Editor’s be aware: TPG’s Erica Silverstein accepted a free journey from Carnival Cruise Line to cruise on Carnival Celebration’s first crusing from Miami. The opinions expressed under are completely hers and weren’t topic to assessment by the road.
For its fiftieth birthday, Carnival Cruise Line gave itself a celebration — particularly, the just-unveiled Carnival Celebration, the second ship within the line’s Excel class. And it is clear that Celebration is not your mom’s, or grandmother’s, Carnival cruise ship, taking the corporate into its subsequent half-century with a extra trendy, up to date model of Carnival’s “Fun Ship” fashion. Carnival referenced this evolution when it selected Cassidy Gifford, daughter of Carnival’s authentic spokeswoman Kathie Lee Gifford, as godmother of the ship, closing the books on the outdated period and welcoming within the new.
To be truthful, most of Carnival Celebration’s trendy updates have been debuted on sister vessel Mardi Gras, which launched in 2021. Carnival Celebration is now the second ship within the fleet to be powered by liquefied pure gasoline. It’s additionally the most important ship Carnival has ever sailed, together with Mardi Gras, carrying 5,282 passengers at double occupancy.
Gone is the road’s iconic hovering atrium, changed by the three-deck-high Celebration Central with panoramic home windows looking to sea. Guy Fieri is now not the one celeb chef on the town; he is joined by Shaquille O’Neal and Emeril Lagasse. Carnival’s thrilling water parks now must make room for a top-deck curler coaster, and the RedFrog Pub has been changed by the indoor hangout within the Summer Landing zone.
The ship can be the second Carnival vessel to bear the Celebration title. The first, identified merely as Celebration, set sail for the road in 1987. It left the fleet in 2008 earlier than ending up with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line as Grand Celebration, which was scrapped through the trade’s pandemic pause in 2021. Now, Carnival Celebration resurrects the title to supply extra enjoyable to extra individuals.
TPG was on board Carnival Celebration’s second crusing and the primary from its Miami dwelling port to the Caribbean. Here, I’ll define what’s new, what we beloved and what may use some tweaks.
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Things to learn about Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration is split into six themed zones, three of that are completely different from the zones on Mardi Gras. Some zones really feel extra distinct and self-contained than others. The zones are:
Celebration Central
Celebration Central incorporates the atrium/efficiency space of the identical title, JavaBlue Cafe, Bonsai Sushi, Bonsai Teppanyaki, Piano Bar 88 and the Punchliner Comedy Club. You’ll additionally discover the brand new Aquaria Bar, that includes two-deck glass murals rescued from Carnival Victory, and the Tropicale Bar on Deck 6, named after former ship Tropicale, which was the primary ship in Carnival’s fleet to have the model’s well-known whale-tail funnel. Look for the classic blue 1934 Rolls-Royce, introduced over from Carnival Ecstasy earlier than that ship was scrapped, and the Golden Jubilee Bar, named in honor of the road’s fiftieth anniversary and embellished with items previously discovered on previous Carnival ships.
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820 Biscayne
A nod to the tackle the place Carnival Cruise Line was born 50 years in the past, Carnival Celebration’s 820 Biscayne zone is designed with a purposeful Miami vibe. Located on Deck 8 midship, this new space is a eating mecca, that includes Rudi’s Seagrill (seafood), Cucina del Capitano (Italian), Miami Slice (pizza) and Deco Deli (Latin-inspired sandwiches). The space additionally contains Bar 820, serving Cuban-inspired espresso drinks and cocktails.
The Gateway
The new travel-inspired neighborhood The Gateway on decks 6 and seven midship is most noticeable for its LED “home windows” that show scenes from nations around the globe, relying on the night’s theme. The new prepare station-inspired Latitudes Bar and returning Emeril’s Bistro 1397 anchor this space, with the favored pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar above. Emeril’s serves Louisiana-style breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to three night specials primarily based on the day’s worldwide theme.
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Also on this space are the Carnivale Restaurant and Festivale Restaurant, fundamental eating rooms that pay homage to the second and third ships to sail for the model, in addition to the Limelight Lounge nightclub, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse and Carnival Kitchen (a demo kitchen for cooking courses).
Summer Landing
Aft of 820 Biscayne, Summer Landing makes a comeback on Carnival Celebration. This space is your lounge and yard. Inside, the Heroes Tribute Bar, with its cozy couches and large TV, spills into Guy Fieri’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse; you will discover soft-serve machines in a army truck, a sport room for foosball and desk shuffleboard and a stage for stay music. Outside, a small pool, two scorching tubs and the Watering Hole present an inviting spot to hang around on a scorching day.
The Ultimate Playground
Thrill chasers will flock to the Ultimate Playground to get their hearts pounding. Here, the Bolt curler coaster, the second within the fleet, zooms over the mini-golf course and across the water park and ship’s funnel. A packed basketball course and an elevated ropes course maintain the enjoyable going; foosball, pingpong and bean bag toss supply a better type of competitors. A jogging observe encircles all the Deck 18 playground.
