Karl WP Beyer The 319 meter long and measured 126.000 GT Celebrity Reflection is the youngest of the five ships of the Solstice class. The one in Miami / Fl. resident premium shipping company Celebrity Cruises put it into service as the last of the class at the end of 2012.
Their sister ships Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Silhouette we got to know each other on cruises in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. We tested the Celebrity Reflection on a 13 day Western Mediterranean cruise.
Celebrity Reflection - The trademark
After optimizations, the ship is larger than the sister ships. This becomes clear in comparison to the already slightly adapted Celebrity silhouette. The Reflection has gained a fair amount of tonnage. It is also a bit longer and wider. The optimization brought more than 70 additional cabins on the 12th deck. In addition, individual restaurants and the theater grew larger. The sections of the pool, solarium, sun deck and jogging track, which are located on deck 12 of the sister ships, are one deck higher.
Celebrity Reflection - In the port of Cartagena
Cabins & Suites
Compared to the sister ships named after astronomical terms, the Reflection has a total of 1.523 cabins, with double occupancy that corresponds to 3.046 guests. As usual, the standard cabins have already been tastefully designed. They offer enough space (also in the wet rooms) and have all the features that make a true premium ship. From the category of Concierge Class balcony cabins, the level of performance increases significantly.
Celebrity Reflection - balcony cabin 8178
Cabin categories:
- Inside cabins
- Outside cabins
- Balcony cabins
- Concierge Class balcony cabins
- AquaClass balcony cabins
- Suites
The cabin service is carried out twice a day, as befits premium ships. The stewards are friendly and inconspicuous. They are well trained, courteous and see themselves as service providers.
Eating and Drinking
Restaurants
Passengers are offered a wide range of dining options. A distinction is made between restaurants that are included in the price and those that require a surcharge to visit. The restaurant is for guests of the Aqua Class Blue reserved (deck 5), and suite guests dine exclusively in the Luminae Restaurant on deck 3.
Celebrity Reflection - Blu Restaurant
Restaurants included in the price
The Opus main restaurant
The spacious restaurant located aft on decks 3 and 4 is extremely representative. It is open for the three main meals. Dinner is taken there in two evenings. Part of the restaurant is reserved for those guests who want the Select dining variant prefer fixed meal times. Dinner is served to these guests within a core time of 17:45pm to 21:30pm Due to the design, the background noise is tolerable at full load in the side areas; towards the middle of the room it increases considerably.
Celebrity Reflection - Opus Dining Room - Lower Level
The diverse range of dishes changes constantly and is very tasty. Even at peak times, the service staff act competently and quickly.
The Oceanview Cafe
Sufficient guests prefer buffet restaurants to service restaurants. The Oceanview buffet restaurant is located aft on deck 14. Its self-service stations are sensibly arranged and doubled in heavily frequented sections. There are practically no queues.
Celebrity Reflection - Oceanview Cafe
A particular advantage of the Oceanview Café is the spacious, partially shaded outdoor area. There you can eat outdoors in warm regions. Also in the buffet restaurant there is nothing wrong with the selection, the quality of the dishes and their taste. However, weaknesses in the clearing and beverage service were more frequent in the outdoor area.
Celebrity Reflection - Oceanview Café - Outside area
The AquaSpa Café
The ship's three pools are on the 14th deck. Guests in the AquaSpa Café can satisfy their hunger pangs and thirst in between without having to leave the deck. The snacks offered are healthy and tasty.
Celebrity Reflection - Aqua Spa Cafe
The mast grill
It's about midships on the 15th deck. While they jog on the running track that leads past the grill, guests of the grill enjoy rustic hamburgers, hot dogs and fries.
Celebrity Reflection - Mast Grill
Restaurants subject to surcharge
In and of itself, there would be no need for any other restaurants than those presented above. Since people basically strive for optimization and special taste experiences, the restaurants that are subject to a surcharge are also enjoying steady popularity despite the sometimes substantial additional payments. Most of the restaurants are mostly only open in the evening. The equipment and the quality of the food in the restaurants justify the general statement: Great!
There are three restaurants that are subject to surcharge on deck 5 alone.
… the Sushi on Five;… the Murano - it offers classic and modern cuisine with a French twist;… of the Tuscan Grille - there, meat, fish and wine are combined in a skilful manner. The view is also right: the restaurant is aft.
