Eclipse TA Review - Boston, Broadway, Bermuda, Bahamas, - 28th Oct - 12th Nov

[peteukmcr]

I can't believe 2 weeks ago we were in Miami at the end of a fantastic Westbound TA onboard Eclipse.

 

We set sail from Southampton on Oct 28th, arriving in Boston 7 days later on 4th November after the smoothest Atlantic crossing we've ever known. So lucky as friends left Southampton a week later and experienced several days of 'choppy' seas.

 

Our itinerary was Boston, New York (overnight) Bermuda (overnight), Nassau and finally arriving in Miami on 12th November.

 

As a bit of background we booked this sailing back in November 2015 and it was to form part of my celebrations of hitting the big 6 zero!

 

The ports of Boston and Bermuda were new to us and although we've visited New York on several occasions (the last time was a surprise visit in 2016 due to a prize I won courtesy of American Airlines) we've never sailed into New York and this was to be a highlight for me.

 

We were booked into a category 2A cabin on the port side, deck 7, close to the elevators on the 'hump' (7235).

 

I have to say I believe this is one of, if not the best cruise we've done. We were RCI loyalists for 11 years, but tried Celebrity in 2015 and were blown away on Constellation. We sailed earlier this year around the Mediterranean on Reflection and were so impressed with the Solstice class of ships and so were really looking forward to sailing on Eclipse.

 

I have a yardstick of how good a cruise is, and it depends on the number of times I have to contact Guest Relations during the sailing. This time, none! My only visits were to 'donate' cash towards the on board account and get a new immigration form (I messed the 1st one up!).

 

In summary, the staff were excellent, especially our sommelier in the MDR and in Cellar Masters, Ensemble Lounge and World Class Bar. Our wait staff in the MDR were wonderful as was the food. Although we had a 6 night dining package, we were not disappointed in the variety and quality in the MDR. I know food is very subjective, but that is our opinion.

 

My only concern on day 1 was that we received a note to say that we had been moved from Select dining to the late seating option. Strange as we'd booked back in 2015 so off I went to the see the maitre 'D.

 

I was advised that Select was over subscribed and as I had made recurring reservations for 8:30pm they had made the decision to move us to late seating (8:30pm), but had ensured that we had a table for 2. As this was the case, then all was well as that's why we choose Select dining, to get a table for 2. We only share if we're dining with friends.

 

To be honest, the tables for 2 in the Moonlight Sonata dining room on deck 3 are spaced a little further apart than those in Select on deck 4 IMHO.

 

We also purchased the unlimited Xcelerate internet package using our Elite status discount prior to boarding and although faster than before, there are times when it is frustratingly slow and drop outs still happen.

 

We also got the Premium drinks package in a 50% sale prior to departing and although we were given 3 paper drinks vouchers per day to be used for the Elite evening cocktail hour at several bars on the ship, we never used them as we had a package. I have to say that the only downside to us on Celebrity is the cocktail hours of 5pm - 7pm as we rarely go out for pre-dinner cocktails before 7pm (as we prefer to dine at 8:30pm). Not a deal breaker though as we've always had a drinks package.

 

As we had the 6 dinner package we would dine twice each at Qsine, Tuscan Grille and Murano. As I went to make all the reservations (the first to be in Tuscan on day of departure) I was advised that this was 50% discount on day 1, so booked that and another 6 dinners, so we dined in speciality restaurants for 7 out of the 15 days on board.

 

Anyway, for this review I'm going to use my partners blog to provide info on each day of the cruise, adding stuff and photos where I can.

 

So here's the link to day 1 (for us the travel to Southampton from our home in Manchester, UK).

 

https://highseasescapades.co.uk/2017/10/27/manchester-to-southampton/

 

That's it for today, work beckons tomorrow (got to pay for the next cruises somehow!).

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[easyboy]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

 

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[Keith1010]

Great start and look forward to your other posts.

 

Keith

[peteukmcr]

Just a quick update this morning before I set off into the cold and wet commute!

 

We walked down to Mayflower park from our hotel (Premier Inn West Quay) on boarding day to see Eclipse at the city terminal before having a walk around Southampton for some last minute essentials.

 

 

We left the hotel at 11am and walked to the terminal and checked in. We were onboard by 11:30am, after one of the easiest checkin ever.

 

Some photos of cabin 7235

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a link to boarding day.

 

https://highseasescapades.co.uk/2017/10/28/southampton-boarding-and-departure/

 

 

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[upwarduk]

We used the train from MAN to Southampton in Sept 2016, as we had a one way flight back from Montreal. Only reservation was that the transfer from the outside platform 13 was ‘tight’ as we were only given 20 minutes. We ended up getting on the Cross Country train at the first available opportunity, so then had to move our heavy cases through the train. Next time I would book a train from Huddersfield that went to an inside platform.

The ticket prices were good as I booked 12 weeks before hand and had bought a 2 together card, which meant in total I saved £156.

