Last Week Celebrity Reflection; This week Celebrity Beyond

[JerseyGirlatHeart]

Was on the Reflection for New Year’s Eve Cruise and ship (sailing near capacity), never felt crowded in any venues.  This week on the Beyond (first time E class after many Celebrity Cruises) and this ship, though beautiful, has quickly become “NOT” a favorite.  Every venue feels cramped … lots of “out of the way nooks”,  but they are not practical; space usage is terrible.  Many design flaws with this class ship IMO including the Infinity Balcony, pool space, and gym.  Will not be cruising on an “E” Class ship any time soon.   Back to “S” Class or “M” Class for us.

[cbfb]

3 hours ago, JerseyGirlatHeart said:

Was on the Reflection for New Year’s Eve Cruise and ship (sailing near capacity), never felt crowded in any venues.  This week on the Beyond (first time E class after many Celebrity Cruises) and this ship, though beautiful, has quickly become “NOT” a favorite.  Every venue feels cramped … lots of “out of the way nooks”,  but they are not practical; space usage is terrible.  Many design flaws with this class ship IMO including the Infinity Balcony, pool space, and gym.  Will not be cruising on an “E” Class ship any time soon.   Back to “S” Class or “M” Class for us.

How was the condition of the Reflection? We were on the Beyond January 2nd and agree with you. I was especially surprised by the size of the fitness center. The Reflection was a favorite of ours and we are thinking about booking a B2B this fall. 

[JerseyGirlatHeart]

4 hours ago, cbfb said:

How was the condition of the Reflection? We were on the Beyond January 2nd and agree with you. I was especially surprised by the size of the fitness center. The Reflection was a favorite of ours and we are thinking about booking a B2B this fall. 

The Reflection is in great shape.  We would not hesitate to book again.  IMO the layout of the Reflection is much more functional.  People are packed in the gym on the Beyond; we have found that if we go to the gym at 3pm it is the least crowded, but still are falling (literally) over people stretched out in walkways doing their exercise routines.  The Beyond fitness staff, though very nice, doesnt allow the use of the exercise studios if you don’t pay for a class.  The Reflection had no problem opening up the studios for mat use.

[sunshinegirl89]

Thanks for posting this.  We recently disembarked the Apex (Dec 23rd) and booked a cruise for next January on the Reflection.  Happy to hear she is in great shape!

[NMTraveller]

On 1/13/2024 at 7:36 PM, JerseyGirlatHeart said:

  Every venue feels cramped … lots of “out of the way nooks”,  but they are not practical; space usage is terrible.  Many design flaws with this class ship IMO including the Infinity Balcony, pool space, and gym.  Will not be cruising on an “E” Class ship any time soon.   Back to “S” Class or “M” Class for us.

Same here.  S class was less cramped.  M even better...

[billc23]

On 1/14/2024 at 2:33 AM, cbfb said:

How was the condition of the Reflection? We were on the Beyond January 2nd and agree with you. I was especially surprised by the size of the fitness center. The Reflection was a favorite of ours and we are thinking about booking a B2B this fall. 

I sailed the Reflection for 4 weeks in 2023. Great ship! In fine condition to me but there is a slight vibration after the October 2022 dry dock. I think that those of us who have grown to love Celebrity over the years of sailing on the M and S class ships are not enamored with the E class. 

[Germancruiser]

I agree bilc23- esp. the M- Class are my favorite- still. S- Class is nice too- but I am as you wrote- not really anarmored with the E- Class.

[39august]

I was so disappointed in the gym on Beyond! So small for such a large ship. 

[George C]

I love E class since we book suites and love outdoor retreat , also thought entertainment was superior, like the music in Eden bar area and the main shows,

[scidee]

We're  in the S class camp like most of you.  Reflection in Feb was fantastic, not over crowded even though it was close to full.    Beyond in June was crowded with small venues overflowing try getting a drink when in casino).  Our biggest beef with the Beyond was that there were lovely outdoor spaces designated for smokers and not comparable spaces for nonsmokers.  When I pointed out one smoking with no space available nonsmoking area he pointed to a not as comfortable area downwind from the smokers.

[D. B.]

