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

[VintageCheap]

1 hour ago, 2chiefs said:

 

Caregena.  Lovely spot really.  We went out early 0730 to see the massive fort.  Lots of work and expense, but if pirates invaded every ten years this would be annoying. 

 

Across the street we dropped into the stylish Art Hotel for brunch.  This city has two sides - you get classic dusty tourist areas - Old Town- or some Miami Beach level venues. 

 

Pro tips:  On tours, dollars are fine.  The informal economy can sort out exchange rates.  In shops, nice restaurants or the Fort- Pesos.  Cabs - seat belts are not universal - dollars seem fine.  One cab driver was hyping the hilltop monastary.

 

Lots of police and first aid around.

 

Luxury apartments and yachts are a  sign the economy has some upside.  The place feels like Palma.  English is common not universal. 

 

We lingered in the mini zoo a bit.  It is a good port-side setup.  It serves a few items and has quite a bit of shopping.   

[coaster]

Loving your reports. We board after your cruise. Did same ship and itinerary in March and had to do it again. Nice part it is for 12 nights and not 11 like last time. Thinking it gives the ship some extra time to get back in case of fog. Not to jinx it...

 

Is Colon still on for tomorrow? Ships have not stopped there the past few weeks due to the mining protests in Panama.

Edited December 3, 2023 by coaster

[VintageCheap]

27 minutes ago, coaster said:

Loving your reports. We board after your cruise. Did same ship and itinerary in March and had to do it again. Nice part it is for 12 nights and not 11 like last time. Thinking it gives the ship some extra time to get back in case of fog. Not to jinx it...

 

Is Colon still on for tomorrow? Ships have not stopped there the past few weeks due to the mining protests in Panama.

Thanks.  Not a peep on any port changes.  Usually these generate angry rants, demands for lavish compenation, trip of a lifetine ruined, etc.

[Seattlesuzy]

Thank you so much for this trip report.  My husband and I are sailing the same itinerary on January 24th.  This is our first cruise since Covid, so I'm feeling a bit rusty!  I appreciate all the information.

[Sunny Pearl]

Thanks so much for sharing. Been thinking about sailing on the "Connie" for a while. After being on Edge Class, IDK how I feel about going back.  Those older ships do have that special charm.

Enjoy your self.😀

 

Are you going to post Live on the New Orleans cruise?

 

Thanks,

Sunny

[VintageCheap]

Based on all the CC posted warnings we raced ashore in Colon.  The port area was well secured and felt 100% safe.  We liked the selection of electronics and US pricing. There were some shops open in the big modern mall, more in the Casino mall next door.  Super 99 Market had everything - I found socks.   You can get change in US even coins.  The crew must love this port. 

 

I was grossed out by hazelnut rolls and busy fingers touching food in the buffet but found the poached egg station and supply of waffles all the way aft.

Edited December 4, 2023 by VintageCheap

[Seattlesuzy]

On 11/30/2023 at 11:08 AM, VintageCheap said:

Anchored off Grand Cayman.  About 2.5 hours to get everybody ashore. 

Wow...I wonder if this is this typical?  I'm not complaining, just double checking!  We are sailing this itinerary on January 24.  Grand Cayman is the only port that I haven't figured out what to do.  Factoring that much time getting off and on the ship definitely seems to be something to take into account when making a plan for the day.  (I think this is the only stop that requires a tender, correct?)  Thanks again for your trip report!

[VintageCheap]

2000 people, 150-200 per tender, 15 min to load, etc.  It takes a while.  On a larger ship we got good at math in ports -4000 people, 66 passenger buses, slow loading.  I recall waiting an hour for tenders in a theater once. 

Edited December 4, 2023 by VintageCheap

[Seattlesuzy]

2 minutes ago, VintageCheap said:

2000 people, 150-200 per tender, 15 min to load, etc.  It takes a while.  On a larger ship we got good at math in ports -4000 people, 66 passenger buses, slow loading.  I recall waiting an hour for tenders in a theater once. 

Apologize if this is a dumb question, but it's been a few years since we have cruised.  Do you go somewhere to get a number for your tender?  In other words, the earlier you pick up your number the earlier that you disembark?  (Aside from people who have a high status or paid extra for early disembarkation, etc.)  Thank you!

[VintageCheap]

Good question.  You can /do get them when buying a shore excursion.  Often the Shore Excursion Desk has these.  Butlers possibly can fetch them. The tickets reduce lines. 

 

[love to cruz]

On 12/3/2023 at 11:27 AM, coaster said:

Loving your reports. We board after your cruise. Did same ship and itinerary in March and had to do it again. Nice part it is for 12 nights and not 11 like last time. Thinking it gives the ship some extra time to get back in case of fog. Not to jinx it...

 

Is Colon still on for tomorrow? Ships have not stopped there the past few weeks due to the mining protests in Panama.

Hi Neighbor:

We board as well on Dec. 10. Can't wait.

[VintageCheap]

I prefer longer cruises.  It takes a while to decompress.  Finally today we have our "duty station" sorted out- 10 aft.  It is outdoors,  often shady, looking aft is always good. 

 

We are near the waffles and poached egg department as well as pizza. 

 

There was a large supply of whole fish on ice in Ocean View few days back.  I was baffled what that was about.  Usually, cruise ship food comes in a convoy of containers from Miami.  Abdul reported those were purchased locally and served fresh.  His bio says he managed a beach hotel.  This is good training 🙂

 

We met the chef or a chef and thanked him.  Turkish Night was yummy.  The guest survey was mentioned by someone.  If we want our team looked after - 10s are important people.

 

I know I'm chill when a guy started asking for a bartender at 0600 and we could see palm trees and this seemed appropriate.

