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Carnival Cruise Miami Port: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning a Carnival Cruise, you’ll likely be departing from the Port of Miami, which is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. The port is located in downtown Miami and is easily accessible by car, taxi, or public transportation. Once you arrive at the port, you’ll find a variety of amenities and services to make your cruise experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

The Port of Miami is home to several cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line , which operates a number of ships from the port. Carnival offers a range of itineraries from Miami, including short cruises to the Bahamas and longer voyages to the Caribbean and beyond.

If you’re traveling to the port from out of town, you can take advantage of Carnival’s airport transfer service, which will transport you from the airport to the port in comfort and style.

Overall, the Port of Miami is a convenient and popular choice for cruise travelers departing from Miami. With its central location, easy access to transportation, and variety of cruise options, it’s no wonder that so many people choose to embark on their cruise adventures from this bustling port.

Carnival Cruise: An Overview

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting vacation, a Carnival Cruise from the Port of Miami is a great choice. Known as the “Cruise Capital of the World,” Miami offers a wide range of cruise options, and Carnival is one of the most popular choices. Here’s what you need to know about a Carnival Cruise from Miami:

Destinations

Carnival offers a variety of destinations from Miami, including the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Bahamas. With so many options, you’re sure to find a cruise that fits your interests and schedule. Whether you want to relax on a beautiful beach, explore a new city, or try some delicious local cuisine, there’s a Carnival Cruise for you.

Carnival has several ships that depart from the Port of Miami, including the Carnival Horizon, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Sensation. Each ship offers a unique experience, but all of them have plenty of amenities and entertainment options. From delicious dining options to exciting activities like water parks and casinos, there’s something for everyone on a Carnival Cruise.

Carnival Cruises from Miami are generally affordable, with prices starting at around $200 per person for a short cruise. However, prices can vary depending on the time of year, the length of the cruise, and the type of cabin you choose. Be sure to check Carnival’s website for the latest deals and promotions.

What’s Included

When you book a Carnival Cruise, you’ll enjoy a variety of amenities and activities that are included in your fare. This includes meals at the main dining room and buffet, entertainment like live shows and movies, and access to pools and water parks.

However, there are some things that are not included, such as specialty dining options, alcoholic beverages, and shore excursions. Be sure to budget for these additional expenses if you plan to partake.

Overall, a Carnival Cruise from the Port of Miami is a great choice for a fun and affordable vacation. With so many destinations, ships, and amenities to choose from, you’re sure to have a great time on your Carnival Cruise.

Miami Port: A Brief

If you’re planning to embark on a Carnival Cruise from Miami, you’ll be departing from the Port of Miami. The port is located on Dodge Island, east of downtown Miami, and is often referred to as the “Cruise Capital of the World.”

The Port of Miami is a bustling hub of activity, with numerous cruise ships departing and arriving daily. It currently has nine cruise terminals, with two more being added in the near future. Each terminal is designated by a letter, and different cruise lines dock at different terminals.

When arriving at the port, it’s important to know which terminal your ship will be departing from. You can find this information on your cruise itinerary or by contacting your cruise line directly. Once you arrive at the port, you’ll need to check in and go through security before boarding your ship.

If you’re driving to the port, there are several parking options available. The Port of Miami offers both covered and uncovered parking, with rates varying depending on the length of your cruise. Alternatively, you can arrange for a shuttle or taxi to take you to the port.

Overall, the Port of Miami is a well-organized and efficient port that handles millions of passengers each year. With its convenient location and easy access to the city of Miami, it’s no wonder why it’s such a popular departure point for Carnival Cruises.

Journey from Miami Port

If you are planning to embark on a Carnival Cruise from Miami Port, you have several options to get there. Below are some of the most convenient and popular modes of transportation to reach the port:

Airport Transfers

Carnival Cruise Line offers airport transfers from Miami International Airport (MIA) to the Port of Miami. You can easily book your transfer through My Cruise Manager and provide your flight itinerary during online check-in.

Uber or Lyft

Using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft is a popular and affordable way to get to the port. The ride from MIA to PortMiami can cost less than $20, while the ride from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) can be more expensive.

Taxis are available at both MIA and FLL and can take you directly to the port. The cost of the ride can vary depending on the traffic and time of day.

If you prefer to drive yourself, you can rent a car from the airport and park it at the port. The Port of Miami has several parking garages available for cruise passengers.

No matter which option you choose, make sure to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to arrive at the port before your scheduled embarkation time.

On-Board Carnival Cruise Experience

When you embark on a Carnival Cruise from the Miami port, you can expect an unforgettable on-board experience. Carnival Cruise Line offers a wide range of amenities and activities to keep you entertained throughout your journey.

One of the highlights of the Carnival Cruise experience is the WaterWorks water park. This exciting attraction features multiple water slides, a splash zone, and a giant tipping bucket. It’s the perfect place to cool off and have some fun in the sun.

If you’re looking for some relaxation, head to the Cloud 9 Spa. This luxurious facility offers a variety of treatments, including massages, facials, and body wraps. You can also enjoy the thermal suite, which features heated loungers, saunas, and steam rooms.

For families traveling with children, Carnival Cruise Line offers a range of youth programs. The Youth Program is divided into two age groups: ages 2-11 and ages 12-17. Children can participate in age-appropriate activities, including arts and crafts, video games, and sports tournaments.

When it comes to dining, Carnival Cruise Line offers a variety of options to suit every taste. The main dining room features a rotating menu of delicious dishes, while specialty restaurants offer cuisine ranging from Italian to sushi. There are also casual dining options, including a buffet and a 24-hour pizza place.

Finally, Carnival Cruise Line makes it easy to keep track of your expenses with the Sail and Sign account. This convenient system allows you to charge all of your on-board purchases to your account, which can be settled at the end of your journey.

Overall, the on-board experience on a Carnival Cruise from the Miami port is sure to be a memorable one. With so many activities and amenities to choose from, you’re sure to find something that appeals to you.

Carnival Cruise Destinations

Carnival Cruise Lines offers a variety of destinations for you to choose from, ensuring that you will find the perfect vacation spot for you and your loved ones. With Carnival, you can explore the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and even Europe.

The Caribbean is one of the most popular destinations for Carnival cruises. You can choose from a variety of itineraries that will take you to different parts of the Caribbean, including the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. Each itinerary offers a unique experience, from the beautiful beaches of the Bahamas to the vibrant culture of Jamaica.

If you’re looking for a more exotic destination, consider a Carnival cruise to Mexico. Visit the ancient ruins of the Mayan civilization in Cozumel, or explore the vibrant city of Cabo San Lucas. You can also experience the beauty of the Mexican Riviera, with its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters.

For those who want to explore the natural beauty of North America, Carnival offers cruises to Alaska and Hawaii. In Alaska, you can experience the majesty of glaciers and the beauty of the wilderness, while in Hawaii, you can explore the stunning beaches and lush forests of the islands.

Finally, for those who want to explore Europe, Carnival offers cruises to the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and the British Isles. Explore the rich history and culture of Europe, from the ancient ruins of Rome to the stunning architecture of Barcelona.

No matter where you choose to go, Carnival Cruise Lines will provide you with an unforgettable vacation experience.

Booking and Pricing

Booking a Carnival Cruise from Miami is a straightforward process. You can book online, by phone, or through a travel agent. Carnival Cruise Line’s website offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to search for cruises by date, destination, and ship. Once you find the cruise you want, you can book it online and receive a confirmation email with all the details.

Carnival Cruise Line offers a variety of pricing options to fit different budgets. The price of a cruise depends on several factors, including the destination, the length of the cruise, the time of year, and the type of cabin you choose. Carnival Cruise Line offers several types of cabins, including interior, ocean view, balcony, and suite. Interior cabins are the most affordable, while suites are the most luxurious.

Carnival Cruise Line also offers promotions and discounts throughout the year. These promotions can include discounts on the cruise fare, onboard credit, free upgrades, and more. It’s a good idea to check the Carnival Cruise Line website regularly to see if there are any promotions that apply to the cruise you want to book.

When booking a Carnival Cruise from Miami, keep in mind that there are additional fees and taxes that are not included in the price of the cruise. These fees can include port fees, government taxes, and gratuities. It’s important to factor these fees into your budget when planning your cruise.

Overall, booking a Carnival Cruise from Miami is a simple and affordable way to experience the beauty of the Caribbean and beyond. With a variety of pricing options and promotions available, there’s a cruise for every budget.

Safety Measures and Guidelines

When it comes to safety, Carnival Cruise Line takes it very seriously. The company has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of its guests and staff. Here are some of the safety measures and guidelines that you should be aware of before boarding a Carnival Cruise from Miami Port:

• Ship Inspections : Carnival Cruise Line follows the safety guidelines set by the U.S. Coast Guard and conducts inspections every 3-6 months to verify the safety processes and procedures. Additionally, a third-party organization conducts annual inspections of the ship and safety processes.
• Security Procedures : Passengers should arrive at least two hours prior to departure to get through the security procedures. Check with your cruise line for the latest embarkation/debarkation information. Security procedures, prohibitions, and documentation requirements vary by cruise line or destination.
• Health Protocols : Carnival Cruise Line has implemented several health protocols to ensure the safety of its guests and staff. Before boarding, guests are required to complete an online check-in and provide their travel documents. Additionally, guests are required to follow the health protocols set by the company, such as wearing masks in certain areas of the ship, washing hands frequently, and maintaining social distancing.
• Beverage Policy : Guests are not allowed to bring hard liquor, beer, or plastic/glass bottled beverages on board. However, guests can bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage.
• Prohibited Items : Large speakers/radios are prohibited and will be confiscated and discarded. Additionally, weapons, illegal drugs, and other dangerous items are strictly prohibited on board.

By following these safety measures and guidelines, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on your Carnival Cruise from Miami Port.

Customer Support and Services

When it comes to cruising, customer support and services are crucial to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Carnival Cruise Line understands this and offers various ways to get in touch with their customer service team for assistance.

If you have questions about your current reservation or need help with booking, you can contact Carnival’s customer service team at (800) 764-7419. They are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm ET and on weekends from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET.

Carnival also provides a helpful FAQ section on their website that covers a range of topics, including dining options, beverage packages, port transportation, and more. If you can’t find the answer to your question there, you can reach out to their customer service team via email or phone.

In addition to customer support, Carnival offers a range of services to make your cruise experience even better. For example, they offer the Cheers! Beverage Program, which allows you to enjoy unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for a flat daily rate.

They also provide service gratuities, which are automatically added to your onboard account to cover tips for your room steward, dining staff, and other crew members.

Overall, Carnival Cruise Line is dedicated to providing excellent customer support and services to ensure that you have a fantastic cruising experience.

Final Thoughts

The Carnival Cruise Miami Port is an exceptional place to start your cruise vacation. With its state-of-the-art terminals, easy embarkation and debarkation processes, and convenient location, it is no wonder why it is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.

Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, the Miami Cruise Terminal Guide offers a comprehensive look at each terminal in PortMiami. It provides cruisers with all the information they might need, including directions, parking options, and terminal amenities.

If you are planning to sail on the Carnival Conquest (CQ) or the Carnival Celebration, you can look forward to the brand new Terminal A and Terminal F, respectively. These terminals offer a sleek and efficient design, making the embarkation process smoother and faster.

Furthermore, the Miami Cruise Port Reviews provide an excellent resource for finding great tips to enjoy Miami, including shore excursions, local activities, and must-see attractions. With over 2,484 detailed reviews, you are sure to find something that fits your interests and budget.

Overall, the Carnival Cruise Miami Port is an excellent choice for your next cruise vacation. With its top-notch facilities, convenient location, and variety of cruise options, you are sure to have a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hotels near miami cruise port offer free shuttle and breakfast.

There are several hotels near the Miami cruise port that offer free shuttle service and breakfast. Some of the popular options include Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Miami Brickell Downtown, Holiday Inn Port of Miami Downtown, and YVE Hotel Miami. Be sure to check with the hotel for specific details and availability.

Which terminal at Miami port is designated for Carnival cruise?

Carnival Cruise Line operates out of Terminal D and Terminal E at the Port of Miami. Be sure to check your itinerary or contact Carnival for specific terminal information.

Where is the Carnival port located in Miami?

The Carnival port is located at the Port of Miami, which is located on Dodge Island in Biscayne Bay. The address is 1015 North America Way, Miami, FL 33132.

How do I get to the Carnival Cruise Line from Miami airport?

There are several transportation options available to get to the Carnival Cruise Line from Miami airport , including taxi, ride-sharing services, and shuttle buses. Carnival also offers a transportation service for a fee. Be sure to check with your travel agent or Carnival for specific details and pricing.

What are some popular destinations for Carnival cruises from Miami?

Some popular destinations for Carnival cruises from Miami include the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Be sure to check your itinerary or contact Carnival for specific destination information.

What are some other cruise lines that depart from Miami port?

In addition to Carnival Cruise Line, several other cruise lines depart from the Port of Miami, including Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises. Be sure to check with your travel agent or the specific cruise line for departure information.

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I had the pleasure of sailing aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Carnival Celebration. Our sailing was one of her first from Port Miami, I was invited to sail as a guest with a media group. Our itinerary was a seven-night cruise from Port Miami, and we sailed a Western Caribbean cruise itinerary with port stops in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Mahogany Bay. In this review, I will be sharing my opinions after sailing aboard this fantastic new ship from Carnival .

Carnival Celebration is the second ship in the Excel Class, and she is 183,521 gross tons. The ship features 2,687 staterooms with a guest capacity of 5,374. She also has six unique Zones: Celebration Station, The Gateway, Summer Landing, 820 Biscayne, Lido, and The Ultimate Playground.

Carnival Celebration Review

This would be my first cruise aboard one of Carnival Cruise Line’s new Excel Class ships. I had only been able to have a brief media visit preview for a day aboard Carnival’s Mardi Gras before her inaugural cruise. I have sailed numerous times aboard many classes of Carnival Cruise ships , so I was excited to have the opportunity to experience this incredible ship firsthand.

Embarkation

On embarkation day, we boarded the new Carnival Celebration at Carnival Cruise Line’s newly remodeled Terminal F at Port Miami. This beautiful terminal is now enlarged and designed to fit the larger Excel class ships like Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Our check-in went very smoothly, and the line moved quickly. Before long we were onboard exploring the ship.

Our assigned cabin was a standard balcony on Deck 10 in stateroom number 10458. We found it to be very spacious with a comfortable and well-thought-out design. There was also plenty of closet space and storage for our clothes and items for a seven-night cruise.

Here is a video tour of our stateroom onboard:

We also appreciated the excellent new accent lighting around the desk’s mirror and the bed’s headboard. The cabin also had a very nice-sized TV mounted on the wall. The stateroom’s new color scheme and styling were very friendly and contemporary.

The stateroom features USB ports on both sides of the bed and LED reading lamps. The desk area also had plenty of power outlets and USB ports. Overall, we enjoyed this stateroom during our cruise, and I am always impressed by the many details Carnival integrates into its stateroom design.

Carnival HUB App

If you plan to take a Carnival cruise, download the Carnival HUB App before boarding your ship. It is loaded with features that will make your cruise more enjoyable. This is a must to keep up with the daily activities, dining reservations, and available dining options throughout your cruise. Now that everything is done on the app, you must utilize it during your next cruise.

Cruise Ship

The Carnival Celebration is incredible with everything it has to offer. It has a complete waterpark for kids and even a mini-golf course. The ship has a nice-sized main pool on the Lido deck and two aft Infinity pools.

We really enjoyed the sizeable adults-only Serenity deck that now has its own pool. If you want a more exclusive experience, you can get a pass to the LOFT 19 area that includes padded loungers and access to the infinity whirlpool and attentive servers.

The Carnival Celebration is the second ship to have BOLT, the Ultimate Sea coaster. BOLT is full of drops, twists, and turns 187 feet above the water line at incredible speeds.

We feel this ship is special because it has so many unique spaces for families traveling together to enjoy.

Golden Jubilee

On Deck 6, the Golden Jubilee features artwork, memorabilia, and original pieces from Carnival’s earlier vessels perfectly incorporated throughout the space , bringing Carnival’s 50 years of fun full circle. We loved the reproduction of blueprints depicting the evolution of Carnival’s Fun Ships, including some hand-drawn designs by world-renowned architect Joe Farcus in the ceiling.

We also learned about the Original 17’ by 7’ full-height etched glass, nickel, and mahogany partition wall with 24 TSS Mardi Gras casino windowpanes, separating the bar from the promenade. This item and many others on display were carefully salvaged by fellow journalist and ship historian Peter Knego before these ships were destroyed entirely. I had the chance to sit down and talk to Peter about his work and many of these fascinating and historic items onboard the Carnival Celebration . Be sure to watch our interview with Peter Knego about the Golden Jubilee.

Dining/Food

The Carnival Celebration is loaded with dining options. Most of them are complimentary and exceptionally good from fan favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint and new options like Big Chicken and Street Eats. You will not go hungry on this ship.

One of our favorites is the pizza called Miami Slice onboard. We enjoyed this several times during our cruise and loved grabbing a slice and enjoying the alfresco seating nearby. This ship has a tremendous amount of outdoor seating options, and it makes the ship more enjoyable.

Fahrenheit 555

Our dinner at Fahrenheit 555 was awe-inspiring. I found the steak cooked to perfection. It honestly was one of the best steaks I have ever had. The service and overall experience were very lovely and a great value overall.

Rudi’s Seagrill

This was my first visit to Rudi’s Seagrill and I enjoyed the superb seafood and other items we chose. It has a very high-end experience feel, and I would consider it for a romantic dinner during your cruise. This venue should not be missed if you are a seafood lover and want to try something special during your cruise.

Guy’s Pig and Anchor

We were able to visit Guy’s Pig & Anchor and walk right up and be seated. We enjoyed the food very much. I love how this is complimentary aboard the Carnival Celebration. However, the noise level of the band playing was a bit overwhelming during our dinner. So you may want to eat when the band is not playing or be sure to be seated a reasonable distance from the band due to the volume.

Bonsai Sushi  

One night we visited Bonsai Sushi to sample some items. We had never eaten here before on any of the other Carnival ships , so we wanted to try some things. We enjoyed things very much. Our favorites here are the sushi and tempura dish.

Emeril’s Bistro

We visited Emeril’s Bistro 1397 and stopped in and ordered the Beignes for $5 (powdered sugar, strawberry sauce, chocolate sauce) twice during our  cruise  and LOVED them, and they were perfect.

We saw many people having full meals here, and it all looked and smelled amazing. Be sure to check out Emeril’s Bistro 1397 menu. To view the menu,  click here . One of the most significant issues aboard Carnival Celebration is all the excellent and complimentary food offerings. You won’t go hungry aboard this ship; we found everything delicious.

Cucina del Capitano  

We have had dinner at Cucina del Capitanto several times on previous Carnival ships, so we stopped in for Lunch one day during our cruise. I ordered my favorite linguine and clam sauce. I also ordered some added shrimp to make it extra special.

Dinner here is an incredible and unique experience, but the clam sauce they use for the lunch pasta is so wonderful that it is a must-have during any Carnival cruise for me. I loved it as always and enjoyed the enhanced items and service they had aboard the Carnival Celebration during our cruise. On past Carnival cruises, my family and I would always come here to eat while waiting for our cabin to be available on busy embarkation days. It’s so good!

Sea Day Brunch

During our cruise, we enjoyed a Sea Day Brunch, and I ordered the House Special Skillet Cake. In the past, I would always order Steak and Eggs. And my daughters would always get the incredible Mac N’ Cheese.

Sea Day Brunch is offered in the main dining room from 8:30 am until noon, only on sea days. If you haven’t been to a Sea Day Brunch, I can sum it up in one word, incredible. So set the alarm and don’t miss your chance for a great meal. Here is a link to the Sea Day Brunch menu – click here to view the menu.

Ports/Itinerary

Our cruise visited three ports in the Western Caribbean,  Cozumel , Costa Maya, and Mahogany Bay.  We also had three sea days.

In Cozumel, we did Tabasco’s Chef Maestro, Cooking & Tasting excursion booked through Carnival Cruise Line. This included transportation to and from the port.

This was one of the best excursions we had ever taken. Everyone in our group enjoyed it. It was a very entertaining and informative class from start to finish. We learned how to create a delicious 3-course authentic meal. Knowing the different ingredients and cooking techniques that made the menu items complete was delightful. The Tabasco Chef class is located on the second floor of the prestigious Blu by Dolphinaris facility. So the location was incredible, and we enjoyed the fantastic views and watching the dolphins in the pools near the ocean.

In Costa Maya, we chose to stay aboard the ship and enjoy everything it had to offer. Leading up to this port day, we hadn’t booked any excursions, so it was nice to have the ship tour ourselves while many of the ship’s guests were off the ship enjoying this port. If you haven’t done this before, you might be surprised how different the ship can be during these times. Suddenly, there are very few or no lines, and the whole ship has a different vibe. We chose to take it easy, have a slice of pizza al fresco, look at the many ships in port with us today, and relax.

Mahogany Bay

We took the VIP Premium All Inclusive Beach Day excursion in Mahogany Bay through the ship. We enjoyed the drive over to a very private beachfront resort and then were escorted to a reserved VIP area of the beach with lounge chairs, umbrellas, palapas, and beach towels.

The service, amenities, and food were all incredible. They even had some live music playing. I would highly recommend this shore excursion to anyone visiting Mahogany Bay. This was our first time here, and we loved it. This was one of the best excursions we experienced from start to finish.

Insights & Observations

During our cruise, we utilized a Wi-Fi package, and Carnival seems to have some of the best internet connections that work well around the whole ship, even in your cabin. My wife and I quickly connected two devices with our package and never lost service.

Shopping Onboard

Carnival Cruise Line has taken shopping to the next level. You won’t be disappointed if you are shopping for some vacation souvenir or a duty-free luxury watch or purse. During our cruise, our group toured the many shops and learned how the ship has exclusive items not only to Carnival Cruise Line but also unique items only found onboard this ship.

• Cruise Director Lee Mason

During our cruise, we had the privilege of having award-winning Cruise Director Lee Mason welcome us onboard and be our guide for Fun and escape for our week onboard. I took the opportunity to sit down for an interview with him. It was an absolute pleasure to meet Lee in person finally. He is such an impressive human. Please watch our interview here:

Overall the crew and officers aboard the Carnival Celebration were attentive and upbeat. During this cruise, we had the privilege of meeting the Captain of the ship and his officers, shop managers, and more. Everyone is very passionate and professional about offering guests a unique, safe, and enjoyable vacation experience onboard.

Entertainment and Comedy

One of my favorite things about taking a cruise is the entertainment and comedy available onboard. Sometimes you have more choices than time, but that’s a good thing, right?

On board, we attended several comedy shows in the Punchliner Comedy Club and the Limelight Lounge. The comedians were both outstanding and were so entertaining. They were also very approachable, shaking hands and taking pictures with guests as we exited the show. I thought this was wonderful and shows how touched guests were by seeing such talented entertainers live.

Watching live music during the cruise, up close from string trios, piano players, full rock bands, and more, makes a Carnival Cruise extra special. Most evenings, you could watch live music shows in six other venues throughout the ship. The choice and quality make for a memorable evening.

Center Stage (Celebration Central Atrium)

Both the Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras have this fantastic new stage in the new large atrium area of the ship. The area is stunningly beautiful and loaded with incredible technology. However, Carnival is trying to do full-production shows here, and the demand to see these shows far outweighs the available seats.

This area wasn’t designed to seat enough guests for their current high-demand shows. The sight lines are ok for looking directly at the stage but not always for some of the show’s aerial stunts. So even if you can find a seat, it may be partially obstructed. We saw guests waiting in line for hours or saving the open seats on the higher levels to have a chance to see these fantastic performances.

