Feb 5-19 East-West Caribbean on the Reflection

[cruisestitch]

I think the cruise directors are trying to keep as low profile as possible and are staying away from passengers. If they should fall ill, they are so difficult to replace. Since the restart, they just aren’t gladhanding as much as they used to.

[lola2013]

2 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

I think the cruise directors are trying to keep as low profile as possible and are staying away from passengers. If they should fall ill, they are so difficult to replace. Since the restart, they just aren’t gladhanding as much as they used to.

I get that...we were told the same thing about Captain Kate this past September.  I'm glad that Luigi made the effort to mix and mingle.

[jelayne]

I’ve seen Steve out and about on the gangway for port stops, walking around the ship and in the OV.  We were talking with Steve & Patrick the other evening.

[WestLakeGirl]

13 minutes ago, lola2013 said:

I get that...we were told the same thing about Captain Kate this past September.  I'm glad that Luigi made the effort to mix and mingle.

I think it’s unfair to compare a cruise Director actions from September to today. September was pre-omicron, before passengers had to mask, the whole situation was different

[graphicguy]

56 minutes ago, WestLakeGirl said:

I think it’s unfair to compare a cruise Director actions from September to today. September was pre-omicron, before passengers had to mask, the whole situation was different

Or, some cruise directors are really good. And, some are not.

 

Capt Kate made it a point to be very visible upon the cruise lines' start up.  She made certain Cruise Director Lauren was with her, too.

 

Lots more "unknowns" upon restart.  Lauren was wonderful, BTW...very pleasant, helpful, approachable and always around.

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, WestLakeGirl said:

I think it’s unfair to compare a cruise Director actions from September to today. September was pre-omicron, before passengers had to mask, the whole situation was different

That seems fair. We’ll see how things go on the next cruise when mask wearing once again becomes optional indoors except for in the Casino and Theater. Hopefully they’ll have the late night Liars Club in the theater on the next leg where the CD, Activities Manager and another special guest sit comfortably on stage and try to convince you they’re giving a truthful explanation about a weird word or phrase which its always a big hit and a lot of fun!

 

If not, we still plan on having a great time, especially since we’ll be able to breath more freely without having to wear a mask as we walk from point to point around the ship! Yay!! 😁

[Luvcrusn]

This just went onto the X website today.

While On Board

Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino.  Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated guests, under 12 years old, at all times indoors except while eating or drinking.

 

[jelayne]

It was on the Celebrity website yesterday as well as the main Celebrity board.  Passengers knew about it before the ship staff.

[Ken the cruiser]

12 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Well, that was a moment in time we don’t want to experience again any time soon. We got to Celebrity Central 15 minutes early and it was already standing room only. Then we stood against the wall in the entrance hall so we could at least see the stage. 
 

Then after another 30 people squeezed passed us, my DW said she didn’t feel safe and suggested we go sit outside to see if they decide to move it to the main theater. During the next 10 minutes while we sat outside looking for the CD or another officer to ask if they could move the show to the main theater, another 30-40 people with drinks in hand walked passed us and entered the theater until no one could fit into the entrance hallway and they started coming back out telling another 20-30 folks heading in with drinks in hand there was no more room.
 

BTW the CD Steve was no where to be found until he came in from some mysterious side door, introduced Bassile and then disappeared. I guess by way of the same way he mysteriously appeared. 
 

We walked over to the main theater to see if there was some other function going on, but there wasn’t. The crew were the only ones in there cleaning up after the 9 pm show. Fun times! Not!!

 

OK, starting to feel more positive about our CD. My DW just got a call from Steve, as she had formally submitted her concerns once we got back to the cabin last night. He was very nice and profusely apologized for what happened. He mentioned that for the past few months when they offered a late night “off color” comedy show in Celebrity Central, it would only fill up to 50-60% capacity. They never even considered Bassile would create such a demand!
 

She asked if they could schedule an encore performance before the end of the cruise and Steve said he would call Bassell and see if he would agree to it. Hopefully he does. But if not, Steve at least gave my DW a call and that meant a lot! 😁

[Ken the cruiser]

32 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

This just went onto the X website today.

While On Board

Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino.  Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated guests, under 12 years old, at all times indoors except while eating or drinking.

 

It will be interesting to see what the term “Theater” encompasses? Does it mean just the main theater or does it also include an enclosed theater-like setting such as Celebrity Central? I guess time will tell. 

[graphicguy]

12 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

It will be interesting to see what the term “Theater” encompasses? Does it mean just the main theater or does it also include an enclosed theater-like setting such as Celebrity Central? I guess time will tell. 

Kind of wondering about that, too.  Some areas of ambiguity.  If you have a drink in the theater, or more likely, the casino, do you still mask up?

 

Got the feeling those distinctions are going to be cause to go back to all vaccinated guests are allowed to be "maskless".  Time will tell, though.

[peanut head]

14 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Well, that was a moment in time we don’t want to experience again any time soon. We got to Celebrity Central 15 minutes early and it was already standing room only. Then we stood against the wall in the entrance hall so we could at least see the stage. 
 

Then after another 30 people squeezed passed us, my DW said she didn’t feel safe and suggested we go sit outside to see if they decide to move it to the main theater. During the next 10 minutes while we sat outside looking for the CD or another officer to ask if they could move the show to the main theater, another 30-40 people with drinks in hand walked passed us and entered the theater until no one could fit into the entrance hallway and they started coming back out telling another 20-30 folks heading in with drinks in hand there was no more room.
 

BTW the CD Steve was no where to be found until he came in from some mysterious side door, introduced Bassile and then disappeared. I guess by way of the same way he mysteriously appeared. 
 

We walked over to the main theater to see if there was some other function going on, but there wasn’t. The crew were the only ones in there cleaning up after the 9 pm show. Fun times! Not!!

