HelenREMfan

Alas I too reached Elite 3 days into a 14 day cruise..... it's a bit annoying but like with most things there has to be a cut off point somewhere. I just hope there is no more goal post changing before my next cruise.

Our friends from the country below Canadia might need an interpreter [emoji12]

 

Careful if you see someone in a suit - he is probably on his way to or from court ( the accused)

 

 

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If that was intended as a joke..... you are not funny.

WE did the Celebrity Eclipse British Isles and French Open cruise in June.... Liverpool was the highlight of the cruise. The sail in and sail away were fantastic and the welcome and departure the port and Liverpool gave were just wonderful. The Mayor greeted us on arrival along with a Sergeant Pepper's band whose singing and playing were remarkable. The sail away saw 3 "ticker tape" type canons exploding and sending coloured paper confetti high into the air..... all the passengers seeing it commentated on it and the North Americans on board especially were blown away.

As a "Manc" this almost hurts to say..... but Liverpool as a port is fantastic as so much is within walking distance of the dock and the city certainly has a vibe and an energy which is hard to beat! I can highly recommend it...... fabulous buildings, great history, Tate Modern, brilliant dock-side museums, Albert Dock and Beatle history. Wonderful !

We did this itinerary last year in October and alas we weren't overly lucky with the weather in that we had quite a few overcast days with several which were warmer. I have always been fortunate with the Bay of Biscay and the Eclipse does seem to handle the seas very well. I am glad I have done the itinerary but wouldn't repeat it - unlike the western Med which I have done a good few times now. The highlight of the trip (save for the Eclipse itself and its great staff) was a whale and dolphin watching trip we went on in Gran Canaria. Madeira was interesting - if hilly..... and we enjoyed the overnight stay in Lisbon which is a lovely city. September would probably see you more guaranteed weather.

When we did the Baltic cruise on the Eclipse we formed a group of 8 on our roll call and used SPB tours for a wonderful 2 days in St Petersburg. We tailored the tour to our requirements with help and advice from the company and it all worked very very well. A big bonus was the fact that our super comfy minibus had free wifi! So we could hop on the Internet whilst travelling from venue to venue. Our guide was very personable and knowledgeable - we had early entry to the Hermitage, visited the Palace where Rasputin met his end and .... a highlight was a trip down onto the subway....one escalator journey took 3 minutes!

Talinn - you can easily do the walk into the town from the dock. Used the ship's tours for Stockholm and Copenhagen but believe that SPB do tours there as well.

Eclipse only doing 5 cruises from Dublin, then based in Amsterdam for the remainder of the summer season.

I am looking forward to sailing on Silhouette which will be based in Southampton next summer.

We saw her on a day trip to Liverpool on 01.06.16 (1st June)

 

 

 

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Hi UpwardUK.... agree totally re the Eclipse and I have booked myself and younger daughter on the Silhouette Sept 18 to the Western Med...... Have done the western Med 5 times now but this itinerary does stop at Barcelona and Corsica rather than Malaga.... though I am disappointed that they are doing provence rather than the lovely Villefranche!

Thanks for the review Texasgirl..... it brought back many memories. I did post my review on CC. Alas I don't have your photography skills!

I have to disagree re the highlights though as Liverpool was unexpectedly the highlight of the trip and I would love to do it again. Having said that my elder daughter's new husband arrives from N Carolina this week on a pre - visa visit and we will be taking him to Liverpool for the day.

Liverpool for us was a highlight.... that send off with the "ticker tape" cannons was just something else. We live about 17 miles away - across the bridge from Widnes Joann! I teach very often pupils from Widnes schools.

The National Trust owns John and Paul's houses and yes you can tour them. Alas from a cruise ship point of view you have to book a trip with the Nat Trust which runs from Speke Hall, out near the airport, and they run minibus tours of the houses. Obviously a minibus doesn't hold too many people so they may well get booked up. Apparently Yoko gave items to be in John's Aunt Mimi's house and she asks the custodians to send her photocopies of the Visitor's book every month.

