Celebrity Cruise Line
Celebrity Eclipse Cruise Review
Celebrity Eclipse Review
By Nancy Norris
Celebrity Eclipse Welcome
I recently had the pleasure of
enjoying a pre-inaugural cruise on the Celebrity Eclipse
when it arrived in Miami. I had sailed on the Solstice
during its inaugural season and was looking forward to
comparing the third ship in the Solstice Class to the
original. Upon entering the Celebrity Eclipse on Deck 5, I
found myself garnering similar impressions to those I
experienced when I stepped aboard the Solstice. This ship
does not sizzle with glitz and glamour, but rather simmers
with style and sophistication.
Grand Foyer
Contemporary clean lines and
sleek design define the ship’s décor. Subtle details, such
as the museum quality art collection showcased on the
Eclipse, set this ship apart from others and provide an
ambiance of balanced harmony.
Artwork
My stateroom:
I was assigned a deluxe ocean
view stateroom with veranda, midship on deck 8. The
stateroom was well-designed and the modular décor provided
an open airy feeling. I loved the soft muted tones of the
stateroom furnishings. The cream colored leather sofa and
chair, along with the light wood paneling had a fresh and
modern, yet comfortable appeal.
Stateroom
The stateroom was furnished
with a 32” adjustable flat-screen TV with attached Apple
mini allowing for fully interactive services, including
Internet access. My bed was comfortable and high enough to
allow for storage of oversized suitcases, etc. Mattress
corners were rounded which made for better maneuverability
around the cabin. Some staterooms are equipped with trundle
beds to accommodate third and fourth passengers. Storage
space was quite adequate. There is shelving above the beds
and tucked away in little nooks and crannies throughout the
cabin.
Stateroom Desk/TV
Closets are on an inner facing
wall, rather than the typical hall opposite the bathroom.
Although, the closets modular design allows for clothing of
different lengths, it is not exceptionally large. A word of
caution as it relates to the closets: Placement of the couch
and bed are reversed in every other cabin along a hall.
While this is a great design for providing extraneous noise
reduction between cabins, it is difficult to access the
closet in those cabins that have the couch placed next to
the closet.
Stateroom Closet
The bathroom was exceptional
by cruise standards. It was much roomier than other mass
market cruise lines. I definitely appreciated the modern,
stylish fixtures along with lots of functional shelving,
cabinets and small drawers for incidentals.
Bathroom Storage
Rounded, sliding doors make
for a more spacious shower and much better than the “clingy”
shower curtain. The shower is equipped with an adjustable
shower head and a foot bar for shaving ones legs (yeah).
Bathroom shower
The veranda was not
exceptionally large, but it was deep enough to easily hold
two deck chairs and a table.
Veranda
Dining:
The dining venues and quality
of food on the Solstice Class ships have elevated the
Celebrity experience to new heights, and the Eclipse is no
exception. With 10 restaurants to choose from, “foodies”
should be pleased.
Moonlight Sonata
Moonlight Sonata,
the main dining room, is luxurious and I found the food to
be quite good. It is a stunning two-story space located on
Decks 3 and 4 featuring a 1,800 bottle wine tower. My dining
room service was both prompt and professional.
Oceanview Café
Oceanview Café
is the ship’s casual buffet on the Lido Deck. Countless
individual buffet stations offer an endless array of ethnic
choices and traditional favorites, as well as a number of
made to order stations. The stations are designed so that
there is an even flow of traffic and to eliminate
exceptionally long lines. European, Indian, Asian and
Mexican menus are brought together for breakfast, lunch and
dinner and can be enjoyed at either indoor or outdoor
seating.
Oceanview Outdoor
Seating
But, what truly sets the
Eclipse apart is the alternative dining options. The
Ensemble Lounge on Deck 5 provides the entrance to the
Alternative Dining Venues and offers a nice place to meet
for a pre-dinner cocktail and enjoy quiet dinner music or an
evening of jazz.
Ensemble Lounge
Murano Restaurant,
Celebrity’s signature restaurant, is adjacent to the
Ensemble lounge. I did not have the pleasure of dining there
on this cruise, but I am sure it continues to serve gourmet
European cuisine with impeccable service amidst elegant
surroundings. (Reservations and cover charge apply)
Murano Restaurant
From there a hall leads to the
aft of the ship (Deck 5) and opens into an expanse of
alternative dining venues. Separated from the rest of the
ship, it provides an intimate ambiance in an upscale
environment.