On 1/13/2024 at 7:36 PM, JerseyGirlatHeart said:

Was on the Reflection for New Year’s Eve Cruise and ship (sailing near capacity), never felt crowded in any venues.  This week on the Beyond (first time E class after many Celebrity Cruises) and this ship, though beautiful, has quickly become “NOT” a favorite.  Every venue feels cramped … lots of “out of the way nooks”,  but they are not practical; space usage is terrible.  Many design flaws with this class ship IMO including the Infinity Balcony, pool space, and gym.  Will not be cruising on an “E” Class ship any time soon.   Back to “S” Class or “M” Class for us.

My feelings about the E class are the same. Plus, the lack of a forward-facing Sky Lounge.

The one  Big Negative about Reflection for Me is the way X hacked up the Sky Lounge to add more staterooms.

[CTSandy]

Another vote for S class over Beyond.  Just got off of my first cruise on Beyond - not a fan!  Not a comfortable seat in the place (except the casino😆), so overcrowded it was not enjoyable.  I sailed Apex once and felt the same way about it, but my niece and her husband wanted to try it.  They liked the things I hated, like the IV; we all agreed we liked the four dining rooms.  I would book it again if it was an itinerary I wanted, but not my favorite.  Looking forward to my Greenland cruise on Eclipse in less than 2 weeks.

[hcat]

10 hours ago, D. B. said:

My feelings about the E class are the same. Plus, the lack of a forward-facing Sky Lounge.

The one  Big Negative about Reflection for Me is the way X hacked up the Sky Lounge to add more staterooms.

Agree...Sky Lounge was ruined a bit. 

 

We disliked having the Solarium and  Thermal suite/ Spa areas on sep decks..not convenient for a spa type day! ( as per my best recollection)

 

And the aft  bar area was always overcrowded & basically split in half by the circular bar... chair hogs on the bar stools!

 

We do like S Class but Ref was not our fav one. We are booked on Silho & Eclipse,  and one more E class..APEX.

Edited August 6 by hcat

[Cruiscs]

Reading this makes me even more exited for my upcoming cruise on Silhouette. This will be our second on Celebrity, the first one on Edge which we loved. Were a little worried that an older and different class of ship would be somewhat of a let down. 

[chemmo]

13 minutes ago, Cruiscs said:

Reading this makes me even more exited for my upcoming cruise on Silhouette. This will be our second on Celebrity, the first one on Edge which we loved. Were a little worried that an older and different class of ship would be somewhat of a let down. 

Remember Silhouette did get a makeover pre covid unlike most S class ships. She really is our favourite ship although we have chosen Reflection again next year, a mix of itinerary and trying an alternative room.

[PTC DAWG]

I have sailed enough in the last 4-5 years on S and E Class to barely gain Elite status, and I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed every cruise..I like the differences in the classes myself..

[billc23]

6 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I have sailed enough in the last 4-5 years on S and E Class to barely gain Elite status, and I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed every cruise..I like the differences in the classes myself..

I agree. While I came to love the Celebrity product after many H, C, M, and Class sailings, I found the E class just not as comfortable for me, but still a great experience overall. I booked a December Apex cruise that goes to Key West - gotta visit Margaritaville in deference to Jimmy Buffett. 

 

 

[billc23]

53 minutes ago, chemmo said:

Remember Silhouette did get a makeover pre covid unlike most S class ships. She really is our favourite ship although we have chosen Reflection again next year, a mix of itinerary and trying an alternative room.

I just booked the Silhouette for a 2025 New England sailing. I have not sailed on her since the makeover and I am really looking forward to the experience. A bonus for me is I can travel to the port in less than two hours via public transport.

[chemmo]

1 minute ago, billc23 said:

I just booked the Silhouette for a 2025 New England sailing. I have not sailed on her since the makeover and I am really looking forward to the experience. A bonus for me is I can travel to the port in less than two hours via public transport.

Easy travelling does make a difference!
 

We loved the extra seating around the sunset bar area on Silhouette, very nice. Much as the retreat deck doesn’t have a pool the jacuzzi and area generally is nice, much better than the Equinox…Nice to have the additional restaurants too. Like you we also like M class but just wish they hadn’t got rid of the Murano equivalents…