On Reflection, Celebrity Cruises are the perfect family holiday - especially for teens!

On Board Reflection Miami

I'm standing under a cloudless sky on the top deck of Celebrity Cruises Reflection, as the towers on Miami Beach recede into a balmy haze. Granddad, Granny, my teen and tween are in their cabins unpacking their bags so they can make the most of every second on the ship and we've been through the first world dilemma of whether to go for the drinks package or not.

Perfect seclusion on the balcony

One of the great treats about cruising is travelling to different destinations without having to pack or unpack to do it. It's my father's first cruise and I'm confident we've the perfect balance for all three generations on board. Celebrity ships offer a five-star-experience, best described as modern refined luxury. The carpets have a deeper pile than normal and features like extra large showers and curved corners on the beds show that every little detail has been thought through with care.

Tiered balconies provide great privacy at stern of ship

Being cruise veterans my kids know the importance of the first day meet-up in the teen zone. Kitted out with table tennis, video games and a mini stage the teens huge social area is open all day and supervised until late at night and the best part is there are no tacky cartoon characters reminding the teens that they are kids. They move between the grass lawn on the upper deck and the hideaway on deck seven, yet seem to go practically unnoticed by the majority of the guests. There's great comfort as a parent to know there are only so many places they can be.

Beautiful St Thomas

Our first day is at sea giving everyone time to get their bearings and giving me time to try out the spa. The Persian Gardens are a luxury with hot beds looking out to sea and an array of spa rooms. It's well worth joining for the week and complimentary for Aqua Class passengers. I go for a manicure at Canyon Ranch SpaClub and enjoy the unspoilt ocean view as my feet are transformed with a French polish. As well as the usual entertainment of theatre, comedy and casino, the art on celebrity is a big draw and Granny and I decide to view the exhibition at a wine event. There's no pressure to purchase but it is tempting, instead we decide to try our luck at the casino.

Volleyball match between guests and officers

The fine dining option offers delicious options and just the right size portion. I manage to enjoy my food without putting on too many extra pounds. But it's Granddad's birthday and the waiters make a fuss of him when they bring out a beautiful chocolate cake inscribed with his name. As they sing happy birthday to him, I know we will all remember this moment with joy for years to come.

Our first port of call is San Juan in Puerto Rico. Immediately the relaxed rhythm of the Caribbean fills our souls as we step into the colonial past and charm of this island paradise. The city has all the modern trappings, including a CVS store and KFCs but my daughter heads straight for the stalls selling traditional sweets made from plantains and nuts. Our guide takes us through a brief history of the old town and past statues of the colonial past and Spanish architecture. Next stop is the bar where the Pina Colado was invented and they make Virgin cocktails for the kids. We have a salsa class before leaving this beautiful island and I know that I'll be back.

St Maarten

Our itinerary takes us to the neighbouring island of St Thomas the following day. This beautiful island has all the ambience of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' including the famous Blackbeard's castle. We take a taxi from the ship and are left at the town centre among dozens of jewellery stores, even Tiffany & Co have a branch on this island. Not to be distracted we walk the 99 steps up hill to Blackbeard's Castle and enjoy the spectacular view on the way. The Caribbean is full of interesting characters and one young man in his 80s stands by a viewpoint and offers to take a photo for a dollar tip − we couldn't resist an offer like that! The local market is great for the kids, as they find trinkets and souvenirs for their friends at home.

Shopping St Thomas

St Thomas is stunning, but the kids want to get back to the ship early to meet their pals. It's not a bad call as I find myself enjoying the half-empty ship, especially in such a beautiful setting. Granddad can't wait to get his cabin with all day sunshine on his tiered balcony he gets to sunbathe in peace. Our Tour America agent advised us when booking about the large balcony and suitability for sunbathing which she got spot on. Granny and I are invited up to the heli-pad deck to have a glass of champagne with the senior officers and to our delight a giant sea turtle puts on a display in the water below as we pull away from the shore.

Qsine restaurant

That evening we eat at Qsine, in one of the speciality restaurants which incur a small supplement. The kids have fun showing Granddad how to use the iPad menu. Some of the dishes are accompanied by a video cartoon, with 'Disco Shrimp' possibly the most entertaining as well as delicious. Incredibly my son passes on dessert because he's too full but my daughter orders the cupcakes which are prepared with tiny icing bags for her to decorate herself, much to her delight.

