Embarkation in Civitavecchia was quick and easy. The cabins were ready shortly after boarding which left just enough time for a welcome drink. The drinks are now served in one of the bars instead of immediately after boarding. Great improvement.
We sailed on time for a very good cruise with perfect weather for virtually the entire trip. Not by any means a perfect cruise so let's look at the few downsides first. Lunch in the Oceanview could use some improvement. Many hot items are overcooked. There is a real scarcity of oatmeal raisin cookies and a surfeit of chocolate chip cookies. The coffee just tastes bad. Minor stuff perhaps but the Reflection compares poorly with the Silhouette.
I was extremely disappointed with the cruise director, Drew. Or as we referred to him as the "invisible cruise director". I understand it was his first outing as cruise director but why put such an inexperienced p.erson on the newest and largest ship in the fleet? I won't even touch on how he turned Veteran's/ Remembrance Day into a complete debacle. Celebrity cannot be proud of this disaster. Fortunately, CruCon saved the day with their event.