Summary thoughts on the Equinox

The Celebrity Equinox is the second in their latest class of ships. It is an interesting attempt.

Highlights include:

• New buffet design that eliminates trays and cafeteria lines to get your food. This worked really well.
• Hot glass show. I really didn't think this would be a big deal but I enjoyed it immensely. This was a highlight of the entire cruise for me.
• Good sized shower in the cabins.
• Free video on demand in the room was fabulous for me with my broken toe. I watched a ton of movies.
  

Lowlights include:

• New bed design that is curved such that one foot hangs over the edge. Very silly design.
• Life boats block the view on the promenade deck turning it into a waste of outdoor space.
• Big steel bar in the buffet window design that blocks your view of the coastline outside while eating.
• Limited access to the railings. Just about everywhere the railings are lined with deck chairs facing in.
  

The whole ship reminded me of a Las Vegas Casino where they want to focus your attention inwards so your spending money and not out enjoying the outdoors.

However, in summary I really enjoyed the cruise! The staff was terrific! Another plus was that Celebrity accommodated my gluten free diet really well. I could tell the corporation had really done what it could to support a safe eating experience. The only problems I had were with individual service personal (my dining room waiter and the dinner room service person) who seemed to think it was more trouble than it was worth to have gluten free diners so seemed to do their best to encourage us to make use of a dining venue that didn't include their having to bother with us. However the staff in the Bistro were fabulous and made us feel welcome every time. Same with the staff in the buffet. They never had a problem calling to see if an item was gluten free or getting an item with out the sauce if the sauce had gluten in it. Also whenever we spoke to the head waiters in the dining room we had great response. In addition the front desk personnel were excellent as well as our room stewards so overall we give the service a very high rating.

Fort Lauderdale Land and Sea tour

I had booked an afternoon flight in case our docking was delayed by coast guard inspections or immigration. As a result I was able to book the Celebrity Fort Lauderdale Land and Sea tour. After debarking, getting my bags and boarding the bus we started the bus portion of our tour. It was probably cut a little short because some of the folks had trouble finding their bags (we eventually left without 3 of them but I think the tour company caught them up to us at some point or took them to the airport).

The day was beautiful! Sun was shining and temperature was pleasant. We saw the beautiful Fort Lauderdale beach. Next time I come for a cruise I'm staying on the beach! We saw a few more city sights and then boarded our boat tour.
The boat tour guide was great but the sights we saw were obnoxious displays of wealth.

It's not that the homes were so much over the top, more that the current cost of them was unbelievable.

It was kind of sickening. However, the history of the area was interesting. The homes were built on water canals. Most homes had boats (or yachts).

Some of the yachts were really enormous.


I loved seeing the giant iguanas in the yards.


This home was supposed to be in the TV show Miami Vice.


The boat on the right is all wrapped up and being delivered to its owner. Wouldn't want to scratch the paint job.

We then pulled out into the area where the cruise ships are.


When we were on the Equinox the Oasis looked big but you couldn't really tell how big until you saw the ends of the ships side by side. On the left is the Celebrity Equinox. In the middle is the Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas. On the right is the brand new Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas. It was huge!

It has an atrium down the center so they can have more cabins with balconies. It is sort of like two cruise ships glued together.

After a very enjoyable tour we boarded our bus and headed to the airport.

Fort Lauderdale

Sadly all good cruises must come to an end and ours ended in Fort Lauderdale. Pic. 1 is a view of the port area.

We pulled into port with the gigantic Oasis of the Seas in view. But before I got my side view pic. the Enchantment of the seas pulled in between us.



Pic. 2 is a view of the city.

Lazy days at sea

The lazy days at sea during a transatlantic are perfect for doing such things as exploring the ship and finding areas I had never been to before. Pic. 1 is of the helicopter pad at the front of the ship. Pics 2 and 3 are of a rainbow that appeared off the starboard side just before dinner.

Hot glass show

I returned to the hot glass show to see some more pieces being made. Every day they are showing different techniques so it is fascinating.

Crepes restaurant

A gluten free breakfast crepe with eggs, potatoes and a side of fruit.


Me at dinner.


A gluten free dinner crepe.


A gluten free desert crepe.

The crepes restaurant is getting alot of business from us because of the delicious gluten free crepes!

Equinox show - the second time

Again the Equinox show was excellent.

Afterward our stateroom attendant treated us to a towel bunny.