My 5 Days With Celebrity Cruises on the #CelebrityEquinox
In case you haven’t noticed the travel bug has completely infected my soul and I have not one single care in the world. I spent most of my October and November on airplanes and while it was taxing on my skin (stay tuned for an updated skin care routine), I have so many experiences to catch you up on. I’ll start with my Celebrity Cruises trip on the Celebrity Equinox.
But first, let me rewind a bit.
Blogger love on the Celebrity Summit in July 2016
Back in July 2016 I was invited to a brunch onboard the Celebrity Summit right before the ship left out of New Jersey. Me and Danielle (y’all might know her as Rhapsodani) headed to the port and we ate delish food and drank way too much bubbly and then repeated those two actions for about 4 hours. The brunch was our little snippet of what Celebrity Cruises has to offer (I wrote about that day here). At the end of that post I wrote, “Hopefully my next excursion will be on a Celebrity Cruise (crossing fingers and toes).” Well.
Fast forward to December 5th.
I’m on a plane to Colombia to meet four other bloggers to board the Celebrity Equinox.
If you were following me on Snapchat then you know that our hotel layover experience at Ananda Hotel was God sent. However, the flight to Colombia was a combination of 8 hours. Six to Botoga, Colombia and then another two hours to Cartagena. So once I got to this little piece of Heaven in Colombia all I wanted to do was sleep (after I ate).
The main pool area at Ananda Hotel Boutique
The team at Celebrity Cruises took us to dinner that night but that’s pretty much all I really remember. I’m vowing to head back to this boutique hotel very soon because it was simply gorgeous.
The next day we headed to the ship.
Even though we met the Celebrity Equinox in Colombia when you book your cruise you will board theship in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) where it travels to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The great part about this cruise is that it offers year-round Caribbean sailings from Florida, perfect for families and couples who want a summer getaway to sought-after vacation spots no matter the season.
The Bite
The running joke for this trip was that every time my fiancé called me I was headed to dinner. That’s because there were so many dining options. Beyond the main dining room we got to experience five different speciality restaurants. Even though the main dining room offers every piece of the world you could imagine, I recommend that you take yourself out to dinner on a cruise at lease one time. On the Celebrity Equinox there’s no shortage of fancy eats.
Luminae – If you’re a Suite Class guest you will be indulged with an exclusive restaurant—Luminae. Offering complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Luminae is a culinary experience of modern, eclectic cuisine and extraordinary service that will remind you (and your taste buds) that there’s no better way to vacation than as a Celebrity Cruises Suite Class guest.
Tuscan Grille – This is Celebrity’s Italian-inspired ristorante and enoteca that is currently onboard the Solstice Class and Millennium Class ships and showcases a new menu crafted by Chef Gallagher, Celebrity’s Michelin-starred culinary lead. The menu features 100% homemade pasta, artisanal salumi and cheeses, USDA prime dry-aged steaks, as well as Celebrity’s own spin on Italian regional favorites. Sip hand-crafted, Italian-inspired cocktails, house-made limoncello and choose from the wine list dedicated to the wine-growing regions of Italy.
Blu – As an AquaClass®guest, you can enjoy Blu, your own exclusive restaurant for breakfast and dinner. If the concept of “spa restaurant” causes you or your significant other to think you’ll never see a steak or a rich dessert on the menu, that is definitely not the case. The cuisine at Blu is simply an imaginative way of preparing popular dishes without fussiness or pretense. Tender steak is served with a flavorful truffle vinaigrette instead of a heavy béarnaise.
Sushi on Five – Celebrity’s newest culinary delight, Sushi on Five, reimaged from what was once Bistro on Five, features an à la carte menu, crafted by expert sushi chef Yoshikazu “Yoshi” Okada. The new menu features hand-rolled sushi, fresh tableside grated wasabi, house-made soy sauce, plus a variety of starters and entrees paired with an array of Asian-inspired cocktails, Japanese beers and premium sakes curated by a sake sommelier.
Murano – Impeccable service, classic design, world-class cuisine and comfortable sophistication are celebrated to the utmost in Murano. Experience tableside lobster presentation, an expansive selection of artisanal cheeses from around the world, or the extensive American and French wine list.
The Bars
Michael’s Club – This is a private lounge for those in Celebrity, Signature, Royal, Sky, Penthouse and Reflection Suites, as well as for Captain’s Club Zenith members. This luxurious club features a large-screen TV, reading areas stocked with magazines, newspapers, and books, plus a continental breakfast. Complimentary pre-dinner drinks and tapas are served 5–8 PM daily (their BLT’s are killer!). Its dedicated Concierge can help arrange your specialty dining, shore excursions, even handle inquiries about various ports of call. Desk hours vary by itinerary. Michael’s Club is available 24 hours a day.
Martini Bar & Crush – On the totally cool, ice-topped bar, talented bartenders put on a high-energy show preparing an intriguing menu of classic and contemporary martinis, including the 20-Year Martini in celebration of Celebrity’s 20th Anniversary. You can sit back in the contemporary plush high-back chairs while listening to up-tempo tunes and enjoy a collection of classic and rare vodkas and a portfolio of fine caviars (because that’s what I did).
Sky Observation Lounge – A quiet refuge by day for gazing over the sea with a cocktail at hand. At night, the space comes to life with live music and dancing. The live band performs a wide variety of popular songs and current hits.
Quasar – Retro-chic nightclub for the late-night crowd, Quasar features DJs spinning the best of today’s dance and club favorites.
World Class Bar – The first-ever World Class Bar, in partnership with Diageo Global Travel Americas (think Ciroc), brings the high standards of “fine dining” to the spirited world of cocktails. It’s a “fine drinking” experience, where the rituals of making cocktails are just as exciting as drinking them. Using the freshest ingredients and the finest spirits, their expert mixologists will find exciting ways to satisfy both the curious newcomer and the connoisseur.
I feel like I should organize a cruise for us. Would you come? Anyways! Overall my trip was amazing and I did way too much to put in one blog post so here’s a quick 30 second highlight reel of my time on the Celebrity Equinox. You can watch the full video here!