Carnival Celebration
Miami, Florida/At Sea
Sunday, February 12, 2023
72F, Sunny
Early this morning we
were ready to drive to the Port of Miami to board our new ship, the Carnival
Celebration. Donna and Lawrence were
catching an Uber, there was no room for everyone’s luggage in our truck. Originally
they were going to park at the port too, but because of car issues it was
easier to leave theirs at the hotel.
Since we all left at the same time, we arrived at the port about the
same time too. We waited about two hours
to board, despite being priority passengers, but that time passed quickly as we
talked and met a new friend, Melanie from Philly.
Walking onto a ship the
first time is really magical, you don’t know what to expect and a wondrous
scene unfolds. We were able to drop our carry on luggage off at our room right
away. The stateroom took us back a
little as it reminded us of the one that we had on the NCL Epic in
2012—narrow, not much room between the wall and the bed, and a small bathroom. Yes,
bathrooms are generally small on a cruise ship, but it is a good thing we aren’t
any heavier than we are.
This ship’s inaugural
cruise was in November 2022, so this is its inauguration year. Costing $1
billion, it is 1130 feet long, with a 137 foot beam. There are about 1735 crew members, and a max
passenger capacity of 6500. There are probably around 5400 people on the ship
this week. I do not think the ship’s
architects asked any passengers about what they would like to see in a billion
dollar ship. For example who wants less
storage space, and a room designed for skinny people?
There is superior
lighting on the desk’s mirror which also can also as a makeup area. This is the
first ship we have been on that actually has three electrical outlets for U.S.
appliances and USB ports (4).
That said, Internet cost
$154 for each of us. We are connected, but I can only use only one device at a
time. Contrast that to Princess, and TK and I could share the Internet package with
4 devices—2 phones, my iPad, and my laptop. I believe the price for that was
about $150 for two weeks for 4 devices.
For example, on the Princess cruise I was writing my blog, sending photos
from my phone to my email so I could use them in the blog, and playing Words
With Friends with my dear friend Heather while photos were downloading, all at
the same time. Not now—I have to
disconnect to go back and forth. It does seem that the Internet is quite speedy!
Donna and Miami
About 5 p.m. the ship started to leave the Port of Miami and we watched with D & L from our balcony.
Virgin's Scarlet Lady
Richard Branson started his own cruise line (adults only)
Passing cruise ships on our way to the Atlantic
as we follow the Scarlet Lady
After making it to the Atlantic, we all went to the Lido deck
and found spectacular seats to watch the Super Bowl under the stars. I think the ship was divided, many for the Eagles
and others for the Chiefs. I believe in
supporting the home team, and that would be Philadelphia this time, but TK, D,
and L all wanted the Chiefs to win, and they did. We ate while watching the game—fried shrimp tempura
was fantastic!
We explored the ship some
more and then called it a day---another adventure awaits!
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