Ok Friends....Please Tell Me All About The Constellation!

[Lois R]

:) Hi Friends........let's hear everything about the Constellation....from all you wonderful people who have sailed her! What makes her special?

 

I have heard all about the famous bartender...would that be SUDI?.......Anyone know if he is on the ship now? Or will be on Dec 11th?

 

I know ya'll are going to tell me all about the Specialty Restaurant....I will probably break down and eat there....hoping I can find some friends to join me!.....whoever they may be...but, If I have to I will eat there on my own;) .

 

Ready and waiting for LOTS of good information:D I am really sailing on an M-Class ship!!!

[smdubowsky]

Lois-

 

All I can tell you is that we are going on our third cruise on the Constellation. Our first cruise (during her first season) was great. We decided to try it again although we were afraid w'd be disappointed. Guess what? The second cruise was better than the first. When it came time to plan our next cruise (We relax every winter on a cruise.), We only briefly considered any other ship.

 

Why? The ship AND the crew are great. We have found that the level of service is better than other ships we have been on. We have found the morale of the crew was excellent and that they are eager to please. On the two previous cruises I found only one crew member who displayed anything close to an attitude and it was very minor.

 

The ship is also beautiful. We have been on several other "Mega" cruisers, but have found the Constellation to be much more intimate. For us it is the right fit.

 

Scott

[benjamins]

Scott,

 

In what way did you find Constellation intimate? I'm curious as I found her to be the exact opposite.

[Texed]

Lois,

 

We will be on Constellation for the third time on November 20th. We like all the Celebrity ships for different reasons. The experience on Constellation will be different than your experience on Century. It is a larger ship, but it is easy to navigate, and we like it a lot.

 

The Captain on Constellation is one of the friendliest we have sailed with.

 

You mentioned the speciality restaurant, that is one reason we like the M class ships.

 

You give up some things, but you gain some things by being on the M class ships. I think you will love it.:)

[Lois R]

Hi:)

Texed....ohhh you sail her in 2 weeks!....hope you will be able to post a review upon your return...you will be back a week before I go!!!

 

Come on folks......I know plenty of you have sailed her......I would love to hear about it:D

[Guest THE EDS]

Sailed the 10/1 New England cruise. The ship is great hands down over the Oosterdam but I found the passengers to be very old I am 66 and my husband is 70 and we felt as if we were the youngest on the ship, I feel it was probably the length of the cruise and the itinery. The entertainment was very good except we had seen Pearl Kaufman before and I don't think I could take a third time of her reminicing, her music is wonderful and a pleasure to listen to. I would sail the Connie anytime again but to the Caribbean a more lively venue you will love her

 

THE EDS

[Lois R]

Hi:) re-reading your post....you are 66 and 70 and felt like you were the youngest Passangers on the ship? So the average age of your particular sailing would have be close to 80?........

 

Then I will be a baby;) as I am 46.......but I am sure I will get along with most anyone on board!

 

Actually I know one other person who is sailing and she is my age! Hi Amber:D .

[Guest THE EDS]

Lois

 

I just realized my reply may have sounded very negative if it did I did not mean it to be. The passenger make up had nothing to do with the quality of the ship, which is wonderful food excellent, room service marvelous, our cabin steward Cherry the sweetest person you will ever meet. The service across the board is top notch and you will love your cruise aboard this great ship. We will be sailing 12/10 on the Coral Princess hope it lives up to our great experience aboard the Constellation

 

 

THE EDS

[Guest THE EDS]

Lois

 

You are right the average age was 80+ but it was a 10 day cruise which I understand usually draws passengers up there. It was a little disconcerting to go to the Mast Bar for an afternoon cocktail and find seniors asleep in all the seats facing the front of the ship Very Strange. There was very little night life but I think that was due to the age makeup. When we sail the Oosterdam last January the night life was great but again the itinery was different. I hope I haven't rained on you cruise if so I must apologize

 

The Eds

[sweetair]

lois,

the t-pool is free on all m-class ships However its not the same as the c-class. Its bigger,more crowded,and more like a meeting place rather than a quiet spa area.

The aqua spa light n lean buffet is great. The food is presented nicely(like in the dining room).

There is a sushi bar starting 6pm.

breakfast has a fresh omelette station and lunch has a fresh pasta bar.

Cova coffee lounge is a nice place to buy great coffees (lattes,cappuccino,frozen coffee drinks) You can get great desserts too(free)Chocolate croissants yummy!

The pool area has a sun deck(no chair hogging) and i rarely found a problem by the pool. Check out the "big ape" sculpture.

