Review Celebrity Eclipse Jan. 10-24, 2016

[ROWSE]

I am so excited to review our cruise on the amazing Celebrity Eclipse! This will be one of those LONG reviews with pictures, so if you have been there done that, and need to stop with page one I entirely understand. When I am getting ready to cruise a certain ship it is like gold to me

to find a review with pictures, so here goes.

 

A little background to start off this adventure. My husband and I are from a Spokane Valley, Washington. When I am asked where we are from, I always add the word State at the end of Washington as people automatically assume it is that other one where all those fine men and women work so hard to keep their name out of the breaking news;)

 

We are in our mid 50’s, and are basically "sleep around people" when it comes to cruise lines. Total, I have been on 30, my husband missed a few in there when I went with friends. The lines we have sailed with are RCCL, Norwegian, Princess, Costa, Holland, and Celebrity. Our biggest number have been on Princess and Celebrity. There just hasn’t been a cruise I didn’t like! If I could I would take up permanent residence on a cruise ship during the winter months. Alas,we are still working stiffs, so we can only dream of being Cruise Critic member PescadoAmarillo. (Shout out….Thanks for all the days you give us sunshine in your blog when we are facing gray, rainy/snowy days.)

 

Now, on to the meat, or in our case since we are vegetarians, on to the legumes. We left a snowy Spokane on January 9, leaving the house at 3:30 a.m. and thrilled to be finding some sunshine and warmth in a matter of hours. Our flights were uneventful, just as I like them. Southwest Airlines took us through Denver and after a plane change and a large layover, we found ourselves in Fort Lauderdale.

 

There was quite a crowd at the luggage area and we looked for some movie star or something to be drawing this huge of a crowd, but it was only that they had put about four incoming flights on the same luggage carousel. Whoops! Eventually we retrieved our luggage and hauled it on down to the area where the hotels have complimentary shuttles. To our joy the Best Western Plus Fort Lauderdale Airport South Inn & Suites Shuttle happen to be pulling in and without me calling to harass them! JOY!!

 

This was pure dumb luck, as another cruiser I talked to the next morning had to wait an hour before they came around. Another lucky moment came at check in where they informed me they had given us a complimentary upgrade. Be careful if this should happen to you, as when they handed me the form to sign at check in, it had the regular price of that upgrade ($260) not the price we booked at a year out ($134). Lucky I had my glasses on, this time, and was able to get that cleared up quickly. Seems the default charges the regular rate unless someone with glasses on sees it and calls attention to it.

 

We found our room, but the key did not want to cooperate, and after 3 trips back down to the lobby they gave me a special key (whatever that means) and the lovely desk gal, Lisabeth, came with us and made sure it worked this time. Maybe if I would have let the $260 slide my key would have worked.

 

I must apologize as I didn’t take pictures till after we messed everything up, but try to look past that. It was a very nice room, number 424. The bed was super comfortable and zero noise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ROWSE]

After we were settled, we ventured out for some fast food. That seems to be all within a decent walking distance, in the dark. We chose Chipoltes. It was very busy so that is a good sign. We enjoyed it very much. Since we had been up so early, and in my case, hadn't really slept at all, we were easily able to change to Eastern Standard time, and went to bed.

 

The next morning this was our view out our window.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunshine, glorious sunshine!!! Not to mention some heat as well!!!

[blazeinthesun]

Boarding on 2/21, so looking forward to all the teasing you will be doing with your review! :D I might also add that I share your diet, albeit without cheese, so looking forward to your insight on dining and food in general, as well. Hopefully, you were able to find things other than the standard pasta fare. :)

[ROWSE]

Boarding on 2/21, so looking forward to all the teasing you will be doing with your review! :D I might also add that I share your diet, albeit without cheese, so looking forward to your insight on dining and food in general, as well. Hopefully, you were able to find things other than the standard pasta fare. :)

 

 

Thank you for joining along!!! We don't usually eat cheese, eggs, sugar, or oil either, but on a cruise, we do end up going off a bit especially eating some fish items and desserts. Not sure what to classify escargot, as that found it's way into my mouth several times.

