Reflection Review - Nov. 30 - WARNING - LONG READ

[Ceeborne]

We were on the Reflection for her TA in November. my husband and I were so pleased that there was no loud music by the pool,or in the lobby. Not even at the Martini bar. N[not even Techno music.

Last y/COLOR]year we were on the Eclipse and experienced all the loud music that you described.

Perhaps, TAs are more laid back or perhaps there was a change in staff or management after the TA

[20pluscruises]

I was on this Nov 30th cruise with all of you. This was my first Celebrity Cruise and I was thoroughly impressed. This is also the first time I have posted anything on this site. I agree with most every thing everyone has written here.

 

- I agree 100% about the lack of bartenders at every bar. It did get better as the week went on, but Celebrity should have know there were 1000 alcoholics about to come on board. I will say though that management should have stepped up immediately. I was at the Sunset Bar on the 2nd day. The 6 bartenders were bumping into each other unorganized and it wasn't very busy. I could not believe when one said the bar was out of cranberry juice. I said I would wait, thinking it was in a close by store room. He was gone for about 15-20 minutes and came back with much more than just cranberry juice.

 

- I detected NO smoke smell in or near the casino or anywhere else on board. The casino staff was the worst crew members. They were very uptight and unfriendly, unlike the rest of the crew. The cocktail waiter also was new/nervous and screwed up my drink order putting vodka in my plain cranberry juice.

 

- I ate in Blu every night and was so pleased I never wanted to go to a specialty restaurant. I did hear pros/cons about the MDR from others.

 

- I have mixed feelings about the Music. It may have been distasteful or loud in certain areas, but I just went somewhere else. The ship is huge ! There are so many out-of-the-way places to relax or talk.

 

- Celebrity will not allow electronic "vaping" cigarettes, which produce no second hand smoke. But they say nothing to the elderly woman who doses herself in Channel #5 thus ruining the theater show for everyone within 10 feet of her.

 

- I was unhappy the pools, hot tubs, and the entire exercise area/weight room were not open 24 hours, or at least after dinner. There is nothing better than a late night swim or sauna to relax before bed. 10 pm is too early !

 

- The bingo games are a scam, and Celebrity lies about the "take". They gave away approx $500 each day (3 games) of the approx $3000 taken in. (I estimated this low, multiplying the lowest package price of $30 by the number of people (100) I counted in the room. (FYI - I bought the $70 package, so $3000 est is very very low). I asked for clarification from both the casino manager and the entertainment department concierge desk. Both persons said that "all money taken in from bingo is given back the the players 100%". The "entertainment dept" crew members advertised that each day monies not given out accumulate into a "big prize" that is given out the last game of the last day". I asked 3 times for an estimate of this "big prize" and only got a "It's BIG" and weird smiles. They do bingo every cruise/every week for gosh sake! They did not even disclose the prize amounts before you start playing! The end game prize was $947 which was only announced 2 balls before someone called BINGO. Of course $947 sounds nice to anyone, but any 5th grader can figure out the numbers don't add up. If they LIE about it, then I consider it a SCAM. Even though Celebrity scored big points for the week, this incident made me rethink everything about Celebrity Cruises.

 

- I LOVED that there were no children on this cruise ! I do not appreciate spending $5000 on a vacation, purposefully leaving my kids at home - just to have to put up with someone else's. This is the main and best reason I would consider Celebrity Cruises first for my next cruise.

 

OMG! I so agree about the perfume! Don't get me started on the faux/knockoff brands! Lets not forget the gawd awful smell of Australian Gold AND now it comes in a spray...not the smartest idea on a breezy cruise ship.

 

Happy to hear Blu was good!!!

 

Just curious...if others on different sailing dates had the same issue with bar service.

[DJSchib]

Thanks for the great review

 

Debbie

[TommyD3]

I found your review to be exactly as I would have written. Maybe not so much in agreement on music levels, but that's always a very personal item of opinion. I like loud party (modern, rock, rap, pop) music at the pool all day. I think the pool is for partying, the solstice deck is for quiet relaxing. But I can't fault another for their opinion of course ;-)

 

Bars WAY understaffed. Only good part, I drank half as much as normal I suppose....

