The GRAND TOUR of Celebrity Eclipse & S-Class Ships in Pictures and Video - Part 2

[cruisetrail]

The next stop is a covered pool.

This place is called Solarium.

Very nice looking pool under glass dome covered with solar batteries.

This is the right place if you have hypertention, skin cancer or just want to stay in a shadow.

A good design decision considering the age of Celebrity's target demographic group.

A bad thing - a strong smell of chlorine from the pool.

 

Fortunately, we are not ready to be clients of this solarium so far.

We cruise for sea and sun.

We go to the Caribbean to be under the sun, not under the roof.

 

So we did not spend more than 20 minutes in the solarium - just tried the pool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued...

[uktog]

Can you explain why you consider 1606 on a vessel like Solstice or Eclipse to be code red as others have posted most positive comments about it

Thanks

[cruisetrail]

You've shown the location and colour (yellow) for cabin 1648 on the Solstice. Would the location and recommendation hold true for the Equinox? (We're booked for April 5).

 

George

 

Same location (+/- one cabin).

The balcony is not bad.

Pros and cons are visible (overhang and lifeboats are there but not too close):

 

[cruisetrail]

Can you explain why you consider 1606 on a vessel like Solstice or Eclipse to be code red as others have posted most positive comments about it

Thanks

 

Reasons: overhang and public deck above.

 

I would rather book 1610 (less overhang, closer to the hump, better views) or 1108 (same views but much less overhang and no public deck above).

 

Actually the pleasure of vacation does not start on the day of the cruise.

It starts earlier - when you book a cruise.

 

So it's a good idea to get the right cabin and have peace of mind from the beginning, to anticipate the cruise with no worries.

 

I understand people are having hard time looking for a cabin with "no cons".

But this is how Celebrity ships have been designed: conroversy and complications.

 

Edited January 21, 2013 by cruisetrail
misprint

[Wine-O]

Can you explain why you consider 1606 on a vessel like Solstice or Eclipse to be code red as others have posted most positive comments about it

Thanks

 

I have no idea what code red means, but anybody that says this stateroom has any negatives is full of crap!!! It's a great stateroom and great location on the ship. Yes, it has an overhang, as does almost all the rooms on Deck 11 because of the pool deck above, forward, and the Cafe back aft. If you want sun, there's plenty of it on Deck 12. :rolleyes:

[cruisetrail]

Pool/Sun Decks on Celebrity S-Class ships

 

I remember the first sea day on Celebrity Eclipse.

I was standing on a sun deck.

A member of our party asked me why I were standing.

There was no place to sit.

Finally I joined a few people sitting on the stairs.

There were no space for an apple to drop.

 

Crowds were simply awful.

Jogging track?

Jogging track was nothing more than a passage between rows of loungers.

 

 

 

 

How could this happen on a "modern luxury" ship?

 

We'll see it soon on aerial photos.

 

At this time let's have a glance at Celebrity pools.

 

The first question: where is a separate pool for adults?

Answer: somewhere else but not on Celebrity.

 

This ship does not have a separate open pool area for adults.

Unbelievable?

Yes.

 

This notice (see the photo) has no real value because both pools (for adults and kids) are essentially the same common area.

Two pools are located side by side and divided with just a symbolic bridge so one can enjoy all the bells and whistles associated with kids playground.

 

Poolside entertainment?

Loud music?

Yes (thanks God not all the time).

 

All the water games take place in the adult pool.

So for that time you'll have no pool at all!

 

Celebrity pool area: a mixture of "luxury", "serenity", screaming kids, water games, poolside music in the middle of the crammed overcrowded space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued....

Edited January 21, 2013 by cruisetrail

[baldercash]

The next stop is a covered pool.

This place is called Solarium.

Very nice looking pool under glass dome covered with solar batteries.

This is the right place if you have hypertention, skin cancer or just want to stay in a shadow.

A good design decision considering the age of Celebrity's target demographic group.

A bad thing - a strong smell of chlorine from the pool.

 

Fortunately, we are not ready to be clients of this solarium so far.

We cruise for sea and sun.

We go to the Caribbean to be under the sun, not under the roof.

 

So we did not spend more than 20 minutes in the solarium - just tried the pool.

 

To be continued...

 

Guess you have never done a Trans Atlantic, Fall Colours, North Baltic, Alaskan, NY, Baltimore or an Round the Horn .... cruise?

If you had you would have learned all cruises are not in the heat of the Caribbean.

Finished a Fall Colours cruise in Oct on Emerald Princess and saw a few random people in the hot tub with hats on. Same thing with MUTs, there is a reason drive in's close in the fall.

