Celebration vs. Sensation

[ennjay]

Possible 1st-time Carnival cruiser here... looking for some advice. I've cruised before but mostly on Norwegian. I'm thinking of booking a quick New Years cruise (also happens to be my 5-year anniversary!) and am looking at a couple of options: 1) a 4-night cruise on the Sensation out of Cape Canaveral, stopping at Freeport & Nassau (no full sea days), and 2) a 5-night cruise on the Celebration out of Jacksonville, stopping at Key West & Nassau (w/ 2 days at sea). Both are around the same price.

 

I'm torn, itinerary-wise -- I'd prefer Key West (which I haven't been to), but would prefer to sail out of Canaveral (at Jacksonville we'd have to park the car there, whereas in Canaveral we could get a ride to the pier).

 

So, can anyone give advice based on the two ship choices? (or on the itineraries?) I know they are both relatively older and smaller ships, but is either preferable? Also, are there options for "table for two" dining for dinner on either ship? As it's our 5-year-anniversary, we'd really love a private table, even just for that one night! But from what I've heard, this is hard to do on Carnival (as opposed to NCL where there are plenty of tables for two). Any info here?

 

Thanks so much!

ennjay

[tigerdadky]

I liked to hear from cruisers too, I have the celebration booked for April. My ony other cruise was on the elation, loved it.

[FnyFACEnAL]

We were on the Sensation 4 day out of Port Canaveral in August and the last day is a Sea Day. In Nassau we head to the Atlantis with the aquarium; in Freeport we headed to the Isle of Capri; there are small shops across the street from the Casino. Both are a short taxi cab ride from the pier. Then we had our Sea Day. Port Canaveral is a very easy port with no traffic issues.

 

We have been to Key West, FL awhile back and it is a very colorful Port of Call with a tram that takes you around the town. We have never cruised out of Jacksonville so can't shed any light there but I would hate to pay to park at the port if not necessary. Parking is running about $12/day.

 

Choose one and do the other soon!

Happy Sailing!

[DqALEX]

The Celebration is the best price. Key West is also a great plus.

[cruzeluver]

The Celebration 5 nighter is a great getaway. There are tables for two, but they go quickly. If you are not assigned to one, ask the maitre d about switching.

 

The port at Jacksonville is run very well. Took almost no time to board.

 

Also, that one extra day does make a difference. If the price is about the same, I say go for the 5 nights instead of four.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Comparing just ship-to-ship I would vote 100% for the Sensation.

 

I wish the Sensation route included something INSTEAD OF Freeport.

 

We just switched our 1/1/07 Elation sailing (which included Key West) to the Inspiration - and picked up Grand Cayman. Key West is a better place to visit outright - IMHO...

 

Tom

[DqALEX]

Sensation is a nicer ship, but I would still go with the 5 day Celebration for Key West.

[ennjay]

Thanks so much for your replies. For those of you who said the Sensation is the nicer/better ship than the Celebration, why is that?

 

Thanks!

[mkgcars]

The physical dimensions are larger (I'll detail) with the Sensation, and it's a later design - which means its a bit more thought out and geared towards the additional wants and desires of modern cruising.

 

It has a larger pool and pool area, as well as beautiful open fantail deck at the rear of the ship with another small pool. [The open fantail on the Fantasy class ships is the biggest thing I miss in the other new ship styles]. The fantail can be a great place to sit pulling out of port, or when just cruising the seas - the view is great. -Actually I just checked and the Celebration has a open fantail and pool as well - it just may not be as big (been a long time since I was on this type ship).

 

The Sensation's Lido deck informal eating area is much larger. This is important because many many more people choose to eat the informal breakfast and lunch than 15-20 years ago (when the majority of people did sit down breakfast and lunch).

 

The above two items (more open deck area, and larger informal eating area) are nice given that the Celebration holds 1486 and the Sensation 2052 (both of these figures are based on double occupancy in the rms). The Sensation does a better job of providing enough space for it's passengers. The Celebration won't be bad, but the Sensation (and Fantasy class ships) are just a bit bigger and will be a bit better.

 

The improvements in design are really throughout the Fantasy class ships as well. Bigger gym. Has a bigger non-music bar for hanging out (there are plenty of types of bars on both: disco, lounge w/rock band, lounge w/band, piano bar etc), was designed with 24hr pizza station etc.

 

Personally I like the Fantasy class ships the best (or tied with the Spirit class which includes the Miracle and Legend as well) - but it wouldn't stop me from going on the Celebration if that had the itenerary I wanted to go on when I wanted to go. One of the best cruises I ever went on was on the Holiday and it's a sister ship to the Celebration. For me the ship itself doesn't play as big a role in how good the time is as: who I'm with, who I meet, where we go etc.

 

I've been to Key West once. Actually drove down from Miami with a friend who lives there. It was really nice. Funny thing was we were staying at the hotel by Mallory Sq. When we woke up there was a cruise ship outside our window. Wasn't Carnival, but another line. There was bad weather at their regular stop and so they stopped there during the night - a funny morning surprise.

