Liz and Eileen’s Excellent Spring Break

[themutis]

Background

 

My daughter is working full time and finishing up her degree at nights, so when she asked if I wanted to go away for spring break, I knew she could use the break and I’m always up for a cruise. We are leaving DH and DS’s at home, as they can’t get away.

 

We were on the Constellation from March 14 - 19 with stops in Cozumel and Key West.

 

I am 53 and DD is 27. We are from NJ. My last cruise was on the Reflection in January with DH, and we had an awesome time.

[themutis]

Day 1 - Embarkation

 

We have a 7:00am flight out of Newark, so it’s an early start. We arrive at the airport at 5:45 and the security line is literally the entire length of the terminal with multiple serpentine lines. I have never seen a line this long. By the time we got through security we ran to the gate and immediately got on the plane. There were still plenty of people who weren’t there and we departed late, but we still managed to arrive in Fort Lauderdale on time.

 

On top of that, it was raining AND they had no Champagne on the flight. But we muddled through.

 

 

 

We land, pick up our bags, and head to find a taxi. We need to have a prescription filled at the local CVS and the taxi driver is more than happy to wait for us and then take us to the port.

 

I asked if there was any fee to enter the port (as I saw someone else post this in an earlier review) and he said no. Total cost including the CVS stop (which took quite a while) was 31.00 plus a 5.00 tip.

 

We arrive at the port around 11:15 and boarding has begun. The lines are small and we are on board sipping Mimosa’s by 11:45.

 

[themutis]

Day 1 - Embarkation - Lunch

 

We head to Luminae since we are in a Sky Suite this trip. Wow! Wait..... Let me say it again.... Wow!

 

What an incredible restaurant. The food was amazing and service was beyond attentive. The staff makes you feel incredibly welcome, almost like a private club!

 

To start, we continue with the mimosa theme provided by the wonderful Tatiana, our sommelier.

 

 

Even the butter is special :)

 

 

Here is the Lunch Menu for today. There was a different lunch menu each day that lunch was offered.

 

[FlorenceItaly]

Loving your review! Thank you.

[Colfireman]

Thanks for the review looks like a nice start to a much deserved break, following.

 

Greg

[Keith1010]

Enjoying this and I will continue to follow it.

 

Keith

[themutis]

Day 1 - Embarkation - Lunch

 

I ordered the Baby Heirloom Tomato Salad and Duck Confit Club. Liz has the Luminae Signature Burger and we split the Butternut Squash Risoto.

 

Every thing was excellent with the Butternut Squash Risoto being exceptional (wish I had some now). No room for dessert today.

 

Baby Heirloom Tomato Salad

 

Duck Confit Club

 

Luminae Signature Burger

 

And the most amazing Butternut Squash Risotto!!!!

[jewliana]

Thank you So much for your fantastic review!~ We are boarding this Monday and will be suite class for first time on Celebrity! Thank you so much for providing the menu and photos and your reviews of everything!! Cant wait to read more of your experiences!

[timtrek]

You know you are killing me. My first Celebrity cruise is not until Sept 2017 :(. But thanks for the great posts! Cant wait to see the rest!

[Clarea]

Nce review, following.:)

[themutis]

Day 1 - Embarkation - Cabin

 

After lunch we head to our cabin and surprisingly our bags have arrived. We have Sky Suite 6146. To those that don’t know, these Sky Suites (6145 and 6146) are different from the others in that they are connected to the Penthouse Suites and are decorated in the same materials/decor as the Penthouse suite.

 

The bathroom is HUGE with double sinks, which will be most helpful with two women in the cabin. There is also a scale under the sink, which we choose to ignore for the entire cruise :)

 

 

A separate tub

 

A separate shower

 

And the promised Bulgaria products

[themutis]

Thank you So much for your fantastic review!~ We are boarding this Monday and will be suite class for first time on Celebrity! Thank you so much for providing the menu and photos and your reviews of everything!! Cant wait to read more of your experiences!

 

Jewliana - please say hello to the Luminae staff from Eileen and Liz. They were great! Dragan, Serkin, Dino, Anthony, and Tatiana! They will take great care of you!

[Constance331]

Enjoying this so far!

