Eclipse baltic review june 21st-july 5th 2014

[baljaffray]

Celebrity Eclipse was in immaculate condition, delighted with everything.We were impressed with the bathroom in the cabin, we always hook on the clear pocket storage thingy to the back of the bathroom door, but there was plenty of storage, so did not require. I thought the layout of the cabin was very good too, cases went under the bed.

Only slight faults were the bedding. The valance was quite stained in a few places, and as I always check the sheets, I noticed the mattress protector was on the wrong way with the rubber side facing upwards. This would make my husband wake up in pool of sweat, so I stripped off the bed ready to just turn it around, but the towelling side was disgusting, with lots of stains. I phoned the attendant and tried to explain we needed a fresh protector, but when we came back later he had just put an additional sheet over the mattress.

We chose select dining, a first for us, and it was the best thing ever! We never made reservations and never waited more than 3 mins. There was a barrier for reservations and walk up but no one used the 2 lines. We requested a large table and after the first night, the staff knew. Sometimes we were sat first at a table for 8 or 10 and had to wait for other guests, but that was our choice. We met lots of people this way and would chat when we met elsewhere on the ship.

We had the classic alcohol package and no problems!! I went to guest relations as soon as we got on ship and I asked for a list of drinks included. There were lots on offer, but there was another list which was what was on board that sailing. My husband likes tiger beer which was on the list but unfortunately not for our cruise, but he drank plenty other drinks. At the Martini bar where the action was every night, he had martinis. Sometimes if they had no small glasses he would get a large, and I always got a Bombay Sapphire gin. We were happy with the package, getting fresh orange at breakfast, and bottled water (at the same time), and all the hot drinks at café al Bacio.

 

Oceanview café was always good, though busy at breakfast on sea days ( Aqua spa café was ideal for me these days). Main dining was mainly good though we learned to order additional sides, as sometimes the meals were very sparse on accompaniments. If you ate all 4 courses it would be enough, but some meals were child sized portions, my sons (age 17) curry one night had 4 bite sized pieces of chicken! The wine menu had a page dedicated to wines on the classic and premium packages so no need to check the prices, there was about 8 red and white on the classic. The waiters always topped up the glasses as required.

Molecular bar was always quiet, and not once did I see a barman make a cocktail. We spent most nights at the Martini bar which was always busy, and we made lots of friends.

Gelateria- 2 for 1 every day 4-7pm

Theatre shows-

We enjoyed Jayne Curry, Mike Doyle, Ovations (broadway/west end) The stars of St Petersburg (dancers brought on board),Peng Fei Su(magician/illusionist) Jeff Hughes, the Eclipse band master played piano one afternoon which was fab.

Speciality restaurants- we did not try but often deals advertised

 

Miscellaneous-

you have to go to guest relations and ask for the port guide and map they are out of reach behind the desk!

Daily ‘newspaper’ for many countries at guest relations after 10 am.

Cruise director was Sinan from Turkey, and I was not impressed with him, he repeated himself all the time and we felt not a natural. And as Mike Doyle the comedian described him ‘Mr Bean’, though we thought Squidward from Spongebob square pants!

 

Only one towel animal in 2 weeks!

3 chocolates on the pillows every night.

 

Formal nights were well attended, and lots of dinner suits,evening gowns, and kilts (my husband/son) and lots more Scots! We witnessed a man being given a jacket to wear to enter the dining room.

 

20th June, flew down to Southampton from Glasgow, phoned a local taxi £14 to the Premier Inn West quay. This budget hotel was perfect for us (family of 3), it is clean, modern and comfortable, and it is less than 5 mins walk to the shops, and a short walk to the terminal.

 

21st June- Left hotel and walked across the road, through the Holiday Inn car park and you enter the port gates. Luggage guys were waiting and we dropped off our bags and then entered the terminal building. We left the hotel at 11.15 and were on the ship by 11.50.

Cruise Critic roll call sail away party at 16.30 at Sunset bar, name stickers and mardi gras beads, nice to meet everyone!

