Celebrity Eclipse Eastern Caribbean - November 2011 - Honeymoon

[luvtocook]

Cessna, what we did on our last Equinox W. Carib cruise (Panama, Costa Rica, etc) was lay up on the pool deck listening to books & getting sun during most days and REALLY took advantage of the free bottled water in Aqua when touring in very HOT ports.

We did visit the relaxation room & Persian gardens but it is not our thing either, we much preferred the activity on the pool decks.

The dining in Blu & the much quieter, smaller more intimate feel of that DR plus the free water made the Aqua class room so appealing to us. We've had many aft cabins on M class ships & they are absolutely our favorites but we do not like the way they are on the S class ships.

The shows were pretty good, we didn't get to catch them all and the martini bar after dinners was a BLAST!

Can't speak to the casino or the night clubs.

[acwmom]

KitKat - Again, an amzing response. I can't express how thankful I am to you and everyone else that has chimed in on their experiences and opinions.

 

Alj and luvtocook, thank you for the responses too.

 

 

I am still not 100% sure on the class I want. There are so many options that it gets confusing. We really want to enjoy the aft view and currently have a C1 but from what I have read/seen it looks like the aft cabins aren't as good as other ships and I don't want my first aft cabin experience to be ruined (Especially on a honeymoon). Then aside from Blu, I am not sure I would indulge in the offerings of an AQ room. Relaxation room/persian gardens really just isn't our thing as much as getting sun, enjoying food/drinks, enjoying each other's company and exploring the activities on the ship.

 

I have read that everything you get with the Concierge Class you get with Aqua Class and then the extras of AQ, correct?

 

What are some of the activities on the ship during the day?

 

Also, how is the nightlife on X after dinner? I recently just read that because of the demographic the dance club, casino and other clubs shut down earlier than other cruise lines. Some of these reviewers make X sound like a retirement village which isn't good for prospective customers like me, jeeze.... I tend to ignore the extremes when it comes to reviews and try to find a consensus.

 

 

My finance and I do enjoy the upscale/trendy experiences. As I mentioned in my OP, I have sailed Carnival and while we would enjoy things like a Conga Line/funny contests by the pool, I don't think it's something we're going to want on the honeymoon. X seems to be more of what we're going to want which is:

• A stylish accommodation with good views
  
• Great service
  
• Great food (Extra important)
  
• A fun onboard experience that will include good shows and entertainment both during the day and at night
  
• Great ports of call (Which we already love)
  
• No/Minimal kids (Sorry to the parents out there - We love children just not for our cruise honeymoon)
  
• Some fellow cruisers around our age would be nice
  

From where I sit, X Eclipse looks like a good choice. I am still just unsure on the stateroom. I think if I could get an aft facing AQ it might make it so much easier. LOL

 

I think you have picked the right line, given what you list as your wants. My husband and I really enjoyed the cruise. We weren't in AQ, for some of the same reasons you list. We enjoyed the MDR, foodwise and atmosphere wise. We enjoy meeting people from elsewhere.

 

If you are on the 11/12 sailing, there is a C2 with a big balcony, 2109, on the resort deck, that is available. Same deck as the pool, one down from the buffet, 2 down from the lawn. We were in 2108 (opposite side of the ship) and loved the convenience of the location. We never heard any noise from above.

 

We are in our mid 40's, and certainly didn't feel like we were in a retirement village! The ship has tons of activities, a lot involving the officers. Officer/passenger dance contest, bocce ball tournaments, putting contests, croquet tournaments, trivia, cooking demonstrations, karaoke the ilounge offers some classes (for a fee). You can do as much, or as little, as you like. The Martini Bar and atrium were hopping, the Ensemble lounge, not so much.

 

As far as the water goes, if you are already planning on the all inclusive beverage package, you will be able to get all the water you want, so that AQ perk wouldn't be critical.

[CessnaAV8R]

Thanks Robin. That is very helpful. 11/12 is the sailing date.

 

I was staying away from the resort deck because of noise issues but after reading your post and looking at the deck plans I see the ladies room is above the stateroom you suggested. That would eliminate any chair scraping noises or pool noises. It is also aft facing and is near the elevators/bar/pools. It is still Concierge Class too! This may be a good one for what we are looking to do.

 

Quick question(s) - Was the window washing equipment near that location? Also, were the polls that support the overhang an eyesore?

 

Thanks!

[kitkat9438]

I totally understand your confusion about room choices. The reason I mentioned a cabin in the middle of the ship, whether it is Aqua or CC class is that you will have that privacy on your balcony, which you mentioned in one of your earlier posts. I don't think your cruise would be ruined by any means, no matter which cabin you choose, they are all good and only a matter of personal choice.