 

The decorations have appeared.  The stair ones seem cute but hazardous. 

 

The end cap sweet rolls are safe again 🙂

 

Based on anecdotal reports of danger and crime we are certainly headed ashore again to wander and shop. 

 

[JDPCruisers]

1 hour ago, VintageCheap said:

I prefer longer cruises.  It takes a while to decompress.  Finally today we have our "duty station" sorted out- 10 aft.  It is outdoors,  often shady, looking aft is always good. 

 

We are near the waffles and poached egg department as well as pizza. 

 

There was a large supply of whole fish on ice in Ocean View few days back.  I was baffled what that was about.  Usually, cruise ship food comes in a convoy of containers from Miami.  Abdul reported those were purchased locally and served fresh.  His bio says he managed a beach hotel.  This is good training 🙂

 

We met the chef or a chef and thanked him.  Turkish Night was yummy.  The guest survey was mentioned by someone.  If we want our team looked after - 10s are important people.

 

I know I'm chill when a guy started asking for a bartender at 0600 and we could see palm trees and this seemed appropriate.

 

The decorations have appeared.  The stair ones seem cute but hazardous. 

 

The end cap sweet rolls are safe again 🙂

 

Based on anecdotal reports of danger and crime we are certainly headed ashore again to wander and shop. 

 

Thanks for the review and photos. Whole local fish in OVC, that's a move in the right direction! I'm with you on the stair decorations, seems little risky. But, good to hear they are starting to decorate for the holiday's and we look forward to seeing next week. Oh, how has the pizza been?

[VintageCheap]

2 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

. Oh, how has the pizza been?

The pizza has been fine.  A bit more cheese than in Italy, but Americans prefer that apparently.

 

We walked all over downtown in search of older iPad case.  We did finally find one.  The biggest hazard- uncovered sidewalk utility boxes - watch where you step.  They took dollars readily.  Many offers of taxi tours- one hour $20pp was a quote by the park.  Plenty of police.  The economy is a bit sluggish it seems.

 

The best stock of handicrafts,  hats, bagged coffee etc.

was in the very secure in port shopping area.  Some nice carved wood. 

 

War on pesky surface rust aboard. 

 

Edited December 5, 2023 by VintageCheap

[VintageCheap]

A nice day at sea.  One more tomorrow.  This is classy ship and is riding a gentle swell.  MDR lunch was good.  Our cabin is quiet, roomy and in good repair. 

[VintageCheap]

Sea days are supposed to be chill.  They are.  We have decided breakfast aboard is just right.  The basic food groups are well represented - waffles, poached eggs, cruise line rolls, etc.  The Corporate Menus are otherwise in need of updates. 

 

A tray of such rolls needs to appear earlier each morning somehow.  So 0530 or 0600.

 

Requests were the ticket for the Lucky Band.  We got the snack mix sorted.  A better grade of NA beer was reported to be aboard.  Odouls is just nasty. 

 

Some item will soon appear on ice 🙂

 

Cozumel is low key.  Palm trees are a plus.  A guess is they are not upset at overtourism.  Sunset Bar continues to impress. 

 

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by VintageCheap

[Texed]

3 minutes ago, VintageCheap said:

  We have decided breakfast aboard is just right.  The basic food groups are well represented - waffles,  poached eggs, cruise line rolls, etc. 

 

 

 

 

Sounds great to me.  😋

[crusnbee]

Thank you so much for this. We are doing this itinerary in March.

C

[VintageCheap]

On 11/28/2023 at 9:45 AM, retired dude said:

connie is usually more layback than beyond and far less "yutes" which we love..You just have to ..We also sail alot on the rccl radiance class  ships out of tampa for the same reasons...No flying, and smaller more comfortable relaxing ships.. We just avoid any cruising in the summer, spring break, xmas, thanks giving and during hurricaine season....we are on the reflection next april and look forward to it a great deal ...life is good,we wish you well.

This ship is a cut above Radiance Class.  More like a world cruise liner.  Quieter and less crowded. 

[VintageCheap]

All in all a relaxing 12 days.  CBP was a little backed up but we were out and about by 0930. The next task- off to Miami for another cruise, this time on the Summit tomorrow.

 

The NCL Jade is in port with us.  A similar ship, one that has earned high ratings also despite not being new and shiny. 

 

Abdul says to say hi to the F&B Director on the Summit 🙂

[hcat]

On 12/4/2023 at 1:14 PM, VintageCheap said:

2000 people, 150-200 per tender, 15 min to load, etc.  It takes a while.  On a larger ship we got good at math in ports -4000 people, 66 passenger buses, slow loading.  I recall waiting an hour for tenders in a theater once. 

Sea conditions can also affect timing!

After quite a few visits to GC..we usually stay on the ship.

 

.Excursions go off first but there is often  traffic congestion, long tender lines,  and high prices on the stores...

[retired dude]

we just got off of this sailing on the connie and the pizza was worse than red baron frozen..just sayin'

[VintageCheap]

9 hours ago, hcat said:

Sea conditions can also affect timing!

After quite a few visits to GC..we usually stay on the ship.

 

.Excursions go off first but there is often  traffic congestion, long tender lines,  and high prices on the stores...

Yes.  Larger tenders, calm seas snd using two gangways at once can speed things up. 

 

Speaking of prices, we did miss the large duty free mall in Colon. 

[ArgoNereus]

On 11/30/2023 at 11:38 AM, 39august said:

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. 

We were not able to get service in MC.  Went up to the pool bar and one guy was trying to prepare drinks for a dozen people.

[VintageCheap]

Does anyone remember scones appearing in the buffet at 3:30?