HeinBloed Blog from CELEBRITY REFLECTION June 24 - July 2, 2022 Med Sea

[HeinBloed]

 

The blog is about one of the best cruises I've been on. It begins as usual with the journey to Civitavecchia, Italy.

 

It was nice to experience a lot of normality again and to be recognized, like by Alessandra. So without a mask, that's a big difference.

 

And lots of shipspotting throughout the trip: 18 ships I've seen yet.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-0-auf-dem-wegon-way-to-celebrity.html

[HeinBloed]

 

Oh - why does the ship have to come before the gates open from the port: 05:00 hrs. I stay at Pier 8A for a few more hours to see all the cruise ships come in.

 

One last time uses the direct bus from Civitavecchia train station to the ship. On the way back, Largo Della Pace (Cruise bus terminal) has reopened.

 

It's far too hot to disembark again. We were at CELEBRITY EQUINOX 2010, but somehow we rediscovered everything and felt very comfortable - especially after the VALIANT LADY.

 

We are pleased about the greeting from Mathieu from Celebrity Canada.

So we prefer to drink the cappuccino in the Café Al Bacio on board instead of going back on land and getting to know Maru directly, who remembers our preferences right up to the end of the cruise.

 

We meet up with an artist we know from RYNDAM 2013: King Jamsheed - The World is Small.

 

And we come across the same menu again: it tastes just as good in the Murano as in the Olympic on CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM 2014. It's nice when we're looked after so well on the first evening, thanks to Yandhi.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-1-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

 

Edited July 31, 2022 by HeinBloed

[HeinBloed]

 

I love it when the embarkation day is followed by a day at sea. No stress.

 

We get to know two more nice waiters in the Café al Bacio: Bruno and Miroslav. He is from Russia and is happy about my statement: Putin is a Russian, but not every Russian is a Putin. Therefore, we treat him the same way as any other crew member.

We have a great cabin steward: Raymondo.

 

I have the opportunity to chat with King Jamsheed and hear what he's been up to over the past nine years. In the evening, there was Lindsay Hamilton's show.

 

I have already met Chef Shyam and Captain Nikolas. When he asked me, "Are you okay?", I was so shocked that I walked backward into Bruno's drink. He is a great captain: his crew is considered in each of his announcements, and we passengers are reminded that nothing would run on board without the great staff. It's also nice that things are going "more normally" again and that the senior officers are being introduced again.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/seetagday-at-sea-2-auf-deron-celebrity.html

 

[HeinBloed]

 

Katakolo: well, we've been to Olympia, but it's also close to Kalamata (90 minutes by car).

If Larry, who we know from NORWEGIAN DREAM 2008, is correct, then the best olive oil comes from Kalamata.

 

We want to know for ourselves. Via Giorgos, who we know from the NORWEGIAN JADE 2014 trip, I get a car from Christos, and we are treated like friends by Giorgos: "Your friends are my friends too!" - like everywhere in Greece.

 

Although we were only on an olive farm in Crete in November, we are still learning more and more from Pavlos and Olga from Ben's Olive Mill in Kalamata.

 

Of course, back in Katakolo, we must go to Despina and Giorgia to eat at Jimmy's.

On board, we experience excellent service from Noel and Tainara. Flexible table time works differently here: you remain flexible regarding the time within a service station. So you don't have to explain your preferences and allergies every time. Alexis makes sure we get everything we need. Here there is already a radiance of Gratia at breakfast.

 

Aretha Franklin or Alfreda singing tonight? There is a lovely tribute on stage.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-3-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

[HeinBloed]

 

Back in Corfu: the last time nine years ago at RYNDAM 2013.

 

In the morning, we get to know Riva and Oscar from Peru at breakfast. You have no more places on your desired excursion. Without further ado, we offer you to join us on our tour of the old town of Corfu Town.

 

Our tour guide, Anna, picks us up at the cruise terminal, and we experience a grand tour of Corfu town. We enjoy color, aroma, and scent therapy and are welcomed back on board by Cruise Director Manuel.

 

In the evening, we are at the chef's table, where we are cooked by head chef Shyam according to recipes by Daniel Boulud and spoiled by Marko and Osman.

 

We still make it to the production show "Euphoria" and later meet Kelsey, who we know from AZAMARA PURSUIT 2019.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-4-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

[HeinBloed]

 

Back in Dubrovnik: for the third time after NORWEGIAN JADE 2011 and NORWEGIAN JADE 2014. It's too hot to go through with our plans as planned: 40°C (104°F).

 

So it stays with the delicious Bosnian food in the Taj Mahal and a short visit to the island of Lokrum. We cancel everything else in the planning.

 

Back we let Alin spoil us in the Café al Bacio.

 

After dinner, I have to take the opportunity to photograph the ship brightly lit in the dark. I'm lucky with the taxi driver Toni, who quickly leads me through a restaurant, and in the back, I can photograph our ship perfectly.

 

Farewell to the COSTA LUMINOSA, which is going to Australia as the CARNIVAL LUMINOSA.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-5-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

[HeinBloed]

 

Finally, a new port: Kotor in Montenegro. I only know Montenegro from Casino Royal (James Bond 007). But many are enthusiastic about the entrance to the southernmost fjord in Europe. But technically, it's not a fjord, as it doesn't date from the Ice Age; instead, the sea has eaten its way into a river bed.

 

Through Nils, I got in touch with Mladen, who organized a tour for us with guide Miroslav and driver Damian.

 

Someone from the crew should have come with us, but due to Covid-19 measures, the staff was only allowed to leave the ship independently later in the day. We had received a larger vehicle for this purpose.

