Looking for a detailed review of Celebration

[ta1911]

Travelling with a group of 200 7/2/05-7/7/05 to the Key West and the Bahamas. Have seen alot of old info on the ship, but would like up to date info. Any comments would be appreciated.

[Alecia05]

We are going on this cruise for the may 21st sailing....will let you know when we get back...I have heard that they have good food on this ship

:D :p

[corina27]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=166406&highlight=celebration

Heres a recent review for you.:)

[Art123]

My family and I were on the Celebration just before Thanksgiving last year. We rated this trip as good as any we have been on. Even though she is an older ship, everything seemed to be in pretty good shape. I think our cabin steward must have been invisible, because we never saw him, but the room was always made up and kept clean. Our wait staff was very good (even got to talk to the maitre d' on two nights). Food was very good (much better than on our RCCL spring break cruise two weeks ago).

 

If you go on the trip knowing that the Celebration is one of Carnival's smaller ships, you should not be disappointed. Since Jax. is only a 6 hour drive for us, I strongly suspect that we will be sailing on the Celebration again in the not too distant future. Have fun.

[crusingranny]

We were on the Celebration this month and it was very good. The crew is outstanding; and always ready to help in any way. Food was wonderful, Just as it has always been. This is my third cruise on this ship and the only problem I came into contact with was the Standing Room Only performance on the first night at sea was a bit risque for younger children. I noticed the children were brought as a group from the Carnival Camp to the show and while adults and older teens could handle the show; comments I heard from children the next morning just didn't sit too well with me. My personal opinion and no one else's.

I did note this on my comment card and felt that covered the situation.

It was Spring Break but everyone seemed to handle themselves well and I really enjoyed my cruise. I love cruising and always try to look beyond any problems and enjoy. Hope you have a wonderful cruise and Key West is the best port of call.

[suseg]

Wow....I don't have young children (a Grammie here) but can't imagine them bringing kids from Camp Carnival to a show that was less than PG....if the parents want to bring their kidlets so be it but the CC monitor/director should have known better...or at least one would think so.

[ta1911]

Thanks guys for the info!!!!!! Can't wait to hit Key West, just watched a show on Travel Channel that was great.

[gr1634]

We did the 9 Apr trip. Enjoyed it immensely. Just an opinion, but I did not find the show mentioned above very risque at all. Yes they brought the kids down but again I didn't think it was that bad. Trust me, kids see far worse just watching TV. Food was great every nite in the Horizon dining room. I was not so impressed with the selections at the buffet. Just nothing I wanted - of course if you don't include hot dogs and hamburgers - they were good. The ship was in excellent condition. It is obvious they have spent some time on her. Key West and Nassau were both very nice but the timing on the stops left something to be desired for us. Getting to Key West at 7AM and leaving at 3PM - we took the Conch Train tour and by the time we did that we were out of the window for any other tours so we just walked Duval St. Getting to Nassau at 1PM and doing the Atlantis trip at 2:15 didn't leave time to do any other excursions either. We stayed at Atlantis, had lunch (take money!!!), and played around in the casino for a while. Enjoyed, but again would like to have had time for maybe a Sting Ray or Snorkling trip. But we made our choice and away we went. Straw Market was a real zoo. They are in a temporary location (for 5 yrs now??) and it is crowded. Debarkation and embarkation were OK. We got to the ship in Jacksonville about 11:30 and were at our room by 12:15. They now allow all the people who want to get off upon return and carry their own bags off first - by deck - and then the rest of us. So getting off took some time but we just relaxed and had breakfast and got in the line when "the rest of you" got called. Make sure you fill out your imigration forms for the Bahamas ahead of time - before you get to the ship! Have to have one for every member traveling - including kids. If it isn't filled out before you get to the ship you will have to fight the crowds and fill them out before you are allowed to check in. That means fighting for the forms, pens/pencils and a table top with all those others who did not know it was required before check in. I just assume we would fill them out and would have to give them to someone on the way off the boat at Nassau - wrong! Got to be done up front before check in. Also Carnival only sent us one form (so we still needed another one) and they had no instructions that indicated they must be filled out before checkin or that one was required for each person. Past experience indicated only one form for each family but its different there. Wish I had known that, it would have saved us a few minutes and a little hassle. All in all we had a great time and any problems we might have had were minor. Have fun!

[gacruiser123]

Allison,

 

We are on the May 21st sailing with you. Just got my documents this week. Only a month to go........can't wait!

[Alecia05]

Allison,

 

We are on the May 21st sailing with you. Just got my documents this week. Only a month to go........can't wait!

 

 

:D I am going with my mom ( Leaving my four children at home with my DH), aunt, sister in law and Niece(she is 19)...Kind of a girls thing....

I know...I am very excitied too! I can hardly wait to get out of this crazy Ohio weather! The weather forecast here on this sat. calls for...SNOW!!! It was 80 degrees on Tues....GO figure....Looking forward to the peaceful ocean!

 

I also just got my documents too....Do you know where you are on the ship?

[cruisingwithU]

We have 10 days left, I'm very excited and can't wait. We will be leaving Sunday before out of Ohio, there is 9 in our group. I need to call carnival I was shorted one Bahama custom paper (thanks for the heads up, I thought I could fill this out on the ship at my convenience). This will be the first cruise for us all. And I've heard so many nice things about the Celebration these last two months.

what time is the best time to board, I had read that if you board too early you are asked to not go to your room?

Thanks, I'm excited & scared... it's a great rush!

[gacruiser123]

Allison,

 

I know all too well about Ohio weather. Grew up in Warren, not far from you, moved to Georgia about 10 years ago. Our weather is going downhill this weekend too. Calling for lows in the 30's Sunday morning.

 

Sounds like you will have fun doing the girls thing. My hubby and I will be on this trip, celebrating my birthday. We are in cabin U154, maybe we can meet sometime during the cruise.

 

CruisingwithU,

 

You will have a blast. I can't think of a much better way to vacation. I would go every month if I could. Let us know how your trip was when you get back.

 

Thanks to everyone for the great tips and ideas, especially the Bahama form ordeal. It's nice to start a trip off on the right foot, not scrambling to find a pen and paper!

[Atlertx]

Our family cruised the Celebration in 2002. I have 4 boys. Back then, their ages were 13,15,17 & 18. The 18 yr old loved being able to gamble in the casino, no drinking though. The other 3 found the kareoke, video arcade & 'teen room' full of 10-13 year olds. Since it was our first cruise and they hooked up with a neighbor kid (who we happen to run into on the ship), they had a great time. However, our next 'family' cruise will be on something much larger, with more actvitites (ie: rock climbing, mini golf, etc.) It's a shame cruise lines don't have as much to offer the 'odd' age group.