cbfb Posted March 10, 2013 #1 Share Posted March 10, 2013 First I want to thank everyone on this forum....having information I gathered here was immensely helpful. We left Miami on 3/2/13 in pretty chilly weather but compared to Boston not bad at all. Embarkation was a breeze...arrived around noon and was onboard by 12:30 at the very latest. Explored the ship, had lunch and was in our cabin by 1:45 (they did not make an announcement but did tell us at checkin that they expected cabins to be ready by 1:15 so at 1:45 we just went and they were ready). We were in Concierge Class and loved it. I know a lot of people don't think the upgrades are worth it but we did. Of course I am not an experienced sailor so I don't have much to compare it to but for us it was great. We were in 1651 on deck 11. There was definite movement on the ship especially heading out of Miami but I loved it. I was surprised how much I enjoyed being on the ship! Our cabin steward, Jeannette, and her whole team were amazing. I miss her already! We traveled with friends and they asked for shrimp cocktail and cheese and crackers in the afternoon and received both everyday. Others have expressed different opinions regarding the Lawn Club Grill, for us it was amazing. Best meal and best experience of the cruise. The men in our group had a great time cooking with the chef and the outside venue was beautiful. We all had a lot of fun interacting with the other tables. We also ate at Tuscan Grill and were not impressed. The food was ok and the service felt rushed. Probably wouldn't do that one again. For lunch we ate at Bistro on 5 (loved it) and The Porch (just ok). I thought the MDR was good, not great. Aquaspa cafe was delicious. Best salmon I ever had!! I did not go with any expectations as this is our 2nd cruise in 12 years but we felt the service was amazing. I just don't know how anyone could fault it. The ship was beautiful and elegantly understated, in my opinion. As far as the drink package went - we had the 123go promo and had upgraded to the premium and paid for it before we left. It was on our seapass card at checkin. Our friends also had the 123go but did not upgrade until they got on the ship. They went to guest relations and were upgraded in about 10 minutes. The drink service was terrific. We do tip a few dollars with every drink but I don't think that was the reason. The waiters and waitresses in the Martini Bar (our favorite) were very attentive and friendly. As a matter of fact I do not think I encountered anyone who wasn't attentive and friendly. The ports were ok. We were looking forward to Old San Juan but the electricity was out in the city so everything was closed. St. Maarten was very nice, we would go back there. St. Kitt left a lot to be desired, I was dissapointed as I thought I would love it. We are hoping they haven't released all the Carribean sailings for 2014 as we would like to sail the Reflection again but somewhere a little different. Disembarkation wasn't bad. Our flight was at 1:50 pm out of Miami. Our friends received a 9:30 disembarkation time, ours was 7:40.:eek: Hell no!!! We went to guest relations and they quickly changed it to 9:30.:D We were called about 9:40, picked up our luggage and got into a very long line for customs. The line only took about 15 minutes as it moved very fast. We had planned to take a cab but as we were walking to the cab stand and saw it was very long a woman came up to us and said they had a van ready to go at $30 for the 4 of us. It sounded great to us and was!!! The worst part was Miami airport, what a disaster that place is. One agent checking ID's for a mile long line:confused:. Took about an hour to get through security, I have never been in a line that moved so slow. But I am ok with that being the only downside to this amazing vacation!!!! Again, thank you for all your information. Claudia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy3putts Posted March 10, 2013 #2 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Nice review. Any more details on your cabin? Balcony, noise, etc... We are sailing on Reflection in summer of 2014. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen@Steve Posted March 10, 2013 #3 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Thanks for the great review. We're sailing on her in November and will be doing San Juan, St Maartin and St Thomas. Not surprised about St Kitts as I spent a week there last year and was completely underwhelmed. We love Conceirge class as well. It just has that little extra to it that makes us feel special. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbfb Posted March 10, 2013 Author #4 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Nice review. Any more details on your cabin? Balcony, noise, etc... We are sailing on Reflection in summer of 2014. Thanks! Tom - The cabin was great. A little noise in the afternoon as we were right across from a crew access door. But it never bothered us in the evening or early am. Our neighbors were very quiet (except when she was yelling at him from the deck but that had us laughing more than anything)! Balcony was small....just enough room for 2 chairs with footstools (loved them) and a table but plenty adequate for us. Our friends booked a sunset cabin (I think that is what it was called, the very back of the ship) and weren't happy with it. It seemed about the same size as ours but they had no view when we came into port and it was a little rainy a few evenings so they couldn't have breakfast on their balacony as it was wet in the morning. Our room was a little away from the elevators and stairs but we didn't mind that as we felt it made it quieter and didn't mind the walk. We would take the same one again in a heartbeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelo7 Posted March 10, 2013 #5 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Nice review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thephillykid Posted March 10, 2013 #6 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Great review...but I had a few questions for you. First, how was the nightlife after the evening show? Were there people about and music going on til 1 or 2? Was there any action in the casino? If you want a drink in the casino, is it covered by the drink package? Did you try the sushi? Thanks, Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El_aurens Posted March 10, 2013 #7 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Great review, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishycomics Posted March 10, 2013 #8 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Nice review. Family member got off their cruise as you started.... happy to hear a positive look.... thanks again:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallie5446 Posted March 10, 2013 #9 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Did you sign up for the CC Meet n Mingle? Did you go, and lastly if so, how was it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbfb Posted March 10, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Great