 

I do lots of research, as you can tell from my posts, so even though we love concierge class we opted for Aqua on the Eclipse. We cruise with large group of friends (11 total) and knew that we also wanted to eat in the MDR with them some of time, and not be limited to Blu. This was no problem because we would just check out the menus that are posted in front of Blu and the MDR each day and decide where we wanted to eat. We didn't really partake in the Persian Gardens either because we were just too busy, but we did love that spa shower which is awesome!!!

 

 

Honestly we probably prefer the MDR because you have more choices and I really like having the same waiter who gets to know you and what you like. I've heard you can ask for the same waiter in Blu as well, but we only dined there a couple of nights. Even though the food is outstanding in Blu and the MDR, we really loved Murano's and Qsine and we feel it is well worth the extra $$$.

 

You are correct that you get most of the benefits of Aqua in your concierge class cabin, with the exception of Blu, the free bottled water and tea, Persian Gardens and Relaxation Room, that spa shower, facial mist and relaxation music.

 

I have my dailies at home so I can tell you exactly what the hours are of the bars, etc. You might want to shoot me an email and I'll see if I can scan them. Celebrity is definitely not like being in a retirement home, I can assure you. You will see all ages onboard this ship. My husband is in his 30's and he loves Celebrity.

 

During the day there are tons of activities, such as the glass blowing demonstration which is really great, the lawn club, where you can play or relax, trivia, of course swimming and the officers have games in the pool that are pretty entertaining. There's live bands around the pool for you to listen to. You'll be able to eat 24/7. There's a great grill out by the pool for burgers, nachos and such. There's an adult's only pool area called the Solarium that is covered. There are two hot tubs in this area. It's quiet and nice. There are a few of those cabana type covered beds in this area if you are lucky to snag one for some romantic time.

 

I also agree that 2109 would be an excellent choice. Here's what I found out about it under the sticky (this applies to all Solstice Class ships):

 

SHIP: Equinox

CABIN #: 2109

DECK #: 12 (Resort)

CLASS: C2

AREA: Aft port

BED NEAR: Balcony

QUIET?: Yes! No noise heard from Oceanview Cafe overhead! :)

BALCONY VIEW: Excellent port view

BALCONY SIZE: Oversized (rear of hump)

WIND A PROBLEM?: Not at all

SOOT A PROBLEM?: No

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: Balcony completely covered. Excellent for protection from sun and rain

[kitkat9438]

If you look at this picture where cabin 2110 is, that's the same place as 2109 on the other side of the ship.

 

 

I do not see any kind of obstruction, whether it's a pole or window washing equipment. I think the window washing equipment is in front of 1551 and 1552.

[CessnaAV8R]

Hm. For some reason your pics are not coming through for me now. Can you e-mail them to me? I e-mailed you Kat.

 

Thanks!

[acwmom]

Thanks Robin. That is very helpful. 11/12 is the sailing date.

 

I was staying away from the resort deck because of noise issues but after reading your post and looking at the deck plans I see the ladies room is above the stateroom you suggested. That would eliminate any chair scraping noises or pool noises. It is also aft facing and is near the elevators/bar/pools. It is still Concierge Class too! This may be a good one for what we are looking to do.

 

Quick question(s) - Was the window washing equipment near that location? Also, were the polls that support the overhang an eyesore?

 

Thanks!

 

We never saw the window washing equipment, and the support poles were a nonissue. You only notice them if you are looking at the ship itself. We liked our room so much that we booked it again for next spring. The resort deck is really nice because it has fewer cabins.

[maxsales]

I'm going to suggest a completely different option since this is your honeymoon and that is that you consider on the NCL Jewel class ships OR the NCL Epic. The reason I'm suggesting this is because you could get a suite with butler service - such as a courtyard villa or the deluxe owner's suite on the courtyard floor that includes a private outdoor hottub, which I think would be absolutely ideal for a honeymoon. Even, if you just get a courtyard villa, you will have a huge suite with a gigantic bathroom, 2 sinks, tub, and a huge walk-in shower, 2 tv's dvd player, butler service and use of the courtyard and courtyard sundeck - which are very private, often completely empty. It's a very unique shipboard experience - like nothing you have ever experienced before and I just think that this would be an absolutely fantastic honeymoon. The courtyard villas on the Jewel class ships are limited to just a few, that surround a very exotic courtyard and you just have an incredible experience - very private and luxurious.

 

I think that you would have a great time on Celebrity, BUT, I think the experience of having a courtyard villa on NCL would make your honeymoon one of a kind.

 

 

I would stay with Celebrity!:)

[CessnaAV8R]

I just booked 2109! :-)

 

I read a lot of reviews of the aft cabins that suggested privacy wasn't optimal, there are concerns of soot and the walk from aft to the elevators can be a bit long, especially if you forget something like a camera.