If you are interested in artwork... (well celebrity has the absolute worst taste in "art")

there are many sculptures throughout the ship A blown glass sculpture(dale chihuly) hanging near the disco(looks like medusas hair in bright red/orange) and can be seen from the pier.

 

By the time you go(i wish it would have been ready next week) you can experience cirque'd'soliel. I have seen 4 of them. I am sure its going to be the buzz of the boards!!

 

theres a lot of choices for lounge entertainment(although every cruise this changed). michaels has a piano player,theres a duo in the rendezvous lounge,there was an amazing guitar player at the back of the ship, the caribbean band, AND in my opinion the BEST an accapella group that performs twice nightly in different parts of the ship.

 

Oceanliners is a very elegant dining "experience" but personally i am not one to eat alone. I'd rather eat at my regular table and socialize. I have eaten in oceanliners with newly-made friends and that enhances the experience.

Have fun and explore.

*sweet*

[Lois R]

H:) Nope you didn't...don't worry about it! I think the demographic will be younger....7 nights in the Caribbean....probably different than 10 Nights New England!

[Lois R]

Hi Sweet:) thanks for the update about everything...I am really looking forward to Cirque de Soliel that is for sure!

 

How many times have you sailed on Constellation? I saw your Roll Call....did you say 3 times? You must love her as much as I love CENTURY;)

[sweetair]

Lois,

This will be my 4th cruise on the connie. I have done the horizon/zenith/galaxy twice... the century/mercury and infinity once. i have loved each ship for different reasons.I always liked smaller or midsized ships and the infinity was my first"mega"ship. I was awestruck!

i mainly chose her because of the 7 day itinerary/price and i love leaving from PR.

i may be jumping ship in march to the golden princess(also from pr) if the prices are still prohibitive on X.

*sweet*

[Lois R]

Sweet:) I am really looking forward to trying her....After 3 cruises...do you know many of the staff? I am excited to meet the FAMOUS SUDI.....everyone says he is the Best Bartender around:D

[sweetair]

lois,

its funny but i never met sudi...since i am a smoker...i am on the opposite side of the martini bar on the ship (champagne bar) Oh i got this really cute "table and chairs" made out of the cork and metal tops from champagne bottles. the bartender made it What a souvenier!

I know a lot of the staff and i have even met staff from the other ships i was on(they rotate)Its funny but it seemed most nights at dinner we had another "surprise staff member" stop by to say hi...I know(too well) the casino staff ( i usually get a couple of free as a welcome back to the connie We want your money again! its a nice touch. They invest $10 bucks I "invest" $1500 :D )

*sweet*

[Lois R]

:) Sweet....she must be one of these vessels not many folks have sailed yet...

Though I went to the "Cruise Reviews" area and read about 1/2 dozen of them. Everyone had very good things to say!........:D

It will be so nice sail an X ship again..that is for sure!

[Ma Bell]

Hi Lois,

 

We were on Constellation in June and October this year. She is a classy ship. As far as crew, many who were on in June were on vacation in October, but both crews were great. There were a few hold overs. I think Dominique will be back as Maitre'd of Ocean Liners. We've known him from other M-Class ships as well. He is absolutely the best. So kind and charming and all the other crew love working with him. The whole crew in the specialty restaurant are outstanding.

 

Our room steward Andrew in October was one of the best ever. The Asst. Maitre'd in the dining room was Ruby. She is so helpful and lots of fun...does a great job with the passengers. Of course I told you how terrific Sudi is. I hope he's there when you are. So much fun to watch him do his thing.

 

There is a great girl on the staff from Brazil named Mayusa...you'll love her. She does lots of the trivia and other events. In June there was another great girl named Lauren from Cleveland. One of the few Americans to work on the ship.

 

I'm sure you'll find your own favorites as well. I really can say the whole crew was exceptional.

 

The Cova Cafe is a nice place to hang out for tea time. They usually have a harpist or string quartet. Michael's Club has a piano bar in the evening with good entertainment. We found the singers and dancers aboard Constellation to be the best cast we've seen in the production shows. If Onyx is still there, they are the best band we've seen at sea. They play on deck during the day and upstairs for late night.

 

I know you'll have a great cruise and I'd be really surprised if the M-Class don't become your favorites.:)

[Lois R]

Hi Ma Bell:) thank you for the reply!!! I know I will have a great time as well....

Maybe I will write down those names and see if they are working! I know the crew loves it when past passengers remember them:)

 

And I LOVE Piano Bars...so I will check out Michael's Club too!

 

Thanks again!

[Texed]

Lois,

 

We will let you know our impression of Constellation "this time" when we get back. If it is as usual, we will love it.:)

[judyfssw]

Lois,

I've read your posts and would like to give you my impressions of the Constellation. I've been on her twice and will go again in February (it's a school-time thing). Plus, we've already booked back to back in February of 2006.

