My wife and I absolutely love to cruise. This last week we spent on the Celebrity Eclipse and had a fantastic time. Although this was something like our 9th or 10th cruise, it was our first time ever on the Eclipse, as well as the Celebrity line. As a whole I would have to give the crew, ship and line a solid thumbs up. Clearly not a younger demographic cruise, the mean age was probably 50-60's, however, it was obviously a step up in class from Carnival or RCL. I think there were probably 10 kids total on board, but not too many walkers... and we are getting to the point now where the belly flop pool party contest has lost its luster. Rather a glass of wine in cellar masters or the afternoon in the solarium is becoming more our speed.
One of the absolutely amazing things the Eclipse has on board is a lawn. It's funny how something so simple and common on land is probably one of the best things ever about this ship. The entire top back deck is covered by probably close to an acre of green, wonderfully manicured turf. In the evening they would have jazz under the stars and provide lawn leaner chairs, blankets, cheese plates and great music. Add a bottle and wine (or two!) and we had one of the best evenings we have ever had on a ship. Just sitting under the stars, enjoying life.
The other fabulous thing this particular ship has is a glass blowing studio. Underwritten by the Corning museum of glass, they designed the studio into the construction of the ship with specialty built electric furnaces for melting and annealing the glass. the artisans would have one or two shows a day and produce beautiful pieces that they would then raffle off for free at the end of the show. We won two! The larger pieces they made would be auctioned at the end of the cruise to support a scholarship program for the Corning school of glass. There were also several very cool pieces made over the years by various people as the art the ship displayed, as well as in the dining room as oil and vinegar carafes, etc.