Carnival Celebration: A High-Seas Fiesta with Thrills, Chills, and Delights!

JulieVentures Ship Ratings

What is Great

• Complimentary food options. Tons of great food options included in the cruise price, including multiple restaurants from Guy Fieri.

• Bars! The ship has a great variety of bars, each with their own unique drink options.

• Piano Bar and Comedians. This ship has some of the best comedians in the cruise industry .

• Thermal Suites. This ship has the best thermal suites of any ship I have been on so far.

What is Good

What needs Improvement

Introduction

Having sailed on the Carnival Celebration twice, we’ve had the chance to explore its many facets and experience everything it has to offer. From its innovative features and themed zones to the lively entertainment and diverse dining options, this Excel-class ship promises a unique cruising adventure. Join us as we dive into our detailed review, highlighting the highs, the lows, and everything in between from our two unforgettable journeys aboard the Carnival Celebration. Watch my full ship video tour here.

Ship Layout

The Carnival Celebration is part of Carnival Cruise Line’s newer Excel class.  These ships are known for their larger size, innovative features, and environmentally friendly technology.  They have made a major effort on reducing trash as almost everything gets reused or is designed to get consumed.  It is almost impossible to find a garbage can on the ships.  The Excel class is designed to provide a modern and diverse cruising experience with multiple zones that cater to different tastes and activities.

Zones

The Carnival Celebration is organized into several themed zones, each offering unique experiences.  The idea around the zones is it splits the large number of guests up throughout the ship so that everyone is not congregating in the same spot.

The Gateway:

A zone inspired by the world's great cities and cultures, offering a wide variety of dining and entertainment options. The main attraction here is "Emeril's Bistro 1397," where you can enjoy New Orleans-style cuisine.  The windows are actually screens that provide a show multiple times a day.  The shows let the guest travel through time or visit different cities around the world.

820 Biscayne:

Named after the original address of Carnival’s headquarters in Miami, this zone celebrates the city’s vibrant culture. It features Cuban-inspired venues, including "Bar 820," offering tropical cocktails, and "Miami Slice," a pizzeria.

Summer Landing:

A relaxing area that captures the essence of summertime, with casual dining at "Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse," craft beers, and outdoor activities like lounging by the pool.

Lido:

The hub for poolside fun and dining. The Lido deck features pools, hot tubs, and an array of casual eateries like "BlueIguana Cantina" and "Guy’s Burger Joint." It's a vibrant zone with plenty of action and entertainment.

The Ultimate Playground:

This is the spot for thrill-seekers. The zone includes "BOLT," the first roller coaster at sea, along with water slides, mini-golf, and other fun activities designed for all ages.

Grand Central:

A dynamic space with stunning views and entertainment options. By day, it’s a place to relax and enjoy a coffee, but by night, it transforms into a lively venue with performances and shows.

The Carnival Celebration, like other Excel-class ships, is designed to offer a diverse range of experiences, making it a floating city with something for everyone. The use of LNG as fuel also marks a significant step forward in reducing the environmental impact of cruising.

Room

We had a standard balcony room located on the 15th floor.  The balcony rooms on the Carnival Celebration offer a comfortable and stylish retreat. While the bathroom is on the smaller side, it has a notable feature that enhances the experience: a shower with a full door, avoiding the typical curtain or pod-like setup. This makes the space feel more private and less cramped.

The room's large TV is another highlight, both in size and placement. Positioned perfectly for easy viewing from the bed, it adds to the room's comfort and convenience. Additionally, the storage options in the room are well-designed, providing ample space to organize and store your belongings efficiently.

Overall, the balcony room offers a pleasant mix of comfort and practicality, with thoughtful details that enhance the overall experience.

Food

Complimentary Food

The Carnival Celebration offers a wide range of complimentary dining options that cater to various tastes and preferences.  I think the complementary food is one of the greatest strengths of Carnival and is the primary reason my son prefers Carnival.   Here’s a rundown of all the free food options available on the ship:

Main Dining Rooms

Festivale & Carnivale: These two main dining rooms offer a rotating menu of classic and contemporary dishes, including appetizers, main courses, and desserts. The dining rooms are known for their elegant settings and attentive service, with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Lido Marketplace

The Lido Marketplace is the ship’s buffet area, offering a variety of stations serving everything from salads and sandwiches to international dishes and desserts. I was disappointed in the buffet on the ship.  For a buffet, I found the options to be limited.

