Just back in from Celebration and WOW!

[F5Loar]

Okay, I'm typing fast on this so expect mistakes and chopped sentences. We were on the April 17 sailing out of JAX,FL and had a fantastic Carnival style cruise in 5 days. The JAX port is as easy as others have said to get into and out of. However we got pulled over for random vehicle security check and what a waste of time and joke that was. It delayed us about 15 min. But this cruise updated us to the new Platinum status and we got the VIP escort to the front of the line to get on. That was nice and it was VIP treatment from then on. The nice little extras is a nice way to say welcome back. Everytime we flashed our fancy Platinum card many employees had never seen one, others acknowledge a fine welcome back and when's your next one greeting. Many were in total shock to see our 9 year old daughter flash her Platinum. It became obvious to us that we were the only Platinum on board that week as you would expect with a less than 7 day cruise full of spring breakers and first timers. While the ship is showing some wear to it (wouldn't your 20 year old car with a million miles on it show considerable wear?)it is being kept up as good as expected. Our inside room for 4 was big and very clean. Sure the chalk around the shower was needing a redo and a few tiles were cracked or off but it didn't effect us a bit. No plumbing problems and no A/C problems. No doubt this ship may be next in line to be retired.

The regular CD Resa? was on vacation and they sent in Big Tex who moves around from ship to ship when needed and he brought with him a personality that was expected of a well trained CD. We had 3 late night adult comedy shows. He did the new show "Deal No Deal" after bingo one night and that was fun to watch. This ship packs a fun filled week especially on those 2 sea days. The food was great, the service was as good as it gets. Now for the negatives. This was without a doubt the worst group of cruisers I have ever seen in regards to following the dress code. Formal night was a complete joke. I felt so out of place in my Tux. In fact I'd say only 10% of the men wore tuxes and 20% or more in suits with the rest whatever. And by whatever I mean anything from shorts to flip flops to Island shirts and polos on formal night. I just fluffed it off as a result of a boat load of first timers. I heard one young adult walk through the lobby on formal night asking why everyone was dressed up so fancy. After being told it was formal night he said he didn't even bring a tie. Needless to say that did not effect his right to eat lobster with the rest of us. There was no enforcement. Shorts on men was a norm and no enforcement. Next big fault was the deck chair problem. There simply were none to be had on sea days.

Chair hogging was at an all time high as well as theft of chairs. Another bad thing about this ship is the hot tubs. First off one was out of order. Waiting on a part they said but even if it was going this ship only has the 2 and they can only be filled half full because there is no overflow on these old style tubs. I'm really surprised in dry dock they have not been updated to allow full fill with overflow ability. Another negative to this ship was because of the slide being open all the time(a good thing) they rope off 2/3 of the main pool to allow the sliders to splash into the pool thereby making the avaliable space for swimmers a small 1/3 of the pool(a bad thing)causing them to be in there like a can of sardines(a real bad thing). The last bad thing was disembark day. It seems these first timers couldn't wait to get off that ship and jam packed the stairways and lobby area on main deck to where we could not get down to the purser desk for our VIP escort to get off. I consider this a serious fire hazzard and feel the staff/security should be strict about the policy to not do that for the fire reason. They print it for you to read , say for you to hear to not crowd this area and especially the stairs and they still do it. We did after much struggle with dragging our bags through the sea of people in the stairways make it just in time to be the first off and were through Customs and in our car headed home in 15 min. from the time out feet hit the ramp off the ship. Our next cruise is on the Princess Crown(the new one still being built)out of NewYork in June and I'll check back here for questions about the Celebration for a week or so. This is a great cruise for first timers and people who love to party down. Not recommended for those that cruise to sit back and relax. Maybe it's a more sedate cruise when not during spring break time(1st of March to end of April).

[Wennfred]

Great review !!! Thanks, When it comes to cruisers its hit and miss, Ive been pretty lucky so far. I pretty much stay with the newer ships, I think the only Fantasy class ship I sailed on was the Paradise.

[divinmule]

:rolleyes: I know this is probably overkill but I'm beginning to think I should just take a light lounge chair with me when we go on the Celebration in August. Seems like that is the most common complaint that I read about.

Is that "legal". Would they let us put it on the deck?

We're driving down so space is really not a problem. I am just really looking forward to getting up late and relaxing on the deck. I really don't want to worry about where I'm going to relax.

 

How about the nightlife? My husband loooooves karaoke and I understand they have a bar where he can sing on this ship. Is that still acurate?

 

Thanks for the info

Lari

[F5Loar]

Bring your own chair? Sounds like a winner to me. I would be sure and heavilly mark it with "property of XX" or else it would be up for grabs by the chair theives if you take a break. I would just check it maybe even put it in a box with a handle. That's no worse than those that carry on those double baby carry buggies. I was totally surprised and so happy to see that the Celebration has gone complete non-smoking in the karaoke lounge. Great place to hang out at but beware of those "professional" karaokokers that seem to hog the mic(whoops maybe your husband is one of them!). The band in the Islands lounge I liked a lot but it was never full in there and the disco is pretty much kids until after 11PM and even after 11 it was never swinging full blast with people. I guess the Casino is the big draw on this ship at night. The red piano bar was pretty much dead too expect before meal times. And don't miss that great midnight Gala Buffet. They do a bang up job on that ship. Most of the stuff is tasty vs. just looking good. And make it a point to be at the light night Island night party on the Lido deck.

