Celebrity Reflection

Cool sophistication is the unmistakable vibe onboard Celebrity Reflection, the final -- and biggest -- of the five ships in the line's Solstice Class. Sure, the Solstice Class blueprint is still in place; you can't miss the Lawn Club, Solarium and themed dining venues found onboard all five ships. But Reflection, which debuted in October 2012, turns it up a notch. There's also the sheer size of the 126,000-ton, 3,046-passenger ship. It's bigger and about two feet wider -- a change necessary to accommodate the additional weight. You might not notice the change in width, but Reflection is loaded with 89 more cabins and about 150 more passengers than its siblings.

With ample room, Reflection added 42 suites, including three new classes: the Reflection Suite, the Signature Suite and the AquaClass Spa Suite. While the Reflection Suite, with its cool all-glass cantilevered shower, gets high marks for creativity, the 32 AquaClass Spa Suites might be the most coveted among suite-lovers. Passengers booked in AquaClass and AquaClass Spa Suites receive complimentary access to Blu, a private dining room with a focus on light yet flavorsome "spa cuisine". Suite passengers also receive complimentary access to Blu, based on availability, as well as their own dedicated restaurant, Luminae.

This time around, the line did away with nightclub Quasar, replacing it with a conference center that can serve as a meeting center, conference room or banquet hall, but mostly it's used for art auctions. Night time activities have shifted to the pool deck and to the Grand Foyer, where entertainment ranges from low-key in the evening to full-throttle after hours, and the DJ is usually found in the Sky Observation Lounge.

It's impossible to miss the art, a multimillion-dollar investment, on Reflection. It's big. It's bold. And it's everywhere. Perhaps the most stunning piece is the Grand Foyer showstopper: a live tree that grows tall, while an illuminated aluminium tree hangs from the base. Celebrity calls it a tree reflecting on itself and, of course, reflection is the theme of the art onboard. Photography is also a feature with an eclectic range of images lining the stateroom corridors. You could spend hours trying to figure out how each piece expresses the theme, ranging from the grand to the puzzling.

Celebrity's famous Lawn Club onboard Reflection hasn't changed much from Silhouette's design, with its half-acre of grass, up-charge restaurants (the Lawn Club Grill and The Porch) and eight alcoves -- private rentable cabanas for those who want shade and a little privacy but away from the pool area. Whereas the Lawn Club on Solstice, Equinox and Eclipse is wide open and has a real park feel, the later iterations feel decidedly more divided, with less space for playing bocce, enjoying lazy picnics or sunning.

Other old favorites return, as well, including Sky Observation Lounge with its stunning sea views and the Martini Bar, famous for its entertaining bar staff and elegant cocktails. Celebrity espouses the virtues of "modern luxury" and there are touches of that throughout from comfy chaise lounges with oversized cushions to the glass-enclosed Solarium.

Entertainment is a hit, from big production shows to more low-key options, such as a guitar and vocal duo. Service overall is warm and attentive however the widespread upselling of drink packages and specialty dining, particularly during the first 48 hours of the cruise, can be somewhat off-putting for those seeking a relaxing cruise vacation.

Reflection represents the evolution of the Solstice class, encompassing the best of each of its sisters, with tweaks here and there to make it stand out. And with the addition of new suite class benefits, this elegant ship is more attractive than ever.

Celebrity Reflection Fellow Passengers

Celebrity draws a wide range of upper-middle-class couples and groups, with the average age of passengers in the mid-50s. During the Caribbean season, expect more families with children.  Nationalities vary depending on the itinerary with Mediterranean cruises having a more international mix of passengers.

Celebrity Reflection Dress Code

Smart-casual and formal dress is in play on Reflection. Sailings of seven to 11 nights have two formal nights, 12- to 15-night cruises include three formal nights, and sailings of 16 nights or more have four formal nights. Reflection's passengers typically dress for the occasion, which means suits and tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses and gowns for women. On other nights, smart-casual is required in the dining room and theater for evening performances. For women, smart-casual means skirts and slacks with sweaters or blouses. For men, that means slacks or trousers with collared sports shirts or sweaters. T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and poolwear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurants at any time. Shorts and flip-flops are not allowed in the evening hours.

Celebrity Reflection Gratuity

Tips aren't included in the cruise fare, but suggested gratuities are automatically added to your onboard account. The rate is $13.50 per person/per day if you're in a standard cabin; $14 per person/per day for Concierge Class or AquaClass; and $17 per person/per day for passengers in suites. If you would like to adjust the gratuities you can do through the Guest Relations desk. An 18 percent charge is added automatically to all beverage and minibar purchases as well as spa and salon purchases. You can't remove these gratuities, but can add to them. Onboard currency is the U.S. dollar.

Celebrity Reflection Cabins 

Reflection has 1,532 cabins across 14 main categories with a similar color palette to other ships in the Solstice Class (light browns, creams, oranges and reds, with honey-colored wood). All cabins include complimentary tote bags, hairdryers, minibars, safes, wooden hangers, robes and blended bath products that include shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Bathrooms are large by cruise ship standards and feature a shower screen instead of a shower curtain. Standard cabins have plenty of storage space when you add up cubbies, drawers, closets and space beneath the beds. Flat-screen TVs are interactive so you can order room service, check your onboard account or book an excursion using your remote.

