Random thoughts and a semi-review of Reflection 12/24/16

[markeb]

I guess this will qualify as a semi-review, but it's mostly a set of random thoughts following our holiday cruise on Celebrity Reflection.

 

A little about us: We're in our fifties (I still say early!), without children. We've cruised HAL (>10 years ago) a couple of times, and Royal Caribbean ever since. We're Diamond on RCI, so we came into the Captain's Club as Elite.

 

We originally booked a standard verandah, but ultimately upgraded to Aqua, and had cabin 1589, port side mid-ship. I'll discuss the cabin later. Oddly enough, we never actually used Persian Gardens (DW is not a spa person), but truly enjoyed Blu.

 

We boarded Reflection on Christmas Eve. We arrived between 11:30 and 12:00 to an absolute hot mess for check-in. Only Zenith members and suite guests had a dedicated line to enter the terminal, and security was frankly slow and inefficient. I suspect this got better later in the day, but Celebrity invited suite, Aqua, Concierge, and I believe Elite and above to board anytime after 11:30; security was not prepared for this. The remaining check-in process was very efficient.

 

We had two initial impressions on boarding: 1) The ship was beautiful, with a layout similar to the RCI Radiance Class, but still different, and 2) Apparently someone has decided that harassing (perhaps too strong of a word, maybe overselling?) guests with offers to upgrade drink packages AS SOON AS THEY BOARD is a good idea! We knew from Cruise Critic posts that we needed to look at the options before deciding to upgrade, and were more than a little turned off by this immediate "assault", that seriously occurred as soon as we were onboard!

 

We had a big breakfast that morning, so relaxed for awhile near the coffee shop, and were pleasantly surprised when cabins were opened before 1:00. We dropped out bags in our cabin, looked outside, and took off to explore the ship. We had a light lunch in the Oceanview, and generally wandered the ship. Another impression that developed through the week: Reflection has a LOT of bars! This is neither good nor bad, just an observation. By the end of the week, we still hadn't been to all of them! We did drift through Cellar Masters, and a quick look at the wine list convinved us that yes, we wanted to upgrade to the premium package, so we did.

 

We did not have internet as a perk, and found that Celebrity made it far more complicated than Royal to see and apply an Elite discount. We actually had to visit the iCafe to get an unlimited access plan versus the free 90 minutes. Having said that, the internet access worked very well, and was extremely easy to swith devices. The bad new, Celebrity has apparently hired at least a few competent IT folks as, unlike our last Royal cruise, logging onto a new device automatically logged you off the previous device; on Royal I found that I was frequently connected to two devices simply by logging on to another device.

 

We generally were very pleased with the location of our cabin. Our view in port was somewhat obstructed by the lifeboats, so we couldn't see the pier runners, but otherwise the cabin was convenient and quiet. We have mostly sailed in Junior Suites recently on RCI, and clearly the AQ cabin was smaller. The size really wasn't an issue, but there were little design features that were somewhat different that we had to adjust to. For instance, on RCI, there are side shelfs beside the mirror in the bathroom, and beside the desk in the cabin. Those didn't exist in our cabin and were the places we were used to storing things. We worked around it, but were still surprised.

 

Blu. I've read the posts that suggest quality is falling, and I don't have that frame of reference. We loved it and never felt the need to eat at a specialty restaurant, no matter how much they kept discounting them. We found the food and service to be excellent, and had good wait staff and an amazing sommelier. We loved it!

 

After an early day spent trying the martini bar, which was literally cool, but their multi-page menu doesn't include an actual martini (martini=gin and a hint of dry vermouth; I am a martini snob!), we hit on the World Class Bar, which may have a limited menu, but had two great bartenders, and the Zacapa Old Fashioned was amazing (as was the Oban 14).

 

Entertainment is kind of like food and very subjective, but we generally loved the entertainment. We went to I think three production shows that were extremely well done; a comedian, and the "Tenors of Rock" specialty show, which was also amazing. The "house band" was a UK group called Blind Vinyl that was an honest to goodness rock band with two guitars, a bass, a drummer, a keyboard that might or might not be used on any given number, and a great female lead vocalist. Among other things, they dared to perform covers of Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Adele, and did them all very well.

 

No real comments on the ports of call. This cruise had the ubiquitous nearly useless 3:30 stop in San Juan (although the CVS was open), St Kitts, and Sint Maarten. I did succomb to a great Panama hat in San Juan, so it was a little less useless than before. The other two islands were great, although Orient Beach was more than a little rough while were were there.

 

Other random thoughts. We ended up on the premium drink package, which for right or wrong really discouraged us from going to the nightly Elite event. We did attempt to go to the senior officer's event, but it just kind of fizzled (at least for us). We had gotten used to the Diamond lounge on RCI, which doesn't exist on X, but the drink package kind of offset that loss.

