I sailed on the Reflection on a 4-day Caribbean cruise, and here’s what I thought were the hits and misses of this ship.

Hits:

• A Classic Cruise Ship Layout That Still Works
• Sunset Bar and Sky Observation Lounge
• Quiet Spaces Were Easy to Find
• Number of Bars and Lounges

Misses:

• Not Enough Included Casual Food Options
• Some Areas Feel Dated
• The Wasted Opportunity of The Lawn Club
• Limited Activity Space and Odd Use of Atriums

Hit: A Classic Cruise Ship Layout That Still Works

When compared to Celebrity’s newest ships, the Reflection has a more classical layout. A central atrium with towering glass elevators, small bars located throughout, and nooks and crannies of peace and quiet. It gives the ship a quaint charm that works well. I loved the two-story corridor between the Grand Foyer and the Theater, with flowing curtains and art among the shops. I just wish they were used for more than stores since I’m not a “shopper,” and for me, it just ended up being a long hallway.

Another callback to “older” ship design is the large theater. On the Reflection, it seats up to 1,113, which is much larger than new ships that have downsized theaters to increase cabins and other revenue-generating spaces. The Edge Class theaters hold 20% fewer people, and they’re still fairly large compared to other lines. It means you’re not lining up half an hour before to see one of the shows.

One thing that really works is accessibility. Celebrity’s newest Edge Class ships have tons of different levels and steps throughout public areas like the pool, Grand Plaza, and Rooftop Garden. While it is more visually appealing, it makes it much more difficult for guests with mobility issues. The Reflection has much flatter spaces while still maintaining visual appeal.

Overall, I was really impressed with how well the Reflection’s design still works.

Hit: Sunset Bar and Sky Observation Lounge

You go on a cruise to enjoy the open ocean, so why is it that on some ships, you can hardly see it? On the Reflection, you have quite a few good opportunities to relax and enjoy the splendor of the ocean, from morning sunrises to beautiful sunsets.

The Sunset Bar, located at the back of Deck 15, is one example. This outdoor space is the go-to for sailaway, offering a beautiful vista as you leave port and sail off into the sunset. The circular bar is located in the center, with comfy couches and chairs on either side. On a sea day, it’s also a great place to get away if you don’t need a lounger but just want to sit and enjoy a book or the ocean.

The furniture here shows some wear, but that should be addressed during the next refit. The Sunset Bar is a feature on all Celebrity ships, and I wouldn’t call the implementation on the Reflection any better or worse than the other versions, but it is a standout compared to other cruise lines.

But my favorite space had to be the Sky Observation Lounge. Located at the front of the ship on Deck 14, it’s right above the bridge. The venue is really big, with various couches, chairs, and comfy seating located all along the windows.

While you can find some quiet from time to time in here, it’s often busy with activities. During the day, they host trivia, puzzles, putting, and more. It’s nice that you can enjoy daytime activities while still seeing the outside rather than being in a windowless dark room in the bowels of the ship.

At night, the place comes to life with vibrant LED lighting, hosting events like karaoke, dance parties, and live music. Its location on the upper decks means that although it has a large bar and dance floor, it doesn’t get overly crowded since many guests don’t think of venturing upstairs later in the evening.

What makes this space more notable is that it has disappeared from Celebrity’s newest class of ships, the Edge Class. On those ships, there is no forward-facing public area unless you are traveling in a suite and have access to The Retreat. It’s disappointing that some of the best views are reserved for an exclusive set of passengers.

Hit: Quiet Spaces Were Easy to Find

One big thing the Reflection has that many other ships don’t is ample lounging space. Cruise lines try to pack in as many people as they can, so non-revenue-generating spaces are harder and harder to come by. But the Reflection has plenty of places where you can get away from people and enjoy the space.

The best example is the area on most guest floors right off the main atrium. On Decks 7 and 8, they have the Hideaway. Overlooking the Atrium Tree, this space is full of comfy and unique seating. The space doesn’t really have a purpose. It’s just there for guests to use.

On Deck 9 is a dedicated gaming area called “Game On,” with tables for playing board games with friends. On Deck 10, they have The Library, a perfect place to read a good book, though there were almost no books available on the shelves for this sailing, so be sure to bring your own.

These spaces were all quiet and seemed like many people didn’t know about them, making them feel like hidden gems.

It’s nice to see space dedicated to relaxation like this, rather than being optimized for revenue. Surprisingly, they also appear to be here to stay. Usually, spaces like this are the first things cruise lines change during renovations, adding in profit-generating cabins, but during Solstice’s renovation, these spaces remained.

The Solarium also offered a place to getaway from it all. While it’s less hidden than the previously mentioned spaces, it’s equally peaceful. The main pool might have lively music or activities going on, but as soon as you step through the door, all the noise fades away.

Hit: Number of Bars and Lounges

There’s nothing more frustrating than wanting to grab a drink and finding the bar absolutely swamped. But even if you’re not drinking, bars are the nightlife on many cruise ships, coming to life with singers, activities, and places to socialize.

On the Reflection, bars are stationed throughout the ship, meaning you rarely have to battle a crowd to find bar seating. In addition to bars, during busy times they’ve implemented bar carts for sodas, beers, waters, and seltzers. I saw them on the pool deck, by The Lawn Club, and even in the theater. It’s a smart, low-cost way to keep crowds down.

On top of just the quantity of bars, I liked that almost every bar had its own dedicated menu. I like variety, especially on longer sailings, and having so many bar menus meant I could try a unique cocktail each night. Some cruise lines, like Norwegian, use the same menu at almost every bar, and that gets boring fast.

Each bar, for the most part, had its own vibe. The Ensemble Lounge, with its plush seating and purple accents, was perfect for relaxing and listening to an acoustic guitar performer. The Martini Bar and Passport Bar were much more social, with lots of seating to meet friends for a pre-dinner drink and live music coming from the atrium below. Cellar Masters had TVs for sporting events, but when one wasn’t on, it was a subdued place with deep, comfy chairs to relax. The Sunset Bar was the perfect place for sailaways, with live Caribbean music playing as we said goodbye to our last stop.

Miss: Not Enough Included Casual Food Options

Overall, I was very impressed with the food on Celebrity Reflection, but the one thing I was really missing was more included casual options for breakfast and lunch.

On newer cruise ships from almost every brand, they offer multiple smaller food options around the ship for breakfast and lunch. This helps disperse crowds and keep everyone from being in one area. But the Reflection doesn’t do that very much, so you have limited options. The result is that 3,000+ guests run to the buffet and main dining room for breakfast and lunch at once, causing crowds on sea days and early port days.

For example, if you don’t want to pay extra for food, your lunch options are the Oceanview Cafe, Mast Grill, or Main Dining Room. They also have two more venues serving light bites, the Spa Cafe and Cafe al Bacio, but it’s hard to make a meal out of either.

One problem is that Mast Grill is above the buffet, and I’d see people grab a burger there, then walk down into the buffet to get a table and more food. While I liked the options and the Mast Grill’s freshly cooked burgers were tasty, it didn’t help with spreading out crowds.

For breakfast, the options are the Main Dining Room, buffet, or Spa Cafe for very small bites.

That causes these areas to feel cramped, and it made me a little frustrated, especially on sea days.

One simple remedy would be switching one of the two outdoor dining venues in The Lawn Club to complimentary for breakfast or lunch. They have both The Lawn Club Grill and The Porch, standing less than 100 feet apart. While they do have different menus, I didn’t understand the need for two specialty restaurants there, especially when both were relatively empty for lunch on our only sea day.

Switching The Porch to a fast-casual venue would provide an extra option and alleviate crowding.

Miss: Some Areas Feel Dated

When we sailed on the Reflection, it was 14 years old, about halfway through the traditional life of a cruise ship with Celebrity. It definitely wasn’t an old ship, but it wasn’t new either. It didn’t feel worn down or dirty, just older compared to newer ships.

While I loved the charm of the glass elevator and tall atrium, some parts of the ship felt dated. The cabins, while spacious, just felt and smelled a bit “old.” The red carpet and lack of lighting made them feel more cramped than they actually were, and the oak paneling felt much more dated compared to newer finishes.

Want to charge your phone at night? There’s just one outlet right on the desk. Thankfully the ship does have showers with glass doors (ships from other cruise lines built around the same time often still had flimsy curtains.)

Some other spots on the ship also had a dated feel. The Fitness Center, as I mentioned in my daily blog, felt like 1990s South Florida chic, where the Golden Girls might go to work out.

And some areas simply needed a touch-up. The Solarium Pool’s fountains no longer worked, and you could see chipped paint in the water. The loungers in the Sunset Bar had some tears and scrapes. Again, they weren’t dirty, just a bit worn.

The last oddity was that when sailing at high speeds at night, the ship’s upper decks shook noticeably. I wouldn’t notice it in the theater, casino, or cabin, but when I was in the Oceanview Cafe or Sky Observation Lounge later at night, I could feel the ship vibrating.

While some of these issues will be addressed during the ship’s renewal, after seeing pictures of the cabins on Solstice following its dry dock, they will likely still feel somewhat dated.

Miss: Limited Activity Space and Odd Use of Atriums

The Reflection doesn’t have a dedicated multi-purpose activity venue, and you feel its absence throughout the sailing.

Perhaps Celebrity didn’t offer as many onboard activities when the Solstice Class first launched in 2008, but they clearly do now, and many feel shoehorned into spaces not designed for them. Activities like archery, street curling, and dance events all ended up in the Grand Foyer, a beautiful atrium flanked by glass elevators, but an awkward venue for physical activities. Watching staff set up an inflatable archery target between the elevator banks felt improvised rather than intentional.

