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Celebrity Reflection

Our newest Solstice® Class marvel, she sails to the Caribbean and Europe.

Tabs Reflection® Cruises

• Accommodations
• Reflection Itineraries
• Reflection® Cruises

Set sail aboard Celebrity Reflection and experience a luxurious vacation that brings some of the most amazing destinations in the world closer than you ever imagined. Relax in stylish accommodations and enjoy all of the award-winning onboard experiences that make our cruises so incredible. There’s also an exclusive sanctuary for guests of The Retreat® which includes private restaurant dining and 24/7 lounge. Enjoy dining options that include distinctive restaurants with menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs and the most awarded wine collection at sea. Our dedicated staff is there to tend to your every need. Enjoy endless ocean views, catch some sun, and play your favorite outdoor games on a ½ acre of real grass at The Lawn Club. Then, cap off the outdoor fun with delicious grilling specialties at Lawn Club Grill. You can also take your palate to new heights with exciting culinary experiences by our Global Culinary Ambassador, Chef Daniel Boulud. Shop in luxury boutiques. And, invigorate your senses at The Spa. From unforgettable spaces to world-class amenities, and distinct features, you’ll rest and recharge the moment you step aboard.

Inaugural Date

October 12, 2012

Cruising Speed

Unwind at The Retreat Lounge

Available 24/7 only to guests of The Retreat, It's the perfect place to start or end your day with a complimentary drink, or two.

The Retreat Lounge on Celebrity Reflection

Experience a culinary adventure right on board, from Chef’s Table by Chef Daniel Boulud to Lawn Club Grill, Le Petite Chef TM , and so much more.

Bars & Lounges

Gather with friends and family in beautiful bars and lounges, including Passport Bar, Martini Bar, and World Class Bar.

Whether you seek or desire activity, there’s no better way to find your ultimate state of well-being than miles away at sea. Our holistic experience begins the moment you step on board, with the ocean as the backdrop to your wellness journey.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Discover a variety of distinctive accommodations, including our unrivaled guests of The Retreat, our spa-inspired AquaClass ® , and our Reflection Suites and Signature Suites.

DESTINATIONS

Journey to the Holy Land on an unforgettable adventure from Southern Europe and explore the sacred streets where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam intersect. Walk along the cobblestone streets and experience 3,000 years of history unfold before you -- time has not ravaged its fascinating architecture. Gaze at the Western Wall, which stands as the sacred remains of King David’s Second Temple. Watch the sunlight bounce off the golden-roofed Dome of the Rock or the shimmering silver al-Aqsa Mosque. Located less than an hour’s drive from Ashdod, you’ll be swept up by the magnitude and beauty of this treasured city.

Set sail to Northern Europe on a journey like no other. Explore Norway, Ireland, Scotland, Amsterdam, Scandinavia, and St. Petersburg on this incredible vacation and discover rich cultural heritage in Dublin, fantastic cuisine in Sweden, legendary palaces in St. Petersburg, and so much more. Experience the natural wonders of this region including the stunning fjords, midnight sun in the summer skies, rejuvenating hot springs and geothermal pools, picturesque landscapes with glorious waterfalls, mossy lava fields, and breathtaking snowcapped mountains.

Relax on sandy beaches, bask in warm breezes, and recharge in the Caribbean. Experience the rhythms, flavors, and natural beauty of the islands and soak up the warm sunshine as we island-hop through paradise. Tranquil turquoise blue waters are perfect for water sports, including scuba diving, canoeing, and snorkeling. Savor fresh seafood and friendly island cultures. Hike the lush volcanic peaks of St. Lucia, explore the cliffs of Aruba, go tubing in Jamaica, or simply laze on the sugar sand beaches of the Bahamas. Discover all the wonders that await on island time.

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Our honest Celebrity Reflection review

by Steve | Jun 9, 2022 | Caribbean , Cruising , Feature Cruising , Travel , Wellness Travel | 28 comments

This honest review of our Celebrity Reflection Eastern Caribbean cruise will help you decide if this ship and itinerary is right for you.

In this post, we cover our cabin, the ship, itinerary, favorites, and what we think could have made our experience even better. Finally, we’ll share what you won’t want to miss when you book a cruise on the Celebrity Reflection. This was our 18th cruise and is not a sponsored post. We paid for this cruise ourselves. 

Overview of our Celebrity Reflection review 

In April 2022, we took an Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Celebrity Reflection. We last sailed aboard the Reflection in 2018 in the Mediterranean. This time, my wife, Ann, and I hoped to reacquaint ourselves with the ship before hosting a group for the first-ever Postcard Jar Friends Cruise on the Reflection in January 2023. 

PIN FOR LATER

About the ship

The Celebrity Reflection is among Celebrity’s largest ships. At 1,047 feet long and with 16 decks, she has space for more than 3,000 guests. There were about 1,600 on our sailing. Any honest review of the Celebrity Reflection will tell you the decor on the ship is upscale with furnishings in good condition, albeit a bit dated.  

The Reflection offers 12 restaurants catering to all tastes from a buffet and poolside grill to an Italian steakhouse and fine dining French-themed restaurant. With 10 bars on board, there are plenty of places to wet your whistle. Whether you’re thirsty for a frozen daiquiri by the pool or a carefully crafted cocktail at the World Class Bar, there’s a place for you.

