Celebration Feb. 4, 2008

[Travel Angel]

Well, I know I am sure to get various comments about the "Celebration" i.e. old, tired, worn out, small, etc...., but have to say that friends of ours that have cruised many times just seem to like this ship out of JAX. Their main comment is that because of the size of the ship, and smaller passenger capacity it just feels "warm and fuzzy" and every one of them claim that the service is better as well as the meals. Entertainment they say is similiar to that of the larger vessels in the fleet.

 

JAX is a short 2 hr. drive for us and we are celebrating our 22nd anniversary so thought, what the heck, we will give her a shot !

 

Any personal comments beit good or bad are always appreciated !

[AnnieB925]

Well, I know I am sure to get various comments about the "Celebration" i.e. old, tired, worn out, small, etc...., but have to say that friends of ours that have cruised many times just seem to like this ship out of JAX. Their main comment is that because of the size of the ship, and smaller passenger capacity it just feels "warm and fuzzy" and every one of them claim that the service is better as well as the meals. Entertainment they say is similiar to that of the larger vessels in the fleet.

 

JAX is a short 2 hr. drive for us and we are celebrating our 22nd anniversary so thought, what the heck, we will give her a shot !

 

Any personal comments beit good or bad are always appreciated !

 

We're from the Boston area and flew into JAX last February to take that cruise and LOVED it. Yes, the ship is old but it's in great shape and has a terriffic crew who catered to our every need. It was nice to not have hoards of people around, and who needs a 9 story atrium?

 

In The Bahamas we took a bus to the Cable Beach Club and offered to pay for a day pass (they declined to take our money) but did get to use the beach.

 

In Key West (had been before on a land trip) we walked Duval Street, had Key Lime Pie on a stick at the Giraffe shop (?name) and then toured both the Truman White House and Ernest Hemingway's house. We also had picutres taken at the Southernmost point.

 

What a wonderful relaxing cruise, full of friendly southerners, who like you, can drive there.

 

We stayed at Amelia Island for one night and day before the cruise and tooled around in a little red Mustang. Went to Fernadina Beach to have lunch and walk around and then went to Ameila Island Beach Club + Plantation to see what that was like

 

I have never heard a bad word about the Celebration out of Jax. It's such an easy port to get in and out of. Enjoy your cruise!

[almapsy]

My family and friend went on the Celebration in December. We are in our mid to late 20s. We definitely had a nice time, but would not do it again. It was such a small, boring ship. The main pool area was extremely small, but it was never packed out. The entire ship definitely had no frills and nothing to look at, not that that's why we were there. I wouldn't call it cozy just because of the size, although if you want to see the same people over and over, it will happen on this ship.

 

The dining room was good, but not as good as our Carnival cruise 2 years ago. The service was fantastic and the waitress was bringing us seconds and thirds by the 2nd night without us asking and really knew what we wanted at every meal. Any steak we got was below average. They were very tough, which is nearly impossible for a filet mignon. Our waitress said many people were making the same comments.

 

We had a tremendous time at both ports. In Key West we walked to the Southernmost Point via side streets stopping at the incredible Kermits Key Lime Pie store. They were so friendly there, and invited us to sit outside to chat by their well landscaped koi pond and waterfall. It was the best pie we tried- it was not too sweet and we could taste the true key lime flavor. (we also stopped at the blonde giraffe) After the SMP, I laid out on the beach with our 3 and 1 yr old and my husband and friend went jet skiing nearby for $60 for 30 min. They had a blast.

 

Nassau was our favorite stop. We booked a hotel at the comfort suites next to Atlantis, received our day passes from them, and played all day at the Atlantis water parks. It was beautiful and they had several places to lay out and relax.

 

As far as the Celebration, we just saw it as a a way to get from port to port and have good dining service. It rained one day and there was very little to do on the ship. One thing we can't complain about is the price. 4 of us went for less than $1000. We got what we paid for. I don't think you'll have bad time, but it's nothing extravagant.

[DqALEX]

My family and friend went on the Celebration in December. We are in our mid to late 20s. We definitely had a nice time, but would not do it again. It was such a small, boring ship. The main pool area was extremely small, but it was never packed out. The entire ship definitely had no frills and nothing to look at, not that that's why we were there. I wouldn't call it cozy just because of the size, although if you want to see the same people over and over, it will happen on this ship.

 

The dining room was good, but not as good as our Carnival cruise 2 years ago. The service was fantastic and the waitress was bringing us seconds and thirds by the 2nd night without us asking and really knew what we wanted at every meal. Any steak we got was below average. They were very tough, which is nearly impossible for a filet mignon. Our waitress said many people were making the same comments.

