Teenybk

Thanks, Jazzbeau for a great and thorough review. We depart on the Connie in exactly 4 weeks, also took advantage of the price cuts to upgrade to a RS (debated heavily on the available CS, but in the end decided on separate bathroom since traveling with adult D, but I bet all that glass made for wonderful views!). I can't wait to pop over and check out your photos. :)

You mention a separate bathroom - the M class Royal Suites do not have two bathrooms, only 1. I understand the S class RS have a small half bath in addition to the regular bathroom, but not M class, including the Constellation.

We will be in a RS on the Connie in exactly 4 weeks, so these reviews are timely, appreciated and exciting! Do you know which group of RS Homer was assigned to? We will be in 6140. We have heard some mixed reviews lately about the butlers. Thank you!

We were in 6141, which is on the left side of the ship - always confused whether port side or starboard, but think it's port side. Homer handled the Penthouse on the same side as well as a few other cabins on the left side - I think they now handle 10 cabins each. Another butler was on the right side.

Since they're primarily responsible for the higher end suites, they are usually the best trained butlers.

Of course, they may be moved around a bit, go on vacation, and change ships, so no telling if Homer will still be there.

Keep in mind when you read negative comments that there are two sides to the story. It could be that they have very demanding passengers in each of their cabins, which may cause difficulty in accommodating all requests.

We kept it simple, only having lite breakfasts delivered, laundry pickup and delivery, a couple of last-minute dinner reservations.

I wholeheartedly agree with your review, Jazzbeau! As you know, we were in a Royal Suite for this cruise, so experienced the same benefits of being in a suite.

Aside from experiencing the calm seas, wonderful cabin and balcony, good food, the staff was exceptional, wherever we were on the ship, especially our butler, Homer. Warm smiles and an eagerness to please always greeted us.

Since this was a port-intensive cruise, we were usually too tired to attend any of the shows and special events, so can't comment on those. We preferred to relax in our lovely suite.

Never had to use priority tendering, since the lines, if any, moved smoothly.

Thanks, again, Jazzbeau, for such a thorough and good review. It was a pleasure sharing this cruise with you and your DW.

Is $300 the appropriate tip for the Butler if you are staying in a RS? We have one coming up on the Summit to Bermuda

We'll be on a Royal Suite soon for our first cruise. Although gratuities are included, we were planning to give additional gratuity if we had special requests and at the end of the cruise, but is an additional $300 customary? We're usually good tippers, but it sounds high considering gratuities are paid. Would appreciate feedback on the average additional gratuities given.

We sail in less than two weeks on the Constellation, also in a RS, and we have heard nothing. If we have not had a contact by this time next week I guess a phone call will be in order. :D :rolleyes:

Robb, I called the Captain's Club, and they connected me with shoreside Concierge. He was surprised we weren't contacted yet and said he'd look into it. I explained this was new for me, but I reviewed some items including arrival time, dinner times, items for bar setup, etc. He said they'd send an email to confirm, but haven't received it yet. If I don't receive it by end of week, I'll call again.

I posted a note about this on our roll call, including Concierge phone number, which I don't have handy. You can check our roll call.

It is strange that some get the emails early on and others don't.

Of course, this took me away from my packing time. [emoji57]

Found the concierge phone number: 1-877-290-5881.

The new captain is absolutely awesome! approachable, friendly and a great role model for all of his staff. Captain Vito's hometown is Venice, so it is lovely to have him be the Master of the Vessel as we sail from and return to, his beautiful city.

 

This style of luncheon (Royal & Penthouse guests) was a first for the Constellation and it was very well received.

 

The entire staff of the Constellation from top (Captain Vito) down are stellar. Very approachable and accommodating.

 

My only regret? this cruise is only 10 days in length and we were wishing it were longer ... but we are living each and every moment.

 

Heather

Thank you for the information. We'll be boarding the Connie in Rome on the 31st for Med cruise ending in Venice. Have been wondering about the new captain, especially since previous captain was well-liked.

Will be in a Royal Suite, so hope we have similar experience.

Just got off it and Megan was Michaels concierge and did an excellent job.

Did someone contact you before you boarded? Our trip is in less than two weeks and haven't heard from Concierge yet.

Also, how was Captain Vito?

Does anyone know who is currently on the Constellation and who the Concierge is?

Is there a charge for meals ordered in room by suite occupants?

Captain Vito is supposed to be the new Constellation captain - been trying to get feedback about him, since we'll be on Connie on the 31st, but haven't heard much yet.

A few photos from our sail-away party. We had invited those who volunteered their cabins for the cabin crawl later in the cruise. A "thank you" to the future hosts for allowing others to see their cabins. In addition, a few extra people were invited who were friends. ~ 20 people in total. We had plenty of room!

 

We had let our Butler know that a few people were coming over, as we needed some extra champagne glasses. Well? Homer is just amazing. After muster drill, we came back to a fully dressed dining room table with not only the glasses that we had requested, but the table was beautifully presented, the champagne chilled, and small trays of nibblies presented. We were truly thankful of his thoughtfulness! Some of our guests brought extra bottles of bubbly from their cabins as well, very thoughtful of them.

 

One of our guests started a tip glass, which was well appreciated - as Homer truly enhanced our sail-away experience.

 

Heather

 

 

Thank you for sharing - what a great experience for you!

Hello, we are sailing on Celebrity Reflection May 27 - Jun 7, and we are interested in touring Santorini on our own after visiting Fira. I am scheduling with a rental car agency and am trying to estimate the time that we would want to rendezvous with them.

 

 

 

Because we are not taking a cruise-blessed excursion, we will have to tender after the privileged class :-). Can anyone provide me with an estimate on when we can reasonably expect to be able to disembark and then cable our way up to Fira?

 

 

 

Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

Rick A.

 

Pleasanton CA

Hi, Rick - we're from Danville and will be on the Constellation on the 31st from Rome - sounds like we'll literally be ships passing in the night somewhere in the Mediterranean. Also looking forward to Santorini. Enjoy your cruise!

Tina

Looking forward to reading your comments. We're on the Connie at the end of the month. We'll be in an RS for our first cruise, celebrating our 20th anniversary and my retirement.

Let us know how the new captain, Vito, is - unusual he's Italian and not Greek.

Did they previously have one called Horizon?

Thanks!

Does the shore side concierge contact you by phone or email? We may already be traveling the week before our cruise departs.

We'll be in an RS on the Constellation next month - trying to find out if they still have CD players. Would you know?

Any more news on Captain Vito, the new Constellation captain? When is this effective? Where is he from?

I've been trying to confirm whether the M class RS suites (specifically Constellation) have CD players - would anyone know?

What?! No Greek Captain on the Constellation?!

Can someone tell me whether the Constellation Royal Suites currently have CD players and/or DVD players?

Do the RS suites on Constellation still have CD players?

Are there CD players in the Royal Suites?

BRAND NEW to Celebrity going to Constellation? When does this change take effect? Thank you! Is Capt. Tasos still on vacation?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marie[/Tasos goes on vacation on May 6th. He will go to Solstice after his vacation and his slot on Constellation will be filled by a newly promoted Captain who has yet to be named.

 

 

Newly promoted captain on Constellation - Does this mean it'll be someone already with Celebrity? Does anyone know yet?

Any news yet about the new Constellation captain?