Guests who board the Celebrity Cruises Constellation ship are now enjoying the best of both worlds.

A few short months ago, the Constellation – which debuted in 2002 and is considered a Millennium Class ship – received its final Solstice Class enhancements. During one of the first voyages after the improvements, on a Norwegian Fjords cruise sailing out of Amsterdam, it became readily apparent that the conversion is a win-win for cruisers.

Hardcore cruisers know their ships, and many remain loyal to the floating palaces that suit them the best. Millennium Class ships, for instance, are large ships that aren’t too large. The Constellation accommodates just more than 2,000 guests. The newer Solstice Class vessels can fit more than 3,000 passengers and, accordingly, are taller, wider and generally more spread out.

Despite the upgrade, the Constellation remains true to its fans. While in dry dock, Celebrity did not make the ship bigger. The feeling of an intimate experience prevails.

“Solstice-ized” improvements include 66 brand-new cabins, plus the introduction of 107 AquaClass cabins and the associated Blu restaurant for those patrons. This exclusive “spa restaurant” operates during breakfast and dinner and presents popular dishes without pretense, resulting in lighter fare that still satisfies the appetite.

Guests will feel truly up to date with the new Celebrity iLounge, complete with Apple workstations. The lounge also offers classes and products. Wi-Fi over the entire ship is also enhanced.

Also, within the technology realm, new Xbox 360 and Kinect for Xbox 360 consoles have extended the Fun Factory kids’ club and X Club teen venue.

Craft beers – 64 international varieties – are now offered in the popular Michael’s Club. A new conference center also was completed.

In the great outdoors of the ship, new sun loungers on both pools decks were put in place.

Inside, a modern, new color scheme permeates the carpet and upholstery. And, one to never underestimate the value of good sleep, Celebrity installed new Reverie mattresses in every Constellation stateroom and suite. Remember, reverie in French means “to dream.”

By making these upgrades while keeping the ship the same size, Celebrity ensured that the ship remains intimate and friendly. This feeling of intimacy, which is quite difficult to accomplish on a large ship, is important, especially to those who enjoy hooking up with their new cruiser buddies. On some large ships, the massiveness can create a disconnect with fellow cruisers because of the sheer amount of people on board.

Also, the Constellation retains its impressive crew-to-guest ratio, roughly 2 to 1. That’s hard to beat.

For those who haven’t cruised on the Constellation since May 2010, the first installment of Solstice Class upgrades will provide much joy.

At that time, the ship added Solstice-style amenities such as an irresistible gelateria, a creperie, a Cellar Masters wine venue, and a martini bar topped by shaved ice and featuring juggling bartenders.

But the piece de resistance was the Tuscan Grille, an Italian steakhouse that is worth every penny of its nominal fee. Highlights include a beef-and-veal lasagna featuring a lush béchamel and tomato sauce, extremely tender filet mignon, a light-yet-flavorful crab cake, a delightful Italian chop-chop salad, moist focaccia bread, extremely creamy macaroni and cheese, and a to-die-for toffee panna cotta that also featured crème caramel and caramelized strawberries.

Old standbys, including the Oceanside Café, are just as tempting, especially at aft. We gravitated toward the crisp, yet fluffy, waffles offered at breakfast at aft. Lunch at aft included large, delicious croissants plus made-to-order sandwiches. Dinner there included guacamole and chips from 5:30 to 9 p.m. plus four made-to-order dishes. Nearby, a pizzeria always offered four choices.

Celebrity proves with its Constellation upgrade that not only can the old live with the new, but they can combine to create an entirely improved existence.