The lido deck has a large outdoor pool surrounded by several hot tubs, as well as an adults-only solarium with indoor pool and hot tubs reserved for guests aged 16 and older. There are no water slides, go-cart tracks, or ropes courses, though Celebrity does offer children’s/teen programming that we hear is very much liked by participants. 

The Reflection is perfect for wellness travelers. It has a full-service spa, salon, and well-equipped fitness center. 

For more information on a wellness-focused cruise aboard the Celebrity Reflection, watch this video:

The ship also offers a casino, meeting space, as well as large and small theaters. In addition, she has shops featuring beautiful jewelry, cosmetics, duty-free liquor, and souvenirs. 

Finally, no review of the Celebrity Reflection would be complete without a mention of the crew and the impeccable service they provide. While on board, every single staff member bent over backwards to make sure our cruise vacation was the absolute best experience possible. 

We honestly don’t know how they do it, but every day we received top-notch service from these incredible people. 

Dining review of the Celebrity Reflection

Celebrity has a reputation for good food and the Reflection lived up to that reputation. As suite guests, we were assigned to Luminae as our main restaurant. It’s an elegant setting and offers delicious, interesting dishes and impeccable service. If you’re a seafood lover, the halibut on sticky rice with spinach is amazing.

In addition, we had a dinner one night in Blu, a restaurant reserved for AquaClass guests as well as suite guests on a space-available basis. The venue is gorgeous, service was great and we enjoyed the clean cuisine,  as well.

The Oceanview buffet is one of our favorite dining venues on any Celebrity ship. With much higher food quality than a typical buffet, we love the variety of foods (including 300 types of breads) as well as the vast quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables on board.

Because we were in a Royal Suite, we also had access to unlimited specialty dining during our cruise. As a result, we tried most of the specialty dining restaurants. We’d rank them as follows: Our absolute favorite was Murano, the French-inspired restaurant. We adored the goat cheese soufflé appetizer and the Grand Mariner soufflé for dessert. Entrees were exquisite without being overly rich.

Next, we liked the Lawn Club. With a relaxed atmosphere and casual, yet upscale menu, we enjoyed its grilled entrees. Then, we’d recommend Italian-themed Tuscan Grille which serves up steaks, pasta, and lots of infused oils and vinegars with bread. It also offers the best view for dinners on board since it is located Deck 5 Aft and has huge floor-to-ceiling windows.

In last place is The Porch. We ate dinner there, though it is probably better suited for lunch. Service was slow and the food wasn’t up to Celebrity’s typical high standards. While we didn’t eat a meal at Sushi on 5, we did have takeout sushi from there and found it to be wonderful. Note: We didn’t eat in QSine as we’ve been to venues offering Le Petit Chef twice before. While a fun concept, we feel like we have “been there, done that.”

A look inside our Royal Suite

We initially booked a Sky Suite cabin for our cruise, but won a bid to upgrade to a Royal Suite two days before setting sail. Our cabin was much larger than a normal suite and included a kitchenette, dining room table, living room, and a huge bathroom with tub and separate shower. It also had an additional half bath near the entrance to the suite.

And, because it was a suite, we also had the services of a personal retreat host (butler). He took care of everything from shining my shoes and filling our minifridge to booking reservations for us. 

Linens were soft, luxurious and the furniture comfortable. We really liked the chaise lounger on the balcony and fell asleep there a few times.

Because our room was so large, we were even able to host a cocktail sail away party in our cabin for some new friends we met on board. Our personal retreat host told us he would handle everything–all we had to do was invite the guests. As you can see, we had a great time!

For a full tour of our Royal Suite (#1624), watch this video:

For more information on Celebrity Cruises’ “The Retreat,” click HERE .

Nine-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary 

The cruise for this Celebrity Reflection review was a nine-night Eastern Caribbean cruise which set sail from Fort Lauderdale. Our first full day on board was a sea day, as were the last two days. We did make five calls to ports during the cruise, listed below.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: Here we got off the ship and explored the beautiful, recently constructed port area. Then, we took some time to lounge by a pool with a cold (and reasonably priced) drink. The port was full of shops, pools, bars, and restaurants–all within an easy walk from the ship. The pools there are complimentary, so you’ll want to wear your swimsuit when you leave the ship. 

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas: We took part in a Celebrity Shore excursion that included a bus trip through the city followed by a catamaran trip to the nearby island of St. John. On St. John, we had some time at a beach and a chance to go snorkeling. We even got to swim alongside a sea turtle! The format of the excursion gave us time to make some new friends, and they’re the ones we invited for the cocktail party in our room.

More on our itinerary

St. John’s, Antigua: After two busy days in port, we decided to spend a day on board enjoying the beautiful ship and resting. As you can see from the photo below, Ann had no issues relaxing in a canopy near the solarium. 

Rousseau, Dominica: We got off the ship and explored the port area. Due to Covid restrictions, we could not leave the port area unless on a specific excursion. Still, we got a taste for this small Caribbean nation and the wonderful people who live there. One day, we hope to return and spend more time on this beautiful island.

Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis: We went ashore early in St. Kitts and met a friend there. She’d arranged for a private taxi to take us on a tour of the island. We had so much fun exploring and learning about the island during our excursion. Because it was private tour, we could stop and take photos as we wanted. 

A real highlight of the day was our visit to Reggae Beach, a favorite of locals. There, we sipped an ice-cold locally-made pop while enjoying the sights and sounds of a pristine beach. Then, we capped the day off with a stop at a local grocery store where we bought some treats to bring back on board with us as gifts for crew members. 

What would make it better

We tried a number of the specialty restaurants on board The Reflection and genuinely liked them all except for one. To be frank, The Porch fell short of expectations. Service was a little chaotic (maybe a training day), and the food did not meet our expectations. 

Review of our Celebrity Reflection favorites

The Celebrity Reflection, like all Solstice-class ships, has a Lawn Club with real grass (they even mow it) on the top deck of the ship.

 It’s is a great place to watch a movie, play some Bocce Ball, or just to sit back, stretch, and relax. Also available for an up charge are alcoves offering comfortable seating, and beautiful sea breezes. Attendants provide food and drink service throughout the day.

Each morning, we loved having coffee and a muffin on our veranda –we call it first breakfast. Ann really loves the bran muffins she’s had on Celebrity ships. We think this is the perfect way to start the day before heading off for some exercise (followed by, of course, second breakfast).

A few more of our favorite things

The Spa Café , located in the solarium, serves up a great complimentary light lunch. With small-sized portions of salads, whole grain breads, fresh fruits and even smoothies, it offers a meal that won’t break the day’s calorie budget. My wife especially enjoyed the quinoa and chicken salad with whole grain bread stick. 

We loved the experience in Michael’s Club (the suites-only lounge) aboard the Reflection. It’s a smaller venue than on Edge-class ships so we found we got to know some of the other passengers a bit better. We also enjoyed the live music there. 

The buffet on The Reflection offers a fantastic array of food, but we really like the Indian offerings. We love Indian food in general and find the flavors on board to be very authentic–which makes sense as so many of the chefs hail from India.

What you don’t want to miss

• Be sure to head to the World Class Bar early in the cruise. Order one of the craft cocktails from the menu or ask the mixologist for another one of your favorite classic cocktails. The drinks at this bar are a step above those found at most bars at sea–or on land. Take your time and savor the experience. And if you have a chance to take a mixology class on board – do it! 

2. If you don’t want to be around people, escape in The Hideaway. It’s a quiet spot on deck 7 with lots of cozy seating options as well as a complimentary coffee station. 

3. At least one time during your cruise, set an alarm and get up early to watch the sunrise. It never disappoints when your view is from a ship at sea.

Overall, we absolutely relaxed and enjoyed our nine-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Reflection. We’ll especially remember our time in the Royal Suite, meeting new friends, and our fun-filled day in Saint Kitts. We recommend this ship and will definitely sail aboard her again. In fact, we loved her so much that we used her for our first ever Postcard Jar Friends Cruise!  CLICK HERE to see how it went.

For more food, travel, and healthy living inspiration, join us on social media @postcardjar on  Pinterest ,   Facebook ,  Instagram , and  Twitter .

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28 Comments

We just got back from a Mediterranean cruise on Reflection (Barcelona to Rome) and we too were very disappointed with the library! Most books were in foreign languages, but the selection was dismal.

Sorry to hear the selection wasn’t great. When we were on, there were a number of books, but as it is “take a book, leave a book” for circulation, I fear that the good titles may disembark with folks who didn’t bring a book with them and who haven’t finished the book before the end of the cruise.

My husband and I are going on the 8 night Western Caribbean Cruise in March. What excursions are recommended and in your opinion can be passed?

I don’t know what your port stops are, so don’t really have a good answer for you. It also kind of depends on what you like to do. One suggestion is to search for your cruise on Facebook. Search for “Celebrity Reflection March ___, 2024 cruise” filling in the blank with your departure date. If there’s a group, the folks there will probably be in a better position to help you.

You must be on the same itinerary that me and my friends are!

We are on the Celebrity reflection next week to the Mediterranean. I just saw the library on board that is offered. What a joke!! I guess we will have to pack some books. This was always a treat for me on my other voyages. Disappointed.

There are books available there that you can borrow. Many folks use it as a leave-a-book, take-a-book library.

Steve, Tell me more about how you bid for a room and are there certain times of the year that this would work better than others?

About three weeks before your cruise, you can offer a move-up bid. Sometimes, they’ll send you an email offering it, and sometimes you don’t get one. But if you just google “Celebrity move-up” you’ll find the site where you can make an offer. You’ll put in your reservation number, name, and maybe a little other information and you’ll be able to see rooms for which you’re eligible to offer a bid. There will be a minimum bid. Each bid is a per person bid. You can change or cancel your bid at any time unless it has been accepted. At that point, it’s final. As for better times of year? That’s hard to say. Perhaps times when the ship is less full would be better.

Note that I have made a bid for upgrades and when I got on board I found out that there weren’t any in that category available…so it’s possible they are just using what the bids were to find out what people might have been willing to pay.

