Having taken numerous cruises, including recent sailings on Virgin, Holland America, and Princess, I can say my 5-night Celebrity Equinox cruise stands out as one of my most enjoyable recent experiences.
While some aspects like dining have changed since my last Celebrity cruise in 2012, the line still delivers excellent service, entertainment, and ship maintenance. Celebrity strikes a fine balance between upscale and fun, akin to Princess but with slight advantages in cabins, service, and gym facilities.
I have fond memories of Celebrity's sophisticated cuisine, which seems to have simplified over time. And Princess offered some special touches like a lobster night that were missing on this shorter Equinox sailing. However, the stellar service, remarkable production shows, and pristine ship condition on Celebrity continue to impress.
Compared to Princess, Celebrity Equinox falls slightly behind on technology like interactive medallion app but exceeds on intimate, elegant ship ambience. I would definitely sail Celebrity again to experience their latest vessels, but for now I continue to appreciate the beautiful, well-run mid-sized Equinox. Though aspects have evolved, the core of what makes Celebrity a cut above remains. An outstanding cruise line I highly recommend.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
I have to say this was the easiest, fastest embarkation process I've ever experienced. From arrival at the port to stepping onboard the Celebrity Equinox, the entire process took only about 15 minutes. There were your usual security lines, but beyond that everything was smooth sailing. We were greeted right away by friendly Celebrity staff checked our barcodes, took our pictures, and let us proceed directly onto the ship. Kudos to Celebrity Cruises for perfecting the embarkation process and making those first steps onto a new ship totally seamless and stress-free. I wish other cruise lines would follow their model to make embarkation pleasant and easy for guests. Celebrity exceeded my expectations and started our cruise off on the highest note!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The Oceanview Cafe buffet on the Celebrity Equinox offers a decent variety of options, though the food quality is inconsistent. I appreciated the Indian station, an uncommon find on cruise ship buffets. There are ample clearly labeled gluten-free options, perfect for my daughter's dietary needs. However, the buffet gets very crowded during peak times, making finding a seat challenging. Servers rarely approached to offer coffee or juices - most were bar staff taking drink orders. Overall the buffet is average; on par with Princess but not as high quality as Virgin Voyages.
The main dining room menu provides reasonable variety typical of most cruise lines. From past experiences, I remember Celebrity's dining room fare as exceptional, but quality has deteriorated over time. I'm glad classic favorites like steak, French onion soup, and shrimp cocktail are now always available. However, the sophistication I recall was lacking; most dishes were straightforward without much complexity. Our cruise was a shorter, 5-day deal, so there was not a formal night at the MDR, and as a result, there was no lobster dinner option offered. I thought that was an unfortunate omission, especially for a holiday cruise. That said, the escargot appetizer stood out for its perfect preparation and generous portion. Our waiter Yudha delivered excellent, attentive service, accommodating my daughter's gluten-free needs seamlessly.
The Le Petit Chef specialty restaurant was the dining highlight. The animated tabletop show makes for an entertaining experience, albeit a bit gimmicky. Nonetheless, the food quality was excellent. Ironically a very similar dish appeared in the main dining room the next day, making me question the value. While memorable, Le Petit Chef seems like a one-time experience - I likely wouldn't repeat on a future Celebrity cruise.
One thing I missed was a café serving small bites and sandwiches on the main deck, like Princess' International Cafe. The existing cafe on this ship had only coffee and sweets, but no savory snacks.
Overall the dining options are satisfactory, but I expected more sophistication from Celebrity's cuisine based on my past experiences. The simplified food seems indicative of the larger mass market trend, though service remains excellent.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
The Celebrity Equinox offers a full slate of activities to keep passengers engaged throughout the day and night. There truly is something for everyone, from trivia and classes to live music and evening entertainment. However, the outside pool areas left a bit to be desired. The outdoor pools were small, and on sea days in particular, crowded. It was extremely challenging to find an open lounger or spot to swim. The hot tubs were also on the small side compared to more modern cruise ships. With so many passengers trying to enjoy the outdoor deck areas, they felt cramped.
On a positive note, the gym facilities were excellent. A wide array of cardio and strength training equipment was available with ample space for using the machines, free weights, and stretch areas. The gym far exceeded the tightly packed fitness rooms I've experienced on some other lines like Princess. Hydration was also well-addressed, with water dispensers providing different flavored varieties as well as towels.
While the activities roster onboard is robust, the pool areas come up short if looking to relax outdoors. However, passengers seeking exercise options or scheduled entertainment will find plenty to enjoy on a cruise on the Equinox.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The entertainment on the Celebrity Equinox was fantastic. The first night show "Life" featured talented singers, dancers, and acrobats in a well-choreographed performance.
The audience participation game shows were entertaining, especially the "True or False" and "Majority Rules" games, though the space they were held at (outside the main theater) were a bit tight when crowded. Veli from Turkey was an engaging and humorous host, and the cruise director, Crystal, was always there to entertain.
The silent disco was high energy and fun for participants, while quiet for outside observers.
The comedian Lenny Schmidt was hilarious and relatable with his routine. His late night adult comedy show was raunchy but very amusing.
The Topper show was likely the best production I've seen at sea recently. The dancers, singers, and acrobats were phenomenal. Combined with gorgeous sets, lighting, costumes and music, it made for an incredible show.
The pianist (forgot his name) put on an excellent concert with wonderful music arrangements.
The holiday show featured the talented Equinox cast of singers, dancers, acrobats and live band performing festive numbers. It was a stellar way to celebrate the season.
In summary, the entertainment across the ship was top-notch. The productions were vibrant celebrations of music and movement that rivaled Broadway. The Equinox has an incredibly gifted cast of performers that made for wonderful onboard experiences. Kudos to Celebrity for curating such incredible live shows.
