Hummer Posted January 17, 2005 #1 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Day 4 – Grenada We decided to do a simple beach day as we were unsure what we might find on this hurricane ravished island. Evidence of the storm is everywhere but the effort to recover the island is also well under way. We took a water taxi to Grand Anse (note: you will walk through a tunnel to get to the water taxi and it is a hazardous stretch due to traffic – I will not do again.) Although the vendors are ever present, we decided to enjoy ourselves and engaged many in conversation as we bought their wares. I bought spice necklaces and a beautiful coral bracelet. I also bought a water color from an artist right at the end of the pier. Later, back on ship, we met up with Captain’s Club Host, Daniel Souza, who has a wealth of information and knows who to connect you to and where to go if you have a special interest or question. We own a restaurant and he was kind enough to include us in a small group who toured the galley and met the executive chef. This deepened our appreciation for the expertise involved in food preparation, but also gave us a birds-eye view of the dedication behind the scenes. Wednesday evening – Caribbean party If you like to dance, as I do, get out early before it gets crowded and they start with the silly stuff. Here is an area of shipboard entertainment they can improve upon. I think the talents of the band Onyx are underutilized when they play the same old, same old. Otherwise, we enjoyed the evening. Day 5 – Antigua On previous cruises, we have been more successful in planning our days onshore. On this cruise, the on-off weather patterns which included unpredictable downpours discouraged us from venturing way out to unfamiliar beaches. As a result, we abandoned plans for Turner’s beach and stayed close to port. We found the local craft market by the train station (on Market Street) and I bought some nice leather sandals. I was interested to find many shops with locally made formal wear. Nearer to port you will find an extensive array of upscale tourist shops. Personally, I do not find these as interesting, but certainly they create a nice appearance as you get off the ship. We shared this port with several other ships and this made the area quite crowded. Thursday evening – Formal We dined at the Captain’s table this evening with Argyis Stenos, the Hotel Manager. This was a new experience for us and was quite pleasant. Nine guests were given assigned seats at the table and in addition to excellent service, we enjoyed good wine and conversation. Afterwards, we took in the show which featured around the world music and dance. We were especially impressed by the voices but the dancers also put their heart into their performances and it truly shows. Day 6 – St. Thomas We were the only ship in port this day – always a treat! We planned a day sail with Captain Max ahead of time. (For info go to http://www.sailwithcaptainmax.com/) She picked us up at Red Hook, American Yacht Harbor and we sailed to Hawknest Bay for snorkeling and a wonderful lunch. Max and her assistant Brittany made sure the day was perfect and I can highly recommend this day sail. We were provided with drinks, a beautiful lunch spread and enjoyable conversation. Friday evening – last evening Packing was a breeze because Fredy kept us organized all week! But we tried to make the most of the last evening. We talked with several staff members who were going home, including one we tried to get into the United States several years ago to work for us. I believe this is bittersweet for most and if you care to look, you will see on their faces the pride in their work but also the strain of getting attached, and saying goodbye, again and again. We express our appreciation through our tips, but also personal expressions of thanks. We spoke to one young woman who was always cleaning the stairwells on our cruise this past summer and then again this cruise as well, and each time we passed she acknowledged us. This last evening she stood fully upright when we passed and said, “I am going home tomorrow!” How can you not feel a certain joy when someone shares this with you? Disembarkation We changed our disembarkation time to allow us more time on the ship since we were not due to fly out until 1:00 p.m. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the buffet and proceeded to the Celebrity Theatre as instructed for the later time, but barely sat down when we were called. From there we walked straight off the ship to a taxi. Note: we learned that those who fly American Airlines and book the ship transfer now get their luggage taken care (checked) at the port. This is a great development and in the future I hope they work this into Captains Club or Concierge benefits. We do not like taking the bus but will pay the transfer just to have our bags checked. Closing We love to cruise. We love to be at sea. We love to experience other cultures, and while ships do not offer the same experience as land, they offer a unique, more intense interaction if you seek it out. One tip I can leave you with – we take a small portable radio to plug in, literally, to the local world and no matter where we are we get an exquisite taste of music. The Constellation is a magnificent ship and if you are scheduled to board her, be sure to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted January 17, 2005 #2 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Hi:) enjoyed your review very much!....I sailed her for the first time last month and also had a wonderful time. If you are interested, we have a nice ROLL CALL already going for Dec 10th...of this year...there are some different ports on the itinerary..should be alot of fun:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perki Posted January 17, 2005 #3 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Thank you so much for the information, I am doing the same ship/itinerary mid-April so am very interested in all the reviews I can get! Great info on the Masquarade Ball, I thought it was later in the week though, so good to know it is early on. Might not even be an issue however cause I was told by another here on the board that it was only 2months on this ship then 2months on the next ship and so on...so may not be there mid-April (darn!) Thank you again for the info, great review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsea Posted January 17, 2005 #4 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Thank you so much for all your detailed information we are sailing 29th January on the Constllation. Your review has inspired us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjfbw Posted January 17, 2005 #5 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Thanks for your review. We are first time cruisers on Celebrity--on Feb 5--and really appreciate the info. Do they still charge for the Cirq Ball? I have reservations but was a bit--not interested after all the brouhaha. Techno-pop is just not my style:) Is it true that the sommlier in the reserations only restaurant is a bit--pushy--when it comes to higher priced wines? What did you think of the spa treatments? I work for a company in the beauty business and so am pretty picky. Should I make a massage apt ? Thnaks so much for your input . You inspire us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted January 17, 2005 #6 Share Posted January 17, 2005 kj, I had wine in the regular restaurant as well as in Oceanliners.....I didn't feel they were pushy at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emcee207 Posted January 17, 2005 #7 Share Posted January 17, 2005 That was an excellent review, I like your style!!! I was on the same 12/10/04 connie sailing as Lois which was Week 2 of the" Bar at The ..........." It was interesting to hear about how they are "tweaking" the show and it sounds better already. I was glad to read your comment about how the place was full with people dancing and having a great time. There has been tons of complaining on these boards about how great the old Reflections nite club was and how it has been ruined. We were on the same cruise last Feb and Reflections was a DUD with hardly any people there on most nites. So, I think it is a positive move and they will work out the kinks. I guess I should add that a lot of the comments about the Reflections space being "ruined" were from those that utilized it during the day for the view so I can see their point also. Again, nice review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smdin Posted January 17, 2005 #8 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Are you registered for the connection party? We have 20 people so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hummer Posted January 17, 2005 Author #9 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Lois, thanks for the invite. No time like the present to look at cruises for next winter! Kj, we did not experience pushy sommeliers (the opposite, I am a wine buff and practically had to chase mine down to get service - there - I said it - that was my "issue"! Actually, they also brought the wrong year. Grrrr.) Sorry, I cannot comment on spa treatments. We always talk about them but have yet to try. I used the salon services for a cut and blow dry and can recommend Marlena. She was quite friendly and gave me a superior cut to anything I have received at home. Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted January 17, 2005 #10 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Nancy...that is too funny.......we had the same thing happen in the main dining room (with our Sommilier)....actually, I spoke to our Asst Maitr'd Ruby about it. I did it away from everyone and was quite polite...but told her our Sommilier was unaccpetable. Our entire table drank wine.......we couldn't seem to flag her down:eek: The next evening we were given the Head Bartender for our own table....his name was Andre and I believe he was from Germany. He was there every evening after that.......waiting for us as we arrived at the table:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hummer Posted January 17, 2005 Author #11 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Lois, something must be up with the sommeliers because we have never had a problem before and there were definitely a few issues this trip. I wonder if they cut down on the number? Isn't Ruby an amazing Asst Maitre'D? She is always about and everyone remembers her. Sorry for the split in thread postings. Kj, I think I addressed your question about the ball on the other. Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted January 17, 2005 #12 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Nancy....don't know what was up on our cruise either... Ruby really was great:) ...actually, one of her wait staff took really sick during our cruise.....and she ended up being a waitress as well that week.....the poor waiter...I believe he had to go see a Dr in port:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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