Celebrity Equinox has become the third Celebrity Cruises ship and the first of the Solstice-class to undergo a major refurbishment as part of the US $500-million Celebrity Revolution refit program.

The 2,800-passenger ship was launched in 2009 and is the only Celebrity cruise ship that cruises year-round in the Caribbean.

As such, many of the upgrades made to the vessel are intended to enhance the Caribbean cruise experience, such as the new Retreat concept for suite passengers.

The Retreat aboard Celebrity Equinox

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“Celebrity Equinox holds a very special place in the hearts of everyone at Celebrity Cruises, and also for our guests; this one-of-a-kind ship continues to be the most awarded in our entire fleet,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises.

“Now, emerging from her dramatic modernisation, our guests are going to love the new, ‘revolutionised’ Celebrity Equinox even more. There is no better way to experience the Caribbean year-round than on board this stunning ship,” she added.

In addition to The Retreat, Equinox also now features the line’s popular Le Petit Chef experience and an all-new Craft Social bar as well as refreshed staterooms and suites across the ship.

The Retreat is an exclusive area for passengers staying in suites and includes a Retreat Sundeck, an exclusive sun-soaked hideaway, and The Retreat Lounge which now occupies the space where Michael’s Club previously stood.

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Le Petit Chef and Le Petit Chef and Friends are two interactive dining experiences offered in Qsine, during which the table comes to life as tiny animated chefs help to prepare guests’ food.

The redesigned Passport Bar aboard Equinox

The popular Passport Bar on Deck 3 off the Grand Foyer has been completely redesigned to reflect the casual elegance of a mega yacht lounge, while a new venue called Craft Social (formerly the Gastrobar) will offer up more than 40 craft beers, wine and cocktails on tap, along with comfort food favorites, amid flat-screen TVs and leather seating.

Craft Social aboard Equinox

Other enhancements include new S.T.E.M.-focused programming for young cruisers, offered in the kids’ club, and new treatments and products offered at The Spa by Canyon Ranch, including three new Signature Couples’ treatments, Dyson Supersonic blow-outs, Mink and Rapid Lash services, and new customized facials by Reveal Machine.

Across the ship RFID lock technology and Xcelerate WiFi are now available, along with the brand’s industry-first facial recognition technology with the implementation of the Celebrity Cruises app, allowing smooth port arrival and expedited boarding, plus additional features including guest-to-guest chat and digital room keys.

New retail offerings have also been introduced, including John Hardy Boutique, Kate Spade and a new watch boutique featuring Shinola, Hublot and other Swiss watch brands.

Celebrity Equinox was in drydock in Cadiz, Spain, for 29 days (starting on May 4, 2019) while the upgrades were completed. Celebrity Silhouette is the next ship scheduled to be refurbished, with an expected completion date of January 31^st, 2020.