All aboard: a tour of the Celebrity Constellation

Onboard the Celebrity Constellation

Allow us to introduce you to the Celebrity Constellation. For the unfamiliar, this 965 foot long superliner is one of the four cruise ships in Celebrity Cruises Millennium class fleet. Built to occupy 2,000 guests at one time she offers more than just a few activities on board – no one can be passive about how amazing she is (and you’ll see why by the end of this post).

She first set sail in 2002 simply known as Constellation before being enhanced with the popular features of the Solstice class of ships. These days you’ll find her decked out with the much-loved CanyonRanch Spa Club, Michael’s Club private lounge, elegant boutiques, a kids club with Xbox’s, eclectic cuisine, and the scrumptious AquaClass Spa Suites.

There’s 12 decks to explore while on board the Celebrity Constellation. Every room, restaurant and facility meets Celebrity Cruises tagline of modern luxury and passengers will find plenty of alcoves to recline in comfort or drink in style. Not only that, but passengers can fly to her first port-of-call on a private jet like true celebrity royalty (we have more on that at the end!).

For the foodies

Celebrity Cruises are regularly praised as a cruise of choice for travellers after an innovative culinary experience and the Constellation doesn’t fall short of this acclamation. For the highest standard of fine-dining there is the white-table clothed Ocean Liners restaurant that serves up a collection of seafood dishes with a French touch. If however you’re after a casual evening, reserve yourself a table in The Tuscan Grille, an Italian steakhouse.

For a quick bite to eat to keep you going between meal-times or before you head out on an excursion, the Bistro on Five serves a selection of paninis, soups, salads and crêpes. Or head-up to the Poolside Grill for a burger or bratwurst with a range of tasty toppings such as bacon, sauteed-onions and pickles. The bustling buffet, known as Oceanview Cafe, serves food 24-hours a day and offers stunning views of the sea.

On board the Constellation there are two restaurants hidden behind the foodie curtain. Luminae is the restaurant offered exclusively to suite-class guests. Whether it’s the Penthouse, Royal, Celebrity or Sky Suite, any passengers that book a suite for their cruise have one extra place to dine while on board. Any passengers who opt for an AquaClass Stateroom – built for spa-lovers who want to spend their cruise relaxing – receive exclusive access to the restaurant Blu. Keeping in line with the health-conscious ambiance of the AquaClass Staterooms, Blu specialises in clean cuisine and healthy eating.

Sipping your favourite tipple

After sampling the fine dining on board Constellation, it’s time to invigorate your senses with your favourite liquor. For wine-drinkers, learn about wine pairings and the art of wine tasting at Cellar Masters. The Enomatic® wine-by-the-glass dispensing system will pour your choice of wine in measures of 1-ounce, 2.5-ounce or 5-ounce. Sommeliers are also on hand to offer insight as you immerse yourself into the world of fine wines.

For Suite-Class and Captain’s Club Zenith members, there is exclusive access to Michael’s Club – an old-school style lounge. Decked with dark wood furnishings, it is available 24-hours a day and serves complimentary pre-dinner drinks between 5:30 and 8pm daily. Not just a place to sip on wine and craft beer, Michael’s Lounge dedicated Concierge can organise all suite-guests speciality dining and shore excursions while hungry passengers can nibble on a premium continental breakfast, light lunch, and self-service snacks while reading one of the papers and magazines on offer.

Entertainment

If you’re looking for a cruise ship with plenty of entertainment – let it be known that Celebrity Constellation has an entire deck dedicated to entertainment (amply named The Entertainment Deck). At the front of the ship sits the theatre that hosts a range of Broadway-style shows and educational talks from renowned academics. As passengers continue their stroll down the enclosed deck they’ll discover stylish boutiques offering duty-free designer dresses. Just before they wander into the Grand Foyer they’ll have the chance to stop and admire the paintings in the Art Gallery. After the Grand Foyer stop for an ice-cream cone at the Gelateria or a coffee at Cafe Al Bacio.

Guests will find entertainment on other decks too – head down one level to try your luck at the Fortunes Casino. Or if you have kids, head up to Deck 11 for the Fun Factory and Arcade, or if it’s teenagers you’ve brought with you drop them off at the X Club (sorry, no parents allowed!).

Challenge your brain and learn something new

An IT Learning Centre isn’t something you’d expect to find on a cruise ship but the Celebrity iLearn Centre is an area for any guests wanting to brush up on their tech skills. Whether you’re wanting to edit one of your holiday snaps to e-mail to your family back home or learn how to start your own blog about your cruising adventures, the Celebrity iLearn Centre on Deck 9 offer 18 IT-courses to Celebrity passengers.

If computers aren’t your thing, and you still prefer an old-fashioned physical book, head down to the library on Deck 8 to relax in silence and soak up some new knowledge (or immerse yourself in a world of fiction).

Winding down or creating a sweat

The Celebrity Constellation is home to the CanyonRanch Spa – one of the most serene spas at sea. Already an award-winning on-land spa in Tucson, Arizona, and Massachusetts, enjoy treatments ranging from facials to acupuncture to a couples massage to organic body wraps. Behind the CanyonRanch Spa Club sits the Persian Gardens where spa-users can relax before or after a treatment in the steam room or herbal saunas, or cool off after a work-out in one of the sensory showers. If you would prefer to take a simple dip in a pool, just head further along the same deck for a invigorating soak and then dry off in the near-by Solarium.

For passengers who prefer to unwind by working-out, the CanyonRanch spa is located beside the on-board fitness centre. If treadmills aren’t your preferred exercise however – the amply named Sports Deck is home to a basketball court and just one deck below there is a jogging track for guests who can’t pass up their regular morning run.

Catching your zzz

Rest at your head at the end of the day in one of four suites or five classes of staterooms. At the top sits the Penthouse Suite: complete with baby grand piano, a private veranda with whirlpool, separate living and dining room, complimentary mini-bar, a marble master bath, king-sized bed, and a rotation of savoury and sweet snacks. Penthouse guests – and any passengers who book a suite – enjoy 24-hour room-service, seating preferences at all main and speciality restaurants, pillow menu, and priority check-in. Any foodies who book a suite have access to the exclusive Luminae restaurant and can unwind with a drink later in Michael’s Club – two areas of the ship only available to suite passengers.

If opting for a stateroom, the popular option is the AquaClass®. Located in quieter areas of the ship, these staterooms have been designed with the spa-enthusiast in mind. Passengers gain priority access to the CanyonRanch Spa and the PersianGardens, and the speciality restaurant, Blu, that serves innovative clean cuisine. Alternatively, passengers can also choose from Concierge Class, Veranda Class (with both family and non-family options), Ocean View, and Inside Staterooms (all stateroom classes have accessible cabins available).

Plus, you can fly there in a private jet

Jet Set Sail is the new exclusive offer between Cruise Direct and Celebrity Cruises. Start your holiday off with luxury by boarding a private jet with less than 130 people. Before you board you will receive free parking at Glasgow airport and will be able to fast-track through security. On board you’ll be treated to a two-course luxury meal and sip on complimentary drinks. You’ll also be able to pack all your favourite clothes as you’ll have 25kgs allowance for your suitcase and 5kgs for your hand luggage. After you land, you will receive priority disembarkation to the Celebrity Constellation in a private coach.