Well we are back from our cruise on the Celebration. As many of you may know, this was our very first cruise. We did know going into the cruise that the Celebration was an older ship with less amenities than most, but it was very affordable so we thought we would give it a shot. I have to say I was pretty unimpressed with the cruise overall as I expected much more grandeur than we saw. The service staff was about 80/20 in personality, some were great and others just plain rude. We did get excellent steward service and our server in the dining room was excellent. As far as the food goes……The wheelhouse bar and grill where they server the buffet was nothing short of cafeteria food. Not to mention there are hairy old men with their shirts off going through the same line that you are getting your food from. We very quickly realized that if you want a good meal, you need to eat them all in the dining rooms. We did get excellent eggs benedict for breakfast one morning, lunches were just mediocre, and the dinners were good but by no means something to write home about. We got sat with a group on our first night that we had absolutely nothing in common with, we are very sociable people, so we gave it our best shot to get some good conversation going but it just wasn’t going to happen with this group. We moved to a table with some friends we made 20 minutes into getting on the ship and this made dinner much more pleasurable. I do have a problem with how fast they serve your dinner and how everyone is eating at different times at the table depending on what courses they chose. I was raised to not lift my fork until everyone has been served and this just wasn’t the way things worked with dinners on the ship. The pizza and ice cream that you get 24 hours was very good if you just need a little something to get you through. We had room service one night and it was basically just sandwiches, but pretty good. The sushi was smoked salmon, not even raw sushi grade. I am a big sushi lover so I was very disappointed in this. Overall, I was not impressed with the food. We eat pretty good on a daily basis and I try to cook a lot, so maybe we are just a little spoiled The activities on the boat are there if you are into that kind of thing, they range from dance lessons to bingo. We did a couple of activities here and there but realized that we aren’t much for being on a schedule when vacationing and mostly just did whatever felt good at the time instead of trying to keep a schedule all day to get it all in. I think the schedule part of the cruise was the biggest low point for us, maybe freestyle cruising if we ever cruise again. The pools were very small and full of children, although I did go down the waterslide at least 15 times while we were on the ship. The cabin was always cleaned every time we left it and the beds were EXTREMELY comfortable. I had to get used to the rocking of the ship the first night and didn’t sleep much, but once I realized what was normal with the rocking and was no longer a little scared I was fine, slept like a baby. We had coffee delivered every morning as our wake up call. I did notice that the bars were extremely smoky as well as the casino, you would think that they would have better ventilation for this problem, so that the non smokers could enjoy it as well. My boyfriend just recently quit smoking and this caused a little issue for him. We thoroughly enjoyed our ports of call (Key West and Nassau) we didn’t do any excursions but we did a lot of shopping and eating and such. We had a great time in both places and would love to visit each again some day. I was taken aback by one thing while at the ports of call. It started pouring down raining as we were on our way back to the ship in Nassau. About 20 of us standing in line in the rain with all of our bags with our new purchases and NOONE from the ships staff made any effort to try and help us out with umbrellas or ponchos or to speed up the process of checking everyone back in. I bought two wicker type bags in Nassau that are basically ruined.

As far as entertainment…We went to the comedians a couple of times and one of the shows. The comedian was very funny. The boat was really really rocking so much that the comedian made reference to it one night, I had to get up and move around just to make sure I didn’t get a little sick from it.

I know this sounds like we just had the worse time you could imagine but that’s not really the case. It just wasn’t anything like I had expected. I assume maybe cruising just isn’t our thing and for some it’s a wonderful time. We went to Siesta keys and stayed in a condo on the beach for 4 days after the cruise and realized that is much more where we would have liked to have been. Maybe it’s just not for everyone. I do want to thank all of you that helped me plan out my trip and all the helpful suggestions as of what to pack…some of the things you told me came in so handy I couldn’t believe it and would get a little smile on my face when I realized I needed something and that I had actually packed it thanks to your suggestions. Hope everyone had a great week while we were cruising and if anyone is cruising the celebration anytime soon and has any questions, feel free to ask.

Peace and love to you all.

I will post our pictures tomorrow.

Many of the things you were concerned about are just related to the older, cheaper ship. A cheap cruise means basically anyone can afford it, so you will indeed get someone inappropriately standing in the buffet line with no shirt on! I have never been on Celebration but I know that on mostg boats the buffet is pretty good! But like you, I really enjoy going to the dining room. You mentioned you saw the commedians...no shows? I find the shows VERY good. Overall, I DO believe that you get what you pay for, particularly on Carnival. You will enjoy the bigger newer boats more...but they will cost a bit more too. Overall, I REALLY enjoyed your review. Anyone else have thoughts??

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your cruise. If you ever try cruising again, consider a different ship or a different cruise line. Of course, I'd suggest Princess because they're my favorite, but Royal Caribbean has some great ships as well. Best wishes and look forward to the pictures. Don't be a stranger here.

