LIVE!!!!! From the REFLECTION TRANSATLANTIC - CHICAGOPAUL -

[chicagopaul]

More pictures from Tuscan....

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

After dinner last night we called it a night. That’s right no extra drinks and no casino. We went to bed, watched Wolf of Wall Street and fell asleep. We lost another hour last night so the early night has me feeling great this morning. Edward is still getting ready so he’s still moving slow for some reason this morning.

 

 

 

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[Duanerice1]

Ha ha, we watched Wolf of Wall Street on Sunday too.

 

Thanks for posting, following along. Looking to do our first TA in a couple of years.

[BEAV]

Thanks for all the great updates and photos. Nothing beats Transatlantics!

 

I noticed a number of differences between the Tuscan menu posted on the app and the one you were presented with. On the app it lists two Prime NY Strip steaks (9 oz and 18 oz) neither with any up charge, on your menu only a 16 oz for $15 up charge. Roasted Beef Ribeye on the App is 10 oz, but 14 on your menu! Grilled Skirt Steak 16 oz on your menu, 12 oz on the App. In the seafood department, Awordfish Acqua Pazza on the App but not on your menu. In the pastas, Frutti Di Mare Rigatoni on the App but not on your menu. On the other hand, the three meat lasagna on your menu, but not on the App.

 

So I wonder if there are in fact two different menus used (rotated between different ships?) or the App menu is simply outdated. We'll be on Solstice later this month and I'd like to try the Frutti Di Mare listed on the App, but I won't get my hopes up since it didn't appear on your menu.

[miched]

I found it in the Apple App Store. Takes some getting used to the navigation....

 

Joe

 

What is the App called. I searched Celebrity cruises and got many apps but none look like anything from Celebrity.

 

Thanks

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅a

[BEAV]

What is the App called. I searched Celebrity cruises and got many apps but none look like anything from Celebrity.

 

Thanks

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅a

 

Try this (it worked for me):

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/celebrity-cruises/id1313008863?mt=8

[jagoffee]

Try this (it worked for me):

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/celebrity-cruises/id1313008863?mt=8

 

Works for me. Hopefully they will add the Silhouette by January.

[chicagopaul]

It’s been nice having the app. As BEAV mentioned there are some inconsistencies with menus and even activities. For instance they posted silent disco was last night when it is actually tonight. I’m sure these things will get ironed out eventually.

 

This afternoon we had lunch at Ocean View. We were sure to be there just before noon to avoid the crazy crowds. We grabbed a table outside in the sun. It was pretty windy but the sun kept us warm though i did find myself wishing I was wearing long sleeves.

 

For lunch today I had a mix of:

 

Beef Stew, Tikka Chicken, Roasted Lemon Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Cucumber Salad, Rice/Wrapped grape leaves (the actual name is escaping me).

 

 

 

 

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[melbloch]

2 interesting aspects of your video:

1) Our sailing on Silhouette is in 6243, which is 2C, supposedly obstructed, but only to the bottom of the balcony glass. Yours looks similar.

2) We have never been in a cabin where the bed is by the balcony. It looks like the wardrobe ( closet) is more accessible.

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Closets have sliding doors so no hassle to open or close. We have been on deck 6 a few times (both on the Silly and Reflection) between 6134 - 6267 and the life boats really do not block your view at all. Mid ship and as low down as possible is better for me (mad motion sickness), but we prefer to have a cabin either towards the fore or aft of the ship as there is less passing traffic. (I make sure I have a plentifull supply of patches.)

 

Take into account that deck 6 on the port side is above the smoking section of the promenade deck and the smoke wafts up from it - makes it very unpleasant for us non smokers to even have the verandah door open.

 

Gearing up for our cruise May 7 on the Reflection from Civit to Gibraltar and back.

[Ma Bell]

It’s been nice having the app. As BEAV mentioned there are some inconsistencies with menus and even activities. For instance they posted silent disco was last night when it is actually tonight. I’m sure these things will get ironed out eventually.

 

This afternoon we had lunch at Ocean View. We were sure to be there just before noon to avoid the crazy crowds. We grabbed a table outside in the sun. It was pretty windy but the sun kept us warm though i did find myself wishing I was wearing long sleeves.

 

For lunch today I had a mix of:

 

Beef Stew, Tikka Chicken, Roasted Lemon Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Cucumber Salad, Rice/Wrapped grape leaves (the actual name is escaping me).

