kloos5

Thanks everyone this thread was really helpful!

Wow! I guess a lot has changed since we cruised at Christmas on Reflection last year😏. We love Celebrity - especially for their choice of music. Last year we absolutely did not hear any techno at all, nowhere! I am 40 and my husband is 58 and we always find something we like. They had an ABBA party in the grand flyer at Christmas and it was absolutely fantastic- you could see kids (as young as 8 years old), teenagers, young adults, people my age and older all dancing and singing on top of their lungs to ABBA songs! Then they had silent disco (your own set of headphones) with 3 chanels for one to choose " 1.Current Latin music 2. Current Pop music 3. 50s, 60s etc music- man, it was awesome! Everyone was dancing to their own music! I absolutely love Celebrity for that particular feature and we are active participants in any dancing/music event they organize. Having said that, I will be with you sailing August 31st on Equinox and absolutely cannot imagine dancing to techno!!! 

1 hour ago, mit429 said:

 

Hmmm ya, I was thinking it might be hit or miss. Do you recall - Did they have shoes for rent or did you need to bring your cycling shoes - I wouldn’t want to pack a pair unnecessarily.

 

thanks for the info!

Bring your own... no rentals! Have fun, maybe you will have some amazing spin instructor!!!

On 11/14/2018 at 4:50 PM, mit429 said:

I never really pay attention to the fitness class schedule, I know that most of them are an additional cost. 

 

I'm wondering if anyone knows any details as to what time spin and/or yoga classes are usually offered on port and sea days.  I recall they are usually in the morning, but I'm curious as to if they're usually at like 6am, or more like 9am?

 

 

Mit429, I honestly think it depends how advanced you are and your expectations. For me last year on Reflection -Dec 11 night cruise, the spin sucked, so did Zumba. 2 years prior to that-Alaska cruise- spin instructor was an actual road cyclist ---- AMAZING!!!! Based on that we even took our SPDs to have this great workout last year and were sorely disappointed. My goodness what a mess it was, no rhythm, no appropriate cadence, we ended up doing our own thing.  So now, we just run the stairs top to bottom for warm up, then go lift weights, then do Persian Gardens. Works like a charm and so much fun!!!!

22 minutes ago, Wilson said:

 

Darn. Hopefully you guys we’ll get enough. 

I know, it sucks. I even asked if someone would like to charter a boat at another port. Also, absolutely nothing. I will just book stuff separately if I don't hear anything withing a week or two. Thank you! 

What a wonderful thread, thank you!By far the best thing about cruising for us is that we get to work out together. We are gym rats, we met at a local gym. Unfortunately, we cannot work out together because of our work schedules so we absolutely love waking up in the am on our cruises and

1. run the stairs on Reflection from top to bottom like crazy people followed by

2. weight lifting at the gym followed by

3. Persian Gardens session

If you see a couple running up and down the stairs in the am like maniacs- that's us, stop us and say hi or just join in on the fun!!!:)

On 11/11/2018 at 10:13 PM, Kaibocan said:

Anyone know the condition of Marigot since the hurricane? Is it worth a visit?

 

(I posted on the port of call board too. But I leave this week and I’m hoping to get an answer soon! 😬)

I suggest you watch this short video. It will give you some perspective on whether or not to visit Marigot.

6 hours ago, Wilson said:

 

If you are part of a cruise critic or facebook roll call, add a link to the Random Wind site and suggest folks join you. We did that and got enough folk to make it happen. 

Yes, have already done that 2 weeks ago, Nothing. 

On 11/14/2018 at 9:21 PM, Wilson said:

We used Random Wind last month and had a great experience. Excellent communication prior to the excursion.

Had a wonderful day of sailing, snorkeling, eating, drinking, etc...

Wilson, thank you very much. I did contact Random Wind 2 weeks ago as they had solid ranking on Tripadvisor for the past 1.5 years. Got a response that they will contact me if more people from my ship inquire. We will see.... 

