Why I Won't be Sailing on the Constellation Again

Take some more cruises with Tasos, his brother or a number of other Celebrity Captains and you'll find out.

We have taken about fifteen cruises on Celebrity, and Captain Tasos is the only captain I can recall by name. He is everywhere around the ship, taking part in different activities and talking to passengers. We had only encountered him once before this cruise and that was on a Caribbean cruise when tendering in St. Barths was a nightmare due to port regulations on number of boats used and speed allowed. Captain Tasos drove one of the tenders and chatted with the people waiting to get back to the ship. He certainly lightened the mood that day. His PR skills are amazing!

On to coffee. Same issue, multiple times I had to go to three or four different beverage stations to find one coffee pot that had coffee. This occurred at 7:30 in the morning on a Sea day, not very many people in the buffet at all, and no coffee available in three quarters of the buffet? Not an unusual occurrence at all.

When Celebrity used the awful coffee syrup, they could fill all the urns and let them sit until people starting drinking. But now that they use the much-better Lavazza ground coffee it would be a crime to have it sitting for long periods. Maybe that is why they only make one urn early (since as you note there were "not very many people in the buffet at all"). Personally, I would rather walk a little further and get good coffee!

When Celebrity used the awful coffee syrup, they could fill all the urns and let them sit until people starting drinking. But now that they use the much-better Lavazza ground coffee it would be a crime to have it sitting for long periods. Maybe that is why they only make one urn early (since as you note there were "not very many people in the buffet at all"). Personally, I would rather walk a little further and get good coffee!

I'm usually up and ready for coffee around 5:30 or 6 a.m. On our Equinox TA last year there would typically be only one pot with coffee for the early risers. As soon as things picked up every pot was putting out coffee.

Sorry the staff on the Constellation did not do the same thing.

And the syrup was bad. I'd give it a 1.5 just ahead of the Princess syrup which gets .7. Id give the Lavazza a 6. Decent coffee.

We have taken about fifteen cruises on Celebrity, and Captain Tasos is the only captain I can recall by name. He is everywhere around the ship, taking part in different activities and talking to passengers. We had only encountered him once before this cruise and that was on a Caribbean cruise when tendering in St. Barths was a nightmare due to port regulations on number of boats used and speed allowed. Captain Tasos drove one of the tenders and chatted with the people waiting to get back to the ship. He certainly lightened the mood that day. His PR skills are amazing!

I agree fully....He is the only captain who I remember....on our last cruise on his ship, he walked through Blu every night chatting with everyone and seemed to be everywhere....we joked that we wondered who was driving the ship. You remember the exceptional ones.

Sorry you had a bad and frustrating time. However, there is an aft sunset bar on all M class ships on deck 10. I believe they allow cigar smoking on the port side of the aft sunset bar.

 

I do sympathize with the smoking complaint. One of the big reasons I sail Celebrity is because of their no smoking policy in the casino. On our first cruise on Connie last year, we couldn't use our balcony because our neighbors spent the whole time smoking on their balcony. We should have complained but didn't.

Did you report the smoking issue to security?

Sorry you had a bad and frustrating time. However, there is an aft sunset bar on all M class ships on deck 10. I believe they allow cigar smoking on the port side of the aft sunset bar.

 

I do sympathize with the smoking complaint. One of the big reasons I sail Celebrity is because of their no smoking policy in the casino. On our first cruise on Connie last year, we couldn't use our balcony because our neighbors spent the whole time smoking on their balcony. We should have complained but didn't.

There is no smoking at all allowed at the aft sunset bar on the Infinity....although I've read that it is still allowed on some of the M-class ships.

There is no smoking at all allowed at the aft sunset bar on the Infinity....although I've read that it is still allowed on some of the M-class ships.

It is allowed on SUMMIT........I sailed her last week and there were

ashtrays and smokers out there.

Got off the Millie on the 8th and no smoking on the Oceanview Bar:D

The complaining never ends..... Not sure what's in store on my cruise the 13th (Dec)......

I couldn't tell you the Capt, Guest Relations head, or CD on any of our 15 cruises. Including the one we got off 15 days ago. What am I missing that makes these people stand out? What would precipitate someone remembering a Capt? I'm just curious....

Captian Tasos of the Constellation, I will never forget. On our Eastern Med. cruise he would give the little speech before sailaway. He would tell a Greek myth that was relevant to the island we were leaving or the next one we would dock at the next day. You could hear a pin drop when he told the stories at the aft bar!

He also would then tell us he would be doing some donut holes for pratice as he steered the ship away from the pier. OMG! it was a ballet of our ship as it moved out into the harbor. And at the Liars Club he was hysterically funny. He is single, drives a motocycle and had his mother on our cruise. He participated in a cook off on the pool deck one sea day. it was standing room only.

I never have known who the Captains are on any of the other Celebrity ships I have sailed. but I willnever forget Captain Tasos

Captian Tasos of the Constellation, I will never forget. On our Eastern Med. cruise he would give the little speech before sailaway. He would tell a Greek myth that was relevant to the island we were leaving or the next one we would dock at the next day. You could hear a pin drop when he told the stories at the aft bar!

He also would then tell us he would be doing some donut holes for pratice as he steered the ship away from the pier. OMG! it was a ballet of our ship as it moved out into the harbor. And at the Liars Club he was hysterically funny. He is single, drives a motocycle and had his mother on our cruise. He participated in a cook off on the pool deck one sea day. it was standing room only.

