Semi-live from the Celebrity Constellation 11 night departing 11/22

[FLCruiser97]

4 minutes ago, goldsmip115 said:

Good morning from the beautiful Constellation.  I don’t have a great deal of information about the ship….yet.  After being up since 3:45am yesterday it was an early night. I will say that in my nearly 30 years of cruising I have never quite experienced the level of warmth and caring and happiness from every single crew member we encounter.  And this is on top of what I considered to be amazing service on previous Celebrity cruises.  It is truly remarkable.  So that everyone knows, while I am blessed to sail in the top suite, the best part of every Celebrity cruise that I have taken has been the wonderful crew.  While Luminae was superb last night, being with Gede and trying to catch up on where many crew members are was my favorite part of the evening.  I could never measure up to the wonderful food photos that Jim posted so you won’t see as many of those.  I will say that I was thrilled to be reunited with my favorite smoked tomato soup and the lovely Caymus. Luminae is run beautifully under the watchful eye of Russell.  She is a gem. I honestly think I had the best sleep I’ve experienced in the last 2.5 years.  Awake at my usual 5am I had no trouble being lulled back to sleep for another 2 hours. Today will include some ship exploration as well as a long massage.  The hotel manager has requested a 10am meeting with us in the suite. I suspect that this will be where we are informed of the overweight baggage charges.  He is on his way now, so more updates later.

I did not know that cruise ships charged for overweight bags. How do they know if there are no scales at check-in? Or is this more of your quick wit @goldsmip115. LOL!!

[Want2Cruise 701]

Thank you for posting and taking the time.  Enjoying the review very much so far.

[kearney]

Hope you have a very pleasant cruise... we ended up cancelling back in early August when it looked like it would be a bit of a mystery cruise... missing Key West and Grand Cayman... and essentially replaced it with a Silhouette sailing a few weeks later.... which given the way Covid is active..who knows if that itinerary will face major changes as well.   Have fun for the rest of us. We are not suite users ourselves..but love hearing the reports from those who are and those who are not. 

[Jim_Iain]

13 hours ago, jules27556 said:

Sorry!  My 71 year old oops for today. BTW I was very much looking forward to hearing about the embarkation process in Tampa. (Observations at port) and first impression of ship's condition. Especially since the delay in Revolutionizing.  Unfortunately there was nothing.  Yes, I was disappointed.  Having read other's Live Reports, including yours,  my expectations were very different.

As a Solo cruiser and the premium you pay, Concierge class seems to work best for me.  This  is the first Live Report that left me with the impression that it would not be a report that would answer the

questions I have.  Your Live Reports never left me with the feeling it was a "Me, Myself &I" report or

a tool to convey how important you are.   I will practice my curtsy for His Highness!!🙃

LOL---    It's amazing how often we get addressed to Mr &  Mrs while on Celebrity cruises.  

 

I can definitely understand the costs of traveling as a single and I salute  you.    As much as I love to cruise,  I'm sure it would take a lot  personal pushing to get me to travel solo.    I had a tendency of isolating when traveling on business as I hate going into a restaurant and  sitting down to a nice meal by myself.  

 

There have been a couple Solo Live blogs lately and love hearing how relaxed they are and how much fun they are having.

 

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, FLCruiser97 said:

I did not know that cruise ships charged for overweight bags. How do they know if there are no scales at check-in? Or is this more of your quick wit @goldsmip115. LOL!!

LOL--- the remark was Tongue and Cheek.  

 

We had the privileged of Meeting Trish, Karen and George.    The were fantastic hosts and had us over for snacks and tour of the PH (after Revolution on Summit).   They also invited us for dinner in Luminae which was a really fun evening for all. 

 

Trish has a sly sense of humor and can be counted on dropping little joking asides in her personal life as well as her writing.    I respect that as I can be rather dry in my Live Reports and enjoy her light and entertaining style. 

[Projunior]

Just off the Constellation yesterday. Our cruise had approximately 670 passengers. I heard from a casino dealer as well as our MDR waiter that this current cruise (11/22 sailing) has around 1,200 passengers.

 

We enjoyed our cruise; this was our 36th, but we have never sailed on a cruise that was so dead at night. This sailing made a HAL cruise seems like a Carnival or NCL cruise. No one in the casino. No one in the disco (Reflections Lounge at night). Perhaps the additional passengers will liven things up. 

 

We found the ship to be in wonderful shape. The new carpeting is very attractive. Zero complaints re condition. Entire crew, everywhere, was delightful and warm and welcoming. Food in MDR was, by and large, very, very good every single night.

