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

[Jazzbo]

On 2/4/2024 at 3:37 PM, sbt518 said:

 

Bitter French

Ingredients

1 ounce Plymouth gin

1⁄4 ounce Campari

1⁄2 ounce fresh lemon juice

1⁄2 ounce simple syrup (1:1 sugar:water)

Champagne

Garnish: 1 grapefruit twist

 

Basically mix all the ingredients and top with champagne serve as a French 75 or other champagne cocktail.

This sounds delicious! I’m a fan of gin and champagne, and enjoy the subtle bitterness of an Aperol Spritz. 😊🍸🥂

[Jazzbo]

On 2/6/2024 at 12:48 PM, 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.

What a kind offer. Not only are you clever, entertaining, and joyful, but it’s evident you have a huge heart! I knew I liked you. 😊

[GenerationX]

I cannot believe it’s the last full day of the cruise already!  Why is it that the last 4-5 days on countdown to a cruise feel like they take a month to pass, but for the week onboard, it feels like I just got on the ship, sat down and had a martini then went to my room and found disembarkation instructions.

 

As I’m enjoying my last beautiful morning at sea: a back in time report on Curaçao.  I was scheduled to do a Celebrity excursion to Hato Caves and the beach.  But I woke up having a really rough mental health day.  A good reminder for me that while cruising is a wonderful balm for the soul, it’s not always a cure all.  The weather, which was gray and raining (in other words, not at all beach weather) didn’t add to my motivation to get it together either.

 

After staying in bed late I took myself to a light pistachio latte and almond croissant breakfast at Al Bacio. I got one of the prime tables by the window and as I was sipping my coffee I saw a sea turtle surface and float around for a minute out in the ocean!

 

Once I had some caffeine in my system I figured even in the rain some fresh air would do me good, so I found a deck chair on a covered section of the pool deck and curled up with my book and a virgin mudslide with extra whipped and chocolate sauce on top (alcohol may not solve life problems but I’m pretty sure extra whipped cream does).

 

At lunch time I decided to try and get into the porch last minute.  The app was showing no availability for the day, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask.  Florence welcomed me back and said they’d be happy to have me (and another $30 of onboard spending) if I didn’t mind that service would be a bit slower (no problem, not like I had anywhere to be).

 

By the time I was talking myself out of licking the dish my cheesecake puree dessert came in, I was feeling like myself again.  Just in time to enjoy the sail away party and sunset.

 

For dinner I went to Sushi on 5 for one of my favorite dishes in all of Celebrity Cruises: the pork ramen. It’s never let me down.

 

After dinner I stopped by the martini bar for an espresso martini pick me up then met some of my new cruise friends for the full moon deck party.

 

I gotta say, I was very impressed. I think somebody at Celebrity watched some YouTube videos of MSC’s deck parties and realized they needed to step it up.  There were performances from the ship’s entertainment cast, then our headliner band for the cruise, Rebel (don’t miss their show if they’re performing on your cruise btw) did a set on the pool stage and then the DJ took over.  I think most of the ship was there and very much getting into the groove with our cruise director Dave right out in the middle of it all playing ring master to our middle aged circus.  

 

In fact the party got so wild people ended up jumping in and dancing, fully clothed, in the pools with full blessing from the security staff.  If I hadn’t been wearing dry clean only  Michael Kors, I may have kicked off my Fendi’s, yelled YOLO, held my nose and cannon balled in too because how many times in life is that kind of party opportunity going to present itself?

 

The deck party wrapped up about midnight at which point most of the crowd made their way to the sky lounge which didn’t cut the music and turn the lights up until 2am.

 

As sad as I am to be wrapping up my vacation, there’s still miles to go before I pack.

 

After my captains club breakfast, I’m going to a cooking demo at the lawn club, followed by a second late lunch of more pork ramen (spoiler alert for my wrap up post: it doesn’t look like future cruise plans include another S or M class ship for a while, so I want to get my ramen in while I can). Then I’ll do a little shopping and play out my last casino slip.