 

Sky lounge didn't have my preferred premium liquor only Martini and the buffet bar did (Grey Goose Orange Vodka). Several requests to stock it were met with deaf ears. I stopped going up there since I want enjoy my beverage of choice with premium liquor since I paid for the premium package, not be served the cheaper alternative side that's all they have.

 

Have any of the bartenders or Baristas at the coffee shop ever been taught the skill of "multi-tasking"? if so, I never noticed it on this ship!

 

I gave up many times trying to order at Martini, going up to Molecular , and even there had many long waits.

 

If they insist they are not short staffed, they need to implement some system of queuing system for drinks (pathetic yes...additional staff of course is the preferred method). I can't tell you haw many times they looked me in the eye to pass to someone else to order who just walked up. Sky lounge, my friend and I were seated at the bar, and watched them clear the orders around the bar skipping us 3 times over 14 minutes. I even sat there waiving my SUITE GUEST card at one point HOPING for something. Nada . He only wanted a heinekin and they kept passing....then you stand there thinking so do I have to be a jerk and yell at them because the other customers of course have no clue they stepped ahead me me but I can't yell at them across the bar either...

 

And as I was part of the large group, X has had this group annually for I can't remember how many years now (i think over 10?), so they should be WELL rehearsed by now to know to add additional staff even, not just "staff fully" as they said they had. And I know my group leaders certainly tell them to be ready for the group with staff and additional stock levels, because they want us happy and returning each year too. And this group grows by a hundred or so each year, so they shod be getting even FARTHER ahead of staffing now.

 

Will this turn me off Celebrity? No. But is is certainly annoying, and not part of the "Modern Luxury" claim.

 

cle-guy,

 

I see that you were in the Penthouse.

They are supposed to now have the Michaels Club as a VIP lounge for PH, Royal & Zenith.

Did they not have the Michaels Club as a VIP lounge?

I would have thought if you had trouble getting drinks elsewhere you could go to the Michaels Club.

I would hope that in a VIP lounge if you wanted a specific liquor they would get it for you.

Did you try the Michaels Club?

 

Thanks.

[cle-guy]

cle-guy,

 

I see that you were in the Penthouse.

They are supposed to now have the Michaels Club as a VIP lounge for PH, Royal & Zenith.

Did they not have the Michaels Club as a VIP lounge?

I would have thought if you had trouble getting drinks elsewhere you could go to the Michaels Club.

I would hope that in a VIP lounge if you wanted a specific liquor they would get it for you.

Did you try the Michaels Club?

 

Thanks.

 

Michaels is just a closet in the bowels of the ship as far as I'm concerned, so I don't even bother. 3 cruises with access, and never bothered other than waiting area upon boarding. The whole VIP lounge thing seems out of place to me on a ship where one goes to meet new people.....don't need a small secluded hole for that, need to be where the masses are. Don't need another spot for free snacks and drinks, the ship is full of those places already in far more convenient spots.

 

Never thought about it to get a drink there though as an alternative. Probably would have been a good option, but for having to leave the group of friends run down few flights of stairs and then go rejoin the group. All I wanted was for them to stock a bottle of grey goose orange at the more popular bars (sky lounge, bar pools), as I have had on other sailings. They did of course have other premiums, just not "my" premium. :D

 

Although my butler did replace the standard scotch and absolute with my favored grey goose orange and regular grey goose (had to wait till later in the evening of boarding he said due to international borders), so no one needs to fee tooooo terribly upset for me LOL.

Edited December 9, 2013 by cle-guy

[B1G]

My biggest disapointement was also the bar line and did not get my favorite drink: avocado mezcal :( This promo 123 go is not good anymore and I have two more cruise book ahead :mad: because of it

[B1G]

On sea day the mast bar only open at 11am, doesn't help...

Edited December 9, 2013 by B1G

[CABINET]

Can't help thinking that if you have a very large number of people with a beverage package it would work in Celebrity's favour if those people can't get as many drinks as they would like.

 

I know though that I would be furious if I didn't have a package and was having to struggle to get served as a result of the large number of people who did.

