Connie vs Millie- any major difference?

[Commieri]

They're sister ships but wondering if anyone who's sailed both think there are any major differences in the look or vibe of the two ships? We are booked on another 7 day Millie next year ( same cruise we did this year) but thinking about changing to the 10 day on Connie.

[rebeccalouise]

I have sailed both. I did the 14 night TA on Millenium in 2005 and LOVED it. I didn't think I could ever top that cruise. Then I saw a 12 night out of Cape Liberty, NJ and thought- "What the heck, I'll give Constellation a try".

 

It was even better than Millenium, which I didn't think possible.

 

Go with the 10 night on Constellation. You won't be sorry. It is the same design as Millenium but the decor is even nicer. The rooms are coral and green, which sounds garish but it is not. The public spaces are really sophisticated with earthy tones and cool blues.

 

Both ships are identical otherwise but I think the longer cruises are always nicer.

 

I am doing Millenium again this July (Western Med) and can't wait!

[Commieri]

My sister claimed that "someone said Connie is not as nice as Millie" and I have never seen that on these boards.

 

Oh boy, it is so hard to decide what to do... the 10 day prices have seemed to go up recently ...so though we originally thought it would not cost much more to do the 10 when you add in the higher prices, taxes and 3 more days of tips it is significantly more.

 

that being said, and having done 10 day ones in my younger days, I agree that the longer ones are the best.

[rebeccalouise]

10 day or longer cruises are awesome. I prefer them.

 

As for Constellation... it is nicer than Millenium. Read some of the cruise rating on Cruise Critic and Constellation is number one usually. I am a fan of both ships and am sailing Millenium (so I still love her!).

[dagadget]

10 day or longer cruises are awesome. I prefer them.

 

As for Constellation... it is nicer than Millenium. Read some of the cruise rating on Cruise Critic and Constellation is number one usually. I am a fan of both ships and am sailing Millenium (so I still love her!).

 

 

What I have found is the newer ships in a Class rate higher than the original ships of a class. Millie and Connie is no exception to this. The same holds true for the Voyager class (RCCL) Voyager and Mariner Mariner is the newest and the changes to her make her a favorite of the line. We have sailed Millie and We would sail her again. I would also sail Connie in a minute as well.

[Andy]

They're sister ships but wondering if anyone who's sailed both think there are any major differences in the look or vibe of the two ships? We are booked on another 7 day Millie next year ( same cruise we did this year) but thinking about changing to the 10 day on Connie.

 

Hi Commieri !

 

Both ships are wonderful. You wont go wrong with either of them. As for itinerary, and if ports are very important to you, I would highly recommened the 10 night Constellation itinerary over the 7 night Millennium. The 10 night Constellation IMHO, is Celebrity's best Caribbean itinerary.

 

Good luck in picking which option works best for you !

[Spender Nui]

I've sailed on all of the Millenium ships more than once. They are, as so many have noted, very similar. When sailing ships who are so closely alike I'd choose the itinerary that I wanted most. If itinerary was not important I'd go for the newer ship.

[Bruin Steve]

I've sailed on the Millennium once (13 nights), the Constellation twice (7 and 14) and the Summit once (7)...and frankly, I really couldn't notice a single difference between any of these ships...

 

Yeah, there's always a slight difference in age...which may account for some minor differences in maintenance, wear and tear, etc.

 

And the color schemes may be slightly different...(Does that really matter?)...All of the Celebrity ships are tastefully and elegantly decorated...

 

The bottom line is when choosing between any of the M-Class ships, feel completely free to choose based soley on the itinerary, the costs, etc.--all of the "other" factors...

