Western Mediterranean Cruise with Celebrity Reflection
For eight consecutive years, the American magazine Travel Weekly awarded Celebrity Cruises the title of the world's best "Premium" cruise line. A cruise on the Celebrity Reflection ship proves the title is well-deserved—it is evident in the service, the passenger-to-crew ratio, and the little touches that make all the difference. The popular portal Cruise Critic chose the Reflection as the best ship for Mediterranean itineraries.
The Celebrity Reflection is approximately 125,000 tons and is the sixth and largest of her Solstice-class sister ships. The ship accommodates a maximum of 3,046 passengers and was launched in 2012. The ship has over 1,200 crew members who strive to serve passengers with kindness and efficiency while paying attention to all their needs.
Information About Celebrity Cruise Line
This is the youngest of the major cruise lines. Founded in 1989 by a Greek company and acquired in 1997 by Royal Caribbean.
Celebrity is known for its excellent dining and professional service provided to its passengers. Its ships are considered particularly elegant and feature comfortable, above-average staterooms for the industry. All of the company's ships were built after the year 2000.
Between 2018 and 2020, Celebrity launched a new series of ships named Edge, comprising 4 ships.
The Celebrity Reflection Ship
On the Celebrity Reflection, every small detail has been considered, even a transparent glass elevator that takes you between decks and through the ship's central atrium.
But of course, aside from the elevator, there is plenty to see and do:
Gastronomy enthusiasts will be happy to find a wide selection of restaurants on board (at an extra charge), but the main dining room is also charmingly designed, featuring Celebrity's famous large wine tower at its center. The service in the dining room is exceptional, and everyone will find dishes to suit their palate.
In addition to the dining room, the ship also features a successful buffet offering a wealth of dishes from all styles: Mexican, Indian, pizzas, pastas, grill, soups, salads, pastries, and of course, desserts.
If you wish to upgrade and try one of the specialty restaurants, you can choose from Lawn Club Grill, serving grilled meats on an open deck overlooking sea views; Murano, specializing in French cuisine; Porch, serving seafood; the successful Sushi on Five; and the Italian restaurant Tuscan Grille. Among the paid restaurants, the unique Le Petit Chef™ At Qsine deserves special mention, featuring an innovative concept: using video art technology, the preparation process of the dishes is projected right before you and onto your dining table, starring a small, clumsy chef who deals with various amusing mishaps while trying to prepare the meal... The restaurant serves a 3-course meal including lobster, seafood soup, filet mignon, and dessert. Vegetarian options and a great children's menu are also available, of course.
Coffee and cake lovers will enjoy spending time at Café Al Bacio, which serves coffee and tea (at an extra charge, but included in the classic beverage package) alongside excellent cakes and pastries (free of charge).
Aside from food options, the ship also offers plenty of entertainment options: the theater is exceptionally large and impressive, showcasing elaborate and successful productions by the entertainment team, alongside music, magic, and stand-up comedy shows.
There are also pleasant public spaces where competitions, quizzes, trivia, and more take place.
A peaceful and magical place for anyone looking for a hidden corner with comfortable chairs alongside coffee and tea is THE HIDEAWAY.
Of course, the ship features a spacious casino abounding with tables and slot machines:
The Canyon Ranch SpaClub on board is impressive and inviting, featuring treatment rooms, massages, facial treatments, and even a hair salon and manicure-pedicure stations.
The gym is also giant and fully equipped.
On the highest deck of the ship, there is a spacious lawn (real grass, not synthetic) named the Lawn Club where you can play golf and other ball games or simply sunbathe on the grass.
Around the lawn are cabanas, pavilions with an armchair and a small table intended for rental. You can rent a cabana on a sea day or a port day, and for a (quite hefty) fee, you can enjoy the tranquility along with wine and fruit.
Shopping enthusiasts may have to make do with browsing store windows because the ship features particularly upscale boutiques such as Michael Kors, Tiffany, and more.
Even on Celebrity, which is considered a premium line targeted more towards couples, many children sail every summer. To that end, the ship features successful and well-equipped kids' clubs. Children of all ages, starting from toddlers a few months old, can enjoy games, toys, and even babysitting services. Older children and teens can enjoy arcade games, foosball, PlayStation, movie nights, special activities, and more.