 

We had a Concierge cabin, the fifth time we had booked this category. Never met, saw or was contacted by our concierge. We didn't need any concierge service so it was not a big deal. On the other hand, it was weird to not even be provided contact information (hours, phone extension) in our cabin. Not sure what was going on there as this was in direct contrast to our prior experience with concierges on X, who have been, universally, personable and solicitous, almost to a fault.

[Ken the cruiser]

12 minutes ago, Projunior said:

Just off the Constellation yesterday. Our cruise had approximately 670 passengers. I heard from a casino dealer as well as our MDR waiter that this current cruise (11/22 sailing) has around 1,200 passengers.

 

We enjoyed our cruise; this was our 36th, but we have never sailed on a cruise that was so dead at night. This sailing made a HAL cruise seems like a Carnival or NCL cruise. No one in the casino. No one in the disco (Reflections Lounge at night). Perhaps the additional passengers will liven things up. 

 

We found the ship to be in wonderful shape. The new carpeting is very attractive. Zero complaints re condition. Entire crew, everywhere, was delightful and warm and welcoming. Food in MDR was, by and large, very, very good every single night.

 

We had a Concierge cabin, the fifth time we had booked this category. Never met, saw or was contacted by our concierge. We didn't need any concierge service so it was not a big deal. On the other hand, it was weird to not even be provided contact information (hours, phone extension) in our cabin. Not sure what was going on there as this was in direct contrast to our prior experience with concierges on X, who have been, universally, personable and solicitous, almost to a fault.

How was your internet service, if you used it? If you did, were you using the basic wifi service or did you upgrade to streaming? We found being in a SV on the Apex with the All Included package which includes the basic wifi service, we had to upgrade to streaming before we were able to get full service, such as being able to log onto the Cruise Critic boards or any other multi-layered website.

 

BTW when we were in a suite on the Edge back in August, it wasn't an issue as Suite guests automatically get the streaming wifi package.

Edited November 23, 2021 by Ken the cruiser

[FLCruiser97]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

LOL--- the remark was Tongue and Cheek.  

I thought so Jim, but who knows. I learn something new everyday from these ships.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

18 hours ago, goldsmip115 said:

I’m sorry that you perceive my report as being overbearing and demanding.  Please feel free to unsubscribe or just don’t read it. If it’s not of value based upon feedback that I receive I will happily save my time. I know that I have greatly appreciated many live from posts of the first sailings from the Constellation as well as many other ships.  Perhaps my attempt at humor fell flat.  

 

Please keep posting and don't let those who are jealous that you have chosen to spend your money on a higher category cabin than they have deter you.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I'm looking forward to seeing un-Hoppenized pictures of 6147.  Sounds like there's new carpeting but hopefully they didn't tear up that fabulous entry.  And the nice dressing table area by the master bath.  I have the Hoppenized version on the Summit in May.  A little worried about it.  The old version was pretty much perfection in my view.

[LGW59]

21 hours ago, retired dude said:

i want a report from someone who is a "common" non-demanding individual...Not everyone including my wife and I who have only sailed on 35 cruises are as demanding and overbearing as this. I just want a report from simple folks that sail in inside/ocean view/balcony cabins and have a broader view of what real life is like aboard the ship. god that felt good to say.

Jealousy changes nothing.  Move along nothing here for you to see

[jules27556]

3 hours ago, Projunior said:

Just off the Constellation yesterday. Our cruise had approximately 670 passengers. I heard from a casino dealer as well as our MDR waiter that this current cruise (11/22 sailing) has around 1,200 passengers.

 

We enjoyed our cruise; this was our 36th, but we have never sailed on a cruise that was so dead at night. This sailing made a HAL cruise seems like a Carnival or NCL cruise. No one in the casino. No one in the disco (Reflections Lounge at night). Perhaps the additional passengers will liven things up. 

 

We found the ship to be in wonderful shape. The new carpeting is very attractive. Zero complaints re condition. Entire crew, everywhere, was delightful and warm and welcoming. Food in MDR was, by and large, very, very good every single night.

 

We had a Concierge cabin, the fifth time we had booked this category. Never met, saw or was contacted by our concierge. We didn't need any concierge service so it was not a big deal. On the other hand, it was weird to not even be provided contact information (hours, phone extension) in our cabin. Not sure what was going on there as this was in direct contrast to our prior experience with concierges on X, who have been, universally, personable and solicitous, almost to a fault.

"This sailing made a HAL cruise seems like a Carnival or NCL cruise."  Although I have only read about HAL cruises, this statement really made me LOL!  Thank you for taking the time to provide the informative information!  Again from what I have read the Constellation is a very popular ship! Sounds as if Celebrity is doing a wonderful job keeping her in great shape for her guests!

