Carnival Celebration at a Glance
Carnival Celebration is one of Carnival Cruise Line’s large Excel-class ships. It entered service in late 2022 and sails mainly from Miami, Florida. It is a sister ship to Mardi Gras and Carnival Jubilee, and, like them, it is built around themed zones, a long list of dining venues and a big line-up of onboard attractions.
If you are new to the line, our first-timer overview explains how a Carnival sailing generally works. This page focuses on the ship itself.
Where It Sails
Itinerary listings show Carnival Celebration doing 7- and 8-night round trips from Miami, with stops across the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and the occasional longer sailing. Ports on some itineraries include private-island or resort-style calls in the Caribbean. Schedules change from year to year, so check Carnival’s site or your booking for the current routing and dates.
How Many Passengers Does It Hold?
Carnival Celebration carries more than 5,000 guests at double occupancy (two guests per cabin), and a higher number when every berth, including third and fourth guests, is filled. Exact figures are published by Carnival and can differ slightly depending on the source, so check the line’s fleet page if you need a precise number. The crew is in the thousands too.
A ship this size means more venues and more activity, but also busier elevators, queues at peak times and a longer walk between areas.
Cabins and Themed Zones
Staterooms listed for the ship include:
- Interior rooms. Typically around 158 square feet in published listings, with a Premium Interior option that is larger.
- Ocean view rooms. Listed at roughly 243 square feet.
- Balcony rooms. A standard balcony stateroom is commonly listed at around 205 square feet, with extended balcony and aft-view options available. If you are torn between categories, see whether a balcony is worth the upgrade.
- Suites. Ocean Suites and the larger Excel suites, which include perks such as priority boarding and dining.
- Themed neighborhoods. Havana (Cuba-inspired decor, with a pool area for Havana guests; guests must be at least 12 years old), Family Harbor (family-friendly rooms and a lounge) and Cloud 9 Spa staterooms with spa perks.
Many rooms are described as having two twin beds that can be converted to a king-size bed, and many sleep up to four. If you are planning to sleep more people in a room, see our guide to Carnival bunk bed weight limits and cabin beds.
Dining
Guest reviews of the ship mention a wide spread of venues, including:
- Main dining rooms (reviewers mention Carnivale and Festivale)
- The Lido Marketplace buffet
- Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Big Chicken and Miami Slice for casual meals
- Specialty or extra-cost options such as Cucina del Capitano, Emeril’s Bistro 1397, Seafood Shack and Chibang!
- JavaBlue Café for coffee, pastries and drinks
Opinions are mixed and personal. One reviewer praised Emeril’s Bistro 1397 and Chibang! but felt the buffet was nothing special, which is a pattern you see across most ships. Menus and prices change, so check current details before you plan around a specific restaurant.
Dinner service and formal nights on the ship follow Carnival’s usual routine. See our dress code guide and the notes on lobster night in our first-timer guide.
Things to Do
Like other Excel-class ships, Carnival Celebration is built around a large entertainment lineup: pool areas, waterpark-style features, outdoor attractions, a casino (reviewers have noted a smoke-free casino area), shows, bars and a spa. Specific attractions and areas can differ from ship to ship, so use Carnival’s deck plans for the current layout.
Tips From Reviewers
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. One reviewer found the elevators small and busy and used the stairs often.
- Use the HUB app to check wait times for dining and to plan the day.
- Walk the ship early in the trip to learn where the main zones are.
Is It the Right Ship for You?
If you like big ships with many choices, Carnival Celebration is a strong candidate. If you want something small, quiet or very formal, you may prefer a different ship or line.
You will see online debates about which cruise line is “the worst” or whether another brand is “low-end.” These are subjective. Cruise lines target different budgets and styles, and guest satisfaction depends on your expectations, itinerary, cabin and mood. Read recent reviews of the exact ship and sailing, and compare what you value, not just labels.
Where Was the First Carnival Celebration?
Carnival has used the name Celebration for more than one ship. An earlier Carnival ship named Celebration entered service in the 1980s as part of the line’s earlier generation of vessels. The current Carnival Celebration is the newer ship that began sailing in 2022, based in Miami.