Just back from the Connie 12/04-12/11

[Shir Hayam]

Hi Everyone,

 

We got home a few hours ago from a wonderful week on the Constellation. This was a Captain's Club Reunion Cruise plus the inaugural week for the Cirque du Soleil "experience", so lots was happening. Don't know whether it was the presence of Jack Williams and other Celebrity execs on board, but the food, service and entertainment were even better than I remember them being last year. And they were great last year.

 

BUT, I know that many of you are most eager to hear about Cirque du Soleil. Well, that turned out to be a huge disappointment for the most part. "The Bar at the Edge of the Earth" is where the Reflections Club was on Deck 11. It's been redone in "Cirque" fashion with incredible lights and images that I'm not technically capable of explaining. The waitstaff are dressed in Star Wars looking costumes that add to the otherworldly feel. The atmosphere worked well as a theme bar in my opinion. From 7-9 on four of the nights, the bar was inhabited by various Cirque characters whom we were led to believe were going to perform and interact with us. Well, at the beginning of the week, the expectations simply didn't live up to the reality. There was very little performance or interaction. People were sitting for long periods waiting for something to happen and, after a while, feeling bored. Surprisingly, the first night anyway, it was difficult to get a drink. There were not enough wait staff.

 

The Masquerade Ball, which was held Wednesday night from 9pm-2am, was an even bigger disappointment. For that, many of us had willingly paid $30 per person. Again, not much happened. We were told to wear white and our Cirque masks for the best effect, but there was no effect. There was also an expectation of some performance, but except for a couple of brief "acts", the whole thing was quite boring because there wasn't much action. The Cirque characters wandered around interacting only minimally with the patrons. Needless to say, there were a lot of unhappy customers after the Ball.

 

To Celebrity's credit, they held several focus groups on Thursday to get feedback on the Cirque experience. Don't know how they picked the participants, but I was in one where the feedback was uniformly negative (as it was in the others, so I heard). Most suggestions that were made focused on a lot more action and interaction by and with the characters. And that the money for the first Ball be refunded (it was). By Friday evening, I could see a significant improvement in both the "Bar" experience and a dress rehearsal for the next Ball. There were continual performance pieces during the "Bar" hours. Later in the evening, during the Ball rehearsal, there was significantly more interaction with patrons including actively encouraging/leading everyone to dance (that seems pretty appropriate for a Ball). It was fun. Clearly, the Cirque "experience" is a work in progress. Hopefully, for those on board now, the "experience" will continue to improve.

 

Sheila

[sweetair]

thanx for the cirque review. I know i have been waiting to hear all about it. I am sure they will work out the "kinks" and hopefully in march i will experience it. Just seems to me that going to the bar without going to the ball is enough to satisfy my curiosity.

*sweet*

[DeRon]

I'm sorry, but I do not understand the concept of what you are describing. Is the theme for the whole week Cirque? I thought they were just going to have Cirque entertainment (like a show). What you are describing is a in a bar? What happened at the party? Was this one party?

 

Sounds kinda weird.

[zalusky]

I was really hoping to hear the Cirque would have a performance on the main stage as well. Was anything different for the big shows or all just standard fair.

[wieslaw]

I too just got back from this cruise.

We had a nice get together with about 30 other Cruise Critic members and I was happy to meet some of the people that share their opinions on this board.

 

'sweetair' - Cory remembered you very well and talked about you and the previous Cruise Connection meeting.

 

I was very impressed that the very top officers of RCCL spent few days on board the ship to see first hand how things were progressing with Cirque du Soleil.

I also was pleasantly surprised that both the chairman as well as the COO and few other top officials made them selves available to answer any question that was asked during the 'official greetings' and meeting with the Captain's Club members in the Celebrity theater.

I did see the COO attending the Masquerade Ball that was done on Monday night for 'a private party' - I am not sure what were the guidelines who got invited but the Elite status of the Captain's Club was included. We got free masks delivered to our rooms and the drinks were also included during the ball.

