Joebucks Celebration cruise 01/08-01/15

[Joebucks]

This was our first cruise in an Excel class. We have now done every Carnival class except for Spirit. I can say so far, Excel class is my favorite. (I know some will say that's because I haven't tried Spirit). I like having tons of options. It outweighs the cons for me.

 

I was initially interested in booking a Royal Caribbean cruise. Then Carnival got us a cheap cruise offer. Then a balcony upgrade. We ended up paying $1250 total for a balcony for seven days on the Celebration. I couldn't say no.

 

Food
MDR - We were originally going to try the other included restaurants. However, we stuck to the MDR last minute. We've traditionally enjoyed it, and the early dining time. Overall, the food was very good. The service seemed a little off. There was only one night that took longer than an hour. However, the staff seemed agitated and weren't their friendly selves. We booked the 6 pm early dining. For some reason, sometimes dinner was at 5, sometimes 5:30. Never 6. It was a little earlier than we expected. However, we almost always needed the extra time later in the night.

Here are the entrees I remember having
- Chicken parm (Cucina meal offered in the mdr. This was the reason I was going to go to Cucina, but didn't need to)
- Wienerschnitzel
- Filet mignon (best thing I ate on the cruise. Best steak I've eaten anywhere in a long time. Even compared to overpriced steakhouses)
- Cheese and spinach stuffed chicken with terragon sauce
- Lobster and prime rib. (Can't go wrong. Lobster was tiny, but prime rib was large and perfect)
- Jerk pork loin (the weakest entre I had. Sad I sacrified the short rib for it)

 

Other food notables
- Shaq's is a welcome addition. The lunch sandwiches are outstanding. Something I would pay $15 for at a restaurant.
- I got the muffaletta at Emeril's. Disappointed as it was heavy on bread and light on the rest.
- Went to Bonsai sushi for sushi one night and ramen another. Quite enjoyable and reasonably priced. This replaced where we would normally get late-night lido snacks. 
- Steakhouse wasn't even a consideration due to the high price/lack of value to us. We don't mind paying a la carte to bonsai and whatnot. $48 for this is outrageous.
- Strip loin steak seemed a lot better this time. Had it for brunch.
- I have never seen such a fast pizza line. From my previous Carnival pizza experience, I DREADED going to that line. It was always over in a few minutes. Bravo. I think they always had at least five people working it.

 

Pros of the ship
- There is almost always something going on between main theater, punchliner, limelight, and atrium. Felt very lively.
- Serenity was very large. Plenty of chairs.
- Plenty of pool areas.
- The atrium is a very cool place to be
- Red Frog rum bar is awesome. Has TVs too if you want to watch sports games outside on lido.
- Casino bar is back. Not as awesome as previous ones, but certainly better than what they did to vista.
- Lots of new bars. I was thrilled to get a Sazerac at the latitudes. It was excellent.
- I'm not a Cheers person, but I noticed lots of Blanton's bottles. Usually, you're lucky to spot one at the steakhouse.
- Loved the seating in the sports bar. Really cool place to watch a game (if you could grab a seat).

 

Cons of the ship
- The atrium needs to rethink seating space. The seating fills up really fast, and some views are awkward.
- I continue to hate Limelight lounge. Too small and very uninspiring as a nightclub. See Virgin Voyages.
- Removal of BlueIguana Bar. I only buy so many cocktails on the ship. The loss of Blue's Patron margarita was felt. 
- Lido is far too small. Since there are more pools and more zones, people can disperse. However, people still want to gravitate towards the lido as there is more action there.
- Elevators. I actually liked the type on Panorama last year. Where you waited for your letter, and then you went straight to your floor. With 18 floors, you were extremely likely to hit 4+ floors on each trip. Too many scooters too.

 

Other notables
- The Carnival stage show got canceled due to injury. It was to be on four times. It was one and done.
- While the comedy venues continue to be small, this was different. Often, multiple shows going on at once (between punchliner and limelight). Sometimes the main theater. Most shows are repeated 3-4 times. Definitely a better experience than other ships have been.
- There is so much going on and so much to eat that I never really felt like I was going through "cutbacks." The exception is the late-night snacks being cut. That was a silly move with quite a few complainers. 
- I don't gamble. However, we would walk through it. I have never seen such a busy casino in my life. It was large. At any given time, 90% of the seats were filled. 
- First time I've seen two love and marriages.