We love the Reflection.

She’s a beautiful ship, indeed, Marilyn. And the crew is top-notch!

Worse crew line services ever ! DON’T BOOK A VACATION WITH THEM! Especially if you are a minority. Judge mental, racists crew members dealing with bartenders who can’t make drinks properly and pick and choose who/when they want to help you, but if your skin is white they want to be friendly with you and help get a drink for you pronto. They’ll also hit you with unexpected charges as well so be aware of that. I’m still onboard as well i can say this will be my first and last time booking with this crew line. I wouldn’t recommend it for minorities, for younger ages from 18-30 especially if you are people of colored.

So sorry you had this experience. We just got off a Celebrity cruise with our daughter, (who is black) and her friend (who is Latina), and they did not have those experiences. One of the things we enjoy most about Celebrity is the diversity of the crew.

I’m on board celebrity millenium right now and as a minority I have to agree with you. I’ve been treated as an incontinence by staff….even black staff. They literally refused to give me eggs until I insisted and when I asked for drinks from my drinks package I was told I can only have one at a time. Meanwhile they bend over backwards for non blacks. Even the white guest I dined with said something that he doesn’t understand what they keep checking my card. Never again. This company does not deserve black money.

This review was amazing. We are on the Reflection on a 9 night Italian Riviera cruise. We have a concierge Veranda, but already made a reservation up at the Lawn as a recommendation from you both. We leave end of September 2023 and cannot wait. We have always traveled on Royal Caribbean and am looking forward to this upscale ship to guide us through our first foray into Europe. Thank you for such a thorough review!

We’re so happy this review was helpful to you! And you’re absolutely right–the Reflection is a very upscale ship. Enjoy the Lawn Club Grille and have the cookie for dessert! 🙂

I was browsing through comments on the Celebrity Reflection and noticed this review. It was very informative and am pleased to discover a fellow passenger that is reserved on my cruise on Reflection September 30 departing from Barcelona. It would be so nice to be in touch about our upcoming cruise. We have been on RCL to some of the ports in 2019 if you have any questions it would be a pleasure to share about our experiences.

We, too, are sailing on the Reflection at the end of Sept from Barcelona to Rome. We will probably be ship mates. This was an excellent ship review. Appreciate it.

So glad you found our review helpful, Kay!

Thanks for your tips of the Reflection. I’m heading out on the Italian Riviera 21st September, and absolutely looking forward to my first European trip.

If you are not suite members it is difficult to get into premium restaurants even though you are paying extra . In many instances , a premium restaurant would be 30 % full and they wouldn’t let you in. Not impressed

We’ve typically made reservations for speciality dining before our cruise. As for suite members getting into the specialty restaurants more easily then others – that has not been our experience. When the restaurant is at capacity (depending on space or staffing) we were not able to get a reservation, even when we were in a Royal Suite. We’ve enjoyed all our Celebrity Cruises and are always impressed with the high-quality service.

This review appeared in my Google news feed and I read it only because we have just booked a trip in April 2023 on Celebrity Edge. The review was excellent – carefully considered, well thought out and well phrased.

I’m going to dig through the internet including Facebook to look for some of your other posts.

I hope you will consider a request for future posts. My wife and I are ballroom dancers and are discovering that it is quite hard to get coherent information about ballroom dancing venues and opportunities on cruise ships.

The cruise lines give only vague generalities like ‘you can dance the night away’, ‘you can shake up your booty in the evenings’. The reality is somewhat different. NCL has some excellent sized and shaped venues with poor music. Princess seems to have small and sometimes cramped venues with better music. I’m hoping frequent cruisers like you will have a look at dance floors and what’s going on there and let us ballroom dancing enthusiasts know.

Anyway, thanks again for the excellent review

Thank you, Fred, for your kind words about our review! We, ourselves, are not ballroom dancers (though we are not opposed to learning), but will do our best to keep this request in mind. We have a couple of friends with whom we’ve cruised who are avid ballroom dancers and even enter competitions. We will see what we can do to pick their brains. In the meantime, know that they enjoy dancing on Celebrity’s ships. We have also seen ballroom dancers on many cruisers dancing to live music and they seem to be having a blast.

My wife and I were considering two of your December cruises. After reading about the riots on a Carnival cruise, what can you promise us as far as security from those riots which spanned at least 3 floors. We specifically do not go to large “blue” cities for this very reason.

We are not Celebrity Cruises and we are not affiliated with the cruise line. We’re travel bloggers who shared about our experiences aboard the Reflection on a cruise for which we paid. So, we can’t speak to anything other than our experiences. In 15 cruises aboard Celebrity, we have observed professional security officers and have felt safe at all times. In addition, Celebrity’s atmosphere tends to be more sophisticated than that of other cruise lines we’ve tried. Sure people enjoy a cocktail on Celebrity, but it tends to be quality over quantity.

If you’d like to chat with the cruise line, you can find contact information here: https://www.celebritycruises.com/company/customer-support/contact-us

Travel well! 🙂

We are headed on the April sailing and wonder how much you big to get your upgrade. Fingers crossed

We bid just a little bit over the minimum. That said, we bid for that room in April of 2022 and there were only about 1,600 people on board. With more passengers now, we really can’t help with what might be a winning bid amount. Good luck!