The problem is that while the Grand Foyer is visually impressive, it simply doesn’t have enough usable floor space for how Celebrity uses it. During the sailing, it hosted live music, parties, games, and activities, but everything felt squeezed in between the staircase, elevator lobby, and guest services desk. At times, people were literally dancing next to guest services while others tried to navigate around them.

Then there’s The Entertainment Court, another space that feels like Celebrity never quite figured out what to do with it. This two-story open area on Deck 4 serves mostly as a hallway between the theater and the Grand Foyer, but it also hosts game shows, line dancing, archery challenges, and meetups. During these events, guests sat on folding chairs watching while passengers streamed by on both levels, making the whole setup feel temporary and awkward. It’s flanked by a dedicated bar that is uncharacteristically devoid of any personality.

To be fair, it’s nice to see Celebrity expanding its activity lineup, and these may be the only places available to host them. But compared to newer Celebrity ships, where many of these events take place in dedicated venues like The Club, the Reflection’s activity spaces feel like an afterthought rather than part of the original design.

Celebrity seems to realize these concerns. On Solstice, which just underwent a $50 million renovation, they removed the Conference Center and Future Cruise Vacations areas and turned them into a new bar/game room called The Parlor. They also expanded the bar there to make it feel more like a standalone venue, though it’s still primarily used by guests grabbing drinks before heading into the new Boulevard Lounge.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like the Grand Foyer will be improved as part of this renovation. During Solstice’s recent renovation, they left the Grand Foyer largely unchanged. It’s a shame, because even something as simple as removing the staircase would have made a big difference.

Miss: The Wasted Opportunity of The Lawn Club

The Lawn Club was the most disappointing part of the Reflection.

When I first read about the Solstice Class, I thought the idea of live grass onboard was incredibly novel. Conceptually, the space makes sense. Celebrity has beanbag chairs on the lawn, plus a large screen showing movies and TV. But in practice, it doesn’t work.

The first problem is that they rope off much of the grass, so you can’t actually step foot on large portions of it. The grass was dying in many areas, and signs everywhere reminded guests to be gentle.

And even when you can access the lawn, it’s enclosed by massive extra-fee cabanas that completely block the ocean views. So instead of feeling open and relaxing, the space feels boxed in and on display to the people who paid $300 for a cabana rental.

I’m not sure how Celebrity came up with this idea and kept it for every ship in the class. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was originally going to have grass hills in Central Park, according to a recently released design video, but they opted for winding concrete paths with natural plants and trees, which works far better.

Because of this, a large part of Deck 15 is effectively wasted space, crowding the rest of the upper deck.

Thankfully, it appears Celebrity recognizes this issue. All Solstice Class ships are undergoing the “Celebrity Renewed” project, bringing them more in line with the Edge Class offerings.

As part of that renovation, The Lawn Club will be removed. The side areas will become expanded seating for Sunset Bar, and the main area will become Sunset Park. On Solstice, it looks beautiful and makes the space significantly more useful. They even added another complimentary grab-and-go food venue.

Celebrity has not yet announced when Reflection will enter dry dock for its renewal.

Verdict: A Solid Ship That’s Proven Itself Over Time

I’ll admit, when I booked this cruise, I was a little wary of what the ship would be like. Having sailed most recently on newer ships, I was afraid it would feel dated and boring. I was totally wrong. What I found was classic cruise ship charm that felt warm and welcoming. I walked away pleasantly surprised.

While I can easily see how much of this ship’s design evolved into the newer Edge Class ships, I could also appreciate Reflection for what it is. Lots of quiet places to get away, the two-story hallway with billowing white curtains, and the Reflect Tree suspended in the atrium all give the ship real personality.

The ship turned out to be great for a short sailing, and I could also see it doing well on longer itineraries.

While you’re not getting the latest and greatest, you’re still getting a very good ship. Unlike other older ships I’ve sailed and wouldn’t rush to book again, such as Liberty of the Seas, I would sail Reflection again in a heartbeat, especially considering cabins are often priced significantly below newer ships.

You Might Like Celebrity Reflection If…

• You like traditional cruise ship layouts
  • Celebrity Reflection has a classic cruise ship feel, with a central atrium, glass elevators, a large main dining room, a forward-facing observation lounge, and outdoor decks that are easy to find.
• You want a more relaxed cruise experience
  • There are activities throughout the day, but the ship never feels like a floating theme park. It is a good fit if you want things to do without nonstop noise and stimulation.
• You like venues with ocean views
  • Spaces like Sunset Bar and Sky Observation Lounge make the ship feel connected to the ocean in a way some newer ships do not. There are also plenty of outdoor areas where you can sit and watch the water.
• You want quiet spaces to escape
  • The Solarium, Solstice Deck, Library, and Hideaway make it easy to get away from the busier pool deck or atrium events.
• You’re a first-time cruiser
  • The Reflection is a perfect beginner ship for a new cruiser; not too big, not too small, with a good sampling of activities and features you’d find on other ships. It’s not overwhelming, but you also won’t be bored.

You Might Not Like Celebrity Reflection If…

• You want a new, flashy ship
  • Celebrity Reflection is clean and comfortable, but some areas feel dated, especially compared to Celebrity’s Edge Class ships or the newest ships from other cruise lines.
• You want lots of included casual food options
  • The ship has the buffet, Mast Grill, and Cafe al Bacio snacks, but it does not have as many included casual venues spread throughout the ship as some other ships do. While each eatery has a good variety, on longer sailings you might get a little bored if you don’t upgrade to some specialty dining.
• You like big onboard attractions
  • You will not find water slides, surf simulators, ropes courses, go-karts, or other top-deck attractions here. The ship is much more focused on lounges, pools, music, dining, and relaxing.
• You want a party atmosphere
  • Typically, 3-5 day sailings can skew toward “booze cruises” like weekend getaways, bachelor parties, girls’ weekends, etc. While Reflection definitely has the weekend getaway vibe and it’s not boring or stuffy, don’t expect things like booming pool parties, 1 AM nights at the disco, or people doing lines of shots at the bar.
• You are traveling with kids who need a lot to do
  • Families can sail on Celebrity Reflection, but this is not a ship built around kids or teens. If your family wants big attractions and dedicated family neighborhoods, a newer Royal Caribbean ship would probably be a better fit. The Reflection does have a kids’ club and some kids appreciate that it’s less crowded than other lines, but it’s not a kids-first ship.

Follow Along on our 4 Day Bahamas Sailing

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 1 - Fort Lauderdale

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 2 - Key West

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 3 - Perfect Day at CocoCay

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 4 - Sea Day

4 Hits and Misses on Celebrity Reflection

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More Guests Than Quantum, Less Than Oasis

When Royal Caribbean officially announced the order of the first and second Discovery Class ships, they gave us no information except to expect them in 2029 and 2032, and that they’d be built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. Now we get a bit more information.

Now we don’t know the gross tonnage, number of decks, length, or width, but we do know roughly how many passengers. This information was revealed in Royal Caribbean’s Q1 10-Q, a report they must file with the SEC to disclose quarterly financial results and material business updates.

The report lists all upcoming ship orders, the estimated quarter of delivery, and approximate berths. While it’s not explicitly labeled, the chart shows only lower berths, meaning the first two people in a cabin.

Discovery Class is listed as having 4,300 guests at double occupancy. That’s no small ship by any means. To put it in comparison, it’s about 23% fewer people than the Oasis and Icon Class. It’s about on par with the Quantum Class and 10% more people than the Freedom Class.

But that’s only double occupancy. For the Oasis Class, at full occupancy with all beds filled, the capacity is around 6,700 guests. For Icon, because of the increased focus on family accommodations and extra third and fourth berths, the number increased to 7,600 guests, a 36% increase. For Odyssey of the Seas, a Quantum Class ship, the increase to full capacity is 31%.

Using those guidelines, the Discovery Class could hold between 5,200 and and 5,800 guests. That means it’s likely far larger than most small-ship fans would like.

Looking at other cruise lines, that puts Discovery Class around the same double-occupancy capacity as Princess Cruises’ new Sphere Class ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess, and roughly in line with MSC’s Meraviglia Plus Class ships.

Nothing Set In Stone

Of course, this is just based on an SEC filing, which is done in good faith, but may change. In the past, we’ve seen Norwegian Cruise Line adjust its capacity from its original SEC estimates, and the same may hold true here.

The 10-Q gives a fourth-quarter 2029 delivery date, which means they should start construction this year. Carnival’s first Ace Class ship will debut in 2029, and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy has stated the first steel will be cut this July. That means the design will likely be locked in for Discovery very soon, if it hasn’t already been. But whether or not they’re going to share the plans with us is a whole different story.

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The update applies to the beverage package offered through Norwegian’s “Free at Sea” promotion. That name has always been a little confusing, since the package still includes a required daily charge, and that charge is now going up for some sailings starting May 1, 2026.

12% Increase for Free at Sea Beverage Package for Short Sailings

Effective for sailings booked on or after May 1, 2026, Norwegian is increasing the daily charge for the Unlimited Beverage Package when it is selected as part of the Free at Sea offer on shorter sailings.

For cruises that are 2 to 5 nights long, the charge is increasing from $28.50 per person per day to $32 per person per day. That’s a 12.3% increase.

For sailings that are 6 nights or longer, the charge remains $28.50 per person per day.

Why Short Cruises May Be Different

Norwegian has not said why this increase only applies to 2 to 5-night sailings. Most likely, it’s because guests on short sailings may use the drink package differently than guests on longer trips. A weekend cruise or quick getaway can be more bar-focused, with passengers trying to fit more of the vacation experience into fewer days.

