TravelAddict4300

The Porch, sounds great!  Thank you fitz55, we are DEFINITELY hitting that once we board.

Thank you everyone.  Appreciate your replies.

Does anyone know if Blu is open on embarkation day.  We will be in Aquaclass during our 11 night Caribbean cruise to the Panama Canal this October out of Ft. Lauderdale.  We would like to avoid the buffet if at all possible when we board.  Any other restaurants open? Looking forward to checking out the specialty restaurants - we pre-booked a 4 night specialty restaurant package for $149 p/p.  First time taking Celebrity usually do Royal Caribbean or Carnival so we are looking forward to a more upscale experience.  Thank you in advance for your replies.

Majesty318, I am on your same cruise and Celebrity offers a 5 1/2 hour tour: Description is below.  They also offer the Gatun Locks tour which is 8 hours.  We are planning on doing the one below because it is not as long.

Highlights

• Learn about the workings of one of the most incredible engineering marvels in the world: the Panama Canal.
• Visit the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal, see a movie presentation & learn about the history behind it's contruction.
• Step onto the Expansion Observatory Platform to see the process that will allow larger ships to travel the canal.

Has anyone taken the Panama Canal Cruise on Celebrity Reflection?  They dock in Colon Panama and I was wondering do you get to see any of the locks while onboard or do you have to do this as an excursion?  We will be going in late November this year.

I'm not sure what Celebrity Reflection will do but the ship will be docked in Colon.  I'm just wondering if viewing the locks are worth the 5 1/2 - 8 hour excursion.  I have read many reviews and a lot of people simply enjoyed having the ship to themselves.  My husband and I could take or leave viewing the locks.  I am just doing some reseraching right now will not be there until November of this year. 

Thank you both. Appreciate your input.

We are booked on Celebrity Reflection Panama Canal cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL  which will return to Ft. Lauderdale on Nov. 18, 2019.  My question is what is the Panama Canal experience on the ship itself when in Colon, Panama?  If you were to stay on the ship can you experience any of the canal activity or get anywhere close to any of the locks?  Not sure if we want to spend 8 hours on an excursion.  Celebrity does offer a 5 1/2 hour that takes you to the Miraflores Locks which we are considering. Description is as follows:

Highlights

• Learn about the workings of one of the most incredible engineering marvels in the world: the Panama Canal.
• Visit the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal, see a movie presentation & learn about the history behind it's contruction.
• Step onto the Expansion Observatory Platform to see the process that will allow larger ships to travel the canal.

does anybody know the release dates for Panama Canal 2019? For Celebrity.

I just booked our 25th anniversary cruise on Celebrity Reflection r/t to/from Ft. Lauderdale, FL for Novembr 18th.

I can't tell you how many times we have seen fellow cruisers that do not even make eye contact with their servers and other crew members. They treat them like dirt and complain about everything. It is what you make it. If you are nice to crew members as well as your fellow passengers you will have a much better time. Being nice goes a very long way when tempers are flaring for whatever reason, who knows. You are on vacation, you don't have to pick up after yourself or do any type of chores why are people so uptight. I just don't get it. There are so many things to do on a ship this size. If the WJ is crowded, go somewhere else, don't just stand there yelling at the kitchen staff... Common sense goes a long way too.

I know there are usually two formal nights on cruises. Can anyone tell me what night they usually serve lobster in the MDR? Last year we missed it because we were too full from an offshore lunch which upset us.

Any suggestions on where to have a nice lunch in Falmouth. Not worried about cost - just want to go somewhere where they have good authentic food and maybe have a few Red Stripes. We are 40+, no children and just like to take our time getting up and maybe getting in a workout before seeing the area We want to take advantage of the ship being less crowded. We honeymooned in Ocho Rios and so we are not interested in booking any excursions i.e. Dunns River Falls or tubing - been there, done that.

Any suggestions on where to have a nice lunch on GC. Not worried about cost - just want to go somewhere where they have good authentic food. We are 40+, no children and just like to take our time getting up and maybe getting in a workout before seeing GC. We want to take advantage of the ship being less crowded. Would like to see the island as well since it is our first time.