The Londoners

That would explain why we had coupons as ‘word was’ there were many elites - but not having used them I wouldn’t know what was on the list of drinks, and we drink very little alcohol anyway (Celebrity do well from us!) so don’t go to the evening events.

Does anyone know if Navigator has a Diamond Lounge though, as I believe that is where the coffee machine is to be found.

Celebrity allow multiple changes on their scheme & also gave us extra obc on request when there was a significant price drop (via our TA to whom we had transferred our onboard booking)

Last time we sailed on Ec!ipse there were so many Elite onboard that we were given vouchers for each night that I believe could be used in any bar - am not sure if they could only be used at specific times as we had a drinks package included anyway so didn 't need vouchers - there was no dedicated lounge throughout the cruise

We take it in our hand luggage with no attempt to conceal, and have done every time - we also take great care in using it.They provide a kettle anyway, and this is simply a smaller version. Should they decide to confiscate it then so be it. We only found out from CC that we shouldn't take it just before our latest cruise having sailed with X (and an unconcealed steamer) multiple times.

We have just returned from Eclipse and whilst we benefit from a limited amount of laundry/pressing/dry cleaning via CC, we have always taken and used a clothes steamer with no problems or hassle - it's just like a kettle really and I can't see why X would consider it any more of a risk then the provided kettle - apparently they are not allowed but we have sailed with X annually and never had any issues arise.

DH and I both delighted that Sue will be CD on our 3rd October sailing on Eclipse; I think it may be the 4th time she has been 'our' CD. Sadly our favourite Master, Capt. Manetas, is now on Equinox though

I understand that not everyone will agree, but DH and I are delighted that Sue Denning will be CD for our October 3rd cruise on Eclipse

Sorry, really think there is something wrong with my eyesight - I posted this as I hadn't seen in the charts, despite checking - since told it's there already but can't delete on my iPhone - please feel free to delete this and apologies for my error

Hi, apologies if this has already been reported, but the Master on the Eclipse is/will be on 3rd October (I enquired specifically about this sailing)

Captain Michael Sympouras

Sue Denning is best CD I have ever had ; out of more than 100 cruises. Thought she had retired??? Anyone know where she is now? Hopefully on my next cruise!

We're fans of Sue too and very disappointed that it appears neither she, nor my beloved Captain Manetas will be on Eclipse in October; we shall miss them

Would anyone have an idea who m'aitre d is in Blu please? (Eclipse, 3 October)

I think it's about expectation - whether or not people are bothered about details is of course entirely their right, and I am sure different 'details' would bother different people (for the record neither chocolates nor q tips bother me, though my grandchildren will miss the chocolates and I will miss the flowers; certainly not enough to spoil our cruise though) - however if there is an expectation, generally created by past experience, that certain elements will be provided, then it can be disappointing or inconvenient when they are not.

We always sail ex UK and take a virtual drugstore with us, so the change in amenities will not make the slightest difference; we always preferred to bring our own, however, if someone expects to find the same toiletries that have always been there previously, and have not subsequently brought their own supply, it will be a disappointment - likewise if anyone (does the person exist?) who looked forward to that pillow chocolate thought it would be there, their expectations won't be met. I think it reasonable for people to expect to receive what they have done before unless they are told otherwise, and given that there have been so many changes, albeit in their own right very minor, I think this information should be more widely available - so thank the OP for flagging it up.

I work in a completely different industry; we generally keep our clients very happy, but the one area we still fail in sometimes is when they are given false expectation of what they can expect from the outset.

Ironically, as I ate very little at them, I shall miss the gala buffets, and if we ate in MDR would also miss the often unintentionally hilarious baked alaska procession. Not sure hpw I feel about the rose, as I'm afraid I can't remember if I received them previously (and yes, we are CC members), but find the CC hosts very erratic in terms of attentiveness. Will this stop us booking with Celebrity? Not if other standards are maintained, but on our last cruise a year ago I noticed a big difference in the quality of bathroom tissue and hand towels (fabric ones were often not available) which may sound petty but led to a lot of waste in terms of hand towels as I was using twice as many to get my hands dry and avoid them being chapped (I shan't comment on the toilet paper!), we were also very disappointed by the drop in quality of service in Murano's, but that could have been just bad luck and will easily be remedied by sticking to Blu next time.