Celebrity Reflection - Murano
Two more restaurants are on the 15th deck. There are …
... The Porch - Small snacks, soups, salads and delicious paninis are offered for little money in the small “veranda” on the starboard side between 7:00 am and 15:00 pm. Above all, it is fun to watch the Porch enter ports.
Celebrity Reflection - The Porch
... of the Lawn Club Grill - the partially open, interactive grill restaurant. There, guests can lend a hand in the preparation of their meals or assist the chef.
Celebrity Reflection - Lawn Club Grill
Bars & Lounges
Passport bar
The only bar on deck 3 is in the Grand Foyer across from Guest Relations. A stimulating and cozy place to have a drink, as long as the live music isn't booming next door.
Celebrity Reflection - Passport Bar
There are three bars on the 4th deck between the theater and the Opus Restaurant. There are …
Martini Bar & Crush
Already in our discussion of the Celebrity Silhouette we wrote “This is where people stir, shake and enjoy”. Nothing has changed about that.
Celebrity Reflection - Martini Bar
Cellar Masters
Opposite the Martini Bar on starboard is the intimate Cellar Masters wine bar. Tasty, fine wines and the peaceful atmosphere create the ideal location for regular wine tastings.
Celebrity Reflection - Cellar Masters
Entertainment court
Lies in front of the theater.
On deck 5 are ...
World class bar
- She offers cocktails en masse, looks good and has been excellently placed.
Celebrity Reflection - World Class Bar
Café al Bacio & Gelateria
- a nice place to watch and enjoy delicious coffee blends and exquisite teas. The drinks are chargeable, the "sinful" delicacies offered with them are added.
Celebrity Reflection - Cafe al Bacio
Michael's Club
- The original, well-kept pub was redesigned on the Reflection to become the bar for the suite guests. Pity!
Ensemble lounge
- a dim area in front of Michael's Club with good live music and good drinks.
Celebrity Reflection - Ensemble Lounge
There are no bars and lounges between the pure cabin decks 6-11, they can only be found on the top two decks.
On deck 14 are ...
Sky observation lounge
On the previous ship, the Celebrity Silhouette, a mighty lounge stretched across the entire front width of the ship. Additional suites were installed on the port side of the Reflection.
Celebrity Reflection - Sky Observation Lounge
Pool Bar
The open-air bar of the sun and pool deck.
Celebrity Reflection - Pool Bar
On the 15th deck are ...
Mast bar
Celebrity Reflection - Mast Bar
Lawn Club with the Sunset Bar
We've commented in the past on the manicured lawns of the Equinox and Silhouette. There is something captivating about being able to have a drink at the stern of a ship on the edge of a walkable lawn or to look out over the stern water.
Celebrity Reflection - Sunset Bar
Sport, fitness & wellness
When it comes to sports, the focus of activities is on ball games, running and swimming. All three sports are practiced on the two upper decks. On the 15th deck, the ship can be circled from bow to stern. The jogging track forms part of the circular route.
Celebrity Reflection - Jogging Course
The two Outdoor pools were designed as a sports and family pool. There are also four whirlpools.
Celebrity Reflection - outdoor pools
The subsequent fully glazed Solarium with water features, a large pool and whirlpools is reserved for adults, more precisely people aged 16 and over. They enjoy the peace and quiet and very nice, elegant loungers.
Celebrity Reflection - Solarium
The Spas / hot tubs and the gym on deck 12 is from Canyon Ranch, the renowned operator of wellness centers. Canyon Ranch also operates spa facilities onboard the Queen Mary 2 as well as on Oceania and Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships. The Associated Relaxation lounge, the quiet zone is meant, one deck below in the bow area of the 11th deck.
Guests who are one of the cozy eight may also experience pure wellness Cabins rent with the associated service on the manicured lawn of the Lawn Club.
Celebrity Reflection - Lawn Club with Cabanas
Entertainment
Various entertainment programs run from early morning until late at night. Boredom should hardly arise. Regardless of whether it is about qualified lectures about upcoming destinations, about wine presentations by the head sommelier, art auctions or rather shallow entertainment such as special sales, the Liar's Club, karaoke competitions, or the “Officers Challenge” in the on-board casino, there is something for everyone apparently a grateful audience.
Celebrity Reflection - in-flight entertainment
The In-flight entertainment center is in our opinion the large three-story board theater. The technical equipment is state-of-the-art. The board musicians and the dancers are first class. The singers also have decent voices, and guest artists perform regularly.
Celebrity Reflection - Theater
At certain times of the day it will be in different areas Live music required. Board games, bingo and the like also keep the guests happy. It is usually well attended Fortune Casino. Gamblers meet at 275 modern machines and 15 gaming tables.