 

Thankyou for the cabin photos, we are booked on Silhouette in June and our room also has the bed by the balcony configuration, which we have never had before. I imagine it’s easier to access the wardrobe?

Edited November 27, 2017 by upwarduk

[peteukmcr]

 

Thankyou for the cabin photos, we are booked on Silhouette in June and our room also has the bed by the balcony configuration, which we have never had before. I imagine it’s easier to access the wardrobe?

It does make it a little easier, but there’s not much room between the sofa and the wardrobe nearest the wall.

 

 

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[peteukmcr]

A couple more of cabin 7235

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[TMLAalum]

Enjoying your pictures and review! Great cruise and great times!

[peteukmcr]

Enjoying your pictures and review! Great cruise and great times!

Definitely was one of, if not the best we've done.

[peteukmcr]

So our first full sea day started with our iPhones and as a result Apple watches being set to UK time where the clocks went back 1 hour in the early hours of the 29th Oct. As a result we were one hour out of ships time!

 

I noticed when the captain made his morning address, which I understood was daily at 9:45 am, so I was perplexed when it started at 8:45 am according to my watch! Then I realised our error and had 5 minutes to get to the Sky Lounge for the Cruise Critic Connections meeting!

 

It was a well attended event and our gift exchange was a bear from Utah.

 

I think the only other thing of note today was that I decided to purchase the unlimited photo package as there was a special offer for the first couple of days of $100 discount off the full price ($350) and then as an Elite member I got another 20% bringing the total down to $200. Taking into consideration that many 10x8 photos were $25 and 8x6 were $15 it didn't take long to spend $200. In fact we collected 44 photos which compared to some folders I saw was a tiny collection! Even so I reckon we have $990 value of photos and you also get to download them for a period of a month once you get home.

 

Anyway here's the link to todays blog

 

https://highseasescapades.co.uk/2017/10/29/celtic-sea/

[Clarea]

Excellent start!

[peteukmcr]

Just some photos to keep you entertained at the moment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[peteukmcr]

Our 2nd sea day means more relaxing, more discovery of things like the Hot Glass Show on the Lawn Club.

 

Fascinating, and I learnt a lot. I'll back for more when the climate is a little warmer. Although we are enjoying a smooth sailing and it's nice and bright, there's a nip in the air!

 

Another trip to the gym for me. Determined not to damage the 33lbs loss thanks to Weight Watchers achieved before we set sail!

 

I really like that you are not inundated with constant public announcements for this competition, that bingo session, the next art auction etc. Once in a morning following the Captains update and that's about it. That's what I like about Celebrity, it gets a little wearing on RCI for me.

 

We viewed the shops on board, but to be honest a little disappointed in the range of menswear, and there's not much else that appeals. No different to any other cruise ship as far as we can see.

 

Tonight we dined in Murano and really enjoyed the attention to detail and service.

 

No major things to report on this day, other than we'll take 1 hour off the clock tonight (and every night until Boston) so 25 hour days are here.

 

So here's a couple of photos and the link to the blog

 

 

 

 

https://highseasescapades.co.uk/2017/10/30/atlantic-ocean-p/

Edited November 28, 2017 by peteukmcr

[gerelmx]

Thank you for sharing, say hello to Bailey.

[peteukmcr]

Still heading across the Atlantic, and today it was Halloween. Several areas of the ship were decorated accordingly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We lunched in the MDR today and enjoyed the calm instead of the madness of the Oceanview Cafe which on sea days is very busy.

 

We have now got into a routine of relaxing in various areas of the ship, either listening to music, reading or attending some of the talks given in the theatre.

 

Here's todays blog

 

https://highseasescapades.co.uk/2017/10/31/mid-atlantic/

Edited December 1, 2017 by peteukmcr

[peteukmcr]

1st November

 

Another sea day during which we took part in a scavenger hunt where we had to work our way around the ship collecting photos of items to be found from a list. We thought we'd done well, only to find out we were next to last from a group of six teams! But all good fun and exercise included!

 

 

We dined at Qsine which was excellent as usual, and as usual we ordered too many dishes and never got to dessert! Next time we'll do better.

 

https://highseasescapades.co.uk/2017/11/01/lazy-sea-days/

Edited December 3, 2017 by peteukmcr

[peteukmcr]

2nd November

 

Now Boston appears on the map displayed on the in room TV. We also get details of our 'appointment' for presenting ourselves to the US immigration officials who will board once we are docked in Boston. As we have a shore excursion booked through Celebrity starting at 09:45 am we are given group number 9, although we don't know what time we will be called as it all depends on how swiftly guests are processed and how many officials are on board. Everyone on board will need to processed and that includes staff too.

 

 

Strangely, although we have ESTA's (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) as coming from a visa waiver country to the US, which we had to show in Southampton when checking in (if travelling by air you are not obliged to show a paper copy as all airlines can check online if you have one) we are still requested to complete the old green I94-W visa waiver form to give to the immigration officials.