Pool at night

Later I go with Granny and Granddad to the theatre to see the illusionists show. Entertainment on board is thrilling, something that's missing from other luxury brand cruises with less guests on board. The Beatles Show is on par with Let It Be, showing in the West End. Equally enjoyable is sitting on my balcony, reading my book and sipping a glass of wine. Carlos our room attendant refreshes the ice bucket daily and brings canapés each afternoon. I've grown so fond of him and little niceties like a chocolate on my pillow every evening!

ST Maarten

Day four and we wake in St Maarten. The skies are cloudy but in typical Caribbean fashion the sun breaks through after an hour. We take a bus tour that passes famous Orient Beach, but are too early to see the naturists. This unique island is divided in two and shared by the Dutch and the French. Three currencies are accepted but the dollar is the best to use. We loved the bustling French capital with yummy aromas from the patisseries and cafes. But the highlight is our stop at Maho Beach, noisiest in the Caribbean, where aircraft almost clip the holidaymakers as they come in to land at Queen Julianne Airport. The YouTube clips I've seen don't exaggerate.

Maho Beach waiting for the airplanes

We still have two more days at sea to enjoy and I feel panicked at the thought of returning to real life. My kids have made new best friends, and Granny and Granddad are talking about where they would like to cruise to next. Teens adore Celebrity because unlike other cruise ships they aren't reminded that they are children at every turn. In fact it was easy to forget that the kids were with us. 

Granny, Grandad and Mark and Nicole

We disembarked reluctantly and returned to the beautiful Biltmore Hotel in Miami where we stayed the night before our cruise and last stop before our flight back to Dublin. The Three Generations agreed on 'Reflection' our Celebrity Cruise was the best holiday ever.

Tour America package details

Miami & Western Caribbean Fly/Cruise fr €1469 per person

Return flights to Miami, All taxes and charges

2 Nights Miami

7 Night on board Celebrity Reflection - Inside stateroom

Based on 2 adults sharing

Date of departure: 17 Nov 2016

Our Ref: 512587

CTA:

www.touramerica.ie

Phone: 01 8173558

Join Celebrity Cruises’ (www.celebritycruises.ie); 1800 932 611*) Celebrity Summit on an eight-night Eastern Caribbean fly/cruise from €1,849 per person (based on two people an interior stateroom).

 Price includes return flights from Dublin, transfers and a six-night cruise departing from Cape Liberty (NJ) and calling at Philipsburg (St Maarten), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) before arriving in San Juan (Puerto Rico) for the flight home; meals and entertainment on board the ship and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

 Price based on 16 October departure.

 For more information or to book call 1800 932 611* or visit www.celebritycruises.ie

* Calls cost 7 pence per minute plus your network access charge 

www.biltmorehotel.com

Celebrity style OR how to convert your husband to cruising!

It’s that time of year as summer comes to an end that we dream and plan of ways to escape the gloom of Winter. With so many options out there it is easy to get confused but if you are looking for luxury at an affordable price then cruising may well be an option for consideration. My husband was a reluctant cruiser. Having sailed and raced small boats for years the idea of cruising didn’t appeal but I tempted him with the proposal of a mini cruise and hoped that after a few days he would be converted. Celebrity is the brand leader in style and cool sophistication.

Celebrity Reflection

Their newest and most impressive ship in the Solstice fleet is called ‘Reflection’ and we found plenty to reflect upon. For the summer months, Reflection takes an eleven or fourteen day route starting in Rome so we decided to hop on board half way through an itinerary at Athens.

Athens is a great stop for cruise ships

If you don’t have the inclination for a long cruise then combining it with a mini break is an option and a wonderful way to see if you would like to cruise for longer. Hubby and I spent two nights in Athens before boarding and it was an excellent idea as we were fully relaxed and ready to embrace the high seas instead of rushing straight from the airport to Pireus, the main port. While in Athens we stayed in the Radisson Blu Hotel which is centrally located and great value and it is a city that is often forgotten about when choosing a city break. After two nights under the gaze of the Acropolis and sipping ouzo in the Plaka hubby was ready for our nautical adventure.

The pool area

Celebrity Reflection was launched in October 2012 and the paintwork hadn’t a scratch on it. The carpets in the public areas maintain that deep pile sensation as we walked through the many delightful venues on board. And there are plenty of surprises – for instance the counter top of the Ice bar is frozen to a temperature below zero with a frosted coating that you won’t want to lean against but will keep your cocktail cool for as long as it takes to drink. The icy green decor and regal furnishings will leave you feeling like a celebrity.

Ice Bar

If you’re an art lover then there is plenty to see in the galleries and even the option of taking a class in iPad art.

