Anyone Just Off Reflection? How was the bar sevice and overall service?

[jenniebnyc]

Wondering if there have been improvements since the Nov 30th sailing that Host Anne was on? Anyone? Thanks

[jenniebnyc]

Also, how is the volume of the music by pool? Any rap music?

Edited December 17, 2013 by jenniebnyc
typo

[20pluscruises]

Also, how is the volume of the music by pool? Any rap music?

 

...and the smoke/mildew smell in the casino?

[baggal]

Just off the Reflection on Saturday, December 14. I don't know what Host Ann's issues were because I was on the cruise while the thread was ongoing and I haven't read it yet, but IMO the service was excellent at every bar and every dining venue where we had a drink or ate. (We were at the Martini Bar only once though, and never went to the Molecular Bar).

 

Yes, there was club music (not necessarily rap) played by a DJ every afternoon from 5 - 6 p.m. at the pool. It didn't bother my DH so he stayed while I went back to the cabin. The volume wasn't too loud. At other times of the day there was some live music and other times taped music. None was too loud.

 

Overall we loved the ship and its crew. I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can.

[20pluscruises]

Just off the Reflection on Saturday, December 14. I don't know what Host Ann's issues were because I was on the cruise while the thread was ongoing and I haven't read it yet, but IMO the service was excellent at every bar and every dining venue where we had a drink or ate. (We were at the Martini Bar only once though, and never went to the Molecular Bar).

 

Yes, there was club music (not necessarily rap) played by a DJ every afternoon from 5 - 6 p.m. at the pool. It didn't bother my DH so he stayed while I went back to the cabin. The volume wasn't too loud. At other times of the day there was some live music and other times taped music. None was too loud.

 

Overall we loved the ship and its crew. I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can.

 

Thanks! I think they were saying the piped in music was really loud throughout the ship. Did you notice a smoke or mildew smell in the casino?

Edited December 17, 2013 by 20pluscruises

[kkorman]

Bar service was non existant a few weeks ago. Other service was excellent. Music was neither loud nor rap.

[Wine-O]

Just off Reflection. The bar service was a little slow was at sailaways at the Sunset Bar. Not enough bartenders. They had plenty of servers, but not enough pourers to take care of both the bar & the servers. Additionally, they ran out of some popular brands of beers -- had to go to the Mast Bar then head back.

 

During the Senior Officer Party (7:45-8:30), only two bartenders to handle the bar with all the Captain's Club Members.

 

Other than that, bar service was pretty much normal.

 

Smoking. People were cigar smoking at the Mast Bar and Deck 12 Port side on the Pool deck. No one enforced the smoking policy of cigar smoking only at the Sunset Bar. Additionally, we encountered heavy head winds, and when the sliding glass doors opened on the smoking section on the port side of the pool deck, the smoke would draft all the way into the Oceanview Café.

 

I talked with the Hotel Director, Julian, about that problem and asked if they could block off those sliding doors and have people enter/exit on the starboard side. He said it was a safety issue to keep those doors locked in the closed position. I think they could have left the sliding doors operational for safety purposes, but taped off the area to normal traffic, and that could have resolved the problem by redirection people to the starboard side. Hopefully, they will figure out a solution soon. It was a problem earlier on the S-Class ships when they had the smoking section on the Pool Deck next to the Solarium and the smoke drafted into that area. They've since moved it back aft on the pool deck, but it's still a problem.

 

That's probably more information than you are looking for. :D

[baggal]

...and the smoke/mildew smell in the casino?

 

The mildew smell in the casino is still there. Really strange since its a new ship.

[jenniebnyc]

Thanks for the info thus far!

 

How was the Aqua Spa Café? BLU? MDR?

 

Thanks!!

[20pluscruises]

The mildew smell in the casino is still there. Really strange since its a new ship.

 

Thnx! How was Blu?

[baggal]

I just quickly read through Ann's thread.

 

We did have a buffet brunch in the Opus dining room on Monday, the San Juan port day - not one of the last sea days. Our dinner waiter told us about it the night before and even suggested that we get there early - before it got too crowded. It was mentioned in the daily schedule, but not in a prominent way so perhaps she just missed it.

[20pluscruises]

Just off Reflection. The bar service was a little slow was at sailaways at the Sunset Bar. Not enough bartenders. They had plenty of servers, but not enough pourers to take care of both the bar & the servers. Additionally, they ran out of some popular brands of beers -- had to go to the Mast Bar then head back.

