PHOTO REVIEW FROM CELEBRITY NEWBIE! Just off the Reflection 3-night Bahamas Cruise.

[Bostonjetset]

Hi fellow cruisers.  I just returned from the Reflection's 3-night Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau and Bimini.  I usually post reviews in a diary style format so you can read my thoughts as I wrote them during the trip.

 

BACKGROUND:

I sailed on this trip with my best friend [I'm 41 and he is 42] for a boy's weekend; we both left our SOs at home.  We're both new to Celebrity but have cruised before.  As you can see from my signature I've sailed most other mainstream lines over 22 previous cruises with the most days on HAL.  My friend, R, has only sailed with NCL before this trip and this was his 5th cruise overall.  Normally I wouldn't fly from Boston to FL for a 3 night cruise but this was somewhat of a last minute trip; we were supposed to go to Bogota but the airline cancelled our direct flights and gave us connecting flights at awful times so it wouldn't have been worth a weekend trip.  As such, we found this as a substitute at a similar price point and decided to just go with it as it was a new cruise line and a new destination for him.  I had been to Nassau back in 2008 with DH but never to Bimini.

 

Please feel free to ask questions or make comments and I will reply. 🙂

 

[Bostonjetset]

Day 1 [Ft. Lauderdale/Celebrity Reflection]: 08/16/2024, 9.58pm

 

So far I'm enjoying my first taste of Celebrity Cruises.  The ship is really quite pretty with a lot of modern decor touches.  Everything has been kept up well and I've not noticed many signs of wear for a ship that's over 10 years old; a couple nicks on the table in our stateroom and chips here and there but very minor stuff.

 

Our balcony is a good size and there is a full-height dining table out there for two!  The first time I've seen more than a small cocktail table on a cruise-ship balcony.  Not sure if it's because we're in Concierge Class this trip or not but it's a nice tough.  Another nice touch is the C.O. Bigelow toiletries in the bathroom.

 

The food has been very good so far.  Escargot is on the everyday menu which is a huge plus!!  Tonight's mushroom soup and prime rib were very good and there was no issue getting an end cut.  The cheesecake was excellent and you could tell they put care into the graham cracker crust; it was full of flavor and not bland nor dried out!

 

After dinner we went for a swim in the Solarium which is a lovely adults-only space that's included in the cost of the cruise.  Of course that was after R. lost $100 in the casino...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bostonjetset]

Day 2 [Nassau, Bahamas]: 08/16/2024, 4.01pm

 

Back on the ship after our day in Nassau and I'm now convinced that everyone who hates this port has never left the downtown area.  I've haven't been here since my very first cruise in 2008 and it's changed a lot.  Th straw market is now indoors and the port area is built up nicely with local shops.  Downtown is still mostly tourist junk and jewelry stores but we rented an ATV for $200 and drove out to The Caves.  It was a beautiful drive along the coast and we stopped for lunch of conch fritters along the way.  Well worth getting out and exploring the island;  there were many public beaches one could stop at that had gorgeous sand and lovely views as well.

 

 

Day 2 [Continued...]: 10.30pm

 

Tonight before dinner we went for a drink at World Class Bar where they serve interesting craft-type cocktails.  My "Celebrity No. 10" features gin, raspberries, and creme de violette; it was quite good with a nice balance of sweet and sour.  R got the "Double Piquant" which he liked but it was not for me with whiskey and habanero pepper; it was smoky and quite spicy.  We got to chatting with two cousins who were both watch collectors so it was nice to talk with them for a while about timepieces and jewelry in general.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lola2013]

I’m enjoying your review.  Reflection is a beautiful ship.  I’m anxious to hear about Bimini.

 

[Bostonjetset]

Day 3 [Bimini, Bahamas]: 08/18/2024, 11.06pm

 

Today in Bimini we went to the beach club at Resorts World.  This was the first time I've been to this island as it just seems to be getting more popular as a cruise port in recent years.  The beach was absolutely beautiful with turquoise water and soft sand; very clean as well.  The $54.99pp included use of all the facilities, including the two pools and loungers/umbrellas.  A "Bahama Mama" welcome drink was also included.  The only real shortcoming was that they didn't provide towels to use; I brought mine from the ship but R forgot his so had to buy one for $25.  He got to keep it but still...Also, the food was fairly expensive [$22 for a burger/fries] but that's to be expected.   Overall it was still an enjoyable day.

 

I did get a slight sunburn for the first time in years!  Luckily it's just my shoulders and upper back but it's still uncomfortable.  I'm usually really good about avoiding the sun for the most part but I guess I was enjoying swimming too much.  Luckily my sunscreen kept my face from burning. 