[jules27556]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

LOL---    It's amazing how often we get addressed to Mr &  Mrs while on Celebrity cruises.  

 

I can definitely understand the costs of traveling as a single and I salute  you.    As much as I love to cruise,  I'm sure it would take a lot  personal pushing to get me to travel solo.    I had a tendency of isolating when traveling on business as I hate going into a restaurant and  sitting down to a nice meal by myself.  

 

There have been a couple Solo Live blogs lately and love hearing how relaxed they are and how much fun they are having.

 

I can certainly identify with business travel and dining.  Reading material never worked.  Thank goodness for room service!  The Silhouette will be a first in so many ways for me.  And who doesn't

get excited about meeting Royalty!  Yes I have seen a couple of the Solo Live.  Informative, interesting and clearly the author enjoying every moment!  Here is to April!!      

[goldsmip115]

Good afternoon from the beautiful Constellation. I’ve just returned from a wonderful Swedish massage so feeling gloriously relaxed.  First, I left you with the impending meeting with the lovely Hotel Diecror Srdjan Cetkovic.  He requested the meeting. He rang the bell, walked in and I invite him to sit at the dining room table.  He seemed visibly nervous.  He started out by saying that we would be having an awkward conversation, but that the Captain has noticed a distinct listing on the rear side of the ship where we are staying.  They believe that it is due to all of our luggage and wondered if they could possibly redistribute some of our personal possessions to other vacant cabins.  He indicated that we were ailing with around 1,200 passengers so there were 6 rooms available to accommodate our excess luggage. I acquiesced but insisted that we keep the 6 burner outdoor gas grill since we had to gift the convection oven and the dishwasher to the driver.  OK, folks, I’m done with the luggage jokes.  I never claimed to travel light but it’s not that bad.  We left the gas grill at home this time.  Seriously, he came to visit us to personally thank us for our loyalty to Celebrity through the pandemic and to say how happy he and all the crew were to welcome us back onboard and to thank us for our future bookings.  Once again, I became a member of the raccoon family and burst out crying. He then she’d tears with me. I will never forget this personal gesture and will be forever grateful to Celebrity for it. On to lunch in Luminae now.  My favorite frisée salad and the vegetable stir fry. And, of course, the opportunity to spend more time with Gede and the very entertaining Milo the sommelier.  Celebrity now serves an excellent true French champagne in Luminae. After popping the cork the took the basket and 2 minutes later presented us with an adorable Queen Anne chair and a cork table. I will treasure it forever.  So, two last things for now.  I promise to start posting more pictures. This gratefully is an 11 night cruise. What I will say thus far is that the ship is in pristine shape. Oh, during my 90 minute massage the therapist and I spoke the entire time. I learned so much about life on the ship in the 3 plus months leading up to the first sailing. It was fascinating and a real tribute to Celebrity.  So much to share.  Maybe tomorrow since we are in Nassau and I won’t be leaving the ship.  Now one last thing.  Happy Cruiser, you will be thrilled with the Penthouse Suite.  All the best of the best remains the same pre revolution.  The only differences are vastly improved verandah furnishings and no large area rug in the living room.  The hardwood floors are gleaming but the Hotel Director stated that the new area rugs are onboard and will be placed very soon.  I know that dressing area outside of the master bathroom was important to you.  It is still intact.  I had forgotten how much I missed it.  I promise to post pictures in the coming days as soon as the front end loaders arrive to remove the excess luggage so that it looks presentable.  LOL

[SHCMD]

Can’t wait to see your pictures and updates!  
Good luck with the luggage 😂

[Schmoe38]

1 hour ago, goldsmip115 said:

