Photo Trip Review - Reflection TA

Still a little groggy but going to try to get this done quickly if possible.

Our first transatlantic cruise was in April 2015 on Celebrity Eclipse. I was very worried about being "bored" with so many sea days but was amazed at how quickly I adapted to sea days. We loved it so much, we booked another while on board. Here is our trip review of our second transatlantic cruise, this time on the Celebrity Reflection

Packing - This trip my goal was not to throw stuff in a suitcase the day before we leave, but to plan better so I don't forget things I need. I am a chronic under-packer which saves on luggage but is annoying when you are running around for the hundredth time to buy tweezers because you can't remember them!

First packing session - Bathroom

Took everything I would need, categorized by type (hair stuff, make up, skin, Rx, etc).

Started with this:

Sorted into 3 bags - the idea was to not open the big suitcase in Miami since we are only in the hotel one night - whatever I need that one night goes in my carry-on bag.

-Suitcase bag - stuff for the cruise that I won't need at the hotel in Miami for 1 night

-Carry-on Bag Non Liquids- stuff I need the day we are at the hotel in Miami

-Carry-on Bag Liquids - Must have liquids that can't go in my suitcase.

For the rest -we just start tossing it on the bed in the Guestroom until it's time to pack.

So, after packing my bag, it weighed well over 50 pounds so I had to move some stuff into a carry-on bag. Oh well, not the end of the world. I'll learn how to pack less I guess.

I did use vacuum bags to pack a lot of stuff including dresses for dinner. No, they didn't wrinkle badly - a few had to be "steamed" in the bathroom on-board but I managed to get 12 dresses in one vacuum bag.

The rest of my clothes to pack.

Terry packed his and we ended up with 2 large suitcases, one silver carry-on for me and one Porsche bag carry-on for Terry. Not bad for 3+ weeks.

Looking forward to seeing more pictures.....:):):)

Bob

For sure it pays to plan the packing on a TA. Not many ports to stop in and restock! Looking forward to review and pics!

I want to take a TA someday and tour Europe and then TA back. At least I hope to someday. :)

Friday morning!

I feel like I waited so long for this day! I worked a few hours that morning before signing off for 3 weeks of vacation. Adam picked us up at 0730 for the trip to the airport. He's a retired gentleman in our community who does rides to the airport for a fee. It's a great way to start your trip - with a driver!

We checked our bags with Southwest airlines (Terry used his points for free tickets) and cleared security thanks to TSA Pre-check. After security I got a cup of coffee and we sat for a quick breakfast.

The flight was long but uneventful so I took a selfie!

At FLL, we used Uber for the first time. Although the driver went the wrong way, he apologized and eventually got us to our hotel with no extra charge.

Doubletree took forever to check us in and the room was a disappointment. For reference, I had used points plus cash to book the Homewood Suites in Bickell only to be notified less than a week before leaving that the hotel wasn't actually open yet and wouldn't be open in time. They said they would rebook us but it took 6 phone calls, 3 emails and some tense conversations to actually get that done. They moved us to the Doubletree who put us in a one bedroom condo on the 10th floor. Note the 10th floor has a rooftop pool/hot tub that was literally just a few feet from our bedroom slider. Lots of loud music and loud people late and night and even early in the morning. It was only one night and we kept saying, we have 7 days at sea to sleep so just suck it up and look forwarding to boarding the boat! The TV didn't work, the furniture was very old old and worn but the kitchen was nice! No room service menu or standard amenities and the "included" breakfast we received was just an 8 dollar credit with a list of restaurants we had to go find - they were in an attached small indoor mall like area next to the hotel.

Room pictures

Thank you and Subscribing!

We have 2 cruises booked on Reflection for 2017. :D

The next morning we wandered down to find one of the listed places for breakfast. We ordered breakfast and went to sit down (counter service restaurant), tables were scarce so we shared with another couple, Barb and Leigh who also happened to be from Cruise Critic and we knew each other from on-line postings! They were so nice and we bumped into them several times on the cruise.

We check out of the hotel and managed our way through the madness to the hotel port shuttle. We finally reached the port and made sure we had all our bags. We were ready to board the ship! Check in was easy. This was our first time in a Concierge cabin which shared a check in lane with Elite Plus. However this line was just as long as other lines. Easy check in and we were on-board quickly. During check in we were given an invitation to lunch in the dining room for Concierge cabin so we went directly there as it was almost at the end of lunch service. We had a nice lunch and then went to the sunset bar.

My first lunch on-board!

Following along!!

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Looking forward to your review. Thanks for posting

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Our first desserts on-board!

Random photos from boarding (I was a bit excited).

Looking forward to following your review.

Lynda G.

Our first concierge cabin - same cabin just has a bottle of bubbly.