Celebrity Eclipse
Description
Solstice Class
An unparalleled class. An extraordinary experience.
From the minds of the world’s top designers and architects comes a class of ships that defy the imagination. Introducing Solstice Class.
Encapsulating Celebrity Cruises' vision of innovation with service and style, and boasting a host of groundbreaking new features and design, Solstice Class ships are truly extraordinary.
Expansive decks, rich colour palettes illuminated by beautiful natural light, spacious accommodations and a stunning array of onboard diversions - are all delivered with the exceptional service and attention to detail for which Celebrity Cruises is world renowned.
Magnificent architecture and stylish design to its advanced technology Celebrity’s Solstice Class leaves convention behind.
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Occupancy: | 2,850 |
Tonnage: | 122,000 |
Length: | 1,033 ft |
Beam: | 121 ft |
Draught: | 27 ft |
Cruisespeed: | 24 kts |
Ships Registry: | Malta |
Inaugural Date: | April 19, 2010 |
Facilities
The Lawn Club - With it’s decidedly Country Club ambiance, The Lawn Club, located on Solstice’s highest deck, lets you relax and enjoy a variety of casual outdoor activities on its magnificent, freshly manicured lawn. There's absolutely nothing like it.
The Hot Glass Show - Celebrity Cruises and the Corning Museum of Glass together bring you the dazzling and engaging Hot Glass Show. Watch as professional glassblowers create gorgeous pieces of art in an interactive setting in this one-of-a-kind exhibition.
AquaSpa - Lose yourself in Celebrity Solstice’s deeply indulgent AquaSpa. From our soothing treatments to the immersive Persian Garden, we’ve created an atmosphere that will collectively caress the senses like never before.
Martini Bar & Crush - Inspired by the cool grace of ice, snow and water, the Martini Bar boasts an ambiance unlike any other, exemplified by its sleek, frosted main bar. To further indulge you, we’ve added Crush, a small alcove featuring an ice-filled table centre where you can sample Caviar and Vodka pairings well into the night.
Quasar - Take to the dance floor and embrace the invigorating pulse of Quasar. A contemporary nightclub with a retro flair, it will lure you in with vibrant lighting and hypnotic rhythm.
Cellar Masters - Inspired by the vineyards of Napa Valley, Cellar Masters brings to life the experience of a global wine tour while you learn about and taste a large variety of wines from around the world. A welcoming and unique on board environment, you'll discover new wines, receive recommendations and enrich your knowledge of the world of wine.
Fortunes Casino - Test your luck at the exciting yet elegant Fortunes Casino. This spacious venue features a distinctly Monte Carlo atmosphere, tailored to comfortably accommodate both players and observers. With 200 machines and 16 tables, there’s a game of chance to satisfy every impulse.
Theatre - Enjoy intimate performances on a grand scale at the eponymous Solstice and Equinox Theatres. Each ship’s theatre will treat you to inspiring Broadway style shows, beautiful music arrangements and hilarious comedy acts. The plush, comfortable atmosphere and rounded stage make every show feel like it was created just for you.
Main Dining Room - The main dining room glistens with a magnificent two-storey glass wine tower, stunning chandeliers and gorgeous ocean views. Inspired by the grandeur of Hollywood, you’ll enjoy the finest cuisine in a plush atmosphere that exudes style and sophistication. Savour delicious, freshly prepared Classic World & Continental cuisine, with exceptional service.
Blu - As the specialty restaurant serving our AquaClass guests, Blu’s menu features a wide choice of fresh and healthy dishes. A selection of International and California wines accentuate your meal, all to be enjoyed in an intimate, relaxed atmosphere.
Café al Bacio - Café al Bacio’s selection of speciality coffees and tasty liqueurs complement a variety of freshly baked pastries. In addition, the Gelateria offers a variety of Italian ices and gelatos prepared with an artistic touch.
Rating
Additional Details
Celebrity Eclipse is scheduled for an extensive refurbishment in March 2020 when the ship will receive additional suites, cabin upgrades and transformations of several venues. Michael's Club will become the Retreat Lounge with its own sun deck and the Oceanview Cafe buffet and Cellar Masters wine bar will be redesigned.
Celebrity Eclipse is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful big ships we've ever sailed. Its interiors blend sophistication with a bit of whimsy -- akin to a trendy W Hotel but with softer edges.
It's a food-lovers paradise, with many options onboard from the complimentary Moonlight Sonata, which will satisfy almost any tastes, to the upscale but extra-cost French bistro Murano and the fun, animated experience at Qsine. Music fans will also appreciate the diversity of bands, duos and soloists that perform in various venues from early evening until late at night.
We love that the ship positions itself perfectly for the first timer -- not so big that it's overwhelming but not so small that you get bored. It's got a good selection of activities, the entertainment is high quality and cabins are bigger than the industry average.
