The Ocean View Buffet
Travel, Dine & Wine in Style
on
Celebrity Equinox around the Mediterranean
My lunch from The Ocean View Buffet
The Art of Cruising……Celebrity Cruises style
Photo Diary Teaser
Part One
The art of Cruising should be a subject for study, in my humble opinion, and I was lucky enough to be a student in the art last week when I was a guest of Celebrity Cruises and Great British Chefs aboard the Celebrity Equinox…….my “lessons” were to explore the diverse range of fine dining on board, as well as embracing the “Celebrity Cruises Experience”, which was an amazing package of activities to include shore excursions to local areas of interest, spa treatments, cookery demonstrations, wine tasting and a bespoke tour of the ship’s galley. After an early morning flight to Naples last Tuesday as part of a small “Food Bloggers” group, we all boarded the ship in the Italian port of Salerno where our four-day “cruise experience” started. We sailed around the Amalfi coast to Civitavecchia (Rome) and then on to Livorno (Pisa and Florence), Toulon in the Provence and finally on to Barcelona. What will follow over the next few weeks are several blog posts about my experience on board the luxurious and fabulously well equipped Celebrity Equinox, as well as a round-up of my bespoke shore excursions to the centre of Rome, Pisa, Florence, The Vatican and Toulon. But, for now, please sit back and sail with me on my virtual Photo Diary Teaser……in part one I will be sharing some of my favourite images from the cruise……from buffet meals with an ocean view to rare wines and champagnes as well as flambéed lobster and special cocktails in the Molecular Bar, I hope you will all savour and enjoy the journey as much as I did. And, please don’t forget to keep popping back to read my full posts about this amazing journey……and to see how I graduated in the art of cruising with first class honours! Karen
Celebrity Equinox
Disclaimer: I was a guest of Celebrity Cruises UK in partnership with Great British Chefs; I was not required to write a favourable review of my experiences and all views and opinions are an honest an unbiased appraisal of my trip. All photos are my own, unless otherwise stated. Karen S Burns-Booth
Crab Cake Eggs Benedict
Champagne
Celebrity Equinox Pool Area
Wine Tasting and Pairing
The Library Celebrity Equinox
When night falls, head to the Molecular Bar for one-of-a-kind handcrafted cocktails. Each intriguing cocktail combines science with mixology to serve you a truly unforgettable beverage.
Wine in the Wine Tower
The Lawn Club overlooking the Port of Salerno
Room Service for a Balcony Breakfast
The Vatican
Ponte Vecchio
Gnocco Fritto Con Prosciutto
Grapes
Florence
Healthy Breakfast Bowls
Serving the lobster in the Murano Restaurant
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Italian Lunch in Florence
My Balcony Stateroom
Wine Tasting on Celebrity Equinox
CELEBRITY EQUINOX
Celebrity Equinox belongs to the stylish Solstice® Class, sailing to destinations the world over. Explore the islands of the Caribbean, the old ports of the Mediterranean or take a Transatlantic voyage as you relax in chic, spacious accommodation and dine on world-class cuisine.
Part Two to follow………
CELEBRITY EQUINOX: Image Celebrity Cruises
Part one by me!
Everyday and Speciality Dining on Celebrity Cruises Equinox
Read my friend and cruise companion Rosana’s posts about the journey here:
Celebrity Cruises, Equinox: Silhouette dining, wine tower and tasting
Celebrity Cruises, Equinox a floating city
Great British Chef’s Post is here:
Meet the Chefs – Behind the Scenes at Celebrity Cruises
And Tess’s post is here:
CELEBRITY CRUISES: HEALTH, WELLNESS AND ROOM SERVICE
Christina says
Karen, this looks simply spectacular! Nothing like the only cruise my husband and I went on which really dissuaded us from cruising (and I can promise you , it WASN’T Celebrity!) This post makes me want to try again…everything looks top notch! Lovely photos and I am waiting for part 2!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks SO much Christina!
You simply HAVE to travel with Celebrity Cruises next time, as they were thoroughly professional, friendly and the food (and other services) was top notch!
Part 2 coming next week!
Karen
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I have never ever been on a cruise and from your pictures it seems like I have been missing out big time. I need to get on the Celebrity Equinox asap.
