Celebrity Reflection - Nov 1, 2013

[vulcan1971]

[quote name='rhertzberg']Thanks for all your comments concerning the specialty restaurants. We aren't in the "blu" dining category so most likely, we will be purchasing the specialty package. Hope some of you will be joining us in the MDR some evenings.

This cruise will only be the second Celebrity cruise and first TA. It will be somewhat of an experiment as we haven't spent this amount of time cruising and days at sea. Prior to booking, I checked the boards to see where gay travelers were cruising this year when I found this thread and cruise. Many of you seem to be experienced TA cruisers, so we're looking forward to seeing what it's all about. Also, look forward to meeting. Is there a designated spot where everyone is gathering once we leave Rome?

We are planning one week in Italy prior to the cruise. We will be arriving from Sicily on the morning of November 1st.

Looking forward.

Bob and Bill[/QUOTE]

Bob and Bill,

I'm not as experienced at cruising as Schplinky (Lee and Mike) or sdbart (Bart and Bob), but I've certainly enjoyed my days cruising on each new cruise I embark on. Each time it gets better and better as I learn more about cruising from these threads on cruise critic and also as I refine what it is that I want out of a cruise vacation. Last year my partner Iain and I went on our first international cruise, which also happened to be a Transatlantic cruise starting in Malaga, Spain with port stops in Madeira, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico. We were not sure how we would feel about being on a ship for 6 days between port stops (Tenerife to Antigua), but we soon realized the appeal that keeps so many coming back. It had to be one of the most enjoyable and restful vacations I have been on. Iain and I had decided on that trip we were going to do something like this again in 2013. We were not fond of RCCL, but we love Celebrity. We met 3 guys from Vancouver whom we became friends with and decided to join them for this cruise. While Iain and I enjoyed our port stops, we realized we would be happy with even more sea days. We even have our 2014 Transatlantic booked and are looking forward to that new cruise experience on board the Oceania Marina.

Celebrity does not post the LGBT gatherings in the daily, but there is a message board outside of the Guest Services desk that usually has the posting. It's been a few years since I've sailed on Celebrity, but typically tge gatherings are at the Martini Bar around 7pm. There may be splinter groups hanging at the Molecular Bar as well.

Your week in Sicily sounds wonderful. I've never been to Italy, but looking forward to a week in Rome before the cruise.


Walter

Sent from my Samsung Note II on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk Beta 4 Edited August 17, 2013 by vulcan1971

[vulcan1971]

[quote name='Schplinky']Might be fun to get a group together of those who might like to go to Qsine mid-cruise. It's more fun in a gang.[/QUOTE]

Agreed.

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[sdbart]

[quote name='rhertzberg']Thanks for all your comments concerning the specialty restaurants. We aren't in the "blu" dining category so most likely, we will be purchasing the specialty package. Hope some of you will be joining us in the MDR some evenings.

This cruise will only be the second Celebrity cruise and first TA. It will be somewhat of an experiment as we haven't spent this amount of time cruising and days at sea. Prior to booking, I checked the boards to see where gay travelers were cruising this year when I found this thread and cruise. Many of you seem to be experienced TA cruisers, so we're looking forward to seeing what it's all about. Also, look forward to meeting. Is there a designated spot where everyone is gathering once we leave Rome?

We are planning one week in Italy prior to the cruise. We will be arriving from Sicily on the morning of November 1st.

Looking forward.

Bob and Bill[/QUOTE]

I agree pretty much with everything Walter has already said. Bob pretty much agreed to our first TA because I wanted to do it, but you know what? We both came to resent the organized activities we'd signed up for and came to wish there were fewer port calls. Bob is a voracious reader and I just asked him if he was planning to read on my Kindle on the cruise (I can read on my iPad) or was planning to take a suitcase full of books. He answered that he actually ended up reading very little on our last TA as the ocean was so fascinating. And speaking from experience, you both will love those sea days after a week in Sicily. ;)

[sdbart]

[quote name='Schplinky']Might be fun to get a group together of those who might like to go to Qsine mid-cruise. It's more fun in a gang.[/QUOTE]

That's the one specialty Bob wants to try (especially since his appetite has returned). I think getting a group together would be fun.

[zentah]

[quote name='Schplinky']Randy,

We have a transfer to the port arranged and have room for others. If we have 5 people (including us), the transfer will be 170E; if we have 8 people, it will be 200E. You'd have to get yourselves to our hotel in front of the Pantheon and the transfer leaves at 9 a.m.[/QUOTE]

Ted and I, Kim, are interested in joining your transfer to the port. We are at hotel Smeraldo, not far from your hotel, so we could easily get there, in time for the transfer. Could you please let us know how to sign up and pay.
Thanks, Kim & Ted, from Atlanta.

[Schplinky]

Oh darn! Just today, I got invited to join another transfer and because we hadn't attracted any firm commitments, I cancelled mine and joined the other. Sorry about that!

