Equinox ABCs - 16 to 24 September 2023

[kywildcatfanone]

10 hours ago, maiaaya said:

We brought our own soda and water on, to Equinox, in July. We had a few 12-packs and bottled water too. And then dropped it off in our room as soon as we boarded, since the room keys are at your door and you can access your room right away. Very nice to have this option!

Great to hear, thank you.  We are going to get off the plane, have our taxi or uber stop at a grocery store, and stock up before heading to the terminal.   I debated about putting some in the luggage for porters, but don't want anything busted open in the suitcase. 

[Pennstatedj]

Hi, Thanks for doing this review. We board for same cruise on OCT 14. Do you remember who is your CC hostess. There is usually three assigned but one you see most of the time. Do the elite breakfast even for just a cup of tea or coffee or Bloody Mary. View is the best. I usually usually do Blu breakfast and meet wife for orange juice and drink. Enjoy. 

[39august]

Please report back on what champagne is available by the glass. I like Cattier, but have read lately it is Haslinger, about which I know nothing. Also, who is the CD please? My last 3 cruises on EQ it was Pete. Hope for someone new next week. 

[tnm6217]

2 hours ago, 39august said:

Please report back on what champagne is available by the glass. I like Cattier, but have read lately it is Haslinger, about which I know nothing. Also, who is the CD please? My last 3 cruises on EQ it was Pete. Hope for someone new next week. 

The Champagne is Haslinger and I believe Chandon is also available for a sparkling wine option. I like the Haslinger. 
 

The current CD is Lewis. The Captain is Demitrios. 

[39august]

Glad you like the Haslinger. Thanks for the input. I've read good things about Lewis, so look forward to seeing him next week. Any "Beyond the Podium" presentations?

[tnm6217]

We enjoyed a nice sea day afternoon watching NFL games at the Lawn Club. 
 

 

Dinner at Blu was wonderful again, but the service was a bit off. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated around 6:50 pm. Once seated, we waited no less than 20 minutes until anyone came by. The som was first, then we waited another 10 minutes before our server came by. We were gracious guests, but were a bit befuddled as to why we weren’t even acknowledged before that point. Dinner took over two hours with the standard three courses and no special accommodations. 
 

crab bisque

 

tomato salad with balsamic

 

tuna tataki

 

truffle risotto

 

miso salmon

 

chocolate lava cake (double!) with coffee ice cream and caramelized banana…superb!!

 

Stunning sunrise this morning as we skirted around Haiti. 
 

 

Selections at al Bacio were great this morning. However, more inattentive service. I arrived around 7:15 am and there were only a handful of other guests there. It took 10 minutes before any of the servers made eye contact. I noticed multiple guests going up to the counter to order and asked to have it brought to their table. 
 

 

 

We did the ship tour this morning and it was fabulous. I did the same tour in April on Summit, but found it just as interesting on Equinox. 
 

 

 

 

We rounded out the morning with a wonderful Beyond the Podium presentation from Jim Kennedy, former NASA Director. 
 

[Barwick Cruiser]

Looks like you’re having a wonderful time, thank you for posting so we can follow along! 
Your risotto looks more like gnocchi 🤔 Dessert looked delicious 😋 

[mac_tlc]

OMG I love the almond croissant!

 

We had Mr. Kennedy on one of our Edge cruises. All of his talks were very informative.

 

mac_tlc

[tnm6217]

5 hours ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

Your risotto looks more like gnocchi 🤔

It sure was gnocchi! I couldn’t figure out how to edit it after I’d posted 🤦🏻‍♀️

[tnm6217]

Breaking news: A wonderful meal was had in the MDR!

 

I’m so glad we decided to try MDR for lunch yesterday. It was by far our best meal so far because the service was attentive, the courses were timed perfectly, and the food was good. 
 

Mesculun salad (before French dressing)

 

Chicken and beef skewers in a fabulous peanut sauce

 

Smothered burger with Gruyère. I could’ve eaten two it was so good!

 

Not pictured: pork loin with pea mash. My brother said it was his favorite of the cruise so far. I tried the pea mash and it was delicious! It has the consistency of mashed potatoes but a wonderful pea flavor. 

 

Chocolate mousse with strawberries at the bottom. All three of our dishes looked like this and I should’ve ordered two!

I took it easy after lunch, then went for a pre-Tuscan workout in the gym around 4. It wasn’t crowded at all and the view of the endless sea from the treadmill was heavenly.

