BSinPNS

We rented once at the pier location. Had to wait 20 minutes for the shuttle and when we got to the rental location, they were waiting for more cars. After that we pay the $20 cab fare to the airport. The car is in the slot we were told on the email. Last time we got off the ship at 8:05 and were heading north on the turnpike at 8:45.

We thought it would be a great room, but did find the wind somewhat distracting. It seemed that we were always heading into a headwind and generally had to sit behind the partition. Really meant there was no difference having the hump except in port. Actually 1608 was quite noisy with two pool deck parties above us.

Have sailed on both (1xEq; 2xEc). With the exception of Silk Harvest/Qsine difference, they are the same physically. We did notice on our last Eclipse cruise (November 2013) that the crew on Eclipse was much more visible and engaging. The combination of Sue Denning as CD and Dimitrios Manetas as master may have contributed to this.

Before boarding you and your suitcases are searched by private contractors hired by HAL. I think they get a commission for finding contraband, e.g., extra wine. Don't forget that before 9-11, airports hired the security folks.

Hard to pass up AQ and Blu. We found AMS much more interesting than Copenhagen and those two sea days sure made it more relaxing.

Sue was our CD and superb. She was going home for the holidays on December 1 and hoped to return mid-February, but did not have a final contract. CC get together was on the first sea day at 10:30 or 11. Arranged for a second on the last sea day. Many senior officers including the master (Dimitrios Manetas) attended both. There will be a new master in mid-January. It was the most positive, engaged management team we have seen. Wish we were going with you.

Not sure it makes any difference for NZ as you sail through the fjords except Milford where you go in and do a 180 and return. We did see the overland tour return and board through the starboard tender dock. Solstice is one of the largest ships to dock in Sydney and must dock bow out. That means the starboard side gets the opera house view and the port side gets the bridge and Hyatt. Have a great time.

We will be on the Infinity for the 13 June cruise also.

On the previous cruise, Sue Denning was onboard and hoping to be back on in mid-February, but didn't have a contract yet. All commercial airports have "Y" as the first letter. More about the rationale at http://www.theloop.ca/travel/the-advisory/article/-/a/2741612/The-why-behind-the-Y-in-Canadian-airport-codes.

Formal night shows with the Celebrity Singers and Dancers 8:30 and 10:30

Regular shows with solo performers 7:00 and 9:00

Blu is only open for breakfast and dinner. Most wore shorts for breakfast; several of the ladies had flowing coverups - probably over bathing suits getting ready for the day ashore. Smart casual for dinner does not include shorts. On formal nights most men wore suits or formal gear. Only a few had slacks and collared shirt.

We did the ferry just before Thanksgiving. Since it was a tender port, we met in the theatre, were excorted to the forward tender port tender dock and tendered to the main dock downtown, walked about 200 feet and boarded the ferry to St. John. Regarding the stop at the Marriott, it was very short and we boarded/disembarked about 20 people. The captain narrated on the way over and then told people where to go for the various tours. We stayed onboard for the National Park coastline tour. The ferry docks next to the National Park headquarters building and it is a nice place to spend about 30 minutes. There are several shopping areas in the vicinity. We found teh nicest one to be a few hundred yards to the left and up the street after you left the ferry area. As reported on several threads, it may cost about $10 more per person, but not having to worry about cabs and traffic jams with 6-7 ships in port was worth it.

On European cruises, one ATM ususally dispensed Euros while the other one dispenses USD. On Caribbean and other cruises, both dispense USD. All the ATMs are operated by BB&T, a U.S. bank. I don't know the upper limit, but think it is about 500USD. Remember, you can withdraw on sea days also to get ahead.

You are in an airboat with several others and is perfectly safe as long as you don't jump into the water. It is VERY loud - they provide ear plugs for everyone. It may be a bit chilly if a front comes through - high 50's/low 60's, but you are moving along at a good clip so you have to factor in a 15-20 kt wind. Don't forget to take a sweater and a nylon jacket as you will be used to the warm Caribbean.

We were in 1608 on Eclipse. There is a bit of noise from the chairs above about 6:30 and occasionally from the steward's closet just outside. In the Caribbean, be prepared for the parties on the pool deck starting at 10PM with the band. Check the cabin sticky. Most of all - have FUN.

Here is another review for you http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1950931. Not sure about the loungers, but they were quite comfortable for us.

We have had success running one from the magazine rack on the outboard side of the cabinet to the tie back hook for the curtains. It is low, but works fine for swim apparel. I am thinking this works best for beds near the veranda where the line runs along the wall at the bottom of the bed. While the bathroom is well laid out, there is not much room for string running.

We had a blast with Captain Alan last week. Two great snorkeling stops followed by some time on a nice beach. Lite lunch provided. He arranges for transportation from the dock and back. Bob

Jazzbeau, Not only will the scooter help allay your wife’s concern, but I would suggest paying the extra few dollars to do a couples tour. Both Stuart and Aruba Bob are very good working with novices and those not comfortable snorkeling. We did not encounter a lot of current, but in some places the coral is fairly close and having the scooter helped ensure we navigated it effectively.