 

Have a great time, I don' think you can go wrong. While I like the Fantasy class ships I think I can tell you want to hit Key West, so don't let the Celebration's slightly older design stop you. Plus it's 5 days - 1 more day than the Sensation cruise. Heck, I'm sure many posters here would say "always go for the extra day!!". :-)

 

matt

 

 

Ship #'s:

The Sensation is a Fantasy class ship, which is 855 ft long, 103 wide, 70k tons. 2052 guests, 920 staff.

 

The Celebration is (Holiday class as I recall) 733 ft, 92 wide, 47k tons. 1486 guests, 670 staff.

[Montycruiser]

OK,

 

Been on both.

 

Sensation is a newer and larger ship, part of the "Fantasy Class" series of ships w/ an open atrium (nice-but a lot of wasted space!)

----

Celebration is one of the oldest ships in the fleet, but is just as much of a cruise as the Sensation would be.

-If I were to choose, I would choose Celebration for a longer cruise as well as for the ports of call (LOVE me some Key West !!!) and the Bahamas (Atlantis) was great too.

-----

If you consider the Celebration, and are planning an overnight stay, you can stay at the Holiday Inn Express next to the port on New Berlin Road in Jax, Fl (can literally walk there if you wanted to...probably .5 mi or so) Last time I was there, they offered a cruise package with discounted parking and a pretty good deal on the room...brand new hotel with clean rooms.

-------

Whatever you choose I am sure you will enjoy. They are both great ships and go to good ports of call.

Bon Voyage, Happy New Year, and Happy Anniversary !!

--------

p.s. The Jax terminal is not much to look at --but-- it is extremely easy to get into and out of.

 

If you send me your email, I will send you a link to photos from both cruises on another website.

--------

Hope this helps.

 

Holiday 2004

Sensation 2005

Inspiration 2005

Celebration 2006

Holiday 2006

Glory 2007 :) :)

[DqALEX]

OK,

 

Been on both.

 

Sensation is a newer and larger ship, part of the "Fantasy Class" series of ships w/ an open atrium (nice-but a lot of wasted space!)

----

Celebration is one of the oldest ships in the fleet, but is just as much of a cruise as the Sensation would be.

-If I were to choose, I would choose Celebration for a longer cruise as well as for the ports of call (LOVE me some Key West !!!) and the Bahamas (Atlantis) was great too.

-----

If you consider the Celebration, and are planning an overnight stay, you can stay at the Holiday Inn Express next to the port on New Berlin Road in Jax, Fl (can literally walk there if you wanted to...probably .5 mi or so) Last time I was there, they offered a cruise package with discounted parking and a pretty good deal on the room...brand new hotel with clean rooms.

-------

Whatever you choose I am sure you will enjoy. They are both great ships and go to good ports of call.

Bon Voyage, Happy New Year, and Happy Anniversary !!

--------

p.s. The Jax terminal is not much to look at --but-- it is extremely easy to get into and out of.

 

If you send me your email, I will send you a link to photos from both cruises on another website.

--------

Hope this helps.

 

Holiday 2004

Sensation 2005

Inspiration 2005

Celebration 2006

Holiday 2006

Glory 2007 :) :)

That hotel is a must if you are cruising out of Jax. I booked it for my Jan cruise. I tried to stay there Last August but it was full. This time I made a resveration.

[tigerdadky]

Montycruiser Id love to see your celebration pics. Email them to me at jimrw42@hotmail.com, if you dont mind, or the link anyhow

[ennjay]

Thanks, Montycruiser, I'd love to see your pics:

 

ennjay23@yahoo.com

 

 

thanks again, everyone, for your helpful advice!

[martymonty]

I'd love to see the pics of the celebration. Please send them to clodie2002@hotmail.com

 

Stephanie :)

[missdebi]

Would you please email me the pics also missdebi42@charter.net

[JackofHearts]

We've done Celebration, Fantasy and Inspiration. Frankly, I'm hard pressed to identify differences between the ships that are significant to the enjoyment of the Cruise. The Fantasy class are a bit bigger, but only somewhat. We've enjoyed them all.

To me, the Celebration 5 day is my choice (in fact we are going to be on that New Year's eve cruise!). I'm a big fan of sea days and not a big fan of the Bahamas' ports (especially Freeport). Getting two sea days on a five day cruise is a real bonus. Key West is great, but with a 7 till 2 stop over the morning after New Year's eve, I wonder how much we'll do there!!

 

We live in Jax, so the drive to the port is a definite factor, as it is for you in Port Canaveral. But...

 

If you are staying over the night before, consider Comfort Inn or Quality Inn in Jax Beach. You'll spend a night on the ocean and its an easy 20 minute, mostly freeway drive to the port (plus you'll get to drive over the Dames Port bridge which is the bridge you'll swear the smokestack is going to hit as the Celebration sails under it on the way out to sea).

 

Maybe we'll get to tip a toast with you on New Year's eve!!!