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The 7 best 3-day cruise itineraries for 2024.

Plan a long weekend getaway aboard a cruise for fun, scenery and entertainment.

The Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Hop aboard the Carnival Radiance for a short but fun-filled cruise weekend.

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.

If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from, and everything you can see and do over the span of three incredible nights.

3-Day Cruises From Florida

Norwegian sky from miami.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Dates: Aug. 2 to 5, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Stops: Key West, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $399 per person

This three-night cruise on Norwegian Sky departs from Miami in August 2024 with stops at two iconic tropical destinations. The vessel's first stop is Key West , where cruise passengers will have the day to visit the southernmost tip of the United States, book a snorkeling or kayaking tour, or bar hop along the world-famous Duval Street. From there, the cruise stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is a private island paradise that's only for cruise passengers. Here, visitors can enjoy some beach time, plan a WaveRunner adventure or snorkel the clear waters to watch out for wildlife.

When not at port, passengers on Norwegian Sky can enjoy the ship's 10 dining options, onboard spa, casino at sea, and variety of pools and hot tubs. The Norwegian Cruise Line vessel even has a sushi bar and a Starbucks onboard, and it was completely renovated from top to bottom in 2019.

Book a Norwegian cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral

Conrad Schutt | Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Multiple dates in November and December 2024

Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando)

Stops: Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Starting price: $169 per person

This three-night cruise on MSC Seashore departs from Port Canaveral near Orlando and takes passengers to two tropical destinations in the nearby Bahamas . The first is the island of Nassau, which is known for its luxury resorts (including the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas), huge casinos and powder white sands. After that, guests can spend a second day at port at MSC Cruises ' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This island offers a perfect beach retreat for people who just want to relax, including several expansive white sand beaches with ample seating, an interior ocean lagoon for swimming, and beach bars and eateries dotted throughout.

MSC Seashore features huge pools, an onboard water park for kids, the expansive MSC Aurea Spa and 11 distinct dining venues for passengers to choose from. The ship also boasts the exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club area, which offers the best of everything for discerning guests.

Find an MSC Cruises deal on GoToSea.

Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Dates: Ongoing in 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Stops: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas

Starting price: $273 per person

This three-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Reflection departs from Fort Lauderdale and leaves for two days in the sunny Bahamas. The first stop gives guests a full day to enjoy at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a cruise line private island that's typically reserved for Royal Caribbean guests. This island paradise features an exclusive beach club, idyllic white sand beaches for swimming and floating, a water park, a zip line, and plenty of places to eat and drink all day. The next stop is Nassau: Visitors can dine and shop their way through the port area or book a fun day pass to the Baha Bay water park, which is located at resort Baha Mar and features waterslides, an expansive lazy river and incredible cuisine options right at the park.

Celebrity Reflection was recently refurbished in 2022. It features an incredible array of included dining options, eight specialty and exclusive dining establishments, and bars and lounges throughout the ship. The Retreat, a VIP ship-within-a-ship concept, is also offered on board for those who want an elevated cruising experience.

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Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Dates: Nov. 6 to 9, 2024

Stops: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $1,973 per stateroom

This three-night Bahamian cruise on Disney Dream stops at two exclusive destinations in the Bahamas – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, then Disney Castaway Cay. The first stop offers incredible beaches with play areas and crystal-clear water for swimming, as well as the Bahamian Arts and Culture Pavilion for families who want to learn something about the local culture on vacation. At Disney Castaway Cay, families can relax the day away on white sand beaches, go biking or kayaking, ride two waterslides, and more. Both destinations even have adults-only beach areas for cruisers who are traveling kid-free.

Disney Dream holds a maximum of 4,000 passengers and has everything you would expect on an exclusive Disney Cruise Line vessel, including kids and family areas, adults-only dining options and pools, and two large theaters. The ship also has several supervised kids clubs as well as dedicated clubs for teenagers and tweens .

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Stops: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Starting price: $263 per person

Royal Caribbean International also boasts a Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Nassau and at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Nassau, cruisers get the chance to explore one of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, where you can book an excursion to a local beach, plan a snorkeling adventure or play in one of the two biggest casinos throughout the region at Atlantis or Baha Mar. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, families can stay active with waterslides, book a kayaking tour or ride a hot air balloon up to 450 feet in the air.

Liberty of the Seas is also an ideal ship for families thanks to fun features like a huge onboard water park with slides, an ice skating rink with shows and the Broadway at Sea theater. The Royal Caribbean vessel also has nearly a dozen different dining venues, including Cupcake Cupboard, Johnny Rockets, a pizza kitchen and an old-world Italian eatery called Giovanni's Table.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

3-Day Cruises From California

Navigator of the seas from los angeles.

Dates: Throughout 2024

Departure port: Los Angeles

Stops: Ensenada, Mexico

Starting price: $282 per person

Royal Caribbean offers a three-night West Coast adventure on Navigator of the Seas that includes a fun day at sea and a full-day stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This Mexican destination is known for the many activities that can be enjoyed along its rugged shores, which can include leisurely days at nearby Estero and Mona Lisa beaches, hiking experiences, exploration of Baja California's wine region, whale watching and more.

