Just Back from 2/22/14 Reflection Sailing

[blueboro]

Just returned from a great cruise on the beautiful Celebrity Reflection 2/22/14 – 3/1/14…our third Solstice class cruise (Solstice, Eclipse and Reflection). This was our 5th overall X cruise including the Century and Summit. We were a party of eight (4 brothers and wives). I just wanted to post some thoughts and comments:

 

Overall:

Wonderful cruise. As we expected, a beautiful ship. Some of the changes from previous Solstice class ships were good like the addition of the Lawn Club Grill and larger Sunset Bar. One was not so good…replacing the disco with conference rooms.

 

Beverage Package:

Best deal ever. We kept the Classic package and it is so convenient. We are not big drinkers and would not pay $350+ for the package but it was great to have unlimited coffees, bottle water, soft drinks, wine at dinner and occasional drinks. Now I am spoiled.

 

MDR Dining:

After reading some of the “Celebrity is not like it used to be” threads I didn’t know if I would notice any drop off in service/food. We ate in the MDR on both formal nights and the food was outstanding. I had the beef tournedos (much better than the filet in Tuscan Grille) and the 2nd formal evening had the Duck that was delicious. Also started with the escargot, Caesar salad, and French onion soup both evenings. Service was excellent and food was hot and fresh. We had Select Dining and made reservations for both formal nights at 7:15 before we boarded.

 

Specialty Dining:

I find that the service and quality of the specialty restaurants varies from ship to ship. On this one, we ate at all four…Murano, Tuscan Grill, Lawn Club Grill and Qsine. MURANO: We thought 2 years ago on Eclipse that Murano was a bit pretentious and overrated. However, this time it was excellent. Service was the best we have ever experienced and food was delicious. The menu seems a bit limited but everyone was very pleased. QSINE: Our second time here and it was just as much fun as our first time. We knew what to expect and did not order as much. The quality may have slipped slightly from our last cruise but still very good and unique. LAWN CLUB GRILL: We had a platter with Ribeye, Filet, Veal, Snapper, Lamb, and skewers of shrimp. All very good. We did order 3 flatbreads for the table but I was not going to waste much stomach space on pizza. The salad bar was somewhat limited but fresh. Beautiful setting and great service. TUSCAN GRILLE: Everything was really good until we got to the entrée. The filet, while cooked medium rare, were dry and not much flavor. The ribeye was very fatty and had a lot of gristle. The best entrée was the eggplant. BISTRO ON 5: Ate lunch one day and we still like this place. I had the Cowboy that was delicious and my wife had the “make your own” breakfast crepe. Of course we finished it off with the famous Nutella/Banana crepe.

 

Entertainment:

Kind of hit or miss. In the main theatre, Reflection the Show was the best we saw. Some unbelievable cirque type acts and great music. The guitar player was especially good. There was a hypnotist who also doubled as a magician on another evening. He had about 20 guests and I never believed for a minute any of them was hypnotized even though they tried to act like it. His magic show was better but talked more than he performed. The Sin City Comedy was good but found the burlesque to be sort of a strange addition to a comedy act…really seemed out of place. Guests began lining up an hour before the show. We got the last seats on the 2nd night so get there early.

 

Other Entertainment:

Here is where we were disappointed. “Vibes” was the party band and they were good but nowhere near as good as the Filipino bands they used to have like Sipra. They seemed to play more to the younger passengers which were a minority on this ship. We are in our mid 50’s to mid 60’s and there was little music from our generation. And, the Miami DJ’s??? What the hell are they? A tecno drum beat that permeates the atrium if they are playing in the Martini lounge. Not a fan. Andrew the CD also said we simply MUST go to “Liquid” held in the Solarium at 11:30 one evening. Billed as a “Las Vegas” nightclub we again found ourselves asking…what the hell was that?? A couple of contortionists, a few lighted rubber balls in the pool and the ever-present Miami DJ’s kept our attention for all of 5 minutes.

 

I don’t understand why you go to the Caribbean and Celebrity tries to come up with hip and edgy entertainment. A lot of passengers like me would love to hear a good party band and some Caribbean music while sipping umbrella drinks on deck.

 

As mentioned, I am confused as to why you take out a disco and add conference rooms. If you want to dance it is hard many nights to find anywhere to go. And the Sky Lounge was closed for private functions almost the entire cruise. It is much too beautiful a space not to have shows and other entertainment there nightly. We never went to anything there. So bottom line…I think the overall entertainment is not as good as 2 years ago.

 

CABIN / Steward:

Deck 8…cabin 8139 port. Great location across from elevators and quiet. Our cabin attendant (Jessica) was the least visible we have ever experienced. While the cabin was serviced, she failed to pick up a room service order from our door one evening and failed to deliver one of the daily programs. Again, she mostly did her job but it was the first time in my experience that they did not exceed my expectations and the first time I did not leave an extra gratuity.

 

Embarkation/Debarkation:

Arrived at the port of Miami at 10:30, checked in by 10:45 and on board at 11:10. Great. On Debarkation, customs seemed to be like the post office and there were long lines.

