Our Funny Cruise

[PinotBlanc]

We visited in Florida Thanksgiving & December seeing family in Orlando, we booked the Constellation at last minute.

 

The Captains Club switch over was in effect. The boarding went smooth. We headed to the Bistro with our luggage. We boarded early and the Bistro was full with a line waiting. Oh well, breakfast was filling. We planned an early dinner in Bistro.

 

Many times we've cruised on Millie, just once on Summit. We took turns wandering the beautiful Constellation and waited to rest on a comfortable bed.

 

The bed was just as comfortable as the ones on S-Class ships. The room had plenty of storage and a wide view out to sea. The bathroom was perfect, no problem with grout, but unlike Millie the shower had a shower curtain. The cabin steward and his assistant visited, we exchanged pleasantries, later we noticed there was no ice bucket.

 

On a scale of 1-10 DH gave the Dec 9 Constellation cruise a 3. He gauged it at 3 based on other cruises and the limitation on public rooms open to us that week. DH spent many relaxing hours on the promenade and in the casino where he made money. Nice touch. He was satisfied with his martini when a twist of lemon was available. Funny digression here, I had a green apple martini one evening with red cherries, as no green apple was available.

 

Each morning we visited Ocean Liners for a well stocked breakfast with excellent service. We appreciate the professional manner of the staff and lack of chat with us during breakfast.

 

On a scale of 1-10, I gave the cruise a 6 because the whole cabin was comfortable for me to spend long leisurely afternoons just taking in the sea.

Our shopping in Cozumel and Key West produced a packaging problem of our own making.

 

Marlena, the Captain's Club Hostess told us each day where we could use our vouchers for cocktail hour. It was the lounge outside the dining room on for all evenings except the first. Fortunately, we did have a restful few drinks in the Revelation Lounge the first night.

 

The rating of 6 was because of the limits of choice for our before dinner cocktails. My swimsuits never got wet due to the parties that used the Solarium and another day the T-pool was drained. The food was good in the dining room, we had select and met interesting tablemates.

 

The rating of 6 rather than 7 was because we wondered what was going on that the staff appeared stretched in taking orders for cocktails, even high profit drinks besides the vouchers.

 

The rating is 6 rather than 7 because (1) the buffet smells badly to us, it needs an exhaust fan for the strong odors, (2) there was more smoke than we have noticed in recent years, (3) I never found the Aqua Café open, (4) and I was surprised when a representative at Guest Relations told me to put my attention to detail card in the box with the questionnaires for it to go to Miami.

 

I thought attention to detail was to inform the Hotel Director, and line of management aboard the ship that an employee had gone far and beyond.

 

Why did we call this the "Funny Cruise" because it was full of people with Celebrity name plates on their shirt but no name, and no acknowledgement of us during the cruise. There were many of them, and in a strange way, didn't care to meet or assist us in any way. Different from the crew wearing name plates that said good morning, hello, etc. when we passed.

 

That's it.

 

Penny

Edited December 31, 2013 by PinotBlanc

[PinotBlanc]

I forgot to say we were thrilled with the paper cups in the buffet.

We took many coffees back to our room.:)

 

DH said he resented having to sit in a very loud lounge each evening for cocktails, another reason for him giving the cruise a 3.:eek:

 

Penny

[luvs2fly]

I forgot to say we were thrilled with the paper cups in the buffet.

We took many coffees back to our room.:)

 

DH said he resented having to sit in a very loud lounge each evening for cocktails, another reason for him giving the cruise a 3.:eek:

 

Penny

 

If your DH had such a problem with the volume of the lounge, why didn't you take your drinks to a different area?There is always plenty of seating and a quiet area to be found.

[PinotBlanc]

If your DH had such a problem with the volume of the lounge, why didn't you take your drinks to a different area?There is always plenty of seating and a quiet area to be found.

 

Yes, we thought the Michael's Lounge or Revelation Lounge would be open. Unfortunately, they were booked every day during cocktail time for a Private Party. We couldn't take glasses out on the pool deck, not that we wanted to do that, and the promenade was full of smokers on both sides.

 

Actually, I'm not sure if it's okay to take glasses out on Promenade.

 

Much of the foyer area was taken up with holiday decorations and it was loud like the lounge with service which was outside the mdr.

 

Penny

Edited January 1, 2014 by PinotBlanc

[dodger1964]

I thought the aqua cafe was open every day for lunch?

 

I do miss the grilled to order salmon! New poached (or whatever it is called) is just nowhere near as tasty.

 

I would (if I used reviewers ratings) never want to cruise a line that only got 3 on your scale. That is why I don't take others ratings as gospel. I do like to read reviews and gather data and knowledge about cruises and hopefully can use that info to better my cruising experience.

