Welcome back to my Carnival Celebration 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise review! Today’s the first of our two back-to-back sea days as we make our way back to Miami. First off, the weather has pretty much cooperated for the entire cruise, a far departure from my cruise a few weeks ago on the Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral. There’s been plenty of sunshine, warm temps, and very calm seas. The only day we had not-so-perfect weather for was on Day 3 for our visit to Amber Cove in the Dominican, where the day started off looking grim but turned itself around after lunchtime.
The ship’s three-story atrium, Grand Central, was buzzing this morning. Kids (and plenty of adults) got their fill of furry friends at a Build-A-Bear workshop. Meanwhile, the infamous “gold by the inch” sale was in full swing. I still find it amazing that people will line up for this, but hey, it’s part of the cruise experience! Or is it?
Speaking of experiences, bingo is a classic. But on Carnival, be prepared for, well, a pricier classic. Bingo cards were on sale today, and let’s just say it won’t be a budget-friendly game. You can rack up a pretty hefty bingo bill by buying cards if you’re a bingo addict, but I don’t think it will equal the amount of money I’ve lost in the casino so far. More on that, later.
John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, recently made waves (pun intended?) with a video showcasing how crew members on the Carnival Horizon tackled chair hogging on a cruise he was on a week ago. The video explained how crew members would put a sticker with a time on it on chairs that were being “held” with items such as towels and bags. If they remained unclaimed for a while, the crew members would remove the items freeing the chairs up for other sunbathers.
While this video was more than likely done as a public relations stunt to show that, “yes, we are doing something about chair hogs,” I have NEVER seen any crew member actively doing this and this cruise is no exception.
Spring break crowds are upon us, and the lido pool area reflects that. Prime spots were claimed early by towels, not people. It’s a bit frustrating for those who want to enjoy some poolside relaxation without playing the towel reservation game.
Besides the usual poolside tunes and sunbathing, activities seemed a bit light today, with a focus on shopping events. OMG! Gold by the inch! Perhaps it’s a sea day strategy to lighten passenger wallets when things loosen up after a few Rum Runners.
The technical limitations on the ship continue to affect the entertainment scene. The massive video wall in the Center Stage atrium is still partially out of service. This means production shows that rely heavily on visuals are being swapped for solo singers or the ship’s talented musicians. Tonight, a Latin music set replaced the usual high-tech show.
While others enjoyed the Latin tunes, we had an early reservation at Bonsai Teppanyaki, the ship’s phenomenal specialty restaurant. In my humble opinion, it’s the best value for money on the entire ship.
At $42 per person (plus service charge), the experience is fantastic. You get four incredible appetizers: ahi tuna on the rocks, pork belly-wrapped asparagus, miso soup, and a delightful ginger dressing salad.
Then comes the main event – your choice of protein (or a combo!). Filet Mignon, shrimp, lobster, chicken, and salmon are all on the menu. The skilled hibachi chef prepares everything in front of you, with some entertaining flair thrown in for good measure.
The meal concludes with a delightful bento box overflowing with six different desserts, from chocolate-covered strawberries to pistachio cake. It’s the perfect ending to a truly delicious and entertaining dining experience.
After dinner, the ship could be described using the word of the week, “crowded.”. Lines at the bars were long, a recurring theme throughout this cruise. After waiting what seemed to be forever for a cocktail at a bar with the shortest line, I ventured into the casino. Let’s just say Lady Luck wasn’t on my side tonight (or any night, for that matter). This has officially been the most I’ve ever spent gambling on a cruise, chasing a jackpot that never came. Lesson learned!
Meanwhile, in the atrium, the Evolution dance party was underway to tucker people out so they sleep well.
Before calling it a night, I grabbed a well-deserved nightcap and some ice cream (because, why not?). Now, it’s off to bed for some rest and relaxation before our final day onboard the Carnival Celebration and our return to Miami.
FunTimes for March 1, 2024:
The FunTimes for March 1, 2024, is also available as a PDF.