Live From the Constellation - 11 Night Ultimate Caribbean and the Americas - February 13 to 24

[zgscl]

I normally do live threads the HAL board as I mostly have sailed with them - but you all have been so helpful and friendly as I have explored Celebrity I thought I would do a live thread over here. This will be my second X cruise, I was on the Solstice in November and had a wonderful trip (but was far too busy trying out everything for the first time to keep up with a live). For this trip I booked a Royal Suite (same category I had on Solstice) so I look forward to comparing the experience between ships and the brands. Like many of you I have also seen quite a bit of news recently in regards to onboard cutbacks, so I will certainly be reporting on that as well. Please let me know if there are any questions and I will certainly try to get answers while I am onboard. 

 

This cruise is actually a group cruise - some of you who follow the HAL boards may be familiar with Seth (HAL's former brand ambassador) did a number of group cruises while he was employed with them. My mom and I sailed on one in July & had a fabulous time. In August he started his own company doing group cruises. This is the first one he is doing so it will be very interesting to see how that goes! I am traveling solo so it will be nice to have a smaller group to connect with. I am also celebrating.a birthday onboard so that will be fun as well. 

 

I will be flying to Tampa on Saturday so that I have a couple days to relax and adjust to the new time zone. 

 

Excursions planned at the moment: 

 

Grand Cayman: Turtle Encounter and Cayman Turtle Conservation

Cartagena day 1: Exclusive group Evening tour (stay tuned) 

Cartagena day 2: No plans currently (I have a very substantial amount of OBC still so I will probably try to burn some at the Spa as they are quite good at taking your money)

Colon: Destination Highlight: Panama Canal Locks and Culebra Cut Cruise
Puerto Limon: Destination Highlight: Vintage Railway Journey
Cozumel: Small Group: Flavors and Traditions of Mexico
Last Sea Day: Inside Access: Behind-the-Scenes Ship Tour
 

Looking forward to bringing everyone along!

 

 

Edited February 9, 2023 by zgscl

[Florida_gal_50]

Looking forward to hearing all about it.  Have a wonderful birthday on board as well.

[cbfb]

I was looking at this cruise for next year so I’m looking forward to posts. Enjoy! 

[MikeMary4449]

We will be onboard with you.  See you in Michael's Club!

Mike and Mary

[Barwick Cruiser]

We are boarding Silhouette on the same day so I’ll have to catch up when we return. Hope you have a wonderful trip and a very happy birthday..best place to celebrate for sure! I’m sure you’ll be quite spoiled by the amazing X staff, although they’re wonderful no matter what level cabin you have.
 

Unless you go looking I doubt you’ll notice any cutbacks being in the Royal Suite lol, we’re in a regular veranda so it’ll be interesting to see the differences from our Sept cruise on Eclipse. Your tours all sound  really interesting as well, thanks for reporting back! 🥂🚢

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for your live post.   I'm definitely in  need of another cruise fix.

 

I love that Itinerary and sure you will have a wonderful time.

 

Hope you have a Wonderful Birthday.    Celebration at Sea is always so much fun.

 

[clochette]

cruise report is what is getting me through very grey and dreary day, thank you for taking us along

[mahdnc]

Nice ship, crew, and itinerary.  Happy Birthday (in advance).

Edited February 9, 2023 by mahdnc

[Gaynors]

Following along...Thank you for doing a live from the Constellation!

 

I'll be on her for my first ever Transatlantic in April and enjoy keeping up with what is currently going on onboard. 

Hope you have an awesome cruise and birthday!

 

 

[canadianbear]

Will also be following along on your cruise on here as we haven’t cruised since December 2019!

 

We are regular HAL cruises and have done one Celebrity cruise in a Sky Suite (I think that’s what it was called).  The Celebrity suite perks put the HAL Neptune suites to shame.  I loved Michael’s Club and the private dining for suite guests.  Also having reserved seating for suite guests at their shows was a great perk.  
 