 

Sorry your experience was not up to par.

[luvs2fly]

Yes, we thought the Michael's Lounge or Revelation Lounge would be open. Unfortunately, they were booked every day during cocktail time for a Private Party. We couldn't take glasses out on the pool deck, not that we wanted to do that, and the promenade was full of smokers on both sides.

 

Actually, I'm not sure if it's okay to take glasses out on Promenade.

 

Much of the foyer area was taken up with holiday decorations and it was loud like the lounge with service which was outside the mdr.

 

Penny

 

What about cellar masters? On Summit, there was an open deck area with lots of seating right outside the martini bar. Were they training new staff? Would love to see some pic's!

 

There have been a lot of reviews with similar complaints lately. Hoping this isn't fleet wide or the norm.

[PinotBlanc]

What about cellar masters? On Summit, there was an open deck area with lots of seating right outside the martini bar. Were they training new staff? Would love to see some pic's!

 

There have been a lot of reviews with similar complaints lately. Hoping this isn't fleet wide or the norm.

 

Cellar masters had sample dispensing machines set up for use IF you had a special card. We weren't looking for samples of wine. Our cocktail hours were for bar service and a bit of atmosphere before dinner.

 

The bar servers were stretched thin on this December 9 Constellation cruise. The reason might be that they were taking care of the large private party in other areas of the ship.

 

I want to try Cellar Masters some time but on previously cruises the problem is not having the proper card for the machines. On this message board staleness of those wines has been noted. I don't know.

 

Have you been served drinks in Cellar Masters rather than using the machines. We find the CM does not have bar service other than their products.

 

Penny

[shipshape sam]

I for sure would be more critical if I booked a cruise and then to find that many of the public areas were constantly reserved for private functions.

 

I am sure they could use other venues, but wait, they got rid of them for cabins.

 

Hope this is NOT a trend for cruisers to find once onboard.

[emcee207]

All I can say is................Wow!:rolleyes:

[luvs2fly]

Cellar masters had sample dispensing machines set up for use IF you had a special card. We weren't looking for samples of wine. Our cocktail hours were for bar service and a bit of atmosphere before dinner.

 

The bar servers were stretched thin on this December 9 Constellation cruise. The reason might be that they were taking care of the large private party in other areas of the ship.

 

I want to try Cellar Masters some time but on previously cruises the problem is not having the proper card for the machines. On this message board staleness of those wines has been noted. I don't know.

 

Have you been served drinks in Cellar Masters rather than using the machines. We find the CM does not have bar service other than their products.

 

Penny

 

On Summit last feb, we sat at the bar every night before dinner at cellar masters. We had the best server ever! My husband and I had the premium beverage package and getting a drink was never a problem. Our server always recommended the best wines.

 

My only regret is not getting her contact info. We need a new nanny. Would love to steal X's best employee.

[PinotBlanc]

We didn't know there was service in Cellar Masters.

 

We checked with the Captains Club Hostess Marlena each day about the places open to us for cocktails before dinner. The Michael's Club was closed each day for private party, the Revelations Lounge was also closed. We trusted her opinion. Guest Services told us to go outdoor to a pool bar or get a wine at the coffee shop and a martini at the Martini Bar, then meet somewhere. That was not the way we pictured cocktail hour, especially on Formal Night when we were dressed for a nice evening.

 

DH says the rating of 3 for this cruise is based on the cruise we took balanced by the cost of cruising, the cost of transportation, and the other possibilities for a better trip without all the inconveniences he had with the 5 days aboard Constellation.

 

He compares Celebrity to General Motors in using marketing rather than ensuring quality in its products.

 

My cruise was 6 on the 1-10 scale because I wanted to revisit Cozumel and Key West and get away for a bit of rest over the Florida vacation time with family. No offense to the kids.

 

This am a thread appeared about the December 9 Constellation cruise. As time allows, I want to read that thread. We are still thinking through whether or not we will return for another Celebrity cruise. DH says it will depend on our interest in the ports. We've considered another Mediterrean cruise but this Constellation getaway may be a turning point in our bookings for 2014.

 

Penny

Edited January 1, 2014 by PinotBlanc

[upwarduk]

I think you will get a very different impression of a 14 Mediterranean cruise, as compared with 5 nighters.

The only short cruise that we have done was a 2 night Repositioning, Amsterdam - Southampton. This had a way different feel, including the kitchen running out of steaks!

[Denny01]

I'm surprised at the comment that smoking was on both sides on the Promenade Deck. On all of our Celebrity cruises, including Constellation last Sept, smoking was prohibited to the portside area in a limited section of that Deck.

