First Time Celebrity Cruiser - First Impressions

[Ex-Airbalancer]

2 hours ago, Stem to Stern said:

When was Connie’s last dry dock?

When is her next dry dock scheduled for?

 

[neverlaysup]

On 10/18/2024 at 11:33 AM, Chrissy3427 said:

Hi All!

First time Celebrity cruisers, long time NCL/Royal Caribbean cruisers. Looking forward to an upcoming trip on the Constellation, although to be honest I didn't like the idea of not being able to see the shore excursions available unless you actually booked the trip. Now that I am booked I see the New Orleans excursions are pretty pricey and limited. On top of that we will be paying about $30/day for a soda plan. I know much more is offered than just soda, but seeing as that is all I drink as well as and an occasional water, this is pretty expensive as well. The other cruise lines previously mentioned their packages are only $10/day.

 

So far first impressions are not good ones. I am sure the ship will be nice, and the trip will be nice, but in comparison to the other cruise lines, this one is not wowing us aside from the itinerary.

 

I know Celebrity has a good reputation, and we will keep an open mind before and during the voyage.

 

Help us out, my gf and I are second guessing ourselves... 😁

 

Chrissy

Pay as you go for sodas. If you were Diamond on Royal, you will be Elite on Celebrity and can collect all the sodas you can carry from 5-7pm for free. 

[hcat]

Would love to see current pics of the public areas on Connie.. We are an easy drive to the Tampa port   but have heard the ship  is showing its age..so we have not sailed on her recently.

[Donsyb]

In New Orleans there is a streetcar stop very close to the port/ mall. Either go to the garden district from there, or walk the other direction into the French quarter. See Jackson square, wander the side streets such as royale and Decatur. Take the streetcar up canal to the warehouse district and see the wwII museum. In one day, you don’t need an excursion.

 

Its worth checking what other perks you get with the status match - Matt on the RC blog did a recent video on this.

[RichYak]

On 10/19/2024 at 1:27 PM, ch175 said:

How would offering a soda-only package make Celebrity “like Royal?”

While Celebrity "welcomes" families with teens and young children, their target demographic is adults. Things like soda packages, water slides, and ice skating rinks are more child/teen oriented, which is what Royal is for.

[Chrissy3427]

4 hours ago, Donsyb said:

In New Orleans there is a streetcar stop very close to the port/ mall. Either go to the garden district from there, or walk the other direction into the French quarter. See Jackson square, wander the side streets such as royale and Decatur. Take the streetcar up canal to the warehouse district and see the wwII museum. In one day, you don’t need an excursion.

 

Its worth checking what other perks you get with the status match - Matt on the RC blog did a recent video on this.

Thank you Donsyb. The French Quarter is walking distance from the pier? Is it a safe walk?

We are thinking of at least dining in the French Quarter, but more than likely taking a taxi back to the pier seeing as it will be dark. Thanks for your input.

[Donsyb]

13 minutes ago, Chrissy3427 said:

Thank you Donsyb. The French Quarter is walking distance from the pier? Is it a safe walk?

We are thinking of at least dining in the French Quarter, but more than likely taking a taxi back to the pier seeing as it will be dark. Thanks for your input.

It’s about a 30 minute walk to the centre of the French quarter (I used Pat O’Briens as my place marker). During the day it should be as safe as anywhere else in the US! If mobility is an issue, I’m 

Sure there will be taxis waiting.

 

You should definitely stop at Pat O’Briens (home of the hurricane cocktail) for a drink and the duelling pianos. Not sure what time sailaway is, but if late, also try to get into preservation hall for some live music (best to get in line for the first set to guarantee getting in).

[STLCRUISIN]

22 hours ago, Stem to Stern said:

When was Connie’s last dry dock?

When is her next dry dock scheduled for?

The last drydock was in April 2024, a couple months after our Mardi Gras cruise. Most of the drydock repairs were to the hull and engines. Some updates were also made to carpeting, seating, lighting and also Michaels Club, converting it to a Retreat Lounge. I think they may have also expanded Luminae but I'm not sure. I do know they are scheduled to expand Luminae on Summit's drydock in January. No updates were made to cabins.

Not sure when the next drydock will be.

