Taking a transatlantic cruise is one of the best ways to get across the pond without experiencing jet lag. It’s also a great way to see many sights in the Atlantic you wouldn’t see otherwise; from Bermuda to the Azores, from Madeira to the Canary Islands and down to Cape Verde. On this 12-night transatlantic cruise on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox, we sailed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Lisbon, Portugal calling at Bermuda, the Azores and Porto, Portugal.
Celebrity Equinox
The ship is one of the classic Celebrity Solstice-class ships that is a favorite of mine (I’ve sailed on these ships five times now). Unfortunately, this ship was starting to show its age and needed a little TLC (e.g.: warped wood railings, broken chairs, stained carpets, rusted metal beams, etc.). Luckily the ship was going into drydock as soon as this cruise was over! It’s still a favorite of mine for many reasons I’ll discuss:
Rooms
Rating: (3.5/5)
My room was an inside stateroom Fwd Deck 9 and while it was great overall, but if you’re sensitive to noise be aware some cabins (mine was 9146) was bordered by 3 hallways & 1 stateroom (I heard everyone walking and talking on all sides). I’ve stayed in Veranda & Aqua Class on this ship as well, and the decor is all very muted earth tones that are starting to feel a bit dated. The mattress & pillow however are my favorite on any cruise ship I’ve sailed (so soft and supportive!).
Entertainment
Rating: (3/5)
Very hit or miss, unfortunately, as there were many talented acts but also some not so entertaining options on other nights. I will admit I didn’t attend all or every night, so I can’t speak to every guest or cast member, but the energy is consistently high from all the performers (which is a major plus!).
- Guests: Lou Gazzara (American Idol S2 finalist), David Klinkenberg (violinist), Keddy Ann-Batson (Jamaican singer of Aretha, Celine, Diana, Patti), Karen Grainger (vocal impressionist), Danny Cannis (covering Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, etc), Lamont Ferguson (comedian), Matt McGurk (sleight-of-hand magician)
- Cast Members: Elysium (a fairytale between good and evil in the land of Elysium), Topper (what happens when the real & imaginary friends Mr Peabody keeps inside his giant hat yearn for life outside in the real world), Broadway Cabaret (favorite bits from popular Broadway shows like Cabaret, Les Mis, etc), and L.I.F.E. (concert)
Food
Rating: (4/5)
Theme nights on this Celebrity Equinox sailing ranged from the Middle East to Mexico, and Italy to South America. Main dining room had everything from vegetarian options to seafood & meat on the menu every single night with both a few staples & new dishes every night (their French Onion Soup is a must!). The food on Celebrity is always consistently good as a whole. This includes the main dining room and the buffet. The desserts could use a bit of improving, as well as some food missing the mark completely (e.g.: chilaquiles with zero salsa anywhere)
On-Board Activities
Rating: (4.5/5)
Daily stretches & meditations, fitness classes, liquor tastings, games, competitions between guests & crew, karaoke, xbox tournaments, movies in the central foyer & on top deck lawn club, etc.
Staff
Rating: (5/5)
What always sets Celebrity apart from its direct competitors in my mind is the exquisite staff. Everyone from the room attendants to the waiters, sommeliers, casino workers, and everyone in between is incredible. They’re kind, courteous, attentive, cheery and always wanting to go the extra mile. Working on a cruise ship is tough, but their employees are the cherry on top (with many guests taking photos with their favorite crew before departing).
Ports
This Celebrity Equinox sailing was not a very port intensive cruise, as most transoceanic cruises are not. The ports on this cruise offered different sights and attractions for those wanting relaxing options or more exciting activities.
- Fort Lauderdale (5/5): easy embarkation port with brand new, clean & modern terminal.
- Bermuda (4.5/5): lots to see and do on the island, and easy access to a ferry that can take you into Hamilton and connect to other ferries across the island or bus services.
- Ponta Delgada (4.5/5): most tours take you to other parts of the island (easy to hire day of right outside the gates, or take a cruise excursion). The things to do are mostly landscape driven with a couple rare options that differ, but the vistas are breathtaking and well worth it!
- Porto (5/5): it’s a commercial port so you have to take a shuttle to the gates or they also offered one into the city. If you don’t want to explore the city of Porto, there are Douro Valley winery tours, and trips to nearby cities/towns.
- Lisbon (10/5): disembarkation port is so easy and right in the heart of Lisbon next to Alfama with lots of taxis and even a metro stop close by. This city is stunning with the most beautiful architecture, friendly people, and delicious food!
Shore Excursions
I also did two Celebrity shore excursions (one in Ponta Delgada to bike ride around Sete Cidades, and another in Porto to the Basilica in Fatima). Both were disappointing in different ways, and I’d recommend potentially doing it yourself while allowing ample time to get back to the ship before departure.
The first, Sete Cidades, it was a bit dangerous to bike around the muddy paths and along the cobblestone side streets (many almost fell, and several of us had to get off to walk alongside our bikes at various points). The second, to Fatima, was less an excursion so much as it was a bus transfer and buffet lunch (not to complain too much as it was a long drive with a pleasant guide & driver); it’s just very expensive to book with the ship and you would hope for a bit more out of the experience.
I never complained, but I did swing by the Shore Excursions desk a few times and only heard people discussing dissatisfaction about their respective tours. This is a department that Celebrity should take note of and try to improve in; their offerings were great as each option sold out, but the ground partners clearly left us wanting much more.
Overall
Rating: 4.5/5
Celebrity is one of my favorite cruise lines for a reason. Their focus on a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere across the ship is palpable. The design also allows for so many spaces throughout the ship for people to congregate that it rarely feels crowded (even at full capacity, like this voyage). With eight total sea days, there was always something to do, and there were even times there was more you wanted to do than you got to do. All in all, you can’t go wrong with the Solstice-class ships from Celebrity — especially the Celebrity Equinox!
Reach out to start planning your epic cruise vacation!
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