Family Cruises: The Celebrity Eclipse

Taking a family cruise on the Celebrity Eclipse offers a unique experience for all ages, including eating edible art at QSine - and your own concierge. Then sink your toes in real fresh cut grass on the top deck at the Lawn Club.

If you are thinking about a family cruise, below are some Questions and Answer to help you plan your vacation. Also see links below for additional cruise ship ideas and island vacation suggestions.

Where does the ship leave from and sail to?

The Celebrity Eclipse leaves from Miami and sails to the Eastern Caribbean - St. Maarten, St. Kitt and Puerto Rico.

Is this a large ship?

The ship has occupancy for 2,850, and weighs 122,000 tons. It joined the fleet in 2010 and offers spectacular views in 85% of the staterooms.

What are some of the family activities?

The Lawn Club has 1/2 acre of grass designed for putting, bocce and croquet. The iLounge Internet cafe is equipped with 26 workstations. You can cheer the top chefs at cookoffs, watch mastercrafters during the Hot Glass Show or take a video class. The Sky Observation Lounge has floor to ceiling windows to allow all to sit in comfort and enjoy the view. Relaxing is one of my favorite activities when on vacation.

What's available for the under 18 crowd?

The X Club offers video games and nightly disco parties. Children can also participate in the pool Olympics, scavenger hunts and team trivia contests. Lessons are offered through the Celebrity Life educational program in sushi making and astronomy.

What's for Adults Only?

Enjoy pampering in the AquaSpa Relaxation Room, use an iPad to guide you through the ship's extensive art collection, and join one of the Celebrity Life classes - offered in ballroom dancing, or how to mix drinks. In the evening, there is a Martini bar and wine tasting at Cellar Masters.

What are the food choices?

Dining options are 'traditional dining' which means you will have an assigned seat in the main dining room at the same time each evening. You also have the option of flexible dining called "Celebrity Select Dining" that allows you to make dinner reservations on a daily basis. Or you can come to dinner any time between 6pm t0 9:30pm. But reservations are recommended to avoid having to wait.

There are a variety of specialty restaurants available to choose from when you book. This includes the QSine, Blu Restaurant, Tuscan Grille, and the Murano Restaurant and more. Beverage packages are also available.

Can I plan shore and land excursions on my own?

If you do, just remember that the ship assumes no responsibility for your decision. Also keep in mind that if you are late returning to the ship - it will not wait for you. They are only responsible for you if you book a tour through them. My cousins who cruise all the time, most often plan their own excursion - but they have taken photos - from the ship - of people who planned their own excursions and came back late - only to watch the ship sail away. If you are new to cruising you may want to let the ship plan your tours, or stay local. But be back on time.

What's the cost?

Right now I am showing a 7 day cruise starting at $659 per person, and $509 for the 3rd and 4th person in the cabin.

What about accessibility?

The ship has many accessibility features. This includes gangways to accommodate most scooters and wheelchairs, staterooms with automatics doors and wider doorways, grab bars, lowered vanities and closet rods, as well as amplified telephones, close-captioned TV and more. Public restrooms with automatic doors are also available.

What else?

Start researching and planning way in advance. There is a ton of information on the Internet. You can also order brochures online. Enjoy!

For more cruise suggestions, and island vacation ideas, see the links below: