Fogtownrog

I think it all depends on the cruise and ports.... I've done mostly Caribbean 7 or 10 night cruises when traditional works great.... lots of R&R time....plenty of time to dine ... Traditional works well as you get to know your wait persons and captain. That bond, which I observe throughout the dining room is what makes Celebrity cruising so special.

Nevertheless, coming off a Eastern Med cruise, which was port intensive with lots of sight seeing and shore excursions.... traditional dining was more of a pain than a joy.... the food was great....but I really didn't have the energy to enjoy all the fuss. If there was a sit down restaurant...where you could order a salad and an entree and call it a night would have been ideal if that is what I wanted....something between traditional dining and the OceanView.

I think formal night is a relic from the past that seems somewhat fake in this day and age. Unfortunately the code wasn't enforced....so some with t-shirts were allowed in the MDR. So why bother with the tux and all....

I think simplicity and options will be our cruising future....I see the MDR going away in a few years...it will become two or three specialty restaurants....

Your photos are extraordinary. What camera do you use?

I used a Nikon D600 with a 28-300 zoom lens, photoshop, lightroom, NIK add ons.

Amazing photos! We will be doing that cruise next May. Would love to know what excursions you took, either private or thru the ship. Thanks!

We did Rome, Santorini, Mykonos on our own. We the following ship tours;

Messina - Taormorina on your own - mostly a tourist infested town... wouldn't recommend

Athens - Corinth - the ruins there were exquisite.... also boat ride / lunch on canal.... great tour - recommended.

Kudasi - Ephesis - great tour...well worth it.

Rhodes - walking tour of town - I would have rather walked around on my own...not impressed

Naples - I did the Pompeii tour....well worth it.

Please note that taking these tours means an early rise and meeting in the theater at 7a..... we were exhausted at the end of the cruise....it was a trip of a lifetime...what we saw was amazing.... but it almost killed me...in order to make those early morning tours we did the early sitting which, too was a pain..... so... plan your tours carefully....and consider doing Select Dining so you can have dinner in time to enjoy a little post- dinner entertainment and get a decent night's sleep. Enjoy your trip.

Another great Celebrity experience. The Reflection still looks grand and it appears that on most parts, the company is taking care of their newest asset. This was a port intensive sailing with lots of touring. Quite a different experience from the Caribbean were I normally go. Wow. I took over 4500 pictures and have posted the best 300+ on:

FLICKR.

As usual the food was fabulous; the crew was enthusiastic and had a great spirit. Even the weather was perfect. I am so fortunate….this was a trip of a lifetime.

Hats off to the captain who kept us well informed throughout the voyage and also had the heart to hold the ship in Messina for a short time to wait for late arrivals who missed embarkation in Rome.

Celebrity please note that I and other frequent cruisers noted the lack of live entertainment at the pool and elsewhere. I also was slightly disappointed that the Concierge amenities in the bathroom were less quality than before. Please do something about the entertainment. Bring back the piano players, guitar solo singers….pool band…. disco is a poor replacement - more appropriate for Carnival.

Other than that, keep up the good work. Thanks for a great vacation.

We booked a shore excursion in Venice for the morning of our arrival in Venice. A few days before arrival in Venice the Silhouette captain announced we would not make port at the advertised 9 AM arrival, but now at 12 noon. In fact we didn't disembark in Venice until after 1PM!!!!!

So, everyone who had booked the better shore excursions with private companies in the AM was ostensibly out all of their money unless they could get the tour operator to give them a refund on extremely short notice. BEWARE OF CELEBRITY and their listed itineraries.

 

When I wrote to Celebrity and asked them what they would do to compensate those who lost money this was their response.

 

"However, as indicated in our Cruise Ticket Contract, Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to change or alter the itinerary, including arrival and departure times at various ports of call. As such, we must respectfully decline your request for compensation in this matter. We regret any disappointment this may cause."

