Thinking about Celebrity Reflection

My dw and myself are considering a change in cruise lines. At this time we are 4 star mariners and have only sailed on Hal. We are turnining 60 this summer and am looking at a Celebrity reflection cruise in November. Generally we have been happy with Hal but some friends of mine recommend Celebrity. The one thing I noticed was port times were very good, no back on ship to early, but the Reflection is large and my comfort level is good with Hal. Any comments from folks who have sailed both would be appreciated.

The Celebrity Reflection is a beautiful ship. We have sailed on her twice, mostly recently Christmas 2015. She was in immaculate condition then and I assume she still is. I cant think of a single negative thing about the Reflection. The food, service, crew, cabin, all excellent. We're not much for entertainment as I like the casino after dinner and my wife usually tries a show but gets sleepy and retires early. I especially like that Celebrity doesnt allow smoking except in one bar area.

We have sailed HAL many times and love the line too, especially the Vista ships. Our next cruise will be the Oosterdam in early November. Nothing to complain about with HAL either in my opinion. HAL also has the promenade deck which we love since we walk 5 miles every morning. And they're non smoking too.

I'd say HAL is traditional elegance whereas Celebrity is modern elegance. The passenger profile is about the same with age ranges of 40's, 50's, 60's on Celebrity; 60's, 70's, 80's on HAL. More children on Celebrity too.

I sailed sister ship Equinox in December immediately after a Rotterdam cruise. I would agree that those S-class ships are gorgeous, almost spectacular. It does take a little getting used to the difference in size, but I was happy with the crew on both.

A few things that I found noticeable: Celebrity really wants you to buy a drink package, which is why I think that bar wine was just under $9 per glass, which came as a shock after 5.95 on Rotterdam. The jogging track on Celebrity's S class lies outside between two very popular locations (fore and aft) and can be very congested with people going for a snack, event, etc who don't even realize they are on a track. (and if it rains, you'll get wet). The entertainment around the main pool was continuous and loud once started - almost like Carnival, however there is a very nice glassed in quiet pool for adults. There was more trivia on Equinox - I think the least was 2 per day, often 3 or 4, sometimes back to back. There was more variety in entertainment as well, which makes sense on a larger ship with more venues.

I enjoyed both, but they are very different experiences.

I'm in a bit of a reverse position -- we've sailed Celebrity, and have our first cruise booked on HAL (the Zuiderdam in 2018). The Reflection is the largest of Celebrity's S-class ships; we've sailed on two of them, the Silhouette and the Eclipse. They are stunningly beautiful ships. And while the passenger capacity is around 3,000, we've never felt crowded on them. They are well-laid out, with beautiful public spaces. My main complaint about them (and about most newer ships) is the lack of a true promenade deck. On Celebrity's S-class ships, the life boats basically block the view along most of the "promenade deck;" this is unfortunately true on many new builds, whatever the cruise line.

Beautiful ship. It is larger BUT it is extremely well laid out so that it does not seem crowded. We have been on much smaller ships that always seemed crowded because of a poor layout or elevators that always seemed to be out of service.

Great selection of dining venues. Celebrity Solstice class ships, of which Reflection is one, are our favorites so we are somewhat biased.

We've sailed on Reflection and it is a nice ship. Very clean and pristine. The Lawn on the upper deck is interesting, however it wasn't opened when we sailed.

We sailed in Aquaclass and really enjoyed Blu. The smaller dining venue, excellent food and service really added to the cruise. We found the buffet area somewhat confusing with all the stations and it took us a day or so to get use to it. We only dined once in the MDR and didn't find it that great.

The cabins on Reflection are smaller than those on HAL. The showers are noticeably smaller.

I agree with another poster with regards to X wanting you to buy a beverage package. The ship was nice, but we were bored silly on it. We rarely drink alcohol and many of the events center around all the bars that are open to the main areas. We never watched so much television on a cruise before as we did on the Reflection.

I may book another Celebrity cruise but only if it is a port intensive cruise.

Thanks for the input we put our deposit down today I think it will be great, looking forward to another line to see a different style and a larger ship should be interesting also a few ports we have not been to

We have sailed mostly HA.. our last cruise was on the Equinox. The ship is beautiful!! We liked the seating area on the aft outside the buffet area. The buffet selection was extensive and very good. We had a great cruise. We had the beverage package and upgraded to the elite package which had nice wines by the glass. Wish HA had better wine choices. The things we liked better on HA was live music we felt was much better on HA. Our cabin stewards were fine yet not as friendly as ones we have had on HA. Main dining food was always good but we thought HA had more higher quality selection, including more chef inspired preparation. That being said we really enjoyed Celebrity and would sail again. The 2 lines are much more alike than different. I think you will have a wonderful cruise.

