When you step on board the Celebrity Equinox, you can't help but be overwhelmed with its luxurious furnishings and décor. From its glistening chandeliers to its richly upholstered chairs and magnificent artwork, the Equinox is an invitation to elegance.

Passengers entering the grand foyer view an enormous suspended multi-colored vase suspended in the upper portion of the atrium dotted with thousands of Swarovski crystals, supporting a live, 18-foot tall tree. This masterpiece is one of 500 works of art on the ship, designed to give passengers a variety of mixed media from around the world to enjoy during their cruise. The ship's atrium climbs 12 stories and can be seen from glass elevators which also enable guests to view each floor's activities.

I sailed on the ship with my daughter. Both of us have been on numerous cruises, but we can't remember any that we enjoyed more. The Celebrity Equinox combines luxury with service.

The ship's 2,850 passengers have plenty of activities and also ample room to stroll and be entertained. New in the Solstice Class are Aqua Class rooms, where guests have their own specialty restaurant, Blu, and numerous other perks. Passageways are large and offer numerous quiet spaces where small gatherings can enjoy pleasant, uninterrupted conversations.

Innovative features on the ship include; a glass blowing show at sea with an alliance with The Corning Museum of Glass; real growing glass in a half-acre Lawn Club with lawn bowling; a putting course and "Celebrity Life" a comprehensive onboard programming offering enrichment classes from learning a new language to boosting technological skills with computer classes.

The ship has 10 restaurants, four in the specialty category, all offering gourmet dining experiences not usually experienced on the larger mass marketing ships. The Silhouette Dining Room has a dramatic two-story glass wine tower and the Blu restaurant for AquaClass guests is flanked by hundreds of white roses in blue circular cutouts.

Murano, a French inspired specialty restaurant allows guests to experience excellent dishes such as Diver Scallops, Maine Lobster, Dover Sole and Colorado Rack of Lamb. Silk Harvest serves Asian-fusion dishes such as pad thai and sushi.

The largest specialty restaurant is the Tuscan Grill, an Italian steakhouse serving pastas, soups , salads and steaks and veal chops such as The Grilled Milk Fed Veal chop with creamy parmesan polenta, spinach and Marsala sauce. Bistro on Five serves crepes with a flair including French Mariner and Candied Orange crepes as well as salads, soups and paninis.

Spectacular pool areas, bars and lounges, give guests numerous choices of public areas to relax and enjoy the ambience of cruising. Ample shade is plentiful at the pool area and changing colorful fountains are synchronized to the music of a lively band.

A no smoking policy for most of the ship's public areas is enforced which is enjoyable for the majority of the passengers. The 24-hour cyber café has dozens of computers. A well-stocked library, game room, Aqua Spa, Fitness Facility and Martini Bar offer more options.

My daughter and I enjoyed browsing in the eighteen boutiques and brand named stores are artistically arranged along a long boulevard.

Children's areas offer activities for children from 3 to teens in different designated areas with age appropriate activities.

The cabins are larger than on previous Celebrity ships. Modern in décor, the light and airy standard stateroom is 192 square feet. Verandas are 53 feet. There is plenty of storage space with extra shelves above the bed and double door enclosed closets. Rooms are equipped with well-lighted vanity desks with duel plug outlets.

New in the Solstice Class is AquaClass, 130 rooms, where guests have their own specialty restaurant, Blu, unlimited access to the Aqua Spa relaxation room and Persian Garden, a room with heated lounges and adjacent steam and sauna. Aqua Spa guests have a spa concierge, oversized plush towels, robe and slippers, complimentary bottled water and flavor-infused iced tea, tall jetted body wash shower, upgraded room service menu, and a host of special amenities. Showers in staterooms have a bar for women to shave their legs. AquaClass rooms are the same size as the standard staterooms and veranda staterooms except in the wheelchair accessible staterooms where there are larger at 299 square feet.

All staterooms are equipped with refrigerators, safes, hair dryers, sitting area with sofa, desk and flat screen televisions. Sliding doors open onto balconies with chairs and a table. Solstice has 30 wheelchair accessible staterooms with wider doors, lowered closet rods, safes, vanity, grab bars, roll-in showers and fold-down shower benches. Handicapped rooms are located at the ends of each floor near the elevators and are available in a variety of price categories. All cabins have 24 hour room service.

The suites are stunning with large picture windows and huge balconies. The Penthouse suite is 1,291 square feet and there are 8 Royal Suites at 590 square feet and 12 Celebrity Suites at 300 square feet. Sky suites make up the majority of suites at 44 and are 300 square feet. Suite guests have butler service.

There are facilities for children 3 and up on the ship, but it is more of an adult ship with a majority of the travelers being baby boomers and seniors.

Shore excursions are plentiful with a shore excursion desk onboard and an experienced tour manager to set up tours for guests in every destination. Tours carry an extra fee. The ship began in Europe out of Southhampton with an 8-night Norwegian Fjords and 10-night cruise to Rome on followed by 13 and 14-night ancient empires sailings from Rome though October. It will make a transatlantic voyage to Fort Lauderdale in November and will have 10-11 night sailings ultimate Caribbean roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale.

Photos by Phyllis Steinberg

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Go to the Celebrity Cruises website.