So I believe they will have to offer tickets to this venue so it can be used in a more organized manner in the future. I applaud Carnival for using this space to its fullest, but it may have been too much of a good thing in this small space, and I hope they will utilize the larger seating theater for the high-demand shows in the future.

Final Thoughts

The Carnival Celebration is a beautiful ship that offers an incredible big ship experience for both families and couples at a great price. This ship is extra special with its unique dining and entertainment opportunities. If you don’t have a cruise aboard the Carnival Celebration, click here to keep up with the latest prices and deals.

• #CarnivalCelebration
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Carnival’s New Cruise Terminal in Miami to Open for Celebration Naming

• May 20, 2022

Carnival Cruise Line is progressing on the project of transforming PortMiami’s Cruise Terminal F in its largest cruise terminal in North America.

Set to open in November, the facility is being redesigned and expanded in order to serve as the homeport of Carnival’s second Excel-class ship, the Carnival Celebration.

According to Christine Duff, Carnival Cruise Line’s President, the new terminal will be ready in time for the ship’s inaugural festivities. 

“We are very excited that we’ll be opening the redesigned Terminal F for Carnival Celebration’s naming ceremony,” she said during a press conference in Miami in late April. 

“It’s a great way to celebrate Carnival,” Duffy added, mentioning the cruise line’s 50th anniversary festivities.

According to her, like the new Carnival Celebration, the redesigned terminal will also get memorabilia from past Carnival ships.

Also celebrating the company’s milestone anniversary, the newbuild will feature the Golden Jubilee, a lounge and entertainment area equipped with items and art pieces retrieved from the line’s retired ships , including the recently recycled Fantasy-class vessels.

When completed, Terminal F will become the third cruise terminal dedicated to Carnival operations at PortMiami.

As part of the renovations, the facility is receiving facial recognition technology and other elements which will be used to move guests through the embarkation process.

Originally signed in September 2019 , the expansion agreement includes a commitment by Carnival to keep ships at Terminal F for 20 years, with the option of two additional seven-year extensions.

The LNG-powered Carnival Celebration is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.  

After being delivered later this year, the 183,900-ton cruise ship will become Carnival’s largest vessel, along with its sister ship, the 2020-built Mardi Gras.

Following a transatlantic crossing, the 5,200-guest ship is set to launch service from Miami on Nov. 21, kicking off a year-round program of weeklong Caribbean itineraries.

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A Look Inside the Carnival Celebration as it arrives in Miami

This week, the brand new Carnival Celebration arrived in Miami and Carnival officially christened it into service. The ship just finished a 14-day transatlantic sailing where a few thousand guests got to check out Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship. It then arrived at its new home in Miami for a special six-day Thanksgiving cruise. 

Cassidy Gifford christens the Celebration

The Carnival Celebration is named after the M/S Celebration that debuted back in 1987. That ship’s Godmother was famous talk show host Kathy Lee Gifford. In an homage to that, the new Celebration’s Godmother is her daughter, Cassidy Gifford. Both Cassidy and Kathy Lee joined Carnival President Christine Duffy and Captain Vincenzo Alcaras in christening the ship with the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle. 

New Terminal F in Port Miami opens

VIPs and travel professionals from across the country gathered at Carnival’s new Terminal F in Port Miami to celebrate. The new terminal was built to be a home for the Celebration for the foreseeable future. Carnival specifically designed this terminal to help speed up the embarkation and boarding process. With over 5,200 guests boarding each sailing, they needed unique technological solutions to make it a hassle-free process. Terminal F is a far cry from the old warehouse-like terminals that guests have experienced in the past. It makes a great start to a cruise vacation. 

A look at unique Carnival Celebration venues

Now that the Celebration is sailing, we actually get glimpses of what the ship looks like, not just renders from architects. For the most part, the Carnival Celebration is like its sibling, the Carnival Mardi Gras. As the second ship in the class, though, it had various improvements and tweaks based on learning Carnival received when the Mardi Gras started sailing. The ship also has two new zones, the “French Quarter” on Mardi Gras becomes “The Gateway” and “La Piazza” becomes “820 Biscayne”. 

The Gateway

The Gateway is the new zone that’s dedicated to the joy of travel. One of the more unique features in this zone is the new interactive video screens that function as virtual windows in the space. During the day, they can reflect the weather outside, but at night they come to life with vibrant images from around the world.

Latitudes Bar

While the renders looked nice, the real images are just as impressive. Here you see the new Latitudes Bar. Styled after an old-school bar at a train station or airport, the flip board style header updates throughout the day with a familiar “clacking” sound. You can see the virtual windows here reflecting images of the American Flag. It transforms the whole space. 

Golden Jubilee Bar

The Golden Jubilee Bar is also located in this zone. The bar is dedicated to Carnival’s 50 years of fun and is full of fun nods and Easter eggs to Carnival’s history. The two-story bar area had a grand feel to it and brings an impressive scope to the venue. Unlike the Brass Magnolia on Mardi Gras, this version of the space is enclosed on one side with original doors from the Mardi Gras. Not only does it add a unique feel, but it also helps isolate the sound, creating a more intimate experience. In addition, blueprints of old Carnival ships adorn the main bar area and bring a fun feel to the space. 

Emeril’s Bistro 1397

The Gateway also features Emeril’s Bistro 1397 . It’s a similar concept to Emeril’s Bistro 1396 found on Mardi Gras, but the menu has been tweaked to add more global cuisine instead of just creole. It’s still a specialty restaurant where you pay for items a’ la cart. Don’t worry; they still have the beignets that people on Mardi Gras rave about. A nice change to this venue is they swapped out where the kitchen is, so now there’s a lot more seating and actual ocean views at this restaurant. 

820 Biscayne

The other new zone on the Carnival Celebration is the Miami-themed 820 Biscayne. Named after Carnival’s original headquarters in Miami, the space pays homage to old-school Miami. It has a retro feel that’s unique, with lots of neon and art deco touches. You’ll find hot pink flamingos and neon signs throughout the zone. It straddles the line between the over-the-top decor Carnival had in the past (under designer Joe Farcus) and the new, more sleek and modern decor of the new ships. Blending them together creates a fun new experience without being gaudy. 

This zone still has the pizza place and deli, but they’re renamed Miami Slice and Deco Deli on the Celebration. For the most part though, they’re very similar to the food venues found on other ships, Pizzeria del Capitano and Carnival Deli. Carnival brand ambassador John Heald keeps mentioning that it’s “Miami-style” pizza, and hopefully, he’s just joking about that. 

The area also has the new Bar 820. With both inside and outside seating, this bar has new cocktails to try and is a great place to stop while grabbing a casual bite at either of the two fast-casual options here. 

Carnival Celebration looks amazing

Overall, the Carnival Celebration looks like it’s going to be an amazing ship. We’ll give you our first-hand experience when we sail on the Celebration this March. 

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Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

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Carnival Celebration

Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line

• Miami (Florida)

Carnival Celebration current position

Carnival Celebration current location is at Caribbean Sea (coordinates 18.33002 N / -64.92740 W) cruising en route to VISTT>USMIA. The AIS position was reported 6 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Celebration

Carnival Celebration current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean . Prices start from USD 1002 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 23 Jun, 2024 and ends on 30 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Celebration

•   Itineraries
•   Review
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Carnival Celebration Itineraries

Carnival celebration review, review of carnival celebration.

The 2022-built Carnival Celebration cruise ship is CCL fleet 's second newest and largest liner of the Carnival XL-Class. All three units in this series are from the German shipbuilder Meyer Werft (shipyard Turku Finland ). As with all other "Fun Ships", the shipowner is Carnival Corporation - the world's largest passenger shipping company .

The vessel (IMO number 9837456) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311001223) and registered in Nassau . Before its arrival in the USA, the vessel was Panama-flagged (MMSI 352898755).

The XL-Class is similar as design and facilities to HELIOS-Class ships produced for Carnival Corporation's brands Costa and AIDA (all by Meyer Werft in Papenburg Germany ). Other EXCELLENCE-Class liners (Carnival Celebration sisterships) are Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Jubilee (2023), P&O Iona (2020), P&O Arvia (2022), Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021), AIDAnova (2018), AIDAcosma (2021).

Carnival XL-Class ship design features a new (red-white-navy blue) hull and was created by the NYC-based naval architecture firm "Bluarch Architecture". Among the world's largest passenger ships , the Celebration has length 1130 ft (344 m), passenger capacity 5200 (lower berths) and boasts the most advanced maritime technologies as well as various fleet-first and industry-first innovations.

Like the sisterships, Carnival Celebration has the second-at-sea roller coaster. The facility ("BOLT Ultimate Sea Coaster") was built by Maurer Rides ( Munich Germany -based company) specializing in roller coaster design and manufacturing. The race track has length 244 m (800 ft), with twists, turns, drops and speeds up to 64 kph (40 mph). Individual speeds are posted after the race. Carnival's roller coaster is all-electric and allows 2 riders to race along in motorbike-like vehicles at height 57 m (187 ft) above the sea. The experience features breathtaking top-deck 360-degree views and ends with a high-speed turn around the funnel/smokestack.

On January 25, 2019, was announced that the new Carnival XL-class vessel will have 6x themed zones/neighborhoods - Celebration Central, The Gateway ("French Quarter" on Mardi Gras), Lido-Pool, 820 Biscayne ("La Piazza" on Mardi Gras), Summer Landing, The Ultimate Playground.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Celebration staterooms (a total of 2641 passenger cabins) are divided into 22 different categories, including 2-deck apartments (duplex suites) and 80 wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers). All cabin bathrooms feature CCL fleet's first glass-door showers and in-shower shaving bar. Over 70% of all staterooms are outside, 300 pairs are connecting/family cabins.

The boat has 18 decks , of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

Cabin balconies are accessed via sliding floor-ceiling glass doors. The lounge area is furnished with new-type sofabeds (couch bed with footstools opening up for storage), under-bed storage (for suitcases), flexible reading lamps (bedside), mini-refrigerator with transparent glass door, plenty of power outlets, USB ports (on the vanity table and bedside), more shelving (for electronic devices), large wardrobe (with folding shelves, sliding shoe rack, 2 pull-out bins).

Like the Vista-class Carnival liners, Celebration has Havana staterooms with a patio (indoor-outdoor space) with direct access to an exclusive Sundeck area with loungers, Bar and swimming pool. Another Vista-class type of cabins are Family Harbor (clustered near Camp Ocean/kids club) and with direct access to the exclusive Family Harbor Lounge. Cloud 9 Spa staterooms traditionally offer exclusive amenities, including premium bathrobes and slippers and Elemis brand toiletries.

The new Carnival ship Celebration offers 180+ suites in 11 categories, including CCL's new premium category "Carnival Excel" suites (32 staterooms in 4 categories) with new VIP amenities and exclusive access to Loft 19 (resort-style, open-air sundeck). All ship suites offer a VIP amenities package including priority boarding/debarkation, bottled water upon arrival, priority MDR (main dining room) seating, plush bathrobes. Passengers in "Carnival Excel" suites receive as additional amenities:

• Dedicated concierge phone line
• Unlimited access to Loft 19
• Guaranteed specialty dining times (except Bonsai Teppanyaki, and Chef's Table)
• Complimentary room service, laundry, and Bottomless Bubbles soda package
• Fresh fruit basket and sparkling wine upon arrival
• Upgraded bathroom amenities

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The sisterships Mardi Gras, Celebration and Jubilee have CCL fleet's largest Atriums and open-deck areas.

