JW and Jerome's Excellent Adventure on the Celebrity REFLECTION!

[Scrapnana]

Really enjoyed your video. I love the way you personalized your cabin but I was hoping to see the tablecloth. I don't know why more ships don't have that storage above the bed. Otherwise it's a lot of wasted space.

 

Looking forward to the next installment.

[h20cruzer]

Library lady 19. Do you by chance have the same spreadsheet for the M class ships?

Norma

[AndrewM]

Wow you did that video all in one take! You are a freakin pro JW!

 

I really appreciated the storage space descriptions. I do hope Celebrity takes note of librarylady's storage solution. Those cubes should be in every cabin! Whoa only 3 small clothes drawers? I assume you put your empty luggage under the bed. And I certainly hope my 'Corazon' has no issue with clearing out my fridge of all those chargables! Not necessary when you're on the 123 Drink Drank Drunk Floor program!

[BugsyCruiser]

Great video JW! Well done sir :)

[lightning bolt]

I loved the idea of the shoe holder in the closet. Will have to get one for my next cruise. The video was really great, nice job.:)

[johnritt]

A lurker here. Loving your review. Fun, funny, honest. I am sorry that you have to deal with the rare dolt that shows up occasionally, though.

 

I'm sure you won't let a twit ruin the fun for both you and us that is this review.

[April Jewel]

Absolutely loving your report - we are going on the Reflection in August.

 

Particularly looking forward to the Lawn Club Grill - you make it look so much fun and the food looks great.

 

Can't wait to read more - so glad you are a Celebrity convert - your reports are so amusing

 

Tammy

[cindy1957]

Loved the video!

[Anubi]

Here is our first Y/T Posting about The Celebrity Reflection. The Video is about our 1A Stateroom and Library Lady will be proud.....we show off the famous Storage Cubicles and the Hanging Shoe Rack.....see, I am the Male Martha Stewart! Now I just wish Macy's and JC Penney would fight over me for millions of dollars like they did her! A real Middle Ages Jousting Match over a 72 year old gal!

 

Here is the link:

 

This was great, thanks for posting. Oh the sound of the sea when you opened the balcony doors...muted but oh my, I miss it so much. :o

I love the storage ideas, especially for the shoes. We have a brand new Target so we'll head there for the storage items.

One question JW...is there a plug in the bathroom? I couldn't see one in your video.

[cruiztime]

Hi JW and Jerome - your Reflection "Canadian friends" here - great job on the video but I really don't recognize that person who was doing the tour!! That is not the JW we know!! Looking forward to hearing and seeing more! It was our pleasure to meet and cruise with both of you. Jerome is certainly one of the nicest people we have ever met. (I was going to say "sweetest" but you would take that the wrong way!).

 

Leslee & Earl

[maitlandmom]

Nah, on YouTube, I wanted to keep it level and sane. The prospect of millions of people, as well as Celebrity Cruise Lines, viewing it? That kept me in check. I just wanted to be precise. I did have a few Martini's before we filmed it tho, it was after all, the Last Day of the cruise. I got a plug in for The Miami Hurricanes as well! Go "Canes!

 

By the way, if you are interested, the "Miami" shirt I am wearing is a vintage 1978 team shirt, with the original "old" colors and one hundred percent individual letter embroidery. My hat is also vintage, from 1979.

 

The fact that you are a Miami fan makes me love you even more! After many years living in Miami, we moved to Central Florida 15 years ago and still have season tickets to the Hurricanes. DD will be attending Miami in the fall. DH is such a big fan that he and our boys travel with the team once a season and attend at least 2-3 other away games.

[librarylady19]

Why Thank You Great One! Love ya!

 

Sandi, You can steal it if you want for your "Sticky". Do you think it is a good representation of most of the rooms on the S Class?

 

Definitely will do - I'll post a link in the spreadsheet for those who might miss your review.

 

You covered things very comprehensively JW. Except you failed to give a plug for the spreadsheet and Cruise Critic ;)

 

Only differences in Aqua really are the aforementioned shower heads, thicker robes and linens. Cabin configurations are identical. don't recall seeing either the Spree catalog or the Reflection guide in our cabin or I would have taken them home.

