Questions about Celebrity Constellation

[memis5]

We will be taking our first ever cruise on Celebrity Constellation in July. Here are some of the questions we have. Perhpas any of you experieced travellers can help us out?

 

1. where to eat? Should we go to the main dinning room, buffet, or room service (we never had a room service before)? which has the best value? I love eating especially seafood and meat on bones. Is it worthy to pay for the Sushi (as I read on some website)?

2. Should we buy one of the beverage packages? My partner drinks one or two glasses of wine with dinner. Normally we don't have soft drinks at home. However, if it is there or free, I don't mind having some smoothy.

3. Excursions: our cruise visit Norway Fjord. Should we book the ones organsied by the cruise? If so, should be book excursions in advance? How about exploring by ourselves? I assume in a rather advanced/developed country like Norway, there must be good and reliable public transportation/taxi, am I right?

4. Should we have some cash with us onboard? I will go to the casino trying some slot machines and do some duty free shopping.

5. When do they clean our room? Must we leave our room at a specific time for housekeeping?

6. When we go to see the show, must we purchase a drink or can we just sit there enjoy the show?

7. Anywhere we can watch movies on board (free or with charge)?

 

Any other advices that you think we need will be highly appreciated!!

 

Thanks!!

[etoile]

Hey there! You might want to ask your questions on the Celebrity board, you'll get a lot of answers there!

 

Since I was on Connie a few months ago, I can answer some of your questions:

1. where to eat? Should we go to the main dinning room, buffet, or room service (we never had a room service before)? which has the best value? I love eating especially seafood and meat on bones. Is it worthy to pay for the Sushi (as I read on some website)?

You will probably go to all three at some point in your cruise! I personally enjoy the main dining room, but the food is usually similar in the buffet. You can ask for lobster or steak at any time, you don't only have to order what is on the menu. They are all free to you, so there is no "value" to worry about. If you order room service, you should tip the person who brings the food, a few dollars is enough. The sushi is free, you don't have to pay for it! It is middle-quality, not bad but not excellent.

 

2. Should we buy one of the beverage packages? My partner drinks one or two glasses of wine with dinner. Normally we don't have soft drinks at home. However, if it is there or free, I don't mind having some smoothy.

The beverage packages would probably not be a good deal for you. Your partner will be better off buying individual glasses or bottles of wine, as he or she chooses. You do have to pay for soft drinks. Some juices are free, but the fresh-squeezed orange juice is not. I don't think there are smoothies on board Connie, unless you count the blended drinks like a pina colada. You could order a virgin pina colada if you want something like a smoothie, but it would not be free.

 

3. Excursions: our cruise visit Norway Fjord. Should we book the ones organsied by the cruise? If so, should be book excursions in advance? How about exploring by ourselves? I assume in a rather advanced/developed country like Norway, there must be good and reliable public transportation/taxi, am I right?

I can't answer this one because I haven't done Norway, although family members have. Maybe ask in the Northern Europe & Baltics forum.

 

4. Should we have some cash with us onboard? I will go to the casino trying some slot machines and do some duty free shopping.

You will need cash in port. You will NOT need cash on board. In fact, it is not accepted anywhere on board. Your SeaPass card is the only way you can pay for anything, including the casino and shops. (It is also your room key!)

 

5. When do they clean our room? Must we leave our room at a specific time for housekeeping?

They clean your room when you are not in it! I have always found it somewhat magical how I go away for a few hours, and when I return, the room is clean. If I happen to be staying in for a day, perhaps if I'm not feeling well, they will knock on the door. If you are in there, they will come back later. If you don't want them to come back at all, they will mark down that you declined service. They will never ask you to leave.

 

6. When we go to see the show, must we purchase a drink or can we just sit there enjoy the show?

Just sit and enjoy! The bar servers will walk around taking orders but you can just ignore them. They might say "may I get you something?" but you can just say "no thank you" and they will leave you alone.

 

7. Anywhere we can watch movies on board (free or with charge)?

There are movies on the TV channels but not very frequently. There is a new movie shown once or twice a day in the Cinema on Deck 3. They are usually popular movies, not quite brand new, but usually only a few months old. I enjoy going to see the movies. The movies are free!

 

You will have a wonderful time. My trip on Connie was the longest cruise I have been on (2 weeks) and she was a great ship.

