Live from Constellation January 13-23, 2023

[BermudaBound2014]

Embarkation buffet: cliff notes, 7/10. I already see cut backs. No one will starve, but this buffet lacks the wow factor typically present on embarkation lunch. 
 

The most obvious is no meat carving station, instead they replaced it with a vegetable carving station(??). I like veggies but was looking forward to the embarkationroast beef which I’ve had on the last 30some cruises. 
 

The fresh grill is scaled back, but does have pork, chicken, and rock fish. If they offer this for dinner I will be totally satisfied

 

There  is a plentiful garden salad station or Caesar salad station. If they offer these choices for dinner i will also be satisfied.

 

The panini station was open. I opted for a tuna on croissant and a few fries (cold so I didn’t eat). The tuna was tasty and I’m totally satisfied.

 

First impressions of the ocean view embarkation lunch were that l, while cut backs are evident, everyone should be able to find something satisfactory. 
 

I took photos of every single station and offering:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[hcat]

Bon Voyage!

Hope you are able to sail out fog free..

Recent issue down here in..hopefully not this time around!

[BermudaBound2014]

5 minutes ago, hcat said:

Bon Voyage!

Hope you are able to sail out fog free..

Recent issue down here in..hopefully not this time around!

 

Absolutely no fog today. Based on my research fog comes when systems roll in from the south. Last night a much colder front moved in from the north. It’s only 60 degrees out right now even though the sun is shining. I normally prefer to take my meals outside, but it was just a tad too chilly right now (even with my humuhumukunukuapua’a hoodie) 🙂
 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[hcat]

buffet would be okay fo me..I like big salads for lunch..and the veggies looked very nice..  my husb would miss a meat carving sta but would survive

 

any soups for lunch?

[BermudaBound2014]

22 minutes ago, hcat said:

buffet would be okay fo me..I like big salads for lunch..and the veggies looked very nice..  my husb would miss a meat carving sta but would survive

 

any soups for lunch?

I did not see any soups, but I will take another look in case they are tucked away.

 

This buffet would work fine for me for dinner. I typically like a bigger lunch and do a nice salad/protein for dinner. 
 

Again, no complaints just observation that reductions are noticeable. The tuna croissant was tasty and the wait service has been very pleasant and quick.

 

Life is good. I’ve started using my drink package with an embarkation ritual. The High calorie , but absolutely delicious  mud slide- I prefer to drink my dessert calories.

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[cruisemom42]

Veggie carving station made me smile. I was envisioning a giant carrot on a spit with someone delicately carving off slices and placing them onto passenger plates.

 

[Jim_Iain]

I pulled up a chair and will be along to read your interesting Live Post.    Loving the details and the pictures.   I don't think we have ever been to Tampa and your pictures show a charm I would not have envisioned

 

Bon Voyage.

[songbird1329]

We didn’t stay in Tampa, we stayed with friends who live about 45 minutes away, so your photos of the port area show things I missed but would like to explore.  We also got lucky in avoiding fog.

 

your photos of the buffet are making me hungry!

[BermudaBound2014]

10 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I pulled up a chair and will be along to read your interesting Live Post.    Loving the details and the pictures.   I don't think we have ever been to Tampa and your pictures show a charm I would not have envisioned

 

Bon Voyage.

I was very pleasantly surprised with Tampa. If the day comes when I can no longer winter in Maui, I could be perfectly happy here.

[cruisemom42]

24 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Again, no complaints just observation that reductions are noticeable.

 

Do keep in mind the M-class ships have smaller buffets, and the Constellation did not get the buffet "makeover".

 

What you posted looks pretty similar to what I noticed on my October cruises at lunchtime on Connie, but I have to admit that I am not a big OVC fan under the best of circumstances and I normally only wander in for a light lunch -- a DIY nachos plate or a salad or similar. I never look at the carving station or "entree" options. 

 

Lunch at Sushi on 5 was pleasant. Also had the Spa lunch options a couple of times.

[countess5]

Settling in for a read along. Thanks for posting.

 

We set sail in two weeks! This will help get us there.

