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Live from the 1/8 Constellation Carribean Cruise

tbelian

By tbelian,
in Celebrity Cruises

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tbelian

tbelian

Posted
Posted

Apologies in advance, nothing bad to report (yet) .... stay tuned though ... :D

 

1/9/2006

Greetings from the Constellation 11-day Carribean cruise. Today we are at sea en route to our first stop, which is Grand Cayman. Seas are moderate, and the temperature is warm. Mostly cloudy this morning, but the clouds are clearing as we continue to head to our first stop.

 

Some particulars:

Cruise director is Don Fluke

Party Band is nFusion (have not heard them yet).

Our butler is 'Rusty' (aka Ratislava). Greeted us around 3pm yesterday and assured us he would be available to handle whatever we needed.

 

Embarkation yesterday was very smooth for us. At the pier in Ft. Lauderdale at approx. 11:45 am,on the ship and partaking in the 'Welcome Aboard Buffet' by shortly after 12:00 pm. We are Captain's Club and Elite, but virtually no lines at any check in station. One thing I noticed that was different, there was no traditional 'stop for a picture' as we boarded the ship, other than for the id/see pass card. I think this saved quite a bit of time, at least it didn't slow down the process.

 

No problems at all with speed, but then this ship hasn't really had any problems in the past. We don't have to make top speed to get to our destination, so, currently running at about 17 knots. We were running noticeably faster last night just aftwer we departed, but today is slow and steady.

 

Spent most of the day just relaxing and decompressing. DW (lbelian) went to the port and shopping talk to learn about Grand Cayman and Aruba. Aruba might be the place to be on the look out for some trinkets. Mother-in-law Karen (kchuray) stopped in at the Cruise Critic party. About 25 in attendance. Don presided over q&a and the photographer came and took a group photo. Don indicated it was less chaotic than usual getting the group together for the picture. I guess they were

all a well behaved bunch (grin).

 

Lots of good food to be had. Met our tablemates during the first meal in the dining room. One couple is actually from around our neck of the woods, and the other from Chicago. They were both neighbors a while ago in Chicago, then one couple moved to Michigan. It might be a little difficult to socialize since they know each other, and we are 'the outsiders' but conversation flowed ok, and dinner was very good. Veal was tender, chicken was very good (according to DW), and two of our tablemates had prime rib which looked tasty.

 

Tonight is our first formal night, and we will be getting ready soon. Probably will go to the show after dinner, then see what else is

happening around the ship. Probably will lose a few $$$ in the casino too.

 

I will try to report more later. Any questions, just ask.

 

- regards

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judyfssw

judyfssw

Posted
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Hi, I frequently go to Aruba and my best place for "trinkets" is Gemani on main street. Tell David that Judy with the orange saphire recommended you. And, I hope that you get a good deal.

I love the Constellation and their staff. Enjoy.

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magicnelly

magicnelly

Posted
Posted
Apologies in advance, nothing bad to report (yet) .... stay tuned though ... :D

 

Our butler is 'Rusty' (aka Ratislava). Greeted us around 3pm yesterday and assured us he would be available to handle whatever we needed.

 

- regards

 

He was our butler on the Canada/New England Cruise last year and was wonderful! I got sick on the cruise and he made sure I had tea with honey and lemon all the time!

 

Tell him HI from the Boemanns! (I'm sure he's got too many to remember but it's a nice gesture! LOL!)

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magicnelly

magicnelly

Posted
Posted
Apologies in advance, nothing bad to report (yet) .... stay tuned though ... :D

 

Our butler is 'Rusty' (aka Ratislava). Greeted us around 3pm yesterday and assured us he would be available to handle whatever we needed.

 

- regards

 

Rusty was our butler on our Canada/New England Cruise in September and was wonderful!

 

I got sick on the cruise and he made sure I had chicken soup and tea with lemon and honey when I needed it!

 

Tell him the Boemanns say hello (I know he's got too many people to remember but it's a nice gesture! LOL)

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Lsimon

Lsimon

Posted
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Thanks for the update!

 

If you frequent the martini bar, please tell Luis that Larry and Sue said hello!

 

Have you seen the guitarist on the aft deck? Who is he and what kind of music does he play?

 

Have a great cruise!

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mferranti

mferranti

Posted
Posted
One thing I noticed that was different, there was no traditional 'stop for a picture' as we boarded the ship, other than for the id/see pass card. I think this saved quite a bit of time, at least it didn't slow down the process.
Our waiter on Connie's New Year's Cruise, Joe, told us that the contract photogs and shopkeepers were leaving the ship with us, and all of that was going to be handled in-house now. I wonder if the outside company took the "Welcome" signs with them?
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C 2 C

C 2 C

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Sorry we missed the ship and the CC group.

