Eclipse April 9-16 Review

[Whippets]

Spotting a super sale on the April 9th sailing of Celebrity Eclipse I eagerly booked and was blessed with one of the cabins with a larger balcony. I traveled with my husband. We are two middle aged cruise lovers and have been addicted since we first discovered what a delightful experience crusing can be!

 

Traveling to Miami was uneventful as we had a direct flight arriving in Miami airport at noon. Previous cruising buddies picked us up at the airport and we traveled to Coral Gables for lunch at Havanna Harry's. Catching up with our friends and comparing notes on their last cruise and ours was extremely enjoyable. Havanna Harry's portions were huge and I left the restaurant feeling like I had already been to the buffet on the ship! We snapped a few pictures with our friends to keep until we sail together again. Then it was off to the cruise terminal.

 

Arriving at 2:30 in the afternoon make check in a breeze. We simply walked through the entire procedure, no waiting whatsoever. Of course we knew that our Roll Call members had already sampled and explored the ship prior to our arrival. We went immediately to our stateroom and was pleasantly surprised to see how large the room, bathroom and balcony were. Messages were awaiting us and muster drill was less than an hour away. We were to meet in Moonlight Sonata, the stunning main dining room. We found it very tastefully appointed.

Since the ship is less than a year old everything looks brand new. The ship no longer requires you to wear your life jacket to the muster drills. The Eclispe showed a brief video and we were on our way.

 

After muster we went up to the pool deck bar on the 12th floor to meet our fellow Cruise Critic roll call members. Everyone was wearing beads to identify our group. We laughed, talked and put faces to names both real and cruise critic "handles". Knowing we had an official "Connections" party the next morning some of us wanted to meet and get started with the party upon arriving at the ship. We also made some dinner plans as we had the "select" anytime dining option.

 

Dinner on embarkation night was "smart casual dress". Clear definations of dress requirements were posted at the doorway of the main dining room. Many tasty selections were on the menu. My husband had the prime rib. I chose the dinner portion salad with grilled chicken still being relatively full from lunch. Afterwards we proceeded to the 8:45 PM show in the theater which was a preview of the coming attractions for the upcoming week ahead. "Que" is the cruise director, he led in the introductions. He was energetic without being over the top. After the show we retired to our stateroom as it had been a long day.

 

Sunday, April 10th - Sea Day

Up early, had coffee on our balcony. (coffee was very good, and I a very particular about my coffee!!!) I always bring our travel mugs, so much easier to walk around with than an open coffee cup. Was surprised that Eclipse also provided paper cups with lids to those who wished to use them. At 8 AM in the Celebrity Central theater on Deck 4 a Catholic Mass was held. Father Joseph Ganiel was the visiting priest on board and he offered Mass each day. After Mass a non-denominational service was held. Paster Swift was visiting on board from Columbus, Ohio.

At 10 AM the Cruise Critic Connections Party was held in Quasar Lounge on Deck 4. We had approximately 50 members attend. One of the CC members put together name tags for everyone and organized the event. A member of the entertainment staff on the ship welcomed us. Sadly, none of the officers or key staff people attended as is popular on other cruise lines. Coffee and tea were available. Each of us took the microphone and introduced ourselves, told where we were from, number of cruises. Several folks had been on Eclipse or its sister ship Soltice previously and told us some of the ships features. We stayed and chatted for well over an hour and made plans for other events with each other.

We explored the ship and attended a Galley tour of the kitchen. Spent the afternoon in the solarium, the adult indoor pool. Very quiet with loungers and beach towels abundant. Also offered was a scrapbooking class in the late afternoon. Evening show was "Ovations" Celebrity singers and dancers preforming Broadway renditions.

 

Ports: San Juan - arrived at 2 PM

We were off the ship by 2:30 and were greeted by several tour guides offering a $10 tour of the city and Old San Juan. We visited an old fort and traveled around the city for several hours. Stopped at Don Q who was offering free rum punches. There was a CVS drugstore next door which was a good stop for anything that you might have forgotten or that case of bottled water.

 

St. Maartin - Arrived at 9 AM

We prebooked on line a tour with Bernard' Tours. He has an excellent website. Traveled four hours around the island on both the Dutch and French sides. Went to Orient Beach (one side of it is a nude beach!) You can rent chairs and umbrellas for $7 or $8 depending where you stop at. Some vendors offer a drink and changing room facilities. Margot was very interesting as we saw about 5 planes land right over the beach front.

 

St. Kitts - Arrived at 8 AM

Met our tour guide Ilva Wallace for a private tour with ten passengers on her air conditioned van. We had a cloudy day which was perfect for traveling about. Ms. Wallace is a native of St. Kitts and knows all the neat places to see, some off the beaten path and exploring the island with her was fun. Visited the Brimston Hill Fort and rain forests. While looking over a high overlook our group encountered a small brown dog who was emaciated. She was obviously nursing a litter of puppies somewhere. The only thing I had to offer her was a package of Lance cheese crackers. She was the sweetest, most gentle dog, gingerly eating the broken crackers from the palm of my hand. Had I known to expect this I would have packed some milk bones in my carryon suitcase! (I worked in veterinary medicine and could sense her temperment prior to touching her) We said a sad good bye to Ilva and St. Kitts and boarded the ship. Went to Bisto on Five for a delish lunch of crepes. I had the Cowboy Crepe filled with provolone cheese, steak slices, onions, spinach and I added mushrooms. For dessert I had a berry filled crepe. It's not on the menu but they made it for me upon request. After lunch we went back out to the port and visited some of the many shops. We were the only ship in port that day and the end of the season is near for the Caribbean stops, shops were offering lots of "sales". Several gentlemen had small monkey's that they would allow you to hold - they would seek a donation and you could take pictures with them.

