LIVE from Eclipse - Penthouse Suite - Jan 22nd - 14 nights

[WonderMan3]

After breakfast we went up top to see how the lawn was doing. Still in rough shape in certain areas like it was last year. I imagine it is difficult to maintain so wouldn't be surprised to see that disappear from Edge class. Around 10 we headed for our appointments at the spa. I got my first facial. Interesting experience but not something I'd want to do often. Mike got a deep tissue massage while Carol got an aromatherapy massage. They both enjoyed them.

 

After our spa time we met up with the rest of our group and had lunch at the buffet. Food selection was good today. I made my own chicken tortilla and had some roast turkey and mashed potatoes. Hit the spot! Now doing some time in the casino but luck is down today.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

Bingo was our afternoon activity today. It was held in Celebrity Central which made it a bit awkward with these giant bingo boards in theater style seats. One bit of advice - be aware that if you buy their biggest bingo package you'll receive three different bingo sets, the main giant board of 6 games plus a paper set of 6 games and one paper set of 3 games. The paper games are only used for the final jackpot game but you have to manage 15 games at a time for a cover all; it was stressful trying to keep up with the numbers. Prizes for these bingo games were not great either -$80 for the first, $120 for the second and we never heard what the prize was for the third ($1000 only if you cover all in 45 numbers or less). I assume the payouts depend on the number of participants and today's game was poorly attended.

 

 

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[aeegee]

Oh my, thank you so much for such an enjoyable read. I'm waiting on pins/needles for your next post.:D Love seeing what to look forward to since we be on the Eclipse soon.

 

For your first time your are doing WONDERFULLY!!

[Lastdance]

I wonder how many crew members jump ship before the TA to Rome and what else changes...really interested, as I am in the April 22 TA....I am so excited for 16 days in a suite, but not excited about losing time for quite a few nights...

Once again, thanks for sharing!!! Part of the fun is delayed gratification and following your cruise through your eyes and anticipating what will come.

 

 

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Edited January 25, 2017 by Lastdance

[WonderMan3]

I wonder how many crew members jump ship before the TA to Rome and what else changes...really interested, as I am in the April 22 TA....I am so excited for 16 days in a suite, but not excited about losing time for quite a few nights...

Once again, thanks for sharing!!! Part of the fun is delayed gratification and following your cruise through your eyes and anticipating what will come.

 

 

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Quite a few appear to be leaving after this cruise or the next based on chats we've had with crew. Many may be back by the time April comes around though; don't they get just 2 -3 months off?

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

We had dinner at Luminae again last night. Photos attached show an artichoke chef treat, Scallop Carpaccio, Braised Beef Gnocchi, Moroccan Chicken, New York Strip, Chocolate Napoleon, and Hazelnut Cake (forgot to snap the dessert menu) I had the scallop which I did not care for, the gnocchi which was fantastic and should be bumped up to being an entree, the chicken which was tender and flavorful and the Hazelnut Cake which is one of the best desserts I've had with Celebrity. Those who had the NY Strip and Napoleon said they were fantastic.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

 

 

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[Photo_Traveler]

I am enjoying your reports. Having tried to report day to day is difficult (especially once the ship starts docking at destination ports).

 

If you get a chance to dine in Aruba on the overnight, "Barefoot" has a great rating. In Curacao, Steak and Ribs is a good place to view the ship and enjoy a drink or meal.

 

Question: Are you using "Insert Image" to add your photos???

[LadyVol1]

I am really loving your posts and they are helping me plan my cruise which is when you get off.

Quick question. Is the room service menu paper-based or is it only shown on the television? I think it's only on the television. If that is the case, I will have to request a paper copy for my elderly mother. Thanks again for your wonderful posts and continue to have a great time!

 

 

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[OCA REP]

Question: Are you using "Insert Image" to add your photos???

 

I was wondering the same thing. Enjoying following along, but do hate having to scroll right to read each line of text. Assuming this is due to the size of the images. The large size of the photos are nice, but I guess the trade off is having to scroll to read an entire line of text!

[wrk2cruise]

I use Firefox browser and did ctrl - (ctrl minus) to shrink the font so I don't have to scroll right. Not sure if that works in the other browsers or not.

[jules815]

Thank you for taking the time from your vacation to post. I'll be following along.

[debshomespun]

One of the best dinners we have ever had in the Caribbean was in Aruba right on the beach. They are located at Amsterdam Manor. A short cab ride there, or we have even taken the bus. Here is their website for information:

 

https://www.passions-restaurant-aruba.com/

 

Here are a couple pictures to show the atmosphere, absolutely fantastic!

 

We will be on Equinox in October with a late departure, and already have reservations. We will also be making them for our Eclipse cruise next year!

Edited January 25, 2017 by debshomespun

[WonderMan3]

I was wondering the same thing. Enjoying following along, but do hate having to scroll right to read each line of text. Assuming this is due to the size of the images. The large size of the photos are nice, but I guess the trade off is having to scroll to read an entire line of text!

 

 

Sorry. I'm using the Cruise Critic App on my IPhone so everything looks okay when I post. Didn't realize my photos were coming out so large. I just used the best quality photo size recommended by the app.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

Finishing off with yesterday's adventures (internet was being fussy at the end of the night last night)... After dinner we headed to the casino to play for awhile and then at 10 we checked out the Silent Disco which was being held in Cellar Masters that night. It is fun but it really all depends on the music playing. They had three channels last night, 60's, 70's and current hits. My group was only interested in the current hits but after a few songs they started playing some annoying hip hop song which cleared half the floor and we left also. Will probably check it out again when it's by the pool. Hopefully they'll have better songs.

 

 

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[galensgrl]

We love the aft corner Sky Suites. Did those on our first three Celebrity cruises.

 

 

 

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Hey good to know. Our first X cruise in May, and we booked an aft corner Sky Suite because it looked spacious for a Balcony cabin, which I thought it was when I booked. What we paid was comparable to a Vista Balcony "Suite" on the Veendam. The Vista Suite on HAL is basically the same size as a regular balcony though. We love HAL, we like the Veendam but we think that corner aft SS1 is a great cabin for the money. Better perks with the Go Best as well. We are psyched! I'm enjoying your review of this cruise though, great info and photos. Have fun, or should I say continue to have fun!

Edited January 25, 2017 by galensgrl

[WonderMan3]

We are in Bonaire today. We approached the island around 7 this morning with a dramatic sunrise amid the clouds. 5 of us debarked around 9:30 and did a 10 minute walk over to the Good return Bonaire water taxi departure that would take us out to Klein Bonaire, a barrier island across the harbor from Kralendijk. I had made a reservation on their website which was a good thing as there was a huge crowd of German tourists from another cruise ship waiting along with us and the boat company said they might not be able fit everyone. They boarded children and people with reservations first so we got on quickly. You can make reservations here at http://www.goodreturnbonaire.com Staff was friendly and instructed everyone on where to enter the water to begin snorkeling and avoid shallow reef areas. The cost was $20 round trip on a space available basis. They go out from town once an hour at the top of the hour starting at 9 and return once an hour at the half hour point starting at 10:30. It takes 20 minutes each way. Note that when you get to the beach you do have to descend some skinny metal stairs down into the water, only about knee deep.

 

We went out to Klein Bonaire for the snorkeling which is some of the best in the Caribbean. This is a drift snorkel where you enter at one point on the beach and then let the current take you down to the other end of the beach. It takes about 20 minutes. I don't snorkel but the beach is beautiful as well so I enjoyed that. Because it's next to a reef the shallow water areas do contain a lot of coral pieces so I wore my water shoes. The water was comfortable with some moderate waves. It was pretty crowded out there today so you might want to come in the afternoon. When we did a visit after 1pm on our last trip to Bonaire the crowds were about 3/4 less. Also note that there are no bathroom facilities out there but there was a refreshment stand.

 

After my companions did the drift snorkel they joined me to swim for a bit except for Tina who was able to catch the 11:30 water taxi as she had a ship excursion she needed to meet up with at 1:30 to tour the salt flsts. The rest of us stayed for another hour and caught the 12:30 back.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

Here is the Bonaire guide provided in our cabin.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

Here is the luggage valet info per an earlier request.

 

 

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[aeegee]

Maybe I'm a little dense, but to me the form seems a little confusing. On the first page it says that it's a free service for Suite guest. So does that mean that Celebrity pays their baggage fees? It also says to return this form to the Michael's Club Concierge. Sounds like a special service for Suite, Zenith, etc. guests. You are also suppose to put your Suite # on the form, with no space for just a Cabin #. Different forms for different class cabins???? So, is luggage valet available for ALL GUESTS?

 

If you're on American and have upgraded your flight to include your first bag I would assume you have to prove it with the itinerary you must provide, I guess, because that option is not available to check off under why you would be exempt from fees.

 

The last time we wanted to use Luggage Valet, when it was available before, we had plans to do some sightseeing after the cruise. At 9:00pm the last night of the cruise we were notified that we couldn't use the service. So, I guess we'll just play this all by ear and wait until our cruise in a couple of weeks.

 

I do appreciate WonderMan3 for posting this because everyone has been wondering if the service was back. I sure hope it is available for everyone because the service is great.

 

Thanks again WonderMan3.

 

Update - Just found that it is available for all guests. Another posts shows the form and it says to list your STATEROOM #. I can find out the baggage questions later. Glad to see this info.

Edited January 26, 2017 by aeegee

[wallie5446]

Maybe I'm a little dense, but to me the form seems a little confusing. On the first page it says that it's a free service for Suite guest. So does that mean that Celebrity pays their baggage fees? It also says to return this form to the Michael's Club Concierge. Sounds like a special service for Suite, Zenith, etc. guests. You are also suppose to put your Suite # on the form, with no space for just a Cabin #. Different forms for different class cabins???? So, is luggage valet available for ALL GUESTS?

 

If you're on American and have upgraded your flight to include your first bag I would assume you have to prove it with the itinerary you must provide, I guess, because that option is not available to check off under why you would be exempt from fees.

 

The last time we wanted to use Luggage Valet, when it was available before, we had plans to do some sightseeing after the cruise. At 9:00pm the last night of the cruise we were notified that we couldn't use the service. So, I guess we'll just play this all by ear and wait until our cruise in a couple of weeks.

 

I do appreciate WonderMan3 for posting this because everyone has been wondering if the service was back. I sure hope it is available for everyone because the service is great.

 

Thanks again WonderMan3.

 

Update - Just found that it is available for all guests. Another posts shows the form and it says to list your STATEROOM #. I can find out the baggage questions later. Glad to see this info.

 

Yes it is available for everyone. $25 per per person PLUS any airline bag fees. For the upper suite pax Celebrity comps their $25 part of the cost.

[chamima]

WonderMan3 - Thanks for posting the Luggage Valet form!!!

 

For everyone else - sorry for the confusion. WonderMan is in a suite and posted the form he got.

 

Here is the form for everyone else.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2448502

 

 

I would suggest that if you have questions about how to fill it out correctly to not get luggage fees or any other questions you just go to Guest Relations and nicely ask there.

(I see so many people yelling at them instead of asking so please just be nice. )

[aeegee]

Thank you so much wallie5446 and chamima.

 

Thank you also for posting to be kind to the Concierge folks. They work hard, as well as all of the other crew members. Remember that "you catch more flies with honey than you get with vinegar."

[WonderMan3]

Finishing off from yesterday. After we returned from Klein Bonaire we went back to the ship and showered and had lunch at the buffet. Good selection this day; I had a tasty pork loin, goat cheese pizza and made my own nachos adding chili and refried beans. Then after lunch we took a stroll into town. Didn't really see any shops that interested us and it was hot so we went back to the ship soon after.

 

 

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