LIVE FROM — Reflection, February 17

[What A Market]

Well, here’s another attempt at a “Live from” thread.  Of course it will be no where near as humorous or informative as the Live posts we read from some of our favorite denizens of the Celebrity Cruise Critic board. People like hcat, cruisestitch, abbydancer, love2crews, Lena11033, Jim_Iain, and most recently, the amazing GenerationX.  And those are just the ones I saw recently on the Boards.

 

So what are we doing for this cruise?

We’re on Reflection for an eight day cruise departing Ft. Lauderdale. Our ports include:  San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Tortola, and Puerto Plata. (I think in that order.) There are two At Sea days on first day and last day.

 

This was definitely a last minute booking for us. The plan was to cruise with dear friends from Ohio (Phil and Susie), while Susie was making one more attempt to recover from her latest chemo trial for pancreatic cancer. Susie and I are the cruise planners and she and I figured she might have a good window at mid-February to squeeze in a cruise. So last month we booked. It’s heart wrenching to say, but Susie’s almost three year fight ended two weeks ago.  She would be pissed at me if I didn’t follow thru with this cruise plan, so here I am.

 

I’ll try to post everyday. If you’ve seen my previous Live From threads, you I start strong and fade at the end. Boarding this morning.

 

[What A Market]

In Uber on the way to Terminal 29 at Ft. Lauderdale for embarkation. Spent last night at the EB Hotel near the Miami airport. 

[mahdnc]

I'm sorry about your friend, Susie. May she rest in peace. I'm sure she would want you to have an awesome cruise on Reflection as do I. I look forward to following your thread. 

Edited February 17 by mahdnc

[What A Market]

Yesterday we flew non-stop Phoenix to MIA. The flight arrives around 9:00pm, thus my desire to stay near airport. Normally stay in the Miami Beach area, but I wanted to cutout some travel time. The EB was nice. Quiet. Busy with loads of cruise passengers. 
 

The wait for bags at MIA was its usual fun process but soon enough I was in my happy place — Hotel Bar. (Channeling my inner GenX! 😂)

 

[theminnow]

Sorry to read about your friend, Susie. I'm sure she is glad you decided to go on the cruise.

 

Wife and I will be doing the same cruise in 4 weeks. Looking forward to your posts. Hope you have a wonderful time with calm seas and nice weather.

[What A Market]

Well that was painless. 
Pretty quiet when you show up at 11:00AM. 
 

Random photos:

Retreat checkin area

Escort from Destination Services escorting us to room. (They were aghast when I said we could walk in ourselves. lol)

Balcony view

Lunch at Oceanview

 

[What A Market]

[What A Market]

Welcome bottle of champagne 

[What A Market]

And my included “liquor”.

I like cocktails, but prefer drinking such like in a bar. 
As such, I swap out for some vino!

I asked for a Cab and a Pinot Noir. 

[What A Market]

I really like the Retreat Lounge on the E Class ships, but the club-like environment in Michael’s on the S Class has its appeal. If measuring by the bar seating, the Reflection wins hands down!

Why?

Because there are actual bar seats at a real bar!!! How novel….. 😜

[What A Market]

Sail Away at the Mast Bar!

 

[What A Market]

More Sail Away fun!

Now at Sunset Bar with photo bombing bartender 

 

[fliprcruiser]

Following, we board on Sunday!

[Barwick Cruiser]

Very sorry for the loss of your good friend. You’ll have to order her favourite drink and have a toast in her memory! 🥂 

Hope you both enjoy a wonderful cruise reminiscing over times shared together! 
Cathy

[hcat]

Condolences on loss of your friend..  Rest in Peace valiant warrior!

 

 

     following your review....interested in Puerta Plata .. things to do at the port area!

 

 

[Crusingdiva62]

I will be boarding on the 25th getting excited. 

[What A Market]

Good morning from the good ship Reflection!

 

This is the start of my morning (every morning) — camped out at Cafe al Bacio consuming double skinny cappuccinos.

It is very quiet here this morning. 7:15AM.

Lost an hour last night on our way to Puerto Rico, plus it’s a sea day.  Good reasons for people to be moving slow this morning, including DW.

[What A Market]

Dinner last night was Luminae.  We went early (6:00PM), as Heidi was dragging a bit.

Very few tables filled at 6:00, but it was pretty filled at 7:00.

Sorry, no food porn to share.

The meal was fantastic.  

We both started with the tomato soup, garnished with arugula and croutons. (Except no croutons for Heidi because she is Coeliac and therefore gluten free.) 

I followed with the escargot ordered from the main dining room menu and Heidi had the burrata.

For the main, we both had the filet mignon.

We were both surprised at the quality of our filets. One of the better cuts, for a filet, that we’ve experienced on a ship.

 

Our server was Omal.  He was awesome.  Up front he asked if we wanted a slower pace, which is what I’m all about for dinner. Two and half hours we strolled out, completely satisfied. We both passed on dessert. (At least for the moment…..)

[twins_to_alaska]

My condolences for losing your friend. I'll be following along. Board Reflection for first time in April.

[Texed]

Thanks for your posts.  😊

[Georgia_Peaches]

So sorry about your friend. Somehow I feel she is there with you. 
 

Thank you for taking us along on your cruise!

[buzz031]

Sorry about your friend. 
 

Will be following as we will board in April, and it will be our first time in a suite. 

[Skysmomma]

So sorry to hear about your friend.  Not to common to live 3 years post diagnosis! My brother wasn’t as fortunate. He had 6 months.  Such a horrible  disease .  May she rest in peace.

my husband and I will be boarding 3/10.  We were on Reflection 12/22 prior to refurbishment. 
How is the entertainment?  Hoping the current cruise director is better than the one we had last time!  Are there any theme parties? Have heard wonderful things about Captain Kirk but believe he will be on vacation when we board.Hope you have smooth sailing!

[kasowell2]

4 hours ago, What A Market said:

Our server was Omal.  He was awesome.  Up front he asked if we wanted a slower pace, which is what I’m all about for dinner.

Thanks so much for this detail. We are the other type of people we don’t want a slower pace we want a somewhat quicker pace. Not a speed dinner but not 15  to 25 minutes between courses either 

[cheeseheads4ever]

Thanks for the report. Also very sorry to hear about your friend Susie. I’m happy you still went on the cruise. I’m sure she is proud of you for going.

We are going on Reflection March 24th. So looking forward to that.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise and know she is looking down on you with a smile.