Carnival Cruise Line has used a similar structure in the past, implementing higher prices for its CHEERS! drink package on shorter cruises, but has since walked back that decision.

“Free at Sea” Still Isn’t Fully Free

This is the part that may stand out most to passengers. The promotion is called Free at Sea, but the beverage package still carries a required daily charge. Norwegian previously referred to that added cost as a gratuity, but more recently has described it as a service charge.

Either way, it functions the same for passengers. If you select the Unlimited Beverage Package as part of the Free at Sea offer, you pay a daily amount per person.

That is not unusual in the cruise industry. Cruise lines often advertise bundled perks, then add taxes, fees, gratuities, or service charges depending on the offer. But the wording matters. When a guest sees “free drinks” or Free at Sea, it is easy to assume the package is fully included. This change is a reminder that the final checkout price is what matters most.

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A massive undertaking like Perfect Day Mexico takes time, but when will it be ready? In press releases, Royal Caribbean has only indicated that it will open in Fall 2027. Now, we have a bit more detailed answer.

Soft Opening for Perfect Day Mexico in 2027, Broader Opening in Early 2028

The only guidance so far on the opening of Perfect Day Mexico was “Fall 2027,” which is a pretty broad target. Today, though, we got more insight during Royal Caribbean’s Q1 2026 investor earnings call. Unfortunately, it means a grand opening in 2027 doesn’t look likely.

We obviously have announced, I think we said that we’ll be having a soft opening in Q4 2027. As we move into 2028, we’ll be fully opening the whole experience.”
– Michael Bayley President and CEO Royal Caribbean

This is contrary to a statement made to the media in December 2025 by Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President and Chief Production Innovation Officer Jay Schneider. He said, “The plan is still to open it all at once instead of phases. We’re going to open it all at once. I think at one point we were going to open [Perfect Day at CocoCay] all at once, and then it became a phased approach. So yes, our ambition is all at once.”

It should be noted that currently, no itinerary lists “Perfect Day Mexico” as a destination, keeping the Costa Maya name to avoid overpromising to future cruisers.

Bumps in the Road

Earlier this year, construction was halted due to a lawsuit by Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (PROFEPA), the agency that enforces environmental laws and regulations. They stopped demolition of parts of the area due to claims raised by environmental activists about drainage and sewerage management. But in March, a judge lifted that order and construction resumed.

Today, leadership said that construction has resumed and that the “the project’s generally on track.”

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Celebrity Reflection Day 4 Overview

• Celebrity Reflection Day 4 Schedule
• Breakfast at the Oceanview Cafe
• Fitness Center
• Street Curling
• Pool Time on the “Poolest Day Ever”
• Solarium Pool on a Sea Day
• Special Sea Day Lunch Buffet
• Upper Decks on the Reflection
• Cafe Al Bacio for Snacks
• Pre-Dinner Drinks at the Martini Bar
• Final Dinner in the Opus Dining Room
• Poor Service at Cellar Masters
• “Feel the Funk” Production Show
• Silent Disco
• Debarking and Heading Home

Celebrity Reflection Day 4 Schedule

Breakfast at the Oceanview Cafe

After the jam-packed day before (read about that here), I got a late start at breakfast. I didn’t go to the buffet until 9:45 AM, which is pretty late for me. As the buffet is usually on any sea day, it was busy; busier than I’d seen it so far this sailing.

All the same options were out again: made-to-order omelets, a full English breakfast, a variety of pancakes, waffles, and French toast, yogurt, cereals, and breads. I realized I made a mistake by getting all the stuff I liked on the first few days, so breakfast was starting to feel repetitive. With the same offerings every day, it’d be better if I just stuck to one type of food each day to keep from getting “bored.” Today, I went for cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruit; something I would rarely get at home. Of course, I had to grab a side of bacon too; it’s my biggest vacation treat.

Getting the food was again a little frustrating. The food service area on Reflection has plenty of room, but people were really slowing down the process. Today, there was only one station with pancakes, waffles, etc., and the line was so long because people would stay and look at all the choices, then slowly take one pancake and stand there still thinking. It’s frustrating, but not something Celebrity could necessarily fix.

The one thing under their control that I mentioned previously was the flow of people in the lines. The custom-made-to-order egg line was right next to the hot breakfast options, blocking access to the waffles and pancakes. The egg line was long, but because it was placed there, everyone had to wait for breakfast staples.

Once I grabbed all my food, I tried to find a table. This time, it required a full lap of the buffet to find one. Many of the tables were full, but as soon as people got up, the staff cleaned and turned the tables for the next group.

Fitness Center

Stepping into the Fitness Center, it was hard to believe this ship was built in 2012. The gym felt like it had been lifted straight out of a 1990s Florida resort. I could practically picture the cast of The Golden Girls working out here, trying to burn off the cheesecake from the night before. The seafoam green accents, patterned carpeting, and drop ceilings are a far cry from the sleek, minimalist fitness centers found on most newer cruise ships.

Still, dated decor aside, the Fitness Center itself was clean and well maintained, and the equipment appeared newer than the rest of the room. Panoramic windows wrapped around the front of the ship, flooding the space with natural light and helping it feel bright and airy despite the retro aesthetic.

The gym is also quite large and well equipped, with plenty of treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, rowing machines, and strength equipment. Celebrity also offered a few nice touches, including cucumber water, chilled towels, and even complimentary headphones for guests.

By the time I visited that morning, the gym was surprisingly busy, probably around two-thirds full. The strength-training area was fairly crowded and would have been difficult to use comfortably, though there was still plenty of cardio equipment available.

Tip: The Fitness Center has large showers and a sauna available in the individual locker rooms for use by all guests at no additional charge.

Next to the gym is the Persian Garden, the ship’s thermal spa area with heated tile loungers, sensory showers, an aromatic steam room, and sauna. I did not purchase access for this sailing; voyage-long passes were priced from $75 to $159, depending on when you booked. Access is also included for guests staying in AquaClass cabins.

Street Curling

Keeping up with the physical activity, the next stop was “street curling” at 11:30. This event uses a large inflatable rink and special stones on casters to simulate the curling experience. Unlike real curling, you won’t have to do any sweeping or sliding in this version. In reality, it’s probably closer to shuffleboard than actual curling, but it still sounded like a fun activity.

The event takes place in the Grand Foyer, nestled between the two banks of elevators. Again, it was so weird to see this space used for sporting events. I really wish the ship had better places for activities like these, but I have to give Celebrity credit for coming up with a solution like this. Back when the ship was built, I’m sure they didn’t have as many physical activities like they do now, so they had to make do with what they had.

I’m not sure if it’s because we had just come off the Winter Olympics, where the US had a strong curling showing, but this event was very well attended with a crowd forming about 15 minutes before. You signed up in teams of two, and the sign-up sheet filled up rather quickly; they had to close sign-ups, but still got at least 40 teams.

You would compete against one team to see who got the most points. Each person had a chance to slide three stones down the rink, alternating between teams and players. It was hard to predict how hard you had to throw it, and with only three turns, it was hard to really get the hang of it. We didn’t win our match, but it was still fun, and Celebrity handled a good-sized crowd pretty well.

Pool Time on the “Poolest Day Ever”

After realizing we’ll never be Olympic gold medalists, we headed up to the pool decks to enjoy the gorgeous weather. It was a perfect day, sunny and 78 degrees with a gentle breeze blowing over the decks.

Celebrity’s new marketing spin is to have the “Poolest Day Ever” on their Caribbean sailings. It’s a clear marketing effort to make the brand resonate more with millennials and get rid of the “stodgy” old feeling that might have been associated with Celebrity. That said, it’s balanced well; less “Vegas Pool Party” than Hideaway Beach on Perfect Day or The Hideaway adult pool area on Star of the Seas (see more here).

Visually, it’s not a huge transformation, but it does make the space feel a bit more fun. Bright orange inflatable balls are added to the pool deck. They put patterned fabric drapes in some areas to make the place feel more playful. And, as with anything targeting the younger generation, they added an Instagram backdrop near the stage.

I walked around the area to see what the crowds were like. I always say, a sea day is the true test of how a ship handles its capacity, as there are thousands of people walking around looking for something to do. So far, the ship has felt uncrowded and handled crowds well, but what about the pool decks?

The pool decks were certainly busy, but they didn’t feel crowded or cramped. Finding a lounger was a challenge as most of the chairs were occupied, either by people or by placeholder towels. I liked that the Reflection had a good number of both shaded and direct-sun chairs.

The pools and hot tubs were also busy. Because the two pools and four hot tubs are so close to each other, the area visually felt more crowded than it really was.

Solarium Pool on a Sea Day

As I walked through the doors from the main pool to the Solarium, I was shocked by how little noise bleeds into the more relaxing space. The deck music faded into the background as I walked into the warm, serene area. All the loungers in this space were occupied, but the pool was surprisingly empty. I guess most people wanted to use pools outside in this beautiful weather, but I liked the extra space in the Solarium.

I jumped into the pool for a bit. Unfortunately, Celebrity doesn’t put any cubbies here to hold your belongings, so we had to take up a chair with our towels, shirts, and shoes. It’s frustrating because I didn’t need a lounger; I just needed somewhere to put my stuff. Thankfully, on newer ships, they’ve learned. The Xcel has a whole locker system on the pool deck, and on sister cruise line Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class ships, every pool and hot tub has a cubby nearby to store personal belongings without taking up space.

I still found it odd that the Solarium didn’t have a bar or a bar cart, but the drink service was prompt. Nearly every couple of minutes, a waiter came by to take orders, both from the loungers and from the pool. I will say, I did feel spoiled by having a drink brought to me without even having to get out of the water.

