Celebration vs bigger ship

[scotts82705]

I am going on the celebration August 26-31. I have heard that the ship is smaller. That it don't have stableizers. Can you tell the difference? Is this ship as nice as the rest?

[darla2319]

I was on the celebration last October for my Honeymoon it was the first cruise i have ever been on and i just returned from the inspiration last week and the celebration is small but it is a really nice ship. it is not open like the inspiration. it has all the clubs and bars as the rest but since it is a smaller ship there are some things missing like a cafe or a deli which was on the inspiration. But i never missed it on the Celebration because it was my first cruise and it is still a very nice ship. Everyone working on the ship was super nice so have fun and don't dwell on how small it is.

[Tweety45]

I was on the celebration last April. It is a nice ship. I went on this ship after many cruises on bigger ships. Me and my family prefer the larger ones. We had just gone on the truimph before that and wow what a difference. But our first cruise was on the holiday. And we thought that was a big ship,because we had never been on one before. But I am sure that you will have a good time.We did.

 

 

 

 

 

[earlethepearl]

You will have a great time on the Celebration. The Mardi Gras and Carnivale seemed small compared to the first time I went on the Celebration (Which seemed HUGE way back when). There is plenty to do and enjoy!

[DeBeCruiser]

We went on the Celebration for our first cruise on 4/3/06. We had a great time and had no complaints. We had smooth sailing and beautiful weather the whole trip. Just lucked out, I guess. We could not tell we were moving at all except for the small vibration at the back of the boat. We are sailing on the Inspiration on 12/4/06 because I won the free bingo cruise while on the Celebration. I am so excited and cannot wait.

 

DeBeCruiser

 

_____________________________________________

 

4/3/06 First Cruise -- Celebration 5 night Bahamas

12/4/06 Free Bingo Cruise -- Inspiration 5 night Western

[scotts82705]

I have been on the Fantasy 3 time, the Glory big ship, and the insperation. Next the celebration. Just worried that the size difference may take away some fun.

 

Any shore excursions ideas you can share?

[KimtheCruiser]

DH and I took a belated honeymoon on the Celebration last December. We had previously cruised the Big Red Boat, which was about the same size as the Celebration. Loved it! and in fact are booked on the Holiday for this December.

 

Disclaimer: DH and I are not beach people or water sports fans, so remember that when reading my advice.

 

Key West - We took the Historic Trolley Tour - which was really not worth the price. I would suggest just getting a guidebook and walking around the island yourself. We did have lunch at Margaritaville - touristy, but fun - and good food!

 

Nassau - If you've never been to Atlantis, then by all means, take that tour - the aquarium is awesome! But, otherwise, I never care to visit Nassau again - nasty! This time we walked up to Queen Victoria's Staircase - nearly got run over - and saw all the trash all over the place.

[yogimax]

I am going on the celebration August 26-31. I have heard that the ship is smaller. That it don't have stableizers. Can you tell the difference? Is this ship as nice as the rest?

 

If you are looking for a "Big Ship" experience, the Celebration is not for you. Sure, it's fine and you will enjoy...

[huntersmom]

I just got off the Celebration on Thursday...and had a blast. This was my first cruise, so I have no basis for comparison, but I thought it was great. The ship is not huge, but I didn't have a problem with that. Felt a faint rock on the first day when we left out of port, never again after that. It does have stabilizers as far as I am aware. All in all, a WONDERFUL vacation (and much needed, I might add :D )

 

For shore excursions, I recommend the bike tour if you have never been to Key West. It wasn't a hard ride, and the guide was very informative. Showed us all of the interesting spots around town. Plus, there is still plenty of time to see the sights afterwards. We did the tour and still had time to have a beer at Sloppy Joe's and shop at Margaritaville and check out a bunch of other places, and were still on the ship by 1:30.