 

Dinner tonight was a delicious braised lamb wrapped in phyllo dough with root vegetables and pureed potatoes...excellent!!

 

 

 

 

 

[Bostonjetset]

Day 4 [Celebrity Reflection/Home]: 08/19/2024, 10.43pm

 

Celebrity wants passengers out of their staterooms by 7.30am on debarkation day so we left exactly then this morning and headed to the MDR for breakfast as our flight wasn't until 11.30am.  Better to have a leisurely breakfast on the ship than to sit at the airport for hours.  As we were in Concierge we could've waited in Qzine but we didn't know if they would have food out so the MDR it was!  We had a nice chat with two sisters at the table next to us and it was great not having to fight for a seat at the buffet, especially with carry-on luggage.

 

Leave the ship was quick and painless as was going through customs.  We only had to wait about 15 minutes for a Lyft to the airport and we were on our way!

 

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I really enjoyed Celebrity and I think Dh would like it as well, especially for a longer cruise.  The ships as really beautiful and well maintained.  There were more kids than I expected but that is likely because it was a three night cruise; overall it had a younger demographic than I thought it would.  Closer age-wise to Princess than HAL.

 

Service overall was good.  The dining room team we had, Raul and Luis, were VERY good.  Even though we had anytime dining we were sat with them each night and were happy about it.  Our room steward was pretty average though.  Not awful or anything but not above & beyond by any means.  We were in the cabin once getting ready for dinner when he just came in after very quickly knocking which sort of startled us.  Also, we had to ask for out Concierge sparkling wine three times before we got it on the last day of the cruise [warm and with no glasses].  Once he forgot to replace the bathmat during turndown [so we had to use a hand towel on the floor that evening] and one morning he forgot wash cloths.  Nothing deal-breaking but definitely mediocre.

 

The food overall was great.  This ship must have a great pastry chef because all the desserts, croissants, and breads were wonderful.  R got dry chicken during the first lunch but enjoyed his other meals.  I really liked all my dishes, especially the lamb in phyllo.

[Galaxy2004]

@Bostonjetset Thanks for the review!

[Bostonjetset]

3 hours ago, lola2013 said:

I’m enjoying your review.  Reflection is a beautiful ship.  I’m anxious to hear about Bimini.

 

 

1 hour ago, Galaxy2004 said:

@Bostonjetset Thanks for the review!

Thanks for reading!

[chemmo]

Thank you for your review. Pleased to hear Reflection is in good condition as we are on her next year!

[txtechmk]

We enjoy the Reflection---great ship.  Glad you liked your cruise.  Thanks for sharing.

[cdpeffer]

Thanks for the review and photos. We are doing a 3 day on the reflection next month. It'll be our first time on Celebrity and we board the same day we leave the Valiant Lady. Very much looking forward to both cruises. 

[DennysDad]

Loving the food porn.

[cruisegal40]

Thank you for doing this. Looking at her for next September.  Glad to hear about the escargot.

[Bostonjetset]

8 hours ago, chemmo said:

Thank you for your review. Pleased to hear Reflection is in good condition as we are on her next year!

Thanks for reading. Enjoy your cruise next year! 
 

3 hours ago, txtechmk said:

We enjoy the Reflection---great ship.  Glad you liked your cruise.  Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for reading. 
 

2 hours ago, cdpeffer said:

Thanks for the review and photos. We are doing a 3 day on the reflection next month. It'll be our first time on Celebrity and we board the same day we leave the Valiant Lady. Very much looking forward to both cruises. 

Enjoy! I’m intrigued by Virgin Voyages as well but I worry I’m not outgoing enough for them haha. 
 

2 hours ago, DennysDad said:

Loving the food porn.

Thanks!! 
 

2 hours ago, cruisegal40 said:

Thank you for doing this. Looking at her for next September.  Glad to hear about the escargot.

Thanks for reading. Yes the escargot was a wonderful surprise. Most lines only offer it once per cruise. 

[scubacruiserx2]

On 8/20/2024 at 6:11 PM, Bostonjetset said:

Day 3 [Bimini, Bahamas]: 08/18/2024, 11.06pm

 

Today in Bimini we went to the beach club at Resorts World.  This was the first time I've been to this island as it just seems to be getting more popular as a cruise port in recent years.  The beach was absolutely beautiful with turquoise water and soft sand; very clean as well.  The $54.99pp included use of all the facilities, including the two pools and loungers/umbrellas.  A "Bahama Mama" welcome drink was also included.  The only real shortcoming was that they didn't provide towels to use; I brought mine from the ship but R forgot his so had to buy one for $25.  He got to keep it but still...Also, the food was fairly expensive [$22 for a burger/fries] but that's to be expected.   Overall it was still an enjoyable day.

