This ship is amazing. A short or long cruise is what you make of it. You walk around the ship, and it seems deserted. Nasau is a tourist trap, its ok to walk around but get back on the ship to enjoy what you paid for. And understandably having a room that's motel 6 vs hilton, then yes, tell them, and they took care of you. Possibly they put their investment into the food which was par or even sub before, so it's time to make the improvements.
We did a 3-day weekender (Coco Cay and Bimini) and then back-2-backed a 4-day (Key West and Coco Cay). Storm caused the scrubbing of the latter two destinations. We had a wonderful time.
We cruised last week during Hurricane Milton, 4 nights. They changed Key West and Coco Cay to just Nassau and an extra sea day, but that's what happens. Sad to miss Coco Cay, but the Captain steered us south and we had two gorgeous sea days. Luigi was an awesome cruise director. A very different vibe than the Edge class but I'd do it again.
Weekend cruise on Reflection. Lots of bachelorette parties, birthday parties, young & single people. Definitely a lot more drinking. The same ship (but departing on a Monday) has a completely different vibe during the week.
I just got off the Reflection on October 4th from a 4-night sailing. Although I had a great time, I agree with you that a longer sailing would be even more enjoyable. Like you said, just when you're getting into the swing of things, it's time to go home again. I prefer a 6 or 7-night cruise.
I love Blu! The service is more personable than the MDR. Definitely enjoy Aquaclass when there is a good deal available. Next cruise on the Summit in November trying an aft Sunset Veranda for the first time so will miss out on Blu. Like to try different options. Our best cruises have been 11 to 14 days (including a B2B on the Ascent). Even 7 days seems short, but will try a 6 day sail on Ovation of the Seas from Los Angeles this summer as Celebrity not sailing from LA anymore. Want more Pacific coast options!!!
Hello! I hear you are on the Eclipse (a traveling companion said he met you in the buffet). I watch your videos for inspiration. How cool. I am going to be watching out for you.😊
We love Blu as well! As RCL shareholders, we're a bit surprised about your observastion of "wear and tear", since these short cruises are a showcase for Celebrity. That said, the share performance is great and dividends are being re-instated. We will like this type of offering as a "side-by-side" extension for an existing cruise. Thanks Zach!
I’m sailing on Refection in two weeks ( not that I’m counting!) doing sunset concierge balcony. First time doing such a short one, interesting to hear your opinion. I didn’t realize one can order off main dining menu in Aqua Class, good to know.
We planned on staying on the ship in Nassau because we have been there a handful of times as well. We ended up getting off just to walk around and shop a bit. We love to stop into the Bearded Clam for a round of cocktails as well. We feel like weekend cruises feel rushed also but sometimes the price is right and they fit our schedule. I'd much rather do a week long cruise but it's not always possible with our family's schedules. Thanks for the video!
On Silhouette we had dinner at The Porch. We were leaving Stockholm, through many islands and The Porch was the perfect place to enjoy that. This was on Silhouette. A short cruise wouldn't be for me. My favorite cruises are around 12 days. Often flying halfway around the world, I just want more time on the ship.
If the ship is worn in the staterooms, then replace the worn furnishings (carpets, upholstery, etc.). But don't make it look like an Edge ship because it doesn't fit the character of this class of ship. Putting in things like USB ports is fine however. I like the Reflection and the other Solstice class for their style and character and they should not get worn to the point that it is shabby. Some wear will happen with even the newest ships over use in a few years.
If we could get each of your 34+k subscribers to get 3 new people to subscribe we could push you over 100,000 in no time. Goals. They've added more to that Nassau port since I was there in January. The Bahamas flags overhead are a nice touch. There was a steel drum band playing on my way back from Junkanoo Beach. That beach has greatly improved with restrooms and food & drink kiosks. And of course the new Margaritaville resort is amazing.
Hey Zach, I’m currently on the Norwegian Getaway from Lisbon to Miami…. It’s been great other than Kirk which was in the middle of the Atlantic as we crossed… what’s your thoughts on NCL and have you done a transatlantic cruise?
Great review. I sailed the Ascent in March and booked on the Beyond. I'm considering trying the Solstice class because I didn't like the Edge veranda ( want a real balcony) and leaning towards the Silhouette over the Refection because it has been revolutionized and I've seen several videos highlighting the wear and tear on the Reflection.
We were on the Ascent at the beginning of March and loved it. We just spent 14 days on the Reflection and it was great. Yes the ship is different from the Ascent but we enjoyed sailing her🥰
I won't do a short cruise unless I have other things to do to extend my vacation. We fly from Idaho so it's just not feasible for us to do a short cruise. I love Celebrity and enjoy more time on it. They have the best food and cater the best to my allergies.
i haven't been on a short cruise, but i know it's not for me. I think about taking an airplane to that port, and renting a pre cruise hotel stay, is a lot of money for just a few days. I'd rather put that towards at least a 7 day cruise. Not only that i wouldn't want to waist money on an older ship that needs updating.
The more often that we cruise the less I am willing to take anything less than a 7 night cruise. We will only attach a 6 night cruise to a 7 night or longer cruise. With the flights and hotel stay it doesn't make sense for us to put in so much work for only a 4 or 5 day cruise. Plus the crowds the shorter cruises attracts is too much of a party vibe.
If you were only to go to 1 specialty restaurant on Reflection, which would it be? I am leaning towards either Murano or Tuscan Grill. Thanks for the video.
@@MandalorianFanboy How is the Chef's Table really worth the expense at about three times the cost of other specialty dining? We considered it after a wonderful dinner at Le Voyage on the Ascent, but the expense scared us off. Don't need Daniel Boulud's recipe book.
@@carolcrawford5831 i guess it really just depends if you think paying for a fun meal with 8 other interesting people you don't know is worth it. The experience and service make it worthwhile for us. I'm paying for it even though we're staying in a Signature Suite and could eat anywhere else for free including Luminae. That's how much fun we have.
Have been a big fan of Celebrity but over the past two years I find that I just don’t care for the direction they’ve gone. With that said 3 day is just not worth it. Our minimum is 6 or 7 but prefer 8-10 and we find that works best for us.
I don't care for the short cruises. Seems like more hassle than worth. I would rather fly somewhere and stay for 3 days even though it might cost more. Just back a couple of months ago from a Princess Norwegian Fjords 16 day cruise and it felt like a good time. Enough ports but still enough sea days to just relax.
Having completed two of these short cruises on the Reflection this past September, I can say that they are absolutely not for me. These cruises are relatively inexpensive when compared to the typical offering from Celebrity, and many of the folks on these trips live in Florida (cheaper to get to a port). I am not sure that Celebrity's bet that this experience will encourage passengers from these short cruises to take longer, much more expensive cruises at a later time. IMHO, Celebrity seems to be having an identity crisis. Do they want to offer the luxury product that they have touted in the past, or does the company prefer to offer Carnival-like cruises?