• The Gateway (aft on Decks 6-7) is lined with eateries and bars. This neighborhood is linked via 2-deck-high Promenade with the traditional New Orleans jazz club lounge "The Golden Jubilee" (offering hand-crafted cocktails and live music).
• 820 Biscayne (midship on Deck 8) is a Miami-themed zone housing the 24-hour complimentary Miami Slice Pizzeria, Cucina del Capitano (seafood restaurant), Bar 820 (retro-themed bar lounge, classic cocktails and live music nightly), Deco Deli (deli sandwiches).
• Summer Landing (aft on Deck 8) houses Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse (Carnival's complimentary smoked-on-board BBQ food by Guy Fieri), The Watering Hole (outdoor bar with wide selections of cocktails and beers), ParchedPig (onboard- brewed craft beers), Heroes Tribute Lounge. Also in this neighborhood are located a lunch counter (for the Smokehouse-Brewhouse), an expansive sundeck area (with two Jacuzzies/spa pools and an infinity pool/Patio Pool, stern-facing), a stage for live music, a sports bar featuring indoor and outdoor TV screens, hang-out space with trivia, dance classes, arts and crafts.
• Heroes Tribute (bar lounge via partnership with Operation Homefront/USA-based nonprofit organization that provides services and supports military families and veterans) offers comfortable seating (leather armchairs with low tables) and large TVs (for live sporting events).
• Lido (aft on Decks 16-17) houses Carnival's complimentary Pool Deck eateries Seafood Shack, BlueIguana Cantina, and Guy's Burger Joint, plus the fleet's new venues "Street Eats" (grab-and-go eatery) and "Big Chicken by Shaq" (lunch and dinner take-away food bar)

The Ultimate Playground (aft on Decks 18-20) is a large family-friendly outdoor playground area highlighted by the fleet's largest Carnival WaterWorks (aquapark) and an expanded SportSquare (sports complex). Also here is the "BOLT - Ultimate Sea Coaster" (second at sea).

The new Carnival Celebration also has CCL's signature facilities Serenity (adults-only resort), Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.

The Gateway Zone/Promenade

"The Gateway" zone (2-deck area / aft on decks 6-7) features design and decor inspired by land-based passenger terminals and transport stations, numerous dining, shopping and entertainment options (including fleet-firsts) and an indoor Promenade with 12x UHD virtual windows (each sized 9,5x5 inches / 24x13 cm) and a LED ceiling (100-inch/254 cm) complemented by an ultra-modern sound system and lighting system. The multimedia panels display relaxing scenes, unique global destinations and attractions, real-time day and night sky views.

The Gateway has a large digital map showing the current location of all CCL ships in real-time.

The Gateway (midship on deck 6) houses the Latitudes Bar fitted with travel-themed chairs and menus and featuring a mechanical split-flap display board (listing the daily menu - cocktails, wines, spirits, special tastings/samplers). At Latitudes Bar are also held the Celebration Happy Hour event (with live entertainment) as well as private parties and special occasions (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc).

The Gateway's Deck 6 is home to Latitudes Bar, Emeril’s Bistro 1397 (by chef Emeril Lagasse), The Golden Jubilee (travel-themed bar lounge), Carnivale Restaurant, Carnival Kitchen, Conference Room.

The Gateway's Deck 7 is home to Limelight Lounge, Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Dreams Studio.

Festivale Restaurant (MDR/main dining room) is aft-positioned on both decks (6-7).

Celebration Central Atrium

Celebration Central (midship location on decks 6-7-8) is an expanded Atrium concept combining a day-to-night entertainment complex with a bar lounge (overlooking the ship's starboard side) with 3-decks high floor-ceiling windows.

The Atrium's Lobby level (deck 6) has a large Center Stage (portside) for live performances and is served by the Tropicale Bar. The Atrium's mid-level (deck 7) is integrated into the Casino Louge served by the Aquaria Bar (featuring glass murals by Luciano Vistosi, from the ship Carnival Victory). From the Atrium's upper level (deck 8) are accessed the restaurants Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki.

Grand Central features 3000-ft2 (280-m2) glass panels (built into the vessel's superstructure) to provide passengers with unobstructed views as they relax in comfortable seating.

During the day, Celebration Central Atrium serves as a relaxing space for enjoying beverages, light food, live music or participating in trivia contests and leisurely pursuits. At night, the Atrium transforms into an intimate venue with live performances (stand-up comedy acts, dancing, acrobatics) and quality media as guests can interact with 16x individually controlled LED screens (sized 6x14 ft / 1,8x4,3 m each) displaying video and special effects, along with aerial feats and lasers.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Celebration's main dining rooms feature select items from the onboard steakhouse, available for an additional fee. Traditionally, shipboard dining includes a complimentary Lido Buffet Restaurant. A special venue is the New England-inspired casual eatery Seafood Shack. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating and the menu includes steamed lobster, lobster rolls, fried shrimp, fried clams, crab cakes, and other seafood surprises. Seafood Shack serves lunch and dinner and is priced a la carte starting at $4.

The ship has a Japanese specialty restaurant (named Bonsai Teppanyaki) located within the Bonsai Sushi restaurant (on Promenade-Havana Deck). The restaurant offers authentic Far East dishes and a live cooking show performance (by the chefs) at custom-built cooking stations positioned at the center of an 8-seat dining table. Due to the room's limited seating, reservations are required. Each meal at Bonsai Teppanyaki starts with a sampling of 5 appetizers (Miso Soup, Pork Belly Yakitori, Spicy Tuna on Rocks). Combo dinners are also offered. Each meal ends with the specialty desserts "Chocolate Bento Box" and "Green Tea Ice Cream". The restaurant is open for lunch (seadays only) and for dinner (every night of the voyage). Cover charge/price is per person and covers the entire meal.

Available on all Fun Ships is Chef's Table (VIP dining experience / 12-guest capacity) that includes multicourse dinner with ship's Master Chef, private cocktail reception and galley/kitchen tour. This dining option usually takes place in a non-traditional venue (a dedicated room in the galley) and can be booked onboard for USD 75 per person.

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse has a specialty restaurant (located in The Gateway/ Deck 6 portside). Lagasse is the chef and owner of 11 different restaurants, including 4 in New Orleans . He is a regular guest on Good Morning America (TV show) and has hosted 2000+ shows on Food Network (US pay-TV channel). Lagasse Restaurant offers New Orleans cuisine, including spicy creole specialties. Menu items include muffuletta sandwiches, oyster and cochon de lait po-boys, gumbo, jambalaya, side dishes (Creole potato salad with diced scallions, red beans, jazz-man rice), desserts (Bananas Foster, lemon icebox pie). For Breakfast are also offered Shrimp & Grits, and Shrimp Creole Omelet. A-la-carte menu appetizers cost US$2 each, entrees are priced at US$12.

New (currently available on XL-class Carnival ships only) drinking and dining venues are within the themed zones "Lido" (deck 16) and "Summer Landing" (Lanai/promenade deck 8 aft). These include RedFrog Tiki Bar, The Watering Hole, Street Eats, Big Chicken by Shaq.

• RedFrog Tiki Bar is a South Pacific Island-themed, 2-level bar designed as a variation of Carnival's poolside RedFrog Bar. New is the island-inspired outdoor decoration with floral patterns, vibrant colors, tiki heads. Located close to Guy's Burger Joint, RedFrog Tiki Bar offers refreshing cocktails (like Red's Rum Runner Jumper, Jungle Bird, Polynesian Punch) presented in souvenir glasses and pineapples.
• The Watering Hole (located within The Patio at Summer Landing) is a backyard-like designed outdoor bar with wide selections of cocktails and beers (including Carnival's own brands / canned and draft brews).
• Street Eats is an open-air complimentary eatery located next to Seafood Shack. It offers ready-to-eat street food via 3 themed kiosks (steamed, fried, and plancha food). The new grab-and-go dining venue has a daily rotating menu. Small plates (including falafel or empanadas) are available at the fried food station, siu mai or bao buns - at the steamed food outlet, and satay and kebabs at the plancha food kiosk.
• Bar 820 (retro-themed bar lounge/part of 820 Biscayne zone) has indoor-outdoor seating, vintage design, and serves Cuban coffee, brand coffees, frozens, cocktails.

Carnival Celebration has the fleet's third "Big Chicken" restaurant at sea (by Shaquille O'Neal). Big Chicken by Shaq is located aft on Lido Deck. Many menu items are developed by the basketball player himself, the rest are based on the celebrity's favorite food recipes.

Rudi's Seagrill is another fleet-first dining venue (seafood restaurant by Rudi Sodamin / Holland America Line 's Master Chef). Rudi's Seagrill is a specialty restaurant (at surcharge / reservation fee) located on Deck 8 (between "Summer Landing" and "820 Biscayne") with indoor (80 seats) and outdoor seating (al fresco dining on The Lanai). The Seagrill offers appetizers, entrees and desserts, with all menu items presented as food faces. Signature dishes include Bigeye Tuna, Lemon-Stuffed Grilled Branzino, Seared Scallops, Salt-Roasted Prawns, Broiled Lobster Tails, Crab Cake, Caramel Apple Cheesecake, Chocolate Truffle Cake. Non-seafood options are also on offer.

Celebration's 2-deck-high Lido zone houses the fleet's biggest "Guy's Burger Joint" (by Guy Fieri), the Mexican food bar BlueIguana Cantina, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack, and Lido Marketplace (ship's buffet restaurant). Other signature facilities in the area are Beach Pool (midship) and the infinity swimming pool Tides Pool (aft) with a bar, great stern views and ample seating. Lido-Pool Deck also houses deck parties and Dive-in Movies (at Carnival Seaside Theater/outdoor cinema).

Follows the complete list of Carnival Celebration restaurants and food bars.

• Festivale Restaurant (2-level Aft Dining Room)
• Carnivale Restaurant is a dinner-only Dining Room (complimentary) with sit-down waiter service.
• "Emeril's Bistro 1397" is the second-at-sea (after Mardi Gras ship's) restaurant by chef Emeril Lagasse (celebrity chef and owner of 11 different restaurants in the USA). The restaurant was named after the Celebration ship's hull/Turku shipyard number (1397). A-la-carte menu appetizers cost US$2 each, entrees are priced at US$12. The restaurant offers New Orleans cuisine, including muffuletta sandwiches, side dishes (Creole potato salad with diced scallions, red beans, jazz-man rice), desserts (Bananas Foster, lemon icebox pie). For Breakfast are also offered Shrimp & Grits, and Shrimp Creole Omelet. Signature dishes at Emeril's Bistro 1397 are chef's favorites Slow-Cooked Cochon de Lait Po'Boy (Boston butt pork roast), BBQ-Grilled Shrimp (large shrimp/peeled-deveined, tails attached), Emeril's Classic Seafood Gumbo (shrimp, fish, oysters), Cajun Jambalaya (boneless-skinless chicken thighs).
• Bonsai Sushi restaurant (including Bonsai Teppanyaki) serves Japanese cuisine specialties and drinks (a la carte priced menu).
• Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (indoor/outdoor seating, open between 6 - 9:30 pm) is a premium steakhouse-seafood restaurant at a surcharge (reservations recommended).
• The Chef's Table (private dining room) is a small room dedicated to the multi-course Chef's Table VIP dinner package (surcharged at $75 per person).
• Miami Slice Pizzeria (24-hour complimentary restaurant for hand-tossed pizzas by the slice) and Cucina del Capitano (seafood restaurant) are both part of Deck 8's "820 Biscayne" zone.
• Summer Landing houses Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse (Carnival's complimentary smoked-on-board BBQ food by Guy Fieri) and ParchedPig (onboard-brewed craft beers).
• Lido houses Carnival's complimentary Pool Deck eateries Seafood Shack, BlueIguana Cantina (Mexican fast food bar), and Guy's Burger Joint
• BlueIguana Cantina is a complimentary poolside (self-serve) fast-food bar with Mexican cuisine serving the Beach Pool area.
• Lido Marketplace (self-service buffet restaurant)
• Big Chicken by Shaq (restaurant by Shaquille O'Neal) is complimentary, with many menu items developed by the basketball player himself, while the rest are based on Shaq's favorite food recipes.
• Rudi's Seagrill (specialty restaurant by Rudi Sodamin)
• RedFrog Tiki Bar
• The Watering Hole
• Street Eats (grab-and-go eatery)
• Deco Deli (part of 820 Biscayne zone/deck 8) is complimentary and offers classic deli sandwiches (all with Cuban bread), as well as South Florida's favorite Cubano sandwich (pork, ham, swiss cheese), Croqueta sandwich (ham, cheese croqueta, pickles), Pan con Lechon sandwich (roasted pork, melted onion, mojo sauce).
• (deck 16/Lido) Chibang! is a new (introduced on the ship Mardi Gras) restaurant for signature Chinese and Mexican dishes (a la carte-priced), with two separate food menus plus a beverage menu (including specialty cocktails, like Chibang! Margarit, Smokey Mezcal Negroni, Green Tea Martini). The decor is marked by floor-ceiling windows (wall-to-wall), heavy red and green, with gold accents, a colorful dragon (at the entrance). Dishes include favorites like Kung Pao Chicken, Singapore Chili Shrimp/Prawn, Slow-Braised Pork Belly, Egg Drop Soup, Crispy Pork Carnitas Tacos, Steak Ranchero, Mole de Pollo Mexicano, Pork Lomito, Pescado Frito Crujiente, Camarones a la Diabla (shrimp).

In mid-January 2018, CCL announced 4 new craft beers that will be brewed onboard Carnival Horizon (and the new ships Mardi Gras and Celebration). The brews were developed by brewmaster Colin Presby. They are offered at Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse (Brewhouse), The names of the new draft beers are inspired by the BBQ offerings at the Smokehouse/Brewhouse.

• "ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale" is a lightly hopped dry finish beer.
• "ParchedPig Smoked Porter" is brewed with in-house smoked malt, hickory smoke, and molasses.
• "ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale" has rich amber color and notes of toasted caramel and biscuit.
• "ParchedPig West Coast IPA" is a traditional West Coast India Pale Ale loaded with bitterness and a distinctive aroma of pine and citrus.

The current list of draft beers brewed on the ship includes ThirstyFrog Red (clean and light), ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin' IPA (floral flavor, with passion fruit and citrus overtones), ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat (unfiltered lager with banana aroma and spices), FriskyFrog Java Stout (with hints of coffee), ParchedPig West Coast IPA (West Coast IPA/India Pale Ale, citrus and pine aroma), ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale (toasted caramel/biscuit flavored), Miami Guava (primary ingredient is pink guava), ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale (dry beer), ParchedPig Smoked Porter (in-house smoked malt, hickory smoke, molasses), ParchedPig Beach Lager (golden ale available both on tap and in cans/when served in bars/dining venues), Carnival Birthday Beer (golden ale introduced in 2022 for the company's 50th Anniversary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The outdoor activity complex on Carnival Celebration is named "The Ultimate Playground" (2-deck high) with SkyCourse, SportSquare, Carnival WaterWorks (fleet's largest aquapark with 3x spiraling waterslides, 1x 2-lane racing slide, 1x tipping bucket) and "BOLT - Ultimate Sea Coaster" (world's second rollercoaster at sea).

A signature outdoor fun facility is the ropes course SkyCourse (length 600 ft / 183 m). SkyCourse is part of the SportSquare (sports complex) with an indoor hangout, mini-bowling, mini-golf course, The Clubhouse, Ping-Pong area with tables, jogging track, interactive sports gaming, arcade basketball.

Located on top-deck ( deck 19 ), Loft 19 is a new VIP leisure concept (secluded retreat for adults) designed as a premium resort complex. Here are offered full bar service, swimming pool, sunbathing area with cabanas, deckchairs and sun loungers available for rent. The cabanas are fully-stocked with beverages, chilled towels, plush bathrobes and provide dedicated concierge service with lunch delivery and fresh fruits. Carnival Excel Suite passengers enjoy priority cabana reservations.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Celebration lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Family Harbor Lounge (a dedicated to families space with 24-hour complimentary dining, concierge and babysitting service, movies, video games, board games by Hasbro).
• Celebration Theater is the boat's main show lounge for grand-style show productions featuring live performances (tribute acts - singing and dancing) combined with sound and lighting special effects.
• Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch (Karaoke, art auctions, nightly shows).
• Piano Bar 88 (cocktail bar) offers themed music nights, a grand piano for live performances by a resident pianist, singalongs, trivia quizzes.
• JavaBlue Cafe (open between 7-10 am, and between 4 pm-12:30 midnight) is a specialty patisserie/coffee bar.
• Havana Bar is an authentic Cuban cafe (cocktail/coffee bar) with live Latin music in the evenings. After midnight, the bar transforms into a Latin disco/nightclub.
• Cherry on Top (open between 4-10:30 pm) is a Carnival signature shop selling bulk candies by the oz (mix and match, sugar-free, assortments), confections (lollipops, sweet apples, truffles, chocolate deep cheesecakes and pretzels, cupcakes, fudge, cookies /and sugar-free).
• The Fun Shops is the duty-free shopping complex of retail stores (open between 8 am - 12-midnight).
• Special Occasions shop sells Bon Voyage wines/champagnes/liquor, Carnival cruise packages, specialty items, and gifts.
• Empress Casino is a Vegas-style gambling lounge equipped with various slot machines (Coinless Fun Slot Machines) and gaming tables (Craps, Roulette, Black Jack 21, Caribbean Stud Poker, dealer-free poker tables). The Casino is served by the Aquaria Bar.
• Limelight Lounge offers live evening entertainment by vocalists, musicians, comedians, karaoke.
• Lanai promenade (with outdoor seats, served by Lanai Bar-BQ Bar).
• Alchemy Bar is a vintage-themed cocktail bar (drink pharmacy) where professional mixologists (dressed in lab coats) serve handcrafted cocktails and made-to-order drinks from unique ingredients.
• Dreams Studio (photo sessions studio)
• Pixels Photo Gallery & Shop (professional photo-video services, duty-free equipment, and accessories, photos on display available for purchasing)
• Havana Outside is the Havana complex's pool area (1x swimming pool /Havana Pool, live palm trees).
• Tides Pool (aft) has 1x swimming pool flanked by 2x Jacuzzies/spa pools and a large sunbathing area served with drinks by the Tides Bar.
• Circle C (kids club lounge), Club O2 (teens club lounge)
• Warehouse (Video Arcade)
• Camp Ocean (formerly known as "Camp Carnival" - youth activities program)
• Creative Cove (a dedicated room for kids' arts-crafts and workshops)
• Dr Seuss Bookville is a family-themed indoor playground (kids room/library) fitted with all Dr Seuss books (available for reading), fun games, themed decorations and activities (Dr Seuss characters, memorable phrases from the books, character meet-and-greets). Other themed events held on the ship include Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (at Main Dining Rooms), Story Time (at Camp Carnival), Seuss-A-Palooza Parade (Promenade Deck show).
• Carnival Cloud 9 Spa (wellness complex)
• The Fitness Center/Gymnasium (complimentary)
• Loft 19 Retreat offers full bar service and a swimming pool surrounded by cabanas.

Serenity is the ship's adults-only retreat (complimentary/free entry for passengers 21+ yo) accessible at any time. This is a forward-location outdoor area/sundeck with 2x Jacuzzies/whirlpools (large-size outdoor hot tubs, cantilevered/infinity pool type, with glass walls), 2x massage huts, cabanas, Fresh Creations (complimentary chopped salad station for made-to-order fresh salads), Spritz Bar/Serenity Bar (waiter-served beverages), and an exclusive sundeck for relaxation, sunbathing and evening dance parties. Both bars and the whirlpools are available between 8 am - 10 pm. Hours may vary depending on cruise itinerary, portdays/seadays, weather.

Serenity Deck is furnished with hammocks, premium wicker chaise lounges and clamshell chairs (plush seating, teal cushions), shaded seating areas with double loungers and plush wicker sofas, live trees for decoration. At regular bar prices, Serenity Bar's menu offers drinks and refreshments (cocktails, beer/buckets, wine by the glass, frozens, smoothies, shakes, sodas).

On Carnival Celebration (Camp Ocean venues) debuted the "Turtles" program for toddlers/kids under two years of age. The program's activities include Turtle Playdates, Turtle Band, Baby Turtle Trek, as well as drop-off time and late-night babysitting. Another new Camp Ocean program is "Nautical Explorer" offering maritime-themed activities like designing your own cruise ship.

The Gateway's "The Golden Jubilee" is a New Orleans-themed jazz lounge offering live performances and hand-crafted cocktails and featuring memorabilia, artworks and original pieces from CCL’s earlier liners, including:

• Round (instead of square) windows, reminiscent of the classic liners' portholes
• Chairs (recreated from TSS Carnivale’s "Riverboat Lounge") and cocktail tables from Carnival Fascination ’s "Hollywood Boulevard" (Promenade & Bar Lounge)
• Original full-height etched glass-nickel-mahogany partition wall with 24 windowpanes from the Casino of TSS Mardi Gras and floor tiles from the liner's Grand Ballroom
• Original etchings of musical instruments and polished brass-and-glass nightclub doors from the ship TSS Carnivale
• Reproductions of hand-drawn sketches by architect Joe Farcus (CCL's interior ship designer) blended into mirrors
• Original bronze statue of Ted Arison (by Martin Saarikangas)
• The Golden Jubilee Bar is beneath 2-deck-high ceilings (adorned with a brass chandelier) and features an early version of the CCL’s logo, mirror inserts (integrated into the front and bottle display), a special menu with the most popular cocktails throughout the decades since the company's establishment in 1972.

The Ultimate Playground is a large (2-decks high) family-friendly outdoor playground with fleet's largest Carnival WaterWorks (aquapark), expanded SportSquare (sports complex with a basketball court, ropes course, jogging track, mini-golf) and "BOLT - Ultimate Sea Coaster" (world's 2nd rollercoaster at sea).

CCL's entertainment team partnered with celebrity directors from Los Angeles (Broadway) and London (West End) to create 3 new signature shows - part of the onboard "Playlist Productions" revues. The new shows (named "Celestial Strings", "Soulbound", "Vintage Pop") use the full capacity of the interactive LED screens. A 4th show ("Amor Cubano - A Caribbean Dance Romance") is also available on the Horizon ship. It was introduced in 2017 on Carnival Vista.

• "Celestial Strings" show is themed on classical music mixed with modern pop.
• "Soulbound" is a gothic-inspired, New Orleans-themed show featuring R&B music favorites.
• "Vintage Pop" show is themed on "Gatsby's Cotton Club", featuring modern songs recomposed into classic jazz interpretations performed live by a 6-piece jazz band.
• "Amor Cubano - A Caribbean Dance Romance" show is themed on classic Latin songs mixed with modern music hits. It is held at the Havana Bar and highlighted by a 7-piece Cuban music band.

Carnival Celebration's retail shopping options include 9x new collections, including CCL's 50th Anniversary memorabilia (50th Birthday), 305 Deco Celebration (in the "820 Biscayne" zone/Miami-themed), new brands, fashion accessories and designs (customizable apparel, Romero Britto artworks, Effy Fine Jewellery, LVMH brands' luxury goods, ICONIC London's makeup products, Ariana Grande's perfumes and colognes, Cuervo y Sobrinos' watches), a destination-themed collection (based on the cruise itinerary's regions/countries/port cities), a Carnival-logoed collection (CCL-logoed and Carnival Celebration-logoed products plus various logo items), as well as special merchandise influenced by the cruise liner's entertainment venues. Carnival Celebration's retail shops are spread across all six zones/neighborhoods. "The Carnival Store" (deck 8) features an interactive floor experience. The Luxury Vintage Retail is a boutique promoting responsible fashion.

