Live from Constellation January 13-23, 2023

[BermudaBound2014]

23 minutes ago, dunedinmaiden said:

Really enjoying your review -- thanks.  I'm sure my husband and I are in the minority, but we eat keto (very low carbs).  Losing 50 pounds makes it worthwhile, and a way of life.  By chance, have you noticed any sugar-free desserts?

I also eat low carbs (besides fruit and alcohol 🙂 ). which is why I often avoided the MDR. There used to be a fresh grill station for dinner where you could just get a protein hot and fresh to put ontop of a crisp garden salad from the salad bar. The grill is gone but the salad bar remains. 
 

I’ve taken photos every night of what is offered in the buffet. I know there was sugar free mousse last night because I had some.
 

Every night there has been a sugar free ice cream and one sugar free regular dessert. 
 

Here is the complete menu for day 5. Sorry they are not loading in order so it makes it a bit confusing to follow but this is the entire menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[breadandbutter]

On 1/15/2023 at 8:22 PM, BermudaBound2014 said:

Good luck with that. 
 

I maybe entirely wrong here, but the wife gave the mAitreD a piece of her mind last night. She has a point. They tried to eat at the buffet but the choices there no longer constitute a reasonable dinner. It’s cafeteria food with a pasta station. If Celebrity doesn’t meet guest half way by increasing selection I suspect there will be plenty more wives letting loose. 
 

How hard can it be? Give those who want the dinner buffet a few fresh made to order entrees. No waste. Everyone’s happy. I saw a video of carved turkey on one of the E class. That hasn’t appeared on Connie, but if it does I would consider that a fair compromise.

 

Celebrity went from

one of the best buffets in the industry to the worst. Something has to give and I suspect it’s going to be dress code.

 

Of course, I reserve the right to be wrong and I mean no disrespect to those of you who like pants. I just think it comes down to basic economics. Supply and demand. I am unaware of any other cruise line that has reduced offerings to the extent that X has. Most consumers want choice to dine in shorts and are willing to forgo the main dining experience in order to do that, but they want more than a college cafeteria experience. 

Celebrity can't have it both ways,  they can't expect customers to dress in pants, if they don't want to, and there has to be more on offer than the worst buffet at sea.

Stands to reason to me that shorts need to be allowed in the dining room because of this.

I'm not impressed with these cutbacks and price hikes, and if I didn't already have a cruise booked, i wouldn't be booking celebrity right now.

Having said that I was on seabourn sojourn last December and I wasn't impressed with their cutbacks either.

 

[breadandbutter]

On 1/15/2023 at 8:23 PM, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I can certainly do that for you 🙂

Awesome, thank you.

[mahdnc]

Thanks for posting this Live thread.  We also were on Constellation for her most recent TA late last year.  Your posts are enjoyable to read.

[BermudaBound2014]

Cliff note version - San Juan: I can still hop a gate 

 

San Juan Day 4: we were the first into port with a 3:00 arrival. The Anthem OTS followed closely behind and then came the Apex which happened to be last in /first out. For San Juan that isn’t a tragedy of Apex proportions.

 

First in/first off so I made a quick trek up to Umbrella street to get a photo before the crowds. It has an official Spanish name but I suffer from CRS (can’t remember squat). Sadly the umbrellas flew away in the last hurricane and have been replaced with plastic doves. Just not the same.

 

From there I headed to Paseo Del Morro trail head which I visit each time I’m in San Juan. It’s a pretty cool mile long trail along the outside of the city. It’s also where I donate to the kitty fund.

 

Imagine my surprise when just past the famous red door to the city the trail was closed!! A permanent looking gate with scary “do not enter  or we will kill you” sign had been erected. The last part is an exaggeration, but the sign clearly meant stay out. So I went in.

 

Hopped that gate like a professional track star, or flopped over it like wounded seal, you pick. I wasn’t the only one. Unfortunately the trail has been damaged by hurricanes and ocean rising,  so parts of the trail were pretty damaged.

 

The kitties didn’t seem to mind and the colony was strong. Most had their ears clipped which is a good sign. I got a kick out of the Oreo hanging out with a great big lizard. If they can get along the possibilities for humans are endless. 
 

The rest of the day was spent meandering the cobblestone streets and admiring the architecture. I didn’t by a coach purse from the outlet store (first time that’s happened in a decade or so). The Dalia Lama has taught me the difference between pleasure and happiness and a coach purse falls clearly in the pleasure category. This book is going to save me bank. 

 

My Fitbit registered 7 miles as i was getting back on board.  The day had been pretty gray but a sunset peaked in from the clouds. I ended up with a Caesar salad from the buffet (pics above) and mudslide for dessert. Spent the rest of the evening watching Tampa get spanked. 
 

 

Took a couple aspirin (a preemptive measure for the gate incident) and hit the bed.  Other than the Brady spanking and a possible torn meniscus in my knee (kidding….kinda) this was another A+ day in the Caribbean. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suspected reason for the gate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[mahdnc]

The night time shots of the port are excellent

[BermudaBound2014]

8 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

The night time shots of the port are excellent

Thank you. Let’s see if video will turn out.
 

 

 

Apex backing up…

 

 

[Debbra1024]

Love your posts!  Great info on custom made pizzas. I’m finding it difficult to focus on work due to daydreaming about our February 3rd cruise on the constellation. 

[thebutlerdidit]

Thank you for this review! I found the buffet photos taken during your San Juan port stop to be very appealing. 

[BermudaBound2014]

Slept in and woke up to this……..

