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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Celebrity Constellation

24 replies

Applejack87 · 31/03/2019 18:52

Hi, we've just booked a med holiday with Celebrity Constellation through someones recommendation .Stupidly I didn't read any reviews prior to booking it . has anyone been away with this Cruise line recently I've read that its due a refurb next year but now I'm worried that we have made the wrong choice

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samlovesdilys · 01/04/2019 20:44

We went last year and it was truly fabulous, amazing food, staff, facilities, everything...we have been both P&O and Princess before and this was FAR better!! The boat is gorgeous, promise!! You will have a fabulous time!!

Original poster

Applejack87 · 01/04/2019 20:50

Thankyou Samlovesdilys , do you know if it’s good for teens ?

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samlovesdilys · 01/04/2019 21:50

My 14yr old loved it - not only amazing food but others his age (and lots a bit older) who hung out in the teen area! They were a mix of nationalities and all seemed v polite! My 10yr old has an even more amazing time, hardly saw him!!!

Original poster

Applejack87 · 02/04/2019 08:00

Thankyou so much its so reassuring , we booked it then looked at reviews that got me worried & thinking that we should have booked Royal Caribbean .. My mind is at ease now , it's great to hear that there's kids my DD's age group as well x

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samlovesdilys · 02/04/2019 17:37

Honestly, best holiday ever!!! Where are you going??

Original poster

Applejack87 · 02/04/2019 19:35

We’re sailing around the Med we can’t wait thanks again for your reassurance
Are there any tips please ? We have bookedan ocean view cabin are they centrally located ?

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samlovesdilys · 02/04/2019 19:55

We went from Venice down into Greece last year, in Dubrovnik we went sea kayaking, one thing we didn't do was book their tours, I used trip advisor or we did our own thing with public transport. Are you set dining or freedom??

Original poster

Applejack87 · 02/04/2019 20:42

I really don’t know about dining , what’s the difference between the two options ?

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HeddaGarbled · 20/04/2019 09:59

Set Dining is where you have to eat at your set time. There’s an early sitting and a late sitting, usually something like 6.00 and 8.30, though it can vary depending on the ship and itinerary. It will be on whichever level of the dining room is designated for set dining and you are expected to sit on the same table with the same people every night, though you can request a change if you don’t like your allocated table.

Freedom dining is called Select on Celebrity. It will be on a separate floor to the set dining and you can go whenever you like, though you will probably have to wait for a table at busy times. You can ask to reserve tables at your preferred time, either in advance, or same day, and if they have tables still available (which they won’t always have), they will do this for you.

When you booked, you should have been given the option to choose set or select dining. You need to check your booking now and find out which you’ve got. If you want to change, you need to request that now as there is often a waiting list for Select dining as that is more popular nowadays.

Original poster

Applejack87 · 20/04/2019 10:32

Thankyou Heddagarbled we are select dining.. May I ask what you thought of Celebrity Constellation ?

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Nydj · 20/04/2019 10:50

If you go on cruise critic website and register then you can add yourself to the roll call for your particular cruise. This gives you the chance to chat to people on the cruise before you sail - including those who have teenagers or want to share tours etc. If there is enough take up, celebrity will also host a meet and greet party for those on your roll call on the first day after sail away. Main thing I would advice is to get your teens to check out the teen clubs at the start of the cruise so they can meet everyone before they split into groups and do their own thing. Also, usually, the roll call people meet at the sunset bar at sail away so you can socialise a bit then if you want.

HeddaGarbled · 20/04/2019 16:45

Constellation is one of the older and smaller ships. I liked that: it gave it a charm and elegance that is missing on some of the newer mega-ships, plus easier to get about the ship and shorter queues to get on and off.

I suppose the disadvantages for your teenagers will be the lack of entertainment: no climbing wall, flumes, flow rider, zip line etc, like on the big Royal Caribbean ships. There’s less choice of dining venues and the shows and activities are aimed at a much older clientele.

The ship is due for a refurb in May 2020, but honestly, it’s fine: decor a bit dated in places and a few scuffs and chips, but generally well-maintained and the service is better than you’ll get on most other cruise lines except for the ultra expensive ones. The staff to passenger ratio is approx 1 to 2!

I second the advice to look at www.cruisecritic.co.uk, especially the talk boards, which are a mine of information.

Original poster

Applejack87 · 26/04/2019 15:55

Thankyou Heddagarbled, I’m hoping that we’ve made the right choice of cruise for our teen , my other concern is communication if there’s no wifi which is pricy , is it worth getting ?

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Furball · 27/04/2019 08:27

We never get it and our 17 manages. Infact we hardly see him,. We've been on Silhouette and we all had a FAB time. really good cruise co. and agree with pp go to teens club as soon as, to meet straight away etc.

You get wifi every time you are docked if you have the right phone package thingy. so it's not all bad.

If its quite port intensive you can get away without climbing walls etc ours wouldn't do it anyway so no point.

You will have a brilliant time I'm sure

Furball · 27/04/2019 08:32

PS - sailing out of Venice is awesome - just don't tell the locals. They are stopping it quite soon. But for a passenger it is an amazing sail off. Deffo top deck and camera at the ready situation.

Original poster

Applejack87 · 27/04/2019 09:15

Thankyou Furball , I am worried about my dd and keeping in touch on the cruise we were thinking about Walkie talkies 😂

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Furball · 27/04/2019 09:31

AFAIK - walkie talkies don't work well with all the metal walls apparently.

With ds we just say - meet you at x oclock back near xx or, we'll be in x bar if you need us which has worked well. but really we never see him

Original poster

Applejack87 · 30/04/2019 18:05

Thankyou , think we will have to meet with her regularly are the teen clubs supervised ?

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HoozTurnIsIT · 30/04/2019 18:29

We've been on cruises with teens and to be honest I bit the bullet and paid an arm and a leg for wifi. Even then it was a miserly allowance but they eked it out and tried to do whatever they needed on shore with data or cafe wifi.

Original poster

Applejack87 · 01/05/2019 15:05

Thankyou all for your helpful replies , I can't justify the ridiculous prices for wifi , I think we will just have to keep an eye on her often
Are the teen clubs supervised ?

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Sushiqueen · 02/05/2019 21:21

Another option is for you to download the Celebrity Cruises App each.
Once on board the ship the app can be connected to the ships wifi for free. You can then message each other through the app. It will only work on board the ship and if you both have the app.
You can find out info about what is happening whilst on board as well.

The teen clubs are supervised whilst they are at the club. My teen loves it with Celebrity. Last cruise she went to the teen club the first night to meet everyone. After that they went to some of the organised events, other times they all met up during the day to hang out with each other. I was often to be found lying on a sunbed keeping an eye on 7 sets of clothes and their mobiles whilst they were in the pool/ hot tub.

Original poster

Applejack87 · 03/05/2019 08:52

Thankyou for your informative reply please excuse my stupidity but how do I down load the app please ?

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Sushiqueen · 03/05/2019 09:15

If you have an iPhone then go to the App Dtore and search for. Celebrity Cruises. If you have an android then you need to go the Google Play Store and search for it. Once found click on install.
Once you have the app you can log into Celebrity and it should find your reservation. You can then find your cruise and any details available. I think at the moment they havecruises on there until late July 19. So if you are travelling later you will have to wait for a few weeks.

Original poster

Applejack87 · 03/05/2019 19:27

Thankyou so much Sushiqueen , I wouldn’t have thought of the app it’s great

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