Dawnya00

I remember all your fantastic reviews on the NCL board. We are heading on our first cruise with X later this month on Reflection as well. I am excited to hear your comparisons as that is the thing I am most curious about. 

Hi there! I am looking ahead to this late fall and what will be my first river cruise. I am interested in the lower costing options out there and read about TUI and am definitely intrigued. I know they work as a package deal, with fare that include flights from the UK to their main cities of Frankfurt. I will be traveling with a friend and we don't need anything terribly luxe, just decent food, WINE with meals, and a warm bed. 

Does anyone have any recent experience with planning and/or booking with TUI that live in the USA and how did you pay for the cruise, their website says only credit cards that are UK based may be used, but PayPal and ApplePay are options. Weird. Thanks! I look forward to learning more from you all here. 

23 hours ago, mahasamatman said:

The game shows go into our "always miss" bucket.

This is how my husband feels about the games and shows, they could have the original Broadway cast on board and he would still say 'Yawn, I will see you at the bar!'. I think the beautiful thing about a cruise, at least a decent one, is there should be good variety of something for everyone. Like @lexmiller perfectly stated, if games are your jam, show up and see what they are about. I know I am excited to go on my first X cruise next month (sans hubby 😉) to compare them to the NCL games I have to drag him to. 

Is there something similar to Quest on Celebrity? 

Hi there! I’m able to check into my Reflection cruise tomorrow and I just read that part of the process requires scanning in the passport of the passengers, not just adding the number and expiration date like it is on other lines. How am I able to check in my daughter who doesn’t live with me? Could she install the app herself? What do people do in this situation? Thanks! 

Thanks! We are on the port side, just above Murano and Micheal's. This is super helpful! 

Hi there! Can anyone who has been on Reflection recently tell me where the smoking section is on Reflection, I have conflicting reports. I am in a balcony on 6th and the review from that same cabin in 2018 or so said that they smelled smoke directly below their stateroom on 5 just outside of Michaels Club, but a YT video from 2022 reported that the smoking section is more forward now. I have never had a balcony so close to a promenade deck so I am curious how much this will be noticed on the balconies. 

Thanks!

2 minutes ago, Bead Pirate said:

Caviar offering is long gone. It used to require 1 days' notice and was $295 for a 1 once jar of Ocetra with bellinis and all the fixing (as well as 4 shots of vodka)

Thank you for this! 

Thanks for sharing! I’m new to X and will be on Reflection in 2 months! Sooo happy to hear happy cruisers! 

4 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

If it’s included in the premium but not in the classic it likely priced somewhere in the 11 to 15 dollar range. The charge will be the difference plus 20% gratuity. 

 Adding to this...I am also a fan of Aperol Spritz. Does having the PBP mean that the 20% gratuity is already paid for? Thanks!

Hi all. I was watching a YT video that said Crush bar also has caviar. Is this true? 

What an interesting topic. I am the demographic you asked about, late 40's and will be on my first X cruise in April, bringing my 30 yo married but no kids daughter on her first cruise. I have exclusively cruised NCL, 7 to date with friends and my husband. What drew me to X for this particular trip was the under emphasis on family/kids (no slides, no character breakfasts) and the price. From reading reviews, I feel like the MDR food might be similar in quality but I appreciate the few new options every night vs the set menu every day NCL has moved to, pushing you to specialty dining. 

I am curious about entertainment and the comparisons there as well as the staff and service. 

I looked into Virgin but the sleeping arrangements turned me off, perhaps it was a me problem, but it appeared that the beds don't separate...again, it could have just been me navigating a new/poorly designed website. 

OP- I might be one of the people in that elusive 7:30p MDR reservation slot every night. 🤪

Everyone- I have been debating this selection though as I have no idea when entertainment/shows occur? On NCL, we had to reserve seats for shows so I knew when to get dinner in. 

What time will Reflection have a comedy show or magic show or game show entertainment? I don't see a lot of recent reviews that shares the daily schedule so I am clueless. Help! I would like to be able to switch my reservation while I have 75 days or so. 

Hi. I am heading on my 8th cruise in April, Caribbean with my adult daughter, her first cruise. When I started cruising, we used to get a reusable cup when we signed up for a beverage package. I feel like there was a push 8 or so years ago trying to stop people bringing on large cups (Yeti and the sort) for whatever reason.  Are people bringing on reusable water bottles or cups? I want to make a custom cup to commemorate my daughters first cruise. Do you bring a special cup or bottle? I will add we are getting an alcohol drink package. Thanks!

6 hours ago, janetz said:

The Martini Bar is 45 feet away 😊

...have buzzer, will gladly wait! 

Thanks for sharing. I think it is for this reason that I am thinking of bringing a bottle of something I know we want on board. 

Hi! New follower here! Your writing style has made me smile and chuckle more than once. I’m on the Reflection, my first X cruise in April and I’m loving all the tips! 

You are allowed to bring one bottle of wine per adult on the ship. I am planning to bring a bottle x 2 for myself and my daughter, I am also getting the classic drink package. As long as you open it in your room, you aren't charged a corkage fee. 

6 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

Mixed berry tapioca. Never had it before, was strange but good. Maybe not my favorite but I would eat it again. Was in the lower sugar corner.

Do they share nutrition values on items in the buffet or the MDR? 

10 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

even if we made a reservation on the app in advance?

This will be our first time on X and Reflection.

 

I was wondering this also, same for me. It will be just myself and my daughter but I hadn't planned on making MDR dinner reservations for every night, but I am wondering if I should?

When in Alaska, bring your own. Get comfortable using them prior to your cruise is another tip.

Yay! Perfect timing. I just booked myself and my daughter on X, my first line to try outside of NCL. I am on the 5 day in April so I am excited to see the itinerary on these shorter trips. Glad to see they do the silent disco on a short one! I am all about the food, drink and good times! Thanks for taking us with you!

One more question actually. I just found that X is known for their silent discos! Fun!! Will there be one on a 5 night cruise? 

Thank you everyone! This was exactly what I was looking for. 

Hi there! I am booked on the Reflection in April, bringing my adult daughter on her first ever cruise for a mom/daughter trip. I have 8 NCL cruises under my fins, but this is my first one on Celebrity, or X as I see you all mention it here. I have looked through the boards, but there are some questions I have that I can't find the answer to and I am hoping you all can help. 🙂

On NCL, we have the Dailies, the schedule of the day. What are they called on Celebrity? Do they still make paper ones, I know some lines are moving to app based schedules and I am a little old fashioned as far as those go. 

Is there a time of day or location on the ship that I can find little scones and cream/jam? On NCL, usually on the Observation Lounge and one part of the buffet they will bring out some around 2p. 

I am assuming the beds can be separated. When I was researching this trip, I initially looked at VA and found their staterooms confusing and weird...not being able to separate a king or needing to sleep feet to feet, no thank you. 🤪

I did get the classic bev package. If there are deals for an upgrade before sailing, will I get an email or should I be checking my account every day?

On NCL, there was usually a 'big show' or known musical or something to book and was usually bragged about on the NCL website. I see that reservations aren't required, but what can we expect for an evening show/entertainment? I have seen no mention of headlining shows. 

Lastly, not a question, but rather just hoping for confirmation. I ended up on X because I liked the lack of kiddy pools. I also liked what appears to be an emphasis on dining and drinks. I know NO LINE is perfect, but am I right in thinking this cruise won't have a Mr. Legs contest pool side? 🤣

Thanks! 

1 hour ago, cml4958 said:

So no He!! today because I made it to shore to late . Darn tenders.

oh no!😔

What time do you recommend getting on the tender to enjoy a day at the beach?