Live review - Reflection 10-31-22 TA

[Jazzbo]

We had dinner at Blu. Larry enjoyed his Creamy Zucchini Coconut Soup and I loved the Mixed Greens Salad with Meyer Lemon Dressing and grilled Vidalia onion. We both ordered the 4 ounce filet from the children’s menu (thank you @Jim_Iain). Both were cooked exactly as ordered (medium rare for me, rare for Larry). We enjoyed the wine suggested by the Sommelier (a Chilean Cabernet). We both had dessert from the classics choices: Apple Pie a la Mode for Larry and Crème Brûlée for me. We finished up the evening at Word Class Bar enjoying the drinks and the company.

[odysee]

@Jazbo

your comments are spot on.  We concur with your observations.  We are enjoying the relaxing cruise, but it is by far not like it used to be 🫣

[BigAl94]

18 hours ago, Jazzbo said:

Last night we had reservations for The Porch. The chilled lobster tail was really good, but the rest of the seafood (shrimp, mussels, scallops, seafood salad) was dry and tasteless. The chef asked me why I wasn’t eating, and I told him. He was very apologetic and explained that all of their seafood was frozen and from the U.S.; they are not allowed to buy it in ports. He removed the extra charge for the seafood. 

Frozen fish is also considerably cheaper. If it is good quality fish properly frozen then properly cooked it will be fine. Using the excuse that it is frozen to explain that it is dry and tasteless is just wrong.

[Jazzbo]

8 minutes ago, BigAl94 said:

Frozen fish is also considerably cheaper. If it is good quality fish properly frozen then properly cooked it will be fine. Using the excuse that it is frozen to explain that it is dry and tasteless is just wrong.

You’re right, of course. If thawed and cooked properly, frozen fish and seafood should be good.

[Jazzbo]

It is a beautiful day in Ponta Delgada. I saw dolphins from our balcony this morning. Apparently, the ship was rocking and rolling last night and creaking sounds kept waking quite a few people. I slept like a baby.

 

Church bells are ringing. Beautiful.

[LouChamp]

We love Celebrity and have been sailing with them since their inception.  We found that besides Cunard they are perfect for Med cruising. Anyway enjoying your posts and especially the food pictures lol. Thank you and smooth sailing!

[crusinthrough]

On 10/31/2022 at 9:14 AM, OysterD said:

That's true, and probably wouldn't have cost too much to add some more potted plants and more comfortable furniture up there BUT would that make it a 'Retreat deck'? You'd end up with several versions of Retreat Decks, from those on the Edge class to what they've done on the handful of revolutionised ships and then down to simply a gate with slightly different furniture. Would that be much of a selling point? Would people in suite class expecting a separate bar, hot tub etc be sorely disappointed to find it was basically just the same as it was before but with a gate? 

The issue is when booking.  On every ship suites are categorized as "The Retreat".  You have to do digging and research to know the non revolutionized ships do not have a Retreat.  

 

On 10/31/2022 at 4:51 PM, canderson said:

Interesting..  bartender says only ~1400 booked.  When we left, only 25% of cabins still available for booking.  Did X limit capacity or was bartender wrong.  Will investigate!

If the Captain or an Officer on the ship did not provide the information, it's probably not true.   

[crusinthrough]

Was Starlink installed?  I know it was not scheduled but hoping the schedule was wrong. 

[odysee]

We were told by guest relations that there are 1600 pax, ie 50 pct capacity.  But next cruise in USA will be full.

@canderson : many cabins have single occupancy.

Edited November 6, 2022 by odysee

[terrydtx]

1 hour ago, crusinthrough said:

The issue is when booking.  On every ship suites are categorized as "The Retreat".  You have to do digging and research to know the non revolutionized ships do not have a Retreat

There is more to the "Retreat" than a sun deck. All ships have Luminae for suites only and non-revolutionized ships have Michaels, which is the private suites only Retreat lounge, just not named as such. I actually like the decor of Michaels over the revolutionized Retreat lounge.

 

We have cruised on both Revolutionized and non-Revolutionized S class ships in a suite and find the Retreat Sun deck to be way overrated and very underutilized by suites guests. If you are not into sun worshiping and possible skin cancer, the sun deck is a waste for most of us in suites. The newer E Class ships have a totally different Retreat experience from Luminae to the Retreat deck. The Beyond and Ascent have the best Retreat facilities, IMO.

[NedScharpf]

My wife and I are sailing on The Reflection on December 4 from Ft. Lauderdale.  We are excited but perturbed to read about the food.  The fact that they are not allowed to buy fresh seafood from each port is a tragedy.

[gold1953]

7 minutes ago, NedScharpf said:

My wife and I are sailing on The Reflection on December 4 from Ft. Lauderdale.  We are excited but perturbed to read about the food.  The fact that they are not allowed to buy fresh seafood from each port is a tragedy.

We are sailing on the 4th as well. Being from Nova Scotia we seldom enjoy the onboard seafood. Hard to compete with what we get at home

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

37 minutes ago, odysee said:

We were told by guest relations that there are 1600 pax, ie 50 pct capacity.  But next cruise in USA will be full.

@canderson : many cabins have single occupancy.

 

Well, that sailing (the one before ours on 11/20) is a BLISS CRUISE  - complete with " Multiple play areas to meet your level of comfort and interest ". That might help to explain the full ship.