Amanda,

Steve's comments are what I was thinking too...it is an older ship that really doesn't have any "wow" factor to it and it is sold at some pretty cheap rates. This is why I like the sister ship Holiday so much - it is a nice inexpensive cruise. But you need to have your expectations properly set. Of course, this is hard to do for someone on their first cruise.

Rather than think cruising isn't your thing, perhaps a 7-day cruise on a newer ship might change your mind. Plenty of "wow" factor on many newer ships.

Well, kinda wish i wasn't going now.

Can you tell me how embarkation/debarkation was for you?

Hi there sunshine, welcome home!

My husband and I are leaving for our cruise on Celebration next week!, I am so excited!!

I read you review of your cruise, very good by the way, and I am sorry that you didn't have a better time. I agree with Steve, you would probably have a better time on a larger ship with less restrictions on your time. I am like you and it would just gross me out to see a big, hairy guy with no shirt standing in line with you to get food. I remember reading something on another site about that and the lady told the staff member nearby and they made the guy get out of line and put on a shirt on, but I don't think I would have the nerve to do that, I am too shy, I would just deal with it or leave.

Anyway, I have tons of ?'s for you but I will TRY to keep it short and sweet. Did you get any sea sickness, I am worried about this with my husband because he gets sick on carnival rides alot, (no pun inteneded ). Also, did you dress up for formal night and how was it?? You mentioned packing suggestions, do you care to share what you packed that you ended up needing and did you need anything that you wished you had packed? What was it about the food that you did not like? Did it taste bad or just not what you are used to? And, I guess the question that everyone wants to know......<drum roll>......Did you get the Melting Chocolate Cake?

Thank you for sharing your trip with us and I hope I have not been to excessive with the questions.

quote:

Did you get any sea sickness, I am worried about this with my husband because he gets sick on carnival rides alot, (no pun inteneded ). Also, did you dress up for formal night and how was it?? You mentioned packing suggestions, do you care to share what you packed that you ended up needing and did you need anything that you wished you had packed? What was it about the food that you did not like? Did it taste bad or just not what you are used to? And, I guess the question that everyone wants to know......<drum roll>......Did you get the Melting Chocolate Cake?

I didn't get any sick sickness although many on the ship were getting a little from time to time...we did quite a bit of rockin'...the girls we made friends with were both on dramamine and did fine, except for one dinner. We absolutely dressed up for formal night and I wouldn't have done it any other way...we didn't go long ballgown dresses but more tea length and adam had on a suit. I only saw a couple of jeans and t-shirts, mostly all enjoyed the experience of getting to dress up and enjoy some lobster. Some things I feel essential for packing besides the obvious are: travel coffee mugs for taking around the ship, a small fanny pack like purse to take with you everywhere you go, and I should have listened to the suggestion of not wasting the packing space with beach towels, they are provided for you. I'm sure there are more and I will list them as they come to mind. Enjoy your cruise and eat in the dining rooms Oh and yes the melting cake is divine! I heard a couple at my table send theirs back because it wasn't "cooked" all the way through...well it isn't supposed to be...just keep that in mind.

Oh and BlackVinyl....getting on and off the ship was basically what you would expect. It's kinda like herding cattle but in very organized chaos...we got there around 10am and sat until they were ready to board us once we checked in for atleast an hour or so...in hindsight, I wouldn't have gotten there as early as we did. if you have more specific questions about it feel free to ask.

One other thought about the food...see if any of you agree.

You hear so much about the food on a cruise ship that you automatically assume it's gourmet cuisine!! No where does Carnival or RCCL or NCL ever claim their food is gourmet! They claim it is good and plentiful. I think many cruisers's disappointment stems from their own preconceived ideas about what it's going to be like.

It's interesting that Penny likes Royal Caribbean. I took one cruise with them and was NOT impressed...but then again, I was on their oldest cheapest boat. I suppose my suggestions to you are the same I should follow with respect to RCCL!

Uh, Penny is a Princess lady! Sonny is the RCI promoter.

I agree about the food. None of the mainstream lines boast about their food being haute cuisine. Even though Carnival has a deal with big-time chef Georges Blanc, his "signature" dishes are not heavily promoted in the dining rooms. For a real gourmet experience one either needs to go on a new ship with an extra-fee restaurant or spend the big bucks and go on an ultra-luxury ship. As they say, you get what you pay for.

Dave...you have to have the fastest fingers in the south!! I barely posted my thread about the food...and you replied!! I'm impressed. Neil is fast..you're a record setter!!

And by the way..when I'm driving down I-85 from Atlanta through Birmingham to Mobile in 2 weeks, will I pass by Athens? Never heard of it. Don't worry...won't be stopping in unannounced!!

