Celebrity Reflection
"Here Comes The Sun"
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An Alcove on The Lawn Club
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by Linda Coffman
Part Two
Where The Turf's Real
Covering more than a half-acre high above the sea and providing a sea of green for genteel croquet matches, golf putting, lawn games, picnics, or simple barefoot strolls, the Lawn Club has real, honest-to-gosh grass and even a crew of groundsmen to care for it.
Nearby covered patio areas are furnished with thickly padded chairs and settees. But the pièce de résistance are the Alcoves, personal relaxation spaces designed for two to four guests. Lining each side of the Lawn Club, the fee ($149 on sea days or $99 on days in port) includes comfortable shaded seating, bottled water and fruit, and a loaded iPod. Alcoves are WiFi enabled (use it by paying the usual fee) and themed picnic baskets and an a la carte beverage menu are available.
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| The Ultra Cool Martini Bar |
Inside on decks 3, 4, and 5 is where the bars and lounges are located and there are a lot of them, ranging from Celebrity's signature Michael's Club, the refined, wood paneled clubby lounge to savor a cocktail or one of more than fifty beers (including not only selections such as Bud, but also flavorful craft beers) by the faux fireplace. In addition to familiar spots, such as the hip and trendy Martini Bar, Celebrity Reflection features Ensemble, a lounge concept that resembles a drawing room aboard an ocean liner in the last century. Located near the entrance of the specialty restaurants, it's an ideal spot for pre-dinner aperitifs.
Crush, an enclave adjacent to the Martini Bar is where vodka and caviar samplings are the order of the day (or night). Cellar Masters wine bar delivers wines and wine-tastings accompanied by the sommelier service that is a standard aboard Celebrity Cruises. Or, you can pour your own at the Enomatic wine serving system. Off the Lobby is the Passport Bar, filled with cozy, comfortable seating, and a relaxed yacht-y atmosphere.
Two public spaces that aren't exactly lounges, and might be confusing as to their purpose until you experience them, are Tastings, the spot to “taste” an array of foods and beverages while sampling fashion, jewelry, and art presentations, and Celebrity Central, the Entertainment Court venue where you can expect to see anything from daytime culinary demonstrations and enrichment lectures, to feature films and late-night comedy shows.
Sky Observation Lounge offers panoramic views from atop the ship by day and a dance club vibe at night. Sensibly, the sound system delivers music directed at the central dance floor, yet the volume level in surrounding seating areas is lower.
Naturally, there are poolside bars; however, my choice of outdoor watering hole is the Sunset Bar. Tucked away aft of the Lawn Club, it's the ideal location to get away from it all and savor a perfect sunset.
Fortunes Casino is conveniently located near Shops on the Boulevard, the ideal spot to relieve yourself of some "found" money. In all, there are more than a dozen onboard shops filled with enough merchandise to satisfy the need for retail therapy.
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| The Solarium, with overhead solar panels |
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| Resort Pool |
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| Heated Lounges in the Spa's Persian Garden |
Relaxation & Water, Water Everywhere
Celebrity Reflection's AquaSpa has my nod for a total spa vacation at sea. In addition to a complete menu of spa treatments to get you glowing from head to foot, there are salons for both women and men.
In addition to the usual spa offerings, Celebrity Reflection features medi-spa treatments (Restylane, Perlane, and Botox Cosmetic), and an Acupuncture Clinic.
Gym enthusiasts can use exercise machines, free weights, and an exercise area to get the heart pumping. Some sessions, including basic aerobics and stretch classes, are complimentary, while there's a per class fee for others, such as yoga and pilates.
Complimentary saunas (with glass walls for sea views) are located in ladies' and men's changing rooms, but for true relaxation after a work out, give the Persian Garden a try—heated stone loungers, a gentle aromatic steam room, infrared sauna, a cold room, a Turkish-style Hammam, and sensory showers are included in the per cruise fee ($125 at present, but which is complimentary to AquaClass passengers). The AquaSpa and Salon offers treatments and services by Steiner Leisure.
Adjacent to the AquaSpa is the prettiest Solarium at sea. With a soothing fountain at one end and a wall of bougainvillea at the other, in between are the pool, two hot tubs, and a variety of padded loungers and funky wicker clamshell-style seating. It's an adults-only haven.
