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Inside view:
INTRODUCING CELEBRITY REFLECTION A conversation with Hotel Director Julian Brackenbury and Cruise Director Paul Baya by Richard H. Wagner page 2 |
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Sophisticated Appeal
Reflection and the cruise experience that is offered upon her is very much geared to a sophisticated audience. “The design of these ships, just the physical design and the atmosphere onboard is outstanding.” Mr. Brackenbury opined. To illustrate, although Reflection can carry more guests than her sisters, she is designed to provide the same passenger flow and feeling of space as her sisters. The capacities of the main dining rooms, the theater and other venues have been increased. “We can take 3,400 guests and you can still find a quiet corner. You can be as busy or as quiet as you want to be.” “The guests here are not going to be inundated with the announcements.” Mr. Buys added. “If they want to know what is going on they can look at our Celebrity Today printed program, they can tune into our TV broadcasts and find out from the general crew the feel of what is going on. It is not going to be rah rah rah in your face.” “We are going to have our fun but it is going to be toned down. You are not going to find your hairy leg competition, your belly flop contest. That is the reason that there is a high return rate. The people say: 'We cruise a lot, we have found what we are looking for and we cannot wait to come back.' It is no monkey business.” |
“The talent that Celebrity is bringing [aboard] with the main production shows and cabaret entertainers are on par with what you find in Atlantic City, Vegas and so forth.”
The sophistication of the experience is also evident in Celebrity's enrichment program. “On each [voyage], you'll be seeing a destination presenter and maybe [a speaker from the] Smithsonian or a specialty interest speaker. We had one on espionage. On the transatlantic crossings we had one on the ships of yesteryear. But definitely a destination presenter just to give more of an appreciation to the ports of call we are visiting, the history behind them, the topography, the geographic location.” “On select sailings there are actually certified zumba instructors coming aboard the ship. I think this is the only cruise line sponsored zumba out there.” Reflection also presents guests with a variety of quality dining choices with a number of specialty restaurants in addition to the main dining venues. “I think the edge that we have is that we are very much a food and beverage cruise line.” Mr. Brackenbury commented. “If you like good food and good service, this is the place to be. Most companies talk about our best asset being our people. But there are a lot of companies that talk the talk but do not walk the walk. We walk as well. The crew are motivated and happy and looked after.” |
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Cruise ship interview - Celebrity Reflection - Celebrity Cruises - Hotel Director Julian Brackenbury, Cruise Director Paul Baya - page 2