Carnival Celebration “Mid” Review

[tx121]

We are currently sailing on Carnival Celebration’s Inaugural Transatlantic cruise and I thought since we have sooooo many sea days in a row, I figured I write a mid cruise review and answer any questions people have.

Ship
We are sailing at about 75% capacity. The ship design and multiple food options around the ship helps spread out the crowds. For this cruise, there is plenty of seating on the pool deck, at the buffet, and theater. At this capacity and demographic, the ship is a perfect size. We cruised the Mardi Gras in May near 100% capacity with many families onboard and that was a much different experience. 

Entertainment

So far the entertainment has been awesome! From the headliner singers and performances at Center Stage to the Comedians at the Limelight Lounge/ Punchliner club, Family Feud, the performances in the theater… there is something always going on! I applaud Carnival for providing so much entertainment for this transatlantic cruise and bringing in so many acts!

Food

The quick service food has been fantastic! This includes venues such as The Deli, Guys Burger’s, Street Eats, Blue Iguana, and Miami Slice Pizza. Even the Java Blue food area has delicious Breakfast sandwiches, finger foods like empanadas and pastries served. We enjoy the variety and different food options around the ship. There are some changes in menu for the deli and pizza since this area has a Miami Theme, Cuban influence. 

The food in the main dining room has been typical Carnival fare, some hits…some misses. Overall it’s fine. You can also dine in Chibang and Cucina de Capitano for free. The food at these venues were better on the Mardi Gras. This is the first sailing, so I think this will get better with time and as the chefs get more experience. I’m saddened that they took the Farfalle Al Pistachio off the menu at Cucina de Capitano! That was my favorite dish on the menu. The Chia Pudding on the Sea Day Brunch menu has been taken off. I was really looking forward to it. I guess will need to find those recipes! We haven’t tried any specialty restaurants but heard Rudis was excellent. 
 

Activities

There are plenty of activities to keep you occupied. I was kind of worried I’d get bored on the sea days, but the activity schedule is jam packed and will keep you busy. Cruise director Lee is very visible and his team is great! 
 

Service

The service has been good. The crew are always courteous and friendly. There were times last week when there were a few hiccups and service was very slow, but again it’s the first sailing and there will always be some kinks to deal with. Our stateroom attendant Leslie has been awesome! Maybe he doesn’t think the same about us…towel animal below 😂

 

Cons

I love the concept of Center Stage in the atrium, but I think the seating and sight lines are terrible in this venue. You constantly have people passing by on deck 7 to go from one end of the ship to the other during the show. I thought they would fix this issue from Mardi Gras but it is the same. Hopefully they change it for the Jubilee. Also the background noise you get from the venues behind the seating is quite distracting. I felt bad for one of the performers who had to deal with these drunk people screaming during her performance. They weren’t watching the show, but waiting for their table at Bonsai on Deck 8. 
 

Elevators are on the small side and sllloooww. 

Thoughts

Overall, we are having a fantastic and relaxing cruise. As long as I can survive the next 5 sea days in the casino 😳😂

[Riles34]

Glad to hear you are having a good time! Thanks for taking the time to share and good luck in the casino!!

[silvercrikhix]

Thank you for sharing your mid review!  

[NanoGirl21]

Can you order 2 entrees at Cucina?

[Saint Greg]

If you get a chance can you grab the bar menus from golden jubilee and lattitudes in the gateway on deck 6?

[JOHN 57]

thank you for sharing.

[tx121]

Just now, NanoGirl21 said:

Can you order 2 entrees at Cucina?

Yes you can. They charge $5 for third entree

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

If you get a chance can you grab the bar menus from golden jubilee and lattitudes in the gateway on deck 6?

Zydecocruiser posted some.

[TrqoisWtrs]

12 hours ago, tx121 said:

Maybe he doesn’t think the same about us…towel animal below 😂

omg that's hilarious lol

[tx121]

4 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

If you get a chance can you grab the bar menus from golden jubilee and lattitudes in the gateway on deck 6?

[dolphinsfan246]

Those excel class elevators are a huge con! We were on Mardi Gras last week and I was very shocked how small they were, you could really only comfortably fit 5 MAYBE 6 people but we kept getting smashed in with 10+. Which I guess I understand because people were tired of waiting for one. I was just really scratching my head how the biggest ship with highest pax count was designed with the absolute smallest elevators I’ve ever seen on a ship. 

[Saint Greg]

3 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Zydecocruiser posted some.

not the bars 

[Saint Greg]

33 minutes ago, tx121 said:

Thanks!

[Ilovesailaway]

17 hours ago, tx121 said:

Elevators are on the small side and sllloooww. 

I watched a video review where they mention and show problems with the Celebration elevators malfunctioning. 

[BlerkOne]

9 hours ago, Ilovesailaway said:

I watched a video review where they mention and show problems with the Celebration elevators malfunctioning. 

Some are. It's a common complaint with the ship. Some people have had the pleasure of being trapped.

[BlerkOne]

11 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

not the bars 

That's where I found them

http://zydecocruiser.net/CarnivalCelebrationTA/09_SeaDay4/bars.html

[BlerkOne]

11 hours ago, dolphinsfan246 said:

Those excel class elevators are a huge con! We were on Mardi Gras last week and I was very shocked how small they were, you could really only comfortably fit 5 MAYBE 6 people but we kept getting smashed in with 10+. Which I guess I understand because people were tired of waiting for one. I was just really scratching my head how the biggest ship with highest pax count was designed with the absolute smallest elevators I’ve ever seen on a ship. 

Elevators aren't full until the alarm goes off. At least on Excel class the elevators have buttons. The smart elevators were too smart for some passengers to understand.

[Saint Greg]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

That's where I found them

http://zydecocruiser.net/CarnivalCelebrationTA/09_SeaDay4/bars.html

I saw that. It’s mostly pictures of bars. There are a couple menus there but not for the the two bars I asked for.

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by Saint Greg

[JOHN 57]

22 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

I saw that. It’s mostly pictures of bars. There are a couple menus there but not for the the two bars I asked for.

 

thank you

[Jamman54]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

Some are. It's a common complaint with the ship. Some people have had the pleasure of being trapped.

Hey Blerk! Are you aboard the Celebration now? 😎

[dolphinsfan246]

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Elevators aren't full until the alarm goes off. At least on Excel class the elevators have buttons. The smart elevators were too smart for some passengers to understand.

When I’m rubbing body parts with strangers and I can’t move an inch, the elevator is full. And I never heard an alarm. “Max capacity 17” LOOOL 

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, Jamman54 said:

Hey Blerk! Are you aboard the Celebration now? 😎

Mebbe

[Saint Greg]

1 hour ago, Jamman54 said:

Hey Blerk! Are you aboard the Celebration now? 😎

I wouldn’t think he’d be looking for menus online if he were on the ship.

[Jamman54]

17 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Mebbe

Keeping a low profile? Where's the pics? 😁

[BlerkOne]

9 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

Keeping a low profile? Where's the pics? 😁

I was all set to, but circumstances interfered with the start so I bagged it.