The Best of Cruise Critic: Celebrity Eclipse…The Definitive Review With Photos Part 2

[DrGary]

 

Out and about Celebrity Eclipse...the outdoor pool got plenty of use by all. Sun chairs and towels were plentiful as was space in the sun and shaded areas. Entertainment was good with mostly easy listening music on the pool deck. Bar services were always readily available without being obtrusive. The outdoor running/jogging track was located on deck 14 and its close proximity to rows of sun chairs (many of which seemed to gradually migrate onto the jogging track surface as sun worshipers jockeyed for position) presented an obstacle course for those bold enough to try to actually use the track for jogging. As well, there was no other full promenade deck around the entire circumference of the ship to use as a outdoor jogging alternative. These issues probably need a relook for future design modification...perhaps for follow-ons after Celebrity Silhouette.

 

Up on deck 15, the Lawn Club and Corning glass-blowing exhibition areas were great...perfect place to kick back and enjoy the ocean and the good life.

 

Solarium and the Aqua Spa Cafe...a lovely oasis away from the bustle of the outdoor main pool! Soothing fountains of colored water and soft music give this indoor pool and whirlpool venue a relaxing feel most of the time. There were a few days when this area became the province of families with many small children when the weather was cloudy around the outdoor pool area that these groups more typically frequented. We had read on a few Cruise Critic threads that the Solarium was intended as an adult-only area, so we were puzzled why this was not the case on Celebrity Eclipse. Adjoining the Solarium, the Aqua Spa Cafe quickly became a favorite stopping place for us for a light lunch...a nice selection of salads, healthy entrees and desserts all with a colorful mix of fresh ingredients. A big thumbs up for the Aqua Spa Cafe!

 

 

Celebrity Eclipse Food Services...definitely one area where Celebrity Eclipse shines brightly and in every aspect exceeded our highest culinary expectations. It would be difficult to imagine a finer dining experience anywhere on land or sea. We have dined in some of the most exclusive 5+star Relais & Châteaux restaurants all over the globe and Celebrity Eclipse rivaled and (in a few instances) surpassed the level of service, presentation and superb taste sensation of many renowned terra fima restaurants. Delicious food and elegant service characterized our overall dining experience...top marks to Celebrity Eclipse for food services.

 

 

The Moonlight Sonata main dining room was consistently excellent. We were initially assigned to a large table of 8 for the late seating. Here the service was friendly, the food variety and quality quite good, and our dinner companions were delightful. After a few nights, in order to have more flexibility to attend later afternoon excursions and evening events with our Cruise Critic companions, we switched to the Select dining option. Celebrity handled the transition smoothly and each subsequent evening, we would arrive at the main dining room with our friends and immediately be seated at a table for 6 or 8 with a new group of table staff. Again, service was flawless with tasty meals which were attractively presented. Many of the passengers we spoke with agreed that their main dining room experience was similarly top-notch.Just when we thought the food couldn’t get any better, we booked meals at Qsine, The Tuscany Grille and Murano’s. The one word that comes to mind for all of these specialty restaurants is...WOW!

 

 

Qsine was sort of a quirky, tapas-type menu on steroids. Imagine a variety of all the world’s tastiest appetizers served in enormous portions for a table of 8 in our group. You make your selections on IPod menus and then the fun begins. Our culinary guide (don’t even think of referring to these highly-skilled food warriors as waiters!) Sinbal, helped with choosing an assortment of exotic treats including

a meatball trilogy (not your grandmother’s meatballs...think Kobe beef!), spring rolls served on metallic springs, crunchie munchies, Chinese x Martinis = Chintinis, Tacos Royale, Soup & Soufflés, Popcorn Fish and Chips, Do-It-Yourself Guacamole, Painter’s Mignon (absolutely the most delic-i-o-u-s filet steak imaginable!) and on and on and on. The sheer volume of food was gluttonous. All delectable, all colorful, all eclectic, all quite fun especially with our happy and charming crew of Cruise Critic companions! Qsine is highly recommended.

 

 

The Tuscan Grille was Eclipse’s Italian-themed specialty steakhouse restaurant and it was similarly superb in every aspect. Located in a quiet setting overlooking the ocean at the stern with the setting sun framing the photo...lovely! Menu highlights were the lump crab Cassarola e Granchio, goat cheese salad, cooked-to-order pasta with fresh garlic and olive oil, and the superb Filetto Mignon Rustico...melt-in-your-mouth awesome. As an interesting aside, the ship’s Staff Captain was visiting the Tuscan Grille during our delightful meal and he was interested in our Cruise Critics’ group feedback about Celebrity Eclipse. We had a very pleasant conversation with Captain Christodoulakis about our cruise experience and he subsequently graciously invited our Cruise Critic group to join him for dinner on the last formal night at the Captain’s Table. More details on this later in the review. The Tuscan Grille is highly recommended.

 

 

We saved the best of the best for last...Murano’s was the specialty restaurant to die for !! A high-end atmosphere with the most polished service staff in the Celebrity fleet, you know you are in for something special the moment you set foot inside Murano’s. We were pleased to be escorted to Murano’s elite private Wine Room as the privileged dining locale for our Cruise Critic group of six. Here Murano’s extensive collection of wine were beautifully displayed and Murano’s sommelier graciously shared her creative ideas for the choicest vintages for the evening’s feast. We were craving seafood tonight so our menu selections included the warm goat cheese soufflé, creamy Maine lobster bisque, porcini & morel risotto

and the pièce de résistance...the flambéed lobster prepared table-side with huge chunks of whole lobster and an exotic blend of liquors and spices. The Dover sole also drew rave reviews from our Cruise Critic companions. Without a doubt, the most elegant seafood meal we have ever had anywhere...period! We had heard that Celebrity was setting new cruise industry standards with Murano’s as a prelude to being considered for a Michelin star rating. Our evening at Murano’s certainly was deserving of Michelin’s highest consideration. For a most memorable dinner delivered with flawlessly choreographed voilà service, Murano’s is now at the top of our short list of “Most Favored Restaurants In The World.”

 

 

(Continued on next posting...)

[cruise47]

Awesome pictures and an Excellent Review !!!!!!!

[Sparkle 123]

Wow Gary and Carol

Loved reading your review especially the food descriptions, makes me wish I was back on the Eclipse right now.

Celebrity should employ you to write their brochures!!!

 

Lisa

[Cruiser Susie]

Your review is intriguing, thoughtful, very well laid out and the photos definitely add a great deal of "Wow" factor to it. Looking forward to trying Qsine the next time we sail an S-class ship. It is interesting to hear that Murano's is being considered for a Michelin star rating. The specialty restaurants have always been outstanding. It would be nice to see the M-class specialty restaurants recognized as well.

 

How did you manage that shot of the pool deck in the first set of pictures? It is a great shot and since I am not a photographer, I cannot figure out where or how you took that picture! Perhaps it was when you were in port? We have always wished, as you pointed out, that Celebrity had a promenade deck that could be used for walking/jogging that wasn't inclusive of the pool deck.

 

Thank you for your time in writing and putting together this review.

[AviGirl]

Fabulous review, Gary! Love the accompanying photos. Looking forward to the continuation.

[catlady1]

DrG

Thanks for the review and great pictures

[reklawr]

WOW! Thanks for the review. Your pictures are beautiful!