Carnival Celebration Reside Weblog (Days 6 & 7): What’s the Verdict on Carnival’s New Ship?

Word: Carnival welcomed its latest ship to the fleet earlier this month with Carnival Celebration now crusing from Miami. Cruzely was invited to sail on one of many first voyages. The seven-day cruise departed Miami headed to Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Mahogany Bay (Roatan). I’ll be live-blogging the expertise every day to share what crusing the brand new ship is like.

You’ll be able to view different days right here:

Up to now the cruise aboard Carnival’s latest ship has been full of a lot taking place. There was embarkation day and an preliminary day at sea to discover Carnival Celebration for the primary time. That was adopted by three days with three totally different ports. However because the ship makes the flip again to Miami after calling on Roatan, we’ve had two days at sea earlier than returning residence.

Meaning two days to get in something that you just’ve needed to do on the cruise however haven’t had the prospect to only get to only but. 

To make certain, having been on the ship for days and executed a number of issues already, it’s been a extra relaxed vibe as we head again to residence as an alternative of feeling like we’ve acquired to do all of it. So there’s been extra time to only loosen up, discover these spots on the ship that flip into your second residence (Loft 19 for us), and decelerate a bit.

Sadly, the climate hasn’t precisely cooperated.

Climate Pushes Issues Inside (However Additionally Means a ‘Ship on a String’)

Day 6 noticed among the strongest winds I’ve seen at sea. And whereas the climate was comparatively clear, the wind made having fun with the outside powerful to do. On the ultimate day of the cruise the winds died down some, however nonetheless have been robust, mixed with occasional showers passing by means of. After all, I’d fortunately take a pair not-so-perfect climate days at sea if it means excellent climate in port like we noticed on this journey.

But it surely has meant doing a bit extra contained in the ship than initially deliberate. Fortuitously, there’s been quite a bit happening.

Actually, with loads of time on our arms, we made it a mission that we win one of many coveted “ships on a string.” Should you aren’t acquainted, that’s the medal that Carnival offers to winners of contests on the ship.

In all my years of crusing, I’ve by no means gained a contest on a cruise ship. Throughout nowadays at sea, nonetheless, there have been numerous trivia and video games. So if not now, then when?

We tried our hand at each kind of trivia (normal information, cartoons, sports activities) and whereas we persistently positioned round third or fourth, there was all the time somebody who managed to high us in each class.

That’s till the final day of the cruise, when there was a scavenger hunt in regards to the historic mementos across the ship. Celebration was constructed with all form of historic artifacts and touches that pay homage to Carnival’s 50 years of crusing. And they’re throughout the ship in the event you’re trying fastidiously (particularly in The Golden Jubilee bar).

Paper in hand, we took off across the ship, snapping images of the objects on the listing. And we made it again to the place to begin in document time… solely to seek out one other staff was already there with the solutions and the host giving them the medal.

Crushed once more. However then…

The host of the sport appeared to take just a little pity on us and once we confirmed her our solutions, and determined it was adequate to additionally award us a medal. I’m certain they offer out lots of of those every cruise, however for the primary time ever, I can say that I gained.

I’ll simply omit that it was second place.

Surf and Turf… and a Colourful Present

After all, the evenings have quite a bit happening round Celebration. The on line casino is packed, music is taking part in across the ship, and there’s all the time a buzz within the air.

We had dinner on Day 6 within the steakhouse onboard — Fahrenheit 555 ($48 per individual). Should you’re searching for a spot to splurge, that is it. Positioned simply off the principle walkway on Deck 7, it’s really straightforward to overlook. Outdoors it simply seems to be like a flowery bar, however transfer previous that and the room opens to the restaurant.

The menu includes a full listing of staples that you just’d count on. Begin off with oysters, stuffed mushrooms, pork stomach, lobster bisque, or a couple of dozen different selections. In your entrée, there are ribeye steaks, lamb chops, Chilean sea bass, and lots extra. I opted for the surf and turf, that includes a lobster tail combined together with filet mignon.