[librarylady19]

Library lady 19. Do you by chance have the same spreadsheet for the M class ships?

Norma

 

No, sorry I do not. I've only been on Summit and I'm really a bigger fan of the S class ships myself. Im sure someone else could copy the format of the spreadsheet and start one though.

[chamima]

Definitely will do - I'll post a link in the spreadsheet for those who might miss your review.

 

You covered things very comprehensively JW. Except you failed to give a plug for the spreadsheet and Cruise Critic ;)

 

Only differences in Aqua really are the aforementioned shower heads, thicker robes and linens. Cabin configurations are identical. don't recall seeing either the Spree catalog or the Reflection guide in our cabin or I would have taken them home.

 

 

I knew the safe had been moved to over the frig from the Solstice configuration but I think I noticed two other differences. Does the closet go all the way to the floor on the left where there used to be the three shelves and didn't there used to be 4 drawers next to the frig? (In the video he mentioned only 3)

[cruiseguys2009]

Definitely will do - I'll post a link in the spreadsheet for those who might miss your review.

 

You covered things very comprehensively JW. Except you failed to give a plug for the spreadsheet and Cruise Critic ;)

 

Only differences in Aqua really are the aforementioned shower heads, thicker robes and linens. Cabin configurations are identical. don't recall seeing either the Spree catalog or the Reflection guide in our cabin or I would have taken them home.

 

 

I knew that about the AQ cabins and forgot to mention it! I wanted my description to be about the stateroom and the "Basic" amenities that everyone starts with, and it goes up from there.

 

I know I forgot Cruise Critic!!!! In the first take, I said it, but changed my mind about mentioning it, as I did know if I would have authorization to say it. Next time...and there will be a next time!

 

I discovered the "Books" on top of the safe when we came in the room the first day. Kind of hidden, but you know, other than the Daily Connections, I need something more substantial for "Bathroom Reading"! Spree is awesome and details every single Caribbean port of call that Celebrity sails too. I hope Celebrity will be happy with the Plug!

 

The Reflection Inaugural Guide is awesome!

[cruiseguys2009]

I knew the safe had been moved to over the frig from the Solstice configuration but I think I noticed two other differences. Does the closet go all the way to the floor on the left where there used to be the three shelves and didn't there used to be 4 drawers next to the frig? (In the video he mentioned only 3)

 

 

The closet now has a "Pull Down Bar" for shorter items like shirts, skirts, shorts etc, if you want to use it. No shelving in the Closet. If you go back to the video, when I open the closet door, the pull down bar would come just below my jackets and shirts, but it was too low to hang my shirts from, as they kind of dragged on the floor of the closet. We never used it. Also there is a unique hook on each hanger that allows you to "Drape" downward say items that are one particular outfit. Notice that when I open the closet and show the hanging shoe bag, the clothes next to the shoe bag cascade downward together, keeping the outfits organized.

 

There are only three drawers, three tiny drawers with the first one on top being the deepest.

[cruiseguys2009]

Hi JW and Jerome - your Reflection "Canadian friends" here - great job on the video but I really don't recognize that person who was doing the tour!! That is not the JW we know!! Looking forward to hearing and seeing more! It was our pleasure to meet and cruise with both of you. Jerome is certainly one of the nicest people we have ever met. (I was going to say "sweetest" but you would take that the wrong way!).

 

Leslee & Earl

 

 

Where is the Fig Newton Picture?

[Tommy3putts]

Absolutely fantastic video. One of the best video reviews I've seen on youtube. Well done.

 

Question: Wonder what JW could do with a video camera in furtherance of the 1,2,3 drunk excursions?

[cruiseguys2009]

Absolutely fantastic video. One of the best video reviews I've seen on youtube. Well done.

 

Question: Wonder what JW could do with a video camera in furtherance of the 1,2,3 drunk excursions?

