Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
Celebrity Constellation
★★★★
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 389 out of 500
Accommodation: 161 out of 200
Food: 285 out of 400
Service: 298 out of 400
Entertainment: 74 out of 100
Cruise: 287 out of 400
Overall Score: 1494 out of 2000
Celebrity Constellation Statistics
Size: Large Resort Ship
Tonnage: 90,940
Lifestyle: Premium
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
Former Names: Constellation
IMO Number: 9192399
Builder: Chantiers de l’Atlantique (France)
Original Cost: $350 million
Entered Service: May 2002
Registry: Malta
Length (ft/m): 964.5/294.0
Beam (ft/m): 105.6/32.2
Draft (ft/m): 26.2/8.0
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel-electric (34,000kW)/2 azimuthing pods
Passenger Decks: 11
Total Crew: 999
Passengers (lower beds): 2,170
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 44.6
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 2.0
Cabins (total): 1085
Size Range (sq ft/m): 165.1-2,530.0/15.34-235.0
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 569
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 26
Wheelchair accessibility: Best
Cabin Current: 110 and 220 volts
Elevators: 12
Casino (gaming tables): Yes
Slot Machines: Yes
Swimming Pools: 3 (1 w/ sliding glass dome)
Hot Tubs (on deck): 4
Self-Service Launderette: No
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: Yes/368
Library: Yes
Onboard currency: US$
Understated decor, providing a stylish setting for families
Overview. A cruise aboard a large resort ship provides a wide range of choices and possibilities. If you travel in one of the suites, the benefits include the best personal service levels. One thing really is certain: this relatively hassle-free environment is hard to beat no matter how much or how little you pay.
The Ship. Celebrity Constellation is a sister ship to Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium, and Celebrity Summit, the line’s Millennium-class ships.
Unfortunately, there is no walk-around wooden promenade deck outdoors. Inside, the ship has an understated elegance, with the same high-class decor and materials - including lots of wood, glass, and marble - and public rooms that have made other ships in the fleet so popular. The atrium, with a separately enclosed room for shore excursions, is four decks high and houses the reception desk, tour operator’s desk, and bank. Four glass-walled elevators travel through 10 passenger decks, including the tender stations - a nice ride.
New AquaClass veranda staterooms and Blu, a Mediterranean-themed specialty restaurant exclusively for AquaClass passengers, were added in a ‘Solsticizing’ of the ship in 2013. Also added were a Celebrity iLounge (for the latest Apple products, computer classes, and Internet connection), a Martini Bar with frosted countertop, a delightful Cellar-Masters wine bar (good for wine-tasting), QSine (an extra-cost fine dining venue with iPad menus), and a Bistro on Five (a crêperie).
Families. Families with children will appreciate the Fun Factory (for children) and The Tower (for teenagers). Children’s counselors and youth activities staff provide a wide range of supervised activities.
Accommodation. There are many price grades from which to choose, depending on your preference for the size and location. Almost half of the ship’s accommodation features a ‘private’ balcony. The cabins are extremely comfortable, regardless of which grade you choose. Note that If you choose a balcony cabin on one of the upper decks, note that could be shaded under the pool deck, which extends over the ship’s side - and many balconies (so, not good for private sunbathing).
Penthouse Suites (2). These, on Penthouse Deck, each occupy one half of the beam (width) of the ship, overlooking the stern. Each measures a huge 2,530 sq ft (235 sq m), with 1,431.6 sq ft (133 sq m) of living space, plus a huge wraparound terrace measuring 1,098 sq ft (102 sq m) with 180-degree views, a wet bar, hot tub, and whirlpool tub - but much of it can be overlooked by passengers on other decks above. Features include a marble foyer, a separate living room (with ebony baby grand piano and formal dining room). The master bedroom has a walk-in closet, dressing room with vanity desk, exercise equipment, marble-clad bathroom with twin washbasins, deep whirlpool tub, separate shower, toilet and bidet areas, flat-screen infotainment systems (one in the bedroom and one in the lounge), electronically controlled drapes, and a butler’s pantry (with separate entry door). An interconnecting door can be opened into the adjacent suite (useful for multi-generation families).
Royal Suites. These measure 733 sq ft (68 sq m) and are located towards the aft of the ship. Each has a separate living room with dining and lounge areas, a separate bedroom, and a large walk-in closet with vanity desk. The marble-clad bathroom has a whirlpool bathtub with integral shower, plus a separate shower enclosure, two washbasins, and toilet. The teakwood decked balcony is large enough for on-deck massage and also has a hot tub.
