Feeling confused about Eclipse

[Ruthk]

I have sailed the 14 night southern Caribbean cruise every year. We sail it as 2 x b2b so we are gone for a month always in late Jan./Feb. so this year it is Jan.24th and Feb.7th.

 

Now it all depends how you measure a party ship, but I would say it isn't a party ship. It is an older crowd and they wake up early. I don't think I have ever seen more than 10 people in the disco - ever. The martini bar is a hit and miss. Last year, the first cruise it was very busy, and then the second cruise was quieter. Last year Sue Denning, the activity director, organized the Dancing with the Stars out by the swimming pools and it was a load of fun - it was the first time it was held outside and everyone was having a great time. I tend to think this cruise is starving for a bit more fun entertainment, but that is my opinion. They also held a couple of theme parties out by the pool - these were fun also.

 

Because it is a bit of an older crowd there are many people who complain about music out by the pool. Meanwhile I am one that wants to hear some Bob Marley on a Caribbean cruise.

 

Celebrity is weak on entertainment. I never knew this because I really only sail Celebrity (we are elite plus), but last year had an opportunity to sail NCL and was blown away with their entertainment - they always had several things going on, never boring.

 

Eclipse is a beautiful ship and the passengers are nice, crew is great and we have no problems with any of the food.

[Redtravel]

I have done the 14 night Eclipse winter cruise twice, and am booked again in 2017. Cruise is very nice. There are several activities. If the people participate, then the night is actively fun. However, on longer cruises, the guests are often older. Many of the older set eat dinner, see the show , and go to sleep. Shorter cruises traditionally attract younger people who like to party at night. I like to take in the show, and spend time after the show in the lounges. Love the coffee bar and the sunset bar. Enjoy the small lounge entertainment in the Ensemble or in the Sky Lounge. Night time pool deck parties can be a blast. The people who are on any cruise like a variety of activities. The ship also shows movies and has a casino. There is a wide assortment of things to do or not as you desire. At times, the ship may be quiet at night. I was recently on the Silhouette for a 14 night cruise in the Med. After a long day touring, after dinner I folded, went to sleep, and got up early to tour again. In the Caribbean, long touring days are minimal and people are up at night.

[mmp13]

While i don't really know if there will be enough for the OP to do on the eclipse, We are sailing on this cruise for the second time in a few weeks. I think it is important to remember that most passengers do not rely on cruise critic for info and that only a very small percentage of passengers actually post here. I also think that passengers are more likely to post if they had a problem on their cruise. If everything is fine there is really not too much to say. I tend to take most of these reviews with a grain of salt. Just my opinion. OP, Whatever you decide I hope you have a wonderful trip!

[I&J Cruisers]

We were on the Dec 5th sailing of reflection. Most active cruise we've seen in recent years. After the late show every night they put on a roving nite club every night in a different location. All the bars and cafe baccio were hopping all the time day and night. All the entertainment was great.

[Tiggertastic]

I got off the ship yesterday. Lots of evening activities and the martinis bar was very busy. However 2 days at sea sailing down we got a whole 45 minutes of live music by the pool and 2 days at sea back we got 30 one day and although programmed for 45 in day 2 they packed up after 20. We made our own entertainment with all the great new friends we met

[ThursdaysChild]

Just to confirm you are stating that Celebrity has reduced the activity staff to one Activities manager and only one other person? This certainly was not rue on our last cruise and I am confident that it will not be true on our cruise next week. Wanna bet?

 

What cruise were you on that only included these two?

 

OP, we are boarding the Eclipse this Sunday, so I will let you know. The same cruise was excellent last year and I am condpfident that this year's will be excellent.

 

I was on the 8/22/15 Fjords cruise on Eclipse and that's exactly what they had: one Activities Mgr (Martijn?), and one other fun, lively & overworked Activities staff member. Period.

[iandjm]

I was on the 8/22/15 Fjords cruise on Eclipse and that's exactly what they had: one Activities Mgr (Martijn?), and one other fun, lively & overworked Activities staff member. Period.

 

It was the same on Eclipse 3 weeks ago. The Cruise Director, Activity Manager (Maartin) and one other.

 

Cheers

 

Ian

[jagoffee]

I was on the 8/22/15 Fjords cruise on Eclipse and that's exactly what they had: one Activities Mgr (Martijn?), and one other fun, lively & overworked Activities staff member. Period.

 

It was the same on Eclipse 3 weeks ago. The Cruise Director, Activity Manager (Maartin) and one other.

 

Cheers

 

Ian

 

I will pay particular attention next week.