 

All in all, it was a fantastic trip. We had a great time. All of this for $1250 is still an unparalleled value. Tempted to book a Mardi Gras or Jubilee cruise.

Edited January 20, 2023 by Joebucks

[Guest BasicSailor]

Joe, that's a five-star review. Thanks for posting. 👍

[jimbo5544]

Nice review, we will be on her Sunday.

[jimbo5544]

Wait a minute, do you really prefer the elevators on the Vista class ships?????🤪

[Illbcruzn4life]

Nice review. Sorry to hear about the jerk pork. I usually always get that.

 

You aren't the first to say that about center stage.

 

Nice to hear they finally got their act together with the pizza.

 

You should book the Jubilee. I haven't even sailed the Celebration yet (April) but already booked the Jubilee.

 

Glad you had a great cruise

[LaRue1975]

Thank you so much for the detailed review! I just booked a back to back on the Celebration for May 2024. I got a casino offer and booked an extended balcony for $500 each cruise. It is such a great deal I booked it immediately in case it was a mistake, lol! We have 5 cruises booked between now and May but I am really looking forward to this one. Thanks again for the positive report! 

[CruizinSusan70]

3 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

You should book the Jubilee. I haven't even sailed the Celebration yet (April) but already booked the Jubilee.

If you're driving to Galveston, sure.  If you have to fly to Bush or Hobby, no thanks.  Too far of a commute and too expensive of a shuttle.   Sail the Celebration and you have the option to fly into MIA or FLL.  Did the MG four times, and the Celebration once and four more booked.  Will only do the Jubilee if she ever embarks from a different port.

[CruizinSusan70]

4 hours ago, Joebucks said:

The loss of Blue's Patron margarita was felt. 
 Too many scooters too.

Your favorite drink could easily be obtained at Alchemy since they have all of the ingredients there.

 

No Joe, there were not too many scooters, just too many people that think about themselves first and have zero empathy for others, otherwise known as card carrying members of the me generation.  You're lucky that you don't need to be in a scooter.

[pe4all]

Great review.  We have not been on Excel class yet - Horizon kind of scared us off of the "larger" ships.  Did the passenger to space ratio seem ok?  All I remember on Horizon was how crowded some areas (Lido, for example) seemed - and we sailed during 60% capacity!  Luckily we had a Havana aft wrap, so could "escape" to Havana area.  How was your balcony cabin? (balcony snobs here - lol!)

[EngIceDave]

10 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Nice review, we will be on her Sunday.

and I go after you.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

11 hours ago, Joebucks said:

...

- I got the muffaletta at Emeril's. Disappointed as it was heavy on bread and light on the rest.
...

 

😞

 

I hope that the one I'll be ordering on the Mardi Gras next month will be up to part with the one  I enjoyed in '21  (FINGERS CROSSED).

 

I'll have the image ready to show them (of the prior one) just in case they've "gone cheap" (bait/switch, lol).

 

Tom

[Jamman54]

Thanks for the review. We'll be on her for a B2B in April. 😎

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

26 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

😞

 

I hope that the one I'll be ordering on the Mardi Gras next month will be up to part with the one  I enjoyed in '21  (FINGERS CROSSED).

 

I'll have the image ready to show them (of the prior one) just in case they've "gone cheap" (bait/switch, lol).

 

Tom

 

Up to PAR... geesh

[irun5k]

Thank you for the review!  We will be on her in March.  Our last several cruises- 13 years or so-  have been RCCL but this ship convinced me that it was worth sailing Carnival again.

 

I am looking forward to the number of dining choices, spread across the ship.  As much as I enjoy Oasis class ships, I feel like dining is still predominantly focused around MDR and buffet (and of course $pecialty dining.)

 

The atrium seems like a mess for shows- I can even see it in the photos.  I am wondering if it is even worth fussing with or if we should just skip the show(s) in that area altogether and stick with whatever is in the real theater?  From the pictures it seems it must be like trying to watch a show from a parking garage under a large building that has the randomly placed support pillars everywhere that you have to dodge.

 

I also really enjoy live music whether it be a full rock/pop band or just a guy or gal with a. guitar, etc. Anecdotally from what I've read so fare it is pretty common to run into this on the Celebration?

 

Appreciate any other tips you might have!!  Traveling with our kids, 8 and 15.

 

 

 

[richfret]

19 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Your favorite drink could easily be obtained at Alchemy since they have all of the ingredients there.

