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