Live from the Reflection, Dec. 6

[Artemis]

Hi, kenevenpar, not totally sure, but I kinda think we met on board. :) Anyway, it was a nice sailing, indeed--glad y'all liked your X experience. Wish I had looked here first and seen your great review--would've saved me a couple of hours writing mine. :o

 

Thanks, and happy future cruising!

[kenevenpar]

Hi, kenevenpar, not totally sure, but I kinda think we met on board. :) Anyway, it was a nice sailing, indeed--glad y'all liked your X experience. Wish I had looked here first and seen your great review--would've saved me a couple of hours writing mine. :o

 

Thanks, and happy future cruising!

 

No worries! It is always good having more than 1 viewpoint. And, I think we did meet.

 

Ken

[sperkins921]

 

We were a bit surprised that the ship seems to roll more than others we have been on, considering the seas were not that rough. There were a lot of swells; it just seemed there was more movement than expected.

 

 

I thought this as well! Glad to see it was not just DH and I. I don't typically get sea sick and I needed pills (25 mg BID), ginger, sea bands, AND plenty of seltzer water to keep my stomach calm. It hit me worse (sadly) during dinner in Murano on night 2. By the time the check came, I was nearly green.

 

I spent a lot of time on our balcony laying in the lounger. Laying and fresh air seemed to help me most.

 

DH wondered why the ship rocked so much- he said something about the captain saying that the Reflection is susceptible to motion if there are high winds. Though, I don't know that I'd say we had really windy days either?

[raetime]

We were also on the 12/6 sailing and did the self disembark at 6:45am. We had a 9 am flight from Miami and were at the airport by 7:15am got a taxi right away (25 flat fee) and in less than 15 minutes he had us there. Ship is beautiful. I thought the food was great. We ate at Tuscan grille one nite (wonderful) but the rest of the time in MDR with select dining. We were on deck 8 and it never seemed rocky to me. The higher the deck the more motion you tend to feel. I actually won money in the casino playing the penny slots!! It was a fun cruise.

[kenevenpar]

I thought this as well! Glad to see it was not just DH and I. I don't typically get sea sick and I needed pills (25 mg BID), ginger, sea bands, AND plenty of seltzer water to keep my stomach calm. It hit me worse (sadly) during dinner in Murano on night 2. By the time the check came, I was nearly green.

 

I spent a lot of time on our balcony laying in the lounger. Laying and fresh air seemed to help me most.

 

DH wondered why the ship rocked so much- he said something about the captain saying that the Reflection is susceptible to motion if there are high winds. Though, I don't know that I'd say we had really windy days either?

 

For some reason, on this cruise we did not spend as much time on the balcony as we usually do :confused:

[sperkins921]

We were also on the 12/6 sailing and did the self disembark at 6:45am. We had a 9 am flight from Miami and were at the airport by 7:15am got a taxi right away (25 flat fee) and in less than 15 minutes he had us there. Ship is beautiful. I thought the food was great. We ate at Tuscan grille one nite (wonderful) but the rest of the time in MDR with select dining. We were on deck 8 and it never seemed rocky to me. The higher the deck the more motion you tend to feel. I actually won money in the casino playing the penny slots!! It was a fun cruise.

 

Funny thing that. I actually was much more acutely aware of the ship's motion the lower down I was. Our cabin was on deck 12 and I felt okay there. Nearly thought I was going to lose dinner at Murano which is on deck 5. I know that the higher you are, and the more towards the ends of the ship you are, the more you'd feel it- but for whatever reason....I was always feeling more tossed around on deck 5 and 4 than in my cabin. I *think* (note: not sure) by technicality our cabin was close to being midship, it was only about 4 cabins off from the aft bank of elevators.

[RunWineCruise]

Boyfriend and I were on the same trip! Agree that the food was wonderful and the service was amazing. All staff that we came across were friendly and very accommodating. First time on Celebrity and certainly won't be our last! Your review took me back! Thank you!

[helen haywood]

We were on this cruise as well and we really loved the house party band, Xtasea!

[kenevenpar]

Boyfriend and I were on the same trip! Agree that the food was wonderful and the service was amazing. All staff that we came across were friendly and very accommodating. First time on Celebrity and certainly won't be our last! Your review took me back! Thank you!

 

You are welcome! I'll post some pictures after I edit and upload.

 

We were on this cruise as well and we really loved the house party band, Xtasea!

 

They WERE good, and certainly had a lot of people listening and enjoying!

 

Ken

[Jasmine64]

Quick summary:

 

Some passengers really cannot help being obnoxious and overbearing. Thankfully, we were able to tune them out most of the time.

 

The ship is wonderful. Seven days was not enough to utilize all the ship has to offer, and we need to go back again, soon!

 

We were a bit surprised that the ship seems to roll more than others we have been on, considering the seas were not that rough. There were a lot of swells; it just seemed there was more movement than expected.

Overall, I feel comfortable recommending this ship to anyone!