On the downside, the rampant upselling and fee surcharges are a bit of a turnoff. Service is sometimes overwhelmed, and on warm sea days, the pool deck can feel crowded, especially when the ship is at its maximum capacity of 3,148.
But none of the negatives is enough to deter us from taking another cruise on this lovely ship.
Daytime: Casual throughout, with bathing suits and cover-ups common on the pool deck.
Evening: Two evening chic nights take place per seven-night cruise. The rest of the time, it's smart-casual, with sport shirts and slacks appropriate for men, while women will be comfortable in skirts or pants and blouses, or casual dresses. On "evening chic" evenings, men can ditch the full suit and tie in favor of a sport coat and collared shirt, with nice pants or even designer jeans. Women can wear cocktail dresses, sundresses, designer jeans or nice pants.
Not permitted: Swimwear, spa robes and bare feet are not permitted in the buffet, while T-shirts, tank tops and flip-flops are not allowed in the main dining room at any time; shorts are not allowed at dinner (although this rule isn't always enforced).
For more information, visit Cruise Line Dress Codes: Celebrity.
Celebrity Eclipse's cabins are relatively spacious, with good storage and amenities. Of the 1,279 cabins with ocean views (including suites), 1,205 have balconies -- a whopping 85 percent of all cabins. All cabin categories come in varieties that fit two to four people, giving families a range of cabin prices to choose from. There are also designated family cabins that can sleep up to five.
Accessible versions of all categories are available.
All cabins, regardless of category, come with robes, safes, hair dryers and stocked mini-bars. (Tea and coffee makers are available only when the ship sails in the U.K.) A large interactive flat-screen TV in every cabin allows passengers to book reservations, services and excursions; examine their accounts; check menus; and watch on-demand entertainment for an extra fee. There is also plenty of storage space, with many nooks and crannies in addition to the closet and drawers. Most cabins also feature two twin beds, which can convert to a queen; a sofa bed, cabinet with shelving and desk with chair.
Bathrooms have also been well thought out, with curved acrylic shower doors and lots of shelves for your toiletries. Soap and small bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion are provided.
Suite privileges on Celebrity Eclipse are robust and include a private lounge and restaurant.
Cabin Categories
Interior: About 10 percent of the cabins onboard are inside cabins, each measuring from 174 to 200 square feet.
Oceanview: Outside cabins are 175 square feet and feature large picture windows.
Balcony: Making up the bulk of the rooms, standard balcony cabins are 192 square feet, with 53-square-foot balconies; the extra square footage goes mostly to bigger closets. Sunset balcony cabins are located at the back of the ship, but surprisingly, do not have bigger balconies.
Concierge Class: Also 192 square feet with 53-square-foot balconies, these staterooms come with concierge-type services (such as restaurant and private car reservations ashore), as well as a full breakfast room service menu, nightly canapes and complimentary welcome aboard Champagne. Other Concierge Class perks include Egyptian cotton oversized bath towels, a Hansgrohe massaging showerhead and upgraded robes. Shoeshine service is complimentary, as is the use of a golf umbrella and binoculars. Priority treatment takes the form of priority check-in, luggage delivery, embarkation and debarkation. Concierge Class passengers also get the use of an exclusive pre-departure lounge with free coffee and juices.
AquaClass: Also the same size as a standard balcony, these staterooms are located on Deck 11 near the AquaSpa and include an expanded assemblage of spa-oriented cosmetics, gels and bath amenities; upgraded linens, including a pillow menu; upgraded robes and slippers; a daily carafe of flavor-infused iced tea; canapes; and access to an exclusive room service menu of salads, whole grains and healthy dining choices. The bathroom features a five-head Hansgrohe shower tower.
AquaClass passengers have their own specialty restaurant, Blu, as well as complimentary use of the AquaSpa Relaxation Room and Persian Garden thermal suite, a value of about $100 per passenger based on a seven-night cruise. Lastly, a "spa concierge" is available to help with booking treatments.
Family Offerings: Families can take advantage of 121 connecting staterooms and four Family Ocean View Staterooms with two bedrooms each. These rooms measure a massive 575 square feet with one master bedroom, plus a second bedroom (with a single twin bed) and sitting area with a sofa (convertible to trundle bed). They can sleep five.
Accessible: Eclipse has 30 state-of-the-art wheelchair-accessible staterooms, covering a wide range of categories from inside to Sky Suite. Eighty percent (24) have outside views, and 20 of the 30 accessible cabins have balconies. All accessible staterooms have additional square footage over their nonaccessible counterparts and have 32-inch-wide automatic doors with sitting-level keycard slots. Most accessible staterooms feature a 5-foot turning radius. Bathrooms have roll-in showers, ramped thresholds and lowered fixtures. A service animal relief box is available on request.