 

All-in-all, we had a great cruise! We've decided that Celebrity is more "us" at this point in our life, at least for now, and are booked on Equinox for spring break 2018 (DW is a teacher). We were looking at repeating the holiday cruise, but we could do a sky suite, with all its perks, in March for the price of an Aqua at Christmas. So, next cruise we'll experience Luminae and Michael's Club (and probably never be able to go back)!

[CruisinNewb]

Thanks for a well balanced review. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for the review. Enjoyed reading your observations.

[wildtky101]

Do they offer a discounted price to upgrade to the premium drink package once on board? Sorry if this has been covered already.

 

 

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[markeb]

Do they offer a discounted price to upgrade to the premium drink package once on board? Sorry if this has been covered already.

 

 

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It was $10/day/person plus 18% gratuity. I believe $164 for two for 7 days.

[aloha43]

Other random thoughts. We ended up on the premium drink package, which for right or wrong really discouraged us from going to the nightly Elite event. We did attempt to go to the senior officer's event, but it just kind of fizzled (at least for us). We had gotten used to the Diamond lounge on RCI, which doesn't exist on X, but the drink package kind of offset that loss.

 

 

We are now Elite because of our Royal Diamond Status also.

 

Does this mean we will get the same benefit of 3 drinks per night on our card, as RCI does or will we have to go to the nightly Elite event to get them? Or do you think we should feel the need for a drinks package?

 

Thanks for your review!

[markeb]

We are now Elite because of our Royal Diamond Status also.

 

Does this mean we will get the same benefit of 3 drinks per night on our card, as RCI does or will we have to go to the nightly Elite event to get them? Or do you think we should feel the need for a drinks package?

 

Thanks for your review!

 

We had the classic drink package as a perk, and upgraded to premium largely for the wine selection (and, it turned out, most mixed drinks and scotches were $13). On Reflection, it wasn't 3 drinks on the card; it was the Elite event, which for whatever reason we just didn't find as interesting as the D lounge on RCI. I've read that on some ships they do either hand out coupons or load drinks depending on the number of Elites and higher onboard.

 

It's actually kind of strange, as we really did enjoy the D lounge on Reflection, and not just for free drinks. But we never really made it up there on Reflection. I don't know why...

[riclop]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[jg51]

"[At] the Martini Bar ... their multi-page menu doesn't include an actual martini (martini=gin and a hint of dry vermouth; I am a martini snob!) ..."

 

AMEN! (A drink made with vodka or other non-gin spirit is NOT a martini, even if it is deceptively served in a martini glass!)

 

We also want an olive in our martinis, please.

 

Thanks for the "semi-review."

.

Edited January 3, 2017 by jg51

[Tedferg]

"[At] We also want an olive in our martinis, please.

 

.

 

Stirred or Shaken ? ;)

[jules815]

Thanks for your review. :)

[jg51]

Stirred or Shaken ? ;)

Stirred (lest the gin become diluted or the vermouth become cloudy)!

[easyboy]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Bloomdl]

This is a really helpful review, thank you for writing it! DH and I and a couple of our friends will be on the Reflection next mo. We've never opted for a drink package but got the classic package as a perk when we booked this cruise last year. DH & I enjoy having a nice glass of wine with dinner - would you say the classic package could cover that or did you find the premium package was necessary?

 

 

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[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.

[El Crucero]

DH & I enjoy having a nice glass of wine with dinner - would you say the classic package could cover that or did you find the premium package was necessary?

 

We have always found wines we like with the Classic package. However, we are not wine snobs. We always let the Sommelier make the selections for us.

 

Start with the Classic package. We really like the Proseco. If you can't find something you like (doubtful) then you can always upgrade to the Premium package later.

[helen haywood]

Don't think the wines you see listed by the glass on some bar and MDR menus are all that is available at your price point with a classic beverage package. I couldn't find a Sauvignon Blanc at my price point and just told the sommelier that I wanted a glass of SB. And one was produced.

 

Also keep in mind that you can upgrade, if you choose, at any time up to the last 3 days or so of the cruise. Pro-rated. So sometimes it helps to give it a day or so and see if you really need to upgrade.

[jagoffee]

Markeb,

So glad to hear you really enjoyed your cruise. You better be careful about booking a suite because it might cost you a lot of money in the long term.

Enjoy your next one.

[CRZR58]

We've never opted for a drink package but got the classic package as a perk when we booked this cruise last year. DH & I enjoy having a nice glass of wine with dinner - would you say the classic package could cover that or did you find the premium package was necessary?