review...but I had a few questions for you. First, how was the nightlife after the evening show? Were there people about and music going on til 1 or 2? Was there any action in the casino? If you want a drink in the casino, is it covered by the drink package? Did you try the sushi? Thanks, Howard We were usually at the Martini bar after the show and that was crowded and fun. Some people we met said they were usually in the Skylounge with the DJ or band and it was going until 1 or 2. Not packed but a good crowd. My friend thought the casino was pretty good. He was there to play for sure but said it was full most nights after dinner. We never got a drink in the casino, we usually got one at the martini bar and brought it with us but I am pretty sure it would be included. I think the only ones that weren't were room service and mini bar. I didn't try the sushi...It was only available after 5 pm in the buffett and we never ate in their except for one lunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbfb Posted March 10, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Did you sign up for the CC Meet n Mingle? Did you go, and lastly if so, how was it? No, I didn't sign up for it. Just not my thing but there were a lot of great people on the ship. Fun getting to know so many of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCKC Posted March 11, 2013 #12 Share Posted March 11, 2013 We were also on this cruise and thought it was top notch! Loved every minute! And totally agree about Miami airport.....what a drag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mardon Posted March 11, 2013 #13 Share Posted March 11, 2013 We were on that cruise the week before and the worst part of the cruise was MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. HORROR! Nightmare! Happy you enjoyed your cruise because we did too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icemanoneaatl Posted March 11, 2013 #14 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Thank u for taking time to write a review. My favorite part to read was the disembark times - not sure why they initially assigned you such an early time but glad you took care of it. Not looking forward to delays at the airport though. Hopefully it will be straightened out in the next few weeks- before we take our turn on reflection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oville Posted March 11, 2013 #15 Share Posted March 11, 2013 As others have said, thanks for the review. Glad you had such a good time. I agree about St. Kitts, it is definitely a beach day for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marykdan Posted March 11, 2013 #16 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I'm curious what you did in St Kitts that left you underwhelmed. I just came off Independence of the Seas and we were in both St Maarten and St Kitts on the same day as Reflection. In other words, I was in St Kitts on the same day as you (March 6), but my reaction was opposite yours because I loved it! We just took a taxi to So Friars Beach and had a great day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portofrome Posted March 11, 2013 #17 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Thanks for your review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterbug123 Posted March 11, 2013 #18 Share Posted March 11, 2013 If you want a drink in the casino, is it covered by the drink package? Yes. On the 2/2 sailing however, we found it nearly impossible to find a bar server IN the casino, and usually had to resort to going to the casino bar to get a drink and brink it back to the tables. But yes, if you can find and flag down a bar server in the casino, the drinks are included in the package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy3putts Posted March 11, 2013 #19 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Tom - The cabin was great. A little noise in the afternoon as we were right across from a crew access door. But it never bothered us in the evening or early am. Our neighbors were very quiet (except when she was yelling at him from the deck but that had us laughing more than anything)! Balcony was small....just enough room for 2 chairs with footstools (loved them) and a table but plenty adequate for us. Our friends booked a sunset cabin (I think that is what it was called, the very back of the ship) and weren't happy with it. It seemed about the same size as ours but they had no view when we came into port and it was a little rainy a few evenings so they couldn't have breakfast on their balacony as it was wet in the morning. Our room was a little away from the elevators and stairs but we didn't mind that as we felt it made it quieter and didn't mind the walk. We would take the same one again in a heartbeat. Thanks for the info on both rooms. Very helpful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
librarylady19 Posted March 11, 2013 #20 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Tom - The cabin was great. A little noise in the afternoon as we were right across from a crew access door. But it never bothered us in the evening or early am. Our neighbors were very quiet (except when she was yelling at him from the deck but that had us laughing more than anything)! Balcony was small....just enough room for 2 chairs with footstools (loved them) and a table but plenty adequate for us. Our friends booked a sunset cabin (I think that is what it was called, the very back of the ship) and weren't happy with it. It seemed about the same size as ours but they had no view when we came into port and it was a little rainy a few evenings so they couldn't have breakfast on their balacony as it was wet in the morning. Our room was a little away from the elevators and stairs but we didn't mind that as we felt it made it quieter and didn't mind the walk. We would take the same one again in a heartbeat. It would be helpful to future cruisers if you could post this information in the S class cabin sticky thread. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted March 11, 2013 #21 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Thanks for the report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbfb Posted March 11, 2013 Author #22 Share Posted March 11, 2013 It would be helpful to future cruisers if you could post this information in the S class cabin sticky thread. Thanks! When I click on your link it is "view only". How do I add the info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
librarylady19 Posted March 12, 2013 #23 Share Posted March 12, 2013 When I click on your link it is "view only". How do I add the info? You post your cabin report in the sticky and then I will add it to the spreadsheet compilation. thanks! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=911018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseclues Posted March 29, 2013 #24 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Thanks for your review. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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