 

After that the plan is to spend the afternoon by the pool, grab a big glass of a big bold Cabernet at cellar masters to cranky drink while I pack, then dress and head to one last dinner at Murano.

 

Also due up: a report on last night’s fun and games.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cinderellen]

Absolutely love Dave! He was the activities director last year when we were on the Reflection. His wife Angela, was the cruise director. They were so fun. 

[hcat]

14 hours ago, GenerationX said:

SOMEWHAT MUSHY AND PHILOSOPHICAL POST WARNING…

 

I was just looking at my Facebook memories and realized that today is a very special anniversary.  On this day 7 years ago, Jeremy and I had a cruising experience on Silhouette that made us Celebrity customers for life.

 

A couple of nights before, my then boyfriend Jeremy had asked me to be his wife on a starry evening chic night.  It was our first cruise sailing in a suite and our suite concierge Niko said that to celebrate our engagement she’d arranged “a little surprise dinner for us” for the next chic night.

 

When the night came we were escorted up to LCG where all the ship’s senior officers were waiting to greet us and applauded and an alcove on the lawn was set up with a full romantic dining table and bar.  I’d mentioned to our butler that one of our dreams was to save up and do a Mediterranean cruise one day (dream finally fulfilled October 2023 btw, definitely worth the wait), and it turned out that the ship food and beverage team had put together a SIX COURSE dinner tour around the Mediterranean for us with drink pairings!

 

At the time, we were lowly classic status captains club members, in the cheapest sky suite, I’d never once posted on cruise critic and I don’t think Instagram even existed.  We were absolutely no one this cruise line should have cared enough about (not that we even are now) to have put so much time and effort into giving such a special, amazing experience.  But it still lives in our memories as one of the best nights we’ve ever spent together and as a result we never even considered sailing another cruise line until last year.

 

Seeing the memory tonight got me thinking, I’m sure it wasn’t at all cheap and took a TON of manpower for Celebrity to pull off that night for us. But I’m pretty sure that investment paid out in spades in terms of the amount we’ve invested booking and spending onboard during Celebrity cruises since then (and I always have and still do consider it money well spent) and from our friends and family who have sailed with Celebrity at our suggestion.

 

It also got me thinking about the current state of Celebrity, and wondering whether today, the cruise line that (until recently) wanted to charge suite guests $5 a glass for Target wine and $12 a bottle for Evian in the stateroom would do anything like what was done for us back then for a young, budget conscious, newbie cruising couple (and see the long term financial benefit of the investment that came of it with us).

 

I will say this though, what wowed us most about that evening was how far above and beyond crew members clearly went with their time and energy to give us a vacation experience we’d never forget.  Dollars and cents aside, I still 100% see that same attitude of above and beyond customer service attitude in Celebrity crew members today, even though they’ve been given a more limited resource toolbox by the corporate office to make that magic with.

 

I know there’s been a lot of talk by many, myself included, of making moves to other lines.  I won’t lie, with current state I am price comparing other lines when making my booking decisions (whereas 3 years ago I would always go Celebrity no question or shopping).  But I think there’s still something very special about the Celebrity experience for me that I’ve still felt on this cruise (on an older ship in a stateroom class far below the Retreat and Aqua) that will keep Celebrity in consideration for my future cruise plans and it’s definitely still my preferred choice when price/value is a wash.

 

Ok, sorry, I’ll get off my soapbox now.  Just for fun, some pics below of 2 young, crazy, student loan debt ridden kids feeling like the luckiest people in the world to have Celebrity Cruises and to have each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best post of the year!   Made me cry happy tears... Jeremy was a keeper from Day 1.   Hope you make more great memories in the future!

 

I was just going over our 4 day short Silhouette  itin.(Prime Concierge) ,   KW and Nassau. Before the pricing changed got a  great price for all inc with OBC!

 

  Thanks to some of your amazing posts, we decide to do lunch at each port &  specialty dining each nite...Tuscan, Murano, Lawn Club Grill and Porch ( saves the trauma of the mdr..) Looking forward to it!

 

ENJOY..hope you have smooth seas!

 

 

[mimmy52]

I got a late start reading your review and I’m only on page six, but I’m loving every word.