 

22nd June- Bruges

We walked out of the port gates (3 mins walk away!), and followed the pavement. Walk 10 mins to tram stop opposite church. Buy ticket in Spar store, cost 2.60 euro return. When you get on you tell the driver Blankenberge and he validates the ticket. The journey takes 15 mins. We docked on a Sunday, so trams are hourly before 09.00 then x4 an hour. When exiting the tram walk across the road to the train station. Train cost 4 euro return and takes 15 mins. These are hourly on a Sunday. When exiting the station, walk across the road, through the park and you are in the main area.

We walked around, had a Belgium waffle and enjoyed a warm sunny day.

 

23rd June-At Sea

Connexions meet up 09.30. Poor show from Celebrity, no goodies or raffles which I had on RCCL sailings! and was not in a private room, so others were around.

24th June-Warnemunde

We stayed local here and just stepped off the ship to this quaint little port. You walk under an underpass and the train station is right there if you want to get a train to Rockstock. A lovely walk around on another sunny day. If you need free Wi-Fi stand outside the tourist board, you will see a crowd here!

 

25th June-At sea

26th June-Stockholm

Set the alarm for 06.00 for arrival through the Archipelago, the helipad was available at 06.30 , and drinks/pastries were provided.

 

 

We walked approx 20 mins to the old town. We watched the changing of the guard and walked to the Vasa Museum (you can see the mast across the water from the ship, behind the rollercoasters). The museum is fascinating, entry is £13 and free for under 18's). There are plenty of hop on buses/water buses if required. A sunny day again!

 

27th June-Helsinki

Another sunny day, I knew there was a tram line here, totally unadvertised by Celebrity. Follow the green painted line on the pavement and after 5 mins you are at the station. Number 9, cost to centre 3 euro if bought on tram, 2.20 if bought from a ticket machine, 1.50 under 16's. 10 mins journey, we got off right outside Helsinki train station, ( green clock tower/art deco building) right in the heart of town. We walked to the Olympic stadium, cathedral, rock church, market square, and around the shopping area.

 

28/29th June- St Petersburg

Alla tours grand tour. Excellent 2 days with Pollina.(Sunny first day,part cloudy 2nd day)

We covered lots, and even had a subway ride (stations are beautifully decorated). We bought Russian nesting dolls which range from cheap souviners to expensive hand painted. We were in 3 shops over the 2 days and prices were similar. The always gave you cost in dollars or euro. The ship sells lots of Russion gifts the day after and the prices are much the same so don't worry if you do not get to buy in SPB. When they started the 'bazzar' at 10.30 it was a total frenzy, and people were buying everything!

We were in a group of 16, and it was perfect, some people on the ship were in a group of 30 trying to get round a jam packed Hermitage museum.

June 30th-Tallin

exit port, walk under an underpass, you will see a petrol station on right, cross road and you will see 'fat Margaret's tower' ahead and you are in the old town, walk approx 20 mins.

When we opened the curtains at 08.00 we could not see a thing! it was very foggy, when it cleared there was another ship docked right in front and we could not see it before. There was 5 ships in port that day. The weather was cloudy and felt a bit cool, we wore our rain jackets for the first time but it only drizzled for 5 mins. This town is all cobbles so appropriate footwear is a must!

We walked around the old and new parts. I would say this was my least favourite port, the weather maybe played a part though. The square has free Wi-Fi.

 

July 1st- Sea day

 

July 2nd- Copenhagen

straightforward walk along the port, 10mins till little mermaid statue, then follow the coastline to the center. I would say another 25 mins. We were docked till midnight,so we returned to the ship about 4 ish for a rest and went back out at 6pm to Tivolli. ( which was a big disappointment, very small and not worth the cost, an annual card is not much more than 1 visit)

 

July 3rd/4th sea days

 

July 5th- disembarked at 07.15 ( slight delay due to a fire alarm in the treminal building which caused a big queue and some aggitated people), walked off with own luggage, taxi to airport, flight at 09.00.

 

Shuttle buses at ports- These were provided (charged) but unless you have mobility issues may not be required for most places. We are late 40's early 50's and in good health.

 

Shuttle bus -

Bruges- $16/ 12e ONLY TO BLANKENBERGE TRAIN STATION.

Stockholm- hop on bus provided by Celebrity $39

Helsinki- $12/10e

Tallin-$10

Copenhagen-$18

 

Feel free to ask questions, happy to assist.

Edited July 7, 2014 by baljaffray
more information

[drychi]

Thanks for the nice review. Sounds like the ship is in good shape. My wife and I will be aboard Eclipse in January, 2015 for a 2 week Caribbean cruise. We cannot wait! Happy Cruising.

[DYKWIA]

Hopefully not a daft question, we're doing our first cruise on Eclipse in September to the Med.

 

My wife is quite a fussy eater, in the MDR you mentioned having to order extra dishes - is this easy? What can you order? Do the main come with potatoes and veg for the table of does the meal come completely plated?

 

Many thanks

[gato4]

Thank you for your review. We'll be doing the same itinerary August 16. It was nice to hear that you docked close to Copenhagen. In June, the Eclipse was docked at Oceankaj. How were the lunches on the SPB tour? DH is picky, and I'm trying to figure out how many protein bars to pack for him. 😛

 

 

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[baljaffray]

Everything is plated. Most come with a very small amount of sides. I ordered Irish stew one night and it was just meat in a bowl! There are sides listed on the menu and I always asked for these if I wanted. You can ask for say a smaller portion of a main for a starter,I did this, if I did not like what was on offer. There is an alternative menu from the daily which has steak,curry, and if you want fries,ask. The waiters will oblige. My son and I always ordered an extra desert to share, some are very bitesized. Some guests asked to change meals if they did not like it. Nothing is a problem.

[lydnsyd]

Really enjoyed reading your review. We are doing the same itinerary as you. Can you remember when the Formal nights were?

Thanks

[baljaffray]

Thank you for your review. We'll be doing the same itinerary August 16. It was nice to hear that you docked close to Copenhagen. In June, the Eclipse was docked at Oceankaj. How were the lunches on the SPB tour? DH is picky, and I'm trying to figure out how many protein bars to pack for him. 😛

 

 

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If you are going with Alla, take snacks. As I have a very hungry boy I was prepared! I brought cereal bars and got muffins from cafe bacio,(they give you a paper bag for takeaways). The packed lunch was awful, a warm ham/cheese crepe, which sounds good but wasn't.A carton of apple juice, cooking apple and choc bar with strange filling. We ate this on the bus. Lunch in restaurant was OK but we met at 07.30 and ate at 13.15 ,so people were starving ( I took bananas). Food was salad,soup(lovely) stew potatoes, pastry and tea.water provided. Any other drinks you pay,husband had beer, and really cheap.

[DYKWIA]

Everything is plated. Most come with a very small amount of sides. I ordered Irish stew one night and it was just meat in a bowl! There are sides listed on the menu and I always asked for these if I wanted. You can ask for say a smaller portion of a main for a starter,I did this, if I did not like what was on offer. There is an alternative menu from the daily which has steak,curry, and if you want fries,ask. The waiters will oblige. My son and I always ordered an extra desert to share, some are very bitesized. Some guests asked to change meals if they did not like it. Nothing is a problem.

 

Excellent - Steak, Curry and fries - she'll be VERY happy :)

 

Many thanks

[wpgcycler]

Thanks for a great review!

[gato4]

If you are going with Alla, take snacks. As I have a very hungry boy I was prepared! I brought cereal bars and got muffins from cafe bacio,(they give you a paper bag for takeaways). The packed lunch was awful, a warm ham/cheese crepe, which sounds good but wasn't.A carton of apple juice, cooking apple and choc bar with strange filling. We ate this on the bus. Lunch in restaurant was OK but we met at 07.30 and ate at 13.15 ,so people were starving ( I took bananas). Food was salad,soup(lovely) stew potatoes, pastry and tea.water provided. Any other drinks you pay,husband had beer, and really cheap.

 

 

Thank you for that information. We are going with Alla, so I guess we'll take some food with us. I'll pass this on to others in our group.

 

 

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[yukongold]

Thanks for the review. There was some good information in there.

