Does anyone recommend 14 night exotic caribbean cruise on Eclipse????

[allegrocontadino]

Hello all!

 

I hope you can help me. I am about to book this cruise (wow, it is fantastic!) for 2017. The departure that would suit myself best is the 8th Jan 2017. What about the weather? I am worried (I am flying from Europe, so of course this should be a holiday of a lifetime) to spend a lot of money and find bad weather/cold/rain...

Am I wrong or should I consider leaving in the second half of January or possibly february? But this would be much more difficult in terms of job commitments.

 

Any "expert" opinion would be much appreciated.

 

Thank you.

 

Daniele

[Hydrokitty]

Hello all!

 

I hope you can help me. I am about to book this cruise (wow, it is fantastic!) for 2017. The departure that would suit myself best is the 8th Jan 2017. What about the weather? I am worried (I am flying from Europe, so of course this should be a holiday of a lifetime) to spend a lot of money and find bad weather/cold/rain...

Am I wrong or should I consider leaving in the second half of January or possibly february? But this would be much more difficult in terms of job commitments.

 

Any "expert" opinion would be much appreciated.

 

Thank you.

 

Daniele

 

Hi Daniele:

 

I think you should be fine with Jan. or Feb. I am taking this cruise in late March and I know someone who is on it right now and she hasn't complained of bad weather at all. The time you would want to avoid IMHO is between July 1 and November 30 which is hurricane season. I live on the southeastern shore of Long Island and believe me, nothing can ruin your trip (or your life:D) like a hurricane!! Since you're flying from Europe I would avoid any flight where you would have to change in the Northeast....like Boston, NY, Washington, Baltimore....places where you could be running into a snow storm. You'll be sailing out of Florida so I would strongly suggest two things: 1. Get a direct flight into Miami or Orlando (or the nearest Florida city with service to and from your departure city) and 2. fly in at least a day before the cruise departs. There's more to enjoy in Fla. than just the weather and it will give you time to recover from jet lag (worse going west than east) and a cushion in the event of bad weather.

Edited January 12, 2016 by Hydrokitty

[allegrocontadino]

Thank you! Just to be 100% sure, I am finally booking the 19th of February 2017 departure so that I can at least be sure the weather will be great... We have so much rain here in Europe that I try to avoid it at least on holiday!

[Little Nell]

Not quite sure how they will handle the overnight in Curaçao if they cannot get in, as we couldn't in April 2013 ( Easter Monday) It was too windy, so we had an extra sea day.

IMO it's the best itinerary in the Caribbean, anything less than 14 nights is not worth the airfare. Although our 2nd week was Easter week, there were relatively few families on board. Certainly not Spring break students, as I believe they take the shorter cruises.

We sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, but the ship has now moved to Miami.

There's no telling who the CD will be, as Sue Denning will be moving to Millennium in January, although she considered Eclipse as 'her ship.'

 

Is Sue not coming back to Eclipse for the Southampton itineraries?

[bananawindnj]

Thank you! Just to be 100% sure, I am finally booking the 19th of February 2017 departure so that I can at least be sure the weather will be great... We have so much rain here in Europe that I try to avoid it at least on holiday!

 

See you on it. We booked that date also .. We go every February on the Eclipse, as it has the best itinerary in the Caribbean that time of year. Hope to hear from you on the roll call later this year.

Joe

[Arubamoose]

We were on this itinerary two years ago with a lot of Brits and Aussies. Best bunch of cruisers. The stops were wonderful - I got to my beloved Aruba if only for a day.

 

Love the ambiance of the ship. Love the Hot Glass show. Love the MARTINI BAR!!

 

So much that we are sailing on this same cruise in a few months on our "Get out of winter retirement tour". Love the two week deal.

 

We have sailed Norwegian before - will be doing the Getaway just before we board the Eclipse. Different product. The Eclipse is not as intense. So relaxing.

[Hydrokitty]

See you on it. We booked that date also .. We go every February on the Eclipse, as it has the best itinerary in the Caribbean that time of year. Hope to hear from you on the roll call later this year.

Joe

 

Hey Joe....we're doing this itinerary for the first time in March....anything I need to know? bring? not bring? excursions I should take? not take? You wouldn't happen to know if the sunset veranda cabin balcony partition can be removed do you? We're two related couples traveling together and have adjoining connected cabins....it would be fantastic if we could have one balcony for 4 as well. :D

[allegrocontadino]

See you "soon", Joe! can't wait (I have actually other 5 cruises booked before this one LOL, it will be a year of travelling) but I got a good deal with prepaid gratuities and (very important for my work) free internet onboard so cruise number 6 is now booked :)

Outside cabin (unluckily the balcony cabins are crazy expensive) with bow view on deck 8...

 

Thanks for all your advice!