Those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of children (applicable only to summer months; on a September cruise there were very few children...), can enjoy a deck featuring a relatively large indoor pool, surrounded by jacuzzis, cabanas, and sun loungers. This is an adults-only area and is therefore considered much quieter.
Of course, there are also 2 other pools and four jacuzzis intended for all passengers of all ages.
Video of the attractions on the Reflection ship:
Cruise Itinerary
The cruise described here departs from and returns to Civitavecchia, near Rome, and includes two sea days and seven different ports, in one of which, Barcelona, the ship stays for two days. The cruise brings together the best of the Western Mediterranean so you can tour three different countries in 11 days without unpacking your bags or moving between hotels.
Sailing Route:
In November 2019, the ship set sail on a 13-day transatlantic cruise from Europe (Barcelona) to the USA (Fort Lauderdale) and afterwards on various Caribbean itineraries through 2021, all departing from Fort Lauderdale.
From 2024 to 2026, the ship will sail from Fort Lauderdale on various Caribbean itineraries.
♦ Departure from Civitavecchia Port
It is recommended to reach the port of Civitavecchia by private transfer. You can also arrive by train, but you must factor in a journey of about an hour and a half, followed by a quarter-hour walk to the port itself with your luggage. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the train station to the port, but it is sometimes difficult to catch a taxi for this short distance. The port is about an hour's drive from the airport area and about an hour and a half from the city center.
♦ Livorno
The port of Livorno is located at the western edge of the old city and is one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Aside from cruise ships, it also hosts car ferries to the various islands of the Tuscan archipelago, as well as to Sardinia and Corsica.
The city of Livorno is an industrial port city. As such, it is pleasant for a short walk, mainly among its old buildings and market, but it is not a long or exceptional trip. Therefore, for those arriving here on a cruise, it is recommended that the port serve as a starting point for more successful hub-and-spoke trips in the region to Pisa or Florence.
Booking a cruise-tailored tour in Livorno from the reliable Viator website:
- Guided group tour to Pisa and Florence with port pickup:
Full day shore excursion to Florence and Pisa from Livorno with tasting
Includes port pickup and drop-off, lasts about 8 hours.
- Private tour to Pisa and Florence from Livorno
Private Day to Pisa and Florence from the Port of Livorno
Guided tours and food in Livorno:
♦ Nice, France (Villefranche)
Nice is one of the largest cities in France and one of the most important on the French Riviera. Nice is a charming resort city famous for its wonderful beaches, but it also features a lovely promenade and an impressive old town.
You can of course spend the day in Nice on its own, but it is highly recommended to experience the entire region and take the following guided tour of the French Riviera:
Booking a cruise-tailored tour from Villefranche port near Nice via the reliable Viator website:
Private guided day tour to Nice, Eze, and Monaco -
Best of Riviera Shore excursion From (Villefranche, Nice, Antibes and Cannes)
Includes port pickup and drop-off, lasts 7 hours.
Such a tour can also be booked directly from the following recommended company: Marsatis which includes port pickup, visiting Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Eze.
On the promenade of Nice, you will find cafes, restaurants, and plenty of attractions, but it is also worth walking through the old town with its narrow streets, antique shops, and special atmosphere.
The tour takes about 8 hours (though it can be shortened to 6 hours), and it is an ideal utilization of a port day in Nice! For first-time visitors to the French Riviera, this is truly a visit covering the must-see stops and main attractions of the area.
Video of the tour from Nice to Monte Carlo:
♦ Barcelona
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and a city of art, culture, food, and shopping. The city attracts about 58 million tourists every year. And the millions are not wrong... Barcelona is a charming port city with a lot to see and do in and around it. No one can remain indifferent to what Barcelona offers – sports, good food, markets, shopping, art, architecture, culture, nightlife, just ask and you shall receive!
The ship docks in Barcelona for two days so you can see the best of the city. Plenty of information about the port and city including recommended tours for cruise passengers is available in my article: Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona
♦ Gibraltar
Gibraltar Gibraltar is a peninsula built entirely of a huge and impressive limestone rock rising to a height of 426 meters above sea level and stretching 6 km. It is located north of the strait named after it - the Strait of Gibraltar, which is the gateway connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. Gibraltar is a British overseas territory and its northern border adjoins Spain. The main attraction in Gibraltar is taking a cable car to the top of the huge cliff. Tourists come here in the summer months for several days to spend time on the beaches and in the small town.
