With capacity for 3000 people, she’s big!
When I told friends I was going on holiday on a cruise ship around the Dalmatian Coast, I have to say the bulk were skeptical, some horrified with truth be told, only a few genuinely excited for me.
“A large cruise ship? You’re not old enough. It’ll be full of ancients!”
“Oh my God, the food is sure to be vile.”
“How can you bear the thought of being stuck on a huge ship with 1000s of other people?”
“You’ll spend the entire time vomiting into a bucket.”
I have to admit they made me really nervous. I’m not good in crowds and I definitely like my own company and my own space. The mere thought of puking makes me puke. I had visions of a fortnight spent on a nightmarish geriatric Contiki cruise.
Now, whilst it’s true that you need to adopt a certain mindset to enjoy living on a ship the size of Celebrity Constellation, so far I’ve genuinely enjoyed my time onboard. My friends have been wrong and no, this is NOT a sponsored post.
I love a good nautical display…
Onboard you will find a good mix of ages, ethnicities and experience. I feel like I’m back in Sydney in 2000 during the Olympics. Everyone is so friendly.
The staff are almost embarrassingly polite and helpful. Together they form a mini league of nations. So far I’ve encountered 16 different nationalities. The Jamaicans win hand down for their sense of humour and enthusiasm. The Serbians are hilarious but can give you very fierce stares if you don’t take just “one more helping” of whatever’s on offer. The Philippinos are quiet (with beautiful smiles) and are hugely obliging. And on it goes. I’m busting my breeches to know what it’s like “below stairs”.
There are plenty of places where you can escape the crowds and just chill ~ and I don’t mean in your own cabin. Speaking of which, it is perfectly acceptable, with pleasant décor and a balcony but it’s around the size of an European hotel room i.e. small. I can’t say I like the toilets that flush like those of an airplane. I don’t know why they need to do that. It scares the tripe out of me every time.
One of the dining rooms on Celebrity Constellation
And the food. Hmm. It’s not brilliant but it’s passable. Some of the specialty restaurants are really very good. The buffet is endless and overflowing. Once you figure out the lay of the land you can easily eat yummy fresh, healthy dishes prepared in front of you each and every day. But you do have to seek these out. In fairness, the logistics of supplying food and drink to almost 3000 people, 24 hours a day for 12 days is something that makes my head spin, so huge kudos to the Executive Chef for the consistency and quality of the grub.
My only disappointment? And it’s a bitter one ~ the Captain would appear not to be a ‘tooter’. He’s only blown the ship’s horn once as we were leaving Venice. I’m off to try and interview him tomorrow so maybe I’ll be able to convince him to let rip somewhere in the middle of the Adriatic.
I’m afraid dear readers, you are likely to be bombarded with images of my cruise for the next two weeks. Expect Venice next, followed by Slovenia (what a joy that place is). Then it’s Croatia, Montenegro, Malta and three stops in Italy (Catania, Naples and Rome). If you have any questions about where I’m heading or better still, recommendations on what I simply must see, sing out.
Meantime, visit Celebrity Cruises and see if you can find a cruise that appeals. I want to go on the Celebrity Solstice next around Asia or Alaska. Although I also fancy the 7 night tour of the Galapagos…
Until next time…
Hello, waving from Sydney. Are you on a family holiday there? Lovely time of year to visit that part of the world. Am dying of envy as it’s been wet and windy here. Send sunshine and keep the armchair travels for me coming.