[AndersonIslander]

[quote name='vulcan1971']Randy and Bart both have valid points, and ones I have also read about on cruise critic from other cruisers.

If you decide to do several of the specialty restaurants, the package is the way to go as it gives a great discount versus buying on an individual basis. I don't know your room type, but if you are in a suite, you will have two sets of complimentary passes to use in any specialty restaurant. Also, being in a suite gives you priority dining in Blu on a "space available" basis.

Many of us on this LGBT board, myself included, are dining in Blu as our primary dining venue. I have never been on an S-Class ship before, so I'm quite looking forward to trying each of the specialty restaurants. I will be buying a specialty restaurant package. I also have Select Dining set up so that we can dine in the MDR with friends of ours that are not dining in Blu.

I do expect that there will be staff wandering the ship offering specialty dining discounts as the ship wants to have those money making venues full for every night of the cruise. Good luck which ever option you plan for.


Walter

Sent from my Samsung Note II on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk Beta 4[/QUOTE]

Walter: It's been my experience on Celebrity that the onboard non-package discounts are often offered to Captain's Club Elite members only. And T/A's always have a whopping number of Elites, thus I would not hold my breath for non-elites to be offered the onboard discounts. I suppose it MIGHT happen, but that wouldn't fit my experience pattern.

I do like Blu for the more intimate atmosphere it offers, but frankly, the food there hasn't made me want to rush to Aqua class... but of course everyone's taste is different, and I've never been a calorie counter by any means. My last meal in Blu I chose a risotto that was absolutely crunchy! LOL

Randy

[sdbart]

[quote name='AndersonIslander']Walter: It's been my experience on Celebrity that the onboard non-package discounts are often offered to Captain's Club Elite members only. And T/A's always have a whopping number of Elites, thus I would not hold my breath for non-elites to be offered the onboard discounts. I suppose it MIGHT happen, but that wouldn't fit my experience pattern.

I do like Blu for the more intimate atmosphere it offers, but frankly, the food there hasn't made me want to rush to Aqua class... but of course everyone's taste is different, and I've never been a calorie counter by any means. My last meal in Blu I chose a risotto that was absolutely crunchy! LOL

Randy[/QUOTE]

People have been posting Randy, that the staff has been standing in the corridors and at the entrance to Blu, offering discounts to the specialties. No one has ever mentioned anything about it being offered only to Elites.

[sdbart]

[quote name='zentah']Ted and I, Kim, are interested in joining your transfer to the port. We are at hotel Smeraldo, not far from your hotel, so we could easily get there, in time for the transfer. Could you please let us know how to sign up and pay.
Thanks, Kim & Ted, from Atlanta.[/QUOTE]

Guys, there are a number of people on the main roll call who have been asking about transfers. You might try posting there and see what happens. I asked folks a while ago to let us know and we'd post about transfers, but I didn't get much response. I know most have other things on their minds months out from departure, so I'm going to post on the main roll call again. Let's see what happens.

[Schplinky]

I read that, too, but to be fair, that never once happened to us in line at Blu.

[jdr93]

[quote name='Schplinky']I read that, too, but to be fair, that never once happened to us in line at Blu.[/QUOTE] usually they're getting bookings outside the cafeteria at breakfast and lunch. Sometimes you'll see a waiter hovering around a particularly long line at blu, trying to relieve the congestion. Never heard that being elite (so called ) counted for anything as far as specialty restaurant discounts go. Seating in a crowded specialty yes, but not discounts. The discounts are most available at the end of the cruise, sometimes even half price. A friend got comped by the casino hostess and three of us ate at Tuscan with wine no cost, though we left a large tip for the excellent service

John

[TunaPiano]

I'm Craig in Atlanta and I'll be taking the Norwegian Jade from Venice to Rome where I'll be staying at a gay B & B for six days before boarding the Reflection. Looking forward to seeing all you guys!

[vulcan1971]

[quote name='TunaPiano']I'm Craig in Atlanta and I'll be taking the Norwegian Jade from Venice to Rome where I'll be staying at a gay B & B for six days before boarding the Reflection. Looking forward to seeing all you guys![/QUOTE]

Welcome to the board, Craig. When I saw your post on the main thread for our cruise, I had a suspicion then you may be family. By the way catchy screen name. Many of us are also in Rome for a week prior to boarding the Reflection. Some of us are in rented apartments. Your trip sound great! Looking forward to chatting and meeting.


Walter

P.S. I'm passing through ATL next month to visit my mom.

Sent from my Samsung Note II on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk Beta 4 Edited August 19, 2013 by vulcan1971

[Schplinky]

Welcome aboard Craig. Looking forward to meeting you. If you're interested in hanging out in Rome, a bunch of us are doing a food tour and I think there are one or two spaces left at this point.