Suites
Celebrity has four types of suites, each bigger than the next. All suite passengers get butler service and a range of other perks, which include exclusive use of the suite passenger-only, Luminae Restaurant. Celebrity's suite passengers also enjoy a free mini-bar and exclusive use of the Michael's Club lounge. Bathroom amenities are by Bulgari.
Sky Suite: Sky Suites measure 300 square feet with a 77-square-foot veranda accessed through floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors. Bathrooms come with a shower/tub combination.
Celebrity Suites: Each measures 394 square feet with a 105-square-foot balcony. They come with an entrance hall and two separate rooms. The bedroom is almost entirely filled by a large double bed. The living room area is expansive, with an L-shaped sofa, coffee table and chair, sideboard, flat-screen TV and double doors leading out to the balcony. Bathrooms have a combo shower/tub.
Royal Suite: Spanning 590 square feet with a 153-square-foot balcony, each Royal Suite has a master bedroom with a large bathroom that has a separate shower and tub, a second half bathroom and a large living room with an L-shaped sofa, coffee table, a wet bar and a dining area that can seat six.
Penthouse Suites: The two Penthouse Suites, measuring 1,291 square feet with 389-square-foot balconies, are breathtaking. These cabins offer floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors leading out to the balconies, separate living and dining rooms, baby grand pianos, full bars, sofa queen sleepers, two 52-inch LCD TVs (with surround sound in each living room), two bedrooms with full baths and master baths with whirlpool tubs, shower stalls with dual shower heads, double washbasins and even 26-inch LCD TVs. Each balcony has a second whirlpool and lounge seating.
Celebrity places a high emphasis on food, and the quality of the food onboard is generally of a high standard. If you choose to only eat in the ship's complimentary main dining room, Moonlight Sonata, you will not be disappointed.
Unfortunately, unless you're staying in an AquaClass cabin or a suite, there's only one other main free dining option, the Oceanview Cafe buffet.
Cruisers with special dietary needs might want to stick with the main dining room, where vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free and no-sugar items are clearly marked on the menu.
Room service is free, except for orders between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Moonlight Sonata Dining Room (Decks 3 & 4)
Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) on sea days, Dinner (D):
The towering, airy Moonlight Sonata is the ship's main dining room, spanning two decks at the aft end of the ship. The room is bright and light in tone and makes ample use of the ship's signature design element, glass. The two-story glass wine tower is a showstopper.
Surprisingly for a ship with 2,800 passengers, this single restaurant feels spacious and uncrowded. The room's openness, combined with extensive carpeting on the floors, results in a tolerable noise level.
Service is prompt, attentive and friendly. The dinner menu is not overloaded with choices, offering seven always changing entrees each night, including a salad entree. Although no separate spa, vegetarian or heart-healthy menus are added on, at least one choice per course qualifies for each category. In addition, the chef suggests his favorite from the available options, and there are also several "classic favorite" options available nightly. We found the cuisine to be a mix of French, Italian and "New American" styles, with good, hearty salads.
Deck 3 of Moonlight Sonata is reserved for those who want traditional assigned time dining; choices are either 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. Deck 4 is for people who opt to dine anytime between opening hours.
Oceanview Cafe (Deck 14)
Meals: B, L, D
Nine decks directly above Moonlight Sonata is the Oceanview Cafe, an expansive multistation buffet for breakfast, lunch and casual dinner. Outside of regular mealtimes, ice cream, pizza, pasta, sushi, afternoon tea and late-night snacks are on offer, all without additional charge. A juice bar serves up particularly delicious freshly squeezed O.J., but it will set you back a few bucks.
The buffet layout is excellent, with many serving and prep stations situated as islands in the middle of the room, rather than stretched along the walls. The result is a dependably uncrowded, spacious operation offering an extensive number of choices.
Besides the conventional dinner choices, which tend to mirror what's served each evening in Moonlight Sonata, British (bangers, English bacon, baked beans, Marmite, Alpen -- but only when in Southampton) and Asian (miso soup with mix-ins, tofu, rice) stations, as well as vegetarian and carved meat stations, round out the mix. The standard breakfast selections don't change. We found the breads superb, especially the housemade English muffins.
Lunch features one changing "Chef's Choice" station (primarily a carving station) in addition to tacos, pastas, stir-fry, sandwiches, soups, salads and other specialty stops. There is plenty of elbow room between tables, and attentive waiters are available for assistance for those who require it.
Mast Grill (Deck 14)
Meals: L
Outside and forward of the main swimming pool, the Mast Grill serves burgers, hot dogs and fries.
Luminae (Deck 3)
Meals: B, L, D
This 92-person restaurant is free -- but only to those people booked in suites. Luminae has a contemporary look and feel: lots of light, chrome and glass to reflect the meaning of its name (light). It's split into two separate spaces, which gives the feeling of intimacy and exclusivity that Celebrity is trying to create.
