Rolling Trip Report: Refelction Royal Suite Feb 7th Eastern Caribbean

[soxfan2013]

A few other notes before we head off to Orient Beach. :D

 

The Captain announced last night that he was leaving the ship today for a corporate event in Miami...returning for the next cruise on Sat, so, we're under the command of the Asst Capt.

 

The VIP send off at 4:45pm today is from the helicopter deck...didn't know we had one.

 

SJ: docked at pier at own down one down from Regent Sovereign of the Seas. Seemed like a nice boat and didn't block any views. They were already there before we arrived and left around 8pm. Port side was def. best for arrival views into SJ.

 

STT: Docked at main pier dock behind Disney Fantasy (long walk passed two ships down to end of dock). View from port side was beautiful Charlotte Armorie harbor. Fun to watch the action in the harbor including sea plane arrivals and departures. Mega yacht Solange in port (280 feet, $1/week charter...wow). IMO, port side here is still the best view, although the starboard side finally got that view upon departure when we looked out at Frenchman's Reef and beyond (also nice for departure view). RCCL Oasis of the Seas was docked at a supplemental pier near Frenchtown...got to see into that ship from the water on Kon Tiki...interesting design with open rear with pool deck and climbing walls...and atrium with interior balconies that have partial ocean views out the aft.

 

STM: Docked alongside Oasis of the Seas. No view except into opposite cabins on Oasis.

 

Weather continues to be amazing...as in perfect.

[countess5]

Ok, before I go any further let me say that I have sailed Reflection twice. The first year she came out in the Caribbean and then last September in the Eastern Mediterranean. Both times in a suite.

The last time was a Celebrity Suite. We Love the ship!! We are Elite. Do not take the following wrong, just sharing my observations. Cruising is great any where.

 

Now with that out of the way, we just returned last Saturday from the NCL Getaway. :p All right it was like cheating on a girl friend I admit, but we always go away in January for a winter break and have sailed Allure, Oasis, Reflection, and other RCCL ships. We needed a change in Ship since the routes stay pretty much the same.

 

I wanted to experience the HAVEN. We had an Aft Penthouse with a huge balcony 28 feet across and 18 feet deep. Butler service and then the HAVEN.

 

Let me get to the point, the HAVEN has any X or RCCL Suite perks beat. It is a ship within a ship. Private pool and hot tubs, private sunning deck, private restaurant, private bar and all of this in a key only access area. Didn't have to worry about chair hogs at all! They came around all day with treats while sunning.

 

Embarkation, private room/check in, sitting area with coffee, juice and pastries. Was escorted to the ship onto a private elevator to the HAVEN. Sliders were ready and bar open. Same with debarkation, personal attention. A private cocktail party with the captain and all officers was held. I never saw any officers in Michael's as you did. There were many other perks that compare to X and RCCL.

 

I think X is trying to get where NCL is with Michael's and now a private suite dinning area. But I have to tell you the concept of the ship within a ship is out of control. I would suggest that you try it once if you have not and compare.

 

There were things about NCL that could change ( Not in the HAVEN but on the ship) but that is with any ship, we will return to NCL. Still love to sail X and RCCL, but the HAVEN is always going to be on the mind when making that decision.

 

I only share this quick comment because I would think being in the Royal Suite you shouldn't be having any issues. :D

 

Keep enjoying the cruise and that hot tub! ;)

[TommyD3]

 

STT: Mega yacht Solange in port (280 feet, $1/week charter...wow).

 

Obviously not $1 per week!

Did you mean $1 MILLION per week?

[darbs7]

Do you love the suite?

 

Do you think it is worth the price difference?

 

When sailing NCL we wanted to try the Haven, we did stay in aft suite with butler and loved that, but the upgrade to Haven would have cost of about 5K more for lowest suite

 

Same with Celebrity, seems like lowest suites are a huge upgrade price, should we try it?

Edited February 11, 2015 by darbs7

[countess5]

Do you love the suite?

 

Do you think it is worth the price difference?

 

When sailing NCL we wanted to try the Haven, we did stay in aft suite with butler and loved that, but the upgrade to Haven would have cost of about 5K more for lowest suite

 

Same with Celebrity, seems like lowest suites are a huge upgrade price, should we try it?

 

For the Aft Penthouse Suite HAVEN we paid $5,029 ( total 2 people) for the 7 days Eastern Caribbean. I think NCL has some great prices. We booked 9 months out and received $300 OBC. You have to try, watch the prices.

 

Still LOVE my Celebrity too.

[soxfan2013]

Thanks for a great review so far!

 

I was interested to hear that suite guests get the coupons for internet/laundry etc. I thought this was for Captains Club members? Can anyone confirm? I would love to get these on my next cruise (I use the internet a lot) but am not a Captains Club member as I haven't cruised this line before.

 

We got two pages (one for each of us) of the Captains Club Elite coupons, which included the laundry coupons.

[soxfan2013]

Obviously not $1 per week!

