kandj05 Posted November 28, 2015 #51 Share Posted November 28, 2015 (edited) Consider it done! Sitting at the pool bar finishing off my first mojito right now. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Paul, try a mango mojito on me. They are so delicious! Edited November 28, 2015 by kandj05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andnosyd Posted November 29, 2015 #52 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hey Paul, we'll be with you on the second leg as well. Are the toiletries the Gilchrest ones or have the started to switch back to Bulgari (sp?)? We're in an RS next week and if our 2 young kids can behave, we may actually try Luminae. Any mention of the sky suites accessing Michaels Club? I know it isn't supposed to start for another several weeks, but maybe they had a soft opening... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy3putts Posted November 29, 2015 #53 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Have a great cruise. We sailed on Reflection in June 2014 and are booked on the October westbound TA. We love that ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbury newbie Posted November 29, 2015 #54 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hey Paul, we'll be with you on the second leg as well. Are the toiletries the Gilchrest ones or have the started to switch back to Bulgari (sp?)?... Lol..........Does this really matter?!! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovincruisin1321 Posted November 29, 2015 #55 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hello fellow Cruise Critic Members! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving (at least those who celebrate it!). We have just finished packing and are looking forward to trading our wonderful view of the city for a view of the ocean for 2 weeks. Edward and I will be sailing on the Reflection for two weeks, starting this Saturday. I will do my best to live blog throughout the cruise, post videos, post photos and of course answer any questions you may have. Last year we traveling over the holidays and I did my best to live blog from the Silhouette and the Eclipse. Now I will find myself better prepared with better apps for taking photos, video editing, etc. I'll also be posting photos to my Instagram as well so feel free to follow there if you'd like: Instagram.com/paulkblackburn Our Plans We leave tomorrow morning, flying Southwest. Unfortunately we have to connect through DC but should be in Florida by 4:30pm. We are staying at the Intercontinental in Miami and have requested a bayview room so we can see the ships in the morning. I'll post some random videos and photos throughout the day tomorrow and as we board the ship, but if there are any specific questions you'd like answers to feel free to ask and while we are onboard we will do our best to get the answers. Cheers! Can't wait. We are sailing the Reflection for the first time in April. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lionesss Posted November 29, 2015 #56 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hey Paul, we'll be with you on the second leg as well. Are the toiletries the Gilchrest ones or have the started to switch back to Bulgari (sp?)? We're in an RS next week and if our 2 young kids can behave, we may actually try Luminae. Any mention of the sky suites accessing Michaels Club? I know it isn't supposed to start for another several weeks, but maybe they had a soft opening... Oh my I wonder if this is a suite perk across the different cruise lines, on RCI we always got Gilchrest in our suites. Thanks for your post. Sea Ya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR_T Posted November 29, 2015 #57 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Thanks for the live report... We are doing a B2B in March so loving hearing/seeing all the stuff you post... Done 6 S/Class cruises so far but none on reflection... Can't wait [emoji4] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisetimeforme Posted November 29, 2015 #58 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Thanks chicagopaul for doing this review, much appreciated. Our past 5 or so cruises we've been able to purchase the unlimited specialty dining packages for the cruise. Can you let me know if you run across anyone with the package (they put a little red sticker with a star on your sea pass card if you have the package) and if so, does it now include the updated Porch menu as well as Bistro on five? In the past, they were both included, but at that time was still the old menu, etc. Enjoy your cruise! We were scheduled to set sail with you yesterday for the back to back as well, but decided to change to a Jan sailing for one week and to take the kids and grandchild on a December cruise instead. I'm sure you're sailing with a fun, lively group, have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave85 Posted November 29, 2015 #59 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Tuning in -- thanks for doing this, and have a great cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmp223 Posted November 29, 2015 #60 Share Posted November 29, 2015 We're joining you on 12/5... could you let me know if yoga is being offered and the cost. Thank you! See you at the bar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR_T Posted November 29, 2015 #61 Share Posted November 29, 2015 If you don't mind & have time could you try and find out who the current molecular bar person is onboard and if they're still be there in March at the new world class bar when it's installed... Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Texed Posted November 29, 2015 #62 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Our favorite bartender, Charule, from the Eclipse is actually working the molecular bar. If you don't mind & have time could you try and find out who the current molecular bar person is onboard He posted this earlier. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathynorth Posted November 30, 2015 #63 Share Posted November 30, 2015 I hope you're having a great cruise so far! It would be great to know the days when each of the specialty restaurants are open for lunch. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POTOMACRUISER Posted November 30, 2015 #64 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Have a great cruise. We sailed on Reflection in June 2014 and are booked on the October westbound TA. We love that ship! T3PUTTS: great minds, huh ? we also booked on the reflection...this january, based mostly on that awesome Med cruise we were with you on......... I often show folks my pictures of us sunbathing on the grass, or, more in our wheelhouse, pics of the wicker chairs and bar at the back !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy3putts Posted November 30, 2015 #65 Share Posted November 30, 2015 T3PUTTS: great minds, huh ? we also booked on the reflection...this january, based mostly on that awesome Med cruise we were with you on......... I often show folks my pictures of us sunbathing on the grass, or, more in our wheelhouse, pics of the wicker chairs and bar at the back !! The 2014 cruise was such an awesome experience. Loved every minute of it. Especially the Sunset Bar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicagopaul Posted November 30, 2015 Author #66 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Some of the videos posted below will be spliced together from the first two days on the ship. I'm not sure when they'll be posted as I write this and I'm unsure of our connection quality once I connect. Right now it is Monday (as I'm typing this) around 2:30. We are about an hour from a Puerto Rico and are laying by the pool. So far everything has been excellent. Let me know talk about some of the highlights and observations. Charule: Charule was our favorite bartender on the Eclipse last year. He is now on the reflection manning the Molecular