I really really like the Constellation. From the moment that you step onboard, it's a special feeling. Everyone has always been so very nice to us. I've always felt like a queen onboard. By February, I'm usually very stressed and the staff and surroundings renew me.

My husband is handicapped and we do not leave the ship in the ports, usually. Try the spa and the hot stone and 4 handed massages. The pool area is very nice and we've not found problems with the chair hogs.

I look forward to reading your review. I hope you enjoy your cruise as much as we have.

[smdubowsky]

Dear Benjamins-

 

I understand why you question the use of the "word" intimate as it applies to the Constellation. At first glance it would appear to be an oxymoron for a 2000 passenger vessel.

 

First, it is relative. The last ship we were on before the Constellation was "Voyager of the Seas" with 3600 passengers.

 

Secondly we never once felt the crush of the crowd on the Constellation. We have a table for two in the dining room; or we take strolls on the deck in the evening with almost no one around.

 

I believe I use the word intimate because of the way we are treated by the staff of the ship. The service feels very individualized and therefore "intimate."

 

Finally, there is a spatial aspect to intimate. The ship does have 2000 passengers but it is also 91000 tons. Many cruise ships that hold 2000 passengers are in fact, much smaller; say at 70000 tons.

 

FWIW, Scott

[Lois R]

Good morning:) Hi Judy....Hi Scott.......both of your replies are making me SMILE BIG:D .....

I have always felt very special when on a Celebrity Ship.....and it looks like the Constellation will be no exception (from both of your posts)!

5 more weeks......wow...not really that far away!

 

Judy....I think I read where the t-pool area is complimentary...is that true?

[benjamins]

Dear Benjamins-

 

I understand why you question the use of the "word" intimate as it applies to the Constellation. At first glance it would appear to be an oxymoron for a 2000 passenger vessel.

 

First, it is relative. The last ship we were on before the Constellation was "Voyager of the Seas" with 3600 passengers.

 

I believe I use the word intimate because of the way we are treated by the staff of the ship. The service feels very individualized and therefore "intimate."

 

Finally, there is a spatial aspect to intimate. The ship does have 2000 passengers but it is also 91000 tons.FWIW, Scott

 

Thanks, Scott.

 

Here's my feeling about the Constellation and why I didn't consider her intimate. First of all, crews differ per sailing, and I didn't get the individualized service on Connie that you received. I did, however, receive personalized service on the Galaxy on an Alaska sailing in 1999.

 

The new HAL ships carry even less pax per their size than the Celebrity Millennium class ships. I find HAL ships to feel just as spacious, if not more so, than Celebrity ships. I'll agree about others, the RCI Radiance class carries about 400 more people and it is the same size as the Millennium ships.

 

When I was aboard the Explorer, Voyager's sister, while the ship wasn't intimate, I felt that there were some intimate aspects to its design.

 

When I say that the Constellation does not feel intimate, I found the design of the lounges and public spaces not to feel intimate. Lounges are big, they really aren't separated into nooks and crannies. The deck space suffers from the same problem of most of the newer classes of ships. It is mostly on top, the promenade deck area doesn't go around the back of the ship and is only on the sides. The thellasotherapy area is very public and doesn't feel particularly intimate on all of the Millennium ships compared to the Century ships--the ships that introduced this area to Celebrity pax.

 

As a Celebrity cruiser my favorite ships are the Century ships because they contain intimate and grand areas, are all different inside, have more nooks and crannies, have a decent amount of deck area on all levels, have a stronger and much more intimate feeling thellasotherapy pool area.

 

For the Constellation. I think you sail it for the specialty restaurants, cabin accommodations with plenty of choices for balconies, as a ship. I don't see any particular reason to sail it over any other Millennium ship, they are all pretty much the same inside albeit with different colors and patterns covering the same furnishings. Of the 4, the Millennium is considerably more elegant, IMO. In terms of who is on the Connie at a particular time, that's also a draw, but that's true of any ship.

[Lois R]

Well, this is my first M-Class.....and no matter what.....I am going to have a good time:D ........

This is going to sound like I am bashing them, (sorry for anyone who loves them) but after my HAL cruise, and looking back on it now....a month and 1/2 later.....the lack of service I received is something that really makes me:(

 

I know as the Benjamins stated...that can vary on any ship on any line....but a BIG BUT....all my X cruises have had FABULOUS service:) ........and I have always been made to feel very special.:)

 

And I am certainly hoping this coming one is no exception!;)

[Texed]

Lois,

 

 

Myself!:)