[katiebeth]

Dear Bruin Steve,

 

So good to see your post. I guess I have not been on the boards as much lately, but have not seen any of your posts recently. You were very helpful last year when we were planning our Med. cruise. I took you advice and took the Capri, Sorrento, and Pompeii tour through Celebrity and it was terrific!! It was truly one of the highlights of our cruise. We LOVED the Med. and cannot wait to go back. I also followed your posts on the Oceania boards regarding your Med. cruise with them. We were seriously considering going with Oceania this summer on our Baltics cruise but opted to go with Celebrity (partly based on your Oceania review). We have always been fans of Celebrity and decided to stick with a good thing. The Oceania Baltic itinerary was very tempting though, particularly the Kiel Canal. I also understand that since their ships are smaller that they often dock closer to the actual port city than some of the larger ships.

 

Anyway, I saw where you have done Northern Europe on the Constellation. We are sailing her on June 30th on a 14 night Baltics cruise. We begin in Dover and end in Copenhagen. We sailed on the Constellation in July of 2003 when she was only 10 months old. We took the Northern Europe and Norwegian Fjords cruise. It was terrific and we LOVED the Constellation. (of course, she was brand new!!)

 

I was wondering if you had any tips for things "not to be missed"! Did you stop in Warnemunde, Germany? If so, did you go into Berlin? We like to do a mix of private, "on your own", and Celebrity sponsored excursions.

 

I really value your opinions and suggestions. You are always so "fair and balanced".

 

Happy Sailings,

 

Nancy

[rebeccalouise]

Oceania versus Celebrity

 

We did a Caribbean Cruise on the Oceania Regatta in January and had a wonderful time. The average age on board is about 65. If you are looking for casinos or nightlife- this is not the ship for you.

 

If you like a refined cruise experience, with a wonderful afternoon tea (It was great!), country club casual attire, no set times for meals except in the specialty restaurants where you have to reserve a table, some of the best food I have ever had afloat, a lovely library, almost no one swimming in the pool or using the hottubs, a great free steamroom in the ladies room at the spa, and a pleasant happy staff that really gets to know you- then Oceania is for you.

 

For an itinerary intensive cruise, shipboard activities aren't going to really matter. There are trivia games, bingo and nice nighttime entertainment. We did family fued (and lost miserably) and I was the magicians helper.

 

I really had a great time on Oceania. There were not long lines for tendering or disembarkation.

 

The prices are just to steep for me though. I have just as much fun on Celebrity.

 

One serious concern I have about Oceania is that the ships really aren't designed for handicapped people. The doors are not electronic and are extremely heavy. Hallways are narrow and there is a threshold where the hall meet the landing to the elevators. Not a good choice for wheelchairs. My 70 year old, 100 pound stepmother had problems with the doors. I am 41 and had to use all my strength to open the balcony doors. The suites are nice but I had a Conceirge Balcony and it felt smaller than Celebrity. Bedlinens were very nice. Bathrooms were typical of all ships.

 

Another consideration is that you really feel movement on board. The Caribbean was like glass but dining in the specialty restaurants located aft on the highest floor- I felt queasy some nights at dinner and I generally don't get seasick. Anytime the ship is moving you do feel more movement then on larger ships. This didn't bother my group. In fact, they liked feeling a bit of movement. But if anyone has trouble walking, it would be more difficult on this ship than on a larger one.

 

My father is taking the entire family on Oceania in January. I opted out because there wasn't enough to do on board for 15 days. I know, I am a spoiled person. But if I were to take time off work, I want to be with people my own age and Oceania is really geared to a much older crowd. But for my parents (both 70), my Aunt (65) and Uncle (75)- it offers them what they term "a floating retirement home".

 

Medical facilities on board and spa services are VERY expensive.

 

I had a great time though on Oceania but would probably have more fun at my age on Celebrity.

[Rev22:17]

Commieri,

 

They're sister ships but wondering if anyone who's sailed both think there are any major differences in the look or vibe of the two ships? We are booked on another 7 day Millie next year ( same cruise we did this year) but thinking about changing to the 10 day on Connie.

 

I have been on both. A few facilities are in different places, but these ships are basically equivalent. The one thing that would give the nod to GTS Millennium over GTS Constellation is that the desecration of the night club that turned it into the "Bar at the Edge of the Earth" for the Cirque du Soleil debaucle remains in place. It looks about as classy as a college dorm room after a good "toilet papering" -- that is, after half a dozen or so rolls of toilet paper come unravelled and drape over anything and everything from which they can dangle....

