Reflection - Review - Ultimate Caribbean - April 2, 2018 - April 13, 2018

[Noreen411]

Just found this thread today. It is really quite interesting and well composed. Great pictures!

 

 

 

I am doing this same exact cruise in February with a group of folks that have cruised together since 1998.

 

 

 

BTW your rant regarding the complainers (not quite the verbiage I would use to describe them) is my pet peeve. Unfortunately, one runs across these types on every cruise. I have close to 40 cruises now and cannot recall one where there wasn't at least one of these sad folks flapping their gums.

 

 

 

Looking forward to the rest of your review.

 

 

 

Hi.

 

Thank you for the kind words.

 

I am sure you will have a great time on Reflection. This trip was a lot of fun. It’s a great itinerary.

 

People like that just make me wonder. Is their life so miserable that they can’t enjoy anything. Or is their life so perfect that any little thing makes them upset. I feel a little bad for them sometimes that they can’t enjoy something as special as a vacation with family/friends/spouse/whoever you are traveling with. It’s a time to make memories.

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Thank you so much for this review. I have just enjoyed a lazy Saturday afternoon reading the whole thing and it’s thoroughly entertaining.

We are on the Reflection early next year and are really looking forward to your ABC Island posts.

 

 

 

Hi

 

Glad you are enjoying it.

 

I know it’s taking me a long time to do this, but things like work and stuff get in the way. I really enjoy doing these reviews and am glad everyone is being so patient while I do it.

 

The ABC islands were great. We had a lot of fun. The first day in Aruba we should have done more. But to give you a sneak peek we had a blast on Aruba Trikes and the Golf Carts in Bonaire were a great way to see the island including being chased by Donkeys in the Donkey sanctuary.

 

I’m sure you will have a great time on Reflection. I’m trying to figure out when we can do another Celebrity cruise. All our previous cruises were with Royal Caribbean and now we’re torn. Both have their strengths and weaknesses but we enjoy them both now. Of course I only have my one Celebrity cruise to compare all the Royal ones too, but it made a great first impression.

 

Noreen

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

Walking around the deck we ran into Rich, Eileen, and Arleen. We were chatting about different cabin types and I wanted to see their cabin. We’ve been showing people ours pretty often.

 

The five of us went to Rich and Eileen’s cabin. They are in a balcony cabin #7268 and it’s very nice. They chose it because of the location near the Hideaway where there is a coffee machine as well as being near the elevators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all went back to our cabin for a while. Arleen called her husband to come over to see it. She asked him why they don’t have a big cabin like this. He had such a great answer. He said “you are a small woman, you don’t need all this space.” How cute is that? Arleen was telling us that her husband spends a lot of time in the cabin watching TV so she said he would probably like the bigger cabin even more than she would.

 

I was so impressed with something that I had to ask Arleen about it. Her eyeliner is always perfect. I asked her how she does it and what she uses. I was surprised when she told me it’s tattoo eyeliner.

 

We all hung out in our cabin for a while. It’s nice to have the space to all be able to hang out in the living room like this.

 

 

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Edited May 12, 2018 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

We were pulling into Aruba around 3pm.

 

The color of the water is a beautiful aquamarine blue/green. And this is what it looks like by the dock.

 

 

 

There is another ship docked next to us - Freewinds. We heard this is a Scientology ship and they stay docked in Aruba. I didn’t Google it or research it, that’s just what I was told.

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 12, 2018 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

We got off the ship just after 3.

 

 

We thought with such a late arrival, it would be too late to go to the beach.

 

We turned right at Diamonds International (right on the corner when you exit) and walked along the waterfront.

 

We stopped along the way taking a few pictures.

 

 

 

 

We stopped in the Aruba Aloe store. We bought shower gel and moisturizer. There was a display table and I thought that these things that looked like candy were gummies but they were scrubby soaps. Kind of silly on my part; why would a store that sells bath products also have candy. When you look at the jars, they say sugar cubes. And the little dish of broken ones in front of it reminds me of samples to try. Scott told me he would have stopped me if I tried to taste one.

