This was the second leg of a back-to-back that started with a transatlantic cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Amsterdam. The Constellation is an older ship that badly needs re-furbishing. Nevertheless, the Baltic itinerary is new for the ship and the crew reflected excitement for that reason. Service at all levels was uniformly excellent and professional. The concierge class accommodation was OK, but starting to fray at the edges.

The itinerary is the highlight of this cruise because of the routes that have been heen selected into and out of the major stops. The negatives would include continued disorganization and poor selection of tour operators, not to mention expensive, followed by menus that are becoming dated and mediocre when compared with the past. Celebrity must find better ways to accommodate online needs and become more flexible about their "nickel-and-diming" policy about bringing liquor and wine on-board.

We loved the cruise -- and love our elite status -- but Celebrity is starting to go down the road of the airlines in terms of pricing services.