This was our 4th time on the Eclipse and it certainly didn't disappoint. Our room was 8195 which was port side right by the elevators - very handy for deck 12 and the lovely Aqua Spa cafe and the Solarium and pool. There was a clear view from the balcony down to the sea with the lifeboats on Deck 5 below a little to the left. There was no smoke nuisance from the Deck 5 below either. Our room was immaculate and unobtrusively kept very clean and ordered by great cabin stewards.
Embarkation. This cannot be faulted as I apply for assistance at the pier and this is always ready for me. The many helpers seat you in a chair and you are whisked through security and the e- ticket checks and admin very smoothly. We were on board the ship for the very early time of 11 am and went straight to Cafe Al Bacio - a favourite haunt for the whole 2 weeks. We moved to the Oceanview restaurant for lunch and had no problem finding seats. The rooms were ready for 1 pm and our luggage arrived quite quickly too, we were unpacked in time for the Muster drill.Straight after this we made our way to the Sunset Bar for a lovely sail away out of Southampton and the start of the cruise.
We had chosen Select Dining and never had any wait or problem at all. The service and food in the Moonlight Sonata Dining room were exemplary. There wasn't a dish chosen that wasn't to our liking. The prime rib was delicious as was the duck breast entree. Some evenings I just couldn't manage dessert. We had different dining partners each night as we never minded sharing tables and so met many different and interesting people. The waiters and sommeliers were attentive and we had no problem enjoying the classic drinks package.
This cabin is right by the forward escalators so is excellently placed for access to all decks and especially the Aqua spa, Solarium and indoor pool. The bed is by the balcony which is my personal preference. There is no obstruction on lower decks so one can look down to the sea. There was no problem with any smoking from the port side of the lower deck 5. There was no noise to disturb us from its proximity to the elevators. Our cabin steward and helper were efficient and unobtrusive. The room was kept immaculately clean. There was a little ship motion coming back across the bay of Biscay but speaking as an extreme sufferer from sea sickness...... I wasn't sick and coped well with it so it got a thumbs up re that too. I would take this cabin again in an instant.