I wanted to celebrate our Silver wedding in a special way and a cruise seemed the best choice.After spending a while on this website going through all the reviews, i headed off to the travel agent for some brochures, on arrival they were just pinning up the managers special 13 night ultimate Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Constellation.I remember reading some positive comments and a few negatives about the ship, on speaking to the manager about it he had recently cruised on her and was able to offer some straight advice, as we have booked all our Holiday's with this agent and my daughter has her wedding booked with them next year we have come to trust his opinion.We were not disappointed and had a really great holiday, as this is a warts and all review there were a few minor things i would like to comment on. We booked Concierge as this offered what i thought would be some nice extra touches.Their were 2 others in our party who booked shortly after us and they were my wife's parents. To begin flight was OK, transfer to Miami Hilton within 1.5rs of landing was great headed of to Bayside Mall, good for bargains wife seen some nice things for our 2 grandchildren but put off getting them until we seen what the islands had to offer.Advice Number 1 if you see it and like it buy it,as in our case you might not get the same opportunity again. Embarking ship not a pleasant experience, one of the so called nice things about Concierge was priority boarding, the in laws were on board before us. The lines were filling up for Concierge so we were redirected to alternate lines,which took a while to clear as the personnel instructing you to the next available gate were then letting in the original Concierge line thru in front of us had we been left where we were we would have boarded sooner.Issuing of passes etc no problem filed up gangway to board and was met by a photographer nice touch i thought, not realising i would be ducking and diving at every opportunity to avoid them once on board and at every time we got on and off the ship at every port, crew were dressed as pirates on the first island then what ever was suitable for each other island we went to, they were dressed in traditional Dutch clothing in Aruba. Once on board met with some bubbly and directed to deck 10 for the buffet,really well laid out plenty to choose from and all very fresh, being an ex chef it was very enjoyable.Went to our cabin sorry stateroom nice and clean fresh smelling plenty of storage space, bubbly on ice as per spec but no fresh flowers which was disappointing i thought as i wanted it to be special for my wife as i had made all the arrangements and she only found out about the trip on our anniversary in Sept.We then met our attendant Nelson and his assistant Jerry, both really nice guys as it turned out and no request was refused. Points about Concierge and is it worth it, in my opinion no, bathrobes were to small for me and nothing bigger than a 2xl available which is surprising as it is aimed at the USA market.Evening snacks were piped soft cheese on dry pieces of toast,fresh fruit bowl not much choice we ended up getting our fruit from th cafe and having a better choice, shower nothing special, extra hairdryer never used, binoculars came in handy though, but for the extra you pay for Concierge you could bring your own, invited to elegant once which was nice, but the same event was open to everyone the next day!Never used the service of the Concierge desk to book a car or anything else.Disembarkation not any any better again in laws off before us.As for the rest of the services on board they were great, food at the seaside cafe was always fresh and plentiful and plenty of choice, I'm amazed how other people can say otherwise, the poolside grill offered burgers,chicken,nachos,fries,pizza etc always tasty and fresh. Main dining we were on second sitting which i would recommend every time, you have time from returning ashore to chill out before you wash and brush up for dinner and have time to have a few pre dinner drinks,we always had the cocktail of the day for $5 good value.If you are use to fine dining ad eat a la carte everyday you might think choice is limited, but having been a chef for some 20 years the food was of a very good standard and varied choice, don't forget you are dining out every night on-board not just once a week like you might at home.I had read reviews about portions being small, yes appetisers are small their not meant to fill you up, you only have to ask your waiter if the portions are small and he will gladly double it for you, Celebrity want you to come away happy not thinking you were given small portions.Ok the food might not be piping hot, but honestly who`s food is, food is never delivered piping hot unless the dish calls for it or it is cooked at your table.Your waiters get to know very quickly what you like as any good waiter would, after the 3rd night our iced water was already poured and margarine was available for me, and only crusty french bread was in our basket, that is what Celebrity does well, our waiter Yogo and his assistant Chris were great, at the end of service we would exchange tricks with each other Chris always had a puzzle involving tooth picks and i showed him card tricks, we were always last to leave the restaurant. We were a bit unsure on dress code before we went, me with casual and my wife with her hair which apparently is major for you women out their, on casual i wore trousers and a plain polo shirt, there were people in smart pressed jeans which were fine, women wore smart dresses you might wear on a night out with friends, for formal myself and father in law hired a tux and brought it with us.This was the only time i was grateful for the photographers as we had some nice memorable photos. What to do on the islands, go with an organised tour as the ship wont wait or brave it with the natives, well this is what i read before hand.We went native every time, on the islands we went to as you get off the ship go to the information desk and see whats going on, mostly we did a 2 hr tour taking in the local point of history or best vantage point then off to the beach and collected at what time we asked our driver to return, you don't get hassled by the drivers as the are all registered and you are allocated a driver along with other guests depending on what you want to do, you are then taken to your driver and the fun begins, they are all knowledgeable and take you where you want to go no problems, most trips cost us $20 each.As we were not interested in buying diamonds and did not get involved with the port shopping trips i cant give to much info except to say its a major thing on ship and you can join the club and shop your life away, and remember you can upgrade at the next port as you are always reminded.On return to ship met with iced cold face towels and cold drinks really nice touch, as were the sorbets brought around the pool along with iced face towels. Night time entertainment dreadful, one great British comic juggler, voicemales a 4 piece Acapulco group excellent the crew talent contest superb and really funny though not meant to be, bit like Britain's got talent the worst bits. Transfer to Wyndham hotel Miami fine left ship 0840hrs at hotel 1020hrs our flight was at 2040hrs.On arrival at hotel chaos, got to room at 1500hrs manager refused to leave is office to scared, were compensated reluctantly with 4 drinks vouchers and 4 $50 meal vouchers.

Would i cruise again YES, with Celebrity YES.Looking at 2011 as my daughter gets married next year.