Did you mean $1 MILLION per week?

 

Supposedly it charters for $1 million per week:

 

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chron.com%2Fcars%2Farticle%2FSolandge-super-yacht-may-be-worth-the-1-million-5960376.php&ei=D8PbVObRJ8WcygPf9oDgCA&usg=AFQjCNFcAfqk-mIzUldd1q7zCJxKFkrctA&sig2=Ar03P5KOkT46J01DmWsitw&bvm=bv.85761416,d.bGQ

[soxfan2013]

Ok, before I go any further let me say that I have sailed Reflection twice. The first year she came out in the Caribbean and then last September in the Eastern Mediterranean. Both times in a suite.

The last time was a Celebrity Suite. We Love the ship!! We are Elite. Do not take the following wrong, just sharing my observations. Cruising is great any where.

 

Now with that out of the way, we just returned last Saturday from the NCL Getaway. :p All right it was like cheating on a girl friend I admit, but we always go away in January for a winter break and have sailed Allure, Oasis, Reflection, and other RCCL ships. We needed a change in Ship since the routes stay pretty much the same.

 

I wanted to experience the HAVEN. We had an Aft Penthouse with a huge balcony 28 feet across and 18 feet deep. Butler service and then the HAVEN.

 

Let me get to the point, the HAVEN has any X or RCCL Suite perks beat. It is a ship within a ship. Private pool and hot tubs, private sunning deck, private restaurant, private bar and all of this in a key only access area. Didn't have to worry about chair hogs at all! They came around all day with treats while sunning.

 

Embarkation, private room/check in, sitting area with coffee, juice and pastries. Was escorted to the ship onto a private elevator to the HAVEN. Sliders were ready and bar open. Same with debarkation, personal attention. A private cocktail party with the captain and all officers was held. I never saw any officers in Michael's as you did. There were many other perks that compare to X and RCCL.

 

I think X is trying to get where NCL is with Michael's and now a private suite dinning area. But I have to tell you the concept of the ship within a ship is out of control. I would suggest that you try it once if you have not and compare.

 

There were things about NCL that could change ( Not in the HAVEN but on the ship) but that is with any ship, we will return to NCL. Still love to sail X and RCCL, but the HAVEN is always going to be on the mind when making that decision.

 

I only share this quick comment because I would think being in the Royal Suite you shouldn't be having any issues. :D

 

Keep enjoying the cruise and that hot tub! ;)

 

I did have a cruise on NCL a few years ago and thought the food at the Specialty Restaurants was as good as, if not better than Celebrity (especially the French restaurant and Brazilian Steakhouse, although we also really like Murano). On NCL, we tried to UG to the Havens and got a tour, but the ship was full.

 

I do think Celebrity is trying to replicate this experience w Michael's Club and all the Suite Perks, as well as the new dining room, and consideration of a special pool area or designated pool chairs for Suite Class guests.

Edited February 11, 2015 by soxfan2013

[darbs7]

For the Aft Penthouse Suite HAVEN we paid $5,029 ( total 2 people) for the 7 days Eastern Caribbean. I think NCL has some great prices. We booked 9 months out and received $300 OBC. You have to try, watch the prices.

 

Still LOVE my Celebrity too.

 

That sounds about right...we paid about 1800 total for just a balcony so that is significantly higher. We gamble and drink so we spend a ton on board (switched to Celebrity for the included drink package)

 

We also travel on big vacations 3-4 times a year. Thinking of missing a few trips to try a suite, but can't make the leap.

[dincus]

We were just on the Getaway in the Haven in December. We liked the ship so much we booked again for a cruise later this year. We ate in specialty restaurants every night and loved every meal. We're on the Reflection on February 28 so we can't wait to compare.

[soxfan2013]

Enjoying the posts.

 

We are on Reflection on the 21st.

 

I take it the free speciality are available to MC guests not to all of the suite guests (SS and AS).

 

Thanks

Gordon

 

I would say yes...the free specialty dining package seems to be extended to CS above, but I don't this is an official policy, certainly not a published benefit until April. You prob won't know until you're on board.

[soxfan2013]

Had a great time/trip to Orient Beach o=today...we got underway and didn't leave enough time to really enjoy it as much as we wanted a nice lunch at one of the better restaurants, and more lounging time...we had about 3 hours and it was just too short.

 

Taxi is $10 per person if you are w 2 pl or less...our van each way was $7 pp.

 

Mini crisis and mini miracle: about 10 mins after being dropped off, after settling into our beach chairs, I realized I had left my phone in the taxi...hence a frantic search to track down the taxi, which had left. Of curse, they kept asking if I knew the taxi number (not)...all could think is that the phone is replaceable, but so many of these precious pics are not. To make a long story short, only orange jersey drivers can pick up at the port, so that narrowed it down to 100 or so, and this taxi had physical fans in it, which together with a couple of very helpful other taxi drivers narrowed it down to to two drivers. The first one was no-go, not us. The second one, one driver know he was close by, so this guy had me hop in and scooted me down and...voila...my phone and I were re-united. Crisis averted.