Entrance to Specialty
Restaurants
With reservations and a cover
charge, guests can dine at:
The Tuscan Grille
is an Italian-inspired steakhouse that serves antipasto,
pasta, grilled steaks and seafood all with a magnificent
ocean view.
Tuscan Grille
Blu can be found
in this aft enclave and is designed for guests staying in
Aqua Class staterooms. Healthy, “clean” cuisine is served in
this exclusive restaurant.
Blu
Qsine can also
be found here and is a brand new dining concept that has
replaced Silk Harvest, the Asian fusion restaurant found on
the Solstice. From its eclectic and whimsical design to its
theatrical food presentation and iPad menu, Qsine is
definitely a unique dining experience. A highly interactive
and personalized dining service awaits guests as they play
on their iPad and dine on selections such as spring rolls
served in vertical springs, “Sushi Lollipops” (sushi with
soy center, wasabi mayo and ginger-radish salad), “Chitinis”
(Chinese food served in martini glasses), “Tresviche” (tiger
shrimp and bay scallops) or do-it-yourself guacamole served
with a stone mortar and pestle. The venue designer, Tim
Magill, calls the concept “food as performance art”. Serving
dinner nightly from 6 PM to 11 PM; be prepared to spend the
evening.
Qsine
We were offered “tastings” at
each of the above restaurants and all were simply amazing!
Rounding out the rest of the dining venues on the Eclipse,
Bistro on Five,
on the port side of the atrium, is another nice addition to
the dining choices. Offerings include such specialties as
crepes, paninis, salads and tempting desserts for a $5
cover.
Bistro on Five
Café al Bacio and Gelateria,
opposite Bistro on Five on the starboard side of deck 5, is
the European coffee house that is the place to go for your
café latte or fresh baked treats.
Café al Bacio
Aqua Spa Café (a
carry over from the Millennium Class ships) provides healthy
snacks and light spa cuisine, including fruit smoothies,
fresh salads and lean cuts of meat are served here for
breakfast and lunch.
Aqua Spa Café
Mast Grill on
the Lido Deck (port side) serves up burgers, fries, hot
dogs, tacos, wings and such for those guests that wish to
remain outdoors by the pool. While the food was tasty, this
small venue can get crowded and slow service can make for
long lines.
Mast
Grill
Entertainment/Lounges:
I am a live theater buff and
found the production shows I saw were both a hit and a miss.
The opening night show “Edge”, hyped as classic rock & pop
meet cutting-edge technology, left me lukewarm. On the other
hand, I was impressed with the costume and choreography of
“Ovations”. The theater itself is triple tiered with access
via Decks 4 and 5. Acoustics are excellent, but there are a
few seats that have an obstructed view due to the pillars in
the upper tiers.
Eclipse Theater
There were, however, a number
of additional enjoyable music venues around the ship that
varied enough to suit all musical tastes, and when it comes
to improving on a good thing – the lounges on the Eclipse
truly deliver.
Michaels Club
Celebrity’s signature lounge,
Michael’s Club, next to Murano on Deck 5, offers the same
comfortable ambiance and style as the rest of its fleet.
Sofas and chairs set in small conversational areas and dark
rich wood paneling make the club feel more like the library
of a country estate. This is a great place to relax and
listen to piano music or a jazz ensemble and enjoy a cognac
before retiring.
Michaels Club
The Martini Bar (another
staple of Celebrity vessels) on the Eclipse proved, once
again, to be one of the “hottest” or should I say “coolest”
spots on the ship. A circular ice bar (yes, a bar with a
real layer of ice counter top) drew a crowd the minute it
opened.
Martini Bar
The bar waiters mixed drinks
in the fashion of Tom Cruise in the movie “Cocktail” and
patrons sat two and three deep around the bar. Crush, a
frosted bar featuring an ice-filled table in a niche of the
Martini Bar offers vodka and caviar tastings.
Crush
As was the case on the
Solstice, one of my favorite of the new additions is The
Cellar Masters (Deck 4 starboard). This cozy wine bar is
reminiscent of a Napa Valley wine cellar and offers guests
an opportunity to discover new vintages or enjoy their
favorites.
Cellar Masters
However, on this ship, my
favorite bar by far was the Molecular Bar on Deck 5 amidst
the Galleria Shops and Art Gallery.
