Having sailed on Celebrity's newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, I was eager to see why their Solstice Class remains a beloved favorite, so I booked a 5-night cruise onboard Celebrity Reflection.
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This sailing was special in that it was Celebrity's first time cruising to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, since it received a $250 million renovation in 2019.
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Though I've visited CocoCay numerous times in the past, it was always onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.
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This hallmark voyage cost $2,000 for two in an inside cabin. The fare, however, included Basic Wi-Fi and Celebrity's Classic Drink Package, which covered beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, up to $10.
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Upon entering my stateroom, which was located forward on Deck 8, I was taken aback by its spaciousness. It was perhaps the widest interior stateroom I had ever stayed in!
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Though there was plenty of floor space, I found that there could have been more storage to help keep all of our belongings more organized, as the dresser only had three drawers to use.
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Moreover, the closet, while certainly not tiny, didn't have any shelving.
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Had the cabin been designed a little bit differently, there would have been space for a small loveseat, instead of a single chair.
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Still, though, it was nice to have another seating option, so we didn't have to sit on the bed after returning from the port or pool. We ended up moving the small table next to the chair to enjoy room service one morning!
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Next to the dresser's drawers were two cabinets that were home to the cabin's safe and mini-fridge, which came fully stocked with soda, water, beer, and wine.
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Celebrity Reflection launched in 2012, and though the overall condition of the cabin was impressive, there were a few elements where the ship's age showed, such as the lack of outlets, none of which were located near the bed.
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Thankfully, I remembered to pack my European power adapter, so we were able to take advantage of all three ports.
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The vanity's chair was showing some wear and tear, too. Of course, small things like this are to be expected on a ship that's 12 years old.
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When we first arrived, we noticed that the beds had been separated.
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Had I been traveling with a friend, I would have opted to keep them in this configuration; however, as I was with my partner, we wanted them pushed together.
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When we introduced ourselves to our cabin steward, we asked for this to be fixed; it was done before dinner, and he left some chocolates!
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After enjoying a delicious meal in the Opus Dining Room and attending a few events, we returned to our stateroom to discover that we had been left some CocoCay swag to commemorate Celebrity's first voyage. It was a nice touch that made the cruise feel even more special!
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The bathroom, while not as elegant as the one on Celebrity Ascent, was well-maintained and fully functional.
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There was plenty of storage for all of our toiletries and cosmetics, too.
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As Royal Caribbean Group's upscale line, I've come to appreciate how Celebrity provides guests with separate body wash, rather than a shampoo/body wash combo.
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Don't worry, though, the shower also comes stocked with shampoo and conditioner in case you happen to forget your own.
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On embarkation day, my fiancée complained about dry hands, so she was thankful that the bathroom had lotion, as we had yet to receive our luggage.
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The thermostat was located right next to the bathroom door. We kept it on the lowest setting the entire cruise and felt as though the stateroom remained at a comfortable temperature.
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Since our stateroom was located near the forward elevator banks, it made getting to the Solarium, one of our go-to spots onboard, especially easy.
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Overall, we loved our cruise onboard Celebrity Reflection. After spending 5 nights onboard a Solstice Class ship, I can see why they remain a favorite for so many.
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The ship was small enough to foster an intimate atmosphere while still providing plenty of dining options, activities, and upscale amenities.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