Another thing I didn’t love about the space was the view from the pools. While the glass windows all around the Solarium let you enjoy the beautiful ocean views from the loungers, the lower position of the pool means you miss out on them. Newer ships use infinity pools and glass edges to make you feel more connected with the outside. That said, I still really enjoyed the Solarium here.

While this pool is adult-only, there was one father with his two children who were probably around 8, and no one asked him to leave. They weren’t causing any commotion, so it wasn’t a problem, but I’ve heard many other cruisers complain that Royal Caribbean and Celebrity don’t enforce their policies like other lines do.

After relaxing for a bit, we decided to dry off and head to lunch.

Special Sea Day Lunch Buffet

Heading to the buffet at 1 PM, it was absolute chaos. The crowds coming in from the pool, plus all the other guests looking for lunch, swarmed the Oceanview Cafe. And because it was the last day of the cruise, it was a special elevated buffet.

Tip: If crowds aren’t you think, head to the buffet around noon or after 1:30 on the last day. Crowds are much more manageable.

A line of beautiful cakes replaced one of the dessert stations, while a chocolate fountain across the way offered another delicious dessert option. For entrees, they had a huge tower of chilled shrimp and special dishes like lobster mac and cheese.

While the elevated dishes were nice options, each had to be served by a staff member, which created lines throughout the space. And since the buffet isn’t really meant to handle lines, they all kind of jumbled into each other, creating a confusing mess.

It was my first fully disappointing meal on board the ship. I tried an Indo-Chinese dish, chili chicken, which was cold. The breads I tried were very dry. The shrimp was definitely a little soft, not exactly premium grade. The lobster mac and cheese was at least tasty.

It also illustrated what I thought on Day 1 (read about that here): the Reflection needs another quick-service lunch place onboard that’s not nearby. While Mast Grill served burgers and hot dogs, it was just one deck above, and I’d see people walking back and forth between the two places. Royal Caribbean had the right idea on their new ships by spacing out food venues to disperse crowds. I’ve been on ships with thousands more people and haven’t had to experience crowds like this in the buffet.

Upper Decks on the Reflection

After lunch, we decided to spend some time on deck reading and relaxing. I had brought my Kindle with a brand-new book for the trip, fully expecting to make decent progress, but by this point I had barely made a dent in it. So we headed up top to find somewhere to settle in.

The upper decks were buzzing with activity, and finding an open chair proved more difficult than expected. Everywhere we walked, I saw the same thing: other passengers circling the deck in search of a spot, hoping someone would get up before they completed another lap.

Eventually, we made our way to the front of the ship to the Solstice Deck. This tucked-away area is accessed by two small stairways at the forward end of Deck 15 and feels almost hidden if you do not know it is there. Compared to the busy pool deck with music blasting and constant activity, it offered a much calmer, more peaceful atmosphere.

The space features a good number of loungers, with options in both direct sun and shade. Beneath it sits the ship’s netted basketball court, which is so tucked away that if I had not wandered up there myself, I probably never would have known Celebrity Reflection even had one.

Drink service in this area was fairly infrequent, but Mast Bar was close enough that it was easy to walk over when needed. Even with the bar staying busy, service moved quickly enough that it was never much of an inconvenience.

We spent the next couple of hours relaxing up there, though I kept finding myself repeatedly dragged back into the sun despite intentionally choosing a shaded lounger. Eventually, I checked CruiseMapper and realized why. Rather than sailing directly south, Celebrity Reflection had gone north past Fort Lauderdale before turning back around and slowly looping offshore. Most likely, the ship had time to kill since Perfect Day at CocoCay is so close to Port Everglades. Because of the ship’s constant turning, the angle of the sun kept shifting, and the shade moved with it.

Around 3 PM, we had to leave as the area was being closed for a private event.

I ended up liking the Solstice Deck quite a bit, which makes it disappointing that this space will likely disappear in the future. The first ship in this class, Celebrity Solstice, recently underwent a $50 million modernization, and part of that renovation included removing both the basketball court and Solstice Deck to add an additional deck of suite cabins, along with a new forward-facing suite-only outdoor area for The Retreat.

It is a shame to see such a peaceful public space converted into another suite-exclusive venue. Thankfully, Celebrity has at least kept the indoor forward-facing Sky Observation Lounge. Both of these features were sorely missing on newer Edge Class ships.

Cafe Al Bacio for Snacks

Since I had some time before dinner, I headed to Cafe Al Bacio for some snacks. I’m not a coffee drinker, so normally on most cruise lines, I’d never visit the coffee place. But Celebrity has a large display case of complimentary snacks at the cafe that I went to quite a few times. On the lower shelves, you’d find small sandwiches, while on the top was a selection of desserts, some that were better than what was in the main dining room. And, of course, they always had cookies ready to go. I really enjoyed having this option available almost anytime.

On my last sailing on the Apex, Cafe Al Bacio was almost always crowded, but that was a cool-weather Norwegian Fjord cruise (see that cruise blog here). On the Reflection, it was much less crowded except during peak periods in the morning. In the afternoon, you could easily grab a coffee or snack without much wait. I do wish the area had more seating, though.

On my last cruise, I had their pour-over iced tea, which I loved, but I just didn’t have time for it this sailing. We didn’t walk by Cafe Al Bacio as much, so I was also less tempted to stop and get one.

Cafe Al Bacio on the Reflection also has a gelateria where they offered alcoholic ice cream for an additional cost, but it didn’t seem very popular.

Tip: Complimentary, regular, hard-scooped ice cream is available in the Oceanview Cafe with a variety of flavors that changed daily, and toppings.

Pre-Dinner Drinks at the Martini Bar

At 5:30 PM, we headed to the Martini Bar on Deck 4 of the ship, right outside the Opus Dining Room. The Martini Bar is a staple on nearly every Celebrity cruise ship, offering a wide selection of martinis and, a few times a night, a performance as the bartenders put on a show with their flair bartending skills.

Throughout the cruise, the Martini Bar proved to be the most popular bar onboard. Before dinner, there was always a crowd. It didn’t help that Celebrity offers guests in the “Elite” level and higher of its loyalty club a cocktail hour with free drinks from a set menu. It seems to really back up the bars, especially the Martini Bar.

Having sailed on Celebrity’s Edge Class ships before this sailing, I had high expectations for this bar. On the Apex, the Martini Bar was the heart of the ship, with large-scale chandeliers installed over a huge open bar area. Seeing it on Reflection felt like a huge step down, although since Reflection was built first, it really just shows how much the concept has evolved.

The oval-shaped bar is right off the second level of the Grand Foyer. With seating for 20 guests, it’s not small by any means, but it couldn’t keep up with the pre- and post-dinner crowds. The surrounding area had seating as well with waiters circulating to take orders.

One thing I never get about the Martini Bar is the really low stools. The Celebrity Apex had a similar setup. I’m not sure why, but it makes talking to the bartender feel really awkward. The large art installation/chandelier also makes the space feel very confined and dark.

While Celebrity markets the bar as “ice-topped,” it feels more like a “frosted” bar top. The bar top is refrigerated and develops a light layer of frost when powered up. It’s a neat gimmick, but I’m not sure why they did it. The whole point of using martini glasses is that the long stem is supposed to keep the drink from getting warm; I’m not sure if having the drink on the cold bar top would chill it any more than it already is.

Although the bar was full, we had no problems getting drinks within a couple of minutes once we found a seat. A server came over promptly and took our order. Celebrity has consistently had some of the best drink service out of any cruise line I’ve sailed on, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Virgin Voyages.

Out of all the bars on the ship, the Martini Bar probably had the best menu options in my opinion, and I found both the menu and service to be quite a bit better here than at the World Class Bar. Some of my favorite martinis here were the Cucumber Martini and the Lychee Martini; both were well balanced and were a nice play on a traditional martini. If you’re looking for a post-dinner or dessert cocktail, the Bananas Foster Martini was quite tasty.

Final Dinner in the Opus Dining Room

We headed to the podium in the Opus Dining Room for our 6 PM reservation and were promptly seated. Even though we didn’t have “set time” dining, they were able to assign us the same table and dining room team each night, which I really enjoyed. Our sommelier came over immediately and knew exactly what we wanted to drink.

I was really going to miss the three fresh breads and dips they brought out every day. It’s just so far beyond what other cruise lines are doing.

For the main meal, I started with the Beef Carpaccio. It’s something I’d never order at home, but the beauty of a cruise is getting to try new things. It came with a zesty Dijon aioli and Parmesan that really complemented the meat. For my entrée, none of the daily entrees were calling out to me, so I got the broiled salmon with hollandaise.

For dessert, I got the Apple Tart Tatin, which was ok, but I think I preferred the Apple Crumble from a few nights before. Overall, I think dessert was Celebrity’s weakest part of the main dining room experience. It was not bad at all, but nothing blew me away.

Poor Service at Cellar Masters

After dinner, we headed to a venue we had not tried yet: Cellar Masters. Part wine bar and part sports bar, it is located on Deck 4 across from the Martini Bar. Because it is one of the few enclosed bars on the ship and not open to the main walkway, you could easily miss it if you were not specifically looking for it.

Inside, Cellar Masters has a warm, cozy atmosphere with natural wood tones, stone textures, and soft floor lighting that gives the space a comfortable glow. Plush seating and couches are scattered throughout, making it feel more like an upscale lounge than a typical cruise ship bar. Large TVs on either side of the room were showing sporting events, adding an unexpected sports bar element to the otherwise refined setting.

The venue was fairly busy that evening, likely because a soccer match was on the TVs. Oddly, Cellar Masters does not appear to have traditional bar seating or any area where guests can walk up to order. Instead, it operates entirely with table service.

