LIVE FROM — Reflection, February 17

[What A Market]

No plans for Puerto Plata today. 
First order of business — get to pool deck and grab a readily available lounger while everyone else heads ashore!  Won’t be like this tomorrow, I’m sure, for our day at sea. 

[hcat]

sounds smart but on our stop there we plan to get off.. for  pics, cigars, kiddo gifts and  drinks...would also like to see the birds

[helen haywood]

 

We are also on this cruise.  Beautiful day here in Puerto Plata!

 

 

 

[fliprcruiser]

Is deck staff clearing chair hogs loungers?

Last Beyond trip month ago never found a lounger before noon on sea days. Not able to use Retreat, but all were taken.

Edited February 23 by fliprcruiser

[hcat]

16 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

 

We are also on this cruise.  Beautiful day here in Puerto Plata!

 

 

 

beautiful!  Is the lighthouse near the port or just the view going in?

Any port info will be appreciated...not planning to use the pool but just walk and shop!

 

[High on the Seas]

17 minutes ago, fliprcruiser said:

Is deck staff clearing chair hogs loungers?

Last Beyond trip month ago never found a lounger before noon on sea days. Not able to use Retreat, but all were taken.

Not that I have seen at least up to about1:00. By then too hot for me in the sun. 

[helen haywood]

@hcat

 

This is taken from the Solarium on Reflection, looking over the bow of NCL Getawy.  We are both backed in to the port.  So very close to the lighthouse.

 

 

[What A Market]

As noted, no plans here. Hiked out the Malecon (the street fronting sea) and backtracked for a hike out to the fort.  Warm, but fortunately, not humid. 
 

$2.00 to enter the fort, which includes an audio tour. 

[What A Market]

We are docked in Taino Bay.

The exit (and enterance) for the port is through an enclosed and contained “village.” I was surprised how big it was. Seems fairly new. Feels sort of like a cruise ship “private island” experience. 
 

On the way back to the boat we paid the local “tithe”by enjoying a cocktail and the local beer — Presidente. 

 

 

[hcat]

Cheers! the Tropical cocktail looks refreshing!

Edited February 23 by hcat

[What A Market]

Now that the NCL Getaway has gotten out of the way, I can share some photos of the village and the fort. 
 

Everything to the left of pier is the tourist village. 
 

 

[What A Market]

Last day of cruise. Boo!!!

 

It’s a Sea Day!  Yay!

 

I really like having a sea day at end of cruise. 
 

 

[Plato123]

1 hour ago, What A Market said:

Last day of cruise. Boo!!!

 

It’s a Sea Day!  Yay!

 

I really like having a sea day at end of cruise. 
 

 

 

[Plato123]

Boo for you but Yea for us as we board the Reflection tomorrow.

It is our favorite ship and we are looking forward to our cruise in a RS, even if it is only for six days.

[What A Market]

47 minutes ago, Plato123 said:

Boo for you but Yea for us as we board the Reflection tomorrow.

It is our favorite ship and we are looking forward to our cruise in a RS, even if it is only for six days.

We are currently sailing in an RS on Deck 11, starboard side. Love the room and the location. I would gladly swap the balcony hot tub for two loungers. (I think the last time I got DW in a hot tub was on our honeymoon over 40 years ago….. 😂)

 

[fliprcruiser]

Does Al Bacio offer the coffee house old fashioned on their drink menu?

[What A Market]

15 minutes ago, fliprcruiser said:

Does Al Bacio offer the coffee house old fashioned on their drink menu?

Wow, you’ve got me on that one.

I think you’re talking about an actual cocktail drink.

I know they have some alcohol available to add to coffee drinks, but they don’t seem set up to make actual cocktails.

 

I’ll try to check.

 

 

 

[fliprcruiser]

The Beyond menu had a list of alcohol specialties on first page, also included DW fav the salted carmel martini. Just wondering, I've found in past that some cocktails tend to not be "system-wide". Boarding tomorrow....

[What A Market]

Well, the sailing gods decided we had had enough perfect weather and deemed today to be sort of crappy. Really strong winds this morning and then some on again/off again rain this afternoon. Way cooler as well. 
 

Winds calming now, but I can see more rain ahead maybe. 

[High on the Seas]

5 hours ago, What A Market said:

Wow, you’ve got me on that one.

I think you’re talking about an actual cocktail drink.

I know they have some alcohol available to add to coffee drinks, but they don’t seem set up to make actual cocktails.

 

I’ll try to check.

 

 

 

They do. It is on the first page of the menu. 

[fliprcruiser]

Just now, High on the Seas said:

They do. It is on the first page of the menu. 

Thanks much! Have friends going us, didn't want to talk it up if not available.

[High on the Seas]

3 minutes ago, fliprcruiser said:

Thanks much! Have friends going us, didn't want to talk it up if not available.

I’ll have to try one. Staying on for another 6 days. 

[What A Market]

Luggage Valet is available for our disembarkation and fight home from FLL.

The only reason I knew it might be available was from reading threads on our Celebrity Cruise Critic board. 
 

When I asked butler if available, he said “absolutely.”

Didn’t see anything noted about the service being available. (Maybe I missed.)

 

Anyway, giving it a go for the first time. 
Here is a photo of the special baggage tags they give you. Boarding passes also included.  Bags are to be placed outside of room like normal this evening. 

Edited February 24 by What A Market

[What A Market]

One last night for being spoiled by the amazing staff on the Reflection. Time to open the welcome aboard bubbly because it wasn’t going to drink itself!

😜

 

[cinderellen]

This has been a very fun read. Thanks for sharing