From Great to Just Okay

Celebrity Reflection Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 107

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Celebrity Reflection

7 Night Eastern Caribbean Getaway (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 19, 2015

Ship: Celebrity Reflection

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8308

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Celebrity has long been our favorite line and we have been dedicated to the brand until now.  They are more "adequate" than "above average."  Overall staff is great.  Most of the time, they went above to meet customer service.  There were a few that made excuses or did not want to be bothered.  Staffing in Food and Beverage appeared to be lacking and it showed in service (you had to ask for water to be refilled, followed-up on requests, etc.), which was not the Celebrity we have grown accustomed to.  Food quality and choice was much to be desired, especially in the non-specialty dining.  The buffet was referred to as "eating at the trough" by a few cruisers.  Absolutely terrible. For specialty:  Murano=Great; Tuscan Grille=Good; The Porch=Bad Service; Lawn Club=Bad Service.  Why bad service?  There simply were not enough servers to handle the tables.

 

Celebrity does have nice ships, excellent staff, great bar service; however, in what appears to be corporate cuts (in staffing and food), has made Celebrity just OK.  

 

Further this was touted as a HOLIDAY cruise.  Someone forgot to tell the crew and the kitchen.  It was the same food as a regular cruise.  The only difference was the entertainment staff created a Christmas show; other than that and that the cruise was during a holiday, why call it a "holiday cruise."  

 

PLUS, remember who is off for holidays?  Children.  25% of the passengers were kids.  So, if you think of Celebrity as a non-kids playground, think otherwise during any holiday.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5
Murano & Tuscan Grille worth the extra $$. Stay away from the Buffet, unless you like below-average food.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Typical cruise entertainment: Nothing special. Don't go to be wowed, you won't be.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
The female staff at the Passport Bar, by far, had the best personalities of the ship. Kudos. (males not so much). HINT: Find your best bartenders and find out where they work as they rotate locations.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Great location and easily accessible to main areas on 4 and 5. And an easily climb to 14. Take the steps and burn off the calories.

Ship tip

Want to meet others and don't mind smoke? Go to the Sunset Bar smoking side: The group there was outgoing each day.

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

San Juan, Puerto Rico

1 out of 5
Nocturnal Puerto Rico isn't that great. Arriving at 3pm and leaving at 11pm only gave you time to dine, which was a welcome relief to the cruise food. DINE OUT.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

3 out of 5

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

3 out of 5
Much like every other island: Take a low-cost taxi instead for a shore excursion. The cruises have all but taken away their living. Get out of Philpsburg!
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1 Comment

flowingsea    8 years ago

Agreed! It's the 2nd time my husband and I on Reflection again, we were so disappointed this time.

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