Unfortunately, that setup was not working well. There was only one server covering the entire venue, and he seemed completely overwhelmed. Despite staying for 22 minutes, no one ever stopped by to take our order. It honestly caught me off guard given how strong the service had been everywhere else on Celebrity Reflection up to that point.

Eventually, we gave up and left, heading instead to the World Class Bar, which was noticeably less crowded. While the bar stools were all taken, plenty of nearby seating was available, and, more importantly, we were able to get a drink.

“Feel the Funk” Production Show

For entertainment this evening, we went to the 9 PM showing of “Feel the Funk.” The daily schedule promoted the show saying, “Feel the Funk electrifies the stage with powerhouse vocals, irresistible grooves, and chart-topping hits, from soulful R&B to high-energy pop and Latin beats.”

We arrived about 15 minutes before the show and had no problem finding a seat. I love how big the theater is and how nearly every seat offers good views of the stage. In this case, though, it didn’t matter. The theater was less than 50% full when the lights went down.

Unlike the last show, which had a slight story, “Feel the Funk” is just a straight performance with vocals and dancing. I really appreciate that there aren’t backing tracks here; you still have a full band playing live on stage, four vocalists, and a team of dancers. They performed songs by George Michael, Bruno Mars, and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”

Again, the show brought out two acrobats for one song. Their act was impressive, but it feels so odd that it’s just reserved for one small portion of two shows.

At the end, the cast tried to get the audience to sing along to “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It was a good attempt, but it’s a very fast song with lyrics that are hard to understand, let alone sing along to. It was an odd choice for a finale.

Overall, it was an ok show. I definitely preferred the “Broken Strings” show from Day 2, and this probably ranks in the middle tier of every cruise show I’ve seen. It was amazing how much more production quality they put into the shows on the new ships compared to what’s on these older ships.

Silent Disco

This evening was the Silent Disco, a favorite of many cruisers. Guests get a pair of headphones and then can choose one of three different stations to play. The headphones light up with a color, red, green, or blue, showing which station they’re listening to.

The disco started at 10, and they actually started by playing the music loudly, which is an odd choice for a “Silent Disco.” Eventually, they turned the music down a bit, but it was still playing in the background. When I went to the Silent Disco on Royal Caribbean, part of the fun was hearing only the sound of people shuffling on the dance floor and singing along to the lyrics.

Even if you’re not a dancer, the Silent Disco is fun to watch. You see people doing the YMCA next to people doing the Macarena, all in their own world.

On the Reflection, the dance party took place in the Grand Foyer. Again, the dance floor felt a bit small for an event like this, but with it being the “heart” of the ship, it kind of makes sense on the final night.

Debarking and Heading Home

After a good night of sleep, I got ready to make the trip home. You can choose whether to carry your bags with you or put them out the night before for the staff to carry. Normally, I just put my bags out, but it is a pain to get everything you need out of them for one night, so I opted to keep my bag with me this time.

We had to be out of our cabins by 7:30 AM, so I headed up to breakfast, where it was pleasantly quiet. A lot of people must have skipped breakfast or were still packing up.

During this sailing, the US was experiencing a horrible TSA problem with waits that could be hours long, so we wanted to make sure we got to the airport in plenty of time. Because of that, we ended up booking a transfer with Celebrity to FLL rather than taking an Uber. The cost was $18.95 per person, and we booked it pre-cruise just like any other excursion or onboard expense. Note, it didn’t show up until a couple of weeks before the cruise.

After breakfast, we grabbed our bags and headed to the main theater at 8 AM as instructed. Getting an elevator was a challenge. It took 10 minutes to get one, as the elevators were jam-packed with people and their luggage; it seemed no one had put their bags out the night before. I would have used the stairs, but it’s much harder with heavy bags.

At 8 AM, they called our number, and we walked off the ship. For passport holders, customs is as simple as walking up and taking a picture, so we were off the ship within minutes. By 8:25, our bus took off for the airport.

We arrived at the airport at 8:45 AM and by 9:30 AM were through security and at our gate. One note about Fort Lauderdale airport: there’s not enough seating, so if you get there early, be prepared to stand. People were sitting on the floor in the hallways, with every seat packed.

Follow Along on our 4 Day Bahamas Sailing

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 1 - Fort Lauderdale

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 2 - Key West

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 3 - Perfect Day at CocoCay

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 4 - Sea Day

4 Hits and Misses on Celebrity Reflection

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Royal Caribbean has continued doubling down on that investment, steadily expanding the class with even more orders for what are currently the largest cruise ships in the world.

Back in September 2025, Royal Caribbean announced orders for the fourth and fifth Icon Class ships. At the time, the company also revealed it had secured options with shipbuilder Meyer Turku in Finland for a sixth and seventh vessel.

Today, Royal Caribbean has exercised those options and officially ordered both ships.

With this latest expansion, Icon Class ships will account for 20% of Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Once all seven are in service, more than 50,000 passengers could be sailing aboard an Icon Class ship at the same time.

The sixth Icon Class ship is scheduled to debut in 2029, with the seventh following in 2030. The arrival of Icon #6 will come the same year Royal Caribbean is expected to introduce its highly anticipated new Discovery Class.

What Will The New Ships Be Named?

If we look at the trademarks Royal Caribbean has already filed, here are some of the possible names for the fifth, sixth, or seventh ships.

These names were trademarked at the same time as Star of the Seas in 2022, and some of them fit well with the naming theme of the class so far, including Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas.

• Nova of the Seas
• Sun of the Seas
• Marquee of the Seas
• Titan of the Seas
• Majesty of the Seas
• Hero of the Seas
• Monarch of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has also trademarked a few additional names after those listed above. Idol of the Seas may fit within the same theme, but the rest lean more toward emotions and would likely be intended for a different class of ships entirely.

• Happy of the Seas
• Fun of the Seas
• Idol of the Seas
• Love of the Seas
• Joy of the Seas

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The new ship, Carnival Tropicale, will debut in 2028 and sail from Galveston, Texas. This is a notable move and continues a trend we have been seeing as Carnival begins to place more of its newest and most important ships outside of Miami.

Carnival Tropicale Coming to Galveston

Carnival confirmed that Tropicale will be homeported in Galveston, joining Carnival Jubilee as one of the newest ships sailing from Texas. Like its sister ship, Tropicale will feature a large Star of Texas design on the bow, tying it directly to its homeport. Based on what we have seen on Jubilee, there is a good chance the ship will also incorporate regional touches into the onboard experience, including themed entertainment, live music, and possibly food options that reflect Texas culture.

This is a big win for Galveston. The port has grown quickly over the past few years, and adding another brand-new Excel Class ship further cements its importance in Carnival’s lineup. At the same time, Carnival will continue to base multiple ships there, so guests who prefer smaller ships or a different experience will still have options.

A Name With History

The name Tropicale is a callback to Carnival’s first purpose-built cruise ship, the original Tropicale, which entered service in 1982. While the name carries a lot of history for the brand, the new ship itself will be completely different in scale and design. The Excel Class ships are among the largest in Carnival’s fleet, and the new Tropicale will be five times larger than the original ship that inspired its name.

A Shift in Where Carnival’s Newest Ships Sail

One of the more interesting aspects of this announcement is what it says about Carnival’s overall deployment strategy. With Tropicale heading to Galveston, two of the newest Excel Class ships will be based in Texas. That is a noticeable shift from the past, when Carnival’s newest ships were almost always deployed in Florida, particularly in Miami and Port Canaveral.

It also means that Miami, which is home to Carnival’s headquarters, will only have one of the five Excel Class ships. That stands out given how central Miami has traditionally been to new ship launches and flagship deployments.

Sunsation Point Replaces BOLT

Carnival is also making a notable design change with Tropicale. Like Carnival Festivale, the ship will replace the BOLT roller coaster and Ultimate Playground area with a new outdoor zone called Sunsation Point.

This space will feature WaterWorks Ultra, which Carnival describes as its largest water park at sea. It will include six waterslides, two splash pads, and additional outdoor attractions like mini golf and other games. Carnival is also planning to program the space throughout the day and into the evening, making it more of a central hub rather than just a daytime attraction.

Themed Zones Still to Be Announced

Carnival has not yet revealed the themed zones that will be unique to Tropicale. Each Excel Class ship has introduced new areas with their own restaurants, bars, and entertainment concepts. Mardi Gras introduced zones like French Quarter and La Piazza, while Carnival Festivale is will lean heavily into a music theme with areas like Studio 724 and The Festival.

There is at least a small hint from Carnival’s early description of the ship, which mentions a mix of old Vegas flair and a tropical feel. That could point toward a design that blends retro nightlife elements with a more classic cruise atmosphere, but for now that is still speculation.

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What started as scattered complaints has turned into something more noticeable. Social media posts, cruise forums, and even coverage from news outlets are all pointing to the same thing. Guests are boarding ships expecting one experience and getting something else.

This difference is even more noticeable on the newer Icon Class ships, where ticket prices are at record levels.

At What Point Is Royal Not Delivering What They Promise?

Usually, a broken waterslide isn’t a major problem. Cruise ships have plenty of other activities, and most people understand that things sometimes break. But this isn’t just any waterslide.

On ships like Icon of the Seas, the Category 6 waterpark isn’t a side attraction. It’s the centerpiece. Royal Caribbean has built entire marketing campaigns around it, promoting it as the “largest waterpark at sea.” It’s front and center on their website, in ads, and across their promotional materials.

At the same time, these ships come with record pricing. Royal Caribbean is charging more than ever before, and reporting strong financial performance to match.

So when guests board and find that multiple slides are closed, it raises a fair question: At what point does this cross from routine maintenance into not delivering the experience that was sold?

