A mini review of the Celebration 7/10/06

[Brneyznfl]

I just stepped into my house, loved on the cats (who are mad at me), opened the mail and now down to the important things...telling you all about my cruise!

 

A little about me, I'm in my 40's and went on this cruise solo. My expectations were to go on this cruise for rest and relaxation. I booked it last minute and all I was looking for was a quick getaway that I didn't have to worry about where I was going to eat or where I was going to sleep. (one of the reasons I love cruising!) I've sailed on newer and larger ships so i didn't have any expectations knowing that the Celebration is an older and smaller ship. I'm happy to say that the Celebration far exceeded my expectations on this cruise.

 

I did a two day precruise stay at the Holiday Inn Jacksonville Airport. Wonderful hotel! It has an outdoor pool and an outdoor pool, a full service restaurant, breakfast buffet, a cool tiki bar near the indoor pool (great for happy hour!). I highly recommend this hotel. I booked a conceirge room with a great rate through AAA. With the Conceirge level, you had keyed access to the floor, free snacks, continential breakfast and snacks for the predinner hour. There was free unlimited soda, water, coffee and juices. The hotel is very nice and I would definitely stay there again. They also booked my round trip shuttle to the pier (13.00 r/t). For all this, I was able to leave my car at the hotel for the week at no charge. Definitely worth it!

 

Jacksonville has to be one of the easiest ports I've sailed from. Arrived at the pier, walked right up and checked in and then proceeded to get on the ship. The cabins weren't ready yet so I headed to the Lido deck for some lunch and my first funship drink of the week. When you board the Celebration, one thing you'll notice if you've been on larger and newer ships is that this ship doesn't not have an atrium. But it is well lit and the whole ship is very clean. It really didn't seem like to me that this ship is one of the oldest in the fleet. It's very well maintained.

 

I booked this cruise last minute and got a great deal through my wonderful TA. I booked a 1A and was upgraded to a 4D on the Empress deck. Though I was all the way aft on the ship, it really wasn't a problem. I was worried about vibration and noise but it wasn't a big deal at all. There was some vibration but nothing that bothered me. In fact, it put me to sleep LOL

 

The cabin was great. My steward had already put my beds together and made them up with king sized bedding. That was a first for me as a single cruiser and it was a nice touch. The bedding is great!! This is the first time I've sailed on Carnival since they upgraded the bedding and it is WONDERFUL! Again, made for great sleeping!

 

My cabin steward Dennis was gem. He kept the ice chest filled and my room tidy. One day I apparently had dropped some money on the floor and when I returned, he had layed it where I could see it. Kudos to honest employees!

 

Dining Room- I had the 6:15 seating in the Vista dining room. Perfect time. I loved it, time enough to have a predinner cocktail before pigging out LOL. Even though this wasn't the dining room closest to my cabin, I really did get the better deal as this dining room is in the middle of the ship and you don't get the vibrations as some people were complaining about in the Horizon dining room which is located aft on the ship. The dining wait staff were absolutely wonderful! The first cruise I went on, the Inspiration 5 years ago, I had a great team and since then none of the Carnival cruises have compared...until this cruise. Our water glasses were never left empty and the wait team were always there to get us what we wanted. For the first cruise in a long time, I didn't have to search out the person who does bar service for dinner. He was always there to take care of my wine order. Of course when you have a great wait team, what makes cruise dining even more memorable is your tablemates. Sometimes it can make or break your experience. Fortunately for me, I was seated with 7 others in my age group, all single except for one couple and we all have a great time at dinner. The food I have no complaints about. The beef was exceptional on this cruise ship and I had steak several nights. Again, this ship ranks high on my list in the food and dining service category. One of the best yet! Yes... you read that right, even better than some of the newer and larger ships I've been on.

 

I spent several nights at the Red Hot Piano Bar. Billy was the entertainer, though he wasn't their regular piano bar guy, this cruise he was substituting and usually plays with the orchestra. However, he really did a great job and we all had a good time. One night Big Tex, the cruise director came in and sang a song for us. Fun! Even the Captain stopped by one night. (first time I've seen that!) There was a guy (can't remember his name) who played guitar at the casino bar and he was very good and we enjoyed him a lot during our predinner cocktail hours.

