Cruising the Celebrity Equinox Review

Celebrity Equinox Cruise Review

Embarking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

We broke one of the cardinal cruising rules: flying on the same day as embarkation. A red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale at 6:30 AM was all our work schedules allowed. Thankfully, it was a direct flight with no delays.

Eager to get started, we headed straight to the port and arrived first at the terminal—a bit too early, as it turned out. The terminal doors don’t open until closer to 10 AM, leaving us plenty of time to kill. In hindsight, we should have grabbed coffee or breakfast at the airport before heading over. Hubby really could’ve used that coffee.

Around 10 AM, the doors finally opened, and we made our way through security. While the process was quick, it lacked clear organization, with no defined lines.

Fortunately, we’d completed all the necessary pre-cruise steps and had our Xpress passes ready. This new check-in feature is a game changer—you can upload your photo and credit card information online before the cruise. Once through security, an agent scanned our passes, confirmed our photo, and asked the usual health questions.

After that, we were directed to the waiting area—no need to stop at a check-in desk. Celebrity’s terminal in Fort Lauderdale is beautiful, with plenty of seating and restrooms. The only thing it’s missing? A coffee station.

Concierge Class

Priority Check-in / Disembarkation

If you’ve paid for Concierge Class, there’s a designated section in the back corner of the terminal for priority check-in—but it’s easy to miss. Keep an eye out for the sign to avoid skipping this perk.

That said, “priority check-in” doesn’t mean you’ll breeze through security or have a separate line afterward. You’ll wait in the same line as everyone else. For true VIP treatment, you’ll need to book a suite.

The main advantage we noticed was getting on the ship ahead of most passengers. However, priority disembarkation was less impressive. Despite it being included, we didn’t leave the ship until after 9:30 AM, even though we were out of our room by 8 AM, making us some of the last to disembark.

Here’s a tip for early disembarkation on any cruise: keep your luggage with you the night before and walk it off the ship yourself.

Read more: Tips for Boarding Your Cruise

Celebrity Equinox Concierge Class Veranda Cabin 12147

We decided to upgrade to Concierge Class just days before our final payment was due—a spur-of-the-moment choice that didn’t allow us to select our cabin. Concierge Veranda Cabin #12147 was the only option available, located on Deck 12, aft port side.

Let’s start with the downsides.

We were assured there would be no obstructions, but there was a slight one. While it wasn’t a major issue, taking pictures from the balcony was tricky. Additionally, the cabin is directly below the Oceanview Café (the buffet), so noise was a problem at night. We had to call a few times to address loud sounds that either woke us up or made it difficult to fall asleep.

Now for the positives. The room featured Celebrity’s modern Edge design, with a brand-new couch and updated furnishings. The balcony had reclining chairs—although no footstool—and a small table perfect for morning coffee. Most importantly, the room was spotless, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom was functional.

Is the Concierge Class Worth the Extra Cost?

For us, not really. If the price difference between a Concierge Class cabin and a standard balcony cabin is significant—an extra $300–$400 per person—it doesn’t feel worth it.

The perks, like robes in the room, small afternoon snacks, and a personalized concierge service primarily used for booking dinner reservations (which you can handle yourself), didn’t add much to our experience. Throughout our time on the ship, we tried to justify the extra cost but found these minor amenities made no meaningful impact on our vacation.

That said, we’d consider sailing Concierge Class again if the price difference was minimal. However, we’d rather spend a little more to upgrade to Aqua Class, which includes access to a dedicated restaurant and spa privileges—benefits that seem more worthwhile.

Celebrity Equinox Cruise Ship Refurbishment

The Celebrity Equinox underwent refurbishment in June 2019, intended to fully align with the Celebrity Revolution’s sleek and modern design. However, the refit schedule was cut short, leaving the public spaces refurbished in just two weeks, while many cabins remained untouched.

Celebrity Cruises is set to transform the industry with the unveiling of THE CELEBRITY REVOLUTION, a more than $500-million reimagining of the fleet in partnership with more than 500 leading architects, designers, and engineers designed to bring the rest of the brand’s award-winning fleet to the Edge.

Celebrity Cruises Press Center

Before our cruise, we read complaints about worn-out furniture and outdated bathrooms. Thankfully, our cabin had been partially updated with the modern Edge-inspired design, including a refreshed couch and décor. We also heard that the crew was gradually updating cabin furnishings and other details during sailings.

