Constellation - Abu Dhabi to Civitavecchia LIVE(ish)

[UKPete71]

The ship left Abu Dhabi yesterday so I’m playing a bit of catch-up to begin with.

 

I’m travelling with my DW and MiL. We have sailed previously with Celebrity, although only on S class ships. My MiL has only sailed with Celebrity once before. She normally cruises with P&O but wants to go too Petra so tagged along for the ride.

 

Having spent three nights in Dubai pre-cruise we got a taxi to the terminal. The journey took around 80 minutes and I’m just glad the taxi had lane departure warnings too keep the driver awake! [emoji54]

 

We had booked a GTY veranda. The stateroom we were assigned is on deck 7, with a slightly larger balcony as we are on an angle.

The stateroom is noticeably smaller that on an S class ship, which will take a little getting used to. Saying that I’m not sure we’ll be spending too much time in it over the next 15 days, when not sleeping anyway.

 

 

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[UKPete71]

As we didn’t get on board until around 2.30pm the cabins were ready so we were able to drop off the hand luggage we had chosen to take on ourselves. We then had a walk around the ship to try and get our bearings a little.

 

I was surprised to see the theatre door was open so we popped in and had a look.

As we went through the casino I found the bar, although it was still closed as we were in port.

We stopped by the MDR and was advised Select Dining would be on the lower level. This will be a first for us as we’ve always been on the higher level for Select Dining on either Eclipse or Reflection.

By the time we reached the Oceanview Cafe lunch had finished serving so it was a choice of either Pizza or Pasta. We headed for the Pool Grill instead for a burger and hot dog. The was live music playing by the pool, and it was very loud for those eating near the Pool Grill.

 

After we ate we walked up the steep stairs at the back of the ship by the Sunset Bar to the Roof Terrace. I can see us watching a film or two there during the cruise.

Time was now getting on and the Muster Drill was upon us. We were in the Rendezvous Lounge, with what seemed like half the ship. By the time we arrived it was standing room only, so my DW sat on the floor.

 

When we arrived our stateroom numbers were checked off a manifest. I can only imagine quite a few people arrived ahead of the Muster crew as around 30 stateroom numbers were called out during the drill to check attendance.

 

After the drill we went to the Sunset Bar briefly.

Sail away was meant to be 6pm but we left late. Coupled with the first show starting at 7pm it was going to be a push to do both, so we went back to our stateroom to get ready for the evening.

 

 

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[HeddaGarbled]

Thank you for doing this. We're on Constellation in August so it's great to see such clear pictures of the dining room etc.

[UKPete71]

Thank you for doing this. We're on Constellation in August so it's great to see such clear pictures of the dining room etc.

 

No problem, enjoy the pics as it prepares you for your cruise. There’ll be plenty more added over the next 15 days.

 

 

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[UKPete71]

The Celebrity Today for embarkation day, Sunday 22 April.

We have no plans for speciality restaurants at the moment. I’m not sure whether that will change as we go through the cruise. My initial thoughts are we’ll dine in the MDR each day. The one exception may be when we are in Jordan as the tour we have booked to Petra gets us back to the ship around 8.30pm.

 

Here’s the MDR menu for Sunday.

We arrived at the MDR just after 8pm and was given a pager whilst we waited for a table to become available. We waited in the Rendezvous Lounge for about 15 minutes before the pager alerted us that a table was ready. My MiL dined with us. Normally she likes to eat earlier but for the first night she wanted to eat with us. From tonight she’ll head to the MDR and join a shared table when she’s ready. We’ll likely eat after the first show each day.

 

 

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[molly2kit]

Hello UKPete71. Thank you for doing this review as I am looking at this itinerary in the future. Would love to know what hotel you stayed at before the cruise as I will plan for 3-4 days prior

 

Thanks. Marlene

 

 

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[UKPete71]

Hello UKPete71. Thank you for doing this review as I am looking at this itinerary in the future. Would love to know what hotel you stayed at before the cruise as I will plan for 3-4 days prior

 

Thanks. Marlene

 

We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. It was a short taxi ride to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa and around 40/45AED to get to the old town. We arrived late on Thursday so only had two full days there. We didn’t plan on doing much. It was our first time in Dubai and it now gives us a better understanding of where things are for when we return. We paid 300AED for the taxi to the cruise terminal. I had priced it using an UberXL at over 500AED. [emoji54]

