Live from the Celebrity Constellation, 11/28-12/10/23.

[VintageCheap]

4 hours ago, tjunmin said:

When are the formal nights on this itinerary? It will be much appreciated if you can share an image of the Celebrity TODAY showing the evening attire for the entire cruise. Thanks in advance!

 

[cruisegirlppp]

Have a great cruise...I'm already enjoying it vicariously. We really like the older ships and understand that they are a little worn- but so are we, so that's ok!

 

[tjunmin]

3 hours ago, VintageCheap said:

 

Thank you very much for the images of Celebrity Today. Wish you a wonderful cruise!

[VintageCheap]

MDR breakfast was well sorted.  Sometimes these are a circus - the staff has never met. 

 

Out on our walk we got to watch  a case study in maritime rules of the road - when crossing the vessel to starboard is stand on.  Lunch was rushed the Loyalty Event was at 1300.  Pizza was not ruined. 

 

I ran into Abdul again - F&B Director.  He said if you want something- ask.  I told him his team was doing well.  They did employee recognition.

 

The bands are good.  The mood is chill.  DW was fascinated by the funky salads in the Spa Cafe -Kale etc.  It is over 70F again. 

 

The rooms are good- the bed was newer.  It is a trend on some lines to make new ocean view cabins tiny again.  The ship is nicely vibration and rumble free.  There is a lot of topside paint being applied.  Surface rust has become a passenger obsession.  Not sure why. 

Edited November 29, 2023 by VintageCheap

[VintageCheap]

The library / computer room is lovely and music free.  This is not a feature on newer vessels. 

[JDPCruisers]

8 minutes ago, VintageCheap said:

The library / computer room is lovely and music free.  This is not a feature on newer vessels. 

Curious if you have an idea on how full the ship is, does it feel crowded at all? 

[STLCRUISIN]

20 hours ago, sheeng said:

Hi🤗

Sheila and Jim.

Hey guys, Great to hear from you!!! Assuming all went well on your trip home. We're settled back in for now...heading to Equinox in 11 days. We'll be Zenith after that cruise so looking forward in the future to picking up secret Zenith tips 😉. It was very nice meeting and sailing with you both. Have a great holiday and 2024!!!

[81Zoomie]

Hi @VintageCheap. Thanks for taking the time to post about your trip on the Connie.  We will be sailing her for the first time in the Med fall 2024.  The ports fit our bucket list, the price was right, and the timing works out.  Also love the fact that the ship is a bit smaller on a port intensive itinerary.  We are looking forward to following your journey and hearing your impressions of the ship, food, fun, etc. Bon Voyage!

[VintageCheap]

2 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

Curious if you have an idea on how full the ship is, does it feel crowded at all? 

There are minimal lines.  Plenty of room.   The ship is sold out.  This is a hidden secret of the old tonnage.  The new designs add three more decks of cabins to the basic common areas. 

[NC Fred]

Thanks so much for the reporting live from the Connie.

 

We ( group of 6 seniors) will be boarding her on Jan 12th for the same itinerary.

 

Would love it if you could post pictures of MDR menu's and maybe wine list, of available.

[tjunmin]

1 hour ago, NC Fred said:

Would love it if you could post pictures of MDR menu's and maybe wine list, of available.

If you have a cell phone and the Celebrity app installed, you can change the sailing to VintageCheap's sailing and have access to all menus, from all restaurants, for the entire duration of the cruise. I assume that the app is accurate.

[VintageCheap]

Here are a few menus.  The head waiters stepped on table clearing tonight and kept things moving.  I liked the Covina. 

[TeaBag]

Really enjoying your review.  We will not be on Connie again till Aug, so it is very encouraging to see that she is still great.

[JDPCruisers]

16 hours ago, VintageCheap said:

There are minimal lines.  Plenty of room.   The ship is sold out.  This is a hidden secret of the old tonnage.  The new designs add three more decks of cabins to the basic common areas. 

Thanks. This is good to hear as our sailing after yours appears to be sold out so plenty of room without dodging people all the time sounds great. Do they have the pizza station in the aft of OVC? A pasta station with it on in the main OVC? All sounds great, so far, but anything lacking?

[VintageCheap]

1 hour ago, JDPCruisers said:

Thanks. This is good to hear as our sailing after yours appears to be sold out so plenty of room without dodging people all the time sounds great. Do they have the pizza station in the aft of OVC? A pasta station with it on in the main OVC? All sounds great, so far, but anything lacking?

Yes.  Pizza starboard aft, pasta port.  The pizza is not bad. BBQ Chicken yesterday. 

 

On a recent NCL sailing they managed to perfectly replicate low end frozen pizza crust via a machine.  How about a water bottle filling station?

