Grand Celebration Photos

Hi guys!

I didn't realize quite what a scoop I had this AM, when I noticed an oddly painted Whale Tail funnel come into port in Valencia, Spain this morning. It turns out that what I saw was the Grand Celebration (formerly Carnival, soon to be Costa, Celebration), brand spanking fresh out of (Costa sponsored) drydock, ready for her neo-maiden repositioning cruise!

Anyway, as part of my research, I went down to the cruise port and took the following series of snaps. Now that I know the backstory, I felt sure the folks here in the Costa forum would love to see them.

Featuring, the unmistakable Whale Tail funnel...

Yes, there are some suites with balconies, which today would be probably be classed as "obstructed"...

And a couple of extra views...

And here she is, just joined by her soon to be fleetmate, the Costa Deliziosa...

Even though she may be a "cute little ship" by today's mega standards, up close and personal, she is still quite the impressive old girl!

I hope she gets completely rebuilt and put into the Neo Collection.....to the extent the Romantica was redesigned.

I am amazed she is till sailing......I remember her back in 1987 when she was only 2 months old.

Now get a yellow Costa stack on her please.

You're welcome! Unfortunately, I don't know what a 6 million dollar drydock buys these days beyond a clean paintjob. The article I read said she was getting major mechanical work, as well as a number of customer facing renovations.

That does not buy much these days. I would think that would include a hull cleaning and paint job. Servicing of bow thrusters, routine maintenance her propellers Mechanical servicing of engines. Interior may get carpeting and perhaps some furniture upholstery. Galley equipment might see some replacement. To see major reconstruction of interior spaces/ public rooms to the extent of the neo Romantica would be in the neighborhood of $50 million or more.

The neo Romantica has not been marketed properly as an upscale Costa product...I hope they do. Reviews of the neo Riviera have been favorable so maybe she will get a major rebuild in the near future. Heaven knows what will be done with my favorite, the Classica.

Costa better chart a new course away from Carnival styles just to compete with MSC. The new kid on the block (MSC) is giving all the big players a run for their money....these new ships to be built by Fincatieri are game changers. Costa's Vista class and even the new Diadema are no match.

Cruise ships are my addiction:cool:

Love the photos, but I don't believe strangely enough that she's being put into the neo collection.

RMS Olympic,

the Costa Celebration will not join the neoCollection but run the same cruises as the Grand Celebration. She will be mainly marketed in Spain (as before). Costa does shut down Iberocruceros by the end of this year. So the Costa Celebration is just taking over the same stuff she did as Grand Celebration aiming the same target group (Spanish market).

steamboats

RMS Olympic,

 

the Costa Celebration will not join the neoCollection but run the same cruises as the Grand Celebration. She will be mainly marketed in Spain (as before). Costa does shut down Iberocruceros by the end of this year. So the Costa Celebration is just taking over the same stuff she did as Grand Celebration aiming the same target group (Spanish market).

 

steamboats

Do we have any ideas where the Grand Holiday will end up yet?

Nope, Costa said that they currently can´t say what will happen to the Grand Holiday (said by Michael Thamm onboard the Costa Luminosa earlier this month during the event cruise Protagonisti di mare).

steamboats

http://www.cruisecurrents.com/archives/16796

Basically recaps what we know, that Costa will absorb Ibero, this also giving Costa more docking slots in Barcelona and other ports.

Still doesn't confirm what will happen to the Grand Holiday though, either she will join her sister or be sold off.

I do believe that this grand classic ship is going to be put into great use coming To Florida in February 2015. It seems she will be replacing the Bahamas Celebration which ran aground on October 31st going out of of Freeport Grand Bahamas Island . The announcement is expected in the middle of December. She will be sailing out of the Port of Palm Beach featuring a 2 night cruise which very popular here in Florida for a fast getaway. She presently is in dry dock in Marsailles France. I have several exterior pictures of this great lady but not many interior. Can someone tell me if she has the classic style atrium/elevator lobby like all Carnival ships have today?

She's now sailing under the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, and was featured in today's email talking about budget cruises...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=792&et_cid=2693249&et_rid=89830082&et_referrer=Contest_NCL_2013

Welcome Neo Classica--To Bahamas Celibration Line!

So, Neo Classica--Grand Classica, to the Palm Beach to Bahamas Two-Night Casino Runs!

https://www.bahamasparadisecruise.com/

Introducing Grand Classica

Starting April 13, 2018, a new ship is joining Grand Celebration, sailing from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island. Her name is Grand Classica and this beautiful new ship, includes dining, entertainment, bars and lounges and many more amenities to make your next cruise fun and exciting. Best of all, with two ships sailing to Grand Bahama Island, there are now daily departures to fit your schedule and make it easy and convenient to hop on an island getaway.

“Grand Classica complements Grand Celebration nicely. There are several additional public spaces – so we are excited to add some new offerings, as well as bring all the popular outlets that we have on Grand Celebration for consistency with our guests,” said Oneil Khosa, chief executive officer of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. “Having two ships sailing daily to Grand Bahama Island will also give our guests the flexibility and convenience to take advantage of a two-night getaway any day of the week. Our daily departures also add a number of options to our unique Cruise & Resort Stay offering, with guests able to add any number of nights at a Grand Bahama Island hotel.”

https://www.bahamasparadisecruise.com/blog/introducing-grand-classica/