 

 

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[Chrissi3010]

Thanks for taking the time to post your impressions. :-)

 

On the one hand, I also want to do this particular cruise one day, on the other hand we will embark the Connie when you arrive in Civitavecchia. So very interesting to read what is going on on board. ;-)

 

Regards from Germany

Christine

[molly2kit]

We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. It was a short taxi ride to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa and around 40/45AED to get to the old town. We arrived late on Thursday so only had two full days there. We didn’t plan on doing much. It was our first time in Dubai and it now gives us a better understanding of where things are for when we return. We paid 300AED for the taxi to the cruise terminal. I had priced it using an UberXL at over 500AED. [emoji54]

 

 

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Much appreciated......Thank you

 

 

 

Marlene

 

 

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[UKPete71]

Thanks for taking the time to post your impressions. :-)

 

On the one hand, I also want to do this particular cruise one day, on the other hand we will embark the Connie when you arrive in Civitavecchia. So very interesting to read what is going on on board. ;-)

 

Regards from Germany

Christine

 

Here are the current officers on board.

 

 

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[GMCL]

UKPete71 thanks for the live review and photos. Will be on Connie in July. Looking forward to reading your posts. Enjoy your cruise.

[gerelmx]

UKPete71 Thank you for sharing, following your review like your past TA.

[Kiwifromkiev]

No problem, enjoy the pics as it prepares you for your cruise. There’ll be plenty more added over the next 15 days.

 

 

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Hi UKPete :) following with anticipation as we are looking at a similar cruise in a couple of years - only perhaps with another line. Looking forward to hear you experience and it is so nice to see Connie again! [emoji7]

 

 

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[UKPete71]

UKPete71 thanks for the live review and photos. Will be on Connie in July. Looking forward to reading your posts. Enjoy your cruise.

 

Thanks. I hope following along gives you some insight in to the ship.

 

 

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[UKPete71]

UKPete71 Thank you for sharing, following your review like your past TA.

 

Welcome back. [emoji41] I hope you enjoy reading along.

 

 

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[UKPete71]

Hi UKPete :) following with anticipation as we are looking at a similar cruise in a couple of years - only perhaps with another line. Looking forward to hear you experience and it is so nice to see Connie again! [emoji7]

I think Petra is a big draw for this itinerary. We are also fans of sea days, which is just as well as we only have 4 ports of call for a 15 night cruise. [emoji23]

 

 

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[UKPete71]

Here is the Celebrity Today for Monday 23rd April.

 

 

 

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[sddsddean]

What!!!...no trivia??!! How am I going to survive on my Connie cruise in 9 months?

 

Simon

[UKPete71]

What!!!...no trivia??!! How am I going to survive on my Connie cruise in 9 months?

 

 

 

Simon

 

There are three lots of trivia listed on today’s planner. [emoji846]

 

 

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[sddsddean]

There are three lots of trivia listed on today’s planner. [emoji846]

 

 

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Ah, its 'cos it says 'Celebrity Life Activity' not 'Morning Trivia' or something...activity sounds far too energetic!!

 

Simon

[NickfromNJ]

UKPete71, Thanks for your "Live" first hand impressions of the Constellation. We are cruising her for the next 21 days after you dis-embark in Civitavecchia. After many memorable cruises on the Summit we are looking forward to the same Celebrity experience on the Constellation.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

 

Nick

[Captain100]

Thank you so much for the Pictures & info! Could you also post a picture of a wine list and the menue of the "Luminae" restaurant? Thanks!

Have a great trip!

 

Goetz

[UKPete71]

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

 

 

 

Nick

 

Thanks Nick. 21 days? Wow! We’d love to do a B2B on a ship. One day! [emoji23]

 

 

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[TeaBag]

UK Pete, thank you so much for doing such a detailed report with pictures too. You know what happened to us, therefore, you know how much I'm appreciating this. See you on Silhouette in Nov.

[UKPete71]

UK Pete, thank you so much for doing such a detailed report with pictures too. You know what happened to us, therefore, you know how much I'm appreciating this. See you on Silhouette in Nov.

 

I’m glad you can follow along. We will see you later in the year. [emoji1360]

 

 

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