[DqALEX]

We've done Celebration, Fantasy and Inspiration. Frankly, I'm hard pressed to identify differences between the ships that are significant to the enjoyment of the Cruise. The Fantasy class are a bit bigger, but only somewhat. We've enjoyed them all.

To me, the Celebration 5 day is my choice (in fact we are going to be on that New Year's eve cruise!). I'm a big fan of sea days and not a big fan of the Bahamas' ports (especially Freeport). Getting two sea days on a five day cruise is a real bonus. Key West is great, but with a 7 till 2 stop over the morning after New Year's eve, I wonder how much we'll do there!!

 

We live in Jax, so the drive to the port is a definite factor, as it is for you in Port Canaveral. But...

 

If you are staying over the night before, consider Comfort Inn or Quality Inn in Jax Beach. You'll spend a night on the ocean and its an easy 20 minute, mostly freeway drive to the port (plus you'll get to drive over the Dames Port bridge which is the bridge you'll swear the smokestack is going to hit as the Celebration sails under it on the way out to sea).

 

Maybe we'll get to tip a toast with you on New Year's eve!!!

What a great place to live so close to a cruise ship. You are so right about the Dames bridge. Man did that look sooooo close when we went under it. that is worth the look.

[JackofHearts]

We've only been here in Florida about two years and love it, particularly from the cruise convenience standpoint. 20 minutes to port here, a two+ hour drive to Port Canaveral and a four hour drive to the Tampa port. Have done all three! Gives us a ton of options. Sure beats the flight hassles from snow country!

[legalmom]

We've been on both ships and was on the Celebration for New Year's Eve last year. Had a great time! Key West was a fun stop and we did take the tour around the city. Very interesting. If you have not been on a cruise before, I would go with the Celebration but if you have cruised before, you may want the Sensation as it is a larger ship. We just returned from a three night and a four night on the Sensation and the staff was great! In Freeport, we just got off the ship and walked around the little shops. Didn't do any tours (I'm not sure why Carnival stops at Freeport). We did like the idea of spending the night at Nassau as it really gave you a lot of free time to do whatever you wanted to do at the port and under no pressure to get back to the ship so soon. :)

[AnnieB925]

I love this board and all the information I find here!

 

I logged on to ask the very same question as the OP posed. We are considering a February cruise on the Celebration out of Jacksonville. We like the itinerary but are concerned about the ship.

 

When I called Carnival last night and told the agent that we just sailed on the Miracle 2 weeks ago, he was concerned that we might not like the Celebration. Despite my attempts to tell him that we're less "ship obsessed" and more "intinterary concerned", he didn't seem to get it.

 

You've all confirmed what I thought, and that is that the Celebration out of JAX with a stop in Key West and then the Bahamas is just what we're looking for. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

We have been to Key West and LOVED it! I can't wait to get back, even if just for a day!

 

Thanks for sharing so much of your experiences here. It really helps.

[1sttimerhere]

I will preface that I have only been on the Celebration, but I would chose it! I LOVED it. I loved the ports. The ship wasn't fancy, but that doesn't mean a whole ton to me. The customer service on this ship was awesome! Plus, if I can get a 5 dayer for the same price as a 4 dayer, I would do that!:D

[Montycruiser]

OK,

 

Have been having problems getting my email to send photos out....Instead, here is a link to youtube.com where you can view a few of my cruise videos. Hope this helps if you're torn between Celebration and Sensation.

 

http://youtube.com/profile?user=JJW914

 

Again, if up to me....would do Celebration 5 day. :D :)

[Islandbuoy]

We just returned (thurs) from 5 nite Celebration.

We live near Tampa, but the price was right for the 3 hr drive to Jaxport.

 

Jaxport is nice--we were on the ship by noon and off by 8:30 with sel assist debark.

 

Windy and rocky ist nite out of Jax . Didn't open the pools til we got to Nassau.

 

Buffet food so so. Dinner in dining room very good. Service in dining room good.

 

Cabin attendant (Winston) invisible, but very efficient.

 

Most of bar staff etc, not very friendly, but efficient.

 

No place to get a drink and dance b-4 dinner( not good for a romantic getaway)

Didn't see any dining tables for 2.

 

Outside room on lowest level was very nice.

Easy to get on/off ship in both ports.

 

Ist song/dance show was good-- 2nd one (country) left a lot to be desired. Comedian was good the other nite. No show 1 nite (customer talent show)

 

good value cruise , but not real memorable.

[legalwife]

Itinerary? Celebration, for sure!

 

Ship? Sensation, for double sure!

[AnnieB925]

We just booked the Celebration mostly for the itinerary. We'll be cruising out of Jacksonville to Nassau and Key West. For us it's a real bargain because we got upgraded significantly and are using frequent flyer miles so the flights out of Boston are not costing us a dime.

 

We're looking forward to getting out of the cold winter weather and do not expect the Celebration to be the Miracle. I think going into it with eyes wide open is key.

 

Thanks to all.