Constellation April 2, 2016 TA Review

[croaziera]

I went on this cruise with my wife and this was my 27th cruise, but my first transatlantic. We flew in FLL the day before, rented a car and drove to our hotel in Boca Raton, the Marriott Boca Center. The next morning I dropped the wife and the luggage at the pier and I returned the car at FLL. I then grabbed an UBER and went to the pier. The embarkation was extremely easy and fast and we were on the ship eating at the oceanview cafe in about 30 minutes from the time we entered the terminal.

 

The cabin was 8071, a concierge balcony and it was perfect in size and location. Our cabin stewards were amazing and I spent considerable time on the balcony.

 

The dining was in the san marco restaurant on deck 4 at 8 pm every evening and we were at table 119, a table for 10. Both the waiter and the assistant were amazing and they made sure everything was 10 out of 10. Both the wife and I remarked that the food presentation was wonderful, the food was very tasty and warm and the portions were more than sufficient. We were very impressed with the oceanview cafe and the variety that it offered. One night we ate at Oceanliners, taking advantage of the $25 per person cover, which was 50% off the normal price. The service, presentation and quality of the food was amazing.

 

The entertainment was phenomenal and featured shows, singers, jugglers, bands and DJ's. In addition there were guest speakers almost everyday talking about the Roman Empire and airplanes and flying. The cruise director, Maarten, was friendly, visible and fun to be around.

 

The ports were wonderful and the three excursions we booked at home on the celebrity website were organized and informative.

 

The disembarkation was organized and efficient and there was no confusion as to where we should go and what we should do.

 

I loved the shows, Casablanca, the Serbian Band, Four Elements, the band from Poland, Sugar and Honey, the duet, and the gentleman playing the guitar. The Constellation orchestra was incredibly good and talented. We saw a violin lady from Poland, Savannah Smith the singer from Las Vegas, the juggler, the Phil Collins impersonator, Travis the singer, who was very talented and entertaining, and the amazing piano lady that used to play in China. The two DJ's, Lancero and Crazy Prince were amazing and kept the party going late into the night at the Reflections Lounge on deck 11 and on deck 4 outside the Martinini Bar.

 

The crew members were the friendliest and nicest I have been around on a cruise ship and they made the trip a delight. She ship was clean and I could not find anything wrong with it.

 

I purchased the standard $45 drinking package and drank a variety of drinks all day long, never having a problem getting a drink.

 

This was my favorite cruise ever and I did not have a boring moment, although it was a transatlantic and I thought I might be bored. I bought the unlimited internet for $179 and it was very fast and reliable.

 

I have posted the videos I personally filmed with my iPhone on youtube and they can be found searching for: "cruise addict". They cover the ship, excursions, food, drinks, shows, music and a host of other useful information. I hope that after watching the videos, you will see why I had such an amazing time onboard the Constellation and can't stop bragging about it.

 

I can't wait to do another transatlantic next spring as they are the most relaxing and fun way to get to Europe. The Celebrity Constellation and its crew made this my best cruise so far. I hope this review has been helpful and I hope you do not hesitate to book the Celebrity Constellation, because she is an amazing ship with an amazing crew. Bon Voyage, Robert Ghitea

[jayoldschool]

We love the Connie. Probably our favourite ship in the fleet after our last cruise. Thanks for sharing!

[Azulann]

Thank you for taking the time to post a review of your transatlantic cruise. I love the Constellation, it seem to always be going where I want to go next!

I wlll have the classic beverage package in June. I think I will wait a day or so and see if I need to upgrade.

 

I love the variety of entertainment you described at the different venues on board.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Thanks for not breaking her. We'll be boarding on May 31!

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[Clarea]

Thanks for the report.

[ChinchillaGrl]

Thank you for the review and for taking good care of our room for the May 9 Adriatic Cruise! We usually try to get a room further fore , past the library, so I was a little worried about the location and condition of cabins so far aft. We appreciare the reassurance.

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts.....:):):)

 

Bob

[twin123185]

It certainly was an excellent cruise. I was skeptical after our awful fall 2015 Silhouette transatlantic. My faith in Celebrity has been restored. Thanks for organizing the cabin crawl!

[C 2 C]

It certainly was an excellent cruise. I was skeptical after our awful fall 2015 Silhouette transatlantic. My faith in Celebrity has been restored. Thanks for organizing the cabin crawl!

 

What was so bad about your Silhouette experience?

 

We've been on for the last three weeks including the crossing.

Other than the roughest and coldest that we have experienced in a dozen or so crossings, life has been fine on board.

[twin123185]

What was so bad about your Silhouette experience?

 

 

 

We've been on for the last three weeks including the crossing.

 

Other than the roughest and coldest that we have experienced in a dozen or so crossings, life has been fine on board.

 

 

Hi, the food was generally horrific other than the Bistro on 5, the crew were generally uncaring and not nice, the entertainment was extremely mediocre. I will stop there. We did have amazing weather - best ever on a TA. Maybe a lot of crew were on their last cruise before signing off, I don't know but so much of this cruise was just "off". Glad your experience has been good!