 

We at at Kokoa Beach in a hut to ourselves and it was very good. We had grilled talapia w papaya sauce (Eur 19) and 3 giant prawns provincale (Eur 22)...a glass of wine and a water....EUR 55 plus $12 tip and amazing experience beachside under a hut w our own table along the ocean. Good food too.

 

Unfortunately, we only had time for a couple quick swims in the pristine water. But it was beautiful.

 

One surprising note: the ocean water seemed colder than in STT, even though we are further south. Anyway, after 3 mis, the temp is perfect.

 

We hurried back to the ship to shower and dress in time for our 4:45 VIP send off from the helipad on deck 6 in the front w Jamie and other senior officers...and we got a message that it was cancelled due to windy weather. The weather seemed perfect to us, nut c'est la vie. We retreated to the room in time for canapes, and filled up the jacuzzi and cracked open a bottle of champange for plan B: sunset hot tub from the balcony!

 

Tonight we have our CruiseCritic group dinner for 8 at Qsine, but one of the couples called and had to cancel as his wife is ill w potentially serious respiratory issues: we wish them all the best (she's been sick for two days, so far).

 

My girlfriend said for the fiirst time in a long time, on Orient Beach, she felt a sense of serenity that she hasn't felt for a long time...so, something going very right, because that's just what I am aiming for.

 

There were four ships in port today: we were docked next to RCCL Oasis, which is absolutely huge...about 30% wider and 4000+ pax. We were very close and looked into their starboard side cabins...there was also Regent Navigator (which we had seen in SJ) and another large ship which I didn't recognize, maybe HAL.

 

Coming back to the ship felt a little like cattle prodding...3000 Celebrity Pax and 4000+ RCCL pax, all arriving approx the same time. We left before RCCL and each side was busy waving to the other...somewhat playful.

 

On another note, it turns out balcony is above a balcony which stretches for about 4 cabins long...looking at the deck plan, I couldn't identify a supersuite below us, so I asked the cabin steward to explain, and he said the veranda windows can all be opened and they must know each other and created a mega common balcony. OK, good for them, but it turns out they are party animals and extremely loud...they tend tp gather as drunken group and hoot and holler (they sound like Texans or from somewhere south, not that this is particularly relevant, and I want them to have a great time...this has occurred on at least 3 occasions/ So now I know what it's about. I don't want to disturb anyone's experience, so I haven't said anything, but the steward told me he can politely ask them to be a little more quiet if the situation re-occurs.

 

OK..off to dinner at Qsine.

[Project_gal]

I did have a cruise on NCL a few years ago and thought the food at the Specialty Restaurants was as good as, if not better than Celebrity (especially the French restaurant and Brazilian Steakhouse, although we also really like Murano). On NCL, we tried to UG to the Havens and got a tour, but the ship was full.

 

I do think Celebrity is trying to replicate this experience w Michael's Club and all the Suite Perks, as well as the new dining room, and consideration of a special pool area or designated pool chairs for Suite Class guests.

 

I think the huge difference between NCL and Celebrity is whether you are truly looking for a "ship within a ship" or great suite perks within a larger ship and all that provides. IMHO, if you are looking for a "ship within a ship" NCL Haven would be a good choice but why not just go with the premium cruise lines on a smaller ship. [Not our preference, by the way.] We wish to be part of the larger ship ambiance but enjoy the new perks. More importantly, Celebrity have now stepped up to the mark as far as their attitude to suite guests.

[Project_gal]

[quote=soxfan2013;45584124We at at Kokoa Beach in a hut to ourselves and it was very good. We had grilled talapia w papaya sauce (Eur 19) and 3 giant prawns provincale (Eur 22)...a glass of wine and a water....EUR 55 plus $12 tip and amazing experience beachside under a hut w our own table along the ocean. Good food too.

 

Thanks for your review of Kakao Beach restaurant. I think that we may give it a try. Did you make a reservation in advance?

[soxfan2013]

Thanks for your review of Kakao Beach Club restaurant. I think that we may give it a try. Did you make a reservation in advance?

 

No, we didn't...don't think it's necessary, but maybe if they take reservations, and you make a request for a breach front hut, you might have a chance of getting one.

 

For the record, they were out of the fresh catch of the day (grilled snapper, whole fish EUR 26), and had fresh Caribbean lobster tails for EUR 35/kilo with sizes ranging from 2-5 pounds or kilos (forget which weight type).

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kakao-Beach-Club-Orient-Beach/258116347546550

Edited February 12, 2015 by soxfan2013

[Project_gal]

[quote name='soxfan2013']No, we didn't...don't think it's necessary, but maybe if they take reservations, and you make a request for a breach front hut, you might have a chance of getting one.

[url]https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kakao-Beach-Club-Orient-Beach/258116347546550[/url][/QUOTE]

Many thanks. Enjoy the rest of your cruise.