We recently took a cruise on the Celebrity Constellation from Tampa to Key West, Cozumel and Costa Maya. Sometimes we choose a cruise for the exceptional ship, dining or entertainment; and sometimes we choose a cruise because of the destinations, price or dates that fit. This Celebrity Constellation itinerary was chosen for the latter, but we were happy with ship’s size, our room, and were actually really impressed by the food!
This type of cruise is perfect for those who want a budget-friendly way to dip their toes into cruising, without committing to a long itinerary, far from home.
Celebrity Constellation: Ship Review
Celebrity’s 2002 Millennium-class ship got a makeover with Solstice-series improvements in 2013 and a complete refresh in April 2024. Lovingly called the “Connie,” this ship strikes a nice balance with its elegant but laid-back atmosphere, quality service, and good food, without feeling like a massive floating city.
Sure, some cabins show their age, the bathrooms are on the smaller side, and the fitness center could use some love, but the Celebrity Constellation’s more intimate size and tranquil feel make it a good choice for cruisers who enjoy a not-so-crowded and lively cruise.
Rooms on the Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation has 1,092 rooms, with more than half (58%) featuring private balconies, plus ocean view and interior options.
- Top-tier suites (Penthouse, Royal, Celebrity & Aqua/Sky): These roomy accommodations can be up to 1,432 square feet and come with “The Retreat” perks – skip-the-line boarding, personal butler service, and dining at the upscale Luminae restaurant.
- AquaClass: Perfect for wellness lovers, these spa-themed rooms include access to the Blu restaurant, wellness goodies, and use of the Persian Garden relaxation area.
- Concierge Class & Standard rooms (Veranda/Ocean View/Interior): Solid mid-level choices, with Concierge Class throwing in nice touches like welcome champagne, a special lunch reservation, and priority services.
We stayed in the veranda, and it offered one bed plus a bed that pulls down from the ceiling. Every morning and evening, housekeeping would retract and extend the bed to allow more living space. It comfortably held three people, but any more than that may feel cramped.
Celebrity Constellation Specialty Dining
The ship offers nine dining spots, including three premium specialty restaurants (extra charge):
- Le Petit Chef at Qsine: A fun 3D dining experience with animated tabletop shows. This is usually a hit for kids and adults find it very entertaining too!
- Tuscan Grille: Upscale Italian steakhouse known for excellent steaks and wine selection. We were surprised to see the extensive wine selection here.
- Sushi on Five: Japanese favorites like sushi, sashimi, hot pot, and craft beers. All of the meals we had here were very fresh and delicious!
Other dining options include:
- San Marco (main dining room), Oceanview Café (buffet), Blu (healthy cuisine for AquaClass guests), and Luminae (fine dining for suite guests by Chef Daniel Boulud)
- Quick bites: Pool Grill, AquaSpa Café, Café al Bacio, Gelateria
We tried almost every restaurant onboard, as well as cooking classes for the perfect steak and ceviche. The dining options offer a wide variety for every palette, from the casual buffet to fine dining steakhouses. And we’re really impressed at the food offerings. Even the buffet was one of the best experiences we’ve had as buffets can sometimes be very bland.
You can also find a wide range of dining experiences to suit your personal preference. For example, if you’re not fond of the crowded buffet, there’s quieter and more intimate options.
We usually ate at the buffet every breakfast and, although it was crowded and hard to find seating, the food was incredible. Every day features a different cuisine and we never felt like we were eating “the same old stuff”.
Also, there were several places for a quick bite, such as a smoothie at the AquaSpa Café or a pastry at Café al Bacio. We found these locations to not be crowded at all and the food was delicious at both!
Celebrity Constellation Cooking Classes & Wine Tastings
We took the ceviche cooking class and the steak cooking class, and both were fantastic! The chefs were amazingly knowledgeable and we learned so much.
Since returning from the trip we have made ceviche twice at home. The Chef taught us how to sear the steak to make sure it was cooked to perfection and was aesthetically pleasing and we also learned how to correctly prepare the fish for ceviche. Removing the skin was a bit challenging however!
One of our other favorite activities was the “wine around the world” experience. Tastings provide several different types of wines from various regions. The hosts explained the details of each and recommended food parings as well.
Celebrity Constellation Itinerary: Key West, Cozumel and Costa Maya
Our first stop was in Key West. We enjoyed the trolley tour and really liked the laid back atmosphere. The vibe is very similar to what we experience in other locations throughout the Caribbean. There are tons of shops, restaurants, and bars.
Our next port was Cozumel. Here, we chose to do a jeep tour to see Mayan ruins located well outside of the tourist areas. We enjoyed this tour immensely. Payton even got to swim in the Jade Cenote which is a natural sinkhole that results from the collapse of limestone bedrock.
Our last destination was supposed to be Costa Maya. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and the winds were too high for the huge ship to dock. Thankfully, we had visited Costa Maya on a previous occasion, so we didn’t mind too much.
Check out our pre/post-cruise guide to Tampa too, for those who want to extend their trip to enjoy this great city!
Guide to the Celebrity Constellation
Although the Constellation is an older ship, it still provides a very pleasant experience. One thing we noticed very quickly was the quality of the food on this ship. Cruise ship buffets can leave a lot to be desired, but the Constellation definitely puts a lot of effort into providing a quality dining experience during every meal.
We also found this cruise to be somewhat more laid back and not as lively as some of the other cruises we’ve done.
There were adequate activities for our 16 year old daughter and all of the shows we saw were really good! We would definitely choose this cruise again.
It’s is an excellent choice for foodies and anyone who enjoys wine tasting. We will definitely be repeat guests aboard the Constellation!
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