Reflection LIVE 2/3/24-2/11/24: 8 Crazy Nights of ABC Islands

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 2/1/2024 at 5:34 PM, GenerationX said:

Then Jeremy said absolutely not, that I’ve been in worse shape and need this time away more than he does and that he is staying home to take care of things and I am to go to the ocean and start healing my heart and mind…

oh, Charla, this made me cry.... What a wonderful husband. I hope you enjoy your cruise for both of you.

 

P.S. The petsitter cancelling at the last moment happened to us a couple of years ago as well, but thankfully, the backup petsitter was available.

 

On 2/1/2024 at 5:34 PM, GenerationX said:

we have 4 dogs and 4 cats.  Boarding them for 10 days would cost more than the cruise and put some of them through horrific stress (they’re rescues and have residual kennel trauma). 

Thank you for rescuing so many!!!!!!  We only have 2 rescue dogs, but also cannot board them because it's extremely traumatic for them. We now use rover.com to find good sitters. Thankfully, we live in a major metro area, so finding them isn't usually a problem, but the last minute cancellation was done a couple of days before our Thanksgiving cruise, and everybody and their brother was booked long in advance.

Edited February 5 by Itchy&Scratchy

[CardowMD]

At the CC breakfast I always have a Bellini, or two, cappuccino, fruit plate w/ no melon, another chocolate croissant and occasionally the cheese plate. Of course this is after I have my asparagus/mushroom omelet, crispy bacon and other assorted items at Oceanview earlier in the morning. Keeps me full until lunch☺️

[lola2013]

That LCG burger 🍔 has me drooling (not a good look).  I have five sea days on my April B2B and am hoping to score at least 2-3…weather permitting the venue is open.  Don’t get me started on the fabulous warm chocolate chip cookie desert 😉🍪😋.

Susan 

[zitsky]

4 hours ago, GenerationX said:

 

 

Speaking of, here’s today’s agenda:

 

-Go by the vintage handbag shop to see if a bag I fell for last night is still there (part of the reason I flaked on changing my clock is that I was busy before bed doing my research on the model and what it’s going for through other authenticators and the price is about right!)

 

Get that bag!  Sometimes I wish I were a drag queen so I could wear a Chanel suit and buy fabulous handbags.  

[RedneckBob]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

Celebrity Cruise Math:

 

1 decent morning in the Casino 

 

+ 1 Burger the Size of my Face (swimming in English cheddar cheese and topped with more thick, juicy, smoky bacon than maritime law should allow) 

 

+ Herb Parmesan Chips 

 

+ 2 Glasses of Malbec 

 

= Check, please. It’s nap time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like your math and congrats on your winnings on the slot machine. In December  while on the Reflection the Misses hit on a similar slot machine. The next day when see went to play the machine again it was gone! Not actually gone. Found out that all the casino staff has to do is change a chip in the slot machine to change the games!

[Beachlover1989]

On 2/3/2024 at 6:42 PM, dock said:

Love the gown. Now if only I could convince my DH to let me bring my own pillows! 

THIS!!!! ☝️

[Beachlover1989]

20 hours ago, GenerationX said:

 

 

 

 

 

Love your dress!  You look beautiful!

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 2/3/2024 at 11:29 AM, Lena11033 said:

Now as a grandfather he just feeds the kids full of sugar and gives them back to the parents

 

 

[TheGuys16]

4 hours ago, Beachlover1989 said:

THIS!!!! ☝️

In my case, it was my husband who introduced me to the joy of traveling with my pillow.  Best sleep of my life is on a cruise with my pillow.  Well worth the space in the suitcase!

[Sunny Pearl]

4 hours ago, Beachlover1989 said:

THIS!!!! ☝️I have put my pillow into a space compression bag and packed it along!!

[asnaleah]

I’m late to the party, but so happy to read another Charla adventure! Very sorry for your loss and the last minute stress. We also have a dear rescue dog who cannot be boarded due to her previous trauma at a puppy mill. 