Lunch and dinner menus change daily (as in they are never repeated) and are freshly prepared -- often with produce sourced from the port visited that day. The dinner menu is limited intentionally, apparently, to ensure the selections are always fresh. It features just four appetizers, five mains and three desserts. The food, service and ambience are outstanding.
Blu (Deck 5)
Meals: B, D
A private dining room reserved for passengers booked in Celebrity's AquaClass category, Blu has a similar multicourse menu to Moonlight Sonata but with fewer offerings. The cuisine style relies less on rich sauces and sauteeing and more on natural reductions, ragouts and herbs. The calorie count is printed next to each dish. We found the food rather uninspiring, and the atmosphere cold. AquaClass passengers do not have to pay extra to dine here; suite passengers may book tables on a space-available basis, also for free. The restaurant is otherwise off limits to regular passengers.
AquaSpa Cafe (Deck 12)
Meals: B, L
AquaSpa Cafe, in the adults-only Solarium, serves healthier fare (think small salads and wraps) for breakfast and lunch. The cafe also offers Greek yogurt parfaits, juices and smoothies, although these cost extra. It's usually quiet and relaxing in the early morning, with only the trickling sound of the nearby water feature. Solo travelers often dine here alone.
Pricing was accurate at time of review but may have changed since.
Murano (Deck 5); $50 per person (dinner); $30 per person (lunch)
Meals: L, D
Celebrity is renowned for its high-quality French alternative restaurants. On Eclipse, the restaurant is called Murano, and the theme is Continental with a tilt toward new French. The centerpiece is a six-course tasting menu, with two choices for each course and an option to have wine paired with each (raising the surcharge to $89). Diners can also order from the a la carte menu. There is a "Market Price" surcharge for caviar. Murano is the perfect choice for date night.
Tuscan Grille (Deck 5); $45 per person (dinner); $25 per person (lunch)
Meals: L, D
Tuscan Grille, Eclipse's Italian steakhouse restaurant, has the best view of any restaurant aboard the ship, being situated all the way aft. A meal in Tuscan Grille is best enjoyed before the sun goes down and while there are still seats right up against the wall of glass facing the trailing wake of the ship. The grilled meats and seafood can't be beat. Other signature touches are an antipasti bar and Caesar salad prepared tableside. There is also the opportunity to pay for upcharge items (steaks), like $15 for a bone-in New York Strip.
Qsine (Deck 5); $55 per person (dinner)
Meals: D
Qsine (pronounced "cuisine") has replaced its former gimmick of quirky cuisine, moving the novelty to your plate, literally. A cute, animated show is screened on each diner's plate and across the table in between four courses of gourmet food. Known as Le Petit Chef, because the cartoon stars a little chef who mutters in French as he struggles to prepare your meal, this unique experience is endearing and amusing. Kids would enjoy it as much as adults. Each dish is simple and delicious, but it's a set menu so ask the maitre d' when booking if you would like to switch out one of the courses.
Sushi on Five (Deck 5); a la carte, $4–$13
Meals: L, D
Much more than a sushi joint, Sushi on Five offers sashimi, hot pots, noodle dishes and snacks, which can also be delivered to your cabin.
Cafe al Bacio & Gelateria (Deck 5); a la carte, $4–$10
Meals: Snacks
Located across from Sushi on Five, this coffee place was one of our favorite spots for a light snack. The food, from pastries to small sandwiches, is complimentary, but the (overpriced) beverages cost extra. On the opposite side of the room, a gelato bar dishes out cold concoctions, also for a fee.
Theater
The Eclipse Theater hosts cooking demonstrations and talks from guest lecturers during the day and then each night (at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.) sees a different production, from a Cirque du Soleil-inspired circus show to performances by aerialists, dancers, guest singers, comics and magicians.
Daily Fun
From early morning, Celebrity Eclipse has nonstop activities, such as gym and dance classes, trivia, bingo, game shows, lectures and workshops including tips for using iPhones and iPads, arts and crafts, and learning foreign languages through the line's Rosetta Stone partnership.
Team Earth (Deck 7) is an environmental awareness experience and photography exhibition. Celebrity Tastings, an annex to the art auction's main gallery, hosts samplings of wine and other libations, such as Irish whiskies. There is also a dedicated wine-tasting venue on Deck 4 called Cellar Masters. A fee is charged for both of these tasting activities.
At the Hot Glass Show on the top deck, passengers can watch a master practicing his or her art, with a second artist providing commentary. The adjacent Lawn Club itself is used for various games, such as croquet and golf putting (weather permitting).
At Night
Celebrity Eclipse features lots of live music in the evening -- on deck, in lounges and in the main foyer -- including a classical string quartet, a jazz orchestra, solo pianists and singer/guitarists. You'll also find evening entertainment up at The Lawn Club when weather permits. A jazz concert one night under a starry sky with wine and cheese (you pay for the wine, though not the cheese) was an absolute delight.
