Celebration Information...please

[mzloolue]

I have searched and read everything that I could find about the Celebration, but I still have a few questions that I hope someone can answer.

 

First, is it possible to walk all the way around the deck on the Celebration, or is it broken up like on Sensation?

 

Did you discover any nice places to sit outside?

 

Were there any secrets, or tips, that you picked up on your sail?

 

About food, what did you really like?

What did you get and wish that maybe you had not?

What would you do different the next time?

 

Jacksonville, where did you stay and would you stay there again?

Did you do anything in Jacksonville that you really enjoyed?

What would you stay away from?

 

Key West, What did you do? Would you do it again?

Did you do a ship excursion? Did you find a tour on your own?

Is there something that you heard about later and wish that you had done?

Snorkling?

 

Nassau?

Again, what? where? was it good?

What would you do different next time?

Snorkling?

 

Thanks for any advice!!

[cruzeluver]

Ok, here goes:

 

No, celebration does not have a deck that wraps all the way around. I believe this is true on all Carnival ships.

 

We liked sitting at the aft pool bar. Usually a little quieter and not as busy.

 

Two good tips:be sure you are on deck for sailaway. Going under the bridge is very cool, as the ship barely clears it. Also, the aft pool is usually less crowded then the main pool, and you are just steps from beverage and ice cream machines. wonderful!

 

For food: nothing was terrible. Lobster, roast duck and shrimp entrees were particulary good. The creme brulee dessert served on the last night is to die for!

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Airport. Only a few miles from the port. You can leave your car there and they will take you to the ship (arrange in advance). Very clean hotel, nice rooms. Rates are reasonable. Didn't really do anything in Jackosnville as we got in late the evening before the cruise.

 

In Key West we did the Old Town Trolley tour. Very nice way to see the city, and very informative. Yo can get off at the different stops and then pick up another trolley later. Cheaper if you don't book through the ship.

 

In Nassau, we booked the Catamaran Sail and Snorkle through Carnival and loved it! These guys really know what they are doing. About a 20 minute ride out to the snorkle site, and about 45 minutes in the water. Beautiful coral and tons of fish. I would recommend this excursion to anyone, experienced or not. We also took a taxi over to Atlantis and just walked around. Very cool place.

 

Hope this has helped. Please feel free to ask more questions.

[sccruzzer]

Ok, here goes:

 

No, celebration does not have a deck that wraps all the way around. I believe this is true on all Carnival ships.

 

We liked sitting at the aft pool bar. Usually a little quieter and not as busy.

 

Two good tips:be sure you are on deck for sailaway. Going under the bridge is very cool, as the ship barely clears it. Also, the aft pool is usually less crowded then the main pool, and you are just steps from beverage and ice cream machines. wonderful!

 

For food: nothing was terrible. Lobster, roast duck and shrimp entrees were particulary good. The creme brulee dessert served on the last night is to die for!

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Airport. Only a few miles from the port. You can leave your car there and they will take you to the ship (arrange in advance). Very clean hotel, nice rooms. Rates are reasonable. Didn't really do anything in Jackosnville as we got in late the evening before the cruise.

 

In Key West we did the Old Town Trolley tour. Very nice way to see the city, and very informative. Yo can get off at the different stops and then pick up another trolley later. Cheaper if you don't book through the ship.

 

In Nassau, we booked the Catamaran Sail and Snorkle through Carnival and loved it! These guys really know what they are doing. About a 20 minute ride out to the snorkle site, and about 45 minutes in the water. Beautiful coral and tons of fish. I would recommend this excursion to anyone, experienced or not. We also took a taxi over to Atlantis and just walked around. Very cool place.

 

Hope this has helped. Please feel free to ask more questions.

 

Couldn't agree with you more Cruiseluver...We were on her in February & loved every minute of it. She is in great shape considering her age...You will love her. Plan on going back in january. Have a wonderful cruise:)

[valeriets]

This is my first attempt to reply, I am a closet lurker here but enjoy this board. I am somewhat afraid however as I see many replies slammed here, but here goes. I sailed in September 05 on the Celebration.

