Reflection 1/14/17 Sailing – Live Blog, Photo Blog, Cat Blog?

Good Evening.

As I spend tonight packing for our upcoming cruise I look back on my two previous Cruise Critic recaps and realize…I never finished one and didn’t even start the other! Whoops. This time, I am resolved to be better and attempt to give back to this community that has provided me with a lot of joy and daydreams over the last several years.

I’d like to give a big thank you and shout out to GHStudio, ProjectGal, Arno, DRJKRetired, and all the other frequent posters who, unlike me, have kept everyone up to speed on their adventures.

Note: This Blog is rated H for hu-mor. Curmudgeons are hereby advised.

Background:

DW (who I will refer to by her initials XZ just to circumvent convention) and I are mid 30’s early 40’s with no kids and one cat who hates it when we go cruising (more on the cat later). We were big Disney fans until their scheduling demands made the spontaneous experience entirely unenjoyable and, for my 40th, we decided to give cruising a try.

Our first trip was in an RS on the Infinity for Halloween in 2015. We came right back for more, booking a RS on the Summit for 2016 and, after that go-around, we were hooked.

This Trip:

Sometime around September of 2016 the price dropped on a Suite Guarantee on the Reflection and we were in. A few weeks later we were assigned a SS (I believe it is a former AS they turned into a SS) and have been eagerly counting down the days. We’re looking forward to Michael’s Club and Luminae (a big deal for us), hanging out in the Casino, attending numerous shows, visiting ports we have never been to before, meeting the always-engaging and excellent staff, and treating every night as though it is a formal night – chic be damned!

The Cat:

Our cat, on the other hand, hates it when we cruise. However, she is a frequent reader of Cruise Critic and especially loves the bad reviews. Each day, we will review one “Cat Complaint” about the Reflection and see, in person, if it’s valid.

And Here We Go:

Packing time is now, flight out of Providence set for tomorrow with a room at the oft-recommended Hampton in the Brickell area. Next check-in tomorrow evening.

The luggage has been spotted…the cat suspects!

Can't wait to tag along with you guys! :) Bon Voyage and have a great time!

Already looking forward to following along! :)

Hello!

We will be on the ship with you! See you at the CC get together at sailaway!

Will be following along. Happy sailing.

Just booked yesterday leaving tomorrow from CO...how's that for spontaneity! Need to get out of the cold and snow! Where is the CC sail away get together happening?

Looking forward to your review!

Following along too!

The Reflection in 2013 was our 1st S-Class! Can't wait to see what ya'll think.

FYI,

The Lawn Club Grill is a must.

EW

Looking forward to your posts. You sound like my hsb and I. We used to be Disney fans and out cats hated when we left them too. Sailing the Reflection in March. Anticipation is half the fun.

Love your tuxedo kitty!

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Thanks very much, "David Kane," for doing this.

We will be following with great care, because we hope to be aboard the "R" in the very near future. We hope that you will have tons of fun.

May we ask one favor?

Please notice (and mention here) whether or not the "Premium Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package" is being openly offered for a discount on Embarkation Day -- and, if so, what is the per-diem rate being asked.

[Ordinarily, the PNABP is $22 per day (plus 18% service charge).]

Much obliged.

Great start and excited to follow along as we board in 2 weeks...1/28!!

If you are doing the western carib please consider posting the dailies when you get home!!

Safe travels!

Amy

Following.. have a great cruise!

Cruise reviews??...cats??....humor? - I'm in! Can't wait to follow along.

Bon Voyage!

This could be different will keep a eye out for updates, enjoy your trip.

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You've peaked my interest. Your style of writing promises to be entertaining.

Enjoy your cruise.

Cruise reviews??...cats??....humor? - I'm in! Can't wait to follow along.

 

Bon Voyage!

Me too! As a former Rhode Islander who had a tuxedo cat in RI and a former lover of all things Disney until so many changes....sigh, it is going to be a fun cruise! Looking forward to your reports.

Oh-oh...already blew your promise to post from Brickell.

We're waiting...