 

I will have a lot of food porn coming in the next few days, but I truly wish someone would teach all cruise lines that vegetarian meals should contain legumes!!! They were sorely lacking on any meal in the main dining room. I was happy to find both kidney beans and chickpeas on the salad bar in the Ocean View Buffet. Also some good selections at the Aqua Spa.

 

My husband asked for some of the meat dishes without meat as he liked the sides, and they did it without question. Cheese was easy to pick off of most things so don't let it stop you.

 

I am excited for you, and so wish we could do it again!

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Excited to follow along! I will be on the Reflection, but am excited to learn all about Celebrity!!

[ROWSE]

Since we stayed up in Fort Lauderdale, and our ship leaves from Miami, we were in need of transportation down there. After researching, we went with a company called GOMJStrans.

 

They were on time, and we were transported in a very luxury Mercedes van with a few other passengers for $15 a person. We were highly satisfied and will definitely use them again.

 

We were finally in site of the Celebrity Eclipse. With huge grins ear to ear we handed over our luggage and about $5 to a porter just in case our suitcases wanted to go for a swim, or get on the Disney cruise right behind us, this assured us they would not.

 

We were lucky enough to get on the 123Go promotion, and we had a Concierge class balcony cabin #1063. I had read it was not worth getting a Concierge class cabin on an S class ship unless you had more perks with it, and that is exactly what happened as we started out with just a drink package but by bumping up to that we also got gratuities, and $300 OBC.

 

The extra points per day of this category put me exactly at Elite after this cruise! We we extremely happy campers!

 

We were pretty early, but check in went smoothly and with all the festive feelings from others that were waiting, the time went fast. Suddenly we found ourselves at the Sunset Bar trying out that drink package.

 

 

 

 

It was a little overcast and we had a slight sprinkle, but it could not dampen our joy. I must say Miami is absolutely beautiful to sail from.

 

[ROWSE]

We were absolutely amazed at the WOW factor of the Eclipse!

 

Here is another picture of that Sunset Bar.

 

 

There is a really wonderful seating area off the back of the ship. What a wonderful place to visit with friends. The caution tape that shows in my picture is because the crew have the railings off in this area sanding and varnishing them. There were a lot of areas like that.

 

 

 

We didn't get to go to our rooms till 1:00 maybe 1:30 so we grabbed a bite to eat in the buffet. Then we heard the all clear to go to your room.

 

One more view off the area before we headed to deck 10.

 

[BMP57]

Since we stayed up in Fort Lauderdale, and our ship leaves from Miami, we were in need of transportation down there. After researching, we went with a company called GOMJStrans.

 

They were on time, and we were transported in a very luxury Mercedes van with a few other passengers for $15 a person. We were highly satisfied and will definitely use them again.

 

We were finally in site of the Celebrity Eclipse. With huge grins ear to ear we handed over our luggage and about $5 to a porter just in case our suitcases wanted to go for a swim, or get on the Disney cruise right behind us, this assured us they would not.

 

We were lucky enough to get on the 123Go promotion, and we had a Concierge class balcony cabin #1063. I had read it was not worth getting a Concierge class cabin on an S class ship unless you had more perks with it, and that is exactly what happened as we started out with just a drink package but by bumping up to that we also got gratuities, and $300 OBC.

 

The extra points per day of this category put me exactly at Elite after this cruise! We we extremely happy campers!

 

We were pretty early, but check in went smoothly and with all the festive feelings from others that were waiting, the time went fast. Suddenly we found ourselves at the Sunset Bar trying out that drink package.

 

 

 

 

It was a little overcast and we had a slight sprinkle, but it could not dampen our joy. I must say Miami is absolutely beautiful to sail from.

 

 

Kitty, Jim,

 

glad you had a great cruise, now don't keep us hanging, we want more.

 

Brian

[ROWSE]

In our cruising career, we have only sailed in a balcony one time, and that was many years ago with a free upgrade. We thought it was time to go for a bit of spoiling this time.

 

It was absolutely amazing and it will be really hard to go to an inside or obstructed view, which is our usual, again.

 

This is what greeted us upon entering our room.

 

 

Since we had the drink package, we brought the Sparkling Wine home to have a toast some day soon and remember this wonderful experience.

 

Here are some photos of our paradise for the next 14 days.

 

 

 

 

 

[ROWSE]

Excited to follow along! I will be on the Reflection, but am excited to learn all about Celebrity!!