Lynn,

Thank you so much for this info. Very helpful! I am so sorry for what happened to you on the boat. I think I would have been very angry... I have been in contact with Eagle Tours and when I asked one of the employees via e-mail if they do go out if the ocean swells are big, she told me that they wouldn't. Well, by your record, obliviously they did. We are advanced snorkelers and divers so no problem there but I am not going to be tossed around a boat like a rag doll.  That is just crazy...:(

On 10/2/2018 at 8:31 AM, 2Beeze said:

 

I don’t remember seeing the Random Wind one. This one seemed to have fairly good cover on the boat, and my skin is definitely not a sun worshipping kind of skin, as well as more time in the water (power boat vs catamaran) and not a heavy party focus (if I want to party I can do it anywhere, I’m not spending a tour of my only afternoon in Sint Maarten doing it :')).

 

I will send you a friend request so at least we can PM with new info and reviews. 🙂

 

Later,

Lynn

Lynn,

Have you gotten some more info??? I am debating going with them on a power catamaran vs the sailing catamaran... Any info would be very helpful! Thank you!

2 minutes ago, TexSea said:

On Reflection there are twice as many heated loungers, an ice/cold room, the sauna is a wood sauna vs. a tiled one and has the clear windows overlooking the water, and the steam room (the hamman) is larger with individual marble(?) seats. I think there's a separate aromatherapy steam room, but not certain.

 

I haven't been on Reflection on a while, but a friend in the last year has and said it hadn't changed from what I could tell.

Thank you very much. It sounds like they still have all the regular things.  Hopefully, they at least refinished the area:)

8 minutes ago, 39august said:

What is a hamman, please? We will be in Aqua class on Reflection in Feb. 

Hammam is a turkish type steam room with wet steam at a comfortable temperature (nowhere near as hot as Swedish dry sauna or infrared sauna (175- 185 F)). Normally they will have a eucalyptus scent added,too which clears your nasal cavities. If you ever visit Turkey, they have the best massages available that include hammams with specific rituals. I love Persian Gardens and spend  at least 1 hr there after working out every single day on a cruise. 

23 hours ago, TexSea said:

TexSea, please comment on the features of Persian Gardens some more on the Reflection if you have sailed her recently. I have been trying to find updated info and can't. Sailing on Reflection on Dec 21st and would like to know if the PG were updated since Dec 2017.... Thank youThe Persian Gardens are larger on Reflection than on Silhouette (and I think the other S-class) and has a couple of extra features.

I have never been on a Carnival cruise...or used any other line other than Celebrity.I do not need to. This is my 4th Celebrity cruise. I am not a cruiser and this is not my preferred method of travel but when we do cruise; Celebrity suits me and my husband perfectly. Just an FYI. Have a great day!!!!

Sounds like another Carnival refugee who stepped up. Now they know it all. I can't wait to hear them berate 80 year old cruisers when they're 50 years old.

 

The OP has been sharing observations of change...some positive and some negative after having been on numerous Celebrity cruises. Congratulations on her first Celebrity cruise. Celebrity has been wanting to attract cruisers like her who don't know any better from how cruises used to be. Thus compared to Carnival, anything is a jump up even if Celebrity has made countless cutbacks..

