First time cruiser - Constellation?

[jb456]

Evening,

 

Were thinking of Constellation for the 5 night Western Caribbean trip. We've been on plenty of the 1 day/ 1 night Bahama casino cruises but never a multiple night cruise.

 

It will be the wife, myself (50s) and our son who's in his 20's (26).

 

Anyone been on the Constellation that can summarize the pro's/con's?

 

Do you think it's a decent cruise for 1st timers to test out the waters?

 

Do you know general age range on this boat? Any chance there will be some young groups for our son?

 

Our son is opting out of a Punta Cana trip with his friends to spend time with us (yes I know how nice) but is concerned that he is going to be stuck on a boat playing bingo at 10pm lol.. He's not into gambling other then poker, he'd prefer a few bars open in the later evening with some music.. Anyone know if the Constellation is a bit lively at night to keep him occupied? (Not all out spring break but not dead either)

 

The main dining room, I read somewhere that you have to sit with other random guests at the table. Is this true?

 

Is there a cigar lounge on this boat?

 

Anything else you can contribute? Advice? Tips?

 

Thank you for your time!

Edited January 20, 2014 by jb456

[gimletgal]

Evening,

 

Were thinking of Constellation for the 5 night Western Caribbean trip. We've been on plenty of the 1 day/ 1 night Bahama casino cruises but never a multiple night cruise.

 

It will be the wife, myself (50s) and our son who's in his 20's (26).

 

Anyone been on the Constellation that can summarize the pro's/con's? Great ship - great crew.

 

Do you think it's a decent cruise for 1st timers to test out the waters? Yes

 

Do you know general age range on this boat? Any chance there will be some young groups for our son? Shorter cruises tend to have younger passengers. There should be "some" in his age group.

 

Our son is opting out of a Punta Cana trip with his friends to spend time with us (yes I know how nice) but is concerned that he is going to be stuck on a boat playing bingo at 10pm lol.. He's not into gambling other then poker, he'd prefer a few bars open in the later evening with some music.. Anyone know if the Constellation is a bit lively at night to keep him occupied? (Not all out spring break but not dead either)

 

The main dining room, I read somewhere that you have to sit with other random guests at the table. Is this true? You can ask for a table for 3 and avoid dining with other guests. If you request Select dining, you can do the same.

 

Is there a cigar lounge on this boat? No cigar lounge, but cigars are permitted on the port side of the Sunset Bar.

 

Anything else you can contribute? Advice? Tips?

 

Thank you for your time!

 

Not sure exactly when you plan to cruise, but Spring Break would definitely give you a younger crowd + more children on board. Have done the 5 nighters twice and am going again in April. It's a nice cruise, albeit short!

[jb456]

Not sure exactly when you plan to cruise, but Spring Break would definitely give you a younger crowd + more children on board. Have done the 5 nighters twice and am going again in April. It's a nice cruise, albeit short!

 

Thank you for your reply... Were looking at next month Feb 22.. Can do March 3rd as well but fear that is when spring break kicks in?

 

Read that Feb 14 lots of schools start break (reading week)?

[WestLakeGirl]

You have made a good choice. She's a beautiful ship

[BosoxI]

There always seem to be some young people on most cruises. I can understand your son's concern, but at worst he'll be shipbound for a few sea days. How terrible can that be? We were on this same cruise in December and had a great time, but we are a bit (fingers crossed) older than 26 and tend to be extremely capable of amusing ourselves. We'll be back on board March 8 and expect to have another great time. If this were a 15 day trans Atlantic, his concernns would really be justified. For five days the worst that can happen is he gains a few pounds.

[scubamommy!]

We are going on our first Celebrity and Constellation cruise this Spring so I am not much help but I do remember reading somewhere on one of these threads that I thought was interesting, that many of the younger passengers have enjoyed partying with the crew late night. Just thought I would throw that out there for you.

[CathyCruises]

Two things:

 

Smoking is very restricted on these ships :). There are a few designated outdoor spots where you can smoke, and I believe cigars are allowed in one area, but that's it. Absolutely no smoking in cabins, on balconies, or in any indoor area--since you asked.

 

Loved your comment about being seated with 'random guests'. To us that is one of the joys of cruising and we have made some lifelong friends that way. It's fun to meet every night at dinner and get to know people. However, you can opt for Select dining and just show up when you like and be seated alone if that's your preference--but IMO you'll be missing something!

[jb456]

Thank you so much for the replies.

 

@Bosox,

 

Recently returning and already going back on another cruise I gather that's a great sign to say it's a great cruise :)

 

Thank's for easing our minds about our son. He came with us once on one of those 1 day casino cruises. He enjoyed the daytime at the bar/pool till it closed but hated the evening because it was only really gambling which he's not into. So he was concerned about that being the same thing but for 5 nights. I'm happy to be able to tell him that's not the case. A few bars, music, some people to talk to he'll be fine :)

 

If we do make the final decision on this ship I'll be sure to ask you for some tips, that is if you don't mind.

 

Thank you and have a great day!

Edited January 20, 2014 by jb456

[JLSPOOL]

Will your son (26) be content to sit at bars to meet people?

Will you have quality time that way?

