Oceanview Cafe on Eclipse

[RICO72]

Thinking of booking onto Eclipse for ex-UK 2014 - never been on Celebrity before.

 

Is the 'Oceanview Cafe' buffet open practically 24/7 or just at certain times for breakfast, lunch and dinner ? Also, I'm aware it's never more than smart casual dress, but literature I've seen intimates that for evenings it turns into a waiter-service venue. Is this true, or is it just a part of the room that does this, with a full self-serve buffet still available in addition ?

 

Thank you in advance.

[mikechass]

Ocean View does have certain meal times.

There is food available at all times though.

Pizza, pasta station, cheese and breads are there all the time.

Room service is always available as well.

The buffet is what is served out all the time.

I didn't have dinner up there, so I can't speak as to the "waiter service" per say but I would imagine shorts and a tshirt wouldn't be an issue.

I think they MAY not want you to bathing suits at dinner time.

 

Hope that helps!!

Chass

[cruisestitch]

You may be reading some out-of-date information

 

The Oceanview is buffet at all times. Breakfast goes from around seven until nearly noon, lunch until mid-afternoon, then there are snacks, sushi and other muchies until dinner at around six, which goes until around nine, but there is food there until even later -- pizza service goes until very late. Coffee is available 24/7.

 

There once was an area of some buffets where there was a sit-down, waiter-served meal. This was discontinued some years ago.

 

There are some copies of Eclipse Dailies floating around this site -- you can take a look at the OceanView hours for this Caribbean season on those Dailies.

[Clydesmom7865]

Ocean View does have certain meal times.

I think they MAY not want you to bathing suits at dinner time.

Chass

 

Actually there are signs that they do not want bathing suits in the Ocean View Cafe at anytime. It isn't confined to the dinner hours only.

[rkacruiser]

One of the things on Celebrity that I enjoyed in comparison to my other cruise experiences was their Late Risers Breakfast. An almost full breakfast buffet including various versions of Eggs Benedict was available for those of us who are late risers. On most of the other ships I have sailed, a continental breakfast with cold cuts and cheeses was their type of a late breakfast. And, all of the items were located in the aft section of the Oceanview Cafe and one did not have to run around to all of the separate stations as would be required during the regular hours for the breakfast buffet.

 

Good job, Celebrity!

[October55]

Thinking of booking onto Eclipse for ex-UK 2014 - never been on Celebrity before.

 

Is the 'Oceanview Cafe' buffet open practically 24/7 or just at certain times for breakfast, lunch and dinner ? Also, I'm aware it's never more than smart casual dress, but literature I've seen intimates that for evenings it turns into a waiter-service venue. Is this true, or is it just a part of the room that does this, with a full self-serve buffet still available in addition ?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Two couples that were our tablemates on the first night of a January Eclipse cruise chose to dine in the Oceanview for the remainder of the cruise. We were at a table for eight and enjoyed their company on our first evening. Worried that we may have offended them, we spoke to them later in the cruise to say that we missed their company at dinner. They explained that they found the main dining room very noisy and had difficulty hearing conversations. The Oceanview was more to their liking...quieter, less formal with a chance to meet crew members who were dining there with their families. They commented on the good service and especially the chance to request a steak done to their specific taste. So many good choices on the Eclipse!

[LadyL1]

We have been on the Eclipse a few times, including the first cruise from Southampton, and generally found the food very good in the Oceanview cafe, but never recall waiter service.

For us this venue is used for a couple of lunches, or if we miss the times in the MDR for breakfast. However, in the evening it is worth a quick visit for a plate of sushi, from the specialist food station.

Yes, it is usually more casual here dress wise, and think you might regret it if you did not take some more formal clothes to enjoy the ambience of the ship in the evening.

I hope this helps.

[streetspirit]

The great thing about Celebrity is the choice. As much as my wife and I enjoy dining in the MDR we do sometimes prefer a more casual dinner and for a couple of nights in a two week cruise will eat dinner in the Oceanview Cafe. We'll also book two or three nights eating at a speciality restaurant.

 

It's all about what suits you and what you want from your holiday/vacation.

[shoreham01]

Last year on the Eclipse we found the Oceanview to be marvelous during the day for breakfast and lunch. One night we decided to try it for dinner and it was not so good. Did not seem to be so much choice and was not as nice as MDR.

