Reflection TA October 23rd...Live

[phbr]

We left Civitavecchia on time, Friday evening. Seas have been very calm so far.

 

Presently about 2 hours east of Gibralter, lovely sunny weather.

 

Ship is packed to capacity, although it never seems that crowded.

 

Very full daily programme on the seas days, with lots of Lectures, activities. Evening entertainment in the Theatre is good quality, especially an English ventriloquist/comedian called Gavin Oliver who brought the place down last night.

 

Internet speed is surprisngly good (so far). Most people seem to be going for the Entire Cruise package at $299.

 

First stop Madeira on Tuesday at 7am

[FlorenceItaly]

Looking forward to your LIVE report. Thanks so much. Have a wonderful cruise.

[mafig]

We're on her November 14, so I'll be watching this thread.

 

Thank you for doing this.:)

[phbr]

Big crowds on deck for the sail past Gibraltar, but it was quite cloudy with some rain, so not the clearest of views from about 5 miles. Now heading towards Tangiers and the open Atlantic. Arriving Funchal, Madeira at 7am Tuesday.

 

First Formal night tonight.

[helen haywood]

What/Who is the house band?

[upwarduk]

I hoped someone would do a live report, as we should have been sailing with you.

I wish you calm seas.

[chemmo]

...live reports, thanks for taking time out from your vacation. May the seas remain calm and the wine free flowing.

[Diamondbb]

Thanks for the Live Report. Going on the April Transatlantic so I am looking forward to your report.

 

Have a safe and wonderful cruise !

[GinnyJo]

Thanks for the live report -- I am eagerly following along!

[bandp407]

Thanks for the live report,

 

My DH and I will be sailing the Reflection for the 3rd time in December. We are hoping for a good party band that can play a good mix of dance music and play a number of sets each night. Who is the current band and are they staying on for the December sailings? Also hoping Celecbrity has toned down the "loud" piped in music. Appreciate your feedback as the cruise progresses.

 

Enjoy Madeira & a safe & smooth sailing across the Atlantic!

[upwarduk]

Also hoping Celecbrity has toned down the "loud" piped in music.

 

I'm wondering if the piped music is a Caribbean thing, I wasn't aware of any on our Eclipse Baltic cruise in the summer. Maybe we weren't on the ship long enough ( no need to be entertained or little opportunity to sit pool side) as it was a very port intensive cruise.

Edited October 25, 2015 by upwarduk

[phbr]

What/Who is the house band?

 

LAX is the house band. They are pretty good. 5 piece, with 2 girls

 

There is also a Jazz quartet and probably more I havent got to yet

[phbr]

I hoped someone would do a live report, as we should have been sailing with you.

I wish you calm seas.

.

 

Sorry you couldnt make it.

 

Seas got a little choppy earlier when we swapped the Med for the Atlantic, but its 1230am now and all is calm

[phbr]

I'm wondering if the piped music is a Caribbean thing, I wasn't aware of any on our Eclipse Baltic cruise in the summer. Maybe we weren't on the ship long enough ( no need to be entertained or little opportunity to sit pool side) as it was a very port intensive cruise.

 

 

Hadnt really thought about piped music till I read the posts.

 

Im in the iLounge at the moment and I can hear piped music , but its discreet and maybe its just a night thing when the bands have finished ?

[phbr]

Docked in Madeira at about 6am, departing in about an hour at 4pm.

 

Very smooth sailing all the way, the Atlantic has behaved itself so far. Weather warm and cloudy.

 

They turned one of the bars into a 'Night Club; last night and it was a very lively evening.

 

There is a heavy emphasis on trying to sell the Speciality Restaurants at the moment, while the Casino seems to be doing a roaring trade.

[gwesq]

Take care of the ship - we're getting on in Miami when you dock there.

And hopefully everyone will get OFF the ship promptly so our boarding isn't too delayed! :-)

[Tommy3putts]

Thank for this thread. Wife and I are considering this TA voyage next year.

[doneall50]

Thanks for the posts, and have a good crossing. On the November 28th sailing. What's in the theatre beaides the English guy?

[phbr]

Spoke too soon about the Atlantic behaving itself.

 

As soon as we left Madeira, there were heavy swells and warnings over the PA to wear sensible shoes and take care walking around. The sea was rough until the early hours but its calm today with lovely sunshine.

 

Lots of Lectures 'Behind The Podium' on the cruise. Just returned from one concerning Downton Abbey which drew a large crowd.

 

There was a Welsh comedian.magician last night, Taffy Spencer. He`was ok.

 

They just opened a new office selling Future Cruises on Deck 4.

 

More later

[phbr]

Saturday evening heading closer to St Kitts.

The weather is excellent and the seas very calm.