 

One thing about cruising in July is that it's HOT!. I don't know if I'm just getting old but it was difficult to lay out for any length of time on deck. I finally gave up and went and had a frozen drink to cool off LOL. The lido deck pool can get very crowded. It's not a big area and don't except a big pool either. I recommened going to the aft pool. I never had a problem finding a deck chair there. The bartenders at the aft bar are superb too. :D

 

Debarkation- smooth and very easy. The self assist were called to debark at 8:00 a.m. I was off by 9:00 a.m., (I didn't do self assist) back to my hotel to get my car and on the road by 10:00 a.m. One thing I did notice, Immigration was in full force and they were checking everyone's passports. The Shuttle service is called Express Shuttle and they were right there waiting.

 

In summary I rank this cruise as one of the best Carnival cruises I've been on. I became a little disenchanted with Carnival after cruising on the Miracle almost 2 years ago. I left with the impression that Carnival's quality of cruises was slipping. The Celebration staff, many who went out of their way to learn my name, is outstanding. My best advice.... don't be put off by the smaller older ships! You might be pleasantly surprised like I was! :)

[jrmende63]

I just stepped into my house, loved on the cats (who are mad at me), opened the mail and now down to the important things...telling you all about my cruise!

 

A little about me, I'm in my 40's and went on this cruise solo. My expectations were to go on this cruise for rest and relaxation. I booked it last minute and all I was looking for was a quick getaway that I didn't have to worry about where I was going to eat or where I was going to sleep. (one of the reasons I love cruising!) I've sailed on newer and larger ships so i didn't have any expectations knowing that the Celebration is an older and smaller ship. I'm happy to say that the Celebration far exceeded my expectations on this cruise.

 

I did a two day precruise stay at the Holiday Inn Jacksonville Airport. Wonderful hotel! It has an outdoor pool and an outdoor pool, a full service restaurant, breakfast buffet, a cool tiki bar near the indoor pool (great for happy hour!). I highly recommend this hotel. I booked a conceirge room with a great rate through AAA. With the Conceirge level, you had keyed access to the floor, free snacks, continential breakfast and snacks for the predinner hour. There was free unlimited soda, water, coffee and juices. The hotel is very nice and I would definitely stay there again. They also booked my round trip shuttle to the pier (13.00 r/t). For all this, I was able to leave my car at the hotel for the week at no charge. Definitely worth it!

 

Jacksonville has to be one of the easiest ports I've sailed from. Arrived at the pier, walked right up and checked in and then proceeded to get on the ship. The cabins weren't ready yet so I headed to the Lido deck for some lunch and my first funship drink of the week. When you board the Celebration, one thing you'll notice if you've been on larger and newer ships is that this ship doesn't not have an atrium. But it is well lit and the whole ship is very clean. It really didn't seem like to me that this ship is one of the oldest in the fleet. It's very well maintained.

 

I booked this cruise last minute and got a great deal through my wonderful TA. I booked a 1A and was upgraded to a 4D on the Empress deck. Though I was all the way aft on the ship, it really wasn't a problem. I was worried about vibration and noise but it wasn't a big deal at all. There was some vibration but nothing that bothered me. In fact, it put me to sleep LOL

 

The cabin was great. My steward had already put my beds together and made them up with king sized bedding. That was a first for me as a single cruiser and it was a nice touch. The bedding is great!! This is the first time I've sailed on Carnival since they upgraded the bedding and it is WONDERFUL! Again, made for great sleeping!

 

My cabin steward Dennis was gem. He kept the ice chest filled and my room tidy. One day I apparently had dropped some money on the floor and when I returned, he had layed it where I could see it. Kudos to honest employees!

 

Dining Room- I had the 6:15 seating in the Vista dining room. Perfect time. I loved it, time enough to have a predinner cocktail before pigging out LOL. Even though this wasn't the dining room closest to my cabin, I really did get the better deal as this dining room is in the middle of the ship and you don't get the vibrations as some people were complaining about in the Horizon dining room which is located aft on the ship. The dining wait staff were absolutely wonderful! The first cruise I went on, the Inspiration 5 years ago, I had a great team and since then none of the Carnival cruises have compared...until this cruise. Our water glasses were never left empty and the wait team were always there to get us what we wanted. For the first cruise in a long time, I didn't have to search out the person who does bar service for dinner. He was always there to take care of my wine order. Of course when you have a great wait team, what makes cruise dining even more memorable is your tablemates. Sometimes it can make or break your experience. Fortunately for me, I was seated with 7 others in my age group, all single except for one couple and we all have a great time at dinner. The food I have no complaints about. The beef was exceptional on this cruise ship and I had steak several nights. Again, this ship ranks high on my list in the food and dining service category. One of the best yet! Yes... you read that right, even better than some of the newer and larger ships I've been on.