 

No idea why that particular cruise was different, but shouldn't be the norm. Celebrity has some of the most restricted smoking areas of most Lines.

 

Den

[PinotBlanc]

I'm surprised at the comment that smoking was on both sides on the Promenade Deck. On all of our Celebrity cruises, including Constellation last Sept, smoking was prohibited to the portside area in a limited section of that Deck.

 

No idea why that particular cruise was different, but shouldn't be the norm. Celebrity has some of the most restricted smoking areas of most Lines.

 

Den

 

Smoking on both sides "shouldn't be the norm", but on this cruise the smoking side was full of smokers and passengers started carrying the large blue ashtrays to the other promenade side. The big blue ceramic ashtrays were heavily used along one side of the open pool and on the open deck at the back of the buffet.

 

Much of this cruise was not the norm.

 

We just finished reading and discussing the other threads giving reviews of the December 9 Constellation. Certainly, none of what we experienced was within the norm.

 

When looking for a place to have cocktails with Michael's, Revelation Lounge, off limits all but the first evening due to private parties, we enquired at Guest Relations about cocktail hour seating and that is described above in my other post.

 

In addition, we checked with the Captains Club Hostess each day about a place to have cocktails and were not told by her or guest services that there was table service in the Martini Bar or at the Cellar Masters Wine Bar.

 

Every evening the big sign was up at Michael's (daytime too!) and Revelation Lounge "Private Function" and that did not mean reserved for Elite passengers with vouchers. We were unceremoniously informed many times that we were not permitted in those lounges whether they were in use or not. The Solarium pool area was also a "Private Function" area and regular loungers were moved out on the first evening of the cruise.

 

The cruise experience became a shell game each evening for full purchase cocktails and to use the vouchers. Incidentally, vouchers are not accepted in the dining room, the Martini Bar, the Bacio, or the Theater to name a few exceptions on the vouchers.

 

We read the other December 9 thread and are presently livid that the CEO was aboard and we were treated like brushed aside miscellaneous because he had onboard meetings with Celebrity marketing groups. Who runs Celebrity's cruise line?

 

Penny

Edited January 1, 2014 by PinotBlanc

[luvs2fly]

Smoking on both sides "shouldn't be the norm", but on this cruise the smoking side was full of smokers and passengers started carrying the large blue ashtrays to the other promenade side. The big blue ceramic ashtrays were heavily used along one side of the open pool and on the open deck at the back of the buffet.

 

Much of this cruise was not the norm.

 

We just finished reading and discussing the other threads giving reviews of the December 9 Constellation. Certainly, none of what we experienced was within the norm.

 

When looking for a place to have cocktails with Michael's, Revelation Lounge, off limits all but the first evening due to private parties, we enquired at Guest Relations about cocktail hour seating and that is described above in my other post.

 

In addition, we checked with the Captains Club Hostess each day about a place to have cocktails and were not told by her or guest services that there was table service in the Martini Bar or at the Cellar Masters Wine Bar.

 

Every evening the big sign was up at Michael's (daytime too!) and Revelation Lounge "Private Function" and that did not mean reserved for Elite passengers with vouchers. We were unceremoniously informed many times that we were not permitted in those lounges whether they were in use or not. The Solarium pool area was also a "Private Function" area and regular loungers were moved out on the first evening of the cruise.

 

The cruise experience became a shell game each evening for full purchase cocktails and to use the vouchers. Incidentally, vouchers are not accepted in the dining room, the Martini Bar, the Bacio, or the Theater to name a few exceptions on the vouchers.

 

We read the other December 9 thread and are presently livid that the CEO was aboard and we were treated like brushed aside miscellaneous because he had onboard meetings with Celebrity marketing groups. Who runs Celebrity's cruise line?

 

Penny

 

Penny I totally feel for you! It sounds like you were given the run around, as well as other posters on your sailing. My husband and I took our drinks out of crush a few times when it got to crowded. We would sit out side and just enjoy the views.

 

You seem like a very nice lady and I hope your next cruise is better! Maybe it's my generation but if I'm not feeling a venue, I'll take my drink and go where I please. If a ship employee told me that I was not aloud outside with my drink, I would ask them if there was a nice quiet place nearby to enjoy it. Do what you please, unless it's posted or until you're told other wise.

 

Cellar Masters is a hidden gem and we never would have known that they served wine by the glass if it weren't for the very sweet bartender.

[PinotBlanc]

Penny I totally feel for you! It sounds like you were given the run around, as well as other posters on your sailing. My husband and I took our drinks out of crush a few times when it got to crowded. We would sit out side and just enjoy the views.