New (fleet-first and never-before-seen) live entertainment options on Carnival Celebration feature aerialist acts, grand productions, game shows, parties, themed events and presentations. The new programming (at Playlist Productions and Atrium's Center Stage) includes:

• "Color My World - An Indie Rock and Pop Love Story" is dance music themed (street jazz, hip-hop, ballet, pop, indie rock) and features live painting.
• "Rio Carnival" is a Brazilian fiesta show with the cast performing authentic dancing (samba, bossa nova, batudada, forro, carimbo, capoeira, marchinha), in addition to popular songs performed in Portuguese and English.
• "The Most Magnificent Circus" is an extravagant aerialist show with professional wire-rigged performers flying over the audience.
• Playlist Productions also hosts the new shows "Celestial Strings", "Cuban-meets-Latin" and "Amor Cubano", while Center Stage hosts the new "We Are One" music production.

Celebration Central Atrium's Center Stage hosts the "Visual Symphony" production using the 16 moving LED screens and high-tech lasers in combination with classic rock live music. Center Stage's shows were developed by Jason Whicker (aerial director).

Together with CCL's popular game shows "Love and Marriage", "Family Feud Live" and "Deal or No Deal", on Carnival Celebration debuted the new "Cash Bash" (casino game with prizes and interactive activities), "Guess That Groove" (groovy dance competition), "What’s Age Got to Do With It" (Q&A trivia show for all ages, including family duos). A new party that debuted on the ship is "Celebration Happy Hour" (at Latitudes Bar).

Itineraries

Carnival Celebration's itinerary program is based on year-round roundtrips to the Caribbean from homeport Miami (Florida USA) , with preferential berthing at the new "Carnival Terminal 3" (CT3). The Maiden Voyage was on November 6, 2022. The itinerary was a 14-day "Carnival Journeys" (Transatlantic repositioning crossing Nov 6-20) from Southampton (England UK) to Miami via Madeira (Portugal) and Canary Islands (Spain).

CCL Celebration ship's Caribbean program (6-7-8-day roundtrips from Miami) started on November 21, 2022. The Western Caribbean itineraries visit Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Mya) and Honduras (Roatan). The Eastern Caribbean itineraries visit Dominicana (Amber Cove), Puerto Rico (San Juan), St Maarten (Philipsburg), St Thomas USVI (Charlotte Amalie). The Southern Caribbean itineraries visit the Dutch Antilles' ABC islands - Aruba (Oranjestad), Bonaire (Kralendijk), Curacao (Willemstad).

Carnival Celebration - user reviews and comments

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Other Carnival Cruise Line cruise ships

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Firenze
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Luminosa
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

Carnival Celebration Wiki

The vessel's name (Carnival Celebration, IMO number 9837456) was announced on August 21, 2020. The boat's arrival in 2022 (inaugurated in November in PortMiami ) was planned to coincide with CCL's 50th anniversary. The sistership Mardi Gras was originally scheduled for inauguration on February 6, 2021, leaving out Port Canaveral . Carnival Cruise Line 's 50th Birthday was celebrated in March 2022, with a series of commemorative cruises (Sailabrations) featuring unique onboard entertainment/events and special itineraries.

CCL's President Christine Duffy commented, "The name Carnival Celebration couldn't be more perfect for a ship that will be a key component of our 50th Birthday festivities. Many thanks to our celebrity partners who helped us officially "unbox the fun" and reveal the name of a ship that promises to be a spectacular addition to our fleet. Carnival Celebration is our 50th Birthday present to our guests!"

Like most large -sized newbuilds , the new Carnival Celebration is LNG-powered , with 4x Caterpillar Marine LNG engines (model MaK 16M-46DF) generating combined output 57,2 MW. The propulsion system is based on two Azimuting thrusters with combined power output 37 MW. The ship has 3x LNG tanks (cryogenic steel) with total capacity ~3200 m3. Two of the tanks are larger (length 35 m / 115 ft, diameter 8 m / 26 ft, gas capacity 1525 m3), while the 3rd tank has length 28 m (92 ft), diameter 5 m (16 ft) and gas capacity 520 m3. The vessel's bunkering takes ~8 hours and her LNG capacity is enough for ~14 days of operation (navigation and onboard electricity production).

For its LNG-bunkering operations in Florida (at homeports PortMiami and Port Canaveral ), CCL-Carnival partnered with Royal Dutch Shell plc as fuel supplier.

The shipbuilding order (Meyer Turku yard number / hull 1397) was placed on September 6, 2016. Carnival Celebration's construction at Turku Shipyard Finland officially started on January 13, 2021, with the steel-cutting ceremony (yard/hull number 1397). The special event was attended by Ben Clement (CCL's Senior VP of Newbuilds, Refurbishments and Product Innovation) and Tim Meyer (Meyer Turku's CEO).

The ship was launched/floated out from drydock on February 11, 2022. The ceremony was attended by Tim Meyer and Ben Clement. The coin-ceremony (held on June 15th at Meyer Turku) was attended by Vincenzo Alcaras (Captain), Fabien Gervaise (Chief Engineer), Pierre Camilleri (Hotel Director) as well as by members of CCL's New Build Department and Meyer Turku representatives.

The ship was officially delivered from Meyer Turku to CCL on November 2, 2022. The delivery ceremony was attended by Tim Meyer and Christine Duffy (CCL). The maiden voyage departed from Southampton on November 6th.

The liner's Senior Officers are Vincenzo Alcaras (Captain since 2006 on Carnival Miracle, with CCL since 1996), Fabien Gervaise (Chief Engineer since 2013 on Carnival Breeze, with CCL since 2000), and Pierre Camilleri (Hotel Director, with CCL since 2004).

On June 16, 2022, at Port Mobile (Alabama) from Carnival Ecstasy was offloaded a vintage car (Rolls Royce Saloon from 1934). The unique automobile (originally positioned outside Ecstasy's Rolls Royce Cafe) was later shipped to Finland and loaded onto Carnival Celebration (at Meyer Turku shipyard). In February 2022, CCL announced that Ecstasy (1991-built/31-years-old) and Sensation (1993-built/29-years-old) leave the fleet in 2022.

Sea trials started on September 5, 2022, in the Archipelago Sea (northeastern Baltic Sea's Turku Archipelago/Finnish territorial waters) during which officers, technicians and engineers thoroughly tested the new vessel's technical, mechanical and navigational systems (including maneuvering, endurance, speed, thrusters, steering) to determine its capability and performance. The boat was mastered by Captain Vincenzo Alcaras.

The new ship's name honors MS Celebration (1987-built/2021- scrapped as " Grand Celebration ") - CCL's last/3rd Holiday-class liner, with sisterships MS Jubilee (1986-built/2017-scrapped as "Henna") and MS Holiday (1985-built/2021-scrapped as " CMV Magellan ").

The ship's naming ceremony was on November 20, 2022, held in PortMiami and led by godmother Cassidy Gifford. Cassidy Erin Gifford (1993-born American model and actress) is the daughter of Frank Gifford (former NFL player/footballer and sports broadcaster) and Kathie Lee Gifford (TV host, also the godmother of MS Celebration, 1987-built/2021-scrapped ). Kathie Gifford served as Carnival's spokesperson in American TV campaigns (the industry's first network broadcasting ads) between 1984-2002. Cassidy Gifford's career started in 2005. Her best-known movies so far are "God's Not Dead" (2014, Christian drama/playing Kara) and "The Gallows" (2015, supernatural horror/playing Cassidy Spilker).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2022

In December 2020, CCL-Carnival officially announced the inaugural season's schedule of the new Celebration liner. Next tables show the Maiden Voyage (ship's first cruise) and the inaugural Caribbean itineraries with lowest prices in USD per person (with double occupancy).

(MAIDEN VOYAGE) 14-day Transatlantic crossing (RepositionCruises.com) from UK to USA (Southampton to Miami) - from $1140 pp

Inaugural 6-day Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas itinerary ($740 pp)

Inaugural 7-day Western Caribbean itinerary ($690 pp)

Inaugural 7-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary ($670 pp)

Inaugural 8-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary ($750 pp)

(2023) Inaugural 5-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary ($430 pp)

Carnival Celebration begins Miami sailings from…

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Carnival celebration begins miami sailings from renewed cruise terminal amid soggy 50th birthday bash.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line christened its new ship Carnival Celebration during a ceremony Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 while docked at the revamped Cruise Terminal F in PortMiami ahead of its first Caribbean sailing.

The Gateway is one of six zones on Carnival Celebration that includes a promenade, the Latitudes bar, Emeril's Bistro 1397 and the Golden Jubilee bar, all themed to global travel.

The Aquaria Bar will be in Celebration Central, the new atrium space on board Carnival Celebration debuting in 2022 and sailing from PortMiami.

Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy shows a rendering comparing the original Carnival M/S Celebration with the new Carnival Celebration, which was christened Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

The new Carnival Celebration cruise ship will feature a Miami-themed neighborhood on board called 820 Biscayne, in deference to the cruise line's original headquarters address when it was founded in 1972. The space will feature venues Bar 820, Deco Deli and Miami Slice.

The Latitudes bar with its class train-station flipboard is seen during a ceremony on board the Carnival Celebration, which was christened Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

Aerialists perform during the Carnival Celebration christening on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 on board while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

Steve Dunlop Photographer/Carnival Cruise Line

Several 10-by-5-foot LED screens are seen during a ceremony on board the Carnival Celebration, which was christened Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

The Gateway Atlas that shows were every Carnival Cruise Line ship is in the world is seen during a ceremony on board the Carnival Celebration, which was christened Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

The Carnival Celebration was christened by godmother Cassidy Gifford, daughter of longtime Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson Kathie Lee Gifford, in a ceremony among rainstorms on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 on board while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

The Carnival Celebration cruise ship is floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on Friday, Feb. 11, 2020.

Officials with Carnival Cruise Line and Meyer Turku shipyard celebrate the float out of the Carnival Celebration in Turku, Finland on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022.

The Golden Jubilee is a new venue for the upcoming Carnival Celebration cruise ship, a bar and lounge that will pay homage to the cruise line's 50 years of business.

The Carnival Celebration was christened by godmother Cassidy Gifford, daughter of longtime Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson Kathie Lee Gifford, in a ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 on board while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

Celebration Central is the new atrium space on board Carnival Celebration debuting in 2022 and sailing from PortMiami.

A brass engine order telegraph near the Golden Jubilee bar is seen during a ceremony on board the Carnival Celebration, which was christened Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

The Bolt roller coaster will be the second roller coast at sea, coming on board Carnival Celebration debuting in 2022 and sailing from PortMiami.

Emeril's Bistro 1397 is seen during a ceremony on board the Carnival Celebration, which was christened Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

A three-deck stairwell art installation is seen during a ceremony on board the Carnival Celebration, which was christened Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

The Carnival Celebration was christened by godmother Cassidy Gifford, daughter of longtime Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson Kathie Lee Gifford, seen here performing in a ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 on board while docked at PortMiami's revamped Cruise Terminal F ahead of its first sailing.

Tropicale Bar will be in Celebration Central, the new atrium space on board Carnival Celebration debuting in 2022 and sailing from PortMiami.

Paying deference to 50 years in business, Carnival Celebration’s godmother is actress and model Cassidy Gifford, the daughter of Kathie Lee Gifford who had been a spokesperson for the line for decades and even christened the new ship’s namesake, the M/S Celebration, back in 1987.

Coming in at 180,800 gross tons that can sail with 6,631 guests at full capacity, the new version is nearly four times the size of the original, which was just over 47,000 gross tons and could hold about 1,500 passengers.

Both mother and daughter were on hand along with chef Emeril Lagasse, artist Romero Britto and Carnival Cruise Line executives for the Sunday evening celebration at Miami’s upgraded Cruise Terminal F that culminated with a concert by Kool & the Gang, the obvious choice for entertainment with their hit “Celebration.”

“Cassidy has literally grown up on Carnival cruise ships and played obviously a huge role in her life taking cruises from a young age,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy during the ceremony on board showing images of Cassidy as a little girl held by Kathie Lee in the 1990s. “She even had some cameos in commercials and ads during the 20 years the Kathie Lee served as our spokesperson.”