Dates for this sailing are offered throughout 2024, and the ship itself has plenty to keep passengers enthralled while at sea. For example, Navigator of the Seas features the longest waterslide at sea, enlarged pool deck areas for relaxation, ice skating shows and shopping – not to mention Broadway-style shows with dancers, acrobats and singers. There are also 12 unique dining options onboard, including Starbucks, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Johnny Rockets.

Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles

Dates: Jan. 26 to 29 and Sept. 24 to 27, 2024

Departure port: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Starting price: $244 per person

Carnival Radiance also embarks on three-night journeys to Mexico from Los Angeles throughout the year, including in January and September 2024. This Carnival Cruise Line itinerary includes a fun day at sea and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can plan a sightseeing trip, nosh on the unique Baja cuisine the area is known for, shop for silver jewelry and other keepsakes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Carnival Radiance itself serves as the perfect floating vessel for this fun weekend vacation, with onboard amenities that span the Cloud 9 Spa and WaterWorks water park with slides to a comedy club and special clubs for kids and teens. The ship also boasts an adults-only solarium and 10 different bars to choose from.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

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• Celebrity Cruises ships Reflection and Beyond made first calls...

Celebrity Cruises ships Reflection and Beyond made first calls at CocoCay Bahamas

In recent years, CocoCay Bahamas  has emerged as a beloved destination for RCI-Royal Caribbean ’s ships. However, until this week, it had remained absent from Celebrity Cruises ' itineraries.

This week marked a significant change, as both Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Beyond made their inaugural calls at CocoCay. This addition comes as part of Celebrity’s broader initiative to offer expanded "short Caribbean itinerary" cruises departing from South Florida.

Laura Hodges (Celebrity's President) noted that the decision to introduce Perfect Day at CocoCay was influenced by feedback from guests. She emphasized that this addition provides new opportunities for Celebrity guests seeking quick beach getaways close to home.

The stopover at CocoCay encompasses the island’s exclusive Hideaway Beach, boasting four distinct bars and entertainment provided by a DJ. Both the Reflection and Beyond ships will include CocoCay as a highlight on their 5-night roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale Florida . These itineraries also feature stops in Bimini , Cozumel , Grand Cayman , and Key West FL .

The 9 best Bahamas cruises for every type of traveler

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The best Bahamas cru ises take you away from the daily grind, transporting you to theme park-like private islands and beach-lined paradises. Cruise choices include new and jazzed-up ships sailing an array of short and weeklong Bahamas itineraries. Cruising to the Bahamas is so easy you may even be able to go without a passport .

Family-friendly lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line, offer cruises focused on the Bahamas all year. So do newcomers Virgin Voyages, with its adults-only sailings, and Margaritaville at Sea, offering short two-night hops and longer cruise-and-stay packages. The winter and early spring seasons bring a handful of itineraries on premium lines like Celebrity Cruises and Holland America.

The only cruise lines that don’t regularly offer Bahamas cruises are the luxury lines. But don’t worry, luxe lovers: Many of the ships we included on our list of the best Bahamas cruises offer suites that come with concierge services, private enclaves or special spa privileges. If a luxury cruise to the Bahamas is your goal, look at the top suite options on a mainstream or premium line.

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Whether you’re looking for a quick and cheap getaway or a week at the beach, here are the best Bahamas cruise itineraries to start your search, in order from shortest to longest.

2-night cruises on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise from Palm Beach, Florida

Though cruising is relatively new to the Margaritaville travel and hospitality franchise, cruise line Margaritaville at Sea is essentially a rebranding of the old Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. Its refurbished ship, Paradise, originally debuted in the 1990s for Costa Cruises.

One Jimmy Buffett-themed makeover later, the ship is a perfect fit for the laid-back vibe of the Bahamas. Grab a drink or a bite to eat from the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, try your luck at the Par-A-Dice Casino and enjoy plenty of entertainment, including the musical production, “Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy’s Ship Show.” There’s a kids club, a teen club, a spa and two pools stocked with beach balls and inflatable parrots.

The two-night cruise itinerary includes one day in Freeport, where you can shop, hit the casino, enjoy water sports or chill on the beach. The ship offers shore excursions, or you can explore independently. Margaritaville at Sea also offers cruise-and-stay itineraries of either four or six nights (including the two nights onboard the ship). These packages let you choose between two partner hotels in Freeport, where you’ll stay two or four nights on land, then hop back on the ship for your return night at sea.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise carries around 1,300 passengers in an assortment of inside and ocean-view cabins, all around 176 square feet, which is larger than the average for those categories on most mainstream ships. Ten suites with balconies are also available, with 524 square feet of space.

Who should go? Obviously, Parrotheads are gonna want to try this ship, with all its Jimmy Buffett-inspired themes and decor, but it’s also a good trial run for anyone on the fence about cruising. Pricing makes this a great cruise to enjoy an escape without spending a fortune. We found weekday sailings that begin at $99 per person based on double occupancy for an inside cabin.