ChiBang

Chibang offers a dual-menu concept where you can choose from Chinese and Mexican dishes. This allows you to mix and match between the two cuisines, creating a diverse and flavorful meal. Whether you’re in the mood for something spicy, savory, or tangy, you’ll likely find something to satisfy your cravings.  Your first dinner is free, but there is a small fee if you return for another dinner.  It is also available for lunch, and you can eat lunch at no additional fee as many times as you want.  Lunch is only available on sea days.

Cucina Del Capitano

Cucina Del Capitano is an Italian restaurant, offering a cozy, family-style dining experience with a focus on traditional Italian cuisine. Cucina Del Capitano is included in the cruise fare on your first visit, but like ChiBang, there is an additional charge if you decide to eat dinner again.  This restaurant is also open for lunch on sea days. 

Guy’s Burger Joint

Created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, this poolside eatery offers a selection of handcrafted burgers with all the fixings, served with seasoned fries. It’s a popular spot for a quick and satisfying meal.  We love Guy Burgers.  

Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse

Guy's Pig & Anchor is a popular dining spot that combines a laid-back atmosphere with flavorful food and craft beers. Created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, this venue is known for its delicious BBQ fare and casual vibe. Dinner is normal restaurant style where you sit at the table and order from a menu, but lunch is buffet style. The restaurant includes a stage for music. The Flavortown bar is also located here and they serve the best Blood Mary on the ship.

BlueIguana Cantina

This casual Mexican eatery serves up freshly made tacos and burritos for breakfast and lunch. Customize your meal with a variety of toppings and salsas for a flavorful experience.

Miami Slice

Open 24 hours, this pizzeria serves up freshly made pizzas with a selection of toppings. It’s a perfect stop for a late-night snack or a quick bite at any time of day.

Swirls

Located near the pool areas, Swirls offers soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt, available 24/7. It’s a refreshing treat on a hot day or after a meal.  There is also a soft-serve located in the Heroes Lounge.

Big Chicken

My son's favorite place to eat on the ship.  Founded by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, Big Chicken offers a selection of fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, and fries. The menu includes breakfast options as well, making it a versatile choice.  My family agrees, the fries here are the best on the ship.

Street Eats

A collection of food stalls offering global street food-inspired dishes, with rotating selections throughout the day. Options include Steam Dream, Time Fries, and Mad Sizzle, giving you a taste of different cuisines.  It is important to know that the Seafood Shack is located here, but it does have an additional charge.  Street eats is a cool concept, but I do wish these quick serve places were open longer hours.

Deco Deli

This New York-style deli offers a range of hot and cold sandwiches, along with sides like potato salad and pickles. It's a great spot for a quick and satisfying bite.

These complimentary dining options ensure that there’s always something delicious to enjoy on the Carnival Celebration, no matter your craving or the time of day.

Specialty Restaurants (Additional Fee)

On the Carnival Celebration, there are several specialty restaurants that are not included in the cruise fare, meaning you'll need to pay an additional fee to dine at these venues. 

Rudi’s Seagrill

Created by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, this restaurant offers a fine dining experience with an emphasis on high-quality seafood dishes presented with an artistic touch. We have not had an opportunity to dine at this restaurant, but I hear that it is great.

Bonsai Teppanyaki

A hibachi-style dining experience where chefs prepare your meal right in front of you with flair. The menu includes a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables cooked to perfection on the teppanyaki grill.  The food is good, but it is your typical hibachi experience and a little expensive.

Bonsai Sushi

A more casual sushi bar with a variety of fresh sushi, sashimi, and rolls. You can also find other Japanese-inspired dishes here.  For example, my son does not like sushi so he was able to get Raman. The quality of the sushi is great and the price is reasonable.

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

A classic American steakhouse offering premium cuts of beef, along with a selection of seafood, appetizers, and indulgent desserts. The atmosphere is elegant, making it perfect for a special night out.  We enjoy this restaurant.

The Chef’s Table

This is a unique and exclusive dining experience where you get to enjoy a multi-course meal prepared by the ship’s executive chef. The meal is paired with wine, and the chef will often explain the dishes and the inspiration behind them. It’s an intimate and luxurious dining option.  Our family has not tried this experience yet.

Emeril's Bistro 1397

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse brings a taste of New Orleans to the sea with this bistro. The menu includes classic Creole and Cajun dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, and more, all with Emeril’s signature flair.  Most items are reasonably priced.  I strongly suggest going for breakfast and getting the Bananas Foster Crepes.  

These specialty restaurants provide a variety of dining experiences, each with its own unique menu and atmosphere, making them worth the additional cost if you're looking to enhance your cruise dining experience.

Bars

 The Carnival Celebration is packed with bars located all over the ship, so if you're in a public area, you're never far from a drink. Each bar has its own atmosphere and specialty drinks, making it easy to find something to suit your mood.

