Cruising on the Celebrity Eclipse? We took a 9-night cruise on this Solstice Class ship, and in this Celebrity Eclipse review, we’re sharing what the experience was like.
We’ve sailed with Celebrity multiple times now—earning Elite status after this one—including a few of Eclipse’s sister ships. So when we saw a Southern Caribbean itinerary to the ABC islands with an overnight in Aruba, it was an easy yes. We called our cruise agent and booked it right away. This time, we also decided to try out Aqua Class.
This sailing mainly was about returning to islands we hadn’t visited in a while. My husband couldn’t stop thinking about a couple of them—hello, Bonaire and Aruba. The first time we did something similar was on Celebrity Equinox, so it felt fitting to be back on its sister ship years later. Curacao was swapped for Grand Cayman on this one, and we didn’t mind the change.
While this cruise was more about the destinations, we had a nice relaxing time on board. Was it the best Celebrity experience we’ve had? Not really. The ship is a little tired but well maintained and clean. The food was hit or miss, but we never went hungry. The crowd skewed older, and the vibe was quiet, which we preferred to a rowdy scene. We also made some fantastic friends from across the pond and shared dinner with them more than once.
About Celebrity Eclipse
Here’s a quick look at some facts about the Celebrity Eclipse:
- Celebrity Eclipse is a Solstice-class cruise ship.
- Launched in April 2010.
- Carries up to 2,850 passengers, not including crew.
- Sister ship to Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, and Celebrity Reflection.
- Known for its real grass Lawn Club and glassblowing shows.
- Scheduled for dry dock in April 2025.
9-Night Celebrity Eclipse Southern Caribbean Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Day 2 – Sea Day
Day 3 – Sea Day
Day 4 – Kralendijk, Bonaire
Day 5 – Oranjestad, Aruba
Celebrity Eclipse sails a variety of itineraries throughout the year, including Alaska in the summer, South America and Antarctica in the winter, and repositioning transatlantic cruises in between.
Cruising on the Celebrity Eclipse Review
This ship is the twin sister of the Solstice—so much so that I keep calling her the Solstice whenever I talk about her. The cabins on Eclipse might feel a bit more updated, but both ships are definitely due for a refresh. I’ve heard rumors that Solstice is scheduled for a refurbishment in spring 2026, and from what I’m hearing, the upcoming dry dock for Eclipse will likely be a light facelift—new carpet, drapes, and updated equipment.
While the ship doesn’t have the ultra-modern features we see on newer ships, it still feels like a classic cruise ship—with cozy spaces to unwind, the always-popular Martini Bar, and standout specialty dining at Murano.
Embarkation in Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port
We flew in the night before and stayed nearby at Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport – South & Cruise Port. It was fine for a quick overnight. The hotel did offer a shuttle to the port for $30 per person, but we ended up calling an Uber XL instead.
We arrived at the terminal around 10:30 AM. Security was quick, check-in was painless (online check-in ahead of time really helps), and then we were escorted to the Premium Access area. We had purchased it for this cruise—it gave us priority boarding and a few other perks, and it only really came into play after security. We were among the first to board and on the ship by 11 AM.
Our first stop after Muster Drill? Coffee at Café al Bacio.
Drop off your carry-on bags and grab your cruise card: Once you’re on board, you can stop by your cabin to pick up your cruise card (SeaPass card) and drop off anything you’re carrying—even if the rooms aren’t officially ready yet. Just pop in quickly while they’re still cleaning. There’s even a sign on the door that says: Grab your SeaPass card. Drop your bags. Go enjoy the ship.
Celebrity Eclipse Aqua Class Verandha Cabin
For this sailing, we booked Aqua Class cabin #1629 on Deck 11. It was port side, slightly aft but closer to mid-ship—close enough to the elevators for convenience, but not so close that it was noisy. The nearby elevator took us straight up to the buffet or the Lawn Club, which we appreciated.
The cabin felt similar to other Solstice Class rooms we’ve stayed in. It was spacious enough for two, though the closet seemed smaller than usual with no shelves, and the vanity area had less storage. There is some extra storage above the bed, though, which helps make up for it. The bed was firm— a mattress topper is a must. I did like the faux leather sofa, and while the blackout curtains reminded me of shower curtains, at least they didn’t have holes like on our Solstice cruise.
There are no USB ports, so definitely bring a power strip or USB hub. This is still an older ship.
The bathroom had decent shelving for toiletries, and no shower curtain to wrestle with—always a win. Aqua Class includes upgraded C.O. Bigelow amenities (though oddly, the shampoo was from The Retreat). I can’t use them due to sensitivity, but my husband loved them. My only real gripe: no clothesline and nowhere to set toiletries in the shower. You’re left grabbing things from the counter or placing them on the floor.