[FlorenceItaly]

Great review, Robert. It was a pleasure meeting you. I wish we would have been able to spend more time with the group. As you know, we were traveling with DIL's parents. We all had a terrific time. It was a fabulous cruise!!! What Spring TA will you be on? Please keep the Roll Call updated on you future cruises. Thanks for taking the time to post a review. ETA: We had PERFECT weather on this crossing. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

 

Marie

Edited May 1, 2016 by FlorenceItaly

[tonyd285]

We were also on this cruise, in Aqua Class. The staff in Blu was beyond wonderful. Alex, the Maitre D' was the most accommodating and friendly we have ever encountered. The food was excellent, the presentation terrific and the menu included something for everyone. The lunches in the MDR, I felt, left much to be desired. The wait staff was generally attentive and friendly but the food and selection were not up to the usual Celebrity standard. The menu was repeated every couple of days. I felt the ship appeared a little tired. Some evidence of rust here and there, and the linens, especially the pillows, were pretty much worn out. Stains and tattered towels were the norm, the pillows had no life left in them. Our cabin attendant was great, his assistant not so much. I disagree on the Sugar and Honey duo. I thought they were at best amateurish and frankly I couldn't take their act. The guitarist was wonderful, the lectures were interesting and the entertainment generally enjoyable. After two tries in the casino I gave up. Those slots were really tight. My wife got annoyed at a bait and switch routine in the Canyon Ranch Spa. She complained but since they are a contract service the customer relations people couldn't intervene. The ports were great, the ships tours were excellent and overall we had a really nice time.

[billydog]

Thanks for the great review and videos.

 

Just a small thing. it can be very annoying to other patrons when someone is filming one of the shows on a smart phone. As in cinemas and theatres smart phones have no place in the theatre on a cruise ship. I presume you were in the back row and therefore not annoying anyone.

[croaziera]

Great review, Robert. It was a pleasure meeting you. I wish we would have been able to spend more time with the group. As you know, we were traveling with DIL's parents. We all had a terrific time. It was a fabulous cruise!!! What Spring TA will you be on? Please keep the Roll Call updated on you future cruises. Thanks for taking the time to post a review. ETA: We had PERFECT weather on this crossing. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

 

Marie

 

 

Hi, I am looking at the celebrity reflection April 22, 2017 16 nights from Miami to Rome. The itinerary looks wonderful and the ship is very classy. It was great meeting all of you and hope to cruise with you in the future. Robert

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[croaziera]

Thanks for the great review and videos.

 

 

 

Just a small thing. it can be very annoying to other patrons when someone is filming one of the shows on a smart phone. As in cinemas and theatres smart phones have no place in the theatre on a cruise ship. I presume you were in the back row and therefore not annoying anyone.

 

 

I had the brightness on the phone turned down very low as to not distract others and also to prolong the battery life. Also, I did sit in the back as to not have people behind me as much as possible. I wanted to show my non cruising friends and skeptics how wonderful the entertainment can be on a ship. My choice was the iPhone or my canon hd camcorder. The iPhone 6s Plus captured quality video, plus it is much smaller and thus less intrusive.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited May 1, 2016 by croaziera

[ketchum]

I had the brightness on the phone turned down very low as to not distract others and also to prolong the battery life. Also, I did sit in the back as to not have people behind me as much as possible. I wanted to show my non cruising friends and skeptics how wonderful the entertainment can be on a ship. My choice was the iPhone or my canon hd camcorder. The iPhone 6s Plus captured quality video, plus it is much smaller and thus less intrusive.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

 

D you remember the captain name?

[croaziera]

D you remember the captain name?

 

 

I don't remember his name just that he was Greek, seemed to be in his late 50's and was very friendly and approachable. I thought the staff were very approachable and visible throughout the cruise and especially during the 70's party in the lobby and the ABBA and Motown parties in reflections lounge on deck 11. Our cruise critic party was attended by close to 200 people and the captain, other staff members and cruise director Maarten were all in attendance.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[FlorenceItaly]

D you remember the captain name?

 

The following thread is a wealth of information. MANY THANKS to OP Arno!

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=49863103#post49863103

[twin123185]

Great review, Robert. It was a pleasure meeting you. I wish we would have been able to spend more time with the group. As you know, we were traveling with DIL's parents. We all had a terrific time. It was a fabulous cruise!!! What Spring TA will you be on? Please keep the Roll Call updated on you future cruises. Thanks for taking the time to post a review. ETA: We had PERFECT weather on this crossing. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

 

Marie

 

 

Ha ha I don't know what cruise you were on but I thought the weather was terrible. The sea days were cold and rainy. It was the worst of my 4 crossings weather wise.

[twin123185]

Hi, I am looking at the celebrity reflection April 22, 2017 16 nights from Miami to Rome. The itinerary looks wonderful and the ship is very classy. It was great meeting all of you and hope to cruise with you in the future. Robert

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app[/quote

 

I canceled this one. $1000 more than the one we just finished and I didn't feel like waiting for a price drop. That's per person $1000

Edited May 1, 2016 by twin123185

[FlorenceItaly]

Ha ha I don't know what cruise you were on but I thought the weather was terrible. The sea days were cold and rainy. It was the worst of my 4 crossings weather wise.

 

Really??!!! Too funny.

 

 

 

Marie

[twin123185]

Really??!!! Too funny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marie

 

 

Yeah! My November crossing last fall was 75-80 and sunny every day. That is funny how we differ on this.

[croaziera]

Yeah! My November crossing last fall was 75-80 and sunny every day. That is funny how we differ on this.

 

Two of my dinner table mates were from Florida and they thought the whole cruise was so cold, as they were always wearing sweatshirts and jackets. I made sure to make good fun of them when I saw them all bundled up. I sat by the pool and swam and even got a sunburn on my head and face. It looked good until two days later when I started peeling on my head and then it was not so cool looking Looking at my body, I can see the white, Portland, Oregon parts and the transatlantic sun tanned parts. It is always interesting to see the different perspectives people have on weather, shows, food, ship movement and actually, everything. What it means is that we are different and perceive things differently. The one day when we encountered some waves, my wife spent the whole day in her room, ordering room service and never leaving the room, as she was being affected by the movement. She even skipped the dinner in the dining room and I went by myself. I felt no adverse effects but instead ran on deck 11 and continued the drinking marathon with no negative effects.