Celebrity Equinox Cruise Ship: Overview and Venues

The Celebrity Equinox cruise ship is a relatively newer ship, at just a little over a decade old, with refurbishments taking place as recently as 2019. The ship offers lots for cruisers to love, even if it’s not the biggest ship on the block. 

So, if you’re thinking of taking a Celebrity Equinox cruise vacation in the next few years, what can you expect? Here are all the need-to-know details, so you can pick the right stateroom for your voyage, make reservations at the best restaurants and, all in all, have an awesome time, no matter who you’re cruising with.

Celebrity Equinox Stats

Celebrity Equinox is a Solstice-class cruise ship, and the second of five Solstice-class ships for Celebrity Cruises. It shares many similar features with its sister ships, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Silhouette. Here’s how Celebrity Equinox measures up:  

• Gross Tonnage: 122,000 GT
• Length: 1,041 feet
• Total Decks: 19
• Guest Decks: 13
• Passenger capacity: approximately 2,852 (double occupancy)
• Crew: 1,250
• Cabins: 1,426 

Construction

Floated out in the summer of 2009, Celebrity Equinox was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. The ship cost $750 million to build and launched on July 31, 2009, after a christening by Nina Barough, founder and CEO of Walk the Walk, a breast cancer charity. 

Since launch, Celebrity Equinox has made headlines for a handful of reasons. The ship gained status for being captained by the very first American woman to captain a mega cruise ship, Kate McCue. The ship has earned awards for its dining and spa, from various travel publications. 

Additionally, in 2018, Celebrity Equinox hosted a major LGBTQ event — the first LGBTQ wedding at sea with a major cruise line. Francisco Vargas and Benjamin Gray were the first same-sex couple to tie the knot aboard a major cruise ship, in a ceremony officiated by the ship’s captain, in the ship’s Blu Restaurant. (The event was only made possible after a 2017 vote in Malta, which allowed Celebrity (as most of its ships are registered in Malta) to legally recognize same-sex marriages performed onboard, by Celebrity captains, while at sea.)

Celebrity Equinox Refurbishments

Celebrity Equinox has undergone two important rounds of refurbishments, both in 2014 and 2019.

In 2014, the ship was briefly dry docked for the addition of new amenities and venues such as Slush, a frozen drinks venue offering cool, adult beverages. The 2014 dry dock also brought in a fine art photography studio, a Michael Kors boutique, new offerings from luxury brands such as Chanel and Dior, and a new internet lounge. 

Later, in 2019, Celebrity Equinox received a more extensive transformation as part of Celebrity’s Revolution initiative that committed $500 million of investment funds to upgrades and reimagined spaces across its fleet.

New enhancements included the addition of The Retreat for suite guests, with The Retreat Sundeck and The Retreat Lounge (which removed Michael’s Club); the new Qsine dining experience that incorporates 4k technology for an unforgettable meal (removing Silk Harvest); a newly imagined Passport Bar; a new casual bar, and Craft Social (which replaced Gastrobar).

The ship also received new staterooms and suites all across the ship, with new exclusive bedding and mattresses; new Camp at Sea programming with a STEM focus; new tech, including RFID lock technology, Xcelerate WiFi and facial recognition technology within the Celebrity Cruises app; new treatments and products at the spa; and new shopping options, including offerings from Kate Spade, Swiss and John Hardy.  

Celebrity Equinox Itineraries

Celebrity Equinox has sailed a variety of itineraries over its lifetime, including itineraries around the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida.

Celebrity Equinox Staterooms

As mentioned, there are 1,426 staterooms on the ship, and 85% of those staterooms come with a veranda. Only 10%of those staterooms are interior staterooms, and the other 5% of the staterooms are ocean view.

