A Racquet Social Travelogue
After swearing off cruises and forging my own path for years, I decided to embark on a 12-day cruise on the Celebrity Constellation with a few of my pickleball buddies.
Celebrity Constellation's Caribbean Cruise took me to Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Limon, and Cozumel. I boarded the ship in Tampa, FL.
My veranda stateroom was larger than some European hotel rooms I have stayed at and offered plenty of storage space. The bathroom was compact but functional, The balcony added a sense of space.
The ship resembled a large luxury hotel with grand staircases, long corridors, plush lounges, high-end retail stores, fancy restaurants, and bars.
With a globally-inspired buffet breakfast, plated dinners with menus that explored cuisines from Italy to India, and never-ending snacks, it is hard not to overeat while on the cruise ship.
The ship's main restaurant offered fancy fare, from shrimp cocktails to escargot and Beef Wellington....
The numerous bars spread across the ship ensured the guests stayed in high spirits (pun intended) and in a social frame of mind.
Lounging by the poolside was a close second to eating and drinking on the ship. Most guests spent their day sunbathing, reading or just napping on the many lounge chairs lining the pool deck.
If you feel guilty about overeating, you can work it off at the ship's well-equipped gym, or use the walking track. I chose to use the stairs instead of the elevators.
Yes, you can play pickleball on the sports deck of the ship and participate in friendly tournaments. Wind can play havoc with your shots when the ship moves through choppy waters.
The outer deck of the ship resembled a boardwalk, perfect for a stroll after a heavy meal. During windy conditions, the access to this area is restricted.
A full-fledged theatre worked as the main venue for movies, musical performances, and acrobatic shows that featured various talented artists.
For movie buffs, the ship offered an open-air theatre on the top deck that featured movies in English and Spanish.
Headliner, Robert Neary kept the audience engaged at the Celebrity Theatre, with his Neil Diamond Experience.
A rotating group of bands and artists kept the guests entertained with music that ranged from rock, pop, Motown, and disco.
From themed parties to karaoke and silent disco, the ship offered many avenues for guests to unwind and have a good time.
Despite the ship's size, turbulent weather, and choppy waters can make you nauseous. A daily dose of Gravol/Dramamine worked for me.
Similar to hotels and airlines, cruise lines reward loyalty by offering repeat customers privileges that include upgrades, free drinks, and club memberships.
While cruise companies have started emphasising sustainability and ethical practices, its detractors attribute pollution, waste, and over-tourism to the industry.
Though the initial cruise price seems tempting, drinks, excursions, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi can quickly add up. Still, a comparable land-based experience would cost far more.