[pixey]

Will there be any cruise critic get togethers? I had beeen on that post it has seemed to go dormant!Need update for Sunday

Edited January 8, 2016 by pixey

[keithm]

I am very confused about the conflicting reviews of the Eclipse. I have only sailed Celbrity once before and honestly, I didn't love it. Just not enough night life for my group, however we still had a great time. Could have been the demographic of our particular sailing who knows. I did not plan to book again but th 2 week southern itinerary drew us in. I have read completely different reviews. One says there is no pool area games or activities, the next says there is:confused: I totally understand the different opinions of food and service as those are personal but either there is or isn't pool activities. I using this just as an example but I think you see where im going with it. Im not super high maintenance, but I do like to have things to do. Recently read that the ship is empty at night which was our experience a few years back. any feedback is appreciated.

We did the Eclipse in Jan.2014 &2015.We loved it. Yes, there were some staff cut backs(mostly pool area activities. The food was not "quite" as good(we feel due to chef change) We felt the entertainment was better in 2015. We would have booked the Jan.24 trip but conflicting work schedules have us on the Regal Princess for 14 days early in Feb. we'll see how well it compares(or not)to the Eclipse.

[BM64]

We were on the Eclipse last week for the New Years cruise and we had a great time! The CD, Richard and the activities director, Marteen were entertaining and energetic to say the least. The MDR service was excellent as was the food. We enjoyed a pre dinner drink at the Martini Bar most nights, even with the classic drink package. This was the best cruise we have been on in a very long time!

[jagoffee]

We did the Eclipse in Jan.2014 &2015.We loved it. Yes, there were some staff cut backs(mostly pool area activities. The food was not "quite" as good(we feel due to chef change) We felt the entertainment was better in 2015. We would have booked the Jan.24 trip but conflicting work schedules have us on the Regal Princess for 14 days early in Feb. we'll see how well it compares(or not)to the Eclipse.

Is that the Princess cruise that is really two 7 day cruises? I liked the new Royal Princess in the Baltic. Make sure you let us know how you like the 14 day Regal cruise.

[jagoffee]

Will there be any cruise critic get togethers? I had beeen on that post it has seemed to go dormant!Need update for Sunday

 

 

What cruise are you referencing?

[north29]

Yes, there are activities, but you have to admit that most are activities that will bring in money for the cruise line. I did a check of the daily activities on our last cruise, and a majority of the "activities" were things that either cost extra or will entice you to spend money. You have art auctions, many "activities" in the shops, a whole lot of stuff at the spa where you'll get the "hard sell" from the staff, and a bunch of other things. With an activities staff of only two, there are a lot less things going on than there used to be. I've been on more than 35 Celebrity cruises and I can tell you that there are far less activities like trivia and name that tune than there used to be.

 

I have to agree on the Equinox over Xmas and NY "almost" all the activities were geared to Sell you something. I witnessed several hard sales going on, especially in the upscale jewelry stores. The Apple items and I'm a Mac user, were the same price as on land, and I can buy them cheaper/or the same price most of the time a Best Buy. PS I attended a iPad lecture, it was so basic, that I left.

 

Still with out all the great activities I had a great time.

[jerseygirl3]

I am very confused about the conflicting reviews of the Eclipse. I have only sailed Celbrity once before and honestly, I didn't love it. Just not enough night life for my group, however we still had a great time. Could have been the demographic of our particular sailing who knows. I did not plan to book again but th 2 week southern itinerary drew us in. I have read completely different reviews. One says there is no pool area games or activities, the next says there is:confused: I totally understand the different opinions of food and service as those are personal but either there is or isn't pool activities. I using this just as an example but I think you see where im going with it. Im not super high maintenance, but I do like to have things to do. Recently read that the ship is empty at night which was our experience a few years back. any feedback is appreciated.

 

People's opinions can vary widely. I try not to put too much credence into a review that complains about everything.

[lexmiller]

We are Celebrity loyalists - to the original poster, you've perhaps not read my reviews, which I think you'll find helpful - the links are right there, just click on the word "review" after each cruise we've taken. A few have actually won Cruise Critic awards for best written. You'll find lots and lots of info in them. A quick comment, due to our frequent cruising - we have noticed no reduction in activities commensurate with the reduction in activity staff. And I'm sorry to say that, as good people on the activities staff have lost their jobs, but the people that have been retained are absolutely outstanding (like Rachel Ball and Maarten Bruels!) - full of energy, excitement, determined, COMMITTED, that the cruise you're on will be the best one you've ever had.

We do all of the trivias; we go to all of the enrichment seminars and there are many; we do all of the dance classes; the games at night are phenomenally fun!; the poolside and in-pool contests/games; you can often find us on the lawn for the golf games, many of which are cruise-long tournaments; the musical entertainment, though yes, the acapella group has been dropped, remains extraordinary. No one else has a LIVE onboard orchestra which accompanies the Broadway stage shows in the evening as well as playing all over the ship, throughout the voyage. I could go on and on and on!

Celebrity for us is the perfect blend of fun, good taste, excellent dining, superior service, fantastic entertainment. Just read my reviews.