 

Forewarned is fair warned----BEWARE!!!!!!!

We don't need to be aware of Celebrity per se; but we need to be aware of the contract of carriage. As a passenger we should make a major effort to understand what the cruise ship is liable for .... basically, you pay for a cruise and the line does all possible to follow the itinerary but has the right to make changes of any kind. There is all sorts of information in the contract including the total liability if the cruise line loses your luggage or misses a port. Basically, since so much can happen with a transportation business, whether it be a cruise line, airline or a railroad.... the contact of carriage takes into account any possible problem that can occur. Basically, you are on your own. That is what travel insurance is for.

What is the model number of the Nikon camera you are using ?

I use a Nikon D600 which is a full frame. It is a poor man's D4. Although having a decent camera helps, the best thing any photographer should try to do is learn how to pick the right exposure and also compose the shot. Its all in the eye. I have been studying exposure and composition all my life. It kind of like golf, you can always do better. Happy Travels, happy shooting!

thank you all for the kind comments. Much appreciated by me.

Keep on shooting. Keep on sailing.

Absolutely beautiful shots, thanks for sharing!

 

I was on the same cruise and noticed you taking pictures a few times. I'm now sorry I didn't introduce myself.

 

I too am an photography enthusiast, although an old timer who still misses the magic of film and the feel of developer, stop and fix on their hands :)

 

Thanks again for sharing.

I t was so cool to be in the darkroom and wait for the image to appear in a bath....but for me my abilities became known to me after I got my first DSLR . The ship is one huge photo opportunity. Too bad we didn't talk on the cruise. We could have had fun and learned at the same time.

Thanks for the kind comments. Photography is my passion and one of my favorite hobbies. The internet has disrupted the photography business like everything else. Thank goodness I didn't quit my day job.

You are welcome to browse my Flickr album containing over 100 photographs from the cruise. Along with pictures taken on board the ship, are many port shots as well. Enjoy.

Will be on the Reflection in a few weeks, Eastern Caribbean (San Juan, St Thomas, St Maarten) and haven't seen this in the pool threads. Fun couple looking for a fun pool. Would like to have sun most of the day - any idea if it matters if we're on the port or starboard side and if so, which side? From pictures it looks like the main pool gets crowded and has a lot of overhang areas, hence shade. Do we go above the main pool to find the sun? And, do you think we have to get to the pool by 9am to get a chair? Finally, do the pool waiters/waitresses wander by much and if not, have you seen a tip helps?? Thanks in advance!

I sailed on the Reflection last January and always found a couple of deck chairs across from the Mast Bar...on the starboard side....one deck above the pool but just a set of stairs away...always quick service (don't forget to tip well) and close enough to the pools and bathroom....plenty of sun....most convenient.

Has anyone been married on a ship? Getting married is on our check list this year...and how nice would it be to wed on a ship?

Hi

We are travelling around the Med on Celebrity Reflection in September. We did a lot of research before we booked and judging by some recent Celebrity face book posts, I dont think we will be too lonely ;)

which sailing? we are on the Reflection on September 5 (Rome).

On any cruise, the only problem I ever encounter are rude and pushy passengers. I make a concerted effort to provide the crew with tips throughout the cruise as without them there would be nothing. I thank them at every opportunity. Can you imagine what it must be like to work at the guest relations desk? Having to deal with some of these pushy loudmouths must be a real challenge.

We are considering purchasing day passes in Barbados and St. Kitts. Couple of choices but all seem nice.

 

Anyone interested in same and sharing a taxi?

 

Dan and Ro from NJ

I'm not cruising on your date..but where's a good hotel to go to in Barbados with a nice beach and restaurant?

• There is candy on the pillow each night, but no towel animals.

 

I wouldn't say that is an absolute.c:) On our Adriatic cruise on Silhouette in October, we came back to our cabin on several evenings to find different towel animals (no children with us).