 

No Joe, there were not too many scooters, just too many people that think about themselves first and have zero empathy for others, otherwise known as card carrying members of the me generation.  You're lucky that you don't need to be in a scooter.

On the other hand, I saw where some people with scooters were always trying to be the first out of the theaters and blocked the isles because there was not much room available..  Then everyone leaving was delayed.  Legally, they have that right.  Then again, there is also common sense and a bit of patience.  ........................  Hope this does not start WW3.

 

 

[Illbcruzn4life]

20 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

If you're driving to Galveston, sure.  If you have to fly to Bush or Hobby, no thanks.  Too far of a commute and too expensive of a shuttle.   Sail the Celebration and you have the option to fly into MIA or FLL.  Did the MG four times, and the Celebration once and four more booked.  Will only do the Jubilee if she ever embarks from a different port.

My wife and I will be retired when we cruise the Jubilee next year. Will be coming in early to enjoy the area.

 

It's certainly not the easiest port to get to , but we will make it work.

[ober134]

1 hour ago, irun5k said:

Thank you for the review!  We will be on her in March.  Our last several cruises- 13 years or so-  have been RCCL but this ship convinced me that it was worth sailing Carnival again.

 

I am looking forward to the number of dining choices, spread across the ship.  As much as I enjoy Oasis class ships, I feel like dining is still predominantly focused around MDR and buffet (and of course $pecialty dining.)

 

The atrium seems like a mess for shows- I can even see it in the photos.  I am wondering if it is even worth fussing with or if we should just skip the show(s) in that area altogether and stick with whatever is in the real theater?  From the pictures it seems it must be like trying to watch a show from a parking garage under a large building that has the randomly placed support pillars everywhere that you have to dodge.

 

I also really enjoy live music whether it be a full rock/pop band or just a guy or gal with a. guitar, etc. Anecdotally from what I've read so fare it is pretty common to run into this on the Celebration?

 

Appreciate any other tips you might have!!  Traveling with our kids, 8 and 15.

 

 

 

We were on same sailing as OP. To answer about music: there are many options for live music. A rock band plays in Pig n Anchor, guitar soloists alternate between Latitudes and Golden Jubilee bars (both are good!), Latin band in Havana bar and String Quartet in rotating venues. I may have missed others, but that's the ones we saw. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

15 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Up to PAR... geesh

 

That's gooiiinnngg on your PERRRRMANENT RECORDDDD!!!

 

[CruizinSusan70]

4 hours ago, richfret said:

On the other hand, I saw where some people with scooters were always trying to be the first out of the theaters and blocked the isles because there was not much room available..  Then everyone leaving was delayed.  Legally, they have that right.  Then again, there is also common sense and a bit of patience.  ........................  Hope this does not start WW3.

 

 

No, not really since those that are able to walk can leave the theater via deck 7.  The handicapped section is at the bottom of the theater on deck 6, with space for a total of 5 scooters with a companion seat.  

Have cruised 33 nights between the two Excel Class ships, saw many shows in the theater and the most scooters I saw were 4 in this area.  

Common sense mainly comes into play when people that are waiting for an elevator don't get cut off by others.  Many are courteous, but then again many are not.

[CruizinSusan70]

3 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

My wife and I will be retired when we cruise the Jubilee next year. Will be coming in early to enjoy the area.

 

It's certainly not the easiest port to get to , but we will make it work.

Enjoy.  Have been on both Excel Class ships for 33 nights and have another 29 nights booked.  Raised the bar and brings them closer to the newer ships of their competition.

[Joebucks]

On 1/20/2023 at 9:43 AM, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

😞

 

I hope that the one I'll be ordering on the Mardi Gras next month will be up to part with the one  I enjoyed in '21  (FINGERS CROSSED).

 

I'll have the image ready to show them (of the prior one) just in case they've "gone cheap" (bait/switch, lol).

 

Tom

 

Mine didn't quite look like the one you had on Mardi Gras

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Just now, Joebucks said:

 

Mine didn't quite look like the one you had on Mardi Gras

 

 

Oh...

 

My....

 

Carnival, Carnival, Carnival.... don't screw around with things when you've got it RIGHT !!

 

For the reference of others - here's what I've been looking forward to upon our return next month:

 

 

 

Tom

[Illbcruzn4life]

45 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

Mine didn't quite look like the one you had on Mardi Gras

looks likw a bread alot o