On the fifth deck one of my personal favourite escapes was the library. It is full of an excellent range of novels and non-fiction that will entertain while nestled in one of the pods or basking on one of the super soft loungers on the top deck.

The Library

But probably the most indulgent feature of cruising is the cuisine. Reflection has the most incredible range of restaurants and we had two personal favourites. Qsine is a dining experience with a difference. 

just dessert at Qsine

Our Moldovian waitress was ready to perform for us because this was not just a culinary but also an entertaining experience. She handed us an iPad each and gave us the choice of delicacies from every corner of the world. It would have been easy to get carried away with the menu but she recommended that we start with two countries each for starters. Be warned there is no limit to this menu and once you hit that option on the screen be prepared for a barrage of food that will arrive in spectacular fashion. 

Qsine for two

The Indian option came displayed in an apothecaries chest, the Chinese in silver coned platters – it all proved too much for the couple sitting next to us who took the option of a lie down midway through their courses on a large bed in the corner. Dessert came straight from the set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory with delights on lollipop sticks and the menu in the form of a collapsible rubex cube. “Just throw and if you don’t like what I bring then throw again.” Our waitress said with a smile. This truly was indulgence on a scale I’ve not seen on dry land and only a brave patron would have capacity to dine twice in Qsine on the one trip.

No words are needed

We spent next day at sea which gave us a great opportunity to see all that the ship has to offer. The main pool area is in an enclosed space and well protected from extremes of heat and cold but there are three other open-air pools. While hubby took in some rays I tried out the spa. The moment I entered the large windows looking out to sea left me breathless. There is something very surreal about getting your feet manicured while watching the Aegean gently roll by. The hair saloon was right next door to the treatment rooms so it would have been rude for me to just pass by so I got a delicious blow-dry and was ready to great the tantalising treats in the Lawn Club Grill.

This restaurant was a real surprise because guests are encouraged to prepare and cook their own pizzas, kebabs and meat dishes. I do enough cooking when we are at home so I left it to my husband to flip the pizza dough in the air and marinate the kebabs. I have to admit that I was impressed by his handywork and it tasted delicious too. He did get expert help from the staff who couldn’t do enough for us and if we had longer on the ship hubby could well have come home fully trained to continue his newly learned skills.

cooking lesson at the Lawn Grill

Next day was a port day and we woke to a picture-postcard view of Naples with majestic buildings climbing the hills. It is a shame that we didn’t have time to explore but our tour bus brought us straight to Pompeii. Underneath the shadow of the volcano Vesuvius, Pompeii stands as an incredible monument of a working Roman citadel preserved in impeccable detail. 

Up Pompeii

Paintings can clearly be made out along with decorative tiling and plasterwork in what was the cities Spa. It was almost like stepping back in time and the guide didn’t scrimp on information leaving us fully charged and ready for a relaxing afternoon with a view. 

Sorrento

Rustic farmhouse

And in Sorrento that is exactly what we got. Nobody does a lazy lunch quite as well as the Italians and we found a glorious spot with breathtaking views of the bay of Naples and Capri. The entire Amalfi coast is stunning at every point and we were getting the full monty. But the day wasn’t over yet and before returning to the ship we were brought to a working farm and enjoyed the local cheese and wine in a truly rustic mountain setting.

Last minute shopping before boarding the ship

That evening we were not in the mood to eat much but no matter how full our belly's felt, the restaurants on Reflection are too good to miss. I wondered how my husband felt after being on dry land for a while and was delighted that he was happy to be back on the ship. A cruise is an incredibly relaxing way to pack a lot into a holiday and for us one of the highlights was sipping a cocktail at the Sunset Bar at the back of the ship and watching the port of Naples disappear as we pulled out to sea.

The Sunset Bar is the only place to be when leaving port

Reflection had plenty of shows on offer and lots of extra options - a spot of comedy or trying your luck in the casino. But there is something wonderful about going up on the top deck and lying down on one of the sunbeds or cosy hammocks and watching the stars unfurl. Celebrity is a romantic brand and it is no surprise that many of the guests are couples.

Our mini-cruise had passed too quickly and when we woke to a wonderful view of sunrise over the port of Civitavecchia. As we went for our final breakfast on the deck of the Oceanview Cafe my husband admitted this had been one of his favourite rituals each morning. I smiled smugly – he had been converted.

For more information see www,celebritycuises.ie

Celebrity Cruises in Dublin

Me with Edward Smith from Suburbia on line 

I spent the most lovely day on Sunday with the gorgeous Edward Smith of suburbiaonline on board the Solstice class ship Silhouette. It was a great way to put in a sunny afternoon with sublime views of my home town from a perspective that I have never seen before.

