Celebrity Reflection: 9 Days in The Retreat (Full Cruise Vlog)

I spent 9 days on the Celebrity Reflection sailing in the Retreat. In this full cruise vlog I show you all around the Celebrity Reflection and tell you about my experience on this Celebrity Cruise. Staying in the Retreat provided access to Luminae and the Retreat Lounge, Michael's Club. In this cruise vlog I will show you my Celebrity Reflection cruise experience.
Shop my official merchandise: zachthetraveli...
This 9-day Mediterranean cruise on Celebrity Reflection departed Barcelona to visit the ports of call of Marseilles, Villefranche (Nice), Pisa/Florence (Livorno), Genoa, Sicily, Naples, and Rome.
Celebrity Reflection is currently the fourth oldest ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet of ships, debuting back in 2012. The Retreat on Celebrity Reflection features entry-level Sky Suites, Celebrity Suites, Royal Suites, and many more classes of suite staterooms. My room onboard Celebrity Reflection in the Retreat was a Sky Suite and I paid nearly $8,000 for this room for a solo cruiser.
For help booking your next trip with my official travel partner: travelwithzach....
In this series of videos from the Retreat on Celebrity Reflection, I will feature all the dining and food onboard Reflection, including Luminae, the Porch, and the Lawn Club Grill. I will also do a full ship tour of Celebrity Reflection, a room tour of my Corner Sunset Sky Suite, and more vlogs to show you what staying in the Retreat with Celebrity Cruises onboard Celebrity Reflection is like.
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more cruise ship and solo cruise videos. I cover lots of cruise ship travel - including Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and more. From the latest cruise news to cruise ship reviews, ship dining guides and food reviews, best excursions, and more!
Make sure to visit my website for more cruise content, including my FREE Cruise Port Travel Guide, which is available as a FREE digital download: zachthetraveli...
#celebritycruises #celebrityreflection #cruisevlog

[@AngieRTaylor]

Zach - thank YOU for always giving your viewers the ‘real deal’. You are so authentic and just a GREAT KZbinr! We all love watching your videos!! Thank you!!!!

[@ljacobs357]

My least favorite Celebrity ship. They added more suites without increasing the publix space. We felt that Luminae was more crowded than the other Solstice class ships.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Wow! What a lovely compliment. Thank you. 😊

[@davva360]

I find the rule about not including drinks in the fridge frustrating and stupid. A can of coke is the same whether you get it at a bar or from the fridge. If you have a drink package they should include the mini bar stuff. It’s just a silly way to make extra money.

[@avalanche84sakic]

At least you know it's a charge. I've been in all inclusive resorts where some items were free and others were an upcharge. The fact that I need a briefing on the minibar is a good way to start of the vacation in an off putting manner.

[@andym28]

I'm a pianist on a uk ship. I I get a better deal going on an all Inclusive Turkish hotel. We have been coming here for ten years and probably the end of cheaper prices but maybe an idea for your next cruise.i feel you have been let down a lot.

[@davva360]

@@avalanche84sakic totally agree. I just think if you have paid between $50 and $100 a day for drinks on a cruise ship they shouldn’t care whether you get it from a bar or out of your fridge. It should be cheaper out of your fridge because nobody is serving you each individual drink. I agree with you though if you need a briefing and notes about a minibar I just wouldn’t touch it.

[@andreas4268]

The fridge in the room is too convenient so god forbid you’d have the convenience in helping yourself freely to a drink without a charge. Also watch out if you bring a drink into your fridge that you don’t get charged for it. It’s happened to me.

[@davva360]

@@andreas4268 That may actually be what the cruise lines think but I am old school and would think if you want to make your guests feel comfortable and pampered you wouldn't make them go down several decks to a bar or soda machine to get a drink in the morning when there is stuff literally in their room.

[@waltdelong4959]

Great video, Zach. My wife and I sailed on the Reflection in May from Rome to Greece to Barcelona. She's a classy ship. The service in the MDR was fantastic and our dinner in Murano's was one of the best we've had on any ship. It was our 2nd time on the Reflection.

[@barryhaley7430]

Agree the Murano is excellent on any of the ships where they exist. The Tuscan Grills, not so much. We have done the Chefs Table once which is usually held in the Murano. A total disappointment compared to the regular Murano.

[@lynnleipold2617]

Went to Taormina last year while on a land excursion in Sicily. Our favorite place in Sicily. However we thought Sicily was beautiful overall. Just got back from a HAL cruise in the eastern Med. it was just lovely. We usually cruise with Viking or Oceania so I thought it compared with them in all except the food. That being said, I was not too disappointed with the food either. One chicken dinner and one fish dinner were a bit dry due to being a bit overcooked. The steak dinner in the Pinnacle Grill was the best steak I have ever had on a ship. The ship was immaculately clean! The service was wonderful.