 

[hcat]

Awesome party! 

Hope the cruise helped  you get past some of the sadness!  Still takes time.

 

Safe travels home!

[catgirl411]

59 minutes ago, cinderellen said:

Absolutely love Dave! He was the activities director last year when we were on the Reflection. His wife Angela, was the cruise director. They were so fun. 

Completely agree! We had Dave and Angela on our TA in October, they were a major highlight!

[Norwaylady]

SO SORRY, late to the PARTY🥳

Work, work, work and no time to sneak around on CC🙈

 

Looks like your having a great time🥰 

Your engagement celebration by X sounded wonderful. How incredible sweet of them to make it special for you❤️  Thats really something you remember and makes a great impression of X. 

We had our 5.years wedding anniversary on a med cruise on Equinox, it was listed as a special celebration thing... lets just say we were not impressed. No, nothing. No Happy anniversary or anything from any crew🙈 A card or something would have been nice...

We even had matching t/shirts saying today we celebrate 5years wedding anniversary made by me, since it was a sea day and Mr Norwaylady hate to be in the spotlight... So he received a matching t/shirt to me and a bracelet on the bed in the morning😂 It was deadly quiet from everyone. 

 

Have a great sailing back to Florida❤️

Hope to walk the gangway soon. The winter is killing us🥶 We have had minus 20 to 25c since November and it has snowed far to much....

[Lastdance]

So, I finally got through your review this morning; found it so entertaining and filled with lots of wonderful experiences.  I have never cruised by myself, but you certainly make it sound like it’s not a big deal at all, though I know you miss your sweet Jeremy!   My DH is recuperating from an awful ski accident injuring two legs, so I have a lot more reading time when I’m not being a full-time caregiver.  Having a variety of experiences, both positive and negative sure add to the complexity of life, not to mention bringing people closer together.  

 

Thank you so much for taking time once again to share the best about cruising solo, not to mention having to split-up when things go awry.  The stories you share onboard are so real and full of life, not to mention also entertaining.  Thank you Charla!  ~Safe travels home!  

[cinderellen]

1 hour ago, catgirl411 said:

Completely agree! We had Dave and Angela on our TA in October, they were a major highlight!

We were on the same cruise! 

[georgiaguy]

Savor your last day, you deserve it!

[catgirl411]

17 minutes ago, cinderellen said:

We were on the same cruise! 

It was awesome…loved the entertainment particularly Jayne Curry. Great Halloween party too! We were lucky enough to be in the Retreat (we got a wonderful price).

[GenerationX]

About last night:

 

At dinner at Tuscan Grill I ordered my favorites: Caesar salad, calamari, ribeye and a half portion of the lobster rigatoni pasta.

 

I think the Caesars I had in the MDR were actually better than this one, but the calamari and ribeye were perfect.  The presentation on the lobster rigatoni was a bit sad, but the flavor was good and I found some good size chunks of lobster hiding underneath the pasta.  

 

I decided that since I was on final countdown to a forced return to my provincial life, I’d spoil myself with one more nice bottle of wine with dinner and had the rest sent over to Murano for tonight.

 

For dessert I had the limoncello cheesecake washed down with an espresso and a 20 year port.

 

The service at the restaurant was excellent for the most part. I let my server know at the beginning that I planned to fine Italian style at the Italian restaurant and really take my time and enjoy my courses and wine at European pace, which he and the kitchen were happy to accommodate.

 

I think it may have lead to a slight miscommunication at the end of the meal though.  I pre booked the reservation before the cruise, so I didn’t have a check I needed to sign for my cover charge.  But I knew I’d need to sign for the charge for my wine.

 

I sat patiently watching the wake, waiting for my somm to show back up with the bill.  Then I realized I’d been waiting over a half hour…and had missed most of the theater show as a result.  It was then I realized that hey, I’m on a ship in the middle of the ocean.  I’m not going anywhere and if Celebrity wants its money for this bottle of Caymus they have plenty of ways to find me and get it from me before I disembark, so I just got up and left.  This morning the charge did show up on my account, so turns out I was right.