 

I did get a slight sunburn for the first time in years!  Luckily it's just my shoulders and upper back but it's still uncomfortable.  I'm usually really good about avoiding the sun for the most part but I guess I was enjoying swimming too much.  Luckily my sunscreen kept my face from burning. 

 

Dinner tonight was a delicious braised lamb wrapped in phyllo dough with root vegetables and pureed potatoes...excellent!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We are going to Bimini on the Beyond in October . Do they tender or have a pier ?  If a tender , are the return lines long ?

[zanydoc]

Thanks for your review! We are going on an 8 person family cruise with cousins in January. Did you see any entertainment? 

[KKB]

@Bostonjetset Thx for the review--a friend & I have it booked next summer; have not sailed her yet.

DH & I are sailing VV next month for the 1st time. Friends came back & RAVED about it (their 1st cruise ever). I think as with every cruise--you can be as outgoing as you like (or not). You mention chatting with others all over the ship, so clearly you are more outgoing than you give yourself credit for.😉

[hcat]

On 8/20/2024 at 6:11 PM, Bostonjetset said:

Day 3 [Bimini, Bahamas]: 08/18/2024, 11.06pm

 

Today in Bimini we went to the beach club at Resorts World.  This was the first time I've been to this island as it just seems to be getting more popular as a cruise port in recent years.  The beach was absolutely beautiful with turquoise water and soft sand; very clean as well.  The $54.99pp included use of all the facilities, including the two pools and loungers/umbrellas.  A "Bahama Mama" welcome drink was also included.  The only real shortcoming was that they didn't provide towels to use; I brought mine from the ship but R forgot his so had to buy one for $25.  He got to keep it but still...Also, the food was fairly expensive [$22 for a burger/fries] but that's to be expected.   Overall it was still an enjoyable day.

 

I did get a slight sunburn for the first time in years!  Luckily it's just my shoulders and upper back but it's still uncomfortable.  I'm usually really good about avoiding the sun for the most part but I guess I was enjoying swimming too much.  Luckily my sunscreen kept my face from burning. 

 

Dinner tonight was a delicious braised lamb wrapped in phyllo dough with root vegetables and pureed potatoes...excellent!!

 

 

 

 

 

great pics.. looks better than what was described in recent reviews..we might give it a try!

 

Was the beach water clear,

[Bostonjetset]

20 hours ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

 We are going to Bimini on the Beyond in October . Do they tender or have a pier ?  If a tender , are the return lines long ?

It’s a pier. No tender!! 😊😊

 

18 hours ago, zanydoc said:

Thanks for your review! We are going on an 8 person family cruise with cousins in January. Did you see any entertainment? 

Thanks for reading. We didn’t go to any shows as it was such a short cruise and our days were quite packed. On a longer cruise I likely would have. They had a Whitney Houston tribute that I’m sorry I missed as I love her. 
 

1 hour ago, KKB said:

@Bostonjetset Thx for the review--a friend & I have it booked next summer; have not sailed her yet.

DH & I are sailing VV next month for the 1st time. Friends came back & RAVED about it (their 1st cruise ever). I think as with every cruise--you can be as outgoing as you like (or not). You mention chatting with others all over the ship, so clearly you are more outgoing than you give yourself credit for.😉

Thanks for reading!!  I am a social person for sure but usually only if someone else initiates haha. I rarely make the first move. lol. 
 

1 hour ago, hcat said:

great pics.. looks better than what was described in recent reviews..we might give it a try!

 

Was the beach water clear,

The beach was quite clear. It was really lovely to be honest. Nice sand too. Not a lot of rocks or seaweed or anything like that. The beach club was great except for the no towels being provided. That was annoying but I’d still go back. 

[peanut head]

Thank you for the review and pictures.  It is apparent through your review that you did have a great time.  You have a gift for telling a story...hope to hear more from you in the future.😀

[hcat]

2 hours ago, Bostonjetset said:

It’s a pier. No tender!! 😊😊

 

Thanks for reading. We didn’t go to any shows as it was such a short cruise and our days were quite packed. On a longer cruise I likely would have. They had a Whitney Houston tribute that I’m sorry I missed as I love her. 
 

Thanks for reading!!  I am a social person for sure but usually only if someone else initiates haha. I rarely make the first move. lol. 
 

The beach was quite clear. It was really lovely to be honest. Nice sand too. Not a lot of rocks or seaweed or anything like that. The beach club was great except for the no towels being provided. That was annoying but I’d still go back. 

will make a note about the towel!