The pool on board Silhouette

 We sampled the wonderful saunas and new Persian Gardens now available to Aqua class passengers. Then we dined in the Tuscan Grille where I enjoyed the best Tiramisu ever - no wonder it is aptly named a 'pick me up' with the smouldering aroma of Italian liquors.

The visit brought back happy memories of my time spent on board the Solstice class ship, Reflection, last year. I will blog about very soon...watch this space!

WOW Royal Caribbean take cruising into the future!

I received this press release from Royal Caribbean about their new Quantum class ships which will be of special interest to all those who love technology and social networking! I especially like the idea of my cocktails being made by a robot and with the new interior cabin decor now everyone has a view of the ocean.

This may well be the perfect ship to try cruising if you are not already a fan!

FOR THE SMOOTHEST TRIP, SAIL THE SMARTEST SHIP – ROBOTS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY DELIVER HASSLE-FREE HOLIDAYS

Royal Caribbean International’s new Quantum class ships take technology to a new level with a whole host of cruise industry firsts including RFID (Radio-frequency identification) luggage tracking, the fastest internet at sea, oh, and robots working behind the bar…

Tech-savvy modern holidaymakers will be blown away by new ship Quantum and Anthem of the Seas, which seamlessly incorporates new levels of digital technology across all of its on-board spaces, providing holidaymakers with the most technologically driven holiday in the world.

Video available click link here

Boatloads of bandwidth keep guests connected; easy-to-use systems expand guest choices and simplify schedules; and radio-frequency identification RFID technology speeds the boarding process and allows guests to keep track of their luggage every step of the way.

The Quantum class ships earn their ‘SMART’ credentials in six different areas thanks to innovative customer-centred technology including:

1.    SMART Check-In:  From shoreside to ship in record time

A Quantum-class holiday begins at home, where guests can generate boarding documents online, upload their own security photo, and receive digital boarding confirmations.  By the time they arrive at the cruise terminal for departure, Royal Caribbean guests can go from “shoreside to ship” in 10 minutes with no check-in counter to navigate and no lines to stand in.

Guests will be able to track luggage in real time on their smartphones.  Luggage will be tagged shoreside with RFID technology at drop-off, and guests can monitor their bags’ progress through key points en route to the stateroom.  On departure, the process is reversed.   

2.    SMART Concierge: Flexibility at your fingertips

Quantum and Anthem of the Seas will offer new RFID WOWband wristbands, which require only a simple tap to quickly navigate the ship, make onboard purchases and serve as the room key. 

Simplicity and efficiency are also at the heart of two new apps that put guests in charge of their cruise choices: Cruise Planner, which allows guests to research and book dining reservations, shore excursions, spa appointments and more before their holiday begins; and “Royal iQ,” available as a downloadable app and provided at freestanding iQ stations around the ship. “Royal iQ” allows guests to manage details during the cruise, includes a convenient calendar that provides at-a-glance views of their bookings and reservations and allows guests to keep in touch with one another and home.

3.    SMART Connect: Downloads at the speed of modern life

Quantum class ships will operate with industry leading bandwidth, using a new generation of low, mid-Earth-orbit satellites, launched by tech partner O3b Networks. With speeds that match fast broadband connections onshore, guests can be online 24/7, no matter what personal device they bring onboard.  Guests can watch streaming video, check email, share images on social media and enjoy face-to-face video conversations – even in the middle of the Ocean.

In yet another first for the industry, Quantum and Anthem of the Seas’ connectivity makes it possible for one of the SeaPods in SeaPlex to become a live global video gaming suite where guests can enjoy Xbox Live and compete with other gamers worldwide or on other Royal Caribbean ships.

4.    SMART Experiences: Shaking martinis and spinning screens

Technology also powers surprise-and-delight elements on Quantum class ships. A brand new venue,

Bionic Bar is the first bar with robot bartenders not just at sea, but anywhere in the world.  It is a must-try interactive experience whereby guests order via tablets and then have fun watching the robotic bartenders hard at work mixing and delivering cocktails of choice

Robots drive another entertaining feature on Quantum and Anthem of the Seas.  Two70 is home to a troupe of six Roboscreens that stage surprise performances during every cruise, creating scenes while soaring and twisting solo, or uniting as one. Guests will also experience Vistarama, which transforms its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows into any scene, real or imagined, by combining 18 projectors to create an ambient surface over 100 feet wide and over 20 feet tall. Across this expanse, impromptu digital shows come to life in stunning 12K resolution providing the audience with 270 degree views.