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Watched the Reflection sail in this morning!

http://www.portmiamiwebcam.com/

Dave where are you? I loved your first post, we are waiting for more. Enjoy your cruise.

This sounds like fun :). Really looking forward to following along and especially hearing the feline viewpoint!:D

Enjoy your cruise! I'm excited to hear all about it!! I'll be on the Reflection for my first cruise ever in March!!

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Travel Day - A Series of Fortunate Events 1/13

Good Morning!

Yesterday was a travel day for us, which on these forums is kind of like the dialogue in a Michael Bay movie - everyone kind of ignores it or uses that time to go to the restroom. I can't tell you how many pictures of Airport lounges and disappointing airport lounge food I've scrolled past over the course of the last year, so I'm going to keep this as short as possible.

Also, it's odd confession time - XZ and I don't have cellphones. I know, shocking, right? We unplugged about 2 1/2 years ago and it has been amazing. The short of it is, I have to get to a physical computer to post updates and upload pictures, etc. which is why these posts probably will be daily recaps instead of same-day live blogs.

The Flight:

--TF Green airport (not actually located in Providence, but called the Providence airport, because welcome to Rhode Island!) has one amazing advantge - no wait times. XZ had her charm tuned up to about 1000% and somehow (probably by 'accidentally' going to the 1st class line instead of the regular line because no one was in either one) got our bags on, free of charge.

--TSA took 23 seconds to get through.

--And then, to pay it back, XZ bought the pilot a coffee because we got there, you know, 2:15 early because I am a bit uptight about making flights on time.

The Second Flight:

--With a connection in Philly we had about a hour layover in the farthest Gate imaginable (A26) serviced by exactly 1 super crowded sports-type bar - to which XZ immedately wandered in and found us two seats way in the back that you couldn't see from the front of the establish. She then discovered a new Scotch (the name escapes me right now, but I snagged the receipt so we'll see if they have it on the Reflection) and had 2 doubles, because I was the designated driver (wait...aren't we flying?).

--The A330 was a massive plane and we were in the middle between 2 crying babes who immediately...fell asleep and continued to sleep the whole way down because this was a seriously charmed day.

Arrival and Hotel:

--Continuing to run out our streak, our bags were the 1st off the plane and within 30 minutes we were in a Taxi on the way to the Hampton Brickell.

--Taxi Fare was $31.10 - total paid $40. Although I am sure it will elicit some eye-rolling, tipping is something we enojy.

--Upon check-in we were upgraded to the Elite level for free, so thanks to the Hampton for that! At this point, I am pretty sure most of this series of events was all due to XZ buying that pilot a coffee at like 7:00am.

Evening and Morning:

--The Brickell area is packed with bars, restaurants, and an open air mall which we immediately took one look at, had 2 drinks at the Hotel Bar and...fell asleep. It was a long day!! 'Gold Rush' was on TV, and there is nothing more soothing than the dolcet tones of miners arguing with heavy equipment.

--This morning we were up early, full of anticipation, and ready to go to the Hotel gym when we discovered pretty much everyone else had the same idea. Say what you will about cruisers and over-indulgining, whatever ship is getting the majority of guests from this Hotel is getting them in peak condition.

--Instead we wandered around the Brickell area in a desperate attempt to get our 10,000 steps in, had a Starbucks (it was odd nothing else was open and then we realized is was 6:50am...whoops) and a surprisingly good Hotel Breakfast (even for a Hampton! usually it's a desultory tray of thrice charred "sausage" and hardtack that would have given civil war soldiers pause).

--The Hampton contracts with a local service to provide a bus to the port for $8/person - we're on the 11:00am.

Etc:

--Next update will hopefully be tonight? XZ just reminded me that the first day goes Embarkation-Michaels Club-Luminae-Unpacking-Safety Drill-Sail Away-Change for Dinner-Luminae-First Show-Casino-Michaels Club-2nd Show so...that update may wait until tomorrow.

--I see there are some questions posted hereabouts - I'll take stock and run them down for the next update.

PS: The cat is angrily scouring the site, looking for ways to shoot down our trip - the first complaint will be registered shortly for investigation.

I like this guy!!!

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