Reflection review with photos - Day 2 - At Sea

Pre-cruise Day

Reflection review with photos - Day 1 - Miami

Day 2 – Dec. 30 – At Sea

A few more random notes

First of all, I forgot to mention that on our first day, while still in Miami, we did also spend some time after lunch in the Solarium, and took a dip in both the pool and the hot tub. It was heavenly, and we had the place to ourselves, which we knew would never happen again! The pool and the hot tub were both – for me at least – the perfect temperature.

Although we had only taken three cruises before this, we are Captain’s Club Select members, primarily because we earned double points for each of our 15 nights on the transatlantic cruise we did last May. There were a number of Captain’s Club events for Select Members, but unfortunately we didn't make it to any of them. But, for anyone who’s interested, these were the events to which we were invited. If anyone would like the days/times of any of these events, just let me know.

• Casino Double Jackpot (not sure what this is/was!)

• Backstage Tour (wanted to go, but forgot to go)

• Captain’s Club Celebration

• Senior Officer’s Cocktail Party

• Wine Tasting Seminar (registered for this, but it conflicted with another event which we were enjoying and didn’t want to leave half way through).

Our first full day began with breakfast outside at the buffet. On our last cruise, on the Mariner of the Seas, I really missed the option of enjoying meals outside.

As we had great weather for this cruise, I was so glad we could eat outside so often.

After breakfast we headed back to the room to get our two Captain’s Club ‘free pressing’ items ready for pick up by Frasier, our excellent cabin attendant, or Elvis, his equally able assistant. We then headed to the Ensemble Lounge for the first progressive trivia event – ’80 Billboard Music. On our last 15 day cruise we had eight days at sea, and we played trivia every morning and really looked forward to it. On this cruise we only went once – there just never seemed to be enough time to do everything we wanted to do each day. Anyway, we came in third. A very respectable finish, right? Except there were only three teams  After Trivia we headed to Deck 14 and the pool area, but there were no free seats either in the Solarium or by the main outdoor pool, so we headed instead to our new favourite hangout, the Sunset Bar. We found seats in the shade, ordered our drinks, and pulled out our e-books. There was an officers vs. guests bocce ball tournament on the lawn, which we watched for a few minutes, before heading down one deck for lunch at the buffet, sitting outside of course.

There was also a Galley Tour at 10:30 for anyone who was interested. On the Mariner of the Seas, the Galley Tour was offered only to some suite guests and higher level Crown Anchor members. We did the tour and really enjoyed it on the Mariner. I wanted to do the galley tour on the Reflection too, but my the other two thought one galley tour a year was enough, so I passed.

Following lunch we headed back to our room to sit on the balcony, but it full sun at that time and the balcony felt about 1000 degrees. I wanted to be outside, but I don’t enjoy sitting in the sun. It was at that moment that I dialed 7000 to enquire about Alcove availability! But all they could offer was a spot on the long waiting list.

This was the first formal night, and most guests appeared to be very dressed up. My husband begrudgingly put on his tux. He’s not a guy who likes to dress up, but he does it for my sake, which I do appreciate. Our son wore a jacket and tie – he does enjoy getting dressed up a bit. Before dinner we had a drink in the Passport Bar where one of our favourite waitresses could be found, a pretty blonde woman from – I think – Serbia? There was ballroom dancing in the Grand Foyer, and we had fun watching the couples, of various ages and levels of experience, dance.

We enjoyed dinner in Oasis, and didn’t have to wait for a table. I had the red snapper. I had read here recently that Celebrity has a new, separate and more extensive vegetarian menu available upon request. So my husband, who is not a vegetarian but often likes meatless meals, asked for the separate vegetarian menu on two occasions, but both times the waiter just pointed out the few dishes on the menu that were meatless. One waiter said they “used to have a separate vegetarian menu”, but no longer. The quality of all food on the Reflection was, we felt, very good, but menu items often included mushrooms and/or Gorgonzola cheese, two things my husband really dislikes. He also missed the many Indian items that were often on the menu on the Mariner of the Seas, but which were rarely offered on this cruise. But neither one of us would complain about the food – we at well and often!