 

Ken

 

Ken - I agree with the three statements you made above. I would probably not sail on the Reflection again. To me the staff seem EXHAUSTED. Friendly but just overworked and tired all the time. They are always pleasant but from the wait staff to our room attendents, butler, staff in Oceanview, etc..all seemed just completely exhausted. Our service up at the Sunset Bar, which we were there everyday, almost twice a day, because my hubby is a cigar smoker, was almost non-existent on this cruise. On Equinox and Eclipse they were there when your drink was half empty, so I commented on that in the review. Again, staff was very pleasant.

 

Do you know if there is a way to get a detailed bill AFTER you get off the ship? The last day we were told that there was an issue with whether or not to pay in Tuscan Grille (I know..not a bad issue to have) so they didn't charge us! Also, Lawn Club Grille gave us a $80 credit rather than paying. So strange!!!!!!!!! I have no clue what happened.

 

Finally, ship did roll A LOT!! I was on the 12th floor this time. We had a AQ Class Suite, so that may have been why but it did seem to happen all over the ship. Not used to that! Took my Bonine every morning so I never got sick.

 

Jill

[kenevenpar]

Ken - I agree with the three statements you made above. I would probably not sail on the Reflection again. To me the staff seem EXHAUSTED. Friendly but just overworked and tired all the time. They are always pleasant but from the wait staff to our room attendents, butler, staff in Oceanview, etc..all seemed just completely exhausted. Our service up at the Sunset Bar, which we were there everyday, almost twice a day, because my hubby is a cigar smoker, was almost non-existent on this cruise. On Equinox and Eclipse they were there when your drink was half empty, so I commented on that in the review. Again, staff was very pleasant.

 

Do you know if there is a way to get a detailed bill AFTER you get off the ship? The last day we were told that there was an issue with whether or not to pay in Tuscan Grille (I know..not a bad issue to have) so they didn't charge us! Also, Lawn Club Grille gave us a $80 credit rather than paying. So strange!!!!!!!!! I have no clue what happened.

 

Finally, ship did roll A LOT!! I was on the 12th floor this time. We had a AQ Class Suite, so that may have been why but it did seem to happen all over the ship. Not used to that! Took my Bonine every morning so I never got sick.

 

Jill

 

As to the bill, I think there was a recent thread about it, or you could call Captain's Club; I'm sure they could get you one.

 

Sunset Bar did have some times where service was slooow, but other times they were all over and drinks did not go empty:confused: We enjoyed the 5 o'clock somewhere duo, and seeing the couple get engaged.

 

Ken

[C 2 C]

 

Finally, ship did roll A LOT!! I was on the 12th floor this time. We had a AQ Class Suite, so that may have been why but it did seem to happen all over the ship. Not used to that! Took my Bonine every morning so I never got sick.

 

Jill

 

Amazing... This voyage was so much smoother than the previous voyage.

 

Dec 7th.

 

 

Edited December 17, 2014 by Arno.

[Bosjoe]

 

Sunset Bar did have some times where service was slooow, but other times they were all over and drinks did not go empty:confused: We enjoyed the 5 o'clock somewhere duo, and seeing the couple get engaged.

 

Ken

 

I was also on the same sailing and didn't notice anything I would consider slow service at the sunset bar, but I did mostly sit right at the bar, I know on sailaways they did get busy, but extra servers were brought up from some of the other bars, including one of the martini bartenders.

 

As for them being tired. I didn't see that, this was my 3rd straight year on Reflection and saw lots of the same workers.

 

Out of the 3 times on this ship this was indeed the most motion I experienced, but nothing terrible.

 

The 5oclock duo were excellent.

 

I wish I ws back on her now. :)

[gsu_paintballer]

Our service up at the Sunset Bar, which we were there everyday, almost twice a day, because my hubby is a cigar smoker, was almost non-existent on this cruise. On Equinox and Eclipse they were there when your drink was half empty, so I commented on that in the review. Again, staff was very pleasant.

 

Interesting contrast. We were there basically every day as well.

 

No issues. Sorry it didn't work out for you, because it was a great place.

[virtualbob]

Hi Ken & "DW"; Sharon & Bob here. I think we were on that boat;we were! Shoulda hung at the Martini Bar. They do this amazing three martini pour! But that's all I remember :D ! Great meeting youse "Philly" guys --See you next cruise, or sooner. S & B

[sperkins921]

anyone else dealing with mal debarkment- also known as debarkment syndrome? I get it now and again after a cruise but it is terrible this time after being on the reflection!

[C 2 C]

anyone else dealing with mal debarkment- also known as debarkment syndrome? I get it now and again after a cruise but it is terrible this time after being on the reflection!

 

There is only one cure....:D

[Bosjoe]

There is only one cure....:D

 

 

Yes book another cruise. :)

[sperkins921]

Hahahaha....

