Anyone been on the Celebration lately.

[Terri102066]

Okay, we were booked on the Holiday out of Mobile and due to the hurricane, we have had to change to the Celebration out of Jacksonville. Now I need all the information I can get for Jacksonville and the Celebration. I know the Celebration is the same class and is older and smaller than most, but I need to know about the entertainment, food and so on. We will be on a five day sailing, will we have two broadway style shows, will there be the adult only comedian show? What about the food, do you have the same choices as the Holiday has? Anything more or anything less that I need to know about? Are there anything that anyone can think of that I need to know about the Celebration?

 

What about Jacksonville, is there anything that we need to make sure we see or do while we are in the area? We have already got reservations for the Holiday Inn Exspress close to the cruise terminal. What about places to eat while we are in town?

 

Any answers would be appreciated we will be on the October 22nd sailing.

 

Terri

[smrn]

I also am interested in the Celebration. I go on th 8th. If we don't find out, I can let you know when i get back! :o

[gr1634]

You will enjoy the cruise. We did it in Apr. Yes - two shows. I find food on all the Carnival ships about the same - good to excellant. We stayed at Holiday Inn near the Airport and had dinner there the night before. So can't help with the Jacksonville food question. Celebration was rehab not too long ago so it was in great shape. suggest you get to terminal nlt about 1130. Can get on board sooner that way. Much later and the crowds will be terrible.

[valeriets]

I was recently on this ship. The cruise was wonderful. Food was great, shows were very well done. There was an adult comedy show. cabin U121, table 102 in Vista dining room.

 

The ship is very well maintained, no problems with the Jacksonville port, stayed at the Hampton Inn at the airport. Did not eat out in Jacksonville.

 

Got aboard about 1:30 pm, a little bit of a wait, but not bad. Did not get to go to key west, we were diverted to Freeport.

 

did the glass bottom boat tour in Nassau. No problems finding deck chairs, nice friendly crew. The ship was ship shape.

You will have a great time I am sure.

[DONDONMA]

We were on the Celebration, August 27th sailing.........

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express that you are talking about....good choice.

Wait till you taste the hot cookies they serve every night in the common room...YUMMO! ! ! ! ! ! Good breakfast too !

 

For dinner, we went to the Sandollar.........double YUMMO! ! ! ! Ask the girls at the front desk for directions they recommended it to us. It is a bit of a ride but the scenery is nice and the food is well worth it. It is right on the intercoastal just past the ferry docks. You can watch the fishing boats come and go. Nice atmosphere and did I say that the food was good ??????

 

Have a great time........wish I was going again.

 

dondonma

[Terri102066]

Dondonam:

 

I actually got the Holliday Inn Express suggestion from you on another post. I'm so glad you enjoyed your cruise. This will be me and my husbands 3rd, but my mother is going and it will be her 1st. I worry that something will go wrong due to all the changes that have been made. I just want everything to run smooth for her since this was a gift.

 

We actually had friends that were going on the Holiday with us, that were unable to change their plans due to a financial situation. (They live in Mobile and the travel would cost too much) Our friends were actually taking their mother so now my mother has no one on the ship but us. Which is fine, but it would have been better if she had her own friends. Now I worry that she will feel left out or a burden. I just hope she finds someone to head off to the casino with.

 

If there is anything that you can think of that I need to know (about Jacksonville or the ship) please let me know? Did you do anything in Jacksonville while you were there? Was the Sandollar expensive?

 

Terri

[DONDONMA]

Hi Terri:

 

So glad something we did helped out someone else......after getting so much help from this board for our trip, I am so happy that we can help someone else.

 

We drove to Jacksonville from Massachusetts. We stopped Thursday nite in Savannah and stayed overnite. We stayed at a LaQuinta right off the highway and had supper at Sonic (we don't have them up north) We always try to eat at places we don't have at home when we travel. The next morning we went into downtown Savannah and had lunch at "The Lady and Sons" Paula Dean on the Food Networks' restaurant. We then walked around a little bit till it started to rain so we headed south to Florida. We got to the hotel around 4 pm and checked in. Then went to get some last minute stuff at CVS. It was real cloudy and a lot of thunderstorms so we didn't bother to go over to Jacksonville Beach. We were getting the outer bands of Katrina.........she was heading for the Gulf on Friday and we were heading out on our cruise Sat so we were behind her all the way.......The hotel recommended the Sandollar. Our bill totaled $76.36 (including the tip) and we tip heavy when the food is good and the service is good. This is what we had.....

