Ship review: Celebrity Equinox
By: Louise Goldsbury, Cruise Weekly

Elegance, style and a feminine touch.

When Celebrity Cruises set out to design its latest Solstice-class ship, apart from recruiting top design firms, the company called on five women to provide feedback and ideas.

A travel writer, travel agent, hotelier, frequent cruiser and a woman considering her first cruise were handpicked to help with the look and layout of the staterooms on Celebrity Equinox.

They requested bigger bathrooms with separate men's and women's storage, balconies, a colour scheme that was in harmony with the sea and "no more peach and teal."

This calming link to the sea is felt throughout the ship, from the Sky Observation Lounge with its floor-toceiling windows, to the white and blue theme around the pool area, Blu restaurant and Martini Bar.

Celebrity Equinox also introduces the new AquaClass category of stateroom, with a private staircase that leads to the day spa and extra treats, such as aroma scent selections, a pillow menu, daily delivery of bottled water and flavoured teas, a spa concierge to book appointments and unlimited use of the Persian Garden thermal and relaxation room.

The spa exclusively offers a 24 karat gold facial (with matching cocktail!), Botox, acupuncture and much more.

The Lawn Club, an open-air space with half an acre of freshly manicured grass, is a novel place to unwind – it's just like a country club with people putting and playing bocce or simply enjoying a barefoot walk on the lawn.

Although the ship has a capacity for 2850 passengers, it feels intimate because from any spot in the accommodations corridors, you can see no more than a third of the length of the ship.

It also boasts a 500-piece modern art collection, which is displayed throughout the ship's public areas.

There are two commissioned, site-specific pieces – a five-metre ficus tree, planted in a massive vase studded with 500,000 Swarovsky crystals, suspended above the grand foyer, and "Still Life for Leisure" in the Ensemble Lounge's vestibule.

Living up to its name, the sun is celebrated through overhead skylights, the Sunset Bar and the adults-only solarium area with a lap pool, waterfalls and padded lounge chairs.

The dining choices are excellent too, especially the Tuscan Grille Italian steakhouse, Murano French restaurant and Silhouette, the main dining room featuring a two-storey wine tower and dazzling chandeliers.

At night, the choices include Crush, a classy bar with an ice-filled table centre, Michael's Piano Club and Qasar nightclub, based around a UFO-like DJ box.

Overall, Celebrity Equinox is a truly elegant and stylish ship; the decor cannot be faulted.

An impressive 85% of accommodation has balconies and the rooms are spacious, with nice touches such as multiple-jet showers and toiletries including foot spray and facial mist.

Service on my two-night pre-inaugural cruises was exceptionally friendly and helpful, without being formal or stuffy.

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