With the towering LED displays within Celebration’s three-deck tall atrium Celebration Central, Cassidy pulled the symbolic lever built into a 50th birthday cake to let loose a massive bottle of champagne crashing into the vessel’s hull amid the torrent that dropped throughout South Florida on Sunday.

“In observance of the ancient and sacred traditions of the sea, I hereby name this ship the Carnival Celebration,” Cassidy said. “May good fortune shine on all who work and sail on her and may she always have smooth seas and a following wind wherever she may sail.”

Kathie Lee then joined in a performance of throwback Carnival commercial tune, “If You Could See Me Now.”

Duffy said the rain has been following the ship around since the line took possession of it from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

She cheekily apologized to around 200 passengers who had already traveled on the ship’s 14-night maiden voyage from Southampton, England who departed under rainy conditions, and are among Monday’s sold-out sailing for the ship’s first Caribbean cruise.

“When I left them in Southampton, the weather was a little bit like it was here today, and I left them saying, ‘Don’t worry. You’re coming to the Sunshine State,” Duffy said. “Just wait for tomorrow.”

Miami saw more than 3 inches throughout Sunday nearly tripling the previous record for the date and causing flooding in some parts of South Florida.

A sister ship to Carnival’s Mardi Gras that debut at Port Canaveral last summer, Celebration also runs on liquified natural gas, and becomes the first LNG-powered cruise ship to call PortMiami home. LNG is one of several new fuel alternatives to traditional diesel that cruise lines are adopting to reduce emissions. Disney Cruise Line’s new ship Disney Wish also runs on LNG.

Celebration makes its debut sailing with passengers Monday and is set to offer year-round alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

Ahead of the christening, cruise and government officials held another ribbon cutting for the revamped terminal, touting its environmental impact as well, as it aims to be able to provide shore-based energy to the cruise ships instead of the ships using their fuel while docked.

“You created the moral imperative to move forward and all the other major cruise companies signed on the dotted line, and working together with FPL, in 2023 PortMiami will be shore-powered-ready and Terminal F here will be among the first to provide that ship-to-shore connection,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “You are truly leading the way. … So we salute you for everything you do to reduce our carbon emissions and make us more sustainable.”

The massive 471,000-square-foot, three-level terminal is the largest in Florida and had been outfitted to use facial recognition technology to assist in speedier boarding. It becomes the primary home to five of Carnival’s 24-ship fleet, and it’s expected to see 20,000 passengers embark per week.

“My grandfather’s motto was get money, do good and have fun,” Levine Cava said. “I think we’re reflected right here.”

As for the new ship, it’s the second of three Excel-class vessels for Carnival, and has a lot in common with Mardi Gras including the top-deck roller coaster called BOLT , which sends riders sitting on 800-foot-long track that winds around the aft of the ship using a two-seat, motorcycle-esque car on 20-second thrill rides that can go up to 35 mph.

The ship is carved up into six neighborhoods similar to how Royal Caribbean partitions its massive Oasis-class vessels. Three of Celebration’s six neighborhoods are new to the ship — The Gateway, Celebration Central and 820 Biscayne — while Mardi Gras and Celebration share essentially mirror neighborhoods called The Ultimate Playground (including BOLT), Summer Landing and Lido.

Both ships have their own version of Emeril’s Bistro, WaterWorks aqua park, SportSquare area with mini-golf, ropes course and basketball court, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, a two-level RedFrog Tiki Bar, Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant, Guy’s Burger Joint, Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina among other spaces.

Some of Celebration’s unique offerings include the Golden Jubilee bar that pays homage to Carnival’s history since its founding in 1972; the Latitudes bar that features a modern take on historic departure boards like those you might see at train stations; the Gateway Atlas, a high-definition display that shows the location of all Carnival ships around the world in real time; and virtual windows along the promenade with a dozen 10-foot-by-5-foot displays along the way as well as an LED-lit ceiling 100 feet up that will be paired at times with show lighting and sounds.

At the naming ceremony, everyone seemed to need to get their hands on the engine order telegraph with its commands like “dead slow” and “full.”

These new features give the ship a much more detailed feel than Mardi Gras with visual delights around every corner, and should please any cruiser with a history of sailing on Carnival over the last five decades.

“This is our special, magnificent new flagship,” Duffy said. “This ship embodies the pride, the hope, the perseverance and excitement for our future on so many levels … the work that we did to be back, and back in a big way, and this really does culminate 50 years of Carnival Cruise Line.”

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Carnival Celebration - May 26, 2024

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May 26, 2024

May 26 - 2, 2024

Carnival Celebration

Carnival Cruise Lines

7 Night Eastern Caribbean

from Miami, Florida

The May 26, 2024 cruise on the Carnival Celebration departs from Miami, Florida. On this 7 Night Eastern Caribbean sailing, the ship will visit a total of 4 different cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Carnival Celebration sets sail on a Sunday (May 26, 2024) and returns on a Sunday (June 2, 2024).

The Carnival Celebration was built in 2022 and is amoung Carnival's 26 ships in it's fleet. The Carnival Celebration is included in the cruise line's XL Class. In the cruise ship stats below you'll find the Carnival Celebration vs all other Carnival ships.

All Itineraries

Explore all that Miami has to offer, from the magnificent Port of Miami, to the world famous Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, historic Coconut Grove, and trendy South Beach. Other attractions include the Miami Seaquarium , Miami MetroZoo, and sports teams the Dolphins, Heat and Marlins. No wonder so many celebrities, such as Gloria Estefan, Madonna and Ricky Martin, call Miami home.

Explore all that Miami has to offer, from the magnificent Port of Miami, to the world famous Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, historic Coconut Grove, and trendy South Beach. Other attractions...

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. Explore the Carnival Celebration Deck Maps and make sure to view our list of Ship Venues and Features. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

Grand Turk Island

Nassau/Paradise Island is the capital of the Bahamas. Explore Parliament Square, the government center that dates back to the early 1800s or check out the port's vibrant night life, including more casinos, theatres, and fabulous cuisine than you could possibly fit into a short stay. During the day, there's plenty of golfing, tennis, and swimming.

Nassau/Paradise Island is the capital of the Bahamas. Explore Parliament Square, the government center that dates back to the early 1800s or check out the port's vibrant night life, including more...

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Royal caribbean vs. carnival: quick comparison chart.

Decide which line is best based on costs, food, onboard entertainment and other key factors.

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line have quite a bit in common.

Trying to choose between Royal Caribbean and Carnival for your next cruise? Check out the comparison chart below, then read on for more details.

Winner: Royal Caribbean

When it comes to fleet size as well as the features available on cruise ships, Royal Caribbean has an edge over Carnival Cruise Line. That's because Royal Caribbean already has 28 ships in operation, including its incredible Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Quantum Ultra Class ships. Oasis Class vessels like Allure of the Seas , Symphony of the Seas , Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are some of the largest in the world – and Royal Caribbean Group is constantly rolling out new, even bigger cruise ships with better amenities and new features. For example, the new Icon of the Seas (scheduled to debut in 2024) plans to have the largest water park at sea, the largest swimming pool at sea, and a range of over-the-top cabins and suites for families of all sizes.

Meanwhile, Carnival currently operates 25 different vessels with a few more on the way. Newer ships like Carnival Celebration and Carnival Venezia aren't as large and grand as Royal Caribbean ships, nor are the brand-new vessels the company is planning for late 2023 and 2024. For example, the new Carnival Jubilee that is set to begin sailing later in 2023 will have 15 passenger decks and capacity for up to 6,631 guests, compared to 18 guest decks and 7,600 passengers on Icon of the Seas.

Read: The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

SBW-Photo | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Comparing cabins across cruise lines as a whole isn't an easy feat, mostly because companies tend to offer larger suites and cabins with a better layout on their newer ships . You'll therefore likely have a nicer cabin on one of Carnival's newest vessels compared to an older ship from Royal Caribbean, and of course the opposite is also true. Cabin sizes and layouts also vary widely across the vessels of both brands, and that's true even for basic interior, ocean view and balcony cabins.

That said, Royal Caribbean still comes out ahead in this category, since the line boasts more square footage in some of the most basic cabins as well as more over-the-top luxury accommodations, especially for families.

As an example, most inside cabins on Allure of the Seas feature 172 square feet of space, whereas Carnival Celebration's inside cabins are slightly smaller at 158 square feet. Meanwhile, the largest suites on Celebration are the Carnival Excel Presidential Suite, with 1,120 square feet of space including the balcony, and the Carnival Excel Aft Suite, which has 861 square feet of interior and balcony space. Compare those options to the Sky Loft Suites on Allure of the Seas, which feature 1,132 square feet across the room and balcony, and the spacious two-bedroom AquaTheater Suites with 1,595 square feet including the balcony.

Book a cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Winner: Tie

Food options vary widely across vessels within any cruise brand, and this is especially true with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. For example, older ships from both cruise lines offer fewer specialty dining options overall along with the main dining rooms and buffet options cruisers come to expect, whereas newer ships from both lines feature a lot more unique and innovative options.

When you view the cruise dining options from both lines, you'll quickly find that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean pull out all the stops when it comes to food. For example, Carnival ships include a range of eateries from large and expansive buffets to main dining rooms to unique offerings like Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. Meanwhile, specialty dining on Carnival vessels features options like teppanyaki, Emeril's Bistros at Sea and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.

Royal Caribbean ships feature convenient buffets and main dining room experiences, as well as included options like pizza kitchens, noodle bars and casual fast food. Specialty dining on Royal Caribbean ranges from the brand's Chef's Table experience to Johnny Rockets' burgers and shakes to innovative fine dining at Wonderland.

Drink packages

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer drink packages that cruisers can purchase as part of their vacation to get a more all-inclusive feel . Then again, the value of these packages depends on how much you drink over the course of your trip. Also note that the cost of drink packages across all cruise lines can vary depending on the ship, itinerary, travel dates, length of trip and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out slightly ahead in this category because the line offers three tiers of drink packages for guests with different needs. Choose from the Classic Soda Package; the Refreshment Package, which includes soda along with coffees, juices and even milkshakes at Johnny Rockets; and the Deluxe Beverage Package, which adds in beer, cocktails and wine by the glass. Meanwhile, Carnival offers just two different drink packages: the Bottomless Bubbles package, which covers soft drinks and juice, and the Cheers! drink package, which adds in spirits and cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, specialty coffee, energy drinks and more.

Read: Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line

Onboard activities

Analyzing onboard activities across cruise lines isn't always easy – you really have to break down this category by ship for a true comparison. When you do that with Carnival and Royal Caribbean, you'll find that both lines offer fun activities for all ages, from onboard water parks to hosted games, casinos and more.

That said, Royal Caribbean does take things up a notch in this category, especially on the line's newer ships. Some Royal Caribbean vessels offer escape rooms, surf simulators, zip lines, game shows and over-the-top water parks with incredible slides for thrill-seekers. For example, Freedom of the Seas boasts huge onboard waterslides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, mini-golf and more. Don't forget about Icon of the Seas with its massive water park and pool offerings in the works. Meanwhile, standout activities on Carnival ships include Family Feud Live, onboard water parks and the thrilling SkyRide.

Compare Royal Caribbean cruises on GoToSea .

Live entertainment

The quality of cruise ship entertainment varies widely based on the quality of the talent booked for individual ships. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer their share of live music and entertainment, including performances by bands and singers, karaoke, and piano bars. Meanwhile, both lines also boast their own theaters on every vessel, which often feature Broadway-style shows, singing and dancing, comedy acts, and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out ahead in this category since its vessels feature award-winning musicals like "Hairspray," "Mamma Mia!" and "Cats." The open-air AquaTheater on Oasis Class ships also wows guests with incredible diving feats, stunts and aerial acrobatics. Some Royal Caribbean ships even have onboard ice skating performances and ice games.

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Kids programming

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Winner: Carnival

Both cruise lines have kids clubs that cater to younger guests of all ages, with each one offering supervised care so parents can drop the kids off for some alone time or a quiet dinner on the ship. However, Carnival stands out slightly in this category due to the six different clubs offered across the fleet for children and teens between 6 months and 17 years old. Carnival also offers supervised Night Owls services for kids 11 and younger, which lets parents get out and have some late-night fun for an extra charge.