 

You sound knowledgeable on all things cruising, so is it best to build a ship for cruising only to sunny ports?

Is building in options for other venues an asset or always redundant?

 

Can you please supply the data and source for the age demographic of Celebrity passengers you are quoting from?

I have searched and except for blogs and comment boards I can find no hard statistis.

I found the following information by a Marketing Research company reporting on the Carnival Corp fleet. I am very interested in seeing your data or is it just opinion?

 

Regards

 

Princess -Median age: 54

Income: Average annual at $79,000 22% earning at least $100,000

Ethnic make-up: Over 80% are from the US

 

Holland America -Median Age: 59 Male 44% Female 56%

Income: Household Income Range: $55,000-$99,999 (33%) $100,000+ (29%)

Marital Status: 80% Married 39% repeat passengers

Ethnic make-up: 87% US Citizens 13% Canadian/Foreign

 

Cunard -Median Age: 48

Income: Household Income Range: $150,000-$200,000

Marital Status: 62% Married,40% repeat passengers

Ethnic make-up: 60% US Citizens 40% Foreign

Edited January 21, 2013 by baldercash

[Ozzmund]

cruisetrail,

 

Am really enjoying your photos. I feel like I will know the Reflection before I get on board (I know there are differences from the other S class ships).

While I don't know if my experiences will be the same as yours, I do appreciate your time and effort.

 

One thing I do know for sure, I have got to get me one of those cool hats with the black bow. ;)

[luv4cruises]

This thread has been the most informative I have encountered on a single class of ships. I feel much better prepared for my cruise on the Eclise in a few weeks because of it. It has also helped me chose a cabin for a 2014 cruise.

I know that I will love my Eclipse cruise, but agree with you that this is one complicated ship. I had no idea how critical and difficult it would be to choose a good cabin. Not only does one have to be concerned with placement because of exterior variances, but also bed placement. This will be the first ship I cruise on that varies bed placement between proximity to balcony and proximity to bathroom in alternating cabins. Not to mention what I have learned on lack of storage space from another thread.

 

The jogging track looks like a nightmare for someone like me who loves the promenade deck on HAL's Vista and Signature class ships.

 

I love, love, love cruising and so far have enjoyed cruising on 5 different cruise lines, and believe that they each have had something different to offer.

Celebrity has a loyal following so I believe that the pros will outweigh the cons on the Eclipse.

 

I applaud your efforts to provide the amazing photos and info. I hope this thread can be permanent on the Celebrity Boards.

[cruisetrail]

Guess you have never done a Trans Atlantic, Fall Colours, North Baltic, Alaskan, NY, Baltimore or an Round the Horn .... cruise?

If you had you would have learned all cruises are not in the heat of the Caribbean.

Finished a Fall Colours cruise in Oct on Emerald Princess and saw a few random people in the hot tub with hats on. Same thing with MUTs, there is a reason drive in's close in the fall.

 

You sound knowledgeable on all things cruising, so is it best to build a ship for cruising only to sunny ports?

Is building in options for other venues an asset or always redundant?

 

Can you please supply the data and source for the age demographic of Celebrity passengers you are quoting from?

I have searched and except for blogs and comment boards I can find no hard statistis.

I found the following information by a Marketing Research company reporting on the Carnival Corp fleet. I am very interested in seeing your data or is it just opinion?

 

Regards

 

 

I have done the most of your list.

I am not interested in what I have not done.

 

Why Cape Horn?

Celebrity S-Class ships operate in the Caribbean (main area) and the Mediterranean.

Occasionally one of them can be seen in Baltic & ..

The Solstice is trying Australia.

These ships are not designed for North Atlantic (repositioning only).

So what's the point?

The majority of cruise ships have sliding roofs over pools.

RCI Voyager Class and higher and some of Princess ships are designed for warm seas only.

A covered pool does not make Celebrity S-Class ships unuque.

It looks more elegant with a permanent roof, but a sliding roof is more versatile.

 

Ages - this is a sealed secret.

I cannot give you a link to a particular resource.

Numbers you quoted are very approximate.

I am an active cruiser. Same as many others. Probably you are too.

As you cruise you see your cruisemates.

In ports you see several ships around you.

You see their passengers.

You read reviews. You see posts & photos.

You watch video reviews on youtube.

So you get a picture.

 

And the most important.

Imagine you take a resort mega ship.