 

Hubby had:

Clam chowda

Salad

Cashew crusted grouper

Kaluha sombrero

cheescake

 

I had:

Salad

Stuffed grouper

Kahlua sombrero

too full for dessert

 

Our two girls had:

fried calamari (one order shared)

Blackened grouper sandwich w/ fries

Shirley temple (two each)

no dessert

 

so that's not too bad for all this food............we left very full and satisfied.

 

Then back at the hotel.......they have fresh baked hot cookies all night. Comp coffee, tea, oatmeal, hot chocolate all night. A great room w/ two huge TV's and a computer in the lobby that anyone can use. An exercise room and an outdoor pool. They close the pool at 10pm but they let us stay out past 12 midnite as long as they got no compants. We were the only ones out there for a while then you could see people peekd out of the curtains and slowly they started to come down. If you get hungry later there is a Wendys right next to the hotel. If you go after 10pm only the drive up is open. We walked over and they made us go back for the car and drive thru I was not happy.........but I got over it! :)

 

Breakfast was good also. Hot cinamon rolls, bagels, toast, hot and cold cereal, hard boiled eggs, juices, coffee, tea. Pretty basic but enough to hold you over for lunch on the ship.

 

We got to the ship about 10:30 am.......took all of 3 minutes to drive over.

We dropped our luggage at the terminal and drove the car over to the parking area. They had a golf cart to bring you back to the terminal. We had all our stuff filled out and ready to go so we went straight to the Carnival reps and had our docs checked, they looked at our citizenship papers, issued our keys, and S&S cards and off we went to get in line to board. We waited in line till about 11:45 and they started to board. We had our pics taken..........the start of many many many photo ops, and we were boarded by 12:15. Found our cabin, dropped off the carry on luggage, met our steward and were sitting having lunch by 12:45 and never stopped eating for 5 days...........................

 

Hope this little bit of info helps ;)

 

Have a great time. Look forward to your review when you get back.

 

Donna

 

dondonma

[BooBooMonkey]

We're going on Celebration in November. Seriously thinking about the Hol. Inn express. Did you park your car there? Do they have a shuttle? If not, how much is the taxi fare to the port? We have a member of our group who will be in a wheelchair (can walk a little, but not more than maybe 20 feet at a time).

 

We're thinking the HI Express will be worth it since we won't have to pay the $10 per day for two cars.

 

Which excursions would you recommend?

 

Which night was formal night? How did folks dress on the other nights? Which shows or other things are not to be missed? Which food is not to be missed?

 

Sorry for all the Questions, but inquiring minds want to know!!! :)

[Beach4me]

I cruised the Celebration in April. I was amazed that the ship was still in such great condition. I was on the inaugural cruise back in 87. The refurbishing that has gone on over the years did nothing to diminish the charm of the ship.

 

One suggestion - if you don't do anything else on this cruise, make sure that you are at the back of the ship as it leaves port. Find a spot along the railing on either the Lido or Promenade deck. I was on the Promenade and actually think that had the more dramatic view. As the ship sails out to sea, you pass under an expansion bridge. The top of the ship clears the bridge by 6 feet. You will swear that you are going to take the funnel and antennae off the ship before you ever clear it. It is a sight to see...and people will run to get a spot against the railing so that you can lean back against it looking forward on the ship.

 

We stayed at the Hampton Inn prior to the cruise but chose to park at the pier so that we didn't have to wait for a cab/shuttle, etc. The parking at the ship is great. You park in the gated area and it is only a few hundred feet to the terminal. They have shuttles in the parking lot to take you from your parking place to the pedestrian gate if you don't want to walk from the back of the lot. Very organized. Very easy access.

 

I didn't do any tours. I just walked around Key West - and of course visited Margaritaville! Across the street from Mallory Square (where the ship docs) is the Mel Fisher museum. I loved that museum but then I have always been fascinated by the Atocha. The gold in the museum is unbelievable. You get to lift a 6 lb gold bar. They also offer some of the real jewelry for sale. If you have some money to spare, there is a $125,000 ruby ring that would be easy to carry. :) Make sure that you take the time to look over the sides of the bridges/walkways that are near the ship...you are likely to see a manatee. btw - the margaritas are better at Margaritaville but if you're looking for food in Key West, go to Sloppy Joe's (Hemingway's old hangout) - the burgers are 100% better there.

 

In Nassau, you can either take a taxi to Atlantis or do the ship's tour. The beach trip to Blue Lagoon is nice. Nassau isn't always the friendliest of places in my opinion so I don't spend much time walking around it. Not dangerous or anything - just that the locals aren't always very welcoming.

