Celebration 7/25-30

[ali6879]

WOW!! What a great time! This review will probably be a little long, so please bear with me. Our first cruise and I went with myself, my fiance, and my DD who is 8.

Day 1 - Nothing I read could have prepared me for the amount of security there was in order to step on the ship. First, we went from the airport to the shuttle and left immediately. We got to the port about 1:00, and the security was IMMENSE. The woman driving the shuttle explained with the situation in London, security is a lot more strict now. We had to show our id's twice before even getting dropped off. Got dropped off, figured out the porter situation, and went to a LONG line in order to go through. Again, inside the port area were about 5-7 places to show ID again. Finally got through all of that, and we were able to get onto the ship about 1:45 - 2:00. We were assigned room M46, right on the same floor as we stepped onto the ship. We went right to our room to check it out. My DD wanted her bed to be opened immediately (no patience). Our room stewardess Corrina knocked on the door about 10 minutes after we walked in. She introduced herself and asked if everything was ok. Seeing my daughter, she wasn't sure if the life jackets for adults would be ok or too big, so she came back and got a child's one. Explored the ship some and went to get some lunch in the Wheelhouse. Lines for the grill area were LONG. The one thing to remember is that the first line is for the grill area. If you don't want a hamburger/hot dog, go around. Finally got some lunch and sat down to eat. Went back to the cabin, had our muster station drill, and then dropped off our life jackets to go up on the deck to watch the ship sail away. One small issue, which has been brought up before, is that the elevators are SMALL. And they stop randomly on floors, probably because someone had pushed the button but was not waiting there any more. After the first time in the elevator, we walked the 5 flights up and down for the rest of the trip. Went to Camp Carnival that night for registration and signed up my daughter in the 6-8 yo group. I did feel she might be better off in the 9-11 since her bday is in 3 months, but after reading so much here, I chose to not make a fuss and put her in the 6-8. Went to bed somewhat early that night.

Day 2 - Day at Sea - dropped DD off first thing at Camp Carnival. That is all she wanted to do. Wandered around the ship some and came back to get her for lunch. When we did, (and this amazed me) one of the counselors pulled me aside and asked if it would be ok if she switched my 8 y/o to the 9-11 group. She said she thought she would be happier there, as they have more activities. Totally shocked but I said it was fine. I'm thinking that it's up to the people in charge on each ship. She went back after lunch and we went and watched the Newlywed/Not So Newlywed game. Funniest thing I've seen in a LONG time. Went back to sit some more on the deck. Now, my fiance is not the type to sit still, so he was starting to complain that he was getting bored. We went over to the Survivor competition and that livened things up a bit. DD went to the after hours babysitting that night for an hour, but we were beat so we went to bed early.

Day 3 - Key West - Loved Key West!! We chose not to do shore excursions, mostly because we can generally find our way around places fairly easily. Wandered through the town, and found the butterfly conservatory and the southernmost point in the US on our own. We went to the butterfly conservatory (cheaper to go yourself than if you book through the ship) and then had lunch at Hard Rock cafe. Not what I expected, having gone to the Orlando and Foxwoods ones, but a good time with great servers. Shopped some more, walked some more, and went back on the ship for 2:15. Key West is very easy to walk through, but it can be HOT and LONG, so keep that in mind. Sailed off from Key West. After dinner, we saw a Broadway type show. Loved it!! My DF did not like it, but he was a good sport (he doesn't GET broadway).

Day 4 - Nassau - did not like Nassau. Again, we did not book shore excursions and this was the one place we should have. The town reminded us of Tijuana, at least where the port is. Very busy, not the cleanest city, and no way would I be there after dark. Went through a few of the stores, had lunch at this Hard Rock Cafe (disappointing, not good service) and went back to the ship. It was very definitely not my favorite place. My DD went to Camp Carnival again and I signed her up for the after hours party for the 9-11 year olds. This was great for her. They go from 10-3:30 AM running around the ship and loading the kids up with sugar and then bring the children to their cabins when they are done. Great, b/c I could not stay awake til 3:30, but she definitely did. She was beat for the next two days.

Day 5 - Last day at Sea - very sad. We went to have a late breakfast, and then hung around on board. It was raining, so we went and rested in the cabin. Finally stopped raining and we went back out on the deck. DD went back to camp Carnival (could not get her out of there) and we went to the last show of the cruise, a country-themed one. I'm not one for country, but the dancing and the voices of the entertainment staff were WONDERFUL! Donated $10 to the casino, and went to pick up DD from Camp Carnival at 10.

All in all, a great trip. I did not see any of what some previous people saw. No garbage was ever left out and the ship did not seem old at all. There was quite a vibration from the ship in the Wheelhouse and in the bathroom, but that was about it. The captain on the ship had just gotten there for our cruise, and it seemed that a bunch of the staff had just gotten there. What was pretty interesting was that the first day, the captain kept us kind of near the shore (you could see land in the distance). I guess it was because the sea was rough that day. In any event, a bunch of people saw the space shuttle take off. I think I was resting at that point, but many people were talking about it. I would highly recommend going on the Celebration. We had a good time, a lot of laughs, and the service was top notch. Any questions, let me know. I kept the Capers but I don't have a scanner so I can email/answer anyone who has specific questions about the events.

[swagner]

Thanks for the review! We sail on Celebration in just 4 days (8/4/2005) and this is our 1st cruise as well :) DH and I will be celebrating our 1st anniversary a bit early (its actually 9/18) and are very excited.

 

Sounds like overall you had a great time. We will be visiting Freeport and Nassau, then having a day at sea before coming back into Jacksonville.

 

Are there any tips you could offer us? Did you eat in the dining room every night? I have a formal dress and dh has his suit to wear for the formal dinner, but I dont really know what would be "appropriate" for me the other nights. Should I wear a dress every night or dress pants? I dont want to be over dressed or under dressed either one (if that makes sense :P)

 

Thanks again! I look forward to giving my review once we get back.

[ali6879]

We ate every night in the dining room. Other than formal night, which we both got dressed up for, I wore black or cream pants (my work pants actually) and a nice top. He wore khaki pants and a button down shirt. You'll fit right in, most people wore dressy/casual type clothing.

 

Definitely go to all the shows in the Astoria - they were a lot of fun. Big Tex is a great cruise director. The service was WONDERFUL!! Have a great time, I wish I was going back.

[DONDONMA]

Love reading all these reviews...........I'm soooooooooo excited.

Sailing on the Celebration Aug 27th.

 

dondonma

[suzyaz]

Thank you so much for the review on Celebrations

 

 

Smiles from us in GA

[jess43]

Thank you so much for the review. I'm so excited to sail on the Celebration, me and my husband are celebrating our 1 year anniversary 2 months late.

[smrn]

I am happy to hear good things about the Celebrations. I am sailing on 10/8 with my family (12 members) and again on 1/5 with 7 other girls from work. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to do in Nassau?

 

Thanks!