Cruising the High Seas – The Adventure of a Lifetime.

Sitting on deck high above the sapphire-blue ocean, enjoying the morning sun and sipping fresh juice and steaming coffee, we watched pelicans soar above in lazy circles as our enormous ship pulled into a colorfully painted port at an island filled with possibilities to explore. Without a doubt, our cruise of the southern Caribbean aboard Celebrity’s Constellation, was one of the most peaceful, fulfilling, and adventurous experiences we’ve ever shared.

It began one warm spring evening as our plane landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We grabbed our luggage, hailed a taxi, and rushed across the city to board the 91,000-ton luxurious floating city Celebrity Cruises calls their flagship. The magnificent vessel hosts several restaurants and nightclubs, a coffee bar, a full Broadway-style theater, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, several hot tubs, a library, a conservatory, a game room, a walking track, table tennis, an Internet club, a movie theater, meeting rooms, gym equipment, a casino, a variety of shops, and more, all masterfully decorated to convey a sense of luxury. At all hours of the day and night, the friendly and highly international staff hosted endless activities and entertainment — everything from dancing on deck as the rum flowed freely, to karaoke in one of the lounges, to cooking demonstrations or bingo tournaments, to live music with a string quartet or a harpist or an outrageously funny acapella group.

Our stateroom, like so many aboard the Constellation, opened onto a small balcony overlooking the ocean as we cut through the waves at up to 24 knots. The room was efficient and cozy with a writing desk, love seat, abundant closet space, shower and water closet, and perhaps the most comfortable bed we’ve ever enjoyed on vacation. At night we would open the door to the veranda, feel the salty breeze and listen to the waves below, as the ship gently rocked us to sleep.

Of course, food is a centerpiece on any cruise, and Celebrity’s culinary options excelled our expectations. The two-story main dining room offered scrumptious breakfasts each day and four-course dinners in the evening, served by waiters who specialized in anticipating the needs of their guests. But there were plenty of other choices available, from the buffet of the Seaside Grill with its windows looking out on the spectacular views, to endless pizza and hamburgers served poolside, to healthier entrees available by the spa, to a sushi bar, and even an ice cream stand. And if we’d rather dine privately on our veranda, room service was always a phone call away ‘round the clock.

The Constellation also offers a spectacular specialty restaurant, Ocean Liners. Recreating the style and tradition of the 1927 luxury liner, Ile de France, this restaurant offers dozens of entrée specialties paired perfectly with an extensive wine list, all offered with grace and flare under the supervision of award-winning Master Chef Michel Roux. We enjoyed Ocean Liners on one of the formal nights, decked out in a tuxedo and glamorous gown, which gave the experience an extra touch of romance. And, as usual, the staff offered us another example of their superior hospitality and service.

In partnership with Bon Appetit magazine, Celebrity Cruises hosted a “Savor the Caribbean” theme during our cruise, offering opportunities to discover the region’s unique style of cooking and meet some of the chefs that give the islands their culinary charisma. On our first morning aboard the Constellation, we docked at the Dominican Republic and took advantage of one of these culinary excursions. We boarded a bus and enjoyed a quick tour of Casa de Campo, including an opportunity to stroll through Altos de Chavon, a charming recreation of an old Spanish town. Though we caught a glimpse of one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean, “The Teeth of the Dog,” we rushed on to one of the resort’s restaurants for a culinary demonstration by Executive Chef Philippe Mongereau and an outstanding seafood meal in the open-walled pavilion overlooking the bay at sunset.