 

There were 5 ships already in St Maartin and we would make 6. My plan was to either take the water taxi into Phillipsburg or bus to Moho to watch the planes come in. Both I’ve done several times with success but there is no way I’m leaving the sanctuary of this ship today. That is pure madness laying just off the gangplank. 
 

 

 

Captain parallel parked this ship like a boss. I won’t even parallel park my crossover SUV. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I waited in the safety of my room until the all clear was given. I’m avoiding big crowds when possible and it was possible this morning. Headed straight to the solarium and snagged this comfy little slice of paradise. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since I skipped my cafe mocha I went for a morning mudslide. Chocolate is chocolate. 

 

 

The thalassotherapy pool is heaven! Don’t want to give X ideas, but I gladly pay for the privilege soak on other ships. Something about the temperature and salt content. I am sure someone here can explain it much better but it’s supposed to have healing powers and I’m healed. Not sure if it’s because of the fancy pool or that I found zero tonic at the bar -

whatever works. 

 

 

 

Current situation:

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[wolfde53]

Thoroughly enjoying reading this…thank you. I’ve never had a mudslide but you have inspired me to try one while on the Feb 3 sailing. Have you had a chance to check out the fare at the spa cafe?

[supersecdd]

Does anyone know when the Constellation will be refurbished?

[cruising in mn]

Can you please tell me who the current captain is?

[BermudaBound2014]

49 minutes ago, supersecdd said:

Does anyone know when the Constellation will be refurbished?

All the soft materials of the public areas were refurbished for her return after covid because they were already waiting in storage. Some of the hard scape was done too. It’s only the rooms that were skipped, but honestly my carpet looks brand new. Connie is in great shape.
 

@cruising in mn

Here you go- let me know if you can’t read any of the names 

Edited January 17, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, wolfde53 said:

Thoroughly enjoying reading this…thank you. I’ve never had a mudslide but you have inspired me to try one while on the Feb 3 sailing. Have you had a chance to check out the fare at the spa cafe?

Thank you for the compliment- much appreciated 🙂

 

I went to the spa for a fire and ice pedicure night one. Couldn’t figure out the fire or the ice and for $88 with the pre cruise discount it was not a good value. I had lots of obc to use up so no harm no foul. 

 

I still have $100 obc and am waiting for a spa special on port days that catches my eye. Todays special was $169 for 75 minutes. Plus 18% gratuity of course. Yesterdays special was $179 for 75 minutes so they are going in the right direction.

 

I can’t pull up spa prices in the app but could prior to sailing on my laptop only so if you are booked you should be able to see prices for your sailing. All cruise spa pricing is overpriced compared to back home, but in all honesty, Connie seems even higher than normal. Let me know if there is something specific you are looking for :).
 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[cruising in mn]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

All the soft materials of the public areas were refurbished for her return after covid because they were already waiting in storage. Some of the hard scape was done too. It’s only the rooms that were skipped, but honestly my carpet looks brand new. Connie is in great shape.
 

@cruising in mn

Here you go- let me know if you can’t read any of the names 

 

Perfect, thank you! I love Cpt Yannos! 🙂

[dunedinmaiden]

8 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I also eat low carbs (besides fruit and alcohol 🙂 ). which is why I often avoided the MDR. There used to be a fresh grill station for dinner where you could just get a protein hot and fresh to put ontop of a crisp garden salad from the salad bar. The grill is gone but the salad bar remains. 
 

I’ve taken photos every night of what is offered in the buffet. I know there was sugar free mousse last night because I had some.
 

Every night there has been a sugar free ice cream and one sugar free regular dessert. 
 

Here is the complete menu for day 5. Sorry they are not loading in order so it makes it a bit confusing to follow but this is the entire menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you!

[Cruisebird]

Thanks for a great review! Is the spa cafe still open. If they cut our smoothies we might have words

[BermudaBound2014]

44 minutes ago, Cruisebird said:

Thanks for a great review! Is the spa cafe still open. If they cut our smoothies we might have words

You are quite welcome. 🙂

 

All is well with the spa cafe. I took my lunch there today. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[SoBe2010]

Very helpful review. 

Buffet looks like the cheap version of golden corral. We almost booked a med cruise for this summer but this embarrassing pictures of celebrity and it's new interpretation of premium is a huge red flag.

Again, thanks for the effort and still, an enjoyable vacation time for you.

[Jim_Iain]

4 hours ago, supersecdd said:

Does anyone know when the Constellation will be refurbished?

 

There are no current plan for her to be Revolutionized until Celebrity returns to positive cash flow.

[cangelmd]

Since you liked the mudSlide so much, you should definitely try a Bushwhacker. It’s a northern Gulf Coast specialty, even though I think it was invented on At. Thomas.

Im enjoying your review, but not the OVC pictures!

[chamima]

It almost looks like they decided to enhance the Spa Cafe in response to cutbacks in the buffet.

We are vegan/veterinarian (him/me) and the spa cafe offerings look wonderful!!!

 

 

And @cangelmd - I printed out the Bushwhacker recipe someone posted earlier and will be trying it in two weeks.

[1mtgirl]

We just booked this cruise for Feb 3 2023. It will be our first time on Celebrity.  This review is very well done.  Do you know if X has a premium coffee pkg? we sail with Princess a lot and they have one.  I don't drink  much but love my coffee.

[hcat]

still loving this review.. great style!

 

outstanding photos of San Juan..never knew about the kitties!

 

agree abt passing on  purchase at the Coach outlet.... how many can we really use?

 

we also pick 1 port as  stay on board day..The ship is essentially all yours  Good choice!