 

 

 

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Edited May 12, 2018 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

As we were walking we came across a beach. We took our shoes off to walk along the water. If we were going to go to the beach, we would have headed to Eagle or Palm Beach, but this beach we just stumbled across.

 

 

 

 

After a while, we turned back.

 

 

 

There was a spot along our walk where people were set up on the beach in tents with generators so they must have been staying for a while.

 

We also saw patches of grass with various types of exercise equipment. It wasn’t what we usually see in the gym, but you can tell it was for exercise. Scott tried one where you swing back and forth.

 

 

 

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Edited May 12, 2018 by Noreen411

[Jolly Mon Sings]

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[DocJohnB]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

 

There is another ship docked next to us - Freewinds. We heard this is a Scientology ship and they stay docked in Aruba. I didn’t Google it or research it, that’s just what I was told.

 

 

 

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I have seen that ship there on previous visits to Aruba, but have never heard of the connection to the Scientology church. Googled it - you are absolutely correct. However, it does head out to sea on occasion.

[CaptCrunch]

I saw the Freewinds in Curaçao the same day the Reflection was docked there. They were in a smaller port on the other side of the floating pontoon bridge - very close to the downtown area. I had no idea of the connection with the Scientologists. Thanks for the fun fact, Noreen!

[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

We saw a big I Love Aruba sign so took some pictures with it.

 

 

 

We looked in the Louis Vuitton store since I have been thinking a nice new bag for my big birthday is a great idea. I didn’t see anything I liked so Scott happily put his credit card away.

 

We bought our usual things - an ornament, a postcard, a magnet, and T shirts for Scott.

 

We also bought a cute mood ring for $5 just to see if it really changes color. Every time I put it on it just turned bluish purple and stayed that way so I don’t think it works.

 

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

Once back on the ship we went to the Martini Bar.

 

I had a Candy Apple Martini. It really tasted like a candy apple.

 

 

Scott had a Sapphire London Martini.

 

 

The ice on the bar felt nice. We kept putting our hands on it and getting them cold.

 

 

Scott drew in the ice on the bar.

 

We met a nice couple at the Martini Bar so spent some time hanging out with them.

 

Scott’s second drink was a Eurekatini.

 

 

The bartender brought me another Candy Apple Martini. These are strong. I didn’t want a second drink so only took a few sips of it. One drink a day on vacation is usually my limit. I’m a light weight.

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

We walked by the Sunset bar which is very pretty and a nice view of what’s near the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn’t make dinner reservations for tonight since we were getting to Aruba in the afternoon and weren’t sure what we would be doing.

 

Thinking back on the day we probably should have gone to one of the beaches this afternoon. We were worried with getting there at 3, it would be too late. But looking back now, we would have been fine and probably should have gone.

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

We decided to go to the Lawn Club Grill for dinner around 7.

 

We didn’t have a reservation but it was no problem for them to take us right in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

We both had soda and Pellegrino tonight.

 

We skipped the flatbread.

 

We were brought the dipping sauces in the cute little 3 compartment serving dish.

 

 

We ordered salmon, bratwurst, scallop and shrimp skewer, corn, and rice. We each had some of all the dishes.

 

 

 

Our waiter didn’t think we ordered enough.

 

We thought it was the perfect amount of food. We wanted to make sure we weren’t too stuffed for dessert - the warm chocolate chip cookie with ice cream.

 

 

Dinner was very good.

 

We are really enjoying the Lawn Club Grill.

 

There are these light up things on the lawn that Scott liked so I took a picture of him with one of them.

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Saturday 4/7/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

Across from the ship there was a group of buildings that were lit up and the color would change. I was fascinated being amused by things like that.

 

 

 

 

 

We dropped the knapsack in the suite and headed back out.

 

I am pretty sure we went to the theater at 9 and saw the show - Beatles Around the World with the Sammy Tones.

 

After the show we went to the casino. We were surprised it was open when we are still docked, but we were happy that it was.

 

I went upstairs around 12:30am and Scott stayed a little longer.

