Markmom18

Hi,

We boarded yesterday out of Miami. So much has been written about the Celebration already.
I thought I’d add few brief comments herre:

Sweet Tooth:I was looking forward to a slice of confetti cake .  After talking with a worker at the Buffet’s , it turns out Celebration doesn’t offer the “Whole Cake” Station. Just the stand dessert station.

Hand Washing:  I really liked the modernized version they had on some ships. 
 

Elevator: Again I missed the system they had on the Panorama.

I did LOVE:

The overall feeling of spaciousness in so many areas of the ship. 
Lots of chairs everywhere too! 
Our Balcony cabin.
The real shower door 🙂

Rudi’s Seagrill  for dinner last night,

(think that’s the name).
Mark ordered the seafood bisque, Mac ‘n Lobster, Buttered Lobster (w tails) and key lime pie.  He loved each course!

I ordered the Coquillos (sp?) St Jacques and buttered lobster tail. Key Lime pie to go for later in the night. EVERTHING SO Delicious 😋 

Right now we’re at sea. It’s overcast. I’m betting the sun will come out later.

i have my Pasta Class this morning at 10:00.

🛳️🛳️

Bobbi

My husband and I had lunch here on our cruise in September.  I chose the salmon (tasty) and another fish. Darn, I cannot remember the name. It was so deliciously moist, smooth and is “delicate” a proper term ?? to describe a taste? Just the best!! 
😋😋😋

Bobbi

😁😁  Success …. Today marks 40 Days till our cruise AND the Kitchen Cooking Classes are finally available!!  
 

🛳️🛳️

Bobbi 

4 hours ago, jk04 said:

As someone who watched and lost a loved-one struggle with alcohol addiction, I'm glad these meetings are offered and don't care if they are not well attended.  Struggles are not organized, planned or convenient.  As @Markmom18 said, you only need two. @LAKaye  I'm glad you are proactive in making sure meeting notices and changes are well published.

 

Are these meetings generally closed meetings?

  
    Hi,

     The meetings are “run” by whoever attends.  If you want to attend, I can’t see why you’d not be welcome.  My husband, myself & son are all sober & in Recovery.  It’s always been nice to meet fellow alcoholics/addicts in these meetings.  I personally have never asked someone if they “belong” in the room there on the ship 😂.  
🛳️🛳️

Bobbi

6 hours ago, hapytobehr said:

I will tell you from my experience as I have sailed this ship 3 times  (4th coming up).

 

The cooking classes sell out VERY fast.  If they are not listed, they are most likely sold out.

 

You can try once on board to see if they have any cancellations.

 

Enjoy your cruise

   
   Hi,

    I booked this cruise oh about 4 months ago.  From the day I booked, I started buying my extras . That included wanting to ink my Carnival Kitchen Class. I’m serious … I have gone online everyday since, looking to see if the classes have been listed under the Speciality Dining. Not one class.

   ☹️🙁

  Bobbi

4 hours ago, TheDawg79 said:

I’ve seen AA meetings in every cruise I’ve taken this year.

  I can’t recall a cruise (RCCL or Carnival) where there hasn’t been a meeting offered.  As we AA’ers know, not always well attended, but we only need 2 📘💙.

🛳️🛳️

Bobbi

 FYI:   I ended up calling Carnival. I first spoke to someone “Already Booked Your Cruise” Option.  He saw nothing either & transferred me to “Fun Shops”.

She also looked up my cruise & searched online somewhere. 🙂  

Bottom Line:  She is unable to view IF they already offered Carnival Kitchen. So, obviously doesn’t know if it just sold out.  Her suggestions — Keep checking online everyday (I Do! 🙂). Still nothing offered by the day of the cruise, ask at Guest Services.

So no new ideas but now I know 100000% that there is no help available on this subject via Carnival phone rep’s.

Keeping my fingers crossed as I continue to obsessively look at my cruise each day sigh  😊🤞🏼

🛳️🛳️

Bobbi

Hi,

  Tomorrow will be 48 days till our Celebration cruise and still no Carnival Kitchen options listed. Yes, looking at the Speciality Dining under my Booking.  
  Thanks,

  🛳️🛳️

  Bobbi

7 hours ago, rtfnl said:

If I remember correctly he was a in the band at one time @Marksmok.  I remember years before the pandemic you were telling us he was working on one of the ships.

  Hi,  Mark wasn’t ever in a band, sorry, guess it was another Mark who worked for Carnival. Yes, our son worked onboard a few years before the 2020 Covid shutdown. He went back to the Fun Squad on the Panorama very briefly in 2021. But, he felt like the mask police & that too many of guests were giving the staff a hard time. The general loss of manners. He’s doing well and is working with his Dad in our family owned business - 30+ years! Mark will take it over one day. So, it all worked out.  
 

🛳️🛳️

Bobbi

8 hours ago, MisterOJ2 said:

I was never on a cruise with Cookie, but I have heard of him and know a lot of people really liked him. My favorite CD ever was Chris Williams "The Flying Scotsman" and he just announced in the past couple weeks that he's leaving Carnival too. 

  I have a Celebration cruise beginning the last weekend in January. Chris Williams is on the most current Carnival CD List (as of a few days).  Sorry to hear this news. I actually notice the CD’s. Guess it’s from the days when our son was a member of Fun Squad. One of the guys he worked with, Alex, was promoted to CD. Nice guy too!

