Cruise Talk: Equinox v IOS

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...“Viking Vela”, the first of a new series of cruise ships that Fincantieri is building for the shipowner Viking, has been delivered today at the yard in Ancona.The newest addition to the Viking fleet has a gross tonnage of about 54,300 tons, is equipped with 499 cabins and is able to accommodate 998 passengers on board. “Viking Vela is the 13th ship delivered to Viking by Fincantieri Group...

Latest News...For the first time, Celebrity Cruises is bringing its premium vacation experiences to Port Canaveral, Florida. Starting Tuesday, December 3, guests can enjoy Caribbean escapes on Celebrity Equinox with seven-night sailings to tropical destinations including The Bahamas, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Belize, and more. With the addition of Port Canaveral, Celebrity Cruises...

Latest News...Princess Cruises, famously known as "The Love Boat," celebrated the highly anticipated arrival of Caribbean Princess in Port Canaveral today, marking the launch of a new season of Caribbean cruises from this convenient Central Florida homeport. The ship set sail on a four-day Thanksgiving cruise to Turks & Caicos. In the spirit of giving, Princess...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Equinox v IOS (Page 1)

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

This topic is comprised of pages: 1 2

Author

Topic: Equinox v IOS

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 08-06-2009 02:48 PM

Equinox and IOS photographed by myself, from the same spot (Southampton's City Cruise Terminal) one week apart.

[ 08-06-2009: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-06-2009 03:04 PM

Interesting photos Malcolm. IOS looks to be the more powerful looking....and to me, the more attractive. Thanks Malcolm.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

cruiseshipluver
First Class Passenger
Member # 5104

posted 08-06-2009 05:28 PM

Well IOS is more rounded in every respect. rounded on the bridge, frontal superstructure etc..while Solstice class is just angular.

cruiseshipluver

Posts: 1797 | From: Barbados--cruiseship capital of the Southern Caribbean | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 08-06-2009 05:36 PM

I'll have to 'vote' for the Equinox. She looks more interesting from the front and the IOS just looks boring, almost bland from this angle.

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

Carlos Fernandez
First Class Passenger
Member # 6432

posted 08-06-2009 05:37 PM

Great comparison Malcolm. Independence of the Seas is more traditional but keeps her modernism. Equinox is well, Martin Francis.

Posts: 1325 | From: Miami, Florida (Cruise Capital of the World) | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 08-06-2009 05:54 PM

WE should have a view of Epic go against these two ships and start LOL.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 08-06-2009 06:07 PM

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 08-06-2009 06:26 PM

From the new pictures the IOS just looked bloated. Still 'vote' for the Equinox.

P.S. I hate to admit it, bit I dont get the Martin Francis reference. Sorry. Someome pls enlighten me.

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

Atlcruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 4586

posted 08-06-2009 07:21 PM

They both look great but I am leaning more to the Solstice class ships. Maybe because I have not had the pleasure to cruise on one and really want to.

Posts: 916 | From: Atlanta | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

reeves35
First Class Passenger
Member # 6021

posted 08-06-2009 07:36 PM

All individual but I believe IOTS looks the better even though its width means its front-on view is probably its least attractive.

Solstice Class are obviously great inside but outside I find them very ordinary and nowhere near attractive as say a Vista class vessel (without the squared off back-end of course) ...preparing to be flamed!!!

Brad

Posts: 343 | From: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged

Carlos Fernandez
First Class Passenger
Member # 6432

posted 08-06-2009 08:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dmwnc1:
From the new pictures the IOS just looked bloated. Still 'vote' for the Equinox.
P.S. I hate to admit it, bit I dont get the Martin Francis reference. Sorry. Someome pls enlighten me.

Martin Francis is her exterior designer, he is mostly known for designing yachts. Another very famous yacht designer, the late Jon Bannenberg was responsible for designing the Millenium class sisters.

Posts: 1325 | From: Miami, Florida (Cruise Capital of the World) | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged

Cam J
First Class Passenger
Member # 24617

posted 08-06-2009 08:45 PM

Nice PICS Malcom. IOS is round and very wide. Equinox has a tall boxy look to it. IOS looks like it has a crown over its bridge. Equinox looks like it has a multi-tier crown on.

Over and Out,
Cam J

Posts: 503 | From: Belvedere, CA | Registered: Jun 2009 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-06-2009 09:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
WE should have a view of Epic go against these two ships and start LOL.
Frosty 4

From the NCL PR account at flickr.

[ 08-06-2009: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Cunard Fan
First Class Passenger
Member # 7530

posted 08-06-2009 11:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
WE should have a view of Epic go against these two ships and start LOL.
Frosty 4

I don't think that would be fair for poor Epic.

Posts: 2327 | From: Pasadena just north of Queen Mary | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 08-07-2009 12:44 PM

I think now you can see what an ugly duckling Epic is.
F4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-07-2009 09:55 PM

My vote is for IOS definitely! To me she is well-balanced and very powerful looking! I like her from all angles.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Italianliners
First Class Passenger
Member # 5446

posted 08-09-2009 05:46 PM

I think NCL used MSC Fantasia plans and put a big iron block above the bridge...

Italianliners

PS: IOTS is rounder, i like that!

Posts: 272 | From: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Registered: Feb 2005 | IP: Logged

Sutho
First Class Passenger
Member # 6234

posted 08-09-2009 08:10 PM

The Equinox looks very similar to the Coral Princess and Island Princess. It really looks like they have tried hard to make their own version of those ships. Though its mainly from the front and side and not from the back.

