Have Constellation Questions ? Ask Away !!!

[Team Stag]

Andy - I have a weird question for you to research. I believe your cruise goes to Cozumel. I believe that Cozumel does not recognize Daylight Savings Time until April 7 ( like the US use to). Therefore, I am interested in what time the Connie docks ship time and local time?

 

I'm assuming ship time is still 11:30, I'm assuming they will make you turn back your clock and hour (for CSt) and I'm assuming that it will be 10:30 local time when the boat arrives. But that's a lot of assumptions.

 

I know Ship Time is the critical time but I am just trying to do some planning for the beach day. And an extra hour of sunshine is always a bonus!

 

Enjoy your trip!! Look forward to the review when you return of what it's like to book a cruise on a whim vs months & months of planning.

[Shirley C]

Hi Andy

 

We will be on the Connie on 4/1/13 (and then with you on the Eclipse on 4/6/13). For planning purposes, I would love to know the dates & times of he Captains Club events.

 

Thanks for your help & looking forward to meeting you on the Eclipse.

 

Shirley

[biggerbearmom]

Andy, If you happen to be wandering deck 8

could you check out room 8070? Curious if there is a service door close enough that would cause noise.

[Oville]

Andy, bon voyage!

[Andy]

Andy, bon voyage!

 

Thank you Oville, and to those who posted your kind comments - I appreciate it.

[Andy]

Hi Everyone,

 

Thanks for your questions. I have copied them all, and will try my best to obtain answers. If any new questions are posted, I plan to check this thread from Constellation, so keep 'em coming :)

 

Tomorrow should be an extremely hectic & exciting day. I was invited to visit Azamara Quest, as she has a rare port call in Miami, before her Transatlantic sailing. My plan is to drop our luggage at Constellation, check in, and get Mom settled in onboard. As long as there are no boarding delays, I'm headed over to visit Quest (which is on the opposite side of the port), will check out the updates to the ship, then return to Connie before she departs Miami.

 

I hope it all goes according to plan. Wish me luck !!!

Edited March 14, 2013 by Host Andy

[Lois R]

Hi Andy, wishing you and your Mom a BIG BON VOYAGE:D

[Andy]

Hi Andy, wishing you and your Mom a BIG BON VOYAGE:D

 

Thank you Lois, arent you sailing soon ? I wish you a wonderful Cruise as well !!!

[Excalibur1869]

What are the gym facilities like, any good?

 

Is the pool likely to be very crowded during the day and do the staff organise any games?

[h20cruzer]

I have heard some rumors that they removed the bubble beds and the waterfall faucets in the T pool. could you please confirm that the T pool is as it has always been.

Its been calling my name, my last 3 cruises were on the S class ships. REALLY miss the

T pools.

Have a great trip Andy.

Norma

[Shirley C]

Hi Everyone,

 

Thanks for your questions. I have copied them all, and will try my best to obtain answers. If any new questions are posted, I plan to check this thread from Constellation, so keep 'em coming :)

 

Tomorrow should be an extremely hectic & exciting day. I was invited to visit Azamara Quest, as she has a rare port call in Miami, before her Transatlantic sailing. My plan is to drop our luggage at Constellation, check in, and get Mom settled in onboard. As long as there are no boarding delays, I'm headed over to visit Quest (which is on the opposite side of the port), will check out the updates to the ship, then return to Connie before she departs Miami.

 

I hope it all goes according to plan. Wish me luck !!!

 

Have a great trip! Let us know about the Quest. Cruising on Azamara is on our bucket list. Heard wonderful things about them.

 

Shirley

[Andy]

Andy,

 

If you can, I'm interested in Entertainment info -

 

1) is Liz Strauss still in Michaels?

2) how about Derek Lewis?

3) are the Miami DJ's still on board?

and

4) is the Spitfires still the party band?

 

Thanks a lot!

 

Hi Team Stag,

 

Yes to all of the above, though they've reduced the hours of the DJ at the Martini Bar, and the percussionist no longer plays at the location. I believe he's back at the Disco.

[Andy]

Hi Andy,

 

Have a GREAT cruise !

