Celebrity Reflection (Celebrity Cruises)
★★★★
Berlitz Ratings |
Possible |
Achieved |
---|---|---|
Ship | 500 | 399 |
Accommodation | 200 | 161 |
Food | 400 | 267 |
Service | 400 | 302 |
Entertainment | 100 | 80 |
Cruise | 400 | 298 |
Overall Score | 2000 | 1498 |
Ship Statistics |
Celebrity Reflection |
---|---|
Size: | Large Resort Ship |
Tonnage: | 125366 |
Cruise Line: | Celebrity Cruises |
Former Names: | none |
IMO Number: | 9506459 |
Builder: | Meyer Werft |
Builder Country: | Germany |
Entered Service: | 2012 Oct |
Refurbished: | |
Length (ft/m): | 1047.2 / 319.2 |
Beam (ft/m): | 120.7 / 36.8 |
Propulsion/Power(MW): | diesel / 70.50 |
Propellers: | 2 azimuthing pods |
Passenger Decks: | 14 |
Total Crew: | 1271 |
Passengers (lower beds): | 3046 |
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): | 41.1 |
Passenger Crew Ratio (lower beds): | 2.3 |
Cabins (total): | 1523 |
Size Range (sq ft/m): | 182.9 - 1668.4 / 17.0 - 1668.4 |
Cabins for one person: | 0 |
Cabins with private balcony: | 1216 |
Cabins wheelchair accessible: | 30 |
Wheelchair Accessibility: | Best |
Elevators: | 12 |
Casino (gaming tables): | Yes |
Swimming Pools/indoor: | 3 |
Hot Tubs (on deck): | 6 |
Self-Service Launderette: | No |
Library: | Yes |
Onboard Currency: | US$ |
Royal Caribbean
A premium-quality ship for stylish, family-friendly cruising
The Ship. Celebrity Reflection has a steeply sloping stern with a mega-yacht-style ducktail platform above the propulsion pods. It’s attractive, and nicely balanced (the hull is two feet wider, and has an additional deck, although the ship’s superstructure is the same width, than Celebrity Silhouette).
This is a sleek-looking ship, with two slim funnels. It is a close sister ship to Celebrity Eclipse (2010), Celebrity Equinox (2009), Celebrity Silhouette (2011), and Celebrity Solstice (2008). Behind the two funnels, the ship recreates the great outdoors with a Lawn Club, with real Bermudan (not fake) grass. You can go putting, play croquet or bocce ball (similar to boules), picnic on the grass, or walk barefoot. On the open deck, ‘The Alcoves’ are extra-cost ‘private’ Wi-Fi-equipped cabanas.
Celebrity Reflection is similar to Celebrity Silhouette, but with an additional deck. With a larger number of passengers (but the same number of elevators), the passenger/space ratio is therefore reduced. The ship’s name is positioned directly under the navigation bridge and not forward on the bows (for space reasons), and the rounded bows accommodate a helicopter winch pad.
Several pool and water-play areas are on Resort Deck: one under a glass-roofed solarium (with Aqua Café for light healthy bites). There’s a sports pool, a family pool, and a wet zone. The open deck and sunning space around the main pool, however, isn’t large enough for the number of passengers carried, although there are several other outdoor areas, including a music-free Solstice Deck high atop the ship - a nice space in which to relax.
The interior spaces are well designed, and the passenger flow is good; most of the entertainment rooms are positioned forward, while dining venues are located in the aft of the ship.
Celebrity’s signature Martini Bar has a frosted bar and carries over 100 varieties of vodka, as well as Martinis. It’s lively (noisy) and can get congested, but it can be a lot of fun, as can the Molecular Bar, with its special mixologist concoctions, including fruits and ingredients, aided by liquid nitrogen.
Cellar Masters, which is hosted by a sommelier, provides a cozy space for drinking wines. Its wine list is extensive, and Riedel glasses are featured. The room has several hideaway alcoves.
A two-deck library is a delightful open-ended space (operated on an ‘honor’ system - so you can check out a book 24/7), though books on the upper of 12 shelves are impossible to reach (they are just for show).
Fortunes Casino is a non-smoking gaming room with multiple tables for serious players, and 235 slot machines. It is open sided, so anyone passing is subject to noise from the slot machines.
Elevator call buttons are in a floor-stand ‘pod,’ and, when an elevator arrives, a glass panel above it turns from blue to pink - neat! Also notable is a collection of designer chairs and sunloungers in various locations, although some are on the impractical side of comfort.
Public rooms include an Art Studio, for the budding artist in you (classes and projects are at extra cost).
And speaking of art, when on board, take a look along the ‘dining walkway,’ where several specialty restaurants are located. Two pieces of art stand out: one a delightful total optical illusion, by Anthony James (Kiln-dried birch trees, glass and steel mirrors 2,350 x 1,680 x 279mm); the other is a fascinating video art piece that tells a story about a man, his flashlight, a forest, and things that happen in the forest - I won’t tell you more - you’ll simply have to experience it for yourself. Gratuities are automatically charged to your onboard account.
Passenger niggles include lack of usable drawer space in standard-grade cabins; congestion when exiting the showlounge after a show; and the noise level in all areas of the lobby (which has a marble dance floor), particularly when the Martini Bar on the deck above is busy.
Accommodation. The accommodation is both practical and comfortable. There are numerous price grades, depending on size and location. In non-suite-grade cabins there is little space between the bed and the wall, but all include twin beds convertible to a queen- or king-size bed with premium bedding, sitting area, and vanity desk with hairdryer, but little drawer space. Although closets have good hanging space, other storage space is limited. Bathrooms have a shower enclosure, toilet, and tiny washbasin. A charge of $3.95 for room service now applies between 11pm and 6am.
