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Celebration Cruise Line

MS Bahamas Celebration

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Reviewed by: Rich Turnwald
# previous cruises: 50 or more
Date of Trip: April 27, 2009
Itinerary: Bahamas

Celebration Cruise Line is very much a budget operation, offering a mini-cruise (2 or 3 nights) to Nassau at very low rates. If you've never been on a cruise and want to sample the waters first, this might be a good try-out without investing a lot of money, but it is not as elaborate or sophisticated as the major cruise lines and their ships.

The ship was originally an overnight carferry between Norway and Germany, so it was not designed for people to be aboard very long, and not in a warm climate. Outdoor space is limited, although with the recent refit a lido buffet and outside eating areas were installed. An elaborate children's area is now located aft, with nice shallow pools and a huge waterslide for them. Instead of a traditional swimming pool for adults, an "above ground" water tank was installed near the outdoor buffet area. This is actually a half circle area, further divided into two, about 4 feet high, with glass walls. You enter into this by walking up some steps and down other steps to get into it. People using the tank really just stand around the glass sides, looking outwards; there is a flat railing to place a drink on, around the side of the tank. Unlike anything I've seen on any other ship, and I've sailed on over 200 cruise ships!

There is no main show lounge, although there is a large, two-level nightclub located aft, where the entertainment takes place. Instead of a stage, any performances take place on a circular dance floor on the lower level. No real views of it from the upper level unless you are right next to the railing overlooking it. Above this room is the Ocean Breeze Lounge, a nice smaller lounge with a small dance floor. This room is flanked by a small library and small card room. The casino is located forward and seems to be a new addition, looking very nice and large. Midships is the Pub 437, which functions as a piano bar and lounge. And on the lower deck is a brand new spa area, which did not seem to get much use on my cruise.

Celebration's website indicated that, with four restaurants, dining would be "FreeStyle", but it actually is not. At embarkation you must select either early (6:15p) or late (8:30p) seatings for dinner, and you are given two cards, one for each evening, in either Rio's or Crystal dining room. Apparently there are too many people aboard to make the small dining areas function for open seating. My night in the Crystal was like a typical cruise dining room; although the selections were limited (two appetizers, one soup, one salad choice, 3 entrees, 3 desserts) the food was good. My night in Rio's not so good: it is billed as a Brazilian steak house, but really this is a buffet-style restaurant. Every diner must go through the buffet line for appetizers, salads, pastas, etc. Then at your table, waiter come around with various meats, such as beef, pork, sausage and chicken. Unfortunately my table only received beef on offer; we were already eating dessert when two more waiters came around offering sausage or pork.

Breakfast and lunch were open seating at Rio's buffet, with very limited selection. The buffets on deck were OK, with limited offerings as well. That area was very congested in mornings and lunchtimes, with many people eating on deck literally, or in deck chairs due to limited table space. I must mention there is also an ice cream parlor on the top deck, with complimentary ice cream, but with very limited hours of operation.

I was in cabin 8208 on the highest deck outside, which is one of the larger cabin categories; I measured it at 125 square feet, including the bathroom. Most of these rooms have a queen-sized bed, which is two original lowers permanently attached together. There were no drawers or dressers in the room, a small closet and a shelf for writing or make-up in front of the mirror. Again, with her overnight ferry roots, cabin space was not a priority. There was a new flat-screen TV, however, which was nice, and the bathroom was a comfortable size with large shower, strong water pressure and hot water when you wanted it.

I did see the cabins on the lower decks, which are not called cabins, but "coach", either inside or outside. These are literally the size of a Pullman train compartment; the bed takes up the entire space, and I was told they do not have TVs. I did not see how small those bathrooms might be. DO NOT book yourself into one of these--they are nothing like a regular ship's cabin and for a few dollars more please get yourself a bit more space.

I peeked into the shows both nights, but because of the facilities available, these are not production shows, but cabaret. A singer, a juggler, a comedian, a mime, etc. Since this is a very short cruise and people are not aboard very long, entertainment is not a major element here. There was a piano player in the pub, and a "one-man-band" in the smaller nightclub. Karaoke was held in this room late at night but I did not attend; I suspect this may have been one of the more popular entertainment events.

The 2-night cruise brings you into Nassau at 8:00am, and you must be back aboard by 5pm for the sailing at 5:30pm. The Line really pushes the tours, almost scaring people into not going off the ship on their own. Since most of these are first-timers, many did take advantage of snorkelling and beach tours being offered.

Celebration Cruise Line is a budget operation, really designed for a first time cruiser. A huge percentage of their passengers come to Florida on package trips involving time-share properties; as part of the package they apparently must attend sales presentations ashore either before or after the cruise. This is really a continuation of what Imperial Majesty Cruise Line used to do, only under a new name.

Most people are on a cruise for the first time, as part of a time-share presentation package. Not having seen a ship before, they don't really know what to expect.

If you've sailed on the major cruise lines and their ships, no doubt you will be disappointed in this experience. I knew what I was getting into ahead of time and simply went to experience the ship. For the ship lover, it may be of interest to sail on a 1981 cruise ferry, with most of her original design intact. Lots of glitz from that era: shiny chrome and gold-colored railings and fixtures, but also a fair amount of wood, reflecting her Scandinavian origins. Wood in the cabins, on various interior railings, panellings, even support columns.

I always try to find the good and positive on every ship and cruise line; in this case, you can take a nice, short cruise without investing much money. If your expectations are not too high, you can have a good time. Food is OK, and there are activities and things to do if you go and find them. Just do not buy into the advertising and promotions that lead some people to believe it's a luxury cruise, comparable to the major Lines and their ships: it is definitely not.