July 31 - Boarding, exploring and meeting new people

Quick taxi ride to the Cruise Terminal from the hotel...fast check in and inboard by 1045!  Went to the buffet for a quick bite to eat and...joined a couple who were, of all things from Kannapolis, NC ( just down the road about 15 miles from our house ).  Into our cabin at 1230, luggage arrived shortly thereafter; we were unpacked and checking out the ship quickly.  We met our Room Steward who has already been exceptional...warm, friendly, quick to respond to requests and even reminded us that if our pillows didn't meet our needs, he will change them tomorrow!

The Constellation is looking 'tired'.  After cruising on the Solstice class ships for the past few years, it seemed strange to see old decor especially since Celebrity advertises that the ship has been "Solticsized".  However, we found our way around easily ( making sure to check out the exercise facilities and the  Thalassotherapy pool! )   We went to the Aft Sunset Bar to join some Cruise Critic Roll Call members for Sailaway and ordered our inaugural first cruise Martinis ( Green Apple for me, Bombay Sapphire for Art).   Explored the rest of the ship and found the shops well stocked ( some with reasonably priced and good quality items! ), old favorites like Michael's Club, Bistro on Five and TheRendezvous  Lounge felt like home and some new areas like self- serve Wine tasting and the new SPE (Sanitas Per Escam - Healthy Through Food ) selections on the menu.  It was fun to join the liquor tasting pre- dinner, then headed to the first show.  The samples of upcoming entertainment were excellent and it was good to see Cruise Director John Grantham again.

We have late dinner seating this trip since we visit so many ports and will be getting back to the ship later in the day.  Totally disorganized :( on first night!  We wanted more than 1/2 hour in a noisy, annoyed crowd for the dining room doors to open only to be told that we were supposed to be on the other side of the ship for our table number.  The good part is that we have a table for 6 near a window ( for the very late sunsets in this part of the world at this time of the year and we are sitting with 2 lovely couples - one from Atlanta and the other from NY.  The menu had many good choices; food was good not great.   

Slept well and looking forward to our first sea day.

Still trying to figure out a way to post pictures but may have to add them later.  The upload speed is so slow that it just eats up precious, expensive minutes....