 

We stayed the night before at the hampton inn, and took the shuttle to the port, this worked out well. We departed and watched the sail away from the upper deck, this was great. Our stop in Key West was cancelled. We were sent to Freeport due to some kind of mechanical problem.

 

Our dining room was the Vista at 6:15 table 102. Our waiter was Ahmed and his assistant Fredo. They were wonderful. We never felt rushed and the service was impeccable. Paul the maitre'D did a nice job, he made sure to make the dining room rounds almost every night. Room service is great . Meals in the Wheelhouse were fine. The shows and entertainment were fun. The cruise director Raisa was obviously having fun and made sure we all did too.

 

We all enjoyed lobster night, and there was always something good to eat.

No problem finding pool chairs.

 

I hope you have a great cruise.

[1sttimerhere]

I have searched and read everything that I could find about the Celebration, but I still have a few questions that I hope someone can answer.

 

First, is it possible to walk all the way around the deck on the Celebration, or is it broken up like on Sensation?

 

Did you discover any nice places to sit outside?

 

Were there any secrets, or tips, that you picked up on your sail?

 

About food, what did you really like?

What did you get and wish that maybe you had not?

What would you do different the next time?

 

Jacksonville, where did you stay and would you stay there again?

Did you do anything in Jacksonville that you really enjoyed?

What would you stay away from?

 

Key West, What did you do? Would you do it again?

Did you do a ship excursion? Did you find a tour on your own?

Is there something that you heard about later and wish that you had done?

Snorkling?

 

Nassau?

Again, what? where? was it good?

What would you do different next time?

Snorkling?

 

Thanks for any advice!!

 

Go to the spot on the front of the ship during sail away and during the evening after dinner or shows. I think you can get to it from Lido deck if you go through the hall where there are rooms. The best seat in the house when we left Jax and where I was proposed to one night. We were all alone on the front of the ship. Very relaxing and peaceful.

Loved the historical trolley tour in Key West. With limited time there, you get the most out of the site (if you like that sort of thing). There are a ton of bars, but we headed back to the most Southern point in the US to take pictures after the tour.

I thought the shopping in the Bahamas stunk, but we didn't really know where to go. I loved the Atlantis tour, but I wish I would have done the party boat or snorkeling. We found ourselves kind bored b/c we weren't that knowledgeable about Nassau.

Do a lot on the ship. I know most people say don't over do it, but go listen to bands with music you may not like, go to the shows, do some of the other seemingly silly activities. I have only been on this one cruise and I had some fun stories to tell from stuff that happened while doing silly stuff. Talk to the staff if they seem interested. My fiancee doesn't easily talk to new people, but he found himself enjoying new people everyday at breakfast in the dining room and talking to the staff. Like everyone else always says, relax and don't sweat the small stuff. It's so not worth it b/c it will ruin your whole trip in doing that.

I can't wait to cruise again. Enjoy!!

[mzloolue]

Thank you all!

 

cruzelover, the trolley tour sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to the bridge and that creme brulee!

 

sccruzzer, when you said the she was in good shape considering her age, I thought for a moment that you meant me:eek:

 

valeriets, which hampton inn did you stay in?

Did you use a park and sail package?

We will be needing two rooms and will probably need to take two cars, so I am looking for somewhere reasonable.

 

1sttimerhere, I am looking forward to finding that spot on deck. I love to stand in the wind coming up off the water.

It sounds like we need to plan something cool for Nassau.

 

Thank all of you so much.

[sweetpea-2]

Ok, here goes:

 

No, celebration does not have a deck that wraps all the way around. I believe this is true on all Carnival ships.

 

We liked sitting at the aft pool bar. Usually a little quieter and not as busy.

 

Two good tips:be sure you are on deck for sailaway. Going under the bridge is very cool, as the ship barely clears it. Also, the aft pool is usually less crowded then the main pool, and you are just steps from beverage and ice cream machines. wonderful!

