Celebrity Eclipse Review
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Additional details
Prior to this cruise we had not sailed with Celebrity, but had spent quite a long time on various P & O voyages, mostly on Oriana, but also on Artemis. I am a part-time scooter user as a result of over 35 years of rheumatoid arthritis and cruising is a good way to overcome this difficulty. P&O have banned scooters from ordinary cabins, so we looked for another line to travel with. Celebrity Eclipse was the answer and a pretty good one at that. Better than my P&O experiences in a number of ways. We took a late offer on a Concierge Balcony cabin which offered certain privileges.
We travelled to Southampton in our own car and parked with Cruise Parking for 14 nights. Our luggage was loaded on to a minibus by their staff and thus transported to the passenger terminal where it was taken by a porter and loaded on to the ship. On return we were met by Cruise Parking staff and transported back to our car in the same fashion.
Embarkation at Southampton was easy, and not too lengthy. There was a special desk for disabled people, and then a series of long ramps to get aboard, which was OK for me on a portable scooter, but not good for my wife with two replacement hips and a dodgy knee (no scooter). This is a big ship, so there was a good deal more walking to get to the cabin (1122) on deck 10. The lifts are, however, very good indeed with plenty of room in each for a wheelchair and scooter as well as several standing passengers.
Cabin Review
The stateroom I would rate as a step up on an ocean view cabin on the Oriana and it was both more easily accessible, and spacious. The balcony, with its firm, comfortable furniture, was an extra advantage, though we didn't use it a lot. Our twin beds were firm and comfortable, the heating could be controlled adequately and the scooter stowed in one piece without difficulty. There was adequate wardrobe, cupboard and drawer space, as well as a settee which would double as a third bed. The electric outlets are US sockets, so those who go on board without a European adapter will need to buy or borrow one from customer services($50 deposit). Our steward was excellent and we were delighted by the free cabin service for food. This proved a boon because we are both pretty stiff in the early morning and were thus able to have breakfast in our room. At all times the stateroom was clean, the beds made up in our absence and the bed linen was always as one would wish. Tow pillows each, one firm and one softer, were provided, as well as severl cushions on the settee.