Back from Celebration

[legalwife]

Got back today. In a nut shell -

1. Loved being able to carry off our own luggage. Never had this option before. If you want to put it out, you can, or if you can handle it all, keep it in room and they will call you around 8:15 to get off ship after cleared.

2. Crew was very friendly and accommodating. Very, very, good crew.

3. Nassau was Nassau but best about stopping there was going to Cable Beach. Radisson and Wyndham side by side. Not much of a beach to swim in but kind of pretty and we had a drink and used chaises at Wyndham. Walked down to Radisson and liked their pools. Nothing real fancy, but very nice just the same. Liked their pools better than Wyndham but you can easily visit both. Casino at Wyndham was large and as usual, we lost. Foo-foo drink was $9.50 at Wyndham with plastic glass. Husband and I agree that quiet time at Wyndham, sitting and watching waves and people was one of the favorite moments of our cruise.

4. Jacksonville Port people were very nice as well. Cab ride from airport varied from $20.00 to $25.00. Easy to board ship around 12:00ish.

5. Were in Cabin R-102. First time on Riviera Deck. Loved being close to the water. Loved that! BUT, could hear a pulsing engine sound off and on all night. Not terrible, did not bother husband, but bother me some. Would maybe go up one deck for future reference.

6. Suites were not worth the money, in my opinion. Suite we had on Sensation last October was great and much better condition.

7. Ship was clean and only had sewage smell once or twice.

8. Would like to see shows consistent with other Carnival ships. They were okay, but have seen many better.

9. DO NOT hold your photo i.d. in your hand with brochures! Yep. When getting off ship at Key West, I had map, sail and sign, and brochure in my hand. Photographer at end of little gang plank asked me if I had dropped something. I said I didn't think so and then could not find my YEOW driver's license. Other crew member on other side told me he had seen me drop it and it fell right through slit and rapidly sunk into ocean. Went immediately to purser's desk. So very nice there. She gave me copy of my beautiful (lol) sail and sign photo and made note on my account. I was able to get off and on no problem at Nassau and we were able to fly home with minimal difference. I was sent for a second screening as my "Sam's Card" just wouldn't cut it on the i.d.. I was politely frisked and sent on my way. Promptly went to the driver's license office and have new one now so crisis is over. Lesson here is BE CAREFUL. It is your true identity if you don't have a passport.

I have rambled on enough now. Laundry is calling. If you have any questions, please let me know. The above is just my opinion and you or someone else may feel totally different.

[hme455]

Nice to hear something about this ship/trip. I will be going during spring break!! Can't wait.

[ChuckLL]

Legalwife, do you know anything about the person that was injured (or got ill) on the Lido deck the night before Key West?

[legalwife]

Not sure about person on Lido Deck but do know a gentleman passed away on Wednesday evening. Almost left ship in Key West but was determined to go to Nassau. Had health problems but wanted to come on cruise. I understand the medical staff did a good job in trying to resuscitate. Our sympathy goes out to wife and friends who were with him.

[sharonkrn]

Thanks for the info! We are going on Celebration 1/1/05. We are so excited. Funny your comment about the engine noises on the rivera deck. My husband is retired Navy and that is the deck we are on, so that makes him very happy.
He should sleep like a baby.

You said you boarded at noon. Do you know if we can board earlier? How is parking? I read there are deli's on some of the ships, does Celebration have one?

Also never been on a ship this small. Does it feel small? Do you feel excessive motion?

Thanks for the help!

SHARON

[mwpyle]

Check these out....

[url]http://community.webshots.com/album/207627474QNHPAo/0[/url]

We had a pretty good trip as well. We'd been to Nassau a couple of times before--did an 'on our own' walking tour; then rode the cab to Atlantis--just to see it.

I'll get into more details later, but I did NOT like the way the port calls timing was done. It MAY very well be part of the problem of sailing from Jax--and the crazy rules about foreign and domestic ports, BUT--we got to Key West early in the morning. The train and trolley's don't start running (for us folks who don't by the ship-excursion) until 9. Then, the ship sails at 3:00. We had enough time to take the trolley (which I would recommend), tour Hemingway's house, go through the Flagler Train Museum (it was free with a trolley ticket), then eat some Key Lime pie and hit a few stores--it was almost 1:30-2:00--not really enough time to do much.

THEN, we arrive in Nassau at 1:15 or so (we had to back-in). Off we go again! To do the full watersport program at Atlantis or Breezes was expensive--especially when you figure you've only got about 4 or 5 good hours of daylight. For the wife and I, staying in town until midnight didn't do much for us--we came back aboard and ate in the dining room...

Just some first--and maybe deepest--impressions

[Rebecca J]

What about the dining on the Celebration? Can anyone tell me how it is? Thanks, Rebecca

[ChuckLL]

Thanks for posting those photos mwpyle. I had really wanted one of the ship sliding beneath the bridge but missed it somehow.

By the way, I'm I mistaken or was that you and your wife in the newly wed not so newly wed game?

[gitrdone]

Thank you for letting us view your pictures. They were great. Wish my trip was coming up soon. Still have a ways to go.

[douglinc@msn.com]

We always enjoyed the Celebration.
Doug

[legalwife]

Yes, yes, yes. That was MWPyle doing an "impression" of the Chippendale Dancers during the Newlywed Game. You have to give all three of the guys credit for getting up there and doing that! Good grief! That was truly an experience to watch. Very good sports.


Ship did feel small to us. However, we have been on Tropicale which is also small and had a great time.

Food was pretty good. Loved the cooked to order omelets every morning. 24 hours pizza always open. Room Service still lacking on choices compared to others. Did not see deli, but there was someone doing deli sandwiches at food station one day. You can order sandwiches anytime from Room Service and there are some deli types.

Parking seemed to be fine and roomy. We flew in and came by taxi so that is just from what I glanced at.

We have very strong stomachs and did feel motion both the first night and last night. Maybe it had something to do with the channel or something in that area? Don't know.

Hope this helps some.