Reflection has seven categories of suites. All suites come with Bulgari luxury bath amenities, plush Frette bathrobe, slippers, additional custom bath products and Hansgrohe showerheads. Amenities and benefits vary depending on the category of suite, something that is worth weighing up when choosing your stateroom.

Interior: Standard inside cabins are a comfortable 183 to 200 square feet. They have two beds that can be converted to a queen bed as well as a sofa bed, cupboard, desk with chair and wardrobe.

Ocean View: Outside cabins have the same furniture as the inside cabins and also include a large picture window. They are a little cosier than the inside cabins at 177 square feet.

Balcony: At 194 square feet, these cabins are similar in size to those inside but come with a 54-square-foot balcony with a table and two chairs. A partition on the balcony can be opened to create a larger shared space for those traveling with family or friends in adjoining cabins. Sunset Veranda cabins at the aft of the ship are two square feet smaller but highly coveted.

Concierge Class Cabin: Passengers booking one of Reflection's 277 Concierge Class rooms will get balcony cabins -- with some sweeteners including more premium locations on the ship (higher up and aft-facing), fresh fruit, flowers, sparkling wine (as a welcome gift), an expanded room service menu, restaurant seating time preferences and priority check-in and disembarkation.

AquaClass Cabin: Similarly, Reflection's 152 AquaClass cabins are essentially standard balcony cabins with prime locations and additional spa-themed perks, including access to Blu, the ship's "spa cuisine" restaurant. In the cabin, you'll have an aromatherapy diffuser, which subtly adds scent throughout the room, and a super five-head Hansgrohe shower panel in the bathroom, which makes showering on a cruise ship a surprising joy. You'll also get daily tea, a personal concierge to arrange spa treatments and free access to the Persian Garden and Relaxation Room. Passengers also get expanded personal care products like spa kits, which have foot spray, lip balm and a relaxation mist.

AquaClass Spa Suite: In response to high demand from suite passengers on other Solstice-class ships -- wanting the benefits associated with standard AquaClass cabins -- Celebrity added 34 AquaClass Spa Suites to Reflection. The AquaClass Spa Suite provides the same spa amenities and access to Blu, but with significantly more space (301 square feet, 79-square-foot balcony). AquaClass Spa Suite passengers do not receive access to Luminae (or Michael's Club).

Mini-suite: Reflection's 48 Sky Suites have the same layout as the AquaClass Spa Suites, but they don't have the spa amenities or perks such as access to the Persian Gardens. Sky Suite passengers are welcome to dine at Luminae but do not have access to Michael's Club.

Suite: All suites include personal butlers, in-suite breakfast, lunch and dinner service, in-suite afternoon tea, daily evening hors d'oeuvres, and in-suite espresso and cappuccino. A range of other perks includes exclusive use of a brand new restaurant, Luminae, while Celebrity Suite passengers and above also enjoy a free minibar and exclusive use of Michael's Club.

Celebrity Suite: The ship's 12 Celebrity Suites measure 394 square feet with each featuring a walk-in closet and separate living and sleeping areas with flat-screen TVs in both. These suites also open to 105-square-foot balconies.

Signature Suite: New to the class are five Signature Suites. These feature high ceilings and measure 441 square feet, while 118-square-foot verandas include whirlpool tubs. The Signature Suites are located on Deck 14 in a private area accessible only by keycard. Groups of up to 26 can book the whole area.

Royal Suite: There are eight royal Suites onboard, all of which measure 590 square feet and provide separate living and sleeping areas, separate tubs and showers in the bathrooms, full wet bars and glass-topped dining room tables. Each Royal Suite also has a whirlpool tub on its 158-square-foot balcony.

Penthouse Suite: Measuring 1,291-square feet, this spacious suite features floor-to-ceiling windows, a baby grand piano, a dining room table, separate bedrooms and living areas, full wet bars, and marble accents. Its 389-square-foot balcony also features a whirlpool tub.

Reflection Suite: At the high end is the ship-exclusive 1,636-square-foot Reflection Suite. It comprises two bedrooms and two bathrooms, separate living room, bar, a 194-square-foot veranda and that famous glass shower, which hangs over the edge of the ship from the 14th deck. Don't worry; you can see out, but those on the other side can't see in. The Reflection Suite is located on Deck 14 in a private area accessible only by keycard.

Family: Families or those traveling together can book any of Reflection's 268 connected cabins or four Family Veranda cabins. Family Veranda cabins are a spacious 575 square feet and have balconies ranging from 53 to 105 square feet. These cabins have convertible sofa beds, upper berths and separate main sleeping areas.

Accessible: Reflection has 30 wheelchair-accessible staterooms, covering a wide range of categories from inside to Sky Suite. All accessible staterooms have additional square footage over their non-accessible counterparts and have 32-inch-wide automatic doors with sitting-level keycard slots. There is no doorsill to get into these rooms which have been fitted with bathroom grab bars, lowered sinks, roll-in showers and lowered closet rods. Facilities are also available for passengers with visual or hearing disabilities. A service animal relief box is available on request.