The Quantum class ships take advantage of technology in functional forms as well.  Guest staterooms are equipped with device-charging USB outlets, as well as energy efficient and environmentally friendly lighting systems. Interior accommodations are outfitted with Virtual Balconies that display real-time sights and sounds of the sea through 80-inch LED screens, ensuring every stateroom has a view.

5.    SMART Service: Crew can connect better with guests – and with home

The technology benefits of Quantum and Anthem of the Seas extend to the ship’s crew.  Custom apps will allow crew members to keep better track of guests’ tastes and preferences, allowing staff to tailor their already remarkably personalised service to an even higher degree.  Whether a guest prefers gluten-free dining, early show seating, or shiatsu massage, the features of the smart ship allow crew members to anticipate every need.

And the ship’s remarkable capabilities give the company an opportunity to make life better for crew members too, since Royal Caribbean will present every crew member on Quantum and Anthem of the Seas with a free, personal Microsoft tablet, with a suite of services and apps that is theirs to keep.  And as technology upgrades are made across the company’s fleet, every shipboard employee in the entire Royal Caribbean International fleet will also receive their own tablet – a total of 40,000 tablets.

6.    SMART Sustainability: Cleaner and greener

Technology has even played a part in making the ship more environmentally friendly.  Sophisticated computer modelling was used to reduce the vessel’s energy consumption with efficient hull configuration, engine design and energy saving devices.  The ship has eliminated the use of incandescent bulbs; all lighting will be provided by low-energy LED or fluorescents.  Motion sensors even dim hallway lighting when no one is present.

Stuart Leven, managing director, Royal Caribbean International, commented:

“Guests onboard our new Quantum class ships will be forgiven for thinking they’ve been transported to the future when they see first-hand all of the incredible technological advancements that have seamlessly been incorporated into the ship and the wider holiday experience.  The new technologies make things possible at sea that could never have been done before. The Robot bartenders, RFID luggage tracking devices and Roboscreens, among others, are complete game-changers for the industry and we’re confident that guests will be blown away when they step onboard.”

The Quantum-class ships, Quantum of the Seas and sister-ship Anthem of the Seas (debuting in Southampton, U.K. in April 2015), will introduce a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences, such as Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; North Star, a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air on a breathtaking journey; cutting-edge transformative venues including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever.  Guests also will enjoy the new Quantum-class Dynamic Dining, a completely new culinary experience that offers a landscape of 18 restaurant concepts as vast and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, including specialty restaurants created with partner-chefs Jamie Oliver, Devin Alexander and Michael Schwartz.

More information on Quantum class is available at www.RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas.

Exciting news from Celebrity

I'm a big fan of cruising but a little bird told me some exciting news last week that I had to share about something that is coming from Celebrity in 2015. Celebrity Century is offering three new routes and I think they will be booked up super fast.

The new itineraries – a 14-night sailing from Singapore to Dubai departing on 22 March 2015, and a 15-night Suez Canal cruise from Dubai to Rome on 5 April 2015 – will offer the perfect combination of immersive experiences on land and luxurious days at sea. Guests also have the opportunity to enjoy an extended holiday onboard Celebrity Century by sailing back-to-back, from Singapore to Rome, for 29 nights of Celebrity’s delectable, award-winning cuisine, impeccable service and engaging entertainment.

 

·         The 14-night sailing from Singapore to Dubai will feature visits to Muscat (Oman) and Cochin (India) as well as three ports entirely new to Celebrity Cruises: New Mangalore, Goa (Mormugao) and Mumbai (Bombay), India. The sailing culminates in an overnight stay in Dubai (United Arab Emirates).

·         The new 15-night itinerary from Dubai will be highlighted by passage through the Suez Canal and visits to Ashdod (Israel) and Rhodes and Athens (Piraeus) (Greece) before arriving into Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy).

Guests with bookings on Celebrity Century’s previously scheduled cruises departing on 22 March, 5 April and 17 April 2015, are being contacted by Celebrity Cruises, and offered the opportunity to be re-accommodated on the two new sailings or on their choice from among 12 itineraries in Asia on Celebrity Century or Celebrity Millennium in 2015. Guests who opt to re-book will be able to do so at the lowest available rate if moving to selected sailings in the same level of accommodation and will receive onboard credit of $200 per stateroom or $400 per suite.

For more information on Celebrity Cruises and the available sailings, please visit www.celebritycruises.ie,

this is something worth saving up for or putting on your bucket list!