Other entertainment at night includes blackjack at the casino, karaoke in Quasar nightclub and a DJ in Sky Lounge, with a silent disco proving the most popular event for all ages.
Eclipse offers a diverse mix of drinking destinations, from relaxed bars with spectacular views to excellent cocktail options to energetic places to dance.
Highlights include:
Passport Bar (Deck 3): The Passport Bar is meant to be a gastrobar, but it is really just two fridges full of international craft beers from all over the U.S., Canada and Europe. Located off the atrium, near the main dining room and on the way to the theater, it's in a great spot for passing traffic and watching dance classes.
Martini Bar & Crush (Deck 4): The most popular spot on any Celebrity ship, the Martini Bar attracts fun-loving people from late afternoon until late at night. The ice-topped bar features more than 100 different varieties of vodka and a long list of flavored martinis. Order a martini flight; it comes with a free show of the fabulous bartenders' creative talents.
Cellar Masters (Deck 4): During the day, there are extra-fee wine tasting sessions, but at night the crowds seem to dry up -- perhaps because the lack of bartenders gives it a soulless feel. Instead of interacting with friendly crew, passengers access and pay for drinks via automatic wine dispensers.
Quasar (Deck 4): The ship's late-night disco is a small space with a bar, dance floor, DJ booth and limited seating. It's either dead or buzzing, with no in-between.
World Class Bar (Deck 5): Manned by bow-tied mixologists, World Class Bar is named after a bartender competition sponsored by one of the world's biggest drinks company, Diageo. Craft cocktails include Bulleit Infusion, a blend of tropical fruits infused with Bulleit Bourbon, and Ketel One Strawberry Fields, composed of vodka, Cocchi Americano (dessert wine) and grapefruit juice. Look out for the extra-fee cocktail-making masterclasses.
Ensemble Lounge (Deck 5): This busy space, on the way to the eateries, has plenty of seating around the bar so it's good for socializing before or after dinner. Live music is played here throughout the evening.
Michael's Club (Deck 5): This civilized haven away from the bustling ship is only open to suite passengers and high-ranking (Elite and above) members of Celebrity's loyalty club, the Captain's Club. The personal greeting as you arrive, the hushed tones, the dark red and brown decor -- it's all redolent of a gentlemen's club. A buffet-style breakfast is served in Michael's Club in the morning, and there is a cocktail hour most evenings.
Slush (Deck 12): Nestled in a small stand on the Pool Deck, it's more of a serving station, which only sells frozen cocktails.
Sky Observation Lounge (Deck 14): This is one of the most stunning public bars at sea, with huge windows all around, ample seating and a dance floor. It's a gorgeous space during the day for just gazing out to sea or at night for watching the stars, while a DJ plays different themes of music.
Sunset Bar (Deck 15): Just above the Oceanview Bar and exposed to the elements, the Sunset Bar is a great spot to watch the sun set. There are chairs and tables just beside it, as well as rows of chairs and small tables on both sides of the grass lawn, so you can grab a drink and park yourself there for the jazz concerts.
Pools
The main pool area on Deck 14 includes a family pool (shallow for youngsters), separated narrowly from the Sports Pool (for pool volleyball) on one side and the Wet Zone on the other. The Wet Zone is a flat area with vertical fountain jets that fire at random; it's great fun for kids to play in or for anyone wishing for a quick cool down. The main pool area also features four hot tubs.
Keep walking forward, and you'll pass into the stunning adults-only (16+) Solarium, a gorgeous spot that is flooded in light. Facilities include a small pool (complete with waterfall) and two whirlpools on each side.
Recreation
The nicest recreational area is the Lawn Club, and though Celebrity is careful to avoid excess wear and tear on the living grass, the ship's own backyard does feature a bocce court and a three-hole putting course. It's also perfect for picnics or just napping on the grass.
At the forward end of the ship, on Deck 15, is a basketball court and Ping-Pong tables.
Sun Decks
The main pool deck is surrounded by cushioned loungers, as well as the two-person poolside beds that are a signature of all Solstice-class ships. For additional sunbathing space, the sun deck at the front of Deck 16 rarely gets crowded. You can also grab a towel and relax on the Lawn Club's lawn at the other end of the ship.
- Guest and shore excursion services
- Two-deck library
- Card room with board games
- Future cruise sales
- Photo gallery and camera shop
- Art gallery
- iLounge internet cafe and computer store (find Celebrity internet prices here)
- Shops: designer accessories and clothing, fine jewelry, toiletries, snacks, duty-free alcohol and cigarettes
- Medical center
Spa
The Canyon Ranch-branded spa offers a dizzying array of body treatments, facials, medi-spa and hair services, including full-body wraps, scrubs, various types of massages and facials, couples treatments, teeth whitening services, acupuncture, reflexology and cosmetic injections. A 50-minute massage starts at $109 (on a port day; $145 on a sea day). Facials start at $140 for 50 minutes.
