Carnival cruiser Reflection review 4/7-4/13

[finoky]

Background, we are an early 60's married couple with 22 Carnival cruises behind us. We sailed with another couple in their late 60's also with many Carnival cruises. This was our first Celebrity cruise. We booked it as a celebration of our 35th wedding anniversary. We already have an AI and a beach week coming up later this year so we were looking for a lower cost option and went with this 6 day cruise. We got the all-in package when it still included gratuities for $1700 for inside cabin 3148. We upgraded to premium for $6.99 pp/pd. Some of you may have seen that we got our cabin upgraded for free to obstructed balcony 6171 a week before sailing. Our friends did not as they stayed in ocean view 3150 which we were originally across the hall from. It was hard to not compare our cruise to Carnival throughout the week. I will say that Celebrity wins in just about every way. It wasn't really that close. We are saying goodbye to Carnival and now have two more Celebrity cruises booked.

 

Embarkation- A+ Easiest ever. We had 1130-1200 check-in time. Our Uber dropped us off outside terminal 29 at 1140. Within 10-12 minutes we were walking on the ship. Had already watched the muster videos and made the quick stop at our muster station. Then dropped our carry-ons at our cabins and up to Oceanview Cafe for lunch. Had no problem finding a table by the windows. 

 

Cabins- A+ We were mid-ship on the port side in 6171. Loved everything about it. The lifeboat did not really bother us. After all it was a free upgrade so can't complain. Loved the layout of the cabin. Plenty of storage and hangars. We like the shower door vs the curtains that Carnival has. We also liked that there were no cabins across or down our hall from us as well as the little enclave for the cabin doors. 

 

F&B- A+ Always subjective of course but we loved all the food. We had breakfast each morning in the OC. Lunch was burgers from the MG. Dinner each night in Opus with select. We had picked 630 or 7 each night in the app months ago. We never had to wait and was immediately directed to our table in the same area each night. Some of my favorites was the escargot, prime rib, halibut, and I thought the cobia with the salmon tartare app was one of the best meals I have had at sea. We also liked the burgers from MG. They were not dry. They tasted juicy and full of flavor. Maybe a step below Guys on Carnival but not by much. Breakfast was just fine each morning for us in the OC. Many options so we never grew tired of eating the same thing. Celebrity wins hands down.

     We are early risers as we set a 5am alarm each morning to get up for some coffee, walk the open decks, and enjoy the sunrise before breakfast. We were ok with coffee each morning on the OC but of course preferred the Al Bacio offerings much more. All of our alcoholic drinks came with a good pour. I had my share Grey Goose and cranberry. Never had a problem with getting service at the bar as well as up on deck 15 by the servers walking around. They always seemed to come around at just the right time.

 

Entertainment- A We loved Elysium in the Theater. The other shows were not bad. We like all of the musicians acts on board and they played a good variety. I think that house band Elektrofonika may have been new to the ship. They rarely started on time and seemed to have setup/sound issues that they were always working on. Our first time participating in a silent disco and it was so much fun. 

 

The ship- A+ The sailing was sold out but it never felt crowded to us. Yes, there were a lot of guests everywhere but we always managed to find our spot without too much effort. We found it to be clean and with lovely decor. While I realize it hasn't been revolutionized we have nothing to compare that to since this was our first Celebrity cruise. We would definitely sail this ship again.

 

Debarkation- A+ We chose to drag our own stuff off the ship. We were out of the cabin by 7 so the team could prepare it for the next guests. We had breakfast in the OC and then just relaxed just outside by the pool to let the ship clear out some. We were then easily able to walk off around 9 and quickly through customs. Very painless.

 

Overall- A+ We loved everything about this cruise and Celebrity. As I said earlier we have booked two more. We have a SV on the Apex in Feb and an ABC booked on the Silhouette in Apr/2026. We have enjoyed our cruises on Carnival but the product just doesn't suit us anymore. We feel much more at home with Celebrity and regret not making the move sooner. 

[helen haywood]

So glad you had a wonderful time!

[SkystheLimit]

Nice review.  We were on the Reflection in March and had a nice time. Some of the music was loud but overall a pleasant cruise.

[kathynorth]

Thanks for the review! I find it helpful to read others' perspectives. 