 

The show was Elysium and it was very good. We got to see the aerialists for the first time and the singers delivered another great performance. 
 

After the show, we dined at Tuscan for the first time. I’d heard such great things, but was disappointed by the service. I  note that good service is what makes the meal for me, and it’s been frustrating (and sad) to see Equinox not delivering in this area as Silhouette and Summit did earlier this year. The courses weren’t timed well and we sat for about 20 minutes with an empty table between appetizers and entrees, without a visit from our server or any assistant server. We had to ask for water to be refilled multiple times. Because the entrees took so long, we ordered dessert right when they came.

 

Antipasti board - fabulous. 
 

Flatbreads - the bianco was best. 
 

Calamari - good.
Pork belly - very good.

Meatballs - bland and uninspired. 

 

Lobster rigatoni alfredo - light on the lobster, but the alfredo was very good. 
 

Lasagna (half portion) - the star of the meal for me. So flavorful and the red sauce had a little kick. 
 

Beet salad - not very flavorful. 
 

Crab cake - it was fine, but overly breaded for my taste. 
 

Spinach - very little flavor. 
 

Broccolini - cooked to perfection and full of garlic-y goodness. 
 

Filet - very good. 
 

Limoncello cheesecake - very good and reminded me of key lime pie. The regular cheesecake available in the dining rooms is still better in my opinion. 
 

Spumoni donuts - not really donuts and not that flavorful. 
 

Strawberry shortcake - tasty, but very dense. 
 

(upside down) Tiramisu with amaretto chocolate cookies - wonderful. 

 

I haven’t seen a chocolate chip cookie onboard yet, which makes me a bit suspicious after Cookiegate, but the cookies have been fabulous whether from Oceanview or al Bacio. 

 

One thing I’ve been meaning to mention is that our Aqua Class rooms each came with one of the grey X tote bags. 

 

There are also three “service dogs” onboard, which is something I’ve never seen on a ship before. I’m not trying to start a riot here, but I am very familiar with the ADA and what it means to be a true service dog. Based on the breeds and what I’ve seen so far, none of these dogs are trained to perform tasks as the ADA would define. The other night, one couple had the ship photographer take a picture of them while seated on the couch in Ensemble holding their “service dog” (either a Pom or Papillon) up in the photo with them. Again, not trying to start a debate between service dogs and emotional support animals, but I haven’t enjoyed having pets in public areas onboard. 
 

We arrive in Aruba shortly and the sunrise this morning did not disappoint!

 

 

Edited September 19, 2023 by tnm6217

[C4HCG]

Enjoy Aruba and if you go to Eagle Beach let us have your views as we’ve seen that as a possible trip for us next year.

[marieps]

On 9/17/2023 at 9:47 AM, Cruisegirl6 said:

Hello and following along as we board next month.

I was not impressed with Blu on the Beyond and the choices were very limited and we were not able to order off the MDR menu as we love ceasar salad, onion soup, etc., therefore we just ate a couple of times at the steakhouse and the remaining evenings at the MDR.

 

I am so glad to hear we are able to order off the MDR menu!  I have to try that champagne you enjoy.  Following along.  

One of the reasons I dislike the E Class layout, with Blu and Luminae so far from the main gallies.  Choices must be limited to those menus only.  

[PS_1452]

I'm surprised to hear about some of the service issues, especially in Blu.  We did the ABC's on Equinox this past January and the service in Blu was outstanding.  We ate lunch in the MDR twice, the service was good, some of the food very good (the chicken and beef skewers), some we didn't like (pork loin with pea mash).

 

I agree with you about the (probably not) service dogs.  We also had several on board the Equinox and it just didn't seem right.

 

Thanks for taking the time for this report, I've been following closely to see how your experience compared to ours.

[marieps]

This has been a very balanced and industrious review.  The pictures are great and we all appreciate, I'm sure, the effort you've put in to sharing your voyage.  Many thanks.

[Cruisegirl6]

How is the internet?  We upgraded to premium, my other half has to be available for work and go through emails and emailing how is it?  When we were on the Beyond and the Edge it was not good and we had the premium package.

[tnm6217]

10 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

How is the internet?  We upgraded to premium, my other half has to be available for work and go through emails and emailing how is it?  When we were on the Beyond and the Edge it was not good and we had the premium package.

