Celebrity Equinox
ATN stepped on board the brand new Celebrity Equinox to find out what facilities and itineraries this premium-class ship has to offer your clients
AquaSpa
The ship’s AquaSpa by Elemis not only features several treatment rooms, a solarium, Jacuzzis, a fitness centre, hair and nail salon, the Persian Garden aromatherapy steam room and a ‘lash and brow bar’, but offers cutting-edge treatments such as a ‘24-Carat Gold Facial’.
A ‘red carpet make-up’ application is offered after every facial and there are traditional barber services for men. Medi-spa treatments on offer could well appeal to the Middle East market and include BOTOX, Restylane and much more.
Out on deck
Out on deck there is plenty to keep guests occupied including pools and Jacuzzis, a jogging track, plenty of F&B outlets and for those wishing to chill, there’s sun loungers, innovative rocking chairs, hammocks and much more.
Sleep suite
There are four suite categories: Penthouse Suite; Royal Suite, Celebrity Suite and Sky Suite. The Penthouse Suite, of which there are two, features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a walk-in wardrobe, lounge and dining areas and a spacious deck area complete with Jacuzzi.
Entertainment
Celebrity Equinox will present three new original shows: Broadway-themed ‘Limelight — The Dream of Broadway’; “song-and-dance spectacular” ‘Remix’; and “European circus-style extravaganza” ‘Equinox — The Show’.
These are staged in the 1115-seater theatre. Other entertainment venues include the Sky Observation Lounge designed for dance theme nights; Celebrity Central, suited to stage late-night comedy shows, cooking demonstrations, lectures and feature films; the Entertainment Court featuring the Quasar nightclub; The Pool Deck, home to animated water fountains synchronized to music; and areas such as Michael’s Club and
AquaClass
The AquaClass category of staterooms is designed for spa tourists/enthusiasts but more specifically, one of the Celebrity Equinox key target markets, Boomer Women — those aged 40 to 60 who like to be pampered.
AquaClass perks include in-cabin features such as Frette bathrobes and slippers; a five-jet shower by Hansgrohe; a broader range of bathroom amenities/personal care products including a spa kit; a pillow menu; free mineral water and fruit; an upgraded room service menu; and access to a Spa Concierge.
Other AquaClass bonuses include unlimited access to the AquaSpa’s Persian Garden aromatherapy steam room and complimentary access to the ship’s exclusive, “clean-cuisine” and Mediterranean-influenced specialty restaurant, Blu. The 130 AquaClass cabins are each measure 17.8m².
Specialty dining
Celebrity Equinox boasts 10 dining venues, four of which are specialty restaurants — Murano (classic and modern continental cuisine); Tuscan Grille (Italian and steakhouse); Silk Harvest Restaurant (Asian fusion); and Blu (clean cuisine designed for AquaClass guests).
Guests wishing to dine in the specialty restaurants pay a small surcharge. Other F&B outlets include the Silhouette Dining Room; Oceanview Café and Bar; Bistro on Five; AquaSpa Café, Mast Grill & Bar; and ATN’s favourite, the Café al Bacio and Gelataria for tea, coffee, cake and ice-cream.
Shopping
There are 18 shops — 10 at the Galleria Boutiques, seven at the Shops on the Boulevard and the Lawn Club Shop. Guests can choose from handbags, jewellery, ornaments, clothing, ship merchandise, practical items such as camera film and much more.
There’s also ‘The Showcase’ featuring glass merchandise from The Corning Museum of Glass and Riedel Gallery as well as ‘Serendipity’ selling destination-driven merchandise such as local arts and crafts.
Hot Glass Show
The Hot Glass Show was first showcased on sister ship Celebrity Solstice and proved so popular that it was incorporated into the Lawn Club area on Deck 15 of Celebrity Equinox.
Celebrity Cruises has teamed up with The Corning Museum of Glass from New York state to create this show, which uses sophisticated equipment worth US $1million. Master glassblowers (‘gaffers’) from the museum showcase their skills and get the audience involved. Some of the work is exhibited on board the ship.
Lawn Club
Celebrity Equinox is the first ship to have laid down real grass at its Lawn Club on Deck 15, which spans just over half an acre (2130m²) and features the Sunset Bar, The Hot Glass Show, lawn bowling, a three-hole putting course and the Lawn Club Shop.
Celebrity Equinox
Some fast facts you should know:
- Double occupancy: 2850 guests
- Guest decks: 13
- Staterooms: 1426
- Verandas: 85% of inventory
- Ocean view: 90% of inventory
- Inside: 10% of inventory
- Staterooms accommodating three or four, guests: 418
- Connecting staterooms: 121
- Staterooms are 15% larger on average than other Celebrity ships
- Dining outlets: 10
Itinerary highlights
(2009-2010)
- Ancient Empires sailings: 13 and 14 nights from Rome until October 23.
- Transatlantic voyage: from Rome to Fort Lau-derdale – 14 nights from November 5.
- Ultimate Caribbean: 10-night roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale – December 4 and Feb 26.
- Transatlantic voyage: from Fort Lauderdale to Rome – 14 nights from April 19.
- Eastern Mediterranean: 10- and 11-night roundtrips from Rome from May until August.
- Classic Meditteranean: a nine-night from Venice to Athens on August 16 and an eight- night from Athens to Barcelona on August 25.
Who to sell to
This ship does offer kids clubs and babysitting services but Celebrity Equinox is best suited to couples and groups of adults, as well as corporate gatherings and special occasions. One of the ship’s key target markets is ‘Boomer Women’ aged 40 to 60 who enjoy fine food and pampering, hence the inclusion of 130 AquaClass cabins.
However, for any adult aged 21 plus there is plenty to keep you occupied. This is great for honeymooners, empty nesters, mothers and daughters, groups of women seeking spa treatments and ‘Clean Cuisine’ and also for families with grown-up kids.
Prices
The 13-night Ancient Empires cruises
Cabin category Prices starting from
Interior $2410
Ocean View $2560
Premium Balcony $2610
Aqua Class $3160
Suites $6610
Prices are per person based on double occupancy and exclude all port handling charges, taxes and service charges.
To book
Call +9714 3314285; email ldurai@royalcaribbean-arabia.com or visit www.royalcaribbean-arabia.com and www.celebrity.com