Celebrity Reflection January 14 to 21 2017

[Bimmer09]

Sorry Norris

I got to page 18 and my eyes are sore, set off for Miami at 4am so will catch up when I return.

sailing on MSC Davina on the 4th and jump on the Reflection on the 11th,

to far to travel for a one week cruise

 

Billybob that's an interesting back to back! Hope you can come back here when this is finished and tell us how the Divina was.

Bon Voyage and thanks for reading the 18 pages so far!

Norris

 

[Bimmer09]

 

There was some kind of early morning meeting happening in Celebrity Central so I just stepped in and took a quick snap.

 

 

 

I moved on. I'm on deck 4 at this point.

 

 

Park West, home of the Art Auctioneers



 

 



 

 

Art which is not for sale



 

Next the Casino

[Bimmer09]

 

 

I don't gamble but many people enjoy gambling and so here are casino pictures







 

 



 

 



 

 



 

We love Las Vegas and always stay at the Bellagio Hotel and there, like most hotels I imagine, there's a long walk from reception to the room elevators and it's through the Casino and I'm always interested in seeing the excitement (or desperation) on the faces of the players there. The clamor of all the slot machines and the calls of the croupiers at the blackjack tables just add to the atmosphere. No smoking in Fortunes Casino and it is open on one side (or 2, I can't remember) so escape is quick and easy but you'll come face to face with one of the slickly dressed sales people from one of the many shops on the Boulevard who will try and entice you in to browse. They fail 100% of the time with me...

Next, the shops (from the outside)





Norris (no CC I am not a robot but thanks for asking)

[mrsgoggins]

Ah Norris, not quite certain which picture makes me the more nostalgic for 'our' cruise - the cakes in Cafe al Bacio or the bank of Poker machines in the casino :D.

 

I'm not really a gambler, but many years ago my son installed a video poker tutorial before our first trip to Las Vegas, and I did put in the hours! But, unlike with the cakes, I have a 'will of iron' when it comes to setting a limit and stopping. On this cruise, we had $300 OBC we had no use for and so I played $20 a session (so if I bet 50c I would play 40 times and then cash out). I made a note in my diary of each play. I was delighted when I added up at the end of the cruise to discover that I had turned my $300 OBC into ....... drum roll ..... $300.50 of 'real' money. Trouble is, we have the same scenario on next month's Panama cruise so my husband expects me to do it again! Still, I'll enjoy the challenge.

 

Jiko is the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant by the way.

 

Moira

[Bimmer09]

Boulevard of shops

I'm not a shopper, unless it's Amazon but I do like a nice storefront.

 

 

 



 

 



 

 

The Boulevard



 

 

Duty Free Shop (Silhouette Photo)

 

 

Much of the retail is up on 5 and we'll see that later...

[Bimmer09]

Call me a fool, call me Ismael, call me a taxi but I've never visited the Martini Bar when it is open and the bartenders are putting on a show. I'll make a note to correct that on my next X cruise. Again, that sort of thing is "beyond the norm" on land. I've never drunk a Martini, imagining it to be sweet like Cinzano? No harm in trying one and spitting it out all over the bartender when you have a Premium Beverage Package, is there? Dark rum and Coke or a Mojito are my go-to cocktails and I go there seldomly. Is that a word or do I mean notoftenly?

 

 

Now this room is one of my favorites on this ship but I have only set foot in it when it is empty-just add that to the long list of S class experiences I have yet to sample in 2 weeks at sea on these stunning vessels. It speaks of comfort and quiet elegance and the furniture is beautiful.

 

 

 

The art on each side of the door is wonderfully colorful

and...



 

 

Let's go in, shall we? We shall? That's the spirit!

[Bimmer09]

Everytime that you (da da da da da da da dum) walk in the room....

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 

Automatic wine dispensers



 

I'm so going to have an evening glass of wine in this room on my next X cruise and hope to find a relaxed sophisticated group of bon vivants to add to the atmosphere which I imagine dwells therein. If it is full of guys with beer bellies and wife-beater tee shirts doing fart jokes by cupping a hand under their hairy armpit and pumping their arm to their side then I will be, alas, disappointed.

Norris

[easyboy]

Enjoying your review. Great photos!

[EuroTraveler12]

Love your review and pics, Norris. My cousin and I will be on the Reflection for the TA next month.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[gbolton]

There she goes just a walking down the street - Manfred Mann .;)

[Bimmer09]

Love your review and pics, Norris. My cousin and I will be on the Reflection for the TA next month.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

The ship is already heading to Europe for the summer in April? When do you sail?

You'll love the ship for sure!

Glad you are following.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

There she goes just a walking down the street - Manfred Mann .;)

 

Same time period but it's The Searchers When you walk in the room written by Jackie de Shannon (1964)

Thanks for playing!

Norris

[CruiserRob]

Call me a fool, call me Ismael, call me a taxi but I've never visited the Martini I've never drunk a Martini, imagining it to be sweet like Cinzano? No harm in trying one and spitting it out all over the bartender when you have a Premium Beverage Package, is there? Dark rum and Coke or a Mojito are my go-to cocktails and I go there seldomly. Is that a word or do I mean notoftenly?

 

 

 

 

 

Ismael, not all martinis are sweet, for example a dirty martini. Of course you can also get dark rum and coke there if that's what you want.

 

How's the hunt for the white whale coming?:D

 

Robert

[morbihan]

I am still tagging along behind you Norris. Enjoying myself remembering.

 

I didn't quite spit out my martini unenjoyed in the Martini Bar - just left it on the bar and went back to the Passport Bar (Silhouette) where I was known.:) I tried exotic sounding drinks on my premium package and left them after a sip if I didn't like them. Wonderful!

