Celebration Review 6/4 Eastern Caribbean

[BrotherCraig]

Hello, everyone. We are a family of 5 from SE Texas and cruised on the Celebration on June 4th. Our ports were Amber Cove, San Juan, and St Thomas. We also took grandma with us since she loves cruising as much as we do. We have three children - ages 11, 8, and 2.  My wife and I have cruised many times and so have our two oldest children.  
 

We flew into Miami on 6/3 and stayed at the Hilton Downtown. We took Uber Black SUV for about $23 Ike way to the hotel. We got a suite since it sleeps 6. It had plenty of room.  The view was good and it had a patio. You could see the cruise terminal and ships clearly. 

 

Edited June 20, 2023 by BrotherCraig
Picture was upside down.

[BrotherCraig]

The hotel was close to Bayside Market but not close enough to walk with the kids so we grabbed an Uber ride. It was a Saturday night and Bayside was crowded. We had reservations at La Canita. The food was very good and they had a live Cuban music band playing. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Bayside isn’t kid friendly at all. A lot of drunk people, loud and vulgar language, and people puking all around from being drunk. So we got out of there quickly.  My kids were scared since they have never been around that kind of stuff. 

Edited June 20, 2023 by BrotherCraig

[BrotherCraig]

The next morning arrived. Time for a cruise!  We have not cruised since 2019 due to the pandemic. We had a few cruises booked and we kept having them cancelled or we postponed.  They just never worked out. The day finally arrived!  
 

We checked out of the hotel at 9:30 AM and headed for the terminal. Uber was outside waiting and we were off to the Celebration. Cost for the Uber was $28. Again, Uber Black SUV. Worth it.   No traffic to get over there and it was a smooth ride.  
 

Porters were right there waiting curbside and it was easy. They took the bags and we headed inside the cruise terminal to check in. We had FTTF, Faster to the Fun, so we got into that line. Clearly marked. It was a very long line at 10:30 AM. By the time we got through check in (really long line), security (no line) , walking through the lobby maze with pictures, and the gangway - it was 12:15 by the time we were onboard. Most of that time was in the line for check in. FTTF was of no use there.   
 

The good news - made it onboard!!!!  

[BrotherCraig]

The first thing we saw when we got onboard, other than the greeters, was the antique car. This car was on the Carnival Ecstasy. That cruise was my first cruise and where I met my beautiful wife. The year was 2009 and I was in the theater and a group sat down next to my father and I. We chatted it up and had a great time getting to know them. Then another part of the group showed up and sat directly behind us. That is when I saw my wife for the first time. She introduced herself and it was truly love at first sight. Luckily, we lived in the same area.  We have been married for 12 years and we have three kids. This was our anniversary cruise. 

Edited June 20, 2023 by BrotherCraig

[BrotherCraig]

We walked around the ship a bit to check everything out.  I also went up to our cabin to see if I can drop our carryons off but no luck. It was 1 PM and the they were still cleaning it so could not drop our things off. I hate lugging our carryons around. I had a backpack so easy for me but the wife and kids had all sorts of stuff. We walked around to explore. I could not get over how amazing this ship was. 

[BrotherCraig]

While we walked around to explore, we took some photos of the punchliner comedy club, the piano bar, and Java Blue. I also got a drink from the main bar at Center Stage - called the Tropicale Bar. This was the first time I have ever purchased Cheers! I orders a frozen drink called Twilight Zone. I always enjoy that one. We also went to our muster station in the Casino to check in for that. It took less than a minute. 

[BrotherCraig]

I went by our cabin once again at 1:30 PM and it still was not quite ready but the room steward was working very hard. He said it would be ready in 10 minutes. I went back down to get the the family to bring them up. At 1:40 PM, the cabin was ready. 

We had balcony cabin 14260 and inside cabin 14262. These cabins are on the port side of the ship and the forward section.   Loved the new style of cabin. The balcony cabin on these new Excel class ships are 220 sq ft - larger than Dream class regular balcony cabins and other classes. They are narrower though so they might look smaller. The bathroom was fine and we loved the new glass doors rather than a curtain. Big improvement. We also loved all of the storage space. The balcony was excellent as well with amazing views.  
 

The interior cabin was good for the group of four. Smaller than previous class ships interior cabins but  it was nice. Grandma and two of the kids slept in there. I would wake them up at 10 AM and they wouldn’t believe me that it was 10. So dark in the interior cabins and they slept great. 
 

Only one bag, out of four, made it so far but we are patient. All good. 

[silvercrikhix]

Great start. Enjoying your review. 

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Thank you for your reports and happy anniversary!

[BrotherCraig]

Views of Miami from our balcony. We really like the forward section of the ship. We usually get a cove balcony when sailing on Dream class ships and we have a cove for noir upcoming cruise on the Jubilee as well.  Nice change to be up on a higher deck but it was a long walk down the stairs to Deck 8 from Deck 14. We had a two year old with us with a small umbrella stroller so we mostly took the elevators to get down to the main decks but elevators were a battle. Long waits and a lot of poor etiquette. Anyways, here are some photos of the view from our balcony. We were high above the Havana cabins. 

[BrotherCraig]

We still had some time before the ship departs and we were very hungry so we heard two decks up, using the stairs, to the lido deck area.  We went to Street Eats.  This is where Seafood Shack, Time Fries, Steam Dream dumplings, and Mad Sizzle are. This was a big surprise for us. Never thought this was going to be a place we would visit often for food but it was. It was very good. Kids loved it too. We didn’t try Seafood Shack since we live on the gulf coast and get fresh seafood there. Seafood Shack is a charge while the rest of the Street Eats selections are included. 
 

Mad Sizzle - Kebobs, Pad Thai, Satay, etc. 