 

 

Already have the 'cure' taken care of. Got one coming up in Feb and one in May. :D

 

Then likely not again until 2016 :(

[superdee]

My wife, her friend foster son and I were on the same cruise. I have sailed Celebrity for the first and last time. The ship did roll around a lot and my wife and friend were so sick they couldn't keep the sea sickness pills down the first two days. There is just no comparison between HAL and Celebrity and IMHO it is no contest and the victory goes to HAL. I had trouble everyday with chair hogs and the classless pigs in the Ocean. When my wife who has never been sick on 7 previous cruises in rougher seas got six it was a downer from that point and when I broke and cracked my tooth on a cherry pit in the Cherries Jubliee and nobody from Celebrity gave a rat's ass my experience went sour.

[C 2 C]

The ship did roll around a lot and my wife and friend were so sick they couldn't keep the sea sickness pills down the first two days.

 

Many people have mentioned that they noticed the motion even though we did not. The previous cruises were much rougher. There must be something about the ship design that passengers from other sailings notice that we did not.

We find Millennium class provide a smoother ride than S-class and noticed that since the Solstice inaugural which provided an amusement park ride.

 

The tooth issue would be a real downer for sure. I broke a tooth top to bottom on a Princess cruise, had witnesses to boot and basically got told it was my fault.

 

Ship happens. However we have not returned to HAL since 2008 (after 16 cruises) even though it would be our second choice.

[kenevenpar]

I have to agree with Arno, Celebrity is, to me, a slightly better product than HAL.

 

I also agree the tooth issue would have upset me. There is a right way to handle situations like that, and it does not sound like they did in this case.

 

On the other two issues, I did not witness much in the way of chair hogs. Oh sure, there were a few. I did see a few disgusting people at the buffet, but I see disgusting people at our local salad bar as well.

 

Ken

[Bosjoe]

I have to agree with Arno, Celebrity is, to me, a slightly better product than HAL.

 

I also agree the tooth issue would have upset me. There is a right way to handle situations like that, and it does not sound like they did in this case.

 

On the other two issues, I did not witness much in the way of chair hogs. Oh sure, there were a few. I did see a few disgusting people at the buffet, but I see disgusting people at our local salad bar as well.

 

Ken

 

I agree with what you had to say.

 

Chair hogs, this is one of my only cruises that there was never an issue getting a chair. What you may thought of chair hogs were the used towels left behind, which I would call the lazy people who couldn't walk over and placed their towels in the bin and left them on the chairs after they used them.

 

Buffets are always pretty crowded on any ship. Any mainstream cruiseline its going to be a zoo.

 

As for sea sickness, this is not the fault of any cruiseline. Your in the ocean, you can't expect there will never be motion.

 

The beef here is that yeah Celebrity could have been better on the chip tooth situation.

[sperkins921]

Many people have mentioned that they noticed the motion even though we did not. The previous cruises were much rougher. There must be something about the ship design that passengers from other sailings notice that we did not.

We find Millennium class provide a smoother ride than S-class and noticed that since the Solstice inaugural which provided an amusement park ride.

 

The tooth issue would be a real downer for sure. I broke a tooth top to bottom on a Princess cruise, had witnesses to boot and basically got told it was my fault.

 

Ship happens. However we have not returned to HAL since 2008 (after 16 cruises) even though it would be our second choice.

 

Arno,

I find your comment about HAL intriguing. As one who has yet to sail HAL; but is curious as to what it's like, can you shed some insight on why after 16 cruises with them you've not been back? Is it just coincidence, or conscious effort?

[sperkins921]

I agree with what you had to say.

 

Chair hogs, this is one of my only cruises that there was never an issue getting a chair. What you may thought of chair hogs were the used towels left behind, which I would call the lazy people who couldn't walk over and placed their towels in the bin and left them on the chairs after they used them.

 

Buffets are always pretty crowded on any ship. Any mainstream cruiseline its going to be a zoo.

 

As for sea sickness, this is not the fault of any cruiseline. Your in the ocean, you can't expect there will never be motion.

 

The beef here is that yeah Celebrity could have been better on the chip tooth situation.

 

I agree re: seasickness. One can't blame it on the line as the ocean is a natural open environment. They can't control weather, waves, etc. I (and many others) have mused on the fact that it seems the Reflection rolls/rocks a bit more than other S class ships (I don't know that I'm using proper seafaring terms here, but I literally mean her lateral/side to side motion, NOT the up down of cresting the waves) but I can not say that I was displeased with the motion enough to never sail X again. It would take more than that to make me displeased with the line on a whole.

 

I also agree with your comments re: chair hogs. Now, we didn't sit around the pool decks much, but even on sea days at high noon I saw open chairs. There may not have been clusters of 4-5 open, more like 1-2 here and there, but they were there. Plenty in the solarium- which we were in quite a bit. I remember over hearing someone complain about chair hogs in the solarium and realized they didn't know that the rolled towels meant a chair wasn't in use. They thought it was people holding a chair rather than the attendants having placed fresh towels on chairs.