eat LUNCH at the buffet around the time it opens, get there 10mins before they open to grab a table.  Many buffet stations will just start to open so you may be able to get food before the masses arrive

[miched]

Won’t hear “Low Rider”, “ Tequila” and etc while having breakfast in the buffet.  
 

You will need to keep track of time for the activities that you plan on doing.   There are no constant announcements for them. 
 

Entertainment isn’t as good.  Not many comedians, one at most.      Magicians seem rather lame doing stuff that is easy to figure out.    Hit or miss on guest entertainers, and that depends on what you like.  
 

A little more laid back.  
 

You will  be treated as an adult instead of trying to make you feel like a spring breaker, but there are always exceptions. 
 

Very few towel animals if any.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Edited February 28, 2023 by miched

[Tierun]

Celebrity is much quieter and laid back. By midnight you won’t see hundreds of people hanging out on Celebrity still partying, that was a shock for me in my 30s, but in my 40s now I just went on the new Carnival Celebration and it was not my cup of tea. My first cruising experiences were on Carnival and then I tried X and it became a fav. The food options are much more varied on Carnival, but not really long lines of waiting on Celebrity. If you’re ready for a more mature and relaxed style of cruising, you will enjoy yourself.

[Oceansaway17]

20 hours ago, LMHSRN said:

No more Basketball Court.on Equinox    Now second level of retreat

Which I found to be noisy if sitting outside

 

also they removed THE BIG chairs in the lawn area. The Silhouette had them and were fun to climb on