Karen Burns-Booth says
You would LOVE it Bintu!!! I ABSOLUTELY loved the whole experience……great company, great food, great wine, great cabin and FABULOUS staff/crew!
Dom says
What a fab trip Karen. It looked glorious. I particularly loved the cabin you had. Still not convinced about cruise ships but I wait for your posts before making the final judgement. Of course the food looks spectacular!
Karen Burns-Booth says
I am convinced that you would love this style of holiday Dom – I’ll tell you all about it when we next meet up! Karen
Tina @ The Spicy Pear says
Looks like you had a fab time Karen. Those staterooms, in my opinion, were one of the best bits about the Western-med cruise, in addition to the abundance of delicious tasting food and excellent service. I was there, this time last year, with the whole family, and had an awesome time. My favourite moments were waking up early, grabbing a coffee at the shop downstairs, taking it to my room and sitting in our balcony watching as the cruise liner entered a port, soaking up the stunning views as I sipped on my steaming hot cuppa – magical! We would def go on a cruise again. Look forward to reading part 2.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Tina, those were my favourite times of the day too – the sitting out on the balcony and watching us sail into a new port. I also loved the pre-dinner drinks in the Martini Bar and post dinner drinks in the Molecular Bar…..and the food! So many things to enjoy! Karen
Janice says
Wowsers! As you know I love a river cruise but the big ships have never appealed, this looks amazing though and so many treats to enjoy. Looking forward to part 2
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Janice! It’s similar to the river cruise you took, as we were able to disembark every day in a new port with new places to discover and visit.
charlene flash says
Looks like you had a fabulous time. I’m loving all your food and pictures around Italy.
Karen Burns-Booth says
I had a great time Charlene, the food was amazing too!
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) says
Karen, your trip sounds amazing, from the luxurious cabin and ship to all the fantastic sightseeing but best of all the culinary experience. I love it all.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Nayna! It was a trip of a lifetime and I wish it had been longer! 🙂 Karen
Choclette says
Oh my Karen, what an absolutely amazing experience. You have definitely filled me with wanderlust and food lust too. Stunning photos as always. Hope you had a wonderful time – it certainly sounds like it.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Choclette – I cannot wait to share the rest of my trip and all the other photos I took, AS WELL as the menus and food we ate and enjoyed. Karen
Glamorous Glutton says
Stunning, Stunning, Stunning! Even better than when you were describing it to me. So relaxing and so gourmet, it must have been wonderful. GG
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks GG! It was a VERY special trip and the food was amazing! K xx
Elizabeth says
Your trip looks totally amazing Karen, and what wonderful pictures.
The places you visited and all the food looks fantastic.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Elizabeth – it was a fabulous trip…….I wish I was still on it!
Rosana, Hot&Chilli Food and Travel Blog says
Hi Karen,
What a nice snip of a fabulous time and home for 4 days. I am missing terribly the Molecular Bar! cheers!
Karen Burns-Booth says
I am definitely in Molecular Bar withdrawal mode Rosana as well as the Martini Bar too! LOL!
Liz Thomas says
Oh! Wow! That sounds absolutely amazing. I would love to go on a cruise. Seems like you had a wonderful time.
Looking forward to reading the rest.
cheers!
Liz
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Liz – part two to follow next week! Glad you enjoyed my virtual cruise teaser though!
Carpet Cleaning Chelsea says
I have never ever been on a cruise and it seems amazing! I love your pictures!! And the food looks very delicious!! I’m sure you had a fabulous time! I would to go on a cruise, too! I can’t wait to read the rest!!
Best wishes,
Jamie
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Jamie – more to follow next week!
Alida says
Wonderful Karen! What a great experience. And you have seen so much of Italy. A beautiful and luxurious trip indeed! Love your post. Great work! xx
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Alida – Italy was FABULOUS and I cannot wait to share it with all my readers!
Chloe says
What a wonderful experience – I’m not in the least bit jealous! Hope all is well with you Karen, I’ve been out of the blogging loop for a while but hope to get back in the groove now my wedding is out of the way. xx
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I’ve been on two cruises in the Caribbean and I’ll admit that I felt rather like I’d been locked in a hotel. I think with the destinations on your cruise I would have been very happy.