 

Food on the ship - they have the best darn lobster on the Carnival ships. They get it from Belize. It is the sweetest lobster I've ever eaten...if you like lobster, order 2 tails right away. Same goes for the shrimp cocktail appetizer...EXCELLENT. It only has 3 shrimp on it so if you like shrimp, order 2.

 

I can't remember which night was formal night. Most evenings, people were just in comfortable clothes - khaki's/dockers and golf shirts/Hawaiian shirts for men, crop pants and blouses or sundresses for women.

 

If you're into people watching, the Cafe Bar on the Promenade deck is a great place. It is raised (3 or 4 steps) - all booths. Good for relaxing and watching the people go by.

 

If you have any other questions, please ask. I'll ask my parents if they remember which night was formal night. HAVE FUN!!!!

 

btw - I was on the inaugural of the Holiday too. Been on it once since. I prefer the Celebration. But, I wouldn't turn down a cruise on either!

[Maryandi]

Was anyone on the Sept. 19th sailing ? My sister cancelled at the last minute because she didn't want to take a chance with Rita out there. It was her first cruise and didn't want to 'roll with the punches' on the first one.

 

Was it real rough and did they have to elimiante any ports ? Thanks, MaryAnn

[suseg]

from what i understand it wasn't bad....they followed her...

[REDDSHOME]

A guy I work with said that his cruise for the Sept 19th sailing was cancelled because the ship was supposed to pick up a bunch of people in Key West but could not go there because of Rita. Is this true? I think he is feeding me a lot of BULL! :eek:

[mullet]

I agree with beach4me that you should go uptop for the sailaway!

We sailed in jan05 and she is still a great ship and younger than the Holiday.

Jax port is the the most user friendly we ever did! wish jax had more ships.

Have fun, God Bless.

Mullet

[hfd2616]

Just got back from the Celebration on Thursday. Make sure you are on deck when you leave Jacksonville..we saw dolphins swimming along with us and loved "nearly missing the bridge" going under.

 

Always plenty of food and the lines were not long in the Wheel House as I had heard from other posts. Our waiter was very eager to please and if you didn't like your selection he immediatly took it back and brought you something else. Can't make up your mind on a dinner selection?..order one and when you finish it they will bring you the other with no questions asked.

 

The staff was EXCELLENT. I enjoyed talking to them and learning about their home countries. They all wear a name tag that has their name, their position on the ship and their home country so you know where they are from at a glance. They are all very friendly and they will explain anything to you or answer any questions. Our room steward found out I like frogs so I came back from dinner one night to find a frog towel critter on my bed!

 

Formal night is the second night out. We saw everything from tuxes to sport coats and polo shirts. My advise would be to make sure you don't have any problem walking in the heels you take with you.

 

There was two shows with the dancers, one a Broadway tunes show and the other was a country. Also Adult comedy shows..they prewarn you not to go if you offend easily. My hubby and I almost died laughing at the one comedian. Happened to see him at breakfast the next morning and told him I enjoyed the show, He stopped and chatted with us for some time..I felt so important that a performed would just stop and chit chat with me.

 

Plenty of things to do, make sure you read your Capers and you will always have something that interests you.

 

Yes, the ship is smaller and older but it made us feel like that was more intimate. The crew is very good about keeping it up and always saw someone scubbing or painting or whatever.

 

Go with a great attitude and have a good time. There is always something on ANY vacation that goes wrong but you have to not let it overshadow your whole trip and have a great time. We BADLY needed a vacation and the time to relax and we were able to and really enjoyed ourselves.

 

Have a great time..I'm jealous, wish I was going with you.

[Photomom22]

Thanks for the info..We were also booked on the Holiday.Now leaving on Oct.17 on the Celebration will be getting off as you are boarding.:D Will try to save some fun for you.

 

We booked a room at the Hilton Garden Airport, they have a park-n-cruise pkg for $99.Car can stay there & have shuttle to & from terminal.Anyone stayed there before?Hope it is safe, the Las Quintas we were supposed to stay at in Mobile heard BAD things about after the fact.Glad that was cancelled.

 

Sounds like everyone is having fun on the ship & I'm so excited:) This will be our first cruise, sounds like I will start planning another as soon as we return if I enjoy it as much as everyone on CC says..

 

Can't wait to try the food everyone keeps making my mouth water.Can anyone tell me if they have the Porterhouse Steak that they show on the Sample Menu on the Carnival website?That was what my DH has been looking forward to?But no one has mentioned it.Steak is his favorite.