Our second day onboard was spent entirely at sea, giving us the opportunity to explore the various activities available on the ship. We spent the afternoon curled up on cushioned lounge chairs on deck by the pool, reading, talking, holding hands, getting a touch of sunburn (the Caribbean sun is very intense), and just watching the clouds and waves drift by as a band played a mix of reggae and soft rock on deck. After dinner, we enjoyed the singing and dancing of the ship’s Broadway revue, followed by a quiet stroll on deck under a full moon and bright stars

The next morning, the ship pulled into port at Bridgetown, Barbados. We took a quick shuttle bus ride over to Broad Street, the main shopping area of town. Feeling a bit like a Caribbean-esque London, the area offered a wide assortment of duty-free shopping. Tourists bustled about purchasing gems and jewelry, rum, local arts and crafts, and various souvenirs. In the afternoon, as some of our shipmates headed for local beaches or a tour of the Mount Gay Rum Factory, we enjoyed an excursion that took us ocean kayaking and snorkeling with enormous sea turtles. The water was warm and clear, and the turtles swam among us and let us touch their beautiful shells. By evening we were back on board the Constellation, enjoying the pampering and entertainment once again.

At sunrise the next day, our ship dropped anchor offshore of Grenada, a lush and mountainous island known for its spices, wildlife preserves, and the world famous Grand Anse Beach — two miles of pristine white sand, diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and more. We hired a cab driver to give us a tour of the island, and he offered a colorful perspective of the local sights and sounds, including stops at a tropical waterfall and one of the many spice markets. We were treated to a hands-on demonstration of how mace, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cocoa are harvested, and we couldn’t resist purchasing batches of fresh spices to bring home as gifts.

Our next stop was in Antigua, and we spent the morning strolling through the colorful shops right outside the harbor. Then we joined in another of Bon Appetit’s culinary excursions which took us on a long car ride across the island to the charming Harmony Hall Inn. As we relaxed in a garden setting overlooking the jade green waters, Executive Chef Renato Somella shared his passion for Italian cuisine and offered an entertaining and educational cooking lesson. Then, as he and his staff prepared an outstanding lunch for us, we took a quick boat ride over to the beach of uninhabited Green Island for a little time of swimming and soaking up the sun.

Our final port of call was Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, one of the most beautiful and popular cruise stops. We enjoyed a quick breakfast on board before disembarking for our first excursion of the day: an adventurous underwater tour on our very own “BOBs” (Breathing Observation Bubbles). Similar to an underwater motor scooter, the BOBs included an air tank supplying a glass dome over our heads, so it felt a bit like being in a reverse aquarium. Divers helped us adjust to the pressure as we descended then led us on a guided tour of the reef, pausing long enough to photograph us hand-in-hand on our BOBs. When we weren’t riding our BOBs, we enjoyed the best snorkeling of our island tours and discovered a wide variety of colorful fish in the sheltered cove.

In the afternoon, we headed for a second adventure. This time we went parasailing high above the waves for a truly breathtaking flight. Our host was eager to give us an exciting experience. We sat on the back of the boat, strapped ourselves together and to the parachute, and in seconds we were nearly four hundred feet in the sky. The island lay far below us, surrounded by bright blue waters. In the distance, we saw the enormous dark clouds of a storm rolling across the ocean. The driver slowed the boat and allowed us to drift down until our feet skipped across the top of the waves, then gunned the engine and sent us flying back up in a dizzying rush. It was an unforgettable adrenaline rush.

Our final night aboard the Constellation was spent packing, saying goodbye to friends we met during the trip, and enjoying one last leisurely dinner together. We walked the decks once more, taking in the sights and sounds, enjoying the lively music throughout the ship, and talking about the incredible experience we had shared.

Disembarking in Puerto Rico the next morning was handled masterfully, as Celebrity demonstrated their expertise at helping two thousand passengers leave the ship, pass through U.S. Customs, and be reunited with their luggage. We had several hours before our plane would depart, so we checked our bags at the airport and hired a taxi to take us over to Old San Juan. We found the narrow cobblestone streets and brightly colored buildings absolutely charming. Old Spanish forts, a historic cathedral, shady parks, and arts & crafts markets offered a wonderful touring experience before we had to head back to the airport and the reality of our lives back home.

Throughout our trip, Celebrity proved why they are the industry’s highest-rated premium cruise line. They offer adventures not only to the Caribbean, but to Alaska, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, South America, Europe, and more. We also discovered why cruising is such a popular vacation choice; the romance, adventure, and gracious hospitality just can’t be beat. This may have been our first cruise, but it certainly won’t be our last!

Visit www.celebritycruises.com for more information.