Just Back from the Celebration 1-3 to 1-7

[DJ-Squared]

This is my attempt at a review. We had a blast as usual but there were things that were not perfect. Did it influence my cruise? No way! Vacation is all about doing what ever you want. It was very Cold the first few days of the trip. So let’s get started.

 

We are 40, DW 38, DD 16, 2 SIL with family and my MIL.

 

Embarkation: Arrived at 11:30 ish, through security and on to check in with no wait. The lady at the counter was pleasant but made check in more difficult than it should. I think she was new. We had 4 cabins with everyone mixed up due to past guest rates. We quickly had the S&S accounts straight and on to the chairs to wait. Wait lasted less than an hour. On to pictures then Lunch and a Fun Ship Special !!!

 

We had rooms m107, 109, 111, 145. All rooms were clean comfortable. MIL had Gifts waiting for every cabin.

 

Ocean players club came through for me Better than the Casino. I had a photo coupon, plate of chocolate covered strawberries, a voucher to present to the casino host for a free drink. And special note of thanks for the return trip. The first 2 days was very good in the casino, but I gave it all back on the last day.

 

Food: The food was good. The Celebration is small ship and The Buffet area does not offer a large area to sit and Dine. Just don’t be there at peak times and all is well.

 

A special note about the warm melting cake. I learned to love this dessert on my previous cruises. I read on a previous post about the WMC not being done in the center. On all nights our cake was like raw pudding. It had a hard top shell, but underneath it was all liquid no cake at all. On the third night I mentioned it to our Waiter and he said it had to do with which chef was in charge. He liked his more done also.

 

Ports: FreePort, Bahamas: Did not care for this port. We took a taxi to go shopping in down town. The Stands are very disorganized. The lady in charge of loading cabs had a hard time remembering who was next in line for the cab. Also note. They load these vans to the maximum capacity. So you usually share one with 1 or 2 other couples or groups. The Vendors were pushy and over priced. We ate at a café in down town. The food was good but it took over an hour for our meal to arrive. Many other people that were there when we arrived got up and left without there food being delivered. We all decided to stay as we were enjoying our families conversations

 

Nassau, Bahamas: We shopped on the main island most of the day. We did find the local beach. All bathrooms were Locked and No one had the key. The locals told us the lady with the keys decided not to come to work this day. Had fun but the water was cold. The Beach is a good walk past the Straw Market. I didn’t like the straw market. Very tight Way too many people in an area. Decided to eat lunch at the ship. Second Half Went to Paradise Island to look around. Took a water taxi. Next time will take a regular taxi. Water taxi arrives about a mile from Atlantis. Atlantis had some free things to do. The part of the aquarium we saw was great. The next time we go to Nassau, we will spend all day at Atlantis. We did not have enough time to enjoy this place fully.

 

Debarkation: The new tag system worked great for self debarkation. We were in group 7. we were able to get off approx. 15 minutes after it started. Groups 1-5 were early flights and Platinum Members. It would work a lot better but some people ant; follow directions. There were people lining up with higher number tags right by the door. This only congest the halls.

 

We really enjoyed this cruise. Our families met at the ship from Virginia and Louisiana.

We are definitely planning other cruises with carnival, getting close to platinum now.

 

One other Special note: They pay attention to the comment cards. While eating on the lido she wrote and asked if it was possible to have stacks of napkins placed around so if you just ate fries or a burger you didn’t have to open wrapped silverware everytime. She turned it in at the pursers desk and didn’t think nothing else about it. She was contacted 4 different times thanking her for the suggestion.

 

Sorry for the long rambling, I am typing this on the road going home. It been a long day.

[beccadoby]

Thanks for your review.

 

I have friends booked on Celebration in March. I have been worried about things being "kept up" since Celebration is leaving in a few months. Glad to hear she is still up to par.

 

How did your 16 yr old like the teen club? Also, did your SIL have kids? If so, how did they like the kids clubs?

 

Thanks!

[DJ-Squared]

DD didn't really go to the teen club. she did her own thing. My SIL had 14 y/o S. He loved the teen disco every night. Our room looked like it had new carpet, I didn't notice any stains other places. Crew was always cleaning.

[elizablake]

I have a question about your check-in. We have the same situation with 4 room in May. I thought we would have to go to the Purser's desk once on board and get extra keys for the rooms. We're you able to put everyone in the right room during check-in?

 

Thank you

[DJ-Squared]

all of our rooms were together. we activated our S&S and once on board, we swapped door keys. We did get keys from the purser for the Kids room. all was great.