 

Thank you for checking out my writings, I know if the Reflection is anything like the Eclipse, you will love it!

[ROWSE]

Sorry double post

Edited January 27, 2016 by ROWSE

[ROWSE]

Kitty, Jim,

 

glad you had a great cruise, now don't keep us hanging, we want more.

 

Brian

 

Brian and Ann,

 

It is great to hear from you. We so wished you could have experienced this cruise with us! Looks like you were up to lots of fun of your own on the Mexican Riviera!

[ROWSE]

Sorry Cruise Critic is being squirrely, double posted again!

Edited January 27, 2016 by ROWSE

[ROWSE]

Loved that the ship's shower had glass doors and not that over friendly shower curtain that we have come to know on Princess ships.

 

 

 

This is the view in port of Miami off our balcony.

 

 

 

 

 

Does anyone know what this building is?

 

[ROWSE]

I had a quick sit-down on the blacony, but then it was off to explore more of the ship and definitely the bars.

 

 

We loved the Solarium Covered pool area.

 

 

 

 

 

[ROWSE]

The Aqua Spa eatery is in this Solarium area.

Lots of wonderful selections for Vegetarian/Vegans as well as meat eaters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spa and exercise area are also nearby.

 

 

Whew, the thought of exercise made me thirsty, how about you?

We found our way to the Sky Lounge at the top front of the ship. Yum, a Cosmo!!!

 

 

This area is where almost all the trivia was held and we enjoyed coming here and sitting at the bar having a drink and getting a few of the questions right. There are some brilliant trivia people on cruise ships that is for sure. Kudos to all of you who got a majority of the answers. Some of the questions were very hard.

 

I have to pat myself on the back for one trivia. It was of pictures of famous movie kisses and we actually won that one. GO US!! Now that is important knowledge to have!!! Check out my prize!

 

 

[ROWSE]

This ship is so beautiful! Some views of the Atrium area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ROWSE]

Soon it was time for Muster Drill.

We met in the Theater and did not even take our life jackets.

It was quick and painless and one of us may have taken a nap during the video.

 

Now it was up to top decks for sail away. This called for another drink.

A Pina Colada sounded good.

 

 

 

A Carnival cruise ship had to go past us into the bay and turn around. This did not seem like a very fun thing to do, great job, Captain.

 

 

 

Here was the line up before the Carnival ship moved out of it.

 

[ROWSE]

So with horns blasting, we were off....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LynMcGad]

Following along. Great pictures!

[macaroni]

What was that first drink with the chocolate in the middle. We board the eclipse on the 7th!

[bama4cruisin]

Enjoying your review and photos ? I will be following closely as we sail on Eclipse on March 6.

[daydreamer16]

Many thanks for your review---I love the pictures of the cocktails---giving me lots of ideas!:D

[ROWSE]

After sailaway, we found that our luggage had made it to the room. Money well spent on the tip we agreed. We unpacked and a snooze. Then it was time for the show. Earlier we had taken a picture of the theater.

 

 

Tonights entertainer was Comedian Rich Aronovitch. He had some funny moments, but overall this was the weakest show for the whole cruise. Odd they would start with this. He had a late night show another night which I think was adults only and he may have been wonderful during that. If anyone reading went to that show, please let us know.

 

We had Select Dining and we ended up with a lovely waitstaff consisting of Jujub and Nyoyomen from Indonesia. The seating hostess, not sure of her exact title, was amazing and seem to get us in to this area every time we ate there. These men were great. They were quick with their service and always happy, energetic, and did everything they could to make the dining experience the best. It was quite a slap in the face to not be able to tuck them away in our luggage for when we got home.

 

Here are a couple photos from the first night. My meal ended up being Escargot, mushroom soup, this salad, and Spanish Ravioli.

 

 

 

Celebrity truly beat out Princess in our comparison by just about everything. One thing that Princess does better is their bread selections. We missed the whole wheat/multigrain breads that we find in their bread baskets.

 

We turned the clocks an hour ahead tonight so this put us four hours ahead of our at-home time. We were exhausted as we hit the pillows at midnight.

 

Stay tuned for Day 2-first sea day.

[ROWSE]

Following along. Great pictures!

 

Thank you for coming along for the ride!