Celebrity Suites. Each measures 467 sq ft (44 sq m) and has floor-to-ceiling windows, a separate living room with dining and lounge areas, two flat-screen infotainment systems, and a walk-in closet with vanity desk. The marble-clad bathroom has a whirlpool tub with integral shower (a window with movable blinds lets you look out of the bathroom through the lounge to the large ocean-view windows). Interconnecting doors allow two suites to be used as a family unit (there is no balcony). The suites are located opposite a group of glass-walled lifts and provide stunning ocean views from the glass-walled sitting/dining area, which extends out from the ship’s side.
Sky Suites. Each measures 308 sq ft (28.6 sq m), including a private balcony (some balconies are larger than others, depending on the location). Although designated as suites, they are just larger cabins with a marble-clad bathroom and bathtub/shower combination. They have a larger lounge area (than standard cabins) and sleeping area.
Concierge Class. Positioned between the top grade suite grades and standard cabin grades, you get priority embarkation, disembarkation, tender tickets, specialty dining, spa reservations, double bed overlay (no more ‘falling between the cracks’ for couples), throw pillows on sofa, fruit basket, binoculars, golf umbrella, leather telephone notepad, larger beach towels, and hand-held hairdryer. The balcony has better quality furniture than standard balcony grades. In the bathrooms: plush Frette bathrobes, large towels, and a flower in a silver vase. It all adds up to fine value for money for anyone who appreciates the little extras.
AquaClass. ‘AquaClass’ occupants get spa-healthy dining in the exclusive Blu restaurant, and complimentary access to the Persian Garden (thermal suite) and Relaxation Room in the spa, daily delivery of bottled water and herbal teas (infusions), and some spa-related personal amenities.
Standard outside-view/interior (no-view) cabins. Facilities include a sitting area with sofa or convertible sofa bed, sleeping area with twin beds that convert to a double bed, good closet and drawer space, personal safe, minibar/refrigerator (extra cost), interactive television, and private bathroom with a decent-sized shower enclosure. There is none of the boxy feel of cabins in many ships, due to the angled placement of vanity and infotainment consoles.
Wheelchair-accessible suites/cabins. Wheelchair accessibility is provided in several grades. They are located close to elevators for good accessibility - all have wheelchair-accessible doorways and showers. Some cabins have extra berths for up to four.
Dining. The 1,198-seat San Marco Restaurant is the main dining room. Two decks high, with a grand connecting staircase (a musicians’ gallery is on the upper level), and a huge glass wall overlooks the sea aft (electrically operated blinds provide several different backdrops). There are two seatings for dinner (with open seating for breakfast and lunch), at tables for two-10. The dining room, like all large dining halls, can be extremely noisy.
The menu variety is good, the food is tasty, and is attractively presented and served in a well-orchestrated operation with European traditions and training. In-cabin dining is also available for all meals, including dinner.
Blu, located on the port side on upper level entrance of the San Marco dining room, is provided exclusively for occupants of AquaClass accommodation.
Other dining options. Ocean Liners Restaurant is a reservations-required, extra-cost venue; it is adjacent to the main lobby. The decor includes some lacquered paneling from the famed 1920s French ocean liner Ile de France. Tableside preparation and classic French cuisine are featured. This is a room that is not merely for dinner, and features the French culinary arts of découpage and flambé. However, there are just 115 seats, so it’s best to make reservations as soon as possible. A wine cellar houses more than 200 labels from around the world.
QSine, with menus and wine list on iPads, is another extra-cost, fine-dining venue. Reservations are required (the food is funky, but tasty - and comes in small bite-sized portions).
The Seaside Café & Grill is a casual self-serve buffet area, with six principal serving lines, and around 750 seats, grill and pizza bar. Each evening, casual meals feature tablecloths and a modicum of service. Reservations are needed, although there’s no additional charge.
Café al Bacio and Gelateria is located on the uppermost (third) level of the atrium lobby, it’s the place to see and be seen, for coffees (espresso, cappuccino, latte), pastries, cakes, and gelato, in a trendy setting.
Entertainment. The 900-seat Celebrity Theater is the venue for the ship’s production shows and major cabaret acts. Spanning three decks, it is located in the forward part of the ship, with seating on the main level and two balcony levels.
Spa/Fitness. A large SpaClub measures 24,219 sq ft (2,250 sq m) and is operated by Canyon Ranch.