[TommyD3]

What is the cover charge for lunch at LCG? $30 pp?

[Buckeye94]

@GenerationX Late, but all caught up to your latest adventure. Sorry to hear about the rough times you experienced and missing Jeremy on this trip.

 

I've enjoyed the Ascent review by @hcat and I'll be sailing on Ascent soon. Live review TBD. I'm sailing in a solo IV, so I think I owe it to the solos.

 

Can't wait to hear about the cooking demo/class. 

[clochette]

So glad that I found your new adventure, and so sorry Jeremy could not come.

[GenerationX]

Good morning from One Happy Island!

 

The danish in the MDR this morning is pineapple coconut. I think my favorite the pistachio danish has competition now.

 

For my fellow morning tea drinkers, I remember the last cruise I went to MDR breakfast there were coffee servers everywhere but getting a cup of English breakfast in a timely manner was a real struggle.  This time it looks like there are just as many tea servers going around as coffee.  Maybe we have more UK passengers onboard.

 

 

Last night the grand foyer and marini bar were JAMMIN thanks to the ABBA sing along and 60’s dance party.  But I called it a night early and after listening to Time Machine duo in the much more chill ensemble lounge for a bit, I spent some sensory down time on my super sized veranda in my pajamas star gazing with a glass of wine.  

 

It’s only day 4 and bars and restaurants are already starting to “run out” of the better premium package wines including Decoy.  Celebrity does passive aggressive even better than my first husband did.  “Fine, since you’re having such a fit, we’ll put these wines back in the premium package, but we’re only gonna bring like 10 cases of them onboard…”

 

I found a shiraz by the glass (Grant Burge $15 a glass) in ensemble lounge that is pretty decent. Nothing medal winning but I find it much more drinkable than the $10 cab and Pinot noirs. Last night though it was a tough step down from what I was drinking  about an hour before at dinner.

 

Last night for dinner I did the Daniel Boulud chef table event.  I’ve done this once before about a year ago on silhouette I think.  I remember being kind of meh about it, but my mom is in love with the cookbook I got that they give you at the end of dinner. I figured I’d give it another chance and worst case, I’ve got one of my mom’s birthday gifts taken care of.

 

The dinner is only being offered one night of the cruise and was limited to a max of 10 people. Apparently I got the last spot available so it’s definitely worth booking in advance if you’re interested.

 

We started the night in Cellar Masters with Prosecco.  I will still die on the hill that any event with Chef Boulud’s name on it, and a $170 per person price point, should be pouring Veuve, or at a minimum actual champagne for the “champagne” welcome reception, and yet Celebrity persists in cheaping out on this…I guess at least this time it wasn’t the Celebrity brand sparkling wine you get for free in your stateroom in concierge class and above, so a small, but sad, improvement.  

 

We were also given canapés of a poached lobster bite topped with caviar and a goat cheese and raspberry puff pastry.

 

While we snacked and sipped, the ship’s food and beverage director and the executive sous chef for specialty restaurants introduced themselves and 

explained how our night would go down. Then we were given a walking tour of the main dining room galley (not a thing last time I did this dinner, maybe a COVID prevention thing back then?) and got to watch the culinary team prepared for the late seating dinner service.

 

After our tour were escorted to the private dining room in Murano for dinner.  Last time I did this dinner I was disappointed in the wine pairings (an additional $70 charge even if you have the premium package) and I was thinking I wouldn’t do it this time.  Last time it was a total bait and switch. Many of the advertised pairings were disclosed to be unavailable after we’d already signed up for doing the pairings and there were even a couple of wines that were comparable to basic classic beverage package wines that got substituted.

 

When I saw the pairing plan tonight and asked a few questions about vintages and confirmed the wines listed were actually available and would be the ones served, I decided to give it a second chance. 