 

I spent several nights at the Red Hot Piano Bar. Billy was the entertainer, though he wasn't their regular piano bar guy, this cruise he was substituting and usually plays with the orchestra. However, he really did a great job and we all had a good time. One night Big Tex, the cruise director came in and sang a song for us. Fun! Even the Captain stopped by one night. (first time I've seen that!) There was a guy (can't remember his name) who played guitar at the casino bar and he was very good and we enjoyed him a lot during our predinner cocktail hours.

 

One thing about cruising in July is that it's HOT!. I don't know if I'm just getting old but it was difficult to lay out for any length of time on deck. I finally gave up and went and had a frozen drink to cool off LOL. The lido deck pool can get very crowded. It's not a big area and don't except a big pool either. I recommened going to the aft pool. I never had a problem finding a deck chair there. The bartenders at the aft bar are superb too. :D

 

Debarkation- smooth and very easy. The self assist were called to debark at 8:00 a.m. I was off by 9:00 a.m., (I didn't do self assist) back to my hotel to get my car and on the road by 10:00 a.m. One thing I did notice, Immigration was in full force and they were checking everyone's passports. The Shuttle service is called Express Shuttle and they were right there waiting.

 

In summary I rank this cruise as one of the best Carnival cruises I've been on. I became a little disenchanted with Carnival after cruising on the Miracle almost 2 years ago. I left with the impression that Carnival's quality of cruises was slipping. The Celebration staff, many who went out of their way to learn my name, is outstanding. My best advice.... don't be put off by the smaller older ships! You might be pleasantly surprised like I was! :)

Hi there...thanks so much for the review! Hubster and I are going on the Celebration in December. I have only been on the Carnival Spirit to Alaska this past May, so I don't really know what to expect from a smaller ship. Your review helped me answer some questions:)

I would like to know what cabin you were in? We are to be in Empress 148, an inside cabin. I had a balcony on the Spirit and I have a balcony scheduled for our Can/ NE cruise next Sept. but this cruise was a spur of the moment booking so I got an inside.

Did you have a midnight buffet? Did you attend the past guest party? What about formal night? is it long dresses like Alaska? or were there some cocktail dresses too?

Thanks again for the info, Julie:)

[Brneyznfl]

Hi Julie, I was in cabin E209, aft on the ship. I've had balconies too and I thought I would be a little clastrophopic but I was fine. One thing about inside cabins, no natural light, great for taking afternoon naps LOL

 

Yes there was a midnight buffet but I didn't go. I believe this was the night we were in Nassau. Someone told me it was mexican themed and very good.

 

I also didn't go to the past guest party. It was on Wednesday. The reason I didn't go is that I was napping and overslept, missed dinner too LOL

 

Formal night - I saw many cocktail dresses and a few long ones. I wore those flowy cocktail pants. I didn't feel out of place at all. Saw a few tuxes, many men in suits. One thing I noticed on this cruise, everyone dressed appropriately when they were suppose to. (dining room, formal night...)

[jrmende63]

Brneyznfl,

Thanks for answering my questions so quickly! Did you go to Key and Nassau? My cruise is 5 days. I tried to get the HI in Jax airport but it was not avail for my date of Dec1. So we are at the Best Western and got the park and cruise,room and breakfast, transport to and from the port for $99 so I did not think that was too bad! Julie

[bookwerm1980]

We will be on her in March 2007, I am trying to find a pre and post cruise hotel that is near the beach. Can you tell me if the Holiday Inn is very far from the beach? I like to stay at the Holiday Inn Express when I travel but I am not finding one that is near the beach!

[Brneyznfl]

Julie, yes we did go to Key West and Nassau. I've been to Key West several times so I just walked around. Toured Truman's Little Whitehouse which was very interesting. After that I just did some shopping and stopped at Hog's Breath for refreshments. :D

 

In Nassau, I decided to book a tour through the ship which I normally don't but didn't want to wander around by myself. I went on the Blackbeard Beach excursion which turned out to be good. We boarded a catamarin for a 30 minute ride to a small island. This place was setup with beach chairs and they also had a bar and food ( hotdogs and hamburgers) that you could purchase. You also had the option to do the stringray snorkle excursion with this too. The stingrays were roped off to one side of the beach area. I've swam with the stingrays before, wasn't interested in doing it again. :eek: I heard good things about Paradise beach which I'd like to try next time. One lady I talked with, they happened to come across a taxi driver who offered to take them on a tour of the island in his airconditioned van, then he dropped them off at Paradise beach then at a prearranged time, he came back and took them to some shopping places then back to the ship. All for 28.00 per person. I wished she had gotten his name. It was a really good deal and they said he was an excellant guide.

 

Bookwerm, I'm not familiar with the hotels near the beach, sorry! :confused:

[jrmende63]

Brneyznfl,

Do you know if the TV had a camera view of the ship? On the Spirit, there was a camera that showed the back and front of the ship. This would be helpful to know if it light outside, in an inside cabin!

 

I have not been to Key West or Nassau before. I think we are going to do the Big three through Carnival in Key West ( wildlife cruise, kayaking, and snorkeling) We are only in port from 7-3 so I thought I would do the Carnival sponsered one.

In Nassau we are thinking of going to Ardastra Gardens and taking the #10 bus to get to Arawak and Ardastra gardens. I also hear there are some some tasty conch to try in Arawak area. I know we want to go to the Harley Davidson shop, we have started collecting the shirts from our cruises! got some from Alaska and here at home in Charleston SC.

[scotts82705]

We went on the Carnival Glory, to Key West. We did the big 3. It is not at all what it seems. You ride in the ocean past dolphin's that is the dolphin part of it. The Kayaking was cool but painful. But the snorkling is not that great it was not even clear water. They take you on a boat to the middle of the ocean. Have fun on your cruise. I am going on the Celebration 8-27-2006. I can't wait now after reading her review.

[KimtheCruiser]

So glad you had a great cruise! We loved the Celebration as well - DH and I took a belated honeymoon this past December - loved it! We will probably not do the early debarkation where you carry your own luggage - got too hot and cramped standing in the hallway for much longer than they were announcing overhead.

 

For the December cruiser - Sorry I didn't remember the name - the only thing I would have changed was to bring a couple of long-sleeved shirts or a jacket for the chilly nights. Our last Bahamas crusie had been in June, and I should have checked weather.com!

 

If you've never been to Atlantis - I'd recommend that tour of the aquarium, but otherwise, I wouldn't care if I never saw Nassau again - we're not into water sports or anything like that. As far as Key West, we took the historic trolley tour, but I don't think it was worth the price ($36) - I'd probably buy a guidebook and just walk around on my own. We did have to do the touristy thing and eat at Margaritaville.

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express that's the closest hotel to the port. And if you have time, drive down the same road the port's on in the opposite direction for about 8 miles and eat at the Sanddollar Restauarant - YUM!

 

We're taking our boys on the Holiday this coming December - it may become a yearly tradition for us.

[ravyn97]

Thanks for the great review of the Celebration! We will be onboard her exactly 3 weeks from now...we're getting excited & all the nice reviews make us even more ready to go :)

[Honeybear]

I am going on the Celebration 8-27-2006. I can't wait now after reading her review.

 

Hi, my DD and I are going on the CELEBRATION August 26, 2006. Is this the same ship you will be on? You have me scared that our dates are wrong. :confused:

[ali6879]

We were on this cruise a year ago and I just am starting to get the cruise bug again. Can't go til next year but I'm so happy to hear you had a good time! I really enjoyed this ship and the staff was excellent - so glad to hear it's the same way! Thanks for bringing me back to my cruise for some memories!!

[jrmende63]

So glad you had a great cruise! We loved the Celebration as well - DH and I took a belated honeymoon this past December - loved it! We will probably not do the early debarkation where you carry your own luggage - got too hot and cramped standing in the hallway for much longer than they were announcing overhead.

 

For the December cruiser - Sorry I didn't remember the name - the only thing I would have changed was to bring a couple of long-sleeved shirts or a jacket for the chilly nights. Our last Bahamas crusie had been in June, and I should have checked weather.com!

 

If you've never been to Atlantis - I'd recommend that tour of the aquarium, but otherwise, I wouldn't care if I never saw Nassau again - we're not into water sports or anything like that. As far as Key West, we took the historic trolley tour, but I don't think it was worth the price ($36) - I'd probably buy a guidebook and just walk around on my own. We did have to do the touristy thing and eat at Margaritaville.

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express that's the closest hotel to the port. And if you have time, drive down the same road the port's on in the opposite direction for about 8 miles and eat at the Sanddollar Restauarant - YUM!

 

We're taking our boys on the Holiday this coming December - it may become a yearly tradition for us.

I am the "December Cruiser" LOL! Thanks for the tip...I probably would not thought of a jacket for chilly nights!

Julie

[jrmende63]

We went on the Carnival Glory, to Key West. We did the big 3. It is not at all what it seems. You ride in the ocean past dolphin's that is the dolphin part of it. The Kayaking was cool but painful. But the snorkling is not that great it was not even clear water. They take you on a boat to the middle of the ocean. Have fun on your cruise. I am going on the Celebration 8-27-2006. I can't wait now after reading her review.

Thanks for posting this info. I have never Kayaked or snorkeled before. Post a review of what you do in the ports! did you have underwater cameras to take pics of fish? or did you see any fish? Thanks! Julie:)

[jrmende63]

We were on this cruise a year ago and I just am starting to get the cruise bug again. Can't go til next year but I'm so happy to hear you had a good time! I really enjoyed this ship and the staff was excellent - so glad to hear it's the same way! Thanks for bringing me back to my cruise for some memories!!

ali6879

what did you do while in Key West and Nassau? and what kind of cabin did you have? Thanks, Julie:)

[jrmende63]

Thanks for the great review of the Celebration! We will be onboard her exactly 3 weeks from now...we're getting excited & all the nice reviews make us even more ready to go :)

Please post a review! I am getting excited for all of you guys that are getting close to your cruises!!!!:D

[jrmende63]

any of you that have been to Nassau know where the Harley Davidson shop is?? thanks, Julie

[mstea]

:cool: I'm so excited to read your review,,

we leave in 6 days. infact packing today!!!

not sure what to do in Nassau ? kids 19 and 16.. any ideas? also key west..

driving to jacksonville... can't wait..:D

[fnelson99]

I too am excited and leaving on the 29th. We just might run into each other MS!

 

Fran

[scotts82705]

You are right. It is the 26th. That is so cool. We are going the same time. I can't wait. My mother in law is going with us. Maybe you all could meet she is 52 I think. First time cruiser. This boat I have heard issmaller but so much nicer.

Hi, my DD and I are going on the CELEBRATION August 26, 2006. Is this the same ship you will be on? You have me scared that our dates are wrong. :confused:

[scotts82705]

We did takt the under water cam. But you could not see anything the water is dark where they take you. I recommand like the glass bottom boat or something there. But snorkle in Bahamas. It is nice there.

Thanks for posting this info. I have never Kayaked or snorkeled before. Post a review of what you do in the ports! did you have underwater cameras to take pics of fish? or did you see any fish? Thanks! Julie:)

[XPRTSHPR]

Does anyone know if there is any Wi-Fi available for laptops aboard the Celebration so that you don't have to use the ship's computers?

[scotts82705]

Do you charte in Key West or Port?

Julie, yes we did go to Key West and Nassau. I've been to Key West several times so I just walked around. Toured Truman's Little Whitehouse which was very interesting. After that I just did some shopping and stopped at Hog's Breath for refreshments. :D

 

In Nassau, I decided to book a tour through the ship which I normally don't but didn't want to wander around by myself. I went on the Blackbeard Beach excursion which turned out to be good. We boarded a catamarin for a 30 minute ride to a small island. This place was setup with beach chairs and they also had a bar and food ( hotdogs and hamburgers) that you could purchase. You also had the option to do the stringray snorkle excursion with this too. The stingrays were roped off to one side of the beach area. I've swam with the stingrays before, wasn't interested in doing it again. :eek: I heard good things about Paradise beach which I'd like to try next time. One lady I talked with, they happened to come across a taxi driver who offered to take them on a tour of the island in his airconditioned van, then he dropped them off at Paradise beach then at a prearranged time, he came back and took them to some shopping places then back to the ship. All for 28.00 per person. I wished she had gotten his name. It was a really good deal and they said he was an excellant guide.

 

Bookwerm, I'm not familiar with the hotels near the beach, sorry! :confused:

[massey33]

Thanks for the wonderful review! We are leaving on the Celbration on October 7 so love to hear about everything!!

 

Can you tell me about the slide at the pool? This is an important piece of information for my daughter:)

[KroozFoolz]

 

Can you tell me about the slide at the pool? This is an important piece of information for my daughter:)

 

How about a picture?

http://community.webshots.com/photo/551758480/2728730830089889248DxmMGQ