Note that cabins 1551-1597 on the port side and 1556-1602 on the starboard side on Penthouse Deck (Deck 11) suffer from ‘aircraft carrier’ syndrome because they are directly under the overhanging Resort Deck. They have little exposure to sun or light, so sunbathing is out of the question. Many thick supporting struts ruin the view from these cabins, which are otherwise pleasant enough.
Other accommodation grades are named Veranda, Family Veranda, Concierge, Ocean View, and Interior (no view) cabins. Suite-grade categories are: Aqua, Sky, Celebrity, Royal, and Penthouse. Suites have much more space, plus larger balconies with good-quality sunloungers, and more personal amenities.
Dining. Meals in Opus, the ship’s expansive two-level, 1,454-seat principal dining room, are included in the cruise price. It has ocean views on the port and starboard sides, and two seating times, and anyone choosing ‘Celebrity Select Dining’ is usually assigned to the upper level, which helps to keep the dining room running smoothly. The design is contemporary, and, despite its size, it’s very comfortable. A two-deck-high wine tower - located towards the aft of the room is a great focal point.
Other dining options. Celebrity Cruises features cuisine that is creative, trendy, and slightly more health-oriented (ie less reliance on salt and food modifiers) than that of many of its competitors. If you like to eat in different venues instead of the main dining room, different dining packages are available, so you can ‘dine around.’ The following venues provide options that are good for special occasions or for something different (including the self-serve casual eatery, Oceanview Café).
Murano is an extra-cost, 72-seat, reservations-required dinner venue (with tablecloths), offering high-quality traditional dining with a real French flair and fine table settings, including large Riedel wine glasses. The food, its preparation and presentation, and the service are excellent.
Suite occupants can dine in the exclusive setting of ‘Luminae,’ which features tableside preparation of signature dishes, an eclectic menu, and a selection of over 400 wines.
Blu is a 156-seat specialty restaurant, with tablecloths, designated exclusively for occupants of Aqua-class cabins, with cool ice white decor; the cuisine focuses slightly more on nicely presented healthy combinations.
Tuscan Grille is a 146-seat, extra-cost informal restaurant (no tablecloths), for both traditional and trendy fare with an Italian focus, but includes Kobe beef, premium-quality steaks, and seafood. Its entrance is barrel-shaped, with curved archways - it’s like walking into a high-tech winery. Large aft-facing windows offer a great view.
Qsine is an extra-cost, 92-seat reservations-required, tablecloth-free ‘fun-food’ restaurant, with trendy interactive iPad food and wine menus that include cute foodie video snaps. The food consists of multi-flavored, multi-colored, quirky small-bite items that provide you with a selection to tease your taste buds. The food is presented in many unusual ways - even on sticks - sort of ‘lollipop’ or ‘circus’ cuisine.
A wine-tasting and enjoyment lounge, the 72-seat Cellar Masters features several alcoves for intimate discussions about wine. A wide choice is available, and a sommelier will make suggestions (about wine).
Sushi on Five features extra-cost sushi and cooked items including noodle and hot pot dishes.
Café al Bacio & Gelateria is a coffeehouse serving (extra-cost) Lavazza Italian coffees, teas, and herbal infusions. It is on one side of the main lobby, with seating mostly in large, comfortable armchairs.
For something different: the Lawn Club. This patio-style outdoors (glass-covered) lean-to-style venue that overlooks the lawn and cabanas (which you can reserve), and it’s the place to go for beautifully grilled steaks, lamb chops, and seafood dishes. You can even grill the food to your liking - with a chef at your side, of course, just in case you burn your fingers!
Close by is The Porch, another enclosed venue, on the starboard side, with 48 seats, for paninis and light bites throughout the day (including breakfast, with delightful fruit muffins and pastry items).
Oceanview Café and Grill is an expansive, tray-free, casual self-serve buffet venue. A number of food ‘islands’ help to prevent lines, and the flow is good; the signage is clear and concise. A wide variety of food items is available, and plates are available at each of the ‘islands’ and cooking stations (such as ‘Eggs and More’ for breakfast). However, it is challenging to get a warm plate for hot food items.
The AquaSpa Café is for lighter options - low-salt solarium dishes, including a choice of salad items - and even a few sprouts, together with grilled items such as salmon and chicken, all attractively presented.
The Mast Bar Grill, an outside venue above the main pool deck, provides comfort fast-food items including burgers.
Do try the Elegant Champagne High Tea in Murano. Presented only once each cruise (usually on a sea day), it comes with a choice of seven teas and tisanes, a three-tier stand full of finger sandwiches and pastry items, plus scones and real clotted cream, and a glass of Perrier Jouet Champagne.
Entertainment. The 1,160-seat Reflection Theater, the showlounge, has a main level and two balconied sections positioned amphitheater-style around the stage.
Colorful nights are held in the Sky Observation Lounge, where the minimalist decor (relaxing by day) comes alive at night thanks to mood lighting.
Meanwhile, the 200-seat Celebrity Central hosts adult-only stand-up comedy, cooking demonstrations, enrichment lectures, and feature films.
Ensemble Lounge is a big-band-era-style cocktail lounge with live jazz-styled music, and is located close to specialty restaurant, Murano.
Spa/Fitness. The Canyon Ranch SpaClub at Sea is laid out over two decks. A large fitness center includes kinesis equipment, plus all the familiar muscle-pumping machinery.
An extra-cost (free to occupants of AquaSpa-grade accommodation) unisex thermal suite contains several steam and shower mist rooms, and a glacial ice fountain, plus a calming relaxation area with heated tiled beds.
Additionally a small fitness ‘suite’ (for two), each with a selection of cardio-vascular machines, treadmills, etc., can be rented, so you can exercise in privacy.