[COMBOY]

We will be taking our first ever cruise on Celebrity Constellation in July. Here are some of the questions we have. Perhpas any of you experieced travellers can help us out?

 

1. where to eat? Should we go to the main dinning room, buffet, or room service (we never had a room service before)? which has the best value? I love eating especially seafood and meat on bones. Is it worthy to pay for the Sushi (as I read on some website)?

2. Should we buy one of the beverage packages? My partner drinks one or two glasses of wine with dinner. Normally we don't have soft drinks at home. However, if it is there or free, I don't mind having some smoothy.

3. Excursions: our cruise visit Norway Fjord. Should we book the ones organsied by the cruise? If so, should be book excursions in advance? How about exploring by ourselves? I assume in a rather advanced/developed country like Norway, there must be good and reliable public transportation/taxi, am I right?

4. Should we have some cash with us onboard? I will go to the casino trying some slot machines and do some duty free shopping.

5. When do they clean our room? Must we leave our room at a specific time for housekeeping?

6. When we go to see the show, must we purchase a drink or can we just sit there enjoy the show?

7. Anywhere we can watch movies on board (free or with charge)?

 

Any other advices that you think we need will be highly appreciated!!

 

Thanks!!

 

1) MDR is a formal sit down affair with full waiter service; the lido cafe is self service buffet with open seating and room service is in cabin dining. All are included in the price of your cruises and all are a great value. An extra $$ specialty dining is the optional ultimate upscale dining venue. Where you eat depends upon what you want and time. You should try all dining options at some point, but that's completely up to you. Dining times, venues and location will be printing in your ship's newsletter you will get in your cabin. Menus are usually posted outside of the dining room for viewing. Cruise ships are known for fine dining and you will find a vast array of food options from beef to seafood to sushi.

 

2) Probably in your case, No.

 

3) Celebrity should have on their website organized shore tours offered for purchase. They are completely optional. You should review tours offered and see if any comes to your liking. It's always best pre-book tour advance of your cruise as many tours have limited availability and to avoid disappointment. However, tours can be booked once on board the ship if available. The ship's shore excursion manager will have an informative talk on the first or second day of your cruise re-televised on your cabin's TV. Whether to do a ship's tour or do independent touring depends upon the port and what you want to do and see. It is going to require a bit of homework and research on your part. The one thing to know with ship's tours is they tend to be expensive; however, you will get to see a lot in a limited amount of time and get you back to the ship in time for the ship's departure. The companies used by Celebrity are reputable, licensed and insured. If you do independent sight seeing you are on your own to get to back to the ship in time and buyer beware with any independent tour companies.

 

4) The ship is completely cashless. You will only need cash for purchases in port.

 

5) Cabin are serviced while you are out of your cabin usually during meal times. There are signs you hang on your cabin door "To make up room" or "Do not disturb." You can discuss any special service requirements with the cabin attendant. He/she will introduce themselves on the first day on embarkation. Their goals is to be as less intrusive as possible.

 

6) Drinks are never required for purchase in any lounges at any time; however, waiters will always be around should you wish to order a drink.

 

7) Cabin movies are available on your cabin's TV 24/7. If the ship has a cinema (no charge) then times and movies will be list in your ship's newsletter or outside the cinema. I believe cabin movies are free too.

[JoePDX]

If you plan to use room service, you should carry some $1 bills to tip the person who delivers your food. $1-2 per order is generally sufficient unless it's a large complicated order.

 

As for myself - I always travel with a certain amount of cash in case of emergencies. That being said, it's quite easy to get cash on board via ATM's and the same while you are in port.

 

Have fun!

 

Joe

[kwokpot]

ALL Cruiseship casinos use CASH at the tables and slot machines. While you can use your seapass card/room keycard to get cash at the casino, they will charge you a 3% fee, which is then placed on your shipboard account.

 

Regarding the casino, there will be ATM's that you can use, but of course those will have a fee as well.

[etoile]

ALL Cruiseship casinos use CASH at the tables and slot machines. While you can use your seapass card/room keycard to get cash at the casino, they will charge you a 3% fee, which is then placed on your shipboard account.

 

Regarding the casino, there will be ATM's that you can use, but of course those will have a fee as well.

