Reflection westbound TA '17 - Live(ish)

We boarded in Civitavecchia yesterday and are currently half way to Barcelona.

This is our first TA out of Civitavecchia and it will feel odd to have a port day so soon in a cruise. We've done 4 cruises on Celebrity before and each has had at least 3/4 sea days at the beginning before we see land again.

Getting on the ship yesterday was a breeze. We had stayed overnight in Civitavecchia, and our hotel was only a short walk to the free shuttle buses to the port. Bag drop was quick as we had attached our tags ahead of time and their were no queues for check-in when we arrived just after 1pm.

Once on board we asked if the rooms were ready, and they were. As there were queues for the lifts we walked up to deck three and headed for the Passport Bar. We did the eastbound sailing in April and the lady barserver remembered us. I hope that's a good thing. [emoji23]

After finishing our drinks we took another to our stateroom so we could drop off our carry ons.

The daily for Friday was there along with some other paperwork, including details of the Senior Officers.

A number of the officers were on the eastbound TA sailing in April, so a few familiar faces for us.

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Before leaving home I had made dining reservations for each day, even though we were Select Dining. In our stateroom was a note, which I assume was given to all rooms but with different times, with a suggested dining time for the first evening.

We made Select level on our last cruise and there were a couple of notes about Captain's Club events for Select members.

This cruise is to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary, even though that was at the end of August. I mentioned to my DW about going to have a meal in Murano one evening as a treat. We've been to Tuscan Grille on Eclipse before, but not tried any other speciality restaurant, plus my DW loves lobster!

There was a deal on for specialty restaurants on the first evening of 30% off. I wasn't keen to go on day 1, so we asked if there were any deals on for other days. The guy there said he couldn't do any sea day but would offer 30% for the port day in Barcelona. That works for us so we're off to Murano tomorrow night.

We did have a quick look in to Murano before we left. It looks like a nice intimate venue.

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Have a wonderful cruise.

I plan to follow your thread.

Keith

Keep us posted. We did our 1st TA in April on the Eclipse. I'd love to do an East Bound some day. My DW (what exactly does the D stand for?) would prefer getting an extra hour sleep instead of losing one. I'm hoping that Beyond will have a Springtime TA when it joins the fleet in Spring 2020.

Dear

Strong desert recommendation in Murano's - go for the "Ballon Rouge"....

Sincere best wishes for a wonderful 'anniversary' meal and a great cruise!

At the end of the Muster Drill we got the first taste of Captain Dimitrios' sense of humour. First he tells us that if he is not able to give the emergency announcement it will be done by the second in command. If he is unable to give it then it will be done by the third in command. He then said if he is unable to do it then we were having a better day than them.

He also warned us of 30/40ft waves as we crossed the Atlantic. [emoji54] He then changed that to 8/10ft waves for one day. [emoji23]

After the drill we returned to our stateroom and our cases were outside waiting for us. I'd seen on some YouTube videos about storage cubes that fit above the beds. We bought six from Amazon and have used three either side. Four either side fitted comfortably had we had a couple more.

Whilst we were unpacking the Captain Dimitrios announced over the PA that the departure was delayed as there was a medical emergency and a passenger was having to leave the ship. It is not the start to the cruise anyone would wish for, however we wish them well and hope they are well looked after at the local hospital.

We left around 45 minutes late as a result and Sunset Bar was heaving by the time we arrived for the sail away. We managed to see a couple of people who were on the eastbound sailing in April, which was great.

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The 7 and 9 show in the Reflection Theatre was Sean Alexander.

A Google search says he appeared on Britain's Got Talent, not that I remember him.

His opening 'trick' was predictable and was easy manipulation to get you to his desired result. There was some clever close up card tricks that were shown on a big screen that made it easier for people to see, but overall I left a little disappointed. His last trick didn't get his desired result, although it was hard to work out whether that was planned or not. [emoji848]

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Happy Anniversary and enjoy your cruise!

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After the show we headed to the MDR. Earlier in the afternoon we saw the waiter we had had for the transatlantic in April and asked the restaurant hostess if we could be assigned to his area. Another familiar face for us. It's like we were at a home away from home.

The menus for Friday.

After dinner we retired early. We have 6 time zone changes to make the most of over the next two weeks so an early night was welcome.

On the way back to our stateroom we did make a diversion via Oceanview Cafe to get some jelly beans. Some sweets in the stateroom are always welcome.

When we saw our stateroom attendant after boarding we asked if he could get us a kettle. He was unsure initially, but came up trumps quickly.