Celebrity Reflection - Casino
Regular and, above all, noisy entertainment is placed amidships Grand Foyer geboten. It is open at the top between decks 3 to 5. Next to the Grand Foyer is the spectacular open elevator shaft. Eight glass elevators shuttle between decks 3 to 15 in an airy room dominated by a real deciduous tree.
The high-quality ones branch off from the grand foyer shops on deck 4 and 5. Shopping can also be fun, especially when it comes to jewelry and luxury watches. When, if not on board the ship, does the stressed gentleman have time to buy a watch or a piece of jewelry for his companion?
Celebrity Reflection - watch store
On deck 6 the Celebrity iLounge to the central area of the elevators. Use of the PC workstations is chargeable. Workshops on PC topics are offered regularly. Celebrity Cruises is an Apple Reseller.
Celebrity Reflection - iLounge
This is followed by the retreat at the same location on decks 7 and 8 The Hideaway. Above that are on deck 9 Game On, the domain for electronic games. On the previous ships it was Card Room. The exclusively designed Library has moved to decks 10 and 11. Comfortable seating areas and daylight invite you to browse. There are even a few German-language books to be found.
Celebrity Reflection Library
Children and adolescents have their own areas on deck 15. Care is guaranteed.
Celebrity Reflection - X Club Video Arcade
Information on Celebrity Reflection
|
Commissioning |
Dezember 2012 |
|
Size: |
Length 319 meters; Width 37,50 meters |
|
measurement |
126.000 GT |
|
Passenger decks |
12 decks |
|
Machine |
Diesel-electric propulsion, two Azipods |
|
Machine performance |
62.400 kW |
|
Horsepower |
35.000 kW |
|
Speed |
Max. 24 knots (44 km / h) |
|
passengers |
Approx. 3.046 with double occupancy |
|
Staterooms |
1.523, of which outside 1.369 |
|
Crew |
Around 1.270 people |
|
Flagge |
Malta |
|
shipyard |
Meyer shipyard, Papenburg |
|
Godmothers |
Four socially committed shipping company employees |
|
Board language |
English; no German speaking guest service |
|
Currency on board |
U.S. dollar |
Current position Celebrity Reflection
Evaluation of the Celebrity Reflection
Power
The reflection crowns the series of Solstice class ships. She is a beautiful and remarkably no-frills ship.
We traveled in the balcony cabin 8178. The attractive cabin design and the clearly drawn, spacious public areas designed with high-quality materials give the impression of traveling on a premium ship.
The gastronomic services of the restaurants and bars as well as the proven, excellent service of the crew members confirm that the guest has made the "right" choice with Celebrity Cruises and especially with Celebrity Reflection.
The visual condition of the ship, almost five years after its commissioning, and the cleanliness on board are exemplary.
All crew members with guest contact make the guest's stay on board as pleasant as possible. This also includes the friendly smile, the chilled towels, the soft drinks and the greeting "Welcome back on board" with which guests returning from tours are greeted on board.
Celebrity Reflection - officers
The constant presence of higher-ranking officers and the captain in the public areas is striking. We feel that all of them are always accessible. This also applies to the artists and actors on board the ship.
Celebrity Reflection - The Master of the Ship - Captain Bouzakis
criticisms
Already on the Equinox and the Silhouette we wanted more cozy bars and lounges. The same applies to the Celebrity Reflection. On the ships of the sister company Royal Caribbean as well as those belonging to the group Azamara Quest we felt more comfortable in this regard.
Our criticism also applies to the music in public spaces. Whether live or canned, the music mix and above all the volume were often a nuisance to us. Other guests may have felt differently than we did; for us, however, it is clear that with the exception of the cabin and the balcony, you can hardly escape the music.
We and other guests found the efforts of the crew members to upgrade the pre-booked drinks package at the beginning of the trip unsuitable. It can hardly be assumed that the attempt to “sell” a chargeable upgrade is the crew's own initiative.
Summary
Despite the innovations, the Celebrity Reflection has remained a familiar ship. She has retained the traditional attributes of the Solstice class. The criticisms made do not change the fact that we really enjoyed our stay on board the Celebrity Reflection. She is an attractive ship that is pleasant to look at compared to some of the other newer cruise ships. Celebrity Cruises is always recommended as a high-quality cruise product. If there is a suitable route, we would definitely go on a cruise with this or another Celebrity Cruises ship.
