My parents (energetic early 70s) are raving fans of Celebrity, so it was on their recommendation that this mid-forties adventurous couple booked our first cruise. We are old enough to remember 'Love Boat' but young enough to be wary of sequined evening gowns and tuxedos at dinner, and shuffleboard and cha cha lessons on the Lido Deck. Reflection, for the record, does not have a Lido Deck. I wanted to love this cruise - I really did.

Pros: truly impeccable service. Easy-breezy embarkation and debarkation, breakfast delivery, turndown service, and dining. The staff are genuinely kind and go the extra mile in getting to know you, and how to delight and surprise you. You won't go more than 20 minutes without someone putting a drink in your hand, and that is without having to tip until the end of the cruise. Good luck finding this level of service at this price point. They could write a book on service design.

Beautiful spa with emphasis on wellness, and some interesting offerings like acupuncture,Thai massage, and a Persian Garden (just try it). Very reasonable prices and good availability. I ended up making appointments three different times. Catherine (manicurist) and Kim (massage therapist) are among the most skilled I have encountered anywhere, and they genuinely are caring and kind. Read more