Constellation in dry Dock May 2017

[conquesodor]

The changes are exactly the same as what they did on Summit last year, and I believe what has been done to the rest of the M class, so it's likely the info is correct. I will be on Constellation beginning May 2nd for 10 day western Med cruise, which could be right before she dry docks.

 

There have been a number of discussions about the removal of the "classic cruise ship" specialty restaurants from M class, a lot of it about how disappointing a move this has been. I will always remember an evening in Normandie on Millennium some years back that was truly special. There was some speculation that Constellation was going to get to keep Ocean Liners because of the negative feedback, which I'm hoping is still the case. At the very least, I've never understood why =X= chose Tuscan Grille as the replacement, which in my opinion is the most underwhelming of the specialty restaurants.

[conquesodor]

Does anybody know if the May 2017 dry dock is confirmed? We are sailing Connie on June 5th. It would be great if they added the World Class Bar but I have only seen this on S-class to date. Happy to have Qsine added if that is true.

 

I doubt World Class Bar is being added to Connie, as this wasn't the case for any of the other M class refurbs.

 

Some official info on the plans would be nice. I sailed on Summit just after her refurb last year and a lot of us were also very curious about the expected changes. The best source of info eventually came from Captain Kate, thanks to her instagram feed and responsiveness to questions.

[madmedic]

The changes are exactly the same as what they did on Summit last year, and I believe what has been done to the rest of the M class, so it's likely the info is correct. I will be on Constellation beginning May 2nd for 10 day western Med cruise, which could be right before she dry docks.

 

There have been a number of discussions about the removal of the "classic cruise ship" specialty restaurants from M class, a lot of it about how disappointing a move this has been. I will always remember an evening in Normandie on Millennium some years back that was truly special. There was some speculation that Constellation was going to get to keep Ocean Liners because of the negative feedback, which I'm hoping is still the case. At the very least, I've never understood why =X= chose Tuscan Grille as the replacement, which in my opinion is the most underwhelming of the specialty restaurants.

Really hope they leave Ocean Liners was planning on booking it for our silver wedding anniversary. I notice it is still available to book for our cruise on 5th june but don't quite beleive the X website!

[tfg]

I am joining after the refit ad as far as I know o/l is going and qsine will replace it.although o/l is still available to book

 

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[lovescarborough]

The staff in Ocean Liners last month were definite that it was being replaced with Tuscan. They weren't happy about it and even suggested we should write to Celebrity to protest ! It really will be a shame to lose this lovely restaurant. Tuscan with its new, much poorer menu is no comparison.

[Beanb41]

Why would X remove Ocean Liners only to replace it with Tuscan Grill when Tuscan Grill is already a specialist restaurant on board. I have to admit trying to find out what changes are being made is proving more difficult than I had anticipated. Perhaps this docking has more to do with underwater repairs than upgrades above the waterline. I am of the belief that as soon as the new Edge class ships come on line the M class will progressively be disposed of. Thus above water upgrades will be minimal. Just my opinion of course

[Cruise a holic]

Actually most of the cabins also require major updating. We were in an S1 and the cabin had many features not working. We had the S1 next to the penthouse that had technology- electric shades etc. But they didn't work. The dark furniture was nicked all over and surely needs renovation. The best part of the stateroom was the beautiful huge marble bathroom.

 

Friends in other categories also advised me that their cabins were like those you might find in a cheap motel. Come on Celebrity- you are better then this!

[Essam]

Hi Constellation Cruisers.

 

Just want to say thank you for all the updates, we have decided to cancel this cruise and go onto a Caribbean trip so we do not have to encounter the jet lag and long flights home to Canada.

We have done this trip a few years ago when it went to Egypt as well as Israel, the Pyramids were something to see.

When speaking to a Celebrity Cruise Planner I was told that this new itinerary has caused a "ripple" effect since the airlines cancelled direct flights to many cities after the New Year.

Enjoy, and perhaps we will meet again on a future cruise.

Bob and Gail.

[Cruise Junky]

Hi Constellation Cruisers.

 

Just want to say thank you for all the updates, we have decided to cancel this cruise and go onto a Caribbean trip so we do not have to encounter the jet lag and long flights home to Canada.

We have done this trip a few years ago when it went to Egypt as well as Israel, the Pyramids were something to see.

When speaking to a Celebrity Cruise Planner I was told that this new itinerary has caused a "ripple" effect since the airlines cancelled direct flights to many cities after the New Year.

Enjoy, and perhaps we will meet again on a future cruise.

Bob and Gail.

 

I'm not sure why you posted this on the dry dock thread. But you're worried about flights to Rome and Athens from the Eastcoast in October? Interesting.

[TeeRick]

Why would X remove Ocean Liners only to replace it with Tuscan Grill when Tuscan Grill is already a specialist restaurant on board. I have to admit trying to find out what changes are being made is proving more difficult than I had anticipated. Perhaps this docking has more to do with underwater repairs than upgrades above the waterline. I am of the belief that as soon as the new Edge class ships come on line the M class will progressively be disposed of. Thus above water upgrades will be minimal. Just my opinion of course

 

It is too bad that Ocean Liners will be gone for our cruise in June. I think that the OL space is much larger so it will accommodate the expanded Tuscan Grill like on other M-class refurbishments. The deck 11 space will likely switch from TG to Qsine so there will be an additional specialty restaurant on board after refurbishment. Plus Luminae, Blu, Sushi-on-5, and the movie area on the top deck.

[Cruise a holic]

If you want to know exactly what will be refurbished on the ship-check out youtube Summit. You can see recent dry dock pictures. I "assume" it will be the same on all of the other M class ships.

