LIVE BLOG! ECLIPSE 11/10 -12/09/18 Med and TA

[h20cruzer]

10 hours ago, skrapngal said:

Hi Norma. Really enjoying your review. Can't wait to board the Eclipse in March 2020, but also looking forward to your TA portion as I will be on one on Rhapsody of the Seas in Nov 2019.

 

I was wondering if you might be able to get me some pictures of Celebrity specific scrapbooking supplies sold on board. On Princess and Royal, they are sold where the ship pictures are sold. I would love to see what they have (if anything).

 

Much appreciated and enjoy your cruise!

I will check with the gift shop but nothing jumped out at me in the 8 or so times I’ve been in there. Maybe sold somewhere else, I will check.

Norma

[skrapngal]

2 hours ago, h20cruzer said:

I will check with the gift shop but nothing jumped out at me in the 8 or so times I’ve been in there. Maybe sold somewhere else, I will check.

Norma

On other cruise lines, they are sold at the photo shop.

[h20cruzer]

Thursday Nov 22 At sea 

Happy Thanksgiving

Last  day of this cruise:(:( most people running around getting last minute photos turning in casino credits and asking a lot of questions. Can’t tell you how good it feels knowing we are on the next cruise. Have to be out of our cabin by 8am and at Quasar at 9 am to get new boarding pass if we are not getting off the ship. Room stewards will handle moving our belongings to our new room. Next cruise we are in Aqua class, it will be my first time eating in Blu. No pic this morning as the internet is slower than slow.

Our favorites in Cafe Al Bacio are Katherine and Marko, everyone has been excellent but those 2 are standouts!!!

Martini Bar honors go to Putu and Gede, again everyone excellent. 

World Class Bar excellent!!! Both bartenders outstanding can’t spell their names but they are the only 2 up there.

5 star service.!!!

we have only eaten in main dining twice different waiters each time, service satisfactory.

Norma

 

[h20cruzer]

5 hours ago, skrapngal said:

On other cruise lines, they are sold at the photo shop.

Correct in the photo gallery. Seemed very limited to me but again I don scrap book. The have supplies in a kit $29.99, they have a book $34.99 of if you buy both $49.99, hope that helps

Norma

[skrapngal]

thanks so much!!! It doesn't look Celebrity specific, but it's nice to see they do have smth!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

[mrsgoggins]

 

Quote

Our favorites in Cafe Al Bacio are Katherine and Marko, everyone has been excellent but those 2 are standouts!!!

 

Norma

 

 

I remember Marko well!  He has an amazing memory for names.  My memory is not as sharp as his, but I do believe he is from Croatia and is a very smart young man.

 

I’ll be very interested to hear what you make of Blu on your next cruise.  Happy sailing.

Edited November 22, 2018 by mrsgoggins

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, h20cruzer said:

Thursday Nov 22 At sea 

Happy Thanksgiving

Last  day of this cruise:(:( most people running around getting last minute photos turning in casino credits and asking a lot of questions. Can’t tell you how good it feels knowing we are on the next cruise. Have to be out of our cabin by 8am and at Quasar at 9 am to get new boarding pass if we are not getting off the ship. Room stewards will handle moving our belongings to our new room. Next cruise we are in Aqua class, it will be my first time eating in Blu. No pic this morning as the internet is slower than slow.

Our favorites in Cafe Al Bacio are Katherine and Marko, everyone has been excellent but those 2 are standouts!!!

Martini Bar honors go to Putu and Gede, again everyone excellent. 

World Class Bar excellent!!! Both bartenders outstanding can’t spell their names but they are the only 2 up there.

5 star service.!!!

we have only eaten in main dining twice different waiters each time, service satisfactory.

Norma

 

Don't you love B2B's when everyone else is rushing around and packing and you just sit back and enjoy.  Hope you enjoy your day in Barcelona,  it is such a vibrant city.

