We had a great trip and plan to book Celebration again for next summer. There were things that were not perfect, but those little things did not detract from the cruise. If you enjoy Carnival and know what to expect from the experience, you’ll love Celebration.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation was smooth, easy, and organized. Our arrival appointment was 10am. We arrived, checked-in, and waited for a short time in the lounge for suite and platinum/diamond guests. We were onboard having lunch before 11am. Easy, easy, easy!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Overall, the food was good. There are definitely lots of choices throughout the day. Enjoyed Big Chicken for lunch and pizza for a snack. Rudi’s Seagrill was also an excellent meal. We enjoyed Chibang (included) on two nights for dinner. Using the Carnival Hub app to reserve a table when you’re ready to dine worked real well.
Cucina del Capitano
3 out of 5
The food at Cucina was fair and the service was very slow. We ate here twice - decided to give it a second chance after a sub-par experience early in the cruise. Second try was basically a repeat. It’s a plus that Cucina is included on all excel class ships. However, the result is a dining experience that falls short of Cucina on other ships where there is a nominal charge.
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
5 out of 5
Solid dining experience. Food was great. Once again, it’s best to plan ahead and book your reservation before you board the ship.
Bonsai Teppanyaki
5 out of 5
Great meal and a great time! Our family of 8 thoroughly enjoyed the food and dining experience. Don’t miss out - 100% book this in advance before your cruise. Seatings (and space) are very limited.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
There was definitely a lot to do if you wanted to be active. I actually enjoyed relaxing and reading a book during the day. Dinner, shows, and casino filled the evenings.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The comedians were a big disappointment on this cruise. I did not find them funny at all. The best shows were Family Feud and Deal or No Deal. Don’t miss them.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
The staff work very hard. It just felt as though they were understaffed at times in some venues. Java Blue in the evening was staffed by one person who took and rang your order and then made your drink. There needed to be 2 or more people - as I have experienced on smaller Carnival ships in the past.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
While the ship was large, there were so many places for people to be that it never felt too crowded. I really like the excel class ships. Decor is nice.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Our cabin was an ocean suite on deck 9 - aft. The location was great. The space inside the cabin was excellent and there are lots of upgrades - including the bathroom. The only negative with our room was the balcony. There was no privacy. The balcony did not have an overhang. Also, deck 9 was close to all of the action happening on deck on 8. Moving forward, I’m going to be more intentional about location to be sure that there is more privacy. I will definitely book a room on a higher deck - 11 or 12.
Again, just like embarkation, smooth, organized, and easy. We had priority debarkation as platinum guests. We were off the ship with no hassle by about 7:45 and at the hotel where we were staying for an additional night by 8:00 AM.
Great review!!! Can't believe they still have 1 person in Java Blue! Had this same issue back in May, and I was/am still hoping it would be better upon our return this November.
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