Celebrity Equinox Review
Our first time on celebrity ... It won't be our last
Rating by category
Additional details
Having cruised many times with Princess, P&O, Cunard and a few with Royal Caribbean we wondered how Celebrity would compare. As it turned out .. Very well indeed.
Embarkation was extremely slick and lunch once onboard was our first taste of the fantastic buffet quality of food. We ate at an outside terrace table and had our first glass of classic package wine a very nice chilled prosecco and clinked our glasses in anticipation of a great cruise.
The cabin (Aqua class) was ready early and by 2pm we had unpacked and were ready to explore. Finding room in the double wardrobe was our first test but with a little careful reorganising we managed to fit in all our clothes. The over bed locker took bulky items. We would prefer under bed storage in drawers and felt there was lost space under the sofa which could have slide out draw space. The bathroom on the other hand swallowed all our toiletries, make up etc easily in a glass fronted shelved unit. Pleased to see the shower did not have the usual plastic curtain but rather a nice curved glass door. All in all a very good first impression of a balcony grade cabin. The Aqua class had daily bottled water and ice tea delivered along with a changing fruit selection. Nice bathrobes and slippers and good quality bed linens. The sofa was more comfortable than it looked and the flat screen TV seemed huge.
Cabin Review
Excellent bathroom .. Good storage .. The best shower at sea. Poor sink design .. Fixed tap prevents easy washing.
Good quality bed gave good quality sleep. Nice quality bed linen.
Wardrobe proved difficult to gain access to clothes with double sliding doors.
Good drawer space, could have provided more storage drawers under bed and settee.
Good quality large flat screen TV. No kettle.
Port Reviews
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Loved this port for embarkation. Travelled from orlando and stopped three nights in the Renaissance close to cruise port.
Expensive hotel and they charge for parking which is crazy since there is a shopping area with large free parking right next door. Pool area nice.
Ate at the nearby Boatyard restaurant which was amazing. We were celebrating a birthday and anniversary and the staff were lovely. Outside eating on the river front.
Good shopping mall within a couple of miles and huge beach front area and promenade.
St. Thomas
We made took an open truck style taxi to Megan's Bay .. A beautiful horseshoe shaped bay. The most beautiful beach and good bars and facilities. A lovely day.
St. Kitts (Port Zante)
It was good Friday and shops were shut .. Just how my husband likes it. We did the public water ferry transfer to the town and walked the wide promenade to a hotel on the far side. We just had drinks and enjoyed the view but the hotel did offer a daily rate for use of the pool and inclusive food.
Barbados
We walked in to town about a 20 minute walk. We noticed a nice place on the beach .. Think it was called the Boatyard that had an inclusive tariff for the day which included a beach chair and parasol with first drink and a taxi ride back to the ship. Aprox $15. A good deal but we hadn't taken swimwear. We headed round the bay and to the hotel and got drinks before a taxi ride back to the ship. Another lovely beach very close to the ship if you want an easy day.
Dominica
Roseau the capital and where the ship stops is a very poor area. We didn't venture far as the weather was overcast. Just a stroll round the small town. Quite run down with a few stalls selling souvenir type goods. Nearest hotel is up the hill to the right of the town and offered good views of the ship with a pleasant bar but no sea view.
St. Maarten
Now I have just realised that I have mixed up St Maarten and St Kitts .. Easy done in the Caribbean. One island does tend to blur into the next. Apologies .. Please read the port review for St Kitts.