For me the ball was a big disapointment - not much of any thing was happening. The music was sort of 'strange' and no one was dancing during the time when I was there (ball started at 10:45 and I stayed to about 12:20AM). There was a lot of laser projections on a 'sort of thin see through fabric placed on a portion of the stage but the effects were not very good if you were seating not directly in front of the stage - and that got very boring in a hurry. The walking around 'characters' did not impress me at all.

I was waiting for something interesting to happen and not much of anything was going on - and the COO was there watching - so I would think the "best show" should have been there. I do not 'drink' so the free drinks did not keep me there and I left board and dissapointed.

I pretty much agree with Sheila's evaluation and opinion.

The Ball was nothing special and a big disapointment for me.

The cruise was great and the ball did not have any effect on changing that.

There was one time only, a performance by only one great performer from Cirque du Soleil (Olga), in the main Celebrity theater.

I was also told by some other participants of the ball, that she performed during the ball in the Bar - I guess I left too early to see her there.

Wes

[sweetair]

wes,

was that a good thing or a bad thing that i was remembered so well? :)

 

Celebrity has been advertising A LOT on the radio in NY about the cirque experience.I wonder if they are going to tone it down a bit until the kinks are ironed out.

 

How did you do in the casino??? Was the craps table hot?

*sweet*

[woodards]

Just got back to the UK after our first cruise experience. And what an experience.........

 

Constellation is an amazing ship and the service we received was first class.

 

With regards to CDS I will echo comments made already - big disappoinment. Maybe expectations where too high, because as a disco bar it worked quite well (not having seen it before its makeover) but as an interactive experience it didn't do it for me!!!

 

On the entertainment in general I thought it was outstanding, far better than I expected. Can't remember act names at present but will dig them out at a later date when I have had some sleep! Particularly liked the singer commedian that performed on two of the nights.

 

Steve & Amanda

[cmj]

What happened in the lounge area when the CdS characters were not there? Was there live music (party band like Onyx, Voltz or Opus)? Is "former Reflections" still a place to go for some dancing after dinner?

 

Thanks, CMJ

[woodards]

We went on two occasions (First night for none CC memebers and the ball) and we didn't see any dancing at all. I would describe music as 'French Pop', not sure if you have heard of 'Air' but is sounded very similar to me......

 

Steve

[jsea]

I am befuddled as to how Celebrity could bungle this so badly. Did they not try this out on test groups first?

 

I'm glad to hear, however, that the cruise experience was good save Cirque.

[wieslaw]

wes,

was that a good thing or a bad thing that i was remembered so well? :)

 

Celebrity has been advertising A LOT on the radio in NY about the cirque experience.I wonder if they are going to tone it down a bit until the kinks are ironed out.

 

How did you do in the casino??? Was the craps table hot?

*sweet*

Good or bad thing .......I am not sure what was it that you did to leave this lasting impression on Cory but he seemed to remember you very well ( and mentioned your 'sweet' name a number of times during our Cruise Critic 'party'.

 

I do not gamble much - so after giving a small daily contribution, I would leave the casino. Did not see too much going on on the craps tables.

 

The marketing and advertising of the Cirque and the ball even on the ship in some of the fliers and brochures can be very misleading - one can expect a lot more than what was delivered.

I am a 'senior' so perhaps my taste and choice of music and entertainment could be different from others but I have spoken with younger ( 20 to 30 years 'young' or so) people as well and their comments were the same as mine. My opinion of the Ball and the bar was shared by many other people my age - actually I have found only one person that liked the 'experiance' of being there.

Celebrity did the right thing to refund the $30.00 fee for the ball to those that paid - there was nothing any different from the other days (when the bar was open to everyone and no enterance fee was required.....only the masks, that people were wearing or holding them in their hands. The ball was a 'dud' - I am wondering what the COO was thinking when he was seating there on Monday night.

It must be important to Celebrity what the participants liked or did not like and what can be improved and changed - they offered $50.00 on board credit to those that were asked to participate in the 'discussions' about the ball (that was in addition to refunding their money after the discussions).

 

Wes

[wieslaw]

What happened in the lounge area when the CdS characters were not there? Was there live music (party band like Onyx, Voltz or Opus)? Is "former Reflections" still a place to go for some dancing after dinner?

 

Thanks, CMJ

I went to "The Bar......" on Sunday night and did not see anyone dancing during my 30 minutes stay.