bar which is still open. The switch should happy in January but he is already trained in all the new drinks and will be training staff as well. He is very excited for the menu. Charule has been awesome. He is making our favorite drinks (kettle one Martinis) at molecular even though they're not on the menu. He remembered not only our names, but where we are from, what we do for a living, our favorite drinks and what kind of eater we like (Pellegrino). He is a true class act and we cannot be more thrilled to have him on this sailing! Luminae: Everything has been great. We've eaten lunch there every day including embarkation day. They are close on port days but we're open today because we are not arriving into port until 3:30. Service has been prompt, consistent and food has been excellent. We've had no issues getting seated right away and our wine is always refilled quickly. We routinely get two different wines with dinner; one for the starters and one for the main course. Our waitress is Tetiana from Ukraine and we get along very well. The sommelier is superb as well. Our Butler: Our butler is Keegan. For starters he is quite cute, which is a nice positive. We haven't utilized him much but he has made reservations for us for Murano and he has recognized us during the first formal night show and escorted us to the reserved suite seating. He even poured us champagne as we brought a bottle with us from dinner. Cruise Director Alexander: People have complained about him on this thread. Well, here are my thoughts. Edward and I went to the "frisky feud" game show. Think of family feud but very dirty. He was hosting one team and his assistant was hosting another. He picked me out of the audience to be on the first team. Ugh! Then he picked Edward for the next team. He was very engaging during this event and despite the fact I didn't want to go on stage I had a great time. The next day he saw us by the pool and said hello. The following no to was formal night. This night he was hosting the LGBT happy hour at 10pm in cellar masters. After the show we were at the molecular bar. He came up to us and chatted with us for a minute and made sure we were attending the happy hour. We met him in cellar masters and he was very engaging, highly talkative and friendly. We were chatting about different ships, different shows on the ships, etc. he has a bit of an attitude but in a fun way, at least in my opinion. He is energetic at all events and is the only cruise director I've run into to actually host an LGBT event. For that I'm grateful and happy. Martini Bar. We've barely visited because it has been packed! And our favorite bartender Charule is at molecular. Despite what some people may say about the noise....whatever, the martini bar and atrium are packed every evening. From a business perspective what they're doing is working! Plain and simple. The molecular bar is still quite and so are other venues. Pool Bar: Pool bar service has been very good. They're quick at making drinks and have been excellent at seeing who comes to the bar first. We've sat at the pool bar the last two mornings to have some screw drivers before lunch. We've watched them work for at least an hour each day....they're well organized and probably the best organized pool bar I've seen in a while. Cheers to them. That's my quick update for now. We will likely book an alcove for tomorrow so I will have our butler inquire regarding alcove discounts for multiple days. I'm taking photos of the dailys and restaurant menus. I might not be able to upload them right away but will when I can so please hang with me. Sea roughness: it's definitely been a bit choppy, the first day was worse than today. It is quite windy which is causing the ship who move some. Personally, it does not bother me at all. It is a slow rock, so nothing abrupt. No one seems to be getting sick from it or concerned about it so I wouldn't worry too much. As of now we we on time for Puerto Rico. If we arrive late I will let you know. Cheers! Sent from my iPad Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicagopaul Posted November 30, 2015 Author #67 Share Posted November 30, 2015 If you don't mind & have time could you try and find out who the current molecular bar person is onboard and if they're still be there in March at the new world class bar when it's installed... Thanks Currently it is Johnny and Charule. Charule will definitely be there in March as he just got back from a long vacation. I'll find out about Johnny. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenniebnyc Posted November 30, 2015 #68 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Luminae: Everything has been great. We've eaten lunch there every day including embarkation day. They are close on port days but we're open today because we are not arriving into port until 3:30. Thank you for your informative write up. From what you have posted above it seems as if Luminae is open for lunch on the day you arrive in Puerto Rico at 3:30? If so, this is great news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR_T Posted November 30, 2015 #69 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Currently it is Johnny and Charule. Charule will definitely be there in March as he just got back from a long vacation. I'll find out about Johnny. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Great, he sounds like a top barman... I look forward to meeting him and trying his drinks [emoji483][emoji39] Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrmatt Posted November 30, 2015 #70 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Enjoying your review and bringing back great memories from our September cruise. Can you confirm if Denny an Indonesian bar waiter is still onboard. He was our favourite bar waiter when we sailed on Reflection in September. If he is t here please pass on our Christmas wishes for Christmas and hope that he gets home to his family for Christmas. From Margaret and Claire from Ireland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinsowm Posted November 30, 2015 #71 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Loving your review. Tell Charule that I look forward to meeting him on the 12th as I definitely want to enjoy the Molecular bar again before it is closed. Cheers, Walter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxerlover2 Posted December 1, 2015 #72 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews. I am happy to hear your positive thoughts about the Molecular Bar and may even see you there next week as this is our nightly choice of a venue on the ship. Looking forward to your feedback about the alcoves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovincruisin1321 Posted December 1, 2015 #73 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Thank you! Enjoying every minute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
languageartslady Posted December 1, 2015 #74 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Thanks so much for bringing us along! I love your videos and your summaries of your day... Keep it up! Here's a random question... Can you check out the casino slot machines? There's two in particular I'm looking for: Hex Cat and Texas Tea. I know that's very random and nit-picky, but if you're hanging out in the casino, I'd appreciate knowing if they're there! (They're my favorites, as they are really the only ones I've ever actually won on...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JERSEYGIRL1983 Posted December 1, 2015 #75 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Thank you so much for the update! I know internet is limited. If possible, please update us with yesterday and todays dailies if you still have them. Also, can you tell us if art studio still open and offering classes? Thank you again!!! 12 days and counting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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