 

For food: nothing was terrible. Lobster, roast duck and shrimp entrees were particulary good. The creme brulee dessert served on the last night is to die for!

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Airport. Only a few miles from the port. You can leave your car there and they will take you to the ship (arrange in advance). Very clean hotel, nice rooms. Rates are reasonable. Didn't really do anything in Jackosnville as we got in late the evening before the cruise.

 

In Key West we did the Old Town Trolley tour. Very nice way to see the city, and very informative. Yo can get off at the different stops and then pick up another trolley later. Cheaper if you don't book through the ship.

 

In Nassau, we booked the Catamaran Sail and Snorkle through Carnival and loved it! These guys really know what they are doing. About a 20 minute ride out to the snorkle site, and about 45 minutes in the water. Beautiful coral and tons of fish. I would recommend this excursion to anyone, experienced or not. We also took a taxi over to Atlantis and just walked around. Very cool place.

 

Hope this has helped. Please feel free to ask more questions.

 

good info...might as well get it straight from one who knows and has been there.............

[KroozFoolz]

Food - we liked it all, lol - but we LOVED the pizza! Also, we ate breakfast in the dining room every day and lunch both sea days.

We enjoyed the pool slide.

Don't miss the production show the last night, Xtreme Country - it is very good.

We attended the Newlywed/not so newlywed game - "Big Tex" did a great job with this - it was hilarious, but I guess that can depend on the couples they get to participate.

I found the dining room and the show lounge chilly, so I was glad I had packed a light sweater.

Jacksonville - We stayed at the Clarion Airport Hotel and would do so again. We drove to Jax, stopped in Savannah for dinner on the way there, and arrived in Jax too late to do anything else but go to the hotel.

Key West - walked to Southernmost Point and then went to Butterfly Conservatory, then back to Key West Aloe, then went to aquarium, had some Key Lime Pie (don't remember where), then back to ship for late lunch -be sure to check Key West port of call board for more tips for Key West as well as some coupons you might be able to use.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=155

Nassau - took taxi to Ardastra Gardens, took #10 jitney back to downtown area, walked through Straw Market, back to ship for late lunch; went back downtown for a little shopping - again check the Bahamas port of call board for more info -

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

I found zydecocruiser's thread re a walking tour very interesting and informative, but we decided it was too much walking for us.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=332656&highlight=walking

 

Celebration is a great ship and we would not hesitate to cruise on her again.

[Honeybear]

oops sorry double post

[Honeybear]

Nassau - took taxi to Ardastra Gardens, took #10 jitney back to downtown area, walked through Straw Market, back to ship for late lunch; went back downtown for a little shopping - again check the Bahamas port of call board for more info -

 

KroozFoolz,

Could you tell me a little more about this? Is it necessary to book in advance? I assume taxis are plentiful and are waiting by the dock? Did you enjoy Ardastra Gardens?

Now I'm going to embarrass myself ... what is a #10 jitney? :o

Thanks so much for your information!

[mzloolue]

Thanks Kroozfoolz

 

I will be prepared for some cool temps inside.:)

 

The walking tour looks wonderful to me too, but I am thinking that in August it may be a bit extreme.

 

Honeybear, I haven't ever been to Nassau and I had to look up the #10 jitney...I believe it to be like a city bus.

 

I'm thinking now that in Key West that we may go down to Ft Taylor and perhaps the Pirate Soul museum if there is time. Does anyone know how far it is from one to the other or how far it is from the dock to the Pirate Museum?

[cruzeluver]

Mzloolue- the Pirate Soul museum is very close to the pier, maybe four blocks. A ten minute walk at the most.

 

Honeybear- taxis are more then plentiful in Nassau. They do line up by the pier and always seems to be enough. They do drive like maniacs, but just think of it like a ride at DisneyWorld!! :p

[tocruzagain]

We were on the Celebration fall of 2004 and loved it!! We drove straight to JAX the morning of embarkation so can't help you there as far as what to do in Jacksonville. Although, I have read that they have redone the waterfront area in the city with many nice areas for restaurants, etc...