Related: Best Bahamas cruise tips for first-timers and repeat visitors alike

3- or 4-night cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas from Miami

This itinerary may be the best overall short Bahamas cruise. Both the three- and four-night cruises have stops at Nassau and Royal Caribbean ‘s massive private island — Perfect Day at CocoCay . Those two stops combined give cruisers the opportunity to enjoy water sports, spend some time at the beach and experience a bit of Bahamian culture.

Freedom of the Seas has plenty of onboard fun to occupy travelers of all ages on sea days. It’s loaded with top-deck slides and water features, specialty restaurant choices and more entertainment options than you can take in on a short cruise. Carrying around 4,000 cruise guests, Freedom of the Seas is big enough to impress without being overwhelming.

Plus, logistics for cruising out of Miami are simple enough for even first-time cruisers. From flight choices to pre- or post-cruise hotels, it’s a city that caters to tourists, especially the cruising ones.

Who should go? From first-timers to veteran cruisers, anyone looking for a short but fun-filled hop to the Bahamas should give Freedom of the Seas a look. Families looking for a quick escape will find entertainment and activities for toddlers to teens. The ship is also ideal for family reunions, bachelorette parties and birthday cruises. Couples will love the adults-only Solarium with its extra-large hot tubs looking out over the sea.

Related: Bahamas cruise packing list: What to pack for the islands

3- or 4-night cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida

When Royal Caribbean’ s giant Utopia of the Seas debuts in July 2024, it will offer a bevy of short sailings, including three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida. The 236,860-ton, 5,669-passenger vessel will be the second-largest cruise ship in the world and offer more exciting amenities than any other cruise ship sailing short itineraries in North America.

Why? The newest, biggest ships in the world typically sail longer cruises. Offering short cruises on its humongous Oasis Class ships is new for Royal Caribbean; sister ship Allure of the Seas will test out the concept before Utopia launches.

Families with kids will definitely go bananas over the choices on board the new ship. The top deck alone will feature three separate pool areas, a surfing simulator, a kiddie splash zone, a basketball court, two rock walls, a miniature golf course and even a zip line.

The ship will also boast an extensive selection of restaurants, bars, lounges and shops. Additionally, there will be an indoor skating rink, a spa and a showroom with Broadway-style shows.

Utopia of the Seas’ inaugural voyage is set for July 22, 2024, and will be a four-night cruise to Nassau and the line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The second sailing will be a three-night cruise to the Bahamas that departs on July 26, 2024.

Who should go?  Short sailings on this new ship will appeal to all sorts of cruisers. Historically, new ships are reserved for longer itineraries, so this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a snack-size sampling of a brand-new ship without spending the money on a longer sailing.

Families craving a quick getaway where the entire brood is satisfied will not be disappointed. In addition to seemingly endless kid-friendly amenities and top-notch children’s programming, Utopia of the Seas will feature a casino and adults-only spaces.

Related: These 2 cruise lines are building new private destinations in the Bahamas

3- or 4-night cruises on Disney Wish from Port Canaveral, Florida

Disney waited a decade to build its next new ship, but Disney dreamers had their wish granted in 2022. Even better, the new Disney Wish cruises to the Bahamas. Designed to be the perfect complement to a visit to Orlando’s Disney theme parks, these short cruises visit Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The four-night itinerary adds a sea day to enjoy the ship.

Disney Wish is designed to immerse cruisers in the various Disney worlds through technology. An onboard augmented reality game turns the Disney Cruise Line Navigator smartphone app into a virtual spyglass that lets cruisers participate in a fantasy adventure with Disney and Pixar characters. The AquaMouse waterslide combines a splashy tube ride in a two-seater raft with a pre-adventure tale told through screens at the beginning of the ride. Diners at the Worlds of Marvel restaurant take part in an interactive Avengers-themed experience through videos and special effects.

Wish carries 4,000 passengers in cabins and suites designed to simplify cruising with kids. But never fear, adult Disney fans; you’ll also find your spot on board. From the “Star Wars”-themed Hyperspace Lounge to the Quiet Cove adults-only sun deck, Disney manages to cater to grownups as well as kids.

Who should go ? This is obviously the best Bahamas cruise for lovers of all things Disney, including “Star Wars” and Marvel fans.

Related: Best shore excursions for Bahamas cruises

3- or 4-night cruises on Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Beginning in April 2024, Celebrity Cruises will sail three- and four-night voyages round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, year-round.

The 3,046-passenger Celebrity Reflection will offer a consistent rotation of three-night weekend cruises (departing each Friday and returning each Monday morning) and four-night weekday sailings (departing each Monday and returning each Friday morning).

Itineraries will include stops at Key West in Florida and Nassau and Bimini in the Bahamas.

Celebrity appeals mostly to the 40-plus set sans small children. It’s light on the kid-centric attractions (such as waterslides, go-karts and laser tag) that other big-ship lines include. The line offers instead lots of quiet and relaxing pool and lounge areas. (If you do have kids in tow, you can take advantage of the extensive children’s program, Camp at Sea. It provides supervised activities daily for children ages 3-12 in dedicated spaces.)

Celebrity Reflection is the line’s last and largest Solstice Class cruise ship. The Solstice C lass ships feature some of the most stylish outdoor pool decks at sea, with indoor, adults-only pool areas that, notably, are topped with glass panels embedded with solar panels that contribute to the ship’s power grid. You’ll also find large spas, casinos, showrooms and a nice selection of restaurants on board.