As usual, Dave and Steve are right on with their asessment...its all about the level of expectation you have and the amount of money you want to spend. Too many of us make the mistake of putting all cruises and ships into one single "cruise category." A Super8 motel cannot be compared with HiltonSuites, even when on the same street any more than two different ships on the same ocean. My first cruise was on Majesty of Seas when it was relatively new and was among the largest and best and we were blown away. Although I love the Holiday, Celebration's sister, I probably wouldn't have become a cruise addict if that were my first visit to a cruise ship. After cruising on larger and newer, its much easier to go smaller and cheaper when you know what the trade-offs will be.

Steve,

Athens is 90 miles north of Birmingham. Fast fingers and a fast broadband connection! 120 wpm on my high school typing test!

tn,

Our first cruise was on the previous Westerdam of Holland America. While it was pleasant and pushed me to try another cruise, I felt there had to be something "more" out there. HAL was a bad choice for a first cruise for a 35 year old man. Luckily, my agent at that time convinced me to try the Majesty Of The Seas. The ship was still new and like you, I was blown away. It was so much better than the HAL experience. But then a few months after the MOTS we took a repo cruise on the old Song Of America. My agent went along too and she advised us to not expect a MOTS experience, but to appreciate the Song for it's smaller size and coziness. We loved that Song cruise because we knew what to expect. You are right about the Holiday. If my first cruise was on that old ship, I probably wouldn't be the cruise nut I am today.

Before booking I felt like most people were suggesting a Celebration or Holiday for the first cruise just to see if you will like it.


Sunshine,
Did you sit your luggage out the night before debarkation or carry them yourself?

We did sit it out at midnight because we had so much...we had packed for the cruise, as well as, the 4 days in siesta keys afterwards so we really didn't have a choice. All of my dinner friends carried theirs off on their own. It appeared to me that it didn't really make a different time-wise either way.

I think that your cruise experience is what you make of it. I am not going on my cruise expecting to be blown away, just a little pampered and something different.

Sunshine - Welcome back. Sorry to hear about some of the things that happened on your cruise. I thought for this being your first cruise, you could go on the Celebration and not really know the difference. But there is a difference. My mother always said that if you can't say anything nice, just don't say anything at all. Well, that is how I feel about the Celebration. I know that others just love the ship, but I have been on it and I prefer the larger, newer Carnival Ships.
Please don't give up on cruising because of this encounter. Just go with a ship with a little bit more.

I'm sorry your first cruise was disappointing. Our first cruise was on the Celebration and there are so many factors that combine to make it a pleasant or unpleasant experience. On our cruise the food was excellent for the price, the service was top-notch and our dining companions were wonderful. We've stayed at 5-star resorts with haute cuisine, but still found the food served to us on the Celebration delicious with few exceptions. Remember, if you don't like what you first ordered, you can choose another. Can't wait for the melting cake, because my wife prepares similar ones here.

The only low point of the trip was onshore, particularly Key West. We hit that at a bad time and found most of the people rude. I asked for a map from a city tour guide and was told it was right in front of my eyes (actually to the left in a poorly marked display). I am visually impaired and my wife works with blind children, so that did not go over well at all with her.

Anyway, I hope your next experience is better should you give it another try.

Talk about old ships, my first cruise was on the Costa Daphne. It was more like a tug boat than a cruise ship, but I still had a blast. We definitely did not have 5 star cuisine, but our wait staff made dinner a delight. There was little to do on board, but we did go to the shows and the casino. I was hooked, not because of the wow factor of the ship, but of the wonderful experience. Then moved up to NCL's Starward, it was such a beautiful ship. By today's standards, it was no more than a huge yacht. I believe the passenger capacity was 650, may have been 950. The ship was sparkling, the food was great-again not 5 star, and the staff was amazing. We'll be on our 19th cruise, Lord willing, in November. I'm still in awe each time I board. Since I am nowhere near a gourmet chef, I enjoy the food I am served. I am so very thankful to be able to cruise at all. Heck to me, the hot dogs taste better at sea. I am really surprised they allowed someone in the buffet line without a shirt on, that's not supposed to happen.

Regardless of what any expectations are, a "first cruise" will end up being all about the ship. From then on, its more about the overall "experience" of cruising and how that experience related to the dollars spent. Sunshine don;t give up on cruising, or Carnival, just yet. You now have one experience chalked up from one of the oldest and smallest. Most all other choices will be newer and somewhat larger. Another factor to consider in selecting your next cruise is to go when the weather is cold and crummy at home!

I agree Penny, even the hotdogs and hamburgers were tasty and the pizza hit the spot more than once. We've traveled all over, but there's something about being out on a ship at sea that is special. If I judged my many trips to Las Vegas over a 40 year period by the last 2 visits I would have never gone back. It's just different things to different people and you can't expect everyone to have the same experience. I recommended a secluded island to a friend one time. She went, there was no power, hence now water, the temps were in the 100s, and she had a miserable time. A few months earlier I had the most relaxing time of my life. You never know.