Good afternoon from the beautiful Constellation. I’ve just returned from a wonderful Swedish massage so feeling gloriously relaxed.  First, I left you with the impending meeting with the lovely Hotel Diecror Srdjan Cetkovic.  He requested the meeting. He rang the bell, walked in and I invite him to sit at the dining room table.  He seemed visibly nervous.  He started out by saying that we would be having an awkward conversation, but that the Captain has noticed a distinct listing on the rear side of the ship where we are staying.  They believe that it is due to all of our luggage and wondered if they could possibly redistribute some of our personal possessions to other vacant cabins.  He indicated that we were ailing with around 1,200 passengers so there were 6 rooms available to accommodate our excess luggage. I acquiesced but insisted that we keep the 6 burner outdoor gas grill since we had to gift the convection oven and the dishwasher to the driver.  OK, folks, I’m done with the luggage jokes.  I never claimed to travel light but it’s not that bad.  We left the gas grill at home this time.  Seriously, he came to visit us to personally thank us for our loyalty to Celebrity through the pandemic and to say how happy he and all the crew were to welcome us back onboard and to thank us for our future bookings.  Once again, I became a member of the raccoon family and burst out crying. He then she’d tears with me. I will never forget this personal gesture and will be forever grateful to Celebrity for it. On to lunch in Luminae now.  My favorite frisée salad and the vegetable stir fry. And, of course, the opportunity to spend more time with Gede and the very entertaining Milo the sommelier.  Celebrity now serves an excellent true French champagne in Luminae. After popping the cork the took the basket and 2 minutes later presented us with an adorable Queen Anne chair and a cork table. I will treasure it forever.  So, two last things for now.  I promise to start posting more pictures. This gratefully is an 11 night cruise. What I will say thus far is that the ship is in pristine shape. Oh, during my 90 minute massage the therapist and I spoke the entire time. I learned so much about life on the ship in the 3 plus months leading up to the first sailing. It was fascinating and a real tribute to Celebrity.  So much to share.  Maybe tomorrow since we are in Nassau and I won’t be leaving the ship.  Now one last thing.  Happy Cruiser, you will be thrilled with the Penthouse Suite.  All the best of the best remains the same pre revolution.  The only differences are vastly improved verandah furnishings and no large area rug in the living room.  The hardwood floors are gleaming but the Hotel Director stated that the new area rugs are onboard and will be placed very soon.  I know that dressing area outside of the master bathroom was important to you.  It is still intact.  I had forgotten how much I missed it.  I promise to post pictures in the coming days as soon as the front end loaders arrive to remove the excess luggage so that it looks presentable.  LOL

If you happen to find some spare time while you are transporting luggage to the empty staterooms, would you be open to sharing some comments with us in a different venue? We can be reached at rathwells at rogers dot com

 

Thanks so much

 

Randy and Connie

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, jules27556 said:

I can certainly identify with business travel and dining.  Reading material never worked.  Thank goodness for room service!  The Silhouette will be a first in so many ways for me.  And who doesn't

get excited about meeting Royalty!  Yes I have seen a couple of the Solo Live.  Informative, interesting and clearly the author enjoying every moment!  Here is to April!!      

 I love your sense of humor and look forward to Silhouette.     While April seems so far away it will be upon us before we know it.   

 

I don't want to get off topic on  Trish's thread so we can switch to our dreams of April on our Roll Call.   Or feel free to e-mail me (signature link) any time.

Jim

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, SHCMD said:

Can’t wait to see your pictures and updates!  
Good luck with the luggage 😂

This is the visual I had also and that was Trish's carry on.

[jules27556]

16 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 I love your sense of humor and look forward to Silhouette.     While April seems so far away it will be upon us before we know it.   

 

I don't want to get off topic on  Trish's thread so we can switch to our dreams of April on our Roll Call.   Or feel free to e-mail me (signature link) any time.

Jim

👍

[Ken the cruiser]

@goldsmip115have you been able to go to any evening shows or game shows yet? Looking to hear about some of the fun things to do your cruise. 

Edited November 24, 2021 by Ken the cruiser

[Reel Love]

Enjoying your report very much, goldsmip115, especially as we were to be on the Connie in September....would have been our first time on this particular Celebrity ship.  It is so wonderful to read the unbridled enthusiasm in your posts!  Continue to have a fabulous time 😊

[wrk2cruise]

Which Champagne were they serving in Luminae?  Cattier?

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

20 hours ago, goldsmip115 said:

Happy Cruiser, you will be thrilled with the Penthouse Suite.  All the best of the best remains the same pre revolution.  The only differences are vastly improved verandah furnishings and no large area rug in the living room.  The hardwood floors are gleaming but the Hotel Director stated that the new area rugs are onboard and will be placed very soon.  I know that dressing area outside of the master bathroom was important to you.  It is still intact.  I had forgotten how much I missed it.  I promise to post pictures in the coming days as soon as the front end loaders arrive to remove the excess luggage so that it looks presentable.  LOL

 

Yes, my cruising pal Randy had already reported to me on the current state of the un-Hoppenized version of the PH.  What makes me nervous is the Hoppenized version that I'm booked in.  I just hope the Connie sticks around long enough that I can experience it again.

[Schmoe38]

To All of Our Fellow Cruisers Celebrating Today

 

 

[LGW59]

On 11/22/2021 at 3:39 PM, retired dude said:

we are from ohio, thus the appreciation for the simple life.....life is good

Your jealousy is very unbecoming