 

The small country has a great variety of landscapes to offer. Our lunchtime tour takes us to an inn that makes its ham and cheese. On the way, there are many pictures of the ships according to my taste.

 

On board, we thank Vlado for the attention from the previous evening. Olena reads my every wish, and Marina ensures we never have to wait.

 

In the evening we go to Tuncay in Qsine: Here there is Le Petit Chef. We eat deliciously, but I don't know whether to love or hate it. The show is funny, but I would have liked more show parts.

 

A pleasant surprise: a ship model signed by Captain Nikolas.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-6-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

[HeinBloed]

 

Finally, another stress-free day: a day at sea! We get to know Concierge Rizzi, who works as Group Event Manager. We were able to register for the Connection Party on the Celebrity homepage, but unfortunately, no one knew about it. But Rizzi is trying to get something going. Only everyone enjoys the cruise so that no one looks at the forum.

 

We can visit the bridge. I guess word got around that we treat the crew very nicely, so we're treated very nicely too.

 

Our waiter Bruno must have gotten under the ship's propeller: he looks different.

 

Sous Chef Grant walks around the main restaurant in the evenings and is interested in what customers think. He even puts my cream of chicken soup back for the next day, and it's so delicious - just like the skewer.

 

Alfreda inspires today with a tribute to Tina Turner. Everyone in the theater stands and dances along.

"Cruise is calling, and I am ready 24/7" with my cruiser hoodie; of course, I have to take a selfie with Captain Nikolas.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/seetagday-at-sea-7-auf-deron-celebrity.html

 

[HeinBloed]

 

For the third time in Messina on Sicily after NORWEGIAN JADE 2011 and MSC MERAVIGLIA 2017: We already know Taormina and Etna.

 

This time it's over to Calabria: the last possibility in passenger transport to be trajected by train on a ferry.

 

We continue to Scilla. It's so hot and humid that we don't feel like walking up there.

 

We only have a problem getting back on the HeliPad in time as Trenitalia canceled our train without informing me. Here we experience the exit from Messina.

 

In the restaurant, we are spoiled by Budi, I Made, and Okta. On the way to the elevator, we meet cabin steward Benedict, who greets every guest (regardless of whether it is his own or not) and asks how the day is going.

 

Why isn't it finally raining?

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-8-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

[HeinBloed]

 

Bella Napoli: MSC MUSICA 2007, NORWEGIAN GEM 2009, NORWEGIAN JADE 2011, NORWEGIAN JADE 2014, ALLURE OF THE SEAS 2015, MSC MERAVIGLIA 2017: We have been here five times. We've been to the Amalfi Coast and Capri. We want to go to Ischia, but it's too hot.

 

But we pull ourselves together: coffee at Gambrinus and a pizza are necessary. Da Michele is now available twice in Germany. So I ask my shipping company colleagues in Naples, and they recommend Sobrillo. Finally, a delicious fried pizza!

 

One of the best shows on the seven seas: Brendan and James. Cello and tenor.

And finally, a parade of the crew, which Alfreda heats up.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/07/tagday-9-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

[HeinBloed]

 

The last day on board: Livorno. We should have been in La Spezia, but Celebrity announced that long before the trip. We've been here twice: NORWEGIAN GEM 2009 and OCEAN PRINCESS 2010. We would have loved to go to the Cinque Terre again, but I don't feel like walking between the villages in this heat.

 

We take it easy and stay on board until lunch: Italian cuisine is also here. I can't say no to the porchetta.

 

We drive into town for a little bit at a patisserie for the breakfast team, our cabin stewards (one who keeps everything in order and two who always treat us with the same friendliness on the way to the elevator), and the security team who are in the most amazing places to take care of the ship.

 

In the evening, we go to the 2nd production show and experience not only Kelly but also other great artists like Izzy, Rhianna, Christian, and Michael. The show is fantastic. "Somewhere Only We Know" and "The Sound of Silence" leave a lasting impression. We still manage to get a USB stick with the music of Branden and James. Incidentally, we experience Stephen Berry again, whose first appearance we probably missed.

 

Now it's time to say goodbye to Jennet, Bruno, Marina, Kadek, and Faruk, who always took great care of us at dinner in the Opus main restaurant.

 

In the end, we also got to know our neighbors through us - I only lost the piece of paper with their names. A fantastic journey comes to an end. Unfortunately.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/07/tagday-10-auf-deron-celebrity.html

[HeinBloed]

 

A terrible day: not because it was too hot and our flight was about 2.5 hours late, but because we had to say goodbye.

 

A final breakfast with Ramazan and his team: Marina, Elena, and all the others who proved that I should forget my bad experiences from CENTURY 2008 and CELEBRITY EQUINOX 2010 and look forward to our cruise on CELEBRITY INFINITY 2024. Thanks to a great group offer from Dorothy from cruisebrothers.com, I can afford Celebrity again.

 

Before we went to the airport, we met Chad and Ashley again, with whom we sat at the chef's table. You will enjoy Italy for a few more days, and we will return to the desk.

 

At the airport, I meet Raoul from kreuzfahrten-treff.de and Sonnendeck Seereisen. He arrived in Civitavecchia before us this morning on the ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS.

 

If Captain Nikolas and his crew had been on the CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM 2014, I would be Elite Plus with Celebrity today. So everything is reset: next cruise in 2 years instead of 16 years with Celebrity. "All right", Captain Nikolas!

 

The CELEBRITY REFLECTION blog ends here:

 

Then in October, QUEEN VICTORIA is on the hunt for the Northern Lights.

 

And next time with Celebrity on CELEBRITY INFINITY 2024 to Israel and Egypt.

 

I hope that the virtual journey was fun.

 

https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/07/tagday-11-auf-deron-celebrity.html