Celebrity Constellation Cruises Reviews

Tuesday 7th Feb 2012

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Constellation

Constellation - A More Cheerful View

Constellation - A More Cheerful View

Reviewed By: Crispin, Rickmansworth on 2nd Jul 2009
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Constellation	Sailed: May, 2009
Destination: Baltic	Age: 56-65
Cabin: Balcony	Occasion: Wedding anniversary

We chose Constellation again because we had greatly enjoyed a Baltic cruise on her in 2002, on her 2nd voyage after delivery. This time, as the sailing date approached, we were somewhat alarmed because of the debate about the prices of alcoholic drinks and because, reading reviews of earlier cruises, it appeared that the ship was schizophrenic, with half the reviewers rating her highly and half rating her very poorly. We drove to Harwich and found the arrival process very slick, as indeed was disembarkation. We booked, and enjoyed, an excellent Concierge class cabin. The cabin service was outstanding, with early breakfasts in the cabin making for an easy start when needed and afternoon tea being a super pick-up when returning weary to the ship from a day pounding the pavements. The spa was good and the Persian Garden, on a voyage rate for two, just what was needed on a cruise that suffered from some unseasonably cold weather. The service and food in the main dining room was excellent, both at dinner and breakfast, whilst the two sea-day brunches were fun and full of choice. The waiter service evening-only restaurant, at the stern in the Seaside Grill, was good fun with its great views on the best day of the cruise for weather, whilst the Ocean Liner speciality restaurant was superb. Snacks and casual lunch from the café were fine, even if the choice meant darting from one serving area to another, whilst the ice cream counter was hard to pass without picking up a cone. The entertainment was a bit variable and rather too loud but things improved once the Cruise Director showed us the best place to sit for sound balance. We found drink prices reasonable, but then we are used to London area prices, and that was helped by the cost of extras falling as we cruised because the pound was rising against the dollar. The excursions were expensive, more so for anyone who booked in sterling before sailing and were charged $1.38 = £1.00 against the rate on the cruise of over $1.60 = £1.00, so even paying the on-board rate we only used them in St Petersburg and found them well organised with high quality guides. Constellation was unable to dock in Stockholm because of the weather, with a strong and gusty northerly wind making the normal passage too hazardous, whilst a top temperature of about 37F wasn’t ideal, so it moored off some 30 miles south. We used the local train service, made easy by information given out on board, but Celebrity did score one own goal as the need to use tenders shortened the time in Stockholm, although that reduced the risk of hypothermia, yet the shuttle bus price of $30, which was substantially more than the cost of the good local train service, produced a classic case of less for more. The ship was in excellent condition after 7 years in service, apart from some minor snags, with the stainless steel and mirrors gleaming throughout the public areas. For us it was a delightful cruise, despite the variable weather, and the ship exceeded expectations influenced by earlier cruise reports.
Quality of Food
We mostly used the main dining room as it was ideal for relaxing in the evening and swapping ideas at breakfast.
Entertainment
We found the sound too loud and actually left because of it on a couple of occasions.
Shore Excursions
St Petersburg excursions worth the money; not needed elsewhere.
Staff
Cabin staff and waiters excellent
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
Oh, for more hours in the day.
Cabins
We took care choosing the cabin and it paid off.
Overall Rating

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Question by bullard, hornchurch (14 Jul 09 12:46) about this REVIEW

Hi, I am thinking of booking for next Sept on this ship and wonder if you could tell me whether there is an extra charge for using the Persian Garden and also the indoor pool. I realise you pay for spa treatments but not sure about entry to this area. Also are they like RCL and have cocktails of the day? Many thanks.

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Answer by Crispin, Rickmansworth (15 Jul 09 07:19) to a QUESTION by bullard (14 Jul 09 12:46)

There is a charge for the Persian Garden and it is very expensive on a per-day basis, unless there is a special offer, but reasonable on a cruise basis for two, if you use it, as it works out at about $4.50 per day each. The indoor, Thalassotherapy, pool is free. There are cocktails of the day.

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Comment by stockwell, west wickham (08 Jul 09 11:03) about this REVIEW

Also sailing onthe 25th and have also been following reviews and it looks and sounds good .We have sailed with RCL so we know what to expect plus a bit more ,will write a review when we return

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Thompson, Peterborough (06 Jul 09 04:43) about this REVIEW

We were on the same cruise, same time. Absolutely excellent review in every respect. Bernard and Isabel Thompson, Peterborough

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Comment by Prince, Castleford (02 Jul 09 18:39) about this REVIEW

Thank you for your review - setting our minds at rest. We leave on the 25th - our first cruise and so some of the rather negative reports were a little alarming. However, we have had such reviews about hotels which we subsequently found to be outstanding for the price paid - can't please everyone. Thanks again.

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