Great Mex. food and lots of party dances. Is Paradise a Fantasy class ship? I thought it was bigger like the Legend and others.

[bp traveler]

I have only been a 2 seven day cruises -most importantly how is the piano bar? Is the Red Head Piano bar similar to other ships? We have had a lot of fun in one and it was dead on the other - I can't wait to hear what you have to say since we are on there to have a blast for a quick weekend!!!

[F5Loar]

I'll be honest it was a very nice to be in bar but everytime I went in there I never actually saw someone playing the piano. He had certain hours and I just missed him when I went in there. I'm sure a lot of what goes on around the piano bar man has to do with the personality of the cruisers on that week not the piano man's ability to draw a crowd. If I were the type that loved the piano man singing golden oldies I would enjoy it regardless of how many were there or not. And remember too that just because the piano man was great my week does not mean you will see the same piano man when you go. They rotate entertainment out all the time. Even a regular on one ship takes months off for vacation. The good part is they have one. Other lines don't do it as nice as Carnival IMO. The red bar itself is a draw to me.

Everything in that lounge was red.

[Jabee]

. I was totally surprised and so happy to see that the Celebration has gone complete non-smoking in the karaoke lounge. Great place to hang out at but beware of those "professional" karaokokers that seem to hog the mic(whoops maybe your husband is one of them!). .

 

I lived in Karaoke with Mary on my cruises...

and I did sing a lot, but only to help get things started..

after others start getting involved, I loved to sit back and listen.

 

Karaoke it really big on the Celebration, and very popular because it is in the middle of the ship in a great lounge.

 

Have fun...

 

JB

[Djptcp]

DH and I are leaving in about 5 minutes to drive to Jax to sail on the Celebration :D We should be in our cabin in about 90 minutes -- can'twait! Sailed on her in March, too.

 

 

 

Holland America - 2004, 2006

Carnival - 1995, 1998, 2006, 2006

NCL - 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003

Royal Caribbean - 2002

[Aquamojo]

I'm sailing on Celebration on May 1 (this weekend) as a first timer. My suits for formal night are packed! Celebrating our 10th anniversary, I want this to be full of memories and experiences. How does one acquire the VIP treatment?

 

Also, what did you do for excursions in KW and Bahamas?

 

Any tips there?

[Astronomer]

Sounds like you had fun reguardless of the downside.

 

Good for you, and thanks for the review! :D

[cruzeluver]

Wouldn't really fool with an excursion on Key West. Its small enough to walk around pretty easily. The conch train tours are a good way to take in the sites. You dock right in the middle of all the action.

 

In Nassau definetly check out Atlantis if you haven't been before.

 

We did the catamaran sail and snorkle tour through Carnival in Nassau and really enjoyed it. Its great for beginners and experienced snorkelers. Tons of fish, beautiful coral and the water was clear as a bell. Highly recommend that tour.

[F5Loar]

VIP and Platnium status are the same. So on your 10th cruise with Carnival you become VIPs. Does not count towards other Carnival owned lines only the Carnival ships count in your 10. We did snorkeling through the ship at both ports. I know you can save money on your own but what if.....you get way out there and the little boat you are on won't start? We feel safer knowing Carnival has approved of their excrusions and they know where you are should you be late getting back and hold up the ship for you. Book on your own and you are late forget it, the ship will leave you on the dock. KeyWest was new to us in snorkeling and very interesting and different than other Carib. places. First class catam. and great crew. Also had time to go to Hemmingway house to see the 6 toe cats. They had 39 that day. A great part of American history. And then we did some quick shopping before walking back to ship. Back on board by 2:30 which I think is too short.

In Nassau we had done this snorkeling tour before but this time was real calm and clear. Had plenty of time to do the town thing and even sneak in a Nacho platter at Senior Frogs before going back to ship in time for first seating dinner. Atlantis is worth seeing if you have not been there before. Just take a taxi over to their front door is the best way or ferry boat plus a long walk up the hill. The Zoo in Nassau is worth a visit at least once.

[caribbean dreams]

Thanks for the review, maybe if we all bring chairs, Carnival will get the hint.

[Jabee]

I am interested in who is playing also. When we were there over New Years, they had the piano player from the orchestra playing, and he was limited in how much time he could play.

 

In March there was a lady named Brie, and she was pretty good. Lots of regulars every night and she played from 9-12, every night, as well as some other times. Ironically, she was the Piano Bar player, but she had to assist the orchestra because they had lost the piano player, but were supposed to get a new one a few weeks later.

 

If you don't mind the smoking, it is a fun bar, and normally attracts a nice variety of people.

 

If it is boring, come on up and see Mary in Karaoke!!

 

JB

[F5Loar]

On our week 4/17 his name was "Billy" That's all I could find out. No last name.

[divinmule]

Yup that settles it...

 

I'll take my comfy little chair and nice cooler packed appropriately. Hubby can sing to his hearts content and we we'll just have a blast!!!

 

Now how do I survive till August?

 

 

Lari

[F5Loar]

Book another cruise before then. Get one of those last minute deals for $199 per person for a week.

[Jabee]

Book another cruise before then. Get one of those last minute deals for $199 per person for a week.

 

If you find out any dates on one of those...

drop me an e-mail through my Yahoo link above...

 

I have some flexibility at certain times of the year.