Celebrity Eclipe
By Mike Pickup, Mike writes about travel for numerous newspapers and magazines, both consumer and trade, and has over a hundred features published each year. He is also the Editor of Holiday Magazine and a professionally trained photographer. For more information click here
Groundsman wanted for Cruise Ship
This is not the sort of job advertisement you would normally expect to see, but if Celebrity Cruises has its way, it is liable to become a regular thing.
Cruise companies compete with each other to introduce features that make their ships unique.
No exception to this is Celebrity Eclipse which is based in Southampton during the summer season. It came into service earlier this year, part of its inaugural celebrations being put on hold to rescue British holidaymakers stranded in Spain by the Icelandic volcano.
It boasts a lawn on the top deck which may seem strange at first but it really does work for the passenger; andEclipse has more surprises up its sleeve.
Let’s start with the basics.
Our cabin was spacious, comfortable and whilst it did not have a bath it had a shower with both an overhead shower as well as jets down the side, both of which could be operated independently.
The bed was the usual spacious US-sized King, and very comfortable too. No problem getting a good night’s sleep on this ship. Even the balcony was a good size with quality furnishings. A large flat-screen TV provided the main entertainment plus, unusually for an American ship, an electric kettle for making tea and coffee in the cabin – a clear indication that Celebrity takes the British cruise market seriously. They even spelled ‘Theatre’ our way!
Cruise companies compete with each other to introduce features that make their ships unique.
No exception to this is Celebrity Eclipse which is based in Southampton during the summer season. It came into service earlier this year, part of its inaugural celebrations being put on hold to rescue British holidaymakers stranded in Spain by the Icelandic volcano.
It boasts a lawn on the top deck which may seem strange at first but it really does work for the passenger; andEclipse has more surprises up its sleeve.
Let’s start with the basics.
Our cabin was spacious, comfortable and whilst it did not have a bath it had a shower with both an overhead shower as well as jets down the side, both of which could be operated independently.
The bed was the usual spacious US-sized King, and very comfortable too. No problem getting a good night’s sleep on this ship. Even the balcony was a good size with quality furnishings. A large flat-screen TV provided the main entertainment plus, unusually for an American ship, an electric kettle for making tea and coffee in the cabin – a clear indication that Celebrity takes the British cruise market seriously. They even spelled ‘Theatre’ our way!
The main dining area is spacious, airy and comfortable with a good selection of smaller tables. There’s a varied choice of other eateries, ranging from light meals, crepes, buffet and a coffee shop servicing a huge range of specialist ice-cream, to the Tuscan Grille steakhouse.
However, the star of the show is Qsine, a one-of-a-kind dining experience which starts with the menu on Apple iPads and continues with a whole range of food and presentation that are totally unique.
Spring rolls are served wrapped in newspaper and placed in copper-coloured springs; an item offering a taster of twelve dishes, each in its own container, is served in a three row shelving arrangement. You can also try sushi lollipops, disco shrimp, lava crab, crunchy munchies and chitinis (chinese + martini). Some dishes are interactive, you are provided with the ingredients then you make your own items at the table. The whole experience delivers something totally new in dining and is not to be missed.
The Cellarmasters bar offers you the chance to try out wines by the glass, dispensed by devices that accept your card, and comes with specialist advice from resident experts.
When all the eating and drinking brings on pangs of guilt then there is an excellent gym and Elemis Spa to help get your body back into shape, and you can relax to your heart’s content in the Solarium, an adults-only area with its own pool, waterfalls and extra-comfort seating.
Spring rolls are served wrapped in newspaper and placed in copper-coloured springs; an item offering a taster of twelve dishes, each in its own container, is served in a three row shelving arrangement. You can also try sushi lollipops, disco shrimp, lava crab, crunchy munchies and chitinis (chinese + martini). Some dishes are interactive, you are provided with the ingredients then you make your own items at the table. The whole experience delivers something totally new in dining and is not to be missed.
The Cellarmasters bar offers you the chance to try out wines by the glass, dispensed by devices that accept your card, and comes with specialist advice from resident experts.
When all the eating and drinking brings on pangs of guilt then there is an excellent gym and Elemis Spa to help get your body back into shape, and you can relax to your heart’s content in the Solarium, an adults-only area with its own pool, waterfalls and extra-comfort seating.
Atrium
The Apple iPad theme is followed through with the iLounge, a fully fledged Apple dealership with 26 workstations and the opportunity to purchase duty-free products. The three-deck high library, a peaceful haven of large, comfortable chairs, is next door.
The entertainment is everything you would expect from a ship of this quality, a great theatre, a club lounge where you can have an evening drink and listen to cool jazz, a happening disco, casino, and numerous other bars and lounges where you can relax and enjoy this beautiful ship.
For families there are two kids clubs, 3-11 and 12-17, and of course the Apple iLounge will appeal to many who cannot bear to be away from a computer for too long.
However, Eclipse’s real appeal is to adults looking for a classy and relaxing environment, and it delivers this in spades. Whilst other US cruise companies expect us fly to their departure points, congratulations to Celebrity for positioning this ship in Southampton for the season, and for attention to those little details that show they really care about the UK market.
The entertainment is everything you would expect from a ship of this quality, a great theatre, a club lounge where you can have an evening drink and listen to cool jazz, a happening disco, casino, and numerous other bars and lounges where you can relax and enjoy this beautiful ship.
For families there are two kids clubs, 3-11 and 12-17, and of course the Apple iLounge will appeal to many who cannot bear to be away from a computer for too long.
However, Eclipse’s real appeal is to adults looking for a classy and relaxing environment, and it delivers this in spades. Whilst other US cruise companies expect us fly to their departure points, congratulations to Celebrity for positioning this ship in Southampton for the season, and for attention to those little details that show they really care about the UK market.
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