 

We had a tremendous time at both ports. In Key West we walked to the Southernmost Point via side streets stopping at the incredible Kermits Key Lime Pie store. They were so friendly there, and invited us to sit outside to chat by their well landscaped koi pond and waterfall. It was the best pie we tried- it was not too sweet and we could taste the true key lime flavor. (we also stopped at the blonde giraffe) After the SMP, I laid out on the beach with our 3 and 1 yr old and my husband and friend went jet skiing nearby for $60 for 30 min. They had a blast.

 

Nassau was our favorite stop. We booked a hotel at the comfort suites next to Atlantis, received our day passes from them, and played all day at the Atlantis water parks. It was beautiful and they had several places to lay out and relax.

 

As far as the Celebration, we just saw it as a a way to get from port to port and have good dining service. It rained one day and there was very little to do on the ship. One thing we can't complain about is the price. 4 of us went for less than $1000. We got what we paid for. I don't think you'll have bad time, but it's nothing extravagant.

When you can get on a cruise ship for around $100.00 a day its a very good deal. All my trips on the Celebration I have had only one bad trip. It was not the ship, I feel the ship also has a nice warm small town feel to it, more so it was my fellow passengers that cruise. I'm not sure but I think they punched out of the nut house around 11AM to make on that cruise. Most of them should not have been let out of there house, let alone put on a small cruise ship.

[Jsme]

We went on the Celebration last year in February. Our previous November 2006 cruise, we were on the largest ship in the world. We loved the Celebration. You just can not go on her and make comparsions with other ships. It would be unfair. I thought the ship was well taken care of for her age.

 

You can not beat it when you can drive to the port, have a short cruise and enjoy yourself all for a low price. Yes the Celebration is older. Yes it is small. That does not mean you can not have a nice vacation. It is a great ship for a short cruise. I do not think I would want to do a long crusie on her but still a nice ship. She will be gone in a few months and be replaces by the Fascination.

 

If you have not done so join your roll call and do a meet. We have always had a great time meeting new people on a cruise. We have made many good friends too.

[obx_fintoo]

JAX is a short 2 hr. drive for us and we are celebrating our 22nd anniversary so thought, what the heck, we will give her a shot !

 

Any personal comments beit good or bad are always appreciated !

 

Diehard Celebration fan checking in here! :)

 

We agree with your friends and do love that small time feel. We just got back last week from our 8th cruise on the Celebration and are booked for the final sailing in April!:D

 

It rained one day and there was very little to do on the ship.

 

I believe this poster had small children (under Camp age) so that may have contributed to this feeling. Otherwise, there is as much to do as you want to. Go to the casino, play trivia and the game shows - get to know your social hosts - currently Guyre, Stephanie and Josh - they can be quite entertaining. The CD is Paul Santley (very nice man) and his version of the Newlywed show is one of the funniest I have seen in 16 cruises! Join dance classes in the lounge. Just sit at one of the pool bars and chat with your bartenders or fellow passengers! Take every opportunity to try something new!

 

Have a great cruise on the Celebration and a happy 22nd Anniversary!:D

[Irishlinny]

We also sailed the Celebration 2 years ago and had a great time! A five nite cruise for 269 for oceanview made it worth it to fly down! I thought the ship was fine (of course I have now fallen in love with the Legend). The service was great, food was very good and you didn't get as tired walking around the ship!:D

We got bumped from Key West and had to go to Freeport instead...that was the only bummer for us.

Go have fun....and a happy anniversary!!!:)

[beaufortcruiser]

We'll be taking our fourth cruise on the Celebration in February. We always look forward to taking this cruise out of Jax since it's only a two hour drive to the port. Each of the cruises has been enjoyable, and yes, it's really nice to kick back on a smaller ship. The entertainment and hospitality has always been terrific and the food compares to any other Carnival ship. We have taken this last opportunity to sail her one more time.

[almapsy]

When you can get on a cruise ship for around $100.00 a day its a very good deal. All my trips on the Celebration I have had only one bad trip. It was not the ship, I feel the ship also has a nice warm small town feel to it, more so it was my fellow passengers that cruise. I'm not sure but I think they punched out of the nut house around 11AM to make on that cruise. Most of them should not have been let out of there house, let alone put on a small cruise ship.

 

Good point. The fellow passengers were a huge part of it. We were happy to get a last minute cruise for a great price, but it was obvious that everyone else only wanted to spend a certain amount. We have enjoyed the casual atmosphere on Carnival, but wonder if there is a way to get a higher class of people to be surrounded by while still having a relaxed vacation. Maybe it takes a bigger Carnival ship or a different cruise line????:confused:

[Travel Angel]

Looks like the general concensus is... "It's a good l'il ole ship for the price" !