 

Question re Newark airport: which terminal/airline did you use? I'm on a 7:00am flight, too (United). Did you notice one, long security line for ALL passengers - regardless of class - or was a separate, speedier security line set up for First Class and Premier?

 

Hope you're having a wonderful mother/daughter cruise. I've done a few of these, too.😊 Memories to cherish forever....

[themutis]

Question re Newark airport: which terminal/airline did you use? I'm on a 7:00am flight, too (United). Did you notice one, long security line for ALL passengers - regardless of class - or was a separate, speedier security line set up for First Class and Premier?

 

 

We flew United as well, Terminal C. TSA Pre-check definitely had it's own security line and I believe FirstClass and Premier could use that one too. Not 100% sure, but that is my recollection. It was empty.

[Boscodog]

Loving the review so far. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[themutis]

Day 1 - Embarkation - Cabin

 

Some more cabin photos

 

Desk and drawers

 

TV and Chair

 

Sofa and table

 

Beds set up as two twins

[themutis]

Day 1 - Embarkation - Cabin

 

The HUGE Balcony - had two regular chairs and a table and two reclining chairs with foot rests

 

 

 

The complimentary champagne

[themutis]

Day 1 - Embarkation - Muster Drill/Sail Away

 

The muster drill was your usually muster drill, except it was extremely hot in there. Very glad we don’t have to wear our Life Jackets any more!!! My advice, stay as close to the exit as possible otherwise it can take forever to get out of there.

 

On my last Reflection cruise in January, I noticed that in addition to the safety part that they also called out the room numbers of anyone who they didn't account for. They also did this on this cruise and it did take up some time.

 

After the Muster Drill we head to the Oceanview Bar (which I always refer to as the Sunset Bar which is on the S Class ships). We grab a table and some drinks to watch sail away. Live music is by a duo (female has a nice voice, the male should stick to playing guitar :) but still much better then if I tried to sing :)

 

 

We see the Equinox as we are leaving

 

It starts to drizzle, the band has to pack up, and we head to the solarium...

Edited March 23, 2016 by themutis

[themutis]

Day 1 - Embarkation

 

Due to the rain we head to the Solarium. I really love this space. It's so peaceful.

 

 

And she really makes me feel good about myself :)

 

More photos

 

[themutis]

Day 1 - Embarkation

 

Around 5:30 we head to Café al Bacio for a take away Latte and Macchiato to enjoy while we shower and get ready for dinner. I love their coffee!

 

The sun is getting low and the view is just amazing from our balcony

 

When we booked the suite we received all 4 perks so we didn't really use the Elite Coupons or attend the Captains Club events. We had the premium drink package and the unlimited internet. In addition we had access to Michaels Club, which was a nice quiet venue for pre-dinner or post-dinner drinks. More on Michaels Club later.

 

These are the Elite Coupons for this cruise - we only used the complimentary pressing coupon

 

And the Elite Letter - sorry that it's crumpled - it got wet during sail away. We did not attend any of these events.

 

[Constance331]

We flew United as well, Terminal C. TSA Pre-check definitely had it's own security line and I believe FirstClass and Premier could use that one too. Not 100% sure, but that is my recollection. It was empty.

 

Thank you very much for your quick reply.:) Looking forward to your comments regarding Michael's Club. And your pics are terrific!

[offtopic]

Loving the short descriptions and your photos, especially the menu and food photos. Please keep them coming! I cruise in less than a week and am getting very excited now.

[cruisecatmama]

I love the M class ships and am thoroughly enjoying your review! Thanks for sharing. :)

[groryjm]

Hi, loving the pictures so far. We are on Connie in August and whilst my DW, DD and I have an RS we have booked 6146 for my MiL and a CS for my Sil and her husband. Looking forward to hearing more about Michaels. We loved it on Equinox and Reflection and are hoping for good things on the famed Connie.

 

Did the Elite status come with the suite or are you Elite through CC?

 

Looking forward to reading about the rest of your cruise:)

Edited March 23, 2016 by groryjm

[akowilm]

Love your review! It makes me long for the Connie, my favorite ship! Photos of 6145/6 have me reconsidering my cabin for my 2017 Summit cruise. With Luminae as part of the package, seems like a fair price! Looking forward to more photos!!