 

Key West: We booked a guided boat tour/snorkel on our own with jungle tours.com. I have had trouble trying to find them online recently, but they are located on Stock Key. It was LOTS of fun! We got very wet and on our way back to the marina our guide took us all the way around Key West up beside our ship...very cool!! You get to drive your own little clam shell power boat. Since the ship docks at Mallory Square, one block up from Duvall St., we walked up and down Duvall and did some shopping before heading back to the ship.

 

Nassau: Walked down to the straw market for some cheap t-shirts. Be careful in this area and stay on the main street to and from the ship terminal (Bay Street). We decided to cut behind a building to take a short cut and were approached to buy drugs. so watch out. We then picked up a cab at the dock over to Paradise Island to walk around Atlantis. Since you will have a long stop in Nassau I reccomend you not going over to Atlantis until around dinner time. The reason being that at dinner time all the outside security keeping non-hotel guests off the outside grounds all disappear because the guests are all coming in for dinner. Therefore, you will be able to walk all over the grounds outside (which are just beautiful!!) and go through the whole aquarium tour for FREE!! It made for a nice evening and was the one night we missed dinner in the main dining room. There is also a public beach on Paradise Island down from the Atlantis Resort (Cabbage Beach) or you can rent a room at the Comfort Suites to get the wristband for full access to all the amenities at Atlantis for the day...pools, beach area, waterslides, aquarium. Do a search on the Nassau board for info on this.

 

Food: We ate most all meals in the main dining room....thought the food was better there and service was impeccable. Breakfast is definitely better in the main dining room.

 

Deck on front bow of ship: Go to Verandah Deck, through door and up the stairs to find it. It's a small deck so get there early if you want to watch pulling into port from that spot.

 

Hope this helps you out and have a great cruise!

[SC GUY]

Okay...The Celebration. We have been out of JAXPORT four times in the last three years. Once in May 04 on the Miracle and three times on the Celebration. I have two listed in my sig ,but my wife dug out the ticket stubs and corrected me. I will try to answer your questions,but it may not be in the same order as you asked.Forgive me...hehehe. We have always driven in and never stayed at a motel,however this Sept. we will stay at the Hampton Inn at the airport on the way to Port Canaveral. The airport is really close and the rooms from what I understand are clean and resonably priced. The port is very efficient...we always park at portside($10/day) and find it the best value...BEWARE ...WARNING..If you arrive early watch out for the porters. This past Dec. we were severely hassled by two porters for money. We put our own bags on the cart,but they followed us down the street demanding money. My friend who was traveling with us gave them$5 just to get them away from us and I gave them$3. They demanded $5 from me and I wouldn't give it to them.They were there early and didn't have their numbered badges on. I immediately went to the Carnival rep inside the terminal and she escorted me back to the frieght area with my friend. We could only recognize one of them because they had changed jackets and now had their numbers on. My friend is a retired DEA agent and still had a hard time picking these characters out.If you have trouble ask to see the frieght boss and be sure to get their number....Checking in is fast here.The food on the Celebration is the best sofar of all the Carnival ships I've been on.They have won several inner Carnival chef competitions from what I have heard.The only deck we have problems on is the Admiral deck. It has the galley in the middle so you have to go up or down one deck to get around. I don't think you can walk entirely around the ship on any of the decks. The best place on the ship for me is the Lil Red Piano bar(I smoke so keep this in mind). It is probably not for prople that smoke though.In Nassau we always(been there 5 times)ride the water taxi to Atlantis($3 ea. waypp)play the slots a little,walk around Atlantis,and stop at the bottom of the hill in a lil shopping center for a BLT sandwich.(Super thick bacon..food is $$$$ at Atlantis). We then walk over to the police station near Atlantis and stop at King Soloman's Mines where my wife buys a piece of Lennox for her collection(Cheap prices). We then take the water taxi back to the main island and shop on Bay street.Stay away from the Straw market and stay out of the little alley ways around it. There are some alleys off Bay street back toward the Parliment house that have stores in them that are nice,but beware the alley between the Straw market and the Hilton. You will see what I mean when you get there. Be careful in Nassau after dark. Travel with a group only. Be careful aftter dark if you decide to go to Senor Frogs on the Wharf. I haven't heard of problems ,but I have worked in security for 12 years. I can tell you if I were a crook this is where I would wait for drunk tourists to walk by.Key West is a wonderful place. If your ship stops downtown at the plaza is best. If not you will have to ride a lil tour bus to town. We always go see Mel Fisher's museum. He was a famous treasure hunter who found a lost Spanish Treasure ship"the Atocha". It is good for teens too because they have models of how people lived back then.Very informative. I always get some Conch fritters at a lil stand by the bus stop and walk over to Capt.Tony's bar(of Jimmy Buffet Fame).While there I eat my fritters and give the lady playing the guitar a few bucks to play and sing "Country Roads Take Me Home") because I was born and raised in West Virginia.We then go to Hemingway's house ,take the tour,and check out the six toed cats.After that we walk back down Duvall st. stop at Margarettaville,and then walk down to Sloppy Joes bar.It's a great bar and it has a webcam outside.It can be accessed on many Key West websites and you can call your friends back home,tell them to get on the net,and walk outside and wave at them(my daughter loves that).We then walk back to the shopping mall ner the port where my wife checks out the specials in the stores there. I get my lil Yorkie some special doggy bones at a store there for being a good boy while I was on vacation.The ship is older,but well kept. The crew from the Capt. on down is very friendly. There might be bigger ships,but I know of no better ships than this one. We always have a good time on the Celebration. Debarkation is very swift especially if you use self assist.

