This was our third Celebrity Cruise and the second on one of the Solstice Class ships. These ships are breathtakingly beautiful in the 'common areas'. Additionally, the main dining room is far better than most other ships we've traveled on. The staff are excellent; efficient without being over-solicitous. The cruise itself, it's ports and it's time in each was 'just right'---although it would always be 'even better' for more time in New York City. And, let me add, I had thought we would be 'berthed' in the Bayonne NJ port for our stay over in NYC. But, the dockage at Pier 90 was simply perfect for theater going and anything else one wanted to do while in NYC. Most of all, there are few cities (Venice comes to mind) where the 'sail in' and 'sail out' are as dramatic and beautiful as entering Manhattan via the Hudson river near dusk!
The 'featured entertainment was also excellent. I must add, however, that the actual Celebrity entertainment was, in my opinion 'lacking'. With so many cruises using contemporary Broadway or other venues for the emphasis of the four (or so) "Ships Dancer's and Singer's Night's, I found Celebrity's choice of their in-house music and choreography to be definitely lacking. That fact, plus what I can only consider a 'redesign' of the balcony staterooms (seemingly smaller and less 'storage space') to be the only 'downsides' of what was otherwise an outstanding 16 day vacation.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Entertainment
The 'featured' or hired, professional entertainment was excellent. So too were the ship's 'roaming' entertainers and especially the 'house orchestra'. I did find the four "Big Shows" featuring the ships dancers and singers to be much more amateurish and less dramatic than similar shows on previous Celebrity Cruises or, for that matter, similar shows on other cruise lines.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The ship's "common areas" are beautiful and inviting. The Atrium alone is a masterpiece. I did find the 'redesign' of the Solstice-Class cabins to be 'constraining' in terms of both closet and storage space---the rooms themselves are fine, but for a lengthy cruise with multiple formal nights, just not enough 'space' for clothing.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Decor, bedding and bed comfort were all excellent. Location on the ship was perfect also---near mid-ship and also near all the 'action'.
I was disappointed, as noted above, by the what I can only assume was a redesign from the original Solstice. To me, there was much less 'storage and closet room on the Eclipse than was available on the Solstice when we first sailed her about five years ago. For short trips, this is most likely fine. But, for voyages of over two weeks and more, where there are multiple formal nights etc. the space was simply inadequate.
Clean, modern and very efficient. For local visits or tours, it's great. I 'heard' that it was not quite so great if one was trying to 'get in' a Disney or Universal Studio's experience in Orlando---this was also 'impacted' by the very slow processing of Customs in this port!Q
Surprisingly efficient. One point, try to avoid renting from Hertz at the 2nd street "Ship's Port" location. Vans to the rental agency are slow, crowded and very small---able to seat six or even eight passengers but NOT their luggage. Poorly planned on the part of Hertz.
I'm on the same itinerary next year how did you find immigration at Boston our cruise has been swapped from Florida to the Bahamas due to immigration.
Did you go on any good excursions?
thanks
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