More than a third of the staterooms are suitable for traveling families or groups, as they can accommodate three or four guests. Staterooms are broken down as such: 

• 140 inside staterooms
• 70 ocean view staterooms
• 719 veranda staterooms
• 24 sunset veranda staterooms
• 4 family ocean view staterooms
• 130 AquaClass staterooms
• 273 concierge class staterooms

Out of all of these, the family ocean view staterooms are the largest, at 575 square feet, more than double the space you’ll find in any other stateroom on the ship (without upgrading to a suite, that is). Otherwise, ocean view staterooms are the smallest, with inside staterooms not far behind. Veranda, concierge class and AquaClass staterooms all offer just under 200 square feet of space.

So what can you expect from each?

Inside staterooms are on the small side, as can be expected, but still manage to fit in a few sitting areas, along with the bed and some storage. The décor is less than stellar, though. Expect budget hotel vibes.

Ocean view staterooms are slightly better, décor-wise, and offer spacious couches and sitting areas, with large, rectangular windows on one side of the cabin wall, nearer the couch. Family ocean view staterooms are considerably larger.

Veranda staterooms offer much the same décor as ocean view staterooms, but with more floor space, and large, glass doors that lead out to your veranda. Sunset veranda rooms come with private verandas in some of the best spots on the ship, for the best views possible. 

Concierge-class staterooms are similar, but you get access to special amenities and exclusive events, as well as concierge service, of course. 

AquaClass staterooms are designed to help guests make the most of their visits to the cruise ship spa, with spa-related amenities in-room (like upgraded showers), and then complimentary fitness classes and dining at the spa restaurant, Blu. AquaClass cruisers also enjoy access to a spa concierge and unlimited access to the Persian Garden, the spa’s area for steam rooms, saunas and more.  

Celebrity Equinox Suites

If you want to take things a step further and upgrade to a suite, there are a total of 66 suites on the ship for you to choose from. Suite options aboard the ship include:

• 44 Sky Suites
• 12 Celebrity Suites
• 8 Royal Suites
• 2 Penthouse Suites 

The smallest option, the Sky Suite offers 300 square feet of floor space and a large veranda. The décor is somewhat updated, compared to the traditional stateroom cabins

Celebrity Suites are more of your traditional suite, with nearly 400 square feet, butler service and a bedroom that’s actually in a separate room from the rest of the living space.

Royal suites offer living, dining and sleeping areas, and are some of the best-decorated and most stylish options on the ship. Royal suites measure in at 590 square feet of interior space, with 153 square feet of outdoor space.

Finally, the ship’s two penthouse suites are the largest options of all, with expansive verandas, tons of living space and even your very own baby grand piano. You can also book a suite within the AquaClass, for those spa-focused amenities in an upgraded cabin. 

The Retreat on Celebrity Equinox

The new Retreat space that was added to Celebrity Equinox during the ship’s last round of refurbishments, in 2019, is the place to get away.

This exclusive, VIP space is available to suite-class guests only. The Retreat encompasses both The Retreat Sundeck and The Retreat Lounge. The Retreat Sundeck offers outdoor, open-space seating where you can enjoy light bites, cocktails and more while you sit in the sun and enjoy the great outdoors. The Retreat Lounge offers a relaxed and sophisticated space adjacent and indoors.  

Free Dining

There are 11 total dining venues on Celebrity Equinox, and six of those offer complimentary dining, included in your cruise fare. Restaurants where you can dine for free include:

• Silhouette Dining Room, the main dining room with a two-story glass wine tower
• Oceanview Café, for all-day dining and indoor-outdoor seating
• Café al Bacio & Gelateria, for coffee and sweet treats
• The Spa Café, for light, health-centric options
• Mast Grill & Bar, for poolside eats
• Luminae, an upscale eatery that technically is complimentary — but only for suite guests 

While Celebrity Equinox may not have the breadth of free dining options that some other cruise ships offer, there are at least enough options to keep you fed for the duration of most cruises, without digging into your travel budget and spending extra on specialty restaurants.  

