Cruise Overview
Following the nearly identical Mardi Gras, Carnival's latest, slightly larger LNG-powered Excel Class ship has all of Mardi Gras' frills, including the 800-foot BOLT rollercoaster, the Carnival Waterworks water park, four separate pool areas, a three-deck tall side atrium in the heart of the ship and multiple included and for-fee dining options that are spread out among six themed 'Fun Zones'. Especially for a ship this size, a whopping 183,521 gt and with a maximum guest capacity of 6,631, the deck plan is well executed with three main stair towers, 22 elevators and wide passages that provide a smooth flow along fourteen passenger decks. If you thought some of the past Carnival ships were a bit over the top but find the more recent Carnival ships a little generic and same-y, these Excel Class ships might be just the right touch. With this ship, it is nice to see Carnival give a nod to the themed decor that put the line on the map in the 1980s when architect Joe Farcus unleashed his wildly conceptual designs on the cruising world. While these ships don't have the pizzazz-y neon, tivoli lighting and brassy color schemes of that era, they do boast spaces and zones like Celebration Central, 820 Biscayne and the Gateway that are rich in execution and concept.
Cabin Details
All staterooms on Carnival Celebration feature a telephone, 110 AC power outlets, USB outlets, individual climate control, a Carnival Comfort bed,a hair dryer, a safe, a non-stocked mini bar unit and a flat-screen TV. In my balcony cabin, there was a floor-to-ceiling window and sliding glass door. I also had plenty of closet space with hangars and adjustable shelves, although it could get tricky with two people in that narrow alley between the cabin door, bathroom door and closet doors all opening into each other.
The 2,687 staterooms, 61.5% of which have balconies, are, for the most part, just that. These havens of contemporary design are pleasantly fitted out in soothing ash wood tones, cool blue colour soft fittings and comfortable, yet practical and thoughtfully designed furnishings.
Dining Details
Carnivale Restaurant. Located on Deck 6, it is directly aft of the Golden Jubilee, which features the doors, an etched glass panel and a brass telegraph from its namesake, the Carnivale, Carnival's second ship. This restaurant is a single deck venue decorated in pleasing deep blue and autumn-hued tones. On the final sea day, it is the setting for the Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham breakfast. Otherwise, this is one of two main dining rooms with revolving lunch and dinner menus, where guests can order time-held Carnival favourites like a Caesar salad, melting chocolate cake and an absolutely delicious, authentic and out of this world Indian vegetarian dinner.
Activities Details
The Grand Spectrum Theatre on forward Decks 6 and 7 is an excellent venue with state-of-the-art sound, lighting and sight lines. The drawback here is that it is too small to accommodate peak demand, meaning that there are usually lines to get in and that even if you arrive on time, there may be no seats.
Daytime activities include trivia and other hosted games, movies on the big LED screen Carnival Seaside Theatre, dance classes, bingo, bean bag contests, ice carving demonstrations, karaoke, scavenger hunts, singalongs and more. All of these activities are listed on the Carnival Hub App, which worked very well during my week on board.
Another key evening space was the Lido Beach Pool area, which hosts the Carnival Seaside Theatre for movie screenings under the stars or the once per week Evolution Party, a wild, glow stick-wielding bash, hosted by the cruise director. There is plenty to do on this ship at all times of day but at night, the fun factor accelerates. From the buzz of the Gateway and 820 Biscayne zones to Celebration Central with its shops, bars and restaurants and the dramatically lit, balmy deck and pool areas, just being on board is truly like a night out on the town.