 

Abdul gets a few of his headwaiters out of bed early to watch over MDR breakfast.  On smaller ships the MDR matters still.  On fancier larger ships 92% of the attention is on premium venues. 

 

Waffles and jelly.  Mmm.

 

Anchored off Grand Cayman.  About 2.5 hours to get everybody ashore.  Sunrise, Glory and Apex in town today.  Perfect weather.  Good stay on the ship port for us.  I go stir crazy at the dock but we are at anchor.  Shade, loungers and no yukky music on 11 port forward.

Edited November 30, 2023 by VintageCheap

[39august]

Are all bars closed except the Pool Bar while in Grand Cayman? 

[VintageCheap]

8 minutes ago, 39august said:

Are all bars closed except the Pool Bar while in Grand Cayman? 

+ Michaels per the app. 

Edited November 30, 2023 by VintageCheap

[39august]

Thanks for the quick reply. Glad to hear the Retreat guests can get a drink in Michael's. It was closed as well as all other bars, except Pool Bar, last time we were in GC. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

The assistant  maître is up in OVC at 6 am after still working in MDR at 10 pm the night before making sure everything is it top shape 

It is amazing how many hours they work , I saw him working everyday on our 16 day cruise 

[sheeng]

21 hours ago, STLCRUISIN said:

Hey guys, Great to hear from you!!! Assuming all went well on your trip home. We're settled back in for now...heading to Equinox in 11 days. We'll be Zenith after that cruise so looking forward in the future to picking up secret Zenith tips 😉. It was very nice meeting and sailing with you both. Have a great holiday and 2024!!!

No delays/problems getting home and then a great Thanksgiving celebration. We were 24 for dinner but with 5 under 7 yr olds it felt like 55!
We must wait for our Spring sailings to reach Zenith. Can’t wait to hear if you pick up any secret tips and tricks! Have a blast and congratulations.

We head to South America Feb.4 for Solstice Antarctic cruise.

We enjoyed meeting you both too🤗

[VintageCheap]

On 11/29/2023 at 7:13 AM, cruzeluver said:

Enjoying following along! Constellation is an old favorite and we will be on board in mid February. Sailing from Tampa is a delight!!

Tampa is a great cruise port.  And will be a haven for smaller older ships.  I was pointing out the lack of lines aboard.  Like none at all for MDR at 7.  Not bad.   The Corporate dinner menus could use a few more choices.  What was served - no complaints. 

 

Speaking of food the end cap pastry displays in the buffet work on me.  I would like to see an early riser breakfast.  Maybe by the pool to save on staff.

 

There is room for one more chair in the library.  I was telling the Cruise Director I always smile when a smaller older ship wins awards.

 

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by VintageCheap

[VintageCheap]

We are not in Kansas any more.  After some swells last night (good to be on Deck 2) we are here.

 

Cute parrots and monkeys in a tiny, free, secure rain forest at the port. 

 

Currency exchange by the parrots.  We got some pesos.  Taxi to Cafe Pascal for Acacado Toast $20. 

 

The city feels completely safe.

 

DW liked the 0700 free stretch and sea turtle lecture yesterday.

 

 

[VintageCheap]

The reports back from the city were not great.  We timed out at noon- the brunch was good and there were more places to try in the New York Times 2023 review, but it was 90 or 92 out.

 

Taxis were plentiful and took dollars.  Some shops did not.  The areas -Old Town and Getsemani- felt 100% safe.  Loads of police and uniformed military.  You can find many items in shops- cell accessories,  hardware, etc.

 

The cute mini zoo at the port made us smile.

 

Bands aboard tend to play a lot of jazzy numbers.  We have been known to beg for old school dance numbers. Jazz fusion cannot be danced to really.

 

MDR has found us tables for two every night.  And are good at fish.  We tried but did not like the spa food offers up on 10.  We observed bacon and french toast being smuggled in. 

 

Need to track down Abdul on the bar snacks 4 aft.   They appear and disappear randomly.  I don't need more salt or calories however.

 

Pizza was good again at lunch on 10.  I was today craving lunch items only served on other lines- Poolside Mexican and Buffalo Chicken. 

 

We had a sale on cabin air filters on deck 2 port.

[2chiefs]

13 hours ago, VintageCheap said:

21 hours ago, VintageCheap said:

We are not in Kansas any more.  After some swells last night (good to be on Deck 2) we are here.

<<<SNIP>>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where is "here"? Assuming Cartagena or Panama?

Thanks

 

 

 

[wrk2cruise]

On 11/29/2023 at 2:20 PM, VintageCheap said:

I ran into Abdul again - F&B Director.

 

Abdul, Juan and Dario and the head chef (Italian) certainly keep the dining experience top notch on this ship.  We have done 54 days with them this year.