Reflection 4/13/24 and 4/21/24 B2B Live Review

[Georgia_Peaches]

Thank you for taking us along.  Your live from has been most helpful and enjoyable.  A random question, if I may...was wondering what facilities on board were open during the private island visit.  Do they shut everything down like all the other ports or keep things open since it's their private island?  On MSC everything on board remains open, including the casino and I like to hit it at that time when it's less crowded.  As I am taking my DM on a gambling cruise on Reflection In July, I know she would prefer to remain on board in the casino if it's open.

 

Thank you and safe travels home!

Edited April 25 by Georgia_Peaches

[Georgia_Peaches]

On 4/24/2024 at 9:26 AM, dcbiker97 said:

We're doing a b2b over Labor Day weekend staying in the Signature Suite, which is our favorite suite on Reflection.

I have this suite booked in July.  Would you mind elaborating on what makes this suite your favorite?

 

On 4/24/2024 at 9:26 AM, dcbiker97 said:

I'm guessing that benefit doesn't change even if its just a 3 and 4 night cruise. 

Ours is a 4 night and I was wondering the same thing about the included liquor...is there a 7 night minimum to qualify for this perk?  Edit:  I see @Kteacher already addressed this in another post.  

Edited April 25 by Georgia_Peaches

[Kteacher]

1 minute ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I have this suite booked in July.  Would you mind elaborating on what makes this suite your favorite?

 

Ours is a 4 night and I was wondering the same thing about the included liquor...is there a 7 night minimum to qualify for this perk?

When we toured the Signature and Reflection Suites on turnaround day we asked the butler about included 2 bottles of spirits and specialty dining on shorter cruises and we were told yes, both included. 

[George C]

3 hours ago, Kteacher said:

Last night in Michael’s until our 2025 TA on the Constellation. We really prefer the  set up of Michael’s Club to the Retreat.

I agree we always favor Micheals over the retreat. Also for those in a higher suite you can request most liquors , I always ask for Hennessy cognac as one of our bottles and there is no problem taking these bottles home if you don’t finish them.

[Kteacher]

All our bags are packed and we’re ready to go…

    We really appreciate luggage valet, especially if you have a later afternoon flight. Our bags were bagged and tagged before we went to dinner. Tomorrow is a day pass at Bahia Mar in Ft. Lauderdale, then our flight back to BDL. Saturday will be laundry and planning our dining around Cape Cod for our visit in a few weeks (did I mention how great retirement is 😄). 
    Dinner in Luminae tonight was another A+++++, and we drank and shared the wine we won at the B2B meeting with new found friends from 
Michael’s Club-

[Seas2mountains]

Thank you so much for the wonderful live review!  While you were writing this review, I was contemplating booking a 3 day cruise on Reflection in early May in a Sky Sunset suite which we did book this week. Your positive review definitely helped to make the final decision. This will be our first Celebrity cruise.  
 

Your photos and comments on the Beach Club were super helpful. Today, there was a “Flash Sale” for our cruise (what is a flash sale ?!?) and it was $86.99 plus tax per person.  
 

Thank you for all the other suggestions for Marmalde in San Juan as we will be there later this year. It looks like a wonderful restaurant. 
 

Congratulations on your retirement and anniversary! Safe travel home. 
 

 

 

[cruisetonowhere10]

6 hours ago, Kteacher said:

All our bags are packed and we’re ready to go…

    We really appreciate luggage valet, especially if you have a later afternoon flight. Our bags were bagged and tagged before we went to dinner. Tomorrow is a day pass at Bahia Mar in Ft. Lauderdale, then our flight back to BDL. Saturday will be laundry and planning our dining around Cape Cod for our visit in a few weeks (did I mention how great retirement is 😄). 
    Dinner in Luminae tonight was another A+++++, and we drank and shared the wine we won at the B2B meeting with new found friends from 
Michael’s Club-

Good to know the luggage valet works well.  We have a FLL cruise next year (and our home airport is BDL) so nice to know it’s an option that works if needed.

[Kteacher]

10 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Thank you for taking us along.  Your live from has been most helpful and enjoyable.  A random question, if I may...was wondering what facilities on board were open during the private island visit.  Do they shut everything down like all the other ports or keep things open since it's their private island?  On MSC everything on board remains open, including the casino and I like to hit it at that time when it's less crowded.  As I am taking my DM on a gambling cruise on Reflection In July, I know she would prefer to remain on board in the casino if it's open.

 

Thank you and safe travels home!

Unfortunately I didn’t save all the dailies but according to the app the spa was open regular hours, there were some games and craft activities onboard, and there was a cash only Texas Hold ‘em game scheduled at 4:00. I didn’t see anything earlier than that scheduled in the casino for that day.

[Kteacher]

  It was a very quick process off the ship out of Michael’s Club, through facial recognition and into a cab. We’re spending some time at the Bahia Mar Resort in Ft. Lauderdale on a day pass. We have access to the pool, towels,  shower, restrooms, luggage storage, and a welcome bag with bottles of water and cookies since we haven’t eaten for at least 2 hours 😂.

[FlyingCruiser2]

On 4/23/2024 at 9:18 AM, buzz031 said:

Did Captain Kirk (from Silhouette) come onto the Reflection and replace the current Captain?

Captain Kirk is now on Reflection starting with today’s voyage (4/26).  

[Pantheral]

Thank you for the detailed review!!!

 

We board on 5/6 for the quick 4 day sail to Key West and Coco Cay, so all of that information is terrific!

 

Safe travels home!

