BOBBY45

You can pre book all Main dinning before boarding and while on the ship using the app. If you don't want the trouble of the app while on board and like to have your times sorted, I suggest  you go on line now and book 

They have 4 main dinning rooms included in your price. All have a different theme with about 20% of the menu related to that theme, one being the Tuscan with Italian,  Normandie has French, Cyprus has Mediterranean and last of all Cosmopolitan  which is classed as Global. The other 80% of the menu is what you would have expected to have in the old type main dinning. 

If you like your evening meal at the same time each night I suggest you get online and book them now that way you have your times you want and you can get to try them all out

I hope this helps you

Aqua class good points entrance to Persian gardens all cruise Millennium Ships in have more facilities than Solice

Being able to dine in Blue better service food and if you like wine, better Sommelier to discus what wine would suit

You can go to main dinning room some nights just for a change in select dinning without any problem

Cabins on Millennium class ships are bigger than normal balcony rooms

Bad points more expensive

Most Aqua class cabins on top passenger deck and you will always get a big overhang from the deck above this will stop the sun shinning on your balcony for quite a lot of the time if you like sun bathing on balcony

Great review - really helpful thank you as we are also on the 19th July sailing and doing a tour with Alla. Counting down now - only six sleeps left! Your info about Bruges was really helpful as it clearly is going to be tight for time getting back to the ship - what time would you say you need to leave Bruges at to make sure you get back to the ship on time?

 

Bob - can I ask you how you get the info about which pier we are docked at? I had planned for Langelinnie - we have bought Copenhagen cards, but will have to rethink how to get to the city centre now.

Sorry I put the wrong email address here the correct one

You must type in as wrote with the capitals to go straight to site

www.WhatsInPort.com

Great review - really helpful thank you as we are also on the 19th July sailing and doing a tour with Alla. Counting down now - only six sleeps left! Your info about Bruges was really helpful as it clearly is going to be tight for time getting back to the ship - what time would you say you need to leave Bruges at to make sure you get back to the ship on time?

 

Bob - can I ask you how you get the info about which pier we are docked at? I had planned for Langelinnie - we have bought Copenhagen cards, but will have to rethink how to get to the city centre now.

The site is (cmport.com) its a great site looks at every port around the world telling you what ships will be docked and where

Celebrity Eclipse was in immaculate condition, delighted with everything.We were impressed with the bathroom in the cabin, we always hook on the clear pocket storage thingy to the back of the bathroom door, but there was plenty of storage, so did not require. I thought the layout of the cabin was very good too, cases went under the bed.

Only slight faults were the bedding. The valance was quite stained in a few places, and as I always check the sheets, I noticed the mattress protector was on the wrong way with the rubber side facing upwards. This would make my husband wake up in pool of sweat, so I stripped off the bed ready to just turn it around, but the towelling side was disgusting, with lots of stains. I phoned the attendant and tried to explain we needed a fresh protector, but when we came back later he had just put an additional sheet over the mattress.

We chose select dining, a first for us, and it was the best thing ever! We never made reservations and never waited more than 3 mins. There was a barrier for reservations and walk up but no one used the 2 lines. We requested a large table and after the first night, the staff knew. Sometimes we were sat first at a table for 8 or 10 and had to wait for other guests, but that was our choice. We met lots of people this way and would chat when we met elsewhere on the ship.

We had the classic alcohol package and no problems!! I went to guest relations as soon as we got on ship and I asked for a list of drinks included. There were lots on offer, but there was another list which was what was on board that sailing. My husband likes tiger beer which was on the list but unfortunately not for our cruise, but he drank plenty other drinks. At the Martini bar where the action was every night, he had martinis. Sometimes if they had no small glasses he would get a large, and I always got a Bombay Sapphire gin. We were happy with the package, getting fresh orange at breakfast, and bottled water (at the same time), and all the hot drinks at café al Bacio.

 

Oceanview café was always good, though busy at breakfast on sea days ( Aqua spa café was ideal for me these days). Main dining was mainly good though we learned to order additional sides, as sometimes the meals were very sparse on accompaniments. If you ate all 4 courses it would be enough, but some meals were child sized portions, my sons (age 17) curry one night had 4 bite sized pieces of chicken! The wine menu had a page dedicated to wines on the classic and premium packages so no need to check the prices, there was about 8 red and white on the classic. The waiters always topped up the glasses as required.

Molecular bar was always quiet, and not once did I see a barman make a cocktail. We spent most nights at the Martini bar which was always busy, and we made lots of friends.

Gelateria- 2 for 1 every day 4-7pm

Theatre shows-

We enjoyed Jayne Curry, Mike Doyle, Ovations (broadway/west end) The stars of St Petersburg (dancers brought on board),Peng Fei Su(magician/illusionist) Jeff Hughes, the Eclipse band master played piano one afternoon which was fab.

Speciality restaurants- we did not try but often deals advertised

 

Miscellaneous-

you have to go to guest relations and ask for the port guide and map they are out of reach behind the desk!

Daily ‘newspaper’ for many countries at guest relations after 10 am.

Cruise director was Sinan from Turkey, and I was not impressed with him, he repeated himself all the time and we felt not a natural. And as Mike Doyle the comedian described him ‘Mr Bean’, though we thought Squidward from Spongebob square pants!

 

Only one towel animal in 2 weeks!

3 chocolates on the pillows every night.