You eliminate promenade deck, you eliminate hydropool, you eiminate jogging track (of course no swimming against current, no water slides, etc. - nothing moving), you halfen pool deck, you put adult pool under the roof, you plant grass, you add restaurants..

Just ask yourself - what age demographic group are this changes intended for?

You'll get the answer.

The best link is a link to the ship itself. That's a resource. It works.

 

 

Next is quite interesting marketing statistics (not age related though):

 

 

http://www.cruisemarketwatch.com/

Edited January 21, 2013 by cruisetrail

[Ugaaucruisers]

Thanks for all of the great info!! Do you happen to have any interior photos showing the halls that have inside cabins across from balcony cabins? Preferably one of the Solstice ships.

Thanks!

[baldercash]

I have done the most of your list.

I am not interested in what I have not done.

 

Why Cape Horn?

Celebrity S-Class ships operate in the Caribbean (main area) and the Mediterranean.

Occasionally one of them can be seen in Baltic & ..

The Solstice is trying Australia.

These ships are not designed for North Atlantic (repositioning only).

So what's the point?

 

The majority of cruise ships have sliding roofs over pools.

RCI Voyager Class and higher and some of Princess ships are designed for warm seas only.

A covered pool does not make Celebrity S-Class ships unuque.

It looks more elegant with a permanent roof, but a sliding roof is more versatile.

 

Ages - this is a sealed secret.

I cannot give you a link to a particular resource.

Numbers you quoted are very approximate.

I am an active cruiser. Same as many others. Probably you are too.

As you cruise you see your cruisemates.

In ports you see several ships around you.

You see their passengers.

You read reviews. You see posts & photos.

You watch video reviews on youtube.

So you get a picture.

 

And the most important.

Imagine you take a resort mega ship.

You eliminate promenade deck, you eliminate hydropool, you eiminate jogging track (of course no swimming against current, no water slides, etc. - nothing moving), you halfen pool deck, you put adult pool under the roof, you plant grass, you add restaurants..

Just ask yourself - what age demographic group are this changes intended for?

You'll get the answer.

The best link is a link to the ship itself. That's a resource. It works.

 

Next is quite interesting marketing statistics (not age related though):

 

 

http://www.cruisemarketwatch.com/

 

Surprised you have only sailed the Caribbean?

 

Do you not think as this size of ship becomes main stream they will start sailing more diverse venues? It is driven by cost of scale.

This year both Solsitise & Millennium class ships are doing Tran Pacific crossings.

The Voyager almost did a circumnavigation of the globe I believe last year.

When they were built this was not the intent.

Millennium class do North Atlantic's now sailing to Iceland. They have been going around the Horn for years now I am sure that was not planned at inception. I enjoy their covered pools when sailing in cooler climes.

I agree not needed in the Caribbean or Med in the summer but works well on an Alaskan cruise.

I would bet these new ships are able to handle just about anywhere. Not saying they will do crossings like Cunard but if they can fill them they will sail there.

 

As to personal observation I would agree that that if X is not an older crowd it is sedate or more reserved. Haven't witnessed a fight break out at trivia yet. That could be a factor of income as well as age. I would put them some were between HAL and Princess for age.

 

I was surprised how hard it is find the demographics on the lines. They won't even state the age group who they market to. X 's target group is made up from boomers which place's 57 the median age. Of coarse the venue usually drives the demographics.

 

As for judging based on Corporate marketing and adverts the reality is usually far different.

Sailed on Oceania and almost laughed, won't be cruising them again for a very long time. But may go for a specific venue.

 

Have to commend you on the vast amount of manusha you have amassed after just 2 cruises with X.

Edited January 22, 2013 by baldercash

[cruisetrail]

This thread has been the most informative I have encountered on a single class of ships. I feel much better prepared for my cruise on the Eclise in a few weeks because of it. It has also helped me chose a cabin for a 2014 cruise.

I know that I will love my Eclipse cruise, but agree with you that this is one complicated ship. I had no idea how critical and difficult it would be to choose a good cabin. Not only does one have to be concerned with placement because of exterior variances, but also bed placement. This will be the first ship I cruise on that varies bed placement between proximity to balcony and proximity to bathroom in alternating cabins. Not to mention what I have learned on lack of storage space from another thread.

 

The jogging track looks like a nightmare for someone like me who loves the promenade deck on HAL's Vista and Signature class ships.

 

I love, love, love cruising and so far have enjoyed cruising on 5 different cruise lines, and believe that they each have had something different to offer.

Celebrity has a loyal following so I believe that the pros will outweigh the cons on the Eclipse.

 

I applaud your efforts to provide the amazing photos and info. I hope this thread can be permanent on the Celebrity Boards.