[KroozFoolz]

KroozFoolz,

Could you tell me a little more about this? Is it necessary to book in advance? I assume taxis are plentiful and are waiting by the dock? Did you enjoy Ardastra Gardens?

Now I'm going to embarrass myself ... what is a #10 jitney? :o

Thanks so much for your information!

 

A jitney is a local bus. #10 refers to its route. Scubagirrl, who lives in Nassau and posts on the Nassau port of call board, explains in these threads:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=317358

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=286473&highlight=ardastra

Here is the link for Ardastra Gardens - http://www.ardastra.com/ - It was interesting enough and is the kind of thing we like to do. No reservations necessary. Finding a taxi is no problem. Taking the taxi there, admission, and getting the jitney back to town, cost about half of what Carnival charges for their excursion and you can take as much time as you want going on your own. This was our first experience with riding the jitney, that is why we took a taxi there. We would take the jitney both ways next time. We did make the mistake of paying when we boarded instead of as we departed the jitney, lol.

Someone mentioned the pirate museum in Key West. There is also one in Nassau.

PLEASE check out the Nassau and Key West port of call boards - there is so much information there!

Parking at the port at Jax is now $12 per day. http://www.jaxport.com/sea/c_drex.cfm

We did not do self-assist as we were in no hurry to leave the ship. Still we were back to the hotel, in our car, and on the road by 11:00 or so.

[molme]

Be sure to go to the Kino Sandel factory in Key West. Neat little sandels for around $10 a pair. They are made of real leather in a little factory in Key West. Also make sure you go to the Blond Giraffe for a piece of Key Lime Pie. It is to die for.

We just got back from the Celebration on Jun 22. Had a great time. One of the best crews we have sailed with. Paul, Maitr de, in the Vista dining room is still there and very friendly. The entire crew just could not do enough for you. The ship is older and you need to take that in consideration when comparing it to some of the newer ships. Would sail her again if given the opportunity.

[jrmende63]

THANKS for all the info. Hubby and I will be there in December. I think it will be a nice time!

