Carnival Celebration

For her 1987 namesake vessel, see MS Celebration.

Carnival Celebration is an Excel-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. She is Carnival's second vessel of the fleet's Excel class, a subclass of Carnival Corporation & plc's Excellence class.^[1] At 183,521 GT, she is the largest ship in Carnival's fleet. Unlike her sister ship, Mardi Gras, as well as the original Celebration, this ship is named Carnival Celebration using the Carnival prefix. Her name was announced on 21 August 2020.^[2] She was ordered on 6 November 2016 from the Finnish shipyard Meyer Turku.^[3] She features the worlds second roller coaster at sea, named Bolt (first launched on Mardi Gras).^[4] Construction started on 13 January 2021^[5] and was completed on 2 November 2022.^{[citation needed]}

Carnival Celebration

Carnival Celebration in Funchal, 2022
History
Bahamas
Name	Carnival Celebration
Namesake	MS Celebration
Owner	Carnival Corporation & plc
Operator	Carnival Cruise Line
Port of registry	Nassau, Bahamas
Ordered	6 September 2016
Builder	Meyer Turku
Cost	$1 billion
Laid down	January 2021
Launched	11 February 2022
Sponsored by	Cassidy Gifford
Christened	20 November 2022
Completed	2 November 2022
Maiden voyage	6 November 2022
In service	2022–present
Identification	IMO number: 9837456 Call sign C6GE4
General characteristics
Class & type	Excellence-class cruise ship
Tonnage	183,521 GT
Length	1,130 ft (344.5m)
Beam	137 ft (42 m)
Height	69.3 m (227 ft 4 in)
Decks	19
Speed	23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph) (projected)
Capacity	5,374 passengers (double occupancy) 6,500 passengers (maximum capacity)
Crew	1,735

Design and specifications

Carnival Celebration leaving Funchal

Carnival Celebration is divided into six zones incorporating themed elements and spaces that host activities and events and also house various dining and shopping outlets.^[6] On her top decks, Carnival Celebration hosts the "Ultimate Playground" zone, where the shipboard roller coaster is located, dubbed "Bolt".^[2][7] Designed by Maurer AG, the ride consists of self-propelled cars that ride on an 800-foot track and can travel up to 40 mph (64 km/h). Bolt was first launched on Mardi Gras, in 2020.^[7][8] "Bolt" is accompanied by an extensive water park and sports center.^[6]

Specific to Carnival Celebration, a new zone called The Gateway features the Golden Jubilee bar and lounge. This is not only dedicated to the cruise line's 50th anniversary but also featuring both replica and original items taken from retired ships of the past, from the original Mardi Gras to Carnival Fascination. This replaces the Brass Magnolia that is featured on her sister ship, Mardi Gras.^[9]

Area of operation

The ship operates from Miami, Florida sailing a mixture of 6-8 day cruises to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean after a 14 day transatlantic cruise, which departed from Southampton, England on 6 November 2022.^[10][11]