Not the Best Carnival Ship

Item: Carnival Celebration
Rating: 3.9
Author: Halfpixie74

Carnival Celebration Cruise Review

Halfpixie74

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 6

Helpful Votes: 161

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 01, 2023

Ship: Carnival Celebration

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11455

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

We took our sons who were not fans of cruises and we hoped we could change their minds but this boat didn’t hold up to the Mardi Gras we sailed on four months earlier. We thought it’s the newest ship it will be great but it felt like we were being nickeled and dimed to death everywhere. We’re Carnival people but second guessed it after this cruise. Fights broke out and the kids were obnoxious. They did take some great pictures of us.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Very smooth and easy. Noticed the 360 picture place this time. Miami is usually very thorough but the people are not all friendly checking you in like other locations. They’re strictly business and move you through. No smiles just direct and professional.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The extra restaurants offered free on this boat have great options but the new Menu for main dining room sucks. The Shacks Chicken was great and some of the items from street eats were good on certain days but hours limited. The main dining room and breakfast brunch were just average. The selections are very disappointing. For someone who’s allergic to shellfish it was scary. They never asked and brought me an item with shrimp in it one night. Be careful to demand they know your allergies to food or food restrictions.

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

4 out of 5

As always the steakhouse food quality does not disappoint. We went night one to get our free bottle of wine. Unfortunately the only option is red or white and it’s not really a bottle. Omits more like four glasses between everyone at the table. We enjoyed the meal but you’re no longer allowed to choose multiple items from the menu. Only one of each. The waiter went missing for thirty minutes between food coming and dessert. It was my husband’s birthday but nothing was done for his birthday. This was below average compared to other ships.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

The Bolt was too expensive to even bother for 4 of us. The put put was fun and the ropes was fun but the staff seemed bothered by everything. They acted so bothered to be there and just treated us like we were responsible for making their lives miserable. The shows and comedians were fantastic and fun. I wish there was a little more activity type stuff for my 25 & 28 year old sons. The cruise we took was a Casino Premier cruise so they are the only people being catered to in the casino. It was so packed we had to wait for hours to get on machines we like. The fitness center was nice but limited hours made it nearly impossible to use. The pools were at like 60 degrees. They felt like an ice bath.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Comedians were some of best we’ve ever seen.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

The bar tenders at Pig & Anchor were some of the most miserable men at sea. Always helping all the men at bar first before bothering to help me after I’d say there forever. On lied to me several times. Lots of the staff just seemed bothered on this ship. I e never experienced this before. My room steward Raj was fantastic and very good at keeping our room nice and clean. The waiters in main dining room were flat out rude. They seemed over worked and stressed out. The people in customer service were clueless. Nobody knew what was up or down. The safety crew were excellent. I heard that the VP of carnival and Mayor of Miami we’re actually on our sailing. The spa crew were friendly but I received my worst pedicure ever for 89.00. It was done in 30 minutes with a total of 30 seconds of hot rocks massage.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

This ship is beautiful but not holding up well to the 6000 people who walk around her daily. The halls on certain floors of this new ship smelled strong if urine. Our carpet in our room looked like a toddler was left alone with a red marker. The steps on lido deck were crumbling and needed to be glued back together every day. The elevators are hot. No air in elevators. Later we learned ship is mainly fueled by natural gas.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Our room was nice but when you look over the balcony you see down to balcony right under you. Person smoking cigars all week on his balcony under us made it hard to even enjoy it. The room was spacious enough as it was a sleep 4. The room was clean but rug was destroyed already after only one year.

Ship tip

Make sure you do anytime dining to be able to choose when you want to eat around all the showtimes. And go see Keith in the Piano Bar.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

5 out of 5

Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Thus was easy enough with passports. If you have birth certificates it takes a bit longer.

Traveler Photos

8 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe 3 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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Sogmoore 10 months ago

Thanks for sharing. Great pix.

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AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed feedback feedback. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations.

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise

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cbyron3 1 year ago

I was on the same cruise. I agree that the Celebration was a one and done for us. However I could not disagree more on a few points. The new menu is absolutely awesome with multiple great choices every night. Very little incentive to spend any extra with all the free food options. The price of the bolt is perfect, with the cost keeping the lines and scheduling very reasonable and giving everyone a chance to enjoy. The really issue were the guests. Horrible teenagers, parents, fights. Nothing Carnival can really screen for, but it was the worse by far we have experienced.

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javawoody 1 year ago

Appreciate your comments

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JimOhio 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing. Before I let anyone ruin my balcony experience, I would have reported the cigar smoker who clearly violated cruise line policy by smoking on his balcony. (Before you consider me a rat, Google "Star Princess 2006" to better understand my reasoning.)

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cruising2004 1 year ago

Sorry your experience was not the best as on the Mardi Gras. Hope your future cruises will be more enjoyable.

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