 

I be curious to find out if you hear any "scuttlebutt" about perhaps any new things they plan to do during the dry-dock that haven't already been disclosed...or maybe that the other 3 ships didn't receive. It's been almost a year since the last of the other M Class ships completed the full "solsticizing"...and based on continuing evaluation and feedback...from crew, customers and corporate themselves...perhaps they are making additional changes...ie...more soft good replacement ? easy fixes to Cafe al Bacio, making it a "true" Coffee Shop...that sells real brewed(but GOOD) coffee as well as espresso based drinks? perhaps taking 2 inside cabins from every deck and converting them to a self-serve laundry?....anything else ?

 

Corporations are constantly making changes based on feedback/evaluation...so curious if they might be as well ?!

 

(and yes, the laundry room reference was a joke...as I know how polarizing the mention of one can be on this board)!!:D

 

Enjoy, and as always...Thanks !!

 

Woody

 

Hi Woody,

 

Thanks for your nice comments. I asked some folks onboard, and they all stated the updates to Connie will be in line with what was added to her Sister ships. Of course, it's possible other things may happen.... but if so, the shipboard folks do not seem aware of anything, or are keeping it very quiet.

 

On the bright side, the Drydock is near, and we will know the answers shortly.

[Andy]

Hi Andy,

 

I would also like to know if the Miami dj and percussionist are still on board, but probably not for the same reason as the previous poster .:rolleyes: Hope they have gone, and that you will have a great, and peaceful, cruise. Please say hello to Graeme.

 

Anne

 

Hi Anne,

 

As mentioned above - the DJ is still onboard, but the hours at the Martini Bar were reduced, and the music was not as loud as last Cruise. The Percussionist no longer performs at the Martini Bar, and I believe he's returned to the Disco.

 

While I was very displeased with this arrangement in January, I thought the refinements were nicely improved on this sailing, and a very fair compromise for all.

[Andy]

Have a great cruise Andy!

 

It would be great if you could find out who will be the CD and CC host in Europe in May. Generally, there are lots of changes before and after the Transatlantic!

 

Hi Linda,

 

John Grantham is expected to be Connie's CD in May. I was unable to find out who the Captains Club Host will be in May, but it will not be Graeme, as he's leaving Connie before the Transatlantic. Sounds as if he will be doing short stints on a couple of Celebrity ships before heading to Century.

[Andy]

What are the gym facilities like, any good?

 

Is the pool likely to be very crowded during the day and do the staff organise any games?

 

Hi Excalibur,

 

When it comes to the Gym, I'm hardly the expert, but it seemed the facilities are fine. The pool was generally not too crowded, other than on the Sea Day, when it's jammed. The activities staff offers some games, and there's also Zumba, which was nicely attended, and led by Valentina from the activities staff. As the number of folks participating increased with each day, it seemed that guests were very pleased with her efforts !

[Andy]

HI again Andy-

 

Would love to know if there will be entertainment of any kind in Michael's the first week of April when we will be on Connie. We are so looking forward to being in an "M" class Michael's again, they are so much nicer than than the Solstice class version, in our opinion!

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Gracie

 

 

Hi Gracie,

 

I was advised that Liz Strauss and Derek Lewis should be the performers in Michaels Club in Early April.

[Andy]

I have heard some rumors that they removed the bubble beds and the waterfall faucets in the T pool. could you please confirm that the T pool is as it has always been.

Its been calling my name, my last 3 cruises were on the S class ships. REALLY miss the

T pools.

Have a great trip Andy.

Norma

 

Hi Norma,

 

Your question was posted after I had already left for the ship, and I did not see it until tonight. Hopefully, another Constellation cruiser will be able to answer. My apologies !

[Andy]

tell her please her Dad says "Hi" (again)

 

Cheers

Peter

 

Message delivered Peter :)

[Andy]

Loved your 'live from Constellation' from a few weeks ago. DH and I will be sailing her on a b2b in early April.

 

I am sure this question has been asked numerous times and its about hair dryers. Does the Constellation still have those hair dryers that hang on the wall in the bathroom? If they do, I'll pack my travel dryer as I prefer drying my hair in the bedroom while DH uses the bathroom. It gets a bit hot in there to dry hair.