Legally, the answer is clear. Cruise contracts are written to protect the cruise line, and they explicitly state that onboard features can change without compensation. But legality and fairness are not the same thing. If a major attraction is heavily marketed and helps justify the price, should guests simply accept it being unavailable?

To put it in perspective, imagine visiting Magic Kingdom at Disney World and finding a major land like Fantasyland closed for the day. The park is still open. There’s still plenty to do. But a core part of what was advertised is missing. Guests would almost never receive a discount or refund for that.

What’s Actually Going On With the Waterslides?

Royal Caribbean hasn’t publicly provided a detailed explanation for the widespread slide closures. However, one incident may have triggered this issue.

In August 2025, a guest aboard Icon of the Seas was reportedly injured when a clear acrylic section of the “Frightening Bolt” slide cracked during use. The slide was immediately shut down, and the slide was also closed on Star of the Seas.

Since then, guests across multiple ships have reported that clear slide sections are being removed or kept closed across the fleet. In some cases, these closures haven’t just lasted for a sailing or two, but for months.

That suggests something larger beyond routine maintenance. It points to a potential design, safety, or liability concern that hasn’t been fully addressed publicly.

Is Royal Caribbean Playing It Too Safe?

Other cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises, have used similar clear acrylic slide elements for years without widely reported issues. So is Royal Caribbean dealing with a unique problem? Or are they taking a more conservative approach after a single high-profile incident?

Something like that has happened before. The SkyPad, a virtual reality trampoline attraction, was quietly removed from ships after an accident and subsequent lawsuit. While it was never officially stated that this was the reason, the outcome was the same: a headline attraction disappeared.

The Bigger Issue: Expectations vs. Reality

The real controversy here isn’t just broken waterslides. It’s the growing gap between what’s being marketed and what guests are getting.

Royal Caribbean is positioning ships like Icon of the Seas as next-generation with one-of-a-kind features and pricing them accordingly. When key attractions are unavailable, even for legitimate reasons, it chips away at that value.

Most guests won’t cancel a cruise over a closed slide, but they will remember it. And as more people share those experiences publicly, it raises a bigger question for the industry: How much of the onboard experience needs to be operational before what’s being sold no longer matches what’s being delivered?

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Celebrity Reflection Day 3 Overview

• Celebrity Reflection Day 3 Schedule
• Starting Off the Day
• Breakfast at the Buffet
• Spa Cafe Breakfast Options
• Heading to Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Walking Around Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Hideaway Beach Adult Only Area
  • Hideaway Beach Experience
  • Hideaway Beach Layout
  • Hideaway Beach Swim-up Bar and Heated Pool
  • Hideaway Beach Food
  • Overall Thoughts on Hideaway Beach
• Sunset Bar for Sailaway
• Main Dining Room for Dinner
• Splitting Onboard Credit at Guest Services
• Trying Our Luck at the Reflection Casino
• Pub Style Trivia in Sky Observation Lounge
• Ensemble Lounge for Live Music
• Shine the Night Party
• Day 3 Wrap Up

Celebrity Reflection Day 3 Schedule

Starting Off the Day

I had another great night of sleep onboard. The room was beautifully cold, pitch dark, and quiet. Even though I could feel the ship shaking a bit the previous night on the higher decks, in my cabin, I didn’t feel it at all.

I awoke to another beautiful morning, a sunny day. The high would be 78 degrees with no rain expected. I opened my curtains and stepped out on the balcony to feel the cool air. The Bahamas is perfect this time of year, before the humidity and heat hit. The ship docked at 8 AM.

Tip: When waking up in port, always make sure you’re prepared for an audience when you open your curtains. We were docked right next to Utopia of the Seas and could see everyone on their balconies and in their rooms.

But by the third day in the cabin, a few issues started to pop up. For example, the toilet had not been working right since yesterday afternoon. You could press the button to flush, but it wouldn’t, and then it would randomly flush 30+ minutes later. I called the room steward, and she just said, “Ok.” It wasn’t just my cabin either. It happened to others sailing with me in the same hall. Most likely, it meant someone flushed something they shouldn’t have, but I’ve never had this problem before.

Another annoyance was that the only two power outlets were on the desk, and right next to them were glasses and large glass bottles of water for an extra charge. I paid enough for this cruise. I don’t need you to take up space and try to sell me water. The mini-fridge was also pre-stocked with things at an extra fee, which I don’t like. You can always ask your steward to remove those, especially if you have kids, but I didn’t want to add more work for our room steward, who already seemed frazzled.

Breakfast at the Buffet

I headed to the buffet for breakfast before heading out onto the island. At 8:30 AM, the buffet was busy but much more manageable than yesterday. People seemed to know where things were now, so you didn’t have people standing in the middle, looking around and lost.

Still, some flow problems persisted with the food setup. They would put the syrup and butter before items like pancakes and waffles, which made no sense at all, and made people go back through the line to top their items. Also, the line for made-to-order things like omelets and toasted items would flow into the general areas. So there was no wait for pancakes, waffles, and bacon, but you couldn’t get to them because people were standing there waiting for eggs at the next station. It’s something Celebrity could easily fix with a sign. I chose to eat very light today because I wanted to save room for a lot of the food on the island.

I loved how the Reflection buffet has a nice outdoor seating area at the back. It was a beautiful day, and I wanted to sit out there, but for some reason, those tables weren’t being bused. Tables were piled with dirty dishes and used napkins, while inside, the staff was working hard to clear them. It was very uncommon for Celebrity, so I’m not sure what was going on there.

Spa Cafe Breakfast Options

In addition to the buffet and the main dining room, guests who want a really light breakfast can also try the Spa Cafe, which most people miss. It’s tucked into a corner of the Solarium, where you’ll find light bites and freshly made juices to order.

For breakfast, they offer cereals, muffins, and dishes like a bagel with peanut butter, apple, banana, and berries, or avocado bruschetta. Each dish is already plated in a grab-and-go style setup.

You can also order fresh-pressed juice or smoothies, which typically have a line. These are an extra charge or included with the Premium Drink Package or the Non-Alcoholic Drink Package.

Overall, I don’t really get the appeal of Spa Cafe. I know some people love it, but it feels like wasted space in the Solarium that could be put to better use with more seating. The food options and portions are quite small, and because it’s not a real counter setup, making the drinks takes them a while. I’m surprised they couldn’t find a better venue for this, like up in the Lawn Club area, where they have two additional fee restaurants.

Heading to Perfect Day at CocoCay

Around 9 AM, we finished breakfast, went back to our cabins to get our stuff, put on sunscreen, and headed out to the island.

Tip: For Celebrity cruises, your cabin steward will leave towels in your cabin the night before for Perfect Day. If you want a fresh towel while on the island, just exchange it at a towel hut. Celebrity has different colored towels from Royal Caribbean, so they’ll make sure they give you the right ones back.

Then we took the elevators down to Deck 2 to walk off the ship. It seemed like a lazy day with not a lot of people rushing to get off the ship, so we were able to walk right off.

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean International’s private island. Since that’s the parent company of Celebrity Cruise Line, Celebrity ships can also stop at Perfect Day as of April 2024. Not as many sailings stop there as Royal Caribbean does, where a majority of cruises sailing out of Florida stop at Perfect Day.

Perfect Day at CocoCay represents how Royal Caribbean thinks a guest’s island vacation should be. Think of it as an extension of the cruise ship. Your Wi-Fi packages work on the island. Your drink packages work on the island. Nearly all the food is included, and the few extra-fee places can be charged to your ship account. It’s a place where the cruise line can control nearly every aspect of your experience, except weather, but give them a decade or so.

Perfect Day at CocoCay can only accommodate two ships at a time. Today, we were in port with one of the largest ships in the world, Utopia of the Seas. It’s just behind Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class in terms of size. That meant, on top of the 3,000 guests from the Reflection, there might be another 6,000 guests on shore from Utopia.

Walking between the two ships, you really get a good sense of how massive these ships are. Standing on the pier, the Reflection towers 13 stories over you while the Utopia of the Seas adds three more stories. It’s not until you walk away from the ships that you see the big difference. Utopia is so much wider than the Reflection. It has a split superstructure design with interior neighborhoods lined with interior cabins, accommodating so many more guests.

From the pier, you can see the other big differences between the ships. Utopia has its vibrant purple 10-story dry slide, Ultimate Abyss, snaking its way down from the colorful dry playground, The Playscape, all the way to the AquaTheater, where they do shows at night. In comparison, the Reflection looks a bit plain. The blue hull at least makes it feel more modern, but from the outside, with no waterslides and no vibrant color, it might seem boring at first. You can’t see the Lawn Club, beautiful atrium, or the things that make the ship shine by just looking at the exterior.

Walking Around Perfect Day at CocoCay

Before we settled down for the day, we decided to walk around the island, as some in our group had never been. I had only been once before, when I was on Star of the Seas (follow that blog here), so I wanted to get a feel for how the crowds were today.

I’m still impressed with how quaint and natural the island actually feels. Before I visited the island, the marketing had convinced me it was a massive theme park at sea, not an experience I thought I’d be looking for. While the island does have a large waterpark with one of the tallest waterslides in North America that you can see from miles away, it’s not all like that. In reality, the island still holds much of its natural beauty, even more so because it’s been enhanced with millions of dollars’ worth of new plants.

Walking through the different neighborhoods, you really appreciate what Royal did with the island. There are two different splash areas for kids that are away from adult areas, a large freshwater pool with a swim-up bar, white sand beaches, and a straw market with souvenirs. You could easily walk through the whole island in about 30 minutes, but if you’d prefer, they have trams running constantly to get you between areas.