 

After dinner I had a martini and met my cruise friends (including the FABULOUS @CruiseCrew123 for silent disco then followed the after party to the sky lounge, which I once again helped shut down.

 

I’ve been really impressed with my own late night staying power this cruise. I guess I was really ready for a party. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cinderellen]

1 hour ago, catgirl411 said:

It was awesome…loved the entertainment particularly Jayne Curry. Great Halloween party too! We were lucky enough to be in the Retreat (we got a wonderful price).

Yes, Jayne is amazing. We met her several years ago on the eclipse (I think it was). I have her cd in my car. 

[GenerationX]

Today’s Edition of Celebrity Cruises First World Problems:

 

Literally all I’ve done today is eat, drink, and spend money.

 

Speaking of which good news! I finally found a machine in the casino that pays out consistently.  Pretty sure they put the defibrillator next to it for when you see your remaining account balance on the receipt.

 

More to come later today when I will be eating at Murano, drinking Caymus and spending more money (thanking all the crew members who have gone above and beyond for me this week).

 

I know “come back new” was a Princess cruises slogan, but for me, Celebrity gets it for this cruise. I feel about 1000% times better than when my flight took off from STL last Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

[cruisebeachgirl703]

Enjoy enjoy enjoy all of it! You are still on vacay!

[mayleeman]

Charla, I am so glad Dawn and I got to meet you at breakfast that one day, and that I saw you again on Thursday on the pool deck. 

 

Everyone who hasn't met our favorite ship reporter should try to get onto a cruise with Gen X even if you have to stowaway! She is as full of laughter and joy in person as she is in her writing. I wish we could have done the moon party--sounds like a blast.

 

Until we meet again! 

 

--Joel and Dawn

 

 

[mshaines]

Charla - Fellow lawyer and early 40s cruiser here (though I consider myself elder millennial/oregon trail generation lol).  Thank you so much for doing this live posting.  It has been delightful to read.  We're doing our first X cruise in March on the Apex and your thread here has made me even more excited about it!  Hope you have a fabulous final evening and a safe trip home!  

Edited February 10 by mshaines

[GenerationX]

Ugh, the real world has already begun to rear its ugly head…I just got notice from AA of a change in my flight tomorrow so instead of flying out of MIA at 3pm, I’ll be on a flight that leaves at 12:15.  I should still be fine to make it with room to spare if I do walk off with my luggage.

 

Fortunately I got notice before I’d already put my suitcases out!

 

In the meantime, sharing some happier pics from the just adjourned last meeting of my sunset bar crew before we return to Boston, St. Louis and the UK.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, one of my favorite things about cruising is getting to make new friends from all walks of life and all over the world. 

 

Imma do my best not to cry into my lobster bisque at Murano tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

[maggieq]

10 hours ago, Jazzbo said:

What a kind offer. Not only are you clever, entertaining, and joyful, but it’s evident you have a huge heart! I knew I liked you. 😊

@Jazzbo@GenerationX

 

most definitely but even more so, terrific wife and super mom and at the same time can hold it down with the best of them and have a great time.  
 

 

[Liao]

36 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Ugh, the real world has already begun to rear its ugly head…I just got notice from AA of a change in my flight tomorrow so instead of flying out of MIA at 3pm, I’ll be on a flight that leaves at 12:15.  I should still be fine to make it with room to spare if I do walk off with my luggage.

 

Fortunately I got notice before I’d already put my suitcases out!

 

In the meantime, sharing some happier pics from the just adjourned last meeting of my sunset bar crew before we return to Boston, St. Louis and the UK.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, one of my favorite things about cruising is getting to make new friends from all walks of life and all over the world. 

 

Imma do my best not to cry into my lobster bisque at Murano tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, what a great review.  Love your writing style, you should submit this to to Conde Nast!

 

[kasowell2]

Even if you’re flying out of Miami you won’t need to do walk off. If you leave the boat by 9:00 you’ll be there in plenty of time

[deseylou]

I just came by to say thanks for the trip report.

also I got my map dress.

it’s beautiful 

[kasowell2]

Safe travels back to the”real” world