GOT TO LOVE THOSE 'REFLECTION' SHOWERS

ABOARD CELEBRITY REFLECTION -- There were many things to like about our Aqua Class stateroom: The floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, the large, private veranda, an abundance of closet and storage space (never have enough of that), the 32-inch flat-screen TV. But my favorite thing was the shower.

The Aqua Class shower (Photo: Gerry)

It was sleek, and round, with double sliding doors. And like most stateroom showers, still a tight fit if you're very tall or very broad. But once you actually turn it on, so nice! While you enjoy the steady stream from the rain shower head on top, you can activate jets located up and down. it's a little like a stand-up Jacuzzi.

Of course, Reflection has been making headlines for its showers for months. Specifically, the shower in the new 1600-plus square foot Reflection Suite 1401. How does a shower make the news? In this case, because it's cantilevered, transparent, and hangs off the side of the ship.

While there was much to "ooh" and "ahh" about in the suite itself, everyone wanted to linger in the shower during the inaugural cruise open house. What about privacy, you ask? The shower comes equipped with a dimmer feature that makes the walls opaque for the shower-taker. (We didn't get to test it, sad to say.)

The Reflection Suite shower (Photo: Gerry)

When I asked Celebrity Cruises president and CEO Michael Bayley if he had personally tried it out, he said no, but thought it was a good idea. Now that would make for a good testimonial.

What is the shower's "secret sauce"? In an earlier release, Celebrity's Senior VP of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo talked about privacy: "We made a big investment in ensuring our guests can enjoy the shower entirely free of any concerns of being seen," said Lutoff-Perlo. "They can enjoy breathtaking sea views while discreetly showering, courtesy of the shower's special reflective glass. But, if they seek even further privacy, the shower also features 'smart glass.' At the flick of a switch, guests can activate an electrochromatic technology which instantly transforms the glass from transparent to translucent."

Next up: A tour of what else the Reflection Suite offers. -- Gerry

Inside the shower (Gerry)

The shower has an adjoining porch (Gerry)