LIVE 47 Days 3 Ships Caribbean Escape January 30th - March 20th!

[cinderellen]

Thanks for sharing your travels with us. I enjoyed catching up each day. Safe travels home. Ellen 

[Reel Love]

Thank you so much for a terrific 47 day cruise review!!  It was so generous of you to take the time to share your fabulous journey with us and it is very much appreciated  🙂   

Btw....that last sunset photo you shared was absolutely stunning!!!  Safe travels home.

[kluv2cruz]

8 hours ago, countess5 said:

Then of course we had to say good-bye to the Martini Bar before dinner.

Loved following along. It was spellbinding to us at home on our sofas. Thank you. After all your research, what are your favourite top 5 martinis, and what embellishments do you recommend? 

[countess5]

Good Happy Monday from Ft Lauderdale airport! 😀

 

Before I give an update of yesterday I forgot to share that on the last day of the cruise we went up to the Sky Lounge to listen to the trivia. As I was sitting there I looked over and guess what I saw? 

 

This had to be the most ducks I have found in cruising and not even looking for them! 😂

 

Yesterday we disembarked and I believed shared that we halted from leaving the ship because a lady had fallen on the gangway. An ambulance was called and we waited for her to be attended to. 
I am sure that delayed the boarding of the ship since that was around 9:30 and they had many numbers to call and the B2B people.

Reflection did not leave until around 6 PM last night. 
 

We spent the day on the beach, been in the Caribbean for 7 weeks and never hit a beach until yesterday. We are not really beach people but the pool chairs were all taken. 
 

We were at the Marriott Harbor Beach. It is a nice hotel, mostly convention and families but for a night it works. The Sky was off and on cloudy.

 

 

Around 3 the winds picked up so we headed for our favorite Marriott Cheeseburger! If you have not had one try it sometime. It hasn’t changed in years! Charcoal grilled! 😀

( I know food porn)

 

Then up to the room to relax and watch the ships head out. 
 

Pool view from our balcony

 

 

oh and we spotted those Florida geese again! 😂😂

 

 

I think I have watched these ships leave from every angle. 
 

 

 Of you look between the buildings you can see Beyond. 

There goes our ride! Bye! 

And the other one! 

Odyssey of the Seas joined in. 

Save travels to All! 

 

Night came and it was off to watch a little TV then bed! 😴

 

Will be boarding soon so more to come this week of final thoughts.

 

Cheers! 

 

[clochette]

thank you so much for sharing your winter getaway this is what I dream to do in a couple of years.

[Pantheral]

Thanks for all of your posts taking us along on your amazing journey! The DW is retiring later this spring and it is my hopes I can convince her to do our first B2B cruises either in fall. Having her follow along with you is raising her interest!!!

[CruisinBanka]

Thanks for sharing your 47 day adventure with us! We enjoyed sailing along with you. Curious to know which was your favorite ship and what made it so. We were on the Beyond for 21 days recently and it became our favorite! Loved the retreat area and specialty restaurants. 

[charleysmom]

I’ve read through all of these posts in one sitting and really enjoyed them… felt like I was right along with you and am now even more excited to board the Apex on April 8th. 
 

But I have to know… What’s the story with the drinks tray??? Did I miss it somehow??

 

Safe travels home and thanks for sharing your trip. 

[asnaleah]

Thanks for taking us along! 

[countess5]

Morning from my recliner at home! 🙄

 

I have not forgotten to provide my summary and thoughts. Just trying to catch up on being home.
We visited Barbie’s favorite place yesterday….the grocery store! 😂😂 NOT! 
 

Today I’ll be over at my golf club hitting some balls with my new set of clubs Barbie bought me for Christmas! ⛳️

So I plan on completing my summary tomorrow and the story of the traveling tray! It was just fun on how this went.   
 

Cheers! 

[countess5]

On 3/21/2023 at 8:24 AM, asnaleah said:

Thanks for taking us along! 

Thanks for following!