We did this same cruise last year (and rated it very good), but it was remarkable how different the attitude onboard was this year. The master (Dimitrios Manetas), Hotel Director (Raffaele Bernardini) and Cruise Director (Sue Denning) along with many officers were all very proud of their beautiful ship and quite visible onboard and at the gangway when leaving the ship. Not only were they visible, but they were most willing to engage with any guest. I believe this created a positive vibe among all passengers and crew. (Sue is being replaced by Ben from Australia at the end of our cruise and hopes to back aboard a Celebrity ship in February, but has not gotten a firm date or ship.)

Two Cruise Critic receptions were held and masterfully MC'ed by Host Andy. The master, HD, CD and other senior staff welcomed us and remained available to talk. As the changes to the Captains Club program occurred while onboard, there was lots of discussion. The drink voucher program was in use which is really great permitting you to choose any drink from the standard drinks package in most of the onboard bar venues while sitting with non-Elite CC members. It also reduced the crowding in Sky.

The ship is in excellent material condition and was constantly being cleaned and maintained. We ate in Blu and were greeted by name by Victorija after the first evening. The food was excellent as was the service from Bilijana and Mikhaylo. Although we did not purchase wine in Blu, our sommelier (Vish) came over every evening to see how our day went. Yes, turkey was an option in most dining venues on Thanksgiving (final formal night) and it was real turkey breast, not pressed turkey parts.

Production shows were excellent with a talented group. It's not Vegas, but we didn't expect it to be. Don't miss Pung Fei, an excellent Chinese acrobat, juggler, magician and entertainer. He has a role in two of the production shows and then does his own show one evening - don't miss him. Former Letterman, Mark Preston has a great voice and puts on an excellent show. The remaining headliners were at best mediocre.

Aruba

Another Great Adventure with Aruba Bob

We did this same cruise and snorkel trip last year and Aruba Bob (AB) was one "tour" we wanted to repeat. This is a professional operation run very efficiently by a great team that offers a wonderful snorkel tour. AB himself picked us up early at the appointed meeting place since were already there. He took us directly to their office near Mangal Hata, fitted us out with all the equipment, met up with Stuart and headed to the beach. We had snorkeled with Stuart last year and did again this year since we had arranged for a private snorkel. Had a great time and saw a glimpse of a barracuda, an angel ray, a beautiful sea urchin, and all sorts of tropical fish. The small power thrusters are great for a two hour snorkel so that if you tire, you just ride behind the thruster for a while. After dropping off the gear and talking for a bit, AB took us back to town where he offered to drop us off anywhere we wanted to go. We opted to go back aboard Eclipse and take a shower and grab a bite to eat before exploring town.

Curacao

Walked across the pontoon bridge to the floating market and market area to find a few souvenirs since we did a tour of the island last year. We really wanted to snorkel and wondered why there were only scuba trips. Unlike Bonaire and Aruba, the drop off to deep water is very close to shore making for few reefs and snorkeling spots on the island. Wish we had stopped at Bonaire like last year, but they are reducing the number of large ship visits - and there isn't much to do there except snorkeling.

Grenada - Island Safaris Snorkel Tour (GD-44)

Last year we had a great land tour of the island with JnJ which was very good, but we wanted something different and in the water. Our original tour was cancelled and we took this one. It was excellent - small RHIB boat with saddle like seating for 10 passengers. We walked to the dock to board the RHIB and departed shortly after the safety brief. After visiting the Marine Park we headed to Underwater Sculpture Park (which is a work in progress) for about a 45 minute snorkel. Then we made a high speed run to the main downtown port for a quick explanation of history, weather, etc. We were dropped of next to the ship after our two hour adventure. This was an excellent ship's tour with a max of 12 people on the tour/boat; we had 7. In retrospect, it may have been better (and was certainly cheaper) than our first option.

Calabaza Sail – Barbados

Back-to-Back Adventures with Calabaza

After sailing with Gina and the boys last year, we knew we had to do this again. It was just as great the second time This is one of the most professionally run, fun adventures in the Caribbean. There are a max of 12 passengers onboard with a crew of three - two snorkeling sites, one with the turtles and one over some wrecks/reefs. One of the crew members is in the water with you as a guide/safety observer at both sites. He is also taking great photos which are loaded up to a website for you to view/download at no additional cost. A link is sent to you along with the recipes for the delicious treats that Gina serves. Don't miss this great time in Barbados.