 

During the Senior Officer Party (7:45-8:30), only two bartenders to handle the bar with all the Captain's Club Members.

 

Other than that, bar service was pretty much normal.

 

Smoking. People were cigar smoking at the Mast Bar and Deck 12 Port side on the Pool deck. No one enforced the smoking policy of cigar smoking only at the Sunset Bar. Additionally, we encountered heavy head winds, and when the sliding glass doors opened on the smoking section on the port side of the pool deck, the smoke would draft all the way into the Oceanview Café.

 

I talked with the Hotel Director, Julian, about that problem and asked if they could block off those sliding doors and have people enter/exit on the starboard side. He said it was a safety issue to keep those doors locked in the closed position. I think they could have left the sliding doors operational for safety purposes, but taped off the area to normal traffic, and that could have resolved the problem by redirection people to the starboard side. Hopefully, they will figure out a solution soon. It was a problem earlier on the S-Class ships when they had the smoking section on the Pool Deck next to the Solarium and the smoke drafted into that area. They've since moved it back aft on the pool deck, but it's still a problem.

 

That's probably more information than you are looking for. :D

 

Thnx! I am a reformed smoker and this is one of the main reasons I like Celebrity.......not happy about the smoke smell:( I aslo find it odd the smoking section is just in front of the healthy spa cafe.

 

Did you eat in Blu?

Edited December 17, 2013 by 20pluscruises

[20pluscruises]

I just quickly read through Ann's thread.

 

We did have a buffet brunch in the Opus dining room on Monday, the San Juan port day - not one of the last sea days. Our dinner waiter told us about it the night before and even suggested that we get there early - before it got too crowded. It was mentioned in the daily schedule, but not in a prominent way so perhaps she just missed it.

 

Is the buffet a must do?

[Wine-O]

Thnx! How was Blu?

 

Blu was great. To prevent overcrowding, on the first night they called all the AQ Staterooms and offered 50% discount dining in the specialty restaurants. On another night, they offered a 30% discount for the specialty restaurants.

 

Blu was never overcrowded, and the food was exceptional, especially the beef.

[20pluscruises]

Blu was great. To prevent overcrowding, on the first night they called all the AQ Staterooms and offered 50% discount dining in the specialty restaurants. On another night, they offered a 30% discount for the specialty restaurants.

 

Blu was never overcrowded, and the food was exceptional, especially the beef.

 

Thanks!

 

How were the shows and small venue comics?

 

...and finding pool seats

 

...and must see or do

 

:):):):):)

[Wine-O]

Thnx! I am a reformed smoker and this is one of the main reasons I like Celebrity.......not happy about the smoke smell:( I aslo find it odd the smoking section is just in front of the healthy spa cafe.

 

Did you eat in Blu?

 

It used to be in front of the Spa Café, but they moved it to the aft section of the pool deck, thus the smoke drafting into the Oceanview Café.

 

We did the B2B TA fron 21 Oct thru 16 Nov, then the Caribbean from 7-14 Dec. Never had a bad meal in Blu, although some were better than others.

[baggal]

Thanks for the info thus far!

 

How was the Aqua Spa Café? BLU? MDR?

 

Thanks!!

 

The Aqua Spa Cafe was off in a dark corner of the solarium and looked to me to be completely unappetizing because of its cramped location so I never ate there. Never went to the Porch or Bistro on 5 either. I attempted to have a veggie burger at the Mast Grill but they were completely frozen and it would have taken a 15 minutes wait for it to be fully cooked. Not worth the wait for a veggie burger.

 

We did select dining in the MDR and were very happy there. Never had to wait more than 3 minutes for a table (we went between 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.). The hostess remember us by name after the first night. Sometimes we had the same section and waiters and sometimes we didn't. Never a problem with requesting a table for 2. I was a little apprehensive because I had ordered special meals, but all the waiters and captains were able to check my request in the computer and there was never a problem. If I had a question about an ingredient and the waiter wasn't sure about it, he would go ask in the kitchen. No one seemed to me to be overextended or overtaxed doing his job. The meal service took about 1.5 hours and was well paced.

[20pluscruises]

It used to be in front of the Spa Café, but they moved it to the aft section of the pool deck, thus the smoke drafting into the Oceanview Café.

 

We did the B2B TA fron 21 Oct thru 16 Nov, then the Caribbean from 7-14 Dec. Never had a bad meal in Blu, although some were better than others.

