Reflection March 11th 2019 - Live! 🍸😎

[MR_T]

Hi All, 

 

So just wanted to put a few words down regarding the arrival/check in/boarding process... 

 

First of all as mentioned previously we arrived at the terminal at 9.30am which when we planned our drive down from Orlando that is what we were hoping for so I guess it all went according to plan, we didn’t end up stopping for breakfast but food isn’t something we’re going to be short of over the next 11 day, 

 

Arrival - 

So we arrived at terminal 25 and was greeted by the luggage dude which promptly took our cases away which we’ll hopefully see in a couple of hours or so 🤞🏻 

 

Initial Waiting area - 

So on arrival we walked into the terminal and was told upstairs isn’t ready so we were to wait downstairs for now, I guess as we were early this is pretty normal procedure, there was some sort of seats available for around 100 people I guess, they started first by calling the suite guests and not long after the let people go upstairs, however there was no sort of system and people that arrived first and went and sat down as they were asked to do was most likely at the back of the queue to go up as people that had just come in we’re all standing around the escalator as there was not enough seats, 

 

Check in - 

We were allowed upstairs around 9.55am and was able to do the actual check in straight away, they had various lines open and plenty of people ready to get you checked in quickly, then we were told to sit in the seating area and wait to be called, 

 

Boarding - 

They started to call people around 10.40am and went through the class groups so c/c-aq/c-elite + elite & so on, we are elite so ended up walking onboard around 10.50am, I think we’ve only ever been earlier once in the 12 or so cruises so over all I guess it was ok, so with the welcome glass of sparkling in hand off we went to sort some bits out 🥂👍🏼 

 

We have a pretty set plan of events for boarding which consists of getting onboard & with a glass of sparkling in hand we head to a speciality restaurant to book our dates/times for the package we pre-booked, we just find it’s a good idea to get this done first so we know we can get the dates/times we want, with that all done we headed to the ocean view for a quick lunch while it’s relatively quiet, we find within an hour of first boarding it’s like a zoo so it’s nice to get there early so we can get a nice table outside and not have to fight for the food 😂 

 

 

[MR_T]

After that we laid by the pool for a bit, had a quick walk around the casino to check out which machines we were going to donate to later and then before you new it bing bong.... cabins are ready (around 12.55pm) 👍🏼 

 

On arriving at our cabin we found our luggage was waiting for us already, I think that’s the earliest we’ve ever got them so a nice surprise for sure, it’s always nice to be able to unpack fully before the muster drill. And that’s exactly what we did and are now currently sitting on our balcony enjoying the lovely view of the port area and ocean around us before we head down to the muster drill, 

 

Muster drill - 

Our muster station is E2 which is in the main dining room deck 4 so we are happy with that as it can be a bit of a nightmare in other locations due to too many people being crammed into a far to small location and results in a lot of people having to stand in very close proximity to each other and as a fan of personal space this isn’t ideal! So a seat in the dining room will be very acceptable 😂

Edited March 11, 2019 by MR_T
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[MR_T]

Our dinner package/plans info - 

1 x Murano 

2 x lawn club grill 

2 x Tuscan

 

The reason for the above is we love the lawn club grill and it’s our favourite so that was always going to be 2 visits, the other 2 are both great but we just decided once in Murano was enough on this cruise as we always have the same thing and just felt for us Tuscan offered more choices for our taste, I’ll report as we go the menus/pictures etc, 

 

In case you are wondering why no le Pettit chef? It’s purely we just don’t fancy the menu, it’s a shame they don’t offer the original Qisne menu as we did enjoy that 😋, but as previously mentioned I doubt we’ll go hungry 🐷😂 

 

Our drink package details - 

For this cruise we decided to go without a drink package deal so opted for an inside cabin with no perks, we did end up upgrading to a balcony but with the move up program so no perks still, 

 

I have purchased the premium non-alcoholic package as I’m a bit of a Diet Coke/coffee addict so get plenty of use out of that, 

 

Neither of us are huge drinkers so it just doesn’t make financial sense to buy the full packages, also with the free elite drink benefits that’s good enough for us, I’m sure we will get the odd big martini some nights and maybe the odd frozen cocktail by the pool etc but not too many.. 🍸👍🏼

[MR_T]

Cabin info -

We did the move up program from an inside to a veranda on deck 6 - 6210, cabin location is on the hump, starboard side with an extra large balcony, I never expected them but as well as the 2 chairs on the deck we have 2 lounge beds (pool beds) also on the balcony 👍🏼 

 

The bed is by the bathroom which isn’t our preferred option but we’ll live with it 😂 

 

Looks like there’s a different brand of toiletries in the bathroom we’ll see what they are like a little later.

[MR_T]

Pool beds - 

On first view we noticed that they have changed the pool beds, obviously not sure when this happened but in our opinion it’s a big mistake, the previous beds were great, a nice padded bed which we found very comfortable to spend the day relaxing on, these new beds are no way near as comfortable in our opinion and after 10 mins started to wonder how long we’d be able to lay on... hopefully once we settle into the cruise they’ll be ok!

[MR_T]

Cabin 6210 standard veranda cabin with extra large balcony 

[SleepingUgly]

What a lovely balcony!  Enjoy it, and your cruise!!  Thanks for taking us along with you.

[MR_T]

Paper work in cabin 

[MR_T]

More cabin papers! 

[Gia2cats]

What a great balcony. Thanks for all the info thus far.

 

 

[MR_T]

Please note - my spelling/grammar is terrible.... 😜 this post serves as an apology for all the mistakes... even the auto correct ones that I have no idea how/why they happen 😂 

[REEtired]

No worries. You’re on vacation!!  

[MR_T]

Part of the dessert display was this lovely red velvet cake, (Julie’s favourite cake) I’ve never really enjoyed the actual cakes in the buffet but this one was particularly delicious 😋 I felt a little bit bad about being the first to cut into it but I guess someone had to be the villain so I guess I’m happy to take that title 😂 

[lienf]

We have had the larger hump balcony on our last few cruises but have not had a lounger. What a bonus. If you hear they are on other hump balconies it would be interesting to know. Enjoy the sun and cruise. 

 

Neil

[SleepingUgly]

Oh, your itinerary is super-close to the 12-night cruise we'll be taking on the Reflection as well, but not until December 2020!  Even more reason for me to follow closely along!

[Newbury newbie]

MR_T, over 80 posts and no mention on the Gooners beating Man Utd!!

[mafig]

39 minutes ago, lienf said:

We have had the larger hump balcony on our last few cruises but have not had a lounger. What a bonus. If you hear they are on other hump balconies it would be interesting to know. Enjoy the sun and cruise. 

 

Neil

 

Just jumping in here.  Just came back from Reflection.  Had a C2 balcony, first on the hump …. 1132.  We had two loungers, two chairs, two footstools and a table.  It was actually a little crowded.

[dani negreanu]

Thank you for taking the time to post. Enjoy your cruise.

We'll be on it in less than 3 months time, eager to read a positive report 😀

[ladydi28]

1 hour ago, MR_T said:

Please note - my spelling/grammar is terrible.... 😜 this post serves as an apology for all the mistakes... even the auto correct ones that I have no idea how/why they happen 😂 

I will enjoy following your blog since we will be on Reflection on April 1st. Have a great cruise.

[MR_T]

1 hour ago, Newbury newbie said:

MR_T, over 80 posts and no mention on the Gooners beating Man Utd!!

It’s all about the timing 😜 don’t want to alienate people too early as I want many posts on this thread... 😂

[MR_T]

1 hour ago, SleepingUgly said:

Oh, your itinerary is super-close to the 12-night cruise we'll be taking on the Reflection as well, but not until December 2020!  Even more reason for me to follow closely along!

It’s one we have been really looking forward to as it has 3 new ports for us 👍🏻

[MR_T]

1 hour ago, lienf said:

We have had the larger hump balcony on our last few cruises but have not had a lounger. What a bonus. If you hear they are on other hump balconies it would be interesting to know. Enjoy the sun and cruise. 

 

Neil

Hi Neil, good to see you pop up, hope you are well... when’s you’re next cruise?

 

I’ll try to have a sneak peek when it’s quiet outside 😜 I’ll also ask the cabin dude/dudess when I see them. 

[Beachlover1989]

So excited to follow along on your cruise!  Thanks for taking the time out of your vacation to do this!  We board the Reflection on Sept 6 in Amsterdam and I can hardly wait!!!  Really looking forward to hearing all about her!

[Newbury newbie]

MR_T, I started stalking you back in 2016 when you did your Caribbean B2B the cruise before our own B2B on Reflection! I followed you with great interest then and now find you blogging this cruise that we’ve contemplated for my 60th next February! You’re always one step ahead of us!!

 

Well it’s either Reflection Ultimate Caribbean or Millie East Asia HK/Singapore. Right now Millie is leading it but a good review by you may swing it back to Reflection (as our favourite ship). 

[janette34]

Thanks for the pics of the balcony, that’s my cabin in 3 weeks!