Celebrity Equinox Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We chose this cruise because Celebrity has a good reputation. I would say that it is mainly deserved. The ship itself was very smart and the buffet is the best I have experienced in terms of choice and spacious layout.
Food was generally good, although the chefs do seem very keen on mashed potato. The dining room had an impressive decor. Everyone we met at dinner seemed very nice and friendly. The room service menu is a little limited, I was surprised there were no omelettes or jacket potatoes included in the basic menu. If you're staying in your cabin in the evening, it's probably because you're not feeling that great. But hey, great to have food brought to your cabin for free.
My mother-in-law has mobility problems and my sister-in-law asked what are the procedures for disabled people if there had to be an evacuation? Clearly not something that Celebrity has spent much time thinking about although to be fair, neither have the other cruise lines I've been on. Generally, the crew were very friendly and helpful except one time we wanted to disembark and one gangway was just about to be dismantled. We asked if they could just let my mother-in-law off and they refused even though going round to the other gangway meant her having to go up and down some steps, which she finds difficult, (and we did point that out to them). I was shocked at their attitude.
Cabin Review
Family Ocean View
We were in a Family Ocean View Cabin, which was huge compared to the size of a standard cabin. Decent lounge area, decent dining area, lots of windows and big balcony.Expensive but worth it if you want some space. We chose that because my mother-in-law needs a mobility scooter, which has to stored inside the cabin. The three of us and a scooter in a normal sized cabin would have been a very tight squeeze indeed. Bags of room for the scooter in this one, though.
I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the shower in the bathroom. I was in the 2nd bedroom, which is intended for children and has two bunk beds. I was glad I was on my own as the space would have been too cramped for two adults if the second bed had been let down. One niggle was that Celebrity is doing some cost cutting - no shower gel only soap below concierge grade? It all seems rather mean and petty and not the image Celebrity is keen to promote.
Port Reviews
St. Maarten
Went by ourselves by water taxi (without mother-in-law who didn't want to go, luckily as can't see how she would have managed the very long walk to the water taxis or the water taxis). Water taxis finish at 5.30 p.m. apparently so no chance of evening in port. Nice to wander around and have a drink in a bar.