Overview of This Carnival Celebration Ship Tour
This comprehensive deck-by-deck walkthrough showcases Carnival Cruise Line's second Excel-class mega-ship, the Carnival Celebration. The video takes you from the first passenger deck all the way to the top of the vessel, where you'll discover BOLT: The Ultimate Sea Coaster—only the second roller coaster at sea. At 183,521 gross registered tons and 1,130 feet long, this ship carries 6,631 guests at full capacity and represents one of the largest cruise ships Carnival has ever built.
The tour is ideal for prospective cruisers weighing whether to book a sailing on Celebration, cruise enthusiasts curious about the newest mega-ship design, and anyone interested in seeing how modern cruise lines maximize space and entertainment across 15 passenger decks. The video provides an honest, guided exploration of dining venues, entertainment spaces, cabins, and unique features that set this ship apart from earlier Carnival classes.
Key Moments
Main Attractions on the Carnival Celebration
- BOLT: The Ultimate Sea Coaster — A thrilling roller coaster found on the highest passenger decks, exclusive to Excel-class ships
- Celebration Central Atrium — A side-facing three-story glass atrium that serves as a stage for acrobatic and variety shows at night, with ocean views during the day
- The Gateway Zone — A new luxury-themed area featuring the Golden Jubilee bar (serving cocktails from Carnival's past), Latitudes Bar with vintage departure boards, and Emeril's Bistro 1397
- Grand Spectrum Theater and Massive Casino — A two-deck theater for major productions and a casino spanning roughly half of deck seven, reported to be 30% larger than Vista-class casinos
- WaterWorks Aqua Park — A water play area on the upper decks for families and kids
- Cloud 9 Spa with Thermal Suite — A multi-level spa facility featuring a mineral pool, steam room, sauna, and dedicated elevator access for spa stateroom guests
What to Know Before Booking the Carnival Celebration
- Embarkation Point: Passengers board via Celebration Central on deck six through one of two gangways
- Family Harbor Staterooms: Deck four features cabins specifically designed for families with children, including privacy curtains, separate bathrooms, and access to a family lounge with video games and ice cream machines
- Cove Balconies: Deck five offers these unique ocean-view balconies positioned closest to the water line, though they close during rough weather
- Thermal Suite Access: The Cloud 9 Spa thermal suite pass costs between $169 and $199 per person for a seven-night sailing; prices vary by sailing date
- Dining Options: Two main dining rooms (Carnivale on a single deck, Festivale spanning two decks) offer both traditional set-time dining (5:30 and 8:15 p.m.) and anytime dining via the ship's app
- Specialty Venues: Premium restaurants like Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Emeril's Bistro 1397 book up quickly—make reservations well in advance
- Hands-On Cooking Classes: Carnival Kitchen offers demonstrations (sushi rolling, pasta making, dessert baking) for approximately $60 per person; these fill fast and should be booked before sailing
- App Integration: Download the Carnival app before boarding to check into anytime dining and access ship information
Frequently Asked Questions About the Carnival Celebration
How does Celebration Central differ from traditional cruise ship atriums?
Rather than facing the center of the ship like atriums on other Carnival vessels, Celebration Central is oriented toward the starboard side of the ship. Its three-story glass wall overlooks the ocean during the day and transforms into a show venue at night, featuring acrobatic performances and exclusive shows unique to this ship.
What makes the casino on Carnival Celebration especially large?
The casino takes up roughly half of deck seven and is approximately 30% larger than casinos found on Vista-class ships. The design team also incorporated excellent firewall separation between smoking and non-smoking areas, with the non-smoking section featuring superior filtration that many guests cannot detect cigarette smoke from the adjacent smoking area.
Are there cabins designed specifically for families with young children?
Yes. Family Harbor staterooms on deck four include a privacy curtain for separating sleeping areas, a separate bathroom and changing room, and direct access to the Family Harbor Lounge where children can play video games, enjoy complimentary ice cream, and refill soda cups if they have a soda card.
What dining flexibility does Carnival Celebration offer?
The ship provides both traditional set-time dining (typically 5:30 and 8:15 p.m.) and anytime dining options in its two main dining rooms. Anytime dining can be booked through the ship's mobile app, allowing greater flexibility for guests with varying schedules.
How is the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse different on this ship?
The steakhouse features a spacious horseshoe bar at its entrance with seating for many guests—a significant upgrade from the limited bar seating (four to five seats maximum) found on other Carnival ships. You do not need a steakhouse reservation to enjoy cocktails at this bar, making it an accessible pre-dinner spot.