We left port at 6 PM and at 10 PM we returned to St. Maartin for a medical emergency. A crew member had become ill.

 

Thursday - April 14 - Sea Day

Celebrity offered a wonderful brunch from 10 AM until 1 PM in the main dining room. It was a sight to behold. Personally, I don't think I have ever seen that much food, so delightfully presented all in one place before! This is not to be missed. Ice sculptures held scoops of chocolate covered ice cream. Carved fruits and vegetables adored platters of large shrimps. There was something there for everyone including a chocolate fountain with fruits for dipping.

Trivia was offered several times on sea days as well as a plethora of other events. That afternoon we viewed two whales while sitting on our balcony. We attended the Corning Glass show in the afternoon which was spectacular. Evening entertainment was "Cirque" an acrobatic team of performers.

 

Friday - April 15th - Sea Day

Walked early around deck 14 for some exercise then attended daily Mass. Breakfast followed in the Spa Cafe then some swimming in the Solarium. Lunch was in the Mast Grill which served great burgers, onion rings and fries. I needed more exercise after that meal! My husband attended an environmental discussion by the ship's engineer. He explained much about the ship's internal operations. We had a survey to fill out regarding our thoughts on the cruise, staff, entertainment, food, beverages and ship itself. I gave excellent marks as our room steward and wait staff each gave excellent service.

It was time to pack and get ready to go back to reality.

 

Some things I observed -

Well sound proofed rooms, we were near the elevators, could not hear a thing in our cabin, nor did we smell any smoke, love Celebrity's smoking policy!

The ship was very tastefully decorated.

Room steward called us by name.

Large balcony with two loungers, a chair and a table big enough to eat on.

Buffet stations were spaced in positions not to cause over crowding.

Very comfortable bed and linens were not starched stiff.

Fantastic shower, large enough to towel dry yourself in.

Smooth, quick elevators with a light up system indicating opening.

Loved Select dining - you could arrange to eat with a table for two or chose your tablemates.

Friendly, polite passengers

 

On a closing note let me tell you about someone I met on my cruise that was delightful. She was a beautiful blonde nine year old with the manners of a lady. Her name was Shirley. It was obvious that she was devoted to her family. It was such a treat to see her about the ship. She attended our cruise critic meeting and Mass and was, as always, well behaved. I was honored to spend a bit of time with her on two occasions when she was off leash - Shirley was a special needs dog.

[Hydrangea Lady]

What cabin were you in?

[Richiebaseball]

Wasn't it a great cruise? And Debra and I agree, Shirley was definitely the most talked about cruiser!

[Sun&Sand52]

Enjoyed reading your review :) It is really very interesting, because I was on the same sailing and had a completely different experience. Unfortunatly we had a series of odd service issues from day 1 through day 7. Service was not what we had experienced on a previous Solstice sailing.

 

Just curious - didn't you find the ship extremely crowded?? I did.... It was packed. I was told by a few crew members that there were over 3000 people on this sailing. I have never seen so many bodies on a pool deck before.

[debandbruce]

I actually found the ship very uncrowded for the amount of people who were on it. We never had a problem getting a lounger in the Solarium even on sea days. We managed to get a clamshell one afternoon. That was a great place to spend a lazy afternoon and we had a wonderful nap in it. Shirley was a real sweetie, their cabin was 2 doors down from ours and we saw them often. We loved this cruise and will sail her again in a heartbeat!!!

[mafig]

We were on this sailing as well.

 

Crowded? We didn't find it crowded at all. Maybe around the main pools at 2 PM when the sun came out; but that's the case on every ship we've been on. In the Solarium (where we were) there were plenty of loungers. The pool and hot tubs there were never crowded.

 

We enjoyed Eclipse very much. I have to say it's been awhile since we enjoyed a cruise as much as we did.

 

Enjoyed meeting Shirley too.:)

[Whippets]

Answering questions - we were in 8254.

 

Shirley was a super star on our sailing!!!!

 

No we did not find the ship overly crowded but we never went to the outdoor pools or loungers as we stay out of the sun. The solarium area was not crowded at the hours we were there and on several occasions we were the only ones in the pool. We went for our last swim in there on Friday night after dinner, not a soul in the complex.

 

We found all areas of service superb. I can't wait to sail on Eclipse again, maybe next year!

[suzzek]

Whippets, thanks for a great review, and walking me back down memory lane to our Jan. cruise on Eclipse w/the same itinerary. I'm envious that you were able to attend Mass on the ship. I don't think that option was available to us. Do you know, do they only have a priest on board during Lent?

