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By Steve Nakazawa - March 15, 2026
The Backstory: Overcoming the Travel Hesitation
The Backstory: Overcoming the Travel Hesitation
Back in the fall of 2023, my (now) wife and I were looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the DC area. We wanted somewhere warm for the winter, but we were hesitant. Although we loved our two-week cruise on the MSC Meraviglia in 2019, the COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions had made us cautious. We had even canceled a 2020 cruise right after the world shut down.
We were actually leaning toward a standard Florida land trip—visiting a friend in West Palm Beach, catching some Washington Nationals spring training games, and hitting local breweries.
Then, I chatted with a colleague (and fellow travel agent) who frequently sails Carnival. They walked me through the updated safety and hygiene protocols and suggested I give Carnival a try. After some deep-dive research, my wife and I decided on a "best of both worlds" trip: a seven-day cruise out of Miami on the Carnival Celebration, followed by a few days exploring Florida post-cruise.
We chose a Western Caribbean itinerary starting in Miami, with the first port of call being Cozumel, Mexico, then to Roatan, Honduras, then Costa Maya, Mexico, and back to Miami.
Pre-Cruise: The Golden Rule of Departures
Pre-Cruise: The Golden Rule of Departures
Since our cruise was departing from Miami, we decided to heed the advice we had heard from many others: Get to the embarkation city at least one day before your departure date. Unless you live within a few hours' drive of the port, arriving the day before is essential to avoid travel delays that will add stress to, or possibly ruin, your vacation. We stayed in Brickell, an upscale, vibrant neighborhood just a stone’s throw from the Miami cruise port. It was the perfect way to start the trip.
Embarkation & First Impressions
Embarkation & First Impressions
A few things really stuck out to me when we arrived to the cruise terminal and stepped onboard:
The Process: Embarkation somehow felt chaotic and orderly at the same time. We arrived at the cruise terminal during our embarkation time, and were whisked through the check-in and security. Pro tip: arrive as close to your boarding time as possible; arriving too early often means waiting in the South Florida heat
The Scale: the Carnival Celebration is an Excel Class class ship, the largest class of ship in Carnival’s fleet (183,521 gross tonnage), that can accommodate a lot of passengers (5,362 guest capacity).
The Vibe: The design is modern, with beautiful tributes to Miami and Carnival’s 50th birthday scattered throughout the public spaces. And yes, there is an actual roller coaster (BOLT) on the top deck!
Onboard Highlights: Craft Beer & Culinary Stars
Onboard Highlights: Craft Beer & Culinary Stars
The Celebration is divided into six zones. Here is where we spent our time:
The Brewery Tour (Summer Landing Zone, Deck 8 Aft)
The Brewery Tour (Summer Landing Zone, Deck 8 Aft)
As craft beer lovers, the Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse & Brewhouse was a major draw. It’s a fully functioning brewery at sea.
The Experience: For a small fee ($35 when we sailed), we did the brewery tour on a sea day. The brewmaster gave us a lesson on brewing at sea, provided samples of Carnival’s "Parched Pig" beers, and took us behind the scenes. It’s a laid-back, educational activity I highly recommend.
The Food: Beyond the Buffet
We really enjoyed the huge variety of dining options that the Celebration has to offer, but the stars for us were:
Shaq’s Big Chicken (Included): Located on Deck 16 aft. I highly recommend the “Shaq Attack”—a chicken sandwich with pepper jack, jalapeño slaw, and spicy chipotle BBQ sauce.
Chibang! (Included): This Mexican-Chinese fusion spot on Deck 8 was so good we went twice. The Chinese dishes actually beat out the Mexican ones for us—specifically the Hakka Noodles and Kung Pao Chicken. Note: Your first visit is complimentary; subsequent visits are currently $8 per person.
Emeril’s Bistro 1397 (A la Carte): Located in The Gateway zone (Deck 6). Being a fan of Creole cuisine, I loved the Muffuletta and Red Beans & Rice. There is an upcharge here, but it’s worth it for a break from the Main Dining Room.
Guy’s Pig & Anchor (Included): Skip the crowded Lido Buffet on embarkation day and head here for the BBQ buffet instead. The lines are much shorter, and the food is excellent. Guy’s is located in (Summer Landing Zone, Deck 8 Aft)
Latitudes Bar (The Gateway, Deck 6)
This is a travel-themed bar with a mechanical "flap-board" (like an old train station). It serves drinks from around the globe. My favorites were the Pimm’s Cup and The Sakura (pictured) —a beautifully presented, refreshing drink that felt perfect for a global-themed bar.
My Insider Tips and Closing Thoughts:
Prioritize BOLT: If you want to experience BOLT, ride it early in the cruise or during a port stop. High winds or mechanical issues can shut it down.
Arrive Early for Shows: 30 minutes is the minimum for the popular theater productions.
Escape the Crowds: If you need a breather, head to the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat (Deck 18) or consider booking a Havana Stateroom for access to an exclusive pool area.
For two people who were hesitant to get back out to sea, the Celebration was the perfect "welcome back" to cruising. It reminded us why we love being at sea.
If you’ve been on the fence about your next getaway, I’d love to hear what’s holding you back—sometimes just talking through the options with someone who has been there makes all the difference.
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