 

From what you described, not only was it unsafe protocols but it seems like it was a fire hazard, too.

[Ken the cruiser]

In the never ending discussion of “Can you use the Extra Tip Form (below) to specifically designate the Luminae servers to receive some extra gratuities rather than it all going into The Pool to be shared by all of the onboard servers based on an algorithm”, the answer seems to be “it depends on which ship you are on.” However, I could be wrong, but I do not believe you can designate an individual server on the form unless it’s your steward or retreat host in the appropriate box. 

When we were on the Edge in August, the answer was yes. However, when we were on the Apex in November and the Constellation in December, the answer was no. So when we visited Guest Services on the Reflection the other day and asked the question, the answer was yes. It was later confirmed today when we turned in the form to GS, with the Luminae servers designated to receive some extra gratuities.

 

So I guess it does depend on the ship. 😎

 

Edited February 10, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

The Captain just announced over the loud speaker one person just tested positive for COVID and has minor symptoms. They are also currently going through the tracing process to identify any potential passengers or crew they may need to also get tested.

Edited February 10, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

It looks like George Town has been officially removed from the Feb 12 sailing.

 

Edited February 10, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[terrydtx]

37 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

In the never ending discussion of “Can you use the Extra Tip Form (below) to specifically designate the Luminae servers to receive some extra gratuities rather than it all going into The Pool to be shared by all of the onboard servers based on an algorithm”, the answer seems to be “it depends on which ship you are on.” However, I could be wrong, but I do not believe you can designate an individual server on the form unless it’s your steward or retreat host in the appropriate box. 

When we were on the Edge in August, the answer was yes. However, when we were on the Apex in November and the Constellation in December, the answer was no. So when we visited Guest Services on the Reflection the other day and asked the question, the answer was yes. It was later confirmed today when we turned in the form to GS, with the Luminae servers designated to receive some extra gratuities.

 

So I guess it does depend on the ship. 😎

 

That is good information, it means I do not have to carry as much cash onboard, as I am guessing the extra tip amount gets charged to your onboard account and then to a credit card.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Here's what just came through for our 2/26 Reflection sailing:

 

 

Tom

[Ken the cruiser]

49 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

That is good information, it means I do not have to carry as much cash onboard, as I am guessing the extra tip amount gets charged to your onboard account and then to a credit card.

Correct. It will first use any remaining OBC in your onboard account, then charge anything over to your credit card.

[Ken the cruiser]

27 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Here's what just came through for our 2/26 Reflection sailing:

 

 

Tom

Wow! Not sure we could handle 2 days in the Bahamas as we really aren’t beach people.

[5:00_Somewhere]

6 hours ago, lola2013 said:

CD Steve was not my favorite a few weeks ago.  I got the impression he made sure to be seen when he needed to be seen and spent the rest of his time hiding!

We had Sue Dening on Reflection five years ago...and Luigi DelMar on Edge in September.  They were outstanding...seen everywhere and very involved in activities.  

 

I know I'm a little late, but I just have to add my adoration of Sue Denning. We've sailed with her on the Silhouette and the Summit, and she is absolutely fabulous! And, much to our surprise, when we were on the Summit with her last August she actually remembered us from a prior sailing. I was dubious and thought she was just being nice, but she commented on a couple of very specific instances that convinced me. Just astounding that she would remember one couple two years later amongst the thousands and thousands of passengers she sees every year. 🤩

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

48 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Wow! Not sure we could handle 2 days in the Bahamas as we really aren’t beach people.

 

We aren't either. I already was not planning on getting off in Bimini (from what I've read about the little place), and Nassau... well - been there 50 times already, so...

 

Out of all 4 ports we're now going to - I suspect the only place we'll get off the ship will be in Cozumel, and that's only to enjoy a Margarita (just one!) at Pancho's Backyard, then back onto the ship.

 

Tom

[CruisnDeb]

43 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

We aren't either. I already was not planning on getting off in Bimini (from what I've read about the little place), and Nassau... well - been there 50 times already, so...

 

Out of all 4 ports we're now going to - I suspect the only place we'll get off the ship will be in Cozumel, and that's only to enjoy a Margarita (just one!) at Pancho's Backyard, then back onto the ship.

 

Tom

 

We always go to Pancho's whenever we stop in Cozumel 🙂.  My oldest son (pictured here) insists upon it lol.

 

[jalves]

3 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

We aren't either. I already was not planning on getting off in Bimini (from what I've read about the little place), and Nassau... well - been there 50 times already, so...

 

Out of all 4 ports we're now going to - I suspect the only place we'll get off the ship will be in Cozumel, and that's only to enjoy a Margarita (just one!) at Pancho's Backyard, then back onto the ship.

 

Tom

That's exactly what we did on the 1/29 sailing.  Although I will admit that we also did some jewelry shopping.   

[Ken the cruiser]

Feb 11 Daily Planner

 

 

 

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

7 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

OK, starting to feel more positive about our CD. My DW just got a call from Steve, as she had formally submitted her concerns once we got back to the cabin last night. He was very nice and profusely apologized for what happened. He mentioned that for the past few months when they offered a late night “off color” comedy show in Celebrity Central, it would only fill up to 50-60% capacity. They never even considered Bassile would create such a demand!
 

She asked if they could schedule an encore performance before the end of the cruise and Steve said he would call Bassell and see if he would agree to it. Hopefully he does. But if not, Steve at least gave my DW a call and that meant a lot! 😁

Just a final update as my DW just checked the App. Steve did what he said and there is now an encore late night performance set for 10:15 pm Friday evening. 😁
 

Also, we went by Guest Services and asked if they have an estimate yet for the number of passengers booked on the next cruise. They said no, but maybe tomorrow.

Edited February 10, 2022 by Ken the cruiser