 

If not, I suggest you consider a Royal Caribbean ship for diverse ages. It's a younger crowd at pools, dining, bars, fitness center, tours, activity areas, etc.

 

jls

[jb456]

Will your son (26) be content to sit at bars to meet people?

Will you have quality time that way?

 

If not, I suggest you consider a Royal Caribbean ship for diverse ages. It's a younger crowd at pools, dining, bars, fitness center, tours, activity areas, etc.

 

jls

 

 

Hi JLS,

 

Yes he's very sociable so should not have any problems sitting at the bars to meet people.. He's not so much into the hard partying. Here his group prefers going to cigar lounge type clubs, where you select some good cigars/whisky and theres a dj as opposed to the 21 year old nightclubs.

 

I guess I could say he's diverse and can hang with the party crowds or with the older sophisticated crowd. Some drinks, maybe a few woman to talk to and he'll be fine.

 

His main concern was that a cruise might get dead at 11pm and he'd be bored and did not want that for X amount of nights in the middle of the ocean..All the helpful forum members mentioned that there is usually something going on later at night so that's all he needs.

 

Thanks for your reply though!

[jb456]

We are going on our first Celebrity and Constellation cruise this Spring so I am not much help but I do remember reading somewhere on one of these threads that I thought was interesting, that many of the younger passengers have enjoyed partying with the crew late night. Just thought I would throw that out there for you.

 

Late night drinks with the crew. That's right up our sons ally. Thanks for that scuba... I'll mention that to him so I can put his mind at ease that things don't get quiet at 11pm. :)

Edited January 21, 2014 by jb456

[jb456]

Two things:

 

Smoking is very restricted on these ships :). There are a few designated outdoor spots where you can smoke, and I believe cigars are allowed in one area, but that's it. Absolutely no smoking in cabins, on balconies, or in any indoor area--since you asked.

 

Loved your comment about being seated with 'random guests'. To us that is one of the joys of cruising and we have made some lifelong friends that way. It's fun to meet every night at dinner and get to know people. However, you can opt for Select dining and just show up when you like and be seated alone if that's your preference--but IMO you'll be missing something!

 

Thanks for the info Cathy.

 

Regarding the "random guest" comment at the dinner table I did not mean anything by it. We've had the opportunity to meet life long friends in many of our AI vacations just not at the dinner table :)

 

Each person is different. Personally for me i'd prefer eating around those I know and not have to be entirely "proper" at a table. Not that I'm not proper, simply mean that if I want to make a joking remark about that older women at the next table wearing a dress that's skimpy/revealing and should be on a teeny bopper, then I can..... Without having to worry what my new table mates think lol

 

I think there is many alternative venues on the ship that are more acceptable to meet friends but that's just me:D

[chicagopaul]

Late night drinks with the crew. That's right up our sons ally. Thanks for that scuba... I'll mention that to him so I can put his mind at ease that things don't get quiet at 11pm. :)

 

I'm 26 and my partner is 31 and we cruise Celebrity regularly. We are actually hopping on the constellation this Friday. We are not huge club goers, but we love bars and are always up late. As long as he is sociable he will have a great time. We always meet people at the bars and strike up a good conversation. We always make friends with some crew members on the first or second night and it makes do a very memorable and entertaining cruise.

 

A short 5 day Caribbean cruise will definitely have a younger crowd than your 11 to 14day European cruises. But even on those longer cruises we've found plenty of people to hang out with, have dinner with, etc.

 

Cheers and Happy Cruising!

[KKB]

It is available on the Connie. BUT it IS an electronic table. Not a huge fan, but poker is also our game of choice. My only tip is to not play a cash game unless the table is full, or close to it (or ask the pit boss if they will turn off the take if there are 4 or less players). One night DH & I played at the table with another woman...we were taking all of her money a bit at a time...but after about half an our I added up what was on the table (electronically) & realized how much less there was than when we started--I believe the take is 10%! Does NOT work with such few players.

 

Actually you might consider waiting until the March cruise to increase the odds of more 20 somethings on your cruise...But I have found on all cruises that this age group gravitates towards each other on a cruise--even if there are few, they find each other & generally hang out all week.

[jayoldschool]

Please tell me that your adult son will have his own room!

[Aussiegrlfl]

We were on Connie last February and had a blast...for my 50th...I have found with most cruises we have been on they just have some amazing knack of putting us at tables with people just like us......my hubby is a typical Aussie who will speak his mind and his humor is quite dry....and we have never offended anyone....at least we have made friends and they have stayed hanging out with us......even after cruising...

 

The ship is older and there are some signs, but overall she is in good shape and we were very happy....one thing I found amazing was no smoking in the casino.....it was rather nice actually....not that I begrudge anyone their vices....I can't remember smelling cigars...originally they used to allow them in Michaels club....but not now..

 

The martini bar was hopping at night...the bartenders spinning their tricks and everyone was having a great time.....in Michaels club at night the entertainer in there was Dennis and he was so good, he had a karoke type show but changed the words and had random people join in....it was very entertaining and somewhat baudy at times so I'm sure you'd enjoy it.....

 

I hope your family enjoys yourself....remember if you want a good time.....you will have one.....