Have a great time and enjoy your birthday on board.  Thanks for taking us along!

[zgscl]

On 2/9/2023 at 4:29 PM, canadianbear said:

Will also be following along on your cruise on here as we haven’t cruised since December 2019!

 

We are regular HAL cruises and have done one Celebrity cruise in a Sky Suite (I think that’s what it was called).  The Celebrity suite perks put the HAL Neptune suites to shame.  I loved Michael’s Club and the private dining for suite guests.  Also having reserved seating for suite guests at their shows was a great perk.  
 

Have a great time and enjoy your birthday on board.  Thanks for taking us along!

Thank you! And yes, the sky suite is a rough equivalent of the Neptune but a bit smaller in terms of square footage. Celebrity definitely has a much wider range of suites than HAL.

[zgscl]

Thank you all for the bon voyages and birthday wishes! 

 

I made it to Tampa, the flight was uneventful but quite turbulent at the end - I just saw in the news several people on a flight to Tampa yesterday. It is quite humid & has been raining on and off. Weather for the cruise is looking good though! 

 

I flew in on Delta and had a choice of a quiche, french toast or charcuterie board. I went with the quiche which was actually quite good. 

 

Tomorrow morning I am having breakfast with a friend and we have a group dinner at the Columbia Restaurant which is the oldest restaurant in Florida and the world's largest Spanish Restaurant. Can't wait to board the ship Monday! 

[Cruising Barney]

We are on basically the same itinerary sailing March 6th in a Celebrity Suite. While we are Diamond Plus on Royal this is our first time on Celebrity. So I’m anxious to read your impressions.  

Bon Voyage 

[zgscl]

Good evening! 
Boarding was very smooth. There was a separate line for Retrear/Zenith with separate security and a waiting room with some refreshments. I arrived around 11:30 and was quickly escorted onboard. 
 

Lots of photos for later once I can get them uploaded, but the biggest update is the buffet. 
 

I just did a full circuit of the OV cafe and as far as I can tell every station is open and serving for dinner. 

[zgscl]

Ok I take it back. There was one station that was closed. To be honest I’m not sure what is supposed to go there. It’s on the starboard side just past the salad bar and across from Beverages. They had it set up to sell sodas. 
 

Anyways lots of options - stir fry, pasta multiple main dishes, salad, desert, pizza, Asian station. 

[kannna]

We just got off today! Had such a wonderful time. The crew is so great. Enjoy!

[cluso]

Also on the March 6th version of your trip.  Only difference is we go to Key West instead of Grand Cayman.  Following along, enjoy!

[thebutlerdidit]

I’m following along too! The only M-Class ship I’ve yet to sail is the Constellation. She remains on my bucket list, along with the Solstice in the S-Class lineup. 

[SunSandSea]

Looking forward to your impressions.  We will be sailing next on her when you leave.

 

Have a great vacation! 

[dock]

Will be following along. Thank you for taking the time. 

[MidWestCruisingFoodie]

Thanks for sharing your trip! We are on virtually the same itinerary, leaving March 6th, and two of the same shore excursions. Looking forward to your observations. 

 

Edited February 19, 2023 by MidWestCruisingFoodie

[Swordfish1949]

Thanks for your review - we sailed an itinerary very close to yours in 2018 and loved it.

And Happy Birthday.....Luminae always does up birthdays right.....Enjoy!

[MeganGC1983]

Here and following along since I will be on my first Celebrity cruise in April and “going live”. Hope you have a fantastic time. 

[Spikedr]

1 minute ago, MeganGC1983 said:

Here and following along since I will be on my first Celebrity cruise in April and “going live”. Hope you have a fantastic time. 

Which ship? Constellation? I love your reviews!

[MeganGC1983]

Just now, Spikedr said:

Which ship? Constellation? I love your reviews!

Oh thank you! Millennium. I know it’s older and smaller, but the itinerary and the price was right.