Personally, my favorite area is South Beach. It’s the furthest away, but worth the little hike. You access it by walking through a beautiful nature walkway with thick green foliage. Once you arrive, you’ll find thousands of chairs with umbrellas, sports courts, food stands, equipment rental, and they even have a bar station in the middle of the ocean you can walk or swim out to.

By the time we reached South Beach, it was 9:30 AM, and everything was still pretty empty. Once we got a feel for the whole island, we headed over to where we’d spend our day, Hideaway Beach.

Hideaway Beach Experience

For this specific day, we booked one of the two extra-fee areas available on the island called Hideaway Beach. It was a recent addition to the island that opened in early 2024. Its biggest appeal is that it’s the only adult-only area on the island. But that’s not why I booked it. I booked it because it had a heated pool. The main Oasis Lagoon pool is not heated, and because it was mid-March, the ocean temperature was only 72 degrees. I was afraid it would be just too cool to comfortably enjoy the rest of the island, so we upgraded to the Hideaway Beach experience.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity use demand-based flexible pricing, so the cost can vary widely for Hideaway Beach. I’ve seen it priced as low as $35 and as high as $120. I purchased it a few months before my cruise for $65 per person. The day of, they were selling access for $85 per person.

Tip: If you book an excursion, onboard package, or activity for your Royal Caribbean or Celebrity cruise, keep checking back. They often run sales, and if you see a lower price, you can cancel online and instantly rebook at the lower price.

Because Hideaway Beach is an addition, it’s a bit of a walk to the compound. From the welcome area, it’s about a 25-minute walk, so most people just opted to take the dedicated tram running to Hideaway Beach.

We walked up to the station, and the staff made sure we knew this was for an adult-only area and that we had to have purchased access or be prepared to pay $85. We jumped on the tram, and it was a quick 3-minute ride to the entrance. Then we scanned our room key and we were in.

Hideaway Beach Layout

Hideaway Beach has a much more beach club feel than a natural oasis or high-end vibe. In the area, you’ll find four bars, two grab-and-go restaurants, a huge heated pool with a swim-up bar, a protected calm ocean cove with white sand, and thousands of chairs.

Throughout the day, there were plenty of chairs and loungers available. Most people, though, seemed to be spending time in the water. In the morning, people were mostly in the pool, but by the afternoon, some began to work up the courage to go into the cold ocean.

Tip: For those who don’t feel comfortable leaving their belongings on a chair, Hideaway Beach offers complimentary lockers.

We started off by finding some chairs. While the ones directly next to the pool were all taken, there were hundreds of chairs with umbrellas on the sand beach right next to the infinity pool. They were the same chairs you’d find throughout the island, so not elevated, padded loungers, but they were comfortable and sturdy. They were very close to each other, though. For an additional fee, I would have liked a little more room between them.

The poolside DJ’s music thumped throughout the area. The further away from the swim-up bar area you go, the less you’ll hear, but at no point will it give you peace and quiet with just the ocean waves in the background.

Hideaway Beach Swim-up Bar and Heated Pool

Then we headed into the pool for the swim-up bar. With it only being 78 degrees out, the heated pool was definitely needed. You don’t realize how absolutely massive the pool is until you get in and walk around. The water is about 3.5 to 4 feet deep throughout, so it’s easy to walk around with a drink without splashing it.

The swim-up bar is quite sizable, and in the shade thanks to an overhang above. On a day like today, the shade meant there weren’t many people camping out on the stools at the swim-up bar. It was too cold without the sun. Instead, people got their drinks and headed to the edge of the infinity pool to talk with their friends.

The drink service was really quick. The only thing slowing it down was when people ordered frozen drinks, since they had to be made from scratch. If everyone in front of you was ordering beers or cocktails, there’d be no wait at all, but it could be several minutes if people were getting piña coladas or daiquiris. The music at the bar was the loudest, so hearing the bartenders was a bit of a struggle.

Tip: I used my phone case (see it here on Amazon) to carry my phone and room key. Others in my group used their lanyards clipped onto their bathing suits. While the bartenders could look up your cabin number, with two different ships at the island, it was more of a hassle having them find the right information.

We relaxed in the water and enjoyed the atmosphere. The pool had a decent crowd, but it didn’t feel like “people soup” at all. Everyone had plenty of personal space. Around the area, people were playing floating games like basketball, a small volleyball net, and beer pong.

The crowd was just as diverse as the ships. You had everyone from college-age guests to seniors enjoying the space.

After a while in the pool, we headed back to our chairs to relax. The umbrella gave me enough shade to enjoy a few chapters of my book. While we were there, waiters were circulating, taking drink orders, so you didn’t even have to get up.

Since I had the drink package from my Celebrity cruise, I could basically order anything on the menu here. I tried a few drinks, including the rum punch and Bahama Mama, which both just scream vacation to me. I also ordered the CocoLoco, which people always say to try here, but it’s never been the same drink twice. It is always delicious, though.

One interesting thing about Celebrity now visiting this island is that it uses Royal Caribbean’s pricing. Celebrity has some of the highest alcoholic beverage prices in North America, and this makes it pretty transparent. On Royal Caribbean, Corona or Heineken is $7.99. On Celebrity, it’s $10. It makes it quite clear that Celebrity really overcharges for its liquor, likely to make its drink packages more attractive.

When 11 AM finally hit, it was time to get some snacks. I really loved all the complimentary food on the island on my last sailing (see that trip to CocoCay here), and I had been looking forward to it.

Hideaway Beach Food

In Hideaway Beach, there are two areas to get food: Snack Shack and Slice of Paradise.

The Snack Shack in Hideaway Beach is almost identical to the other Snack Shacks found around the island, except for 3 additions: ceviche, coconut shrimp, and a fish sandwich. I already had my plan laid out. I was going to start with a “snack” and get more of a “lunch” later, before getting dessert.

I walked up to the Snack Shack, and there was no line at all. I started off with the mozzarella sticks, which I loved last time. They held up again this time, crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and nice and thick. I don’t know how they also keep them hot and ready. Mozzarella sticks have a notoriously short shelf life after being fried. I also ordered the ceviche, which comes in a small plastic cup with plantain chips. While the presentation in a plastic cup was a bit underwhelming, the ceviche was nice and refreshing with a good bit of acid.

Later, when I went back for lunch, I got the Crispy Island Fish Sandwich which oddly, fell flat for me. The cheese wasn’t really melted, and it felt like a reheated frozen fish fillet. I went back and got the Hideaway Burger to compensate for the disappointment. That was much better, fresh and juicy. I loved their shack sauce on it, and they had a whole fixings bar next to it where you could customize your sandwich.

Later, I went back for dessert, which was a personal funnel cake. At home, I almost never get funnel cake because they’re huge and I can’t eat a whole one, but this is the perfect size and fried to perfection. I also grabbed a few chocolate chip cookies. Food like this would have been an extra cost at other private destinations like Carnival’s Celebration Key.

On the three separate trips I made to the Snack Shack, I never waited more than 2 minutes for food. I had a similar experience last time in the general area of Perfect Day. It’s absolutely amazing how Royal Caribbean can pump out relatively high-quality food so quickly and at no extra charge.

On the other side of Hideaway Beach is the other food stand, Slice of Paradise. None of the food here is available anywhere else on the island. They have four types of pizza, including Island Guava Barbecue Chicken and Bahamian Seafood Escabeche. They also had chicken, beef, and apple empanadas.

The pizza was decent. It was very similar to Royal Caribbean’s Sorrento’s crust, which is shockingly so much better than the pizza on Celebrity. The empanadas were ok, but they didn’t have a ton of flavor. Both were decent, but considering they’re the only unique food items you get by paying to be at Hideaway Beach, I’d expect them to be better.

Overall Thoughts on Hideaway Beach

In principle, I don’t love the concept of Hideaway Beach. I hate having to pay extra for an area with no kids. Since Royal Caribbean recently decided to focus its marketing on being a “family vacation,” they’ve brought thousands of kids on board each sailing. I shouldn’t have to pay extra to get away from that. It’s especially true for those arriving on a Celebrity ship, who paid extra to be on a higher-end line with fewer children. They should automatically have access to Hideaway Beach, or at least receive a discounted rate.

The overall experience wasn’t elevated. Except for pizza, empanadas, and ceviche, the same food was available for free everywhere else on the island. The chairs were the same chairs found in other parts of the island, not elevated or padded, and they were jam-packed next to each other.

The only thing that made it totally worth it for me on this sailing was the heated pool. If I were sailing in summer, when I didn’t need that, I don’t know if I’d be willing to shell out more than $40 for this area. To be fair, the swim-up bar was way less crowded than the Oasis Lagoon one, but that’s not a deal breaker for me.

Sunset Bar for Sailaway

We all headed back to the ship around 3:30 PM, taking the quick tram ride and walking back up to the ship. We had until 4:45 in port, but there was a steady stream of people heading back by then, as the food had closed and they had already had a pretty full day on the beautiful island.

After a quick shower and outfit change, we met at the Sunset Bar for a pre-dinner drink around 5 PM. The Sunset Bar is a great staple on Celebrity ships, and it’s the perfect place to watch sailaway. A gentle breeze carried the sound of steel drum music as a musician played nearby, the rhythm perfectly matching the relaxed pace of the afternoon. Guests lingered with drinks in hand, chatting and laughing as the day slowly melted into evening.

It was a popular spot, but we were still able to find a seat, and waiters came over within minutes to take our drink orders. I decided to go off-menu and get a standard piña colada, which the server suggested with a Meyer dark rum floater. It was the perfect sunset cocktail.