Our recent sailing was on the Reflection after 6 consecutive sailings on HAL (Neiuw Amsterdam x3, Amsterdam, Westerdam, Eurodam). We felt the food quality and dining options on the Reflection to be far superior than HAL, we like the ability to try different restaurants. We were in a Signature Suite so were able to enjoy all dining venues at no extra charge. We did not dine in the main dining room on Celebrity so can't comment or compare. We also felt that the Reflection was more lively especially at night, while our experience on HAL found that after 10pm most venues were winding down on Reflection that happened after midnight. We do enjoy cocktails and found the variety of beer, wine and spirit selections pale on HAL ships compared to Celebrity. A few things we did not like on Celebrity: the service was good but a nod goes to HAL where we felt it was a step up, the Lawn Club cabanas face inward so there were poor site lines of the ocean and it was not private at all while HAL's Retreat Cabanas felt quiet and secluded while offering nice ocean views. The location of Michael's Club and Luminae for suite guests is not convenient for most suite guests as its located in a completely different area while HAL's Neptune Lounge was conveniently located near the Pinnacle and Neptune suites. Finally, we prefer a king bed which is not standard in most Celebrity suites. We are both in are late 40's and early 50's and while we like the gracious sailing atmosphere of HAL ships we probably wont return for sometime as the energy and atmosphere of Celebrity is more in tune to how we like to enjoy our days and evenings onboard.

We're looking at this one too! Just wondering if there is a promenade. From the deck plans it looks like it doesn't go around. I am wondering if you can see the sea and if there are any lounge chairs here? Thanks.

We're looking at this one too! Just wondering if there is a promenade. From the deck plans it looks like it doesn't go around. I am wondering if you can see the sea and if there are any lounge chairs here? Thanks.

As I mentioned in my comment above, Celebrity's S-class ships (like so many newer builds) don't have true promenade decks. On much of the promenade deck (but not all of it), the view is blocked by life boats. And it does not go all the way around outside (you can cross over inside). With the caveat that I haven't been on the Reflection, the photo below is of the "promenade deck" on her sister ship Eclipse. Definitely a negative not to have a real promenade deck. But these ships really are beautiful, and this would not stop us from sailing on one again.

(photo by turtles06)

As I mentioned in my comment above, Celebrity's S-class ships (like so many newer builds) don't have true promenade decks. On much of the promenade deck (but not all of it), the view is blocked by life boats. And it does not go all the way around outside (you can cross over inside). With the caveat that I haven't been on the Reflection, the photo below is of the "promenade deck" on her sister ship Eclipse. Definitely a negative not to have a real promenade deck. But these ships really are beautiful, and this would not stop us from sailing on one again.

 

 

(photo by turtles06)

We like HAL (where we will soon be 5 Star Mariners) and also like Celebrity (Elite Plus). The S-Class ships are our favorite Celebrity ships...and in fact we have 21 days booked on the Reflection later this year. It is a totally different experience then being on HAL. On the Reflection you will find a lot of "life" in the evening (at a time when many HAL cruisers are sound asleep. Many on Celebrity get the drink packages and the Martini Bar is a lot of fun in the late afternoon well into the evening. You did hit on an interesting issue which is Port times for HAL...especially in the Caribbean. I have railed about this issue in a few posts (over the years) and it remains true. HAL seems to cut port times by 1-2 hours in quite a few ports when compared to many of its competitors, If I am in a port like St Maarten, I do not want to be leaving before 5. I live in Puerto Vallarta in the winter and can watch cruise ships come and go.,,,from my balcony. When we see a ship leaving at 3 or 4 pm....DW will sometimes say, a ship is leaving and it must be a Holland America ship. Why? Because the other cruise lines stay until much later (some until 10 pm).

Why does HAL leave ports early? Apparently its for several reasons. Spending fewer hours in port allows them to better maximize onboard revenue. And leaving ports early means they can cruise at a slower speed...which saves fuel (and money). We only cruise on Celebrity or Princess in the Caribbean,,,,because as much as we like HAL...we don't like them in the Caribbean. You will not hear Caribbean music on HAL, you will not have late night entertainment (such as a midnight adult comedy show), and HAL passengers tend to go to bed early (probably because there is little to do). Celebrity also attracts plenty of older cruisers...but head to their Martini bar at 5 pm and its hopping. Go there at 8 pm and its still hopping. At 10 the party continues and this is just one bar (of many). On some HAL ships the BB King venue is alive until 11. But go to the Crows Nest at 10....and its often like a morgue.

Hank

Thanks for the Celebrity details. HAL remains a very good match for us - the early snoozers. That's us. Seeing most alternate Celebrity dining rooms are $50 a person was general turn-off too.

That Celebrity promenade looked like a minimum security prison exercise yard. No thank you. Give me my easy access to the sea, the wind in my hair. and a full circle promenade. And not having to depend elevators to get the past rows and rows and rows of cabin decks to finally get to the public areas.