 

I wish they would stick them all in a glass room like they once did at the airports. :D Just kidding..kinda sorta. :)

[20pluscruises]

The Aqua Spa Cafe was off in a dark corner of the solarium and looked to me to be completely unappetizing because of its cramped location so I never ate there. Never went to the Porch or Bistro on 5 either. I attempted to have a veggie burger at the Mast Grill but they were completely frozen and it would have taken a 15 minutes wait for it to be fully cooked. Not worth the wait for a veggie burger.

 

We did select dining in the MDR and were very happy there. Never had to wait more than 3 minutes for a table (we went between 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.). The hostess remember us by name after the first night. Sometimes we had the same section and waiters and sometimes we didn't. Never a problem with requesting a table for 2. I was a little apprehensive because I had ordered special meals, but all the waiters and captains were able to check my request in the computer and there was never a problem. If I had a question about an ingredient and the waiter wasn't sure about it, he would go ask in the kitchen. No one seemed to me to be overextended or overtaxed doing his job. The meal service took about 1.5 hours and was well paced.

 

The special meals wouldn't by chance have anything to do with MSG?

[baggal]

The special meals wouldn't by chance have anything to do with MSG?

 

Sort of - low, but preferably NO sodium. I try not be too demanding - knowing that there are some things I just can't have (gumbo with andouille sausage for instance) but I found the waiters/captains that took my order (the evening before) more than willing to make suggestions and insist that the kitchen would be able to make most dishes salt free. They really were very accommodating.

[baggal]

Thanks!

 

How were the shows and small venue comics?

 

...and finding pool seats

 

...and must see or do

 

:):):):):)

 

Shows and entertainment are probably just as subjective as food. I'll give the Reflection singers and dancers credit for dancing on a moving ship but not much past that. The comedienne we saw in the smaller comedy venue was very funny. But again, you'd have to appreciate her humor. On Saturday she said she was going back to Las Vegas.

 

Finding pool seats on Sea Days was a little challenging but not impossible.

 

As fas a must see, I would say it the "Le Circ" show that a must see.

[20pluscruises]

Many thanks to everyone, and Jennie for starting this thread.... great info!!!!!!!

Much appreciated!

Edited December 17, 2013 by 20pluscruises

[KevP]

Wondering if there have been improvements since the Nov 30th sailing that Host Anne was on? Anyone? Thanks

 

Based on the experiences described in the Nov 30th thread, I would say it was massive improvement. Just departed on Saturday.

 

We had the premium alcohol package and had no problem at any bars as long as you went up to the bar. Service was spotty around the pool. Most other times we just grabbed a seat at wherever we were getting drinks at that moment so no need to test the waiter/waitress service.

 

I did ask a bartender how the cruise was going and his response was much better than the last one! So I asked what happened, and he mentioned 1000 people had an alcohol package and they were completely overwhelmed. I asked if they were fully staffed and he said yes, just too many that wanted to "party". So there you have it.

 

Overall the cruise was quite good. MDR service was great overall.

 

Buffet could use better organization.

 

For those going on Reflection in the future, I am pretty confident you will be fine unless you are REALLY into letting details derail your good time. It does sound like if you have a large group onboard with many having an alcohol package then there could be similar issues to the Nov 30th cruise. Celebrity does need to address this. I would have been just as upset as those who experieced that....

[drarill]

Based on the experiences described in the Nov 30th thread, I would say it was massive improvement. Just departed on Saturday.

 

We had the premium alcohol package and had no problem at any bars as long as you went up to the bar. Service was spotty around the pool. Most other times we just grabbed a seat at wherever we were getting drinks at that moment so no need to test the waiter/waitress service.

 

I did ask a bartender how the cruise was going and his response was much better than the last one! So I asked what happened, and he mentioned 1000 people had an alcohol package and they were completely overwhelmed. I asked if they were fully staffed and he said yes, just too many that wanted to "party". So there you have it.

 

Overall the cruise was quite good. MDR service was great overall.

 

Buffet could use better organization.

 

For those going on Reflection in the future, I am pretty confident you will be fine unless you are REALLY into letting details derail your good time. It does sound like if you have a large group onboard with many having an alcohol package then there could be similar issues to the Nov 30th cruise. Celebrity does need to address this. I would have been just as upset as those who experieced that....

Great attitude!!! If I'm not mistaken there were a couple of big groups on that cruise with the alcohol package. Looking forward to our Reflection cruise next summer!:):)

[packercruising]

Wine-O, did I read that right/ Cigar smoking is allowed at the Sunset Bar? DW is allergic to mold and mildew, but as long as wdo not need to go through the casino for anything, that should not be an issue.