Whilst in Oceanview Cafe we grabbed a couple of mugs, tea bags and milk. A cup of tea in the morning before leaving our stateroom is a must. I guess it's the British in us.

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Will be following along. Enjoy your cruise!

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Thank you for these posts! We will be boarding Reflection at the end of January so we are most interested in your posts.

(and Happy Anniversary, by the way!)

Whilst in Oceanview Cafe we grabbed a couple of mugs, tea bags and milk. A cup of tea in the morning before leaving our stateroom is a must. I guess it's the British in us.

 

 

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Did the ship supply the electric kettle? I leave on the Silhouette transatlantic in two weeks and am hoping they do as I love the convenience of making hot beverages in the cabin. I've considered bringing my own but know you're not supposed to.

By the way, I really enjoyed Captain Dimitrios's amusing daily announcements on last spring's Silhouette transatlantic and I will miss having him on my upcoming cruise. Enjoy!!!

Saturday 21st October

We woke up to see we had passed Corsica and Sardinia and we were well on the way to Barcelona.

The daily for Saturday.

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Did the ship supply the electric kettle? I leave on the Silhouette transatlantic in two weeks and am hoping they do as I love the convenience of making hot beverages in the cabin.

The ship did. I asked our stateroom attendant and he said he would have to ask. 15 minutes later he knocked on our door with a kettle. [emoji3]

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Keep us posted. We did our 1st TA in April on the Eclipse. I'd love to do an East Bound some day. My DW (what exactly does the D stand for?) would prefer getting an extra hour sleep instead of losing one. I'm hoping that Beyond will have a Springtime TA when it joins the fleet in Spring 2020.

Oppps, make that, " I'd love to do an WEST Bound some day". Too bad we only have a short time to edit our own post.

Dear

Thanks. Somebody once told me it stood for Dumb.

Oppps, make that, " I'd love to do an WEST Bound some day". Too bad we only have a short time to edit our own post.

[emoji23] I did spot that but didn't want to say anything.

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Thanks for posting. We will be on Reflection Jan 29th so info is very helpful.

Hey Pete!

We were on the east bound with you and would love to know how you compare it, along with the time change. My DH had a difficult time sleeping, but he does at home too.

I didn’t book the Reflection TA east bound for next year, but booked the cruise after that one I would appreciate your thoughts ...Thanks!

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Following your thread. We are on Reflection Nov 27 - this will be our first Celebrity cruise.

I’m soo jealous. We did this sailing last year. Great cruise and smooth sailing most of the way.

Have a great cruise

Subscribed, me and dw maybe for 2020

Saturday morning saw the Cruise Critic Connections Party in the Sky Lounge at 9.30am. We arrived a few minutes late, by which time the introduction of the officers had finished and they were leaving. I don't recall seeing the Captain, but he may have walked passed as we did speak to Julie Sherrington for a few minutes. She asked if we had any English papers she could have. [emoji23] As luck would have it we picked a couple up at the airport on Thursday, and although I thought we had left them at the hotel in Civitavecchia my DW had put them in her case. We popped by Guest Relations a short time later with them and Julie seemed ever so grateful. [emoji1360]

Not many different activities have been arranged via our roll call so only a few people took to the mic at the Connections Party and then it was left to people to mingle.

We had a quiet afternoon lazing by the pool before we went to see some friends we had met on the April cruise. They just so happened to be staying in the Reflection Suite. Despite seeing it in April it still takes your breath away when you walk in. You could easily get lost in there.

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Due to the time zone difference to the UK the English soccer started at 4pm. I was able to listen to my local team on the radio over the Internet, whilst sat in the Casino Bar watching a game from the Premier League.

Saturday night was Chic night. The 7 and 9 show in the Reflection Theatre was Barricade Boys. I had seen on Twitter last week that they were boarding Reflection towards the end of the last cruise for a week so was able to do a little research about them.

The guys put on a great set. Their medley from The Blues Brothers was a treat, as were their Jersey Boys songs. We even got Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody before they finished. If they are on a cruise you are on I would recommend them.

Between shows there was an Officer's soirée on decks 3-5. We got to speak to Cruise Director Pete and then grabbed a selfie with Captain Dimitrios.

The queues for the MDR with reservations was huge tonight so we didn't get in until 20 minutes after our time. We tend to eat late at home but this was pushing even us.

The menus from Saturday night in the MDR...

By the time we left dinner the Grand Foyer was in full swing with the 50s and 60s theme party.

I left my DW to it whilst I ventured to the Casino Bar to watch some sport.

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