This ship also boasts one of the most spectacular suites in the cruising world — the 1,646-square-foot Reflection Suite. It was the first two-bedroom suite on a Celebrity Cruises vessel.

Who should go? This an ideal cruise for older travelers who are new to cruising and want to sample one or frequent cruisers who might prefer a shorter time at sea. Although Celebrity doesn’t draw many families with young children, the shorter Bahamas itineraries are also perfect for multigenerational family groups seeking an affordable cruise that appeals to all ages.

4-night cruises on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady from Miami

Virgin Voyages aimed to be a disrupter in the cruise market from the beginning — creating a product designed to please even those who claim they would never set foot on a cruise ship. Yet the itinerary for this four-night Bahamas cruise on Scarlet Lady is fairly ordinary. Ports of call include Key West and a private beach club on the Bahamian island of Bimini.

It’s the ship itself that sets this cruise apart from the pack. You’ll find unique cabins (with balcony hammocks), brash red livery and one-of-a-kind onboard activities, such as tattoo parlors, drag shows and ‘80s-themed fitness classes, to keep its 2,700 sailors (as Virgin calls its passengers) entertained.

Who should go ? This is the best Bahamas cruise for the non-cruiser who is either young at heart or young and eager to party aboard this glitzy ship. If you’re easily offended by loud music, round-the-clock partying or sexual innuendo, this is not your Bahamas cruise.

4-day cruises on Norwegian Jade from Miami

Norwegian Cruise Line offers four-day sailings from Miami aboard Norwegian Jade. Ports of call include Key West and Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island.

Port diversions consist of touring the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum and the Key West Aquarium, shopping along Nassau’s Bay Street and exploring the white-sand beaches and pristine waters on Great Stirrup Cay.

The 2,402-passenger vessel is part of the line’s Jewel class of ships. Though the ship launched in 2006, it received a substantial refurbishment in 2017 that included a cabin remodel, new and expanded dining and a design overhaul.

Norwegian Jewel might not have the extensive top-deck attractions of newer ships, like Norwegian Prima, or as many restaurants and bars. However, passengers will find plenty to occupy their time onboard with scheduled activities, a casino, spa and pool areas.

Who should go? Families, couples and friend groups will appreciate the unstructured nature of a Norwegian cruise. The line’s “freestyle cruising” mantra — cruising without rigid dining schedules, dress codes and formal nights — is perfectly suited for short sailings. With a wide range of eateries and no assigned seating times, passengers have lots of flexibility for their limited time at sea.

Related: Best time to cruise to the Bahamas

5-night cruises on Carnival Sunshine from South Carolina

I am a huge lover of five-night sailings. They are long enough to scratch the cruise itch and short enough to account for travel time to and from the port without adding any extra vacation days. Plus, the slightly longer itineraries are less popular with hard partiers who can be disruptive on shorter Bahamas cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line offers 10 different five-night sailings from Charleston, South Carolina, aboard the 3,002-passenger Carnival Sunshine. It’s currently Carnival’s oldest ship (it debuted in 1996 under the name Carnival Destiny). However, in 2013, the line gave it a $200 million bow-to-stern glow-up and renamed it Carnival Sunshine. The overhaul produced a new top-deck WaterWorks water park, a comedy club and several bars, lounges and restaurants.

Depending on which itinerary you choose, you can chill out on the beaches of Bimini, shop Nassau’s iconic straw market or go horseback riding by the shore of Carnival’s private island, Half Moon Cay. Consider a pre- or post-cruise stay in Charleston to take in the city’s historic landmarks, epic dining and charming cobblestone streets.

Who should go? These cruises are the best Bahamas sailings for those who prefer the intimacy of an older ship and don’t care about flashy amenities and onboard attractions on newer vessels. Plus, they’re ideal for travelers who live north of Florida and are looking for a more convenient drive-to departure port.

8-night cruises on Carnival Venezia from New York City

The 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia is a bit of an outlier in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. Originally built for Italy-based Costa Cruises and launched in 2019, it joined the Carnival family in May 2023. (Carnival Corporation is the parent company of both Costa and Carnival.)

The ship was renovated to add many of Carnival’s signature venues. However, many of its Costa-aligned, Italian-themed designs remain, including a real gondola “sailing” down the middle of its main dining room and a pool deck built to look like a Venetian boulevard.

Guests might feel like they’ve been whisked away to Italy thanks to regional touches like the handmade Italian gelato at JavaBlue Cafe and the Italian liqueur-infused concoctions found at many bars.

Two eight-night voyages out of New York City include stops at Freeport, Nassau and Half Moon Cay.

Who should go? This Bahamas cruise is ideal for anyone looking for a different Carnival experience during a weeklong cruise. It’s almost like traveling to Italy and the Bahamas in one trip.

Bottom line

The best Bahamas cruises offer something cruisers can’t quite get enough of — whether it’s beach time or party time. While short sailings are still the most popular Bahamas itineraries, you can find options for almost every cruising style. The key is identifying the cruise that fits your style, preferred activities and vacation budget.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

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