Specialty Restaurants

However, if you do feel like splurging, you have a few other options. Celebrity Equinox boasts five specialty restaurants that charge either a per-person or a la carte fee, as well as require reservations. These include:

• Murano, offering “continental” cuisine
• Blu, for healthy cuisine, and only open to AquaClass and suite guests
• Le Petit Chef at Qsine, for a tech-heavy dining experience, with 3D tech-enabled tables
• Tuscan Grille, the ship’s Italian restaurant
• Sushi on Five, for Japanese bites and beers 

Bars and Lounges

When it’s time to grab a drink, you’ll have plenty of options aboard Celebrity Equinox. Check out:

• Martini Bar & Crush, serving cocktails atop its ice bar
• World Class Bar, for upscale drinks 
• Ensemble Lounge, an upscale bar with the entertainment and dress code to match
• Craft Social Bar, a new addition serving more than 40 craft beer options
• Slush, for frosty adult beverages
• Passport Bar, for casual drinks in a casual setting
• Sky Observation lounge, for drinks with a view and music
• Pool & Mast Bar, for drinks in the sun
• Sunset Bar, another outdoor watering hole

You can also find drinks at The Retreat Lounge, if you have access to The Retreat as a suite guest. 

Activities and Entertainment

There are plenty of ways to play aboard Celebrity Equinox. Fill your days and itinerary with the below — but rest assured that even more fun awaits. These top activities and entertainment just scratch the surface.

Pools

You have several options when you’re ready to take a dip and get your hair wet. The Celebrity Equinox cruise ship offers three pools — one large (10.8 meters in length) outdoor pool on the pool deck, one small (9.2 meters in length) outdoor pool on the pool deck and one indoor pool (12.7 meters in length) in the Solarium. The ship additionally offers five hot tubs, including four on the pool deck and one indoor hot tub in the Solarium.

Read Also: Celebrity Cruise Ships – Newest to Oldest

The Lawn Club

You’ll find a very unique entertainment and leisure space aboard Celebrity Equinox. The Lawn Club is an incredibly one-of-a-kind space for passengers to get some sun. It’s about a half acre in size and yes, it actually is a lawn, with actual grass.

The 22,927 square feet of space is situated on Deck 15 and includes its own bar, the Patio on the Lawn and Sunset Bar, as well as a three-hole putting course. There are also various activities to keep you entertained, such as a hot glass show, lawn bowling, croquet and bocce. And, if you just want to chill, you’ll find plenty of seating in both the sun and shade to enjoy this unprecedented space at sea.

Sports 

Celebrity Cruises has cashed in on a growing trend: pickleball. Now, you can find pickleball courts on select Celebrity ships, including on Celebrity Equinox. The ship provides everything you need to get in on a game, as the court is available, with time set aside for adults-only play, as well as family play.

Otherwise, you can find lawn games at the Lawn Club, and similar daily activities throughout your cruise. An outdoor jogging track is on one of the top decks, and there’s a basketball court, too.

The Spa

The award-winning spa aboard Celebrity Equinox offers a wealth of wellness experiences and services. In addition to your typical spa services, like massages and facials, you can also get salon services. The Persian Garden is a can’t-miss, with its sauna and steam room, rain showers and more. 

Kids Venues

Yes, Celebrity Cruises isn’t as family-focused as some of the other cruise lines out there, but the kiddos won’t be left out. 

The cruise line’s kids program, Camp at Sea, offers programming for those ages 3 to 12, with kids split into three groups for age-appropriate activities.  Teens also get their own space. Those ages 12 to 14 and those ages 15 to 17 are split up and given a variety of entertainment options.  

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Final Thoughts

Yes, Celebrity Equinox isn’t the newest ship — but it’s hardly old. And it’s not the biggest ship — but it’s hardly small. For a cruise experience that ticks all of the requisite boxes for a nice time — great dining, lots to do, comfortable staterooms, etc. — Celebrity Equinox delivers.