 

We dine in the MDR for lunch and although service is swift, drinks service is severely lacking, to the point I had to get a manager to serve us despite our wait staff telling the bar servers to come and take an order. This is my only complaint on lunch service, and the beverage service is consistently bad over all the times we dined there at lunch. The service at dinner is stellar and so different.

 

After lunch we went to a matinee show in the theatre. Wow, never seen a theatre so busy, as we sauntered over just 10 minutes before the start thinking it wouldn't be busy, we had to stand throughout the performances, which were great btw.

 

 

 

Evening chic again tonight and so we headed off to the Martini bar in our tuxes and after dinner changed to more casual clothes to head off up to the Sky Lounge for an Abba theme night.

 

Tomorrow is the last sea day before land!

 

https://highseasescapades.co.uk/2017/11/03/high-seas-and-dancing-queens/

Edited December 3, 2017 by peteukmcr

[nikel]

I am so enjoying reading your posts. We are on the exact same itinerary next November but on the Silhouette. Hope we have the same good weather.

[boom_boom]

Question - We're book on this ship for a Feb. 2019 Antarctic cruise and wondered how "big" it feels. We've never sailed on a ship with more than 2,000 pax are are a bit concerned it will be "big" and Crowded. Your thoughts?

[4774Papa]

I am so enjoying reading your posts. We are on the exact same itinerary next November but on the Silhouette. Hope we have the same good weather.

Nickel,

I see that you are booked on the Eclipse March 2019 Valpo to SD cruise. So are our group from this TA. Our group did the Murder Mystery and enjoyed the happy hour and then dining together most evenings. Great cruise.

 

Paul, thanks for the review.

[nikel]

Nickel,

I see that you are booked on the Eclipse March 2019 Valpo to SD cruise. So are our group from this TA. Our group did the Murder Mystery and enjoyed the happy hour and then dining together most evenings. Great cruise.

 

Paul, thanks for the review.

 

If you are doing murder mystery again on the cruise, we would love to join. We had one at work when we got off the ship last month and it was so much fun. The had 80 people. Ironically the theme was a murder on a cruise ship.

[peteukmcr]

Question - We're book on this ship for a Feb. 2019 Antarctic cruise and wondered how "big" it feels. We've never sailed on a ship with more than 2,000 pax are are a bit concerned it will be "big" and Crowded. Your thoughts?

Never felt crowded to us. There are areas which are busy with that number of passengers, depending on the time of day. Cafe al Bacio for example is extremely popular as is the Martini Bar early evening but there are many other areas to relax in.

[peteukmcr]

Last sea day before Boston. Today we attended the Hot Glass Show and a lecture in the theatre about Hollywood blockbusters.

 

 

 

 

Strange weather today, one minute bright sunshine, later thick fog with ships horn sounding at regular intervals.

 

Dinner in Tuscan Grille and another silent disco, this time in the Solarium.

 

Tomorrow we'll see land for the first time in a week, so once we've cleared immigration we'll be on land.

 

Upon returning to our cabin, in addition to the normal copy of the next days daily schedule we received a letter regarding our time in New York.

 

Apparently it is a requirement to obtain a Liquor License in order for the ship to sell alcohol whilst docked overnight. However, this license restricted the ship to selling only beer, wine or cider.

 

Celebrity refunded one days full value of our Premium beverage package but we would still be able to consume beers, wine or cider whilst in New York.

 

I also believe the Captains Club also gave extra vouchers for the overnight stay, but as we hadn't used any of them as we had a beverage package, I can't remember the number.

 

https://highseasescapades.co.uk/2017/11/04/last-day-of-the-crossingg/

Edited December 4, 2017 by peteukmcr

[peteukmcr]

Land ahoy!

 

Awake early to see us dock in Boston.

 

 

Great sunrise and after breakfast we went out on deck to see the Boston skyline. Very chilly and fresh, so jackets required today for our excursion around Harvard and Cambridge.

 

 

 

Later we waited to be called for immigration. Once our number was called (9) we made our way down to deck 4 where we were guided past towards Celebrity Central past the Martini Bar and Casino. Staff were on hand every few yards to make sure you had all the necessary documentation and the cynical in me thinks to prevent people cutting in line. All possible short cuts through the casino etc were blocked too.

 

There were 2 lines, one for non-US guests (our line obviously) and one for US citizens. Needless to say the US line moved quicker, ours moved steadily and finally we were presented to 2 officials who stamped our passports and wished us a warm welcome to the [emoji631].

 

We returned to our cabin and got our things and headed ashore!

 

Unfortunately as no member of the crew were to be allowed off the ship in Boston, we didn't even get the chance for a gangway photo with Boston in the title.

 

Here's some our first glimpse of Boston. More later.

 

 

 

 

 

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