 

This is not entirely correct. Princess has moved to a cashless system even for their slot machines, I think HAL has too. You set up a "Player's Bank" on your SeaPass card (or whatever those lines call it) and play from there. So to say "all" use cash is incorrect.

 

I stand corrected regarding Celebrity though. I now remember putting cash into the slot machines. On Solstice-class ships, though, you get a voucher that you take to the cage, rather than a billion quarters. I don't think Connie has gotten this upgrade, though, despite being "Solsticized."

 

The casino bar doesn't accept cash though!

[Mermen]

Welcome and congrats on your first Celebrity cruise. My better half and I love =X=. The Constellation ("Connie") is our favorite ship. Here are our answers:

 

1. You will be assigned a table for dinner in the Main Dining Room (MDR). If you are not happy with your table or table mates, let the Maitre'd know the first night and they will do their best to re-seat you. Buffet is good, but we generally only do the buffet for a few breakfasts or lunches. There should be plenty of meat at the buffet...room service, unless you are Aqua Class or Concierge Class (they have enhanced in-room menus) is pretty basic. The buffet should also have a Sushi corner every night with Miso soup. The buffet, Aqua Spa Cafe, pool-side grill and MDR are included in your price. You only pay additional for "specialty" venues.

 

2. There will be wine packages on board. A Sommelier will come to your dinner table the first night. For a two week cruise we usually buy the 4-bottle package, two reds and two whites. We have alcohol in our room, so enjoy one glass at dinner. This works for us. There are various prices, depending upon the wine / harvest / etc.

 

3. It depends upon the country, really. Get yourself a good Rick Steves book for the large, well-known ports or areas of your cruise. Another good tool would be a Frommer's book. Either book will have walking maps of the area, with points of interest. Of course walking the port or nearby town is less-expensive. If you are up for an excursion, I would book it with the cruiseline, just for safety's sake - and the ship will NOT leave without you, if you are on a Celebrity-sponsored tour. Accidents happen sometimes, and we have seen our ship pull away from the dock with a taxi, or local van screeching up to the port...too late. Another tip, try to find the "Roll Call" on Cruisecritic.com for your cruise, and see what others are doing. We ported in Oslo, Norway a couple of years ago and the taxi / transportation system was excellent. HUGE coach, tour buses as well. Norway to us was a very diverse, clean and pristine country. The people were helpful and very respectful.

 

4. We always carry cash and currency for the country we will be visiting (pounds, euros, etc.). We typically only use currency for taxi, tips, service charges (like bathrooms in Russia or Morocco!) or whenever you need it...You can keep your currency locked up in your in-room safe - or you can use the ships ATM (for a hefty fee of $5). You won't need cash for Fortunes Casino or shopping on the ship. You will use your Celebrity card (which is also your key card to your cabin). You will then settle the bill the day before disembarking. We don't bring a load of cash, as we find it easier to use our Visa credit or debit cards most everywhere and in every country...our bank does the exchange for us! Easy...

 

5. Your cabin attendant will know your schedule better than you will know theirs, without a doubt! Leave when you want. They will clean when you are not in the room. If they notice you leave for breakfast every morning, or don't leave until lunch, that is when they will clean your room...or if your schedule is always changing, they will meet you on your first day and give you their cell number to call when you need them.

 

6. You can just enjoy the show. You don't have to purchase anything. Not everyone drinks at the evening shows...many just come in to see the talent. Once or twice on your cruise, they will serve complimentary champagne / juice / water in the theater.

 

7. Yes, the Connie has a movie room...if it should be on Deck 3, past the Pursur's desk I believe. It is a small auditorium, with a gradual stadium seating. It hold approximately 150 people I believe. The movies are included in your cruise price. Every evening you will receive a "Celebrity Today" newspaper, for the next day. This is the ship's paper and you will find times and locations for all events, movies, dining venues, parties, special clubs, features, etc. The Celebrity Today paper will also give you information on your next day's port, shopping venues and generally will have a map and some history on the port.

 

If you have anymore questions, feel free to e-mail me: scorpgc@gmail.com

 

Have lots of fun!