On land, I by no means go to steakhouses, so to have the ability to achieve this on the ship was particular. I additionally thought the meal was excellent. I couldn’t eat there each night time (for my pockets or my waistline), however for a particular occasion it was a beautiful time. The cheesecake for dessert definitely didn’t damage, both!

After dinner, we headed over to take a look at one in every of Carnival’s new reveals on Celebration — Colour My World. Held within the Grand Spectrum Theater (the traditional theater on the entrance of the ship), there was no challenge with discovering a seat like the opposite headline present (The Most Magnificent Circus) held on the stage within the middle of the ship earlier within the cruise.

As you would possibly guess from the identify, this present is all about shade. It’s performances of songs centered on colours (Paint It Black, Purple Rain, Yellow, and so on.), however all given a twist in comparison with the originals. Then there’s a new component with giant video screens in the back of the stage that serves because the set background. In comparison with conventional stage units, the expertise actually provides one other degree to the efficiency, particularly given the concentrate on colours.

In all, the efficiency was excellent although the circus present earlier within the week is the one which I’d say you completely can’t miss. Additionally in the event you make this present… be prepared for the shock on the finish!

The Ultimate Verdict on Crusing Carnival Celebration

So after a full week on Carnival Celebration exploring every thing onboard, consuming at practically each restaurant, and going to nearly each present, what’s the ultimate verdict on the ship?

First, I can say that it’s in contrast to another Carnival ship I’ve sailed. From the dimensions to the facilities, eating places, and issues to do, this class of ship (together with Mardi Gras) is a significant change from the remainder of the fleet. Even in comparison with the newer ships within the Vista class, it’s an enormous distinction.

For example, with regards to eating, you could have choices that simply aren’t discovered on different ships (Road Eats, ChiBang!, Huge Hen, Rudi’s, and extra). And most of those are included in your cruise fare. Throughout this journey, I ate on the similar spot solely a couple of times your entire 7-day cruise. That’s nearly unparalleled on a cruise.

Then there are 4 totally different swimming pools open to everybody, plus a personal pool in Loft 19 and one other within the Havana space. The waterpark in the back of the ship is bigger with extra slides than I’ve seen on different Carnival ships. Lounges, hangouts, bars, and different venues are in all places, in order that it doesn’t matter what environment you’re searching for, there’s one thing for you.

I don’t see how one can be bored on this ship with a lot happening. It additionally does a superb job of blending traditional Carnival venues that folks love whereas additionally providing quite a bit that’s new in comparison with different courses. So that you get that blend of favorites in contrast with some issues that I believe will develop into new favorites. 

Is every thing excellent? No, there are undoubtedly some issues that caught my eye. For one, whereas the ship is bigger, I do discover it to be far more crowded. The movement of individuals across the ship has some chokepoints, and it could actually generally really feel exhausting to navigate (particularly within the first days the place you’re studying the format).

As properly, different logistics just like the theater in Celebration Central not having sufficient seating for the favored reveals and gradual elevators added to the “crowded” really feel.

However in the event you’re a Carnival fan and questioning if Celebration is best for you, I believe it stays true to the Carnival roots whereas additionally providing a lot greater than different ships within the fleet. This class of ship is a significant step ahead… and one which I don’t suppose you need to miss. Having sailed for per week, it was an incredible time. I believe you’d have one too.

Fascinating Observations

• Should you’ve adopted together with this journey, you then is perhaps questioning about one massive function that hasn’t been talked about… BOLT — the curler coaster on Carnival Celebration. Our plan was to trip it when at sea on the way in which again to Miami. Sadly, with the wind each days at sea, the trip didn’t function. Ethical of the story: If you recognize that you just need to do the curler coaster, then enroll and do it as quickly as you may (it’s $15 per individual for a trip). You by no means know what the climate could deliver.

• I had an opportunity to tour the Havana rooms, and in order for you a extra secluded spot, then one in every of these cabins with entry to the non-public pool appears ideally suited. There may be Loft 19 on the high of the ship that has its personal pool, however that may be expensive to entry and means having to move all the way in which as much as the highest of the ship. These rooms provide an outside lounge area and pool that’s a lot nearer than going upstairs (and far nearer to the ocean).

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