 

 

 

 

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Dolmades

[maybr]

Thanks for the updates. A quick question, I have the app, and you said it's useful, can you tell us how you are using it?

 

thanks!

[Lastdance]

Yep just do that! You can pick my sailing and pull them up. If you can’t no worries I can screen shot them from the app for you and post them. Just let me know either way and I’ll take care of it.

 

Here is a quick photo view from our dinner tonight. Watching the sunset in Tuscan. Truly beautiful.

 

 

 

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Thanks to both you and the capt. I have had the app, but have not looked at it in awhile due to nothing relevant being the on it! Thanks so much!!!! Yes, I see your cruise and mine!

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

Thanks for the updates. A quick question, I have the app, and you said it's useful, can you tell us how you are using it?

 

 

 

thanks!

 

 

 

We’ve been using it in place of the daily. Even though I have photos of the daily on my phone we’ve used the app to check dinner menus for MDR and for show descriptions. If I don’t carry the entire daily I might not know anything about the performer for the evening. Now I can click on the evenings performance and get a brief synopsis of what the performance is about. Hopefully soon we will be able to make specialty restaurant reservations using the app or put requests in with the butler or room attendant. I think it would also be great to have a comments section so you can praise a staff member or so you can report a problem as well. I’m sure all that will come in the future

 

 

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[CaptCrunch]

We’ve been using it in place of the daily. Even though I have photos of the daily on my phone we’ve used the app to check dinner menus for MDR and for show descriptions. If I don’t carry the entire daily I might not know anything about the performer for the evening. Now I can click on the evenings performance and get a brief synopsis of what the performance is about. Hopefully soon we will be able to make specialty restaurant reservations using the app or put requests in with the butler or room attendant. I think it would also be great to have a comments section so you can praise a staff member or so you can report a problem as well. I’m sure all that will come in the future

 

All of that is coming to the app....in due time. They are working on rolling out all the ships first before adding additional functionality. I had the pleasure of speaking to a member of the digital marketing team on Reflection last week. It was a great and informative discussion. The goal is to provide consistent features across the entire company - Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara.

 

I believe she said that the Royal Caribbean app is the most advanced at the moment but the goal is to get them all there eventually. You will absolutely be able to make specialty reservations, book spa appointments, as well as some other really advanced features that are equivalent to what current airline apps are offering...think: check-in, tracking your bag, switching your seat, etc.

 

For the “How are you using the app?” question posed earlier - I used it extensively pre-cruise to plan my meals and activities for the day. The menus on my sailing were all there and correct so I knew which days I might want something other than that days menu choices. It is a great way to decide which evenings to plan a specialty restaurant or a night out of you’re in port overnight. It completely replaces the need to search these boards for a kind soul to post photos of the menu and dailies.

[EnthDegree]

Paul and Edward

 

Could you possibly find out if Rich Spacey will still be Cruise Director for the sailing on 28th May?

Thanks - enjoying your daily postings and pics.

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

Paul and Edward

 

Could you possibly find out if Rich Spacey will still be Cruise Director for the sailing on 28th May?

Thanks - enjoying your daily postings and pics.

 

 

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No problem. I will find out.

 

 

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[Toftwood]

Your reports as always are a truly great read. We are planning (but not yet booked) the April 2019 Silhouette crossing. We have only done W/B (not X) but really like the idea of the E/B so we don’t have the overnight flight back to the UK

[awhfy]

Ah, a ChicagoPaul & Edward review! Excellent. We enjoyed you both on Eclipse in December (we were fellow Martini Bar residents). Always enjoy your live casts. Have a fantastic cruise

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

Thank you everyone for continuing to follow along. Good morning as usual from the pool bar. It’s a bit cooler today. The TV says 70 but it feels like lower 60s with the wind. We are rockin a decent amount. Nothing crazy but definitely enough to make you feel it especially in the shower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

Yesterday was our last nice sea day (as far as crossing goes) according to the captain. Though on a crossing I prefer a little “Ocean drama” for the lack of a better word so I think I will enjoy today.

 

But let’s talk about yesterday. Yesterday we had lunch JJ ocean view as you saw. We took a brief nap then headed to sunset bar for a drink and ran into some friends and made a new one. I just had one beer and Edward a ginger ale. We chatted for a couple hours and then went back to the room to relax before dinner. We hit up the martini bar of course and then decided on the main dining room for dinner.