 

I must admit that I will love being so close to the bar/pool area. It will make getting a couple of lounge chairs in the AM that much easier. Also, we'll be nice and close to the elevators which will allow us quick access to anywhere in the ship. OK, now I am even more excited! :-)

[acwmom]

I just booked 2109! :-)

 

I read a lot of reviews of the aft cabins that suggested privacy wasn't optimal, there are concerns of soot and the walk from aft to the elevators can be a bit long, especially if you forget something like a camera.

 

I must admit that I will love being so close to the bar/pool area. It will make getting a couple of lounge chairs in the AM that much easier. Also, we'll be nice and close to the elevators which will allow us quick access to anywhere in the ship. OK, now I am even more excited! :-)

 

 

Even though we are older than you, we never rode the elevator down-we always walked. However, we only walked UP a few times :-). We had poolside chairs on port days, but preferred to sun on the lawn on sea days, where it was more tranquil. You can still get the aft view from the Sunset Bar. I think you will be pleased with your new cabin.

[Grado]

My DH and I ate at Qsine, only 2 of us. We had a wonderful time. We chose 6 items from the menu, in addition to dessert. There were items we had no interest in trying. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even though it was just the 2 of us. In fact, there were several tables of 2 that night. I say it is a must do.

 

Another thought, and I am not sure how easy this would be, but try to find out from the Corning Museum of Glass which glass artists are going to be on board that week. If you could touch base with them ahead of time, perhaps you could arrange for them to make something special for your wife at one of their on board shows. They do a raffle at each show, and an auction at the end of the cruise. They also make items for the kids on board, so I am sure there would be a way to get this done. We really enjoyed the shows, and in fact, plan on having one of the artists do a few pieces for us once he gets back home.

 

We had a C2, 2108, on the resort deck. It was a perfect location. We are not spa people, and felt the food in the MDR would be more to our liking.

Hi Robin. You said you chose 6 items from qsine. Which were your favorites? My bf and I went to Baltic on eclipse and just tried Palak paneer ( not the full Indian menu), the crab appetizer, the Mediterranean box, tombstone for desert and we were stuffed. My DH and I will be going silhouette to holy land 9/3 and since he eats a lot more than my bf, I thought I'd get some suggestions from you. Also, did u try any other specialty rest?

[Grado]

If you look at this picture where cabin 2110 is, that's the same place as 2109 on the other side of the ship.

 

 

I do not see any kind of obstruction, whether it's a pole or window washing equipment. I think the window washing equipment is in front of 1551 and 1552.

We were on eclipse 1554 June 2011 and it was VERY obstructed by pole and Big window washing thingy hanging down that was permanent. It was also very noisy when they decided to use some electronic equipment above us for ??? Stripping floors, blasting pool? Just noisy. Don't get 1554 unless u have no choice. The location was good tho in that it is close to elevators and back spiral stairs to spa. The ship is marvelous though! Jan

[cinlo]

Hello CessnaAV8R,

 

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. I believe you have made a great choice with a Celebrity Solstice class ship.

 

My husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary onboard the Solstice, it's second week of service, and what an experience that was. It was also our very first cruise. We sailed in a Sky Suite and loved the extra service, but since then have usually traveled in Concierge Class. We asked for shrimp cocktail for the canapes.

 

I wanted to tell you about our experience with the professional photo studio on board, called Deep Blue. Since we were in a suite that trip, we had a "free" sitting, so I called about it. We made our appointment for photos to be taken before dinner on a formal night. The photographer and his assistant took quite a few photos in the studio, but then we walked all around the ship taking photos in other areas. The assistant had a large umbrella like light diffuser, so we got a lot of attention from passerby's. Some photos were upstairs in the bar area, some in Michael's Club; the photographer chose interesting backgrounds and even did some "photo-essay" type shots. For example, we were sitting on a couch a little bit apart for one photo, looking into each other's eyes...then closer...then my husband kisses my shoulder...you get the idea.

 

The next day we went back to the studio to view the photos....he'd taken hundreds and we had to chose which ones we wanted for the small album. Both of us had tears in our eyes viewing the photos, they were so lovely. And it was SO HARD to choose. But we finally made our selections and in a few weeks the album was delivered to our home. It had been sent to Italy for the printing and construction. You would not believe what high quality this album is! We never had "real" wedding pictures, so this made up for it. Just be warned that Deep Blue is not inexpensive, but I think the experience and the photos were worth every penny.

 

I wish I could add a photo from our album, but I can't figure out how to do it!

[CathyCruises]

If you have the pictures electronically, start a reply and click on the paper clip icon. This will take you to a page where you can 'browse' for the correct file on your computer. When you find it, click upload, should be as easy as that.

[cinlo]

Thanks Cathy...let's see if I did this correctly...

 

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