Eclipse to Bermuda 5/26, short review

[barric]

First cruise on Eclipse.  Overall, we Seniors prefer the smaller ships like this one...Summit. Reflection etc.  It did not disappoint us. 

Here's a few of our opinions:

 

Aqua 1517.  Unsatisfactory storage.  One small stack of drawers at ground level.  The rest overhead, above the bed.  Impossible for my short wife to use.  Closet was big.   All else about the room was good.  Balcony had chairs and foot rests.  Room steward outstanding with twice daily service. 

 

Blu:  Prior to sailing boards mentioned reduced quality menus.  This was partially true, but most nights we found at least one Blu entree to be good.  The MDR menu was nearly as good as Blu, and we did order from it often. Primarily appies.  Between the two, I rate food quality an 8, with outanding service.  Blu had a lobster tail night which was great.  Also enjoyed good lamb chops, rib eye and short ribs.  Breads on X continue to be best at sea.

 

Buffet:  We are foodies and things were up to my expectation of Celebrity.  We ate here for lunches and breakfasts.   There were theme days, and on the last sea day, they had an extravaganza.  Huge shrimp bar, and a CAVIAR bar with 3 types.  Aand lots of other great offerings.   Caesar salads best I've had at sea.  Lots of varied food choises.  Always found something pleasing.  

 

Breakfast:  We are Elite so bfst at Tuscan was available to us.  There were 5 or 6 "continental" entrees:  smoked salmon, meats and cheeses, fruits etc.  No bacon and eggs.  We ate there once only.   At Blu, everything was as expected.  Good food and service.  Most of the time tho, we ate in the buffet.  Same foods, more variety, pretty good quality.  We would arrive at 6am for coffee, and then eat at 8.  Not too crowded then, but by 9 the buffet was very busy.  Still no big problem with seating.  

 

Entertainment:  Good lounge acts and plenty of seating.  Theater shows all OK.  The Sky Lounge was terrific for events and viewing. Entertainment in the foyer was good but you need to get there early to secure a chair.  Oh, the chairs!  Form over function.  Uncomfortable all around the ship.  Ridiculous.

 

Wifi standard was ok.  Good for surfing, but not streaming.  

 

Casino awful.   No low limint penny slots.   VP paytables pretty poor.  

 

Debarkation:  Breakfast at Blu.  With Elite, we were able to camp in Tuscan for a comfortable wait.  Coffee and snacks available.  Close to the exit so no trudging in long lines.  

 

 

 

[Tom and Ingrid]

Years ago we did the Summit NJ-Bermuda 7 night and really enjoyed it.

 

How did you find the crowds? That seems to be the talk these days, and I've been considering revisiting a Bermuda cruise again, but not a ton of sailing options.  

[barric]

Eclipse was quite full.  The pool area was very crowded on nice days.   The Solarium was packed on cool days.  The Buffet was never bad.  Nothing else was an issue.

[tonyd285]

We were also on this cruise, in Aqua Class 1610.  We found the food in Blu to be mostly very good and the service excellent.  Our waiter Eber and his assistant were always ready with suggestions and helpful tips.  Our cabin attendant, Nyoman was also very responsive.  We had dinner one night in Murano.  I had the lobster and my companion had the lamb chops.  Both  exceeded our expectations.  I was a bit disappointed in the entertainment.  In my experience on past Celebrity cruises the entertainment was generally more professional.  This time I sensed a bit of "amateur hour."  We did enjoy most of the lounge music. I agree about the casino.  Very poor payouts and expensive slots.  After two days I gave up.  Overall, we had a wonderful time and will be sailing with Celebrity again soon.. 

[cruisetonowhere10]

1 hour ago, Tom and Ingrid said:

Years ago we did the Summit NJ-Bermuda 7 night and really enjoyed it.

 

How did you find the crowds? That seems to be the talk these days, and I've been considering revisiting a Bermuda cruise again, but not a ton of sailing options.  

I did this same cruise/ship and loved it.  Was 2017 though so I’m sure lots has changed.

[Tom and Ingrid]

58 minutes ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

I did this same cruise/ship and loved it.  Was 2017 though so I’m sure lots has changed.

Ours was in 2016, so surely times have changed but hopefully not too much.  We rented mopeds and cruised the island, which was a blast (among other things there).  

[cruisetonowhere10]

1 minute ago, Tom and Ingrid said:

Ours was in 2016, so surely times have changed but hopefully not too much.  We rented mopeds and cruised the island, which was a blast (among other things there).  

We spent two days at Horseshoe Bay (literally in the waves, exploring, no need for chairs lol) and then did a snorkeling/catamaran/paddle boarding/cliff jumping excursion which the kids enjoyed.

[michri]

1 hour ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

We spent two days at Horseshoe Bay (literally in the waves, exploring, no need for chairs lol) and then did a snorkeling/catamaran/paddle boarding/cliff jumping excursion which the kids enjoyed.

Did you encounter many Portuguese Man’O Wars at Horseshoe Bay?

[cruisetonowhere10]

6 minutes ago, michri said:

Did you encounter many Portuguese Man’O Wars at Horseshoe Bay?

None when we were there…early August.