Banjo

A few years ago I was on a Silhouette trans-Atlantic and we had a priest on board that did Mass several times during the cruise. Sunday Mass was in the big theater and the others times in Celebrity Central. Usually announced in the Daily Newsletter. Never asked for money and I don't know he was comped for the cruise. He was a missionary stationed in Central America and was returning home to Switzerland. The ship on it's way to Southampton stopped in Lisbon, Vigo and LeHavre. In Lisbon I noticed he visited Fatima and in Vigo went on to Santiago de Compestello. So a lot Catholic sites along the way which why he probably why he selected this cruise. He got off early in La Havre and continued on the train to Switzerland.

I can understand your obsession with pickle-ball. I just took up the sport 6 months ago and I became addicted.

I go up to the basketball court on occasion to shoot some hoops and sometimes get into a pick-up game and I never seen a net. Safe guess would be, no pickle-ball.

I have done 4 trans-Atlantic cruise and I will be on that Reflection TA also. Seen toddlers on my earlier TAs (not a lot) and they did fine. So I wouldn't worry.

When we hit Tenerife, recommend taking your toddler to Loro Park, it's a animal park with lots of kids. Your toddler will have a fantastic time.

M

 

Banjo, you may be right about the usual demographic on TAs, but we definitely didn’t find empty bars on Reflection last April. We were not Elite (nor were two of our friends) but I would agree with you that the majority of the passengers were probably Elite or higher. We were pleased that there were many places for people to gather for food, drinks, coffee, cards and music. Cafe al Bacio was usually quite busy, and Game On was usually full of people happily playing cards or other games. The solarium is indeed a great place to relax, though it can be packed on rainy days. Like you and your wife, we were never bored:cool::cool:.

Silkroad, it has been my experience on trans-Atlantic between the hours of 5p to 7p the bars are packed with Elites or higher with coupons (I've always been given coupons). The trans-Atlantic cruises with so many Elites or higher would overwhelm the Sky Lounge, where they are usually held. Usually you are allowed to be served at about a 1/2 dozen bars around the ship. If it is a nice day we head up to the Sunset Bar. Other then that time period I found the bars to be dead. Also, after the 9pm show, I find most folks head off to bed. Not a lot late night action like a Caribbean cruise would have. A real mellow crowd but great for meeting new friends.

Concerning Cafe Bacio, if you are Elite+, you have the unlimited perk of specialty coffees./teas. That maybe the reason for the Cafe being busy. Not at that level.

Anyway, I find it to be very enjoyable and the best cruise bargain. We love traveling around a certain part of Europe on our own the week prior or after the cruise.

We will be doing our 5th trans-Atlantic on the Reflection in a couple weeks. We luv them because it allows us to visit a certain parts of Europe prior or after the cruise inexpensively. Done 2 eastbound and 2 westbound. Prefer the westbound with its gaining hours and not a long flight home.

The cruise passenger demographics you will find very different then a Caribbean or a European only cruise. Usually an older and an experienced cruiser, don't be surprised if 75% or more of the passengers are Elite status or higher. The bars will be empty most of the cruise because of no drink package perks. I enjoy the lectures in the morning and the gym in the afternoon so that eats up most of my day. Wife enjoys the solarium area. Never get bored.

I never done it but I have done several trans-Atlantic cruises and on the eastbound cruises I seen passengers disembark along the way. Just have to let them know.

Many times they will give you updates on cabin status.

Usually you can go to cabins between 1p-130p.

As far luggage, it can be when you arrive at 1p or I had luggage once arrive as late 11p. I was told something in my bag arose suspicion that warranted a personal inspection. I believe it was a Go Pro extension poll. :cool:

Just did 2 cruises in January....no coupons.

 

rollie

Yea, I was on the Infinity last November for a So American cruise and it had no coupons. All the Elite & higher could fit into the dedicated Skyview Lounge for happy hour (5p-7p) on that cruise. The Captains Club Hostess just checked your sea pass card when entering and you could order as much you wanted in that time period. On the Trans-Atlantic cruises, usually more then 1/2 the passengers are Elite & higher making it necessary to allow the happy hour in multiple bars, therefore necessitating coupons.