 

 

My mother always told me to never have a picture taken with a cocktail in my hand....did I tell you that I rarely listened to my mother?

[chamima]

The closet now has a "Pull Down Bar" for shorter items like shirts, skirts, shorts etc, if you want to use it. No shelving in the Closet. If you go back to the video, when I open the closet door, the pull down bar would come just below my jackets and shirts, but it was too low to hang my shirts from, as they kind of dragged on the floor of the closet. We never used it. Also there is a unique hook on each hanger that allows you to "Drape" downward say items that are one particular outfit. Notice that when I open the closet and show the hanging shoe bag, the clothes next to the shoe bag cascade downward together, keeping the outfits organized.

 

There are only three drawers, three tiny drawers with the first one on top being the deepest.

 

 

OMG - I can't believe they made the already sparse shelving even sparser (is that a word?) !!! :eek:

We used those shelves in the closet for shoes and we needed all 4 of those drawers!!!!! (We also used the space above the frig to keep sunscreen, etc. - there's nowhere for that now) We must be the only people that liked the original configuration on the Solstice better than the new one.

(And we also had a pull down bar. I'm short so it worked for my blouses on top and slacks on the bottom.)

[TobyKnits]

Here is our first Y/T Posting about The Celebrity Reflection. The Video is about our 1A Stateroom and Library Lady will be proud.....we show off the famous Storage Cubicles and the Hanging Shoe Rack.....see, I am the Male Martha Stewart! Now I just wish Macy's and JC Penney would fight over me for millions of dollars like they did her! A real Middle Ages Jousting Match over a 72 year old gal!

 

Here is the link:

 

You both did a fantastic job making this video. I had already jotted down your storage tips, but it was great seeing exactly how they worked since I haven't been on an S class ship.

 

And that balcony is to die for!

[cruiseguys2009]

We woke up the following morning early (early to me is usually 10 AM, when we're on vacation) but normal early, 7 AM. I did not fill out the Room Service Card in the morning, okay, I forgot. We saw Corazon first thing as Jerome went up to the OV to get us some coffee and me some smoked salmon, and she said to Jerome “What happened,?” “Is Mr. JW alright?” “ No Breakfast this morning?” I heard her in the hall as Jerome had not closed the door yet, and I went to the door and told her that I forgot to order it. She asked “Why don’t you order it from your TV?” “????” Jerome said “Yes JW, why didn’t you order our breakfast from the TV?” I replied “I Forgot you could!” Yes, you can order breakfast from the TV!

 

No worries. I jumped into the shower and Jerome had returned from the OV, just as I was finished getting dressed for St Martin. Jerome then took his shower as I enjoyed my Lox and Bagel with fresh squeezed OJ on our balcony. Jerome came out on the balcony just as we were about to pull into Phillipsburg, in Grand Bay. “Look”, I said pointing out, “There is that EPIC”. “JW,” Jerome said, “It does look like Ernest Borgnine!”

 

He said that because as you look at the front of the ship, with that big, top heavy, wall to wall black glass, stretching from stem to stern, it looks like a big black eyebrow or Uni-Brow, the kind that Ernest Borgnine had on McCales Navy. We were on The EPIC Thanksgiving 2012, and for the most part, it was the oddest cruise we have ever taken. Loved our extraordinary Roll Call and all our antics, but just under the surface, it was like the ship tried too hard and just missed the mark for us. It was a different Norwegian experience, and not very positive. Not altogether negative, but just odd. Perhaps the new Norwegian Breakaway will be different and we most likely will, someday, sail on her.

 

Ahh, Saint Martin. Twenty plus years sailing here. Our favorite island. There is so much we have done here, practically done it all. We've watched the Planes come in at Maho Beach, where I dangerously “Rode’ the fence. Took Bernard’s Tours, everyone has to take Bernard’s at least once. Ate at a Charming Bistro on the French Side. Went skinny dipping on the nudie Orient Beach. Saw the famous Mr Floppy Hat there, who has the DOD, (Go ask you mother) or as I call it….Mr. Schlong De Long. He parades back and forth and poses for pictures…..Oh MY! Been to the Casinos, and to all the beaches. It’s a wonderful experience.