It is such a shame Celebrity didn't base the Eclipse at Liverpool.....there is so much right there by the dock to see. WE journeyed out to the Penny Lane area first then worked our way back towards the centre of the city, driving past the 2 so very different Cathedrals. We parked and walked to Matthew St passing the statue of Eleanor Rigby. Matthew St was buzzing with tourists and we stopped at the Beatles shop which is always interesting.

The Albert dock has something for everyone with the Maritime and Tate museums, shops, bars and restaurants. We ended up at the Liverpool museum. There are wonderful exhibits relating to life in Liverpool + the 60s with a short (8 minute) video experience of Beatles history. Then there is the viewing window on the 2nd floor with fabulous views of the estuary, pierced with the "Ferry" and of course the Eclipse.

I too have memories of my Nana who with her Canadian husband would sail from Liverpool on the old Empress of Canada or France ships as they went to stay over there for 18 months. To be able to sail into Liverpool and set sail from there was a huge reason for me in selecting this cruise.

It did not disappoint.

Ok.....have downloaded the app to my iPad ...let's see if I gave any joy now!

Ok Etretat on the coast north of Le Havre

Dieppe with the cliffs and Chateau in the background with the monument to the failed Canadian landing in the fore.

The Canadian war graves cemetery Dieppe.

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Love the photos of Stirling castle. I saw R.E.M. there in 1999 and it was am amazing concert. The best ever; with the wonderful Highland scenery as a backdrop.

I have been trying all sorts of photo sharing sites etc to try and post some of my photos from the cruise but nothing works !! It is so frustrating.

We went along the coast to Larghs when we stopped at Greenock. My good friend lives in Glasgow and she met us and took us to the famous ice cream parlour in Larghs - Nardini's. Delicious :)

I hired a car in Le Havre and took a taxi to the car hire office. Was very pleased to get a BMW and it was automatic (I used to hate them but my last Ford is an automatic after being nagged by the girls so I was fine with it.

Took 2 Canadian ladies with us for the trip as I planned to visit Dieppe by travelling up the coast road. They were lovely company and I think we all enjoyed the trip. We stopped at Étretat on the way and had a leg stretch on the very scenic promenade.

AT Dieppe we had a 2 hour break for a snack. Alas we had just missed the market but we had a look around the town - it was just as I remembered. Dieppe was always a favoured weekend retreat for Parisians, with its elegant promenade, outdoor pool and the sea front dominated with views of the cliffs and its chateau.

After meeting back up we drove to Dieppe outskirts and after enquiring from some helpful locals we found the Canadian cemetery. We spent some time there - our Canadian friends were due to travel to Vimy Ridge, outside of Arras next day. I felt they were very brave as it is a long way by public transport (2 trains with a change ) That was going to be a very big. long day for them. I have been to Vimy several times and it is an almost indescribable experience.

Anyway I then took the quicker route back towards Le Havre and then took the toll bridges over the Seine estuary to drive to Honfleur. I must admit I found the bridges a little intimidating to drive over - I don't like heights but I managed it. Honfleur was very busy but as I have a disabled parking badge I managed to find a disabled parking space right on the harbour side ! We had nice time for a good look round and we sat at the harbour edge and feasted on modules et frites for me..... and Jim had a delicious chocolate dessert!

We got the car back 15 mins early at 7. 45..... and then we had to try to get a taxi back to the ship...which we could see but too far for me to walk. I was a bit cheeky and asked at the café/ restaurant there did they know a telephone number for a taxi and the lovely waitress phoned for a taxi for me !! Speaking French does help! 5 minutes later a cab arrived and we were quickly back to the ship! A very successful day and excursion!

Well.... have tried and tried to upload my photos but nothing I try will work.... the site just won't have it :(

Ah you got a photo of the patisserie :) WE called there and bought French pain au chocolat. There was a cafe just across the road from there so I practised my rusty French there. People had been getting off the ship saying the town was shut.....well yes many of the shops were closed but some were open and I found a lovely speciality grocers after leaving the cafe and bought some presents for people back home.

Your photos are really good!! Bringing back lots of good memories too.