Celebrity has done away with the coupon sheets. The perks are still available, they are loaded into your seapass card. Me thinks that Celebrity feels that if you don’t have a coupon, you won’t use the perk.

 

Rollie

You sure Rollie?

My last Trans-Atlantic last April on the Eclipse still had coupons. As with all Trans-Atlantic's the ship was full of Elites and higher.

I'm scheduled next month for another Trans-Atlantc on the Reflection, we'll find out.

Glad to see they are still doing them. It's been a few years (maybe 4-5 Celebrity cruises ago) that I attended one. Thought they did away with them when you could not register through Cruise Critic.

My wife has knee issues and one of the activities that keeps her away from the surgeons knife is daily water aerobics. She loves going in the afternoon and doing her routine in the Solarium Pool. Very rarely it's crowded at that time. Only problem is if we have some rocky seas, the pool can understandable be closed.

Reflection was just refurbished in January...

 

 

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Nice, scheduled for a TA in April.

Back in the 90s when we started cruising with children, everyone had a walkie-talkie.

It'll be cold. I would bring winter coats, gloves and a warm hat.

My biggest concern about traveling without insurance is covering the medical evacuation if needed. We can cover the cruise fare, hotel, flights if needed but can not afford the cost of the evacuation. If you are on medicare, I would think twice with traveling without travel insurance. Happy Travels

I also get the travel insurance that just covers the medical expenses. My Medicare & supplement covers no out-of-country expenses. If you have to evacuated by special transport, your looking at major expenses. It is not that expensive. If you include trip cancellation insurance, depending on the cost, that could be significant.

Never seen any souvenir type glasses on Celebrity.

I have some shot glasses from a previous six years ago Princess cruise.

They do sell Celebrity coffee mugs in the Celebrity ship gift shops.

I just got off the Summit last Saturday. We had yellow beach towels in our cabin. The pool towels were the regular blue/grey ones.

I have not seen or had those yellow beach towels in maybe 2 years. Now just use the grey ones by the pools when spending time at the beach or snorkeling. Those yellow towels were nice.

On a April, 2016 Silhouette TA we had several unscheduled medical evacs. We made a quick Porto Delgada, Azores stop. The ship tendered in a medical evacuee with the ship's doctor. That took about 2 hours.Then leaving Vigo, Spain, we had to return after 45 minutes at sea with another medical evacuee.

TA's do get a older crowd, so it something that happens.

May not be any customs being that the ship docks at Cork & Waterford prior. This should help with an early departure.

I'm on the Reflection for the TA in April. Happy to hear it's being refurbished. Nice...

Did a Choice Air purchase last week using FireFox, Went through okay.

I have been cruising with Celebrity since 2003, first cruise was on Mercury and second cruise was on Infinity.

 

We just took a 15 day cruise on Infinity FLL to Santiago, and I have to say it might have been my best Celebrity cruise ever! We loved the service, the enrichment lectures, going through the Canal, the many and varied guest entertainers in the main theater, the quality of the musical acts in the bar venues, and the fun activities. Buffet was excellent. Main dining room excellent.

 

On that cruise we did not have a beverage package as it was a repo cruise. So we had to watch our spending a little, but with everything esle being so good, we loved it. Not discounting your experience and impressions, but for us everything was perfect. I just goes to show that what is perfect for one person might not work for the next, and that is why there are so many different lines from which to choose.

 

That Dec cruise was my 27th cruise, and I think it might be really and truely the best I have ever had.

Was on that cruise also, I agree.

I thought going through the Canal with the narration was fantastic.

Just 2 weeks ago I was on a 15d Infinity cruise to So America. Other the evening chic night (I had the ole blue blazer), I wore a nice golf shirt with dress pants in BLU. No one said anything.

For years I've brought wine on-board (2 bottles/state room) never assessed a corkage few.

This one is easy. April, 2016 13 day trans-Atlantic on the Silhouette in a veranda cabin for $599.

I doubt I'll see a deal like that again.