[kcherie924]

Hi thanks for the great review. I was wondering if you could tell me the time your ship docked and how long after that did they allow you to get off the ship carrying your own luggage? The reason I ask is that we will be on Eclipse August 16 for the Baltic cruise and husband booked an 11:30 am flight from London Heathrow. Our ship docks Saturday August 30, at 5:30 a.m. and we will have a taxi waiting for us at 6:30 a.m. Do you think we are pushing our luck trying to make this 11:30 flight? Thanks

kcherie

[TeaBag]

Thank you for the tip about Alla tours. We don't sail till next year so we have nothing planned yet.

[portofrome]

Thank you for the review.

[kevinyork]

Hi thanks for the great review. I was wondering if you could tell me the time your ship docked and how long after that did they allow you to get off the ship carrying your own luggage? The reason I ask is that we will be on Eclipse August 16 for the Baltic cruise and husband booked an 11:30 am flight from London Heathrow. Our ship docks Saturday August 30, at 5:30 a.m. and we will have a taxi waiting for us at 6:30 a.m. Do you think we are pushing our luck trying to make this 11:30 flight? Thanks

 

kcherie

 

 

Self disembarkation started at 6.15 on our last two cruises. Im not sure if you are flying internationally or not. If so, then your timings are a little tight. Being a Saturday should ensure a smooth drive to Heathrow but technically you are supposed to allow three hours to check in and clear security for a long haul flight. However, provided there are no hiccups I think you should be fine.

 

Please note you do have to be able to carry all of your luggage without the use of any trolleys all the way off the ship and down the long walkways till you get to baggage reclaim where trolleys are available.

 

 

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Edited July 8, 2014 by kevinyork
change

[baljaffray]

Really enjoyed reading your review. We are doing the same itinerary as you. Can you remember when the Formal nights were?

Thanks

 

1st Formal- Bruges ( sail 15.00)

2nd Formal- 2nd sea day ( after Germany) not good for us, up late and early rise for Stockholm

3rd Formal -4th sea day ( after Denmark)

[lydnsyd]

1st Formal- Bruges ( sail 15.00)

2nd Formal- 2nd sea day ( after Germany) not good for us, up late and early rise for Stockholm

3rd Formal -4th sea day ( after Denmark)

 

 

Thanks - that has been a great help:)

[davwen81]

Thank you for your great review as we do this itinerary next year. Your info on the ports and getting around by ourselves is invaluable. Wendy and David

 

 

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[Orch at Sea]

Very interesting. We are also on the Eclipse sailing 16th August,however for ease we have elected to take Celebrity tours in most ports. I'm now thinking perhaps we could have "done our own thing".

[rwr235]

Very interesting. We are also on the Eclipse sailing 16th August,however for ease we have elected to take Celebrity tours in most ports. I'm now thinking perhaps we could have "done our own thing".

 

Hi,

 

And still can...if you booked your tours thru Celebrity, you can cancel them.

 

As stated above, and as I learned on here before our Baltics cruise on the Eclipse...many of the ports are quite doable on your own...Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Copenhagen especially. Even if you want, you can take the provided shuttles if need be, then explore on your own.

 

Lots of great info in the Port of Call sections on here…and on your Roll Call…here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1807684&referrerid=422315

 

where your fellow passengers on this specific cruise are discussing everything and anything related to it (as stated in the next post :) )….as well as what the OP has graciously provided.

 

Enjoy

 

Woody

Edited July 8, 2014 by rwr235

[lydnsyd]

Very interesting. We are also on the Eclipse sailing 16th August,however for ease we have elected to take Celebrity tours in most ports. I'm now thinking perhaps we could have "done our own thing".

 

We have an Active Roll Call for your cruise - come & Join us:)

[RickT]

Thank you for your review.

 

I wonder if you happened to take a picture or make note of the Classic wines available in the MDR? You noted that there was a separate wine list showing what was available on the Classic and Premium packages and that would be very helpful to see.

 

Sailing in 4 weeks and unsure if I need to upgrade.

[wideawake]

Great review and like many others who have replied I am on the same itinerary on the 16th August, your information about the ports will be most helpful indeed.

 

Regards

Bryn.

[Rob1966]

Great review and most helpful.

 

Could I ask what currency you used in the different countries? Was you able to use your credit card in most places? I don't really want to have to get currency for the Scandinavian ports as we will probably only use the hop on hop off buses.

 

many thanks

 

Rob

[mrpie90]

great review. thank you.