At the hair salon and barber shop, a shampoo starts at $53, while a beard trim is $35. Note all prices are higher when the ship is at sea and do not include an obligatory 18 percent service charge.
The Persian Garden thermal suite is coed, with a sauna, steam room, tropical rain shower and heated relaxation chairs with ocean views, but oddly no spa pool. The facility is available for free to AquaClass passengers; for everyone else, passes cost $25 for one day, $50 for three days and $75 for six days.
Fitness
A staffed gym sports lots of modern fitness machines. Yoga, Pilates and light aerobics classes cost $11; morning stretch classes are complimentary. A serpentine jogging track (eight laps equals a mile) is on Deck 14.
Celebrity is a family-minded line with an excellent program of kid-focused activities, as well as family-friendly dining, shore excursions and onboard sports. Programming is provided all year long but is more robust on shorter sailings during the summer and holidays.
The forward area, including the basketball court, on Deck 15 is ground zero for children aboard Eclipse. The court is sandwiched between the two dedicated kids areas: X-Club (for kids ages 12 to 17) on the port side and Fun Factory (for 3- to 11-year-olds) on the starboard side. The two kids areas are of roughly equal sizes and stocked to the rafters with age-appropriate gear, including a huge collection of Xbox consoles. The video arcade is also clustered with the kids clubs.
Eclipse also offers movies, toys and activities that are suitable for kids with autism.
Kids
The Fun Factory is open from 9 a.m. each morning -- or a half-hour before arriving in port for children with parents going on shore excursions. All parents must register their children at the start of the cruise and sign kids ages 3 to 8 out each day.
The well-staffed youth program includes organized activities for four age groups:
Babies and Toddlers (6 months to 3 years old): "Toddler Time" sessions are organized for parents who want to play with their kids; you cannot drop off your toddler and leave. Children do not need to be potty-trained to participate.
Shipmates (3- to 5-year-olds): Activities include arts and crafts, dinosaur hunts and face painting. Children must be toilet-trained and diaper-free.
Cadets (6- to 8-year-olds): The Cadet schedule features dress-up time, games and limited time on age-appropriate video games.
Ensigns (9- to 11-year-olds): This age group is engaged in scavenger hunts, pool games, bingo, basketball, game shows, Wii consoles, foosball and air hockey tables. Ensigns can sign themselves into and out of programs until 10 p.m., unless otherwise indicated on their Parental Consent Form. After 10 p.m., Ensigns need an adult to sign them out of activities.
Youth staff will also take your kids to lunch and dinner, but this service is charged at $6 per hour. (Dinner is free when at sea, or if sailing at or before 5 p.m.) Pre-registration is required. From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., a "Slumber Party" is on offer for children from ages 3 to 11, which costs $6 per hour, per child.
Babysitting is available, either in the Fun Factory or in your cabin, but children must be at least 12 months of age. In-cabin babysitting is available for up to three children in the same family and includes two babysitters. Bookings must be made 24 hours in advance, and one parent or guardian must stay onboard during babysitting time. Note: This is a first-come, first-served program. The fee is $19 per hour.
If you are going to use group babysitting services on multiple days, consider getting your kids a VIP Pass. It gives your child unlimited access to all extra-fee program activities. The one-time fee varies by cruise length, and it covers all meals and slumber parties, as well as behind-the-scenes tours. Kids also receive a gift bag.
Teens
The X-Club features the newest gaming consoles and titles and a soft drink "bar" with a popcorn machine.
Teens are split into two groups. Those in the 12–14 age bracket participate in "tweens" activities, like pool Olympics, game shows and karaoke; those in the 15–17 group, which has less structured schedules, have a prom party and a "Dancing with the Stars" event. All activities are hosted and supervised by youth counselors.
Celebrity also has an interactive and immersive video project called iTake (which keeps your teen gainfully occupied for four hours). The program involves brainstorming a storyboard and then heading out to get the shots with GoPro Hero 3 high-definition, wide-angle video cameras (used to film extreme sports and other cool events). After the filming is through, they learn how to edit their videos in the iLounge.
Customer Reviews
We choose this ship because of its size
We loved the ship, its crew, the entertainment, activities and most important the food was excellent.
Been to the ports before but it had been a long time ago. Loved tendering to Cabo San Lucas. Took awhile but we’re retired so slow and easy for us
Enjoyed them again, as if for the first time.
Had no wait times on elevators, dinner, buffet, theater, shopping, activities.