[vulcan1971]

[quote name='Schplinky']Welcome aboard Craig. Looking forward to meeting you. If you're interested in hanging out in Rome, a bunch of us are doing a food tour and I think there are one or two spaces left at this point.[/QUOTE]

Lee,

I was just out to the website to see how full our timeslot is and I'm confused now. What time did you book for? I thought we booked for 5:30 on 31-Oct. Can you verify for me what time your tickets are for? THANKS!


WALTER

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[vulcan1971]

Lee, I think I solved my own mystery. The site currently indicates that 2 spots are remaining. At first I was thinking only 2 people had signed up. My bad, makes me feel better now.

 

If we get Craig and Randy to sign up, we will fill the out the group of 10.

 

Tickets are $110 USD.

 

http://WWW.eatingitalyfoodtours.com

 

Look for the "Trastevere twilight food tour" that starts for 5:30 pm.

 

 

WALTER

 

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Edited August 19, 2013 by vulcan1971

[Schplinky]

Lee,

 

I was just out to the website to see how full our timeslot is and I'm confused now. What time did you book for? I thought we booked for 5:30 on 31-Oct. Can you verify for me what time your tickets are for? THANKS!

 

 

WALTER

 

Sent from my Samsung Note II on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk Beta 4

 

 

That's right. This is from my confirmation:

 

Twilight Trastevere Food Tour - 5:30 pm

Booked For: 2013-10-31

[vulcan1971]

Lee, sorry for the confusion. Hahaha!

 

 

Walter

 

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[Schplinky]

I'm not sure that group earlier than ours was always there but who knows?

[vulcan1971]

I'm not sure that group earlier than ours was always there but who knows?

 

There were always 3 timeslots spaced 45 minutes apart. Bart and Bob are doing the 4:45 pm slot on Monday with two other couples they know on our cruise.

 

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[sdbart]

There were always 3 timeslots spaced 45 minutes apart. Bart and Bob are doing the 4:45 pm slot on Monday with two other couples they know on our cruise.

 

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We were doing the 4:45 tour on Monday, but when Kevin and Laura had to cancel the cruise, we decided to join you guys. So now there are six of us. When I contacted Eatinitaly to change, they replied they were looking forward to meeting our group. It should be fun. Anyone else interested?

[sdbart]

I'm Craig in Atlanta and I'll be taking the Norwegian Jade from Venice to Rome where I'll be staying at a gay B & B for six days before boarding the Reflection. Looking forward to seeing all you guys!

 

Welcome, Craig. We're also going to be in Rome for six days. Where is your B & B? maybe we can all get together while in Rome.

[TunaPiano]

Welcome, Craig. We're also going to be in Rome for six days. Where is your B & B? maybe we can all get together while in Rome.

 

Hi Bart,

 

My B & B is within sight of the Coliseum. I'd look forward to a pre-cruise get together with all of you. Any ideas?

[sdbart]

Hi Bart,

 

My B & B is within sight of the Coliseum. I'd look forward to a pre-cruise get together with all of you. Any ideas?

 

Hi Craig,

 

We're renting an apartment in Trastevere, maybe a 15 minute walk from the Coliseum (we've walked all over Rome with no problems). Walter & Iain are staying just a few blocks from us and Lee & mike are next to the Pantheon, also a short distance away.

 

We are. Pretty much playing this trip by ear, but the six of us are doing a twilight walking/eating tour of Trastevere on Oct 31. There are still a couple of openings in our group (it's ten people per tour). We are also having dinner at Dar Poeta in Trastevere with straight friends from the roll call on Oct 29. Dar Poeta is known for its Neapolitan style pizza, as opposed to Roman style pizza. All are welcome to join us. We will definitely be eating Roman style pizza, too (which we love); the best places for that are all near the Piazza Navona. We also may go out to Ostia Antica, as well preserved as Pompeii, but just outside Rome, and not crowded. And we're open for suggestions!

[TunaPiano]

Hi Craig,

 

We're renting an apartment in Trastevere, maybe a 15 minute walk from the Coliseum (we've walked all over Rome with no problems). Walter & Iain are staying just a few blocks from us and Lee & mike are next to the Pantheon, also a short distance away.

 

We are. Pretty much playing this trip by ear, but the six of us are doing a twilight walking/eating tour of Trastevere on Oct 31. There are still a couple of openings in our group (it's ten people per tour). We are also having dinner at Dar Poeta in Trastevere with straight friends from the roll call on Oct 29. Dar Poeta is known for its Neapolitan style pizza, as opposed to Roman style pizza. All are welcome to join us. We will definitely be eating Roman style pizza, too (which we love); the best places for that are all near the Piazza Navona. We also may go out to Ostia Antica, as well preserved as Pompeii, but just outside Rome, and not crowded. And we're open for suggestions!

 

Hi Bart and All,

 

All great ideas! I'll stay tuned to the Cruise Critic board as the time draws nearer for specific details on meeting up. Glad we have some pizza connoisseurs along. :-)