[KKB]

On 10/18/2024 at 1:33 PM, Chrissy3427 said:

Hi All!

First time Celebrity cruisers, long time NCL/Royal Caribbean cruisers. Looking forward to an upcoming trip on the Constellation, although to be honest I didn't like the idea of not being able to see the shore excursions available unless you actually booked the trip. Now that I am booked I see the New Orleans excursions are pretty pricey and limited. On top of that we will be paying about $30/day for a soda plan. I know much more is offered than just soda, but seeing as that is all I drink as well as and an occasional water, this is pretty expensive as well. The other cruise lines previously mentioned their packages are only $10/day.

 

So far first impressions are not good ones. I am sure the ship will be nice, and the trip will be nice, but in comparison to the other cruise lines, this one is not wowing us aside from the itinerary.

 

I know Celebrity has a good reputation, and we will keep an open mind before and during the voyage.

 

Help us out, my gf and I are second guessing ourselves... 😁

 

Chrissy

Personally I find ship excursions to be vastly overpriced on most lines!

We rarely book an excursion w/ the cruiseline anymore; we nearly always book private if at all.

 

I don't know how much soda you drink, but you can bring a 12 pack aboard...and usually if you grab another at a port they don't mind.

 

Compared to NCL & RCCL I feel Celebrity has better MDR food & overall service. 

Shows will be disappointing after the Broadway shows of NCL/RCCL--Eclass remedies this if you decide to try those later (Apex, Edge, Beyond, Ascent)

 

Celebrity remains our fav, especially Eclass (newer ships), but the Constellation was our 1st X cruise & made us fall in love w/ X.

 

Edited October 21 by KKB

[peanut head]

Don't forget that you can also be on the lookout for flash sales to get a better price on beverage packages, dinner packages, shore excursions, etc.  

 

Enjoy the anticipation of the voyage and actual trip.😊

[gatour]

On 10/19/2024 at 2:54 PM, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Freestyle machines 🤢

you than have carry around the stupid cups to get the pop  🤮🤣

No you don't.  You can go to a bar and get a soda.  Usually not a full can but you can get a soda.

[clackey]

This is our first on Celebrity also.  With 22 cruises under our belts, we wanted to try something different so we grabbed a super deal on the Constellation for April.  Really don't care for fancy new monster ships.  They are going to lose money on us because I can eat more than our fare was.  

[Chrissy3427]

On 10/19/2024 at 1:43 PM, PTC DAWG said:

Royal can do that because of the vending machines on board, fountain drink are much cheaper than canned soda..

 

Edited October 22 by Chrissy3427

[Chrissy3427]

On 10/19/2024 at 1:43 PM, PTC DAWG said:

Royal can do that because of the vending machines on board, fountain drink are much cheaper than canned soda..

 Just checked. The non-alcoholic package for our cruise is up to $40/day; for an 8 day cruise that comes to $320pp, any adult in the room is required to get the package if one person purchases it, so for two adults we would be required to pay $640. At $10/day we can justify it. Not this. That's a lot of cans of soda...

 

Maddening.

 

I'm not looking to stir the pot here, just providing details.

 

Check that... $767 with gratuities. 🤯

[Ex-Airbalancer]

3 hours ago, Chrissy3427 said:

 Just checked. The non-alcoholic package for our cruise is up to $40/day; for an 8 day cruise that comes to $320pp, any adult in the room is required to get the package if one person purchases it, so for two adults we would be required to pay $640. At $10/day we can justify it. Not this. That's a lot of cans of soda...

 

Maddening.

 

I'm not looking to stir the pot here, just providing details.

 

Check that... $767 with gratuities. 🤯

 Everyone already knows the details as there has been many post on this subject over the past year , so you were stirring the pot 

[chrismch]

We are Diamond on RCL and Elite on Celebrity. On Celebrity, you are not limited to 4 "free" beverages daily that are added to your card. Instead you have unlimited drinks from 5-7 at certain bars. It does not include dining rooms. It does include the Martini bar which is in the center of the ship so you can bring extras back to the room. You can order 2 at a time. You can request cans and they won't open them. I've attached the list of drinks available and the  extra perks you get. They outway the RCL perks. Our favorite is a free bag of laundry per elite member in your room. Stuff the bag and request it returned folded or on hangers. We will be on the Connie next month and post a full detailed review.