2000 passengers, 1000 crew just about perfect. The show Topper was great. The magician and impressionist too. Loved the coffee bar and dessert bar. I loved getting my charms and necklace. I also thought the shopping and sales were great
I would name names but to many. Let’s just say all crew we encountered were great
We would cruise on this ship again.
Celebrity Eclipse did it right.
Can’t say enough good things. We had a great time. We will choose this ship again
Thanks to all
We've sailed the eastern Caribbean many times and wished to experience the Mexican Riviera . Glad we did - these ports are gems. Overall we enjoyed the cruise. Booked and S1 - Sky Suite, deck 12 port aft side. Deck 12 balcony rooms have a "cover" deck from above, so they can remain shaded for periods of the day. If you don't want direct sun - you pick deck 12. Cabin was comfortable, but after sailing the current Edge class Sky Suites - it's definitely smaller and out of date. Small nits like not having phone charging options next to bed and the relatively smaller bath is minor, but contrasts how much the new class of ships has corrected the old. Sky Suite gives access to Luminae dining and Michaels club (also known as the Retreat). Luminae offered a few new dishes early in the cruise, but toward halfway through the week, the menu became very weak, and we ended up ordering from the MDR menu on a few nights. We also found they were running low on certain beverage types and fruit accompaniments. Our waiter was excellent - as was all the Luminae staff. They tried to keep the penny shiny and were honest about the menu shortfalls offering recommendations when we didn't know which way to go. Our Sky Suite butler situation wasn't the expected level of service. Celebrity has elected to remove the butler from Sky Suite service. Instead, additional responsibilities are given to the room steward. Our steward did a good job stocking water, reminding us about laundry etc, but there wasn't the past experience of getting the periodic canopies or fruit in the room. The Retreat butler did provide his card in the cabin, but never stopped by for a welcome and we can't even recall meeting him in Michaels club. We interacted with Anastacia (lead concierge) and Michael who always had answers to our questions. Michael's is dated, and doesn't provide the food services you find on the revolutionized ships - so disappointing. In all, the Sky Suite cutbacks were very noticeable and did influence our overall impression of the vacation experience.
Port calls at Cabo San Lucas, PuertoVaerta , Mazatlan, San Diego. Cabo required tender service which was very bad if you were not in the first group. (Retreat guests and early excursions had first tenders). Some guests had a 3 hr wait to get off ship. Other ports were able to dock.
We sampled the Ocean view cafe a few times, and found the food adequate, but less selection. We don't mind that there aren't huge mounds of food, but noticed a reduction in choices of breads, pastries, and desserts. (Things were missing by the end of the cruise). Thought it was easy to move through ship and the cruise director team did a very good job with the selection of entertainment types as well as distributing entertainment throughout the ship. It was a well run operation. The early immigration stop in our last port of San Diego worked out well, but did disrupt the next to last morning of being on the ship. We used the spa facilities often and found them fully manned and able to handle the demand. But it's a space in need of update.
Primary issue was not ship operation or entertainment, but the premium paid for the S1 level did not lead to our expectations (based upon previous Celebrity experiences and were at the Elite + Captains Club level).
Probably would not sail Eclipse again until it's updated. and would need to book higher than a Sky Suite to get the previously provided service.
Overall, a pleasant cruise, no way close to our best Celebrity experience.
This was our very first sailing on Celebrity. We've sailed mostly on NCL, few Carnivals and one MSC cruise. The overall vibe was very different than what I'm used to but we still had fun. It was a relaxing cruise. The service was excellent! Entertainment was hit or miss. We are in our mid 40's and we felt relatively young on this cruise. Later at night the ship was pretty quiet. We walked into the Sky Observation Lounge one night at around midnight and we had to ask the bartenders if they were still open because it was so dead in there. Haha! Eventually the crowd showed up a little but not too crazy. Bartenders are fabulous! We loved the drinks at the World Class bar with Eka and Prathamesh. They made the cruise a 3 star review into 4! They were so much fun. The martini bar and the Cafe al Bacio were also favorites for before and after dinner drinks. Our room steward was just okay compared to service I've had in the past. I'll definitely give Celebrity another try in the future on one of the bigger ships. The highlight for relaxation was hanging out in the solarium with a good book. They had technical problems with the ship and so we didn't get into Cabo until 7pm which was a disappointment since we were supposed to arrive 5 hours earlier. We made the best of it and it was like getting an extra sea day.
The purpose of our trip was to check out progress on our condo that is being built in Cabo San Lucas. Cost of cruise was about the same as round trip airline tickets first class to Cabo. We booked a balcony in concierge class no drink package. One month before the cruise we upgraded with the move up program to aqua class and added the premium drink package since Celebrity offered a great discount.