 

Norm.

[rebeccalouise]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I thought that the Bar at the Edge of the Earth was really fun and funky. I like the tented beds and the decor. I was really impressed with it. I didn't think it was tacky but I can understand that it wouldn't be for everyone. The rest of the ship is pretty sophisticated and formal- so I think this disco is kind of different and unconventional. I really liked it. I don't care for the sports bar but others might like that.

There really is something for everyone on board. I hung out in the Rendevous Lounge and waltzed. I only went to Disco with my son when the kids were invited there for kids disco night. I also took the ballroom dance lessons in there and went to an Easter egg hunt at the Bar at the Edge of the Earth.

[Jim_Iain]

We have sailed Millennium 4 times and Constellation twice. Millennium was the first Celebrity ship we sailed and I have a special place in my heart for her. While both ships are reasonably the same, I have found that Constellation is just a tiny better in all areas than the other M-Class ships. Food, Friendliness, Cleanliness, Entertainment.

 

Minor differences I have noticed -

 

Constellation has DVD's in the suites - Millennium has VCR's.

 

Constellations Royal Suites decks have a full privacy awning while Millennium only has a cover the hot tub.

 

Specialty Restaurants - My preference is Olympic (the warm paneling is so warm and luxurious)

 

Millennium is currently in dry dock so possibly some of these differences will go away. I hear the hole in the Martini Bars is going away and being replaced with a Piano, The Bedding has been upgraded, etc

 

Jim

[Bruin Steve]

I was wondering if you had any tips for things "not to be missed"! Did you stop in Warnemunde, Germany? If so, did you go into Berlin? We like to do a mix of private, "on your own", and Celebrity sponsored excursions.

 

Hi, Nancy,

Yeah, I haven't been on this board as much of late...more spread around on other boards since we're planning this summer's Royal Caribbean/Carnival Liberty/Liberty Caribbean cruise (long story, but, basically, the RCI is a free Visa card cruise and the Carnival was just the only one that we could back it with that fit properly into the schedule)...

 

No, we didn't stop in Warnemunde when we did the Baltic. My parents did when they were on the Connie year before last and took the Celebrity excursion on "Jewish Berlin"...They told me it was a long bus ride and only a fair tour. Any more I don't know--I haven't been to Warnemunde/Berlin...yet...'

 

Here are my quick notes on the ports I have visited:

 

Oslo, Norway: We did a ship's excursion here...all of the ship's excursions seemed to be some combination of the ski jump, the open air museum, the Vigelund Sculpture Park and/or one or two other sites...Ours was the first three...and not all that exciting...I'd maybe just go into town and the sculpture park on my own. After the excursion we wasndered the fortress right next to the docks on our own. Not my favorite port.

 

Gdansk (Gdynia), Poland: We did a full day excursion with a half day tour , then "on your own" time. Where the shiop docks is actually a considerable distance from the town. Really pays to have an excursion or a tour lined up. The town is remarkably enchanting.

 

St. Petersburg, Russia: There's really no choice here. You cannot wander on your own without a special visa...and the port is in an industrial area sort of off on its own. We did shore excursions both days all day...and the ballet on the night in between. Many on our cruise used "Red October" tours and were happy with them. Make sure you tour the Hermitage in the morning, before the crowds...and don't miss the Peterhof.

 

Helsinki, Finland: We passed on the ships excursions and instead took a City Tour through one of the local companies that sells tickets at a kiosk along the "Esplinade"...of course the tour was by headphones rather than with a "live" guide...but we saved considerably on the cost...the tour allowed us to hop on and off and we visited the Lutheran Cathedral, the Russian Cathedral and the "Rock" Church...

 

Stockholm, Sweden: We took a city tour here combined with a tour of the Vasa Museum...Quite simply, do not miss the Vasa Museum...