 

Formal nights were well attended, and lots of dinner suits,evening gowns, and kilts (my husband/son) and lots more Scots! We witnessed a man being given a jacket to wear to enter the dining room.

 

20th June, flew down to Southampton from Glasgow, phoned a local taxi £14 to the Premier Inn West quay. This budget hotel was perfect for us (family of 3), it is clean, modern and comfortable, and it is less than 5 mins walk to the shops, and a short walk to the terminal.

 

21st June- Left hotel and walked across the road, through the Holiday Inn car park and you enter the port gates. Luggage guys were waiting and we dropped off our bags and then entered the terminal building. We left the hotel at 11.15 and were on the ship by 11.50.

Cruise Critic roll call sail away party at 16.30 at Sunset bar, name stickers and mardi gras beads, nice to meet everyone!

 

22nd June- Bruges

We walked out of the port gates (3 mins walk away!), and followed the pavement. Walk 10 mins to tram stop opposite church. Buy ticket in Spar store, cost 2.60 euro return. When you get on you tell the driver Blankenberge and he validates the ticket. The journey takes 15 mins. We docked on a Sunday, so trams are hourly before 09.00 then x4 an hour. When exiting the tram walk across the road to the train station. Train cost 4 euro return and takes 15 mins. These are hourly on a Sunday. When exiting the station, walk across the road, through the park and you are in the main area.

We walked around, had a Belgium waffle and enjoyed a warm sunny day.

 

23rd June-At Sea

Connexions meet up 09.30. Poor show from Celebrity, no goodies or raffles which I had on RCCL sailings! and was not in a private room, so others were around.

24th June-Warnemunde

We stayed local here and just stepped off the ship to this quaint little port. You walk under an underpass and the train station is right there if you want to get a train to Rockstock. A lovely walk around on another sunny day. If you need free Wi-Fi stand outside the tourist board, you will see a crowd here!

 

25th June-At sea

26th June-Stockholm

Set the alarm for 06.00 for arrival through the Archipelago, the helipad was available at 06.30 , and drinks/pastries were provided.

 

 

We walked approx 20 mins to the old town. We watched the changing of the guard and walked to the Vasa Museum (you can see the mast across the water from the ship, behind the rollercoasters). The museum is fascinating, entry is £13 and free for under 18's). There are plenty of hop on buses/water buses if required. A sunny day again!

 

27th June-Helsinki

Another sunny day, I knew there was a tram line here, totally unadvertised by Celebrity. Follow the green painted line on the pavement and after 5 mins you are at the station. Number 9, cost to centre 3 euro if bought on tram, 2.20 if bought from a ticket machine, 1.50 under 16's. 10 mins journey, we got off right outside Helsinki train station, ( green clock tower/art deco building) right in the heart of town. We walked to the Olympic stadium, cathedral, rock church, market square, and around the shopping area.

 

28/29th June- St Petersburg

Alla tours grand tour. Excellent 2 days with Pollina.(Sunny first day,part cloudy 2nd day)

We covered lots, and even had a subway ride (stations are beautifully decorated). We bought Russian nesting dolls which range from cheap souviners to expensive hand painted. We were in 3 shops over the 2 days and prices were similar. The always gave you cost in dollars or euro. The ship sells lots of Russion gifts the day after and the prices are much the same so don't worry if you do not get to buy in SPB. When they started the 'bazzar' at 10.30 it was a total frenzy, and people were buying everything!

We were in a group of 16, and it was perfect, some people on the ship were in a group of 30 trying to get round a jam packed Hermitage museum.

June 30th-Tallin

exit port, walk under an underpass, you will see a petrol station on right, cross road and you will see 'fat Margaret's tower' ahead and you are in the old town, walk approx 20 mins.

When we opened the curtains at 08.00 we could not see a thing! it was very foggy, when it cleared there was another ship docked right in front and we could not see it before. There was 5 ships in port that day. The weather was cloudy and felt a bit cool, we wore our rain jackets for the first time but it only drizzled for 5 mins. This town is all cobbles so appropriate footwear is a must!

We walked around the old and new parts. I would say this was my least favourite port, the weather maybe played a part though. The square has free Wi-Fi.

 

July 1st- Sea day

 

July 2nd- Copenhagen

straightforward walk along the port, 10mins till little mermaid statue, then follow the coastline to the center. I would say another 25 mins. We were docked till midnight,so we returned to the ship about 4 ish for a rest and went back out at 6pm to Tivolli. ( which was a big disappointment, very small and not worth the cost, an annual card is not much more than 1 visit)

 

July 3rd/4th sea days

 

July 5th- disembarked at 07.15 ( slight delay due to a fire alarm in the treminal building which caused a big queue and some aggitated people), walked off with own luggage, taxi to airport, flight at 09.00.

 

Shuttle buses at ports- These were provided (charged) but unless you have mobility issues may not be required for most places. We are late 40's early 50's and in good health.

 

Shuttle bus -

Bruges- $16/ 12e ONLY TO BLANKENBERGE TRAIN STATION.

Stockholm- hop on bus provided by Celebrity $39

Helsinki- $12/10e

Tallin-$10

Copenhagen-$18

 

Feel free to ask questions, happy to assist.

First a great review on same trip 19th July

When in Copenhagen can you remember which Dock you were berthed at? We are scheduled to be at C330 (new dock) which seems to have problems with transport and traffic delays

Many thanks Bob