Overall, the Celebrity Equinox renovation looks fantastic. The ship now boasts a contemporary Edge aesthetic while preserving the charm that makes the Equinox special. For us, modern, classy décor is a key factor when choosing a cruise ship, and Celebrity did an excellent job blending updates with timeless touches.

The Canyon Ranch Spa

While the Canyon Ranch Spa offers a range of luxurious treatments, the prices were beyond our usual budget. That’s not to say we won’t splurge occasionally—we love a good indulgence when the mood strikes. Back home, we can find similar services for about half the price and often enjoy them on our days off.

On this trip, I convinced my husband to treat himself. He works long hours and rarely takes time for self-care, so I was thrilled when he agreed to a Canyon Ranch Pedicure. The technician did an incredible job—his feet were baby-smooth by the end.

If you book an Aqua Class Cabin, spa passes are included, giving you access to their relaxing facilities. For everyone else, passes can be purchased for unlimited use of the spa, but treatments like massages or facials come at an additional cost.

We noticed the absence of therapy pools, which are standard in the thermal spa areas on Norwegian ships.

On the bright side, the gym is open to all guests. I’ll let you guess how many times I used it!

Celebrity Equinox Food & Restaurants

Cafe al Bacio

Café al Bacio was hands-down my favorite spot on the ship—yes, it was our first stop! Forget Starbucks; this café knows how to make coffee right. From lattes to specialty drinks, they kept them flowing all day. And yes, you can add Bailey’s to your coffee and top it with whipped cream—because why not?

If you booked a cruise-only fare, specialty coffees come at an additional cost. However, they’re included if you have the Classic Beverage Package (up to $9) or the Premium Beverage Package (up to $15).

The best part? The fresh-baked cookies, cakes, and treats on display. These are complimentary for all cruisers, so you can indulge as often as you like. Check out this video of their dessert display—it’s a feast for the eyes!

The Martini Bar

The Martini Bar quickly became another favorite of ours. I had a martini almost every day and had grand plans to work my way through the menu—though I didn’t quite get there. The ones I did try were amazing, and they were served right on the frozen bar counter, adding a fun touch.

One standout was the Celebrity 25th Anniversary Martini. The bartenders here are talented and know how to put on a show, especially if you order a martini flight. Think Tom Cruise in Cocktail!

And don’t forget to tip these incredible bartenders—they truly make the experience special.

Oceanview Cafe Buffet

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The Celebrity Equinox buffet is one of the best we’ve experienced on a cruise so far—color us impressed.

While we typically enjoy dining in the main dining room for the attentive service and little luxuries, this trip was different. The buffet’s food quality and variety had us coming back for most of our meals. Everything was flavorful, and many items were cooked to order.

Here are some of the standouts:

• Pizza
• Carving stations with daily roasts
• Fried chicken
• Jerk chicken
• Arroz con pollo
• Pork schnitzels
• Meats cooked to order (Mahi-Mahi, salmon, or tuna)
• Fish and chips
• Individual chicken pot pies
• Huge apple and berry pies
• A chocolate fountain

Silhouette Main Dining Room

We dined in the Silhouette Main Dining Room three times during our cruise. While the food was enjoyable, it didn’t stand out compared to the exceptional offerings at the buffet.

That said, the service was fantastic. Our waiter and their assistants went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience.

With any time dining, we never had trouble getting a table in our waiter’s section, which was a nice perk. I also appreciated Celebrity’s attention to detail in the dining room—it’s clear they aim to create a refined dining experience.

Celebrity Equinox Specialty Restaurants

Le Petit Chef™️ At Qsine

Celebrity doesn’t do the best job explaining Le Petit Chef on their website—at least not when I was booking. I skipped reserving it in advance because I didn’t understand what it was. Once onboard, we saw a preview of the experience and immediately signed up for dinner on our first night.

Le Petit Chef is a dinner and a show, available for an additional charge. This 4D animation show features playful “celebrity” chefs competing to prepare your dish. The animations are projected onto your table and plates, offering a humorous and entertaining experience. Your waiter serves the real version once the animated chef presents the dish.

The food itself was delicious, and I’d highly recommend it! Kids would likely enjoy the show—whether they’d eat the food depends on the child. My nieces would devour it.

Le Petit Chef offers two fixed menus throughout the week: one featuring filet mignon and the other lobster. Be sure to check the menu and make your reservation accordingly!