 

I was so glad I did.  It turned out everyone in our group decided to do the pairings and it really added to the experience with our sommelier, Ivana, who was able to focus on leading us through the pairings and Chef Boulud’s reasoning for them (apparently he picks the pairing wines personally). History nerd me also really enjoyed the background info she gave about each winery and its history.

 

I think the menu was fairly similar to, if not identical, to the last time I did this. Last time a couple of the courses were a bit disappointing (the first course and the sea bass I seem to recall in particular falling short).   This time my plate was clean at the end of every course but the beef (and that was only because I was saving room for dessert). The sea bass that was room temp and dry last time was served piping hot and tender with a sauce I wanted to sop up with my baguette.  The short rib and filet mignon duo had multiple people at the table doing the head leaned back moan.  

 

There were two in the group who had gluten allergies and the chef was able to make adjustments to accommodate them with advance notice.

 

We had a really fun, talkative group and I think I was actually the only one at the event who wasn’t on their first Celebrity cruise. Everyone looked to be about my age or a little older.  There was a super cute group of 3 women from Kentucky who have been best friends since middle school and are sailing to jointly celebrate their 50th birthdays…I gotta get my girlfriends on renewing their passports!

 

One of the managers helping to run the event looked shocked when he came to our table in Murano and then said “oh it’s all young people this time, wow!”  I’m just really exited that anyone still thinks I look young. 😂

 

At the end of dinner the food and beverage director came back and presented us with our 10 pound cookbooks (if you’re doing the event, plan your checked bag weight accordingly) and a professional photo of our group with the chefs and gave each lady at the table a rose.

 

You can imagine why after that 3 hour marathon of 6 courses of wine and food, I just was not up for a dance party!  When I got to the room there was info on the bed about luggage valet service being back, but unfortunately it’s only for flights from FLL so I won’t be able to partake of making my overpacking someone else’s problem for the trip home.

 

I’ve had a few work emergencies pop up and since we didn’t have anything prebooked for during the day here other than dinner reservations, I’m going to take a bonus sea day and stay onboard in Aruba and do some work at Al Bacio then enjoy a quiet pool deck with more of Madame Clicquot’s life story.

 

I wasn’t going to have anything from the pastry case at cofffee  having just ate breakfast, then my server Enna told me the Nutella and almond croissants are particularly good today. Hello carb overload, my old friend…my dresses will not fit again…still remains, the sound of Spanx. 

 

My breakfast server Dewa got me a good discount for a last minute lunch reservation for today at the Porch and for an early dinner at Murano (as well as bringing me a second mimosa, so far pampering from my servers at sit down breakfast has been just as good in the MDR as I’ve had in Luminae).

 

I promise I’ll also catch up on formal night report.  Have a great day everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gaynors]

I hope the Acoustic Duo - Time Machine will still be onboard when we are on beginning of March.  I really enjoyed them on the Constellation TA last spring.

[miched]

On 2/4/2024 at 7:02 PM, GenerationX said:

 

Sharing some pics from MDR lunch.  The Andalusian salad was nothing special but I got my veggies in.  The pear raspberry cobbler dessert would have been really good if it had been warm (as advertised) instead of room temp.  The duck teriyaki was more well done than I like my duck but was really good. I cleaned my plate.

 

There’s a duck dish on the  menu tonight too, but is it too extra to have duck twice in one day???

 

The bars around the ship are completely slammed and apparently there’s an issue with the dishwasher by the specialty restaurants and the poor Ensemble lounge guys were running low of glassware, so I’m drinking my Pinot noir from a daiquiri glass…first world problems…

 

 

Did you have to clean your plate because the dishwasher was down?  🤷‍♂️🙄

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

Edited February 6 by miched

[I'llGoAnywhere]

1 hour ago, Gaynors said:

I hope the Acoustic Duo - Time Machine will still be onboard when we are on beginning of March.  I really enjoyed them on the Constellation TA last spring.