Posts: 1055 | From: Newcastle, Australia | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 08-09-2009 08:31 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Sutho:
The Equinox looks very similar to the Coral Princess and Island Princess. It really looks like they have tried hard to make their own version of those ships. Though its mainly from the front and side and not from the back.

I seriously doubt CORAL and ISLAND PRINCESS were even remotely taken into consideration when SOLSTICE was designed. The ships could not be more different.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Sutho
First Class Passenger
Member # 6234

posted 08-10-2009 01:32 AM

Though there still is a bit of a resemblence in its pattern particulary along the side how the balcony cabins are configured.

Its not identical, but it certainly looks like the designers of the new Celebrity ships took inspiration from the profile of Coral Princess and Island Princess.

Carnivals Spirit class (This one Carnival Miracle) also has somewhat of a resemblence from the bow angle.

As does Queen Victoria

I know they are not 100% identical, but allot of modern cruise ships appear to be incorporating similar patterns into the profile of their ships.

[ 08-10-2009: Message edited by: Sutho ]

Posts: 1055 | From: Newcastle, Australia | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 08-10-2009 01:55 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Sutho:
Though there still is a bit of a resemblence in its pattern particulary along the side how the balcony cabins are configured. Its not identical, but it certainly looks like the designers of the new Celebrity ships took inspiration from the profile of Coral Princess and Island Princess.
Then also Cunards Queen Victoria also shares a similar resemblance too.

And every ship in the Carnival Spirit-Class and every version of the Vista-Class for that matter. It's a load of hogwash to assume Equinox designers took inspiration from any of them. It's a common design feature now of a lot of modern cruise ships with balcony cabins to have that 'bump' in the middle. The Equinox has and angled approach to her bump, the Princess ships you mentioned as well as all the ones I mentioned have a more squared off block bump in the middle. Comparing and then saying Equinox is similar in looks to Island or Coral Princess is a huge stretch at best.

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 08-10-2009 02:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by eroller:
I seriously doubt CORAL and ISLAND PRINCESS were even remotely taken into consideration when SOLSTICE was designed. The ships could not be more different.
Ernie

I dont know Ernie, they're all painted white, have a pointy end and a squared off back end, and have lifeboats, balconies, and a mast. Look pretty much the same to me.

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 08-10-2009 02:23 AM

These are both beautifully designed ships, but INDEPENDENCE looks unnaturally beamy to me from that bow-on view. So my vote goes to EQUINOX.

A strikingly modern design inside and out - the only thing I dislike is the silly-looking "X" on the funnel.

quote:
Originally posted by Carlos Fernandez:
Another very famous yacht designer, the late Jon Bannenberg was responsible for designing the Millenium class sisters.

Mr. Bannenberg also designed the "real" (pre-RCCL) Celebrity ships, the HORIZON- and CENTURY-class ships.

quote:
Originally posted by Sutho:
The Equinox looks very similar to the Coral Princess and Island Princess. It really looks like they have tried hard to make their own version of those ships.

I would be shocked if that was the case. RCCL did not engage a world-renowned yacht designer to create a pastiche of someone else's ship.

On the other hand the CORAL-class ships are Princess' version of the MILLENNIUM-class! And the MUSICA-class, MSC's version. RCCL hated the MILLENNIUM-class ships but it did not stop the yard from developing that design to suit other cruise lines.

quote:
Originally posted by Sutho:
Its not identical, but it certainly looks like the designers of the new Celebrity ships took inspiration from the profile of Coral Princess and Island Princess.

It would be rather amusing if they were inspired by what must be two of the most conventional cruise ships ever built.

(Don't get me wrong - they are nice ships - but definitely not interesting.)

quote:
Originally posted by Sutho:
I know they are not 100% identical, but allot of modern cruise ships appear to be incorporating similar patterns into the profile of their ships.

Well, the balcony craze ensures that.

The ship that really "inspired" all these ships, from a functional if not an aesthetic sense, is ROYAL PRINCESS (now ARTEMIS) ... truly the "mother" of all the cruise ships being built now.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

Sutho
First Class Passenger
Member # 6234

posted 08-10-2009 04:25 AM

I know they are not 100% identical, but I am sure that balcony configuration that some designer would have taken inspitation off another ship for it to be on all sorts of classes of ships.

I have not seen Princess's Grand class balcony configuration copied.

Though it would not suprise me if cruise lines take design inspiration from other lines considering they already steal each others names!

To me the Equinox looks alright front on. From the stern it looks ugly. In fact in some photos I have seen of ships in Southampton it looks like the tall ships parade is back. Even Arcadia looks tall from the rear end. I personally like the long sleek design over the tall design.

Posts: 1055 | From: Newcastle, Australia | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 08-10-2009 05:46 AM

Stern views have been perhaps the most destroyed as a result of the economies of scale syndrome. The Sun class Princess ships were by and large not bad at all bar their backsides - yuk. Very few since then have come up with a good compromise, the Solstice class in my view is by far one of the best. Ironically (because she is the ultimate expression of economy of scale to date) Oasis of the Seas is likely to have one niceest looking sterns of a modern mass market ship yet and doubly ironic in the same way Carnival Dream's stern is without doubt the best new stern they have ever had.

Altold for me it is difficult to seperate what is inside from what is outside, every design is a compromise of one against the other - thus the Solstice class has surely got to be the winner.

Posts: 2272 | From: Durban, South Africa | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)
This topic is comprised of pages: 1 2

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...