[Honeybear]

Honeybear, I haven't ever been to Nassau and I had to look up the #10 jitney...I believe it to be like a city bus.

 

Thanks Mzloolu, I hated to ask but I really thought it was something like that. I was afraid it was an open trolly type thing, HOT. ;)

 

Mzloolu, Cruzeluver, Valeriets, 1sttimerhere, Tocruzagain, KroozFoolz, Molme, and SC GUY you are all great! I appreciate every piece of information you gave. I'm going to print it out and my DD and I will memorize every sugestion. It sure will give us a lot to talk about on the plane.

 

I get my lil Yorkie some special doggy bones at a store there for being a good boy while I was on vacation.

You must be a very special person. "I" have a funny for you.

My DD and I went to Cosumel (on the Sensation) and we were allowed to make one 3-minute phone call to the states. I called my better-half (he works swing shift) I forgot he was on day shift that week until I dialed the phone. So I just let the answering machine pick up and I visited with my two Yorkies! Now, how many 4 legged kids do you know that gets long distance phone calls from other countries? LOL To own a Yorkie is to be owned "by" a Yorkie. They are just Special dogs. Now, where do I get those doggy bones and will I have a problem getting them on or off the ship? :D

[SC GUY]

Hehehehe My lil buddy is named Dinky. His full AKC name is Private Dinky of Anzio. I know this sounds pathetic but I promised my uncle Dennis (Dink) if I ever had a son I would name him after him. Uncle Dink was my favorite uncle and always was my friend.(my uncle was married but never had children) He was a valiant soldier in WW2 and fought with the 5th Army taking a beach at Anzio ,Italy.Sadly I never had a son and Uncle Dink passed away suddenly from a heart attack in April 97. I was floored for several weeks.My daughter tried to cheer me up so we went out one day and bought a dog at the pet store. She knew I came up in poor times in the hills of W.Va. and never had my own dog. This little four legged friend is my bestus buddy. I hate to leave him ,but I put him at a high end pet lodge while I'm gone. He whines when I leave and I can't get him in the car when I get back. He has a personal trainer and gets walked 4 times a day,as well as a doggy sing a long ea.day,and a small dog prom(don't ask????hehehe). I still stop at the little shopping mall by the pier and get him some home made specialty doggy bones. I can't remember the name of the place,but it's the only pet specialty store in the mall. You won't have a hard time finding it.

[mstea]

:p Thanks for the info. We are going on the JULY 29th sailing.... Can't wait sounds like a good time.... but then sailing is always a good time...

[KroozFoolz]

I still stop at the little shopping mall by the pier and get him some home made specialty doggy bones. I can't remember the name of the place,but it's the only pet specialty store in the mall. You won't have a hard time finding it.

Is it The Blue Cat? http://anywho.yellowpages.com/sp/co/anywho/moreinfo/?id=45466519&q=The%20Blue%20Cat

[SC GUY]

That's it.Thanx a million.

[Honeybear]

Is it The Blue Cat? http://anywho.yellowpages.com/sp/co/anywho/moreinfo/?id=45466519&q=The%20Blue%20Cat

Thank you kind sir. I will be sure to go there!

[Honeybear]

Hehehehe My lil buddy is named Dinky. His full AKC name is Private Dinky of Anzio. I hate to leave him ,but I put him at a high end pet lodge while I'm gone. I still stop at the little shopping mall by the pier and get him some home made specialty doggy bones.

Hey, I'm sure your Uncle would be proud to have Dinky named after him. This is a true show of the love you have for both your Uncle Dennis (Dink) and the precious Dinky.

My two are, Deena's Precious "Angel" and her son, Jim's "Kodi"bear, Jim and I love these two unconditionally.

Thanks for all of the information, it is truly appreciated.

[mzloolue]

I see that the Celebration does not have a basketball court.

 

Any suggestions for "nice" activities for two 19 year old guys?

 

Also, has anyone done the stay and sail from Best Western Jacksonville Airport?