Customer Service area very well decorated for Hallowen.

Standard of entertainment is generally very good. Theatre is packed every night.

Lots of sales points set up for the Specialty restaurants.

Selling wine at $20 a bottle plus 18% as long as you don't try to bring it into dinner ( which is just what people are doing)

Food is ok. Few things gone missing from breakfast menu.

There is a singing waiter, Roy from Jamaica who has everyone in stitches. He is a great character. When you ask him for coffee, he says I'll be back in a Jamaican minute...or Tuesday.

[Dunmore2]

How did you enjoy the rest of your cruise?

[phbr]

It was an amazing cruise. sea was calm practically all the way and it was hot in the Caribbean.

 

Presently at MIA waiting for flight.

 

A few pointers, I'll do a review soon.

 

The Captain was very visible all cruise.

 

Food was generally good. they started to run out of things a few days from Miami.

 

Very full entertainment program. Some excellent acts especially December 63, a Frankie Valli tribute act. They brought the house down. They are on till Tuesday then move to the Eclipse.

 

The house orchestra were awesome. But they got off today so no idea of what replaces them.

 

LAX are the house group. they are on till January and are very good.

 

Watch out for Zevron, the singing waiter in the Ocean View starboard side. he has everyone in stitches with his Jamaican humour.

 

Plenty of last minute sales as usual. do not buy anything till Thursday.

 

Labadee was amazing. had not been for 10 years and it has improved immensely.

 

One bone of contention is Celebrity seemingly turning the Reflection ( and other ships) into what really amounts to a ' Two Class ship'. While loyalty should always be rewarded , there were times I felt it was back to the days of the Titanic. More about this later.

 

Some people thought the 10 sea days (out of 15) was too much. I disagree. Celebrity laid on a huge entertainment program for these Days, and the guest lecturers spoke on widely diverse subjects from Downton Abbey to SARS outbreaks.

 

This was probably our most enjoyable cruise yet and I am already looking at the Eclipse TA for next October.

 

Full review to follow

[Dunmore2]

You've posted a lot of helpful information. Thanks. I'm looking forward to reading your full review.

[gordylad]

Will throw in my tuppence worth as we are just off the same cruise for a second year and one major comparison.

 

Last year we along with others did not think the entertainment was very good this year Excellent....and I think its all down to the great cruise director Alexander....we really like this guy love his enthusiasm, friendliness etc etc

 

Cruise was great smooth sailing only two slightly rocky days when we left Madeira but nothing serious [we made it to dinner..lol]...

 

Anyway, lots of lovely sea days with the music at the pool being nice and mellow...we only ate in MDR food was excellent. Deck 14 is always great for lunches etc...

 

As mentioned we have had the same captain [Peppas] a couple of times [with the usual jokes but we really like him and his staff]. This will be the last time for a couple of years the ship will do the caribbean as part of the TA with a switch to European ports and then I think 6 days sailing to Fort Lauderdale [but I wouldn't take FL as gospel].

 

The house band LAX was mentioned by the reviewer but I have to disagree and say we did not like them. The strange thing was they are a young group who are [we were told first timers?... and they started off with a girl lead singer but approx the 7th day she disappeared and didnt return leaving the singing to the two guitarists and I didnt think their vocals were very good. You can make your minds up we all have our own opinions. Other around the ship entertainers we thought were very good a two girl guitarist and singer, a one man guitarist/singer, a jazz quarter with a girl singer. Entertainment on board was very good in fact there was a really good violinist Doug something who had played with a lot of cool people throughout the years so his set with the orchestra was excellent and he turned up in the Ensemble lounge one night for a set with the jazz quartet really good! Other acts were Darren Day [yes remember him from tv and musicals e.g. Summer Holiday] he was okay but some of his impressions that he threw into the show left a lot to be desired, he got off the ship may return I dont know. Doug the violinist got off may return. Gareth Oliver the ventriloquist/all round funny guy was on again and he is very funny, he got off don't know if he will get back on. A girl singer Philipa Healey did songs from musicals and was very good, she got off dont know if she will return. A U.S. comedian/impressionist and when I say impressions he played guitar and did impressions of rock singers was good [wont appeal to everyone] appeared and then I believe he did a late 10.30pm adults only show. There was another comedian who was still on board when we left but I cant remember his name however saving the best for last the best act by far were still on board called December 63, Four young guys who do a Frankie Valli and the 4 seasons tribute act...if you like that kind of music you will love them they went down a storm [pardon the pun]......Enjoy.

[Dunmore2]

gordylad,

Thanks for sharing your cruise experiences. We're not on this ship until its return to Europe in April. Likely all the entertainment will be different than what you had. Hopefully the cruise director will be the same though.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Dunmore2
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