Edited December 9, 2013 by CABINET

[cardinals218]

I will be on the Silhouette leaving this Sunday and am very curious to see what the bar service will be like after seeing this review. My family is in the bar business and was on the Eclipse in 2010 with the premimum package. Loved it and only saw a few small hiccups and waits over the entire week, nothing major besides the Casino bar running out of Crown. If the bars are not staffed enough for this trip, I know that will effect our cruise pretty negatively. Drives my mom and I crazy when we are anywhere when bar management is not up to the task of handling busy times. Crossing my fingers that the Silhouette is ready for the first Carib cruise of the season and the more party atmosphere that comes with it.

Edited December 9, 2013 by cardinals218

[Host Anne]

It's great to see feedback and discussion from so many people. Wish I met all of you on board.

 

To those who were first timers (either with Celebrity or cruising at all), the experience with the bar service and the extremely loud music is not typical of Celebrity. You could typically sit in any lounge (and at the pool) and receive excellent service from bar servers who would come to serve you. You could also sit at bars and actually have a conversation occasionally with bartenders. The craziness with the bars last week was an exception and a surprise. And I fear Celebrity has cutback staff permanently. I'll let everyone know when we get back next month from Equinox.

 

As for the loud music (including the rap that I dislike so much), I'm fine with it in certain places. But you couldn't get a way from it on this cruise unless you wanted to hibernate outside on the promenade on deck 5. It was piped in everywhere inside during the days and nights. As I said earlier, I'm fine with the Martini Bar, Sky Lounge, even poolside if it's not so loud you can't talk (it wasn't that loud during the days...it was the evening events).

 

Micheal's Club (and other inside lounges) are not opened during the days so that isn't an option for drinks. Also, Micheal's only serves craft beers, wine and high end spirits not included in the drink package. At night, the one bar server in here did run to Ensemble to get other drinks but that wasn't really practical for her or Ensemble.

 

Thanks again for all the feedback. I'm enjoying the discussion.

[20pluscruises]

Can't help thinking that if you have a very large number of people with a beverage package it would work in Celebrity's favour if those people can't get as many drinks as they would like.

 

I know though that I would be furious if I didn't have a package and was having to struggle to get served as a result of the large number of people who did.

 

And that would be me. Our bar bill at the end of the cruise is always the same if not more than the price of a premium package.Why don't we do the premium package? The extra calories. Without a doubt we would have pina coladas at the pool, Bailys after dinner, etc.

 

We also don't take advantage of the happy hour or breakfast bloody marys. It was at one time a place to actually meet new friends....it has now become a "Woo Hoo free booze" frenzy.

 

So, now it sounds like ALL of the bars are like the usually packed martini bar where it was at times impossible to get a drink. Am I right?

 

I no likey! :mad:

[rucrazy]

BEVERAGES & STAFFING

Bartenders & Servers – A+ Celebrity Management - F

Where to start discussing beverages. As many of you know, Celebrity now offers drink packages and has had several promotions throughout the past year where the Classic beverage package is thrown in for free. On our cruise, we were told 1,800 people had the drink packages.

I discussed this with both the bar manager and the hotel manager. To my surprise, I was told the ship was fully staffed. ..... Certainly people are going to drink more with a package but from the time we boarded, lines at bars were endless.

 

This was done by design.. the illusion of a bargain = more profit..

Less staff in place to supply and serve the beverage brings the number of beverages served down and the profits up!

Edited December 9, 2013 by rucrazy

[cle-guy]

This was done by design.. the illusion of a bargain = more profit..

Less staff in place to supply and serve the beverage brings the number of beverages served down and the profits up!

 

Not sure the number if drinks was DOWN overall, as it has been reported of many outages of beer, spirits and cordials.

[rucrazy]

Not sure the number if drinks was DOWN overall, as it has been reported of many outages of beer, spirits and cordials.

Then the question becomes.. what was the amount of beginning stock...:) If they lower the amount of build to totals they will run out.. There are formulas to know how much product should be on hand at the start.. as OP indicted they knew how many packages were sold...

Edited December 9, 2013 by rucrazy

[andreloop]

A great and thoughtful review which will ring the Line's wake up alarm for those areas you rated poorly to be more closely examined.

As a foodie, I have a correction: A Rueben is made with corned beef. A pastrami version is a "Rachel".

Each is delicious!

[rucrazy]

A Rueben is made with corned beef. A pastrami version is a "Rachel".

Each is delicious!

 

Wow I did not know that.. thank you for that.....:D

[20pluscruises]

A great and thoughtful review which will ring the Line's wake up alarm for those areas you rated poorly to be more closely examined.

