A few major changes to my September/October 2019 itinerary:
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23-27 At Sea
- Paso Robles has again been eliminated. But this is due, of all the things, to the extremely high cost of rooms in San Jose and much of Silicon Valley on Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed. For example:
- Westin San Jose
- Thursday September 5 $499
- Friday 6 $219
- Saturday 7 $219
- Sunday 8 $469
- Monday 9 $719
- Tuesday 10 $699
- Wednesday 11 $619
- This pattern occurs the entire months of September and October (worse, for the price is $819 on Tuesday, October 8, and $799 on Wednesday, October 9).
- On the other hand, today at $139 and Wednesday July 4 also $139, which makes me wonder if the price suddenly drops that week if rooms are available.
- Even Courtyard Marriott doubles and triples on those days.
- This pattern seems also to prevail in Portland and Seattle, but not as exaggerated.
- In any case, now only two nights in San Jose, then the Coast Starlight to Portland, hopefully in a roomette.
- Looking at that schedule for September, I might just skip going to the UH-Washington football game. I can watch it on TV.
The latest itinerary:
NEWLY ADJUSTED FALL
USA 2019 SCHEDULE (2July19)
SEPTEMBER
Fri 6 Lv 1245 Honolulu Hawaiian Air 44
Ar 2050 San Jose
Westin $219
7 $219
Sun 8 Lv 2023 San
Jose Coast Starlight
One roomette for two at $451 total
or 2 Business class for total of $267
9 Ar 1532 Portland
AC
Hotel Portland $264
10 $264
Thu 11 Lv 1200 Portland 504
Cascades
Two
business class for $101 total
Ar 1530 Seattle
Sheraton Grand Seattle $234
12 $234
13 $234
14 $234
1330 UH-Washington football game
Lv 1900 Seattle 518
Cascades
Two
business class for $129
Ar 2300 Vancouver
Vancouver
Marriott Pinnacle Hotel $401
Sun 15 Lv 1600 Vancouver Celebrity
Eclipse
Balcony $1500/person for 7 nights
Balcony $1500/person for 7 nights
16 Inside Passage
17 Icy Strait Point
18 Hubbard Glacier
19 Juneau
20 Ketchikan
21 Inside Passage
22 Ar Vancouver
Sun Lv Vancouver Celebrity Eclipse
Balcony $1200/person for 11 days
28 Hilo
29 Hilo
30 Kona
October
1 Lahaina
2 Lahaina
Th 3 Honolulu
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Celebrity Eclipse Overview
Celebrity Eclipse is scheduled for an extensive refurbishment in March 2020 when the ship will receive additional suites, cabin upgrades and transformations of several venues. Michael's Club will become the Retreat Lounge with its own sun deck and the Oceanview Cafe buffet and Cellar Masters wine bar will be redesigned.
Celebrity Eclipse is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful big ships we've ever sailed. Its interiors blend sophistication with a bit of whimsy -- akin to a trendy W Hotel but with softer edges.
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The refurbishment in March 2020 must mean that the ship is getting old. It was launched in 2010. However, CruiseCritic bestowed to the Celebrity Eclipse in comparison with other large ships:
- 2019 third Best Overall
- 2019 ninth Best for Cabins
- 2019 second Best for Dining
Also:
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It's a food-lovers paradise, with many options onboard from the complimentary Moonlight Sonata, which will satisfy almost any tastes, to the upscale but extra-cost French bistro Murano and the fun, animated experience at Qsine. Music fans will also appreciate the diversity of bands, duos and soloists that perform in various venues from early evening until late at night.
We love that the ship positions itself perfectly for the first timer -- not so big that it's overwhelming but not so small that you get bored. It's got a good selection of activities, the entertainment is high quality and cabins are bigger than the industry average.
On the downside, the rampant upselling and fee surcharges are a bit of a turnoff. Service is sometimes overwhelmed, and on warm sea days, the pool deck can feel crowded, especially when the ship is at its maximum capacity of 3,148.
But none of the negatives is enough to deter us from taking another cruise on this lovely ship.
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The Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud is the Global Culinary Brand Ambassador. He does the same for Air France. Join me on the Celebrity Eclipse. And, yes, there are two separate back-to-back cruises on the same ship.
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