 

Tallinn, Estonia: Here we shunned the tours and did our own walking tour using Rick Steve's Scandinavia guide outline...We pretty much saw everything the ship's walking tours did, but at our own pace...and were able to stop at a cafe for a coffee mid-tour...

 

Copenhagen, Denmark: We spent several days here pre-cruise one cruise...as well as stopping with the Connie...Since we had already seen a lot of the city, it made our tour choices somewhat easy this last time...We only took the nighttime canal boat ride through the ship during the "overnight" since the ride was not offered at that time to the general public...It was not nearly as long and comprehensive as the daytime ride we took on our first trip here, but enjoyable and scenic nonetheless...I recommend that at some time during your stay, you take one of these (You can pick them up on your own during the day if you want at Nyhavn or at Gammel Stam...The rest of ou time this last trip, we merely wandered on our own, walking from the ship past Nyhavn and down the Stroget (the great walking/shopping promenade) and ending up at the Glyptotek Museum (one of Beth's favorites) ...we took the ship's shuttle back to the ship...Prior trip, we also toured Rosenborg Castle - used a guide named Richard Karpen...an American expatriate...see here:

 

http://www.copenhagenwalks.com/1024x768/ph_General.htm

 

Tour was a "group", not private...but he's very knowledgable...and he does hire out to private tours as well...

 

We also visited Tivoli...and, franklly, we hated it...sort of an amateurish amusement park...but overly crowded and noisy...Didn't go back the last time though it seemed to be a big seller on the ship...

 

Anyway, hope this helps, any questions, just ask...

 

Have fun...

[katiebeth]

Dear Steve,

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to post. I always appreciate your insights and comments.

 

We were in Copenhagen in July of 2003 and must agree with your assessment of Tivoli. We were rather "underwhelmed" and didn't really think it was worth the price of admission. We visited during the day and

have read that many prefer Tivoli at night. The city of Copenhagen itself is so charming and we really enjoyed our day there. This time we overnight on the ship and then have two additional nights in Copenhagen once we disembark. We are looking forward to have more time to explore this marvelous city.

 

You reinforced what I have read about the Vasa Musuem in Stockholm. We have it down as a must see.

 

I noticed that you depart on your Caribbean cruise on June 30th. Our cruise departs the same day out of Dover!! I hope you have a terrific time and enjoy the B2B experience!! We have never done the back to back, but hope to do so sometime in the not too distant future.

 

To the O.P. --I have sailed on both the Millennium and the Constellation. While it is probably not a fair comparison since the Constellation was only 10 months old at the time we sailed her, we definitely prefered the Constellation. Obviously, the Constellation was in tip top shape, but I also prefered the color scheme. The ships are identical as far as lay-out but I really thought the Millennium was showing her age last summer when we sailed her. (Med. cruise) We had a terrific time but the ship didn't seem to be as well kept as the other Celebrity ships we have sailed. The public areas were mostly fine, but we noticed quite a bit of wear and tear in our stateroom and the buffet dining area. This may sound trivial but I also noticed that the windows on the ship were fairly dirty throughout the cruise. (I had never noticed this before on any cruise ship). We sailed on Infinity in 2005 and felt the ship was in very good shape (better than the Millennium). Please don't get me wrong, the Millennium is in good shape and the crew work hard to keep things tidy, but it seemed that the staterooms were in need of some refurbishment. I don't think my husband really noticed any difference, but I am admittedly rather particular. Either way you will have a great time. Celebrity offers a very nice onboard experience.

 

We are looking forward to being on the Constellation again this summer!

 

Thanks again, Steve. Happy Sailings!

 

Nancy

[Lois R]

Hi,:) to the Original Poster...I am another one who has sailed

both ships.

I would sail either one again without hesitation.:)

I sailed Millennium for the first time in December and had

a wonderful time. Constellation was back in December 2004

and that was a fantastic cruise as well.

 

If your schedule fits the 10 dayer....then I would

say go for it:D.

In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with either ship.

[cruiselover68]

I've been on Millenium(2 times) and Connie(7 times) and like them both the same.

