Simplon - The Passenger Ship Website - www.simplonpc.co.uk

Simplon Home - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon facebook
- Recent Updates - Search Simplon - Copyright Information - Contact Simplon
This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation - There are no postcards for sale on this website

 


Celebrity Eclipse Cruise

Celebrity Cruises

Page 1: Southampton  -  Monday 4th October 2010

Ship Name: CELEBRITY ECLIPSE - Ship type: Passenger/Cruise - Year of Build: 2010
IMO Ship No: 9404314 - Gross Tonnage: 122,000 - Deadweight 9,500



Each image links to a larger copy which opens in a new window/tab


 
This page is one of a series showing images from a 16 night cruise on Celebrity Eclipse in October 2010 to Venice via Cadiz, Cagliari and Split, returning via Dubrovnik, Palermo and Malaga. We travelled in Sky Suite 2128 high on the starboard side aft. This page covers embarkation and departure from Southampton.

Celebrity Eclipse is a Solstice-class cruise ship, operated by Celebrity Cruises. She is the sister ship of Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Eclipse, which entered service in November 2008 and July 2009, respectively. Celebrity Eclipse measures 122,000 gross tons and carries 2,852 passengers (double occupancy) plus crew.  Two further ships Celebrity Silhouette (Meyer yard number 679) and Celebrity Reflection (Meyer yard number 691) are on order for delivery in autumn 2011 and in 2012.

Celebrity Eclipse sailed from Southampton during Summer 2010 offering itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. she will return to sailing from Southampton in Summer 2011. Celebrity Eclipse will sail from Miami in Winter 2010.

In response to the shutdown of UK airspace due to the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano, the newly completed Celebrity Eclipse was used to rescue 2000 British tourists stranded in Spain as "an act of goodwill" by the owners. The ship departed from Southampton for Bilbao on April 21, and returned on April 23. Celebrity Eclipse official maiden voyage was on April 29, 2010, departing Southampton to Cobh, Ireland.




 

Sections on this Page
Contacts
  Celebrity Cruises UK Home Page - www.celebritycruises.co.uk


 

Associated Pages

References




Celebrity Eclipse Cruise

Celebrity Cruises

Page 1: Southampton  -  Monday 4th October 2010

Ship Name: CELEBRITY ECLIPSE - Ship type: Passenger/Cruise - Year of Build: 2010
IMO Ship No: 9404314 - Gross Tonnage: 122,000 - Deadweight 9,500


Each image links to a larger copy which opens in a new window/tab




We had previously travelled on Celebrity Constellation (newly renamed from Constellation) on a 14-night cruise to the Baltic from Dover, which was easily the best 'big ship' that we had sailed on. Celebrity think of lots of delightful touches to make a cruise more attractive. These included the best espressos found on a ship, the best Martinis found on a ship, an excellent sushi bar and a pasta bar which kept our 15 year old son fed and happy throughout the cruise. Items such as dressing gowns, welcome champagne and canapés which had disappeared from many ships were still provided on Celebrity. This combined with good (but not exceptional) food in the main dining saloon and a very good extra-cost restaurant, plus highly efficient low-key ship operations, put well Constellation ahead of the P&O, Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Princess trips we had done previously. The new Solstice Class ships have built up an excellent reputation since the first was delivered in 2008 and we had high expectations of Celebrity Eclipse.

We stayed the previous night in Southampton and drove down to the Mayflower park before midday to photograph the ship (along with many other passengers). We then joined the queued lanes of cars to unload our baggage. Unlike other Southampton cruise terminals, we could park (for free) a couple of minutes from the terminal, still quite a way if you have a rucksack full of laptop, three cameras, assorted lenses and around a dozen different battery chargers. Check-in at the terminal was fast, with no queues, our 'priority' boarding offering no advantage. We could pre-book our two complimentary speciality restaurant meals in the terminal (speciality bookings can be made online before sailing but not currently for complimentary meals). We then boarded the ship and made our way to the Oceanview Café since the cabins were not quite ready.

