What to expect from the new Carnival Celebration cruise ship

Table Of Content

• Palm Beach
• Carnival Celebration: What we loved and what needs work on Carnival's newest, biggest ship
• FIND YOUR SUN-DRENCHED PLAYGROUND
• Carnival Cruise Line Opens Itineraries Featuring Celebration Key™, New Grand Bahama Cruise Port Destination
• Think twice about a cruise on Grand Celebration if:
• Margaritaville At Sea Paradise

Sadly (due to the Coronavirus crisis), in January 2021, the 34-year-old vessel was beached at Alang India and soon scrapped. The vessel ("MS Celebration"/ aka "Carnival Celebration") was launched on August 9, 1986, delivered to CCL-Carnival Cruise Lines (shipowner) in February 1987 and started its Inaugural Cruise on March 14, 1987. Grand Celebration was drydock renovated in 2008 to serve the Spanish source market under Carnival's brand Ibero.

Palm Beach

My husband and I spent an enjoyable hour trying a couple of the bar-specific cocktails, inspired by countries around the world. For a photogenic and tasty tipple, order the Sakura, which comes with a surprise presentation. The Excel-class ships solve that problem by spreading out the casual venues across multiple decks. Guy's Burger Joint is up on Deck 17 instead of by the midship pool; Big Chicken is outside the Lido Marketplace at the very back of Deck 16. Each is accompanied by a duo of soft-serve machines that get heavy use.

Carnival Celebration: What we loved and what needs work on Carnival's newest, biggest ship

Grand Celebration's itineraries aren't varied, but they are reliable. The ship sails exclusively to Freeport in the Bahamas, shuttling between the island and the mainland every evening. (There are no sea days.) In addition, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line offers two-, four- and six-night Bahamas resort stays through a partnership with the Grand Lucayan in Freeport, so you can extend your time ashore. If you dig the island lifestyle or just feel like lying on the beach for a day of sun and sand, it's a tried-and-true bet.

FIND YOUR SUN-DRENCHED PLAYGROUND

Gone is the line's iconic soaring atrium, replaced by the three-deck-high Celebration Central with panoramic windows looking out to sea. Guy Fieri is no longer the only celebrity chef in town; he's joined by Shaquille O'Neal and Emeril Lagasse. Carnival's thrilling water parks now have to make room for a top-deck roller coaster, and the RedFrog Pub has been replaced by the indoor hangout in the Summer Landing zone. In Bimini, you could relax on a pristine beach in an exclusive resort and swim in the warm, crystal-clear water.

Carnival's Celebration Key: All you need to know - The Points Guy

Carnival's Celebration Key: All you need to know.

Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise with Celebrity to The Bahamas  and you’ll come back completely revived. If thoughts of formal nights or snooty suite passengers make you cringe, you'll feel right at home on Grand Celebration. This is truly a ship for carefree relaxation and fun in the sun. Bahamas Paradise might not offer a cruise line loyalty program, but it does have a rewards system for avid gamblers. The program, which has two tiers (gold and platinum), allows passengers to earn points, which can be cashed in for complimentary game play, free photos and gratis spa treatments, among other freebies. Members of the program are also entitled to cruise discounts, express check-in, one complimentary drink per sailing and other perks.

When packing for a cruise to The Bahamas, you’ll need clothing for a warm, sometimes humid climate. Bring plenty of beachwear, a sun hat, sunglasses, coverups, water shoes if you’re visiting coral beaches, and reef-friendly sunblock. The Bahamas is the perfect short getaway, easily reached from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or Tampa on a luxurious cruise of 3, 4, or 6 fun-filled nights. With three of our award-winning ships exploring the islands, we can help you find the perfect cruise to suit your tastes.

However, on November 21, 2014 (the day before the vessel's scheduled departure on the Maiden Voyage for Costa) was announced that the ship had been purchased by an unnamed buyer. On December 23 was revealed the new shipowner - Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Ltd. At the Ocean View Buffet, you’ll find options for every meal of the day. Enjoy a selection of breakfast foods or ask our chefs to customize an omelet. Come back and mix it up with dishes from our salad, pasta, or carving stations, as well as made to order pizza! Stay up for our late-night buffet, serving Mediterranean mezze on the first night and Mexican favorites the second.