 

Have a wonderful trip!

 

Thank you.

 

 

Christine

 

Hi Christine,

 

The hair dryers remain in the bathrooms. Thank you for your kind comments, and we had a wonderful time once again on Constellation.

[Andy]

Please find out about escagot situation.

I'll cruise connie in June. I wonder whether by that time escagot shortage situation will be resolved. :rolleyes:

 

Thanks,

 

Hi XandraMic,

 

Unfortunately, there weren't any Escargot on this sailing. I had the Crab Stuffed mushrooms twice. Good, but not nearly as good as I remembered from the last time the Escargot were absent.

 

I spoke with the head chef, and he could not confirm when Escargot would return. I hope the wait will not be very long.

[Andy]

Hi Andy

 

We will be on the Connie on 4/1/13 (and then with you on the Eclipse on 4/6/13). For planning purposes, I would love to know the dates & times of he Captains Club events.

 

Thanks for your help & looking forward to meeting you on the Eclipse.

 

Shirley

 

Hi Shirley,

 

Here's the Captains Club events for our sailing :

 

Backstage Tour - Friday 3/15 - 4:30 pm - Celebrity Theater

 

Wine Appreciation 101 - Sat 3/16 - 11:15 am - San Marco Restaurant

 

Double Jackpot - Sunday 3/17 - 10-10:30 am - Fortunes Casino

 

Captains Club Celebration - Sunday 3/17 - 1:00 - 2:15 pm - Reflections Lounge

 

Departure Lounge - Monday 3/18 - 7:00 - 9:00 am - Michael's Club

Edited March 19, 2013 by Host Andy

[Andy]

Andy - I have a weird question for you to research. I believe your cruise goes to Cozumel. I believe that Cozumel does not recognize Daylight Savings Time until April 7 ( like the US use to). Therefore, I am interested in what time the Connie docks ship time and local time?

 

I'm assuming ship time is still 11:30, I'm assuming they will make you turn back your clock and hour (for CSt) and I'm assuming that it will be 10:30 local time when the boat arrives. But that's a lot of assumptions.

 

I know Ship Time is the critical time but I am just trying to do some planning for the beach day. And an extra hour of sunshine is always a bonus!

 

Enjoy your trip!! Look forward to the review when you return of what it's like to book a cruise on a whim vs months & months of planning.

 

Hi Team Stag,

 

Yes, the clocks were turned back the night before Cozumel, and turned forward on Saturday night, after Cozumel.

 

We were scheduled to arrive at 12:30 pm ships time, and was advised that it would be 11:30 am local time. Upon departure, the ships time was scheduled for 9:30 pm, and the local time would be 8:30 pm.

 

Frankly, I thought the itinerary, including a 1:30 pm departure at Key West, and the late arrival / departure at Cozumel was both confusing and disappointing. A couple of folks arrived back at the ship a few moments past scheduled departure, but it seems the Captain waited, and they made it back to the ship.

 

I wish Celebrity will consider making adjustments to this itinerary in the future. At the very least, I'd hope for a few extra hours in Key West.

[Andy]

Hi Andy,

 

Would it be possible to check on cabin 7163? From the diagrams it looks like it has a larger balcony, though our TA says every balcony in the cabin class is the same size. We're just curious since it'd be nice to get a slightly larger balcony for the same price!

 

Kelly

 

Hi Kelly,

 

I was not able to view 7163, but I believe it has a somewhat larger veranda. As for your TA's comments - I'm certain they are incorrect, as some of the Cat 2A verandas on Deck 7, are indeed larger than others.

[Esprit]

Hi Excalibur,

 

When it comes to the Gym, I'm hardly the expert, but it seemed the facilities are fine. The pool was generally not too crowded, other than on the Sea Day, when it's jammed. The activities staff offers some games, and there's also Zumba, which was nicely attended, and led by Valentina from the activities staff. As the number of folks participating increased with each day, it seemed that guests were very pleased with her efforts !

 

Thanks Andy for the mention

 

Valentina rang last night to say she is now the official Zumba instructor for the rest of her Constellation contract following a visit to HQ yesterday. She'll still perform other activities duties too.

 

Peter