I am not a fan of self-service restaurants, but the variety and quality of food available in the Oceanview was spectacular, in very stylish surroundings. Separate serving stations included carvery, Indian, stir-fry, Mexican, grill, pasta, pizza, sandwich-making, salads, sweets, ice cream, bread, cheese, etc, etc. After 17:30 there is also a sushi bar. Within minutes of our arrival, the announcement that all cabins were ready was made. We had Sky Suite 2128 on Deck 12, just below the Oceanview cafeteria and only a few metres from open deck. Unlike some ships, many of the deck rails are normal height rather than the 3-metre-high windbreaks found on other recently delivered ships.

Our cabin was excellent, extremely spacious with huge amounts of cupboard and draw space. the bathroom was very stylish with an enormous 25cm wide shower head fixed to the ceiling over the full-sixed bath, plus a separate hand held shower attachment. This had a solid metal shower head which somebody had already managed to drop and chip the bath enamel (not a 'plastic' bath). the room had a 40inch flat screen TV on the wall, which also acted as a computer terminal to order wine, photos, make restaurant reservations etc. Of course these could also be done by phone or in person. Luggage arrived soon after we reached cabin and we met our steward and 'European Style' butler. The wide balcony was directly below the wider Deck 14, which is supported by angled struts. I was worried that these might impede photography, but early experiments leaving Southampton showed that this would not be too much of a problem, and open rails were only seconds away from the cabin. the reduced exposure to the sun caused by the overhang deck above was considered a definite advantage by us. The only minor gripe about the cabin was the lack of any UK power socket, which seemed a little remiss on a ship based in the UK for much of the year. The shop was doing a roaring trade in adaptors for the US and European sockets available, which I had intended to bring but which appeared to be the only items forgotten so far. The cabin had a huge variety of lights available, small spots, softer large lights on a dimmer, bedside lights, mirror lights, etc, which all had their own widely separated switches. A central on/off switch as provided in most hotels would have been very useful. You can see by the insignificance of these complaints that there was not a lot wrong.

We then explored the ship, which despite its size (122,000grt) seemed laid out in a very logical fashion. Everywhere was extremely well signposted so that it was never necessary to refer to the printed deckplan. The ship has only two main sets of lifts and stairs, unlike most ships of this size which have three. Each set consisted of eight lifts, so the total probably equalled that of ships with three sets. There was a third set of atrium stairs between the lifts. The ship has 16 passengers decks with No.16 being the forwards sun deck. Deck 15 has areas fore and aft of the pools, reached by stairs. The forward area has the outdoor games court plus a view over the bridge with rail height glass - unusual on modern ships, particularly Vista Class vessels which make it very hard to take photos. Also forwards on Deck 15 are the child and teen areas. In the aft block Deck 15 has the real grass lawn areas where croquet, putting etc are available. There is also the partly open-air Hot Glass Show where three young women create glass fish and the like. Bizarre but quite popular. Sheltered arm chairs are placed along the side of lawn and the attractive Sunset Bar overlooks the stern.

Deck 14 has the Sky Observation Lounge forwards, a large bar/lounge with different semi-separated areas looking over the bridge. A small part of this lounge is the only inside smoking area. Inevitably the air conditioning spreads the smell around the whole room, although it is not too powerful. There is a conference centre next to this lounge. The midships section of deck is open, looking down on the pools, and has a jogging track and both sheltered and open sun lounger areas. Aft on Deck 14 is the Oceanview Café, as mentioned earlier, plus the Oceanview Bar above the stern.

The Fitness/Spa facilities are located at the forward end of Deck 12 (superstitious Americans avoiding a thirteenth deck), including an adults-only indoor spa pool and the AquaSpa Café for 'healthy' eating. Midships are the two outdoor pools with cabins further aft.

Decks 11 down to 6 are primarily cabin accommodation. Deck 11 also has a relaxation lounge accessible from the spa above, presumably where people recover from their various life-improving injections and hot rocks treatments they have suffered. The library is on Deck 10 and the Apple-centric iLounge computer centre is on Deck 6, both facing into the aft atrium.

