Celebrity Equinox Holiday Cruise Day 10

[rollerdonna]

Celebrity Equinox Holiday Cruise Day 10
Sunday January 1, 2012 Sea Day




James was up and out very early as he likes to film the ship when it's quiet. He reported that it was so clean and tidied up that you would never guess there had been several New Year's Eve celebrations going on the night before. Kudos to the Equinox cleaning staff for an overnight job well done!


Despite our being up early, we found not a single deck chair on several levels that was not already claimed by a towel or personal belongings. I guess everyone wanted to enjoy that last day at sea. I finally found 1 lonely chair tucked away in a corner and was able to catch about an hour of sun before 10 a.m. trivia. When I went back, I found another spot briefly before it started to pour rain. It became a very overcast day, matching our mood knowing we were headed home.


Throughout this day we sailed alongside Celebrity Solstice (at a distance) and could see her sailing in and out of heavy black clouds and rainfall, just as we were doing.

Noon brought trivia time again, a Music Quiz which was quite difficult.
Lunchtime I tried for the first time, the "Pasta Corner" of the Ocean View Cafe, which
offered pizzas and all sorts of pasta and sauce combinations. I enjoyed an excellent plate of spaghetti and meatballs.

Killing time before yet another trivia game at 2 p.m. we wandered and took photos and video of all the places we had not photographed yet, including some of the lounges, the Casino, the Fun Factory for Kids, the Fitness Centre, the Card Room and the Library.

The lounge outside the Gelateria:


Michael's Club, Private Club:




Suspended seating in Quasar Disco:




Pinwheel patterned lights at entrance to Ensemble Lounge:




The Card and Games Room:



The Library:




The Fitness Centre:




Fortunes Casino:




X-Club, Teens' Game Room:




Fun Factory Kids' Centre:





Ensemble Lounge for Trivia:



At 2 p.m. was the final Progressive Trivia, where all the teams who had played all week competed for the final prize, a Celebrity T-shirt. One of the more interesting secondary prizes, along with pens, lanyards and purse hangers, were navy blue polar fleece gloves with the Celebrity "X" logo on them. We didn't win any of them!

The rest of the afternoon was a write-off for sitting in the sun, so I retreated to my favourite spot in the solarium pool, out of the rain and wind and away from the noise and crowds.
A dip in the warm water, a good book, and my favourite music on my MP3 player and I was a happy camper!

James of course, was packing all this time, so it was my turn by late afternoon. I hate that job, it seems so final; the cruise is really over....

We had our last dinner in the familiar and friendly BLU restaurant, and we enjoyed it very much. They offered an interesting soup, "Caesar Salad Soup, which surprisingly tasted just like Caesar salad! I had a Waldorf salad which had an interesting addition of smoked chicken salad and candied walnuts in it, just delicious! Our respective entrees of prime rib and seabass were also excellent, and our dessert of Crepes Suzettes with vanilla ice cream, was the perfect way to top off an excellent last meal.

The last Showtime in the Equinox Theatre was a little bit of everything. There was a repeat musical number by the singers and dancers, another death-defying aerial act, a wonderful
sampling of comedian Steve Caouette's act, and the best for last, an excellent performance by A Cappella group Full Tilt.
Check these guys out, they are great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swDlnR-4p4Y

Then it was off to say goodnight to the first day of the new year, and goodbye to our holiday cruise.

Tomorrow, disembarkation........

donna

[Manuel]

Another great review Donna.

I allways find the last night of the cruise a bit sad.

TM

[rollerdonna]

Thanks Manuel, but check back later, I am still adding photos!

donna

[Manuel]

I will check back later your photos are super.

TM

[Angela Z.]

Donna,
I'm sorry to see your cruise end and I wasn't even there!
I have truly enjoyed your review and really loved seeing all the photos you added. It was a great way for me to relive our family's fabulous time on the Solstice!
Angela Z.

[rollerdonna]

Not over yet Angela...interesting story about disembarkation process....and some last minute thoughts on the Equinox....

donna

[Manuel]

Since I have sailed on the Solstice and the Equinox, your pictures bring back happy memories.

TM

[ToddDH]

Beautiful photos of the ship James and R/DIt makes me look forward to our Epic cruise in March. Sad though it may be, can't wait for the wrap up!

[Moiraine]

Looking forward to the wrap up. Another excellent review Donna. That last day is always sad. Made me want to cry just reading it.

[Phyllbo]

I'm loving your review, Donna! It's also good to see the old familiar faces around here at CM.

Thanks for all the work you put into this including pictures and all.

Phyll