[TeeRick]

We sailed Infinity last year just after it was upgraded in dry dock. I do expect most of the same M-Class improvements on Connie.

[Beanb41]

We sailed Infinity last year just after it was upgraded in dry dock. I do expect most of the same M-Class improvements on Connie.

 

What were they please?

[Eloise4Ever]

The staff in Ocean Liners last month were definite that it was being replaced with Tuscan. They weren't happy about it and even suggested we should write to Celebrity to protest ! It really will be a shame to lose this lovely restaurant. Tuscan with its new, much poorer menu is no comparison.

 

See below quote from a poster who is currently on Constellation and was dining in Ocean Liners:

 

We were also told that the front part of the restaurant would be converted to extra staterooms (!) with Qsine occupying the back half of the restaurant.

 

It's post #38 in this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2453277 .

 

I guess it makes more sense than movingTuscan from it's current location.

[villauk]

See below quote from a poster who is currently on Constellation and was dining in Ocean Liners:

 

We were also told that the front part of the restaurant would be converted to extra staterooms (!) with Qsine occupying the back half of the restaurant.

 

It's post #38 in this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2453277 .

 

I guess it makes more sense than movingTuscan from it's current location.

 

Yes, I read that too - extra staterooms in the front section :confused:?

[bertrande]

Yes, I read that too - extra staterooms in the front section :confused:?

 

 

I am the writer of that paragraph. Yes I took the information with some measure of disbelief as well! I think the only consistent thing running through all this is that 1) OL is going away and 2) Qsine is being added on. As to where and what will move etc, I guess we will just have to wait and see!

 

 

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[villauk]

I am the writer of that paragraph. Yes I took the information with some measure of disbelief as well! I think the only consistent thing running through all this is that 1) OL is going away and 2) Qsine is being added on. As to where and what will move etc, I guess we will just have to wait and see!

 

 

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It's such a pity as we loved OL and will be back on Connie later this year. It will be interesting to see what actually happens regarding those alleged extra staterooms (nothing would surprise me, though, if it generates extra revenue for X) ;).

[dutchclogs]

It's such a pity as we loved OL and will be back on Connie later this year. It will be interesting to see what actually happens regarding those alleged extra staterooms (nothing would surprise me, though, if it generates extra revenue for X)

 

Sadly, I think you may be on the money.

[hcat]

We sailed Infinity last year just after it was upgraded in dry dock. I do expect most of the same M-Class improvements on Connie.

 

We were on Inf in Oct post update as well....it still seemed dated in several areas..esp the lounge outside dining rm...The new solarium loungers were nice but fewer of them....more table seating for the spa cafe and card/game players. Tuscan was excellent with new menu...and service..Q sine was fun too ! Even enjoyed MDR one night...better than BLU, actually.

 

We loved our Connie cruise....it was a well run ship..Infinity was off in many aspects: ex. screening pax in from ports was disorganized & slow. BLU suffered from lack of staff, inexperienced staff, hard to find staff.. and too many bird offerings that were cooked dried out!. Things change from time to time so we hope it's better on our next Inf cruise in 2017... we booked fot the Itin so no choice about the ship.

[Eloise4Ever]

I haven't sailed on Constellation yet so am not familiar with the current location of Ocean Liners. I just had a look at the deck plan and it does look like they could fit a few ocean view cabins in there with space to spare for Qsine. If this does happen it would certainly point to Celebrity focusing on the bottom line at all costs.

[TeeRick]

I haven't sailed on Constellation yet so am not familiar with the current location of Ocean Liners. I just had a look at the deck plan and it does look like they could fit a few ocean view cabins in there with space to spare for Qsine. If this does happen it would certainly point to Celebrity focusing on the bottom line at all costs.

 

Based on the other M-Class upgrades they will move and expand Tuscan Grill into the existing OL space. Qsine will move to the current TG area.

[Eloise4Ever]

Based on the other M-Class upgrades they will move and expand Tuscan Grill into the existing OL space. Qsine will move to the current TG area.

 

Not sure if you saw post #39 above:

See below quote from a poster who is currently on Constellation and was dining in Ocean Liners:

 

We were also told that the front part of the restaurant would be converted to extra staterooms (!) with Qsine occupying the back half of the restaurant.

 

It's post #38 in this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2453277 .

 

I guess it makes more sense than moving Tuscan from it's current location.

 

So there are varying stories doing the rounds. Guess we will have to wait until May to find out what Celebrity have in store!

[TeeRick]

Yes I saw post 39 and it might be good information but that would be unlike other M-Class upgrades. It just seems unusual to put extra staterooms on the port side of deck 3 in the middle of otherwise public areas. Who would want those? On the deck 3 aft starboard side there are cabins but within the conference area so those cabins make some sense being there. We will find out when we board June 5th right after the dry dock.

[conquesodor]

Yes I saw post 39 and it might be good information but that would be unlike other M-Class upgrades. It just seems unusual to put extra staterooms on the port side of deck 3 in the middle of otherwise public areas. Who would want those? On the deck 3 aft starboard side there are cabins but within the conference area so those cabins make some sense being there. We will find out when we board June 5th right after the dry dock.

My money is on the refurb being just like what was done on the rest of the M class. I don't think there's been any variation so far from one to the next, has there?

 

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[villauk]

My money is on the refurb being just like what was done on the rest of the M class. I don't think there's been any variation so far from one to the next, has there?

 

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Not saying the new cabins are being completed as is the rumour, but remember they installed the additional cabins in the central section (where the acupuncturist is still on Millie) on deck 6 & 7 on Connie, and also converted the conference room to cabins on her first too. So it's not unheard of ;).