I have just booked a Sept 18 cruise on the Silhouette and though so far ahead there wasn't any disability room except for an Oceanview on deck 3! I was pretty disappointed to say the least. I will have to try and cope in a balcony cabin.

I too was on this cruise and am still telling people about the simply wonderful experience of sailing in and then having it surpassed by the leaving of Liverpool. I have put my review of the cruise onto CC web site .....

I have now booked the Western Med (yet again) but as I want to leave from Southampton.... I have had to switch allegiance from the Eclipse to the Silhouette. Am taking my younger daughter this time...... in the interests of fairness (and to get myself another cruise)

I have never booked an accessible room on a cruise as I am aware that a wheelchair user would need the wider doorways etc. My room however does have to accommodate my walker, crutches and scooter if I have hired one.

I completely disagree with the person criticising Celebrity with their comment about the staff not being helpful. On the 6 cruises I have taken the case is I have met with wonderful kindnesses from the staff - especially in the ladies' rest rooms. I nearly always have a member of the buffet staff coming to me to offer to carry my plate/help me etc. I have found the staff brilliant and all too often far more understanding than some passengers.

Regarding disabled parking spaces - here in the UK at least disabled people can have a "blue badge" which enables the holder to use designated spaces and in towns etc to park on double yellow lines etc. I am referring to the non disabled people who park in the larger spaces who DO NOT have a badge to display (no badge because they do not have a disability but are using the space because they are going to be "quick" etc ) IN my fitter days I would not have dreamt of taking a space or using a disabled toilet. It IS easy to spot someone with a hidden disability as they are the ones coming out of a disabled rest room not looking embarrassed!

I hope the people mentioning here their disability relating to incontinence issues have caused some of the other people to think twice before thinking using a disabled toilet. If as an able bodied person you use the disabled restroom when you could perfectly easily use the other facilities it means that the toilet is in use as the disabled person arrives. The disabled person has had to get themselves to that room.... probably having to have hunted for it and their ability to walk that distance/wait that bit longer really affects them. I don't go around challenging people at the disabled toilets - am just making a plea for a little more consideration from people perfectly able to use the other facilities.

note to self to check the dates on posts..... feeling dumb here

As I understand it the deck plans give the hint. If you have the little black triangle/rectangle on the room then there is a drop down etc additional bed.... then the permanent bed will be next to the bathroom. No symbol and the configuration will have the bed by the balcony - which is what I prefer. Look on your ship CC info and there might be a "sticky list" with room comments too and that might help.

AS regards arranging tours; on our Baltic cruise on the Eclipse I arranged a 2 day St Petersburg tour. From the outset I put it out there that I had osteoarthritis and couldn't walk quickly. 3 other couples elected to join the tour which we customised to suit - I liaised pretty much with one of the 2 US couples and between us we had a great itinerary planned. For the 2 days the 8 of us had a 12 seater minibus from SPB tours, with brilliant guide, friendly driver and free wifi! All of us did as much or as little was we wished e.g. one couple and one US spouse sat out the trip on the Underground- they took advantage of the little break and we were all happy with the speed at which we took through the Hermitage etc.

I feel communication is the key - set out what are set requirements and plan what is negotiable and get a great tour (and deal) which suits everyone. In these days of email etc it is pretty straightforward. I would have no hesitation in doing it again.

On our forthcoming UK cruise as we dock in Liverpool just a few miles from where we live I have volunteered to lead a tour of the city - have done this before for US friends - your tours are what you make of them :)

I am speaking of the Solarium pool on the Solstice ships - the Eclipse. I have already said that the Therapy pool on The Constellation i.e. its indoor pool is not suitable for swimming in. The length of the Eclipse can accommodate a swimmer and of course if it is busy people can't swim the same as if there were just a few people in it. As I said.... there is plenty of room at the sides of the pool for people to just relax, stand and chat - so why can't they leave the mis section for people who wish to swim? I find it too shallow in parts for aqua aerobic exercise. I have also helped people with their swimming in there as it is a nice depth for none too confident novice learner swimmers.

If you "need" to swim, a cruise ship is not the place for you.