[@markfromlodz]

"I'm elite." Oh so modest!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Not intended to be braggadocious, just clarifying which perks are loyalty versus included so folks know what to expect.

[@andreas4268]

Hi Zach, thank you for the review….not so sure about the retreat for the cost of it…..my goodness that lobster roll was so sad! Glad you had OBC to cover your costs on that…I agree I enjoy the shows versus the solo entertainment. The ports look quite lovely! Cheers! 😊

[@Steven-er2bt]

Thanks Zach! Another great video! We really like Solistice Class and can't wait fo rour next cruises in 2024.

[@ceceliamoreno1845]

We were on the Beyond in a sky suite in September 2023 and received zero canopies.

[@ceceliamoreno1845]

We are elite and never saw a flower arrangement like that!

[@katrinaassoumou1531]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your adventures on the Celebrity Reflection in the Retreat. Keep up the great work!

[@WendyS18]

13:45 I was on Silhouette around the same time as you Zach, and the lobster roll at The Porch was a much more generous serving and really tasty. I’m sorry you got such a mean serving, I hope you have better luck next time!

[@travelswithscott339]

Great video. The Reflection is my favorite Celebrity ship. I have been on 8 different Celebrity ships and that is still my favorite.

[@Keep-on-ok]

We experienced soot on our balcony once when we went through the Panama Canal as we were also on a rear facing balcony.

[@ewallace791]

Enjoy your content, Zach! Reflectiin is definitely a beautiful ship. Ill have to try the salmon next time!

[@grannyoffive1313]

Thank you!! Great video 🚢

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertfoerster566]

On my first solo cruise back a year or two ago, I was lucky to find they offered the drinks and more package, it's rare and doesn't show up much. If you have the premium drinks package already, for an actually very fair one time price (I think it was less than $100) you could drink the contents of the mini bar and it would be refilled. They may do this when ships aren't that full and want to squeeze whatever they can out of everyone thou, it was still Covid'ish and the ship was half empty.

[@rgruenhaus]

I've been to Taormina with the Navy in the 80's great pizza.

[@StillPooh62]

I wouldn't waste all that refrigerator space on the for-purchase beverages. If the room attendant couldn't be bothered to remove them, I would take them out and stick them in a cabinet. And ding his tip accordingly, for neglecting to make good on his promise.

[@brunkerj]

Luminae is my favorite restaurant at sea. I noticed you tried my favorite for breakfast, fruity waffles! And yes, I recognized the tiny little biscuits and gravy. Not bad, but not 'country style', like I like 'em. If you have to pay for laundry, like myself, it''s better to pay in advance rather than wait for a special. I was pleased on Edge when our sky suite butler saw my wrinkled dress shirts and took it upon himself to press them.

[@pj7342]

The biscuits are awful.

[@brunkerj]

Not what I'm used to. At all. I asked about biscuits and gravy in the buffet (I also enjoy the buffet for breakfast), and one of the managers said he'd have some 'comfort food' style ready upon the request. @@pj7342

[@Keep-on-ok]

We sail on Oct. 30 but have not received a form yet from Celebrity in regards to the champagne in the room for embarkation day.

[@femalejaysfan]

This is happening to me as well. I sail in a week and I only got one email that said my action is needed to personalize my trip (staying in royal suite) but no form attached, and cannot seem to get into contact with the person who's info was in the message. Did you ever get the chance to submit preferences? Maybe they've dropped that now. This will be my first time on celebrity and I'm not impressed so far as I can't even get in touch with the shore concierge. Very weird.

[@Keep-on-ok]

@@femalejaysfan My husband called Celebrity and told them we wanted a bottle of red wine in our room for embarkation. We got a bottle of white wine.

[@femalejaysfan]

@EatMeat007 smh. Well I hope you had an excellent vacation regardless.

[@Keep-on-ok]

@@femalejaysfan It was nice! Can’t complain about being pampered for 14 days.

[@Keep-on-ok]

Thank you! We enjoyed your video!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sonnyc4105]

Enjoy your videos. The locally made pasta looks great! So jealous! Good looking food in the Retreat however the variety seems to be a drawback given the cost. Would have been nice to see some nice chocolates in the afternoon. Great views but they can also be had in the low cabin categories. I'll take a look at your library but a review of the NCL Haven would be of interest. Thanks for what you do.

[@Jon_T19]

Zach, Thanks for the full review. I did just book the Reflection for January in Aqua Class. I am bringing friends that I am trying to convince to the Celebrity appeal. I am wondering if I should have chosen the Beyond or Ascent, but the price was incredible, so I could not pass it up. I am sure we will have a great time and I cannot wait to board a Solstice class ship.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Hope you have a great time!