I spoke with them and they're here until May. This is our third time sailing with them. We love them!

[zitsky]

We did Daniel Boulud dinner on the Eclipse.  Are we the only ones who didn't get cookbooks?  I didn't see any the whole night and it was never mentioned.  I forgot to ask about it.

[GenerationX]

On 2/4/2024 at 10:57 PM, Loucat said:

I-lost-my-husband-one-year-ago-2/13/23.

We-loved-cruising-and-racked-+34-cruises-from-2004-2022.

I-have-stayed-away-from-the-boards-as-the-joy-I-knew-cruising-was-too-hard-to-revisit.

Thank-you-Charla-as-you-are-an-inspiration-for-me-to-possibly-cruise-solo.

I-honor-your-strength, kindness-and-ability-to-share!

 
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband.  I hope it’s not too creepy of an offer coming from a stranger on the internet and all…but if you ever do decide to try cruising solo, please feel free to reach out and if price and schedules align I would be happy to book myself solo on the same cruise and be on call to be your company for meals, shows, cocktails, etc. whenever you’re feeling you need a little emotional support and/or company.

[GenerationX]

On 2/5/2024 at 11:40 AM, georgiaguy said:

 

The “fancy gentlemen” always throw the best parties! Enjoying your review. 5 weeks til we sail on Ascent  and this helps pass the days!

Couldn’t agree more!  These gentlemen were so much fun!  And I definitely had nothing to offer that they would be remotely interested in…except perhaps a glimpse at my vintage Balenciaga collection.

[hcat]

On 2/1/2024 at 8:04 PM, maggieq said:

If you are looking for a very casual over the water experience, I recommend Bugaloe’s  palm beach. 
 

steak/seafood - madame Janette - seafood/steak

 

daniels - steak - palm beach 

 

ruinas  Del Mar - Hyatt - seafood/steak - outside dining is terrific 

 

oak - steak/seafood - need to plan far out - very small dining room 

 

Never been but we have friends that recommend (expensive) 2 fools and a bull. 

 

all of these have good websites to review. Also, most can be reserved using open table.  
 

aruba is our first choice in land vacations.   
 

There are quite a lot of van taxis that would have room for a wheel chair 

There are many  places within a short taxi ride from pier. Some req. res.

.I would avoid a " dinner  in the sand" place  with possible mobility issues ??? altho one or two have good reviews. 

 

 We used to enjoy El Gaucho..Argentinian . Huge steaks, guitar music.. short cab ride...BUT we have not been there in quite a few yrs..so cannot rec.  No idea if it's  even still open or how the neighborhood fares.   There was .also a French rest

.Matilde (??)    But yrs ago..   ENJOY!

Our last overnight there was the big Halloween Party on board so we did not go out to dinner!

 

  Guess we need to do ABCs again !

 

[hcat]

El Gaucho  is still there..res req.

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=El+gaucho+Aruba

[hcat]

On 2/3/2024 at 8:32 PM, LisaLeone said:

 

Charla, I am so happy you have this healing time...happier still that your lovely husband sacrificed his for yours. What a tremendous picture of what marriage can be. Enjoy... I know you shall! 💕

Charla.. I can only echo these beautiful

thoughts!   Healing will come..when you are ready!

 

Jeremy is a wonderful husband..We compared notes on Beyond. We both are blessed...Sal & I will Celebrate 50 yrs in Sept.(.Looking for a short cruise or land trip to Aruba!)

 

 

[RichYak]

34 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

 
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband.  I hope it’s not too creepy of an offer coming from a stranger on the internet and all…but if you ever do decide to try cruising solo, please feel free to reach out and if price and schedules align I would be happy to book myself solo on the same cruise and be on call to be your company for meals, shows, cocktails, etc. whenever you’re feeling you need a little emotional support and/or company.

The Internet and Social Media can be a wonderful place sometimes. This is one of those times.