 

The pools are for "cooling off and chatting" and having a drink or two or three.

 

I rather thought I made it clear I was referring to the pool in the Solarium which is much larger than the outdoor "dip" pools!! The whole ambience of the Solarium pool is different to the picture posted here!

I stick by my comment. There are several pools plenty for both dippers/chatter and people who need to exercise !!

I am an ex (long time) competitive swimmer. I have severe osteoarthritis so swimming has to be my exercise.

I have found the indoor Solarium pool on the Eclipse to be fine to swim in..... the length is just about long enough. The outdoor pools would be a non starter as they are only fit ti "dip" into. The indoor pool on the Constellation was far too hot to swim in being a therapy pool - a non-starter.

As for the comments from people re people trying to swim in the pool..... you wouldn't obstruct the people jogging or brisk walking on the track for exercise why do you have this not too helpful attitude towards people having to/needing to swim ? I admit to finding it very mean when people just stand around in the larger pool to "cool off/chat" so preventing anyone swimming lengths. I mean you can stand nearer the sides of the pool and do that just as well. On one pool session there were 3 women who took up the whole swim space in the pool with their non-activity and chat. The could have just as easily have gone in the outdoor area or kept to the side of the pool as it was obvious I was trying to swim. Very inconsiderate.

We are booked on the Eclipse Sept 3rd 2017 for the 14night western Med cruise... our first cruise with Celebrity.

Any comments on ship excursions would be welcome. We have booked an excursion for the ports of Nice and Rome but are not sure about Florence, Genoa, Malaga and Lisbon.

Would be really grateful for any advice

We have done this itinerary several times and really like it. Lisbon has a HOHO bus which stops right by where the ship docks and that is good for a tour of the city, familiarising yourselves etc as does Malaga. I have done the ship's city tram excursion which I enjoyed.

Genoa city is a short taxi drive from the port and is interesting to explore. The Celebrity excursion via coach and boat to Portofino was very enjoyable - the coach drive was especially pretty and the approach to Portofino by the ferry boat was good too.

I agree re the Florence on your own excursion. The tour will provide you with a map. Early advanced booking for the main museums/sights is advised to avoid queuing.

One of my favourite ports is Villefrance in the south of France. It is a delightful place to spend a day with a visit to the beach and swim in the Med, then a lovely French lunch at one of the many port side restaurants - however you say you have booked an excursion for that day.

You should join your roll call as you will find it interesting and might gain some ideas of what can be done at the ports. Also you can research the boards re the ports.

If you join the cruise roll call you will see that several people are arranging private trips for this cruise and also giving hints, tips and information regarding the area.

I am hiring a car at Le Havre as am thinking of driving up to Dieppe to visit the Canadian war graves cemetery there after the disastrous attack on Dieppe made by Canadian forces earlier in the war. There are 700+ Canadian serviceman graves there.

Normandy is a wonderful area to visit and you are really stuck for choice on what to see. I would recommend the trip to Coalville sur Mer - it is just wonderful how the war graves are looked after and honoured. As N France and Belgium were so affected in both world wars there are alas so many there to visit and see. The cruise also visits Belgium and I recommend trying to visit Ypres for the WW1 history there.

We are just back from a 13 night cruise on the Eclipse to the Canaries etc. Dining was never a problem. We were always happy to join a table with others or seat as a two. We never had to wait and we would arrive any time after 6 30 to 7 15. The wait staff were lovely and recognised us more often then not - the sommelier quickly knew the wine choices we liked. The food was always the right temperature and served promptly. We loved the people we got to dine with - one couple we saw a few times.

As for the "ugly Americans" comment - that is just plain rude and in my opinion should be removed. Am glad we never got to dine with people who make such comments.

Am afraid not.....as I asked for it on the Eclipse last week. I could get Diet Sprite and soda water though.

Thanks very much for that..... think we were on a Western Med cruise with you .. :)

We are leaving on 3rd Oct on the same cruise so your info was very useful as I haven't really pre planned anything for the ports.

I will add a note to our roll call recommending people pop here to read :)

Thanks :)