Exellent Equinox Reviewed By: Brown, Runcorn on 20th Apr 2010 Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises Times cruised before: 6-10 Cruise Ship: Celebrity Equinox Sailed: April, 2010 Destination: Caribbean Age: 56-65 We started our holiday flying from Manchester to Fort lauderdale and stayed in the Grand Hotel in FL Marina, this hotel was really 1st class,the transfers from the airport to hotel were good, next morning we were in the middle of a thunder storm, our luggage was loaded in to a large van and the next time we saw them was outside our cabin, we left the hotel 1130 and was having lunch on the Equinox at 1300 our cabin was available at 1330. Life boat drill was done in the lounges and a short video showed the procedure. We set sail at 1715, with one day at sea, our first port was Grand Cayman, we booked a trip to Stingray City this is small sandy reef about 1 mile from Cayman and we swam with stingrays for 45 mins also snorkling at the near by reef then sailed back to Cayman for some retail therapy, then back on board for 2 days at sea. The next port was Cartagena Columbia, it was very hot (96 degrees),the taxis were all touting for trips this one driver quoted $20pp round trip into town, there was 6 of us in a people carrier with AC in 96 deg this was very welcome, when you get to town you get a short walking tour and history of the town, then on to the market place and yep you guessed it more shopping, then back to the ship, we were out about 4 hours so in my mind it was a bargain for what we got. Sailed over night to Panama, berthed at Colon, my friend and I booked a trip to the Locks while the ladies went shopping(again),there's a small shopping inside the port. the Gatun Locks were a highlight for me because all my working life Ive worked on water and have always wanted to see this,then back to the ship. Sailed over night to Costa Rica. berthed Port Limon, a short walk thru the docks to a small craft market, then thru the gates and into town, what a disapointment this was, the town was run down and as it was Easter Sunday 90% of shops were shut, short walk thru a park brought you to the sea front which was falling apart, so it was back to the Equinox to enjoy the delights of the ship and the AC, there are other trips you can book on the ship such as go to the Rainforest or visiting a Banana Plantation so if the town is not for you then book a trip. Our next port was Isla Roatan Honduras, what a delight it was to sail into this port with its gaily coloured buildings it was 100% better than our last port, we booked a Roatan Highlights Island tour with Island Marketing, Our lady driver met us outside of the gate and six of us boarded her bus to take us to see the Coarl reef, the Iguna farm and the delights of the Island and we ended up at Westbay Beach, this was lovely, white sand,crystal clear water,everything you need there to eat and drink, after 3 hours of sea n sand it was back to the ship reluctantly, Roatan is such a lovely place, when we arrived here at 0730 there was a group of local musicians and singers to welcome ship into port, when we finally sailed they waved goodbye to us and were still in fine voice. Onwards we sailed, this time to Cozumel, we have been here before, nothing had changed maybe more shops selling the same things, there was 6 ships port so as you can imagine the place was packed, so it was back to the ship and spent our time in the pool or suning. And so we sailed off into the sunset back to Fort Lauderdale having enjoyed our cruise, but I dont think we will be coming to Central America again, with the exception of Isla Roatan. The Equinox The ship was a joy to sail on, the crew were nothing but the best,no matter what the request was our cabin steward(cabin 9236)dealt with it in an efficent manner the whole ship was kept spotlessy clean. Our next cruise is being booked, and I cannot wait to feel the warm trade winds of the Caribean and the magic of cruising. Staff I cannot name all the staff who looked after us, and when i say looked after I really mean it, our cabin was 9236 and the stewards name is Antonio, he is really efficient in his job, the table waiter and his helper became our friends,as did all waiters who waited on for breakfast and lunch. we met the Captain who gave us a tour of the bridge, the Engineer who gave us a tour of the Engine room, going to the engine room we even met some of the crew you dont see.