We Tried It: Carnival Cruise Revisted

I recently took a trip that I named “We Tried It”. It didn’t start that way, but as the trip progressed, a common theme shared among us was “we tried it”.  It included trying a Carnival cruise since it had been well over 30 years since my last one.  Trying 3^rd party excursions and traveling/cruising in the summer.  This article is the first in the "We Tried It" series, where I share my experience on the Carnival Celebration.  This isn’t meant to be a full review, but rather my overall experience of cruising on the Celebration.

Carnival was my very first cruise line many years ago. If you’ve read my previous article How I Became the Cruise Addict I am Today, you’ll know that initial experience was a little disappointing. So naturally, I was excited to give Carnival another try after more than 30 years.

I admit, I had some concerns before sailing. Carnival has gained a reputation as the party cruise, often making headlines in a negative way. On top of that, their recent changes to loyalty programs and the enforcement of new rules made me worried I might end up on a ship full of unhappy guests, discontent with these shifts.

Why I Wanted to Try Carnival Again

Despite these concerns, I had several reasons to give Carnival another chance:

• It had been a long time since my first experience, and I was curious to see how the brand had evolved.

• Carnival Corporation is the largest cruise company in the world by number of ships and passengers across its brands. Their cruisers are known for fierce loyalty (though recent loyalty program changes may impact that).

• Carnival is known for its wide variety of food options.

• The line is famous for fun sail-away parties.

• Carnival typically offers lower cruise prices compared to competitors. But, does the lower cost mean sacrificing quality? The adage “you get what you pay for” came to mind.

• And perhaps most exciting, we were booked on the Carnival Celebration—one of their newer ships—with an exclusive chance to visit its new exclusive island, Celebration Key, during its grand opening week.

Embarkation

Embarkation went smoothly, starting with online check-in, which Carnival requires two weeks before sailing—much later than the 30–45 days most lines allow. Because we booked an ocean suite, we got early check-in privileges and chose a morning appointment at the port. However, this appointment is just a time frame and doesn’t grant early access to the ship itself. We were among the first to board, but a steady stream of guests followed right behind us. Next time, I’d probably sleep in a little and arrive later.

My first impression when I stepped on board was that the ship’s atmosphere was lively and busy, just as you’d expect from Carnival. Instead of stepping into a traditional grand atrium when getting on board, the Celebration features a Center Stage that spans three decks—6, 7, and 8—where shows and performances happen. This centerpiece is a hub of activity, but doesn’t quite replace the feeling of an expansive atrium, in my opinion.  I missed the open feeling I experienced when boarding ships on other cruise lines. 

The Sail-away

Carnival is known for its high-energy sail-away parties with a lot of hype and line dances.   About a week before our cruise, I learned that Carnival changed its sail-away parties to be more family-focused and inclusive.  So, was the sail-away party still fun?  Yes! I found it to still be high energy with some line dances, participation by everyone, and they even spotlighted their junior cruisers and brought out the Dr. Seuss crew as part of it. I enjoyed this sail-away party as much as I have on other lines.

The Stateroom

Our suite, though not a grand corner Excel Suite, had nice amenities: a larger bathroom and shower, a private area with a comfy couch that transformed into a bed for my granddaughter, complete with a TV and some privacy thanks to a curtain.  We were also allowed to access our cabin immediately so we could drop off our carry-ons. 

The balcony, however, was disappointing. I knew going in that our balcony was positioned under other balconies, which allowed guests above to see you and made for a less private experience. Below our balcony was a white rooftop that blindingly reflected the sun during the day, making the balcony extra hot. These issues affected our enjoyment of that space. If balconies matter to you, I recommend studying the deck plan carefully or working with a travel advisor to choose the best cabin. Why did I pick this balcony? Even though I booked this cruise over a year in advance, that was the only cabin available in that category! I checked several times before the cruise to see if I could change it, but nothing became available. I believe the fact that this sailing was in summer and visiting Celebration Key contributed to many people booking early. 

I was pleased with the size of our cabin and its amenities.  I would not book that location again.  Being able to relax on the balcony, unplug, and soak in the sea air is essential, and I missed it. 

Pro tip:  If you know what cruise you want to take.  Please don’t wait, book it.  I’ve said this before, the earlier the better to get your ideal cabin.

Dining

Food options on the Celebration were plentiful and varied—a definite highlight for anyone who loves to eat. We enjoyed dining at several venues, including the Pig and Anchor lunch buffet, which was easily my favorite spot. In contrast, the Lido Marketplace buffet was small with limited choices and felt poorly organized. Interestingly, the same dinner entrees served in the main dining room were also available in the buffet. The buffet had a family section with kid-friendly staples like chicken nuggets, fries, and burgers, but it was removed at dinner, which seemed less family-friendly to me.

We also sampled specialty restaurants Cucina del Capitano and ChiBang. Cucina del Capitano was good from start to finish, while ChiBang was a mixed bag—I loved my appetizer and dessert, but wasn’t a fan of the main course.

Guy’s Burgers was a hit with everyone, and although I didn’t try Big Chicken, it came highly recommended by those who did in our travel party.

What stood out even more were the cooking classes. If you want to try them, sign up early! I missed the cooking class my granddaughter wanted because I waited too long, which in this case was 4 months before the cruise, but found an ice cream class to be unexpectedly fun and hands-on—we made waffle cones, bananas foster, crepes, and of course ice cream. It was a great family experience I’d do again.  If you provide your email address, the chef will email you the recipes for all the dishes. Yes, I got them. In fact, I received the email before the cruise ended.

Entertainment and Activities

The sheer volume of entertainment options was overwhelming—there was always something happening, but not always something that suited me. The Center Stage show was performed twice nightly and was visible from three decks, but the viewing experience varied greatly depending on your seat.

For families, there were plenty of activities: cornhole, water slides, pools, an obstacle course, among others, and Bolt - the unique roller coaster at sea, which was low thrill and perfect for me to try. The kids’ club was available, though my daughter noted somewhat chaotic check-in procedures, possibly due to the busy season. My grandson was at the kids' club just about every night, so they definitely kept the kids entertained.

Celebration Key

Carnival Celebration Key Entrance

The new exclusive island, Celebration Key, was the highlight of our cruise. The island’s freshwater lagoons are expansive and family-friendly, with shops and food vendors owned and operated by the Bahamian locals—a beautiful partnership that directly benefits the community. We rented an over-the-water cabana in Starfish Lagoon, which offered plenty of space and attentive service. Although it was the island’s first whole week hosting ships, the overall experience was a good one, and I would visit again.

Final Thoughts

Carnival is a solid option for families, offering a variety of kid-friendly activities and groups. There’s a cruise for every kind of traveler, and Carnival is right for those seeking fun, activity, and value.

The experience was an improvement from my first cruise. Would I sail Carnival again? Possibly—but on a different ship and during a different time of year. This cruise felt crowded, and outdoor space for relaxing or simply enjoying the ocean was limited. I’m not sure how much of this feeling came from the fact that we were cruising in the middle of July.  Our regular cruise season is January and February.  Stay tuned for We Tried It:  Summer Cruise Travel.

If you’re considering a Carnival cruise or want to explore your options, I’d be happy to help you find the perfect itinerary and experience tailored to your family’s needs. Feel free to reach out anytime!