We had an amazing experience dining at the Blu restaurant which is dedicated to aqua class guests. The service was outstanding. The food was excellent. My wife is a health nut so the healthier menu satisfied her. We also had the option of ordering from the main dining menu if we so desired. Blu was a more intimate setting than main dining and we had the same wait staff every meal and they knew after a few days exactly what we liked. The drink and wine choices were also very good!
Lunch was not available at the Blu so we typically hung out by the pool and ate at the spa cafe and snacked on healthy fare that they offered. We tried the Mast Grill for a burger one day and it was ok but not great. The Buffet we wandered into a few times and was very unimpressed. The pool cocktails were not very good but the service from our waiters was good.
The Solarium pool was great on hot days in the afternoon since it is air conditioned. Adult only so very relaxing. Loved the live music at the main pool in the afternoon! Classic rock type music which we love 70’s - 80’s.
The evening entertainment was much better than I expected. Went several nights. The comedian was funny. The musical shows were entertaining.
I was amazed at the quality of the ship and how well maintained it was. I saw virtually little wear and tear on the entire ship. Our stateroom was absolutely perfect. No flaws in anything , Everything worked great. The bed was amazing, I slept really well.
My only negative comment about the ship would be there were some dirty windows in many different areas of the ship.
There were many bars and lounges on the ship. Many with live music at different times in the evening.
My wife and I are in our early 60’s and this cruise catered to our needs perfectly. Younger adults or families may not find this cruise to meet their needs.
Booked our cruise for November, to sneak in some couple time before the holidays - its just me and my husband in our late 20s. We chose this cruise as an upgrade from our last Royal Carribean cruise (our first cruise ever!). We even opted for a balcony room vs the interior one we had last time.
I want to share some of the highs and lows of our trip, and a reason we're likely not going to take another Celebrity Cruise in the future.
The good.
1) Itinerary. Having an overnight stay is wonderful. The tender service is quick and easy, despite them having some trouble with the platform on arrival. Cabo is easy to navigate and its very easy to find fun activities to do, even if you go outside of the cruises excursions. In cabo, we did a snorkling sailing cruise and got beach massages (living zen massages did an amazing job - they are essentially a tent on the beach but we both agreed it was one of the best massages we've ever had) San Diego is a great addition for a more city-centric day of shopping and meandering. I recommend taking a drive up La Jolla (uber is about $30) to the Raptor Center and do some Falconry!
2) The Bars. The bars on board make some great cocktails and they are definitely cheap enough to forego the premium drink package if you don't plan on drinking 10 a day, a pina colada was only about $10 - they have a special martini bar with an ice chilled counter and some great espresso martinis.
3) We loved our room. The bed was incredibly comfortable, we couldn't believe how well we slept and we loved having breakfast delivered to our balcony. The bathroom was spacious and well arranged. The staff did an impeccable job at housekeeping and it was well worth the upgrade.
Now for the bad.
1) The food. One of the reasons we booked a celebrity cruise was for the upgrade we expected to get in the food area. I would say the main dining room was hit or miss - the hits were good, the misses were TERRIBLE. I enjoyed the Tuscan Grille (we booked the first night discount) but my husband's prime rib steak looked like something they fished out the bottom of the bargin bin. The mast grill is embarrassing with the low quality, tasteless burgers. But the worst of the worst was the Oceanview Cafe. A miserable buffet experience with terrible, minimal choices that ran out quickly, spongy desserts that all taste the same, and mucky silverware and cupware. The best and only really good restaurant on board is Sushi on 5, where we enjoyed gyoza, rolls, crispy rice, and ramen I would gladly eat every night of the cruise.
2) The entertainment. My husband and I ventured to the theater entertainment the first two nights. The eclipse theater has nice stadium seating. On our voyage, you could always find an open seat easily right at time. The first night was a comedian, if you can even call him that. Simple, "i hate my wife and kids" jokes that got a couple chuckles from the crowd. He spent 5 mins trying to talk to a 10 year old which was incredibly cringey. 2/10. I dragged my husband back the second night to see Topper - a custom show about a guy who traps people in his magic hat? Sadly the talent left a LOT to be desired. Couldn't stay on tempo, sharp, flat. The song choices ranged from the most soulless rendition of Uptown Funk I've ever heard, to a horrifyingly dull version of Bubbly. We gave up on the entertainment after that. But the entertainment on the rest of the cruise outside of the shows was also mediocre, uninspired, and infrequent. On both our sea days, we found ourselves thinking theres not much to do on board (and most of what was available required an additional fee). Some of the things like the hot glass blowing classes seemed random, and even if we wanted to do it, we weren't in the mood to fork over $300. I was even more surprised at what they did have that they didn't really take advantage of - like Quasar, their nightclub. They rarely had events, or parties there which felt like a huge miss.
Despite all that, I can't complain too much. it was a 6 night cruise i snagged for $1200 total - but I think it'll be passing on future celebrity cruises given the importance I put on food and entertainment when cruising!
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