 

Cheers! 

[countess5]

On 3/20/2023 at 1:00 PM, Pantheral said:

Thanks for all of your posts taking us along on your amazing journey! The DW is retiring later this spring and it is my hopes I can convince her to do our first B2B cruises either in fall. Having her follow along with you is raising her interest!!!

Congratulations on the retirement! It’s a good life!

Take that B2B, once you do she’ll get the feel of the longer more relaxing type of cruising. 
 

Cheers! 

[countess5]

One Last Good Morning! 

 

Summary and final thoughts.....

Remember these are personal observations and opinions....your may vary. 

 

The beginning of this may sound like there is a lot wrong with complaints and questions but stay with me! 

 

This was our second year enjoying our winter cruise. Bottom Line it was a great time. Getting out of the winter (which apparently we had very little of 🙄) is very nice. It's not only the weather but getting dark so early, cloudy days and all basic outdoor activities on hold. It also stimulates the brain and keeps the body moving.

 

I will have to say that this is probably the last sailings on Equinox and Reflection. I say that because of the offerings as to dining and the style of the ships. 

The service on each was for the most part very good. We met so many new crew and made great memories with them. 

I selected Reflection as our finishing ship because the amazing time we had last year. Unfortunately she let us down. The "vibe" was not what it was before, she is tiered and really really needs to be revolutionized. There was a smell of sewage each day on deck 5 outside the theater which was not pleasant as we walked down what I call "highway 5" from the front of the ship to the midship to board the elevators to the 15th deck. yes we could of walked outside on the upper deck but certain days winds were a bit too high. Shouldn't be a sewage smell. There was constant maintenance going on, sanding balcony railings, the smell of varnish. Banging and addressing life boats and other aspects of the ship. I know it needs to be maintained for the safety of the passengers and crew but it's time to bring her in. 

Also, the Cruise Director wasn't the best. On the second week we received a new activities Director and it seemed that the CD and the AD just didn't appreciate each other much.

On these class of ships we felt on Equinox and Reflection Murano is not what it use to be. Very little table side cooking and the "special" dining experience just wasn't happening. The service for the most part was good, food good but I am about the experience also. 

 

I would also say on Reflection the Captains Club events and a lot of the events were poorly timed. On Reflection the Captains Senior Officer reception was held at 7:45 PM. Just an odd time. On the other ships it was 5 or 5:30 PM. Right before dinner. Also the Captains welcome reception was held at 11:45 AM. Cocktails were served but not hors d'oeuvres. I know I can do without more food but again I go back to the experience. It was like, well we have to do this so let's get it over with. 

 

Solo entertainment was at weird times. An example was on both ships they would have a solo or duo play each afternoon at the Sunset Bar. Sail away was around 4:00 - 4:30 depending on the port. The music would come on at 5:30. A lot of people are getting ready to go down for showers and dinner ( I did ask other passengers their opinions on this and they agreed) . If we had a later dining time we would stay and listen. Most times we did not.

 

That brings me to something I just don't understand. As you know we do all specialty dining. We purchase the full cruise specialty dining package, well each one is a night short so we buy one additional night. My question is and I asked this, why can't we make our dining reservations prior to the cruise? All the people that buy one here and one there making their reservation gets us to a point when we board that the times we would like to request are booked so we are thrown into the 5:30 time slot.

We were able to get around that because we have done this for so long that we just show up a half hour later of just when we are ready. There's always a spot and there is no issue but why should we have to do this? 

 

By far the Beyond was the new girlfriend. I know, newer ship, but we felt there was more in the offerings. Having sailed Edge and Apex, I believe for Celebrity our choice of ships is more towards the Edge class, however as I shared the bar "service" at the Sunset Bar and Magic Carpet did not exist.  We discussed this with other passengers and all agreed that when they select the bar services for these new ships they should bring a team from another ship. If they would have had the Reflection Team on the Beyond hands down would of been fantastic! I would have to say that was the only real down point. It just had a better experience and variety. If you ever have the opportunity to sail with Captain Kate please do. You know a Captain of the ship can make a big difference and she does. Best Captain Club events ever and well timed! 