 

I fell asleep and was woken up by the phone ringing at just about 2am. Scott ordered room service but fell asleep on the couch with the phone near his head. He wanted to answer when they call to confirm the order without me waking up (I’m a light sleeper). He didn’t hear them knocking or ringing the bell. He woke up when I opened the door

 

He enjoyed his pizza and burger.

 

 

 

Then we hung out on the balcony for a bit before going to bed.

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 13, 2018 by Noreen411

[wendyam76]

Our balcony looked onto those huts and I never noticed them changing colour! They sell souvenirs during the day. The beach you walked to today has a wonderful bar/Restaurant called The West Deck - that’s where we always head to on an overnight in Aruba.

[Noreen411]

Our balcony looked onto those huts and I never noticed them changing colour! They sell souvenirs during the day. The beach you walked to today has a wonderful bar/Restaurant called The West Deck - that’s where we always head to on an overnight in Aruba.

 

 

 

Hi

 

Thank you for the info.

 

We didn’t expect to find a beach so close; we weren’t prepared and didn’t have bathing suits with us unfortunately.

 

We will have to try it next time.

 

 

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[wendyam76]

I’ve never actually used the beach there, although we did go “paddling”! We love the local food there.

[Noreen411]

I’ve never actually used the beach there, although we did go “paddling”! We love the local food there.

 

 

 

Paddling? Like stand up paddle boards? I have always wanted to try that.

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Celebrity Today for Sunday 4/8/18

 

 

 

 

 

Inserts from the Celebrity Today

 

 

 

 

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[wendyam76]

Lol, no “paddling” as in dipping your feet in! Although knowing my 84 year old mum she would have loved to do the stand up paddle boards a few years ago!

[Noreen411]

Lol, no “paddling” as in dipping your feet in! Although knowing my 84 year old mum she would have loved to do the stand up paddle boards a few years ago!

 

 

 

I never heard of dipping your feet referred to as paddling. I learn something new all the time.

 

Then we “paddled” too since we walked along the water and dipped our feet in.

 

Thank you

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Sunday 4/8/18 - Aruba

 

I went to the gym in the morning just before 6am.

 

Scott didn’t come with me today.

 

It was pretty empty in the gym this morning.

 

Walter delivered our room service breakfast while I was at the gym. Once I showered and got dressed we had our breakfast in the suite.

 

Scott had a bagel with smoked salmon. I like how they give you all the little extras with it like capers, onions, etc. It’s very nicely presented.

 

He also had 2 hard boiled eggs and sausage.

 

I had the yogurt and granola parfait and added some of the berries from our fruit bowl to it. Walter gives us a new fruit bowl each day.

 

We also had Iced Cappuccino for me and hot Cappuccino for Scott.

 

 

 

We were off the ship a little before 8.

 

 

We went to the meeting spot for Trikes Aruba to pick us up.

 

Once they arrived another two couples were also waiting so we all got into the van and they took us to their office.

 

 

 

We filled in waivers and paid.

 

There was some confusion over who would drive the automatic trikes versus the stick shift trikes but in the end I think everyone used the automatic trikes.

 

 

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Edited May 13, 2018 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Sunday 4/8/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

All the drivers had to do a test ride with one of the people working there to ensure they were comfortable driving the trikes. I was just going to be a passenger so didn’t have to do the test drive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Sunday 4/8/18 - Aruba - Continued

 

We were ready to start our tour. There were 3 Trikes in the group with 2 people on each. It was us and two other couples. The other two couples were parents with their adult child and spouse. I think they were from Canada.

 

The guide was driving a little truck.

 

This was a lot of fun. While you are riding you get a nice breeze.

 

We made several stops throughout the tour where we would park the trikes and look at whatever we were visiting. The guide would explain what we were seeing and give us some history about it.

 

Random people would take pictures of us on the trikes.

 

Our first top was the Alto Vista Chapel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on the road, I would take pictures as we were moving if something caught my eye. It wasn’t always easy to get the picture since we were moving so many of them just came out as a blur.

 

I took a picture of Boca Catalina Beach as we passed it.

 

 

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Edited May 13, 2018 by Noreen411