Watch the video of the appetizer here.

Tuscan Grille

The Tuscan Grille was my least favorite of the three specialty dining restaurants we tried. While the food was decent, it didn’t feel worth the extra cost.

The appetizers were forgettable, and the short rib Pappardelle ragu was a disappointment—no surprise there, as pasta dishes rarely compare after visiting Italy. My husband ordered the filet mignon (again), while I had the grilled sea bass. While I enjoyed it, it wasn’t particularly memorable.

Murano

Murano was by far my favorite specialty restaurant on the Celebrity. This French Continental dining experience won me with the scallop Wellington and baked goat cheese appetizers.

We thoroughly enjoyed the chateaubriand for two, and their signature dish, lobster Murano, was prepared at the tableside. The Grand Marnier soufflé was one of the best I’ve ever had, and even if you skip dessert, they treat you to a small assortment of fine chocolates. The wine recommended by the sommelier was a perfect complement to the meal.

The service here was impeccable from start to finish.

If I were booking specialty dining again, I’d skip Tuscan Grille and reserve two nights at Murano instead.

Entertainment on the Celebrity Equinox

It’s often said that Celebrity cruises are quieter than other lines, and we found this to be true on this sailing. Entertainment options were limited, and what was available wasn’t particularly impressive. We ended up spending a lot of our evenings in the casino.

At The Theater

The theater on the Equinox is one of the best-designed I’ve seen, with two decks of true stadium seating that offer great views from anywhere.

As for the shows, Topper and Elysium didn’t hit the mark for us. While we wouldn’t outright suggest skipping them, we’d recommend sitting near the aisle in case you decide to leave early like we did. After 15 minutes of Elysium, we walked out, and the couple next to us followed, thanking us for taking the first step.

On the other hand, the comedians and singers brought onboard throughout the itinerary were fantastic. These performers rotate across ships, so it’s always a surprise who you’ll get.

Special shoutout to singer Jesse Hamilton Jr.—his voice is incredible, and he delivered my favorite performance of the week. I also loved December 63, a talented and entertaining group that performs music by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Nightlife

Nightlife on the Equinox was sparse. Silent disco was the standout activity, while most lounges remained quiet.

One of the last nights, we stumbled upon an after-hours party in the Sky Lounge that started at midnight. The DJ was fantastic, playing great dance tracks, and it turned out to be where everyone our age—or younger—was hanging out. There were maybe 30 of us on the ship, but it was a fun vibe. I only wish they’d started this party earlier in the evening.

As for the casino, it’s quite small. Then again, it fits the quiet nature of the ship since most people seemed to head to bed early.

Read More: 100+ Tips to Enhance Your Cruise Experience

Other Observations Cruising the Celebrity Equinox

• The Celebrity Equinox is a favorite among veteran Celebrity cruisers.
• The demographic was older than expected, likely due to the time of year we cruised. This trip reinforced the stereotype, with only about 5% of passengers feeling younger like us.
• There’s more than one pool on the ship! I spent plenty of time relaxing in the solarium.
• Not precisely a kid-friendly cruise—there aren’t enough activities to entertain children.
• Daily glass-blowing classes are available onboard. While not my thing, some might find it fascinating.
• Bartenders pour generously—enjoy!
• The Lawn Club features real grass, making it a unique spot to relax or catch a movie on select days and evenings.

Will We Cruise Celebrity Again?

Update March 2023: Since then, we have sailed the Celebrity Solstice and booked some future celebrity cruises that we look forward to.

We enjoy the Celebrity experience and what it offers. Across the board, it feels more upscale than other cruise lines we’ve tried. The food alone won me over, and the service is consistently excellent.

That said, the atmosphere on the Equinox was a bit subdued for our taste. For example, there wasn’t music by the pool during the day unless there was a Zumba class. While we’re not looking for a party crowd, a bit more energy would have been nice.

Whether we choose Celebrity again depends on the vacation we want. Are we looking for a relaxing escape? Or a mix of fun and relaxation?

This cruise was unique for us as we were also grieving a significant loss in our family. In hindsight, the quieter moments were what we needed. However, we sometimes wished for a distraction, and the activities onboard didn’t always appeal to our demographic.

The Celebrity Equinox is a favorite among many and has a loyal fan base. We met several veteran cruisers who’ve sailed on it multiple times.

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

• Cruising the Celebrity Solstice Review
• Cruising the Celebrity Beyond