 

 

My French husband wasn't impressed with Cellar Masters. Said that it was too cold in there for the wine. Certainly too cold for me. That was, possibly, on Connie when we had to walk through from Blu.

 

 

Thank you for all your hard work. We have a busy year ahead with no cruises planned so sailing through others.

[EuroTraveler12]

The ship is already heading to Europe for the summer in April? When do you sail?

You'll love the ship for sure!

Glad you are following.

Norris

 

 

We sail on April 22. We were taking the Equinox over as Portugal was on that itinerary, but Celebrity pulled the Equinox off for the Caribbean. I was disappointed not to get to do that itinerary as there were many new ports for me. Only two new ports for me on this itinerary but all of them will be new for my cousin so that will make it fun. I was on the Equinox in the Med in 2015. It was a lovely ship. I hear that the Reflection is even nicer. I did a TA on the RC Navigator in 2012. I absolutely loved it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Bimmer09]

Ah Norris, not quite certain which picture makes me the more nostalgic for 'our' cruise - the cakes in Cafe al Bacio or the bank of Poker machines in the casino :D.

 

I'm not really a gambler, but many years ago my son installed a video poker tutorial before our first trip to Las Vegas, and I did put in the hours! But, unlike with the cakes, I have a 'will of iron' when it comes to setting a limit and stopping. On this cruise, we had $300 OBC we had no use for and so I played $20 a session (so if I bet 50c I would play 40 times and then cash out). I made a note in my diary of each play. I was delighted when I added up at the end of the cruise to discover that I had turned my $300 OBC into ....... drum roll ..... $300.50 of 'real' money. Trouble is, we have the same scenario on next month's Panama cruise so my husband expects me to do it again! Still, I'll enjoy the challenge.

 

Jiko is the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant by the way.

 

Moira

 

Moira, thanks for the correction on the restaurant name. It was memorable! I hope it is still there.

Well done on the slots!

Cheers and toodle pip!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Ismael, not all martinis are sweet, for example a dirty martini. Of course you can also get dark rum and coke there if that's what you want.

 

How's the hunt for the white whale coming?:D

 

Robert

 

Hi Robert, is the dirty Martini one with olive juice in it? or just served in a dirty glass? The dirty olivy one sounds like one where the bartender would need to duck or reach for an umbrella.

I have to try one-shaken not stirred. Chocolate one maybe?

I have temporarily given up hunting whales from the promenade deck of a cruise ship. Princess took my harpoons when I boarded in Vancouver. There is not one mention of "whale hunting prohibited" in the Conditions of Passage. I'm hoping X is more accommodating in Alaska.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

I am still tagging along behind you Norris. Enjoying myself remembering.

 

I didn't quite spit out my martini unenjoyed in the Martini Bar - just left it on the bar and went back to the Passport Bar (Silhouette) where I was known.:) I tried exotic sounding drinks on my premium package and left them after a sip if I didn't like them. Wonderful!

My French husband wasn't impressed with Cellar Masters. Said that it was too cold in there for the wine. Certainly too cold for me. That was, possibly, on Connie when we had to walk through from Blu.

Thank you for all your hard work. We have a busy year ahead with no cruises planned so sailing through others.

 

I need a warm cozy room to drink anything. I didn't notice it cold in CM but I was wearing a leather jacket and being closed the A/C was probably turned down. At home I typically like the room to be 70 F and my white wine at about 40F and my red room temperature. I will try CM on my next voyage on X and report back.

Thanks for the comments!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Enjoying your review. Great photos!

 

 

Thanks for your continued encouragement EB!

Norris

[LC1950]

Thoroughly enjoying your journal and stunning pics Norris. I board the Golden Princess tomorrow for a 13 night cruise to New Zealand so will catch up with the remainder when I return. Once again I'll crack open a coldie and drink a toast to you after boarding. Incidentally we'll be celebrating St. Paddy's Day whilst aboard ... sure hope they don't run out of Guinness. :beer-toast:

[Cruising_Bill]

We sail on April 22. We were taking the Equinox over as Portugal was on that itinerary, but Celebrity pulled the Equinox off for the Caribbean. I was disappointed not to get to do that itinerary as there were many new ports for me. Only two new ports for me on this itinerary but all of them will be new for my cousin so that will make it fun. I was on the Equinox in the Med in 2015. It was a lovely ship. I hear that the Reflection is even nicer. I did a TA on the RC Navigator in 2012. I absolutely loved it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

I hope you WERE to sail on April 22 Equinox as there is no sailing on that date

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Bimmer09]

 

It's a Grand restaurant by any yardstick yet due to Luminae and our Specialty restaurant choices we didn't eat here but I (at least) will have a sea day lunch here in a future sailing.

Carol is still gun-shy from our debacle of an MDR experience on the Silhouette. I'm willing to accept it as just a "bad night" but really those shouldn't be happening when you are turning out the same meals week to week. The service plumbed the depths.

 

I entered on deck 4 while the waiters were setting up for the 8 a.m breakfast rush

 

 

 

Looking down onto deck 3

 

 



 

 



 

 

As always, art features in the lobby

[EuroTraveler12]

I hope you WERE to sail on April 22 Equinox as there is no sailing on that date

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

Yes, was originally booked on the Equinox, but they cancelled the TA to send the ship to the Caribbean instead. We are sailing on the Reflection on April 22.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[EuroTraveler12]

I hope you WERE to sail on April 22 Equinox as there is no sailing on that date

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

 

This was the itinerary we were going to do before Celebrity took the Equinox for the Caribbean route.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[CruiserRob]

Hi Robert, is the dirty Martini one with olive juice in it?

I have to try one-shaken not stirred.

 

 

Yes Mr Bond, it is the one with olive brine in it and all of the martinis at the Martini bar are served shaken not stirred :)