Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Did Celebrity eliminate helipad sailaway on the Equinox?

peterde

By peterde,
in Celebrity Cruises

 Share

Recommended Posts

miched

miched

Posted
Posted

Has anyone ever seen them use the helipad for an evacuation?   
 

Every time there was one it was always from a top deck. They would isolate  the area until it was over.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jelayne

jelayne

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, miched said:

Has anyone ever seen them use the helipad for an evacuation?   
 

Every time there was one it was always from a top deck. They would isolate  the area until it was over.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Yes we did about  7-8 years ago.  It was from one of the S class ships.  Helicopter did not land on the helipad. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gold1953

gold1953

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Often been invited to sail in/out for suites and have also been to them for E+ and AQ 

Us as well but in Dec. we were invited and think it must have been for B2B  There was only half a ship of people though. Got it for AQ in Jan. and Elite plus in Feb.. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CTSandy Great Review Rare

CTSandy

Posted
Posted

I have gotten invited on every cruise - never sure whether it’s because of cabin (sailed aqua, concierge, and veranda), loyalty status or casino status.  I have never been on a sailing before where they charged for sailaway from a port.  I did ask some of the people I chatted with if they did the for fee sailaway and no one had or knew if it was different.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DaKahuna Great Review Rare

DaKahuna

Posted
Posted

 Since the restart we have attended sail aways on the helipad from various ports and also was on the helipad for a sail into Nassau on a Reflection B2B in November 2021. 

 

 As I understand it, invitations vary as to who gets invited but there is at least one at cruise, weather conditions permitting, for Retreat/Suite Guest and I believe CC members have one as well.  On our last sailining, Millennium,, it was a combination of Retreat and Concierge iirc. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
phoenix_dream

phoenix_dream

Posted
Posted
21 hours ago, CTSandy said:

I was on the Summit August 30, 2023 New England/Canada cruise.  I was invited to the sailaway from Prince Edward Island.  I have done many of the sailaways and skipped it, but was surprised to see they offered sailaway from Quebec for $79 pp.  Apparently some ports are more desirable for a sailaway and can generate revenue.

$79 for a sailaway!?!? That is just plain crazy. I don't care what the port is I would never pay to do that. It's not that great to begin with. We've done it, but often skip invites as it's more comfortable on our balcony or an outside deck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CHEZMARYLOU

CHEZMARYLOU

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

$79 for a sailaway!?!? That is just plain crazy. I don't care what the port is I would never pay to do that. It's not that great to begin with. We've done it, but often skip invites as it's more comfortable on our balcony or an outside deck.

We wouldn't pay for it either but if they are charging $79 I would expect a buffet and martinis from the martini bar at minimum.  Not just cheap sparkling wine and mimosas. 😁

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
DaKahuna Great Review Rare

DaKahuna

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, drakes2 said:

Always and they are welcomed onto the helipad

 

 

 Every time we have gone to the helipad post COVID closings there has been a crew member there sending back anyone not in closed toed shoes, this included open toe flats and sandals  as well as flip flops. 

 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
wrk2cruise

wrk2cruise

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, miched said:

Has anyone ever seen them use the helipad for an evacuation?   
 

Every time there was one it was always from a top deck. They would isolate  the area until it was over.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

We were on Millennium Panama Canal cruise (was supposed to be Infinity but a 2 cruise ship swap).  We were sailing from Aruba to FLL and had a medical emergency.  Sailed several hours to get close enough to Jamacia get within helicopter range.  Helicopter flew around the ship and landed on the helipad.  Evidently the patient wasn't stable enough so the helicopter shutdown, evidently the patient passed away.  About an hour later the helicopter spun up and took off.  It was the Jamaican coast guard.   I believe the S and E class aren't big enough to land and it's really a hoist area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lexmiller

lexmiller

Posted
Posted

I am befuddled about the helipad sailaway experience now becoming an event you pay for!  I am guessing though that the invitation only sailaways will still exist (I sure hope so, selfishly!) - ie, Elite Plus and Zenith, Suite, Aqua and Concierge, but that this is an opportunity for those who would not have status to be invited, to still have the sailaway experience.  The sailaway experience is now presumably another chance for the line to collect some revenue, like charging for the behind the scenes tours, the art tours on the Edge Class ships, etc.....I won't bring up the failed chocolate chip cookie money grab, lol!  But I guess I understand the point, considering the trend of increasing costs, searches for new revenue streams......as long as the invitation only sailaways still exist 😅as honestly, we love them!  Some of my favorite photos are of the two of us on the helipad with the bridge above us and absolutely no one else in the photo!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
drakes2

drakes2

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Every time we have gone to the helipad post COVID closings there has been a crew member there sending back anyone not in closed toed shoes, this included open toe flats and sandals  as well as flip flops. 

 

Last September 2022 I had a concierge SV and received an invite to the helipad sail away. It annoyed me when I saw people wearing Sandals flip flops etc in attendance as I specifically brought my runners for this reason only.  

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JLMcruise

JLMcruise

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 9/21/2023 at 7:42 AM, miched said:

Has anyone ever seen them use the helipad for an evacuation?   
 

Every time there was one it was always from a top deck. They would isolate  the area until it was over.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

4 years ago after leaving New Zealand about 5 hours out to sea - a crew member had to be evacuated. It was very interesting watching the New Zealand Coast Guard Helicopter circle the ship and then land on the helipad. The crew member was quickly loaded and it took off. They never shut the blades off and was only landed for a very short time. We were on the Solstice and watched from the Spa lounge in the front of the ship. Yes - they kept the area isolated and had to take down some wires and other stuff. Very efficiently done.

Edited by JLMcruise
more info
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
doghog

doghog

Posted
Posted (edited)

We've been invited to the helipad on our September 2019 and September 2022 Summit cruises cruising up the Saint Lawrence river heading to Quebec. Great views. Our invites for both cruises were signed by the CC concierge. 

Edited by doghog
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...