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You are here: Home / Featured Post / Jet Set Sail – Inaugural Trip

Jet Set Sail – Inaugural Trip

May 22, 2016 by Fiona Maclean 7 Comments

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Last Updated on January 27, 2017 by Fiona Maclean

Starting in Style with Jet Set Sail from Celebrity Cruises:

Celebrity Cruises Jet Set sail Launch.

Everyone I know looks forward to their holidays.  And, everyone I know dreads actually getting there.  Even if you are travelling business class or first class, you still have to get to the airport, fight your way through the crowds to check-in and then go through security and passport control.  And, it’s inevitable that your gate will be the one which is 20 minutes or more from the departure lounge.  If you are like me, you’ll have packed hand luggage with a change of clothes and all your valuables just in case your checked-in bag goes missing.  Sometimes I wonder if sprinting to the departure gate with a rolling bag is one of my main ways of keeping fit…

Celebrity Cruises Jet Set sail Launch.

Imagine if you could drive up to your own private jet terminal, be greeted by a valet who took your case to be boarded, check in with just the other people who are travelling with you, then go through to a lounge area for that celebratory glass of fizz (or cup of tea) and get on the plane relaxed and refreshed.

Celebrity Cruises Jet Set sail Launch.

Once upon a time, I had a real taste for airline food, particularly the cooked breakfasts.  I loved those little foil trays which were uncovered to reveal a hot meal, something warm but not over stodgy.  Now, unless you’ve paid to travel business or first class you are more likely to be handed a wrap or a ‘doorstop’ sandwich and a paper cup with a sachet of ‘milk’.  That’s if you are lucky enough to get any food at all.

Just suppose you could go back to the times when you were served a proper meal, with china, napkins and cutlery at a price that did blow your entire holiday budget…

And, when you finally get to your destination, especially if you are going on a cruise, embarkation can be a real nightmare.  Imagine if you will, being a VIP and having your own ‘fast track’ boarding.

Celebrity Cruises Jet Set sail Launch.

With Jet Set Sail, the new service from Celebrity Cruises you CAN experience the kind of VIP treatment that used to make travel so special.  And the best thing is the extra cost is very reasonable – close to the kind of price you might pay for a premium economy flight compared to the standard price, but with so much more included.

Celebrity Cruises Jet Set sail Launch.

I went along for myself to try the inaugural flight out to Barcelona.  They’ve set up a new service based from the private jet terminal at Stansted, where you’ll be pampered from the moment you arrive.  There’s a valet parking service and luggage collection which means you don’t have to worry about getting your case into the terminal.  And, there’s an exclusive lounge with complimentary refreshments while you wait to board.  You don’t need to go anywhere near the main terminal.

Once on board the plane, as I discovered, you get a two course cooked meal – a hot breakfast for me with a fruit salad and juice all served on china with a linen napkin and proper cutlery.  And, there’s plenty of fresh coffee or tea in a proper china cup.

At the other end, Celebrity Cruises staff were on hand to help us reach the transfer coaches.  Although we landed in Barcelona, one of Europe’s busier airports, we were whisked through and quickly arrived at the port for embarkation.  There’s a VIP stream there, so Jet Set Fly passengers really do arrive on board without any hassle.

Equinox - restaurant - Luminae

Sadly, I was really only there to experience Jet Set Sail and just had time for a quick lunch in Luminae, the suite class restaurant, and a tour of the ship.

Equinox - Food

I’ve always been impressed by Celebrity Cruises food and this was no exception.  I picked a healthy enough starter of salmon sashimi with avocado but, everything went downhill from then on as I indulged in the special Luminae burger.

Cheeky Burger - Equinox

And then, in the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cake…

White Chocolate Macademia Cake - Luminae - Equinox

We only had half an hour to see around the Equinox, one of the two ships which will be offering Jet Set Sail in 2016/17.  It was enough to convince me I wanted to stay for longer, though.  Apart from the World Class Bar where the expert mixologists create all kinds of bespoke cocktails, I was particularly impressed by the wine tower(!)

Wine Tower, Equinox

and by the poolside lounge facilities.

Equinox - poolside relaxation

I loved the main dining room with all its classical charm too.  We learnt that guests on board can dine on shared tables or, if they prefer, just with their own travel companion.

Main dining room Equinox

I very nearly hid!  I’m sure they wouldn’t have noticed one more. As it was, I discovered a new way of keeping fit…trying to find your way off a Cruise Ship before it departs!

Nightclub - equinox

I was impressed, with the services and facilities offered on board the Equinox and with the well thought out Jet Set Sail service.  Whilst the very first trip had a few teething problems with rather longer queues land-side in Stansted than might have been ideal, I’m sure those will be ironed out.  And, the concept itself is really well thought out, addressing all those issues which add to the pre-holiday stress. It’s lovely to start a trip in style, particularly when you are going to be cruising on a Ship with such a great balance of old-fashioned elegance and contemporary style.

Equinox

 

For more about Jet Set Sail, visit the Celebrity Cruises website.

Interested?  Why not pin this post for later…

Jet Set Sail Celebrity Cruises

 

 

Filed Under: Cruises, Featured Post, Travel Tagged With: Barcelona, Cruise

About Fiona Maclean

London based freelance writer and marketing consultant. I edit London-Unattached.com and write for a number of other publications. With a music degree and a background in marketing across many sectors, my passions include all types of music, food, restaurants, wine and travel

Comments

  1. Suze - Luxury Columnist says

    May 24, 2016 at 10:53 am

    It sounds like a great concept – I was invited to this but couldn’t make it. Your lunch certainly looks tasty

    Reply
  2. Stevie Wilson says

    May 24, 2016 at 3:54 am

    What an incredible way to travel That looks so fabulous! I would love to travel that way!

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 24, 2016 at 9:44 am

      Great concept isn’t it – taking away the pain of the ‘getting there’ part of a cruise, so you can just relax in luxury

      Reply
  3. Francesca says

    May 22, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    Well this sounds and looks pretty amazing! I’ve always dreamed of going on a little cruise and this is definitley the right way to do one! The photos of the equinox are amazing too, love how classy and cosy it looks! I think i could just about live on it!

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 24, 2016 at 9:44 am

      It did have a really classy feel to it. There is an elderly lady who DOES live on cruise ships – she’s worked out that with the all inclusive packages it’s cheaper than being at home!

      Reply
  4. Laura says

    May 22, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    Oh wow this looks absolutely amazing and what a way to travel. We are hoping to do a cruise later this year.

    Laura x

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 24, 2016 at 9:43 am

      It’s a stress free way to start your holiday. A really good way to feel pampered – and of course your car is much easier to pick up when you get back home

      Reply

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