Celebration Review 4/9 - 4/14

Here is my review for our cruise on the Celebration....we had a really super time! Let me start with us...we are both 30...and are pretty easy going people....we are kind of go with the flow kind of people. And this was our first cruise.

We flew into Jacksonville on 4/9 from Baltimore. I think next time I'd go the day before...just because we were really tired from traveling.

Embarkation - We arrived at the port at 11:00 or so. They hadn't began boarding, but did check people in at the gate. We never received our docs in the mail...so we were a little nervous. Anyway, went through security..yaddy yaddy...pretty smooth. Although, when we got past security, there was a lady telling everyone to fill out their forms to go into Bahamas...and it was a little confusing and TONS of people gathering around one little podium trying to fill out their form...so that was a little unorganized...but we just kept going with the flow. By 11:30 we were checked in and had our S&S card. Then we went and waited for them to call us to board. At about 12 they let us board, they told us not to go to our room, but ours was right off of the main deck..only 3 doors in..and our room steward was there and and let us drop off our things. Then we wandered around a little, ate on the Lido deck, and went for a drink!

Day at Sea - We spent the days at sea laying out....and gambling in the casino. The games were fun to watch.....Chairs were being saved all over the place...grrr...but it was really easy to find a chair up on the top sun deck (for those of you who don't have children, because it is the topless deck)...but always lots of chairs available. That was the first day....it was about 10 I guess when I got out there. The second day at sea (which was the day before we were back in JAX) I went out at about 9:00, because I wanted a place where I could see the pool for the games. I was able to get a spot on the deck above the pool. There was the Newlywed game in the Astoria Lounge in the afternoon...that was really good...but not necessarily appropriate for kids...people just need to use good judgement...and I guess as long as you don't mind your 6 year old asking you what Whoopie is....LOL...but that was really fun.

Entertainment: Unfortunately I can't report alot on this...we only saw glimpses of two shows because we aren't really into things like that. But if you are...seemed decent. The magician...saw a few minutes of that...seemed good and entertaining for the kids. We also didn't go to any midnight shows because we always seemed to fall asleep :( LOL...but the comedian who was supposed to be on the ship, didn't make it on...for some reason or another.....so they were replacing those parts of shows with magician stuff...I was a little disappointed. We went to Karaoke a couple of nights and that was really fun! We don't sing...but some of the people were hilarious!

Key West: LOVED KEY WEST!!!! But we weren't there long enough! We didn't do an excursion...we just decided to bar hop on our own. We went to Sloppy Joes..etc. We also stumbled upon Irish Kevin's. WHAT A GREAT BAR!!!! Highly recommended! At 9:30 am we were having a ball in this place! There was a guy on stage playing a guitar for all to sing along etc. People were up on stage singing with him, leading the group....what a fun time! We did some shopping...of course hit Margaritaville....and hit Irish Kevin's again on our way back to the ship! That place is a don't miss!!! it's right on Duval, just past Sloppy Joes!

Nassau: Again, didn't do an excursion...decided to explore on our own. We took a taxi for $4 a piece to Atlantis. We went into the casino and just wandered around a bit. You can't get to the beach from the casino entrance, but if you ask the Taxi driver, he'll take you to where you can get on the beach without being charged and then you can walk into Atlantis from that way. We didn't do that...but there were some in the taxi who were going to. We then went back to the main shopping street in Nassau, and to the straw market. We weren't really impressed. There are alot of people that are like vultures, wanting to braid your hair and blah blah blah. We just weren't really excited about Nassau.

Debarkation: We did the self-assist debarkation. We were up and off the ship and in a taxi to get back to the airport by 8:30...very smooth debarkation...despite some of the pax who were annoyed by someone telling them where to stand :rolleyes: Go figure.

Food: I thought the food was great in the dining room. We never ate breakfast on the Lido deck...always in the dining room...YUM. We had breakfast one morning in our room (Room service) I was not impressed...nor was I impressed with room service otherwise....just because I didn't really like what I got :( We ate lunch on the Lido deck one day....it was really good...but long lines. The other days we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining room. I was always pleased with our food in the dining room. Our head waiter was Togap...he was excellent :)

I think I pretty much covered everything....And just a side note...we absolutely loved our cruise...although we met some people in the hot tub, who didn't have anything good to say about the cruise.......so, it's all in your perspective....and expectations.

We could feel the rocking of the ship alot throughout the cruise....but it didn't really bother anyone...I didn't see anyone really bothered by it.

If you have any questions feel free! I'm sure I missed something!!!

Happy Cruising!

Great review...I think that you have a wonderful attitude...glad you had such a good time...

MsRavenFan,

Great job!!!!!! and glad you had such a good time!!!!!! I'm at 50 days and counting . . . and can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

Where the beds comfy?? ;)

22 Days and counting for me! Thanks for the review !

WOW! That was the best review I've read in a long time. I felt like I was there with you. You covered everything!!! Thank you!

My sister-in-law and I are sailing Celebration Sept 24. Every week or so I read the reviews on Celebration to keep me excited about our trip. Seems sooooo far away!

Thanks so much for a wonderful review!