 

• Café al Bacio only serves sweets, no sandwiches;

 

True. This was a change that we found out about also on our October Silhouette cruise.

If one wants towel animals, I would suggest providing your cabin steward a generous tip early on in the cruise and simply ask for towel animals or anything else you want to make your cruise more enjoyable.

We just got off the Solstice this AM - our first ever cruise on Celebrity - I'll post some comments in another thread. I just want to warn others not to pack knives of any sort in your checked luggage (I'm sure there are other things as well).

 

We had some kitchen knives as well as a Swiss Army knife in our checked luggage - these were in 2 of our 3 bags. When the luggage was delivered to our suite only one suitcase arrived - after 6 hours of asking everyone we could think of about our missing cases we finally got a call to say we needed to personally collect them in "confiscated luggage" on deck 2. We had to surrender these knives for safe keeping.

 

Now in hindsight we should have realised these knives would be a problem but we just never thought of it. No where in all the copious documentation was there any warning about this - if we had known we could have retrieved our luggage 5 hours earlier - no one we asked even suggested to check with confiscated luggage.

 

So if your luggage does not turn up when you expect it - go to deck 2 !!!

Unfortunately we live in a time when strict security is necessary to protect us from terrorists and mass murderers. Unfortunately it is often difficult to understand where to draw the line.

I agree with you regarding not wanting to dine in the MDR with flip flops, etc. My point is to not make a claim that Carnival is the only one allowing it when the focus of this thread is that it was rampant on a Celebrity cruise. In fact, I've been on several Carnival cruises and I don't recall people in the MDR in flip flops or tank tops.

I am sure you are right. To be honest, I have never been on a Carnival Cruise and am not in the least bit interested. It's all fun.

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There are two small pools outdoors.they are always crowded...the best one to swim in is the solarium pool; however, as Robin said, people stand in them so you have to watch out! Maybe if you are swimming laps for exercise, if you do your thing in the morning, you might avoid the crowds.

I really dislike the attitude that some people on the Celebrity board have towards other lines, especially Carnival. Obviously, if you've read this thread, you know that ultra casual is allowed even on Celebrity. I've been on Carnival, NCL, Royal, Costa, and Princess, and I'd say the full range of dress is represented on each.

Nothing like starting a food fight. I would rather not sail with people that wear tank tops and flip flops in the MDR. As well I think it is silly in this day and age to wear a tux or suit. If you want to dress like a penguin try the Cunard Line.

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Ok here is a flame. I don't care how your dress, it won't affect my meal. I wouldn't go up to the matre'd and have him follow me and start counting people who were not dressed appropriate enough for you. I do not go to formal, because I do not dress up, but I would not want some Penquin coming down and pointing fingers at whos dress appropiate or not. Eat your meal enjoy your company and don't let someones clothing ruin your dinner, the last I check I don't eat wool or cotton with my meal.

right on, dude. as long as you are not wearing a tank top.

While I think wearing a Tux on a Celebrity Cruise is dated and unnecessary, I think it is silly to bring or rent a tux. I mean really. I think a business casual is good enough.

Nevertheles, its depressing to think there are people around that thinks its OK to wear flip flops and shorts to dinner. Sign of the times. If you want to wear flip flops to dinner, stick with Carnival, please.

Maybe you would have been better off sticking with Carnival.

That is scary. I never had that problem in January on the Reflection, but I notice how hard the bar folks worked. Thus I tipped generously. Sad to hear that there is a long line at the OceanView bar with folks waiting for freshly squeezed OJ. Oh well. I usually have my breakfast on the stern outdoor area...and take my coffee upstairs to the Sunset bar...and often take a nap....waiting for the Sunset bar to open. No line there.

Amazing....yeah, there are still travel checks in the world...at my company they are offered as incentive gifts for doing a good job. We can redeem points for merchandise, gift cards or travelers checks.

I cashed travelers checks at Guest Relations (often a line) and at the Casino.