 

Our favorite thing to do in Saint Martin is to shop. We try to visit this port at least once, if not twice a year. The shopping in Philipsburg is wonderful, and if the ship you sail on stops in St Thomas as well as St Martin, shop in St Martin. Lipstick is our favorite shop for fragrance. It’s located on front street just thru the vestibule at the Blue Bitch Bar. Another favorite stomping ground, The infamous Blue Bitch Bar. Stop there for incredible Pulled Pork sandwiches, Bar-B-Cue Ribs that fall off the bone or a dynamite burger! And don’t forget to get “Bitch Slapped” That’s their famous drink! One slap I’m fine, two I’m naked!

 

If you’re interested in a lazy day without any travel, some beach time, libations readily available and some shopping, get off your ship, and once on the pier, head to the “Water Taxi” located right there at the port. Pay (the fare went up since Thanksgiving 2012) $7.00 per person for an all day pass, hop on and enjoy the short ride to the Grand Bay pier. The drop off is right in the middle of the action in Downtown Phillipsburg. Head to the right, on the boardwalk and first things first. Purchase a can (or three ) of Presidente Beer, it's only 99 Cents! Ninety Nine Cents. Go for it! Who cares it’s only 9 AM in the morning, it’s ninety nine cents! It’s the cheapest there at this little stand staring you right in the face. You can’t miss it. Big sign, Presidente Beer, 99 Cents! Little Stand.

 

Okay, beer in hand (and one in the pocket) proceed on the boardwalk. There will be lots and lots of “Hawkers” on the beach. Each one trying to sell you two beach chairs, and an umbrella and a bucket of beverages. It averages around 20 bucks, but go with the guys that have bathrooms available. In St Martin, it costs money to Tinkle. A lot of the Hawkers forget to tell you that, and their section of beach chairs may not have access to the rest rooms. It can cost as little as a buck to Tinkle, to upwards of four bucks a shot! And trust me, some of these “Rest Rooms” ceilings are so short, and hot, that I could barely stand up in one!

 

When we want a beach day in Grand Bay, we head over to the Haddon House Hotel. It’s the distinguished white building just past St Martin de Pourres Catholic Church. It has free wi-fi, luxurious cushioned beach chairs, and Blonde Australian Tanned God’s who wait on you. It’s also twenty bucks, with only one beer or soda each, but what you lose in a bucket of booze you gain in having a shower and nice bathroom facilities. Of course the Blonde Australian God’s too. They say that Grand Bay is polluted, and the locals will not swim there. But in my experience, the waters are crystal turquoise clear. Back home, even on their best day, the water here off the Florida Coast can’t even compare with the water there in Grand Bay. Plus you get a beautiful view of the Cruise Ships in Port.

 

The Hawkers are funny too, at times. Jerome and I were walking along the boardwalk and one guy shouts out to me “Hey my Mon!” “Me got’s Mary Jane, Snow Cane, ANY Ting to make you go Insane!” I shouted back, “You are about thirty years too late!” “Sorry!”

 

Jerome and I head all the way down the boardwalk (to the right as we got off the water taxi) and once we got past the beach, it opens up to a major tourist shopping area with knick knacks, tee shirt emporiums and food stands. Very kitschy and Islandy. Lots of fun. We see a television camera crew, but no spokes person, and they are taking a picture of ME! Well hello! I waved and asked if they were with the Travel Channel. The camera man said yes, and well, I was ready for my close up Mr. Damille! The new Samantha Brown is here!

 

Jerome and I stopped for another beer, and what I really wanted was a Bloody Mary.

 

On this trip in St Martin, we were here to purchase our duty free liquor, our fragrance for the summer and maybe anything else whimsical. As we moved from the boardwalk to Front Street, it was evident that the ships were empting out and the morning excursions were also completed, because of the throngs of people shopping. We were happy to see that our favorite “Friendly’s” Duty Free Liquor Store had opened a new location and stopped in and said "Hi" to Kaycee! She is a doll baby and in my experience, I have found the best liquor deals here. Once you purchase your liquor, it is safely packed up and delivered to your ship. Our liquor then arrived on the last day, was waiting in our stateroom for us, at promptly 3 PM.

