Equinox

The Equinox cruise is over but the memories still linger. Well, the last memory wasn’t the best, as debarkation did not go very well. Of course, it was the first time that this ship had visited Ft. Lauderdale but I do believe that the Solstice has been here already so there shouldn’t have been any surprises. The first problem was that the original gangplanks were too steep…so, with about 200 people jammed into the lower level, they …

Read moreOur Equinox cruise is over but great memories still linger…

Tuesday, November 16, 2009…My Equinox diary Tomorrow is our final day at sea before arriving at Ft. Lauderdale on Thursday so everything is kind of wrapping up. People are checking their accounts, packing up their trip purchases and planning their Thanksgiving holidays. Today there were two highlights: First was the passenger talent show. There were 15 “acts” – brave souls willing enough to get onstage before hundreds of people to perform – and most acquitted themselves admirably. …

Read moreTalent show and high-powered extravaganza kick up the entertainment

Sunday/Monday, November 14-15, 2009…My Equinox diary These past two days at sea have passed swiftly. Our mornings are generally quiet. Chet gets up and goes to the gym early and then we have coffee in our cabin and go to breakfast between 8:30-9 a.m. Timing is a little off for everyone as we turn back the clocks one hour almost every night. Then we generally go to the top of the ship, to the Lawn Club area, …

Read moreTwo days passed quickly; onboard live shows are superb

Saturday, November 14, 2009…My Equinox diary Today was our second full day at sea and we decided to sample as many of the onboard activities as we could. So, this morning we attended a culinary demonstration in the main showroom given by the Executive Chef Steve van der Merwe from South Africa and the Head Pastry Chef Bruno. As anyone knows who attends such an event in a huge venue, there really wasn’t much to see…but the …

Read moreCooking demos, lectures and trivia fill the hours at sea

Friday, November 13, 2009…My Equinox diary Today was Friday the 13th but no one here on the Celebrity Equinox would have known it. The weather was just about perfect with a smooth following sea…a fine beginning to our six-day crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. If all sea days go by as fast as this one then our week will be over in no time. It seems that the day just flew by. There was certainly plenty to …

Read moreOur first of six sea days went by like a flash…and the weather was perfect

Thursday, November 12, 2009…My Equinox diary Today we visited Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. This island is quite different from Lanzarote, which we visited yesterday. There are basically two sides to this island, the southern part, which faces the Sahara Desert, is dry and arid. The northern part (separated by high mountains) faces Europe and is moist and green. Our shore excursion today took us through both of these parts of the island. First we …

Read moreOur last shore excursion and a nice lunch at a cafe on shore

Wednesday, November 11, 2009…My Equinox diary Today is Veteran’s Day (celebrated as Remembrance Day in the UK). There were a few observances on board the Celebrity Equinox. There was a memorial service in the morning which about 300 passengers attended, followed by a reception for veterans and then a moment of silence for the entire ship. It was nice to see that the special day did not go by unnoticed. I took some time off for myself …

Read moreThe ship observes Veterans Day and we visit the island of Lazarote

Tuesday, November 10, 2009…My Equinox diary Today was our first full day at sea and it was lovely not to have to go anywhere or be anywhere. Almost everyone we talked with said they really had taken it easy today, resting, reading, napping or whatever. There was a huge roster of activities offered but Chet and I did only one of them. We played Jackpot Bingo, which we find to be fun and often we win something. …

Read moreA leisurely day at sea and we get to see many of the musical acts

Monday, November 9, 2009…My Equinox diary (I was unable to post this yesterday because the internet connection was down so I am catching up today.) So what happens when a shore excursion goes awry? Today we were in Cartegena, Spain. I didn’t know much about this port on the Costa del Sol and only three shore excursions were offered (not enough for 2,800 passengers). So we chose the trip to Elche and the Palm Tree Park ($57 …

Read moreWhat happens when a shore excursion does not go as planned

Sunday, November 8, 2009…My Equinox diary On every cruise we have ever taken, especially when we go by ourselves, there always seems to be some serendipity…that special unexpected surprise that is ever so pleasant. And so it was on the very first night of this cruise that Chet and I were having a drink at the bar before dinner when we struck up a conversation with the couple sitting next to us. He was wearing a University …

Read moreSerendipity: We meet old friends, and have a nice day on the island of Majorca