Following dinner we headed to the Reflection Theater for the Reflection Show – a combination of singing, dancing and Cirque du Soleil style acrobatic performances. The show was great, we all enjoyed it. We really enjoyed all of the entertainment on the ship, and thought all performers – singers, dancers and musicians, were excellent. The D’Revelations, Jefferson Ang, Uncommon Ground, the Vivian Clement Trio, and of course Rory!, were all favourites. We ended the night, again, with a scotch (me) and bourbon (my husband) in the Ensemble Lounge, where the Vivian Clements Trio was playing once again.

Thanks for the report!

Thanks so much for the review, even more so for the photographs. We will be on her in May for the Greek Islands....also, curious to know your thoughts about any specialty dining venues you chose to dine in.

You're very welcome! It's fun to write, because it gives me one last chance to enjoy the cruise! I envy you - I loved the ship, but would have much preferred to be in the Greek Islands, where I've never been. Sounds wonderful :)

Of our three specialty meals, we all enjoyed the Tuscan Grille the most. The food, service, view, and ambiance were all wonderful. I'm still thinking about that filet mignon. :p Our dinner in Murano was very nice, but I didn't enjoy the food as much as at the Tuscan. Also, our reservation was for 10 p.m. and while we really don't mind eating late at all, it had been a long day and I think I was almost too tired to enjoy it.

Our least favourite - and I'll write much more about this in my review of our last day on board the Reflection, was the Lawn Club.

Thanks so much for the review, even more so for the photographs. We will be on her in May for the Greek Islands....also, curious to know your thoughts about any specialty dining venues you chose to dine in.

I'm enjoying your review so much! The pictures in this one aren't displaying. There is a Flickr icon that says pictures are unavailable. Is that just me and my Mac?

Oh no- I'm sorry! Well, they are still displaying for me. Is anyone else having the same problem?

I'm enjoying your review so much! The pictures in this one aren't displaying. There is a Flickr icon that says pictures are unavailable. Is that just me and my Mac?

Well now the photos are also not appearing for me either - but I'm sure they were before. :confused:

I'm not sure if it's a problem with the Flickr site or the CC site. :confused:

That's ok, I just followed the link to all of your pics on Flickr. They are really great! Thanks!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Thanks, for sharing.

I'm still baffled why the photos are no longer showing. There were when I originally posted this review - really weird. :confused:

Thank you so much for your post. We are going in April on the 13th. You answered so many of my questions. Especially about the beverage questions. You certainly don't seem like a big drinker but I can see where it is beneficial from your post. Thank you again for your great notes.

You're very welcome!

Well, I might not have mentioned every drink I had on the cruise ;), but really I don't think I ever drank too much at one time. It's amazing how quickly it all adds up over the course of a day - a couple of cappuccinos, one or two bottles of water, a mimosa with breakfast occasionally, a couple of glasses of wine at lunch, a drink at the Sunset Bar at some point, tea in the afternoon, a drink before dinner, wine with dinner, drinks after dinner.... ha ha... I kept track the first few days, to see if we were at least breaking even, but then I gave up. We definitely got our money's worth.

Thank you so much for your post. We are going in April on the 13th. You answered so many of my questions. Especially about the beverage questions. You certainly don't seem like a big drinker but I can see where it is beneficial from your post. Thank you again for your great notes.

Hi,

I am new to cruising. I enjoy reading your superb review.

About the entertainment provided on Reflection, do they offer you a timetable of them and when do you get hold of it? While booking for different restaurants, we have to consider on the timing of meals in order to enjoy the entertainments timely.

Thanks.

Thank you doc_klc!

Yes, every night you will receive a list of all events and entertainment scheduled for the following day, so it's easy for you to decide when you would like to eat dinner, etc. This will be delivered to your cabin each evening by your room attendant.

Some things are also scheduled twice each evening -for example, the main show in the theatre each night.

I'm sure you'll love cruising on the Reflection :)

Hi,

 

I am new to cruising. I enjoy reading your superb review.

About the entertainment provided on Reflection, do they offer you a timetable of them and when do you get hold of it? While booking for different restaurants, we have to consider on the timing of meals in order to enjoy the entertainments timely.

 

Thanks.

great review

i cant see the pictures either

Thanks! Sorry about images. :( The photos did appear when I first posted the review for Day 2, but then they disappeared. Very weird, as the photos in all the other days are fine I think. But you can click on the link in my signature to see all the photos on Flickr (and to read all the daily reviews).

great review

 

i cant see the pictures either