Celebrity Reflection Review
Reflections on the Reflection- E Caribbean~ 3/2014
Rating by category
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First, we've cruised Carnival, Royal Caribbean, HAL, and Princess. The Reflection was certainly the prettiest and classiest ship we've enjoyed in our 13 different cruises. I call it understated elegance, and loved the ambiance it provided. It is full of intimate places to sit and relax, all beautiful and well designed. The ship is immaculately clean, as are the cabins. The cruisers ranged from 30-80, I'd guess, with most in the 40-50 range. It was not a really old crowd at all like HAL, but also there were few children in March, which was nice. It was a different experience than other cruises, and it's hard to explain. It wasn't a riotous good time like Carnival, it didn't have lots of physical options like Royal Caribbean (zip lines, flow riders, etc.), but it did have excellent evening entertainment in the form of production shows and headliners, a beautiful adult only pool solarium, outstanding food, interesting seminars and classes (the only Apple seminars at sea), and exemplary employees and service. There is an art studio, five or more specialty restaurants, a lovely coffee/pastry bar, 14 bars and nightclubs, a place for movies, a huge internet iLounge, amazing art as decor, great spa services (including a fantastic acupuncturist), and plenty of chaise lounges around the pools. The buffet dining room, the Oceanview Cafe, was quite good with excellent variety. It seemed that the children's and teen's areas were well designed and appreciated. The bathrooms in the cabins were larger than usual and better designed--love the solid shower doors. We had the classic drink package, which was a real plus for us, as we got cappuccinos and lattes, as well as soft drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails. Many cruisers told me that they have sailed this ship several times, even though the itineraries were the same, just because they enjoyed so much. I normally don't want to sail the same ship twice, but this one I would. It's a huge ship, but didn't seem that way at all. Great design. Embarkation and debarkation were excellent.
My criticisms:
~the entertainment/bands/vocalists in the various lounges weren't all that good
Cabin Review
We liked the Sky Deck because it had cabins above and below. It was a quiet deck, although the entry doors to all cabins are in pairs, so that when the cabin next door slams their door, it shakes your cabin. It's that way on all decks. In Concierge Class, we had fresh flowers and fruit daily, afternoon canapés, and two room stewards. The cabin was no larger than a verandah, though, so I don't feel it was worth the extra $$. I might consider Aqua Class, even though the cabin is still the same size, because you get to eat in your own private restaurant, Blu. The MDR is lovely, but anytime dining is relegated to the upper floor and is rather plain.