TO ALL THE COMPLAINERS- GET A LIFE!!! We just came back from Reflection today. I will give this a spin from a mid 30's perspective- Celebrity does a great job on basically every aspect that matters to ME: healthy food options, fitness, and long port days so that my husband and I can go and explore on our own!!! We never used an elevator ( there were many obese folks who should have used the stairs instead!!!), thought that it was quite depressing there was no modern music anywhere, but danced our butts off at the silent disco. And guess what ... we do not even drink!!! We were in Persian Gardens everyday, went diving in Bonaire, rented a car in Aruba- explored the whole island, the same in Curacao. The only complaint I have is this: the entertainment was geared towards people 55+ so I could not quite get the comedian's jokes or relate to the 60's and 70's music. But if you are active, want to explore, stay healthy and fit; I will always choose Celebrity to do just that. No yelling kids and plenty of salads is great for us!!! For all of you people who feel inclined to complain about such petty things as the type of olive in your martini, get a life!!! If I went through life looking to find fault in every single thing, I too would probably be miserable. The employees and staff of Celebrity cruises work their butts off to please us, yet for some it is not good enough...I seriously have not seen a harder working group of people in my life who bent over backwards to please us with a smile on their face the entire time. And this is coming from someone who has lived in 4 different countries and traveled to over 60! If your vacation is about getting enough alcohol in your body to get you through the cruise, maybe you should stay at home and drink??? Wow, I am glad I never met you on this cruise because we would definately have a heated discussion to say the least.... Have a good night every one and appreciate the beauty and the people around you instead of criticizing...

Jesus! I love it! Ignorance is bliss for some:);p

2016 November Silly out of Civitavechia: VERY large lady in the hot tub holding everyone hostage---blocking the entrance/exit-- talking so loudly you could hear her for miles. She arrived in Rome, took a cab and the driver would not take her "good American money" as he wanted ooo-rows. She was quivering with anger! He asked her to go into her hotel and get said ooo-rows. She was outraged as she gave the hotel $50 of her good American money but only got 45 ooo-rows back! Lady, stay home!! HA!

Thank you for such a thorough review!!! Someone told me that there are two saunas on Reflection, one in Persian Gardens (fee) and another one (no fee) by the gym, somewhere near the women's / men's lockers? Do you happen to know if there is in fact another sauna? I would really appreciate an answer. Dry or wet or if it's even there? Many thanks in advance, Edyta

Thank you! I think these are more suitable for my Mom but very elegant and do not wrinkle!!!

Here is a link to their website: Chicos Travelers

Better to browse there and see for yourself than have someone try to describe it.

I have no idea what Chico's is! Really! I am a female :D:D:D

What is Chico’s? Is that like Taco Bell?

 

 

 

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I actually had more luck with this question on Trip Advisor than here:https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147247-i144-k10932656-Help_needed_from_Aruba_experts_please-Aruba.html

We too are looking for somewhere to dance but are a wee bit past our 30's....by about 20 years. Young at heart and love to dance!!

 

snow bunny

What a great idea! I make about 20 cups of hot tea a day; it has always been a challege on a cruise but not now. I will follow your example! BTW I am Polish:) Enjoy your cruise!

After the show we headed to the MDR. Earlier in the afternoon we saw the waiter we had had for the transatlantic in April and asked the restaurant hostess if we could be assigned to his area. Another familiar face for us. It's like we were at a home away from home.

 

The menus for Friday.

After dinner we retired early. We have 6 time zone changes to make the most of over the next two weeks so an early night was welcome.

 

On the way back to our stateroom we did make a diversion via Oceanview Cafe to get some jelly beans. Some sweets in the stateroom are always welcome.

When we saw our stateroom attendant after boarding we asked if he could get us a kettle. He was unsure initially, but came up trumps quickly.

 

Whilst in Oceanview Cafe we grabbed a couple of mugs, tea bags and milk. A cup of tea in the morning before leaving our stateroom is a must. I guess it's the British in us.

 

 

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You have a link on arubaparking website to go on their Fbook, use that and message them your question. I got my answer in 5 minutes. Here's the link :https://www.facebook.com/Aruparking/

Received this response immediately from aruparking.com

 

“We would like to acknowledge that we have received your request and a ticket has been created.

A support representative will be reviewing your request and will send you a personal response.(usually within 24 hours).”

OK, FYI if you need overnight parking...please contact http://aruparking.com/

I used their Fbook page and got my answers through messenger within a matter of minutes!!!:D

We have a car reserved and also wondering where to park it overnight...