 

Could you also update the name of the Captain and CC Hostess.

 

And see if you can find out about the firing mid-cruise of Shawn Cavanag the CD and who might have replaced him.

 

I'm guessing there will be a muzzle on the story but over a martini who knows what you can get?

 

Have a great cruise. There are many email sites in Aruba that you can check future cruise prices:D

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Host Anne "Live from...." Rare

Host Anne

Posted
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Hey Tom ~ thanks so much for checking in! If you run into Host Joe, please tell him hello for me. We are going to be doing a Cruise Critic group cruise on Constellation next February! Can't wait. I've always wanted to sail on Connie!

 

Have a GREAT rest of the cruise! ENJOY!

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C 2 C

C 2 C

Posted
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Arno: How did you miss the ship? We haven't had bad weather. Illness maybe?

 

I was booked but cancelled for a later sailing.. Our grandson's birthday is today so we'll be cleared for our next cruise after his party...

The bad weather starts this weekend. Then I'll be glad I waited. Nothing like emailing home from a warm cruise while everyone at home is digging out their driveway:D

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tbelian

tbelian

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  • Author
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Ma and Phil -

 

Constellation is fun and a great ship but we certainly miss the Amigos. Not sure any cruise will compare to that one.

 

Judy- thanks for the tip. DW is in the market for a large trinket to wear on her right hand:)

 

Rhkarp- We are in Royal 6142 it is a great room. Very similar to the Infinity Royal that we stayed in before.

 

Magicnelly- We will say hi to Rusty for you. So far he has been wonderful.

 

Veruda- we are going to OceanLiners tomorrow night and will say hi to Sam.

 

For all that wanted to know here are the basics:

 

Captain - Bouzakis - he was great at the toast last night. Pretty young, spoke multiple languages.

Captains Club Hostess -Liesl - have not met her yet.

Hotel Manager - Nina Hautaniemi (yes SHE is a woman)

 

LSimon-have not seen the guitar player but know there is one. Will still have to check out. Looked like good crowd listening there though.

 

Sheik - Good catch. We are not in Grand Cayman due to the winds. The announcement was made early this morning. We don't mind. Another day as sea is fine with us. We have been there before and have had the port cancelled on us before too. Nobody seems too upset. Have not heard any demands for a free cruise yet:D The sun is out though and it's plenty warm just really windy. Chairs on deck 12 are tied down but people are still up there getting blown around. DW did the walking track and watched a beach towel blow overboard.

 

Having a great time as usual and will post again.

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SUZYHOFF

SUZYHOFF

Posted
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Hi - We are taking this cruise on 3/12 and have a couple questions. If you could, please let us know the dinner schedule. So far, I see the second night is formal. I would appreciate knowing the others. Also, are you going to try the specialty restaurant? We often go once. Our friends have one seating and we are on the later one, our choice. But, we would like to have dinner one evening in the restaurant if you think it is good. Thanks, in advance, for your report. Regards, Suzy

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Wineguys

Wineguys

Posted
Posted
Is Captain Bouzakis new to the Constellation?

I met him on the Millennium some time ago, but maybe they often switch between ships?

 

We met him on the Connie during Christmas, yes he is fairly new. You must have met him before his promotion.

 

We just had Rusty as our butler in Sky 6132 on the 12/18 sailing - he is the best! Very funny and can get anything accomplished. He is heading home in a few weeks. Tell him that Larry & Bob say hello. We just sailed with him lasy month.

 

Oceanliners is fantastic, we ate there twice. I liked our late reservation on the Aruba night (not a formal night on our cruise). The boat leaves around 6:00 pm and you get the reservation around 8:00 pm. Make sure one of the 1st things you do is go to Oceanliners and make your reservations after you board. It fills up by the end of the 2nd day and the best seats are taken.

 

L.P.T.

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SUZYHOFF

SUZYHOFF

Posted
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Sailing on Connie 3/12 and can hardly wait. Please let us know dinner itinerary. We usually dine at the specialty restaurant once and would like to do it on the first informal night. Thanks for your help and have a wonderful cruise. Regards, Suzy

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Sanjo

Sanjo

Posted
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tbelian,

 

Thanks for the update and glad to hear you're having a good time to date. My DH and I were on the "Connie" for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time.

 

Please say "hi" to Rasti, your butler, from Sandy and Joe and tell him Mabel gave me the birthday pictures she took on the ship.

 

Also, if you go to Oceanliners, please tell Angel the same.

 

Captain Bouzakis is very personable and a great Captain. Met him over a year ago on one of our Celebrity cruises.

 

Have a fun and safe trip.

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