 

Thank you.

Enjoy your cruise!

[baldercash]

I have done the most of your list.

I am not interested in what I have not done.

 

Next is quite interesting marketing statistics (not age related though):

 

 

[/url]

"I have done the most of your list. I am not interested in what I have not done."

Sorry upon review I am not sure what you mean?

 

These are very interesting stats.

It looks like Princes, Hal and Cunard all generate more revenue per passenger then Carnival does for Carnival Corp.

In spite of the profitability of the line Carnival is forcing Princess and HAL to cut back on expenses if comments on those boards are accurate.

 

Azamara generates the most profit per passenger followed by X and Royal the lowest profit per passenger for RCI.

[GeorgesGal]

Hate to ask, but since CC 'search' function isn't working......

 

Looking to upgrade ourselves from 1A to S1, and these two seem to be open. What might you now have on them?

 

Thanks in advance,

[richsea]

Thanks for the fantastic photos! The photos have been very helpful to many, many people, & you should be applauded for that. It has been fun seeing the many beautiful aspects of the S class ships of Celebrity.

 

The problem I have is your editorializing. You present your views as if yours is the only view that is the right view, & you seem disregard the opinions of those who have also sailed on multiple S class ships, & have come away with different opinions. Everyone has different thoughts on what is important to them. It doesn't make them right or wrong, just like your opinion is neither right or wrong for others. It is right for you and that's what matters to you. I happen to like the M class ships more than the S class. That's my opinion. However, there are many here who disagree with me & that's fine.

 

I agree that part of the fun of cruising is the preparation & selection of line, ship, & itinerary, but for me, to analyze to the extent that you have obviously done would put me in the looney bin & take the joy out of traveling. But that's just me.

 

Thanks again for the photos!

[cruisetrail]

Thank you, Rich.

[cruisetrail]

Hate to ask' date=' but since CC 'search' function isn't working......

 

Looking to upgrade ourselves from 1A to S1, and these two seem to be open. What might you now have on them?

 

Thanks in advance,[/quote']

 

6304 and 6305 on the Eclipse

 

They sit on the roof of an extra charge restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is 7356 that is right above 6304.

There will be a large portion of the roof in front of 6304/05 - as seen on other photos

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited January 22, 2013 by cruisetrail

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Wow, That is one in depth balcony review.

[cruisetrail]

Open Decks - Grass Lawn

 

They wanted something "unlike anywhere else" and they did it.

A real green grass lawn on a cruise ship.

Honestly, I have never been a fan of this marketing salto.

This pasture occupies almost 1/3 of precious upper deck space.

Result: upper decks are totally messed up.

1. There is no space for a sport court.

Solution?

Solstice deck (forward part) yields some space for the sport court.

What a fantastic neighborhood - a "serene area" side by side with a basketball court - "unlike anywhere else"!

 

2. A separate aft pool for adults does not exist.

3. Severe shortage of pool deck space.

 

Well, what is done - is done.

 

At least, the grass lawn is a public space that can be used as such.

 

 

 

 

 

Note: this public space below is available on the Solstice, Equinox and Eclipse only.

Not available on the Silhouette and Reflection.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 23, 2013 by cruisetrail

[cruisetrail]

The aft looking part of the upper decks is a nice observation area from where one can enjoy aft views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming next: Upper decks - Direct Comparison...

[CujoK]

No inside photos, unfortunately.

 

3174

 

 

Do you know of any complaints about this cabin?

 

Thanks - Jerry

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I agree about the grass area , I cut enough grass in the summer time, table and chairs would be better

 

I have only seen people 2x in the basketball area

And sure do not need a wave pool or rock climbing wall

I rather see a another Coffee cafe on the upper deck, then a wave pool

[cruisetrail]

Do you know of any complaints about this cabin?

 

Thanks - Jerry

 

No, I have not heard anything major.

Obviously the casino above is a potential issue only.

 

I never book window cabins unless there is a special offer.

I prefer balcony.

But if I want to save money - I book an interior cabin.

[CujoK]

No, I have not heard anything major.

Obviously the casino above is a potential issue only.

 

I never book window cabins unless there is a special offer.

I prefer balcony.

But if I want to save money - I book an interior cabin.

 

The casino and the bar outside my door was my concern. :eek: Hopefully it is not a busy bar. :D

 

I prefer a balcony too but not so much on Caribbean cruises since the only thing to see is water. I had an interior cabin booked but got a better price on this oceanview so I grabbed it.

 

Thanks,