 

So this was our first time in the MDR in over 3 years. Maybe in over 4 years?

 

We were seated at table 405. We arrived at 7:55 and were seated right away. We were done with dessert by 8:55. Very quick and good service. I was impressed. The food overall was pretty good.

 

We started with the crab cake which was the highlight of the meal. I could’ve eaten a dozen. We then had the carpaccio which for the MDR I was surprised at the quality. Not overly fatty. Very tender. We then had the cream of broccoli soup. It was definitely on the watery side, not too creamy. Flavor was good but needed some salt and pepper. We then both had the short ribs. They were tender with the right amount of fat which was edible still. It could’ve used a bit more seasoning but overall it was pretty good. We then both had dessert. I had the apple tart and Edward had the jubilee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

Food pictures from dinner in MDR

 

 

 

Pardon the photo. I forgot to take a pic before I started!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

After lunch in Ocean View (review of that later), we’re sitting at Sunset bar. Very windy up here but I love it. Finally feels like we’re on a crossing!

 

 

 

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[UKPete71]

We started with the crab cake which was the highlight of the meal. I could’ve eaten a dozen.

 

I love the crab cakes and normally order double portions. [emoji41]

 

 

 

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[chicagopaul]

My apologies for inundating all of you with a bunch of posts but given that I’m relaxing now I thought I would take this time to update you on some general observations of the cruise thus far.

 

- Ocean View Cafe. We normally do not eat here much but we’ve eaten lunch 3 times so far. I’ve been impressed with the quality of the food and the variety of options. I just noticed the Caesar salad station today (maybe this isn’t everyday) but appreciated the large mixing bowl so you could mix your own Cesar with dressing. I’ve also noticed a good handful of managers walking the floor of the buffet checking on items. I have noticed that bar servers are not walking the floor as they have in the past. At least not outside.

 

- Elite Happy Hour. As I reported the martini bar is now included in the Elite happy hour. This does not mean that their drinks qualify, all drink options remain the same but it does mean the bar is busier when we arrive at our normal 6 to 6:30 time. Ensemble was packed the other day during Elite happy hour but I was impressed to see so many wait staff passing out small bites.

 

- Officers. I have not seen a lot of officers out and about as I have in the past but I have seen more “middle managers” whether it is restaurant managers or bar managers, out and about.

 

- Friendliness of Staff. I’ve always found staff on board to be very friendly but everyone on here is one step better. Maybe they give them good drugs? Haha. Everyone from room attendants down random hallways to massage therapists passing through a common area to bathroom attendants have been overly friendly and extremely respectful.

 

- Passengers. The PAX on here are your standard TA passengers but I’d say of the three crossings we’ve been on this seems to be slightly younger. Though maybe we’re just getting older??? [emoji19]

 

- Late night activities. We haven’t seen much open late but this is par for the course on a TA.

 

- We haven’t seen Cruise Director Richard around the ship much. Maybe our past couple cruises with Sue Denning spoiled us and we also haven’t attended shows yet but we have been up late in the foyer area and martini bar area plus all around the ship during the day and I’m surprised I haven’t seen him walking around at all. Oh well it is a large ship but just my observation.

 

So that’s all for now folks. Keep any questions coming. I still need to follow up to see how long our current CD will be on board as well as the contracts of those at World Class bar. Any other questions feel free to ask!

 

 

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[helen haywood]

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Closets have sliding doors so no hassle to open or close. We have been on deck 6 a few times (both on the Silly and Reflection) between 6134 - 6267 and the life boats really do not block your view at all. Mid ship and as low down as possible is better for me (mad motion sickness), but we prefer to have a cabin either towards the fore or aft of the ship as there is less passing traffic. (I make sure I have a plentifull supply of patches.)

 

Take into account that deck 6 on the port side is above the smoking section of the promenade deck and the smoke wafts up from it - makes it very unpleasant for us non smokers to even have the verandah door open.

 

Gearing up for our cruise May 7 on the Reflection from Civit to Gibraltar and back.

 

Just to point out that the regular scheduled spot for smoking is port side on Deck 6, but if the refueling barge is on that side it is moved to starboard side Deck 6.