 

You only have to dress up for formal nights in MDR. The rest of the time is smart casual which can be smart trousers, smart tops etc. No need for suits for men apart from formal nights. Jeans would not be acceptable really on any night and shorts would be a no no. In the Oceanview you can more or less wear what you like, although not swimming gear and men with bare tops would not be allowed.

 

The main dining room (MDR) is not as super formal as you may think. Even on formal nights you can get away with smart black pants and spangly top. Most men wear either a tuxedo or dark suit for formal nights. People do not have the baggage allowance these days to bring heavy beaded dresses.

[dkjretired]

Last year on the Eclipse we found the Oceanview to be marvelous during the day for breakfast and lunch. One night we decided to try it for dinner and it was not so good. Did not seem to be so much choice and was not as nice as MDR.

 

You only have to dress up for formal nights in MDR. The rest of the time is smart casual which can be smart trousers, smart tops etc. No need for suits for men apart from formal nights. Jeans would not be acceptable really on any night and shorts would be a no no. In the Oceanview you can more or less wear what you like, although not swimming gear and men with bare tops would not be allowed.

 

The main dining room (MDR) is not as super formal as you may think. Even on formal nights you can get away with smart black pants and spangly top. Most men wear either a tuxedo or dark suit for formal nights. People do not have the baggage allowance these days to bring heavy beaded dresses.

 

Jeans are indeed acceptable on smart casual nights, the prohibition against them ended two years ago. You will also see people eating in shorts in the buffet but they should not be in the MDR. Dark was also removed from the definition of a suit a few years ago so any color suit is correct.

 

The waiter service in the buffet actually never occurred on the Eclipse, the elimination of the casual dining service for $2.00 predates its going into service.

[RICO72]

Thanks to all that replied with much-needed information. However, please do understand that my question was not about dress standards - I always intend to stick with Celebrity's guidance depending on the night/environment I'm in. My real question was only ever intended to ascertain the offerings/times for the casual cafe.

 

Anyway, thanks to all who've taken the time to reply.

[dln929]

Thanks to all that replied with much-needed information. However, please do understand that my question was not about dress standards - I always intend to stick with Celebrity's guidance depending on the night/environment I'm in. My real question was only ever intended to ascertain the offerings/times for the casual cafe.

 

Anyway, thanks to all who've taken the time to reply.

 

I've just pulled out a saved Celebrity Today. Coffee, tea, and juices are offered 24/7. "Early Risers Breakfast" begins at 5:30 am. "Late Breakfast" ends at 11:30 am at which point all the breakfast foods are cleared away away in preparation for lunch service, which begins at 12:00 noon. Lunch buffet lasts until 2:30 pm. The ice cream counter (which you should not miss) opens at 11:00 am and stays open until 10:00 pm. Afternoon tea time is from 4-5:00 pm. Dinner is from 6:00 pm until 9:30 pm though you will find that the sushi station opens a half hour earlier. Late night snacks are available from 9:30 pm until 1:00 am.

 

Suffice it to say that it's unlikely that you will find yourself going hungry! ;)

[RICO72]

I've just pulled out a saved Celebrity Today. Coffee, tea, and juices are offered 24/7. "Early Risers Breakfast" begins at 5:30 am. "Late Breakfast" ends at 11:30 am at which point all the breakfast foods are cleared away away in preparation for lunch service, which begins at 12:00 noon. Lunch buffet lasts until 2:30 pm. The ice cream counter (which you should not miss) opens at 11:00 am and stays open until 10:00 pm. Afternoon tea time is from 4-5:00 pm. Dinner is from 6:00 pm until 9:30 pm though you will find that the sushi station opens a half hour earlier. Late night snacks are available from 9:30 pm until 1:00 am.

 

Suffice it to say that it's unlikely that you will find yourself going hungry! ;)

 

 

Deirdre - thank you so much for the valuable information.

[dkjretired]

Deirdre - thank you so much for the valuable information.

 

Don't forget also that for much of the time during the day, the grill by the pool is also open where you can get burgers, hot dogs and usually a specialty of the day. It is actually outside of the buffet area but many combine both locations to obtain their meals.