The Lido
For all different out of doors pursuits, the Lido is your go-to spot. The midship pool brings again Dive-In Movies on an enormous LED display and is surrounded by a two-deck RedFrog Tiki Bar, Street Eats, BlueIguana Cantina, Seafood Shack and, one deck up, Guy’s Burger Joint. Aft of the Lido Marketplace buffet is one other pool, plus Shaq’s Big Chicken. All the best way ahead on Deck 18 is the adults-only Serenity Deck, with a pool, two scorching tubs and the Fresh Creations customized salad bar. Above is the Loft 19 solar deck unique to suite visitors.
What we beloved
The Ultimate Playground
I’ve seen ships from different strains the place the top-deck sights take up a lot area, the swimming pools and lounging area get brief shrift. Carnival Celebration manages to pack rather a lot into the Deck 18 playground, leaving loads of actual property for the solar worshippers. The Bolt curler coaster is a worthy thrill experience — my solely grievance is that for $15, it may very well be a bit longer. The ropes course manages to be each scary and fully manageable; you would possibly really feel such as you’ll fall, however the obstacles are simpler than they seem. Definitely strive the brief zip line and “stroll the plank” over the sting of the ship.
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The water park has three completely different slides to swimsuit all tastes plus a splash park, and the mini-golf course is a enjoyable time and really tough. I noticed everybody from little youngsters to adults having fun with the basketball courtroom, and Carnival misplaced the ridiculous out of doors train tools from its Vista-class ships and saved solely the video games cruisers really play.
Casual eating
One of my favourite issues about Carnival is that the road’s ships supply a variety of informal, included eating venues. Carnival Celebration continues this custom. New with the Excel class is Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken venue serving variations on the fried-chicken-and-biscuit theme from breakfast by the late afternoon. The barely spicy tenders are scrumptious. Carnival’s pizza is a few of the greatest within the biz, and the customizable tacos and burritos at BlueIguana supply one thing for everybody.
However, I’ve been on older Carnival ships the place all of the informal venues are on the lido deck, and the realm will get extremely busy at lunchtime. Too many individuals crowd into the identical areas, strains snake round corners and bumps and spills are unavoidable.
The Excel-class ships remedy that drawback by spreading out the informal venues throughout a number of decks. Guy’s Burger Joint is up on Deck 17 as a substitute of by the midship pool; Big Chicken is exterior the Lido Marketplace on the very again of Deck 16. Each is accompanied by a duo of soft-serve machines that get heavy use.
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The deli, pizza and Guy’s barbecue eateries are all on Deck 8, with a 3rd ice cream outlet within the Heroes Tribute Bar. The solely difficulty with this association is that neither of those spots are large on greens; you possibly can now not get a salad on the pizza venue. If you need some greens together with your pizza or turkey sandwich, it’s a must to journey seven decks to the Lido Marketplace.
Sit-down eating
If you have by no means sailed with Carnival, you is likely to be shocked to find that it has a few of the greatest sit-down eating among the many big-ship strains. I’ve at all times loved the primary eating room, and Carnival Celebration continued the custom of expansive breakfast menus, scrumptious Indian meals, daring appetizers (the place else are you able to order frog legs?) and the perfect molten chocolate cake on the excessive seas.
We sampled a number of of Celebration’s specialty eating places, and so they additionally impressed. Rudi’s Seagrill delivered an infinite cioppino and a Dover sole that was smooth and moist. Emeril’s Bistro 1397 wowed my husband with a flavorful ceviche, whereas I loved hot-from-the-oven beignets. We dined at Chibang! twice to strive each its Asian and Mexican specialties. Both have been scrumptious however we agreed that the Mexican menu stole the present. My youngsters slurped up pasta at Cucina del Capitano at lunch, and I heard others rave that the steakhouse was pretty much as good as I keep in mind from different ships.
Cabins
Carnival’s Excel-class ships supply extra cabin varieties than ever earlier than, with household cabins, Havana cabins with patio swings, and every kind of suites. I stayed in a regular balcony cabin with my household of 4 and was impressed by how nicely designed the room was to accommodate 4 individuals in a small area.
I’m at all times speaking about cabin storage and Carnival nailed it. Its four-section closet had all of it: tall and brief hanging areas, cabinets and three pullout drawers. The desk space has two deep drawers and one shallow drawer, two cabinets and an ottoman stool with storage inside. I needed to ask for further hangers (shortly delivered), however all our stuff discovered a house.
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The lavatory was additionally spectacular. I’m undecided two individuals may stand subsequent to one another with out somebody moving into the bathe, however the bathe itself is roomy for a loo that small. I by no means banged my elbows or kicked open the door in an try to select a bottle off the ground. Plus, it has an adjustable bathe head with a detachable wand and a shave bar in a single nook — considerate touches.
New bars
As knowledgeable traveler, it isn’t an enormous shock that one among my favourite public areas on the ship is the travel-themed The Gateway. The Latitudes Bar referred to as my title with its seatbacks embellished with fake passport stamps and split-flap departure board signage. My husband and I spent an pleasurable hour making an attempt a few the bar-specific cocktails, impressed by nations around the globe. For a photogenic and engaging tipple, order the Sakura, which comes with a shock presentation.
And as a cruise buff, I additionally beloved the brand new Golden Jubilee Bar, embellished with doorways, glass, tabletops and different items from earlier Carnival ships. It serves traditional cocktails and takes up its personal area, somewhat than spanning a public thoroughfare. It’s the proper place for a drink earlier than a meal within the Carnivale fundamental eating room subsequent door.
Summer Landing
The Summer Landing zone on Carnival Celebration is the ship’s lounge, and my household discovered ourselves there usually. My son was a giant fan of the foosball and desk shuffleboard, and my daughter beloved the aft pool, with its loungers within the shallows. Both beloved the easy-access soft-serve machine. We swung by Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse for breakfast and barbecue dinner, performed trivia, sampled beers brewed proper on board and watched different individuals watch sports activities on the Heroes Tribute Bar. I used to be bummed that I by no means received to listen to the band that performed right here after-hours as a result of the setting is ideal for kicking again with a drink and listening to stay music.
The space takes the place of the RedFrog Pub, a venue I’ve beloved on different Carnival ships. The decor here’s a little darker, however the expanded dimension and proximity to a pool, scorching tubs and out of doors seating are a particular plus.
Mixed bag
Celebration Central
Unlike their fleetmates, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras each skip the hovering, multi-deck-high central atrium and substitute it with a three-deck-high ocean-facing atrium alongside the ship’s starboard (right-hand) aspect. The space was revamped and renamed Celebration Central space on this ship, embellished with color-changing lights designed to appear to be confetti. Guest companies and shore excursions have been moved out of this central space to a extra out-of-the-way spot on Deck 8 aft.
By day, panoramic home windows supply port and ocean views to visitors having fun with espresso and a snack from the JavaBlue Cafe throughout from Celebration Central’s decrease stage. At evening, video screens come all the way down to function the high-tech animated backdrop for musical manufacturing exhibits that includes a number of aerialists and performers who dance out and in of passengers sitting closest to the stage.
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I beloved how the atrium space is now extra integrated into the each day movement of the ship, somewhat than an space you cross by to get someplace else. The exhibits are gorgeous, with the motion extending past the stage, together with into the air. They make full use of the high-tech capabilities of the efficiency area.
However, the realm lacks seating with full sightlines of each the stagebound singers and the aerialists. My household arrived at a present 40 minutes early and solely by luck discovered close-up seats with obstructed views. At one other present I attended solo, I discovered a lone seat within the stadium-style part of banquettes between decks 7 and eight. Even on this space clearly meant for present watching, I couldn’t see all of the motion, and the noise from passengers wandering round Deck 8 and coming out and in of Bonsai Sushi was loud and distracting.
The resort director assures me his staff will discover methods to schedule exhibits so fewer individuals present up, however I’m not satisfied that sufficient seats in Celebration Central have full sight of the stage or that placing a theater in a public area is the perfect thought for specializing in a present.
Dining instances
I recognize what Carnival has tried to do on this ship to make versatile eating extra accessible. In addition to the primary eating room, passengers who’ve chosen the Anytime Dining plan can get pleasure from dinner at Cucina del Capitano or Chibang! the place they will select dishes from the restaurant’s menu or the always-available choices from the primary eating room menu.
You can request a desk at a particular venue or select the primary obtainable amongst all three.
The drawback is that visitors on the early or late assigned eating plan can’t entry these eating places earlier than 7:45 p.m. We have been assigned early eating, so the evening we needed to strive Chibang! we requested a desk precisely at 7:45 p.m — however there was a 50-to-60-minute wait, which led to a really late dinner for our youngsters.
And that wasn’t the one restaurant with a wait. You cannot request a desk prematurely for Bonsai Sushi, however when my husband and son got here for dinner at 8:20 p.m., the hostess wasn’t positive she may get them a desk till near 10 p.m.
It’s seemingly that many of those eating points are startup issues. The resort director advised me that it takes round six months for a brand new ship to be operating like clockwork. So in case you’re on an early crusing, my recommendation is to dine early or request tables half an hour to an hour earlier than you need to eat. If you prefer to check out completely different eating places for dinner, select the versatile eating possibility so that you get earlier entry to Chibang! and Cucina del Capitano for dinner.
Bottom line
Carnival Celebration, like Mardi Gras, takes the Carnival Fun Ship idea to the subsequent stage with a much bigger ship and an up to date format that also maintain true to the road’s core values of eating selection, plentiful bars, leisure for all pursuits and a deal with enjoyable. Loyalists will discover a lot of their favourite locations and areas and are available to develop new beloved hangouts, whereas first-timers might be wowed by the nonstop choices, livable cabins throughout all value factors and the always-friendly and useful crew members.
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