Celebration Review

[vivavegas]

To All;

 

Had a great time this past week on the celebration. We spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express (about 1/4 mile from the port) in Jacksonville, headed for Jaxport around 11:00 am Monday and was on board by 11:30. The whole process was a breeze. We had luch on the Lido deck since rooms were not ready until 1:00pm. After lunch and some relaxing, we were off to our room.

 

The Celebration is an older ship, but no less entertaining. I was in room M70 on the main deck which is where you enter the ship. The location of the room was just off from the Information desk. My cabin steward (Sri) was excellent and took very good care if me throughout the week.

 

The cruise director, Chris keep us entertained all week. We participated in several of the activities and spent a lot of time at the kareoke (sp) bar, which had a lot of good singers. Didn't spend any time at the Piano Bar, don't know why except it just turned out that way Attended one of the shows and thought it was very well done. Had a couple of drinks at the Trolly Bar, but was not that impressed.

'

We had the main seating in the Vista dining room and the service was very good. Peter (waiter) treated us very well and always gave us his recommendations for dinner. Even celebrated my upcoming birthday (10/16) at dinner on the last night. Enjoyed the "dancing waiters" , especially the last night. We had open seating for breakfast in the Horizen Dining Room a couple of times and found the service great. The only problem is that the Horizen is kind of "tricky" to find (could have been from the rough night before.) The food was great in both dining rooms. Examples: prime rib, lobster on formal night, salmon, grilled pork chops, sirlon, etc., variety of desserts.

 

The Lido deck eateries provided good food 24 hours a day. I should know because I ate way too much. Thought that I would have to have the next size clothes by the end of the week. But just had to leave my jeans unbottoned to for the drive home. You coffee drinkers should find it acceptable from the lido and the dining rooms.

 

The Lido and the Sun decks stayed busy all time time with sun bathers, dancing and good carribean music. The outer decks of the ship are small and have no lounge chairs. I saw some people carry one of the small chairs out to just relax away from the "goings on." I found a corner to relax and do some reading occasionally.

 

Key West was hot, hot, hot. IMHO, I didn't find much to see. Clearly water sports are the main attraction. We enjoyed Nassau and had a chance to visit the Atlantis Hotel, spend some time and take some pictures. We also went into Nassau to the straw markets and other shops. Found some great bargains, but do watch out for the "rats" in the markets.

 

Oh, the casino was not my friend on this trip:) . Maybe because of all the smoke inside. LOL

 

All in all, met some interesting people and had a great time. I would definately cruise the Celebration again.

[/url] Think this post might be a duplicate, but just in case it's not, here it is....

 

[tigerdadky]

Thanks for the review. Cruising the celebration next April and am glad to find out how much people like this ship. Ive cruised the Elation so used to older ships and I cant imagine anything the newer bigger ships can do to make your cruise any more enjoyable. Long time till April but I feel like ive already been on the ship from reading all the wonderful information on cruise critics. Glad you had a great cruise.:)

[kathy32259]

Vivavegas -

 

Thank you for writing a great review. I leave in two weeks and I am getting excited. I understand what you mean by Key West. To me it is like being at home, since I live in Florida - but hey - I am getting there via a cruise ship!!:D

 

I was glad to hear you could find a quiet spot on deck for reading and relaxing. Do they have a deck aft of the buffet where you can eat outside? I can't stay in the sun - but I love to be on deck and just watch the sea.

 

My cabin is on the Main deck as well. Sorry the casino was not good to you this time. I will see if I can recover any of the cash you left behind.:)

 

Welcome home. Do you have your next cruise planned yet?? LOL

[vivavegas]

There is a place to sit outside and eat while watching the water. the area is covered with smokers on one side and non-smokers on the other side of the pool. It's in the same area as the pool and dancing, but you can get a seat off in a corner by the window. The other outside areas are uncovered and exposed to direct sun.

[93kompressor]

hi vivavegas,

Thank you for your info on the celebration!!!

Our docs show that embarkation is 1:30-3:30.

We will be driving from Charlotte and want to get there

early to board. You said that you arrived about 11:00.

My dh thinks we won't get on if we get there that early and

will be sitting around waiting.

What do you think?

Thanks,

Candy

[modine]

My family and I were on the Celebration Oct. 2-7 as well. We had a great time and enjoyed every aspect of the trip except for snorkeling in Key West. The service was great, the people were great. Camp Carnival is fantastic. I have nothing but good things to say about Carnival.

[vivavegas]

93kompressor

 

No worry, most everyone was anxious to board and by 11:30 most were on the Lido deck having lunch. Unless there are some unforeseen issues, you should be fine...have a great time. Tell your DH to relax.

[DqALEX]

Im glad you had a great time. I was on the ship in August. I drove to Jax port. I tried to stay in that hotel but it was full. That is a great hotel, it is so close to the ship. . Next time I will make a reservation. Where I stayed in Jax I thought I was going to get car jacked or shot.