I have premium internet. I ran a speed test last night (about two hours after leaving Aruba) and this morning (in Curaçao) and it was about 5 Mbps. I’ve been listening to Sirius on my phone while I walk the upper decks in the mornings and have had no issues. Connectivity has been consistent, but we’ve had absolutely perfect weather which has likely helped.

Edited September 20, 2023 by tnm6217

[tnm6217]

We had a good day in Aruba yesterday. It was hot, so we decided to try the Arubus to see some of the island. We paid $10 for a day pass and hopped on the bus to San Nicolas. We walked around and stopped at a cafe before heading back to Oranjestad. I always enjoy taking public transit to get a feel for the area. 
 

 

 

We stopped at a Cuban cigar shop near the port and although I don’t smoke, I enjoyed seeing the “contraband.”

 

 

The ice cold towel was very much appreciated after the steamy walk back to the ship. Equinox looked lovely in port.
 

 

I noticed a price list in my fridge when I got back to my room and wanted to share it with everyone. No items were added since I’d asked my stateroom attendant to remove all fee items on day one. 
 

 

Oceanview was much quieter today since we were in port. The food has been consistently good. The only problem is that the ice cream is delicious and it will take some time to work off when I return home!
 

I’m happy to report that we had a much more attentive experience at Blu last night. 
 

Baked Brie

 

Poached egg

 

Corn velouté with chorizo

 

Smoked chicken with orzo

 

Braised short rib, which as far as I can tell is exactly the same as what is served in Luminae. It’s not to be missed!

 

Broiled dorade

 

There weren’t any chocolate desserts on the Blu or MDR menus (criminal!). Before dinner, I spotted chocolate chip cookies at al Bacio, so I told our server I was going to pass on dessert and get cookies instead. She told me that chocolate chip cookies are available on the kids menu every night in the MDR! So I ordered cookies with caramel and chocolate ice cream on top and it was a perfect ending to a lovely dinner. 

 

 

I realized on my walk this morning that the Retreat sundeck is only on the upper level, which is different from the design on both Silhouette and Summit. Even as a frequent suite guest, I prefer this design because it allows everyone to take advantage of some of the best views on the ship. It also allows you to walk the entire circumference of the ship between decks 14 and 15 if you can tolerate the stairs. 
 

 

 

Willemstad, Curaçao 

 

Thanks to @Pennstatedj for suggesting I try the CC breakfast in Tuscan!
 

Edited September 20, 2023 by tnm6217

[kywildcatfanone]

Love the review so far.  Yikes on those in room drink prices.  I'll bring my own soda.  Thanks for sharing.  Getting some good tips for our October cruise!

[Cruisegirl6]

42 minutes ago, tnm6217 said:

I have premium internet. I ran a speed test last night (about two hours after leaving Aruba) and this morning (in Curaçao) and it was about 5 Mbps. I’ve been listening to Sirius on my phone while I walk the upper decks in the mornings and have had no issues. Connectivity has been consistent, but we’ve had absolutely perfect weather which has likely helped.

Thank you, my other half has to dial in for some work conferences which are very important, glad you had no issues.

[tnm6217]

19 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Yikes on those in room drink prices.  I'll bring my own soda.

We’ve had no issues “stocking up” at the various bars onboard. I’ve been ordering water and soda and taking them back to the room throughout the day, which has worked out well. 

[mcroadman]

Following! Can't wait to be on the Equinox next month. Thanks for sharing. We are so wanting to be that ship and on the beautiful waters!

[tnm6217]

Had a quiet day in Curaçao yesterday. It was very windy, which made it look like we were at sea, so I sat out on a comfortable deck chair on Deck 5 starboard side for almost two hours. 
 

Blu was enjoyable again, though no chocolate dessert options again tonight. 
 

Cannellini bean velouté

 

Duck confit ravioli

 

Side of veggies (not on the menu, but very tasty)

 

We arrived in Kralendijk, Bonaire this morning and the view were worth the cost of the cruise. This island is stunning!

 

 

 

[hcat]

Great review.. photos and  comments are enjoyable!

[MisterMet]

On 9/17/2023 at 2:06 PM, Cruisegirl6 said:

Love the photos.  Question,  I have select dining, would I go to upper or lower MDR?

Upper.  Make reservations and you won’t have to wait.  Do it on the app

Edited September 21, 2023 by MisterMet

[mermee]

Following along. We will be on the Equinox next week. Thanks for the pictures and the very descriptive review.