Loved this port heavy itinerary, steeped in history. A major change in our usual Caribbean cruises but thoroughly enjoyed it.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Very long queue to get through security, after that boarded in minutes.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
In general the overall quality of the food was very good on board.
Good selection of breakfast foods with excellent omelettes made to order, in Oceanview buffet. The carved meats served at lunch and dinner were all great, (apart from 1 very tough beef occasion), all very tender. Brisket was one of the best we’ve had. Some offerings at lunch were better than dinner, wished they’d post menus for the day somewhere.
One let down for the buffet is the desserts. We taste tested lots of cakes, most of them tasted the same, dense sponge and too much gelatine.
Main dining room menus seemed a little dull and not as extensive as previously. Food came out not as hot as should have been with the exception of the French onion soup and that was superb, they haven’t dropped the ball on that one.
The Lawn Club Grill
4 out of 5
Overall good dining experience. However, flatbreads are now shared between 2 people, previously had one each. My fillet was over charred but hubbys done to perfection.Cookie with ice cream never disappoints.
Tuscan Grille
5 out of 5
Superb meal from start to finish. Steaks cooked to perfection, staff friendly and very tentative. Desserts amazing if you have room!
Sunset Bar
5 out of 5
The guys at this bar are the best bartenders on board. They work so hard and their drinks are always on point. Great atmosphere for good cocktails and a little banter.
Cafe al Bacio and Gelateria
5 out of 5
Fantastic coffee, lovely sweet treats. Great for both grab and go or relaxing drink in.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Usual offerings of dance classes, spa talks, bingo, quizzes etc. Nothing overly exciting.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
House band was total average at best, one duo was awful, the other ok just very repetitive. DJ Jahno was great and could read the room.
Headliners in theatre weren’t well promoted and we missed the magician that people said was very good.
Enjoyed couple of nights in Celebrity’s Central 18+ shows, games show and improv, adult and very funny. They should do more as alternative to those who aren’t fussed with ABBA singalongs and silent discos.
Quality of entertainment no where near as good previous cruises.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
All waiters in MDR were very friendly and efficient. Room steward did a great job.
Only found a couple of staff that were doing musterstation, that weren’t helpful, couldn’t tell us where our muster station was, which was a little alarming.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Reflection is very easy to navigate. Lots of comfy areas to relax with or with people around.
Plenty of open deck space, no trouble finding sun loungers or quiet spaces.
Public areas are generally clean and well kept. This cruise there were visibly less cleaning staff. Only saw 2 people whole cruise wiping down hand rails etc. previously you were tripping over them.
Toilets were also not up to previous standards. In the past you couldn’t use a public toilet without having an attendant in there, mopping floor, cleaning, handing you cloths etc. Not so this time, hand cloths running out, bins over flowing and a lot of toilets with black stains in bowl, showing no manual deep cleaning 😖
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Decent size inside cabin on deck 3. Plenty of wardrobe and cupboard space. Good size shower and spotlessly clean.
Quiet area with little footfall, convenience of bar at end of corridor and easy on/off on port days, no waiting on elevators. Occasional noise from corridor behind cabin during day but not enough to disturb or annoy us.
Took ship transfer to Athens centre to explore on our own. Dropped at the rear entrance to the Acropolis, which was much quieter than main one at the front. Purchased tickets on line before we went and no waiting to get in at all. Tough walk to top but well worth it. Takes time to walk back down with the crowds and narrow steps.
Spent some time enjoying shopping, gelatos and cocktails in the Monastiraki area.
Took the ship transport to visit the original site of the olympics at Olympia. Spend a good couple of hours wondering round at our leisure, fantastic historical site. Had to skip museum as it was heaving by the time we got their with long lines to get in. So perhaps we should have done it in reverse.
Katakolon was nice to stroll round. Plenty of shops, although clothes highly priced and plenty of bars/ cafes by harbour front.
We docked at pier and caught Sea Bus, €2 each way, to town. The ship did have complimentary coach drop of to town.
Wondered around the cute little streets through to the wind mills. They were heaving, 2 ships in takes the quaintness away from the pretty little streets.
Easy walk from port into Old Town of Rhodes. Visited the Palace of the Grand Masters for €8 pp, unfortunately didn’t have time to walk the length of the old town walls. Cheapest and friendliest of the islands on the cruise
Walked from port to Fort St. Elmo, War Museum. $10 pp, worth every penny. Spent a couple of hours around fort and it’s exhibits, very interesting, just like the others we’ve visited in the city. History buff heaven.
Spent some time around shops in city. Lovely city to wonder around at leisure.
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