 

In Nassau, definitely take the Blackbeard's Beach Break excursion. It doesn't leave until 1 p.m., so you have plenty of time to shop in town beforehand (another couple we made friends with also had time to visit Atlantis before the excursion). The boat trip over to the island is beautiful, and since the pools on the boat are always full, this will probably be your only shot of getting in the water on your trip. :) There's a bar on the island with some pretty good drink specials, showers, gift shop, restrooms and I think you can probably rent snorkel equipment if that's your thing. We didn't do anything after that cause Nassau kind of shuts down after 5 and it's not the kind of place I'd want to be around dark anyway. Kind of a dirty little place. Everyone says to visit Atlantis too, so I'd say do that. I'm going to on my next trip.

 

You'll have a great time on the boat. I'll probably go on a bigger boat next time but that's just cause I want to try something different. I'd definitely go on the Celebration again in the future.

[scotts82705]

That is cool. I am glad that you have a great time. We did thebig 3 in Key west last time we went it was a big waste of money to me. I think I am going to go off on my own just shop, walk, etc. Thanks for the advise

[mzloolue]

We are going on Celebration in August.

 

Our first druise was on the Song of Norway. Since Celebration is a bit more than twice as big as the Song was, I think it will be fine.

 

Actually the Song itself was plenty big enough and the idea of a floating mall is not all that appealing anyway.

[scotts82705]

yeah. I think it will be fine. Getting away from home is the idea.

We are going on Celebration in August.

 

Our first druise was on the Song of Norway. Since Celebration is a bit more than twice as big as the Song was, I think it will be fine.

 

Actually the Song itself was plenty big enough and the idea of a floating mall is not all that appealing anyway.

[Casey99]

We cruised on ther Celebration last August after having cruised on several bigger ships, and didn't know quite what to expect. We booked late, at a huge discount, and just thought it would be nice to get away for a few days for our anniversary. We were VERY pleased with the Celebration. Yes, it's old - but it's immaculate and the staff is superb. Unlike the bigger ships where the staff is pleasant but can't really get to know you as well, the staff on the Celebration was friendly, helpful and seemed genuinely glad that we were there. I sincerely hope that the maitre'd in the dining room, Joseph, is still there for you. He made the trip!

 

Have a great time - wish I were sailing back on the Celebration with you!

[Djptcp]

DH and I sailed on the Celebraton twice this year so far for our 9th and 10th cruises and will definitely do it again! I don't know why that talk about no stabilizers keeps persisting, but we had rough seas one day in April and the ship was fine. Yes, it's a smaller ship and older, but it's clean and comfortable, too. We are sailing on the Holland America's Zuiderdam in December and it is larger and more elegant, but that doesn't diminish our Celebration cruises. We have cruised on all size ships on four cruise lines and just being on the cruise and on vacation is what's important. We live close to Jacksonville and getting away for a Thurs-Mon cruise on the Celebration is easy and we can do it several times a year. I wish Jax had 7-day cruises, but only 4-5 day ones so far. We wanted to do a 7-day in Dec. so that's why we are doing the Zuiderdam out of Fort Lauderdale.

Enjoy your cruise!!

Carnival - 1995, 1998, 2006, 2006

Holland America - 2004, 2006

NCL - 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003

Royal Caribbean - 2002

[scotts82705]

Yeah we are about 45 minutes from the port I guess. I live in Brunswick Georgia. I am excited just to be going on another beautiful Carnival ship. Getting a break. I wish I knew someone other thenmy husband going with us. Being he likes to do things I have not business doing, or can't. So I get left behind. But any way have you been on the Liberty yet? We were on the Glory in September it was beautiful!!!

[ezmony54]

Celebration was my first cruise and I have had 3 since but none has surpassed those memories as my first. I never have been on the bigger ships and will be on Glory i 2 months and I am worried that it will be to big and crowded... Have fun ez

[scotts82705]

The Glory is nice . Big and you get lost a lot. You have to go down or up and over to get any where. I am going to go back on it in Feb to go on the Eastern Cruise. The people were nice on it. Just watch your luggage. All of ours got busted. That was my only thing bad about it. But I love it. Not bad for the money either

[AFuncruiser]

I was on the Celebration August 2005 and will be going again for a nine day back to back cruise August 17th. Last year we encountered 13 ft seas and the ship was amazingly stable..