[bananawindnj]

Hey Joe....we're doing this itinerary for the first time in March....anything I need to know? bring? not bring? excursions I should take? not take? You wouldn't happen to know if the sunset veranda cabin balcony partition can be removed do you? We're two related couples traveling together and have adjoining connected cabins....it would be fantastic if we could have one balcony for 4 as well. :D

 

Hydro,

I wish I could tell you good info, we are probably different from the occasional Caribbean cruiser. We usually just do the snorkel trips the ship offers. We like just being on or in the water. We used to have a sailboat, so we like the sailing trips also. Luckily my wife is not a shopper so we don't walk the towns at port very often. They can be hot just slowly walking around. There are just so many islands that I start to mix them up in my mind. What was where , etc. Some people are good about logging there travels during the cruise. Each island usually only has it's one or two special places that most tours will go to. Focus on those initially. Excursions are so subjective with everyone, especially with mobility issues and the like.

If you have never done it, the Sting Ray city tours are fantastic. Maybe two islands have them. Waist deep clear water and you can hold them in your arms and touch them safely. We feed them squid. They are really large and there are many of them.

On Sundays many town shops are closed on different islands , just the little kiosks located near the terminal will be open.

I would read the roll calls of the Eclipse and try to pick up ideas about tours etc. that people are organizing.

Good travels and keep in touch when you are approaching next years cruise.

PS:

I would make a new post in the Celebrity section titled

"Eclipse Sunset Veranda Question" Someone will definitely answer you.

 

Joe

[Hydrokitty]

Hydro,

I wish I could tell you good info, we are probably different from the occasional Caribbean cruiser. We usually just do the snorkel trips the ship offers. We like just being on or in the water. We used to have a sailboat, so we like the sailing trips also. Luckily my wife is not a shopper so we don't walk the towns at port very often. They can be hot just slowly walking around. There are just so many islands that I start to mix them up in my mind. What was where , etc. Some people are good about logging there travels during the cruise. Each island usually only has it's one or two special places that most tours will go to. Focus on those initially. Excursions are so subjective with everyone, especially with mobility issues and the like.

If you have never done it, the Sting Ray city tours are fantastic. Maybe two islands have them. Waist deep clear water and you can hold them in your arms and touch them safely. We feed them squid. They are really large and there are many of them.

On Sundays many town shops are closed on different islands , just the little kiosks located near the terminal will be open.

I would read the roll calls of the Eclipse and try to pick up ideas about tours etc. that people are organizing.

Good travels and keep in touch when you are approaching next years cruise.

PS:

I would make a new post in the Celebrity section titled

"Eclipse Sunset Veranda Question" Someone will definitely answer you.

 

Joe

 

Thanks Joe, actually we're probably alike than different...we've booked excursions in each port, mostly island sightseeing by boat...we're boat people too although BIL is the sailing nut...we raced hydroplanes..good to know about Sunday...friend on RC same trip now said on Sunday in St.Lucia only thing open was Church! She said it was fantastic!! I wonder if that's why we over-night in Barbados...cause we arrive on Sunday and leave Monday night. I'm a photographer nut and can't wait to see the Pitons!

[westcoast cruisers]

we have done several cruises with Celebrity and definitely much better than most other lines. We love the 14 day itinerary and love all the islands .

[cruiselvr04]

We booked this for April of 2017. Pricey for even an outside, we usually get a balcony but it was just too much. Hope we will be happy there. Obviously popular as outside on higher decks were sold out. We love getting so far south but this will be our first on Celebrity. I get it will be an older crowd but I hope not dead by 10:30 pm.

[bananawindnj]

Thanks Joe, actually we're probably alike than different...we've booked excursions in each port, mostly island sightseeing by boat...we're boat people too although BIL is the sailing nut...we raced hydroplanes..good to know about Sunday...friend on RC same trip now said on Sunday in St.Lucia only thing open was Church! She said it was fantastic!! I wonder if that's why we over-night in Barbados...cause we arrive on Sunday and leave Monday night. I'm a photographer nut and can't wait to see the Pitons!

 

The Pitons are really a great view, as I have only seen them approaching from the water. They suddenly start to appear as you turn a corner of the island. They offer a snorkeling trip that brings you to a dock in a small round bay in between the pitons. You snorkel along the side of the bay entering from land. The snorkeling is so so, IMO. There is also a sandy beach along side, where you can swim, after you are done snorkeling if you choose, right there where a small resort complex is located. Your boat can't stay at the dock, but they come back and get you after a few hours. It is a nice long boat ride going and coming back. There will be other people there also from other tours, so it gets a little crowded sometimes. May depend on how many ships may be in port.

[sms82450]

Hi Celebrity Cruisers.