[PROCRUISE]

Mermen:

 

Thanks for the general info about The Constellation. Luckily we've never had any trouble with private shore excursions all over the world! We're looking forward to my retirement celebration cruise on The Constellation on 1/14/12. Hope your next cruise is also a great one :)

[Mermen]

Mermen:

 

Thanks for the general info about The Constellation. Luckily we've never had any trouble with private shore excursions all over the world! We're looking forward to my retirement celebration cruise on The Constellation on 1/14/12. Hope your next cruise is also a great one :)

 

Thank you. What a way to retire! A few years to go for me, but my partner is just about there...;) Happy Sails and retirement to you!

[memis5]

We would like to thank everyone fo the all the valuable advices/information that you gave us. We are rather excited and looking forward to the day!! Some more questions, sorry!!:

 

1. Am I allowed to bring my own tea bags on board?

2. Can we drink the tap water in our cabinet? Where can we get water to drink in our room? Can I bring one bottle water and later use it to refill to drink in our room?

3. Do they actually serve lobsters on board, in the MDR or buffet? Any other seafood available and where?

4. we opted for select dinning (no fixed table, if we understood correctly). Do they have tables for two or must we share with others?

5. the formal dinner: why is it (sounds like) such a big deal? Must we wear tuxedos?

6. I don't mean to be rude or ignorant: when one flights, one does not make an effort to meet the pilot. Why is the captain of the ship so different, according to some videos we saw online Mrs Bucket (keeping up with appearances) in particular.

[amusea]

This is just a warning about the very costly price of things in Norway since the Norwegian Krone costs even more than the Euro when exchanged with other currencies. For example: A snickers bar costs about $6.00 US. A beer and a sandwich in a Norwegian port can cost at least 30 - 40 US dollars. So try to eat most or all meals onboard. The same goes for excursions. If you want to do them independently with public transportation only a few Norwegian cities such as Bergen or Trondheim have public transportation. But most ports are small enough so that you can just walk around town. Otherwise taxis are very expensive.

My partner and I are on the July 9th sailing of the Constellation from Amsterdam.

This is our third trip to Norway. We buy our Norwegian Krone in Bergen which is our first port after leaving Amsterdam. It will be more expensive if you buy Norwegian Krone in Amsterdam since the Netherlands uses the Euro. Your first port will be either Bergen or Stavanger and ATMs should be plentifulin either city. However, not all American debit and credit cards work in European ATMs. Passwords with four digits are more likely to work than those with six digits. You can change your password at your bank if necessary.

Just curious as to which of the two July sailings of the Constellation you have booked - July 9 or 21. I am glad to help further if you have other questions.

[amusea]

We would like to thank everyone fo the all the valuable advices/information that you gave us. We are rather excited and looking forward to the day!! Some more questions, sorry!!:

 

1. Am I allowed to bring my own tea bags on board?

2. Can we drink the tap water in our cabinet? Where can we get water to drink in our room? Can I bring one bottle water and later use it to refill to drink in our room?

3. Do they actually serve lobsters on board, in the MDR or buffet? Any other seafood available and where?

4. we opted for select dinning (no fixed table, if we understood correctly). Do they have tables for two or must we share with others?

5. the formal dinner: why is it (sounds like) such a big deal? Must we wear tuxedos?

6. I don't mean to be rude or ignorant: when one flights, one does not make an effort to meet the pilot. Why is the captain of the ship so different, according to some videos we saw online Mrs Bucket (keeping up with appearances) in particular.

 

Answers to questions:

 

1. You can bring tea bags on board but they are free in the buffet area

2. All drinking water onboard has been put through a purifying process and is safe to drink. If you prefer, you may bring bottles of water with you when you board.

3. There is usually lobster served in the main dining room but do not expect what most Americans consider lobster. It is small and usually not very tender. Other seafoods tend to be much more tasty.

4. You may certainly request a table for two with the Maitre D' in Select Dining. There may be a slight wait but it is your choice.

5. Tuxedos are worn by a minority of men on formal nights. A dark suit or jacket is fine. If you prefer to wear dressy casual clothes on formal nights you can eat in the buffet or the optional extra cost restaurants.

6. Don't judge by Hyacinth Bucket. The captain and his staff are accessible if you have a question and happen to see them but most of the time they are busy with their operational duties except for a few public functions.

[memis5]

Thank you, Amusea! We are also on the July 9 cruise sailing from Amsterdam! We are still researching excursions. Have you guys arranged your excursions already and any suggestions/advices on this?