Children's Programs
I traveled without any children
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The service provided by the staff on our Celebrity Equinox cruise was excellent. The crew members were pleasant, accommodating, and worked hard to meet passenger needs.
Our waiter Yudha and assistant waiter Nikhil went above and beyond. They were attentive to my daughter's gluten allergy, ensuring she had appropriate food options and that her meals were contamination-free. Our room steward Munir worked efficiently and effectively - we rarely saw him but our stateroom was cleaned twice daily.
The cruise director Crystal and entertainment manager Veli had outgoing personalities and were visible around the ship. The captain was also approachable and friendly - I enjoyed a brief chat with him in the gym one day.
It was clear the entire staff worked as a cohesive team focused on delivering quality service. They anticipated passenger needs and were consistently willing to assist. Even with over 3,000 guests on board, the service never felt impersonal.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Having been built in 2009 and refurbished in 2019, the Celebrity Equinox is showing some signs of age in places. I noticed worn carpeting in certain areas, and some public spaces are starting to look tired. However, the overall ship design has aged well. The décor remains elegant and understated rather than feeling dated.
I recalled my 2012 cruise on sister ship Eclipse, and the Equinox felt intimately familiar. Not much seems to have changed in terms of layout and furnishings. However, the ship never felt dated, just comfortably familiar. In contrast to more recently built mega-ships, the Equinox has a more restrained elegance.
At 122,000 tons, the Equinox feels much cozier and easier to navigate than larger vessels like my last Princess cruise. The central atrium is petite compared to new ships. Despite being an older mid-sized vessel, the ship is well maintained and clean. Small touches like real cloth towels in public restrooms add class.
The Equinox does not feel nearly 14 years old. The classic, elegant design has aged gracefully. And the maintenance crew keeps her looking shipshape. I appreciated the understated sophistication of the ship, as it is perfect for travelers seeking a more intimate cruise experience.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Our veranda stateroom on the Celebrity Equinox was comfortable and roomy, especially compared to similar cabins on other ships. At over 200 square feet, it was more spacious than my last Princess veranda and featured a couch and a deeper balcony. The layout was functional with ample storage space. I appreciated the full shower enclosure versus a clingy shower curtain I had on my last Princess cruise (I disliked that curtain with passion). Everything was well-maintained and clean. However, there were no power outlets close to the bed for device charging overnight.
Small touches like chocolates on the pillows each night make Celebrity a notch above Princess. Robes were provided but unfortunately they were made of polyester (not my favorite material).
Overall our stateroom met our expectations in size and comfort. The space was well-designed and appointed, minus the lack of bedside outlets. Even thought the room lacked some of the modern technological touches, it had everything needed for an enjoyable cruise experience.
Ship tip
The Equinox does not have all the flashy amenities found on more modern, family-focused cruise ships. You won't find water slides, laser tag, ice skating, or other high-tech attractions. Instead, the Equinox has an elegant, sophisticated, old school vibe. The ambiance is more refined and geared toward adults. So if you want a flashy mega-ship with endless onboard thrills for kids, this isn't the right fit. But for travelers seeking a classic cruising experience with fine dining, and refined entertainment, the Equinox shines. This is a ship best-suited for adults and families with older kids looking for an upscale, peaceful atmosphere. The Equinox harkens back to the golden age of cruising. So be aware it lacks modern hyper-stimulating features but provides a more classic cruising experience.
On our recent Cozumel visit, we chose to spend the day at San Francisco Beach Club. For $20 per person, the entry fee included lounge chairs and an umbrella, which is reasonable. However, the overpriced drinks were skimpy on alcohol.
The swimming area was quite small and crowded with floating obstacles. But the beach itself was nicely maintained, and the facilities offered ample changing rooms.
While we had an enjoyable day overall, the mediocre drinks, cramped swim area, and crowds left something to be desired. The amenities and service didn't fully justify the entry cost.
For future Cozumel stops, I would likely try a different beach club or venue. San Francisco Beach Club met basic needs but didn't wow me. With so many shore options in Cozumel, I'd like to experience more of what the island has to offer. Still, it was a pleasant beach day
The Pearl Island shore excursion unfortunately fell short of expectations. While the island itself was pleasant, the logistics and amenities did not justify the high cost of the tour.
It took far too long to get everyone organized and loaded onto the boat, about 90 minutes from our theater meeting time until arrival on the island. Then the return boat was late picking us up from Pearl Island.
The island bar was overpriced, and the tiny restroom lacked changing areas. Given the long transit times and lack of facilities, the time we had to actually enjoy the beach was truncated.
In hindsight, for the price paid this shore excursion was not worth it. I would have been better off purchasing a day pass at one of the resorts near the cruise port. The amenities and convenience would have been superior.
For the high costs charged, the Pearl Island tour should have delivered better service. The disorganization, long waits, lack of facilities, and limited island time left much to be desired. Next time I'll opt for a simple resort day pass instead of this shore excursion.
Excellent review, and a great comparison with Princess. We not cruise Royal, Celebrity and Princess, I always choose the first two over the latter. And although I can’t ear Indian food, as it can be too hot for me….I hover in the area inhaling the amazing aromas. Celebrity certainly has that wrapped up.
We’ve only been on 3 Celebrity ships and loved them all. Celebrity is the best of the best cruise line. Very disappointed to hear the food wasn’t that great and why no more formal night,! The food was always delicious. I know all the cruiselines are not as great since COVID. Sure hope that changes although I believe COVID will continue to invade cruise ships.
Thanks for your in dept review/comments. Its exactly how I feel about Celebrity. I'll be boarding the Solstice in Februray for an Asian cruise and am looking forward to it
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.