 

 

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Depends on what you consider a 'nice' glass of wine. We found that the Prosecco in the classic package was decent and that the Carmenere was the best red.

 

BTW: With the Classic Package, you pay the full price for any drink above the maximum, not just the difference like you do with the premium package.

[Bloomdl]

Thanks, El Crucero & Helen! Sounds like the classic package will be perfect for us, since we're only mildly snobby about wine. ;)

 

 

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[Flafun888]

Don't think the wines you see listed by the glass on some bar and MDR menus are all that is available at your price point with a classic beverage package. I couldn't find a Sauvignon Blanc at my price point and just told the sommelier that I wanted a glass of SB. And one was produced.

 

Interesting. On last year's cruise, I asked if there were any other wines by the glass I could have on classic pkg that weren't listed on menu - bartenders, servers and sommelier all said no.

 

Maybe that varies by ship or is only for those at higher cabin categories? We sail in a reg balcony.

[markeb]

This is a really helpful review, thank you for writing it! DH and I and a couple of our friends will be on the Reflection next mo. We've never opted for a drink package but got the classic package as a perk when we booked this cruise last year. DH & I enjoy having a nice glass of wine with dinner - would you say the classic package could cover that or did you find the premium package was necessary?

 

 

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Looks like you've had other answers to this question.

 

A couple of things for frame of reference, as your mileage may vary dramatically: We've lived in California, have family in Washington State, and now live in Virginia. We're club members at Chateau Ste Michelle and their premium Col Solare brand, one Virginia winery, and a local wine shop that was the only stop in Northern Virginia for Opus One on their fall release tour. We drink wine at all price points, and can usually find good wine at all price points (at least at retail). We're not wine snobs, but we know plenty of them!

 

Second point for information (that I think has been said already), the top value on the Classic Package is $9.00. The top value on Premium is $13. If you're on classic and want a $10 glass of wine, you pay $10 (actually $11.80). If you're on premium and want a $14 glass of wine, you pay $1.18. There were many wines in the $10-13 range, and there were many mixed drinks (pretty much everything at the Martini Bar and World Class Bar) for $13. So, one drink per person a day at $10 and up would pay for the premium drink package.

 

So you really need to look at the menus and look at your own habits before deciding to upgrade. It was pretty simple for us, but it may or may not be for you.

[Bloomdl]

Looks like you've had other answers to this question.

 

 

 

A couple of things for frame of reference, as your mileage may vary dramatically: We've lived in California, have family in Washington State, and now live in Virginia. We're club members at Chateau Ste Michelle and their premium Col Solare brand, one Virginia winery, and a local wine shop that was the only stop in Northern Virginia for Opus One on their fall release tour. We drink wine at all price points, and can usually find good wine at all price points (at least at retail). We're not wine snobs, but we know plenty of them!

 

 

 

Second point for information (that I think has been said already), the top value on the Classic Package is $9.00. The top value on Premium is $13. If you're on classic and want a $10 glass of wine, you pay $10 (actually $11.80). If you're on premium and want a $14 glass of wine, you pay $1.18. There were many wines in the $10-13 range, and there were many mixed drinks (pretty much everything at the Martini Bar and World Class Bar) for $13. So, one drink per person a day at $10 and up would pay for the premium drink package.

 

 

 

So you really need to look at the menus and look at your own habits before deciding to upgrade. It was pretty simple for us, but it may or may not be for you.

 

 

Ah ha, that is great info, thank you! I didn't realize they wouldn't just charge us the difference in price if we choose a drink that's over the $9 classic pkg limit! Sigh. We sailed Celebrity 4 yrs ago (on the Eclipse); we didn't feel totally nickel & dimed then but it sounds like they're moving towards that upsell everything mentality, sadly.

Anyways, it sounds like we should see how things go on the first day or 2 and make the decision to go premium or not then.

 

I didn't mean to hijack your review, but thank you for letting me jump on! :)

 

 

 

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[beltane]

After an early day spent trying the martini bar, which was literally cool, but their multi-page menu doesn't include an actual martini (martini=gin and a hint of dry vermouth; I am a martini snob!)

 

AMEN! Anything other than gin and vermouth is simply a cocktail.

[BRIFRO]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

 

Bacio II in the oceanview buffet ask for joyce and Kesnia they are the drink masters of the buffet.

Siska in Bacio on deck 5 is the best French Kiss maker anad she remembers your favorite cafe everytime.

Lazar in the world class bar and his fellow croatian make the specialty libations to near perfect everytime.

The premium drink package simply made life easy for every kind of drink possible on the ship. That even covered the water to go on deck 2 when leaving the ship for land.:):) the hendricks with Mary mix makes a spicey cocktail too.