In the distance, I could see Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the middle of its construction project. They’re working on expanding their island, adding a waterpark to rival CocoCay’s, and putting in a dock to finally allow guests to walk onto the island rather than wait on slow water tenders. Unfortunately, the project is slow-moving, and I’m guessing many guests on Norwegian ships look enviously at Perfect Day as they’re waiting to tender back or miss the island altogether because the water is too choppy to tender safely.

Main Dining Room for Dinner

Again, we returned to the Opus Dining Room for our 6 PM dinner reservation. Even though we had anytime dining, we were seated at the exact same table and with the same great dining room team again. Upon arriving at the table, our waiter greeted us with, “Did you have a Perfect Day at CocoCay?” At least four other staff members told us that to us that evening. Either it’s a tired joke they like to use, or Celebrity is pushing their staff to say it to reinforce the idea that it was a “great” day in your mind.

For dinner this evening, I started with the French onion soup again. You’d think after a day in the warm Caribbean sun, soup would be the last thing on my mind, but Celebrity just does it so well. I also made sure to enjoy the three new breads and dips we received this evening. The garlic butter was so delicious.

For my main entree, I got the slow-braised lamb wrapped in phyllo. The presentation was very elevated, and although it was probably on the small side, after eating way too much on CocoCay, it was the perfect size for me.

It was another amazing meal onboard the Reflection. The whole meal took 1 hour and 12 minutes.

Splitting Onboard Credit at Guest Services

After dinner, we headed to guest services for a billing adjustment. When you sail on Celebrity, or just about any cruise line at this point, you’re charged daily gratuities. This money goes toward your room steward, wait staff, back-of-house hotel employees, etc. On Celebrity, the cost for a standard cabin is $18 per person per day, charged to your onboard account.

The charge is applied to each person’s onboard account, which is charged to their own credit card. That was fine, but when we booked our cruise, our travel agent got us $100 in onboard credit per cabin. But that was only assigned to the first person in the cabin. So we went to guest services and just asked them to split the $100 between the two people in the cabin.

Tip: Don’t wait until the last day to make adjustments to your account. Guest services lines are always worst on the first and last day of the cruise. If you go during the middle of the cruise, you’ll usually have a minimal line.

The guest services rep was very helpful, and we were done within a few minutes and on our way.

Trying Our Luck at the Reflection Casino

We decided to check out the casino this evening. Located mid-ship on Deck 4, while the casino is easily accessible, you don’t have to walk through it to get to other parts of the ship, unlike on some other cruise lines, so we hadn’t really looked at it very much at this point.

The casino itself was probably on the smaller side compared to lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, but on par with Virgin Voyages. It’s completely smoke-free, so you don’t have stale air lingering or overly powerful fans running all the time making it feel like a hospital. It just makes the experience feel more elevated. The casino had a mixture of table games and slots spaced out nicely.

The casino has a dedicated bar that’s actually quite sizable, with four TVs behind it showing sporting events. During my time in the casino, no one came by to offer drink service, which was odd considering that almost everywhere else on the ship, people were asked within minutes of sitting down. I had the same problem on the Celebrity Apex last year (see that blog here), so I’m not sure if it’s just how they do it. Still, the bar was only steps away, so it wasn’t an issue.

The casino wasn’t too busy at all, with plenty of slot machines available and most table games having at least a seat or two open.

Tip: If you do like to gamble and participate in the casino programs, it should be noted that while Royal Caribbean and Celebrity’s loyalty programs are now linked, their casino programs are not. So if you get points on the Reflection, they won’t count toward your Casino Royale points on Royal Caribbean.

Pub Style Trivia in Sky Observation Lounge

After making a small donation to the casino, we headed up to Deck 14 to the Sky Observation Lounge for “Pub Style Trivia.” While this space is beautiful during the day, with its panoramic windows looking out over the front of the ship, it also comes to life at night with colorful LED accent lighting that brightens the space.

The whole lounge was abuzz with activity. The round bar was full of people chatting, and most of the general seating was filled with people coming for the trivia. The turnout for the event was really good. Given how busy this venue was, I wasn’t sure how many people attended the magician, the entertainment option in the main theater that night.

For Pub Style Trivia, there are four categories, each with five questions. With this type of trivia, the categories can make or break your success. Luckily, the questions were right in our areas of expertise, and my team ended up winning the “grand prize,” a deck of Celebrity playing cards.

It was a fun event, but toward the end, the space got rowdier as people began arriving for the next activity, karaoke.

Ensemble Lounge for Live Music

We decided to go down to the Ensemble Lounge to see what kind of music was playing. The Ensemble Lounge has a bit of an odd layout. It’s a bar that also serves as a hallway on Deck 5 between the Grand Foyer and the specialty dining venue. It also has the entrance to the suite area, Michael’s Club on this ship, and the specialty restaurant Murano, so it felt more like a pass-through than a dedicated space. While we had been there once before to check in for our muster station on Day 1, we hadn’t passed through the venue since then.

At night, the bar is quite dark and cozy. The deep purples of the carpet and dark green walls make the space feel intimate. LED lights flicker on each table, bringing warmth to the room. An acoustic guitarist sings in a small area in the corner, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Unlike the Sky Observation Lounge, which was buzzing with energy, the vibe here was much more subdued. It was still pretty full, but people were making small talk with the music in the background.

The cocktail menu here was relatively limited. The Ensemble Lounge has a full bar, but I usually like to try specialty cocktails from the dedicated menus when they’re available. They had wines by the glass and a cocktail list of “vintage cocktail revivals.”

Within a minute, a waiter came over, and I ordered the Dirty Martini. It’s not something I’d ever order if I were paying, but since I had the premium drink package, I figured I’d give it a shot. Since my Mediterranean cruise a couple of years ago (see that blog here), I’ve found myself enjoying green olives more, so I thought this would be a good test. While I doubt a Dirty Martini will ever be my go-to drink, it was quite nice. I enjoyed the salty, briny flavor.

The guitarist was very talented, and her style worked perfectly for the space. Overall, I was really impressed with Celebrity’s live music options on the ship. They had a variety of different types of acts, and they were all over the ship, so you had your choice. They also seemed to rotate quite a bit, meaning you didn’t have to go to the same bar or lounge every night. On my last Celebrity cruise on the Apex (see that blog here), while I appreciated the variety, I didn’t find the performers to be as good as I’d expect. That definitely wasn’t the problem here on Reflection. Of course, performers rotate out every few months, so your experience may vary.

Shine the Night Party

This evening was Celebrity’s “Shine the Night” theme party, which started at 10 PM on the pool deck. It’s an event where Celebrity encourages you to “wear your shiniest metallic outfit and join us for an unforgettable evening of fun, vibrant energy, surprise performances, and a celebration of all that shimmers.”

Honestly, it’s an odd concept to me. How many people own metallic outfits? Maybe it’s more common for women, but I don’t own a single piece of shiny clothing. And maybe I’d be willing to buy one, but they didn’t really tell people about the party ahead of time. Looking at the crowd, I’d say maybe 5% dressed the part.

The event feels like a rebuttal to Virgin Voyages’ popular “Scarlet Night” parties, which nearly everyone participates in and which turn the ship into an all-evening event, (see my experience here). It also replaces the White Parties that used to be on the ship, which were much easier to dress for.

Thankfully, it was a beautiful night in the Caribbean, with cool air and clear skies, the perfect night for a deck party. The deck was bathed in blue LED lights, and the cruise director and entertainment staff came out in their shiniest outfits, where they led line dances. Then the cast from the Reflection Theater came out and did choreographed dances twice. The crowd seemed to enjoy it, dancing along to songs like “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars and “Levitating” by Dua Lipa.

Overall, the party was pretty well attended for the space, but it was only a couple of hundred people out of the 3,000+ on the ship. It didn’t have the same participation rate as something like Virgin Voyages’ “Scarlet Night,” but still respectable. They could do it better, though, by communicating it more clearly to people before their upcoming cruises, or by having a theme that’s easier to dress for than “shiny.”

Day 3 Wrap Up

Overall, it was a fun, relaxing day both on the island and on the ship. While many of my cruises feature some element of adventure or more thrilling excursions, this one was all about relaxation, and it did the trick. We had absolutely amazing weather in CocoCay, and I came to appreciate the island even more. And at night on the ship, it was proven to me again that Celebrity isn’t the boring, stodgy cruise line I thought it was before I first sailed with them.

I turned in late knowing that I had an entire day at sea tomorrow to do absolutely nothing, and I was looking forward to it.

Follow Along on our 4 Day Bahamas Sailing

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 1 - Fort Lauderdale

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 2 - Key West

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 3 - Perfect Day at CocoCay

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 4 - Sea Day

4 Hits and Misses on Celebrity Reflection

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When Carnival Cruise Line debuted its value packages in December 2025, it created quite the stir. Guests seemed to be really excited by the ability to bundle together several add-ons for a discounted price. Originally, the program was just a test, but Carnival brought it back for a limited time in February. Now it’s available to purchase again for a limited time and can be applied to all 2026 sailings.

Must Purchase By May 17, 2026

Carnival is not ready to make this a regular offer yet. Instead, they are offering these value bundles from April 17 to May 17, 2026. The offer is valid on all sailings departing through December 31, 2026. Packages must be purchased through My Cruise Manager.

Guests Receive Savings of 20% or More

There are still two plans available: the Essential Value Package for $50 per person per day, and the Ultimate Value Package for $90 per person per day. (Guests in Australia should visit Carnival.com.au to find prices in local currency).

These value packages are a good deal if you were already planning to purchase a drink package and internet. The savings from just the drink package and the internet plan amount to 20% for the Essential Value Package and 22% for the Ultimate Value Package. Your savings can increase even more if you take advantage of the shore excursion, specialty dining, spa treatment, or photo package discounts.

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