We just returned from a Feb 15, 2010 "Ultimate Caribbean" sailing on the Celebrity Equinox. I'm the first to admit that I should have known what I was in for, as my wife and I had sailed on a two-day inaugural travel industry cruise on the sister ship Solstice and then again on a Solstice New Year's Cruise in 2009.

Equinox is a clone of Solstice with more earth tones and a slightly different motif. Our biggest complaint on the holiday cruise back in 2009 was the overcrowded feeling and the daily fight to grab a poolside chair each day, especially on sea days. We thought this was unique to the holiday cruise syndrome, but after just sailing in mid February, I can attest to the fact that it is ALWAYS a problem. There is simply not enough space around the pools. It is ironic that the aft section of the upper decks is covered with a grassy lawn reserved for Croquette and Bocce ball, rather than making sensible use of the extra space for sun worshipers. (Let's be candid folks, these are not two of North America's most popular sports)

Let me begin with what was good about our cruise: "The Ultimate Caribbean" itinerary offers up some off the beaten path destinations including The Cayman Islands, Cartegena, Columbia, Colon Panama, Puerto Limn Costa Rica and Roatan Honduras and Cozumel. I am in no way suggesting these are terrific ports of call, BUT they do offer a change of scenery from the "been there, done that islands of St. Marten, St. Thomas, Nassau, Barbados, etc. Read more