Small HAL ships - long may they sail, which we all now know will not be all that long. Okay, I can do the 2000 plus Nieuw Amsterdam after a trial run if/when we have to, but it is just not the same as the old HAL gals.

We have been on Reflection a few months ago and prefer HAL.

The ship was beautiful. I was concerned about it being so much bigger, but it did not seem so.

Something no one has mentioned that we missed was the aft pool. On our Celebrity cruises our pool choices are the busy/LOUD main pool which has all the kids or the inside solarium adult only pool. You do not have much of an ocean view from either. I love HAL's aft pools where you see the ocean from three sides.

I will say that we never had a problem finding two chairs together in the solarium on Celebrity. There are also tons of chairs in the main pool area.

The buffet was laid out weird. There is not a defined beginning or end of a line at stations and people come from both ends. Celebrity is known for their amazing waffles. The station would have some lined up at the left end to get a waffle and waiting for them to cook. People would come at the other end and order and receive them. It seemed obvious to many to start at the left and get your waffle then the toppings would be to the right and you would make your way down. I saw arguing every day and gave up after a few mornings. Why X did not set this up better is beyond me.

We are elite on X and three star on HAL and after many HAL cruises DH wanted to return to Celebrity because of the great perks they give Elites. We tried Summit to Bermuda last May and were a little disappointed. We tried Reflection in December hoping we would love it. Instead we came off agreeing we prefer HAL with their pitiful perks over Celebrity with their great ones.

On Reflection, there were glass slivers on our balcony. We told our room steward a few times and the last time we asked him to get it, he told us it wasn't his job. Ummmmm whose job was it?????

We felt service all around on X was less than on HAL. There were some hard working crew, but overall it was not good.

The first night in the MDR the family next to us sent food back twice. I thought that was being over picky on their part until we got our main course. The food was not very good--very mass produced and not what we used to get on X.

The entertainment in the theater was some good some pitifully bad .We stopped going after a few nights. There wasn't a lot going on otherwise. On HAL, we rotate between the theater, BB Kings, and piano bar. X had the show and that was it.

It took three hours to tender in Grand Cayman. I have read complaints on other sailings so an ongoing problem. Shouldn't be that difficult.

People on the balcony next to us smoked about every day. Despite numerous complaints nothing was done because the neighbors always denied it.

I was shocked on the last sea day when a lady in the hot tub said she was ready to get off the ship. Others not with her said the same thing. I kind of agreed. Never feel that on HAL.

I'm in a bit of a reverse position -- we've sailed Celebrity, and have our first cruise booked on HAL (the Zuiderdam in 2018). The Reflection is the largest of Celebrity's S-class ships; we've sailed on two of them, the Silhouette and the Eclipse. They are stunningly beautiful ships. And while the passenger capacity is around 3,000, we've never felt crowded on them. They are well-laid out, with beautiful public spaces. My main complaint about them (and about most newer ships) is the lack of a true promenade deck. On Celebrity's S-class ships, the life boats basically block the view along most of the "promenade deck;" this is unfortunately true on many new builds, whatever the cruise line.

This is true on the Koeningsdam. I refer to your comment on the Promenade deck wraparound

Had to smile when Luv2cruz mentioned she missed the aft pool when on the Reflection. Our next HAL cruise is on the Rotterdam......where HAL removed the aft pool to make room for a few more cabins. And the last time we were on the Prinsendam they closed the aft pool for a few of our nicest sea days to do maintenance on the surrounding deck (the Captain finally ordered the pool reopened after receiving many complaints).

Hank:D

I have cruised on many lines. I always preferred Princess and Royal Caribbean over HAL but was more impressed with HAL last year but I LOVED Celebrity Reflection. That would be my first choice now. My only complaint was that they didn't have happy hours. We like to have a drink before dinner. OK if you have a drink package but too expensive to drink if not.

Go!!!!

Sayaguru: re your sig: that is Sam Worthington in your avatar, not Tom Cruise. :)

(apologies for the OT post, but there's no PM feature on CC)

We believe that one of the challenges of cruising at the moment is the lack of consistency within cruise lines and even ships.

We have had less than mediocre meals on HAL and on Celebrity. Also our experience with Princess and RCI. Same for service. We keep hearing about wonderful HAL service. It is good, but we do not find it any better than other cruise lines. And it is just as inconsistent. Same for entertainment. It really is a crap shoot in these times of staff reductions and decreasing food quality. We do not keep a candle burning for any cruise line.

This reality of inconsistency has focused us on the ship rather than the cruise line or the cruise line's past reputation. Cruise line brand may be an indication of the product but we find it is more an indication of the marketing fluff than it is of reality. It is also changing our buying habits. Fewer cruises, more independent land trips and AI's.

I am trying the Reflection in March 2018, after 9 Hal cruises I wanted to compare.

Sent from my iPad using Forums