 

You seem like a very nice lady and I hope your next cruise is better! Maybe it's my generation but if I'm not feeling a venue, I'll take my drink and go where I please. If a ship employee told me that I was not aloud outside with my drink, I would ask them if there was a nice quiet place nearby to enjoy it. Do what you please, unless it's posted or until you're told other wise.

 

Cellar Masters is a hidden gem and we never would have known that they served wine by the glass if it weren't for the very sweet bartender.

 

We expect the next cruise will be better. Our bookings depend most on the ports and the smoking policy of ships.

 

You were lucky to find the bartender at Cellar Masters. We were unfortunate to receive incomplete information from the front desk.

 

We were lucky to visit both Cozumel and Key West. We know ship happens.

 

The 12/9 Constellation cruise was an exception because the CEO of Celebrity was on the ship. Wouldn't you think this cruise would go down in the books as one of the best? In my opinion, there is no remedy for it except to have the CEO apologize for inconveniences to passengers outside his group.

 

Evidently not all passengers noticed or were inconvenienced but those who did visit guest services or the CC hostess for guidance should at a minimum receive letters of apology from headquarters if not the CEO himself.

 

Penny

Edited January 1, 2014 by PinotBlanc

[H2OH!]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[miched]

I can relate to your experience. Years ago when someone would mention or ask who the staff was I was always indifferent and tought why should that make any difference or affect the cruise.

 

After many cruises and sailing sometimes on the same ship I have found that the officers and staff do make a difference between it being a good, great or fantastic cruise.

 

I have always put the attention to detail cards, disembarkation, and survey forms in the same box. They empty them at least daily.

 

Don't understand why the staff was so impersonable as we have never experienced that on Celebrity.

 

Hopefully your next cruise is more enjoyable.

 

.🎉🎩🍸🍻

[USVI-4-me]

What causes me to shake my head is why the CEO of this company devoted himself to 300 Global Marketing Employees rather than plan to promote his company to all 2000 passengers on the Constellation.

 

He passed the opportunity of turning about 1700 people into Goodwill Ambassadors for his company.

 

Not only did he miss the ball on the Dec. 9 cruise; but, he didn't follow up for better passenger satisfaction when Constellation's very next cruise had another M-Class engine problem

 

I wonder how many passengers were on Constellation back to back.

 

We'll count our blessings that we missed taking either the Dec. 9 or the Dec. 14 cruise.

I'm rolling my eyes !!!!

 

-Marisa

Edited January 1, 2014 by USVI-4-me

[jgnova]

My interpretation of this is that Celebrity corporate management have absolutely no idea what kind of business they are running! Fortunately, the ship crew and staff do.

 

This also explains the stupid (to me anyway) decisions they have been making about entertainment and staffing levels.

 

Jonathan

[luvs2fly]

Maybe the title of this thread should read: CEO and X employee's put their needs and wants above their customers!!! Not cool.

[PinotBlanc]

Maybe the title of this thread should read: CEO and X employee's put their needs and wants above their customers!!! Not cool.

 

I can understand slips, misses, and paychecks.

It could be illness or lack of training.

 

The ships are a place of constantly changing passengers

with different needs, problems, and personalities.

We don't expect the crew to be masters in their fields.

 

During our cruise, the crew was stretched.

Perhaps the best servers were designated to

take care of the CEO's group meetings.

 

When we stopped to ask questions,

if the head of guest services was available

we might have gotten more complete answers.

 

Penny

Edited January 1, 2014 by PinotBlanc

[luvs2fly]

I can understand slips, misses, and paychecks.

It could be illness or lack of training.

 

The ships are a place of constantly changing passengers

with different needs, problems, and personalities.

We don't expect the crew to be masters in their fields.

 

During our cruise, the crew was stretched.

Perhaps the best servers were designated to

take care of the CEO's group meetings.

 

When we stopped to ask questions,

if the head of guest services was available

we might have gotten more complete answers.

 

Penny

 

I meant the people cruising with the CEO.

[akowilm]

It seems to me that if the company were to hold a 'convention' onboard, they would charter the whole ship. I also think that the cruise companies should alert cruisers if there is going to be a large theme group on their sailing that might otherwise impede daily services/activities.

:(

[jgnova]

This is not the first time I've read about private groups taking over ship facilities - and it's not unique to Celebrity. What is absolutely mind boggling is that this sounds like a group of Celebrity management and/or consultants. It sounds like they blew off their customers completely, both through their monopolizing venues that would normally be available and by not even greeting the paying passengers. I'd expect this from an outside private group - but am completely stunned that Penny says this group all wore =X= badges and acted this way. Don't they realize this reflected on the image of the company? And you'd think they'd take the time to interact with the passengers, even if only to chat.

 

j