[hcat]

4 hours ago, Chrissy3427 said:

 Just checked. The non-alcoholic package for our cruise is up to $40/day; for an 8 day cruise that comes to $320pp, any adult in the room is required to get the package if one person purchases it, so for two adults we would be required to pay $640. At $10/day we can justify it. Not this. That's a lot of cans of soda...

 

Maddening.

 

I'm not looking to stir the pot here, just providing details.

 

Check that... $767 with gratuities. 🤯

who drinks that much soda?  

can bring some on and can get ukm at the Happy Hour..  can get juice and ice tea at various spots too!

 

Hope you will  be able to adjust and enjoy your cruise

[Chrissy3427]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

 Everyone already knows the details as there has been many post on this subject over the past year , so you were stirring the pot 

Apologies... I had not read all the many posts that apparently exist. It is not my intention to "stir the pot"

[Chrissy3427]

25 minutes ago, hcat said:

who drinks that much soda?  

can bring some on and can get ukm at the Happy Hour..  can get juice and ice tea at various spots too!

 

Hope you will  be able to adjust and enjoy your cruise

That is exactly my point HCAT. There is no way the cost justifies the reality of breaking even. It's mind boggling to me. I only bring this up as it shocks me truthfully. Not sure how Celebrity can justify the cost. But apparently they do. 

My gf and I would maybe have 4 sodas each per day (?) so they plan will be buying it individually for us, and as suggested happy hour apparently.

 

I appreciate everyone's input and insight though.

[chrismch]

Chrissy 3427 - You are certainly NOT stirring the pot. The charges for beverages is a legitimate complaint. I usually always carry a bottle of water with me. I went to an event this weekend and I was told I had to pour it out before entering. I could then buy a new bottle, the same size, in the building for $4. That's the price I would pay for a 12 pk. At an event or on a cruise we are a captive audience. 

[hcat]

1 hour ago, Chrissy3427 said:

That is exactly my point HCAT. There is no way the cost justifies the reality of breaking even. It's mind boggling to me. I only bring this up as it shocks me truthfully. Not sure how Celebrity can justify the cost. But apparently they do. 

My gf and I would maybe have 4 sodas each per day (?) so they plan will be buying it individually for us, and as suggested happy hour apparently.

 

I appreciate everyone's input and insight though.

I hear your point but perhaps  Celebrity is not for you...let us know after your cruise!

[Itchy&Scratchy]

7 hours ago, Chrissy3427 said:

The non-alcoholic package for our cruise is up to $40/day; At $10/day we can justify it. Not this. That's a lot of cans of soda...

but doesn't the non-alcoholic package offer more than just soda? 

RCI's soda only package is cheap by comparison, but not their non-alcoholic package.

 

P.S. I am not even paying $27 pppd for a non-alcoholic package, but let's compare apples to apples here, ok. 

Edited October 22 by Itchy&Scratchy

[chill6x6]

@Chrissy3427... DEFINITELY don't book New Orleans shore excursions thru the ship! I've been to NO quite a bit...Cruising and just visiting..  Here's a short list of things to do.

 

1. Tour the French Quarter- Definitely EAT.  ACME Oyster, Mr B's Bistro, Felix's, Commander's Palace, Emeril's...and others.  Those are some of my favorites

2. WW-II museum....a must do

3. Many, many ghost and murder tours at night.  They are FUN! LOL

4. Take a dinner cruise up river on the Creole Queen.

 

Just some thoughts...  Uber is your friend!

 

I think you'll have a good time on this cruise....I considered it myself!

[RichYak]

32 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

but let's compare apples to apples here, ok. 

I think the point is that one can't compare apples to apples because Celebrity no longer sells a soda package. That's the main gripe here.

[chrismch]

Here's a link for an assortment of tours you can book locally in New Orleans. https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/tours/

 

Here's a video that really captures the essence of the French Quarter and everything that is there. The speaker is spot on with this descriptions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXo03TdCplg

 

 And here's a link to do your own walking tour of N.O.

https://freetoursbyfoot.com/self-guided-tours-new-orleans/