Royal Caribbean offers four kids clubs for children ages six months to 12, along with a separate club for tweens and teens . Supervised child care is available for free during the day, and you can opt for paid care after hours as well.

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Adults-only offerings

Both cruise lines offer their share of adults-only spaces and things to do, from onboard casinos to luxurious spas to bars that offer cocktails and live entertainment at all hours of the day and night. Carnival and Royal Caribbean also offer adults-only areas on some of their ships.

On Carnival, for example, cruisers will find the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat for sailors 21 and older with extra space and comfortable chairs for relaxation, along with its own bar nearby. On many Royal Caribbean vessels, on the other hand, the onboard Solarium for ages 16-plus has its own pool and extra space to find peace and quiet.

Carnival's Serenity relaxation area is included for guests. While Royal Caribbean's Solarium is typically also included, on certain sailings there is restricted access by fare class.

Read: The Top Adults-Only Cruises

Shore excursions

Getty Images

Shore excursions offered by cruise lines are largely operated by third-party companies and are often the same across brands. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean boast a broad selection of excursions in destinations around the world, from snorkeling and scuba tours in the Caribbean to city tours, horseback riding, cooking classes and more.

Both cruise lines offer private and custom tours you can book through your ship as well.

Compare cruises on GoToSea .

Private island experiences

Royal Caribbean and Carnival each have their own private island in the Bahamas , which is included in most itineraries to this part of the world. These private islands provide a fun beach escape for families to enjoy, whether you want to relax in the sun or take part in some of the available activities.

Royal Caribbean's private island, called Perfect Day at CocoCay, is the more impressive option due to everything it includes: a heart-thumping water park, its own wave pool, a zip line, a hot air balloon experience and overwater bungalows you can book for the day, among other offerings. Meanwhile, Carnival's Half Moon Cay has a unique beached pirate ship to explore – but fewer amenities overall.

Note that both private islands have plenty of beach space for guests to spread out and relax, as well as restaurants and bars. You can also book excursions on both private islands, which include activities like snorkeling and water sports.

Read: The Top Cruise Line Private Islands

Comparing costs across cruise lines can be tricky since fares and available sales vary throughout the year, as well as based on the vessel booked, the cruise itinerary, the number and age of travelers, and more. To get an idea of who wins on price, we looked for two similar cruises on comparable ships from Carnival and Royal Caribbean, then priced out an option for a family of four with two children ages 8 and 10. For the purpose of this comparison, we used seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises on Carnival Celebration and Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, both of which began sailing in 2022.

The Carnival Celebration itinerary from Miami stops in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands . By comparison, the Wonder of the Seas sailing leaves from Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten ; San Juan; and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

The chart below shows the total cost (including taxes and fees) for a family of four in January 2024 in both an ocean view and a typical balcony cabin across both cruise lines. Note that, for the purpose of this comparison, we selected the least expensive room option in each category.

Read: How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered cruises and other family travel for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 30 times across most of the major cruise lines and has ventured on itineraries around the world. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate this cruise line comparison.

You might also be interested in:

• Icon of the Seas Review
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans
• The Top Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
• How to Find Last-Minute Cruise Deals
• The Top Kids Sail Free Cruises

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The 7 best cruise ships for kids

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Kids can make or break your family cruise. If they’re bored and hate the food options, they will loudly and repeatedly express their displeasure. Pick the wrong cruise ship, and parents will feel as trapped as if they were stranded on a deserted island … with biting crabs underfoot.

The best cruises for kids take advantage of ships with endless fun for the under-18 crowd, plentiful dining that appeals to both young palates and bottomless teen tummies, accommodations and ship services that keep families in mind, and opportunities to meet and hang out with peers. No matter your family size or price range, you can find some incredible vacations at sea that will have kids exclaiming, “Best cruise ever!” by the end of the week.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s  cruise newsletter .

Find the top ship for your next trip with our list of the seven best cruise ships for kids (and their parents).

Disney Wish

No one is surprised that kids are highly entertained on a Disney cruise — but what might be surprising is how much there is for adults to do and enjoy , too. That’s especially true on the new Disney Wish , which debuted in the summer of 2022.

Disney Wish has four kids clubs divided by age, but the main Oceaneer Club for 3- to 12-year-olds has an all-new and exciting grand entrance. Kids get to enter the club by slide — and once inside, can explore the club’s spaces themed to “Star Wars,” fairy tales, Marvel and Disney Imagineers.

Along with the kids club on Disney Wish, junior cruisers will find two movie theaters with first-run Disney movies, Broadway-caliber shows featuring Aladdin and the Little Mermaid and dining experiences themed around Arendelle from “Frozen” and the Worlds of Marvel .

In addition to a “Star Wars-” themed bar and adults-only fine dining restaurants, adults will appreciate the little touches on Wish that make family cruising easier — split bathrooms in most cabins, a drop-off nursery, a splash area for toddlers and restaurant staff members who will offer high chairs and puree baby food.

Disney Wish sails short three- and four-night trips from Port Canaveral , Florida (near Orlando) that include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island , with its family beach, supervised child care, splash pad and strollers to borrow.

Related: How to save money on the cost of a Disney cruise  

A nearly identical sister ship, Disney Treasure , will debut in 2024.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

It hasn’t even launched yet, and we’re already confident that Royal Caribbean ‘s new Icon of the Seas , soon to be the largest ship afloat, will be one of the top cruise ships for kids. Kids will never be bored on a ship with a six-slide water park, wild ropes course, surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, sports court and Surfside — a half deck of play spaces and restaurants devoted to little kids and their families.

Kids (and parents) who like a good show can gasp as ice skaters land jumps on a rocking ship, and acrobatic divers flip and splash in the AquaTheater, now up high on the ship under a glass dome. Don’t miss pizza and parades on the Royal Promenade, Icon’s indoor shopping strip.

The ship will also have innovative new family cabins and suites, some with separate kids’ rooms, to better accommodate guests of all ages. The Ultimate Family Townhouse will be a massive three-floor living space with a screening room, karaoke machine, in-suite slide and a backyard that leads out to the Surfside family neighborhood.

Related: 5 best Royal Caribbean ships for kids

Icon of the Seas will sail weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami beginning in January 2024.

Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Encore has a more grown-up vibe than many of the family-focused ships on our list, but its onboard attractions make it a huge hit with teens. Its top decks lure older kids with one of the biggest go-kart tracks in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and an open-air laser tag arena ideal for shooting matches under the stars. A huge virtual reality playground features rides and games that blow the standard cruise ship arcade out of the water.

Note to parents: Cruiselong passes for the go-kart race track , virtual reality games and laser tag do not come cheap. Be prepared to pull out your wallet to keep the teens happy.

At night, teens can feed their growing bodies with tacos, hibachi and barbecue, plus 24/7 burgers and comfort food at The Local. Afterward, they’ll agree to be seen in public with their parents at a show as cool as “Choir of Man.” It’s an easy concession, as they know they can always escape to the teen club, Entourage, to hang out with the cool kids late at night.

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

Norwegian Encore spends its summers in Alaska and winters in the Caribbean, with a handful of Panama Canal and Pacific Coast sailings in between.

Carnival Celebration

Passengers and crew members on Carnival Cruise Line ships come ready to meet new friends or share a laugh, a story and a drink with their shipmates. Social kids will fit right in and love the line’s huge, new ship Carnival Celebration . They can make friends at the Family Harbor Lounge, Camp Ocean and Dr. Seuss Bookville; older kids will enjoy the teen and tween clubs conveniently located near Guy Fieri’s burger stand and the video arcade.

Carnival Celebration and its near-identical twin fleet mate, Mardi Gras , are the only cruise ships boasting a top-deck roller coaster called Bolt. (That is until a third sister, Carnival Jubilee, debuts in late 2023.) A ride here is Instagram gold and the ultimate bragging rights for kids on vacation. The coaster dominates the Ultimate Playground area of the ship, where young cruisers can challenge their new friends to miniature golf, waterslide races, basketball and ropes course domination.

Kids who love a good food court can meet up with friends or family at several no-fee, casual eateries, including Shaq’s Big Chicken restaurant and a trio of Street Eats venues featuring dumplings, meat on a stick and loaded French fries. All-hours pizza and ice cream will keep the whole family fueled up for the interactive “Family Feud Live” show.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries

Carnival Celebration sails weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami. Its sister Mardi Gras sails similar Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando). Carnival Jubilee will be based out of Galveston, Texas, and offer seven-night Western Caribbean cruises only.

Sun Princess

It may seem odd that two of our top ships for kids haven’t debuted yet. However, like Icon of the Seas, Princess Cruises ‘ new 4,300-passenger Sun Princess will be heads and shoulders above the rest of the fleet in terms of family entertainment. If you’re booking a multigenerational family cruise for 2024 or beyond, you will definitely want to keep this ship in mind.

Sun Princess will be the first Princess cruise ship to feature an expansive upper-deck activity zone that kids will love. Named Park19, it will feature nine fun-in-the-sun activities spanning three decks. The attractions include the Sea Breeze Rollglider (imagine a safer version of hang-gliding from an elevated track), a climbing structure with obstacles and a slide, a ropes course, a splash zone and a sports court.

Inside the ship, Firefly Park will have drop-off kid programming and family play spaces for kids 6 months to 7 years old. Tweens and teens will each have their own hangouts, Neon Grove and The Underground, with cozy lounge furniture and plenty of video and other games.

Related: Which cruise ship cabin category should your family book?

Sun Princess will split its time between Mediterranean cruises out of Civitavecchia (the port for Rome), Piraeus (the port for Athens) and Barcelona as well as Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale.

MSC Seascape

MSC Cruises ‘ MSC Seascape is a floating megaresort with something for every type of kid. The ship stands out from its sisters because of its Robotron amusement park-style ride . Three riders at a time buckle into seating attached to a robotic arm, which then twists and turns to fly the riders over the ship and sea.

Water babies will make a break for the Pirates Cove Aquapark, with slides, a splash zone and a rope bridge. Other kids might spend their parents’ money on more virtual fun, indulging in F1 race car simulators, VR motorcycle racing, a 4D movie theater and a video arcade. Family groups can split into teams for sports court competitions or participate in organized games that rely on the latest technology to challenge guests of all ages.

The ship’s Lego-themed Doremi Land kids club has dedicated spaces for babies, kids and teens. The 7,567-square-foot space includes two Lego rooms (one for little kids to play with Duplos, the other with regular Lego bricks for older kids); the area also includes three spaces for teens — a gaming area (with VR options), a hangout with ping pong and foosball and a dance club.

Related: 7 cruise lines where kids sail free

And let’s not forget the line’s amazing pizza (including dessert versions slathered in Nutella) that families are sure to love.

MSC Seascape sails seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

AmaWaterways’ AmaLea

The typical river cruise draws a lot of retirees — except when Adventures by Disney partners with AmaWaterways. The two travel companies have created a river cruise vacation that is fun for grown-ups and kids.

AmaLea is one of the ships AmaWaterways custom-built for these family cruises. Certain twin balcony cabins sleep three, and suites sleep four to accommodate kids, with connecting cabin options for families who need more space. Unlike many river ships, AmaLea has a pool, as well as a surprise kid hit — giant outdoor chess.

While other ships sail the Seine and Rhine rivers, AmaLea travels the Danube through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Adventures by Disney makes the most of your time with shore excursions planned to entertain kids and adults, with options for supervised kid activities while parents head out on more grown-up tours. Your family might meet farm animals in Hungary, play hide-and-seek in a palace’s labyrinth maze in Austria and hang around in a treetop playground in Germany.

Related: Best river cruises in Europe

On board, kids’ menus are available, and the occasional pajama party whisks kids away for pizza and a movie while adults linger over dinner.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.