DISAPPOINTING 2nd CRUISE

If this ad been our first cruise it is unlikely we would have booked another ..our first in December 2012,, with Celebrity, around New Zealand was memorable for all the right reasons.

We booked suite 2150 on Deck 12, aft. The size was perfect and our butler and steward could not be faulted. However our cruise was marred daily with the cleaning, shoving of chairs, and heavy footsteps from the Bar leading from the Ocean View Restaurant above. We had expected noise from guests late as night not noise sometimes from 2.40 am and persisting at intervals thought the night. Didnt take part in as many activities as we were always so tired. At first not being believed by the concierge, the Assistant Customer Relations Manager took over and offered us alternative accommodation of a lesser quality,and position which we declined, just requesting that the noise to be postponed until after 7am. This did not happen and there does seem to be a lack of communication between departments on the ship. She also told us that it was a design fault on the ship and that a large number of staterooms on Deck 12 are subject to noise ….fine if you are a heavy sleeper or hard of hearing, but customer beware of Deck 12 on the Eclipse!

So disappointed to find all the quality shops closed in Copenhagen due to BankHoliday. Led to understand as we disembarked, that shops would be open until 12 , but no, all closed. It would have been helpful if we had been advised earlier in the cruise. We also found that the shuttle causes were expensive, and that it was more cost effective to take local transport or the Hop on Hop off buses available at every port. Trip Advisor was very helpful in planning our time ashore. The exception was St Petersberg, where we took advantage of the complimentary 2 day excursion that was on offer with the cost of our cruise. Tiring but excellent. .

As we were in a suite, we were able to eat in Blu, subject to space available. Service was superb, and less noisy that the MDR. We also ate in Murano which is well worth visiting. We found the buffet to be very crowded. We also agree that the 15% gratuity on drinks is excessive, and the drinks packages are expensive if one is a moderate drinker.