[@MidLifeStyleTwins]

Interesting..running the tub with water to "steam" your shirt. I guess if you use the water to take a bath, then that would make sense, but otherwise, a waste of water don't you think? Love the sunset view from your balcony.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

The bath was used when I ran water. Thanks for watching!

[@timczerniec4043]

Nice tour.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Thanks!

[@barryhaley7430]

The canapés are a waste. Rarely are we even on board at 3:30 when they are usually delivered. Especially on an excursion packed cruise. I usually cancel them.

[@omega250]

Zach you must take Downey Wrinkle spray. It works wonders!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Great advice! I’ll have to try that for my future travels.

[@ceceliamoreno1845]

FYI…florence is way further than an hour from your port

[@barryhaley7430]

We tried The Porch on the Apex. Definitely not worth it!

[@CruisingTipsDotCom]

I really hate that the lawn club restaurant/bar has that giant TV. Not EVERY venue has to have a television! That's apet peeve of mine, whether when it comes to cruise ships or Walt Disney World bars.

[@jdb316]

Thank you for the detailed review of Celebrity Reflection. Have you ever sailed on Celebrity Millenium? I’m looking at a Japan itinerary on that ship for next summer.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Not yet! But I did sail on Millennium’s sister Summit and have videos of her on the channel.

[@bonniegrossman2613]

What room was this? We are on reflection 9/24 and 10/25. Looks like sunset corner suite we chose.

[@rgruenhaus]

I move all items in the fridge to a closet and tell the attendant.

[@harrybear193]

❤

[@Parkhopper1985]

Hi Zach - is there a travel agent you recommend? Thanks. I'm looking at a Celebrity retreat cruise later this year.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Yes I recommend mine. Check out travelwithzach.com and the form there on my site will link you up with Michael.

[@jervettaburns9374]

Thanks Zach! How old is this ship? Looks like it’s been revolutionized.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

It came out in 2012. It hasn’t been revolutionized yet!

[@rgruenhaus]

The flecks on the deck could be detoured with a stack like the whale tail on Carnival. NCL has the same problem on the Spice H2O area and I'm hearing in the Vibe Beach Club area. NCL could make their stack into a Viking helmet to direct the soot off tothe side of the ship.

[@drewmurfmurphy4273]

Zach- I've seen other vlogs where they say that this ship has a retreat area upstairs on the top deck and others that say it does not have a retreat area. Which one is it?

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

It does not unfortunately

[@lisah5741]

Maybe an odd question but do you ever eat while walking around port? I can't imagine a trip to Italy without enjoying a local restaurant. Also, is this ship better than Ascent?

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Yes I do! Ascent should be a better ship, offering an improved experience over Reflection.

[@Dancer810]

What I'd like to know is....how are you able to take so many vacations throughout the year??? I've never known anyone who's had either so much available time off or the available funds to do what you do. Inquiring minds wanna know! 😊

[@terminator7832]

We just completed 10 days cruise from Arub with Celebrity Summit. The Main dining room is total disappointment, and they use low quality ingredients and low-quality foods for their customers. Main dining room is total disappointment, they use powder for their watery soup base, such as for clam chowder, and pasta fagioli, they are unacceptable. They also use baby meatless mussels, baby shrimps and baby scallops, they try save money, or they may need a new chef. Coffee and the powder Creamer, * one star, just lack of taste and lack of aroma, they taste so bad Shrimp scampi dish is a joke, 1 star * they put four baby shrimps on top of the yellow sauce, they all them shrimp scampi, need to learn the real scampi receipt, Prime rib and sirloin steak *** three stars, they just served them as cafeteria style standard Watery Pasta fagioli soup * one star, it tasted is so bad, they should use diced potatoes, not potato starch, need to get to use real potato, need improvement with for the new receipt. Watery green pea soup , taste so bad, they use green pea powder for soup base, need to use real green peas for soup base. Need improvement with for the new receipt. Shrimp cocktail ** two stars, they use Baby shrimp as shrimp cocktail Chicken breast * one star overcooked. Toast chicken * one star overcooked Lemon pepper chicken * one star overcooked Seafood orzo * one start cook with baby mussels with no meat, baby shrimp and scallop, need to be improved. Sautéed salmon, they just grilled the salmon * one star, they just put it on top of pasta, * one star, need to learn sautéed receipt, not just grill the salmon and put it on top of pasta, need to lean understand Sauteed the Salmon, need to be improved. Mushroom tempura, they breaded the mushrooms with sauce. it is not crispy tempura style fry mushrooms. Grill sirloin steak with gravity, need to be improved.

[@BFAIII]

First

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

👊🏻