Molecular Bar
With the assistance of Junior
Merino, the Liquid Chef, Celebrity has transformed what was
once Galleria Tastings, a relatively quiet and unpopular
lounge, into the Molecular Bar. By infusing the finest
liquors with a variety of fresh fruits and other natural
ingredients, Junior has created a unique menu of liquid
masterpieces. Each creation is designed to, “taste the art,
drink with all your senses”.
Molecular Bar Menu
On our cruise, Thomas, a very
British master mixologist performed magic as he created
signature martinis that did indeed delight all our senses.
Thomas the mixologist
There are numerous other
lounges throughout the ship that offer stunning views,
pulsating music or quiet enclaves to round out the
diversity. If you are looking for a quiet spot to relax and
enjoy a cocktail, a good choice is the pleasant Passport Bar
on Deck 3 across the Grand Foyer from Guest Relations.
Passport Bar
Tucked away on the port side
of the Entertainment Court on Deck 4 is Quasar, the Solstice
Class disco where a DJ spins dance music into the wee hours.
Quasar
If we hop from the lowest
decks of the Eclipse all the way up to Deck 15, the Sunset
Bar at the very aft of the ship is the perfect place to
enjoy a cocktail in an al fresco setting.
Sunset Bar
From here you can take the
stairs down to Deck 14 (Lido Deck) and find the Oceanview
Bar, which also serves as outdoor dining for the buffet.
Oceanview Bar
At the very forward end of
Deck 14 is the beautiful Sky Observation Lounge. Even the
entrance itself is a stunning work of art.
Entrance to Sky
Observation Lounge
Offering breathtaking views
from all sides during the day, a party band keeps things
jumping in the evening. D’Revelation was the party band on
this cruise and, as party bands go, I thought they were very
good.
Sky Observation Lounge
Of course, there is no ship
afloat that does not have the requisite Pool Bar, and
Eclipse is no exception. As well as the Pool Bar, the Mast
Bar on Deck 14 starboard (opposite the Mast Grill) is a good
spot to grab a libation while lounging in the sun.
Pool Bar and Mast Bar
Other Public Space:
Life on the Eclipse is more
than just dining and drinking. So, let’s take a final
pictorial tour of the ship, starting on Deck 3 (Plaza Deck).
The Grand Foyer does not only
provide a grand entrance to the Eclipse, but serves as the
hub for shipboard business activity. Guest Relations
occupies the portside,
Guest Relations
the Passport Bar is found on
the starboard wall,
Passport Bar
and next to the Passport Bar
is the Shore Excursions Desk.
Shore Excursion Desk
On Deck 4 (Promenade Deck) aft
is the upper level of the main dining room.
Upper level of Moonlight
Sonata
Moving forward, on the port
side, we pass the Martini Bar and Crush as we make our way
to the Shops on the Boulevard.
Shops on the Boulevard
This is the lower level of a
very impressive two story shopping experience on the
Eclipse. The Galleria Boutiques occupy the upper level.
Shoppers can purchase everything from one-of-a-kind jewelry
created by resident artists and chic wearing apparel to
standard logo items and duty-free spirits, and everything in
between. Not only is this a shopper’s delight, but is also a
great place for simply browsing.
Browsing on the
Boulevard
Starboard of the Shops on the
Boulevard is Fortunes Casino. This is a very large casino
with 16 tables and 275 machines offering all the standard
gaming opportunities. Relatively new to the Celebrity fleet,
the Eclipse has a Casino Host dedicated to keeping members
of their Blue Chip players club happy and loyal and
rewarding “high-rollers”.
Fortunes Casino
Strolling forward along the
boulevard of shops or through the casino an expanse of space
opens up, known as The Entertainment Court. With Quasar on
the port side and Celebrity Central starboard, this
multi-space area is used for smaller-scale performances from
late-night comedy shows to lectures and impromptu
entertainment.
Entertainment Court
Deck 5 (Entertainment Deck),
as the name implies, is where the majority of the lounges
and all the specialty dining venues are located. The Photo
Gallery, Galleria Shops and the Art Gallery are the only
other public spaces on this deck that have not already been
covered earlier. Adjacent to the Molecular Bar, the Art
Gallery and Galleria Boutiques flow into each other totally
complementing the design of the space.