As a foodie, I have a correction: A Rueben is made with corned beef. A pastrami version is a "Rachel".

Each is delicious!

 

LOL! That is funny!

[TommyD3]

Micheal's Club (and other inside lounges) are not opened during the days so that isn't an option for drinks. Also, Micheal's only serves craft beers, wine and high end spirits not included in the drink package. At night, the one bar server in here did run to Ensemble to get other drinks but that wasn't really practical for her or Ensemble.

 

As of 11/25 the Michaels Club is now supposed to be the VIP lounge for PH, Royal & Zenith members. Just like the trial run on the Infinity it is supposed to be a VIP lounge all day, every day. Zenith members get the free Premium drink package. What is the point of only offering drinks that are not included in the package?:confused:

 

Has the Michaels Club not yet been opened as the VIP lounge on Reflection?

[cle-guy]

Then the question becomes.. what was the amount of beginning stock...:) If they lower the amount of build to totals they will run out.. There are formulas to know how much product should be on hand at the start.. as OP indicted they knew how many packages were sold...

 

Not everyone of course has the drink package. I'd think they would keep stock levels steady especially for those who are buying with cash along the way. Many in my group didn't have a package, but I know most did.

 

It's just always hard to convince me of any conspiracy theories ;-)

[rucrazy]

Not everyone of course has the drink package. I'd think they would keep stock levels steady especially for those who are buying with cash along the way. Many in my group didn't have a package, but I know most did.

 

It's just always hard to convince me of any conspiracy theories ;-)

 

From my time in the food industry.. I know that anytime there is a promotion on going that will dictate upping my inventory...

the beverage packages/123 promos have been out long enough that Celebrity knows how much alcohol and beer and wine they will sell on any particular cruise itinerary... maybe not down to the drink but I am sure down to the case lot..

That said any company that is running out of any "staple" consistently tells me they want to do so.. this allows the company them the opportunity to upsell even more.

[CelebrityMan]

Thank you, Host Anne, for your reasoned, well-written, informative review.

 

I must echo your sentiments regarding the loud, and what I considered obnoxious volume levels we've noted of late on Celebrity ships. With you, I fear this is a trend I cannot support.

 

On our Baltic sailing this summer aboard Eclipse the volume, in various venues, but especially in the Grand Foyer, was so loud I had to retreat to far flung areas to avoid it. Music so loud on one level it permeates upward and outward to ruin enjoyment of virtually all other venues that open into the atrium is, IMHO, overkill.

 

Socializing is/has always been for us part of the attraction of the cruise experience. But if I can't carry on normal conversation in a lounge, I'm not going to enjoy that cruise as much, and I'm also not going to be lingering in the various venue and spending more on beverages.

 

As a man in my early to mid-50s I guess I'm not part of the younger demographic management seems to want to attract.

 

 

CM

[Lsimon]

I sure hope the long lines and slow bar service were a one-off issue on the sailing being discussed. I know what large group was on board and it is a group that does tend to socialize and party a fair amount more than the average Celebrity cruiser, beverage package or not. So it could have contributed to the shortages of spirits and staff being an unusual event - although an event that really should have been anticipated by Celebrity. But even if it was anticipated I do not believe that the way the cruise industry has to staff lends itself to shifting staff onto a particular sailing.

 

In any event my selfish side sure hopes this is an unusual occurrence and that we don't anticipate an increase in lines for beverages on our upcoming Eclipse cruise next March.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Lsimon

[20pluscruises]

Not everyone of course has the drink package. I'd think they would keep stock levels steady especially for those who are buying with cash along the way. Many in my group didn't have a package, but I know most did.

 

It's just always hard to convince me of any conspiracy theories ;-)

 

Maybe they could have pulled somebottles from the gift shop/liquor store?

[20pluscruises]

Not everyone of course has the drink package. I'd think they would keep stock levels steady especially for those who are buying with cash along the way. Many in my group didn't have a package, but I know most did.

 

It's just always hard to convince me of any conspiracy theories ;-)

 

Did you notice many half drunk drinks left setting around the ship?

[cibumcupio]

Could the short staffing also have something to do with the recent typhoon in the Philippines? Maybe some of the Filipino staff went home.