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[Whippets]

I am not certain of Celebrity's policy regarding priests and ministers. I have had them on most of my RCI and Celebrity cruises and never on NCL. We were on board the week before Holy Week. I know our local priest will be on board an Alaskan cruise on Celebrity in August. I think it is very nice. (I might also add that RCI had a rabbi giving lectures when we traveled to Israel last November.) They also conducted a Friday night sabbath service for the Jewish folks on board.

[NormaNY]

Enjoyed reading your review :) It is really very interesting, because I was on the same sailing and had a completely different experience. Unfortunatly we had a series of odd service issues from day 1 through day 7. Service was not what we had experienced on a previous Solstice sailing.

 

Just curious - didn't you find the ship extremely crowded?? I did.... It was packed. I was told by a few crew members that there were over 3000 people on this sailing. I have never seen so many bodies on a pool deck before.

 

I found the big brunch extremely crowded in the MDR. I couldn't really enjoy it for that reason. Maybe they could divide it up-- half the people in the beginning and the other half at a later time. It seemed like a mad rush for the food, then the table.

[u2cruiser]

Thank you very much for your interesting review. I enjoyed reading it.

I'm looking forward to my first Celebrity cruise in May. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did, thanks. :)

[Whippets]

Hi Norma,

I was concerned about your husband, as you told us at the Connections Party that he had been ill. When I saw them taking someone off by ambulance when we arrived at San Juan I watched closely to see if the lady that was going with the ambulance looked like you.....thank goodness, she didn't. I knew that I didn't see you about the ship later in the week and Carole and I wondered how he was doing?

 

We arrived at the MDR for the brunch on Thursday at 10 AM when it opened. We were shown back to the area where we usually eat at my a waiter and put our things on our chairs. Immediately got our food and we were out of there in 45 minutes as the Corning Glass Show was at 11 AM and we didn't want to miss it. Before we left the dining room got crowded and we were glad to be done early. We saw the strangest thing, a man who obviously didn't have a clue what the chocolate fountain was about just put his plate under it and let it fill up with runny chocolate! Don't know what he did with it.........

[Sun&Sand52]

I found the big brunch extremely crowded in the MDR. I couldn't really enjoy it for that reason. Maybe they could divide it up-- half the people in the beginning and the other half at a later time. It seemed like a mad rush for the food, then the table.

 

Yes, I agree the brunch was very crowded. We didn't arrive until almost the end of the brunch at around 12:45 and it was still crowded. What bothered me with the brunch was the way the food serving stations looked. Some of the food serving stations / tables were a mess. Especially the desert table and the chocolate fountain. The chocolate fountain was just a glopped-up mess, it wasn't even flowing. It was very unappealing and unappetizing. I think the staff should have done a much better job of keeping the stations clean.

[mafig]

I also agree that the brunch was crowded.

 

We had been on one on Solstice last year and it was not crowded at all.

 

The evening before our waiter told us to come at 10:45 to let the crowds thin out. Well it was mobbed, but they had just opened upstairs, so at least we didn't have to search for a place to sit.

 

At dinner that night I asked him if he had personally told the whole ship to come at 10:45. He laughed and said it was the most crowded he had ever seen it!

 

I was also surprised because it was a nice day and it looked like everyone was at the pool.:confused:

[NormaNY]

Yes, I agree the brunch was very crowded. We didn't arrive until almost the end of the brunch at around 12:45 and it was still crowded. What bothered me with the brunch was the way the food serving stations looked. Some of the food serving stations / tables were a mess. Especially the desert table and the chocolate fountain. The chocolate fountain was just a glopped-up mess, it wasn't even flowing. It was very unappealing and unappetizing. I think the staff should have done a much better job of keeping the stations clean.

 

I think the staff was overwhelmed by the turnout, although they talked it up for 2 days, encouraging everyone to come. A few of the waiters said it was "their largest turnout ever." It's just a case of too many people in one place. That's why they have different seatings for dinner and shows. Just common sense needs to be implemented.

[Vol fan]

Great review, Diane,

I would agree will all you noted. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the low-key ambiance of the ship. What a great cruise! And it was fun seeing Shirley around the ship all the time. (And Mary and Ken, too.)

 

The only time I noticed crowding was at the pool on the last two sea days and at the brunch. They just didn't plan for it to rain right as the brunch was starting and force all the people inside, I guess.

Celebrity has some great prices right now on Med. cruises on the Solstice for the fall, so ya'll might want to take a look!! We are considering the September 17th sailing.

 

Carole

[Sun&Sand52]

I thought the entire cruise was crowded. Pool deck including the the Solstice deck (top deck 15) was crowded each sea day. And usually the solstice deck is nice and tranquil. But not on this cruise. I found the Solarium to be packed too. Which is unusual because most people like to be out in the sun and not so much in the indoor pool area. But it was really very crowded. This is really strange - as even the Persian Gardens were very difficult to get a heated tile lounger. And usually that place is deserted! But not on this sailing. Seems like this sailing was over sold and at absolute maximum capacity. And I think the staff was feeling the effects of this....