Claridge, now 40, was making his 1,000th professional appearance but he could do little to stop Bournemouth slumping to their biggest defeat of the season.
Claridge lasted only 58 minutes before being replaced by Sam Vokes, who was 17 only two months ago.
The veteran Claridge failed to make any impression as Port Vale took command with two soft early goals.
Vale were ahead in the third minute when Bournemouth defender Karl Broadhurst allowed a centre from Jeff Smith to go under his foot and Constantine had an easy task from close range.
Port Vale went further in front in the 13th minute when Danny Sonner took a corner on the right and George Pilkington was unmarked when he headed in from close range.
Stunned Bournemouth tried desperately to get back into the match with Simon Gillett shooting across the face of the goal and Matt Connolly bringing a save from the diving Mark Goodlad.
Stefan Moore twice went close and was denied a goal in the 71st minute by a brave dive at his feet by Neil Moss.
By then Port Vale had scored their third when Moore beat Connolly on the right and Constanstine was unmarked at the near post to score his 16th of the season.
Port Vale's fourth goal came in the 80th minute when Akpo Sodje lofted a shot over Moss from 20 yards.
Brett Pitman went close with a header for Bournemouth but they were a well beaten side by the final whistle.
Manager Kevin Bond also removed another veteran, Darren Anderton, early in the second half in a bid to stem the flow.
Port Vale owed a big debt to midfielder Paul Harsley who was a dominant figure in midfield.
For Port Vale, Moore also got the ball in the net but was ruled out for offside, while Moss kept the score to reasonable proportions with some alert goalkeeping.
Bournemouth's only bright spot was Gillett, who is on loan from Southampton and worked tirelessly in midfield without reward.