Our next cruise isn't until October 2015 though as a potential home move has led to no holiday this year. Having paid considerably more for 11 nights than we have paid in the past for 14, which have been earlier in the season and equivalent or better grade cabin (or SS), notwithstanding the 'free drinks' (we used to buy premium non alcoholic package which suited us fine and still came out less for 2 weeks in total), I hope we will come away feeling as satisfied with the experience and overall value for money as we have done on all our previous X cruises (quite a few since 2006 when we first cruised).

We didn't notice any issues at all with behaviour last time we were on the beautiful Eclipse, but the one significant difference was the difficulty we experienced, practically at all times, in getting a seat in Cafe al Bacio. Prior to the free packages offered we had bought the premium non-alcoholic package as we drink very little but loved the speciality coffees and teas, and San Pellegrino with our meals (boy, do we live an exciting life - not!) - as we cruise in the Mediterranean towards the end of the season (end September) I suspect hot drinks are more attractive than they would be on a Caribbean cruise, which may be the reason that cafe al Bacio changed from the quiet oasis of previous cruises to a constantly buzzing venue last year - didn't spoil our enjoyment at all; just an observation. I do hope that X made the same observation and put more staff on though, as the poor team were constantly struggling to keep up last time.

I understand that as from Saturday 29 September Capt Manetas will relieve Capt Skylogiannis and Julian B will return as HD on Eclipse.

Hello all, can't believe I have only just found this thread but having sailed a number of times on Eclipse and all but the first with the wonderful Captain Manetas, I was so pleased to see the post from Foggy Cruiser (quoted here).

Are any of you able to work out the likelihood based on this as to whether Captain M is likely to be Master for our next booked cruise 8th September 2013? (we may squeeze a shorter one in before then, but not sure yet)

Ship: Eclipse

Cabin no: 2137. Category: S2(sky suite) Deck: 12

Area: aft port side

Bed: near bath (believe this is the case for all s2)

Quiet cabin: most of the time. Occasional noose from Ocean View Cafe but this was never a problem and didn't disturb us. I am a fairly light sleeper and was never woken by noise overhead, but could sometimes hear bumps when awake in the early hours.

Balcony view: unobstructed view but overhang limited sun (we did have some sun on the balcony though depending on position of sun/ship) and sometimes got in the way when taking panoramic photos.

Balcony size: normal for class, c 1.5 times length of regular verandah cabins. Plenty of room for a decent sized table, two recliner chairs and two footstools.

Wind a problem: no

Soot a problem: not at all though there was salt residue on the floor after a day of high seas and wind. I don't think our balcony was cleaned/tidied except on one day when we had a note to say all balcony's were being cleaned.

Problems/comments: other than the foregoing, be aware that there is a bit of a walk from the elevator, though we didn't find this a problem. The suite was bright and felt spacious. Plenty of storage for our 16 night cruise and we don't travel light! We liked it so much we have booked the same cabin for next year! We were nearly put off this category of cabin due to reports of overhead noise, but so glad we took a chance!

Cabin # 2128

Ship Eclipse

Deck Resort (12)

Class Sky Suite 2

Area Starboard aft (about midway between aft elevators and aft)

Bed Near Balcony

Quiet Quiet most of the time (see comments)

Balcony View Large overhead overhang but no problems

Size Normal for class

Wind Not a problem

Soot None noticed

Comments: we were not disturbed by the occasional noise overhead and IMHO only the lightest of sleeper would be woken however, between the aft elevator and cabin 2124 the corridor was noisy, noise coming from a staff service room - don't know if the cabins were affected by this as we didn't go into any of them - corridor quiet by cabin 2126. Convenient for pool and oceanview cafe one deck up. Would happily book again.