The balcony was a good size—enough space to stretch your legs. Ours still had the older reclining chairs with footstools, though they were zip-tied in place since there wasn’t much room to recline them fully. Still, I found them more comfortable than the new metal chairs on some ships that leave you nowhere to put your feet up.
Key Points About the Cabin
- Outlets: Two U.S. electrical outlets and one European outlet.
- USB Ports: None—bring a USB hub or power strip if needed.
- Clothes Line: Not provided—you may want to pack a travel one.
- Closet & Storage: Closet had no shelves, and overall storage felt limited
- Turn-Down Service: Still provided, and yes, you’ll find chocolate on the pillows.
- Yoga Mats and Binoculars: Included with Aqua Class were in the closet.
- Bottles of Water: Two bottles of water included daily with your cabin. They aren’t premium.
- Location: Cabin #1629 is on Deck 11, port side, slightly aft but closer to mid-ship—convenient to elevators.
Read more: Cruise Cabin Hacks That Actually Make a Difference
Sailing in Aqua Class on Celebrity Eclipse
This was our first time booking Aqua Class, and honestly, it was a nice upgrade. You get a few perks that make the experience feel a bit more elevated without going full-on suite level. The biggest perk for us was access to Blu, Aqua Class exclusice restaurant, which we ended up loving for both breakfast and dinner. The quieter atmosphere, better service, and slightly upgraded menu made a difference.
You also get unlimited access to the Persian Garden, though I wouldn’t book Aqua Class just for that on this ship. The thermal suite was very basic—just some heated loungers, a rain shower, steam room, and sauna.
There were a few small extras too, like better toiletries, Aqua Class bathrobes and slippers, and two bottles of water (generic brand) in the cabin. And while the marketing mentions a “spa concierge,” when we asked about it at the spa, we were told that didn’t exist. There were also two yoga mats and binculars in the cabin.
Would we book Aqua Class again? Probably—mainly for Blu. But it would depend on the price. If the cost isn’t extravagantly more than a regular balcony cabin, we’d absolutely do it again. It won’t be a must every time, but we appreciated the perks on this sailing.
Celebrity Solstice Dining and Restaurants
While you’re never really at risk of going hungry on a cruise, I’ve always felt like the Solstice Class ships lack variety—especially compared to dining on NCL ships. That limited variety ends up creating bottlenecks at certain times of day. Lunch, for example, usually means a packed Oceanview Café (buffet), with only Mast Grill or room service as your other included options.
Blu (MDR for Aqua Class)
Dining at Blu is one of the best reasons to book Aqua Class. The service is far better than what we’ve experienced in the main dining room—hubby even called it “Retreat Light.” The menu leans lighter and cleaner, which is great if you’re trying to eat a little healthier, but you can also mix and match from the MDR menu if nothing stands out. We often did both.
Breakfast at Blu was a highlight—not just for the peaceful setting and better food, but because it meant I could skip the buffet. We do wish they stayed open later (they close at 9 a.m.) and offered lunch on sea days.
There weren’t many standout dishes besides the Filet Mignon and Lobster I had on the 2nd evening chic, the lamb chops, and the chocolate lava cake. As usual, I am obsessed with the chocolate cake from Celebrity’s classic menu.
Sadly, I wasn’t super impressed with the food on this cruise, it was really hit or miss, but nothing that was inedible, except for hubby’s NY strip steak one night. As someone who remembers Celebrity serving consistently high-quality meals, I do think there’s been a noticeable downgrade in the overall food quality in recent years.
Tip: There is outdoor seating in the back of the buffet that faces the aft.
Moonlight Sonata Restaurant (MDR)
We only ate here once, on embarkation day, since the sit-down lunch was included with our Premium Access. Service was spotty—maybe due to turnaround day—but the meal itself was just okay. After that, dining at Blu really confirmed that Aqua Class was worth it.
Oceanview Cafe
We ate at Oceanview Café quite a few times for lunch, mainly because the included options outside of Mast Grill are limited. During peak times, it definitely got crowded, so timing was everything.
Pizza and pasta were always available, and the Indian food was consistently good. Surprisingly, I thought the desserts were better than most of the other food this time. And the scones at the mid-afternoon tea station? They were irresistible.
The last sea day featured an all-out buffet with shrimp, fritto misto, several roast carvings, and even a chocolate fountain. Everyone was crowding around the shrimp station—forgetting you can order shrimp cocktail every night from the classic menu in the main dining room. The roasts looked impressive, but unfortunately, the meat was dry.
You can, however, expect different lunch themes daily, from Italian to German and Caribbean.