[CulverCityCruisers]

On 11/13/2018 at 11:23 PM, h20cruzer said:

Ali is the best!!  We were on Eclipse earlier this year and actually had his girlfriend as our asst waiter in the main dinning room.  Great couple!! Wonder if they got engaged.  Love Eclipse and are enjoying her again through your blog

 

[kathynorth]

Hi Norma, thanks for posting about your cruise experience. It's so much fun watching in the wings as you let us know about the great time you're having on your trip! We board the Eclipse as you disembark in BA. If you have a spare moment could you take a photo and post the craft beer menu at Cellar Masters? We'll be traveling with my adult son who is interested to see what kinds of high end beer is onboard. 

 

Thanks, Kathy

Edited November 22, 2018 by kathynorth

[h20cruzer]

Well back to Barcelona. Yesterday was beautiful sun and warm enough to sit outside. I went to the show last night  with acrobats, it was very good I would see it again. Called Euphoria. Everything is out of the room and sitting at Cafe Al Bacio for a cuppa coffee before we get our new boarding passes for the next cruise. 

 We had dinner in Mirono last night. Neither Liesa or I were up for a turkey dinner in the dining room we had ordered ahead and made a special arrangement to have steak Diane and it certainly did not disappoint it was out of sight.

Apparently our friends that are joining us today on the cruise had a little snafu in her luggage did not come out but later on they had good news for luggage showed up at the hotel last night so all is right.

I’m going to try and post some photos let’s hope it’s faster than yesterday it took me like 10 minutes to post one picture.

 We had a great time and are now looking forward to the 16 Knight transit Lantic Barcelona to Buenos Aires. Since we are taking the southern route I will doubt we had the issues that the silhouette had taking the northern route.

Norma

[h20cruzer]

[h20cruzer]

[h20cruzer]

 I am amazed that the Internet is still working at 8:30 in the morning. The pictures are uploading so fast it makes my head spin. I wish that the TA would be that fast. Until we sail out of Barcelona!!!

Norma

[h20cruzer]

Saturday Nov 24  Cartagena Spain

Yesterday went smoothly and we left on time. For us back to backers who did not get off the ship getting our new boarding cards was quick and easy. No insentive to get off since it was raining. Announcements coming in English, Spanish, German and Portuguese. 

We had dinner in Murano last night with our friends Judi and Dan picture who joined the ship yesterday. We were celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary dinner was exceptional again we have the Château Briand, delicious, Judi had the lamb chops and Dan has the Duck.

This is my first time in Aqua class so very excited to try out the restaurant BLU.

For my first experience I was  disappointed. No one seemed to know what the were doing.  The maître d’ called our waiter away from our  table and ordered him to bring coffee cups to another table of guests who had just set down I was  appalled. The waiter did not seem to understand I just wanted 2 poached eggs nothing else. I don’t know how I could have been any clearer. He finally got it, but unfortunately when they arrived they were way over cooked. Someone else came over and whey were replaced quickly. The Young gentleman who served coffee with a delight.  Hopefully starting with dinner things will improve and we will  not have another experience like this. 

As you know we had to switch rooms and our rooms stewards made the move very easy.

Overall everything has been great looking forward to doing the crossing and moving onto South America.

[h20cruzer]

4 hours ago, h20cruzer said:

Saturday Nov 24  Cartagena Spain

Yesterday went smoothly and we left on time. For us back to backers who did not get off the ship getting our new boarding cards was quick and easy. No insentive to get off since it was raining. Announcements coming in English, Spanish, German and Portuguese. 

We had dinner in Murano last night with our friends Judi and Dan picture who joined the ship yesterday. We were celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary dinner was exceptional again we have the Château Briand, delicious, Judi had the lamb chops and Dan has the Duck.

This is my first time in Aqua class so very excited to try out the restaurant BLU.

For my first experience I was  disappointed. No one seemed to know what the were doing.  The maître d’ called our waiter away from our  table and ordered him to bring coffee cups to another table of guests who had just set down I was  appalled. The waiter did not seem to understand I just wanted 2 poached eggs nothing else. I don’t know how I could have been any clearer. He finally got it, but unfortunately when they arrived they were way over cooked. Someone else came over and whey were replaced quickly. The Young gentleman who served coffee with a delight.  Hopefully starting with dinner things will improve and we will  not have another experience like this. 