🛳️🛳️

Bobbi

1 hour ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

Keep checking as your cruise date approaches. We took the Pizza Masters class on the Celebration in early October and I kept checking, hoping there would be another class scheduled for a different date. There were multiple classes available very close to our sailing date. 

   Thanks for the suggestion, I will keep looking.  There isn’t even ONE class in ANY of the different items they offer in the classes.  Only 6 restaurant reissues are listed. 2 Bonsai Teppy (L+D), the kids Breakfast in the MDR, the Steakhouse & forgot the 2 others. Maybe something will pop up …

🛳️ Bobbi

3 hours ago, Drazil65 said:

Have you looked under specialty dinning?  This is where the cooking classes for carnival kitchen are listed.  

 
  Yep.  I just replied here on the thread ..

   🙂

Hi again,

   Well, I looked under Speciality Dining. A total of 6 options are available right now.  None being any of the Carnival Kitchen experience.  

 
 I figure that all the SOLD OUT Speciality Dining (and pay Restaurants) options are not listed. Such as the Kitchen.

Our cruise is booked sorta last minute … only 90 days out.  I usually book a year or more in advance. So, guessing the “beggars can’t be choosy” cliche might be fitting here .. 

 Oh well … an experience for a future cruise. 
Thanks again,
🛳️ Bobbi

 Thank you, appreciate the quick response.  I’ll go over to Carnival & hopefully will be able to book one ! 😁

🛳️  Bobbi

  Hi,

   Booked on the Celebration for late January.  I thought I read that this was one of the ships that offered the “Kitchen” experience … making pasta, cakes, etc etc.

  I know someone knows …

  Thank You …

   🛳️🛳️ Bobbi

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Hey Bobbi - 1st, thanks for the yummy pictures!!

Since everyone at the table got shrimp starters, did it seem their process & set up would allow for my dining partner to easily get portion? I realize I could just give it to them, but I don't want that shrimp near my fork or other food.

   I’m understanding your question this way …Can my portion of shrimp directly go to my Partners plate?  With the shrimp never touching my own plate.

  The Chef was light hearted and singing the whole time he’s preparing our food. I’d just ask him as you sit down. If he’s not there yet, the hostess could probably relay the message. Our experience was casual,

fun and lots of singing!

🛳️

Bobbi
   

More photos … We’re packed and self debarking early tomorrow morning. Flying over to New Orleans for a few days before going home.  I hope we helped a bit in bringing some of the new entrees here to C.C.

🛳️

Bobbi

Sorry we haven’t gone to the MDR .  But, here’s some photos of todays lunch at the Teppy place.  

We enjoyed our lunch here. The quality of the fish & meat were far superior than the MDR and the $23 Steak & Lobster I had earlier this week. All diners around the table all were given fresh veggies, homemade rice and 2 full — head to tail shrimp — delicious!

I ordered the Black Cod and the Salmon as my entree.  Salmon was wonderful. But the Cod … wow … just incredible … 5 stars❣️

 Oh and my husband got a Carnival pin too. 

Hi,   Well we were in Curaçao from 7-2:30pm today.  Here’s dinner photos n the MDR …  oops todays lunch is in the photos too.

  The Beef Wellington I sent back. I’m picky and don’t like a thick 3” tendon (whatever that connecting tissue is called) of fat separating the filet. Just too chewy!

  Ken ordered the Turkey , so I just had them take the Wellington & replace with another turkey plate.  The meat was so juicy and flavored well. Just needed more cranberry relish 🙂.  I thought I took a photo but turns out I didn’t.

20 hours ago, TiredTrucker said:

 

Overall do you think the food is actually kind of bad, or is it that it isn't making it to the tables before it cools/dries out/goes soggy, etc? Because when I see photos and reviews the food looks like it started out good but it's been under a heat lamp for 15 minutes before being served.

    My personal experience is that the food temperature is hit & miss.  I also don’t expect too much, I know they have a jillion prepared dishes in the kitchen. So, probably is next to impossible to get that perfect temperature .

  I love the service though!   It makes whatever choices I’ve made seem better. 
 🛳️ Bobbi

Hi,

  Today was Aruba … 9:00am to 10:00pm.  We didn’t go to the MDR tonight.  But, we did come back from our excursions really hungry.  Went to Guy’s for burgers & fries. ⬇️⬇️   
 

🛳️ Bobbi 

23 hours ago, momof3cruisers said:

The upcharge for what looks like a tiny serving is raising my eyebrows.

    
   The lobster didn’t seem any ‘better’ than the ugh lobster they’ve been serving us for “free” in the MDR. IMO 🤷🏻‍♀️.

22 hours ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

Normally the silver seashells are only on the table on elegant night.  Seems like there should have been a couple better choices without having to purchase an upgrade. 

   It WAS elegant night, I thought I mentioned it, sorry.

On 9/3/2023 at 9:32 PM, TiredTrucker said:

Everything "looks" good at least.  Even the lobster looks ok, but not great, probably not worth an upcharge.  That steak looks good to me.  😋

  
    I agree the lobster was not worth the upgrade. And I enjoyed the filet, however my medium rare turned to medium as I ate my meal.