Just a few steps away is the main Resort Pool area. Separate sports and family pools lead to the wet zone where kids can frolic while adults relax nearby in the four hot tubs. Go early if you want to laze on one of the poolside loungers set into draped sailing material—there's no charge for one of these cabana-like loungers, but they're popular and get snapped up fast. Set in the shade are padded wicker seating areas where you'll also find nifty draped hammocks-for-two. Service is provided by Pool Bar stewards and Pool Butlers keep the area ship shape.
Fun Stuff For Families
While Celebrity Cruises are heavily adult-oriented, no one gets overlooked on Celebrity Reflection and the youth and teen areas are as appealing as any I've seen at sea. Fun Factory offers age-specific spaces and activities for groups ages 3-5 (Ship Mates), 6-8 (Celebrity Cadets), and 9-11 (Ensigns). Extensive play areas for children feature not only the usual arts and crafts and games, but they also offer “edutainment” in collaboration with LeapFrog SchoolHouse. Children must be fully toilet trained (no pull-ups or diapers allowed) in order to utilize pools onboard. Children must be 3 years old, toilet-trained and pull-up/diaper-free to enter youth program facilities and activities, unless accompanied by a parent. For the youngest cruisers under age 3, Toddler Time allows parents and their little ones to interact with other children their age. Fun Factory Staff members provide suitable toys for this age group, including LeapFrog® interactive toys.
Teens, ages 12-17 have their own supervised XClub Teen area with computer stations, video games, and a hang out space with a mock bar where social activities and teen-only late night dance parties are held.
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| The Hideaway |
Chic & Cutting Edge With a Softer Side
While Celebrity Reflection has public spaces where “traditional” ship decor predominates—Michael's Club, Ensemble Lounge, Murano Restaurant—and even contains areas that could be considered “themed”—Tuscan Grille's Italian ambiance—overall the decor is stylish and chic with a hip edgy twist.
Accented by modern art and sculpture, clean and crisp public areas flow into one another with unparalleled continuity. In the hands of most designers, the result could be cold and sterile; however, hard lines are softened with the use of textiles. Seating alcoves throughout the ship are defined with sheer fabric drapes creating intimate spaces and textile “columns” soar skyward from the lobby floor.
Celebrity Reflection is all about relaxation and several indoor spaces are designed for just that. In addition to a well-stocked library with plenty of seating and good lighting for reading there is the Hideaway with pod-style seating, which envelopes one in silence by cutting out all the outside sound, and tranquil "tree house" seating areas. Game On is a new whimsical twist on the traditional card room where guests can challenge themselves and their shipmates with six 32-inch, interactive touch screen tables. The makeover features eight interactive game experiences to challenge players' memory, attention, and creativity.
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Softness & Style: Classical Entertainment in the
Celebrity Reflection Lobby |
Lighting also plays a key role throughout Celebrity Reflection. Tables are individually lit in the vast double-height Opus Dining Room to create the illusion that each one is in a smaller, more intimate space. However, the most useful lighting fixtures aboard are located just above each elevator door where panels change from blue to pink signifying an elevator's arrival. That effect is illustrated in our artwork image (above) shot near the Deck 10 elevator landing. The elevator lights cast a decidedly blue glow.
Natural elements and environmental friendliness also play a part aboard Celebrity Reflection. Solar panels capture the sun's energy to create power sufficient to operate the ship's elevators. A special silicone hull coating reduces the sea's friction and improves fuel consumption.
All new is the Conference Center that replaced the futuristic disco just off Celebrity Square found on previous Solstice Class ships. The multi-functional space was designed to serve as a large ballroom or conference area, or it can be divided into smaller banquet or classroom settings. Whether it's a wedding ceremony, reception, private cocktail party, or business meeting, its size and use can be tailored to the needs of each individual group.
With respect for tradition, Celebrity Reflection is truly a dazzling addition to the Celebrity Cruises fleet.
Celebrity Equinox Fast Stats
- 126,000 tons
- 1,047 feet long
- 123 feet wide
- Cruising Speed 24 knots
- 3,030 guests, double occupancy
Photos © Cruise Diva
Back to Part One --> Celebrity Reflection Preview
Cruise Diva's Celebrity Reflection Blogs:
- Celebrity Reflection's North America Debut
- After Celebrity Reflection, What’s In The Future For Celebrity Cruises?
More From CruiseDiva.com:
Celebrity Cruises Cruise Reviews
Celebrity Cruises Cruise Line Profile