 

We are a middle aged couple from the Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA and looking at perhaps booking the 14 night exotic Caribbean cruise aboard the Celebrity Eclipse. If we do this trip it would be the first time on a Celebrity ship as we normally cruise with Norwegian.

Would the eclipse be at least as good or better than the Norwegian ships.

Is this itinerary a nice one for the Caribbean and would March be a good time, weather wise for this cruise??????

Sorry about these questions, however we don't know much about it at all.

 

Thankyou so much for anyone that can assist.

 

Cheers Bob & Christine.

We did the Eclipse for 14 days last year (same itinerary in carribean and loved it!) We are a very young 60! I think these are some of the best ports especially Barbados. I have never been on NCL, but Celebrity is one of the best cruise lines out there. I can't imagine you wouldn't love it!

[sms82450]

Also, March weather in Carribean is beautiful!!! Warm!!!!

[cruising46]

Hi Celebrity Cruisers.

 

We are a middle aged couple from the Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA and looking at perhaps booking the 14 night exotic Caribbean cruise aboard the Celebrity Eclipse. If we do this trip it would be the first time on a Celebrity ship as we normally cruise with Norwegian.

Would the eclipse be at least as good or better than the Norwegian ships.

Is this itinerary a nice one for the Caribbean and would March be a good time, weather wise for this cruise??????

Sorry about these questions, however we don't know much about it at all.

 

Thankyou so much for anyone that can assist.

 

Cheers Bob & Christine.

Yes, have done it twice and going again on Feb. 21. Great cruise.

[cruising46]

Hydro,

I wish I could tell you good info, we are probably different from the occasional Caribbean cruiser. We usually just do the snorkel trips the ship offers. We like just being on or in the water. We used to have a sailboat, so we like the sailing trips also. Luckily my wife is not a shopper so we don't walk the towns at port very often. They can be hot just slowly walking around. There are just so many islands that I start to mix them up in my mind. What was where , etc. Some people are good about logging there travels during the cruise. Each island usually only has it's one or two special places that most tours will go to. Focus on those initially. Excursions are so subjective with everyone, especially with mobility issues and the like.

If you have never done it, the Sting Ray city tours are fantastic. Maybe two islands have them. Waist deep clear water and you can hold them in your arms and touch them safely. We feed them squid. They are really large and there are many of them.

On Sundays many town shops are closed on different islands , just the little kiosks located near the terminal will be open.

I would read the roll calls of the Eclipse and try to pick up ideas about tours etc. that people are organizing.

Good travels and keep in touch when you are approaching next years cruise.

PS:

I would make a new post in the Celebrity section titled

"Eclipse Sunset Veranda Question" Someone will definitely answer you.

 

Joe

For ideas check out the Feb 21 community site, lots of good ideas

[CTBob]

Leaving on this cruise Sunday. It's amazing how many of my fellow cruisers have done this same cruise two or three times before. Quite a few are doing it B2B for almost a month at sea and some are even doing it x3 for a month and a half! And some already have it booked for next year. Bob

[Guest]

I did the exact cruise on the same ship 3 years ago, end of March/Start of April- Absolutely fantastic!

 

Weather was good- Had a couple of rainy days but it didnt spoil the cruise.

Ports are good, lots to see and do. However next time i will like to sail the Western Caribbean (Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica) and Bahamas as i have done the South/East twice now!

 

Any questions/pictures needed please ask

 

(Maho beach in St Maarten is a must for plane spotting!!!!)

[WonderMan3]

Love this itinerary! On Eclipse now doing this run for the third year in a row. Already booked onboard for this itinerary again next January this time in the Penthouse Suite! Very excited!

 

We enjoy this trip because of having lots of island visits and a great balance of sea days with island time. Crowd skews quite older but that's cool with us. Everyone has been very nice each year and it's such a relaxed atmosphere. We've had calm seas and more sun than rain this year so that's helped put everyone in a good mood.

 

Excursions that we've done or things we liked on the islands:

 

ARUBA - Go to Eagle Beach for best beach. Palm Beach gets more fanfare but it's very congested. Easy cab ride from port to MVC Eagle Beach resort ($10-12). They have some palapas and chairs. Get there early to grab one. An attendant will eventually come by to collect money. Rental gives you use of restrooms/changing rooms/pool at the hotel across the street.

 

For tours we took the ship's sunset catamaran sail which was fun (sunsets in Aruba are generally gorgeous). One year we also booked through ABC tours on one of their 4x4 tours to the lighthouse/national park/natural pool. It's a rough ride but beautiful landscapes.

 

If you like to gamble there are two casinos right near the ship. Palm Beach offers multiple hotels with casinos. You could start at the Ritz Carlton then walk to the Marriott via their pool areas and then on to the rest of Palm Beach via the other Marriott properties to the beach and then to the Holiday Inn; easy walk.