[PROCRUISE]

Thank you, Amusea! We are also on the July 9 cruise sailing from Amsterdam! We are still researching excursions. Have you guys arranged your excursions already and any suggestions/advices on this?

 

Memis5

 

Have to throw in a comment here. Our last cruise was our first on Celebrity and one of the things that pleased and amazed us about Celebrity was the open friendliness of EVERY crew member on The Equinox. We spoke to the CD as we were leaving the ship and commented on the friendliness of the crew up to and including the captain. The CD stated that this has been a big push on the part of Celebrity for several years now. It REALLY shows. Only place I've ever played water volleyball (and I'm getting old) versus the ship's officers on the other side of the net is Celebrity! You're going to be impressed. :)

[amusea]

Thank you, Amusea! We are also on the July 9 cruise sailing from Amsterdam! We are still researching excursions. Have you guys arranged your excursions already and any suggestions/advices on this?

 

We have sailed to Longyearbyen before and have also sailed on the Hurtigruten ferry from Bergen which stops at many towns on its 12 day round trip to Kirkenes which is beyond the Arctic circle. There are just a few port stops on this cruise and that is why we booked it since we like days at sea. In Bergen you can do independent sightseeing because the ship docks near to the center of town and there are buses if you don't want to walk. We usually visit the main dock where there are stands selling fish of many varieties. Very good sandwiches if you like fish and want to splurge. The main pedestrian mall has lots of stores to explore.

The one port that we may decide to explore is Leknes in the Lofoten Islands. The last time we visited this port we did not get off the ship. The port itself is not very scenic and you have to rent a car or taxi to reach the interesting parts of the island.

I would be hesitant to decide on touring Longyearbyen until we arrive there. The weather can be very cold, snowing, raining, fog, etc. or absolutely beautiful and warm as it was the last time we were there but that is the exception so pack something warm. Without clear weather it may not be worth spending the money for a planned excursion. The same is true for Honnigsvag.

We will be disembarking the ship in Alesund, two days before it returns to

Amsterdam since we want to spend a week in the area of Geirangerfjord which is the most spectacular scenery in all of Norway. That is where we will do most of our excursions. Actually Alesund is probably one of the nicest towns on the itinerary but most everything can be reached by foot or the small tour train that takes about an hour. No need to book this through the ship since it would make it much more expensive. We will be in Amsterdam for a few days before and after the cruise since that is such a great city for just walking around the canals.

Lots of info on our ports on Cruise Critic so it helps to do as much research as possible or Google the individual ports. Good luck.

[memis5]

Again, Amusea, thank you for the information! We live in the Netherlands. So, perhaps, we can offer you some information in return. We can also meet up on the ship to have a chat if you guys are up for it!!

[amusea]

Again, Amusea, thank you for the information! We live in the Netherlands. So, perhaps, we can offer you some information in return. We can also meet up on the ship to have a chat if you guys are up for it!!

 

We would be most happy to meet you on the ship or even before in Amsterdam. We arrive from Arizona to Amsterdam on 7 July and will be staying at the Best Western Dam Square Inn until 9 July. Then before flying home we will be at the Inntel Amsterdam Centre on 27 and 28 July.

If you would like to write to me privately please use this e-mail:

<highcee@gmail.com>

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

[kwokpot]

This is not entirely correct. Princess has moved to a cashless system even for their slot machines, I think HAL has too. You set up a "Player's Bank" on your SeaPass card (or whatever those lines call it) and play from there. So to say "all" use cash is incorrect.

 

I stand corrected regarding Celebrity though. I now remember putting cash into the slot machines. On Solstice-class ships, though, you get a voucher that you take to the cage, rather than a billion quarters. I don't think Connie has gotten this upgrade, though, despite being "Solsticized."

 

The casino bar doesn't accept cash though!

 

I have not sailed HAL or Princess, so my apologies of misinformation;however, cash is STILL needed on RCL, Celebrity, and NCL. What you are talking about on Solstice-class ships is ticket redemption when you cash out of slot machines, but you still need CASH to start your play. It's the same system used in ALL casinos in the US. You put CASH in the slot machine, and when you cash out, a ticket is given to you instead of coin. There are machines that redeem the tickets for cash or you can take them to the cage. Additionally, you need CASH for table games, which is exchanged for chips. If you take cash from your on board account, you are charged a fee(3%).

I was on the Equinox in May, and this is how it worked.