Art Gallery
And speaking of art, one of
the icons of the Solstice Class ships is the suspended-tree
in the Upper Grand Foyer. On the Eclipse, American artist
Robert Chambers has created the Pearl Eclipse, a pearl blue
and gold sphere in which a live banyan tree is planted. A
computerized LED lighting system projects different colors
across the sphere’s surface giving the atrium an ethereal
quality.
Suspended-tree
Staterooms occupy all the
space on decks 6-11, with the exception of:
The Celebrity iLounge (Deck 6
Atrium) is a multi-purpose room operated in partnership
between Celebrity and Apple. A dedicated Apple space, the
iLounge provides Internet service via Mac work stations,
enrichment classes and retail sales with an Apple certified
staff.
Celebrity iLounge
Team Earth (Deck 8 Atrium) is
an inviting shipboard space where guests can learn about
their environment and raise their eco-awareness through
interactive computer programs, exhibits and video
presentations.
Team Earth
The Library is an expansive
two story space (Decks 10 and 11 Atrium) that is as
impressive as it is comfortable.
Library
The Pools, Solarium, Spa and
Fitness Center are all located on Deck 12 (Resort Deck).
Pools
I thought the cabana type
double loungers were a nice touch and created havens of
shade and comfort around the pool.
Solarium
The Solarium is an adults-only
haven of peace and quiet that leads directly into the Aqua
Spa.
Aqua Spa
Forward of the Spa is a fairly
large and very well-equipped Fitness Center.
Fitness Center
All the venues on Lido Deck 14
(there is no deck 13) have already been explored, which
leaves us with the Lawn Club on Deck 15.
Lawn Club
Okay, I must admit to being
wrong. When I reviewed the Solstice, I was not impressed
with this space and wondered about its future as new ships
within the class were added. Celebrity obviously figured out
how to perfect the growth and maintenance of the grass. The
half-acre Lawn Club on the Eclipse offers a lush panoramic
backdrop for playing croquet or bocce ball, practicing
putting skills or enjoying a picnic.
Practice Greens
Attached to the Lawn Club is
the Hot Glass Show and Patio on the Lawn.
Hot Glass Show and Patio
This glass-art studio is
operated by the Corning Glass Museum and offers daily
demonstrations of the art of glassblowing. A retail glass
shop has been added to this venue on the Eclipse.
Retail Glass Shop
At the forward end of deck 15,
the extreme opposite end from the Lawn Club is the location
of the dedicated children’s facilities, along with the
basketball court and video arcade.
Children’s Activities
Organized activities are
planned for five specific age groups from ages 3-17. Each
age group has its own separate area to be entertained. Space
in the Fun Factory is divided into areas for 3-5 year olds,
6-8 year olds and 9-11 year olds.
Fun Factory 3-5
Fun Factory Cubbies
The X-Club is the dedicated
space for the 12-17 year old set.
X-Club Entrance
The video arcade is opposite
the X-Club.
Video Arcade
Other Discoveries:
Although the Eclipse is large,
it still provides numerous small enclaves and cozy lounges
that manage to create an intimate appeal.
The ship is designed in zones,
so that it is fairly easy to learn your way around the ship.
Guests with limited mobility easily navigate from one venue
to another.
Be cautious about booking any
of the suites that are directly across from the elevators.
These areas seem to generate a lot of noise and can be less
than desirable for guests seeking quiet while in their
stateroom.
The hammocks in the Solarium
are a great way to relax – if you can find one unoccupied.
For guests who wish to be
pampered, the Aqua Class staterooms are perfect. Not only do
they receive extra stateroom amenities, such as Frette robes
and teeth whitening kits, but they are offered access to Blu
Restaurant, the spa’s relaxation room and Persian Garden and
a dedicated spa concierge to assist them.
The multi-million dollar art
collection aboard the Eclipse comprises more than 4,500
pieces and even the entrances to various zones are dramatic
works of art. So, make sure to take some time to discover
for yourself the museum-like gallery experience the Eclipse
offers.
Entrance to Ensemble
Lounge
There is no doubt the Eclipse,
by any standards, is a beautiful ship. Those who are
frequent cruisers on Celebrity should be pleased with many
of the added enhancements and innovative features, while the
ship maintains many of the signature touches of the
Celebrity line. New cruisers who seek a sophisticated
environment and cruisers looking for a bit more posh mass
market experience would be well suited for a cruise on the
Eclipse.
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