 

Restaurants if you are overnighting I would recommend are Texas de Brazil an amazing churrascarria. And Simply Fish at the Marriott is a lovely restaurant right on the beach that is beautiful at sunset (they just changed names so check their website).

 

Can provide recos for other islands later...

Edited January 20, 2016 by WonderMan3

[WonderMan3]

CURAÇAO - For beaches we have always gone to Cas Abao. This is on the other side of the island from the port and a 30 minute taxi ride, but worth it. Water is aquamarine with easy waves. Mostly sandy, but with some coral and rocks so we always wear water shoes. Snorkeling is pretty good here and they even have a dive shop for the more experienced. Entrance fee is $6 per car and then it's $3 per chair which includes a shower token. There is a snack bar for food and alcohol and restrooms/changing rooms. Beach fills up and it becomes a fight for a palapa if you don't get there early. Beach opens at 8 so we always leave the port at 8 and get there at 8:30 and have always been the first ones there.

 

On this cruise we had an overnight in Curaçao so we booked a room at the Renaissance hotel which is in the shopping area adjacent to the ship dock. They have a huge man-made infinity beach and infinity pool which overlooks the ocean and the cruise ship. The pool is for hotel guests only which is why we booked a room. The beach was great. So convenient and no worries about big waves, rocks or sharks! There is a bar with food and drinks.

 

Curaçao has one of the nicest port towns so talking a walk around there is a must. It's very pretty and there are sites like the old fort and the floating bridge.

 

BONAIRE - We only visited here once, last year. We took an excursion out to Klein Bonaire which is a small island off the coast of the port. They have what's called a drift snorkel where you are left off at one spot and then drift with the current to another part of the island. Snorkeling is great with clear, aquamarine water and the beach is nice too if you want to lay out, but there are no facilities. Don't need an excursion to get here as there is a water taxi that will take you here not far from the ship dock.

 

The port town is very nice with a number of shops and restaurants. Smaller than most of the other ports but since you'll probably be the only ship there it won't be crowded.

[daydreamer16]

Thanks for the info

[ClaudiaB]

We are signed up for our third 14 night exotic Caribbean on Eclipse. That's how much we like this particular cruise.

 

We enjoy the ship as much as the islands, as we've been to them all many, many times.

[WonderMan3]

BARBADOS - The only thing we've ever done here is go to Boatyard beach club which is located not too far from the port on Carlisle Bay. There are a number of other locations along this beach that have chairs and umbrellas like Harbourlights and Lobsters Alive. The beach itself wherever you choose to get your chair is soft white sand, turquoise water and mild waves with some of the warmest water you'll find on this trip. We like Boatyard as it's got a great atmosphere. For $20 you'll get a chair, umbrella, one alcoholic drink from a set list, free wifi at the bar, use of restrooms/changing rooms and shuttle back to the cruise terminal. They have a lively restaurant and bar as well as some water activities like a rope swing and water trampoline. It does get very busy and crowded here by mid-afternoon and is very popular with ship crew and they often play loud music. Also you will be pestered constantly by locals on the beach trying to offer you jet ski rides or visits to see some turtles. Beyond those annoyances it's a great place. They open at 9am and it's recommended you leave the ship by 8:30 to be there when they first open to grab prime chair location including cushions for the chairs which they only have a limited supply of.

 

ST. LUCIA - We've done two tours with Celebrity here. One was St. Lucia by land and sea which starts with a driving tour of the island with stops at various view points and for a bread making demo and tasting then on to the thermal mud baths followed by lunch at a former plantation and then on to a catamaran cruise from the Piton mountains area back to the port including a stop for swimming at a beach. This was a great introduction to the island if you've never been and I would recommend it although it is a very long day.

 

The other tour was called Wonders of Nature. The focus of the tour is an easy hike along the Tet Paul nature trail with spectacular views of the Pitons. To get there though requires a long drive across the island up and down hills on winding roads. It actually repeats much of the land tour portion of the tour above. There is also a short visit to a waterfall and a restaurant overlooking the Pitons where food can be purchased (no lunch included despite running from 10 to 4). We liked this tour because of the nature hike but it was a long way to get there and was draining being on a bus for about 4 hours out and back.

 

If you don't want to do a ship tour then you could look at Spencer Ambrose tours which is highly rated. We are planning to look at doing one of his boat tours to a beach between the Pitons next year.

 

Going out on your own on this island is not recommended save for the stores within the enclosed port zone as it can be dangerous. Muggings and robberies of tourists have been reported in the past.

[Buckcruise]

Just signed up for our 3rd time on this cruise. We'll be going March 2017 and the itinerary is great: Overnight in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and then 5 others.

 

 

March 5th? We are on that one.