Celebrity Eclipse Review

Celebrity Eclipse, the third of five vessels in the fleet's Solstice class, is one of the most beautiful big cruise ships on which we've traveled. Its interiors blend sophistication with a bit of whimsy, giving the ship a feeling that it's a cross between the trendy W Hotel chain, but with softer edges.

Always a line that has emphasized quality dining, Celebrity has upped the ante with Celebrity Eclipse, making some tweaks from the original Solstice that work beautifully. In particular, the concept of the playful Qsine, which debuted on this ship and has since been expanded to others in the fleet, is a stand-out, but so too is the Tuscan Grill Steakhouse for hearty fare.

The best part of Eclipse -- as on other Solstice-class ships -- is the Lawn Club, a grassy expanse on a top deck aft, where you can play bocce or miniature golf, enjoy jazz at night under a starry sky, or simply lounge on grass so soft it's more comfortable than a poolside deck chair. On one afternoon visit, we grabbed a seat and watched as a bartender from the adjacent aft bar tried to entice a visiting bird with a piece of bread. It was a little thing, but cruise ships typically don't incorporate nature into onboard features (on most vessels even the plants are fake), and for a brief moment we felt as if we were in a lush garden.

If at times the warmth and character of Eclipse and its excellent crew lent the experience a luxurious overtone, it's important to note as well that Celebrity is still a mass-market cruise line. The rampant upselling and fee surcharges were a bit of a turnoff, particularly given that the quality of dining in the fee-free restaurants was often significantly less than those with extra charges. Also, the spa felt more like a bustling train station than a serene retreat, and on sea days, the pool deck, beautiful as it is, could feel crowded and chaotic. But none of these downsides is enough to deter us from taking another cruise on this magnificent ship.

The typical Celebrity passenger is mid-50's, traveling as part of a couple, sophisticated and appreciative of the better things in life. The majority are from the United States, but that balance, as well as the ratio of couples to families with kids, may shift between the Caribbean and European seasons.

The two levels of dress on Eclipse are smart casual and formal. Two formal nights take place per seven-night cruise. On smart casual nights, sport shirts and slacks are appropriate for men, while women will be comfortable in skirts or pants and blouses, or casual dresses. On formal nights, both men and women may prefer more dressy attire, such as evening gowns for women and tuxedos or dress suits for men. A large percentage of men do opt for the tuxedo route.

Celebrity Cruises is increasing its suggested gratuity by 50 cents per passenger/per day beginning on all bookings made on or after April 29 for all cruises that begin on or after the same day. The new suggested gratuity will be $12.00 per person/per day, if you're in a standard cabin; $12.50 per person/per day, if you're in a Concierge Class or AquaClass; and $15.50 per person/per day, for passengers in suites.

Next: Celebrity Eclipse Cabins

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