2ndtimelucky

Hi we have done this route last 2 years end of oct. We have had lovely weather after a day or so sailing , as soon as you hit the portuguese coast really, not boiling but warm enough to be around the pool. I will say we had a few rough nights on sailing but we slept through it .

we are doing it again this october as the temperatures are perfect for us

hope that helps a bit

Just don't eat before hand , light breakfast maybe....its a great experience food is lovely , service is great. My other half did a cookery session on eclipse and they learnt to do disco shrimp ! he was so excited lol

It is overwhelming to start off but take a deep breath and enjoy the experience , You will love it

You have booked so you must try, we booked a cruise with Royal Caribbean and really disliked it, luckily the ports were amazing. we did vow cruising wasn't for us....however we spotted a short cruise on Celebrity a few years later so we thought we would give it a go , and here we are 4 cruises later....we are a family of 3 and we all love it, our 10 year old much prefers Celebrity kids club even though RCCL offer the all singing and dancing experience . When we go on holiday its about spending time together having some sunshine , seeing different places . We use the MDR and last cruise we used the buffet quite a lot as there indian and thai food is amazing ,sitting outside in the evenings most nights on our own . Food has always been to a really good standard , some nights outstanding. Its a lovely atmosphere there are some things that don't quite hit the spot but don,t you have that on holidays ,

We have only been on the eclipse as its to of southampton, but it always kept so clean , staff are lovely and very hard working, the rooms are lovely ,

hope you go and enjoy

When we did our oct 2015 cruise on the Eclipse , we had a film on the grass opposite the glassworks , they put out blankets , beanbags and seating and had a staff member handing out cinema snacks ,popcorn crisps sweets and lots more and had a big screen. it was lovely, so our 2016 we were really looking forward to that evening but sadly we did,nt . so not sure why it didn't happen , its a great idea and felt very special .

Well we have just left same cruise and our 9 year old would give anything to get back on board .

We have sailed Celebrity for a few years now, we tried RCC and we didn't enjoy it , and neither did our son. he much preferred Celebrity.

So to get the facts into perspective as I would hate people to disregard Celeb as a family cruise line

on board for this particular cruise there were only 70 kids age range 0-17 , fun factory up to age 11 is all in same huge room but is split by dividers , the under 8 go in the area that is secure and children are booked in via a locked gate. therefore there are always a couple of counsellors in that area , just not in the designated 3-8 bit.

There are set times for club and if its not open you cannot play. once children are over 9 it is up to the parents if the kids sign themselves in and out.

The shows are excellent and the kids love them , obviously there are some just for adults and that is explained on planners , on the Cruise director channel , and at the end of shows for the following evening.

I was extremely worried when we got on board and realised it was mostly 65+ I have never seen so many mobility scooters , zimmerframes ,and walking sticks in my life, but I have to say we all had a great time.Every activity was packed , the theatre was packed both shows. Apart from a few people who disliked children we really had a fabulous time,

The fun factory staff did a brilliant job and the kids talent show on the last night just proved this, Us parents all turned up , the kids enjoyed and so did the staff.

I know we all see things differently and yes mine is older , but i am defo a helicopter mum, but i felt very safe leaving him there.

We have always had a buzzer on previous cruises, we usually eat about 8.30 and never wait to long to be seated , and always in the same area with same waiting staff. I think you have been lucky. Maybe as select dining is becoming more popular. Hope it didn't spoil your cruise :)

Hi , we did the october half term last year on the eclipse, lots of families on board ,my son is 9 and loves club, we didn't enjoy Royal Caribbean at all.

although he isn't a teenager we had lots on the ship, and the kids were brilliant .

the teen club is very relaxed they made their groups of mates.

on the last evening Sue Denning actually took time in her show to thank the teenagers as 1 group of them had attended all the shows sat in the front row and showed their appreciation every night.

and guess what we have re booked and leave a week Sunday.

Hi we have always done the select dining and we always had the same waiting staff so don't worry to much , and the burgers at the grill are served throughout the day an are lovely , have a lovely cruise xx

:)