I never have known who the Captains are on any of the other Celebrity ships I have sailed. but I willnever forget Captain Tasos

Tasos is exceptional. Hope I'm not going too far adrift, but IMHO I believe that some passengers only see the Officers and crew as workers. They never allow themselves to see them as intelligent and interesting people and never engage in any conversation beyond service related questions and requests. I believe that these passengers are missing one of the best perks about cruising: Getting to know the crew. I know crew who are law school graduates, civil engineers and even a MD or two.

Interesting to read this. I am a "loyal to Royal" cruiser who tried celebrity for this 4 night itinerary and I too was disappointed with the basics. Overall my opinion was that the ship was gravely understaffed. From beverage service everywhere to waitstaff at select dining. ? Perhaps crew left/ contract at end of the transatlantic or staff illness. Couldn't even find coffee this am in 4 out of 5 of the beverage stations in ocean view. I'm hoping that this was isolated occurrences as i would like to try the line again...

Tasos is exceptional. Hope I'm not going too far adrift, but IMHO I believe that some passengers only see the Officers and crew as workers. They never allow themselves to see them as intelligent and interesting people and never engage in any conversation beyond service related questions and requests. I believe that these passengers are missing one of the best perks about cruising: Getting to know the crew. I know crew who are law school graduates, civil engineers and even a MD or two.

I am sure they are all very interesting. I always felt that when i see them having coffee etc sitting someplace in a public area, I would be intruding if I struck up a conversation with them beyond, "it is a nice day..."

These personal relationships some seem to have with captains & CD's I always have found curious. It seems something so specific to cruises and for the 5% who notice then I'm sure it makes a difference.

I remember some very good servers and others that were good and attentive too.... It is those that work hard (for little pay and often looking after family at home) that I am more worried about.

I couldn't tell you the Capt, Guest Relations head, or CD on any of our 15 cruises. Including the one we got off 15 days ago. What am I missing that makes these people stand out? What would precipitate someone remembering a Capt? I'm just curious....

Prior to going on the Constellation in 2013, I would have agreed 100%. But after having Captain Tasos on those 3 cruises and Captain Nicolaus this year, It was obvious that heir staff love them, they were both so accessible and clearly their love of their jobs filters down to all the staff. We were told that Capt Nicolaus knew the name of every single staff member - and he didn't need their name badges!

I couldn't tell you the Capt, Guest Relations head, or CD on any of our 15 cruises. Including the one we got off 15 days ago. What am I missing that makes these people stand out? What would precipitate someone remembering a Capt? I'm just curious....

We were lucky enough to have Capt Tasos in 2013 and Capt Nicolaus this year. I do remember Capt Johny from the Allure, but they are the only 3 I do remember in years of cruising. Absolutely outstanding.

Is there any way to know who will be our captain for the 3/14 Constellation sailing?

He was the Capt on our Connie cruise last Jan...really a great Captain; and the ship was so well run in all depts!

Sorry to hear of staffing lapses..

We had Capt Johnny (if the same) on Navigator.excellent!

I'

If you went to your Dr. at home, and IF you didn't have any insurance, I'd be inclined to think that your cost for your appointment would be in the region of over $100.00.

Maybe in the 1990s...

Is there any way to know who will be our captain for the 3/14 Constellation sailing?

The TA was Capt Tasos' first cruise after three months on vacation, so I'd say there's a good chance he'll still be there on the march sailing

The TA was Capt Tasos' first cruise after three months on vacation, so I'd say there's a good chance he'll still be there on the march sailing

Captains work a three month shift. Tasos will be on vacation in March. Should return for the April TA. Nickolas will be going to Millie and I'm not certain who the relief Captain will be in March.

Captains work a three month shift. Tasos will be on vacation in March. Should return for the April TA. Nickolas will be going to Millie and I'm not certain who the relief Captain will be in March.

Oh sorry, thought it was longer than three months at a stretch. I know staff work for six months

Oh sorry, thought it was longer than three months at a stretch. I know staff work for six months

Different staff have different terms.

http://www.celebritycareersatsea.com/pages/working_onboard

ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments are determined by position, and length can vary based on the particular rank.

• Senior management hotel officers typically have four-month assignments, followed by eight weeks of vacation
  
• marine officer assignments are generally fourteen weeks onboard followed by fourteen weeks vacation for senior positions, and seven weeks for more entry-level roles
  
• assignments for all other positions average approximately six or eight months working onboard, depending on the role
  
• ten months, for laundry positions, with six to eight weeks of vacation time.
  

Thank you for your review. As a regular reader of cruise critic, especially when trying to decide on a trip, I appreciate the time that it takes to post your reviews.

I have been on several cruises but in the last three years, all three on Celebrity Reflection. My partner and I love the ship. Two of those trips have been on the transatlantic from Miami to Rome. We ADORE Rome and it is one of our favorite cities, spending a 7 days there at the end of our first transatlantic and three days this past April. We went on to Venice for few days this past April. We typically sail in Aqua Class.

This next year, due to some other financial obligations, we don't think we will be able to do Aqua Class. I am slowly convincing myself that the cost difference between a regular balcony and aqua is not worth it. We love Blu but for the difference i can pay for speciality restaurants more often.

Having done the TA twice to Rome, we are considering the Constellation to Rome. My major concerns are about sailing on an older ship; not being as large as the S class ships; and crowd. I appreciate your review. I can't say that it tells me not to cruise on the constellation but it is helpful. I would certainly appreciate anyone else's feedback on this topic. FYI: We use the pool, casino, and mostly hang out at the Martini Bar. While we enjoy a nightclub, that doesn't seem to be something that really happens on the Transatlantics.

That is REALLY odd about the 15% off shore excursion and $100 art coupon.....never heard of anything like that.... used to be they'd give you a little cake in the MDR on an anniversary or birthday...

 

We did get a chocolate cake for our anniversary on the Equinox...presented it to us at dinner.