Monkeys at the top of the cliff:
Stalactite cave in Gibraltar:
♦ Malaga Malaga
Malaga is a popular resort city in southern Spain with a rich culture and history, alongside beaches, markets, and a vibrant atmosphere. For those arriving in the city by land trip or cruise, there is a variety of tour options both in this city and its surroundings
Guided tours in Malaga for cruise ship passengers:
Segway Tour
A Segway tour in the city of Malaga can be booked here through the Viator website:
♦ Two-hour guided and fun Segway tour of the interesting attractions in Malaga: Malaga Shore Excursion: City Segway Tour
♦ Cartagena Cartagena, Spain
Cartagena is an ancient port city with a fascinating history and culture. The city features impressive buildings, which are recommended to be viewed from the transparent glass panoramic elevator standing on Conception hill and overlooking the city views.
Here are two options for a trip in this city:
♦ Booking a private guided tour in Cartagena from the Viator website:
Half-day private guided walking tour in Cartagena - Shore Excursion: 4-Hour Cartagena Walking Tour
♦ Booking a tapas tour from Mediterranean Unique Experience, including ascending the panoramic elevator, visiting the main sites in the city, and 3 tastings in local restaurants serving the popular tapas of the area. The following photos were taken on a tour with this company.
History enthusiasts will also enjoy visiting the archaeological site displaying remains of a 13th-century Roman amphitheater. The amphitheater was discovered in 1987 and has since become one of the city's symbols.
Aside from Roman heritage, the historical and archaeological sites in the city also include discoveries from the Spanish Civil War and the late 13th century.
♦ Ibiza
The island is famous for its parties, beaches, and the atmosphere of freedom it projects, but locals will tell you that Ibiza is much more than a "party island".
Ibiza attracts not only young people fond of stormy nightlife, but travelers from all over Europe looking for a pampering vacation: Ibiza features spectacular cliffs, coves, an ideal Mediterranean climate, and also an old city where you can walk among the city walls and enjoy breathtaking views.
Guided tours in Ibiza tailored for cruise passengers with port pickup:
Some of the coves hide successful bathing beaches with quiet and clear waters.
Other Popular Destinations on Western Mediterranean Cruises
♦ Sicily
Cruise ships in Sicily arrive at the ports of Palermo Palermo and Messina Messina.
In Palermo it is worth taking a guided walking tour where you will see the best the city has to offer within a short time frame of about three hours. The city has many historical sites recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Or you can take a tour combining typical food tastings or an Italian cooking class for pasta, pizza, tiramisu, and more.
♦ Guided walking tour of Palermo following the interesting sites in the city (about three hours):
Discover the Charm of Palermo: A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour
♦ Tours combining food or cooking classes in Palermo:
It is also recommended to take a trip outside the city to the picturesque ancient town of Cefalù located on the coast about an hour's drive east of Palermo, and to combine the trip with Castelbuono, an ancient mountain town housing an impressive fortress. This town is located about half an hour's drive south of Cefalù.
Tours outside the city of Palermo:
♦ Private tour for a group of up to 3 travelers to Cefalù and Castelbuono lasting 7-8 hours:
Best Full Day Exclusive Excursion in Sicily to Cefalù & Castelbuono From Palermo
The City of Messina
In Messina, it is worth taking a guided walking tour of the city or a guided trip to two ancient and charming towns about an hour south of Messina: Castelmola, considered one of the most beautiful towns in Italy with nice views around it including Mount Etna thanks to its high location about 500 meters above sea level. Another famous nearby town is Taormina, built on a mountainside with many antiquities and a well-preserved ancient pre-Christian amphitheater.
Recommended guided tours from Messina for booking on the Viator website:
♦ The Island of Malta
In Malta, cruise ships dock in the heart of Valletta, and it is easy to leave the port and tour the city independently. However, on a 3-hour guided walking tour, you will reach recommended city touring spots with interesting explanations that you would miss on an independent trip. It is also worth taking one of the following recommended guided tours around the island, one being a half-day tour and the other a full-day (8 hours) tour:
Recommended guided tours in Malta from the Viator website:
Both tours outside the city include port pickup. For the city tour, a meeting point in the city is provided.
Written by: Orad Eldar Bar