 

Final Thoughts:

I find Celebrity to be an excellent product for a fair price with the Solstice class being the most beautiful ships we have sailed. While I mentioned several things that were not perfect, what is life is? It was a great cruise on a beautiful ship with my beautiful wife and my brothers/wives. I am just sad it only lasted 7 days and I am back in the real world.

[drarill]

Great review!! Thanks for sharing your cruise experience with us. We are looking forward to our cruise on the Reflection in July.:):)

[patty1955]

Didn't you go to the Cruise Critic party? I'd love to know your impression.

[blueboro]

Didn't you go to the Cruise Critic party? I'd love to know your impression.

 

No, I didn't go. One other thing I failed to mention is that we missed the Brunch that is held one time per cruise. It was on Thursday (sea day) from 10:00am - 1:00pm and the only place I saw it listed was in the restaurant schedule for the day. There was nothing else in the daily program. Seems odd they would go to so much trouble and effort in making this a special event and then seem to hide it in the daily program. Not one in our group of 8 heard about or noticed it in the program until the day after.

Edited March 2, 2014 by blueboro

[4 sisters]

myself and my three sisters were on this cruise also , our waiter did tell us about the buffet the evening before while we were having dinner.

Edited March 3, 2014 by 4 sisters

[blueboro]

myself and my three sisters were on this cruise also , our waiter did tell us about the buffet the evening before while we were having dinner.

 

We were in the Tuscan the evening before and unfortunately they do not mention it.

[Algebralovr]

I find your thought interesting about Quazar (the disco on other S class ships). On the three S class ships I've been on with it,no one ever seems to use it. I like the conference rooms.

 

I agree that they have been using the Sky Lounge for too many private functions, but I've usually seen it open at night for dancing. I also agree that the one on Reflection is too small, and kind of strange compared to her sister ships.

 

We've learned that the brunch is usually on one of the last two sea days, and know to look for it. Much if the time, our waiter doesn't bother to tell us about it. In fact, I believe we've only had one waiter in 4 celebrity cruises tell us, and give us the highlights of things to look for each evening. Juma from Eclipse 2 years ago was simply awesome!

[glenneagle]

Welcome home.

The music was way to loud.Miami djs were awful.

I agree the entertainment was much better last year.We were at the cc meeting.

[blueboro]

I find your thought interesting about Quazar (the disco on other S class ships). On the three S class ships I've been on with it,no one ever seems to use it. I like the conference rooms.

 

Just curious what you like about the conference rooms? If you are there for a conference then they might be great but for most guests I see absolutely no use for them. Wasted space for only a few guests. While Quasar may not have always been crowded, it always was when they had 70's night and it provided another entertainment experience that no longer exists.

[CCMS14]

We were on this sailing as well, and I had the same issue with our room steward and butler in terms of not receiving dailies one day, they didn't pick up our laundry one morning, we also had to practically beg for a comment card. Nothing huge re: the room steward and it certainly didn't ruin our vacation, but it was certainly not what we were used to and seems to be similar to your experience.

[purrlinda]

I just got off the 2/23 Silhouette and was not overly pleased with my stateroom attendant. I was in a concierge class cabin. Our drinking glasses were not regularly washed or replaced during our cruise. At one point, we had to put all of them in the bathroom sink to get his attention. While the room was serviced twice daily and appeared clean, I was seriously bothered about the glasses not being cleaned or replaced.

 

This is the first cruise I've been on where I have not tipped my stateroom attendants an additional amount on top of what I have pre paid. I was sorely disappointed about this.

[deck chair]

Hello

 

I have only done one Celebrity cruise on the Zenith so perhaps should not comment....

 

One thing that deters me from going back to Celebrity is the crummy music all over the ship. From comments I have read it is loud, intrusive and usually not compatible with the age group that sails on their ships.

 

Celebrity passengers should give CUNARD a try. That line budgets a great deal of money on orchestras, ballrooms for real dancing with an orchestra accompanied by a singer, (Always dance hosts to partner with single ladies) string quartets, harpists, several pianists and a real band in the night club.

 

The Commodore Club, the observation lunges/bars on all Cunard ships are rarely closed for private events and always feature live music in the evening (A talented pianist) beginning with the cocktail hour.

 

In addition to many varied public rooms with very comfortable seating, there is outstanding deck space including 360 degree promenade decks for walking and jogging. (With numerous deck chairs out so you can relax/read and just watch the sea go by.) I am not aware of any Celebrity ship with such a feature. Please advise.

 

I am sure Celebrity is a nice cruise line but when it comes to music and other features I have mentioned it cannot come close to Cunard.

 

Always available for questions/comments. Thank you...

 

Deck chair

[Go-Bucks!]

Just returned from a great cruise on the beautiful Celebrity Reflection 2/22/14 – 3/1/14

Glad you had a wonderful cruise! We're sailing on Reflection in 5 days - our first Celebrity cruise. You're review was helpful.[/SIZE]

 

MDR Dining:

We ate in the MDR on both formal nights and the food was outstanding.......started with the escargot.......