 

Today I had to travel from GA. to MNPLS to see my dr. at the Mayo Clinic and will be here for tests till friday.....Before I left, I had sent a cruise package (edocs, luggage tags, etc....) via Priority Mail to my wife and it arrived today to her and what a great phone call I received from her of excitement !!!

 

I have always got a trick up my sleeve to make the honeymoon never stop....call me a sentimentalist, but if if places a :D on my brides face, than I am a happy hubby !!!

 

Thanks to one and all for the kind words as well as personal experiences you shared.....this is what makes Cruise Critic a great community of folks that love to cruise !!!

 

PS.... I have arranged an All Inclusive (meals and drinks, use of entire facility pools, beach, chairs, towels, etc....) "Day Pass" in Nassau at the Paradise Island Harbour Resort as a continued surprise to my sweetie !!!

 

When I return, I will be more than happy to provide our experiences on the Celebration and ports of call !

[cmecruise1962]

I loved the Celebration! Yes, it's older..and smaller..but it was great seeing the same crew members, having them remember me, what I drank...what I liked. My daughter absolutely LOVED it! And I thought the food (including the steaks) was great! :D

[cmecruise1962]

I loved the Celebration! Yes, it's older..and smaller..but it was great seeing the same crew members, having them remember me, what I drank...what I liked. My daughter absolutely LOVED it! And I thought the food (including the steaks) was great! :D

[AnnieB925]

Good point. The fellow passengers were a huge part of it. We were happy to get a last minute cruise for a great price, but it was obvious that everyone else only wanted to spend a certain amount. We have enjoyed the casual atmosphere on Carnival, but wonder if there is a way to get a higher class of people to be surrounded by while still having a relaxed vacation. Maybe it takes a bigger Carnival ship or a different cruise line????:confused:

 

We've found that when we fly to San Juan it attracts a different crowd.

[pcvtmom]

Six of us just got off the Celebration on 1/21. It was our 10th cruise, the smallest ship we've ever been on, but we LOVED it. So personal...not crowded...Enjoy and have a great anniversary trip!

[bfkkbc]

Well, I know I am sure to get various comments about the "Celebration" i.e. old, tired, worn out, small, etc...., but have to say that friends of ours that have cruised many times just seem to like this ship out of JAX. Their main comment is that because of the size of the ship, and smaller passenger capacity it just feels "warm and fuzzy" and every one of them claim that the service is better as well as the meals. Entertainment they say is similiar to that of the larger vessels in the fleet.

 

JAX is a short 2 hr. drive for us and we are celebrating our 22nd anniversary so thought, what the heck, we will give her a shot !

 

Any personal comments beit good or bad are always appreciated !

We loved it!! It was our first cruise and would sail her again in a heart beat. We liked the "smallness" of the ship and it was so easy to navigate and not overwhelming at all. Have a super time!

[CruiserGuy1234]

Well, I know I am sure to get various comments about the "Celebration" i.e. old, tired, worn out, small, etc...., but have to say that friends of ours that have cruised many times just seem to like this ship out of JAX. Their main comment is that because of the size of the ship, and smaller passenger capacity it just feels "warm and fuzzy" and every one of them claim that the service is better as well as the meals. Entertainment they say is similiar to that of the larger vessels in the fleet.

 

JAX is a short 2 hr. drive for us and we are celebrating our 22nd anniversary so thought, what the heck, we will give her a shot !

 

Any personal comments beit good or bad are always appreciated !

 

thats the same with the Holiday. I get nothing but positive feedback. I get alot of people tell me its intimate and charming.

 

i guess the Alabama base isnt hard to please either.

[Tapi]

i guess the Alabama base isnt hard to please either.

 

The satisfaction with the Holday goes beyond "easy to please people from Alabama". I had a chance to sail on the Holiday in October and the things that I most remember are:

 

- Extremely friendly personnel (something that unfortunately has been missing recently when sailing from larger ports like Miami)

- Easy and attractive cruise terminal

- Courteous and polite ship personnel as well as fellow passengers

 

These things in my opinion will make a wonderful cruise regardless of whether it's the oldest smallest Carnival ship, or the newest and largest one.

[Travel Angel]

thats the same with the Holiday. I get nothing but positive feedback. I get alot of people tell me its intimate and charming.

 

i guess the Alabama base isnt hard to please either.

 

Well... it just gets getting better... just received a $186.00 OBC due to lower rates..... wife is sooooooo excited and I ordered the anniversary decorations to surprise her too !

 

Guys... thanks for all your positive remarks and kind words. I will never forget ya's !