 

Dennis

 

An afternoon on the Norway 1981

Christmas cruise 7 night1984

Sky Princess 10 night

Russian Cruise Line 4 night

Crown Monarch 7 night

Festival Carnival 7 night

Norway 7 night September 1989

Regent Sea 15 night Panama Canal 1993

Commodore Caribe 7 night

Regal Princess 7 night 1998

Star Princess 7 night 1999

Zuiderdam Holland America 14 night 2000 ( Dec)

Tropical Carnival 5 night 2001

Norway August 7 night 2002

Rydam Holland America 19 night South America 2003

Westerdam Holland America 7 night 2004

Zenith Celebrity 14 night March 2005

Celebration Carnival 5 night September 2005

MSV Lucia Central America 21 night Christmas 2005

Celebration Carnival 9 nights August 2006

Seven Seas Mariner 18 nights November 2006

[obx_fintoo]

I have been on the Fantasy 3 time, the Glory big ship, and the insperation. Next the celebration. Just worried that the size difference may take away some fun.

 

Any shore excursions ideas you can share?

 

Scott,

Our past cruises are similar to yours. We were on the Ecstasy and the Fantasy first few times, then the Celebration. In June we did a Cruise to Nowhere on the Victory. I have been very pleased with the Celebration as you can see from my signature. It is an older, smaller ship, but I never missed the big Atrium or extra stuff! I made a comment in my CTN review that the Victory's casino seemed smaller in area than the Celebration's!

 

Go, have a great time and enjoy just getting away! As others have said the staff is what truly makes this cruiseship so wonderful!

 

A couple of other notes:

Our first time on the Celebration was quite rocky and lots of people weren't venturing out, including crew. The second cruise, we brought along ginger tablets and DH had no worries as far as seasickness as well as it was less rocky. Last cruise, we didn't even need the tablets as the ocean was the smoothest I've ever seen. (We had it just in case though!)

 

And lastly, we usually stay near Brunswick when driving down from VA. It is a very easy trip to the port from there.

 

Happy sailing!

[scotts82705]

Cool being I live in Brunswick It should be easy to find then. I have to go on and get directions. So ou are going back on the celebration in December. you must like it.

[Tater1800]

We sailed on the Celebration last October when Wilma was churning. Except for when making big turns the ship was very stable. I am sure she has stabilizers. The total cruise experience is good you just don't have all the shops and bars. There is a gift shop and several bars just not as many. We have sailed on large ships but the small ones have a special appeal. Enjoy your cruise.

 

Jacksonville Bridge:

[yogimax]

Just beware of the overall "smokiness" of the ship. The Celebration has very poor ventilation in public areas. The casino is absolutely the worst when it comes to smoking. If you are at all sensitive to cigarette smoke and enjoy spending time in the casino, the Celebration is not the ship for you

[yogimax]

Just beware of the overall "smokiness" of the ship. The Celebration has very poor ventilation in public areas. The casino is absolutely the worst when it comes to smoking. If you are at all sensitive to cigarette smoke and enjoy spending time in the casino, the Celebration is not the ship for you

[scotts82705]

That is cool. Is that the celebration? Do you have other picture you can share. What about the capers. Are they still about the same.

[scotts82705]

I love cruise shopping, the nickle slot machines, karoke. I have asthma so that smoke thing is scaring me.

 

Just beware of the overall "smokiness" of the ship. The Celebration has very poor ventilation in public areas. The casino is absolutely the worst when it comes to smoking. If you are at all sensitive to cigarette smoke and enjoy spending time in the casino, the Celebration is not the ship for you