[FlyingCruiser2]

Kteacher - I would continue your post for you for the 4/26 trip, but you did such a nice job my additions would pale in comparison.  I will post after the 4/26 voyage is over, but mostly to compare and contrast our experience on the 4/21 and 4/26 trips in the Penthouse then the Reflection suite.  

[Kteacher]

Thank you! I would love for you to post in the 3 night experience. Please say hello to our now favorite crew members ever, Prasoon, Kartini, Vishal, and Martin, Brian , Liz, and Sini. We miss them already ❤️

[KEG21552]

14 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

Thank you so much for the wonderful live review!  While you were writing this review, I was contemplating booking a 3 day cruise on Reflection in early May in a Sky Sunset suite which we did book this week. Your positive review definitely helped to make the final decision. This will be our first Celebrity cruise.  
 

Your photos and comments on the Beach Club were super helpful. Today, there was a “Flash Sale” for our cruise (what is a flash sale ?!?) and it was $86.99 plus tax per person.  
 

Thank you for all the other suggestions for Marmalde in San Juan as we will be there later this year. It looks like a wonderful restaurant. 
 

Congratulations on your retirement and anniversary! Safe travel home. 
 

 

 

You will love Marmalade.  We started to enjoy a pre cruise dinner there when Chef Peter’s daughter was about 3 years old.  Now she is a young lady.  They have survived through the pandemic and had to completely rebuild after Maria.  Peter used to give out cards with his recipe for white bean soup.  Not sure if he still does.

[Kteacher]

12 minutes ago, KEG21552 said:

You will love Marmalade.  We started to enjoy a pre cruise dinner there when Chef Peter’s daughter was about 3 years old.  Now she is a young lady.  They have survived through the pandemic and had to completely rebuild after Maria.  Peter used to give out cards with his recipe for white bean soup.  Not sure if he still does.

Yes, they still give out cards with the recipe. I could never get the bacon dust to come out right but now I know it’s because they have a special machine just for this. He has a cookbook coming out soon, just watch their website for updates on release date

[mathed101]

I just purchased the Beach Club pass! 

How do I make a lunch reservation? Can I make it on the app or do I have to wait until I am on the ship?

 

Thanks for your help and the wonderful trip report!!

[mathed101]

36 minutes ago, mathed101 said:

I just purchased the Beach Club pass! 

How do I make a lunch reservation? Can I make it on the app or do I have to wait until I am on the ship?

 

Thanks for your help and the wonderful trip report!!

 

I did a search and saw that your reservation was booked for you so you may not know the answer. I did find out that I can book the lunch reservation for the beach club onboard at any of the specialty restaurants as soon as we board the ship. 

[Kteacher]

2 hours ago, mathed101 said:

I just purchased the Beach Club pass! 

How do I make a lunch reservation? Can I make it on the app or do I have to wait until I am on the ship?

 

Thanks for your help and the wonderful trip report!!

The day before Coco Cay the Luminae hostess received an email to check in with any Retreat guests who had booked the Beach Club. She had a list of guests and asked me what time we wanted to have lunch. There was also a voice message left on our cabin phone to remind us to book a lunch time by calling an extension # on the ship. We confirmed at the Beach Club check in desk that we were all set with our lunch reservation.

[bjahil47]

Thank you for your review!  We will be on Reflection in 2025 and your review was helpful!

 

Safe travels home!

[Kteacher]

  We spent a nice morning and early afternoon at the Bahia Mar Resort after we got off the ship yesterday. The check in process was very efficient- we had our 2 carryons stored, were given wristbands, a welcome bag (2 bottles of water and 2 chocolate chip cookies), and keys to get into the pool area. This is a great way to spend the day if you have a late afternoon flight.

   After about a 1 minute wait for an Uber we were on our way to FLL. Luggage Valet meant not having to deal with checking bags and there was no wait at TSA. The flight was packed, so by the time they got to the last boarding groups the agents were starting to gate check bags. We had already offered to gate check ours and they were very appreciative.

    I’m on laundry load number 3 or 4 and sorting things to bring to our next trip, 2 weeks on Cape Cod. We split our time between Provincetown and Dennisport, both beautiful. Unfortunately the water temperature is a bit colder than what we just enjoyed 😆.

    I’ll post final thoughts later today.

[jean87510]

On 4/24/2024 at 9:44 AM, Kteacher said:

I don’t think food is provisioned off of the ship. The Beach Club lunch was very good, and they will bring you as much as you want off of the menu. For us it was worth it as we wanted a quieter and less crowded atmosphere and table service for lunch.

Sounds like they improved this from October where they actually ran out of lobsters for my 115pm lunch.  Husband was not happy.  And they were a bit stingy with bringing anything else extra.  Ended up eating at south beach.

[jean87510]

Following along as we will be on the Reflection Memorial day weekend.  We stop at CocoCay and Bimini.  We have reservations for the Lawn Club.  Love your pictures!

[Kteacher]

A few final “Reflections “- 

   We really like this size ship. There are enough public spaces that it never felt crowded. We will sail on ships that have Michael’s Club vs. the Retreat Lounge because it just feels more welcoming. 
   We will definitely do another B2B but only if we don’t need to change cabins. It was great waking up on turnaround day and not have to pack a thing plus have access to our cabin all day. The longer cruise/shorter cruise B2B was the perfect length of days for us. 
    This cruise was one of our favorites in a lot of ways and most of that was due to the crew.

     I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous about experiencing a decline in service on Celebrity before we boarded but felt it was just the opposite, that it had improved since the last time we sailed Celebrity (and we were in a higher category of suite on that cruise).

    My husband came home from the store with roses for me because he knew how much planning I put into this trip and he told me it was one of his favorite vacations ever ❤️. I guess that means I may need to squeeze another cruise in before our next one in 2025.