CELEBRITY ROLLING OUT 18 NEW SHOWS

"It's showtime!" That's the word around Celebrity Cruises these days, as the cruise line prepares to unveil 18 shows in 18 months – all in partnership with some of today's biggest recording artists and awarding-winning theatrical and television productions. Here's more from the release:

"The 18 leading-edge shows, created exclusively for Celebrity, feature elements of drama, dance, comedy, musical theater and concert-style performances – blended in a way that has never been seen before at sea. Shows will include Elyria, an energetic, late-night production, where guests are transported to a witty, mischievous, dreamlike world. The new production will launch onboard Celebrity Constellation in April. iMagic, available onboard Celebrity Summit, is a modern luxury interpretation of the wonder of illusions, innovative, groundbreaking and uses incredible technology such as holograms, lasers and iPads, to tell the story.

"Celebrity has attracted and collaborated with some of the best names in entertainment to produce the 18 shows. These include William Baker, who has created and directed global tours and music videos for some of the biggest names in popular music; and Steve Anderson, a musical director, producer and writer for world-renowned artists.

"Celebrity will offer up to 10 engaging entertainment experiences on every ship. Side Show is an interactive and vintage circus theme party. Reigning Rocks will blend the elegance of royalty with the glam of Brit Pop, and Night of the Dragon will feature the delicate beauty of Asian culture mixed with pop music, resulting in a high-energy celebration of culture.

"All entertainment is created and perfected at 'The Studio,' Celebrity's production headquarters inside a newly built, 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility – a unique partnership between Florida International University (FIU) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL), Celebrity's parent company. Located on the FIU Biscayne Bay campus, the production and rehearsal facility, which can accommodate more than 460 cast members at one time, was officially opened Friday, March 20."

'CONSTELLATION' GETTING NEW FEATURES

Celebrity Constellation (Credit: Celebrity)

Celebrity Cruises has announced Constellation will enter a scheduled drydock period to add "the full complement of Solstice Class-inspired features." In 2010 Constellation was the first of the four Millenium-class ships to be "Solsticized," with the addition of "the specialty restaurant Tuscan Grille, new staterooms, renovated bathrooms, new bedding, new flat-screen TVs, entirely refreshed public spaces, and new color schemes throughout the ship." When the ship re-enters service May 5, 2013, these new features will be added:

FRIDAY PHOTO FUN: CARPET PORTHOLES

Photo: Gerry

Look out below! Diners at the Seaside Cafe on Celebrity Constellation get a bird's eye view of the ocean thanks to these portholes built into the carpet. While you eat you can watch the waves in front and below you. -- Gerry

REVIEW: OCEAN LINERS ON 'CONSTELLATION'

Ocean Liners (All Photos: Gerry)

ABOARD CELEBRITY CONSTELLATION -- Among the specialty restaurants you'll find on this ship is one tucked away on deck 3, mid-ship, by the elevators. With decor inspired by the classic ocean liners of years past, it features "contemporary French cuisine with a Mediterranean influence." With a per-person up-charge of $40, diners here should be prepared for a two-hour-plus experience, with many of the dishes prepared personally at table side.

As is often the case, the decisions start with the "starters." There is a wide range of choices, from "Smoked Salmon and Peekytoe Crab Parfait" to "Wild Forest Mushroom Cappuccino." We opted for the more traditional favorites, "Creamy Maine Lobster Bisque," featuring leek and shallot flan, cognac cream and crispy sweet corn fleuron (a crescent-shaped puff pastry).  Pam opted for the "Warm Goat Cheese Souffle," with smoked tomato coulis, Parmesan cream and basil pesto. Pam never turns down goat cheese. Both were rich and flavorful.

Dover Sole prepared table-side

As for the main event, again lots of choices. There was what you might expect -- lobster, duck breast, rack of lamb and veal chop. But one item we couldn't pass up was the "Dover Sole Veronique," described as "pan seared golden brown, a la Veronique with green grapes au Beurre Noisette." Basically, Dover sole served in a warm butter sauce with green grapes. We watched as our server expertly prepared the dish at our table, filleting the fish and removing the delicate bones intact, which elicited our applause.

Finally it was my favorite time of the meal: Desserts. Again, Pam didn't hesitate, going for one of her favs, the "Grand Marnier Souffle." I opted for the "Crepe Ballon Rouge," with Balsamic strawberries, vanilla ice cream and Chambertin sauce, prepared at our table flambe, always a good photo opt.

Flambe at the table

If you want a special evening and special treatment, Ocean Liners will provide both. But be advised if you are on a tight schedule or in a rush to catch a show or hit the casino, probably not for you. Two couples at an adjacent table apparently weren't planning for a leisurely meal, and left in somewhat of a huff when their food didn't arrive fast enough..

Don't we take cruises to r-e-l-a-x? Just saying. -- Gerry