 

Cheers! 

[BermudaBound2014]

9 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Do keep in mind the M-class ships have smaller buffets, and the Constellation did not get the buffet "makeover".

 

I feel like I have very reasonable expectations for Celebrity and Connie. I don’t expect brand new or sparkles. She isn’t the first older 90K gross on ship I’ve sailed and this sailing was very inexpensive so i feel it isn’t fair for me to board with high expectations. I tend to like this size.

 

I don’t need a made over buffet, I just want fresh made to order items for dinner that have been present on each and every cruise I have ever taken :). Now that this is a solo cruise, I will probably take more dinners up here. I really don't enjoy sitting 6 inches from strangers, and while I always enjoy meeting  new people, I prefer to do it on other areas beside the mdr. 

[BermudaBound2014]

Hold the press!!! I did another circle around the buffet looking for soup (didn’t find any), but look what I did find!!! 
 

 

[hcat]

our winter home is an easy drive to Tampa..Def  on our to do list is a cruise, hopefully if Connie gets updated.  And we could be fog free!

 

we would plan  a pre cruise stay...  the hotel looked great, &  we would love to explore Ybor city,  the Aquarium  Riverwalk   and Tampa Zoo ( my grandson's favorite!)

 

 

[parrothead33]

Looking forward to following along and loving all the pictures so far.  Enjoy!

[hcat]

7 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Hold the press!!! I did another circle around the buffet looking for soup (didn’t find any), but look what I did find!!! 
 

 

very nice for my beef loving dh!

 

Connie was one of our favs..Sailed on here up to Canada and in the Carib...but it's been quite awhile.

 

do you think you will try rhe Spa?

[BermudaBound2014]

3 minutes ago, hcat said:

very nice for my beef loving dh!

 

Connie was one of our favs..Sailed on here up to Canada and in the Carib...but it's been quite awhile.

 

do you think you will try rhe Spa?

I have a pedicure booked tomorrow. These Michigan toes haven’t seen sandals since august. I doubt I will take any other treatments, but let me know if you have any specific questions about the spa.

[BermudaBound2014]

Checked in at the theatre and watched a gentleman put on a life vest. Easy peasy.

 

Rooms are ready. I got a letter from the Maitre’D asking me to dine between 8:45-9:00. I have select and that just isn’t going to happen. If I wanted to eat at that time we’d have signed up for late dining. I suspect this is a general letter sent to everyone. 

[BermudaBound2014]

This morning the app still hadn’t changed to reflect the $9.95 ($11.49) room service charge. Must admit I was a bit hopeful the changes wouldn’t be on Connie yet.

 

Currently the app does not show any room service options but the cards left in the room clearly show a charge.

 

BTW- the club is still on the menu and continental breakfast is complimentary. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Room service menu still  showing complimentary the night before sailing.

Edited January 13, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[BermudaBound2014]

I’m a lowly select member (told you I have zero brand loyalty ;)). 
 

Here are the offerings. I will sign up for the free pressing (i have linen pants), the backstage tour,  and perhaps wine tasting. 
 

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[BermudaBound2014]

Here is the planner for today. I’m trying to get as much posted as possible while I still have 5G. I’m signed up for premium but even in port it’s slow so I turned wifi off. 
 

 

 

 

[BermudaBound2014]

This was tonight’s menu that was posted to the app last night. Originally prime rib was on the menu for night one but that changed a week ago. I will miss it. I don’t notice any other changes to the menu since last night. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[clochette]

Thank you for sharing your adventure I look forward to following along.

[RichYak]

4 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

This was tonight’s menu that was posted to the app last night. Originally prime rib was on the menu for night one but that changed a week ago. I will miss it. I don’t notice any other changes to the menu since last night. 

On nights that you dine in OVC, will you be able to post photos of the actual MDR menu?

[mnocket]

The lunch buffet photos were actually encouraging to me.  If more frequent cruisers say there were cutbacks, I believe them, but to be honest if I was eating there I don't think I would have recognized the cutbacks.

 

I'm very much looking forward to the dinner buffet report.  Keeping fingers crossed!