Celebrity Constellation Review
4.5 / 5.0
Cruising great, niggles with staff shortages
Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Constellation
RenfrewSue
10+ Cruises • Age 20s
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Additional details
Sail Date: Feb 2023
Cabin: Ocean View 7
We choose cruises by the destination as we have no desire to do the same loop over and over again. Unfortunately many cruise lines rarely offer new countries or options other than the USA as homeports. As Canadians we find Celebrity do change things up and have done Asia, India, Middle East, Antarctica/ South America with them. This cruise appealed because of Panama and Colombia, new countries for us. Unfortunately it sailed out of Florida. We would prefer not to support a repressive regime but had no choice.
Check in was done by octogenarians who paid no attention to the boarding time we'd been given. There were three roped off lines. It would be easy to have the suites and VIP guests in 1, 11 am in 2 and 11:30 in the other. Anyone with 12 and over wait until the other lines clear. As it was there was no logic and people with 2pm were boarding ahead of others.
The people who had completed the online check in were able to breeze through after security but it was surprising how many had not.
Cabin Review
Ocean View 7
Very small with little storage. This is supposed to be a 5 berth but I couldn't imagine how that would work. Noisy at night due to clanging and mechanical noise. Comfortable bed and excellent toiletries. It was kept immaculately clean by our steward Solona.
Port Reviews
Cartagena (Colombia)
Great port. We did a ship tour - highlights walking tour of Cartagena which was excellent.
On the second day we hired a private car and driver to take us to the National Aviary which was well worth a visit.
The port area is one the nicest we've seen with a natural area before reaching the ship. They have all kinds of birds, monkeys and sloths in the open as well as a really good gift shop with similar prices to the old town vendors.
Colon (Cristobal)
Another ship tour: Best of Panama with a tour of the canal watching the movie and watching ships go through the three locks. Then we went to Gatun lake for a boat ride to visit the Embera village which was very interesting.
Cozumel
One of the drawbacks of cruise ships ties to Florida is Cozumel on every itinerary! I booked a beach retreat at an all inclusive resort for swimming and snorkelling. Still a boring port but we had a good 4 hours there.
Puerto Limon
Excellent place to visit. I booked a private tour guide to do the rainforest, beach and canals. It was the best port for us with lots of cool animals and birds.
Grand Cayman (Georgetown)
Fourth time here. Booked a ship excursion to the turtle sanctuary and got to snorkel in their lagoon with the turtles and other fish. It was a good tour but not as advertised as a small group, unless 60 people is considered small!
Tampa
Stop using this port. It is an embarrassment from the elderly check in people to the terrible dock area and unsafe streets.
1 Helpful Vote