All the way forward on Deck 18 is the adults-only Serenity Deck, with a pool, two hot tubs and the Fresh Creations custom salad bar. For its 50th birthday, Carnival Cruise Line gave itself a celebration — specifically, the just-unveiled Carnival Celebration, the second ship in the line's Excel class. And it's clear that Celebration isn't your mother's, or grandmother's, Carnival cruise ship, taking the company into its next half-century with a more modern, updated version of Carnival's "Fun Ship" style.

Margaritaville At Sea Paradise

In 2017, Bahamas Paradise had booked ~250,000 passengers, around half of whom were from South Florida. The liner was last drydock refurbished in 2017 (at Freeport's Grand Bahama Shipyard). In mid-November 2020 was unofficially announced that the ship Grand Celebration has been sold for scrap metal (for an undisclosed sale price). The vessel left Freeport Bahamas on November 15, allegedly heading to India's Alang Shipbreaking Yard (world's largest), with estimated arrival on January 3.

The cruise ship had 7 musical venues, multiple lounges, 5 swimming pools and whirlpools, wellness center, 3 shops, 3 kids' areas. Legends Theater (850-seat show lounge) features a large stage and rotating cocktail chairs with tables for drinks. It spreads across 2 decks and has large porthole windows covered by curtains.

Carnival's private Bahamas destination Celebration Key opening in 2025 - USA TODAY

Carnival's private Bahamas destination Celebration Key opening in 2025.

Posted: Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The onboard Par-A-Dice Casino isn't extensive, but it provides hassle-free gaming, and the trip is a good deal compared with other destination casinos with accommodations, meals and other entertainment included in the cruise fare. Several regulars join the ship monthly -- or even weekly -- to try their luck at the tables and slot machines. In 2017, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) chartered the cruise ship for 90 days for a total of USD 25,75 million (daily charter rate USD 286,100).

Carnival referenced this evolution when it chose Cassidy Gifford, daughter of Carnival's original spokeswoman Kathie Lee Gifford, as godmother of the ship, closing the books on the old era and welcoming in the new. Grand Celebration staterooms (751 total) are accessed via plastic (hotel-style) punch cards. Room service is complimentary, soaps and towels are provided in the cabins' ensuite bathrooms. The ship doesn't offer family or connecting cabins but has 18 wheelchair-accessible cabins, 2 of which Suites.

Bring your appetite because you will have lots of places to dine, including a stunning main restaurant where you can savor delicious cuisine in a lovely setting. Delight your taste buds at various specialty restaurants and enjoy grilled fare and an amazing selection at the seemingly endless buffet. You won't want to miss the delicious offerings at the midnight buffet and you can also satisfy your cravings at anytime with a simple call as room-service is available 24/7. As a professional traveler, it's not a huge surprise that one of my favorite public areas on the ship is the travel-themed The Gateway. The Latitudes Bar called my name with its seatbacks decorated with faux passport stamps and split-flap departure board signage.

The new port development will include a nature reserve, food and beverage vendors, Bahamian-operated retail, a white-sand beach, ground transportation hub, an indoor pool, and more. It will be able to host two Excel-class ships, such as Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, or Carnival Jubilee simultaneously, and is expected to open in late 2024. The Summer Landing zone on Carnival Celebration is the ship's living room, and my family found ourselves there often. My son was a big fan of the foosball and table shuffleboard, and my daughter loved the aft pool, with its loungers in the shallows. We swung by Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse for breakfast and barbecue dinner, played trivia, sampled beers brewed right on board and watched other people watch sports at the Heroes Tribute Bar. I was bummed that I never got to hear the band that played here after-hours because the setting is perfect for kicking back with a drink and listening to live music.

Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. The breakfast was hosted aboard the Spirit-class Carnival Legend on Friday, June 23, as the ship was docked in Freeport during the current 7-night cruise, which set sail from Baltimore on Sunday, June 18. I appreciate what Carnival has tried to do on this ship to make flexible dining more accessible.

Before leaving home, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. Our award-winning service continues seamlessly as you venture ashore, with imaginative excursions ranging from Destination Highlights to Small Group Discoveries. There’s no better way to discover The Bahamas than with Celebrity. West Palm is an easy drive from most places in Florida, making Grand Celebration accessible for many residents who take advantage of the line's modest pricing and the fact that no flights are needed.