 

I will say that all the entertainment was great on all 3 ships. The house bands, the headliners brought on board all performed really well and definitely entertained you. If was nice to have music during cocktails and then a show after dinner. On Equinox and Reflection could someone be assigned to cut the Martini Bar music off when the live entertainment is going on in the Foyer? 🤔

 

You know when you sail this many days on a ship you have time to for observations and feel the  experience of the ship. Not caught up on vacation mode. 

 

Look if that was the worse of it, small but it was experienced.

 

We are discussing next year and I believe if we do this again we will try to stay with Edge class ships or explore additional cruise lines. We have achieved Elite Plus and don't see ourselves reaching Zenith so take our benefits and try other lines. Just a thought to see what is out there.

 

 

With what I have shared it was still an outstanding time and to sail, meet people, make new relationships and share a part of it with friends where can you go wrong? For those retired or those that will be retiring try it if you can. It gets addictive. 

 

Hopefully in my post over the cruise time you got a feel of our experience . I don't need to rehash it all again for you. I think I have said enough!  😂  These were just some closing observations to add to those post. 

 

I also want to say that we are not on social media, we don't FB, tweet, instagram or any of the platforms. Just Cruise Critic, so if I offended anyone or broke some rule I apologize for that. I hope "Live" helped you get through winter. The main reason I tried this was to pay back those that during their cruises and adventures took the time to post live and get me through winters when I worked and was not able to do this type of traveling.  Thank you.

 

I am adding some videos that would not up load while sailing. 🤞

  

Captain Kate Entertaining

St Lucia 
 

 

 

Well I tried but as you know not a tech guy so the best I could do. Glad I got Kate in.

 

Cheers! 

 

 

 

 

 

[countess5]

You thought I forgot traveling tray!  😂 😂

 

I did not.......

 

Not a crazy story but one of interest of what a tray brings out when you go to Al Bacio.

 

 

How did this start?

The first morning on Equinox we had room service. When the breakfast came ( simple continental breakfast) requested items were missing. We let it go. Second morning we ordered again and once again items were missing. This time we pointed them out and the attendant went back for those items and delivered them on the soon to become "the traveling tray" (pictured above 😂) I said to Barbie, no more room service I am going to go to Al Bacio each morning for coffee and danish/muffins.

Barbie asked how was I going to carry that back to the cabin since we both have two cups of coffee and danish. I said this tray will come in handy so I put the tray in the closet.

The next morning with tray in hand I went to Al Bacio for 4 Americano's and danish. The person behind the counter asked how I was going to carry this since they do not have trays.....I said I brought my own tray! She laughed and said that was very smart. She said we are asked all the time if we have trays.

So each morning I made my way down to Al Bacio with tray in hand and it was interesting to see people look at me, some say where did you get that? That is crazy smart, I should of thought of that and so on. 

 

So as we went into the next week I left the tray in the closet and again each morning with tray in hand went to Al Bacio. 

The Equinox came to an end and Barbie said what are you going to do on Beyond for breakfast. I said I am going to Al Bacio with my tray in hand. So the tray was packed and onto Beyond the traveling tray came. I thought, well it's Celebrity too so it's staying with the same cruise line.

 

On Beyond I went down the first morning I kept it next to my side and again I was asked how was I going to carry 4 Americano's and danish back to the cabin. Ala! I have a tray! It then became the "Magic Tray". Each morning the team would say the Magic Tray is here 4 Americano's, what type of danish/muffin would like this morning. Again, many people with looks and comments. For 14 days I went to al Bacio and was greeted with "it's the magic tray".