Time Fries - different styles of fries changed out daily and even a day they had tater tots. 
Steam Dream - dumplings, chicken wontons, and tofu or beef selections. 

[BrotherCraig]

2 hours ago, LouChamp said:

Aloha. Thank you for your reports and happy anniversary!

 

Thank you.

[BrotherCraig]

I went through the lido marketplace buffet area so I can find Big Chicken. Big Chicken is in the aft area of Deck 16. Tides Pool and the Tides Pool Bar is located there as well.  Tides Pool area has a pool and two spa hot tubs along with seating areas.  Back to the Chicken —- it was pretty dang good. They had chicken tenders and they had different kinds of chicken sandwiches. Fries came with whatever you choose. I enjoyed it. 

[Jamman54]

Enjoying your review! Brings back some good memories! 😎

[BrotherCraig]

Time for the sail away.  This was our second time cruising out of Miami. Well, my wife and I anyways. . The rest of the party - this was their first time.  We never go to the sail away party on lido. Hanging out on the balcony and watching us sail away while having a drink and cake is a tradition so that is what we did.  
 

Our bags arrived around this time as well. We had Faster to the Fun so we expected the bags earlier but it’s okay. We got them so that is a positive. FTTF was a bust for us with this cruise. 

 

Edited June 21, 2023 by BrotherCraig

[BrotherCraig]

Since I had the Cheers package, I wanted to get my money’s worth so I headed up to Red Frog on the Lido. Only two decks up so I figured it was the closest one and I get to see the sail away party while I wait for a drink.  It took about ten minute to get a drink and then I headed back to the cabin. This was the scene!  Cruise Director Lee is amazing by the way. 

 

Edited June 21, 2023 by BrotherCraig

[BrotherCraig]

Now, it’s time to explore the ship. This is a very large ship, as most of you know, but they did an amazing job designing it. It took a day or two to get familiar with the new ship. My wife and mother in law could not be left alone because they would get lost easily. My 8 year old knew his way around fairly quickly so he was a big help. 
 

First stop - Golden Jubilee bar on Deck 6. They had a piano player in there most nights. I did not get to have a drink at this bar. I believe this might have been the only bar I missed on the ship when it came to drinks.  It’s kinda tucked away between Celebration Central and The Gateway.  Greta place for before dinner to after dinner drinks if dining in the Carnivale Restaurant. The bar is a salute to the 50 years of Carnival.  

 

Edited June 21, 2023 by BrotherCraig

[BrotherCraig]

We really took our time looking at everything in this area. The details are amazing.  

[4hunters]

Great review so far!  Thanks for posting.  👍

[BrotherCraig]

We then made our way into the Deck 6 Gateway area. This is where Latitude Bar, Emeril’s Bistro, Carnival Kitchen are. It also leads to the Festivale Restaurant. There is also a Conference Room and larger restrooms. Aft elevators are there.  Latitudes Bar has live music day and night. The drink menu was great and I enjoyed many drinks here. There is plenty of seating and it was never too busy. The train station signs above the bar change every now and then so make sure you check that out. Emeril’s Bistro is a walk up and order type of place. Extra charge here. There is a great seating area there as well.  The “windows” and ceiling is a lot of fun to watch. They change out and there is also a show that happens. You don’t want to miss it. 

 

[BrotherCraig]

The “second floor” of The Gateway is on Deck 7. There are stairs and elevators on either side - aft or mid. This is where the popular Alchemy Bar is. I see a lot of complaints about the location of the Alchemy Bar and the narrow walkway through it to get to Limelight Lounge or the Casino. Yes, it is narrow but I never say any issues. Limelight Lounge is here as well as the excellent Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.  Walkway to the Deck 7 entrance if Festivale Resaurant as well. That area can be very busy with people waiting for a table. This is where Anytime Dining folks are seated in most cases. 
 

With the Alchemy Bar, you can order from the menu or just have one of the fabulous bartenders make you something special.  I just tell them the kind of flavor and drink I am in the mood for and I let them design something just for me. They are amazing. 

[BrotherCraig]

This was still our first day on the ship and before dinner. We always love to learn the layout and see what we can see before we head out for dinner. We took the stairs up to Deck 8 - which is 820 Biscayne. This is where Cucina Del Captaino (included - lunch and dinner), Bar 820 (inside and outside bar), Miami Slice (pizza), Deco Deli, and Rudi’s Seagrill are.  Pixels Gallery is also here as well at the midship entrance to  the 820 Biscayne Section. If you keep going back towards the aft, you will pass Carnival Adventures (excursions), Guest Services, and a Fun Shop before getting to Pig N Anchor and the Sunmer Landing pool area. 

[BrotherCraig]

Between 820 Biscayne and Summer Landing are the Guest Services, Shore Excursions desk, and a great Fun Shop.  Aft elevators and stairs are here at well. No restrooms in this area. You have to go into Pig N Anchor or go midship next to Pixels. 

[3smithboys]

Great review so far! Love the pictures (& your Phillies hat)… getting me even more excited for my ABC cruise on the Celebration next month!

[BrotherCraig]

Summer Landing. Ended up being our favorite area on the ship. Pig N Anchor is here. Huge bar and restaurant that has breakfast (buffet style), lunch (buffet style), and dinner. Almost all of the items are included but there are some items that are extra charge - like ribs for example.  They have live bands that play in here day and night. There are also shuffleboard and other games located here. A lot of TVs and a nice living room style seating area in the Heroes section. A lot of seating here and never seen it packed. There is also - Swirls ice cream.  They make their own beer here as well. I’m not a huge fan of the beer they make but I know many do like it. Bathrooms are here as well. 
 

I got good use of the Cheers package here.