I am going on Millenium again May 3 Med cruise and cannot wait.

[cruiselover68]

I have sailed both. I did the 14 night TA on Millenium in 2005 and LOVED it. I didn't think I could ever top that cruise. Then I saw a 12 night out of Cape Liberty, NJ and thought- "What the heck, I'll give Constellation a try".

 

It was even better than Millenium, which I didn't think possible.

 

Go with the 10 night on Constellation. You won't be sorry. It is the same design as Millenium but the decor is even nicer. The rooms are coral and green, which sounds garish but it is not. The public spaces are really sophisticated with earthy tones and cool blues.

 

Both ships are identical otherwise but I think the longer cruises are always nicer.

 

I am doing Millenium again this July (Western Med) and can't wait!

 

Hi Rebecca,

 

You probably would like to know that Ianita will join Millenium April 21. Remember last year in October when I was going on Connie you asked me to say Hello to her from you, so I did and she remembered you very well.

Have a good cruise, I am going on Millie May 3.

[rebeccalouise]

Thank you so much for that information. That would have been a really pleasant surprize on Millenium! Did you have the reflexology foot massage? I thought that was one of the best treatments I have had on a ship.

[generaljar]

My friends, family, and I love the Millennium class ships. We have sailed on all 4 and have a hard time saying that we like one more than the other. Yes, the Constellation is exceptional, but we are going on our 3rd trip aboard Millie this July and can hardly wait to be back on board.

 

Service is exceptional and the comforts of the ship make it feel like a return home.

 

Hope you have a great voyage.

 

generaljar

 

Looking forward to 7/24 sailing from Barcelona to Venice

[cruiselover68]

Thank you so much for that information. That would have been a really pleasant surprize on Millenium! Did you have the reflexology foot massage? I thought that was one of the best treatments I have had on a ship.

 

I had reflexology 4 times that cruise in October and I loved this treatment so much, you are right this was the best treatment I have ever had, better than a massage. I also tried reflexology at home in New York, but it was not the same, like Ianita did, not even close. I cannot wait for that treatment again on Millie.

[rebeccalouise]

My friends, family, and I love the Millennium class ships. We have sailed on all 4 and have a hard time saying that we like one more than the other. Yes, the Constellation is exceptional, but we are going on our 3rd trip aboard Millie this July and can hardly wait to be back on board.

 

Service is exceptional and the comforts of the ship make it feel like a return home.

 

Hope you have a great voyage.

 

generaljar

 

Looking forward to 7/24 sailing from Barcelona to Venice

 

I am on the same voyage! My name is Rebecca and you can email me if you want at rhowell1965@yahoo.com. We are in cabin # 6111! Would love to meet you on board. I am traveling with my son Marc (age 6) and my father and step-mother.

[rebeccalouise]

I had reflexology 4 times that cruise in October and I loved this treatment so much, you are right this was the best treatment I have ever had, better than a massage. I also tried reflexology at home in New York, but it was not the same, like Ianita did, not even close. I cannot wait for that treatment again on Millie.

 

I love massage and have had many on land and some so-so ones on ships. But Ianita was terrific. Glad my advice was helpful. Also, on Millenium they sometimes do the chair massages by the pool for $ 1 per minute. If you ever see this setup- do it! What a bargain. I did it for 10 minutes and my son did it too- so cute (he was 4). Now of course, he is spoiled.

[cruiselover68]

I love massage and have had many on land and some so-so ones on ships. But Ianita was terrific. Glad my advice was helpful. Also, on Millenium they sometimes do the chair massages by the pool for $ 1 per minute. If you ever see this setup- do it! What a bargain. I did it for 10 minutes and my son did it too- so cute (he was 4). Now of course, he is spoiled.

 

I have never seen before offers on any cruises I've been on $1 massages per minute. That is really a bargan. Did you ever try seaweed treatment? It is great an very relaxing. Ianita does it too. I am not sure about on Millie if she will do it.

[rebeccalouise]

I'll have to try the seaweed wrap!