Papa's Boat Tours - St. Lucia

Nice Snorkeling and Swimming Adventure

This is a good trip for those who have already done the ground tour of the island with Cosol or someone else or who are totally into snorkeling. The first stop was at Anse Chasanet for two hours of snorkeling in water that goes from shallow to deep which means you see very small to large fish including flounder, and barracuda. At a certain point, it just gets dark below you since the water is so deep. Then it was off to the arch made famous by Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. After a short swim there, we were on the way to Marigot Bay which is a very sheltered harbor that is used by yachts escaping hurricanes and is home to some very exclusive properties. The only included items are drinks. If you want to eat, then you need to purchase a meal at the resort or the crew will get a local meal for $15. The local meal was very good and enough to serve as lunch for two.

Antigua Paddles

So Good We Did it a Second Year in a Row

This was another repeat adventure from last year's trip. Yes, it is that good. The entire operation from first contact to drop off at the ship was most professionally run and a lot of fun. Tour includes pick-up from St. John's, narrated tour to the owners' home on the Atlantic coast, high speed boat rides, kayaking around the mangrove swamps, quick hike on Bird Island, and then some snorkeling. For us, the highlight of the trip is the kayaking in the mangroves. There is an opportunity for snacks and drinks in the owners' lovely garden before being transported back to town. It sounds a bit strenuous, but we (not particularly active 70 year olds) thought it was fine. If you don't want to kayak, you can ride in the safety boat. Hint: Try to do the morning trip as the afternoon felt rushed to get back to the ship on time.

Captain Alan's Boat Charters (St. Marteen)

Great Time with Captain Alan

A professional operation from initial contact to arrival back at the ship. We opted for the 4.5 hour trip which was just right for our inport time (8-5). We were met by Twin Island Transport at the appointed time and place for our trip to Captain Alan's base where he met us as we got off the bus. Paperwork was quickly completed, snorkeling gear fitted, and then we were on our way. Captain Alan warned us to expect a rough ride since the seas and wind were up, but assured us that it was safe. It was a fun ride with everyone getting wet from the spray on all legs of the trip. As promised we saw turtles at the first stop followed by snorkeling off a nice reef. Third stop was for a light lunch of cheese, salami, and a special ingredient on a fresh baguette and time on a beach to swim, explore and/or rest. The bus was waiting to take us back to the ship on time. This was a lot more fun than the driving tour around the island than we did last year. Without a doubt, we would do this trip again.

St. Thomas

Destination St. John - Coastal Cruise of National Park (STL2A)

A long day with a tender ride to port before embarking the Adventure Sea which takes all tours going to St. John. Our tour of the National Park from sea took about 15 minutes and pointed out a few points of interest. The high winds and wave action cancelled all snorkeling trips to the island and those wanting to swim were warned of potentially dangerous conditions. The crew of the boat was great and hard-working, but the captain was intolerant of anyone asking questions to the point of being rude.

SHIP: Eclipse

CABIN #: 1608

DECK #: 11

CLASS: AQ1

AREA: Midship starboard side hump

BED NEAR: Veranda

QUIET?: NO!!

BALCONY VIEW: Forward and Starboard

BALCONY SIZE: extra large with an angle

WIND A PROBLEM?:no

SOOT A PROBLEM?:no

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: Room is a hump looking forward. Caution: This means there is lots of wind on the veranda. Would suggest an aft facing veranda to avoid the wind issue. Worse was the noise - there are three sources of noise - most annoying is the music played above your room on the pool deck on several nights of a Caribbean cruise. (Not sure if this is a factor in the Baltic/Norway.) Less annoying are the sounds from deck chairs being sorted above the room at 6:30AM and the steward's locker just outside the room. Although the physical location and layout is nice, I would not book this room again.

Master - Dimitrios Manetas

Staff Captain - Theocharis Charalampos

Chief Engineer - Andreas Kavouras

Hotel Director - Raffaele Bernardini

Cruise Director - Sue Denning

N.B. Being replaced by Ben from Australia on 30 November

GRM - Marisa Rebelo

F&B Manager - Shane Mansfield

Executive Chef - Paul Carroll

Captain's Club Host - Graeme Kelleher

All very visible and accessible.

We have cruised both and have moved into the Celebrity camp. Love cruising on their Solstice class ships. That said, they are more alike than different. HAL's itineraries are more diverse since they have more and smaller ships. Celebrity's frequent cruiser rewards are far better than HAL's. BTW, Galaxy left the fleet in March 2009. Have a great time on either.

We convinced friends to join us on this one a few years ago. We were embarassed - at Bacardi you wait for your group to go through a simualted rum factory and get a comp drink at the end. Would recommend the trolly or a walking tour of OSJ.

Did two excellent tours - Real Sydney Tours (general overview of the area) and Blue Diamond (Blue Mountains and Featherdale Wildlife Park). Also enjoyed taking the ferry to Manly Beach and had a great dinner overlooking the harbor. Catain Cook Harbor tour gave you the waterfront view that Suanne (Real Sydney Tours) did on land. Unless you want the ammenities of a full service hotel, look for "serviced apartments." We found the Medina Martin Place was great. Located on a small dead-end street in CBD. Very quiet even with constructio all around. Walking distance to almost anywhere, plus just off the free shuttle bus route. Have a great time.