Monday I was invited and participated in the "Ball" - nothing was different, except we got the masks and complimentary drinks - did not see anyone dancing.

I went there again on Friday night about 11:20 PM and there was disco and dancing and a lot more people and fun.

 

Wes

[katiel53]

I also got to attend the Monday night Masquerade Ball as an invited guest. Even though I realized it was NOT a show, I felt disappointed. We arrived about 10:50 and were seated along the side. When the characters were center stage, there were curtains, shaped like sails that went up, so we saw even less than we were able to see before they went up. We stayed until about 12:10 and then left. There was a juggler performing when we left. I understand later there was a contortionist, but we left before that. It was quite boring. Unfortunately, when the Captain's Club had a discussion with the COO, we were unable to attend. We did have a private chat with the assistant hotel manager, and he informed us that they were listening to the passengers and that there will be changes. I think, as with all new ventures, this was a "break-in" period and knowing Celebrity, the Cirque experience will be worthwhile.

[ccg1957]

Hi! I'm travelling on the February 19th cruise and I have a few questions. Are there any other dance clubs on the boat besides the cirque de soleil bar? My friends and I like to dance every evening. Also, was there a nice beach at Casa de Campo? We would appreciate any recommendations for beaches at any of the ports.Thanks for any advice you can give.

Cathy

[Jumbie]

We would appreciate any recommendations for beaches at any of the ports.Thanks for any advice you can give.

Cathy

Grand Anse in Grenada.

[Shir Hayam]

I am befuddled as to how Celebrity could bungle this so badly. Did they not try this out on test groups first?

 

Jsea, we were the test group apparently. I do think they will work out the problems. Even by the end of last week, I felt the "experience" was greatly improved. It will be interesting to hear what this week's cruisers report.

 

Cathy, there are many great beaches. We went to Runaway Bay in Antigua. It was a very pretty beach and relatively uncrowded despite two ships being in port. Saphire Beach and Megans Bay in St. Thomas are also nice beaches.

 

Sheila

[wieslaw]

Hi! I'm travelling on the February 19th cruise and I have a few questions. Are there any other dance clubs on the boat besides the cirque de soleil bar? My friends and I like to dance every evening. Also, was there a nice beach at Casa de Campo? We would appreciate any recommendations for beaches at any of the ports.Thanks for any advice you can give.

Cathy

Hi Cathy, the Rendez-Vous Lounge can provide the music and dance floor and The Bar of the Edge... during the disco can be fun.

 

Wes

[ccg1957]

Thank you to all who responded. Can anyone who just came off the Connie tell how the Beach at Casa de Campo is? Or would you make another suggestion at that port?

 

Cathy

[duke052]

What beach. Stay on the ship.

[Wile1170]

Sheila - what focus group were you in? I was in the 4pm group...anyone else on here from that group? I am Dan from Miami.... The reason I ask is because your post brought up a lot of the topics discussed in our focus group...

 

Just curious...

[Wile1170]

BTW, I was the one in the 4pm group that told the moderator from Celebrity that there most powerful marketing tool right now was this board....and how what would be written on this board would greatly influence a lot of cruisers..I think that comment kinda took him by surprise.

 

Friday night, we noticed a lot of changes to the Cirque experience....more interactivity from the characters....I even got to hang a lantern!! They are making improvements and it will soon live upto expectations....I'm sure about that...they have way too much invested in this already and for the future to not act upon what their cruiser's perceptions are about this experience.

 

We were told by the Celebrity people on Friday night that already they were going to print a single sheet on both sides explaining the experience and giving a biography on each character. This sheet would be in the room for last Saturday's embarking guests...so one of our suggestions from our focus group was already implemented....

 

Our group missed the Celebrity Connecitons party, but I was fortunate to run into and meet a few of you all throughout the cruise....good to put a face with the names!!!

[Shir Hayam]

Dan, I was in the 5:00 group. But I believe the feedback was pretty similar from all the groups. By the end of our group, Celebrity's marketing director was looking totally stressed and upset. Felt bad for her. I agree about Friday night - there were many improvements and it was actually fun.

 

Sheila