 

My large bottle of Grey Goose (a 2 Liter) was only $40.00. Or two for $79. Great price, considering it is $68, when it’s on sale here in Florida. Jerome’s Crown Royal is two for $30 and included a baby carry along bottle. All of the Liquor at Friendly’s is extraordinarily reasonable. There are several shops that sell liquor, but I have been dealing with them for years now, and trust them completely. I love the fact that they deliver directly to the ship and I don’t have to lug the bottles around like I did with that Rosary!

 

Liquor done, now on to Fragrance. On the way, we stopped in an amazing men’s shop with extraordinary High End shirts and accessories. It’s called Pacific Avenue. One of my favorites. Stop in and see Racita or Navin. The shirts are all custom from England and Italy. I find them at Neiman Marcus or at Saks Fifth Avenue, but there, they cost an average of $300 to $500 a piece. And no, you will never see these gems at Marshalls! At Pacific Avenue, Jerome found a gorgeous shirt, very intensely detailed, dual collar and cuff, beautiful buttons, for $225 and they were willing to deal! A great find. Saw the same shirt in Neiman’s last week and it was on sale, on sale mind you for $365.00. Guys, if you love top of the line shirts and tops, casual and dressy, stop in at Pacific Avenue on Front Street.

 

Continuing on Front Street, we come to our Shopping Mission’s End. The Veritable Lipstick. Lipstick has endured Hurricanes, Floods, Damage, and Tourists for over 20 years and we come back at least once every year. Right across from them on front street, a competitor opened up, and they may be flashier, don’t be fooled. Lipstick has the Class and Style of a real Fragrance Boutique. They also give the Best Deals, and if that weren’t good enough, once they tally your order up, they give you another discount on top of it! Ask for Miss Mavis, who decorates the meanest Pink Christmas Tree I have ever seen! Miss Mavis runs the show and she is a true professional! Lipstick on Front Street. They also have another location in Antigua, which we will stop in and see, when we are on that island in 2014.

.

So our little day in St Martin so far is quite somber by our standards. We got the Shopping Business out of the way, I wanted a cocktail, and we were going to head over to The Blue Bitch Bar and get Bitch Slapped. But then, Jerome and I looked at each other. We both had the same idea. There is this gorgeous, brand new Celebrity Ship sitting practically empty at the dock, on this marvelous sunny day, with 1,2,3 All The Booze we could drink, fresh water pools, attentive Pool Service by Handsome Roger, we both looked at each other and said “Water Taxi!”

 

It was our vacation and for the very first time, we spent a day on board the ship in port, when everyone else went on shore. We were in our bathing suits already, so we dropped our packages in our stateroom, went up to the Pool Deck, which was totally empty, and I thought, wow, a peaceful day lounging in the sun, not a care in the world, cocktail in hand, restful, ahhhhh….we oiled up and I drifted asleep.....

 

then all of the sudden waking me from my slumber “YOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!’’ “Jay Double Yoooo HOOOOO!” Cripes, it’s Hat lady!

 

Jerome says to me “Oh, here we go!”

[Maligator]

In St Martin, it costs money to Tinkle. A lot of the Hawkers forget to tell you that, and their section of beach chairs may not have access to the rest rooms. It can cost as little as a buck to Tinkle, to upwards of four bucks a shot! And trust me, some of these “Rest Rooms” ceilings are so short, and hot, that I could barely stand up in one!

 

Going for a quick dip in the surf is free. Just sayin'. :p

[Scrapnana]

You should do the "shopping talk" on the ship. Most of the stores the cruise line sends you to are total rip-offs.

 

Staying onboard during a port day is heavenly - that huge ship is your playground!

[cruiseguys2009]

Going for a quick dip in the surf is free. Just sayin'. :p

 

 

You are truly fabulous!