[cheeseheads4ever]

This is great to hear. We’ve never been on Carnival but a lot of people rav about it. But not our cup of tea…

[Harrisonkid]

I must agree with you guys ...

[Blueseas109]

We were also on this cruise and I agree with your views. We had a great time, enjoyed the food and did not find the live music too loud at all. First time on Reflection and I would not hesitate to book again. We did book on board to cruise Ascent. Can’t wait. 

 

 

 

 

[screwsmcernst]

When our children were young, we sailed Carnival and it was fine.  Once the kids were older, we moved to Celebrity.  We also love it.  After many sailings on X, we needed a quick get away and we went back to Carnival.  the cruise was fine, but we realized that there is NO going back.  

[serene56]

On 4/20/2024 at 3:58 PM, finoky said:

 It was hard to not compare our cruise to Carnival throughout the week. I will say that Celebrity wins in just about every way. It wasn't really that close. We are saying goodbye to Carnival and now have two more Celebrity cruises booked.

 

We have sailed 33 times.   Took our first celebrity in January.   I dont think we will be back to Carnival.   We booked the reflection the day we got off.  (shoulda did it onboard)  

 

We loved the carnival cruises  or we would not have taken that many   But the demographic has changed  and the entitlement, abusive behavior from fellow cruisers are what made us look elsewhere.  

[finoky]

7 minutes ago, serene56 said:

 

We have sailed 33 times.   Took our first celebrity in January.   I dont think we will be back to Carnival.   We booked the reflection the day we got off.  (shoulda did it onboard)  

 

We loved the carnival cruises  or we would not have taken that many   But the demographic has changed  and the entitlement, abusive behavior from fellow cruisers are what made us look elsewhere.  

This mirrors our sentiments exactly. 

[SoBe2010]

Being Elite with Celebritys Captains Club, 

We went on a Carnival Celebration Cruise this winter. Except for the food (in our opinion ), celebrity is indeed one class above.

Surprisingly the food on Carnival was much more our taste. Celebrity has many pay options but is limited when it comes to included venues. I also miss the Bistro on 5 when it was new on Solstice or the Porch before becoming a Seafood Restaurant.

 

Although most of it was comfort food on Carnival , it tasted great and was nicely designed with its own venues. Main dining room food was much better for us than any Celebrity Cruise in the past years. However, service and staff was non existent, at best.

With two small kids we thought Carnival might me the preferred choice from now on. However, I felt Celebrity and the vibe on board is still more family friendly, despite the whistles & bells on Celebration. 

Conclusion, we booked another Silhouette Cruise and looking forward to being back on X.

We might consider Carnival again, but whatever we try to get some new impressions, we always come back and know the value of a Celebrity Cruise. 

It is generous, modern yet classy, stylish, elegant and relaxing. And all that often for a competitive price.

[jean87510]

Have been reading all posts re the Reflection as we will be boarding next month for a MDW cruise.  We have been on MSC, Celebrity, NCL, Royal and Carnival.  Our favorite line is definitely Celebrity followed by MSC YC and then Carnival for the staff.  Royal and NCL are ok but Celebrity just is so much nicer.  I just wish the line wasn't so pricy for what you get.  We are a little sad as this will probably be our last Celebrity cruise for a while until we do some of the more exotic itineraries in Asia after husband retires.  Also looking at the Antarctica sailings for then as well.

[mac_tlc]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Maybe we will meet you on the Silhouette….we are on the 4/4/26 sailing! 
 

 

mac_tlc

[finoky]

10 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

Thank you for sharing your experience. Maybe we will meet you on the Silhouette….we are on the 4/4/26 sailing! 
 

 

mac_tlc

We are on the 4/18/2026 sailing. So unless you stowaway........

[nanamobo]

Glad you enjoyed your first cruise with Celebrity! We are doing a 4 night from Fort Lauderdale on Reflection 4/29/24. Haven’t been on Celebrity since 2019. We did Carnival from NY last year never again. The food wasn’t up to par. We have done Viking River and Ocean as we are both retired in our early 70’s. They include beer and wine with lunch/dinner and no up charge for their fabulous restaurants.

 

We will eat all our meals in MDR and we shall see how good their food is. It was very good back in 2019. If not, we will cross Celebrity off our list.

 

Will let you know…..