As you know we had to switch rooms and our rooms stewards made the move very easy.

Overall everything has been great looking forward to doing the crossing and moving onto South America.

 

[BillandChristy]

Norma,

What was the process for getting new seapass cards especially for those getting off the ship? For those on private tours, is it possible to get off the ship by 8:00am?

 

Thanks, Bill

[h20cruzer]

15 hours ago, BillandChristy said:

Norma,

What was the process for getting new seapass cards especially for those getting off the ship? For those on private tours, is it possible to get off the ship by 8:00am?

 

Thanks, Bill

Bill they gave everyone a transit pass at the initial meeting for back to backers. You could get off the ship early, when you come back you go to a special line they take your picture and reboard the ship. If you do get off Ship, (sorry I didn’t pay attention since I wasn’t getting off) I think you can’t get back on before a certain time, maybe someone else could chime in. 

[h20cruzer]

Sunday Nov 25 at sea

started with a cocktail at the Martini Bar before dinner. Busy with new people everyone seems friendly.

We returned to Blu for dinner, great news, food and service were very good. We both had the lobster salad and short ribs. I had the lava cake and Liesa had the crime brûlée

Steve the wine steward was also very good. We enjoyed our time at dinner!!!!

Back 5o the Martini Bar for a. Nightcap and off to bed. The Martini Bar had cleared out by the time we came back so we pretty much had our choice of seats.

The seas were rough and very windy last night, which is what I like!! Not as rocky this morning but still moving a lot.

Only got a pic of the lobster salad from last night.

[h20cruzer]

[BillandChristy]

4 hours ago, h20cruzer said:

Bill they gave everyone a transit pass at the initial meeting for back to backers. You could get off the ship early, when you come back you go to a special line they take your picture and reboard the ship. If you do get off Ship, (sorry I didn’t pay attention since I wasn’t getting off) I think you can’t get back on before a certain time, maybe someone else could chime in. 

Norma, thanks very much. That is  a better process than I have been told about other B2B turnover days on Celebrity. Friends told me that they always give out new seapass cards during turnover day only and about 9-9:30am. Your process sounds much better to allow the B2B people to enjoy a day in the port.

 

Bill

[mit429]

On 11/21/2018 at 5:56 AM, h20cruzer said:

Yes the do have spin classes. I spoke with them and they advised to go up to the gym area of the spa to sign up right away since they only have 13 cycles. They schedule is posted up there. They do not offer every day. Price with the 18% grat is either 12.95 or $13.95 per class.

 

Thanks for checking it out! 

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, h20cruzer said:

Bill they gave everyone a transit pass at the initial meeting for back to backers. You could get off the ship early, when you come back you go to a special line they take your picture and reboard the ship. If you do get off Ship, (sorry I didn’t pay attention since I wasn’t getting off) I think you can’t get back on before a certain time, maybe someone else could chime in. 

 

I've done a number of B2B's and most of the time the procedure is fairly similar.    They usually have a B2B meeting about 2 days before turn around day.   They will go over the process with you as well as give you a letter outlining the procedure.   Sometimes they have a raffle during the meeting and give away Free Specialty Dining Certificate, bottles of wine, free laundry etc.   nice touch.    

 

At the meeting you are given a Transit Pass.    There can be two different processes depending if on a European cruise where the ship remains in the EC and they do not have to customs clear the ship and passengers.   On the European cruises on turn around day If you leave the ship whenever you wish and your original sea pass is taken from you by security when you exit the ship.   Upon return you go to a Supervisors Desk for B2B's (walking around the lines) and they have you new seapass card.   A quick picture and your own your way.   Norma can tell you what they do if you remain on board.   I believe you stateroom attendant delivers a new card to you.

 

For Foreign ports where they have to zero out the ship.   Basically the same if going ashore.    If staying aboard you meet at a location with other B2B's at around 10:00 they take you off the ship as a group to clear immigrations.   You are issued a new seapass and photo taken  and you are seated in a lounge until they clear the ship and crew.   About 20 minutes later they escort you back aboard.    Normally they host a special lunch for B2B's onboard.   