Five of our favorite bars on the ship are Latitudes, The Golden Jubilee, Alchemy Bar, Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse/Brewhouse, and RedFrog Tiki Bar.

• Latitudes has a unique bar menu and is the only place on the ship where you can get the Sakura cocktail, which is topped with a smoky bubble.

  
  

• The Golden Jubilee is perfect for fans of classic cocktails, with a great smoked Old Fashioned and smoked Manhattan.

  
  

• Alchemy Bar offers custom-crafted cocktails, where mixologists tailor drinks to your tastes, making each visit an adventure.

  
  

• Guy's Pig & Anchor is where you'll find the best Bloody Mary on the ship, and the ship's rock band plays there every night, adding to the lively atmosphere.

  
  

• RedFrog Tiki Bar is all about tropical vibes and rum-based drinks, perfect for enjoying a relaxed, island-style experience.

  
  

Each of these bars offers something special, whether it's a signature drink, live music, or a unique setting, ensuring that you’ll always have a favorite spot to unwind.

Entertainment and Extracurricular Activities

There's no shortage of entertainment across the Carnival Celebration. The ship's main stage, Celebration Central, is where much of the action happens. At first glance, the area is impressive, with seating that spans three decks and an open, airy atmosphere. However, it's worth noting that some seats on the lower level don’t offer the best views and can even be blocked. So, if you're planning to catch a show, it might be worth arriving early to find a good spot. I am personally not a fan of the shows that take place here.  The performers are all great, but I am just not a fan of the actual shows that Carnival has created.  

The Grand Spectrum Theater on the Carnival Celebration is another major venue on the ship, offering a more traditional theater experience. This is where you'll find many of the ship's game shows, making it a lively spot to enjoy some interactive entertainment. The theater is designed with comfortable seating and good sightlines, ensuring that no matter where you sit, you'll have a great view of the action on stage. Whether you're watching a game show, a production, or a special event, the Grand Spectrum Theater is a key part of the entertainment scene on the ship.

The Carnival Celebration truly shines when it comes to the comedians and the piano bar. The ship’s comedy clubs feature a lineup of talented comedians who deliver side-splitting performances, ensuring a night full of laughter and fun. Their diverse acts cater to all tastes, from clever one-liners to engaging storytelling. Meanwhile, the piano bar provides a cozy, vibrant atmosphere where talented pianists and vocalists perform an array of classic tunes and contemporary hits. Whether you're enjoying a sing-along or simply soaking in the lively ambiance, the piano bar is the perfect spot for a memorable and entertaining evening on the ship.

The Thermal Suites on the Carnival Celebration are part of the ship's spa and wellness area, designed to provide a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The Thermal Suites feature a variety of heat-based experiences, including thermal loungers, a steam room, a sauna, and a large hot tub. These amenities are to help you unwind, detoxify, and soothe tired muscles. Access to the Thermal Suites usually requires an additional fee, but I highly recommend giving it a try.  My husband and I love to use a trip to the thermal suites to start our day.

Now let’s discuss the pools on the ship.  The Carnival Celebration features a total of three primary  pools: the lido pool, the Tides pool, and the Serenity pool, which is adults-only. However, we were not satisfied with the pool experience on this ship. All of the pools were extremely small and often overcrowded, making it difficult to enjoy a relaxing swim. The Serenity pool, designated for adults, was particularly disappointing because the water was so cold that most people wouldn't get in. Instead, they sat along the sides of the pool, blocking access and making the area even more congested. This made it hard to find a comfortable spot to enjoy the poolside atmosphere.  If you have young children, the Carnival Waterworks on deck 18 is a great place for kids to play with a splash pool and multiple slides.

The Carnival Celebration boasts some exciting outdoor attractions, including a rollercoaster called BOLT and a ropes course. BOLT is the first rollercoaster at sea, offering a thrilling experience as you race around the top deck with stunning ocean views. The ropes course provides an adventurous challenge with various obstacles to navigate high above the deck.

However, it’s important to note that both of these attractions were closed most days during the voyage due to high winds, which is a common issue for outdoor activities at sea. This limited the opportunities to enjoy these unique experiences, so it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning to try them out.

Summary

The Carnival Celebration, a part of Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel class, offers a modern and diverse cruising experience with its innovative design and multiple themed zones. While the ship's layout is intended to spread out guests and reduce congestion, we found that some areas, like the pools, were too small and overcrowded, diminishing the overall experience. The themed zones, such as The Gateway and 820 Biscayne, offer unique dining and entertainment options that reflect different global cultures and cities. Overall, the Carnival Celebration offers a rich mix of experiences, though some elements could benefit from improvement.