Tom

[terrydtx]

24 minutes ago, gold1953 said:

We are sailing on the 4th as well. Being from Nova Scotia we seldom enjoy the onboard seafood. Hard to compete with what we get at home

I agree, I stay away from Lobster and scallops on cruise ships as they are never as good as we can get here in the US. Frozen warm water lobster tails are not lobster, if you normally eat cold water live lobsters. The best Lobster and scallops I ever ate were in New England and I hope to get to Nova Scotia someday.

Edited November 6, 2022 by terrydtx

[NedScharpf]

1 hour ago, gold1953 said:

We are sailing on the 4th as well. Being from Nova Scotia we seldom enjoy the onboard seafood. Hard to compete with what we get at home

 

1 hour ago, gold1953 said:

We are sailing on the 4th as well. Being from Nova Scotia we seldom enjoy the onboard seafood. Hard to compete with what we get at home

We often find that with restaurants in “resorts” in general as we are from Washington, DC.  I was bummed to read that it has gone significantly downhill though.  Ugh.  Oh well, it will be a fun week I am sure.

[gold1953]

2 hours ago, terrydtx said:

I agree, I stay away from Lobster and scallops on cruise ships as they are never as good as we can get here in the US. Frozen warm water lobster tails are not lobster, if you normally eat cold water live lobsters. The best Lobster and scallops I ever ate were in New England and I hope to get to Nova Scotia someday.

So many are fooled by those fake lobster tails! I order lamb on 'lobster night' Our lobster and scallops should be the same as New England as same water. The first time a waiter on a ship asked me if I wanted my fish rare , medium or well done I was stunned! Fish is done at an exact moment.. not before or after.  My DH grew up a poor kid who had to take  cold water real lobster in his lunch can,  He laughs about it now.

[OysterD]

4 hours ago, NedScharpf said:

My wife and I are sailing on The Reflection on December 4 from Ft. Lauderdale.  We are excited but perturbed to read about the food.  The fact that they are not allowed to buy fresh seafood from each port is a tragedy.

I wouldn't worry about the food. It was excellent on Reflection a few weeks ago. 

 

Also, it's not a tragedy they can't buy fresh seafood in every port...its simply impractical. Firstly, remember this particular live from is on a TA, not too many stops to pick up fresh fish (or anything) in the middle of the Atlantic. Secondly, it's not logistically possible to pick up fresh fish/food in every port, especially in the quantities needed for a cruise ship. 

[kwokpot]

4 minutes ago, OysterD said:

Secondly, it's not logistically possible to pick up fresh fish/food in every port, especially in the quantities needed for a cruise ship. 

Exactly.It's a cruiseship with thousands of passengers, not a gastronomy restaurant with 25 tables and 50 covers a night. 

[Jazzbo]

What a beautiful place! We did the morning Crater Lakes excursion yesterday. There were at least three buses, and all seemed to be 100% full, so we wore our masks in the bus. The views on the way up and back were stunning, and the view of the two lakes was extraordinary! This excursion was as advertised: approximately 400 meters walking on flat surface and 2-3 steps. The steps had to the ones on the bus.

[Jazzbo]

We went back to the ship for lunch, and then I headed back out to explore Ponta Delgada on my own. It was Sunday, so most places were closed, but there were cafes and bars open. There is a swimming area at the port with steps down to the water. There were quite a few people swimming laps and others enjoying the sun. It was a beautiful day, but the high was only 66-67 degrees, and you know that water must have been cold! The town itself is charming. I had hoped to find an open bakery or coffee shop because I wanted to try the famous pasteis de nata. No such luck, but I enjoyed the walk.

Edited November 7, 2022 by Jazzbo
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[MMsteffey]

Hi, thank you for doing this, we will be aboard in a few weeks.  I was wondering if you would be willing to write about some of the other features of the ship besides the food.  Activities? Common areas? The gym? Entertainment?  Thank you, I hope you continue to enjoy every day of your trip. 
 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I guess the food market was closed since it was Sunday 

I was wondering if they finished construction, in April it was in the underground parking garage 

We on the April Reflection TA, and hoping the renovation will be done by than 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

2 minutes ago, MMsteffey said:

Hi, thank you for doing this, we will be aboard in a few weeks.  I was wondering if you would be willing to write about some of the other features of the ship besides the food.  Activities? Common areas? The gym? Entertainment?  Thank you, I hope you continue to enjoy every day of your trip. 
 

They have a gym on the ship ? 😱😁

 

[Jazzbo]

26 minutes ago, MMsteffey said:

Hi, thank you for doing this, we will be aboard in a few weeks.  I was wondering if you would be willing to write about some of the other features of the ship besides the food.  Activities? Common areas? The gym? Entertainment?  Thank you, I hope you continue to enjoy every day of your trip. 
 

Here are a few of the Dailys. As you can see, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. Your stateroom attendant will leave one in your stateroom every evening. It includes hours of operation. They include flyers every day advertising various things.

There is a gym, which I had planned to use, but the sneakers I packed were for 2 left feet! 😂 There is also a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a casino, and so much more. I suggest you look at Reflection deck plans to see the various venues.

Enjoy your cruise!

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Progressive trivia in the Sky Lounge ,oooooooo

 Can’t do that on EClass ships  

do people in Suite get pissed off if minions are in the Sky Lounge 🤔😁