Future Baltic Cruise Booked But First Time on a Non-Charter Cruise

[absolutboy20]

We booked a future cruise on board for August 2017 on the Eclipse. This is; however, the first time we have booked on a non-charter cruise. We have sailed on the Equinox twice now and know the ships are similar, but I also know the experience is going to be completely different with the entertainment, nightlife, and fellow passengers. We've primarily sailed on Atlantis charters, which is targeted towards the gay audience. In some ways, this booking is making me feel like I'm cruising for the first time.

 

My main questions are:

 

1. This is the first time we have five sea days on a cruise. Is the weather warm enough on sea days that the outdoor pools/loungers can be used in August? Do they strictly enforce the Solarium as an adult's only area if it is not?

 

2. Is Quasar an active place at night?

 

3. What are typical onboard daytime activities for sea days?

 

 

I want to be clear in that I'm not concerned at all about being treated differently by fellow passengers, just that I know the daily activities and audience will be different. No offence to the many parents out there but one aspect of the charters I have enjoyed is that children aren't screaming/yelling/crying/running/banging (did I miss anything? :p) around the pool areas and restaurants.

 

Thanks in advance.

[jelayne]

We did the Baltic in July 2014 and the weather was great. So I would think that pool/ loungers would be fine.

 

I have never seen Quasar with more than a handful of people at night. The Skye Lounge sometimes is an option depending on the entertainment on board or karoke which can draw a good crowd.

 

The Solarium is not open to children unless there is bad/cold weather. In that case they will allow families in for a 2 hour window to swim.

 

Sea days have cooking demos, lectures, trivia, wine tastings, maybe pool volleyball and/or lawn games. Your roll call may also have some games or activities planned.

[ChiSloop]

Absolutboy, we did the exact same thing last year on the Atlantis Med cruise.

 

We just finished our Baltic cruise on the Eclipse last Friday and absolutely loved it. The cruise passengers were about 70% from the UK and as friendly as can be. The first night we went to the LGBT gathering at the Martini Bar and meet about 15 people. We saw them off and on throughout the cruise and had many drinks and good times. We also met many nice people through our private shore excursions set up through the roll call on Cruise Critic and had a blast with them.

 

There were probably 50-70 kids on board and they never caused an issue. The solarium pool is adults only, but did have two two hour time frames each day where kids were allowed. We had sunny to partly sunny days on each of our five sea days, so we spent no time at the solarium pool. The outdoor pools were heated.

 

We didn't go to Quasar as the Casino Bar or the Martini Bar seemed to be where all the late night action occurred. Days at sea were spent lounging in the sun, on our balcony or on the Lawn. Weather was in the high 60s to low 70s. Seas were calm.

 

We booked the Best package and loved the premium drink package, great internet, prepaid gratuities and $300 on board credit. We had many a Grey Goose, cappuccino and premium tea. We walked off the ship with a $3.50 bill. WAY different than our bill on a charter!

 

We are sold on Celebrity and the value over a charter. Can't wait until our next cruise.

[reilly1]

We have cruised the Baltic 3 times already and are booked on Eclipse again for 16 July 2017. We have had mixed weather. Some hot sunny days and some wet and windy ones, but there is lots to do on the ship. We met our best friends on a Celebrity ship at the LGBT meeting. In those days it was called FOD, so we went along to see what it was! There are many many different age groups on Celebrity and everyone is welcomed and the crew are great. The Baltic cruises do not seem to attract as many children as Med ones. Ports are not as suitable. We are a married couple with no kids (on purpose!!) and have never really noticed many children on the Baltic cruises. You'll have an amazing time, don't worry.

 

 

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[absolutboy20]

The above comments now have me getting excited about this upcoming cruise and now have me looking at flights. In all honestly, I was 50/50 on committing to this cruise and exploring other options.

 

Chisloop, looks like we were on two previous sailings together and your recent experience makes this look very appealing. On last week's charter, I was pretty surprised with the drink price increases this year. Cocktails were ranging from $11 - $16 a pop and with no alcoholic drink packages, it started adding up.

Edited August 31, 2016 by absolutboy20

[reilly1]

Also Celebrity is very gay friendly. We sail on it with our gay friends and always have an amazing time. Enjoy!

 

 

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[Jack Staff]

1. This is the first time we have five sea days on a cruise. Is the weather warm enough on sea days that the outdoor pools/loungers can be used in August? Do they strictly enforce the Solarium as an adult's only area if it is not?

Pools are heated and solarium does have 'family slots' . Unfortunately we had cold/cool/wet sea days at the end of our Baltic cruise and most people stayed inside. IMO Celebrity was poor on those days in that they held art auctions in the Skylounge and much space was taken by the pictures before the event and we were told to vacate the area due to security checks before the auction. IMO it was an example of Celebrity putting its sales first, paying passengers second.

 

2. Is Quasar an active place at night?

Not my scene.

 

3. What are typical onboard daytime activities for sea days?

There is the Hot Glass Show (what is it doing on a ship? Reflection had art studio classes much better), Other low key activities do exist - e.g.dance class, game shows (e.g. trivia. table tennis, choir rehearsal, film, and a matinee performance,)

Edited August 31, 2016 by Jack Staff

[reilly1]

And wine tastings, martini tastings, afternoon tea, cruise critic activities - we had great fun on a cabin crawl and a poker run with a drink in each bar! We were never bored. Cafe el Bacio was a real social hub in the mornings. We had leisurely lunches, a walk on deck, took in a film, met friends for coffee/wine. Always found something to do. And the 2 decks of shops too!! Great lectures by ship officers as well.

 

 

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Edited August 31, 2016 by reilly1

[CYNSport]

We booked a gourmet cooking "lesson" in Murano on our Baltic trip on the Silhouette. We had fewer sea days, but they had one, so I expect they will have one on your cruise. You prepare parts of a three course meal (appetizer, filet mignon, and a soufflé). Then, the group enjoys the meal. I don't cook at all and managed through. Most everyone else had skills. :). You can't mess it up because they make the filets and the soufflés? We just have a little lesson on those parts. It was fun working in the Murano kitchen. I think it was around $80 per person.