Decks 5 and 4 are the main entertainment decks, both with the Eclipse Theater at the forward end. Deck 5 contains the main optional dining areas (more details later) plus shops, photo gallery, and the inevitable art gallery. Deck 4 has more shops and most of the diverse selection of bars, the casino and the upper entrance to the single main restaurant Moonlight Sonata. the upper level is for passengers choosing Freedom Dining. Deck 3 has the main area of the Moonlight Sonata restaurant which has two sittings, plus the Purser's office (Guest Relations in American) plus a further bar. The medical facilities and tender boarding are on Deck 3.



Celebrity Eclipse

 Celebrity Eclipse at Southampton City Cruise Terminal
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Celebrity Eclipse - Sky Suite 2128

 Celebrity Eclipse - Sky Suite 2128
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - Sky Suite 2128
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - Sky Suite 2128
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - Sky Suite 2128
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - Sky Suite 2128
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - Sky Suite 2128
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Celebrity Eclipse Departure

Train on Hythe Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - sunset in the Solent
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - sunset in the Solent
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - sunset on the Solent - view of Portsmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - sunset on the Solent - view of Portsmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - sunset on the Solent - view of Portsmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - sunset on the Solent - Wightlink & Brittany Ferries cats, freighter and Horse Sands Fort
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - sunset on the Solent - No Man's Land Fort and Nab Tower
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - passing No Man's Land Fort
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



 Celebrity Eclipse - sunset in the Solent - No Man's Land Fort and Ryde Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Other Shipping

CMA CGM Carmen

 IMO number: 9318046 - Name of ship: CMA CGM CARMEN - Call Sign: A8IE8 - MMSI: 636090965 - Gross tonnage: 91649
DWT: 100680 - Type of ship: Container Ship - Year of build: 2006 - Flag: Liberia



 CMA CGM Carmen arriving at Southampton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
CMA CGM Carmen - CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Electa

 IMO number: 9416824 - Name of ship: ELECTA - MMSI: 247284500 - Gross tonnage: 29712 - DWT: 51118
Type of ship: Chemical/Oil Products Tanker - Year of build: 2009 - Flag: Italy



 Electa at Fawley oil Terminal
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010
Electa - CELBRITY ECLIPSE Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk






Other Celebrity Eclipse Cruise Pages:- Southampton - sea days - Cadiz - sea day - Cagliari - sea day - Split - Venice - Dubrovnik - sea day - Palermo - sea day - Malaga - sea days



Harold Jordan - New and Old Shipping Postcards for Sale - www.hjcards.co.ukOcean Liner Society - www.ocean-liner-society.comCarmania Press - Quality Passenger Shipping Books -  www.carmaniapress.co.ukThe Liquid Highway - River Thames Website - www.riverthames.co.nrRisawoleska - 1:1250 Ship Models - www.risawoleska.comSeapixonline - Image GalleryMike Louagie - Fantastic Maritime Photographer - www.louagie.beMaritime Photographic - Superb Shipping Photography - www.maritimephotographic.co.ukCOASTAL CRUISING ASSOCIATION - www.cruisingmonthly.comFerry Publications - www.ferrypubs.co.uk - Leading European Publisher of Ferry BooksNATIONAL HISTORIC SHIPS REGISTER - www.nationalhistoricships.org.ukWORLD SHIP SOCIETY - worldshipsociety.orgShippax - Ship Information, Databases, Publications, Magazines - www.shippax.seNautiques - Your gateway to the rich past of ocean liner nautical antiques - www.nautiques.netMarius Bar - Historic and new photos from long established French photographers - www.mariusbar-photo.comPADDLE STEAMERS - A Unique Heritage - www.heritagesteamers.co.ukDonAnd Maritime - www.donandmaritime.com - Cruise & Ferry News and CollectablesOverview Press - www.overviewpress.co.uk - Specialist Passenger Shipping BooksGORDON HISLIP - Irish Sea Photography - www.gordonhislip.comOld and New Postcards for Sale - www.raeth.chShips Monthly - Shipping Magazine - www.shipsmonthly.comJOHN EAGLE PHOTOGRAPHY - johneaglephotograpy.comMaritime Matters - www.maritimematters.com

Simplon Home Page - The Passenger Ship Website - www.simplonpc.cco.uk

 
©1999-2010 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site)
All Rights Reserved


Free Web Counter
Times viewed since 04/10/2010: