This was our 9th X cruise, 6 on S-class, 2 on M-class, and one on the Century. Although the ship was nice and had some improvements over it's sister ships, we probably still prefer the Eclipse. The staff was good, but not as good as the Eclipse. The captain was probably better, but in a very low-key way. He kind of grew on me as the voyage progressed.
Our biggest disappointment was the entertainment, particularly in the lounges. We really feel X is cutting back on this, perhaps due to the amount of money they are putting into their troup shows (which continue to be great). Those shows are fantastic, but they need to be supplemented with strong entertainment elsewhere on the ship. It doesn't have to be expensive - X had a DJ on the eclipse playing ABBA songs in the Quasar lounge and the crowd was so great you could not find a seat! Unfortunately the Quasar does not exist on the Reflection because X chose to add more staterooms. More $$ for them, less entertainment for their customers. We're still waiting to see a lounge entertainer that can match or beat the female hypnotist we saw on the Crown Princess on a 7 day Carib cruise in 2006. Does any remember seeing her?? I love to know her name and where she is performing these days. May be in Vegas -she was that good!
We have come to expect great entertainment from the Beyond the Podium speakers on X. This one did not measure up well with any we have seen before. Maybe because it was a short 7 day cruise?
Cabin was fine, but towel delivery was slow on most days.