Jacksonville - Fairfield Inn

[lmf722]

Hi! I'm flying in from CT and staying at the Jacksonville Fairfield Inn the night before my cruise on the Celebration. Anyone have any thoughts on that? Do they provide a shuttle to the Cruise terminal? Does anyone recommend a different hotel?

Also, I have alllll day in Jacksonville the day before, and I've never been there, so if anyone has any suggestions for food/entertainment, I'd appreciate that too. Thanks!

[Lois R]

Hi, I have been in the lobby (I live here)and it looks quite nice.

Not sure about the shuttle but I know it is not a 5 minute

ride to the airport.

The port itself is about 11 miles from your hotel.

There are many hotels along "Airport Road"...it is really

Duvall Road.

As for things to do, the Zoo is quite nice and Anheiseur Busch

has a big plant here. They have tours too with complimentary

tastings.

Both places are in the neighborhood of where you are staying.

[lmf722]

Thanks for the info.. I like the A/B tour idea, and if there's still time, the Zoo as well.

 

Any suggestions regarding what time to arrive at the pier? I've heard the Celebration allows boarding as early as 11 a.m.? Is that possible? I'm traveling with my Mom, so I'd like to avoid chaos and crowds as much as realistically possible.

[Lois R]

Hi,:) yes I would say 11am would be fine....you could probably

go in the 10:30 range.

I dropped my Dad and his better 1/2 off a couple of months ago and

the pier itself is smallish...very easy to navigate.

It is the only ship that sails from here and so you won't have the

crowds of a larger, "many ship" port.

[lmf722]

Hi, thanks. I was wondering why my "roll call" hasn't had any responses, and why I haven't seen much about Jacksonville. It makes sense now that I know the Celebration is a "small" ship, and the Jacksonville terminal serves only the one ship. Great for ease of travel, not so good when looking for comments, I guess! It doesn't look like you've sailed on the Celeb, but have you heard any feedback? I take it your Dad sailed on her, what was his opinion?

[Lois R]

Hi, nope, I haven't sailed the Celebration.

Dad had a nice time...he is 85 and his ladyfriend is 90:D

They are very low maintenance type of folks and got a great

deal on their cruise.

They had fun.....had a nice dinner table and enjoyed themselves.

The ship is quite small...about 40,000 tons I believe.

And is the oldest ship in the Carnival Fleet (I think).

 

Hopefully you and your Mom will have fun too:)

[KroozFoolz]

Here are the links to some threads re Celebration from the Carnival board:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=445618&highlight=Carnival+celebration

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=448185&highlight=Carnival+celebration

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=455185&highlight=Carnival+celebration

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=362470&highlight=celebration

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=360977&highlight=celebration

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=359003&highlight=celebration

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=355798&highlight=celebration

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=354626&highlight=celebration

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=353923&highlight=celebration

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=350800&highlight=celebration

 

You asked on another thread about your cabin assignment. We have had cabins near stairs and elevators and have not had a problem - found it very convenient.

[lmf722]

Thanks for the links to the Celebration reviews! Very informative. I'm also relieved to hear that the cabins near the elevators/stairs generally aren't a problem.