Carnival Reveals Four Zones Onboard Carnival Celebration
by Dori Saltzman /
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is pulling back a corner of the curtain to reveal details of its second Excel-class ship, Carnival Celebration.
Like sister ship Mardi Gras, Celebration will include several themed zones, including the Ultimate Playground, Summer Landing, and Lido. But new for Carnival Celebration is Celebration Central. Plus, in a first for the line and in honor of the line’s 50th birthday, all zones will incorporate design elements that pay homage to previous Carnival ships.
“From a design perspective, we are incorporating elements from our former ships, paying homage to the history of Carnival, and also showcasing Carnival Celebration as a modern, innovative, and forward-looking vessel,” said Ben Clement, senior vice president of new builds, refurbishment, and product innovation. “While similar to Mardi Gras with a plethora of options for dining, entertainment, and relaxation, Celebration will have her own personality, one that celebrates all things Carnival, intertwining where we have been with where we are going.”
Observant Carnival cruisers can find design elements from former Carnival ships that have been repurposed to blend in with the Celebration’s modern décor. For example, in the Aquaria Bar, ocean-themed glass murals from Carnival Victory will be incorporated into a two-deck-high decorative wall behind the bar, creating an aquarium-like effect, which inspired the bar’s name.
In another nod to the past, the Tropicale Bar is named after Carnival’s first ship to have the line’s iconic funnel.
Here are the four Zones the line has so far revealed for Carnival Celebration.
Celebration Central
The ship’s atrium, Celebration Central spans decks 6, 7, and 8 and features a ceiling that appears as a burst of a confetti canon made of some 1,400 color-changing light fixtures. Filled with natural light, the space has 3,000-square-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. During special events, including live music and aerial acrobatic performances, the windows transform into 16 individually controlled, six-by-14-foot LED screens to provide accompanying special effects.
Food, beverage, and entertainment options within Celebration Central include JavaBlue Café, Piano Bar 88, the Punchliner Comedy Club, Bonsai Sushi, and Bonsai Teppanyaki.
Ultimate Playground
The BOLT sea coaster is the centerpiece of Carnival Celebration’s three-deck Ultimate Playground. The coaster, the second at sea after the one on Mardi Gras, runs along an 800-foot-long track at up to 40 miles per hour.
Spanning decks 18 to 20, the Ultimate Playground is also home to the WaterWorks aqua park and SportSquare, featuring a mini-golf course, full-court basketball, and a ropes course.
Summer Landing
Cruisers can get their fill of barbecue at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse in Carnival Celebration’s Summer Landing Zone, located at the back of deck 8. Inside Summer Landing, cruisers will also find a pool, whirlpools, the Watering Hole poolside bar, and the Heroes Tribute Lounge.
Lido
The poolside Lido spans the back of decks 16 and 17 and features a two-level RedFrog Tiki Bar, Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant, Guy’s Burger Joint, Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina.
Carnival Celebration debuts this November in Miami.

