drychi

The lovely pictures posted here are more descriptive than my words as to what the Persian Garden is like. The Reflection has more tiled loungers and a cold room in addition to the "normal" Persian Garden thermal and steam experiences that are found on the other S-Class ships. The M Class ships I have been on all have a heated bench with a tiled footstool type thing. All sit side by side on the bench facing the thermal/sauna rooms. I prefer the S Class due to the lovely windows that look out on the sea with the thermal suites behind them. The M class Persian Gardens are dark and have no outside windows, but I enjoy using both styles of Persian Gardens on my cruises.

I really enjoy the Persian Gardens because it relaxes my knees, ankles, and back muscles after a busy shore excursion or my exercise period in the fitness center. I also enjoy talking with fellow passengers in the steam room/sauna etc. about their travel and cruise experiences. Have met many nice people that way. It is a quiet zone on the tile loungers and yes, I admit I am one who sometimes catches myself nodding off! Fortunately, I usually catch myself before I become a nuisance. If not, feel free to gently poke me!

If you have access by pass or cabin assignment you can come and go as you wish. You leave your room key at the Spa desk and they give you an access card for the Persian Garden. Simply retrieve your key when you are done. Very simple. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Thanks for writing this review. Wife and I will be staying here in May, 2017 for one night pre-cruise. Good to get confirmation from someone who has stayed in the hotel. Your experience seems to mirror most people on TripAdvisor. We picked it because it was near Bayside Marketplace and the port. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

I would add that you can get a 1 day complimentary pass to the Persian Gardens while in port as a part of some of the loyalty benefits given by Celebrity to its repeat cruisers. I have also supplemented this with the purchase of a daily pass to the Persian Gardens that can be purchased upon boarding at the Spa desk. They usually have a multi-day package available.

The Persian Gardens are quite different depending on whether you are on an M Class or an S class ship. May want to check that as well before deciding to purchase a pass. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Thanks for your review and photos. Brought back good memories of our time on the Summit in June of this year. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Booked it for 1 night pre-cruise in May, 2017 due to Trip Advisor Reviews and location across from Bayside Marketplace. I am looking forward to hearing of recent stays by CC members. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Cruisestich just posted a pretty comprehensive list a few minutes ago. Take a look at it and the other postings. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Another poster on this board recently wrote that Celebrity does not usually offer these packages for holiday sailings. I know you are not going on a holiday cruise, but someone who reads the thread might find this useful. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Good afternoon. If you go to the top of this page you will see Reviews. Click on it. Go to the drop down menu. You want to see member reviews for your ship. Next to the Cruise Critic Review you will see a highlighted statement of .... member reviews. Click on it and you will see hundreds of reviews of your ship. I just read the latest from Silhouette this afternoon and they have several from the last few weeks.

Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

We have been on RC Liberty of the Seas and Celebrity Summit this year. Had a great cruise on both. I believe that you will like the Summit based on your original post. Glad that you are leaning in that direction. Bermuda is a wonderful experience and Celebrity's schedule of 3 days in port is a real advantage! Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Thanks for posting the great review and pictures. My wife and I will be on Equinox in May, 2017 in the Caribbean. We are looking forward to it. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

My wife and I are staying 2 nights pre-cruise at the Embassy Suites on 17th street and 1 night post cruise at the Riverside in Fort Lauderdale. We will be on Celebrity for a 9 day cruise in December, 2016. You only have to read a few pages of this forum to get numerous tips on good places to stay.

In Miami, my wife and I have stayed at the Intercontinental, The Miami Marriott Dadeland (Celebrity Hotel package at the time), and J.W. Marriott in Brickell Village. We are booked in the Yves Hotel for one night pre-cruise in May, 2017.

Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

We booked Qsine for that evening while waiting to board the Summit to Bermuda in June, 2016. This opportunity had never been offered before on any of our other Celebrity sailings over the years. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

My wife and I were on the Summit this June for a wonderful seven day cruise to Bermuda with Captain Kate and her great crew. The ship is in great condition. If you have been on the Celebrity board extensively you know about the ship amenities and public areas by now, so I will simply say that this ship, after its recent refurbishment, is at the top of its game. Happy Cruising! Bob and LInda

No souvenirs on my tour, other than a picture with the Captain on the bridge taken by Celebrity. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda.

Just wanted to say Hello to OP bradleyK. We are on the 5/5/17 Equinox cruise as well and share your excitement. I hope you have a great fall and winter season and remember May will be here before we know it! See you on the roll call. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

On my seven day cruise on Reflection several years ago it was only offered on the final full sea day. I really enjoyed it and back in those days it did not include any food! I would also recommend signing up for it as soon as possible as it sold out on my cruise. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

I would add the Yves Hotel which is right across the street from Bayside Marketplace. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Here is the list of soda choices from the Celebrity website.

Beverage Package Selections:

Celebrity Cruises proudly partners with the following brands to offer you, greater pleasure and value:

Coke, Diet Coke, Caffeine Free Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Seagram's Tonic Water, Canada Dry club soda, Barq's Root Beer, Fanta.

Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

My wife and I have cruised on both Celebrity S and M class ships several times. I would recommend an S-Class ship if one meets your budget and schedule. I believe they offer more of the type of atmosphere you are wanting and are more consistent with your previous Carnival experience since these ships are larger and offer more areas for relaxing on board such as a larger Persian Garden, bigger pools, more dining and bars etc. As was pointed out by a previous cruiser the S-Class usually sails longer itineraries.

We find the food on any Celebrity ship to be good quality with good service. We have sailed in Aqua class on several voyages and we like Blu. However, we have also sailed several times in Concierge or regular balcony cabins and have also enjoyed our main dining room experience as well. Food is very subjective and I am sure some meals have been better than others, but we can honestly say we have never gone away hungry or completely dissatisfied.

I believe Celebrity passengers tend to be 30- 70 years of age and they usually are not travelling with large numbers of children. We have made many cruise friends onboard Celebrity and have seen little difference in the "friendliness" of Celebrity cruisers as compared to those we have met on Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival cruises in the past. Just being on a cruise is such a joy for many people that I believe most of them are friendly, polite, and upbeat in most situations.

I believe the Captains Club loyalty program to be a good one. We are Elite on Celebrity and because of that we have reciprocity loyalty benefits on Azamara and Royal Caribbean. The best perks in my opinion are the faster check-in and boarding policies in most ports, the one-cabin upgrade, the free laundry, and the Elite cocktail hour is a nice place to meet fellow experienced cruisers from around the world.

Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Great post. My wife and I are retiring this year and are celebrating with 26 days at sea in 2017. It was good to be reminded of all the people involved in making our trips moments that we treasure. Like many of you I read Cruise Critic almost every day as I anxiously await our next cruise. It is rare that I do not learn something new, useful, or just plain funny!! Thanks to all! Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Thanks for the nice review. My wife and I were on this same cruise in June, 2016. We were fortunate to have Donovan as our waiter in Blu as well. What a great job he and his crew did!

Our cruise was less crowded than yours apparently. We hardly noticed any children on board at all. Guess that just shows another fact for people to consider in choosing when to cruise.

Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

Have stayed at the Intercontinental several times over the years. It is within walking distance to Bayside Marketplace and a 10 minute ride to the pier. It can be pricey so you may get better results with booking using LMT or Hotwire type sites. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

My wife and I had a similar experience in FLL post cruise. We went to the airport,used the save the bags program, and took a short cab ride to Las Olas for some shopping and a nice lunch. It was easy and my wife and I have often remarked on how much we enjoyed that side trip. We are returning to Las Olas again in January, 2017 and staying at the Riverside Hotel for one night before our flight home the next morning. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

My wife and I join in the chorus wishing a bright future at your new employment. Thanks for all the time and effort you have given to this forum to make our cruising experience a better one. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

My wife and I are on the May 5, 2017 cruise as well. Come over to the roll call if you have not done so already. Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda