Are you dreaming of setting sail on an unforgettable cruise with family and friends? If so, then a Carnival Celebration may be just what you need! We recently had the chance to experience the Carnival Celebration for ourselves, and it was one adventure that we’ll definitely never forget. From its stunning Caribbean views to delicious dining experiences and entertainment offerings galore, this is one ship that knows how to make your vacation dreams come true – and we’ve got all the details here in our review complete with video tour! Read on for everything you need to know about boarding this “Fun Ship.”

The Carnival Celebration’s launch marks 50 years of Carnival Cruises and has been named after the 1987 vessel which left the carnival fleet in 2008. The Celebration holds 6,500 passengers making the vessel the largest in the Carnival fleet. 

This is the second Carnival ship in the Excel-class and sister to the Mardi Gras. The Celebration is almost identical to the Mardi Gras except for an addition of a new neighbourhood, the Gateway, and updates to the décor.

The Gateway touches on Carnivals history and its décor is reminiscent of airport lounges, ships and train stations from the golden age of travel. The area features a new, much better, layout and the Latitudes bar which serves travel-themed cocktails and drinks from around the world. Look up and you see an old-fashioned split-flap departure board. 

Along the gateway is a 100-foot LED ceiling and screens that resemble the ship’s windows. Each evening different short multimedia shows play at various times. It is a nice addition to the space and brings life to an area that was lacking on Mardi Gras. 

Another new addition, the Golden Jubilee lounge, celebrates Carnival's 50 years of sailing with items taken from Carnival ships of the past. The lounge serves classic cocktails in glamorous surroundings.

Entertainment 

Celebration Central is the main hub of the ship. Large panoramic windows are the backdrop of the Celebration Central stage. During show times, large screens cover the windows and transform the space into a high-tech theatre. The layout of the theatre is terrible. Wherever you sit you will feel like you are missing out as the action takes place on the stage and within the audience. Almost all seats have a poor view with equipment, set pieces or glass blocking your view. This was a common complaint about Mardi Gras and we are disappointed that Carnival didn’t fix this on the Celebration.

Celestial Strings is a popular show also found on other Carnival ships. It features a mix of pop hits reworked into a rock opera with high-tech visuals, over-the-top costumes and props. The highlight is the live string trio who accompany the cast of singers and dancers.

Under the Big Top is a new addition to Carnival and features live acrobatics, singers and dancers in a spectacular big top experience.

Both had four performances over two evenings. However, we still struggled to get good seats with passengers waiting sometimes over two hours to secure a good spot.

Away from the Celebration Central, the Spectrum Theatre at the front of the ship is a more traditional theatre layout. It's very small compared to most cruise lines so fills up quickly for popular shows such as Family Feud Live and the Love and Marriage show. We recommend arriving early to get a good seat.

The Spectrum Theatre also features performances from the Playlist Players. These are Carnivals resident singers and dancers who performed Lamore Amore and Color My World on our sailing. 

Around the ship in almost every bar is live music for a variety of different tastes with the popular Piano Bar 88 being the place most popular on an evening.

Comedy is also a big attraction on Carnival ships and the Celebration has two venues that both host a mix of family-friend and adults-only comedy. These venues are small and hard to get into. You will have to line up before each show and almost every performance was full.  

On the top deck is the Ultimate Playground. The area's main attraction Bolt is a high-speed roller-coaster that whizzes around the top decks at 37 mph. One ride of two laps costs $15 per person. 

In addition, the Ultimate Playground also features many free activities including a ropes course, three water slides, WaterWorks water play park, a golf course, a sports court and table tennis.

Pools and Relaxation

The Serenity Pool is an impressive quiet adults-only space that resamples many extra-charge spaces found on other cruise lines. The area includes a full pool, two hot tubs, a bar, a salad station and plush comfortable beds. 

Above the Serenity Deck is the Loft 19 Retreat which is an additional cost or complimentary for guests staying in Excel-level suites. Cabana rental starts from $500 a day and can be booked for a single day or the whole cruise. Availability is limited so we recommend booking in advance or on boarding day by visiting the Loft 19. 

Other pool spaces around the ship include the Beach Pool at the centre of the ship. This area is the main pool space overlooked by the poolside screen. Many of the daytime poolside activities are hosted here which makes it extremely loud and not relaxing. 

For a quieter time, the Tides pool at the back of deck 16 features an infinity pool and two hot tubs. In addition, the Patio Pool located at the back of the ship on deck 8 also features two large hot tubs and an infinity pool. 

Food on Carnival Celebration

We would describe Carnivals food as tasty and satisfying fast food. Nothing here is fancy or healthy.  

Shaq’s Big Chicken, Guys Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Miami Slice Pizza and Street Eats all offer fantastic quick-serve food. Be prepared will find long lines during lunchtime.

Included Quick Service 

Lido Marketplace
Open: Breakfast, Lunch 

The Lido Marketplace is a self-serve buffet that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The selection is basic, and its layout causes congestion. The other included dining options are so much better. We do recommend the gelato station serving freshly made gelato and the shawarma station.

Street Eats
Open: Lunch 

A trio of snack stands located around the pool with specials that change daily. Time Fires serves loaded fries and tater tots, Mad Sizzle serves kebab and satay dishes, and Steam Dream serves bao buns and pot stickers.

BlueIguana Cantina
Open: Breakfast, Lunch 

The popular BlueIguana Cantina serves freshly made tacos, burritos and burrito bowls. You can choose your fillings and a choice of homemade tortillas. At breakfast, the menu features delicious breakfast burritos which are a must-try.

Guy's Burger Joint
Open: Lunch 

Guy's Burgers, located on the pool deck, serves five different types of burgers or you can also create your own. The burgers are so good, if not better than Five Guys. Vegetarian burgers are available, not shown on the menu, but are disappointing compared to the meat version.

JavaBlue
Open: Breakfast, Lunch 

The coffee shop is located in the atrium with complimentary coffee, Lipton teas, and water. During breakfast, JavaBlue serves an array of free toasted breakfast sandwiches, pastries, fruit, and granola bowls. After breakfast, the pastries, cookies and sweet treats are a small extra cost. The toasted sandwiches and salad bowls are free all day. Speciality expresso coffee and juices are an extra charge.

Fresh Creations
Open: Lunch 

A small counter next to the Serenity pool serves fruit and salads. 

Miami Slice
Open: Lunch, Dinner and Late Night Snacks

A pizza bar that serves free pizza. You can choose a slice or if you are willing to wait, a whole pizza. Miami Slice is open late into the evening. 

Deco Deli 

Open: Lunch and Dinner 

A sandwich bar serving a wide selection of sandwiches, paninis and hot dogs. Many of the items are served toasted which can cause long lines. Deco Deli is open throughout the day until around 10 pm. 

Swirls 
Open: All Day

Swirls stations are located at various points around the ship serving soft-serve ice cream. You help yourself to a choice of two flavours, chocolate and vanilla on our sailing. These are open throughout the day into the late evening. 

Included Table Service 

For a sit-down meal, the main dining rooms are available for breakfast, brunch on sea days and evening dinner. We found dining here chaotic and cut back from other cruise lines. The portions are smaller, the menu is not as big, and the service is very cut back. The food itself was tasty but the experience as a whole is not enjoyable.

The far better options are ChiBang, Cucina del Capitano and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse & Brewhouse. These are all complimentary offerings in smaller dining rooms. We found the food much better but still, the service was very slow and cut back. 

To dine in these restaurants, you will need to check in on the Carnival Hub app. You will then be notified when your table is ready. During busy times we had waited for unto 1 hour – however, usually, the wait time was much less than advertised. It was very easy to do and a great system. 

Festival / Carnivale 
Reservation: Required. Open: Breakfast, Brunch (Select Days), Lunch and Dinner.

The main dining rooms are known as Festival and Carnivale. The menu includes a mix of dishes that change each evening and Carnival favourites such as the famous warm chocolate melting cake. 

ChiBang
Reservation: Required. Open: Lunch and Dinner.

A strange restaurant that offers a Mexican or Chinese menu. You do not have to stick to one menu and can mix and match. The restaurant itself feels crowded, loud, and more like a canteen. We recommend the lettuce wraps, Kung Pao chicken and the Tres Leches cake.

Cucina del Capitano
Reservation: Required. Open: Lunch and Dinner.

Casual Italian restaurant that saves classic Italian dishes that everyone will be familiar with. The ambience here is the best of the included dining rooms and you can even eat outside on warmer evenings. We recommend the caprice salad, meatball starter, any of the main dishes and apple pie. 

Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse & Brewhouse
Reservation: Not required. Open: Breakfast (buffet), Lunch (buffet), and Dinner.

Complementary southern USA-style BBQ joint serving a range of slow-cooked meats, sides and daily specials. It's great for meat lovers but vegetarians will struggle as almost every dish, including the sides, contain meat or fish. During breakfast, a traditional USA breakfast buffet is available. At lunch, a BBQ buffet is located outside on deck 8 and in the evening the venue is a table service restaurant. You do not need to check in on the app to dine here. Simply turn up and wait for a table. On a busier evening, you may be given a pager to return when your table is ready. We recommend everything on the menu and dined here on multiple occasions.

Extra charge food

Seafood Shack 
Reservation: Not required.
Open: Lunch.
Cost: $$$$

Located in the Street Eats seafood sack serves fresh seafood. Pricing is a-la-carte. 

Bonsai Sushi 
Reservation: Not required.
Open: Lunch and Dinner.
Cost: $$$$

Bonsai Sushi serves affordable sushi rolls, noodle dishes and Japanese small plates. We found the pricing to be reasonable with rolls starting at $6. We recommend teriyaki steak, tempura sushi and tempura vegetables.  

Bonsai Teppanyaki
Reservation: Required.
Open: Dinner.
Cost: $$$$

The small Teppanyaki restaurant offers a fun teppanyaki experience with most of the same jokes and tricks you will find elsewhere. We liked the intimate setting and the food was outstanding. You will need to reserve to dine here. 

Emeril’s Bistro 1937 
Reservation: Not Required.
Open: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Cost: $$$$

Emeril's Bistro 1397. The restaurant is created in partnership with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and serves New Orleans favourites. Dining here is more casual than at other speciality restaurants. Dishes start from $8.

Fahrenheit 555
Reservation: Required.
Open: Dinner.
Cost: $$$$

The popular restaurant serves steakhouse feverous such as Australian Wagyu beef, USDA Cowboy Steak and Maine lobster. The restaurant has a flat fee of $38 per person. Enjoy a free bottle of wine if you book for the first evening of your cruise.

Rudi’s SeaGrill 
Reservation: Required.
Open: Dinner
Cost: $$$$

SeaGrill is the second in the Carnival fleet following its introduction on the sister ship Mardi Gras. Chef Rudi Sodamin’s menu features Instagramable “food faces”. The restaurant has a flat fee of $38 per person

Chefs Table
Reservation: Required.
Open: Dinner.
Cost: $$$$

An 8-course gourmet experience with Champagne and house wines.

Carnival Kitchen 
Reservation: Required.
Open: Various times.
Cost: $$$$

An interactive cooking and dining experience. Various classes are available throughout the cruise.

Room Service
Reservation: Required.
Open: 24-Hours.
Cost: $$$$

Room service is free for breakfast but a-la-carte pricing outside the breakfast menu. Tip! Many of the pizzas are the same as you will find at Miami Slice for free. 

Carnival Celebration WiFi and Internet

We paid for the Premium WiFi and found the connection excellent. We were able to easily make video calls, voice calls, and stream TV and movies. VPN connections were hit-and-miss depending on what sites we tried to access. WiFi was pricey and it was cheaper to buy before boarding.

The Carnival Hub app worked flawlessly. We were able to do everything we needed at all times and found it easy to navigate.  

Spa and Fitness

The Cloud 9 spa on Deck 6 features a salon, multiple treatment rooms and a thermal suite. The cost of treatment varies and on quieter cruises, the spa runs discounted offers. Passes to the Thermal Suite are sold for the length of the cruise or a day pass, for an individual or as a couple.

Across from the Spa is the fitness centre. For the size ship, the centre is very small and dark with most of the windows covered by lifeboats. It does have plenty of equipment crammed into it. Most mornings and on sea days the centre was packed and felt far too crowded. It lacks any space to stretch or do yoga unless paying for one of the organised classes.

One noticeable issue was the opening hours. The gym didn’t open until 7 am meaning most mornings early risers were lining up outside to enter. It closed at 10 pm most days of our cruise. We suspect this is to reduce noise in the cabins below the gym.

The ship does have a Jogging track on Deck 18 around the Ultimate Playground. The track was fine to use in the early morning but is impossible to use during the day as you are always bumping into people. At various points, whole sections of the track are covered by sunbeds or people lining up for the rope course.

Fellow Passengers 

Carnival Cruises are a fun, party cruise line. Passengers are almost exclusively from the USA. Expect lots of children, teens and young adults. Large groups of families or friends are common on Carnival. Sailings on the Celebration tend to be more expensive than older Carnival ships so deter those looking for a “booze cruise”.

In conclusion, Carnival Cruises are the perfect choice for those looking for a fun, party experience on the high seas. The Celebration is without a doubt the crown jewel of this incredible fleet, offering an abundance of activities and amenities that are perfect for both families and groups of friends alike. Whether it’s a night out in the Vegas-style casino, an exquisite dinner at one of their many all-inclusive restaurants or just lounge chairs by the pool - there’s something here to suit everyone's taste. With so much to offer, Carnival Cruises Carnival Celebration should be at the top of your list for your next vacation getaway. Find more videos like this one by subscribing to our channel; keep up with all of our awesome content from around the world!