Eclipse Spanish Med. 7th Aug 2010

[derekthesailor]

Short review of Celebrity Eclipse

 

We are just back from 14 day Spanish Mediterranian cruise on Celbrity Eclipse

We are in our 50s and were in an Aquaclass stateroom.

 

Joining

 

We arrived in Southampton about 11.30 am by train. The ship berth was £5.00 in a taxi from the station.

Even though our joining instructions said NOT to arrive before 13.45, by 12.15 we had completed our joining procedures, passed security and were onboard enjoying our complimentary champagne.

There was an "early edition" of "celebrity today" available at check-in which only advertised that the Oceanview cafe, pool bar and Cafe al Bacio would be open.

However Bistro on 5 was open and we had a wonderful lunch in very quiet surroundings.

 

Ship in General

 

As a new ship all public spaces were in very good condition. The elevators need their software re-programming. They travelled quickly but often stopped at decks where no one was waiting and sometimes went past, in the direction you called, without stopping. I thought the ensemble lounge was a bit dark. The library and games room are open to the atrium and therefore not quiet spaces as I had expected. It was nice that table top selling from the shops only took place in a small area of deck 4 and the lounges did not take on the appearance of an egyptian bazarre after dark. Only about 150 children aboard, mostly well behaved.

 

Entertainment

 

There was a variety of acts from a string quartet to large stage productions. Quite a lot of Jazz. Generally of a high standard though the standup comic was not to everyones taste!!! Daytime lectures and Trivia along with some cooking demonstrations. I heard complaints of no organised bridge tournaments and not enough ballroom dancing. Celebrity, don't neglect traditional cruisers. And why does the volume in the theatre have to be quite so loud. The catch phrase of the cruise director Nick Weir was "make some noise". I say to him MAKE LESS NOISE

 

Food

 

As we were in Aquaclass we dined in Blu. Absolutely wonderful food and service and carnivores need not worry, it's not all healthy and slimming. The short ribs, lamb shank, and filet mingion were fantastic.

Muranos was a treat, we didn't think Quisine was all that great but many raved over it. We didn't use the Tuscan Grill. The Oceanview cafe food was pretty good and never seemed too crowded.

 

Cabins

 

Were larger than I had expected. Storage not great but we were warned and had his and hers plastic bags for clean smalls and socks which we kept on the floor of the

closet, freeing drawer space for other bits and pieces. There was nowhere suitable to hang a hanging organiser. 2 american 110v sockets and 1 220v european socket on dressing table. Bathroom towels - only large bath sheet and small hand towels provided. Had to "liberate" pool towel when washing hair.

 

Ports

 

Vigo - Short walk into town. No shuttle. There is a Ho-Ho bus for €7.50. Gives about a 2 hour tour with 2 x 20 minute stops for photos. There is only 1 bus so it is

more a tour than a ho-ho as you would have to wait 2 hours for the bus to come around again.

 

Lisbon - Ship berth is under the bridge so very noisy on pool deck. Shuttle bus into town $10.00 round trip.

 

Gibraltar - Walk to town 45 minutes. There are mini-busses for £3.00 round trip but not many and it is quicker to walk than queue.

 

Barcelona - Shuttle bus $4.00 round trip.

 

Toulon - Ship berth is at La Seyne sur mer - Shuttle bus to Toulon $12.00 round trip.

 

La Palma - Shuttle bus $10.00 for 1 day or $15.00 for both days. Ho-Ho bus $15.00 for 24 hours, so really covers both days.

 

Cadiz - Short walk into old town - no shuttle.

 

Derek

[Texed]

Sailor,

Thanks for the quick review. :)

[aggietd]

Hi Derek,

 

Now that you have been on her, are you still looking forward to next years cruise on her?

 

Nancy

[portofrome]

Thanks for the review.

[derekthesailor]

Hi Derek,

 

Now that you have been on her, are you still looking forward to next years cruise on her?

 

Nancy

 

OH YES YES YES:D

 

Only 49 more weeks to go :(