[BillandChristy]

8 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I've done a number of B2B's and most of the time the procedure is fairly similar.    They usually have a B2B meeting about 2 days before turn around day.   They will go over the process with you as well as give you a letter outlining the procedure.   Sometimes they have a raffle during the meeting and give away Free Specialty Dining Certificate, bottles of wine, free laundry etc.   nice touch.    

 

At the meeting you are given a Transit Pass.    There can be two different processes depending if on a European cruise where the ship remains in the EC and they do not have to customs clear the ship and passengers.   On the European cruises on turn around day If you leave the ship whenever you wish and your original sea pass is taken from you by security when you exit the ship.   Upon return you go to a Supervisors Desk for B2B's (walking around the lines) and they have you new seapass card.   A quick picture and your own your way.   Norma can tell you what they do if you remain on board.   I believe you stateroom attendant delivers a new card to you.

 

For Foreign ports where they have to zero out the ship.   Basically the same if going ashore.    If staying aboard you meet at a location with other B2B's at around 10:00 they take you off the ship as a group to clear immigrations.   You are issued a new seapass and photo taken  and you are seated in a lounge until they clear the ship and crew.   About 20 minutes later they escort you back aboard.    Normally they host a special lunch for B2B's onboard.   

Thanks Jim. Very helpful. How long before the ship is scheduled to leave the foreign port do you have to be at the Supervisor's Desk to get your new Seapass card? We have private tours arranged and need to plan for that.

 

Bill

[Northern Aurora]

12 hours ago, BillandChristy said:

Norma, thanks very much. That is  a better process than I have been told about other B2B turnover days on Celebrity. Friends told me that they always give out new seapass cards during turnover day only and about 9-9:30am. Your process sounds much better to allow the B2B people to enjoy a day in the port.

 

Bill

 

 

We spend 60 to 90 days a year on Celebrity ships, and almost always do B2B or B2B2B series, with the occasional B2B2B2B.  On B2B2Bs we've periodically experienced different turnaround day procedures between legs 2 and 3.  Really depends on several factors.  If CC search function is up and working you can easily find a number of descriptions of the process, but remember the process can vary.

 

Before the turnaround day a succinct instruction letter will be distributed outlining the process. There will be an option if you decide to stay onboard and another if you decide to leave the ship for the day.  But everyone will receive a transit card to bypass the craziness in the terminal on embarkation.  There is always a pier coordinator's desk which is what Jim is referencing as a supervisor's desk.  Celebrity generally wants everyone who plans to leave the ship be physically off the ship by 9:00 to 9:30 AM as the gangway is generally closed until embarkation starts for the new passengers joining the ship.  As soon as self-disembarkation starts folks who want to leave for the day generally can do so.  Celebrity expects B2B passengers to again attend the muster drill, so folks leaving for the day should be back prior to the muster drill if they want to avoid the make-up drill.

 

Hope this helps with your confusion.

 

 

[BillandChristy]

10 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

 

We spend 60 to 90 days a year on Celebrity ships, and almost always do B2B or B2B2B series, with the occasional B2B2B2B.  On B2B2Bs we've periodically experienced different turnaround day procedures between legs 2 and 3.  Really depends on several factors.  If CC search function is up and working you can easily find a number of descriptions of the process, but remember the process can vary.

 

Before the turnaround day a succinct instruction letter will be distributed outlining the process. There will be an option if you decide to stay onboard and another if you decide to leave the ship for the day.  But everyone will receive a transit card to bypass the craziness in the terminal on embarkation.  There is always a pier coordinator's desk which is what Jim is referencing as a supervisor's desk.  Celebrity generally wants everyone who plans to leave the ship be physically off the ship by 9:00 to 9:30 AM as the gangway is generally closed until embarkation starts for the new passengers joining the ship.  As soon as self-disembarkation starts folks who want to leave for the day generally can do so.  Celebrity expects B2B passengers to again attend the muster drill, so folks leaving for the day should be back prior to the muster drill if they want to avoid the make-up drill.

 

Hope this helps with your confusion.

 

 

Yes, that helps. What time is the muster drill held (relative to departure time) on an embarkation day? 

 

Thanks, Bill