Cafe al Bacio ($)
Celebrity’s Signature Café continues to be one of our favorite spots onboard. While other guests head to the Martini Bar, we’re usually at Café al Bacio. Hubby doesn’t drink, and we drink a lot of coffee, so it becomes our little hub. They serve Lavazza beans (a favorite of ours), and the baristas were consistently friendly and efficient. From macchiatos to espresso martinis and tea, they make it all. My only complaint? You have to specifically ask for extra shots, or your iced latte ends up tasting like iced milk.
The best part: they always had delicious cookies.
(Specialty coffee drinks are an extra charge without a drink package.)
Gelateria ($)
Right across from Café al Bacio is the Gelateria, which usually comes at an extra cost. You get one free scoop per sailing if you’re a Classic member or above with your Celebrity Club Benefits. The gelato was pretty good, and they make the waffle cones fresh, which definitely helps.
Otherwise, you can get free scooped ice cream or soft serve at the buffet.
Murano ($)
This was the only specialty restaurant we booked, and it continues to be one of my favorite Celebrity dining experiences—aside from Eden on Celebrity Beyond. The Lobster Murano, prepared tableside, was rich and flavorful, though noticeably smaller than it used to be. The chateaubriand for two was a win for hubby—tender, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. We ended the meal with a Grand Marnier soufflé. Service and presentation throughout were excellent.
Celebrity Solstice Activities and Entertainment
While this sailing felt quieter overall, there were still plenty of activities happening throughout the ship. Celebrity kept the schedule full with trivia, poolside games, dance classes, live music, and more—you could join in or just relax and do your own thing.
On this cruise, we mostly chose afternoon naps and relaxing on our balcony over daytime activities. Call us boring, but life’s been a little bumpy lately, and some peaceful ocean air was exactly what we needed. In the evenings, we’d catch a show if we had the energy, but by the end of the cruise, we were mostly spending our nights hanging out and chatting with the new friends we made onboard.
Pro Tip: get to the theater or any event space early if you want a good seat. And keep in mind, entertainment can change by the time you sail.
Shades of Bublé: A trio performing some of Michael Bublé’s top songs—including covers of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. If you’re a fan of Bublé, it’s worth seeing. They did a solid job.
Daryll Joyce Comedy: Hilarious and relatable. I believe he was only onboard for the first few days.
Solo Guitarist Jay: Beautiful voice and great guitar work. Definitely worth finding him on the schedule and catching a show.
Bingo ($): We played a round—always fun, even though we didn’t win. This one comes with an extra charge, but it’s a good time if you enjoy a bit of low-stakes competition.
Rock City: One of the ship’s production shows. We skipped it this time, but we’ve seen it before on Celebrity Solstice and enjoyed it.
Top Hat: Another production show onboard. We walked out of it when we saw it on Celebrity Equinox and didn’t feel the need to give it another shot.
Service on Celebrity Eclipse
Aside from one rude encounter with the spa manager, every other crew member we interacted with was friendly, helpful, and did their best to accommodate requests. We did speak to the Assistant Hotel Manager about the situation, and while she apologized profusely, that’s where it ended—though she did check in with us later in the week, which we appreciated.
That said, it did feel like the ship might’ve been a little understaffed. A few crew members mentioned they were heading home soon—likely due to the upcoming dry dock—which could explain it.
Our cabin attendant was warm, always smiling, and incredibly attentive. We made sure to tip him extra at the end, especially after hearing that some guests down the hall weren’t receiving the same level of service from their own attendant. We get it—they have a lot of cabins to manage, and with Celebrity still offering nightly turn-down service (something not many mainstream cruise lines do anymore), that’s a lot to keep up with.
Other Observations While Sailing the Celebrity Solstice
- I don’t believe we were at full capacity on this cruise. It never felt overly crowded, which was nice. Even though Aqua Class was sold out.
- There were very few kids onboard due to the time of year. We heard the next sailing was expecting around 600 children for Spring Break.
- The Persian Garden, included with Aqua Class, was pretty minimal—just a few heated loungers and a sauna room. Nothing like the thermal spas we’ve seen on other cruise lines.
- I got a mani-pedi onboard, which is starting to become a little cruise ritual for me. The nail tech was excellent—she did a great job. The pedicure setup, though, felt outdated and cramped. Three people seated closely side by side isn’t exactly relaxing.
- Free sunscreen and aloe: We didn’t realize this until near the end of the cruise (thanks to a tip from a veteran Celebrity cruiser), but Celebrity provides complimentary sunscreen and aloe in the pool area. Look for it by the center towel station.
This Celebrity Eclipse review was based solely on our experience. We would love to hear about yours. Leave a comment below!
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