I'm also glad to hear that the MDR had good food because since I'm already paying for food, I don't want to go to specialty restaurants and pay more. I absolutely love escargot, so very happy to see that it's offered EVERY night![/SIZE]

 

Entertainment:

Kind of hit or miss.

I enjoy the Movies Under The Stars (MUTS) on Princess. We love to get comfortable on a lounger with a nice blanket to watch a "drive-in-like movie"! Too bad Celebrity doesn't have this feature.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Go-Bucks!

[Johnny Heedless]

Celebrity passengers should give CUNARD a try. That line budgets a great deal of money on orchestras, ballrooms for real dancing with an orchestra accompanied by a singer, (Always dance hosts to partner with single ladies) string quartets, harpists, several pianists and a real band in the night club.

 

No offense, but YIKES! Do they start up a bubble machine right before they wheel out Lawrence Welk's mummified body?

 

If you haven't noticed, Celebrity seems to successfully marketing towards the upwardly mobile crowd in the between their 30s and 50s. I doubt there many people in their 50s or below that are looking for a vacation full of harpists and string quartets. At least to me, that sounds unbelievably dull.

 

I guess to each their own.

[Texed]

Blue,

 

Thanks for posting. :)

[blueboro]

We were on this sailing as well, and I had the same issue with our room steward and butler in terms of not receiving dailies one day, they didn't pick up our laundry one morning, we also had to practically beg for a comment card. Nothing huge re: the room steward and it certainly didn't ruin our vacation, but it was certainly not what we were used to and seems to be similar to your experience.

 

Sounds like we had the same one. She also never delivered our Captains Club coupons and finally had to go to the CC desk and get them.

[blueboro]

One other thing I noticed and just remembered. Has anyone noticed a strong cigarette smoke smell near the shops and casino areas? It was very strong on the Reflection last week. Since it is a non-smoking casino, I wonder if the smoke smell is coming from Deck 5 port side where smoking is allowed and it is somehow getting inside? It is coming from somewhere.

[canudigit]

No offense, but YIKES! Do they start up a bubble machine right before they wheel out Lawrence Welk's mummified body?

 

If you haven't noticed, Celebrity seems to successfully marketing towards the upwardly mobile crowd in the between their 30s and 50s. I doubt there many people in their 50s or below that are looking for a vacation full of harpists and string quartets. At least to me, that sounds unbelievably dull.

 

I guess to each their own.

 

Johnny...Brilliant post. I'd swim to shore if confronted with that "nightlife" scenario.

[blueboro]

Johnny...Brilliant post. I'd swim to shore if confronted with that "nightlife" scenario.

 

I would too. But if I go another cruise with the Miami DJ's I might swim to shore just to avoid them.

[dln929]

One other thing I noticed and just remembered. Has anyone noticed a strong cigarette smoke smell near the shops and casino areas? It was very strong on the Reflection last week. Since it is a non-smoking casino, I wonder if the smoke smell is coming from Deck 5 port side where smoking is allowed and it is somehow getting inside? It is coming from somewhere.

 

Funny that you say that because I actually did notice that myself but I thought I must have been mistaken. I don't think it's leaking in from the Deck 5 port side though. The only thing I can think of is the that's it's coming from the smokers themselves. Smoke clings to one's clothing and many smokers are quite capable to sitting for long periods of time at the machines in the casino. Get enough smoke infused clothing on the stools and pretty soon the air, by default, starts smelling smoky as well.

[clmom]

Funny that you say that because I actually did notice that myself but I thought I must have been mistaken. I don't think it's leaking in from the Deck 5 port side though. The only thing I can think of is the that's it's coming from the smokers themselves. Smoke clings to one's clothing and many smokers are quite capable to sitting for long periods of time at the machines in the casino. Get enough smoke infused clothing on the stools and pretty soon the air, by default, starts smelling smoky as well.

No, there most definitely was a strong smell of smoke, port side at the casino entrance. We noticed it several times. We didn't notice the smell once we were in the casino and not on the starboard side entrance to the casino. It was just that port side entrance, and it was very strong.

[blueboro]

No, there most definitely was a strong smell of smoke, port side at the casino entrance. We noticed it several times. We didn't notice the smell once we were in the casino and not on the starboard side entrance to the casino. It was just that port side entrance, and it was very strong.

 

Yes, exactly what we noticed...only on the port side in the passage way between the casino and shops.

[galcruiser]

I sailed on the Reflection last November and Miami DJ were terrible. People were sitting covering their ears around the pool as the volume was excruciating and after about 15 minutes about half the area was empty. When I think of the thousands of cruisers who have had to endure them since then, it is difficult to understand why this is allowed to continue.

[mikeysed]

The Reflection doesn't have a disco/nightclub? Is that true? Or they made it smaller.. or?

[blueboro]

The Reflection doesn't have a disco/nightclub? Is that true? Or they made it smaller.. or?

 

They removed the Quasar disco and replaced it with Conference Rooms. DOH!!