My View: Ringing in 2023 on Celebrity Reflection (semi-live)

[APDMOM]

This looks like a fun future excursion - a good excuse to book another cruise!

 

[APDMOM]

Sundowner on the Balcony:

(Please comment if you know whata 'sundowner' is - not related to dementia!  My US husband has not heard about this term in relation to a drink - wondering if it is a South African thing?)

 

 

 

[mnocket]

On 1/3/2023 at 8:20 AM, APDMOM said:

Casa Blanca:

In 2012, we noticed this house for the first time.  There was a party, complete with a helicopter bringing people in.  Today, it is abandoned and looking worse every time we visit Nassau.

 

Casa Blanca July 2012:

 

Casa Blanca January 2023:

 

I feel like Casa Blanca should mean something to me, but it doesn't.  Why is it noteworthy?

[APDMOM]

Oli Nez - the best show of the cruise!  Funny, extremely talented, best breath control ever, highly entertaining!  Don’t miss this show:

 

  

[APDMOM]

My Favorite View: End of Day 4 - Grand Cayman:

 

I got stuck in this huge, deep hammock by the pool and our son came to the rescue:

[APDMOM]

1 minute ago, mnocket said:

 

I feel like Casa Blanca should mean something to me, but it doesn't.  Why is it noteworthy?

Casa Blanca means "white house".  I don't know if this house in the Bahamas was significant, but it is of course also a famous movie 🙂 

[mtnlvr53]

5 hours ago, APDMOM said:

Hi, Janet,

 

I will find out for you.  I have seen many gluten free dessert options!  I will see if I can get more information about the Oceanview cafe and GF diet.  🙂 

That's so kind of you, Thanks!!!

[mtnlvr53]

5 hours ago, APDMOM said:

Sundowner on the Balcony:

(Please comment if you know whata 'sundowner' is - not related to dementia!  My US husband has not heard about this term in relation to a drink - wondering if it is a South African thing?)

 

 

 

For sure, it's South African. (also Zimbabwe) We just got back from a Safari and we had sundowners every night! Love me some Amarula!

Edited January 7, 2023 by mtnlvr53

[DaKahuna]

5 hours ago, mnocket said:

 

I feel like Casa Blanca should mean something to me, but it doesn't.  Why is it noteworthy?

 

 I believe that is a property in Nassau that Nicholas Cage owns or owned at one time. 

 

[SRQbeachgirl]

On 1/3/2023 at 11:34 AM, miguelmia said:

I'm on Reflection on the 22nd so this is  perfect timing! Hope y'all are having a great trip!

 

We'll be on that cruise!

[kristines66]

Thank you for the great review & info!
Do you know if the did the silent disco?

[APDMOM]

17 hours ago, mtnlvr53 said:

That's so kind of you, Thanks!!!

 

@mtnlvr53 Hi Janet,  I got this answer for you 🙂 

 

TIP:  For Gluten Free (or any special) diets:  I just spoke to one of the chefs in the Oceanview Cafe (Buffet).  He says when you board, you can just ask for a chef in the cafe.  They will walk around with you and show you the GF options.  Every day, there is a staff member or chef walking around in the buffet who will gladly help with dietary restrictions and to point out your options.  He did mention that there is a kitchen by Opus dining room that id dedicated to cooking for special diets.

[APDMOM]

1 hour ago, kristines66 said:

Thank you for the great review & info!
Do you know if the did the silent disco?

 

Yes, they had it in the Sky lounge a few times during the cruise.  🙂 

[George C]

Another great review,  your son is getting big. 

[Purplsmurf]

On 1/6/2023 at 12:44 PM, mtnlvr53 said:

We are on the Reflection starting Sunday: all these rumors about the OV dining for dinner are making me nervous, since I'm a Celiac.(no gluten) Can you tell me if it is true that there is only pizza and hotdogs? Thanks so much!

Janet

There is plenty of gf food. I have to eat gf as well and have been on Reflection twice so far and and never an issue . Have fun!

[ExpressoMama]

We are from Florida and are very accustomed to the event of “sundowner”. We enjoy a Sundowner while on board cruises and also when we are on beach vacations.

[rrraydon]

Enjoying your review. I will now have to try the "Sundowner" on my cruise in 2 weeks! 

[DaKahuna]

@APDMOM   Thank you very much for your review.  I enjoyed it very much and especially liked the highlighted TIP section.  I learned some new things. 

 

 

[APDMOM]

7 hours ago, George C said:

Another great review,  your son is getting big. 

So fun to connect with you again!  Yes, he voted for the first time this past election!  🙂 Can't believe it!

[APDMOM]

A Note before I start Day 5:

 

Internet has improved greatly over the week. I don’t know what the IT team did, but it is a HUGE difference from the first few days!  Now, it is worth paying for the package… I am still enjoying free minutes, since DH and DS ‘donated’ their minutes to this review.  🙂 

[APDMOM]

My View:  Day 5 - Costa Maya

 

[APDMOM]

We had a later arrival, so we enjoyed a ‘half’ sea day at sunrise:

 

[APDMOM]

Ships in Port:

As usual, Costa Maya was humidity central with way too many people in port.  It is still fun, though!  Carnival Glory and Carnival Pride shared the day with us.  I tried to 'photobomb' a picture of a Carnival Glory photographer and revealed to him that I was actually on Celebrity - he laughed so hard, it made my day 😄

 

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

Our plan for this day was to hop off, take the long walk on the pier to get some ‘land-legs’ exercise, buy a shirt, then get back onboard.  Mission accomplished.

 

TIP: If you plan is just to enjoy the port of Costa Maya, put on your swimwear, plenty of sunscreen, and learn to say “Lo siento, no necesito nada” (Sorry, I don’t need anything). Or, “Gracias, tenga un buen dia” - Enjoy the pool, bar, and hopefully a lounger.

 

 

Views in Costa Maya:

 

 

TIP: It takes quite a while for these guys to get situated - at least 15 minutes.  If you only want to see them spin down, make your way over to that area when you hear the flute starting.

 

The water was quite rough - photo does not do it justice, but the waves under the ship were loud!

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

Of course, if you can, support the local economy.  And please tip the musicians 🙂  Loved the harp player, making beautiful music, even out in that heat.

 

 

I love the special ‘welcome back’ of Celebrity: