Why I Won't be Sailing on the Constellation Again

[CathyCruises]

We just returned from 15 nights on the Constellation transatlantic, sailing from Rome to Fort Lauderdale. We normally cruise on S class ships, but this itinerary and timing suited our needs better. We had been on the Summit a few years ago and knew that physically the ships were different, but we were also looking forward to seeing the new changes after the solsticization. I was very disappointed in this cruise for variety of reasons, none of which had to do with the ship itself, almost all of which had to do with the management.

 

The main issue was the management of the Oceanview Café. I understand that the ship is older and that things break down from time to time and I'm certainly accommodating, but the repeated missteps became overwhelming to me anyway. It started with a broken ice machine at the beverage station on the pool deck next to the grill. Expecting that it would be repaired or replaced in relatively short order, I visited there several times a day to get cold water or iced tea. A couple times, there was a bucket of ice that one could help themselves to, but on multiple occasions there was no ice available at all. When I asked one of the attendants why there was no bucket of ice, he said there was only ice provided during the hours that the grill was open. To see my completely ridiculous response. The temperatures were warm, there were lots of people by the pool, and it made no sense to me that one could not get ice at anytime of the day. But not a huge deal. Unfortunately, subsequent to that, I noticed that the ice machines throughout the café/buffet area weere frequently not functioning. On the multiple occasions, I had to go to three and sometimes four different locations to find one ice machine that was working. On the ship with 2300 passengers, that seems pretty ridiculous.

 

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.

 

On to plates and silverware. Inexplicably they were both in short supply throughout the cruise. They were never available near the dessert station. Normally, after finishing my lunch, I would wander over to the dessert station to see what was on offer, but if I found something I liked it was a struggle every single time to find a plate. And when I did find one, it was usually of the dinnerplate size. Plates were also scarce in the food area. I can't say how many times I wandered around just looking for a plate so that I could have my meal. At one point, the only plate that I could find for my Indian food lunch was a saucer. The same was silverware. Became a challenge every day just to find silverware to eat our meals with. Every meal became a struggle.

 

These were not isolated incidents. They happened every day and I became increasingly frustrated by the poor management. If the ship doesn't have enough plates and silverware to service a meal, then the cruise line needs to provide more basic utensils. If the ice machines are not able to function over the course of the cruise, then they need to be replaced.

 

On to smoking. On the S class ships, cigars are only allowed at the Sunset bar on the port side. Since there is no actual sunset bar on the M class ships, they allow cigar smoking by the pool, which they consider to be an open deck. Well, the pool deck is not actually an open deck. It is enclosed on four sides and only open in the middle. We had a very obnoxious cigar smoker during the day who polluted half the deck with his nasty cigar. The non-smoking half of the deck was always fully occupied, leaving the only option to be on the smoking side. It was chokingly smoky. It seems odd to me that by my calculations only 5% of the passengers were smoking, yet half of the pool deck was available for them. When the cigar smoker would light up, we had no choice except to flee. It would seem smarter to put a smoking section on deck 11, which truly is an open deck and keep the pool deck more pleasant for everyone.

 

Of course once I became frustrated, then a lot of other things started to bother me as well. Both DH and I caught colds on this cruise, which was not uncommon since other people were complaining of the same things. Not a big deal, went down to the shops to buy some NyQuil. A small bottle was $17.99. Nice, Celebrity. Nice to rip off the sick passengers. Of course since we were on a transatlantic, we were a captive audience. Needless to say we didn't buy it and we just suffered through.

 

On a positive note, the crew was very good to excellent. Our waiter and our assistant waiter were the best we've ever had. Same for our room stewards. The food, unfortunately, was mediocre. The prime rib was surprisingly good, but most of the chicken dishes were so overcooked and dry that I couldn't eat them. I don't believe in sending my food back and I did not want to make a big deal out of it but a lot of food got left on the plate. Of course I never went hungry, but the main courses in particular were disappointing. I ordered the flank steak one night and I'm not sure what they did to it, but the texture was extremely weird and didn't taste like any meat I've ever had before. It must've been some sort of tenderizing process that they put it through. I left it after a few bites and the assistant waiter, waiter, and maître d' all came over to inquire what was wrong and try to offer me a replacement, which I didn't want. After that, if I couldn't finish my food, I just said thank you but I was full. Awkward.

 

I guess I've been spoiled by the S class, especially in the buffet area where I have never noticed any of these issues. I think the M class chips themselves have a lot of life left in them but maintenance and replacement of aging elements certainly should be a priority. I'm not sure if these issues exist on the other M class ships, but I think for us in the future, we'll stick to S class and be happy!

Edited November 21, 2015 by CathyCruises

[greydog]

Sorry you didn't have a nice cruise.

 

"the assistant waiter, waiter, and maître d' all came over to inquire what was wrong and try to offer me a replacement, which I didn't want. After that, if I couldn't finish my food, I just said thank you but I was full. Awkward."

 

Will be interesting to see how many others on your cruise report the same level of disappointment with the issues you mention.

 

Happier cruising in the future.

[Cruise Junky]

You paid thousands for a cruise but wouldn't pay $17.99 for medication even though you were both sick?

[jenniebnyc]

Sorry you had a frustrating cruise.

 

Sometimes it's better to speak up. Thing do not get fixed if you don't tell people. I would have contacted management and told them of the issues. Sometimes this is in order.

 

As for the Nyquil, if you went to the doc on the ship you would have probably rec'd free medication.

 

And, I do believe there is a Sunset Bar...or an I thinking or the Oceanview outdoor deck? In either case, when we were on the Summit 1/2 of the aft which had a bar permitted smoking. No one was permitted to smoke at the pool. I recall X making one passenger put out his cigg at the pool a few years back

 

Hope you are feeling better!

[djh]

Just curious, did they give you comment cards to fill out half way through the cruise and if so did you express any concerns? I have always found that when I filled the card out to report a concern, I would get a call almost immediately from the food and beverage officer or hotel director. They always seemed to make an effort to correct any problem.

[floralscent]

Sorry to hear your cruise was not up to your expectations. Sometimes though you have to take it for what it is and make the best of it and not let things ruin your vacation. Definitely mention you aren't happy, learn from it and put it to rest.

 

Just a small tip- I always pack a few over the counter meds and store them in a ziplock bag. Dayquil tabs, Nyquil tabs, Advil, Tums, Pepto, etc are my staples. If we need something we have it but if I didn't have something we needed we would no doubt purchase even at a crazy price so we could better enjoy our vacation.

[CathyCruises]

No comment card was offered. On several occasions I thought about going down and asking for one but I honestly didn't feel like it would make any difference.

 

I didn't spend the $17.99 on NyQuil because it was such a total rip off. That may seem like twisted logic but that's just the way I am. I don't shop at hobby lobby either, because of their stance on social issues, which I'm sure makes no difference to them but it makes me feel better. I do pack a small pharmacy when I travel, but with both of us having colds, I ran out of cold medication pretty quickly.

 

It's a long story, but going to the doctor was not really a viable option for reasons I won't go into right now.

 

At one point, DH did go down and complain about the stench in the hallway leading from the elevator to our cabin. It occurred with regular frequency. When we went back to our cabin it was obvious that someone had come through and sprayed deodorizer in the hallway. Root cause of the problem not known.

 

We actually had a good cruise, under the circumstances, but that was mostly because of the friends that we had on board and because none of these issues were earth shattering. But they were very aggravating and disappointing.

 

One other minor but somewhat curious incident. When I signed up for the cruise, they asked if we would be celebrating any occasion and I said yes, that our anniversary was on November 14. One day I got a phone message saying that because we were celebrating a special event, we would be offered 15% off a shore excursion. Well we never take ship excursions so that was useless. Then we got another phone call saying we would get $100 coupon at the art auction. Ditto, we never buy art on the ship. Arrives the day, absolutely nothing was done. No congratulatory message, absolutely nothing. I wonder why they even ask? Is this the norm if you indicate you are celebrating a special occasion? I honestly don't know but I am curious.

 

Just rereading the original post, which I dictated. When there are weird sentences that make no sense, I'm going to attribute that to Siri!

Edited November 21, 2015 by CathyCruises

[cruzzzinma]

I was on the same cruise and echo CathyCruises comments on the ocean view cafe. Coffee is supposed to be available 24 hours a day and I DON'T CARE THAT IT IS 5:30AM, coffee should be available, especially when we have early ports. Getting sent to the next station, not this one but the next one over and over again, only to find there was no coffee, was aggravating.

 

Breakfast lines were slow to open. It seemed that 6:30 AM opening meant they got to work to set up but weren't prepared to serve food yet.

 

Overall, this cruise was a really good one. Service was good all over the ship except in the ocean view cafe. Pool butlers were slower to police the area than I've seen on other ships. That was a little frustrating since it was so hot towards the end and shade was at a premium.

[Gracie115]

No comment card was offered. On several occasions I thought about going down and asking for one but I honestly didn't feel like it would make any difference.

 

I didn't spend the $17.99 on NyQuil because it was such a total rip off. That may seem like twisted logic but that's just the way I am. I don't shop at hobby lobby either, because of their stance on social issues, which I'm sure makes no difference to them but it makes me feel better. I do pack a small pharmacy when I travel, but with both of us having colds, I ran out of cold medication pretty quickly.

 

It's a long story, but going to the doctor was not really a viable option for reasons I won't go into right now.

 

At one point, DH did go down and complain about the stench in the hallway leading from the elevator to our cabin. It occurred with regular frequency. When we went back to our cabin it was obvious that someone had come through and sprayed deodorizer in the hallway. Root cause of the problem not known.

 

We actually had a good cruise, under the circumstances, but that was mostly because of the friends that we had on board and because none of these issues were earth shattering. But they were very aggravating and disappointing.

 

One other minor but somewhat curious incident. When I signed up for the cruise, they asked if we would be celebrating any occasion and I said yes, that our anniversary was on November 14. One day I got a phone message saying that because we were celebrating a special event, we would be offered 15% off a shore excursion. Well we never take ship excursions so that was useless. Then we got another phone call saying we would get $100 coupon at the art auction. Ditto, we never buy art on the ship. Arrives the day, absolutely nothing was done. No congratulatory message, absolutely nothing. I wonder why they even ask? Is this the norm if you indicate you are celebrating a special occasion? I honestly don't know but I am curious.

 

Just rereading the original post, which I dictated. When there are weird sentences that make no sense, I'm going to attribute that to Siri!

 

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...

 

About the Nyquil.....yeah, it's outrageously priced, but ALL toiletries on the ships are...that's not just X....I probably would have gone ahead and purchased....just cause, well you're on your vacation, and anything that can get you through a sickness so you can enjoy that is worth a few $$...

 

Sorry you had so many issues. We were on Connie twice in 2013, before and after the refurb.....really enjoyed it but then we ate in Blu the 2nd time and did not deal with the MDR(which we found lacking too on the 1st cruise)...

[TeaBag]

Sorry OP you felt you had so many problems. The more I read of your post, the more I realized I could have written it. We were on Eclipse. Honestly, I had forgotten about the urns with no coffee at breakfast and the lack of dishes at times. We just got what we needed somewhere else. We found our meals very good but neither of us had chicken. The elevators seemed out of order quite a bit near the end of the cruise. And, yes, we had colds too. Getting a cold is bad news for me since it always results in a bad cough. However, we always bring tons of Nyquil/Dayquil having forgotten it once and having to pay not one $17.99 but two! I think colds are easy to catch on the TA's. Most people are inside and no matter what is said, there are the sneezers and coughers who don't cover their mouths or cough into the crook of their arms.

 

I'm glad you could say at the end that you still had a good cruise.

 

I think the bottom line is that Celebrity has cut staff and it is affecting us all.

 

But hey, we came in second in Progressive Trivia so we won the 7 day cruise and the winners got the 14 day. :D The prizes are trivial. Is that because it's Trivia?

Edited November 21, 2015 by TeaBag

[cpj]

1799 for a cold medicine is a total ripoff. It ok to make a profit but they try to make a fool out of you. I know you don't have to buy but why do they try and suck the money out of you like your some kind of jerk.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I too have experienced coffee machines being empty and ice dispensers that don't work on M class ships. Just off about a month on the Equinox--never once saw that. It's all about management. Some ships are managed well; others not.

 

[CathyCruises]

I too have experienced coffee machines being empty and ice dispensers that don't work on M class ships. Just off about a month on the Equinox--never once saw that. It's all about management. Some ships are managed well; others not.

 

 

Thank you, exactly my point!

[vulcan1971]

As for the Nyquil, if you went to the doc on the ship you would have probably rec'd free medication.

 

 

Have you been to a ship infirmary before? I seriously doubt anything would be given for free.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

[CathyCruises]

Have you been to a ship infirmary before? I seriously doubt anything would be given for free.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

 

Yes, a few weeks before on Silhouette, just seeing the doctor was quoted at a base price of $171.00.

[vulcan1971]

Yes, a few weeks before on Silhouette, just seeing the doctor was quoted at a base price of $171.00.

 

 

That was the point I was making. They make it clear up front if you are seen by a member of the infirmary, it will cost you. Even something for a burn from a hot beverage was going to cost $12.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

[WEGL81]

Since there is no actual sunset bar on the M class ships, they allow cigar smoking by the pool

 

 

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.

[CathyCruises]

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.

 

I wouldn't have objected if he was smoking at the Sunset bar/ the aft part of the Oceanview buffet, because that's what I believe to be an acceptable spot. The issue was that he was smoking at the pool and I questioned both the pool attendant and went down to guest relations to inquire about it and was told that it was allowed on the pool deck.

[Karynanne]

Yes, a few weeks before on Silhouette, just seeing the doctor was quoted at a base price of $171.00.

 

I'm playing the Devil's Advocate here...

 

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. We're all quite use to our Insurance paying for a majority of our healthcare costs.

 

Years ago, I had bronchitis on a cruise. I had numerous visits to the Infirmary for inhalation treatments. The final bill was expensive. Around $900.00.

 

I sent it to my Insurance company and was reimbursed everything but my "office visit" co-payment charge.

 

And maybe in the future you'll bring a small bottle of cough meds with you. We do...just in case.

[BosoxI]

Have you been to a ship infirmary before? I seriously doubt anything would be given for free.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

 

$60 to have my BP tested and that was years ago. No thanks

Edited November 21, 2015 by BosoxI

[excitedofharpenden]

Cathy, sorry you didn't have a great cruise on Constellation. Overall our trip on her in September was very enjoyable. However, as an endorsement to what you said I also thought the Oceanview Cafe was poorly managed. They would often run out of plates or cutlery or both and I'd often have to walk around because drinks dispensers weren't working. I'd end up back at the same spot and the plates/cutlery suddenly appeared.

 

For most of the cruise one of the hotplates at the egg station wasn't working so there were long queues and we were sent round to the omelette station on the other side. I witnessed the guy behind the omelette station being berated by his manager for the long queue he had. Not surprising as customers from the egg station were overflowing to him and I flippin' told them! It also prompted an Attention to Detail card, easily obtained from Guest Services. In addition it gave me the opportunity to praise some of the bar staff who were excellent.

 

Really enjoyed Constellation, but prefer S-Class.

 

Oh and the smoking story reminds me of the woman who walked half way up the outside stairs that run from the Oceanview Bar to the new Aqua cabins on deck 11 and lit up.

 

Phil

Edited November 21, 2015 by excitedofharpenden

[excitedofharpenden]

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.

 

Not any longer. The whole Oceanview Bar is non-smoking. Well it was on our cruise at least.

 

Phil

[celebritydave]

Sorry to hear your cruise was not up to your expectations. Sometimes though you have to take it for what it is and make the best of it and not let things ruin your vacation. Definitely mention you aren't happy, learn from it and put it to rest.

 

Just a small tip- I always pack a few over the counter meds and store them in a ziplock bag. Dayquil tabs, Nyquil tabs, Advil, Tums, Pepto, etc are my staples. If we need something we have it but if I didn't have something we needed we would no doubt purchase even at a crazy price so we could better enjoy our vacation.

 

When we travel abroad whether by land or sea, we always take a 'sick' bag containing enough over the counter meds to cover a cold, fever what ever. We never leave home without it. It has saved us many times.

 

Dave

[lisiamc]

I just got off the Constellation transatlantic too. We had some challenges in finding cutlery, plates, ice and water in the buffet as well, but it wasn't a deal breaker. I'm laying the blame on staff cuts. Every staff member I saw in the buffet was working at top speed trying to take care of the food and bring out more bowls, plates, forks, etc.

 

We enjoyed the food in the MDR very much, but it seemed that Select dining was heavily oversubscribed. I overheard someone saying that 900 diners were on Select. We tend to eat late, and it was very hard to get a table between 7.45 and 8.30 without a substantial wait. After 8.30, it was difficult to find a sharing table since everyone else had apparently eaten in the big rush earlier! Twice we were sent downstairs to the fixed seating area to join tables that were short a few of their regular diners that evening. There were lots of empty and partially-filled tables there, and we asked to be switched to second seating to join new friends we'd met. That solved the problem for us, and hopefully eased the pressure on Select a little bit.

 

These were the only small concerns we had on our cruise which was excellent overall.

 

We did receive a comment card part-way through the cruise, and we also mentioned the apparent staff cuts and over-subscription of Select dining in the post-cruise questionnaire.

 

PS - forgot to add that we would sail Constellation or any of the other M class ships again in a heartbeat. They're our favourites now that Century is gone. Unfortunately, none of the itineraries appeal, so we will be trying Solstice for a transpacific in 2017.

Edited November 21, 2015 by lisiamc

[gowilk]

You paid thousands for a cruise but wouldn't pay $17.99 for medication even though you were both sick?

 

Typical of all lines these days methinks...not right but we're not guests nemore just credit cards to be dipped.