 

Beyond ended so Barbie said are you moving the traveling tray to Reflection? Of course I am! So onto Reflection with the Traveling tray we went. On Reflection there is a lower shelf and then the higher counter. I placed it on the lower shelf. 4 Americano's please with a carrot muffin ( which Barbie had almost every morning on all the ships). The question came up again how was I going to carry it, up comes the tray and the team just looked at me and said that is smart!  For the next 14 days when I showed up with tray in hand, it was 4 Americano's! No need to order! 😂  Thanks Ena for the hgeat service! 

 

The tray got me into some conversations with other passengers and it was a fun event with the team each morning.  

So That's the story of the traveling tray. Try it sometime if you need to bring back the goods from Al Bacio! 😂

 

Where is the Traveling Tray today............🤔

 

 

Cheers! 

 

 

 

 

[pd7277]

Excellent finale!  Much appreciate!

[countess5]

On 3/19/2023 at 7:55 PM, kluv2cruz said:

Loved following along. It was spellbinding to us at home on our sofas. Thank you. After all your research, what are your favourite top 5 martinis, and what embellishments do you recommend? 

I wanted to answer your question, we don’t experiment with Martini’s . Barbie is a Fresca Martini and I stay with Hendricks Gin Martini, no vermouth with a cucumber. 

I sometimes go with an espresso Martini. 🍸

 

Cheers! 

[mac_tlc]

Great recap and an excellent story about the Magic tray! Interested in what you do next year, whether it’s all E-class or a mix of cruise lines. 
 

mac_tlc

[DaKahuna]

4 hours ago, countess5 said:

I wanted to answer your question, we don’t experiment with Martini’s . Barbie is a Fresca Martini and I stay with Hendricks Gin Martini, no vermouth with a cucumber. 

I sometimes go with an espresso Martini. 🍸

 

I had the bartender on my last cruise make my cucumber martini with Hendricks.  It was delicious. 

 

[countess5]

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

I had the bartender on my last cruise make my cucumber martini with Hendricks.  It was delicious. 

 

Great Taste! The only way to go! 🍸

 

Cheers!

[DaKahuna]

Just now, countess5 said:

Great Taste! The only way to go! 🍸

 

 

I am going to order one at the Martini Bar in 27 days.  I am  going to play close attention to what they make it with. 

 

[countess5]

3 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

Great recap and an excellent story about the Magic tray! Interested in what you do next year, whether it’s all E-class or a mix of cruise lines. 
 

mac_tlc

Will make that decision in the months to come. Not sure what we will do, but what ever it will be fun! Planning our trip now to England to see our British cruising friends! 

 

Cheers! 

[countess5]

Just now, DaKahuna said:

 

I am going to order one at the Martini Bar in 27 days.  I am  going to play close attention to what they make it with. 

 

Make sure it’s made at the bar. I found if I ordered it from the guys walking around they didn’t get it. I always walked up to the bar. 

 

Cheers! 

[DaKahuna]

4 minutes ago, countess5 said:

Make sure it’s made at the bar. I found if I ordered it from the guys walking around they didn’t get it. I always walked up to the bar. 

 

 

Of course.  I always drink at the bar when I go to the Martini Bar.  If it's too busy to get a seat, I go elsewhere and come back later. 

 

My backup is usually the Retreat Lounge or Ensemble Lounge.  This will be my first time on an M-Class ship so I expect we will be spending a lot of time in the Rendezvous Lounge. 

 

[lallak1]

Thanks for letting us join your adventure! We are on our last night on the Equinox, and really appreciated you letting us know about Ernesto and the Sunset Bar crew. We told Ernesto you sent us! He appreciated that! And we taught them a new drink (Blind Russian), so win, win, win!

[countess5]

9 hours ago, lallak1 said:

Thanks for letting us join your adventure! We are on our last night on the Equinox, and really appreciated you letting us know about Ernesto and the Sunset Bar crew. We told Ernesto you sent us! He appreciated that! And we taught them a new drink (Blind Russian), so win, win, win!

So glad you met Ernesto! I am sure the service was outstanding! 

 

Expanding his drink menus, that’s fantastic!

 

Cheers!